Montañita is an incredible place and the beach at night is very crazy. You have to come and watch and feel for yourself.
I loved staying in Mindo. It's perfect for a short jungle visit. Take the little gondola and hike to the waterfalls. It's beautiful.
I've been in Puerto Madryn twice in my life, and the second time was the best.
Tolú … I recently traveled from Bogota to Tolu. Although car rental is very costly, it's well worth the price to travel through Colombia. The trip takes about two-and-a-half days, but wow, what fantastic views. Stopping every night in a hotel along the route -- no problems and low cost -- it's very safe these days. We found the best beach was San Francisco Beach -- very clean and good service with beach umbrellas and good food. Tolu is now undergoing a tourist boom and prices are half the price of Cartagenia. Also French Beach is nice and the walk along the beach is superb. You can also go on a power boat trip and visit a few small islands -- have lunch and enjoy the Caribbean at a modest cost. Go now before prices start to increase with tourism. Make sure you take a bike taxi -- the drivers are fun and they know everything.
There is an alternative taxi / boat / taxi shorcut to the grueling 8 hours ride between Monteverde Cloud Forest and the Arenal Volcano. See http://www.monteverdeinfo.com.
I would like to share information regarding a restaurant, El Mexicano, which is a hidden gem for cheap and good quality food in Matagalpa. The owners are very friendly and the menu is excellent -- the tacos, nachos, and enchiladas are to die for. Go and enjoy some good food.
There are almost no mosquitoes in Piura! You can walk the streets safely until midnight every night. The streets are narrow, and mototaxis ply the streets.
Baños … We found that Banos was the high spot on our vist to Ecuador.
Arequipa is a beautiful city, but we had problems getting to our hostel, because the taxidrivers only offer to -- actually they forcefully take you to hostels where they get comission for every gringo they bring.
Love the city. Full of life, friendly people and very cheap. The U.S. dollar goes a long way there. Been there with my wife to visit her family five times and was also married there. Make sure you visit the Malecon 2000, which is a large waterfront park located on the Guayas river in the downtown area. Lots of tropical plants and flowers and original jungle trees wihch date back to before the city was founded (our wedding portraits were taken in this park). Also visit the small chapel and lighthouse at the top of the Santa Anna hill in the Old Guayaquil section for spectacular views of the city. Lots of shopping and dining. Visit the Mall Del Sol which is a large American-style shopping center located in a very nice area across the street from the Sheraton Hotel and five to ten minutes from the airport and downtown. Don't carry lots of cash because you won't need it.You can find bargains anywhere except the for the malls. Artesanal is a good place to bargain shop for souvenirs…
Itacaré is a magical city with a cool athmosphere, beautiful beaches, the river, the sunset, the people, the forro nigths, everything in Itacaré is so nice.
Hey all travellers Alajuela is the best town in CR to spend a couple of nights before heading for the beach or the mountains. It's only five minutes away from the airport and a taxi ride to there is only like 2 bucks so it is a great deal, it is very clean and much more safer than San Jose, you should visit it.
La Ceiba doesn't have much going for it -- if you're on your way to or from Copan you will be much better off staying in Santa Ana, about forty-five minutes West of La Ceiba. It's got hiking trails, waterfalls, nice people, cool fruit trees, and good food. In the city of La Ceiba there's almost nothing, though a fair number of musty hotels and a couple semi-nice ones -- all more expensive though. The city is noisy, with a lot of air pollution, but is very definitely a Honduran city (not touristy at all).
If anyone is looking for an excellent Spanish school, I highly recommend the 'Spanish School San Pedro'. All the teachers are fully trained, and they have an excellent assortment of language and history books. Lessons take place under palapas outside in a beautiful garden. I spent about 3 month there all together, and learned a huge amount of Spanish. It's located next door to the Solar Pools.
São Paulo … If you can arrange a walking tour, take it. If not, try to visit the Edificio Banespa. It is the tallest building in Sao Paulo and will give you an excellent view of the city.
A beautiful city! It was a great surprise to know Montevideo and I recommend everybody to do the same. You won't regret it.
Buenos Aires is amazing! We spent a week there and were completely entertained. Don't miss Recoleta. The food and shopping are fantastic -- and cheap. Do not waste a day going to Tigre -- it's boring.
A beautiful place by the "sea!" Nice people, an enchanting island (Isla del Sol! Amazing!), Cerro del Calvario (at four thousand meters with an unbelievable view), home to Virgen de Copacabana church, Incan ruins. I would definitely recommend it as a place to go!
If you want to enjoy a safe and beautiful place with all the basic commodities, you should visit Ubatuba.
If you visit Argentina you cannot miss Esquel. The city doesn’t have a lot, but the area is fantastic. If I could, I would go back every summer.
Hostelz.com is the only hostel guide with complete information on all youth hostels and backpackers in every city around the world.
