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  • V!VA Travel Guides

I've always had the travel bug - maybe it's because I've been traveling around with my family since I was an infant, but mainly I think it's because I'm curious, and I'll always have a child's curiosity about the world and everything in it. I also have a persistant need to express myself in any form possible - whether it's through photography, painting, music, writing or any other medium I can get my hands on. So I'm happy to say that with V!VA I've found a great fit, and it's so exciting to be out of the office and learning first hand about new places and people.

  • Hometown

    Browns Summit, NC, USA

  • Location now

    Quito, Ecuador

  • Work published

    Patchwork Magazine and Endeavors Magazine, UNC Chapel Hill

  • Travel philosophy

    Every place I haven't been is on the list.

  • Craziest place

    Tasmania.

  • Bizarre experience

    Drinking chicha with the Achuar.

  • Advice

    Just remember that travel is a balancing act.

  • Dream destination

    Right now, India.

  • Traveled before

    Australia, Ecuador, England, Ireland, Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Canada, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica.

  • Going next

    Wherever I can.

Laura Granfortuna's Guide Book Entries

Info

  • Getting Around

    Mar 05, 2009 - Costa Rica

    Plane The most efficient way to travel between cities in this region is by plane. Small domestic flights are provided ......

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  • Diving

    Mar 05, 2009 - Coco Island National Park, Costa Rica

    Because of its position at the intersection of three ocean currents, Isla del Coco is home to a staggering array ......

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  • Getting To and Away from Coco Island

    Mar 05, 2009 - Coco Island National Park, Costa Rica

    Isla del Coco is actually closer to Colombia than it is to Costa Rica. So as you might imagine, it’s ......

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See all Info (47)

Destinations

  • Coco Island National Park

    Mar 05, 2009 - Coco Island National Park, Costa Rica

    The island was first discovered by a Spanish sailor in 1526. Due to its isolation and abundance of natural resources, ......

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  • Parque Nacional Piedras Blancas

    Mar 04, 2009 - Parque Nacional Piedras Blancas, Costa Rica

    At present Piedras Blancas has little touristic infrastructure and is one of the less visited parks in Costa Rica, though ......

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  • Parque Nacional Corcovado

    Mar 04, 2009 - Parque Nacional Corcovado, Costa Rica

    Archeological evidence indicates that this area was once inhabited by the indigenous Chiriquí people, as well as to some extent ......

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See all Destinations (21)

Hotels

  • La Paloma Lodge

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    The Paloma Lodge is tucked in the middle of 12 acres of private rainforest, perched on a bluff overlooking the ......

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  • Hotel Ojala

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    Ojala is a two-story hotel set atop a hill and is about a 15-minute walk north of the main town ......

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  • Jinetes de Osa

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    Jinetes de Osa is a tranquil resort located right on the beach. The hotel has nine rooms, the most luxurious ......

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See all Hotels (85)

Restaurants

  • Restaurant Amapola

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    Amapola is a peaceful and secluded restaurant, with a view of the ocean and of the surrounding garden foliage. Both ......

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  • Soda Mar y Bosque

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    At Soda Mar you can relax at one of the four bamboo tables that are located on a deck and ......

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  • Restaurant and Bar Jade Mar

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    Jade Mar is the largest and most sophisticated restaurant in Agujitas, with a covered, open-air dining room and a full ......

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See all Restaurants (48)

Activities

  • Canopy Tour

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    The canopy tour, located in nearby Los Planes, consists of nine platforms and six cables which take you flying more ......

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  • Dolphin and Whale Watching

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    Whales migrate to Drake Bay from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres to calve, which makes the bay a fantastic ......

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  • Nighttime Insect Tour

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    Drake Bay's original insect tour was created by etymologist Tracie Stice, “The Bug Lady,” although other local guides have since ......

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See all Activities (47)

Tours

  • Osa Canyoning

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    Osa Canyoning conducts waterfall repelling (canyoning) excursions in the rain forest. Visitors will take a guided hike to the canyoning site and will ......

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  • Corcovado Expeditions

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    Corcovado Expeditions is the largest independent tour operator in Drake Bay. It offers a long list of reasonably-priced eco-tours, including ......

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  • Poor Man's Paradise

    Mar 03, 2009 - Bahia Drake (Drake Bay), Costa Rica

    Poor Man’s Paradise is an all-inclusive resort that also runs some of the cheapest tours in Drake Bay. Poor Man’s ......

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See all Tours (4)

Services

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