Accompanied with the tag-line “Go for the canal. Stay for everything else” – the New York Times lists Panama as #1 in their annual Places to Go feature for 2012. And for good reason. Panama is a country of phenomenal flora and fauna, secluded beaches, tropical beauty and historic marvels. Yet for all its wonder it remains – from a traveler’s perspective – oddly overlooked. Think Costa Rica 25 years [...]
Last week, the New York Times did a feature on ways to save on your next trip, calling attention to Latin America bargains. A few of our favorite destinations where mentioned: Argentina, Belize, Nicaragua, and Panama. The article noted what we’ve known for years — that many times travelers can find top of the line adventures at a fraction of the price that they would pay in the US or [...]
Last month, the Galapagos National Park Service announced they are closing visitor access to two of the tortoise corrals at Santa Cruz’s Fausto Llerena Tortoise center — due to some irresponsible behaviors by, reportedly, both some select travelers and naturalist guides. Behaviors reported include littering and violating the park’s rules against touching and coming within two meters of the animals. It was also reported that visitors were observed walking on [...]
My husband and I just returned from a visit to the ancient Maya city of Tikal in Guatemala. We were staying in Belize at Pook’s Hill Jungle Lodge and planning a day excursion across the boarder into Guatemala. Before we went, we were informed told us of a recent incident between the Guatemalan and Mexican drug lords — which occurred just days before we were planning on visiting the Peten [...]
UPDATE (March 12, 2011): The tsunami hit the Galapagos about an hour later than originally expected. Seas are choppier around the entire archipelago, but nothing too severe or extremely unusual. Waves at Academy Bay, in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island), were taller than normal as well, but there are no records of any damages caused to boats, coasts or ports in the Galapagos. The animals from the Charles Darwin Research [...]
Here’s a great deal for those headed on a Peru trip. LAN airlines is offering a free round trip domestic Peru flight when you purchase your international flights to Lima, Peru on LAN airlines. Deal applies to flights from Miami, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and several additional US connecting cities including: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, Seattle or Washington DC. The catch: You need to purchase your flights by [...]
Discover the energy of a local Latin America celebration over the Easter holiday. Providing an insider’s look, these trips are designed coincide with Semana Santa and filled with spirituality, artistry and tradition. This year the Easter holiday lands on April 24th. Guatemala Easter Festival Antigua, Guatemala is home to the largest Easter celebration in the world in which the Passion, the Crucifix and the Resurrection of Jesus are commemorated. [...]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7H9rWwnc4E] Our new Cotopaxi Group Service projects in Ecuador combine the best worlds of travel — some excellent adventure, along with the opportunity to give back to the people and places that provide such amazing memories. In other words, a simple way to say thanks. In Ecuador’s Cotopaxi National Park and Condor Biosphere, you’ll ride, hike and bike for a little multisport adventure. Then roll up your sleeves to help [...]
Earlier this year, the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) issued a notice to all Galapagos boat operators that they must start operating 15-day itineraries. Original announcements stated all boats would adhere to the new 15-day itineraries as early as Feb. 1, 2011 — later reports pushed the official effective date to Jan. 1, 2012 to allow more lead time for boats to make changes. With the changes already on the [...]
UPDATE 10/28/10: As of Oct 28 (interestingly enough one day after I posted this article) LAN announced flights from Lima to Iguazu will now go through Foz do Iguazu International Airport (IGU, Brazil) replacing the original published operation from LIM-IGR in Argentina. Still totally doable — but now many travelers (including US travelers) will be required to purchase a visa for Brazil. LAN airlines recently announced new direct flights from [...]
