Caribbean and Central America Travel Forum

What happened to this wonderful Restaurant? I heard it was not in Cable Beach next to the Crystall Palace Casino any longer. Where did it go???????????????

Marie

Hi, I'm travveling to Cuba Nov 18th till Dec 18th.
I will be participating in Baila en Cuba in Havana (Nov 22-27). Is anyone also participating?
http://www.bailaencuba.soycubano.com

I'm spending 2 weeks in Panama on vacations.
I've been reading and researching and found 4 "must-see" places:

- Panama City
- San Blas
- Bocas del Toro
- Santa Catalina

The idea is to know the capital, then also get to know the pacific coast (I chose Santa Catalina, is this the best choice in the Pacific Coast?), and also enjoy San Blas and Bocas del Toro which seem to be the most popular destinations.
My idea would be (in this order):
- 3 days in PC (city tour, canal tour + colon, embera tour)
- 3 days in the Pacific Coast (santa catalina & isla coiba ?)
- 4 days in San Blas (kuna lodge at isla kardup? or isla tigre?)
- 5 days in Bocas del Toro (stay at isla colon or bastimentos?)

Do you think I'm doing this in the right order? For instance, will I have trouble traveling from PC to the pacific coast(plane or bus?)? or will it be difficult to go from San Blas to Bocas del Toro (by plane, boat or bus?)...?
My idea is start with more cultural like PC, then local cultr«ure, forests and animals and leave the best and more relaxing to the end: san blas and bocas, so I can enjoy the beaches before returning to my country...

Any suggestions/changes would be appreciated! Thanks

Help, anyone. 2 years ago our family went to Antigua, we stayed at Posada Burkhard on 3a Calle Oriente. I recall it being about a 5 to 7 minute walk from the Park Central.

This year I am returning with three teen girls (ages 17 and 18, I am 49) and I would like to stay in a slihgtly cheaper lodging that is a similar distance from the Park. The girls need safe, semi-quiet, friendly, and they may be walking at night (though not too late). They don't need TV or private baths.

Can you help me figure out which is the best location and/or facility? This is the "short list" so far--

Posada Vero.....3 Calle Poniente #4
Hospedaje Casa Santa Luisa #4......Calzada Santa Luisa #5
Hotel Leon......7th Calle North
Guate-Linda.....7th Avenida Norte #80
Hostal Qachoch......3a Calle Poniente #3
El Hostal...1a Aveida Sur #8
Hostel 5........................
The Yellow House................

If you have any suggestions, please advise! Our budget is limited, about a max of $8 per person. Thanks so much! You can also email me

Anyone done the drive from Rincon to Drake Bay in late December? We have a 4x4 - is it driveable at that time of year and how long does it take? Also, how long of a drive from San Jose to Rincon? Thanks.

We're two guys in our late thirties and like to do adventure travel, hiking, boating, etc. We're doing three days up in Arenal. Any other suggestions for things to do and places to see?

I am going to Cuba for 3 weeks, and would like to help with the itinerary. I want to spend 3 days in Havana, and rest of time in northern part of Cuba - since we are going with 2-years baby, we dont want to go travel a lot and dont want to travel farther then Trinidad. Besides Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad i am not sure which other places on this region are worth to visit. I prefer nice beaches with palms and nice snorkeling, and i want to limit the places to minimum. I would like to know:
1) Varadero - is there good weather in January? Because i have read different stories... So is it worth to go there? The plan is 3-4 days there...
2) Playa Giron - i have heard that there is nice snorkeling, but i have read, that there is bad hotel and that there isnt nice beach, because there is a bad-looking wharf. Is there somewhere besides it some nice beach and accommodation? 3) Playa Ancon - it easy accesible when we will be in Trinidad, but how many days is enough there? Is there nice snorkeling?
4) Maria La gorda - it looks nice, but isnt it too secluded to go there with a baby? Is there nice snorkeling?
Can you advice me some other nice beaches in that region, especially with good snorkeling ?
Thanks for every advice

Dear all,

I need to get from Fort-de-France, Martinique to Roseau, Dominica on Sunday, 22 November 2009. Do you have any ideas if any of the ferry services operate on this day?

Some up-to-date travel guides state that i.e. "L'express des Iles" operates on that date, "Brudey Freres" as well, but when checking the websites of these operators, nothing is clear. To call them (from Europe) was not helpful as well (so far). Could anyone let me know if there is any possibility to get from Martinique to Dominica on that day? If yes, can I buy a ticket straight on the boat, or should I do it in advance? Also, Are there any taxi boats between these two islands available, so one can use them when no scheduled ferry is around?
Thank you very much in advance,
Best Regards,
Tomas

We will be in Cuba next February. Can we get a boat to Bahamas, Jamaica or somewhere like that and then get another boat to Ft Lauderdale/Miami?

My wife and I will be traveling to puerto plata and had some questions. We are staying in maimon bay.

1) We like to hike and I noticed that isabel de torres and El Choco national parks are close by. What is the best mode of transportation to these locations.
2) What is the cost of the diferent types of transportation.
3) How far away is Caberete.


thanks

Hi There,

As I'm going on vacations to Panama I've read in the web that it's preferable to use 20USD bills as 50USD bills aren't widely accepted.
Is this true? Because it's easier for me to carry my money in 50USD bills than a lot more if in 20USD...
Also is there any security issues regarding this? Besides common sense for staying safe in a foreing country on vacations when showing and using your money, of course.

Since we are planing to travel to Cuba with our baby, I would like to ask some questions:
1) medicaments - need we take all necessary medicaments with us (for possible health problems of our baby) ? I have heard that cuban pharmacies are empty, but i dont know, if there is also problem with medicaments also in tourist-oriented clinics or phamacies in Varadero...
2) diapers, child food and other things for babies - need we take all these things from home, or is there a possibility to buy them in special shops in Havana and Varadero (which sell for convertibile pesos) ?
3) water - is it possible to buy bottled drinking water everywhere in tourist areas (Havana, Varadero, Trinidad etc) ?
4) car seat - i have heard that in Cuba is a problem with child car seats... so we think to take it with us - but i dont know, if (a) Viazul buses have seat belts (where i can fix the child seat), (b) cars for rent have rear seat belts there, and (c) rear seat belts are in taxis or cars, which can be hired for travel outside Havana (we are thinking about hiring a driver).
Thanks for every advice

Hello,

I was wondering what would be the best way to tip while I am in Cuba. I have heard alot about bringing items they need like pens, paper, pencils. But I usually like to tip with money, that way the person can buy what they need.

Is that acceptable? If yes, can I tip with CUC's?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Hi to Cuba Travelers. We are staying at the Agua Azules (formerly Club Amigo Varadero) wondering if anyone has stayed there since change over in January. Read some recent reviews that where either + or -. Also are looking for comments form anyone that has taken the Glass Bottom Boat & or Mini-Sub tours out of Varadero. Would like info on where do you book them, comments about the experience & prices. Am also looking for information on taking a tour out to some sunken Pirate Ships or even sail on a Pirate Ship from Varadero & or Cayo Largo. Please, any info would give me a link to further my quest.
Thanks Loretta

planning 2 visit cuba in jan-feb2010. as i am traveling alone is there any one willing to join my trip on the island?
???????????????????
zakir1011@gmail.com

Hi There,

Can anyone tell me what's the best Tour from Panama City to view the canal?
I've seen options for half-day and full-day tours...
Could I combine a Canal Tour with a City Tour to know the city, both on one day? Or wouldn't it be enough...?

Thank You!

Hi There,

When planning a one day Embera Village Tour, I came across with two options:

- Embera Drua (http://www.trail2.com/embera/index.htm)
- Embera Village Tours (http://www.emberavillagetours.com/)

Can you recommend any of these...?
I read that this is a must see thing in Panama. Do you agree...?

Thanks!

Hi There,

I was searching for a mid-range hotel to stay for 2 or 3 nights in PC, and I got a good price with a Travel Agency here in my Country.
The idea is to spend 3 days in PC to get to know it and then move on to other places in Panama. So, what I need is a safe and well located place to explore PC.
Do you think this GRAN HOTEL SOLOY & CASINO is a good choice...? Anyone already stayed there and could share any thoughts...?

Thanks a lot!

We reach Santo Domingo around 4 PM and have to leave immediately to Punta Cana can some one give us a good tip on how do we get the bus? the name the address, etc?
Also on the way back we have to get the flight around noon so we have to be in Santo Domingo around noon.

Thanks
Massi

Can I get a First Class bus from Albrook Terminal in Panama City to El VAlle? My main concern is being able to use the bathroom. If the bus doesn't have these facilities, will the driver make a rest stop?

Where can I go online to receive a full menu, prices included,of this restaurant?

We would only be staying for one night in Varadero. So can somebody give us the name of a cheap hostel or casa particular overthere or a site were we can find one? It would be for the 18th of January.
Thanks
Chris

Dear freinds

Me and my wife planing to visit jamiaca by end of Novemer

1)do u think november is suitbale for sucba diving

2)We wish to swim nude so pls advice best naturist beach and do we need
any documents to enter nude beach.
best way to reach naturist beaches in jamiaca

3)Advice budget accomodation for backpack

thanks in advance for all ur answers

lavend

Please could anyone tell me how to get addresses for local primary schools in Cuba as I visited lately and want to send over some pens, notebooks, clothes etc. as I didnt take any with me but they so need them. Have tried all ways I can think of but no success.
many thanks

Hi VTs,
I'm looking for flight from Germany\Switzerland to Costa Rica at moment I'm searching http://www.swoodoo.com/ch/ and http://www.skyscanner.ne doesn't anyone know better sites?
So far I've found out that booking the flight separately and spend a night in the u.s. for a stop over, most likely new york, would be much cheaper, what do you think?

thx

stefan

My wife and I are vacationing in Varadero for three weeks starting 16/2/2010 - 09/03/2010.And would be very interested as to the Club life there,with their entrance fees prices of drinks,best nights etc.I would be grateful for any information forthcoming Regards Eric18

Hi There!

I'm going to Panama on vacation.
I'll be arriving in the 22nd November and stay until 7th December.
Do you think I'll get good weather in this period...?
Good enough to sunbathe in Bocas del Toro...?
Thanks!

I had a hard time looking for flights from San Jose to Puerto Plata of Dominican Republic. All those I could find go to one or more US cities first and they take a whole day or even more. Are there local airlines that fly between these two cities or a nearby place? How do I find them and book my tickets?
Thanks!

Anyone who has done either of the above in Jamaica, I would love to hear your experiences. I'm planning a trip in summer 2010. Are the trails easy to navigate? What are the best maps for the area? Any country-specific dangers to hikers (besides the obvious--animal, and disease)? And anything else you think would be helpfull in planning my trip....Thanks!

I'm planing a trip to Cuba, in January for 20 days. I want to book a room for few days at Havana, After that I will like to travel all over the country. My question is if i could find room at a good price, without booking before??? Also I will need some information about what to travel and visit as much as possible in 20 days and also I need to know how much time it take me to spend in a main attraction (like Havana, Santiago, Trinidad, etc). Thank you very much

Need help!!
Any hotels, B&B or hostel in the area that's not on the radar??
I've gone onto some of the tour sites for Mal Pais and Nicoya but I can't find anything with vacancies! I'm good with anything that doesn't look like a jail cell which is all I'm finding now.

Thank you!