My profile - V!VA Travel Guides - unbiased community-created guides

. Or create a new V!VA account.

Home > User profile

Close Map

Change Images

V!VA Travel Guides

Location now
Quito, Ecuador

Andrea Davoust's Guide Book Entries

Info

Getting to and away
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
Transportation to and away from San Carlow, El Castillo and BluefieldsMost traffic to San Juan de Nicaragua comes via the ......
Read More
Getting around
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
The village is really just a scattering of houses set by the river, and organized along three or four parallel ......
Read More
When to go
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
Since this corner of Nicaragua is a very wet one, try to come during the somewhat drier summer months. If ......
Read More

Safety
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
San Juan de Nicaragua is very small and safe community in terms of personal safety. Just make sure you carry ......
Read More
Safety in El Castillo
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
El Castillo is generally a very safe place. While it is generally advisable to careful with yourself and your belongings, ......
Read More
Getting to and away from El Castillo
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
Boats run to San Carlos by way of Sábalos (2 hours, 77 cord or $3.58):Monday to Saturday at 4 a.m., ......
Read More
Getting around El Castillo
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
El Castillo is pedestrian. It has only one main “street”, if the narrow cemented footpath running by the river may ......
Read More
When to go to El Castillo
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
As with the rest of the area, it is more pleasant to visit outside of the rainy season, which lasts ......
Read More
Getting around Sábalos
Nov 04, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
Sábalos is a small village split in two by the Sábalos river. From the riverbank, by the pier, starts the ......
Read More
Getting to and away from Sábalos
Nov 04, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
Boats run: to El Castillo (40 minutes, $1, fast boat, $1.50)Monday to Saturday at 7.30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11.30 a.m. ......
Read More
When to go to Sábalos
Nov 04, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
The area is very rainy most part of the year. For most, the best time to visit is either during ......
Read More
Safety in Sábalos
Nov 04, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
Sábalos is community with next to no violent crime, do however keep your possessions safe from petty theft. It is ......
Read More
When to go to San Carlos
Oct 30, 2009 - San Carlos, Nicaragua
The weather in San Carlos is slightly less rainy in June, July, November and December. If you don't mind the ......
Read More
Miskito Keys Biological Reserve
Oct 26, 2009 - Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
The dozen of islets forming the Miskito Keys are hard to get to and lack any creature comforts – non-adventurous ......
Read More
Indigenous Communities
Oct 26, 2009 - Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
The only reason that makes a visit to Puerto Cabezas really worthwhile is an excursion to one of the Miskito ......
Read More
The Pier
Oct 26, 2009 - Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
The old pier, which was built in 1924 with local hardwoods, stretches one kilometer long, testimony to Puerto’s better days ......
Read More
The Miskito coast, from piracy to independence
Oct 20, 2009 - Nicaragua
The Miskito coast is separated from the rest of the country by a mountaineous range, from which rivers run down ......
Read More
When to go to Río San Juan
Sep 03, 2009 - Nicaragua
No matter when you travel to the Río San Juan, be prepared to get wet. Nicaragua's rainy season runs from ......
Read More
Foreign embassies in Chile
Jul 02, 2009 - Chile
Argentina In Santiago: Vicuña Mackenna 41, Tel: 2-582-2606 / 2-582- 2608 Fax: 2-222-6853 E-mail: consuladosantiago@embargentina.cl, URL: www.embargentina.cl In Antofagasta: Blanco ......
Read More
Safety
Jun 19, 2009 - Chile
Crime is virtually non-existent on the island. Nonetheless, it is best not tempt anyone by leaving your bags unattended or ......
Read More
Economy
May 22, 2009 - Chile
Whereas the aboriginal economy was based on the cultivation of sweet potato, chicken raising, sheep ranching and coastal fishing, the ......
Read More
Politics
May 21, 2009 - Chile
Both a province and commune of Chile, Easter Island is administratively attached to the country’s V Region, that of Valparaíso. ......
Read More
Getting to and away
May 11, 2009 - Ayampe, Ecuador
Ayampe is a 30-minute bus ride from Puerto Lopez (or Montañita in the other direction). Manglaralto buses, which follow the ......
Read More
Getting to and away
Mar 20, 2009 - El Angel, Ecuador
The white and orange buses of the Cooperativa Espejo (tel. 06-2977-216) leave from the main square to : Quito (5 hours, ......
Read More
When to go
Mar 19, 2009 - Tulcán, Ecuador
Because it sits at an altitude of nearly 3,000m, Tulcán tends to be a chilly city all year-round, regularly doused ......
Read More
Getting to and away / crossing into Colombia
Mar 19, 2009 - Tulcán, Ecuador
By road El Tulcán is about 120km from Ibarra and 260km from Quito on the Panamericana. By bus The Terminal terrestre is inconveniently ......
Read More
Getting around Tulcán
Mar 19, 2009 - Tulcán, Ecuador
Tulcán is organized lengthwise, along the parallel streets Sucre and Bolívar. The city is compact enough that you can run ......
Read More
Safety in Tulcán
Mar 19, 2009 - Tulcán, Ecuador
Like any border city in the world, Tulcán has its share of smuggling – in this case, drug trafficking - ......
Read More
Chilean wine
Feb 18, 2009 - Chile
Along with its Argentine neighbor, Chile is the leading wine-producing nation of South America. Although its viticulture has a history ......
Read More
Getting to and away
Feb 09, 2009 - Toulouse, France
Toulouse is well connected to neighboring cities by road and train and the airport serves many national and international destinations, ......
Read More
Ruben Dario
Feb 06, 2009 - Nicaragua
The 19th-century Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío led a poetic revolution so profound that its influence was felt beyond poetry and ......
Read More
Getting to and away from Macas
Apr 26, 2007 - Macas, Ecuador
It is possible to fly to Macas, a trip that takes 45 minutes. Tame offer flights every day except Saturday ......
Read More

See all Info (32)

Destinations

Refugio Bartola
Nov 18, 2009 - Refugio Bartola, Nicaragua
A huge swath of tropical forest covering most of the south-eastern corner of Nicaragua has been declared a protected area ......
Read More
Greytown
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
The few remains of the once thriving port of Greytown, now buried in the jungle, lie just a 15-minute boat ......
Read More
San Juan Del Norte
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
San Juan de Nicaragua, formerly (and illogically) known as San Juan del Norte, is a small backwater and pretty much ......
Read More

See all Destinations (10)

Hotels

Cabinas Urbinas
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
Right by the river is this handful of simple and somewhat darkish wooden cabins equipped with private bathrooms, mosquito nets ......
Read More
Hotelito Evo
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
This family-run hostel offers room that are not exactly spotless, but they are comfortable, and the service is friendly. There ......
Read More
Hotel Disco-Bar Paraíso Virgen
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
A big yellow building at the furthest end of town from the pier, this hotel cum restaurant cum bar formerly ......
Read More

Accommodation summary
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
You won't exactly be spoiled for choice when looking where to drop your cases in San Juan. There aren't many ......
Read More
Hostal Sonati
Nov 10, 2009 - Leon, Nicaragua
Just opened in August 2009, the friendly little Hostel Sonati (for Sociedad y Naturaleza Internacional) puts all its profits into ......
Read More
Nena Lodge
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
This place at the far end of town (i.e. 4 minutes from the pier) rents out a handful of small ......
Read More
Hotel Tropical/Restaurant Vanessa
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
Freshly opened in September of 2009, the small hotel above Vanessa’s offers the most pleasant rooms in town, all very ......
Read More
Albergue El Castillo
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
The Albergue as it is known in town, comes recommended as an excellent value option, comfortable and with friendly service. ......
Read More
Montecristo River Lodge
Nov 05, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
If you want to enjoy river activities and walks in the forest from the comfort of an all-inclusive lodge, the ......
Read More
Hotel Sábalos
Nov 05, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
The most comfortable rooms within Sábalos itself are in this all-wood hotel sitting right at the confluence of the two ......
Read More
Hotel Kateana
Nov 05, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
Above the family house and shop are the nine rooms of Hotel Kateana, the most pleasant of Sábolos's budget hotels. ......
Read More
El Cortijo 1 and El Cortijo 2
Oct 19, 2009 - Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
Guesthouse El Cortijo 1 offers ten rooms in a large house on the main street (Calle Revolución), the lower-floor ones ......
Read More
Casa Museo Judith Kain
Oct 19, 2009 - Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
Set in the same lovely wooden-beamed building as the museum, the hotel Judith Kain offers 16 good-value rooms. The comfortable ......
Read More
Hotel San Francisco
Mar 19, 2009 - Tulcán, Ecuador
If you are looking for the cheapest place possible, the Hotel San Francisco is your last half-decent option before you ......
Read More
Hotel Machado
Mar 19, 2009 - Tulcán, Ecuador
One block from the main square and all the money changers, on one of the main arteries of Tulcán, Hotel ......
Read More
Hotel Sara Espindola
Mar 19, 2009 - Tulcán, Ecuador
From the flashy neon lights outside and the entrance tucked in a narrow doorway, you would never guess this is ......
Read More
Equus Erro
Mar 10, 2009 - Las Tunas, Ecuador
Equus Erro Hostería's main draw is the view of the ocean, which can be seen from almost all the rooms. ......
Read More
Mille Collines
Jan 29, 2009 - Kigali, Rwanda
The Mille Collines of "Hotel Rwanda" fame is a landmark of Kigali. While not as luxurious as the Intercontinental or ......
Read More

See all Hotels (18)

Restaurants

Other comedors
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
Ask around for “las brisas del río”, “la amistad”, knowing that a simple set lunch will set you back at ......
Read More
El Tucan
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
The only eatery marked as such, its sign adorned with the painting of a toucan, El Tucan serves up lunches ......
Read More
Comedor Conchita
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
For those on a budget, there are a handful of cheap comedors offering regular Nicaraguan fare – meat, rice, beans, ......
Read More

See all Restaurants (11)

Activities

Río Indio
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
If you take a river trip up the Río Indio, you can get a glimpse of wildlife in the eastern ......
Read More
Laguna Azul
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
Just across the river from San Juan is a small and very pleasant freshwater lake surrounded by low vegetation. If ......
Read More
Greytown
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
The few remains of the once thriving port of Greytown, now buried in the jungle, lie just a 15-minute boat ......
Read More

Fortaleza de la Inmaculada Concepción
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
The Fort at El CastilloThe squat fortress which stands on the highest point of El Castillo was completed in 1675 ......
Read More
Aguas Termales Escalera
Nov 05, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
Way out in the middle of the forest is a stream with seven bubbly sources of scalding hot water. You ......
Read More
COSEMUCRIM Cacao Cooperative
Nov 05, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
For those who are curious to know where their sweet goodies come from, the cacao producers’ cooperative in town, which ......
Read More
Miskito Keys Biological Reserve
Oct 26, 2009 - Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
The dozen of islets forming the Miskito Keys are hard to get to and lack any creature comforts – non-adventurous ......
Read More
Casa Museo Judith Kain
Oct 19, 2009 - Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
The former home of Naïve painter Judith Kain Cunningham is a bright and spacious house. It showcases her colorful paintings, ......
Read More
Magdalena Island penguin colony
May 25, 2009 - Punta Arenas, Chile
Along with the islet of Marta, Magdalena Island forms the Monumento Natural Los Pingüinos, the natural habitat of over 100,000 ......
Read More
Reserva Nacional Altos de Lircay
Apr 21, 2009 - Around Talca, Talca, Chile
The Altos del Lircay, just 6km past the mountain village of Vilches, is an amazing sight in the central cordillera. ......
Read More
Bunker
Apr 20, 2009 - Santiago, Chile
Bunker is a the hotspot for travelers looking to find the gay scene in Santiago. The club’s disc jockey bounces ......
Read More
Museum of indigenous cultures
Apr 13, 2009 - Cuenca, Ecuador
This cultural foundation displays over 5,000 archeological pieces from the different indigenous cultures of Ecuador in a spacious, well-lit loft. ......
Read More
Aguas Hediondas
Mar 19, 2009 - Tulcán, Ecuador
If you have a few hours to kill or happen to be suffering from rheumatisms or poor circulation, you may ......
Read More
Topiary garden
Mar 19, 2009 - Tulcán, Ecuador
Tulcán’s sole worthwhile attraction is the lovely topiary in the cemetery at the far end of town. The cypress hedges ......
Read More
La Cité de l'espace
Feb 10, 2009 - Toulouse, France
Honoring the aeronautic role of Toulouse, the “space park” is a stimulating visit for children and adults alike. With a ......
Read More
El Angel Ecological Reserve
Dec 11, 2008 - El Angel, Ecuador
The 15,700 hectare reserve of El Ángel is a wild area of golden páramo (spongy grasslands) which lies in the ......
Read More
Popular Arts Museum (CIDAP)
May 04, 2005 - Cuenca, Ecuador
El Centro Interamericano de Artesanías y Artes Populares, or Museum of Popular Arts, is a small but interesting museum dedicated ......
Read More

See all Activities (17)

Tours

Tours in SJDN
Nov 11, 2009 - San Juan Del Norte, Nicaragua
Several people in town offer tours to Greytown, usually with a final dip in Laguna Azul. There are also fishing ......
Read More
Tours in El Castillo
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
Several hotels or restaurants in town offer tours, all more or less identical and for similar prices. Your best bet ......
Read More
Tours in Sábalo
Nov 05, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
Just like El Castillo and to a lesser extent San Carlos, Boca de Sábalos can serve as a base for ......
Read More

See all Tours (6)

Services

Services in El Castillo
Nov 07, 2009 - El Castillo, Nicaragua
Intur is in a little wooden hut opposite the pier. It is the place to go not only for information ......
Read More
Services in Sábalos
Nov 05, 2009 - Boca De Sábalos, Nicaragua
There is a police station, and a small hospital up the hill along the main road, as well as a ......
Read More

V!VA List Articles

No entries found

Get the book

book

Buy V!VA Book

Direct or on Amazon.com

Top Places to go in Latin America - as rated by V!VA Members

Activities

Popular V!VA Travel Guides Destinations

V!VA Travel Guides Hotels

Top V!VA Travel Guides Hotels

Other V!VA Travel Guides pages