If Your Compass Could Talk…

The Darien gap is a spread of land that connects Panama to Columbia. It is one of the few places travelers in South America, don´t dare enter. In fact, for a laugh check out Lonely Planet´s current info on Darien. There is an official exclamation followed by some serious text about the dangers of traveling through the gap.

I thought it interesting to note because so often when traveling we (travelers that is) get the sense that there is truly no place we can´t venture, when in reality we live in complicated world with real issues. Sometimes travelers take for granted the freedom in which they are welcomed especially while traveling in South America, yet, the Darien gap is  place largely run by drug trafficking and some heated political issues. To make a long story short - its not safe and not safely run by either panama nor columbia´s government. Its a ´go at your own risk situation´.

Check out this great articleabout a ten day kidnapping by a national geographic traveler in Darien. A great read.

Looking for the next hot spot? Well, don´t look too far. Bocas del Toro, Panama has the travelers going NUTS. This remote location near the Costa Rican Border is the caribbean of your dreams with cheap drinks, remote beaches, cool hang out bars and friendly people.

This town, while practically crawling with travelers, is a great vacation spot and anyone coming from the coasts of costa rica stops here for some sites to be seen. You can access the island by air from Panama City and from various other locations on the eastern coast of Panama. Hard to go wrong and two thumbs up from this traveler.

Check out Mondo Taitu for drinks, but avoid it as a hostel - you´ll never get any sleep!

As you may know, reciprocity fees are supposed to be enacted beginning Jan 1st, 2009 for all US citizens and citizens of select other countries coming into Argentina. At a cost of US $ 130, this has many people sighing ... [Continue reading this entry]

A thought on the undeniable lack of water in an extraordinarly hot city.  Buenos Aires is known for lots of things: tango, excellent steaks and even gorgeous women. It is also known for the ... [Continue reading this entry]

Celebrating the Holidays in South America is probably a bit different than what most North Americans and Europeans are used to. In fact a festivly decorated mate jar might be the extent of the Christmas spirit ... [Continue reading this entry]

There is a lot of muss and fuss in guide books about taxis in Argentina. Where and when to be cautious when hailing the famous bumblebee colored cabs. But from this experienced traveler I have ... [Continue reading this entry]

This post is from one of our favorite blogs in BA: casa saltshaker  At the corner of Av. de Mayo is this odd looking statue of Don Quijote - sort of riding out of a cloud ... [Continue reading this entry]

If you've spent any serious time abroad you know that at some point you end up back where you started: at home. Especially around the holidays hoards of travelers pack their bags to head back ... [Continue reading this entry]

Of course its not surprising that Argentina is having economic issues. A long standing battle with the economy is sure to rear its ugly head during this economic recession the world is now facing. Read ... [Continue reading this entry]

ATTN: Starting January 1st, 2009 all residents of the United States traveling into Argentina will be expected to pay a reciprocity fee for entrace (good for five years) at the cost of US$ 130.  Good to know before heading down South.