Down near the bottom of South America, this small, welcoming country especially lures visitors during its balmy summer (the northern hemisphere’s winter with, average temperatures here around an average in January of 23⁰ Celsius/73-74⁰ Fahrenheit). Above all they tend to flock to its 650 kilometres (404 miles) of fetching Atlantic Ocean beaches with both calm and wilder waters, punctuated by sand dunes and rocky bluffs, and served by a variety of places to stay and play, from luxurio
latin america (96)
Before the dawn of the 21st century, Tulum was a tiny, sleepy Yucatan town to which tourists ventured on day trips from Playa del Carmen and Cancun, to visit the famous seaside ruins and wander around the town, perhaps take a dip in its turquoise waters. Then it began attracting folks who came, were wowed, and stayed - first hippies annd woo woo types who wanted yoga and retreats for meditation, then becoming a magnet for celebrities, and inevitably developers, investors, hoteliers, and restaur
Founded in 1535, this country´s largest city (pop. 2.7 million) and business capital sits on the steamy Pacific coast, near where Guayas River drains into the ocean, and except for business travelers it´s not as popular a destination as, say the Galápagos, Quito, and Cuenca. But Guayaquil is still very much worth a visit, starting with this quintet of highlights:
Santa Ana Hill
One of Guayaquil’s oldest neighborhoods and a cornerstone of the city’s history, the 60-meter-high (1
Ceri Breeze
Can you imagine crossing from one ocean to the other in just an hour, aboard a train surrounded by tropical jungle? The Panama Canal Railway, one of the oldest in the Americas, offers a short but unforgettable journey: it connects the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean through landscapes that look straight out of a documentary.
If you’re planning a trip to Panama, set aside a morning to hop on this historic train. You’ll experience a unique combination of nature, engineering, and the
On the Caribbean coast and the Magdalena River Delta an hour east of much better known Cartagena, Colombia´s fourth-largest city (pop. 1.2 million) is a thriving port famous for its nightlife, its handsome inhabitants, Caribbean culture, and vibrant Carnaval celebrations. Though with a history stretching back to 1629, these days Barranquilla is somewhat industrial but it has charming neighborhoods, a wide range of shops and huge areas of parks and plazas. Experience the local cuisine of costen
If you're looking for an exciting place to spend your next holidays, allow us to suggest one of the world's most interesting and welcoming countries. Located in the northwest of South America astride both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Colombia and its people will make you feel welcome and at home whilst you discover amazing new sights, sounds, flavours, and experiences. Here's how:
Fascinatin' Rhythms
The mix of cultures in this country has given rise to some 150 genres of musi
Honduras, located in the heart of Central America, is a country of contrasts—ancient Mayan ruins, pristine Caribbean islands, lush rainforests, and bustling modern cities. Despite being one of the lesser-known travel destinations in Latin America, Honduras offers experiences that rival some of the most popular tourist countries in the region. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a beach lover, or a culture enthusiast, you’ll find something extraordinary here.
If you’re planning your first trip to
Honduras is one of Central America’s most underrated destinations. While many travelers rush to its neighbors, Honduras quietly offers a rich mix of Caribbean beauty, Mayan history, tropical rainforests, and authentic local culture. Whether you’re planning an adventurous backpacking trip or a family vacation, Honduras has plenty to offer for every kind of traveler.
Why Travel to Honduras?
Honduras is blessed with diverse landscapes—from turquoise beaches and coral reefs along the Caribbean Sea t
Tucked away in the southern region of Argentina, El Calafate is a small town that serves as the gateway to one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in the world—the Perito Moreno Glacier. With its vast ice fields, towering ice walls, and shades of blue that change with the light, this glacier is a spectacle that leaves visitors spellbound. For Indian travelers, El Calafate offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience, combining adventure, serenity, and a unique connection with nature.
The Perito
Once overlooked by tourists when going to Latin America, Medellin is now one of the most visited cities, not only for short vacations, but even for long-term stay. The welcoming spirit and vibe of the place and its residents is so attractive to people of different walks of life—mostly remote workers, slow travelers, and retirees, who after experiencing Medellin for what was a short visit is now looking into staying for good. Because of the increasing number of visitors, Medellin has continually
Cuba is one of the Caribbean´s most popular countries with visitors because of its paradisiacal beaches, lovely landscapes, handsome architecture, compelling history, its infectious music, and its tasty cuisine. In capital Havana all of this is distilled into a marvelous must-visit - and of course this is where you´ll find the most and best restaurants and cafés in the entire country.
Typical Cuban Dishes
Ropa Vieja
One of the most classic island dishes of all, "old
by Jazzmine Raine
The main reasons millions come to Cuba each year are (primarily) beaches and (secondarily) culture. But the lag in the country’s development since 1959 has been a boon for ecotourism, leaving the island with quite a few natural treasures for visitors to discover, from hidden waterfalls to castaway beaches, national parks, and conversatories. I recently discovered one such gem in the Sierra del Rosario mountains just over an hour’s drive west of capital Havana. Allow me to intr
Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is home to some of the most fascinating remnants of the ancient Maya civilization, and among them, the Tulum ruins stand out as a spectacular destination that combines history, culture, and breathtaking coastal scenery. Nestled on a cliff overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea, the Tulum archaeological site offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past while providing stunning natural beauty. For travelers interested in exploring ancient mysteries, a Tulum Ruins tou
We were up at silly o' clock in our hotel in San José for our 2½-hour drive to Tortuguero, a 312-square-kilometre (194-sw.-mile) national park on the country´s Caribbean coast, with a variety of ecosystems, including rainforest, mangrove forest, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. We just had time for a coffee and some pastries for breakfast, but were promised a much more substantial second breakfast en route. In the town of Guápiles, we stopped for our first substantial meal in Costa Rica; scrambl
Municipalidad de Miraflores
This country´s capital is a vibrant modern metropolis of around 10 million, with excellent dining, nightlife, nearby beaches, and an atmospheric, UNESCO World Heritage colonial core dating back to 1535. And it´s also home to a number of Incan sites as well as others which are not just pre-Columbian but also predate the Incas; these huacas are temples, funerary, administrative, and commercial centres spread throughout the modern city, and provide a fascinating look at P
David Escribano
by David Escribano
This country´s northernmost department (like a state or province), Petén, is also not only its largest, but home to most of its ancient Mayan archaeological sites. Tikal is by far the most famous, but others deserve to be better known, and none more so than Yaxhá, the region's third largest city - which some like just as much, and which you'll likely have practically to yourself, with only howler monkeys and perhaps a small smattering of other visitors for compa
Though mostly shabby and decrepit except for its UNESCO World Heritage colonial core, Habana Vieja, being restored for the tourism trade with the help of the Spanish government, the European Union, and other international donors, the capital of Cuba is truly one of the more remarkable cities in all the world, as millions of new visitors have been discovering each year since the régime started increasingly opening up the island to visitors in the years following the 1991 collapse of its
Some of the world’s most famous ruins can be found in this expansive, steamy lowland peninsula covering the southern Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo (as well as, many people don’t realise, northern Belize and the Guatemalan state of Petén, home to Tikal). The two best known, Chichén Itzá and Tulum, are celebrated for a reason. But if you’re particularly fascinated, as I am, with the Mundo Maya, you’ll want to add several more days to your visit here, as the
grandriver; all other photos Keith Kellett
We were up at silly o'clock for this trip, but we caught the 62-year-old Bridge of the Americas (top) at sunrise, and that's quite a sight.
It is said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That might be true for dates, job interviews and the like, but it doesn’t necessarily apply to places. We’ve visited a number of cities we weren’t too impressed with at first sight, but grew to like.
Panama City struck us as a warren of hig
