BajaNomad

Besides Baja - Any other favorite Latin American destinations?

Ken Cooke - 3-17-2009 at 06:35 PM

Any 'Nomads enjoy other Latin American destinations outside of our favorite peninsula?



bajaamy - 3-17-2009 at 07:28 PM

Costa Rica!

islandhop - 3-17-2009 at 07:32 PM

Wife and I changed spring baja trip to spring Panama trip. This will complete central america for us. Any nomads have constructive tips for a visit to Panama?

Ken Cooke - 3-17-2009 at 08:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by islandhop
Wife and I changed spring baja trip to spring Panama trip. This will complete central america for us. Any nomads have constructive tips for a visit to Panama?


Lots of Americans travel there. I was in Panama City in February - I spent US Dollars in the airport, and talked to Americans who stayed at a hotel, and simply took day trips to their desired spots for sight seeing. Everyone coming home from Panama looked rested.

BajaGringo - 3-17-2009 at 08:11 PM

Argentina

Buenos Aires


Iguaza Falls (Misiones)


Tucuman


Bariloche


Las Pampas


La Boca


Mar del Plata


Tierra del Fuego



[Edited on 3-18-2009 by BajaGringo]

windgrrl - 3-17-2009 at 08:34 PM

Venezuela, Costa Rica, but especially Cub-ahh! :yes:

lizard lips - 3-17-2009 at 08:59 PM

Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, (Spain and Portugal-not latin America but close in custom). Didn't care for Honduras.

[Edited on 03/08/2009 by lizard lips]

[Edited on 03/08/2009 by lizard lips]

Guatemala, Si!

Skipjack Joe - 3-17-2009 at 09:34 PM

Fascinating country.

From Lago Atitlan in the highlands to the Mayan ruins of Tikal in the rain forest. So much to see.

Adding picture of Lago Atitlan:

[Edited on 3-18-2009 by Skipjack Joe]

atitlan.jpg - 49kB

Leo - 3-17-2009 at 10:02 PM

La Paz, Bolivia
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Galapagos Islands, Equador
St. Lucia, Carabian
PV, Mexico

Baja Rocks!

Sharksbaja - 3-17-2009 at 10:20 PM

Why?

vacaenbaja - 3-17-2009 at 10:21 PM

ECUADOR Galapagos Islands

I love Mexico!!!

nancyinpdx - 3-17-2009 at 10:28 PM

My fave place on the Planet is Oaxaca!!!!!!! The city of Oaxaca is beautiful, peaceful, sophistcated, yet humble, very interesting with all the indigenous peoples, has amazing museums, beautiful ornate churches, colonial architecture, tons of parks, fabulous markets, the best food in Mexico, an amazing zocalo with free concerts, cool cafes, and wonderful ppl watching, etc. The beach of Puerto Escondido is my fave beach. Mitla is a nice little town with some ruins. There are also tons of villages to explore, and ruins in Monte Alban. I've not been to those places yet. Oaxaca has lots of other beach towns as well. Go! You'll love it!

Other beautiful places I've been to are Tulum- beautiful ruins with a stunning white sand carribean beach right below! Playa del Carmen has a gorgeous beach also. Puerto Vallarta is the prettiest Mexican city I've ever been to. I've visited other places in Mexico but these really stand out. I looooooooove Mexico and am completely obsessed- a hopeless Mexico Junkie!

[Edited on 3-18-2009 by nancyinpdx]

nancyinpdx - 3-17-2009 at 11:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lizard lips
Ok, Ok, Ok----You love Mexico!


Whatever gave you that idea? :saint:

Bajafun777 - 3-18-2009 at 12:15 AM

Costa Rica was really great but their roads makes Mexicos look like a great freeway system in USA. Again, the people, beaches, rain forrest, casinos, hotels and sea food was great. Nest trip is going to be Panama also as I have had severeal friends say it was great. Later----- bajafun777

si

BFS - 3-18-2009 at 04:49 AM

view from the "office"

DSC_0516.JPG - 31kB

otra

BFS - 3-18-2009 at 04:50 AM

out back

CNV00001.JPG - 37kB

wilderone - 3-18-2009 at 08:15 AM

Baja CA is only one state of Mexico - Chiapas, Yucatan, Quintana Roo are awesome. Exploration, ruins, jungle, beaches, rivers, cenotes, free camping, indigenous cultures, Maya culture, butterflies, birds, swimmin holes, howler monkeys, waterfalls. Panama has some great adventures too - snorkling on archipelago islands is the best; river raft the Rio Chagras - might spot a jaguar.

Sunman - 3-18-2009 at 08:19 AM

Nicaragua.

Baja&Back - 3-18-2009 at 08:23 AM

PANAMA !!!

Pompano - 3-18-2009 at 08:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Any 'Nomads enjoy other Latin American destinations outside of our favorite peninsula?


There are so many great places, Ken, as you know.

Costa Rica is very pro-American, but has long since been overcrowded and overpriced. Still good fishing at Crocodile Bay. Panama's west coast islands (catch roosters from your balcony), El Salvadore, Nicaragua coasts(like Baja was 30 years ago), Patagonian train trip & food to die for, highlands of Argentina (hunting and fresh-water fishing is top notch), and Tierra del Fuego (best rainbows, seatrout, browns in Latin America.)

Martyman - 3-18-2009 at 08:50 AM

Guatemala. When I crossed the border from Mexico to Guate, I got the same feeling of change that I get crossing from the US to Mexico. I need to go back sometime.

rob - 3-18-2009 at 08:57 AM

Hi Lizardlips,

I was interested in your comment about Honduras. Have travelled to a number of Central american places, but not Honduras or El Salvador.

I researched El Salvador on the Web (it`s not a place that you hear about much) and the basic feeling I got was to be VERY VERY careful there . . . now is that Giggling Marlin-type careful or Cuidad Juarez-type careful? Is Honduras somewhere in between?

rob

bajadock - 3-18-2009 at 09:21 AM

Interesting responses. My 2006 Panama trip opened my mind to possibility of retirement in Latin America.

While Panama City is a beautiful, modern city, I prefer the wide open spaces of Chiriqui province. Love Chiriqui's lush mountains, empty beaches and islands.
www.panamforum.com

Baja has been very good to me since moving here 30 months ago.:bounce:

wsdunc - 3-18-2009 at 09:41 AM

Bolivia... My wife is Bolivian, and I have had the opportunity to make 3 month long trips in the last few years. Bolivia has the worst economy in South America. The last time I was there dinner for 5 in a simple restaurant was <$5, big party night out for 13 people at a nightclub $50. Even though there is a lot of poverty, food is very cheap, and therefore you don't feel the desperation of other places where the very poor are starving also. One good indicator is that the street dogs are well fed and healthy. They also don't slink away when ever a person is near.
The Bolivian people are the most gracious and friendly poeople I have ever met, and I have had a chance to visit >30 countries.
Minimal crime, (pickpockets, purse and chain snatchings) and no feeling of danger, from either bad guys or the police.
Food is great, and availability of frsh produce is great, including fruits you may well have never seen before.
Complete gamut of locations:
La Paz at ~11,000 ft, cold and windy, folks dress kind of formally like the east coast of the US.
Cochabamba the city with a name like a song, where we have our house. 6000 feet, but right at the equator, so the climate is a lot like So Cal. People dress a lot like So Cal also, more causally, shorts and T-shirts.
Santa Cruz, near sea level, very green with rainforests and jungle nearby. Vibrant economy, bustling place. Beautiful blondes in short shorts and halter tops.
Awy from the cities you have lots too, mountains over 20,000 ft, roaring jungle with monkeys and royal macaws and anacondas, not to mention wild turkeys and pigs and deer. Rivers here have piranhas, and there issomething special about floating in a river knowing it is flowing info the amazon.
The Salar de Uyuni, a high altitude salt flat at 1300 ft. Big enough that it is the one landmark in South America that the astronauts were able to see from the moon. There are 3 day landrover tours here which explore the salt flats and the mountains abobe them. The trips go as high as 16000 ft, and you will see lakes that are colored by minerals: a green lake, a red lake (actually kind of pink) and a wine colored lake. Around the lake you will see 3 species of flamingos. There are also boiling hot springs and geysers. All in all a avery cool trip.
Anyhow, if you get the feeling I love Bolivia you are right, if it had a Sea of Cortez it would be perfect.

tjBill - 3-18-2009 at 09:47 AM

Colombia!!! :bounce:

Never met a latin america lover who did not fall in love with the country.

The worst place i've been in Latin America is Caracas, Venezuela. The people were less friendly and every third traveler I met had been mugged.

lizard lips - 3-18-2009 at 10:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rob
Hi Lizardlips,

I was interested in your comment about Honduras. Have travelled to a number of Central american places, but not Honduras or El Salvador.

I researched El Salvador on the Web (it`s not a place that you hear about much) and the basic feeling I got was to be VERY VERY careful there . . . now is that Giggling Marlin-type careful or Cuidad Juarez-type careful? Is Honduras somewhere in between?

rob




Rob, I have been to El Salvador many times and never had a problem. The people are very nice and the city is great by Central America standards. Honduras on the other hand is a little rough. The capitol city, Tegucigalpa is very dangerous. I was almost robbed there a few years ago. I had two guys follow me around and when they decided to try and jack me I stepped into a restaurant and had the employees call the police who came immediately. They caught the two guys who apparently have done this before and took them away. I travel alone most of the time so it leaves me at a disadvantage. I had a few other bad experiences in Honduras with money exchange. The people there are very street smart and prey on tourists. Never had a problem in San Pedro Sula in fact I had a great time. I suggest stay away from the capitol.

[Edited on 03/08/2009 by lizard lips]

Heather - 3-18-2009 at 10:22 AM

Speaking of Honduras...I lived and worked in Tegucigalpa for a couple of years in the early 90's. With all the machine-gun toting private security guards, I generally felt pretty safe. I was only robbed once, walking through a pretty good neighborhood in broad daylight. It was a big, poor, dirty, city, and I wouldn't go back, but...Honduras has the Bay Islands which are wonderful!
There is a very Baja feeling, although the music is reggae, not rancheros!
Needless to say, I spent all my vacations in Roatan, unless we traveled to Guatemala or CR.
The Bay Islands are beautiful, great snorkeling and great people. The only problem are the sand flies, which can put a damper on the holiday! Saludos, Heather

Bajahowodd - 3-18-2009 at 10:28 AM

Three faves come to mind. In Mexico, I really recommend Isla Mujeres. And not for a day trip from Cancun. Stay on Isla Mujeres. Only a 25 minute ferry ride from Cancun, but it may as well be on another planet. The vibe is a combination of Key West, Havana, and, of course Mexico. No high rises, minimal traffic. And the lee side of the island has some of the most beautiful beaches imaginable. Travel around the island is primarily by golf cart.

Rio at Carnival time is overwhelming good fun. Brazilians are not just separated from the rest of Latin America by language. There is a wholly different vibe to their culture.

And while technically a part of the united States, Puerto Rico is awesome. San Juan combines the modernity of most big cities, with an immensely appealing colonial atmosphere. And once outside the city, rain forests and beautiful beaches abound.

Skipjack Joe - 3-18-2009 at 11:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wsdunc
Anyhow, if you get the feeling I love Bolivia you are right, if it had a Sea of Cortez it would be perfect.


Lake Titicaca comes close.

Bajagypsy - 3-18-2009 at 11:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Three faves come to mind. In Mexico, I really recommend Isla Mujeres. And not for a day trip from Cancun. Stay on Isla Mujeres. Only a 25 minute ferry ride from Cancun, but it may as well be on another planet. The vibe is a combination of Key West, Havana, and, of course Mexico. No high rises, minimal traffic. And the lee side of the island has some of the most beautiful beaches imaginable. Travel around the island is primarily by golf cart.

Rio at Carnival time is overwhelming good fun. Brazilians are not just separated from the rest of Latin America by language. There is a wholly different vibe to their culture.

And while technically a part of the united States, Puerto Rico is awesome. San Juan combines the modernity of most big cities, with an immensely appealing colonial atmosphere. And once outside the city, rain forests and beautiful beaches abound.


I was able to spend my sweet 16 birthday in Isla Mujeres, I went back 10 years later, and it was a different place. When I first went there, it was a vacation hot spot for mexican's american's and canadian's had not found it yet.

Bajahowodd - 3-18-2009 at 02:31 PM

Funny. But I was there in 1998, and again last year. Of course, it's more crowded. But to me, except for the Mayan ruins, it would be the only reason I would fly to Cancun. Unfortunately, one of the most amazing locations on the island is occupied by an ugly mid-rise known as Avalon Reef. God, what I could dream of doing with that piece of property, after knocking Avalon reef down.

Festus - 3-18-2009 at 02:43 PM

Based on my personal travels:

Most rustic (what latin america was like before Americanization) = highlands of Guatemala.

Most Romantic = Cartagena, Colombia

Single Most Beautiful Location = tie between Lake Atitlan (Guatemala), Machu Pichu (Peru) and Tulum (Yucatan).

Most Under-rated = Vina Del Mar (Chile)

The place I haven't been to yet...but most want to go = CUBA

rpleger - 3-18-2009 at 02:55 PM

Costa Rica....
Went there twice, once in 1975 for three months and fell in love with it....
Again in 1990 and it had changed so much that when I think about going back there again....I think not....

Sharksbaja - 3-18-2009 at 03:20 PM

Roger, shame on you posting something nonBaja. Why I remember a time.......:rolleyes::lol:

Now to get out my 10,000 Latin photos album!:P

Bajahowodd - 3-18-2009 at 03:54 PM

Festus- while I do believe that the current administration will open access to Cuba by the end of its first term, the dirty little secret is that you can fly from Mexico to Cuba right now. The Cuban immigratation will not stamp your passport. The only downside is that if you get into any kind of trouble while in Cuba, whether it be health issues or alleged crime, you'll be in mucho trouble once you get back home.

There are actually hotels in the Cancun area that market junkets to Cuba when you stay with them. And the nice thing is that the flight from Cancun to Havana is little more than 1/2 hour.

And no. I'm not saying......;D

[Edited on 3-18-2009 by Bajahowodd]

lizard lips - 3-18-2009 at 08:21 PM

Festus, You are right about Cartagena. The old "Walled City" is very special with great restaurants!

[Edited on 03/08/2009 by lizard lips]

Cuba from Cancun

nancyinpdx - 3-18-2009 at 10:14 PM

I've known this for a long time, but so far have been too scared to risk the U.S. finding out! :o
nancy
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Festus- while I do believe that the current administration will open access to Cuba by the end of its first term, the dirty little secret is that you can fly from Mexico to Cuba right now. The Cuban immigratation will not stamp your passport. The only downside is that if you get into any kind of trouble while in Cuba, whether it be health issues or alleged crime, you'll be in mucho trouble once you get back home.

There are actually hotels in the Cancun area that market junkets to Cuba when you stay with them. And the nice thing is that the flight from Cancun to Havana is little more than 1/2 hour.

And no. I'm not saying......;D

[Edited on 3-18-2009 by Bajahowodd]

Bajahowodd - 3-18-2009 at 10:24 PM

After basically half a century, it's time to grow up. When Fidel triumphed, it was our government that was caught asleep at the wheel. Fidel's populist movement against a brutal dictator was to give power and support to the people. At the time, Washington was way too myopic, and refused to support any sort of regime that did not exactly mirror our democracy, thereby pushing Fidel toward the next best option, which in the days of the cold war, was the Soviets, who were more than happy to oblige. Really have to wonder that if our government was not so fixated on the red menace, how Cuba would have turned out. It's basically ancient history now. Let's open the door to relations with Cuba. We've got a huge Cuban- American population, Cuba is 90 miles from Key West.

[Edited on 3-19-2009 by Bajahowodd]

Skipjack Joe - 3-18-2009 at 10:33 PM

Most beautiful city in Latin America: Antigua, Guatemala.

Packoderm - 3-18-2009 at 10:43 PM

I really liked Placencia, Belize, but I have heard it has changed big time (common story everywhere it seems). I was at Isla Holbox a little over two years back, and I would be very happy to return. It seemed like what Isla Mujeres must have been like 30 years ago. There are no paved roads on Holbox, and golf carts are the made mode of transportation. No police and no crime. The beaches aren't as good as Tulum though, but the weather was nicer. I liked Yelapa near PV. I'd like to spend a week there again to see if it is anything like I remember. To tell the truth, I'd like to go anywhere if I could afford it.

Ken Cooke - 3-18-2009 at 10:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Let's open the door to relations with Cuba. We've got a huge Cuban- American population, Cuba is 90 miles from Key West.

[Edited on 3-19-2009 by Bajahowodd]


I flew over Cuba several times, and that island looked really inviting. Lots of dirt roads leading to the ocean with nobody around (it seemed). I wonder what it would be like on the ground...

Bajahowodd - 3-18-2009 at 10:51 PM

In the 50's, Havana was right up there with St. Tropez and Acapulco as world class vacation destinations.

EnseNADAslim - 3-19-2009 at 12:19 AM

The only other Latin America county I've gone to is Ecuador. Stayed outside of Quito at a retreat center. The Terrain was beautiful. Spent a weekend at Esmerelda's, which was pretty cool as well, but man, what an accent they have. Very hard to understand Spanish.
A Kayak adventure in Belize is our big dream.
Ziplines in Mindo Ecuador were very cool.

nancyinpdx - 3-19-2009 at 01:04 AM

Ensenadaslim: That looks terrifying!!! YIKES!!!


If I had tons of extra money I would help the poor with most of it but would also travel as much as I could. I wanna see Colombia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Panama (including a panama canal cruise), Venezuela, Guatemala, much of the Amazon river area (maybe a boat ride or cruise or a long trip overland or even fly over many parts of it in a small aircraft and land at interesting parts), Peru, El Salvador, Brazil, almost all of Mexico.... Heck, maybe all of Latin America if I had the moolah, time, and good enough health all at the same time! I am very curious and interested in other cultures, customs, languaged, beliefs, etc. And I love nature, music, textiles, art, (and children!) cuisines, etc from other countries!

[Edited on 3-19-2009 by nancyinpdx]

Santa Ana,Calif

Bronco - 3-19-2009 at 05:29 AM

backninedan - 3-19-2009 at 08:04 AM

Driving down to Santa Rosa de Copan Honduras next month. I will post a report when I get back.

I did live on Ambegris Caye Belize for a year and found it expensive and overated. The reef was pretty much dead and the sand fleas were god-awful.