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
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
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.
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
So I’ll round out our little mini guide to Ecuador’s second city with my top three tourist attractions. Like I said before, Guayaquil is easily passed over because it seems like a humid quagmire of noise and rush-hour traffic. But get beyond the grud and you’ll find a few places worth seeing if you are stuck for a couple of days in transit or sorting out visas.
I usually shy away from chain restaurants and cafeteria style spots for sheer lack of taste and quality. Niko’s cafe in Panama City is one of the only places that will cause me to make exceptions to my typical dining rules. I really enjoy eating at Niko’s. The prices are great, the food is good and the staff is actually somewhat friendly. Niko’s not only serves meals, but they have a bakery that puts out tons of different breads and pastries that are to die for. I love their pan de leche and coffee for a sweet breakfast or snack.
I have tried almost everything at Niko’s from the pizza to the burgers to the arroz con pollo. They Read more
Guayaquil, if you recall is Ecuador’s commercial hub and home to over 3 million people. It is the southern city and the gateway to Peruvian travel. Most people in the past have quickly made their way through in pursuit of more glamorous destinations in the mountains and the coast. But as more more people are straying on, living and working, there becomes a need for a little guide to places to stay, places to eat and places to drink.
Vagabond Explorer Magazine challenges you to get outside the rounds of conventional tourism, get into the open air, and look the world directly in the face. Serving as the official magazine of Vagabond Journey Travel, in each issue we strive to give you the best on the ground travel reports, biting vagabonding narratives, tactical and money saving tips, and reviews of the top blogs, books, and gear made for the traveler. Look inside at Vagabond Explorer Magazine
Did you know that the hat that most of us know as the ‘Panama hat’ didn’t actually originate in Panama? Until recently I had no idea that the hat that most of us recall when we hear the term is actually an Ecuadorian imposter. The ‘Panama hat’ is made from the leaves of the toquilla straw plant. The leaves are used to make the material the hats are woven from. The hats received the name because in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the hats were shipped from Ecuador they made a pit stop in Panama before reaching the rest of the world. The hats were then named after the major shipping port that most other countries received Read more
Will I be able to find the things I like? Where is it safe to buy meat and vegetables? These and other questions are common concerns when relocating to Costa Rica. It takes time to get acquainted with what’s available in your town and where you get the most bang for your buck. A particular challenge is purchasing meat and vegetables.
Most supermarkets have both a meat and produce sections but they are often less than stellar. Also the selection may be very limited and unfamiliar. Meat is almost as expensive as it is in developed countries but the quality is usually better. Most cows in Costa Rica are range fed, which makes for safer, better quality meat. While Read more
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