Travel America » America Travel Guide

Central America Travel Guide

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:29:34 +0000

The Central American countries stand out from the rest of Americas. There rich history and breathtaking scenic beauty makes them the favorite place to visit all the year round. With a blend of south and North America the countries like Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama etc. give the continent the finishing touches and add to the diversity of the Americas. The area is always buzzing with activity since ages. The natural and tectonic activity used to shake the place in the ancient times. The rich history of the place reminds the people of the numerous settlements that took place in the region and today the political scene in these countries is ever dynamic. Thus the over all profile of the place is quite versatile and inviting.

On of the main features of the place are remains of the historically important Mayan civilization. It made a substantial part of the Central American history and still the reminiscent of the past stand as majestic as they might have been. The tourists are filled with a gush of adrenaline when they walk through the corridors of the ancient Mayans. The central markets of the city stand in all their grandeur majesty. The ruins show that the city was an urban hub and the people were pursuing agriculture as their main occupation. They were socially advanced people and their urban centers were the venues for dancing singing and many recreational activities. One can hear the echoes of the past standing in the middle of the large citadels.

The advancement in the Central American region is mainly due to the buzzing political scene and the awareness about the rights. The people are highly conscious about the protection of environment and great efforts are put in to preserve the rich environmental heritage. The Central American countries have entered in to a free trade pact as per which they are to let the others allow certain facilitations of trade in their trade. Popularly known as the CAFTA, it has proved to be a boon to the countries’ economies.

The Central American region is known for its volcanic abundance. Each country homes many volcanoes and many of them have erupted in the recent past. The tectonic rumblings are commonplace and it creates a lot of alarm in the people’s minds. The volcanoes are one feature that distinguishes the region form the rest of Americas and it adds to the mystic and magical image of the Central America.

But there’s one threat that has caused a lot of trouble in the region. The trade of drugs has entangled the region in to the grip of heavy crime. The world’s greatest drug trade can be found in this region. The roots of this criminal activity are deep seated and it has caused a lot of disturbance at the local level. But the comforting fact is that the regions attraction is overpowering on the drug threats. And the travelers are not threatened by these and keep on coming to the place with all zeal. And in the years to come this region will catch up with the rest of the world.

By: Mansi Aggarwal

South America Travel Guide – Cash and Financial Tips For a South America Vacation

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:59:04 +0000

Travelers have little difficulty with currency and money changing during a South America vacation, but the standard advice to traveling anywhere abroad is to take a mix of cash, plastic and traveler’s checks, for the sake of both convenience and security.

CASH
The US dollar is by far the most accepted and easily changed foreign currency across the entire continent. In many places, you can use dollars to pay for goods and services directly, and receive the change either in dollars or the local currency. The exchange rate for this kind of transaction varies significantly depending on the country and the store or service provider.

Aside from these options, you’ll have no problems changing major currencies (euros, sterling, Canadian dollars) in banks or at the airport. The exchange rate will be less competitive here, but probably still better than in your home country.

For a Peru vacation, US$ are accepted in all the major supermarkets as well as in hotels and popular tourist restaurants. You can choose to receive your change in dollars or nuevo soles. The supermarket exchange rate is probably the best you’ll find, making them convenient places to change smaller denominations (they’ll refuse $100 bills.)

Outside each supermarket and around Lima’s busier districts you’ll find money changers, or cambistas who also offer a reasonable exchange rate. These money changers are properly registered and can be trusted although take sensible precautions, always check your bills and don’t flash cash visibly in the street.

Away from the busier urban environments, dollars are less accepted and you’ll need a supply of nuevo soles. There is a large quantity of counterfeit bills in circulation so appear vigilant to avoid receiving fakes and check larger bills carefully. There should be a clear watermark, a silver strip and embossed detail across the top of the note. If in doubt, ask for another bill.

For an Argentina vacation, dollars and euros are often accepted in major cities at supermarkets, hotels and popular restaurants and change can be received in pesos. Cambistas offer a reasonable exchange rate but take precautions when handling money in public.

As in Peru, banks and airport counters are convenient and secure but tend to offer a less competitive rate

When venturing into more rural regions, be sure to have a sufficient supply of pesos, because changing dollars will be less easy and they may not always be accepted in stores.

During a Brazil vacation you can change your dollars for Brazilian reais at banks and large hotels but it is advisable not to use street changers due to the risk of receiving forgeries. Banks are likely to be closed on Saturdays and Sundays so be careful not to get caught short during the weekend.

Meanwhile, on a Costa Rica vacation, US dollars are not widely accepted other than for specific tourist-related services (tours, park fees, hotels etc), and even less so in the more rural areas. They are easily exchanged in banks, along with euros, while changing other currencies may not be so easy. Exchanging with street changers is not recommended due to the number of forgeries in circulation. Whenever receiving bills in dollars or colones, only accept pristine standard notes, as worn bills are likely to be rejected elsewhere.

International ATM networks are well established across Latin America and it’s easy to find ATMs (cajeros automaticos) in busy, urban environments. It will be fairly easy to find machines that are connected to the Visa Plus, Cirrus and Link networks and many will dispense either in dollars or the local currency. Depending on your own bank’s charges this may be the most cost-effective way to travel in Latin America. Exercise caution when using an ATM: be sure no one is looking over your shoulder and try to avoid using ATMs if alone at night.

PLASTIC
Credit/Debit cards are widely accepted across the continent, with the most predominant network being Visa, closely followed by MasterCard. Amex, Diners and other smaller networks are less frequently accepted.

Rather than use your card to pay for meals, souvenirs, etc, it may be more advisable to withdraw cash from ATMs to benefit from the better exchange rate, although this depends on your own bank’s tariffs.

Some establishments, especially hotels, independent tour operators and some restaurants will charge hefty (sometimes up to 10%) fees for credit card payments. Check the final cost carefully before agreeing to purchase.

TRAVELER’S CHECKS
Traveler’s checks remain popular for visitors, largely due to the added security they offer in the event of being lost or stolen. Checks issued in US dollars are preferred and most easily cashed in banks across the entire continent.

The commission on cashing traveler’s checks varies from country to country. In Brazil, it may be high as $20 per check, while on a Costa Rica vacation, banks tend to charge a fixed rate of 1-3%. Meanwhile in Argentina you might be in for a long wait at the bank, and in Peru cashing checks in remote, jungle regions can be tricky.

In the event that your checks are lost or stolen, it is worth getting a police report to support your claim.

And most importantly of all, enjoy your trip! Buen Viaje!

By: Matthew Barker

Latin America Travel Guide – Latin America in Film

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:18:11 +0000

With its vibrant and varied national identities, a turbulent and sometimes tortured past along with its proud cultural heritage, Latin America has all the necessary ingredients for a rich tradition of cinema and film.

In the early years, the Latin American film industry was dominated by Mexico, which exported its enormously successful movies throughout the world. But over the second half of the 20th century, a number of other big film centers developed, in particular Cuba, Argentina and Brazil.

Throughout this period, filmmakers drew upon wide political and social influences, reflecting the often chaotic environments they were trying to reflect. Latin America’s prominent role within the non-aligned movement during the Cold War and widespread popular opposition to the giant northern neighbor helped influence the development of Tercer Cine, Third Cinema, as a backlash against Hollywood, US cultural dominance and capitalism.

Led by the Argentinean Grupo Cine Liberacion, but also driven by radicals in Cuba, Bolivia and Brazil, the Third Cinema movement drew heavily on the concept of the First and Third Worlds, and expressed a sense of solidarity and collectivism between filmmakers and their audiences.

Because films from this genre were by definition subversive to the region’s authoritarian regimes of the time, movies were screened covertly so as to avoid censorship and commercial interferences. Typical to this genre was the movie Ya es Tiempo de Violencia, or Now Is The Time For Violence, which addressed the repressive Argentinean dictatorship, the assassination of trade union leaders and state censorship.

Around the same period, a similar but distinct tradition was evolving in Portuguese speaking Brazil. Cinema Novo, inspired by the French New Wave, adopted a minimalist and direct style to present realistic interpretations of poverty and the hardships of everyday life both in rural Brazil and the favelas of the cities.

As Latin American society made the slow transition towards stability and democracy, its cinema began to undergo a corresponding transformation. The dogmatic themes of anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism and the struggle for liberation began to wane with the arrival of more subtle examinations of Latin American society, its achievements and its problems.

What has become known as the New Latin American Cinema has encompassed a wide range of themes and issues, while adopting a much broader range of artistic styles which depart from the rigid realism of previous traditions. Such films as Como Agua Para Chocolate and Pan’s Labyrinth followed fantastical storylines and became worldwide hits, while Y Tu Mama Tambien presented a mature portrayal of Mexican society and the country’s political issues.

Meanwhile, Argentina and Brazil have both retained their leading role within the region’s film industry and movies such as Nueve Reinas have gone on to inspire Hollywood filmmakers while prizes and awards continue to flood in.

The top films to see before a Latin America vacation:

Before leaving for your Brazil vacation, don’t miss the Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winning Central do Brazil (1998), an emotive tale of relationships and learning set in Rio de Janeiro.

For an alternative interpretation on your Argentina travel experience, look out for Nueve Reinas (2000) which gives a stark, twisting picture of the Buenos Aires underworld.

Meanwhile, Madeinusa (2005) will be fascinating viewing before or after a Peru vacation, drawing on the spiritualism of Andean communities.

Finally, Caribe (2005) is a recent film that promises a good introduction to a Costa Rica vacation, the value the country places on environmental conservation, and the beautiful Caribbean coastlines around Puerto Viejo.

By: Matthew Barker