Category Archives: South America

Guanajuato Mummy Museum

Guanajuato Mummy Museum

Your trip to Mexico wouldn’t complete if you are not visiting the Guanajuato mummy museum. The mummies were discovered in the cemetery of Guanajuato, a city Northwest of Mexico City (near Léon) and were literally “dug up” between the years 1865 and 1958. Actually the mummies began attracting tourists in the early 1900s. It was the time when many history lovers have a trip to Mexico to visit the Guanajuato mummy museum and sense the horror atmosphere in there, a place called the land of the dead.

Just like the experience of famous author, Ray Bradbury, said, “The experience so wounded and terrified me; I could hardly wait to flee Mexico. I had nightmares about dying and having to remain in the halls of the dead with those propped and wired bodies. In order to purge my terror, instantly, I wrote ‘The Next in Line.’ One of the few times that an experience yielded results almost on the spot.” In the late 1970s, a filmmaker Werner Herzog took footage of a number of the mummies and used it for the title sequence of his film Nosferatu the Vampyre. Again, what a horror!

The combination of the soil conditions and a dry climate of the mountainous area caused the bodies in the local cemetery to dry out naturally before they could decompose. These are the reason why Guanajuato has their mummies where their bodies were placed in tombs, seven rows high and those in the middle row were more likely to have been naturally mummified. There are 119 mummies display in the Guanajuato mummy museum and many other natural mummies are still lying in the cemetery.

The Guanajuato mummies are quite strange because some are clothed, some aren’t. There are only few of the mummies that wearing their socks or shoes, also they have old people while others are only infants. The museum contains a few local legends like there is a body that was said belongs to a woman who had been buried alive. If you have trip to Mexico and visiting the Guanajuato mummy museum, you will know that the legend was true because of the two factors: the woman’s arms were raised over her face and her forehead had scratch marks, apparently in mid-struggle to escape her grave. Also, one man exhumed in the 1940s, profound he had been stabbed to death, with a golf-ball-sized wound visible in the parched husk beneath his rib cage.

The Guanajuato mummies are located in the Museo de las momias high on a hill overlooking the city where the closest airport is Léon which is about 45 minutes away. You can also take a bus from Mexico City.

image source: http://photo.net/travel-photography-forum/00W3Yj

Hotel in Peru

The Best Hotels in Peru

Peru, a beautiful country that is rich of its archeologist sites in South America, has become one of the favorite tourist destinations in the world. Its beauty of natural landscape and modern cities combined with various historical heritage sites does lure many travelers around the world to come to this magical country. Based on the increase of tourist arrival in Peru, numerous hotels and lodges have been built in the country that has the highest railroad in the world. The types of hotel in Peru vary from the expensive and luxurious ones to the economical and simple ones. If you are planning to have a trip to Peru, then you need to worry about the accommodation as we will give you some recommendations of hotel and lodge that are of course adjustable to your personal budget. The hotels will be listed based on the city.

1. Lima (Miraflores Park Hotel & Inka Frog Exclusive)
If you decide to stay in Lima and expect a pretty luxurious hotel, then Miraflores Park Hotel is recommended for you. The rate of this classic luxury styled hotel starts from $345. The hotel, which is located at Avenida Malecon de la Reserva 1035, guarantees you some easy accesses to numerous tourist destinations in Lima that makes your trip in Peru, particularly in Lima, easier and more effective. The other cheaper place to stay at in Lima is Inka Frog Exclusive. It is a lodge located at Calle General Iglesias 271. It offers a much cheaper rate starting from $ 3. If you have a low budget for accommodation, this hotel could be the best choice as it has a low starting rate yet the service provided is quite satisfying. The rooms are clean and nice equipped with free internet and wi-fi.

2. Cusco (Inkaterra Macchu Picchu Pueblo Hotel & Gallito de las Rocas Lodge)
If you are planning to enjoy Machu Picchu in Cusco for several days, it is worth to stay at Inkaterra Macchu Picchu Pueblo Hotel which is located at Machu Picchu Village Railroad. This is a fabulous nature styled hotel offers rate starting for $400. However, if you expect a much cheaper hotel while visiting Cusco, Gallito de las Rocas Lodge would be great. The rate starts from $4. As you step inside, you will be warmly greeted by the friendly employees in the lodge that is located in small village of Pillcopata. The rooms are pretty comfortable. If you are searching for an exotic experience of jungle sensation, this lodge is worth enough.

3. Iquitos (the Amazon Rainforest Lodge & Hotel la Casona Iquitos)
If you are more interested in Amazon River, the Amazon Rainforest Lodge would be an amazing place to stay at while in trip to Peru. The rate starts from $360. The lodge can be reach 45 minutes from Iquitos. This large and clean lodge is well located for Amazonian. The other cheaper lodge in Iquitos is Hotel la Casona Iquitos, located at Calle Fitzcarrald 147. The rate of this lodge starts from $32. The rooms provided in this lodge are nice and clean. The security is also well provided. It is a pretty good place to relax at when having a trip to Peru.

There are still other various types and base rates of hotel in Peru. They can surely be adjustable to your style and budget. Try to find the other hotel in Peru that suites your condition most, and have the best trip in Peru!

attraction in peru

Top Tourist Attractions in Peru

Peru or Republic of Peru, the third biggest country in South America following Brazil and Argentina, is one of the countries that are rich in cultural heritages and natural resources. The country that has Lima as its capital city is located at the Western area of South America, facing the Pacific Ocean. The country consists of 3 main geographical features including coast, highlands, and jungle. Peru has become one of the most visited countries in South America, because it does not only have rich natural resources but it also has many great places to visit. Lucky you if you have the chance of having a holiday in Peru. As recommendation, here are some top places to visit while having a holiday in Peru.

1. Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru is filled by various tourism places. It is one the places in Peru where the ethnic elements meet the colonial and modern elements. Some top attractions in Peru are found here, including restaurant, shop, city landmark, zoo, reserve, tradition center, art and culture center, historical building and archeological site. In far South Lima, there is Pantanos de Ville, a natural reserve that has more than 150 bird species. In the modern district of San Isidro, it stands the Huaca Huallamarca, a beautiful pyramid which is one of the ancient temples in Peru. Furthermore, there is a gorgeous colonial architecture in Lima that can make your eyes open widely, the old Palacio de Torre Tagle. One day is not enough to explore this superb city as there are many splendid places in this amazing city.

2. Puno
Puno is also the attraction in Peru. The city that is located at the Southern area of Peru is the place of Tiahuacanos, Aymaran highest cultural art. The famous Titicaca Lake is found in the city where the mining industry developed. Titicaca is also a national reserve in Peru stretching for 36,180 hectares. The lake of Titicaca is known as the highest navigable lake in the world. If you have a chance to visit this city while having holiday in Peru, do not miss this awesome place that has 60 bird species, 14 native fish species, and 18 types amphibians such as the giant Titicaca toad.

3. Cusco
The famous Machu Picchu, the star of attraction in Peru, is found in Cusco. The ancient citadel of Inca is claimed as one of the finest architectural landscape examples in the world. The place that was elected as one of the seven wonders in 2007 is indeed very astonishing. During holiday in Peru, you may not skip the superb place that stands on the top of mountain in the middle of cloud forest high above the river of Urubamba.

4. Iquitos
Iquitos has everything needed by nature travelers as it is the main spot along the famous river in the world, the Amazone River. The city where the rubber tapping developed has the largest reserve in Peru, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. It is the home to the amazing various kinds of flora and fauna. If you like water sports, it is worth to visit Tunchi Playa, the most popular beach in Iquitos.

The attraction in Peru has not actually done here. Those are only few of places you do not want to skip during the holiday in Peru. The country that is rich for its heritage sites is indeed filled by numerous magical places. If you have a long time holiday in Peru, try to explore some other spots that are not less amazing than the four places above. Happy holiday in Peru!

Carnaval in Rio de janeiro

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

When it comes to have a trip to Brazil, it means you have a chance to see the beautiful carnival in the world: yes indeed, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro! Rio de Janeiro Brazil, which is commonly known as Rio, is the second largest city in Brazil. This amazing city is the most visited in the southern hemisphere. Soon after you fly into the Rio de Janeiro airport, you’ll understand why Rio is such a popular city in a trip to Brazil.

The roots of Carnival trace back to the ancient Romans and Greeks who celebrated the rites of spring. In the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, there are groups of people who would parade through the streets playing music and dancing. Brazilians used to riot the Carnival until it was accepted by the government as an expression of culture. It was a time of block parties, interesting costumes and an amazing Samba extravaganza at the Sambodromo.

Many people look at the costumes during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, where the costumes follow the theme. Each samba school or parade group chooses a theme. Over the years every possible theme has been done. The costumes are covered in beads, spangles and feathers. They took months to make them. The theme is decided a year ahead of time and costume makers start immediately making them. No wonder an entire world interested to enjoy the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, the ultimate carnival in the world.

Do you know that as a tourist you could also participate in Carnival in Rio de Janeiro while you are having a trip in Brazil? Yes, you can join in the street parties, march with the street bands and parade yourself in the Sambodromo.

Not only there are some of the best dances and costumes anywhere, but also a lot of live music during the carnival, where many Brazilian music stars march along in the parades performing on floats with huge speakers. There are also local music groups which perform. The best way to hear real Brazilian music is to go to the various parades where all the participants take pride in representing their country.

Last but not least, one of the greatest elements of the Rio Carnival is that it not only provides entertainment for many people around the world but it also gives a chance to learn about the true culture of Brazil. Carnival is very important to the Brazilians, it sums up their culture. So, enjoy and have a blast holiday ever in Brazil where you can be the part of the carnival in the world, the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

Instituto Nacional de Seguras

Museum in San Jose

Downtown San Jose hosts a number of fun and important Costa Rica museums, most within easy walking distance from one another.

One of those, the Costa Rica Jade Museum, is a must-see for visitors wanting to look back to the life and culture of those who came before us.

While most people probably think of a museum as a place where old things and art from the past have been put on display—and where a couple of hours can be whiled away before hitting the malls—the displays are far more.

A good museum has two characteristics:

 

  • A single piece (or multiple pieces of an artist) like a carving, painting, or statue provides a glimpse back in time to the artistic soul of a particular artist while
  • A collection of pieces from many people (most whose names are forever lost in time), from different social groups, and covering an extended period of time (often measured in epochs or centuries), affords today’s observer an opportunity to see the evolution of a people’s culture, religion, and secular life.

 

The museum, located in the National Insurance Institute (Nacional de Seguras), hosts the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian (pre Christopher Columbus) jade, more than 6,000 pieces.

The appearance of jade carvings in Costa Rica, about 600 B.C., coincided with a seminal, dramatic cultural change in the country that lasted for nearly 1,000 years until replaced by another seminal, seismic change when gold replaced jade.

While people had lived in Costa Rica for perhaps 13,000-15,000 years, sophisticated jade carvings suddenly appeared on the scene over the course of a few decades. The suddenness, coupled with the relative sophistication of the earliest carvings (rather than an evolution from simple, crude carvings to more and more sophisticated objects) and the dramatic cultural, religious, and material changes that quickly ensued, are strongly suggestive of a once insular society suddenly introduced to and influenced by outside cultures.

Jade, like gold after it, represented a tectonic change in culture.

It wasn’t just art.

It came to represent, in an historical blink-of-an-eye, man’s changing view of himself and his relationship with the gods.

And that, of course, led to a profound change in culture, not only in religious rituals but in material life as well.

Now, certainly, most of the visitors who go to the museum have no idea about—or interest in—the role jade played in the evolution of society 2,500 years ago. They simply enjoy the beauty and mystery of the green stone carvings.

And, fact is, that’s more than enough reason to visit the Costa Rica Jade Museum.

Nortons Rats

Sports Bars in Cusco

For the average Western traveler moving through Peru or Bolivia for any amount of time, the almost inevitable moment strikes when the traveler desires the simple treat of a beer in a somewhat familiar bar setting.

Luckily, travelers arriving in Cusco have something of a selection of bars to choose from. All of these British-owned or British-themed bars and pubs will be a treat, offering a decent range of beers and other beverages that will fulfill the longing for a brief taste of home.

Nortons Rats – Located just off the main plaza, with balconies overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Norton’s is the perfect place to enjoy a mid-afternoon brew or late evening night cap. This ceiling is decorated with the world’s flags as well as whimsical details like the face masks of past U.S. presidents above their most memorable quotes; “I do not recall.” The bar also has a few televisions which can be tuned to your favorite football, rugby, tennis, or baseball match. For additional diversion, there is also a pool table.

Paddy’s Pub – Just across the street from Norton’s; whereas Norton’s is bar Paddy’s is pure pub. The menu is delicious, the space is smaller and more conducive to conversation. A television is available for viewing sporting events. Be sure to check out the unusual art work that adorns every nook and cranny of the venue, as well as the photographs that beautify the bathroom.

Cross Keys – Up the street from Paddy’s, Cross Keys is bigger and has diverse areas to suit every bar need, including a small sit down bar, pub-style seating, comfortable sofas for fireplace lounging, a terrace to enjoy moments in Cusco sun, as well as televisions for your must-watch sporting events. For aficionados of darts, Cross Keys provides the requisite equipment. They also have a good selection of happy hour drinks.

The Real McCoy – This bar is also on the Plaza de Armas, but on the opposite side. Like the others, this one is on the second floor, but it’s tucked into a gallery. To get there, walk to the narrow passageway, take the stairs up, and walk around to the entrance. The Real McCoy’s has an excellent food menu and a small library for book exchanges. This bar is the least bar-like and is more suited for get-togethers with small groups of friends. It also has a decent happy hour menu and, of course, a television.

In Cusco, there are also numerous lounges, as well as other bars, but more in the Peruvian style, which means they’re better for larger groups and they’re menu selection will be less familiar to the Western traveler.

Convento y Museo

Discovering Lima

Although the first thing that springs to mind when one mentions walking in Peru is the Inca Trail, it is well worth setting aside a couple of days when you arrive to explore the capital city of Lima too. The fifth largest city in Latin America, Lima is bubbling with history and it displays its diverse influences with a lively and varied culture. Founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, it is a fascinating city with a mind-boggling array of things to do and see. Usually the first stop on a walking holiday in Peru, just make sure you don’t wear yourself out before the real hikes begin! Continue reading

Buenos Aires

Top 3 Must See Cities on Your Argentina Vacation

Buenos Aires has always had the reputation of being an elegant, cosmopolitan city; European-like with a Latin tango twist. There is certainly merit to this notion – Buenos Aires has beautiful architecture, world-class dining, a charming populace, and an incomparable nightlife. However, Argentina’s other cities offer exceptional amenities that are sure to please and enchant visitors looking to go beyond the typical Buenos Aires vacation. Here are 3 cities that travelers should not miss out on:

Once you visit Mendoza, you’ll understand why it is at the top of the list. It offers the perfect mix of activity, relaxation, and wine! Mendoza is a desert city with a relatively temperate climate – even in the hottest months, the dry heat is bearable – and its volcanic soils, coased into productivity by an extensive irrigation system have made it the center of the up-and-coming Argentine wine industry. The city proper is quite lovely and features lovely tree-lined avenues and plazas ideal for whiling away lazy afternoons. The highlight of Mendoza is definitely the wineries, or bodegas, which are about 10 km from the center.
February, March, and April are a good time to visit as this is the Vendimia, or harvest season. Be sure to book wine tour reservations in advance and keep in mind that most bodegas are closed on weekends. In addition to the wine, the proximity of the Andes mountains makes this city the perfect base to launch into adventures such as trekking, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting. Ski centers, such as the increasingly popular Las Leñas, are also quite close. Finally, Mendoza boasts excellent first class dining options that focus on using fresh local ingredients. Most restaurants are sure to have wine cellars, as well as sommeliers well-versed in the art of pairing your food choice with the most outstanding wine selections Mendoza has to offer.

Cordoba is Argentina’s second largest city with 1.4 million inhabitants – compared to Greater Buenos Aires’ 15 million. The city is nestled in the Pampas region amidst very picturesque rolling hills and valleys. As a result of the many universities and scientific institutes located here, the city has a large population of university-age students as well as a quite active cultural and night life. What distinguishes Cordoba is its fabulous colonial architecture. In the main Plaza San Martin, the old center of town, travelers can see examples of superb colonial buildings, many of them constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries by Jesuits. In this area, and in the adjacent Nueva Cordoba district, elegant churches, government palaces, monuments, innumerable museums, and lovely parks and plazas delight the senses. As mentioned, Cordoba boasts a very active cultural life and the city’s many theatres frequently mount operas, plays in a range of genres, and other shows. If you are a lover of culture and architecture, Cordoba is the place to visit, and the best time is from March to May or August to November, when temperatures are in the Goldilocks range, neither too hot nor to cold.

Last but not least is San Carlos de Bariloche, whose alpine beauty and amazing glacier-carved landscape will have you wanting to spend all your time in the outdoors. Located in the Rio Negro province, most travelers visit during the winter months to enjoy the excellent skiing. However, Bariloche is also supremely pleasant in the summer months. The innumerable mountains offer opportunities for trekking in the wilderness and the awesome lakes and islands are perfect for water sports and idling on the lake shore.

Traveling to any these cities can be accomplished by air, car, or bus. Air is probably the easiest and also the most expensive for foreigners due to the premium prices on domestic flights. Long-distance buses in Argentina, known as micros, are very high quality, comfortable, and also serve meals. Buses also offer the opportunity to see the incredible Argentine landscape.

Holiday in Arequipa

La Ciudad Blanca

La Ciudad Blanca

If you’re looking for walking holidays, Peru has got plenty to offer. Verdant tropical forests, the rambling Andes and sprawling plains – all offer something different for those in search of a serious hiking trip. However, few visitors to the country discover the delights of the country’s second largest city, Arequipa. The city is located in the Andes Mountains, making it an ideal base for those looking for mountain walks. The El Misti volcano stands over the city, and rock from the mountain has given La Ciudad Blanca (the White City) the distinctive aesthetic that saw it receive UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.

Arequipa

If Arequipa is your base for walking holidays, Peru’s second city will probably seduce you as soon as you arrive in town. Built from the distinctive sillar rock sourced from the El Misti volcano, the town combines the architectural styles and methods of both the European colonists and the native tribes. This mixture of efforts by European artisans and highly skilled Crillo and Indian masons has produced a unique Baroque fusion style. For these reasons, students of architecture travel from across the Americas to study the walls, vaults and courtyards of the historic city centre. Continue reading

Plaza de Armas

7 Days Adventures in Peru

Organizing trips to Peru can be a daunting task because there are so many things to see, things to do, and options to choose from when it comes to logistics. However, it is possible to see the most popular treasures of Peru-Lima, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, and Machu Picchu – even if you just have 1 week to spend in the country. Here is one itinerary worth considering.

Day 1 – Fly into Lima, spend the night
Your flight into Lima might be in the afternoon or evening. In any case, either spend a night catching up on rest and sleep at your hotel, or if you have time, explore some of the city’s most attractive parts such as the Plaza de Armas or the Miraflores neighborhood and its strip of clifftop urban parks known as the Costa Verde. Continue reading