The Samana Peninsula has three main cities, Santa Barbara de Samana, popularly known as Samaná, Las Terrenas and Las Galeras located north on the 600 square kilometers of land owned by the peninsula.

Of the three cities, perhaps the most famous is Samana, as it is the destination you have chosen from the Atlantic humpback whales to mate and give birth to their young, so they are organized tours for whale watching. Therefore it is said that Samana is the ultimate destination of the Dominican Republic for lovers of adventure and nature. Not just for the show they give us the whales, but also for its magnificent green mountains, long beaches, solitude and the low mass of tourists, small fishing villages bordering the turquoise sea water.

Samana is also a good choice for experienced scuba divers and a privileged place in the Dominican Republic to relax, feel the fresh and discover happiness observing the natural environment around us. Surely if you are spending your vacation in a hotel IT someday you can stop outside the hotel, but you will be in Samana feel like a real explorer. Samana is unlike the other areas of the island, has a European flavor, at first the French settled, but now many Italians and Spanish have opened businesses to cater to tourists in the area and make this place beautiful peninsula residence.

Despite being the Samana Peninsula increasingly chosen as a tourist destination, the credit card payment is not yet widespread, so it is advisable to carry cash or travelers checks.

Those who travel to the province of Samana should consider spend your entire vacation in Samana. This is because the Samana Peninsula is a destination for tourists has different areas as well as the ability to perform various activities, so that is what your interests Samana’s can provide.

The hotels are mostly located in the city of Samana, Las Galeras, located 25 kilometers from the town of Samana, Las Terrenas, located north of the peninsula, El Portillo, Cozón and Playa Bonita. You can cross from north to south the peninsula in half an hour and about an hour to go from west to east.

A foolproof and enjoyable destination is to visit Boca del Toro in Panama. In this beautiful South American country’s state visit two places that you can then recommend: Boca del Drago and Bastimentos Island National Park.

Boca del Drago: In this area was where they landed, 500 years ago, Columbus and the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, provides beautiful golden sandy beaches with crystal clear horizons extensive blending with the blue sky. Today, this region of the archipelago is an attraction for tourists, Those who practice diving or snorkeling are also attracted by the coral reefs that are beyond the beaches.

Some attractive places like the Cave, just 15 minutes from the town of Bocas del Toro, where you can appreciate its famous cave where they live three different kinds of bats. The area is natural habitat, armadillos, sloths, monkeys of different species, iguanas and agoutis. Boca del Drago is considered the closest point of the archipelago to the mainland.

Located north of Colon island – Bocas Del Toro Province.

How come? By plane: From the airport Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in Albrook to Bocas del Toro, Isla Colon.

By Car: Using the American way from Panama City to David, Chiriquí and followed by the people of Gualaca to Chiriqui Grande or Changuinola in Bocas del Toro.

By boat: Take the famous water taxi to Isla Colon and hence land schedule your visit to Boca del Drago. It lies 25 kilometers.

The Bastimentos Island National Marine Park: was created in 1998, is a group of islands and islets of 13,226 hectares. It is one of the few protected areas in Latin America, preserving ecosystems beaches, coral reefs and mangroves in the same space. Nesting sea turtles, preserves coastal ecosystems, island and marine, coral reefs, excellent and scenic white sand beaches for snorkelling own due to its crystalline waters. Home of manatees and more than 200 species of tropical fish and a very important place for nesting sea turtles.

The park is located in the province of Bocas del Toro and lies an hour by plane from Panama City.

How come? By plane: From the airport to the archipelago Allbrook with route (with an hour long).

By bus: From Albrook Transportation Terminal in Panama City to the town of Almirante (12 hours)

By boat: From Isla Colon in 20 minutes by boat with outboard will reach the protected area.

Want to know a magical place? The city of Arequipa in Peru is also known as the “White City“. Its historic center has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by the architecture of the beautiful colonial buildings in white ashlar highlighting their houses, churches, temples and monasteries as Santa Catalina. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside with villages with beautiful scenery. From here you can visit the famous Colca Valley and Colca Canyon, protected areas such as National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca and Mejia Lagoons National Sanctuary. In the mountains and snowy peaks, its plains and rivers are excellent venues for adventure sports. It is an ideal destination for colonial monuments, living cultures and make outdoor tourism enjoy adventure, nature and biodiversity. Arequipa enjoys one of the best cuisines of Peru.

The Colca Valley, located in the extreme north-eastern part of the Arequipa region, a few hours north of the city of Arequipa, Peru. Here is the river Colca and Colca Canyon. During the tour you can see interesting landscapes and condors, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, vicuna and vizcachas.

The origin of this valley is due to a failure of the crust, eroded by thousands of years by the longest river in the Peruvian coast. The Colca River reaches depths of up to 3.400 meters in both slopes and over 200 km long.

The Colca River starts in the Andes, at the top of Condorama Cruise. The valley itself where space begins arable margins becomes wider. The traditional tourist routes begin the Valley near the village of Chivay, at the foot of Nevado Mismi, the farthest source of the Amazon River. It is in this area where the platforms or farming terraces forming capricious curves along the river banks, dominate the landscape.

After passing through the old town of Maca, the slope of the river increases markedly and the river recedes in depth of the valley in which populations are found. This is where the Colca Canyon starts proper. It reaches its greatest depth near the famous Cruz del Condor viewpoint.

The Colca Valley is ideal for recreational and artistic activities such as painting, photography, poetry, among others, as well as is propitious for adventure sports like trekking, rafting, climbing, cycling, etc…

The highest point of the valley is the Ampato dormant volcano (6388 m) and the lowest at the confluence of the rivers Colca and Andamayo (970 m).

Cabo Polonio is located in the area of ​​Valizas Department of Rocha in Uruguay.

Their general appearance is that of a wide sandy strip uneven, which owns about 35 kms. long approximately, for about 5-7 kms. wide. It consists of a dune system that can exceed 30 meters in height and are aligned in the direction of the prevailing wind. This dune system is unique in Uruguay and is one of the few areas of American coastal dunes.

This is one of the great attractions the coast of Uruguay. Cabo Polonio itself is a rock formation that is introduced into the sea, surrounded by two beautiful beaches, the northeast “The Skull” and to the south the “Cove” or “South Beach.” -

The extension to the sea rocky group of islands forming the Torres calls, which constitute one of the largest global reserves of a hair wolves or lions, still has the most number of individuals in America.

Its name is due to the Spanish galleon that ran aground on these shores by December 1735. – The town was originally formed by ancient villages of fishermen and workers loberas harvests, now completely suspended, now have joined opportunists who have made constructions house “ranches” in a totally irregular. Another attraction of the place is called “dunes“.

The area contains extensive sandy in the form of huge dunes that through the action of the winds are changing their shape and location as if they have their own life, making it one of the most important dune complex in the country and the continent national interest was declared national Monument and its dune system.

From its heights unequaled panoramas are contemplated. The lighthouse was a necessity due to the constant wrecks produced in the area. Thus, its construction dates from 1881, and today his rise is one of the traditional recreation Polonio.

Lovers of fishing and seafood are benefiting from the advantages of this place. It is an excellent fishing and shipping coast and more than suitable for diving. We can not forget the spectacle of the sunset and the arrival of the boats of the fishermen, who also can supply us with fresh seafood that will delight your palate.

To reach Cape Poplonio no path that leads toward it, so that means part of its charm that can not be accessed by car, not being allowed the entry of private motor vehicles. Only accessible by jeep or truck authorized companies that depart from km. 264 Route 10 authorized a single path

Almost all Curacao beaches are scattered along the calm and protected southwest coast, where the waters are calm and clean as glass. On some beaches admission is charged, sometimes including a shirt.

Although not common, nor an acceptable practice, you can see European visitors sunbathing topless. Please note that it is not allowed by law, but is tolerated on many beaches.

There are places to choose from to relax, including a resort seaside award winner.

Boca Santa Cruz: Although this mangrove swamp surrounding the wide beach dotted with palm trees that cloud the water, creating conditions that are not ideal for snorkeling, attracts many birds. Therefore, there are excellent opportunities for bird watching. There are some shade structures separate the water and there is a small bar and restaurant (The Hut on the beach Captain Goodlife) and bathrooms. Captain Goodlife can carry in your water taxi to a small beach (private) hidden, as Lover’s Beach, the beach or the beach Pretu Hula, all places that can only be reached by boat.

Boka St.Michiel: They look small boats in the bay of this traditional fishing village west of the city. Diving Club in the spring has public restrooms and a restaurant. The small beach, also known as Boka Sami has no shade and very little sand, but the water is divine and there is a small dock. There are two simple but good fish restaurants nearby. You can also explore the salt marsh or climb the hill west of the beach.

Kenepa: These two beautiful coves are among the most popular beaches of Curacao. The intimate beach Kenepa receives partial shade trees manchineel. The snack bar (which has a small bathroom) is open weekends and often plays loud music. A local people like to camp here during the school holidays. Abou Beach (Playa Grande) has several water remote pergolas and a large snack bar. Behind the beach is a small salt marsh. The view over the beach from the parking lot is a great opportunity for a photo, a staircase and ramp leading down to the beach. Halfway between the two beaches is a nice view from the cliff, a good photo opportunity and a path that leads through the woods to the beach Kenepa. Nearby, Landhuis Kenepa find a site that is worth visiting.

Cuyo – “desert country” in the Indian language is located in Argentina, is the region of the high peaks, the snow-covered volcanoes, and the large wilderness spreading from the Andes mountain range and foothills to the steppe.

A true trip to the age of dinosaurs is a visit to the Natural Parks Ischigualasto - Talampaya (World Heritage Site). Ischigualasto, also called the “Valley of the Moon” by the amazing shapes and colors of its landscape shaped by erosion, is one of the most important paleontological sites in the world. Talampaya river canyon astonishes with its multifarious folds high red walls.

Pink flamingos, Andean ducks, vicuna and guanacos roam freely in parks and natural reserves, the silent flight of the condors.

The region displays the Central Andes in all its glory: the Aconcagua (6,959 m), the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. A cold white blanket covers the incredible mountain slopes skiers enjoying all latitudes.

In the valleys of La Rioja, Mendoza and San Juan, among leaves of grapevines, farms and wineries, you can follow the wine route, an elixir that has achieved international recognition.

Cuyo is an area of contrasts, is a mountainous region arid, but crossed by rivers with water from the Andes.

The man, using irrigation canals, used this resource and transformed the region into a prosperous and very suitable for the development of vines and the subsequent production of high quality wines that are being recognized worldwide. They can be made ​​visits to the many wineries in the region.

Adventure travel offers multiple options like rafting, climbing (mainly in the Aconcagua, the highest in the Western Hemisphere), trekking and many others.

The road to the mountains to reach the Summit Pass (which arrives in Chile) from Mendoza is spectacular with beautiful places like Potrerillos, and important historical sites such as the Inca Bridge.

In San Juan, the Ischigualasto impressive (also called Valley of the Moon), has dinosaur fossils, geological forms, fingerprints, and curiously shaped rocks eroded by wind. To overcome the mountain ranges, rivers deepen their channels and give rise to towering gorges as Atuel Canyon, a colorful and unique beauty. Winter sports are present in several ski centers, among which stands out the Lenas Valley. Hot springs complete the tourist offer of the region. The Age recommended to visit Cuyo in Argentina is autumn, winter and spring.

The activities for adventure tourism include, skiing, water sports in reservoirs, rivers and streams, trekking, rafting, paragliding, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife watching, wine tourism.

Yopal in Colombia is known as the “World Capital of Coleus“. It is located 387 km from the city of Bogota. Yopal derives its name from the Indian word Achagua “Yopo” meaning heart, is also the name of a timber tree. This is a land of beautiful contrasts of fauna, flora, water and hydrocarbon wealth.

Your daily life and festivals revolving around rural life, cattle and plains music. It is a culture that is in their blood to belong to the race plains. As also coleus, women, partying and liquor. Along with Villavicencio are the maximum exponent of life on the plains.

Yopal, heart pounding and cheerful Casanare, offers the beauty of the plains with stunning landscapes where there are wide variety of animals and varied flora, including fruit trees and timber.

Yopal derives its name from the Indian word Achagua “yopo” means heart. Yopo is also a timber tree typical of the region. Where is today Yopal Yopos was a forest. The Yopo tree abundant in the south Cravo River region, have the Indians removed seeds of the tree, the roasted and grind, using them to get high.

Inhabited by indigenous South cravo belonging to ethnic Achagua, Caribbean Arawak family, then by Boyacá and Santander migrations in the first decade of the twentieth century.

By the year 1915, Mr. Elías Granados made ​​a home in the center of Yopal today, called Estancia Don Elias, turned the cattle drovers inn ranging from Sogamoso and Santander. The real founder was Pedro Pablo González.

It is a community that lives on agriculture and cattle ranching. They grow rice, oil palm, banana, traditional maize, coffee and cassava. Oil-rich area.

Yopal began as a cattle town due to the services provided to farmers in the region and its strategic position in the Department of Casanare, the region and the country have become the second largest city in the Orinoco region for its rapid economic development and social.

The city has been evolving as a center of operations, business, trade and services for the region and for a wider catchment area covered by neighboring departments.

No doubt with a variety of famous architectural treasures, Antigua Guatemala offers excellent photographic opportunities for the amateur and professional. Its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture provide endless details.

The monuments and property located in La Antigua Guatemala have lighting that offers interesting sights for visitors and photographers. It is worthwhile to walk the streets to find a good picture. From source to churches, the details are the order of the visitor.

Starting with the classic Arc of Santa Catarina elegantly adorning the street, formerly communicated two parts of the convent of the same name and is now preserved as a historic monument and is now a classic image of the place.

Along this street you can admire the colonial architecture of the restaurants and homes that retain a traditional line. Eventually you reach the Church of La Merced.

The Central Park: Here, you can enjoy an excellent view of the source and is an important local socialization. Every day this park is visited by large number of tourists and locals. Its pews have witnessed countless visitors.

It’s classic find youth groups making music with instruments of Guatemala or Andean music. The Indians traded here with memories and high quality colorful fabrics that are a perfect gift or souvenir for visitors. Also you can find wooden toys manufactured by local and classic sponge lizards.

It is important, as in any big city, keep a low profile in terms of photographic equipment and be careful to move the camera to avoid attention. Central Waterfront, next to the Cathedral, is the Palace of the Captains.

The architecture offers interesting views and bows for amateur and professional photographer. In recent years it has implemented a striking lighting that adds to the monument. Its walls feature art billboards and news events to be held in La Antigua Guatemala and to their bows tend to park the carts pulled by horses and offer rides around.

La Antigua Guatemala is located 45 minutes from the Capital. It should be the way American Highway and follow the signs. About 200 meters after crossing San Lucas is right on the bridge and the road from there leads directly to the site.

Being able to travel to Teotihuacan in Mexico will be an unforgettable experience. If you’re looking for a destination to take advantage of the summer, this state of the country Azteca will be a good choice.

Add to your journey a little taste and visit the restaurants surrounding the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. They can taste from a delicious barbecue mutton, fresh from the oven, and accompany it with a delicious soup, or try the pork carnitas or mixiotes delicious served with nopales.

Besides the traditional corn tortilla quesadillas handmade, stuffed with chicken, meat or cheese, you can try a variety of dishes that show the fusion of pre-Hispanic cuisine and Spanish cuisine. Dare to taste the Escamoles, ant larvae in Escamol delicious cakes, served on a salad or in a corn tortilla with salsa and served with rice.

In the kitchen menu Teotihuacan find snails, which you can enjoy with nopales or pico de gallo, this delicious salad made with avocado, cilantro, tomato and onion, so traditional in Mexico. Do not miss the opportunity to accompany your meal with a shot of tequila, or try the pulque, whether natural or a “cure”, blended with fruit.

If there is still some room in your stomach, tlacoyos continues with a thick corn tortilla filled oval beans, broad beans, peas or ricotta cheese and served with delicious typical regional nopales. Also made ​​from corn, or pinched sopes served with beans, Oaxaca cheese, lettuce and red or green sauce.

What’s more, in Teotihuacan find a wide variety of typical Mexican sweets and prickly pears in syrup xoconostles, joys, sweet pumpkin, wafers (pepitorias) and hawthorn sweet tamarind. If you did not get to dessert, do not worry, you can take them home and even give them away as a souvenir of your visit to the City of the Gods.

Every year on June 24 is celebrated in the city of Cusco , Peru the Inti Raymi. This festival is celebrated from the time of the Inca Empire and is known as the Festival of the Sun, it is honored the sun god Viracocha. The Inti Raymi symbolizes the eternal consecration of marriage between the Sun God and his children, humans, and was the most important holiday of the Empire, whose religion was based on the worship of this star.

The June 24 marks the winter solstice, ie the beginning of the New Year the Sun Scientifically the solstice begins on June 21, but according to the Unachaq Pasha, a sundial used by the Incas, the sun stays a few days in the same place before rising on June 24. This day is proclaimed by the high priest as the New Year: Inti Raymi!

The inhabitants of Cusco traditionally Involving almost everyone, including tourists, to enjoy and marvel at this very special day. Countless additional events should be viewed before and during the 24th. These exhibitions, activities in the streets and squares in the day and evening live concerts given by the best musical talents of Peru, which takes place in the Plaza de Armas.

Most of the concerts and exhibitions are free and are sponsored by the city of Cusco and Peruvian companies. More than half a century, the festival takes place at the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman, also called the Sacred House of the Sun

Participants walk along streets decorated with flowers. Women sweep the streets clean of evil spirits. In Sacsayhuaman, where huge crowds await the arrival of the procession, the Inca climbs to the sacred altar where all can watch.

Once all the celebrants are in place in the main square of the fortress, there are speeches of the Inca, the priests and his representatives: the Snake for the world below, the Puma for life on earth, and the Condor for the upper world of the gods.

A white llama is sacrificed (now a very realistic representation) and the high priest holds aloft the bloody heart in honor of Pachamama (Mother Earth). This is done to ensure the fertility of the land, which in combination with the light and warmth of the sun provides a bountiful harvest. The priests read the blood stains to see the future of the Inca.

When the sun starts to set, you set fire to straw small hills and the celebrants dance around to honor Tawantin or the Empire of the Four Wind Directions. In ancient times, the fire is not allowed until the nightly bonfires.

The ceremony of Inti Raymi ends with a procession back to Cuzco. The Inca and his wife Mama Occllo are loaded into their seats, the chief priests and government representatives and impart blessings on the people. Again, a new year started.

The Caribbean islands were in 2012 more than 15.5 million tourists and defended its position as prime tourist destination, especially in European winter and despite the global crisis, according to data collected at the International Tourism Exchange (ITB ). The Dominican Republic, which in 2012 reached more than 4 million tourists, in figures of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, continues to lead in a market whose main customer is from North America but do not forget to Europeans and South America.

The computation of tourists from the U.S., Canada and Mexico who chose this country as a holiday destination increased by 9.8%, while the South Americans did so in 11.6%

The increase in the number of visits, according to the Office of Tourism of the Dominican Republic for Europe, is due both to the varied cultural and natural as to the improvement of infrastructure, which have invested more than 98 million euros since 2006.

At the head, as the main tourist attraction in the Caribbean, as well as the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica are two countries that, despite continued growth, have noted the decrease in the number of tourists from European countries affected by the crisis.

As told Efe responsible for the Office of Tourism of Cuba in Germany, Wilson Cardozo, whereas before Italy, Spain, UK and Germany fought, along with Canada, for first place in the ranking of countries of origin, the situation now has changed and the Mediterranean “no longer have much presence.”

Cuba received in 2012, as stated Cardozo, a total of 2.8 million tourists and aims to increase the number in 2013 and reach three million, a figure he said is “interesting but modest when compared with the data that handles Dominican Republic. ”

According to Cardozo, Cuba has lived for years a “boom of concern”, he said, has been prompted by “security enhancements, the reforms that have been carried out and the beauty of the island.” “Cuba still has authenticity, there has been a change in tourism superstructure,” he said adding that Cardozo travel to the island is “like stepping into the past.”

The high season for tourism in the Caribbean region runs from November to April, the winter months in the countries that have greater weight in their markets.

However, Jamaica receives a large number of visitors during the month of July, some visitors who come prompted by a major festival “reggae” held in early August, according to the regional director for Europe of the Jamaican Tourist Office, Patricia Samuels.

Samuels noted the 1.5 million cruise tourists who visited the island to stay for a day, a figure that is in addition to the 1.98 million people who made ​​longer visits.

United States, Canada and the UK were again re-majority countries of origin of tourists visiting the island. Among the major destinations in Jamaica, Samuels said Montego Bay and Ocho Rios city as the favorite. “Jamaica is a small country, has many areas to visit and very different,” said the head of the Office of Tourism of the island, who was optimistic and bet on that data, 2012 “can be maintained.”

Bahamas and Puerto Rico, with 1.26 and 1.11 million tourists respectively, according to data provided by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, complete the list of top Caribbean destinations.