Christopher Minster's Home Page

The History of Colombia

Pre-Conquest The geographical area of present-day Colombia has been inhabited for centuries, since at least 10,000 BC. Various cultures came and ......

Jorge Luís Borges

Jorge Luís Borges (1899-1986) was an Argentine writer who achieved worldwide fame for his mind-blowing short stories. He is a ......

The Economy of Argentina: History

The first Spanish explorers in present-day Argentina found a wide river inhabited by various indigenous tribes. According to one legend, ......

The History of Buenos Aires

La Ciudad de Nuestra Señora del Buen Aire was founded in 1536 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Mendoza, who had ......

An Argentine Meat Feast

Normal people, they die, and they go to regular heaven, you know, with wings and clouds and harps and all ......

Fishing in Argentina

Argentina is a great place to do some fishing. Patagonia is well-known as a top fly-fishing destination, with skilled guides ......

Skiing in Argentina

Not surprisingly for a country with some truly outstanding and picturesque mountains, Argentina has a well-developed skiing industry. Best of ......

Horseback Riding in Argentina

Argentina has a long and rich equestrian tradition. The gauchos, sort of like Argentine cowboys, ruled the vast grassland pampas ......

Juan Peron

Juan Perón (October 8, 1895 – July 1, 1974) Juan Perón was born in the town of Lobos, not far ......

Colombian Coffee

Colombian Coffee. Those two words just sort of seem to roll together, don’t they? Colombian coffee. Mmm. Go say them ......

José de San Martín

The hero of Argentine Independence was born in Yapeyú in 1778. He went to Spain as a young man where ......

Baseball in the Dominican Republic

On September 23, 1956, the New York Giants sent out a rookie infielder that had just been called up from ......

The Islanders Take Over

For decades, Galápagos was a backwater province, a place no decent Ecuadorian wanted to go. A few hundred hardy pioneers, ......

Bullfighting in Spain

Okay, okay, I know, I know. Bullfighting is evil, matadors are cruel and heartless, it’s all barbaric, anyone who would ......

Rafting in Colombia

Colombia has some excellent rivers for rafting, and some reliable operators to take you there. The rafting industry in Colombia ......

The Seven Wonders of Portugal

On July 7, 2007 (or 7/7/07), the results of a popular internet contest to name the Seven Wonders of the ......

Colombia Fun Facts

Colombia borders Brazil, Venezuela, Panama, Peru, and Ecuador. Total landmass of Colombia is roughly 1,140,000 square kilometers, which is slightly ......

The Forest and Palace of Buçaco

For centuries, the beautiful forest of Buçaco, a verdant woods on the side of a hill, was a monastic retreat. ......

The Story of Pedro and Ines

The story of Pedro, Crown Prince of Portugal, and Inés de Castro, lady-in-waiting to a Spanish Princess, is one of ......

Horseback riding in Peru

Peru is a country of spectacular vistas and incredible natural diversity, and one of the best ways to experience it ......

Alhambra Tips and Advice

Basically, there are four areas of the Alhambra complex, which sits at the top of a hill overlooking Granada. The ......

Spotted Eagle Ray

The spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) is a large, graceful, beauti ......

Loja: Getting there and away

Loja is in a remote part of southern Ecuador and the best way to get there, by far, is to ......

American Oystercatcher

The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) is a distinctive shorebird found up and down the eastern coast of North America, the ......

Ruddy Turnstone

The Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) is a stocky, smallish shorebird found all over the world, including on every island in ......

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

The distinctive Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax violaceus) can be easily identified by its yellow crown and a white stripe under ......

Lava Heron

The Lava Heron (Butorides sundevalli) is very similar in appearance to the Striated Heron: they’re the same size and shape, ......

Striated Heron

The Striated Heron (Butorides striatus), also known in some parts of the world as the Little Heron, is a fairly ......

Colca Canyon History

The Colca Canyon has been the traditional home of the Collagua and Cabana peoples for ages: they are thought to ......

Shore Birds - Galapagos

One of the best places in all of Galápagos to see birds is right along the shoreline. Many of the ......

Herons and Egrets in the Galapagos

Herons and egrets (Order Ciconiiformes) are shore birds distinguished by their long, pointed beaks, long necks and long, slender legs. ......

Great Blue Heron

Yes, the Great Blue Herons that you’ve seen back home in the USA and Canada are the same as the ......

Bolivia: getting there and away

By air: Bolivia has two international airports: La Paz and Santa Cruz. Most visitors will arrive to La Paz, which happens ......

Holidays and Festivals in Bolivia

The most unique regional festival in Bolivia is almost certainly the Chiquitos Music Festival, which takes place in April or ......

Emergency Medical Care in Lima

Emergency Medical Care: Lima The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of medical providers in Lima; although they do not officially recommend ......

Bolivia-Language

Bolivia has three official languages: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. Spanish is spoken by roughly 3.5 million Bolivians, followed by Quechua ......

Religion in Bolivia

Bolivia, like the rest of South America, is predominantly Roman Catholic. 95% of the population lists their religion as Roman ......

Food and Drink in Bolivia

In Bolivia, the main meal is lunch: most workers try to go home to eat during the week. A proper ......

Health in Bolivia

Altitude sickness (soroche): In most of Bolivia, altitude sickness – referred to locally as soroche – is the ailment you’re ......

The people of Bolivia

According to the most recent census (2005) Bolivia has a population of just under 9 million. The largest ethnic group ......

The History of Bolivia

The area of present-day Bolivia was populated long before the arrival of the Spanish to the area in the 1530’s. ......

Climate of Bolivia

As is the case with the rest of the countries in South America, the climate in Bolivia is quite varied ......

Sports and Recreation in Peru

Like much of South America, soccer (fútbol) is something like religion in Peru.  Kids play in the street, adults play ......

Religion in Peru

When the Spanish arrived in the region in the early 1530's and set about conquering the Inca Empire, they brought ......

The Economy of Peru

When the Incas came to the region of Peru in the 15th century, they found several small tribes engaged in ......

History of San Isidro

Originally the site of an extensive olive grove outside of Lima, San Isidro was not founded until 1931, so it ......

Central Lima History

Lima's central colonial district is the most historic in the whole city and one of the most historic in all ......

The History of Barranco

The village of Barranco was founded by early Spanish settlers and soon became known as a popular seaside resort. By ......

The History of Miraflores

This attractive area, with its ocean views and cliffs, was one of the first areas to be settled by the ......

Alamos: getting there and away

There is a cross-border bus service from Tuscon, Arizona to and from Alamos. Transportes Baldomero Corral (TBC) buses runs the ......

International Cervantes Festival

International Cervantes Festival (Festival Internacional Cervantino, or FIC) The Cervantes Festival, held every October in Guanajuato, is one of the ......

Huancayo Travel Tips

Huancayo has one of the highest crime rates in Peru: locals attribute it to gang activity. Take extra caution. The ......

Getting to and away from Huancayo

Huancayo Information: Telephone: Country code: 51 City code: 64  Huancayo to and from Lima: Getting buses to and from Lima from Huancayo is fairly ......

Aquarium Island

A short distance off of the western coast of San Andres (about a 20 minute ride in a slow boat: ......

Photography In Ecuador

Anyone with even a passing interest in photography will love Ecuador: it is probably one of the most scenic countries ......

Ecuador Food Tips for Luxury Travelers

Upper-end travelers will greatly enjoy the quality of food in Ecuador's finest restaurants. In the larger cities, such as Quito, ......

Ecuador Tour Tips for Luxury Travelers

If you can afford them, there are a variety of tour options available to Ecuador. The most famous part of ......

Ecuador Security Tips for Luxury Travelers

Luxury travelers to Ecuador need not worry too much about security. Ecuador's top hotels are known for honest employees, and ......

Ecuador Lodging Tips for Luxury Travelers

First-class travelers will find a wide array of lodging options in Ecuador. There are super-deluxe hotels in every major Ecuadorian ......

Ecuador Transportation Tips for Luxury Travelers

No buses or cars for you, luxury travelers! If money is no object, you'll definitely want to arrange a very ......

Ecuador Tips for Luxury Travelers

Great News! Hotels, restaurants, visitor sites, and travel agencies in Ecuador have the professionalism, attention to detail and elegance that ......

Ecuador Security Tips for Mid-range Travelers

Mid-range travelers are not considered to be as much at risk for theft or other security problems as budget travelers ......

Ecuador Tour Tips for Mid-range Travelers

The best part about booking a trip through a tour agency is not having to deal with pesky matters like ......

Ecuador Food Tips for Mid-range Travelers

The restaurants in Ecuador are excellent, safe, and reasonably priced. Almost all of them should be within your price range, ......

Ecuador Lodging Tips for Mid-range Travelers

The best part about being a mid-range traveler is the variety and quality of options in your price range. In ......

Ecuador Transportation Tips for Mid-range Travelers

As mid-range travelers, you'll have more options than budget travelers, but unless you're with a tour company, buses are still ......

Ecuador Tips for Mid-range Travelers

Great news! Ecuador is a fabulous place for mid-range ($30-$75 daily budget) travelers. Of all of our three categories, you'll ......

Ecuador Security Tips for Budget Travelers

Ecuador is a poor country, and budget travelers are particularly at risk: many professional criminals in touristy areas specifically target ......

Ecuador Tour Tips for Budget Travelers

If you're on a super-tight budget, chances are you won’t be able to afford a long, extended tour. There may ......

Ecuador Lodging Tips for Budget Travelers

Every major or minor tourist destination in Ecuador has at least one or two hostales that cater to the budget ......

Ecuador Food Tips for Budget Travelers

Ecuador has great food if you're on a tight budget: a true budget traveler can get by on as little ......

Ecuador Transportation Tips for Budget Travelers

What trains are to Europe, buses are to Ecuador – the cheapest way to get around. There are trains, and ......

Ecuador Tips for Budget Travelers

Great news for budget travelers! Ecuador is one of the best countries in the world to visit if you're watching ......

The Galápagos Fishing War

Minster There is constant tension in Galápagos between the two main industries in the islands: fishing and tourism. Those in the ......

Zebra Moray Eel

The elusive zebra moray eel (gymnomuraena zebra) is smaller and more shy than its moray cousins. It is blackish brown ......

Parrot Fish

A common sight for snorkelers and divers, the parrot fish is very colorful and not terribly shy, which makes it ......

Swallow-Tailed Gull

The endemic Swallow-tailed Gull (Larus furcatus, gaviota de cola bifurcada) is the only nocturnal gull in the world. Adults have ......

Fish in the Galápagos

Galapagos is world-renowned as one of the best places in the world for diving and snorkeling. If you choose to ......

Sea Birds - Galápagos

Bird life is everywhere in Galapagos, and the marine species are particularly fun to watch and identify. Because of the ......

Galápagos Wildlife Guide

As spectacular as the waters, islands and beaches of Galápagos are, there is no doubt about what visitors have come ......

History and Politics of Belize

Belize already had a long and important history when the first Europeans arrived in the New World. The first settlers ......

History and Politics

The Maya and Other Indigenous Groups The first settlers of present-day Guatemala arrived thousands of years ago, and a number of ......

History and Politics of Mexico

Present-day Mexico was home to many important native cultures before the arrival of Europeans in the fifteenth century. The first major ......

History and Politics

Minster According to some historians, the first men and women to arrive to present-day Brazil did so over 8,000 years ago. ......

History and Politics of Panama

Pre-Colombian history Before the arrival of the Spanish, present-day Panama was home to two tribal groups: the Cuevas and Cocole peoples. ......

Santo Domingo

Considered the oldest European-founded city in the Americas, Santo Domingo was founded by Christopher Columbus’ brother Bartholomew in 1496. The ......

Catalonia

One of the more important autonomous regions in Spain, Catalonia is located in the Spanish northeast, bordering France and the ......

La Rioja

Located in the Spanish northeast, La Rioja is one of the smaller Spanish autonomous regions, consisting entirely of the province ......

The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a small archipelago, consisting of seven volcanic islands off the western coast of Morocco. The islands ......

Valencia

Located on the sunny Mediterranean coast, the region of Valencia consists of three provinces: Valencia, Castellón and Alicante. Valencia was ......

Murcia

Located on the Mediterranean coast, Murcia is one of Spain’s seventeen autonomous regions. Unlike most of the others, Murcia consists ......

Salamanca

Salamanca is a small city that seems much larger than it actually is: this is due to the number of ......

Castile-León

Castile-León is the largest autonomous region in Spain, being comprised of nine provinces: Salamanca, Segovia, Avila, León, Burgos, Palencia, Soria, ......

Galicia

Galicia is the region of Spain that consists of the corner of the peninsula that is just to the north ......

Asturias

One of the smaller regions of Spain, Asturias is a former principality located on Spain’s northern coast. It is bordered ......

Extremadura

Located in west-central Spain, bordering Andalucía to the south and Portugal to the west, Extremadura is a hot, dry region ......

Aragón

Aragón is an extremely historic region of northeastern Spain consisting of three provinces: Zaragoza, Huesca and Teruel. A small region, ......

Castile-La Mancha

Castile-La Mancha is a large, sparsely populated region in central Spain comprising the provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara ......

Madrid

The bustling modern capital of Spain somehow manages to defy and define the nation at the same time. The Madrileños ......

Toledo

The city of Toledo is history incarnate. Get off a bus in the center of town and you can’t go ......

Totonicapán

Totonicapán is a laid-back, medium sized city located in Guatemala’s central-western highlands not far from the much larger city of ......

Quetzaltenango

The second-largest city in all of Guatemala, Quetzaltenango is an important commercial hub in the central-western highlands. The city is ......

Cuatro Caminos

Cuatro Caminos, located in the department of Totonicapán, is basically an important intersection in which the four roads or “Cuatro ......

Momostenango

Momostenango, which means “fortified place of many idols,” is a small indigenous town located in the foothills of the Cuchumatanes ......

Chiantla

Located just outside of Huehuetenango, the small town of Chiantla is actually just as old as its larger neighbor, dating ......

Aguacatán

Located about two dusty hours by battered chicken bus from Huehue, Aguacatán is a small, traditional Maya village located in ......

Huehuetenango

The city of Huehuetenango, capital of the province of the same name, is a friendly, medium-sized town generally seen as ......

Cayambe

Cayambe is a medium-sized Andean city, located at the foot of the volcano of the same name. Most visitors to ......

Mascarilla

Located not far to the north of Ibarra and near the town of Chota, Mascarilla is a small town that ......

Evora

Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region, is a picturesque, medium-sized city with more than its share of things to ......

The Roman Ruins of Conímbriga

Located about ten miles (16 km) from Coimbra, the ruined Roman town of Conímbriga is one of Portugal’s best preserved ......

Coimbra

Perched atop a hill alongside the Mondego River, Coimbra has been an important city since Roman times, when it was ......

Luso

Luso is a small, pleasant, traditional town that would be completely unremarkable if not for two things: first of all, ......

Aveiro

Aveiro is another city with a long history: the Romans called it “Aviarium,” which means “aviary.” Often referred to as ......

Batalha

On August 14, 1385, King João I of Portugal and his army met the forces of King John of Castile ......

Alcobaça

The modest, attractive town of Alcobaça is a popular stopover for visitors heading north from Lisbon to Luso, Porto or ......

Óbidos

This medieval walled city is one of Portugal’s biggest attractions. According to tradition, King Dinis of Portugal was passing through ......

Sintra

Sintra is a small, touristy town located within the District of Lisbon, and only about a half-hour to 45 minutes ......

Lisbon

The capitol and largest city of Portugal, Lisbon (Portuguese: Lisboa), is a logical place to start your journey. Lisbon is ......

Central Portugal

Central Portugal is a beautiful, diverse region containing everything from beaches along the west coast to skiing in the Serra ......

Lisbon and Surroundings

Lisbon and surroundings includes the provinces of Lisboa, Leiria, Santarem and the northern part of Setubal. The central-western region of Portugal ......

Alentejo

The south-central region of Portugal, known as the Alentejo, stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to Spain in ......

Andalucía

Andalucía is the southernmost region of Spain, and one of the larger ones. It contains the provinces of Almería, Cádiz, ......

Portugal

Much like New Jersey with New York or Uruguay with Argentina, Portugal is Spain’s little stepsister, lost in the shadow ......

Sevilla

With a population of 1.3 million, Seville (Spanish: Sevilla) is Spain’s fourth largest city and is the cultural, political and ......

Granada

Cave-living gypsies. One of the front-runners for the new seven wonders of the world. Flamenco dancing in centuries-old taverns. The ......

Spain

If the planet has a crossroads, Spain has to be it. Although it is part of Europe, it is very ......

Coroico

Just two hours away from La Paz via the new highway (which is notably less scary than the old one, ......

Aduana

The old mining town of Aduana is worth a visit. Once home to 20,000, Adiana now houses about 400 full-time ......

Ensenada

Located on the pacific coast of the upper part of Baja California 70 miles from the border (about an hour ......

San Ignacio

San Ignacio is a small (population approximately 4,000), picturesque town which is a good base for visiting many of the ......

Punta Arenas

One of the southernmost cities in the world, Punta Arenas sits on the Strait of Magellan, a treacherous channel between ......

Loreto

Loreto is a pleasant, hot beach town located on the Sea of Cortes in Baja California Sur, not far from ......

La Paz

Often overlooked by visitors to Baja California headed for the better-known resort towns such as Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, ......

Creel

Creel is a charming little town in the northern state of Chihuahua which lives off of tourism and lumber. By ......

Cuatro Ciénegas

Cuatro Ciénegas is a tiny town (population roughly 12,000) in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila. Cuatro Ciénegas means “four ......

Matehuala

Matehuala is a Mexican town best known for being a stopover on the route to Real de Catorce. It does ......

Real de Catorce

Real de Catorce – whose full name of “Real de Minas de la Limpia Concepción de los Álamos de Catorce” ......

Acapulco

Acapulco…even the name conjures up images of sandy beaches, tall cliffs, beautiful young men and women in swimsuits sipping piña ......

Gales Point

Originally a logging camp, the small town of Gales Point is one of Belize’s growing tourist draws. Located about 25 ......

Tulum

Tulum refers to two places: the 12th century Maya-Toltec ruins and the small town about 5 km away of the ......

Cancún

Party, party, party! There is no escaping Cancún’s international image as one of the good-time capitals of the planet. College ......

Chetumal

Chetumal, capital of the Yucatan state of Quintana Roo, is a small city (population: less than 150,000) that is growing ......

North-Central Mexico

The north-central region of Mexico is defined as several states in the northern part of the country that do not ......

The Northwest

The Mexican northwest is formed by the states of Chihuahua, Sonora, Durango and Sinoloa ......

The Western Pacific

Mexico’s Western Pacific region includes the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán. It is known for a generally ......

The Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico region is comprised of the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Tabasco. The region is ......

The Pacific South

The Pacific South Comprised of the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero, Mexico’s Pacific South is a popular region for visitors. ......

Guatemala's Pacific Coast

Because of Guatemala’s orientation, its “western” coast—that is to say, its Pacific coast—is actually for the most part to the ......

Guatemala's Central Highlands

Guatemala’s central highlands, which include the provinces of El Quiché, Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz, are home to misty forests, ......

Guatemala's Western Highlands

Comprising the provinces of Huehuetenango, Totonicapán, Quetzaltenango and San Marcos, Guatemala’s western highlands are mostly ......

Flores

The twin cities of Flores and Santa Elena are the most common launching point for excursions into Guatemala’s Petén region. ......

The Petén

Rugged and densely forested, the Petén makes up roughly one-third of the Guatemala's total landmass. Although the Petén was once ......

Aquarium Island

A short distance off of the western coast of San Andres (about a 20 minute ride in a slow boat: ......

San Andres

San Andres and Providencia San Andres and Providencia are two small islands in the Caribbean, less than 100 miles off the ......

Bulcay

About a half hour outside of Cuenca, the tiny town of Bulcay is home to the last remaining weavers of ......

Puyango Petrified Forest

Minster The largest field of exposed petrified wood in the world is found just south of the Ecuadorian city of Loja, ......

Panajachel

  “Pana,” as it’s known to locals, is the biggest hippie town south of California.  It is located on the banks ......

Ruins of Quirigua

Cauac Sky was the greatest ruler of the city of Quirigua during the Maya classic period.  He is depicted on ......

Todos Santos Cuchumatan

Todos Santos is a very closed indigenous community located high in the barren, rocky Cuchumatanes mountain range.  The nearest city ......

Salvador da Bahia

When the Portuguese established their colonies in Brazil, African slaves were not far behind. Most of the slaves came into ......

Tijuana

Prohibition was the best thing to ever happen to Tijuana. A small, dusty town best known for a modest cattle ......

Perito Moreno Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in Los Glaciares National Park in the southwestern part of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. ......

Iguazu Falls -- Las Cataratas del Iguazu

Approximately two hundred and forty thousand gallons of water passes over Iguazú falls every minute, passing through more than 250 ......

Iguassu Falls

Minster Approximately two hundred and forty thousand gallons of water passes over Iguazú falls every minute, passing through more than ......

Monte Alban Ruins

Minster No one knows what happened to the Olmecs. This fierce Central Mexican tribe came to the rich valleys near present-day ......

Oaxaca

The city of Oaxaca is one of the treasures of Mexican colonial architecture. The gorgeous city center, or Zócalo, is ......

Bariloche

Visitors to Bariloche can be excused for a little bit of confusion. Did their flight from Buenos Aires somehow get ......

Southern Brazil - Iguassu Falls

Minster Mighty waterfalls, pleasant beaches, and the best Oktoberfest outside of Germany await the visitor to Brazil’s southern states.  The region ......

São Paulo

Minster São Paulo is the largest city in Latin America and one of the largest in the world.  Brazil’s industrial capital, ......

Rio de Janeiro

Minster Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s most famous cities.  Established around 1560, it was initially the site of ......

Tikal

Once home to 100,000 Maya, Tikal was one of the most important cities in the Maya empire. It was abandoned ......

Monterico Beach

  Considered to be Guatemala’s best beach (which is not really saying much), Monterico is located on the south-western coast. It ......

Latacunga

A medium-sized town about an hour south of Quito, Latacunga appeals to the traveler interested in a more native or ......

Baños (Cuenca)

A few kilometers west of the city of Cuenca is the small town of Baños, not to be confused with ......

Gualaceo

An attractive little village on the river of the same name, Gualaceo is known as "The Garden of Azuay" (Azuay ......

El Cajas National Park

El Cajas National Park and Reserve (Parque Nacional El Cajas) is a starkly beautiful wilderness of valleys, lakes, highland vistas ......

Ingapirca

Ingapirca is a ruined Inca city, and probably the most important set of Inca ruins in Ecuador. That being said, ......

Belize City

In order to connect to just about anywhere in Belize, the traveler must first pass through Belize City. In the ......

Belize Cayes & Island Getaways

There are several hundred cayes, or small islands, off the coast of Belize. The largest of these is Ambergris Caye, ......

Belize's Mayan Sites

The largest Mayan archaeological site in Belize is Caracol (Snail), one of the most important cities of the Mayan classical ......

Belize Diving and Marine Reserves

Belize is probably best known for its scuba diving and snorkeling. The largest coral reef in the Americas, 300 km ......

Belize

Belize, the only English-speaking country in Central America, is a relatively poor nation in most respects but is incredibly rich ......

Chichicastenango

Chichicastenango, a medium-sized town in the Quiché region about two to three hours away from Guatemala City, is home to ......

Antigua

Minster First founded in the early sixteenth century by victorious Spanish conquistadores, Antigua soon became an administrative center for the Spanish ......

Guatemala City

Guatemala City, (Guate to locals) the sprawling capital, is considered by most travelers simply a place to catch a plane ......

Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan is one of Guatemala’s premier travel destinations. A beautiful volcanic lake high in the central highlands, it has ......

Guatemala

Guatemala is only about the size of Iceland, but it is an amazingly diverse and complex land with a long ......

Yucatán Peninsula

Beaches, nightlife, Mayan sites, diving, nature... the Yucatán Peninsula has it all. A vacationer’s paradise, Yucatán has something for everyone. ......

Central Mexico

Central Mexico is the most historic region in Mexico. It was here that conquistador Hernán Cortés, leading only a few ......

Mexico City

Mexico City, one of the largest cities in the world, is a modern, cosmopolitan city with excellent hotels, restaurants, and ......

Baja California

The Baja peninsula is a long, narrow strip of land that juts out from northern Mexico into the Pacific. The ......

Mexico

Sunny beaches, excellent food, desert mountains, lush valleys, one of the biggest cities in the world and charming colonial towns ......

Southeastern Brazil

The southeastern region of Brazil is known for enormous cities, good beaches, and a good deal of fascinating history.  The ......

Central-Western Brazil

Minster The central-western region of Brazil, comprised of the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, and Mato Grosso do Sul, is dominated ......

Northern Brazil

Minster The northern region of Brazil is dominated by the Amazon River and the ecosystems dependent on it.  It is made ......

Northeastern Brazil

The Brazilian northeast is known for its history, beaches, and water sports. It is comprised of several smaller states: Alagous, ......

Brazil

Brazil is a land of contrasts. Here you will find great wealth and grinding poverty. Beautiful beaches and filthy waterways ......

Cuenca

If you measure a city on size or population alone, Cuenca ranks third in Ecuador. If you consider charm, beauty and ......

Hotel Castro

If you’re approaching the Hotel Castro from the outside, veteran travelers in Latin America will see something to set off ......

Hotel Red Booby

The dolled-up Red Booby occupies a very specific place on the food chain of Puerto Ayora Hotels. It’s nice and ......

Hotel Sir Francis Drake

The Sir Francis Drake is a somewhat dodgy-looking hotel inside a dodgy-looking building in a dodgy-looking area of town. It ......

Hotel Ninfa

Remember that one spring break back in college, when you and a bunch of buddies went to Fort Lauderdale? And ......

Hotel España

One of the best budget options in Puerto Ayora, the clean and friendly Hotel España has been recently renovated and ......

Hotel Flamingo

The Flamingo seems to have undergone a superficial facelift recently. There is an attractive new sign outside, featuring a bright ......

Hotel Gardner

The Hotel Gardner is one of Puerto Ayora's newer budget options (as of November, 2007, there was still some construction ......

Hostal Mainao

The Hostal Mainao (don't be fooled by the name: it's no hostal but a hotel) is a pleasant, clean, multi-story ......

Hotel Bécquer

Hotel Bécquer is extremely well located, right in the heart of all of the best that Seville has to offer. ......

Palace Hotel do Buçaco

In 1888, King Carlos of Portugal decided he needed a hunting retreat and ordered the construction of an extravagant palace ......

Pousada de Castelo de Óbidos

The Castle Inn of Obidos is an unforgettable experience: it is the only one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal ......

Pousada Dona Maria

When the Portuguese Royal family lived in the splendid Queluz Palace, they needed a home for all of the servants, ......

Quo Vadis

One of the newest hotels in Loja (completed in early 2007), the Quo Vadis is a modern, reasonably priced hotel ......

Casa Lojana

Casa Lojana is one of Loja’s best high-budget options. The building that houses the hotel was once an elegant home, ......

Hostal Las Orquídeas

Probably the all-around best low-budget lodging option in downtown Loja, Las Orquídeas is a small, but clean and friendly, hostal just around ......

Hostal Aguilera Internacional

Located directly across the street from the impossible-to-miss Entrada de la Ciudad, the Hostal Aguilera Internacional is an airy, bright ......

Central Park Hostal

The Central Park Hostal is located right on Loja’s central square, not far from the cathedral. The rooms, which feature ......

Hotel Londres

The Hotel Londres is located in an old, unassuming building that was obviously cut in half at some point in ......

Hotel Acapulco

Dank and dismal, the Hotel Acapulco is about as cheery as a morgue. Presumably the building once saw better days, ......

Hotel Libertador

The Hotel Libertador is the best of the hotels located in Loja’s historic district. The interior is dimly lit and ......

Tambo Amazónico Lodge

The most remote jungle lodge (75 miles/121 kilometers from Iquitos), operated by the reputable Paseos Amazónicos, Tambo Amazónico is also ......

Solipaso

Solipaso is a sort of all-in-one travel agency (specializing in birdwatching), hotel and restaurant. Owned and operated by an American ......

Tambo Yanayacu

On the banks of the Yanayacu River, 38 miles (61 kilometers) from Iquitos, the Tambo Yanayacu lodge is another good ......

Amazonas Sinchicuy Lodge

Amazonas Sinchicuy is located only 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Iquitos. Because it is so close to town, Amazonas Sinchicuy ......

Tahuayo Lodge

 Although it is still less than ten years old, Tahuayo Lodge (135 km / 90 miles from Iquitos) is one of the ......

La Mirage

Ecuador’s most elegant and upscale resort is located at the end of a nondescript dirt road leaving the northern town ......

Hotel Restaurant La Cabaña

Hotel Restaurant La Cabaña is a friendly hotel and restaurant not far from the center of town. It offers a ......

Hacienda Cusin

One of the most elegant and prestigious haciendas in the northern highlands, Hacienda Cusin is a beautiful and peaceful complex ......

Hacienda Zuleta

Located about an hour from Otavalo (it's actually closer to Ibarra), Hacienda Zuleta is a good option for the travel ......

Hacienda Pinsaqui

Located exactly between the market towns of Otavalo, Cotacachi (known for leather goods) and San Antonio de Ibarra ( ......

Hacienda San Francisco

For the traveler looking for the hacienda experience at a more reasonable price, there is the Hacienda San Francisco. Located ......

Hacienda Guachalá

The chapel of the hacienda was originally built in 1580 and Guachalá dates back to 1700. In its heyday, Guachalá ......

Hostería Pantaví

Located about a half-hour north of Ibarra and not far from the villages of the Chota Valley, this charming hacienda ......

San Agustín de Callo

San Agustín de Callo is one of the most intriguing haciendas available in Ecuador. Originally the site of a pre-Columbian ......

La Carriona

Located a mere half hour south of Quito, La Carriona is a viable option for the traveler who needs to ......

Hacienda La Alegría

Situated an hour south of Quito on the slopes of Corazón (“heart”) volcano, Hacienda La Alegría is in the heart ......

San Jorge Eco-Lodge and Biological Reserve

San Jorge is a very historic hacienda – it was once owned by Ecuadorian president Eloy Alfaro – on the ......

Hacienda Manteles

Located about a half-hour from Baños, Hacienda Manteles is an elegant, full service hostería. First constructed in 1580, Hacienda Manteles ......

Tinalandia

Built in the 1940's as a farm and later converted for tourism, Tinalandia was one of Ecuador’s first eco-lodges. It is ......

Hostería Puerto Lago

On the shore of San Pablo Lake, about fifteen minutes south of Otavalo, sits Puerto Lago hotel and restaurant. It ......

Hostería Papagayo

Hostería Papagayo is an attractive hotel, 45 minutes south of Quito, with a variety of rooms of differing capacities with ......

Hosteria San Mateo

A small, attractive inn located very close to Cotopaxi park, San Mateo is a good option for travelers in the ......

Hostal Alegría I

Hostal Alegría is located in downtown Nasca. It is owned by Alegría Tours, who keep an office at the hotel. ......

Nazca Lines Hotel

The best hotel in the city of Nasca, Nazca Lines is a converted hacienda with a courtyard, tennis courts, fountains ......

Hotel Cantayo Spa and Resort

The most luxurious place to stay in the Nasca area, the Hotel Cantayo Spa and Resort was built on the ......

Oro Viejo Hotel

Oro Viejo is a popular but small (9 rooms) hotel. Located in central Nasca, it is close enough to the ......

Hotel Oro Verde

Hotel Oro Verde ("Green Gold" in Spanish -- it refers to bananas) is Cuenca's most luxurious hotel. It is a ......

Mansión Alcázar

In 2000-2001, the owners of this fine colonial mansion in central Cuenca renovated it into a modern, elegant hotel. The ......

Hotel Santa Lucía

Hotel Santa Lucía is a beautiful converted home in central Cuenca (the home once belonged to Don Manuel Vega Davila, ......

Hostal La Orquídea

Hostal La Orquídea is a converted colonial home in downtown Cuenca. Its rates are lower than many of its competitors, ......

Hostería Uzhupud

Located about 45 minutes outside of Cuenca, Hostería Huertos de Uzhupud is a good option for those who want to ......

Hostería Durán

Located in the small town of Baños about five minutes from Cuenca (not to be confused with the much larger ......

Hotel Hacienda Ocucaje

CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Located between the towns of Ica and Nasca (it is closer to Ica), Hotel Hacienda Ocucaje is ......

Hostal Rocha

Located outside of Ica on Lake Huacachina, Hostal Rocha is a good option for the budget traveler or backpacker who ......

La Florida Inn

La Florida is a small, neat hotel not far from the middle of Ica, and only a couple of blocks ......

Hotel Mossone

On the shores of Huacachina Lake, the venerable Hotel Mossone was a plush resort back in the 1920s whose visitors ......

Hotel Las Dunas

A complete resort-hotel, Las Dunas offers a bit of everything: three pools with slides, tours to the desert, tennis, golf, ......

Hacienda San José

CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Restorations underway. Hacienda San José is a well-preserved colonial hacienda with a great deal of history located ......

Miraflores Park Hotel

The Miraflores Park Hotel is one of Lima's finest. Owned by the prestigious international Orient Express group, the hotel offers ......

Hotel Antigua Miraflores

A charming turn-of-the-century mansion that has since been converted to a hotel, Hotel Antigua Miraflores has the homey feel of ......

Casa del Mochilero