Mexico: La Paz & Whale Sharks
La Paz, Mexico, is a charming coastal city renowned for its tranquil beaches, vibrant marine life, and laid-back atmosphere, making it a popular destination for travellers seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Mexico: Oaxaca – “la Verde Antequera”
Oaxaca, with its vibrant blend of indigenous cultures, colonial architecture, rich culinary traditions, and colourful markets set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and sun-soaked valleys, offers visitors an immersive experience that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in the diverse heritage of southern Mexico.
Mexico: Oaxaca – Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca
The Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, housed within the beautifully restored former monastery of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, offers a comprehensive and thoughtfully curated journey through the region’s diverse indigenous history, colonial legacy, and artistic heritage, with standout exhibits including the breathtaking Mixtec treasures recovered from Tomb 7 at Monte Albán, as well as a rich collection of textiles, religious art, and archaeological artefacts that reflect the cultural depth of Oaxaca from pre-Hispanic times to the present day.
Mexico: Oaxaca – Hierve el Agua
Hierve el Agua, located high in the mountains east of Oaxaca, is a striking natural site featuring petrified waterfalls formed by mineral-rich spring water cascading over cliff edges for thousands of years, alongside shallow pools where visitors can bathe while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding valley and rugged landscape.
Mexico: Oaxaca – Mitla
Mitla, located in the eastern valleys of Oaxaca, stands out among Mesoamerican archaeological sites for its remarkably well-preserved and intricately patterned stone mosaics—crafted without the use of mortar—which adorn the walls of its ancient palaces and tombs, offering a unique and tangible link to the ceremonial and political sophistication of the Zapotec and later Mixtec civilisations.
Mexico: Oaxaca – Monte Albán
Monte Albán, an extraordinary archaeological site perched high above the Oaxaca Valley in southern Mexico, offers visitors a rare opportunity to walk amidst the well-preserved remnants of a once-thriving Zapotec city—complete with ceremonial plazas, stepped pyramids, stone carvings, and ancient observatories—providing profound insight into the ingenuity, cultural complexity, and astronomical knowledge of one of Mesoamerica’s earliest civilisations.
Mexico: Morelia – “City of Pink (Cantera) Stone”
Morelia, the capital of Michoacán in central Mexico, is a beautifully preserved colonial city known for its pink stone architecture, baroque cathedral, and vibrant cultural life, offering a rich blend of history, tradition and everyday charm.
Mexico: Guadalajara – Hospicio Cabañas
The Hospicio Cabañas in Guadalajara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an architecturally significant former orphanage and charitable institution founded in the early 19th century, renowned for its serene courtyards, neoclassical design by Manuel Tolsá, and especially for its haunting and monumental murals by José Clemente Orozco, including the powerful Man on Fire fresco that dominates the chapel's dome.
Mexico: Guadalajara – “La Perla Tapatía”
Guadalajara, the vibrant capital of Jalisco, Mexico, is a dynamic cultural hub renowned for its rich mariachi music, colonial architecture, bustling markets, innovative tech scene, and proud traditions that blend indigenous roots with Spanish influences, making it not only a cradle of Mexican identity but also a modern metropolis where history and progress coexist in colorful harmony.
Nicaragua: The historic city of Granada
Granada, Nicaragua, is a peaceful colonial city beside Lake Nicaragua, where brightly painted buildings line quiet cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages pass slowly by, and daily life moves at an easy pace beneath the shade of old trees and church towers.
Mexico: Guanajuato – “Jewel of America”
Nestled amid the rugged hills of central Mexico, the UNESCO-listed city of Guanajuato captivates visitors with its labyrinthine alleys, vividly coloured colonial architecture, and a rich tapestry of cultural heritage that reflects its storied past as a silver mining powerhouse, all while offering a uniquely atmospheric charm that effortlessly intertwines historical grandeur with a vibrant contemporary arts scene.
Mexico: Guanajuato – Casa Museo Diego Rivera
The Casa Museo Diego Rivera in Guanajuato is a quiet, well-kept museum set in the artist’s birthplace, where visitors can walk through rooms furnished to reflect his early life and view a modest but interesting collection of his original artwork that shows different stages of his career.
Mexico: Guanajuato – Museo Iconográfico del Quijote
The Museo Iconográfico del Quijote in Guanajuato is a captivating and richly imaginative museum dedicated entirely to the world of Don Quixote, where visitors can explore an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures, engravings and other artworks from around the globe that celebrate Miguel de Cervantes’ legendary knight and his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, offering not just a deep dive into the cultural impact of the iconic novel but also a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating experience that bridges literature, art and history in a uniquely Mexican setting.
Mexico: Guanajuato – The Mummy Museum
The Mummy Museum in Guanajuato is a fascinating yet spine-chilling place where visitors can walk through dimly lit corridors lined with glass cases containing naturally preserved bodies—each with their own haunting story—offering a powerful, unforgettable glimpse into the city’s unique history, the strange process of mummification caused by local conditions, and the eerie beauty of lives frozen in time.
Mexico: Guanajuato – San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a charming town in central Mexico known for its cobbled streets, colourful colonial buildings, lively art scene, and beautiful churches, all of which make it a relaxing and visually striking place to explore at a gentle pace.
Mexico: Querétaro
Queretaro is a centrally located city in Mexico known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, growing industrial sector, and relatively high quality of life, making it an increasingly attractive destination for both domestic and international investment, tourism, and migration.
Nicaragua: León – A visitors guide
León, Nicaragua is a historic city known for its colonial architecture, vibrant culture, and the iconic León Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nicaragua: León – Ortíz Gurdián Foundation Art Center
The Ortíz Gurdián Foundation Art Center in León, Nicaragua, is a renowned contemporary art museum housed in a beautifully restored colonial building, featuring an impressive collection of Latin American and international art.
Nicaragua: Ruins of Viejo León
Viejo León in Nicaragua, founded in 1524 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved ruins that reflect the early colonial history of the Americas and the impact of volcanic activity that led to its abandonment.
Nicaragua: León Cathedral
The Cathedral of León in Nicaragua, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a stunning example of colonial architecture, featuring a grand neoclassical facade and serving as one of Central America's largest and most significant cathedrals.
Honduras: Copán Ruinas
Copán Ruinas, a charming town in western Honduras, is famous for the nearby ancient Mayan ruins of Copán, known for their intricate hieroglyphs, impressive stelae, and rich historical significance.
Panama: Boquete – A visitor’s guide
Boquete, Panama, is a picturesque mountain town known for its cool climate, lush coffee farms, breathtaking cloud forests, and adventure activities like hiking, zip-lining, and river rafting.
Panama: Panama City – A visitor’s guide
Panama City, the vibrant capital of Panama, is a bustling metropolis that seamlessly blends modern skyscrapers with historic colonial architecture and serves as a crucial hub for international trade due to the iconic Panama Canal.
Panama: The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, revolutionizing global trade by allowing ships to bypass the lengthy and treacherous route around South America’s Cape Horn.
Panama: Panama City – Nomada Republic
Nómada Republic is a unique hotel in Panama City that offers an innovative lodging experience by repurposing shipping containers into comfortable accommodations. Located in the heart of the city, it provides guests with convenient access to various urban attractions.
Panama: Casco Viejo and Panamá Viejo
Panama City is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Panamá Viejo, the ruins of the original 16th-century Spanish settlement, and the Historic District of Casco Viejo, a well-preserved colonial neighbourhood showcasing a blend of architectural styles and cultural heritage.
Panama: Portobelo – the historic port
Portobelo, Panama, is a historic coastal town renowned for its vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture, well-preserved Spanish colonial fortifications, and its significance as a key trading hub during the colonial era.
Mexico: Yucatán – Mérida, a guide to visiting
Mérida, the vibrant capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, has a rich Mayan and colonial heritage. The city’s focal point is Plaza de la Independencia, bordered by the fortress-like Mérida Cathedral and white limestone Iglesia de la Tercera Orden, both colonial-era churches built using relics from ancient Mayan temples.
Guatemala: Solala – Lake Atitlan boat tour
Lake Atitlan in Guatemala is one of the most beaufiul lakes in the world, surrounded by mountains, volcanoes and lush vegetation. We spent a day touring the lake by boat, visiting three of the eleven towns and villages along its lakeshore.
Guatemala: Solala – Chichicastenango Cemetery
On the fringes of a densely crowded marketplace in the Guatemalan highlands, a reverent silence looms over the ivory gate of the Cementerio General. Beyond its deceptively sterile exterior, hundreds of vibrant tombstones pepper the hillside.
Mexico: Yucatán – Kabah Archaeological Site
Kabah, is an impressive Maya archaeological zone set at the foot of the Puuc Hills. The site is the second largest ruin site in the area after Uxmal, and is one of a series of Maya ruins that can be found in the general area.
Mexico: Yucatán – Uxmal Archaeological Site
No one knows when the Maya first settled in Uxmal. A legend tells of a magician-dwarf who built the Pyramid of the Magician overnight, but hard evidence from the earliest temple suggests construction began around the 6th century CE and continued expanding the city thereafter.
Mexico: Chiapas – Palenque Archaeological Site
The archaeological site of Palenque in the state of Chiapas is one of the most outstanding Classic period sites of the Maya area, known for its exceptional and well conserved architectural and sculptural remains.
Guatemala: Sacatepéquez – Antigua during Holy Week
No city in the world lives and breathes Holy Week and Lent like Antigua, Guatemala. For six weeks each year, Antigua’s vibrant religious traditions spill out from the colonial-era Catholic churches onto the cobblestone streets.
Guatemala: Sacatepéquez – Antigua Guatemala
Antigua is a small city surrounded by volcanoes in southern Guatemala. It’s renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings, many of them restored following a 1773 earthquake that ended Antigua’s 200-year reign as Guatemala’s colonial capital.
Guatemala: Lake Atitlan – Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango is one of the most important towns in Guatemala since it treasures a lot of Mayan culture, history and traditions. Back in the day, it was one of the largest trading centres in the Maya area.
Guatemala: Petén – Tikal Archaeological Site
The ancient Mayan city of Tikal is the largest pre-Hispanic settlement in Guatemala, with its population reaching around 100,000 inhabitants at its peak. Tikal has around 5,000 pre-Hispanic buildings in an area of approximately 16 km² , of which only 5% are restored.
Belize: The Belize Barrier Reef system
Stretching nearly 185 miles along the entire coastline, Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world. The Belize coastline is also dotted with hundreds of picturesque, and mostly uninhabited, small islands called cayes (pronounced keys) and three of only four atolls in the Western Hemisphere.
Costa Rica: Puntarenas Province – Corcovado National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park (closed on Mondays) contains three beautiful beaches, casual forest trails, and a dense rainforest teaming with animal life. In 2011, it was named by Forbes as one of the world’s most beautiful parks.
Costa Rica: Carate – Finca Exotica Eco Lodge
The community of Carate is located in a remote part of Osa Peninsula, bordering on the incredible Corvocado National Park. It is a hard place to get to and when you get there it is largely undeveloped.
Costa Rica: Finca 6 Sphere Museum
The exact purpose and natue of the near perfectly spherical pre-Colombian Diquis stones is not known but they are undoubtedly an important part of Costa Rican culture. They largely disappeared, hidden from site buried under soil, until they were rediscovered during the clearing of land for banana plantations. Many spheres were damaged and had to be restored before being preserved for posterity.
Costa Rica: Puntarenas – Drake Bay
Drake Bay is a small community located on the beautiful and remote Osa Peninsula on the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Its name came about after, as legend has it, Sir Francis Drake the great English sea captain from the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio – Peace of Paradise
Peace of Paradise is a small hotel loctated in a small community on the outskirts of the small town of Quepos, between the main centre of the town and the stunning and popular Manuel Antonio National Park.
Costa Rica: Puntarenas Province – Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park (closed on Mondays) contains three beautiful beaches, casual forest trails, and a dense rainforest teaming with animal life. In 2011, it was named by Forbes as one of the world’s most beautiful parks.
Costa Rica: Puntarenas – NATUWA Wildlife Sanctuary
NATUWA Wildlife Sanctuary provides refuge and protection to the wild animals that have been victimized by human actions, such as hunting, removal from their environments, and deforestation.
Costa Rica: Puntarenas – Monteverde; Don Juan Coffee Tour
The climate in the central mountains of Costa Rica is ideal for growing coffee, so there are numerous coffee plantations scattered around the area, many of them small holdings.
Costa Rica: Monteverde – Jaguarundi Lodge
Jaguarundi Lodge is located outside the main town area of the small town of Santa Elena, the gateway to the cloud forests, but is close to the central bus station and a small shopping mall that has a supermarket, a bank, shops and some cafes and restaurants.
Costa Rica: Puntarenas – Monteverde Cloud Forest
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was established in 1972 and initially covered some 810 acres (328 ha) of forested land. Nowadays, its protective reach extends over 35,089 acres (14,200 ha) and encompasses eight life zones atop the Continental Divide.
Costa Rica: Puntarenas – Monteverde; ziplines and hanging bridges
One of the most popular activities in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica is to enjoy the rain forests by exploring the canopies by crossing hanging bridges or zip lining. There are several adventure parks in the area that make this possible.
Costa Rica: Alajuela – Ten great things to do in La Fortuna
La Fortuna is about 2.5 hours from San Jose. It’s known as a gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, comprising 2 volcanoes. Active Arenal Volcano is still laced with lava flows. Hot springs dot the foot of the volcano, on the thermal Tabacón River.
Costa Rica: Alajuela – The Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna / Arenal
The Arenal Volcano eruption of 1968 changed the topography of the area around La Fortuna / Arenal. It created a new natural resource for the town of La Fortuna: thermal hot springs. There are dozens of hot springs in La Fortuna, which range from luxury to completely free.
Costa Rica: La Fortuna – Hotel Arenal Xilopalo
Costa Rica's Central Mountains are a tourist haven with stunning scenery, beautiful rainforests, lakes and volcanos. We decided to base ourselves in the town of La Fortuna during our stay in the area.
Costa Rica: Alajuela – Volcan Arenal
Located 15 kilometres from Fortuna between the foothills of the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range and the San Carlos plains, Arenal Volcano National Park covers 12,124-hectare and is one of the most visited destinations in the Northern Zone.
Costa Rica: Tortuguero – Buddha Home
There are not a lot of options of where to stay in Tortuguero, but after a bit of research we settled on the Buddha Home, which is located in the heart of the village on the main thoroughfare.
Costa Rica: Limon Province – Tortuguero National Park
Created in 1975, Tortuguero National Park is the most important green sea turtle nesting ground in the Western Hemisphere. Each year between June and October, tens of thousands of green sea turtles returned to the dark sand beach to lay their eggs.
Costa Rica: Limon Province – Ara Manzanillo
Once prevalent throughout the entire Costa Rican Caribbean, Great Green Macaw populations have declined alarmingly in recent decades. The Ara Manzanillo project is one of the programmes aiming to reverse the decline of these beautiful birds.
Costa Rica: The Jaguar Rescue Centre
The Jaguar Rescue Centre covers an area of approximately 22,000 square meters and is capable of housing up to around 160 animals temporarily. Tours are run daily at 9:30 am and 11:00 and last for about 90-minutes.
Costa Rica: Limon Province – Moin to Tortuguero National Park
Getting to Tortuguero National Park on Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is not easy as you cannot drive there. Most people travel by boat from La Pavona, but we decided the longer, 3.5 hour route from Moin further down Costa Rica's Carribbean coast. It was an adventure in its own right!
Mexico: Mexico City – National Anthropology Museum
We spent a day visiting Bosque de Chapultepec, one of the largest urban parks in the Western Hemisphere, in the heart of Mexico City. As well as walking through the shady paths of the park we also took time to visit the amazing National Anthropology Museum and the historical Chapultepec Castle
Costa Rica: Limon Province – Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small town in southeast Costa Rica, on the Caribbean coast. It’s known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra.
Costa Rica: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca – Villas del Caribe
Villas del Caribe is a hotel at the south end of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, near the border with Panama. The property is made up of 2 storey buildings that have rooms that look out across beautifully landscaped gardens to the sea.
Costa Rica: Limon Province – Cauhita National Park
Cahuita National Park was established in 1970 to protect a large coral reef off the Caribbean coast. Unfortunately, the reef is struggling for survival. An earthquake in 1991 lifted a large portion of the coral by about three metres (10 feet), exposing it to the air and sun at low tide making it rapidly perish.
Costa Rica: Parque Nacional de Irazú
Located in Central Costa Rica, Irazú is an active volcano. Its maximum elevation is 11260 feet (3432 m) above sea level making it the highest volcano in Costa Rica. It used to have a spectacularly blue lake at the bottom of its crater, but an earthquake several years ago reorganized the mountain's plumbing and it drained away.
Mexico: México – Teotihuacan
If during a visit to the Mexico City area you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city then you should consider a day trip out to pre-Columbian ruins of UNESCO listed Teotihuacan.
Mexico: Colonial Cholula & Puebla
Due to its history and architectural styles ranging from Renaissance to Mexican Baroque, Puebla was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The city is also famous for mole poblano, chiles en nogada and Talavera pottery.
Mexico: Mexico City – National Autonomous University (UNAM)
National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México or UNAM) is the most important and significant educational body in the whole of Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Playa del Carmen
When we stay on the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, we avoid going into Cancún at all costs, especially during the Spring Break season. As an alternative we tend to head into the small town of Playa del Carmen, some 45 miles (70km) south.
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Tulum Mayan Ruins
We desperately wanted to leave behind the commercial hubbub of northern reaches of Cancún and it's party vibe for the more relaxed towns of the southern Riviera Maya. During previous visits to the area, a lot of people had talked fondly of Tulum, and so we decided to head down and check it out.
Mexico: Mexico City – Roma and La Condesa
During our week-long stay in Mexico City, we fell in love with the place. We stopped in the heart of the city, close to the historical centre. But if when we go back we will for sure to stop, as do many other visitors, in either bohemian La Condesa or the neighbouring hipster district of Roma.
Mexico: Mexico City – Historic Centre
The energetic heart of this megalopolis has oodles of historical and beautiful places to visit, plus some great eateries and shopping. During our visit to Mexico City, we discovered the wonderful Palacio de Bellas Artes, explored the Aztec ruins of the Templo Mayor and marvelled at the stunning murals of Diego Rivera at the National Palace.
Mexico: Mexico City – Chapultepec Castle and forest
We spent a day visiting Bosque de Chapultepec, one of the largest urban parks in the Western Hemisphere, in the heart of Mexico City. As well as walking through the shady paths of the park we also took time to visit the amazing National Anthropology Museum and the historical Chapultepec Castle
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Las Robles (Review)
Los Robles is a bijou, brightly decorated cafe located on one of the main streets through the town. It looked so welcoming and luckily for us the one outside sitting area had just become available as we walked up. The menu had so many tasty options, but we wanted something very light to eat and were tempted by the vegan ceviche and mini empanadas, which came in a plate of three - so we ordered a mix.
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Puerto Morelos
The coast line of the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula has been gobbled up by a land grab of beach resorts, the only saving grace being they have been limited in the height of the buildings. Fortunately, there are little oasis in the form of towns that break up the monotony of the resorts. One such place is the small village of Puerto Morelos,
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Pitted Date (Review)
Located close to Playa Del Carmen's Avienda 5, but in a quieter area, the Pitted Date, was a wonderful find. Being a completely vegan café it makes life so much easier when choosing from the menu. There is a lovely shaded outside area to sit or if you wish you can head inside. The staff were lovely and extremely helpful.
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Zöetry Paraiso de la Bonita
As we have matured in years (a.k.a. got old) our taste for the type of vacation we take has developed, particularly as we now travel without the worry of having children in tow. Our preference now is for a more independent style of travel. We look to make our money go further (so we can travel more) by trying to avoid spending money on the luxuries, particularly when it comes to hotels and food. That said, our recent jaunt down to Mexico’s Riviera Maya was spent at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, a top-notch, all-inclusive resort.
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Chaya and Cacao (Reveiw)
We had checked out the Happy Cow app to find a vegan restaurant on Isla Mujeres and after reading the reviews of the limited options we settled for Chaya and Cacao. It was very easy to find - after all this is a very small Island. The restaurant is tiny - so blink and you might miss it.
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Isla Mujeres
After several days of perfect weather we awoke to a cloudy and blustery morning, that threatened rain. It was not cold so we were still full of joy for the day ahead. Our destination was the small island of Isla Mujeres, a little over 10 miles off the Yucatan coast from Cancún. The Island itself is only four miles long and about 1/2 a mile wide - yes it is tiny but still is home to 12,000 people.
Mexico: Quintana Roo; Tulum – Succulenta (Eatery Review)
I had thought that with its New Age reputation that Tulum would be bristling with vegan restaurants but when we checked out our trusted vegan guide, Happy Cow, we were a little surprised to see how few options there were. So, it didn't take us too long to opt for Succulenta. Beware there are better options - see review on La Hoja Verde.
Mexico: Yucatán – Chichen Itza
The ancient Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula are truly amazing and should be on everyone's must-see list when visiting this area of Mexico.
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Xcaret Eco-Archeological Park
Visit Xcaret eco-archeological park where you can enjoy a full days exploration of Mexico's biodiversity and cultural heritage.