#16
|
|||
|
|||
Key West & the Florida Keys in general; the Virgin Islands, both British and US: Guadeloupe/Martinique; Curacao.
__________________
stai scherzando? Last edited by frankmcr; 12-03-2019 at 11:45 PM. |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
I've spent considerable time over the years in Puerto Rico, Belize, Mexico, also Panama, Guatamala and Ecuador - and liked them all. And, no I am not a beach person; most of the trips were for caving, photography, and hiking. Interestingly in Belize, Panama and Ecuador, they readily take US money and use it like their own. In Puerto Rico, it is their own. That similarity was not planned. I like trips in warm places where our money goes further. Everywhere I went, I met people who were great and treated me well. They like it if you attempt to meet them on their terms and to get to know them as people - if everyone did that, there'd be less strife in this world.
__________________
The Bard Rocks Fay OM Sinker Redwood/Tiger Myrtle Sexauer L00 Adk/Magnolia For Sale Hatcher Jumbo Bearclaw/"Bacon" Padauk Goodall Jumbo POC/flamed Mahogany Appollonio 12 POC/Myrtle MJ Franks Resonator, all Australian Blackwood Blackbird "Lucky 13" - carbon fiber '31 National Duolian + many other stringed instruments. |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
We've done countless Caribbean trips and other trips including S. America solo or smaller groups than many of the Caribbean trips.
We've hardly ever been in tours, cruises or in big resorts but do have a Jamaican trip coming up that's a resort. I'm not so sure about the resort but it will better accommodate some of the group and the price is incredibly low. Cayman Islands has been the most frequent destination because of the water and renting two particular villas. For any interest there I can give guidance on specific places for drift snorkeling, fishermen we've met, where to shop, and villa owners. For Jamaica I can give you roads to travel and places where most tourists don't go. Local car rental places etc.... We mostly do this with the two grandmothers, their kids and the grandkids so it's not all about action or adventure that is more the style of my own family. A "boat trip" can vary a lot via the actual trip and what it costs. Our favorites are going with local fishermen. That's snorkeling too. You get conch and lobster by hand and fish via a hook. Some of the day's catch is yours. Some dive operations have snorkel only or combo dive and snorkel trips that are inexpensive and fun. For boat trips try to know if cruise ship schedules will create more crowds. Some places give you different rates and put you in different groups if you're "local". Local doesn't mean you're a resident but more that you're not with a cruise or big tour operation. It is usually a much nicer experience if you're not with the groups of cruise people.
__________________
ƃuoɹʍ llɐ ʇno əɯɐɔ ʇɐɥʇ |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
...although Mexico is not considered Central America it is very close and shares a similar climate....many great destinations...the Yucatán is swell for exploring Mayan ruins....and if you just want to get away from it all check out Yelapa on the pacific coast....you have to get a water taxi to get there and there are no cars there...tourist boats show up during the day but leave in the afternoon...ladies sell homemade pies on the beach and the dogs are the friendliest you will ever meet...
|
#20
|
|||
|
|||
Just to let you know if you go on the US Govt.travel advisory site, nearly every country people stated above (Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Honduras), is on he "exercise increased caution or do not travel" list. I have a club member who flys out of Teterboro Airport for a high level customer. When he takes them to South/Central America he never leaves the hotel...never. Just sayin'
__________________
Free speech...its' not for everybody |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Indeed some countries have more problems than others including some with wide-spread problems but very often the whole place gets confused with a few bad places. My one bad experience in S. America was asking for it - going through one of the world's toughest neighborhoods after a night of partying.
__________________
ƃuoɹʍ llɐ ʇno əɯɐɔ ʇɐɥʇ |
#22
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
"It's only castles burning." - Neil Young |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I hope it's not fooling myself but I believe not showing fear and moving with confidence makes a difference - look and act local as possible. If not for safety it helps for customer service. On one trip I recall a time when a pub/grill hostess was eying everyone and it was really clear where you sat was a plan. We not only got better seating but later realized the couple at next table were Sting and wife Trudie. I have wondered if their smiles and looks would have been different if we recognized them right away. Don't be afraid to travel. Get outside the hotel, resort or where the cruises take you.
__________________
ƃuoɹʍ llɐ ʇno əɯɐɔ ʇɐɥʇ |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
Not sure i want to go to the carribean again
-seems we had impoverish people following us trying to sell everything from a ride to buying nick knacks or just asking for money ( in a threatening way ) a couple of years back . -The nick nacks i dont mind as much , but to give me a ride of say 100 feet to a store is absurd- plus you dont know about safety etc. Im also worried about the devastation those islands went threw just recently - a few of them look like they almost got washed out with all the hurricanes - so were thinking a cruise their is out of the question . guessing their hurting and it might not be safe ( Thou sometimes just staying on the boat or not wandering far might be the solution ! ) I have though about how this helps their economy ( to visit their ) .
__________________
--------------------------------- Wood things with Strings ! Last edited by Tony Burns; 12-05-2019 at 12:09 PM. |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Having traveled south for decades and many times and having seen hurricane recovery the past few years have me far more worried about non-hurricane changes to reefs, the sargassum, and the plastic trash. Those are important reasons why the not typical tourist view is important. If you fly to GCM you won't see same levels of poverty but for me a Cayman trip really is about the water. My mother in law and I have been thrilled to visit farmers and local ag but that's not for everyone. Why would people hurting after the hurricanes be not safe unless you are intending to visit specific places? When we did a post hurricane trip with 1+ years recovery going on we found new construction, a scene that made you think in good ways and people pleased that we helped. We all travel for different reasons. The star fruit pic was snapped at a farmer's place before lunch and the fish pic was the afternoon swim. The shore pic is a road away from resorts where we rented someone's house for 2 weeks at least 10 times. Never in 20 weeks of walking or running alone have I ever felt or had the dangers in or near other places. If you follow some good reporting you should probably more afraid of a resort or a cruise where crime gets brushed under the rug occurs and where you can swim in the pee and poop of thousands of others. Nothing can replicate both experiences if you don't go. Full disclosure. P.S. My next step after lunch is calling Jamaica where I think I have a line on a local car. I can give a trip report in the near future. P.S.S. Be careful about someone selling a ride. I prefer to do the driving myself or have a guide. P.S.S.S. Offer having a beer or coffee instead of buying a nick nack. You can say no thanks to ganja, very nice to a nic nak, bless up and move on.
__________________
ƃuoɹʍ llɐ ʇno əɯɐɔ ʇɐɥʇ |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
If you make Costa Rica, I would suggest the Nacoya peninsula, fly into Liberia, rent a four wheel drive and go explore. It is largely uninhabited and undeveloped. Very few paved roads, the scenery is amazing, the people you come across are gracious. I like the off season, (rainy season) late fall early winter, the beaches are totally uninhabited, food was great, relatively inexpensive. Only suggestion, go in with a full tank of gas and purchase gas where ever you see it, gas stations just don't exist. |
#27
|
|||
|
|||
Costa Rica is fabulous for nature hiking, but the food is bland. Not horrible, but bland.
For great food, I suggest a French Caribbean island: Martinique or Guadeloupe. They have everything: volcanoes (not active), rain forests, fantastic food (the combination of French and West African cuisines is, for me, unbelievably fine). For ruins, go north: Guatemala or the Yucatan of Mexico
__________________
___________ Larry |
#28
|
|||
|
|||
I enjoy Belize and Honduras. IMHO, stay away from Panama and El Salvador. I was in Cuba for five days two years ago and really enjoy ed it and the people. It is pricey and make sure you have Euros or Canadian dollars. Oddly enough, my favorite Caribbean island is St Maarten. I love it there. I also like Grand Turk.
__________________
Phil Playing guitar badly since 1964. Some Taylor guitars. Three Kala ukuleles (one on tour with the Box Tops). A 1937 A-style mandolin. |