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I am V!VA's operations expert. With an MBA and a background in the Interactive Television industry in the U.K. I am the organizing force behind the team and the Managing Editor of V!VA World. With an insatiable thirst for off-the-beaten-track travel, I have travelled extensively in Europe and Asia and most recently in Central and South America.

Hometown
Honiton, Devon, England
Location now
Quito, Ecuador
Work published
V!VA List Latin America V!VA Travel Guide to Ecuador & The Galápagos Islands.V!VA Guide to ColombiaV!VA Guide to Peru
Travel philosophy
Try anything once!
Craziest place
Hanoi, Vietnam. I have never seen so many motorbikes in one place, following no obvious traffic rules. Crossing the road was an adventure. You had to step out into the road regardless of the oncoming sea of motorbikes and they would dodge you. One rule: don't stop! If you stopped in the middle of the road like a frightened rabbit you would, for sure, be run over.
Bizarre experience
Watching Indonesian men in a remote coastal community in eastern Lombok paint their toenails with pink nail polish, brought to them by the tour guide. This was followed up with a dance, including a strange mix of 1970s disco and the very traditional music of the locals.
Advice
Be patient.
Dream destination
Mongolia, on a camel trek, followed up by an overnight in a Ger.
Traveled before
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Holland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, Monaco, Spain, Greece, Morocco, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, The Maldives, USA, Ecuador, Bonaire, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia.
Going next
Cuba

Paula Newton's Guide Book Entries

Info

Internet in Cuba
May 25, 2009 - Cuba
Internet in Cuba is different to how you might expect it to be. For starters, the cost is very expensive, ......
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International Arrivals and Departures from Havana Airport
May 25, 2009 - Cuba
Havana Airport - Arrivals On arrival at Cuba’s Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, after disembarking you proceed first to ......
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Casas Particulares
May 11, 2009 - Cuba
Cuba offers little in the way of cheap accommodation—there are not the backpacker hostels that you will find in other ......
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Getting Around Cuba by Bus
May 11, 2009 - Cuba
The main option for getting around Cuba by bus is to use buses from Viazul (www.viazul.cu), the tailor-made tourist transportation ......
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Internet in Guatemala
Feb 23, 2009 - Guatemala
Internet is commonly available throughout Guatemala. Medium-sized towns usually have Internet cafés with a decent connection. Internet cafés may exist ......
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Working in Guatemala
Feb 23, 2009 - Guatemala
Opportunities for paid work in Guatemala are harder to come by than volunteering opportunities. As a general rule, wages are ......
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Volunteering in Guatemala
Feb 23, 2009 - Guatemala
In Guatemala, opportunities exist for a wide variety of volunteering options. You can help with everything from constructing houses in ......
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Getting Around By Boat
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
While there are a number of places to travel by boat in Guatemala, two are of great importance: the use ......
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Getting Around By Car
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
Driving in a rental car is an easy way to get around Guatemala. If you plan to drive, you need ......
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Getting Around By Hitchhiking
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
While hitchhiking is possible in Guatemala, it is not generally recommendable or safe in most parts of the country. That ......
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Getting Around By Taxi
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
Taxis are available all over Guatemala. In Guatemala City, taxis have meters; outside of the city and in the rest ......
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Getting Around By Train
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
There are currently no passenger trains operating in Guatemala. The last such train traveled between Guatemala City to Puerto Barrio. ......
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Getting Around By Bus
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
By far the most common method of getting around Guatemala is by bus, whether it be by the so-called “chicken ......
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Getting Around By Plane
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
In February 2009, the only regularly scheduled domestic flights in Guatemala were from Guatemala City’s La Aurora airport (GUA) to ......
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Getting Around By Bike
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
Bike travel in Guatemala is becoming much more common and is a pleasant way to see and experience what the ......
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Getting Around Guatemala
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
In Guatemala, most travelers get around by taking the bus. Distances between destinations are generally short, which is good, because ......
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Banks and Money
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
Banks The currency of Guatemala is the quetzal. In February 2009, the exchange rate was 7.88 quetzales to $1 USD. ......
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Politics
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
Guatemala’s politics have been troubled at best. The political system is democratic in this republic, and there are numerous political ......
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Language
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
In Guatemala, Spanish is the most widely spoken language. Guatemalans speak a relatively clear form of Spanish, which makes this ......
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Religion
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
As is the case in most Latin American countries, the predominant religion in Guatemala is Roman Catholicism, practiced by approximately ......
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Population
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
The population of Guatemala was estimated in July 2008 to be at approximately 13 million. Approximately 40 percent are considered ......
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Flora and Fauna
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
Flora Guatemala means “land of the trees,” and so it is not a surprise that around 35 percent of the ......
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Climate
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
Guatemala has been dubbed the “Land of Eternal Spring,” a name which comes from the climate in the country's mountain ......
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Geography
Feb 22, 2009 - Guatemala
The geography of Guatemala is largely determined by the county's position in Central America, sitting as it does on the ......
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Getting Around Uyuni
Jun 19, 2008 - Uyuni, Bolivia
Uyuni is pretty small, with most hotels, restaurants and tour operators, as well as the bus station all located within ......
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Getting to and away from Peguche
Oct 08, 2007 - Peguche, Ecuador
Peguche is just a few kilometers from Otavalo and you can walk between the two. Just head north along the ......
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Hiking in Peru
Jul 18, 2007 - Peru
Hiking in Peru affords travelers with the opportunity to take in some of the best scenery the Andes have to ......
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New Year's Eve
Jun 18, 2007 - Ecuador
A New Year's Eve, or Año Viejo, spent in Ecuador provides a fascinating insight into local culture and folklore. During ......
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Festivities of Quito
Jun 18, 2007 - Ecuador
If you are in Quito during the last days of November and during the run up to 6th December, you ......
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Fanesca
Jun 18, 2007 - Ecuador
Fanesca is a traditional, thick, rich soup that is served almost everywhere during the Easter period in Ecuador. A large ......
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Getting to and from Cabanaconde
Apr 04, 2007 - Cabanaconde, Peru
Cabanaconde is a five to six-hour bus journey from Arequipa (two hours on from Chivay). Bus companies servicing this route ......
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Getting to and away from Chivay
Apr 04, 2007 - Chivay, Peru
Finding your feet in Chivay is fairly straightforward, as buses arrive in the centrally located Plaza de Armas. From Arequipa, ......
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Getting to and away from Iquitos
Mar 12, 2007 - Iquitos, Peru
The best and only really viable option for getting to and from Iquitos is by air. Lan offer four flights ......
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Holidays and Fiestas in Peru
Jan 11, 2005 - Peru
The main holidays and fiestas of Peru are: January 1 New Year's Day (Año Nuevo) January 6 Epiphany February 2 Virgin ......
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Destinations

Playa Ancon
May 24, 2009 - Playa Ancon, Cuba
Coming soon ......
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La Boca
May 24, 2009 - La Boca, Cuba
Coming soon ......
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Trinidad
May 17, 2009 - Trinidad, Cuba
Coming soon ......
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Hotels

Hotel Las Jazmines
May 25, 2009 - Vinales, Cuba
Hotel Las Jazmines offers spectacular views of the mogotes both from the pool’s edge and from almost all of the ......
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Hotel Saratoga
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
Almost directly across the street from the Capitolio this fancy upscale hotel is very conveniently located on the edge of ......
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Hotel Florida
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
Right on the main Obispo strip, a stay at Hotel Florida puts you right at the center of things in ......
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Hostal Buenavista
May 24, 2009 - La Boca, Cuba
Hostal Buenavista is actually a casa with a large room for rent, with two double beds, a private bathroom, refrigerator ......
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Casa Rio y Mar
May 24, 2009 - La Boca, Cuba
Located a few meters off the main strip, Casa Rio y Mar offers a comfortable room with a double and ......
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Casa de Sandra y Victor
May 17, 2009 - Trinidad, Cuba
Sandra and Victor run one of the nicest casas in Trinidad. The entire upstairs of the house is given over ......
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Casa de Reuben
May 17, 2009 - Santiago De Cuba, Cuba
At Casa de Reuben you get your own private mini-apartment complete with bedroom, private bathroom with hot water shower and ......
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Casa Lourdes
May 11, 2009 - Havana Vieja, Havana, Cuba
Conveniently located just off Plaza del Cristo in Havana Vieja, Lourdes is a pretty and friendly casa offering two rooms ......
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Casa de Daniel Carrasco Guillen
May 11, 2009 - Havana Vieja, Havana, Cuba
Reportedly on the second floor of this colonial house, you will have to walk up what feels like more flights ......
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Las Pigualas
Feb 25, 2009 - Mompiche, Ecuador
Located 3 kilometers outside of the sleepy town of Mompiche (as you go north along the beach), Las Pigualas is ......
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Adventure Brew Hostel
Jun 07, 2008 - La Paz, Bolivia
At the Adventure Brew Hostel your every need is considered. This friendly place has it all, even down to free ......
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Hostal Calafate
Jan 21, 2008 - Punta Arenas, Chile
In the heart of Punta Arenas, just half a block from the Plaza de Armas, Hostal Calafate is right across ......
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Hotel Plaza
Jan 21, 2008 - Punta Arenas, Chile
Set on the corner of the Plaza de Armas, in a suitably grand-looking building, the Hotel Plaza has a pleasant ......
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Hostal del Rey
Jan 21, 2008 - Punta Arenas, Chile
Open all year-long, the Hostal del Rey is family-run and conveniently located just a block and a half from the ......
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Andean Moon
Nov 24, 2007 - Ollantaytambo, Peru
Set back from the main square, up one of Ollantaytambo's pretty cobblestone streets, the Andean Moon is a pleasant place ......
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Hostal Varayoc
Nov 24, 2007 - Aguas Calientes, Peru
Just a stone's throw from the train station and buses to Machu Picchu, the Varayoc has a prime location. Blink ......
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Aya Huma
Oct 07, 2007 - Peguche, Ecuador
The hostel Aya Huma is a decent and economical option for those who would prefer to stay outside of Otavalo ......
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Milenio Hotel
Jun 15, 2007 - Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Ecuador
The well-presented Milenio Hotel is a bit of a splurge, but perhaps worth it. Spread over five floors, the rooms ......
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Hotel del Pacifico
Jun 15, 2007 - Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Ecuador
The four star Hotel del Pacifico is located in Santo Domingo de los Colorados, and convenient for just about everything. ......
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Hotel Zaracay
Jun 15, 2007 - Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Ecuador
Hotel Zaracay is a pleasant hotel and is a fairly reliable choice. The hotel has plenty of amenities, including a ......
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Hotel Tropical Inn
Jun 15, 2007 - Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Ecuador
The Tropical Inn is modern-looking with decent services. The 45 rooms are clean and well-appointed, the restaurant serves local food, ......
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Hotel Esmeralda
Apr 26, 2007 - Macas, Ecuador
Handily located for the airport terminal, the Esmeralda is still within easy walking distance of the town center. The hotel ......
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Casa Blanca
Apr 26, 2007 - Macas, Ecuador
The Casa Blanca, is as the name suggests, a white building offering 13 well appointed rooms set across two floors. ......
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Manzana Real
Apr 26, 2007 - Macas, Ecuador
The Manzana Real or “Real Apple” is located away from the center of things, but is well equipped, including facilities ......
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Hotel Heliconia
Apr 26, 2007 - Macas, Ecuador
Just one block from the bus terminal, Hotel Heliconia is a decent and convenient choice. The six-story building has a ......
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Hotel Casa Kolping
Apr 05, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
Casa Kolping has 26 rooms, all equiped with private bathroom and hot water. For an extra charge, TV sets are ......
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Hotel Copacabana
Apr 05, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
Hotel Copacabana is close to the main square in Tacna, making it central for sightseeing opportunities. They boast rooms with ......
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Maximo's Hotel
Apr 05, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
In business since 1997, Maximo’s is l centrally placed in the city. The hotel has plenty of eateries too, including ......
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Takana Inn Hotel
Apr 04, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
A family business, Takana Inn Hotel is conveniently located close to the commercial center, in the heart of the French ......
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Tacna Gran Hotel
Apr 04, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
Centrally located, on Bolognesi, the Tacna Gran Hotel is positioned conveniently for business visitors. The hotel is fairly large, boasting ......
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Hotel Meson
Apr 04, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
Hotel Meson provides comfortable rooms in sizes ranging from single to quadruple. Rooms have cable TV and minibars. There is ......
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Kuntur Wassi
Apr 04, 2007 - Cabanaconde, Peru
This hotel is arguably the best spot in town, in an attractive building surrounded by a pretty garden. Close to ......
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La Posada del Conde
Apr 04, 2007 - Cabanaconde, Peru
This hotel is a good choice with a pleasant atmosphere and comfortable and clean rooms which have private bathrooms and ......
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Hostal Valle del Fuego
Apr 04, 2007 - Cabanaconde, Peru
Hostal Valle del Fuego is in an adobe house with a distinctly rustic feel, conveniently located in the town center ......
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Hostal Colca Wasi Kopling
Apr 04, 2007 - Chivay, Peru
Hostal Colca Wasi Kopling is a relatively small hotel, offering only one single room, nine double rooms and two triples, ......
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Casa Andina - Colca
Apr 04, 2007 - Chivay, Peru
Four blocks from the central square in Chivay, this hotel is Casa Andina’s Chivay offering. The hotel’s 52 rooms are ......
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Colca Lodge
Apr 04, 2007 - Chivay, Peru
Affiliated with the Hotel Libertador chain, the Colca Lodge is located approximately six miles from Chivay’s town center. Constructed from ......
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Colca Inn Hotel
Apr 04, 2007 - Chivay, Peru
Not much to look at from the outside, the Colca Inn Hotel is a reasonable choice for budgeters, and is ......
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Pozo del Cielo Hotel
Apr 04, 2007 - Chivay, Peru
The Pozo del Cielo Hotel is tastefully constructed from local stone and consists of twenty large rustic rooms decorated with ......
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Hotel Le Rendez-Vous
Mar 14, 2007 - Vilcabamba, Ecuador
Rendez-Vous was set up by a French couple who fell in love with and chose to settle in Vilcabamba after ......
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Jardin Escondido
Mar 14, 2007 - Vilcabamba, Ecuador
In addition to the sizzling Mexican and international fare offered up at the restaurant, Jardín Escondido has 13 pleasantly appointed ......
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Internacional
Mar 14, 2007 - Loja, Ecuador
For those looking to stay the night on a shoestring, the Internacional is a budgeter’s standby. Rooms are modest, but ......
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Podocarpus
Mar 14, 2007 - Loja, Ecuador
Located near the Central Plaza, Hotel Podocarpus is comfy and modern, making it one of your better options while staying ......
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Hotel Oro Verde
Feb 20, 2007 - Guayaquil, Ecuador
Grand, centrally located and only 10 minutes from the airport, the Oro Verde is a plush choice for those with ......
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Grand Hotel, Guayaquil
Feb 20, 2007 - Guayaquil, Ecuador
The Grand Hotel Guayaquil lives up to its name, featuring a spacious reception area and excellent service. Centrally placed four ......
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Unipark Hotel
Feb 20, 2007 - Guayaquil, Ecuador
Convenient for a leisurely stroll to the Malecón, this upscale hotel is owned by the Oro Verde chain. Smack in ......
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Hotel Restaurant Mercurio
Jan 17, 2007 - Punta Arenas, Chile
The Mercurio has rather dark rooms decorated in an old-fashioned style, but if you can see past that, it may ......
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Hosteria Izhcayluma
Jun 01, 2006 - Vilcabamba, Ecuador
Hosteria Izhcayluma is situated on a hill approximately 2 kilometers outside of Vilcabamba, and enjoys spectacular vistas of the village ......
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Posada de los Leones
Dec 14, 2005 - Antigua, Guatemala
Arriving at the The Lion´s Inn, or Posada de los Leones in Spanish, you will marvel at its wonderful setting ......
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Pagos Argentinos
Oct 12, 2005 - Antigua, Guatemala
Stay at an estancia in one of the following places: Tierra del Fuego, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, Gualeguaychú or Mendoza province. ......
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Manu Wildlife Center
May 04, 2005 - Manu , Peru
Manu Wildlife Center is close to the world’s most approachable, photographable clay licks of macaws and tapirs. Here you will ......
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La Casa de los Abuelos
May 04, 2005 - Antigua, Guatemala
La Casa de los Abuelos is a Boutique Hotel, five minutes from Antigua Guatemala Downtown. It has 5 Beautiful Bedrooms ......
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Grand Hotel Mercure Alameda
Apr 06, 2005 - La Mariscal, Quito, Ecuador
In the heart of the Mariscal, the modern Mercure is convenient for local eateries and is a reliable option. Rooms ......
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See all Hotels (53)

Restaurants

Casa Hacienda
May 25, 2009 - Trinidad, Cuba
Set in the old hacienda, this restaurant offers reasonable food at not too bad a value, given that the audience ......
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Casa de Don Tomas
May 25, 2009 - Vinales, Cuba
Heading out along the main strip to the west of the town, Casa de Don Mason is an open-air restaurant ......
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Dona Isabel Restaurante Italiano
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
Restaurante Dona Isabel offers a basic Italian menu, including cheap pasta mains for CUC2.50 to CUC4, such as spaghetti bolognaise, ......
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Café Las Begonias
May 24, 2009 - Trinidad, Cuba
Centrally located, Café Las Begonias is close to all of the main sights. With its high ceilings and pleasant décor, ......
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Casa de Te
May 17, 2009 - Santiago De Cuba, Cuba
Situated conveniently on the corner of Plaza Cespedes, this is a pleasant place to stop for a refreshing drink. Service ......
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El Palenque de Los Cimarrones
May 17, 2009 - Vinales, Cuba
El Palenque de los Cimarrones is a restaurant that is located in the mouth of a cave. If you take ......
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Hanoi Restaurant
May 11, 2009 - Havana Vieja, Havana, Cuba
Hanoi restaurant has a pleasant street view of the Plaza del Cristo. It is a pleasant place to take in ......
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Dublin
Jun 07, 2008 - Bellavista, Santiago, Chile
Part of the fancy Patio Bellavista food court, although accessible from outside, the Dublin pub offers a variety of beers, ......
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Bali-Hai Restaurant
Jun 07, 2008 - Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
Styling itself as the “unique Easter Island Restaurant in Latin America,” this place offers dinner with a dance show. Dances ......
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Ram Jam
Jun 07, 2008 - La Paz, Bolivia
Tucked away on a side street a couple of blocks from Plaza Avaroa, the funky interior of this place will ......
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Angelos
Jun 07, 2008 - La Paz, Bolivia
Conveniently located in close proximity to the Iglesia San Francisco, Angelos café offers good value set almuerzos, for $2 or ......
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Chill-e
Jan 22, 2008 - Puerto Natales, Chile
One of the most happening bars in town, Chill-e is a great place to let your hair down. Good vibes, ......
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Patagonia Dulce
Jan 22, 2008 - Puerto Natales, Chile
Patagonia Dulce is a chocolate factory which makes delicious delicacies to whet the appetite. The chocolate temptations that the attached ......
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El Living
Jan 22, 2008 - Puerto Natales, Chile
El Living is a British-run, friendly little coffee shop. The menu is sure to delight vegetarians and there are even ......
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Real McCoy
Nov 24, 2007 - Cusco, Peru
Although not officially a pub, The Real McCoy an English restaurant, hosts regular pub quizzes and offers traditional pub fare ......
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Hearts Cafe
Nov 24, 2007 - Ollantaytambo, Peru
Hearts Cafe is becoming something of a backpacker favorite. Set right on the Plaza de Armas, Hearts offers "mainly wholefoods," ......
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Quechua Blues Bar Cafe
Nov 24, 2007 - Ollantaytambo, Peru
More of a bar than a restaurant (although you can get international food here), the Blues Bar Cafe is great ......
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Tupana Wasi
Nov 24, 2007 - Cusco, Peru
Restaurants that claim to offer meals as varied as Italian, Mexican, Peruvian often arouse suspicion that none of those options ......
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Apu Salkantay
Nov 24, 2007 - Aguas Calientes, Peru
Cheap and cheerful restaurant offering a three course meal for around $5. Pick between starters such as stuffed avacado, garlic ......
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Inca....Fe
Nov 24, 2007 - San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Set in the artsy San Blas neighborhood, Inka...Fe Café is a find. Step off the cobblestone streets into this welcoming ......
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Fluid
Nov 24, 2007 - Miraflores, Lima, Peru
For great Thai food right in the heart of the Miraflores district, head to Fluid. This new, British-run venue serves ......
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La Isla del Mono
Nov 24, 2007 - Miraflores, Lima, Peru
La Isla del Mono offers Lima’s seafood at its best. Offerings include their mouth-watering Ceviche de Lenguado, or sole ceviche-raw ......
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Tasca Bar
Nov 24, 2007 - Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Under the same ownership as the Flying Dog, and located conveniently underneath the Diez Canseco branch of the hostel, Tasca ......
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Aya Huma Restaurant
Oct 07, 2007 - Peguche, Ecuador
In Peguche there aren't a whole lot of options for food, but the adjoining restaurant to the Aya Huma hostel ......
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Busters
Apr 27, 2007 - Northern Quito - the "New Town", Quito, Ecuador
Little sister to the Turtle’s Head, Busters is in the northern part of town, opposite the swanky Quicentro mall. The ......
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Latitud
Apr 27, 2007 - La Mariscal, Quito, Ecuador
Located on the ever popular Plaza Foch, Latitud is also known as “Tapas, quesos y vinos” and is popular with ......
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Mongos
Apr 27, 2007 - La Mariscal, Quito, Ecuador
Right in the heart of the Mariscal, the Mongolian barbeque, Mongos has quickly become a firm favorite with travelers and ......
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Raj Tandoori
Apr 27, 2007 - La Mariscal, Quito, Ecuador
This Indian restaurant serves a menu of mouth-watering curries with sauces ranging from sweet to mild to a spicy that ......
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Cevichería A Todo Vapor
Apr 05, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
As the name suggests, for fans of seafood, Cevichería A Todo Vapor has a fine selection of delicious Peruvian ceviche ......
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Rancho San Antonio Restaurant
Apr 05, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
Rancho San Antonio is a popular joint serving up both international and national cuisine in a relaxing and laidback setting. ......
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McElroy's Irish Pub
Apr 04, 2007 - Chivay, Peru
Easy to find on the Plaza de Armas, McElroy’s is a decent Irish bar in Chivay. The bar is fairly ......
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Casablanca
Apr 04, 2007 - Chivay, Peru
Conveniently located on the main square, Casablanca offers a variety of options at reasonable prices. The food is tasty and ......
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Sotito's
Jan 18, 2007 - Punta Arenas, Chile
A little on the pricey side, but nonetheless highly recommended, Sotito's is sophisticated and worth a splurge. The menu features ......
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Brocolino
Jan 17, 2007 - Punta Arenas, Chile
Another great place to get tasty seafood offerings, Brocolino specializes in French and Italian cuisine, washed down with a good ......
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Mandela's Bar
Nov 08, 2005 - Cusco, Peru
Mandela’s Bar is a fantastic bar/restaurant hidden behind the Cathedral, serving a mixture of Peruvian, contemporary and traditional South African ......
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Fellini
May 04, 2005 - La Floresta, Quito, Ecuador
Fellini is a great place for a splurge. Tastefully designed and laid out, this Italian restaurant has a wide variety ......
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Pavarotti
May 04, 2005 - La Floresta, Quito, Ecuador
Just across the street from the Swissotel, Pavarotti offers fairly standard Italian fare for prices similar to other Italian restaurants ......
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See all Restaurants (37)

Activities

Museo de la Revolucion
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
If you only have time for one museum while you’re visiting Cuba, the Museo de la Revolucion in Havana Vieja ......
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Catedral San Cristobal de Habana
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
Havana’s cathedral is located on the northern face of the Plaza de la Catedral square. While elaborate, it does not ......
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Plaza de la Catedral
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
This well-restored plaza, as the name would suggest, is dominated by Havana-s cathedral. Pretty pink flowers adorn the pillared walkway ......
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Farmacia Taquechel
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
Located on Obispo, between San Ignacio and Mercaderes, you can find the fascinating Farmacia Taquechel. The pharmacy holds all number ......
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Memorial Ernesto “Che” Guevara
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
Directly opposite the memorial to Jose Marti is the memorial to Che Guevara. Che’s timeless face looms over the concrete ......
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Monumento and Museo Jose Marti
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
Located on the south side of the Plaza de la Revolucion is the gigantic Memorial and Museo Jose Marti. Although ......
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Plaza de la Revolucion
May 25, 2009 - Havana, Cuba
The Plaza de la Revolucion is a square that is big, wide and of Soviet sparcity. The square’s main features ......
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Fishing
May 24, 2009 - Playa Ancon, Cuba
The seas around Playa Ancon are teeming with fish, making fishing a pleasant way to spend a day. Fishing can ......
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Bicycling from La Boca to Playa Ancon
May 24, 2009 - Playa Ancon, Cuba
For those staying in La Boca, a pleasant option for a day trip is to rent bicycles and ride to ......
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Scuba Diving
May 24, 2009 - Playa Ancon, Cuba
One of the few things to do that is cheap in Cuba, diving is a bargain here. Dive trips can ......
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Snorkeling
May 24, 2009 - Playa Ancon, Cuba
From the Marina Marlin opposite the Hotel Ancon, it is possible to arrange snorkeling trips that take in Cayo Blanco, ......
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Museo Historico
May 24, 2009 - Trinidad, Cuba
This museum traces the history of Trinidad, from the early slave trade and the sugar plantations in the area, through ......
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Cuevas del Indio
May 17, 2009 - Vinales, Cuba
The Cuevas del Indio are located around 5 kilometers outside of Viñales village. It takes around 25 minutes to navigate ......
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Mural de Prehistoria
May 17, 2009 - Vinales, Cuba
Located 5km west of Viñales village, this mural was painted in the 1960s by the artist Leovigilda Gonzalez and commissioned ......
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Viñales Bus Tour
May 17, 2009 - Vinales, Cuba
The Viñales bus tour is a great way to take in everything that the valley has to offer, including the ......
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Museo Municipal Adela Azcuy
May 17, 2009 - Vinales, Cuba
This museum that is the former house of Adela Azcuy, something of a Cuban hero, has a collection of period ......
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Hiking in Vinales
May 17, 2009 - Vinales, Cuba
For information about guided hikes in and around Viñales, head to Museo Municpal Adela Azcuy. The museum offers five hikes ......
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Plaza de Armas
May 11, 2009 - Havana Vieja, Havana, Cuba
The Plaza de Armas is one of Havana’s prettier squares, and the only one located in Havana Vieja that has ......
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Whale Watching
Mar 27, 2009 - Puerto López, Ecuador
Whale watching can be arranged from any number of tour operators with offices along the sea front. The season is ......
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Hiking around Cuicocha Lake
Mar 01, 2009 - Cuicocha Lake, Cotacachi, Ecuador
The hike around Cuicocha Lake can be completed anywhere between 3.5 and six hours, depending on your general level of ......
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Funicular
Jun 07, 2008 - Santiago, Chile
On a clear day, the view from the top of Cerro San Cristóbal is spectacular, providing the best view of ......
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Museo de Archaeológico História Francisco Fonk
Jun 07, 2008 - Viña del Mar, Chile
You won’t be able to miss this small museum with its striking moai standing guard outside. The museum documents the ......
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Museo de la Coca
Jun 07, 2008 - La Paz, Bolivia
This museum documents the history of the coca plant, largely in Bolivia, from ancient times through to the present day. ......
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Salcantay alternative route
Dec 14, 2007 - Peru
The alternative trek takes in three more unusual, quieter campsites along the route, largely away from other tourists. On the ......
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Train Cusco to Puno
Nov 24, 2007 - Cusco, Peru
Treat yourself to a train ride through spectacular Andean landscape as a pleasant, more stylish alternative to the bus. The ......
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Inka Express
Nov 24, 2007 - Cusco, Peru
If you’re bored of just taking the regular bus, one option is to upgrade to the Inka Express, which provides ......
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Peguche Waterfall
Oct 07, 2007 - Peguche, Ecuador
If you're staying the night in Peguche, it is probably worth your time to take the 20 minute walk to the ......
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Calientes
Apr 05, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
For those wanting to get out of the city for a bit and relax, the baths of Calientes are a ......
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San Francisco de Miculla Petroglyphs
Apr 05, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
Close to Tacna (22 kilometers/ 13.5 miles) are the San Francisco de Miculla Petroglyphs. The drawings are of dancing, fighting ......
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Plaza de Armas
Apr 05, 2007 - Tacna, Peru
A wander around the Plaza de Armas is one of the highlights of a visit to Tacna. Opposite the civic ......
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Andagua Trek
Apr 04, 2007 - Cabanaconde, Peru
The Cabanaconde-Andagua Trek into the Colca Canyon is challenging but worth the effort. The route passes through unspoiled scenery with ......
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Sangalle Oasis Trek
Apr 04, 2007 - Cabanaconde, Peru
The trek to the Sangalle Oasis at the bottom of the Canyon can be made in one day, or at ......
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Templo de Coporaque
Apr 04, 2007 - Coporaque, Peru
Templo de Coporaque is the oldest church in the Colca Canyon area, built in 1569 and is still in use ......
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La Caldera Hotsprings
Apr 04, 2007 - Chivay, Peru
After a day spent condor spotting in the canyon, what better way to relax than to visit the hot springs, ......
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Bocas Sailing
Mar 30, 2006 - Bocas del Toro, Panama
Three types of tour / activity are offered. The first type of tour goes to Dolphin Bay to watch the bottlenose ......
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Pagos Argentinos
Oct 12, 2005 - Bocas del Toro, Panama
Stay at an estancia in one of the following places: Tierra del Fuego, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, Gualeguaychú or Mendoza province. ......
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See all Activities (36)

Tours

Barefoot Expeditions
Mar 17, 2008 - Quito, Ecuador
Barefoot Expeditions is an operator based in Quito, offering a variety of tours all over Ecuador. Choose from cultural tours, ......
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Turismo Viento Sur
Jan 21, 2008 - Punta Arenas, Chile
Turismo Viento Sur offers one of the widest range of programs available in this area. Along with the standard hiking ......
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Pali Aike
Jan 21, 2008 - Punta Arenas, Chile
Pali Aike offers a range of tours to suit all tastes, from "soft" tours in Torres Del Paine, through to ......
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See all Tours (7)

Schools

Escuela Bellavista
Jun 07, 2008 - Bellavista, Santiago, Chile
Escuela Bellavista Spanish School has a friendly and welcoming ambiance. Its youthful, yet experienced teaching staff will work on your ......
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Ixbalanque Spanish School
Jan 13, 2006 - La Ceiba, Honduras
Whether you are a tourist visiting Central America, or a businessperson who wants to improve your Spanish skills, you can ......
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Interhispanica
Oct 26, 2005 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is a great city, but there are some challenges with studying there. There are a lot of language ......
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Services

Infotur
May 11, 2009 - Havana Vieja, Havana, Cuba
Infotur is the government tourism information office. There is one centrally located in Havana Vieja at Obispo on the corner ......
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Artesanal Market
Nov 24, 2007 - Aguas Calientes, Peru
In the last hour or two, when you've done Machu Picchu and you're waiting for your train to leave Aguas ......
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V!VA List Articles

V!VA Latin

Driving La Ruta del Sol
Oct 11, 2006 - Ecuador
Late in the afternoon, we turn a corner on the dusty road and spy our goal—the balmy, azure Pacific Ocean, ......
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Telefériqo
Oct 05, 2006 - Ecuador
Having recently opened in July 2005, Quito’s “TelefériQo,” or cable car, is a very pleasant option for whiling away a ......
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Bellavista
Oct 05, 2006 - Ecuador
All around us, a peaceful humming sound prevails amid a rainbow of color. Nearly twenty hummingbirds are swooping in on ......
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See all V!VA Latin (7)

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