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

John Howison's Guide Book Entries

Info

Camping in Peru
Jul 16, 2007 - Peru
Peru being the hiking and trekking mecca that it is, there are a ton of camping opportunities. In general, travelers ......
Read More
Central Peruvian Andes Safety
Jul 16, 2007 - Peru
Some dos and don’ts for staying safe in the Central Andes are: • Allow yourself adequate time to acclimatize before attempting ......
Read More
Central Peruvian Andes - When to go
Jul 16, 2007 - Peru
The best time to visit the Central Peruvian Andes is between May and September. During this period there is consistently ......
Read More

Central Peruvian Andes Highlights
Jul 16, 2007 - Peru
• Huascarán – Huascarán, at 6768 m, is the highest peak in the Peruvian Andes. If you’re a climber, this is ......
Read More
Ceremonia de Reseña o Vísperas
May 08, 2007 - Ecuador
The Ceremonia de Reseña o Vísperas in Quito’s Catedral is one of the oldest and rarest ceremonies in the Catholic ......
Read More
Peruvian Amazon--Environmental Issues
May 08, 2007 - Peru
There are two principle environmental issues facing the Peruvian jungle: oil exploration and deforestation. Though they are not mutually exclusive, ......
Read More
Cusco Yesterday
May 08, 2007 - Cusco, Peru
Cusco is best known for its Incan and colonial periods; however, those two epochs represent only about one-third of Cusco’s ......
Read More
Cusco Today
May 08, 2007 - Cusco, Peru
Once a stunning Inca capital, Cusco today offers one of the finest mixes of pre-Columbian, colonial and modern mestizo culture ......
Read More
Cusco--Holidays and Festivals
May 08, 2007 - Cusco, Peru
Cusco plays host to several yearly festivals, some driven by Amerindian influences, others by post-Columbian traditions and some that blend ......
Read More
Getting To and Away from Máncora
Apr 24, 2007 - Máncora, Peru
All bus companies are located on Avenida Grau, as the Pan-American Highway is known north of the church. To Piura: EPPO ......
Read More
Northern Peruvian Andes - Best Time to Go
Apr 23, 2007 - Peru
The best time to visit the Northern Peruvian Andes is between May and October. The rest of the months are ......
Read More
Inca Trail and Machu Picchu - Environmental Issues
Mar 12, 2007 - Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
The principle environmental issue facing the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is the increasingly demanding presence of tourism on the ......
Read More
Puno and Lake Titicaca - When To Go
Mar 08, 2007 - Peru
Given its elevation (3860m) and location away from the coast in interior Peru, Puno has dry, cool weather for most ......
Read More
Puno and Lake Titicaca Yesterday
Mar 08, 2007 - Peru
Puno and the Lake Titicaca region have a long (and violent) history. Beginning around 1000 BC, the Qaluyu culture was ......
Read More
Puno and Lake Titicaca Today
Mar 08, 2007 - Peru
While Puno has a rich and interesting history, the city today is relatively non-descript city of approximately 90,000 people. The ......
Read More
Sacred Valley Safety
Feb 27, 2007 - Peru
The main safety consideration for most trekkers in the Sacred Valley is proper acclimatization and physical fitness. Pushing yourself into ......
Read More
Sacred Valley--What to Bring Trekking
Feb 27, 2007 - Peru
Most of the treks in the Sacred Valley are done with a guide and an outfitting company that provide all ......
Read More
Sacred Valley--Trekking Fees
Feb 27, 2007 - Peru
The cost of trekking in the Sacred Valley has risen sharply in recent years (especially on the Inca Trail), mostly ......
Read More
Sacred Valley--When to Go
Feb 27, 2007 - Peru
The best time to visit the Sacred Valley is during the dry season, which lasts from mid-April until November. The ......
Read More
Sacred Valley--Acclimatization
Feb 26, 2007 - Peru
While neighboring Cusco sits at approximately 3,300 meters above sea level, the Sacred Valley’s elevation is approximately 2,500 meters, making ......
Read More
Peru Mountain Climbing
Feb 26, 2007 - Peru
If summiting some of the world’s grandest and most beautiful peaks is your thing then Peru is the place for ......
Read More
Peru Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking
Feb 26, 2007 - Peru
Whitewater rafting is soaring in popularity in Peru largely because of the abundance of world-class rivers in the country. Adding ......
Read More
Peru Mountain Biking
Feb 26, 2007 - Peru
Mountain biking is relatively new to Peru but due to nearly unlimited numbers of trails and routes it is quickly ......
Read More
The Peruvian Amazon Basin--Safety
Feb 22, 2007 - Peru
While in the jungle heed the warnings and advice of your guides. Don’t go swimming in jungle rivers without first ......
Read More
The Peruvian Amazon Basin--When to Go
Feb 22, 2007 - Peru
May through November is the dry season for Peru’s Amazon, and is the best time to visit. Outside of these ......
Read More
The Peruvian Amazon Basin--Highlights
Feb 22, 2007 - Peru
• Manu Biosphere Reserve—One of the world’s largest areas of protected rainforest, the Manu Biosphere Reserve is one of the ......
Read More
Pacific Coast North of Lima - Safety
Feb 22, 2007 - Peru
Visitors should take the necessary precautions against insect bites. Use DEET-based mosquito repellent and wear long pants at night. The ......
Read More
Pacific Coast North of Lima - Highlights
Feb 22, 2007 - Peru
• Tombs of Sipán — Considered to be South America's King Tut because upon discovery in 1987, it was still largely ......
Read More
Arequipa and the Colca Canyon - Highlights
Feb 16, 2007 - Peru
• Cañón de Colca – single or multi-day trips can be made to the Cañón de Colca. If time permits ......
Read More
Arequipa - When To Go
Feb 06, 2007 - Arequipa, Peru
The best time to visit Arequipa is through the months of June through September, during the dry season. That said, ......
Read More
Arequipa - Yesterday and Today
Feb 06, 2007 - Arequipa, Peru
Arequipa Yesterday Arequipa of yesterday is a tale of two stories: one of the Aymara indigenous people who had been settled ......
Read More

See all Info (31)

Destinations

Peruvian Andes -- Northern
Aug 30, 2005 - Peru
The Northern Peruvian Highlands are one of Peru’s least traveled areas, but not for lack of attractions. The Andes climb ......
Read More

Hotels

La Casona Monsante
Mar 29, 2007 - Chachapoyas, Peru
La Casona Monsante is a quaint little hotel just one block from Chachapoyas’ Plaza de Armas. It is charmingly situated ......
Read More
Parque Maritimo el Coco
Mar 22, 2007 - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Parque Maritimo el Coco is a private reserve with 8 houses, 3 bungalows and 8 apartments for rent. It’s a ......
Read More
Morgan's Rock
Mar 22, 2007 - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Morgan’s Rock is a hotel and restaurant situated on a reserve of over 1800 hectares of tree farms, reforestation, and ......
Read More

Hotel El Convento
Mar 16, 2007 - Leon, Nicaragua
This classy hotel is located in the former San Francisco convent, the oldest in Leon. There are two on-site restaurants: ......
Read More
La Gran Francia
Mar 12, 2007 - Granada, Nicaragua
La Gran Francia is located just steps away from Granada’s central square in a renovated colonial building which some historians ......
Read More
Hotel Teodolinda
Mar 09, 2007 - Barrio Boloñia, Managua, Nicaragua
Hotel Teodolinda is a hotel focused on serving business travelers to Managua. It is just minutes away from the embassies, ......
Read More
Nicaragua Guest House
Mar 09, 2007 - Managua, Nicaragua
Nicaraguan Guest House (also known to taxi drivers as “backpacker's”) is one of the few hotels in Managua that you ......
Read More
Hotel Europeo
Mar 09, 2007 - Barrio Boloñia, Managua, Nicaragua
Hotel Europeo is a cheaper alternative to the other hotels located within the main business and commerce area of Managua. ......
Read More
Hotel Los Robles
Mar 08, 2007 - Centro Commercial and Carretera Masaya, Managua, Nicaragua
Hotel Los Robles is a charming hotel in the residential area of Managua. This converted colonial house has only 14 ......
Read More
Sonesta Posada del Inca
Mar 07, 2007 - Puno, Peru
Sonesta Posada is a luxurious hotel located on Lake Titicaca. It has unique amenities such as a private dock for ......
Read More
Hotel Italia
Mar 07, 2007 - Puno, Peru
The Hotel Italia is located in the center of Puno and offers reasonably priced (if a little small) rooms. If ......
Read More
Hotel Ferrocarril
Mar 07, 2007 - Puno, Peru
Hotel Ferrocarril is a mid-priced hotel conveniently located in downtown Puno. Guests can also rent out the conference center that ......
Read More
The Eco Inn
Mar 06, 2007 - Puno, Peru
The Eco Inn outside of Puno sits right on the shore of Lake Titicaca, across from Esteves Island. Each room ......
Read More
Casa Andina Puno Plaza
Mar 06, 2007 - Puno, Peru
Casa Andina Puno Plaza is located within minutes of the Puno’s Plaza de Armas. Its location allows guests to explore ......
Read More
Crowne Plaza Managua
Mar 01, 2007 - Barrio Martha Quezada, Managua, Nicaragua
The Crown Plaza Hotel in Managua is an upscale hotel that likes to advertise its proximity to the US Embassy ......
Read More
Hotel Camino Real
Mar 01, 2007 - Managua, Nicaragua
Hotel Camino Real is a first class hotel, conference center and casino geared toward serving business travelers in Nicaragua. Hotel ......
Read More
El Sueño de Meme
Feb 23, 2007 - Leon, Nicaragua
El Sueño de Meme specializes in long-term stays and offers discounts for those committing to extended periods of time. All ......
Read More
Parador Oviedo
Feb 23, 2007 - Leon, Nicaragua
If cutting costs is your goal than Parador Oviedo is the place for you. Conveniently located just a few blocks ......
Read More
Hotel Austria
Feb 23, 2007 - Leon, Nicaragua
......
Read More
Lazy Bones
Feb 23, 2007 - Leon, Nicaragua
Lazy Bones in León is a classy, modern hostel offering dorm beds and private rooms with and without on-suite bathrooms. ......
Read More
Los Balcones
Feb 23, 2007 - Leon, Nicaragua
This hotel is great for upscale travelers looking for comfort and amenities. Also, because they have a conference center capable ......
Read More
Piedras y Olas
Feb 14, 2007 - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
This upscale hotel is largely built out of strawbales and other environmentally friendly materials. Overlooking the ocean, the setting and ......
Read More
Hotel Gran Océano
Feb 14, 2007 - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
This newer hotel is situated less than 100 m from the beach. They have private rooms for all group sizes ......
Read More
Villa Isabella
Feb 13, 2007 - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Villa Isabella is a stately wooden house that has been renovated into a series of private rooms and mini-suites, some ......
Read More
Hotel Estrella
Feb 13, 2007 - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
This beachfront hotel has several shared rooms on the second floor. Ask for one with a private balcony. Otherwise, the ......
Read More

See all Hotels (25)

Restaurants

La Roca
Apr 13, 2007 - Chachapoyas, Peru
Head to La Roca for regular, traditional Peruvian fare. There’s nothing too special about this place, but the prices are ......
Read More
505 Pizza Bar
Apr 13, 2007 - Chachapoyas, Peru
Cheap, good pizza is what this place does. And they do it well. That’s not all that it has going ......
Read More
La Tushpa
Apr 13, 2007 - Chachapoyas, Peru
This is the hot-spot if you have a craving for a steak. In short, they are experts on the grill ......
Read More

See all Restaurants (9)

Activities

Surfing
Apr 24, 2007 - Máncora, Peru
In Máncora, surfing is practiced by men and women, young and old, like a religion. There are reliable swells at ......
Read More

Tours

Mountains of Ecuador
Apr 12, 2007 - Ecuador
Mountains of Ecuador is a tour operator that arranges trekking and climbing opportunities in the most beautiful areas of Ecuador. ......
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