When it comes to Mayan ruins, Tikal and Chichén Itza are usually the first that come to mind. They’re great, and you should go there, too. But there’s another set of equally impressive ancient Mayan buildings tucked away in a corner of Honduras: the magnificent ruins of Copán. The pyramids here might not be as […]
Copán Ruinas: Visiting Mayan Ruins and More in Honduras Read Post »
There’s a magical place nestled up in the Guatemalan highlands: an azure lake, surrounded by volcanoes and towering cliffs. In 1934, Aldous Huxley called it “too much of a good thing.” Today that beauty has attracted a marauding horde of tourists, ranging from drunken Israeli frat boys to German hippies who’ve swallowed one acid tab
Diving into Lago Atitlán: Travel to Guatemala’s Most Beautiful Lake Read Post »
There are plenty of interesting things to do in Quetzaltenango, also known as Xela, if you know where to look. Okay, you actually don’t have to look that hard. The city is manageably sized and a fascinating destination full of interesting places to visit. The colonial Spanish and gothic German buildings have a worn, tattered
Discover Xela: A Guide to the Best Things to See and Do in Quetzaltenango Read Post »
Is Guatemala City worth visiting? Even though I’ve been there, I’m still not sure I can answer that question. Guatemala City definitely has a bad reputation. The city conjures up images of ugly, sprawling slums, streets crammed with traffic and shirtless gangsters with gold teeth and face tattoos loitering on every corner. These are exaggerations,
Is Guatemala City Worth Visiting? Read Post »
Antigua is probably the number one travel destination in Guatemala. Every year, thousands, if not millions, of tourists flood the city’s elegant collection of cobblestone streets, restored Baroque Spanish colonial buildings, and ruined fragments of towering cathedrals. All of it ringed by a series of sometimes smoldering volcanoes. You’ve probably seen pictures of Antigua on
Wandering in Antigua: a Travel Guide to Guatemala’s Most Touristed City Read Post »
What do you want when you travel? Do you want highland treks along the slopes of smoldering volcanoes? Do you want to wander cobblestone streets, drinking coffee in front of grand colonial edifices? How about scaling ancient ruins to peer above humid jungle canopy? What about witnessing the modern traditions of the descendants of the
Go to Guatemala: A Travel Guide Without the Tourist Traps Read Post »
According to the legends, Shangri-La is a green Himalayan paradise. A mystical Buddhist haven where people never age. A peaceful, magical utopia where everything is wonderful all the time. The real Shangri-La is not like this. It might not be a Buddhist utopia, but it is a very nice place to experience Tibetan culture without
I Got Altitude Sickness in Shangri-La Read Post »
Not to be confused with the artist, the town of Dali is located a couple of hours’ train ride north of Kunming in China’s Southwestern Yunnan province. There are no melting clocks or dreamy oil paintings in this Dali. Instead, you’ll find ancient architecture, bustling nightlife, and a gorgeous lake framed by regal mountain peaks.
Dali: The Town in China, Not the Painter Read Post »
Ko Samui and Ko Tao are two tropical islands that hang out in the warm tropical waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The tourist websites flaunt the islands as the ultimate tropical paradise, for those who want to wash away their cares on palm-fringed beaches. Are these Thai islands worth it, or is the praise
Ko Samui and Ko Tao: Island Paradise or Overrated and Full of Lice? Read Post »
Historical ruins aren’t typically on the list of reasons people travel to Thailand. Especially considering that nearby Cambodia is home to the world-famous Angkor Wat. However, Thailand has its own set of ruins. They aren’t as magnificent or impressive as its neighbor’s, but the ruins of Sukhothai are still totally worth a visit.
Sukhothai: You Should Visit Thailand’s First Capital Read Post »
