A Run For The Border

July 6th, 2011 | Peru - News, Peru - Relocation, Peru - Travel Tips | Comments Off

I always get a bit stressed going to the border to renew my Visa. It never seems to come at a good time. When I get to my destination, usually Copacabana, I can never really relax 100% because, in the back of my mind, I’m wondering how many days I’ll get this time.

This last trip was no exception, although for slightly different reasons. This time, the problem came from protesting between Puno and the Bolivian border. I’d heard about protests in Ica on the way to Lima. But it was a complete surprise when my bus stopped before even getting to the fork in the road where the right branch goes to Desaguadero and La Paz while the left Read more

Puerto Lopez Travel Guide

July 6th, 2011 | Ecuador - Adventure, Ecuador - Must See or Do | Comments Off

Puerto López is a small fishing town with a sweeping, horseshoe-shaped beach located along the famous Ruta del Sol in Ecuador. Fishing boats and sunbathers add some color to the yellow sand beach which gives way to small headlands as you head into town. Quiet and unassuming, there is not a whole lot to do in Puerto López itself, but the town makes an ideal base to explore the nearby Parque Nacional Machalilla, Ruta del Sol, as well as watch the migration of Humpback whales through June to September.

Ecuador’s only coastal preserve, Parque Nacional Machalilla, has protected 40,000 hectares of cloud forest and tropical dry forest as well as 20,000 hectares of ocean since 1979. An entrance fee of Read more

Cafe Rica, the Unique Elixer

July 6th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Adults Only | Comments Off

My wife, Sandra and I started each day sipping Costa Rican coffee out on the balcony of our apartment. After bringing home a bottle of Cafe Rica our mornings got off to an even better start.

Café Rica is the country’s unique liqueur, a delicious elixir distilled from coffee, and sold exclusively in the country. It is available in supermarkets and souvenir shops in the tourist areas. The bottles are packaged in a burlap sack, a miniature coffee bag.

The first morning we were eagerly preparing our coffee and Café Rica when a tiny gecko exited the burlap liquor sack and hid behind the refrigerator. Imagining the tiny lizard’s journey from the plantation into our apartment became a breakfast pastime. Read more

There’s a New Panamanian Gringo Author in Town!

July 5th, 2011 | Friends of the Gringo, Panama - Gringo Favorite, Panama - Relocation, Panama - Travel Tips, The Best of Panama | Comments Off

The names Al Explorer and I Like Going Places.  I recently up and quit my job, left my entire life in the United States behind and moved to Panama.  Despite my lack of Spanish I managed to land a job as an English Teacher and now I live in El Cangrejo one of the best neighborhoods of Panama City.  I’m an avid adventurer who’s had the opportunity to set foot in 41 different countries thus far, but the more I travel the more itchy my feet become for more!  A hybrid of English and American descent, I was born in London, but raised in the foothills of the Rocky Mountain’s in the great Boulder, Colorado of the USA.  My shiny Read more

Pampering and Sunbathing in El Salto, Uruguay

July 4th, 2011 | Uruguay - Family Friendly, Uruguay - Must See or Do, Uruguay - Places to Stay | Comments Off

For most of us, when we think of Uruguay what comes to mind is the party scene at Punta del Este and the capital, Montevideo. That  is where most fellow expatriates are drawn and rarely venture out into the rest of the country. Some, however, have stepped of the beaten path and found treasures formerly enjoyed only by locals and savvy Argentinians. One such treasure is El Salto, a city located along the Rio Uruguay, across from the Argentinian city of Concordia.

While El Salto is the second largest city in Uruguay it still manages to keep a small town feel. One University, one mall, one movie theater. It may not sound too promising, but despite that small town feel Read more

Award-Winning Boutique Hotels in Argentina

July 4th, 2011 | Argentina - Places to Stay | Comments Off

Argetina’s varied landscapes and attractions make it difficult to choose one place to visit, one hotel in which to spend your cherished and long-awaited vacation, weekend getaway or even honeymoon. Hours of reading online reviews, asking others about their favorite places and past vacation experiences may feel overwhelming and ultimately lead nowhere. Let’s narrow it down. Take a look at two, very different, award-winning boutique hotels in Argentina.

Las Balsas Gourmet Hotel and Spa is peace, relaxation, luxury and nature wrapped up into one incredible hotel. Located within the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Patagonia, this lakefront hotel offers breathtaking views of the lake, the mountains and the Nahuel Huapi coihue forest. There are 10 rooms and 2 suites, each Read more

Two Awesome Restaurants in Zona 10, Guatemala City!

July 4th, 2011 | Guatemala - Places to Eat | Comments Off

New city, new neighbors, new hairdresser, new favorite restaurant. We all face the same decisions and adjustment period when we move to a new city, even worse a new country. To make that transition easier, here are two candidates for new favorite restaurant.

Real steak houses are few and far between in Guatemala. That is what makes Hacienda Real so special.   This steak house is serving up every kind of meat and doing it right. They serve a delicious, local Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon, pork and beef tenderloin, grilled seafood and chicken. A signature dish is the Parrillada Real, including  grilled steak, puyaso, sausage, chorizo and chicken served with corn on the cob and a baked potato. Read more

Soccer Fever in Costa Rica

July 4th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Culture, Costa Rica - Family Friendly, Costa Rica - Gringo Favorite | Comments Off

It’s going around and you’re sure to catch it. Soccer Fever. In Costa Rica this is pretty much a permanent condition; soccer is more of a passion than a sport. Participating in the Gold Cup and the Copa America, this fever has only intensified.

Costa Rica’s participation in the Gold Cup was in one word, dissapointing. With a new coach and a new team, there were high hopes for the “selecccion”(national team). A prideful 4-0 win against Cuba was followed by a satisfying tie with El salvador and then a crushing 4-1 loss against the all-time rival Mexico. After a demoralizing blow, the Costa Rican team dusted itself off as it prepared to move on to the quarterfinals and Read more

Death of the Visa Overstay Fine

July 1st, 2011 | Ecuador - News, Ecuador - Travel Tips, Ecuador-Politics | Comments Off

think it was reported last year that a rumor was circulating that the $200 (and theoretically up to $2000) overstay departure tax was no longer. Well, I have been speaking recently to those who have sweated it out at passport control with over-staid visas and all parties have confirmed that there is no more tax—or at least they never paid a penny.

Las Hermanas Mirabal Museum in Salcedo

June 27th, 2011 | Dominican Republic - Culture, Dominican Republic - History, Dominican Republic - Museum, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Last Saturday we had hoped to go to the beach, but with the rain clouds looming overhead, those plans sadly had to be put on hold. We made up for the gloomy morning by sitting around inside, eating waffles with fried apples (thank you La Sirena), pecans and whipped cream, topped with real maple syrup – thanks to our wonderful French Canadian friend – and discussing what fun, indoor activity we could do later in the day. That’s when Chris suggested checking out the Las Hermanas Mirabal Museum in Salcedo.

Las Hermanas Mirabal are perhaps the most adored historical figures in the Dominican Republic (they’re even on the 200 peso note!). Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal are revered Read more

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