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South-America-Eco-Travel

Some of the Best Places To Visit In Venezuela

From Angel Falls to Mount Roraima, these are the best places to visit in Venezuela!

Venezuela’s economic problems, bad reputation and political uncertainty haven’t helped in the development of tourism to this Caribbean country. The truth is that, as one of the largest oil producers in the world, the government has focused most of its efforts on the exploitation of oil fields, sometimes to the detriment of other economic activities.

However, the reality could be very different. Venezuela is a jewel to discover, a virtually unexplored territory with places of incomparable beauty. From paradisiacal beaches to impenetrable jungles to vertigo-inducing routes through the Andean highlands, the possibilities for visitors are almost endless.

Places To Visit In Venezuela

If you’re feeling like an adventure to one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, then don’t miss out on these amazing places to visit in Venezuela.

1) Salto Angel

Angel Falls, at 979 meters high, proudly boasts being the highest waterfall in the world. Located in the Venezuelan Gran Sabana, this is a place holding a sacred character for the natives. It is, without a doubt, the country’s biggest tourist attraction.

To get there, you’ll have to navigate up the Carrao River, right in the heart of Canaima Park, until you reach the base of the falls. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994, this park offers hundreds of cascades of equal beauty, as well as wild rivers and red-water lagoons.

2) The Amazon Rainforest

Mystical and legendary, this dense and humid territory is the largest jungle in the world. Visitors can venture along its rivers to find wild animals, lush plants and tribes that have barely changed their traditions in the last 500 years.

Although uncontrolled logging and the construction of dams are seriously threatening the future of this ecosystem, it’s still possible to visit several protected reserves and enjoy one of the seven new natural wonders of the world. Definitely an amazing spot on the list of places to visit in Venezuela.

3) Cayo Sombrero

Because Venezuela’s coasts are completely bathed by the Caribbean Sea, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of amazing islands and beaches to visit. When you think about a paradisiacal destination, you probably envision yourself lying in the shade of a palm tree on a white-sand beach with turquoise water, right?

That’s the exact description of Cayo Sombrero, a tiny island located a few kilometres off the coast of Chichiriviche, in Morrocoi National Park. Enjoy the peace of this place with no infrastructure, houses, restaurants or hotels. You can easily arrange a boat to get you there, and agree on a time so they can pick you up.

4) Mount Roraima

Mount Roraima, called Tepuy Roraima by the indigenous population, is a majestic table-shaped mountain located right on the triple border point of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. The hike will take at least five days to complete. You’ll have to cross wild rivers and walk along steep paths before enjoying amazing views from the summit.

Once you’re on the top, the extravagant rock formations will certainly make you feel like you’re on another planet. It’s easy to understand why this mount inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write his famous novel “The Lost World“.

5) The Orinoco Delta

The beautiful Orinoco River, one of the most important in South America and the third largest river in the world after the Amazon and Congo, has been a subject of study by dozens of explorers since Christopher Columbus documented its existence in 1498.

The delta region, formed mainly by materials the river washed away and by mudslides from nearby volcanoes, attracts all kinds of adventurers looking for wildlife, flora and fauna. The delta is an important starting point for jungle expeditions, during which you can see alligators, anacondas and even jaguars if you’re lucky enough.

6) Los Llanos

This huge savannah is to South America what the Serengeti is to Africa: a wild extension where animals are the real lords. You can take a multi-day safari and watch hundreds of birds, caimans, deer, capybaras, sloths and more.

Although the region’s activity involves mainly cattle ranching and oil production, eco-tourism is growing in Los Llanos and more visitors have the chance to take in its natural beauty.

7) Mérida

Venezuela’s attractions go beyond tropical jungles and dream beaches. The Andean Range, the mountainous backbone that so drastically affects the climate of the continent, also creates amazing landscapes in the land of Simon Bolivar.

Merida is the most important city in the Venezuelan Andean region, and it’s an excellent starting point for visiting the nearby colonial towns. It is known as the adventure capital of the country, and it offers a wide variety of activities for all preferences. Adrenaline junkies will find top-class hiking, rafting, paragliding and rock climbing.

8) Puerto Colombia

Located on the coast of the Henri Pittier National Park, this small village is characterized by steep mountains, extensive beaches and friendly people.

The beaches are not like those of white sand and turquoise water, but they still have a special charm. It’s a region with strong waves, cliffs that dominate the landscape, and local fishermen who make their living out on the rough waters.

9) Los Médanos de Coro National Park

The landscapes and ecosystems in Venezuela are so varied that it’s possible to find a desert in the northwest region of the country.

Located in the Falcón state, Medanos de Coro National Park is a dry setting of large dunes that are the products of erosion and the whims of incessant trade winds.

10) Parque Mochima National Park

When one arrives at Mochima National Park, one immediately feels the magic of a place where it seems as though time has not passed.

Located between the states of Sucre and Anzoátegui in the eastern part of the country, this park contains a long coast of beaches and islands with pristine water. The beautiful sunsets and the tranquility of its villages make Mochima one of the most attractive destinations on the Caribbean coast.

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EL SALVADOR SURPRISED US

With an Endless sea of green landscape, volcanoes, lakes and beaches suited for surfers.. for sure a tiny country, there SO much to see! Unlike other parts of Central America, tourism is not widely popular in El Salvador. Perhaps this is why we were stared at basically everywhere we went… But quickly learned these stares were from people genuinely happy we were visiting El Salvador. People so curious as to where we were from and how we were enjoying their country.

GIRLS LOVE TRAVEL

Denise and I are both members of an online Facebook group called Girls Love Travel. About 2 months before I left for my trip Denise and I connected through the site. Turns out we are the same age, both quit our jobs, and were leaving the exact same day, May 15th, to start Central American adventures! Denise lives in New York City now, but is originally from Argentina. We started in different countries but we’re able to meet in El Salvador where we spent two weeks traveling the country together.

It could not have worked out better.

We wanted to do the same things, we’re both laid back and ended up having a freaking blast. She cooked, I cleaned. I took photos, she posed. She spoke Spanish.. I didn’t. (Thanks for being my translator Denise!) All in all, we were a good team. Shout out to Girls Love Travel.. thank you for this new friendship !!

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Reasons to visit Guyana

Few tourists visit Guyana each year every which is really a shame as it has so much to offer to any traveller who is looking for something different, in hope to get some of that feeling that early explores must have felt!

Guyana is South America’s only English speaking country, the size of the England with only 750,000 inhabitants most of which live in and around the capital Georgetown on the coast. Below we would like to summarize the top 10 reasons why to visit Guyana on your next big travel trip or volunteer abroad experience!

1.One of the last unspoiled stretches of Amazon Rainforest

Guyana exist for 80% out of tropical virgin rainforest still very rich in wildlife with a surprise around every corner (tree). Unlike other countries in South America in Guyana mining, logging and the wildlife trade have not effected this wilderness. yet..

2. Rupunini Savanah

f you still did not get your time machine to work to visit the old wild west then waste your time no longer. Rodeo’s, cattle rustlers and jaguars stalking cattle where cowboys still do everything by man and horse power: The Savannahs of the Rupununi are a vast wilderness where Amerindian cowboys called Vaqueros roam the plains as they have done so in ages past where once Frank James used to ride and where the world largest ranch once was located.

3. Rupunini Rodeo Festival

No safety measures, no tricks and actually wild horses & cattle that are rounded up straight out of the Rupununi wilderness! Undoubtedly on the most authentic rodeo’s left in this world this 3 day festival is something you will always remember especially if you decide to join up yourself last minute after a few too many beers!

4. A last wild haven for some of the rarest of animals in South America

TAPIRS SO COMMON THAT THEY ARE CALLED BUSHCOWS, GIANT ANACONDA’S ON THE RIVER BANKS, BLACK CAIMAN REACHING OF 5 METERS IN LENGTH VISIBLE DURING THE DAY TIME AND LARGE TROOPS OF GIANT RIVER OTTERS! GUYANA’S WILDLIFE HAS BEEN SPARED THE ONSLAUGHT UNLIKE MANY OTHER SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES. WHERE EVER YOU TRAVEL YOU WILL SEE PLENTY OF WILDLIFE WHETHER YOU GO CAIMAN CATCHING (INCLUDING ADULTS) FOR A NIGHT WITH RESEARCH TEAM OR STAY IN GEORGETOWN. GUYANA MUST HAVE THE ONLY CAPITAL IN THE WORLD WHERE PARROTS AND MACAWS CAN FREQUENTLY BEEN SEEN FLYING OVERHEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY

5. Kaieteur Falls

Disappointed by Niagara falls for being in the middle of the city? Annoyed by the amounts of tourist and hotels and roads surrounding iguacu and the Victoria Falls? Unimpressed by the little drip of water called Angels falls? We recommend Kaietuer falls! Set in the middle of a vast wilderness far from any civilization dropping over 250 meters (800 ft) Kaieteur falls is in volume and height the world largest single drop waterfall!

6. Shell Beach

Shell beach offers a great opportunity to view one of earths largest reptiles: the leatherback turtle. These giants can weigh up to 750 kilo and are a sight to behold. Other frequent visitors are green and Hawksbill turtle which though smaller are equally impressive. All though not a place recommend for swimming Shell beach is one the last wild beaches of this word with only a few small Amerindian settlements surrounded by mangrove and rainforest where jaguars still prowl the beaches at night!

7. Fishing

Most of the few tourist visiting Guyana are either birders or fishermen. Guyana has great opportunities for both. The rivers of Guyana are some of the richest in the world with many different species fish including the above Pairama and its cousin the Black Piranha. If you do decide to go on a fishing trip to Guyana, we would ask you to think about the environment and to release the fish you catch.

8. Extreme Adventure Trips

More then any other destination Guyana offers great adventure travel opportunities. Jungle survivals including a 4 day isolation period, combat training, abseiling or climbing Kaieteur falls, 4×4 extreme drives, cowboy holidays including your own rodeo and much more! These trips are the real deal with no compensations made.

9. Amerindian Cultures

Caribe, Arawak, Warao, Macushi, Waiwai and Wapisiana are just a few of the Amerindian groups found in Guyana with their languages, customs and cultures they live mostly in the wild interior and mangrove coast of Guyana. No visit to Guyana would be complete without visiting some of the communities that are dotted through the savannahs, rainforest and mangroves.

10. Georgetown

Though arguably not the most exciting city in the world, Georgetown does have its charm and is far from as dangerous as some people make it out to be. Often called the garden city, Georgetown has no high-rises and consist mainly out of wooden building. It is also home to world largest wooden structure: St. George Cathedral. Even though the interior is Guyana’s main attraction with Parrots flying overhead, horses pulling carts, small markets and some nice cafe’s and restaurant Georgetown does have something to offer for everyone.

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Suriname Travel Guide

Read on to find out why Suriname is also referred to as the ‘Earth’s Greenest Treasure’.

I bet you guys probably know that we are having a year-long honeymoon and one of the highlights or our honeymoon, or maybe our entire travel lives were our Antarctica expedition. But of course, we are not stopping because, after our freezing adventure, we went back to South America to experience some of this extraordinary continent’s raw beauty and exotic charm.

After exploring Argentina, we went to Venezuela and finally ended our trip in what might be the least-traveled area of South America – the Guyana and Suriname!

We only stayed a couple of days in the Guyana, but it proved to be a country which has a lot of potentials when it comes to being a travel destination. This small country is located on South America’s North Atlantic coast with Georgetown as its capital. In here you can find buildings of both British and Dutch colonial architecture. And just so you know, Guyana is the only South American nation which uses English as their primary language

After seeing Guyana, we decided to spend more of our time in Suriname as we heard so much about the “Earth’s Greenest Treasure.”

Suriname, formerly the colony of Netherlands Guiana, is a sovereign state located on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is culturally considered as a Caribbean country with Dutch as the official language used for their government, education and other ‘formal’ discussions. But before it was colonized, the country was occupied by various indigenous peoples. One of these groups were called Surinen, most likely where the name of the country was derived. The story of Suriname actually reminded me of the Philippines history before it was colonized by the Spanish for more than 300 years. In here you can find a lot of reserves, rainforest and other untouched wonders of nature. If you want to take a break from the city life and all the buildings and noisy cars, then I strongly encourage you to visit Suriname.

WHERE IS SURINAME?

Suriname is located on the Northeastern coast of South America. To be more specific, Suriname is bordered by French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west and Brazil to the south.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT SURINAME?

Maybe you have already been traveling around the rest of South America, and you’re wondering if it’s really worth making the trip over to the north-eastern corner of the continent for ‘just another South American country.’ Well, Suriname is certainly not, ‘just another South American country!’

Suriname may be one of the smallest countries in South America, but it has something big to offer to all types of travelers. It is different mainly because of its Dutch colonial history which is evident in the language that they use until now. I tried greeting one of the locals in Spanish only to find out that they speak Dutch. They also speak English, Sranang Tongo, and Sarnami Hindustani.

WHAT IS THE CULTURE OF SURINAME?

Ah, this one is interesting because even though the country is small, it holds various traditions, culture, beliefs and religions. Let’s talk about few of these.

To begin with, the culture of Suriname has very prominent Asian and African influences. The reason for this is that many of the country’s inhabitants came from different parts of the world such as India, Africa, China and Indonesia.

Regarding Music, they are popular for kaseko. It’s a mix of different styles derived from various parts of the world and is usually accompanied by massive drums.

As for the religion, the highest number of people in Suriname follow Christianity followed by Hinduism and Islam. The rest are believers of Indigenous religions, Winti, Javanism, Obeah and Judaism.

What is fascinating about Suriname apart from the wonderful surroundings, is that even with such diverse culture and beliefs, they harmoniously live together – and happily I might add. It’s something that the country is extremely proud of and well-known for as an example of tolerance and acceptance. If they could just share their secret to the entire civilization, then this planet would be a better place to live in.

WHAT IS THE GEOGRAPHY OF SURINAME?

Suriname has two main geographic regions. One is the coastal lowlands of the north, and the other is the tropical rainforest and savannas of the west and south. It is the home of one of the largest reservoir lakes on the planet, WJ van Bloomenstein Lake. This country is also known as the land of rivers and mostly rolling hills with narrow coastal plain with mangrove swamps. Suriname is also called the greenest country on Earth, as it has the largest area by percentage of the virgin rainforest of any other country.

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL IN SURINAME?

Based on our experience, it is generally safe to travel in Suriname, and this goes for most kinds of travelers. Suriname was identified as an affected area of the Zika outbreak, but we heard nothing of this, and it didn’t seem to have any effect on travel there. Just make sure to take necessary precautions when you travel. In addition, petty crimes are common in the capital (as much as they are in any other), and you just have to be cautious when going out at night. But in a nutshell, it is safe to visit Suriname.

WHAT’S THE FOOD LIKE IN SURINAME?

When you are eating in Suriname, it’s as if you are having a taste of different cultures. Thanks to the various inhabitants that came from different countries, you get to taste East Indian, African, Javanese, Chinese, Dutch, Jewish, and Portuguese food among many others. And sometimes, they will try to incorporate these into one dish! Now, how’s that for a feast?

WHAT IS THE WEATHER IN SURINAME?

Suriname generally has a hot and wet tropical climate. There are two wet seasons, from April to August and from November to February. The dry seasons are from August to November and February to April.

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BEACH BLISS: IN FLORIANOPOLIS , BRAZIL

Hidden almost 500 miles away from the party city of Rio de Janeiro lies a Brazilian metropolis that you wish you knew about years ago: Florianopolis.

In many ways, “Floripa” (as the locals call it) is like Rio and Sao Paulo, but on steroids. It is safe, fun and has many similar attractions to the ones found in Brazil’s major cities. Plus, Floripa has a unique – almost magical – charm to it because of the fables that come from the island (we’ll explain…).

Within the first few hours of exploring Floripa, it is evident that it appeals to every type of traveler – especially adventurous ones. Particularly the southern tip that’s remote and filled with white-sand beaches, diverse hiking trails and lush rainforests.

Pretty much every landscape and experience here is magical, in all honesty. Visitors will witness lush rainforest trails that run along local farms that sell fresh fruit and produce. Follow a path and discover hidden coves with white-sand beaches and seaside huts selling caldo de cana (sugarcane juice).

Hiking is also big here; and one of my favorite trails is the Naufragados hiking trail. It leads to a private beach with the occasional peacock frolicking about.

The center of the island has a more hippie vibe. It’s a trendy area with rustic restaurants and artsy cafes; perfect for backpackers and intrepid travelers. Step foot near Lagoa da Conceição and find the center of it all – a great place for nightlife, surfer shops and live music. When I lived in Floripa, I choose an apartment in this area because it is central – easy to get to from both the north and south side of the island.

Please follow this link to read more amazing articles from the Intrepidtravel : https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/florianopolis-brazil-guide/

Things You Don’t Know About French Guiana

French Guiana is nowhere to be found on most people’s travel radar, so it is common that your average traveler might not even know it exists. Still, it doesn’t mean this is a destination that does not deserve some attention, as it presents a unique environment that fuses African, South American, and European cultures.

French Guiana is one confusing country – well, if we can call it a country. It sounds like a place we could find in Africa, yet it sits along the Caribbean shores of South America and it uses the Euro as its main currency. There are many things that make this place interesting and worth visiting, but here I’m going to share four things you might not know about it and will hopefully make you want to visit.

It is a department of France

During the 15th-century, the Treaty of Tordesillas divided South America, leaving Portugal much of what would become Brazil, and leaving Spain the rest. Somehow, along the way, the French managed to grab 0.5 percent of the continent and 0.06 percent of its population – turning it into what we know now as French Guiana.

French Guiana is like the Alaska of France. It is like a state – in this case, a department– but it is not connected to the mainland. Hey, it’s not even connected to the same continent! So, when you’re visiting French Guiana, you’re actually visiting France. Being France, the Euro is used there, French is the first language, and baguettes are found on every table. The major difference is that you are in a tropical environment next to the Amazon Forest. And you know what’s funny? We can say there’s part of the Amazon in France!

It is home to the European Space Center

Isn’t it interesting that the European Space Center is not on the European continent? The main reason for placing it in French Guiana, besides being part of France, is that it is the closest portion of Europe to the equator. The closer a rocket launches from the equator, the more effective the launch since the earth’s rotation helps with the rocket’s velocity – making it up to 25% more effective than launching from the European continent.

While this station does not launch humans into space, it is famous for launching supplies to the International Space Station and several telecommunication satellites. Free, guided visits are offered to the public (with advanced reservations) and if you manage to be there during a rocket launch, you can even reserve a spot to see the launch from inside the station. You can check the current launch schedule on their official website.

It might be “Europe,” but public transportation is non-existent

Call it France, but its public transportation is nowhere near France’s well-developed intermodal transportation. Tourists and locals traveling on a budget rely on the kindness of strangers to hitchhike from one city to another, or even to move around within the city. There are a few private bus services that offer limited transportation between major towns and cities, but again, they are quite limited. It is possible to rent a car there, but it is not a cheap option.

Luckily, locals are aware of the transportation problem, so they are very kind to people looking for a ride, whether for free or shared cost. In fact, there’s a website, blada.com, where people propose to share their car for a specific trip or request a seat on any available ride on a given day. The site is in French, and from my experience, most people using it don’t speak any English. So, better start practicing your French!

It is home to what was considered the most feared penal colony in the world

French Guiana was the “prison of France”, so it is not surprising that its main tourist attractions are decaying prisons from its days as a penal colony. Criminals from all parts of the French Empire were “internally deported” to French Guiana to serve their out time in this harsh environment. The two most notorious prisons are located in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and another in îles du Salut – commonly known as Devil’s Island.

In fact, since its creation in 1852, the prison on Devil’s Island was considered to be the most feared penal colony in the world. Even back in the early 20th century, it raised a lot of human rights controversies due to the harsh treatment many prisoners received, including being locked in a cell with no roof (just bars), left to the mercy of the harsh tropical environment and the scorching sun. The island stopped serving as a prison in 1953 and is now one of the best tourist spots in French Guiana.

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Columbia – Hiking in the clouds

Though hiking the Valle de Cocora was one of the things I was most looking forward to in Colombia, nothing could have prepared me for just how beautiful it would be.

We walked to the square a little past 7 in the morning, looking for a “Willy”, or Jeep, to take us to the valley where we would begin our hike. A man escorted us to a Jeep that was already packed full, and we stared at him blankly.

Does he expect us to sit on these strangers’ laps?

Seeing we were confused, he pointed to a small platform that hung out over the back tires about a foot.

We hopped up along with a Dutch guy and held on tightly to the metal bar atop the vehicle as we sped out of town.

It was at this point that I remembered reading that the ride was not a short one down the block. No, we would have to hang on like this for the next half hour.

Although it didn’t seem like it at first, we actually had the best seats – or standing room – in the entire Willy. The ride was exhilarating and we got to see some incredible views as we plunged down into the valley.

Once we finally reached the starting point, we set off on a five and a half hour hike that took us through six distinctly different landscapes:

Part One: Tranquil Valley

The first forty minutes we made our way through a beautiful valley. Rain the night before made the path exceptionally muddy, but walking alongside grazing cattle and lush meadows made up for the squishy journey.

Part Two: Tropical Cloud Forest

Complete with Indiana Jones-inspired bridges, colourful fauna, and moss-covered trees, it was like something you see in movies with fairies frolicking to and fro.

Part Three: Hummingbird Hideaway

We took an optional detour into a hummingbird refuge. Here, we were able to sit and watch the birds flutter and zip around at impossible speeds, all while sipping on hot chocolate and nibbling on hunks of cheese (a common pairing in this region). It was a nice break and a chance to regain energy.

Part Four: Uphill Trek

With zig-zagging trails stretching through a mountainous forest, this was the most strenuous part of the journey, but also had the best views of the landscape below.

Part Five: In the Clouds

Once we reached the top of the uphill portion, we were rewarded with a beautiful mountaintop farm in the clouds. Flowers in all colors and varieties grow alongside vegetables and fruits. After leaving the farm, we walked downhill through low-hanging clouds.

Part Six: Valley de Cocora

Palm trees began to appear one by one through the mist. With clouds hanging heavy, palm trees stretching tall, and wild horses grazing in the hilly valley, it was a scene straight out of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.

The palm trees in the valley are special. Known as Wax Palms, they are the tallest palm tree in the world and are exclusive to this valley.

After lunch, we tried to catch a Willy back to town. The thing we didn’t realize about the Willys is that they only leave once they are completely full. That meant the two of us would have to wait for 6 more people to finish their hike, or we would have to pay for all their fares. Lucky for us, we didn’t have to wait long.

This time we sat in the back of the Jeep, and it’s a good thing we did. We didn’t just pack it full with 8 people, which would be full capacity. No, our driver was a bit of an over-achiever. We squished that Jeep full of 15 people before embarking on the half hour journey back to Salento.

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HANGING OUT WITH SLOTHS IN COSTA RICA

I’m a huge animal lover and always have been. When I was recently in Costa Rica and saw that hanging out with sloths was an option, I instantly booked the trip. They are one of the cutest animals I’ve ever seen and I had only been able to admire them from shows on Animal Planet. To make it better, they always look like they’re smiling!

I started my morning with a 45-minute bus ride from Limón, Costa Rica to the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica. The sanctuary is run by three generations of a family, which I loved. The founders are a husband and wife who originally purchased this property on the Estrella River to offer birding tours. The area was officially declared a privately-owned biological reserve by the Costa Rican government in 1975.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Limón in 1991 and forced the couple to end their birding tours due to the river changing courses. Instead, they built a hotel on their property. The couple was known for being animal lovers and caring for random animals that were injured around the area. A small sloth was brought to them in 1992 by neighbour girls, but the couple was confused on how to care for sloths, as they hadn’t seen one up close before.

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Salt Flats of Bolivia

There are few places on earth that make you wonder if you’ve somehow been abducted by aliens and transported to a far off planet.

The Salar de Uyuni is one of these otherworldly places.

Fish Island is covered in cacti and has some of the most stunning views of the Salt Flats.

At one point in history, this region was a massive saltwater lake. The water eventually evaporated, leaving a thick layer of salt that stretches as far as the eye can see. Commonly known as the “Salt Flats”, this area is one of the most visited places in Bolivia.

There are two seasons in the Salar de Uyuni – wet and dry. Each year during the wet season, water covers the earth, turning the land into an all-encompassing, dreamlike mirror.

We were there during dry season, when you are able to venture into the middle of this strange, salty land.

City of Uyuni

Our journey to the Salt Flats started with a night bus that brought us to the sleepy little town of Uyuni. Situated on the corner of nothingness and oblivion, there really isn’t anything to do in this town… well, besides drinking wine, of course.

The only other thing to do in Uyuni besides drinking wine? Playing with Tonio, the adorable little boy who was the son of our hotel’s cleaning lady.

I guess the fact that the only other people in the restaurant was a table of three sleeping Bolivian men, made them eager to close up shop.

Salar de Uyuni Tour

The next morning, we embarked on our three-day, two-night tour.

There are somewhere around 80 companies in Uyuni that provide tours of the Salt Flats. Some of the companies are legit, and others… well, not so much.

We did our research and talked to other travelers, and the company name we kept hearing was Red Planet. At just $20 more than the cheapest of the companies, it was an easy choice.

And again, we were not disappointed with our decision to go with one of the “nicer” companies. While some of the other tour guides we saw along the way didn’t talk to their groups at all, our guide was incredible. He shared a lot of history and gave us insight on what it is like to live in this region.

Our first stop was at the famous train graveyard. Years ago, Britain sent trains to Bolivia so they could export all the silver they were mining. What they didn’t realize though, was that the altitude of Bolivia is much, much higher than that of England, and eventually the trains all died – leaving them useless.

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Curaçao to Panama City

Curaçao is an Island in the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela, the capital is Willemstad. Curaçao offers the following points of interest for tourists and photographers.

Downtown Willemstad and Handelskade (the colorful houses)
Beaches of Lagun, Cas Abao, PortoMari, Blauwbaai (Blue Bay) and Mambo
Snorkeling and scuba diving
Hiking at Christoffel National Park
Klein lighthouse
Little Curaçao (Klein Curaçao)
Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge (and view of the city)

There are lots of tour companies based in Curaçao offering various tours to the points of interest. If you prefer to have more freedom then you can hire a car to explore the Island.

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