“Let’s go hiking,” I said one early morning at breakfast. “OK, we’ll go after lunch,” said Gloria and Lena. Gloria was a thirty-something olive skinned Spanish woman and her friend Lena, a short Latino with jet black hair from Chicago. Both were the only native Spanish speakers on the tour and helped me greatly improve […]
See Something Different and Visit the Stone Carving Hermit of Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a place that attracts visitors with its surf, beaches, hiking, volcanoes, and delicious food. You’ll never be short of something to do. But if you’re looking for something different and personable, travel north to Esteli and search out Alberto Gutiérrez, the town’s stone-carving hermit. He’s not easy to get to but he’s worth […]
My 15 Favorite Things to Do in Nicaragua
Nicaragua used to be a secret. “Pshhh, have you been to Nicaragua yet? That’s where you really want to go,” travelers would say. It was the land of backpackers and intrepid travelers. Tourists veered toward Costa Rica instead as Nicaragua’s rough past plagued its image. But over the years, travelers seeking a fun, cheap, and […]
The Mayan Ruins of Tulum
While I was in Mexico last week, I had the chance to visit Tulum. Tulum is an ancient Mayan city located right on the beach. In fact, a popular thing to do here after working up a sweat from walking around is to go swimming in the ocean. There’s nothing like swimming in the shadow […]
The Cost of Traveling Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most expensive countries in Central America. The whole country is a giant tourist trail, and older Americans and retirees have driven up prices over the years. Many budget travelers simply skip the country altogether because they feel it’ll be too expensive. Since it’s a hugely popular destination, I was […]
The Death of Nostalgia
Though I always like visiting new destinations, when I really like a place, I want to go back, and I often revisit places. In February, I went back to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. The last time I was there was in 2003, and I remember it for its amazing number of monkeys, lush jungles, and […]
