Cancun is a coastal city in Mexico on the Yutacan Peninsula. It is a popular vacation spot with around 4 million tourists every year, mostly from America. The city is located on the Yutacan Channel and is split into two main areas, the Zona Hotelera and the Ciudad Cancun. The first area is a “7″ shaped island with modern beachfront hotels, much like the American city Las Vegas. Ciudad Cancun is situated on the mainland where tourists can find more budget accommodation.
Cancun attracts visitors with its beaches, ocean and dolphins. Snorkeling and scuba diving are common activities. The ocean is for more advanced swimmers, while any resort facing the island of Isla Mujeres is suited for less experienced swimmers and children. Cancun has a thriving nightlife, much unlike other party cities or scenes. The city has numerous hotels and resorts for tourists that like lying on the beach. Tourists that come here shouldn’t mind sharing the beaches with many others.
From Cancun tourists can easily visit the Riviera Maya, which has numerous archeological sites of the Maya people. Here you can visit Coba and Tulum for instance. The area also has many denotes to swim in and ecological parks. Other day trips include visiting Chichen Itza and its historical ruins and Isla Mujeres for snorkeling and enjoying eating in waterfront restaurants.
Travelers to Cancun need a valid passport and visa. American and Canadian citizens can also use a birth certificate with photo ID. Any traveler to Cancun needs a Mexican government issued tourist card (Mexican Tourist Permit), which is free of charge upon arrival. You will need this permit to leave the country. Be aware that timeshare and condos are big business in Cancun. “Free tours” don’t exist, they are for sales talk purposes only. Only use ATM machines inside banks or hotels or else there’s a possibility to become a victim of identity theft.
The Netherlands Antilles is composed of the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The capital of and the largest city in the whole Netherlands Antilles is Willemstad, which is located in Curaçao. However, its position as the capital may not be solely dependent on being the largest city. Willemstad is also home to a harbor, which is recognized as one of the biggest oil handling ports not just in the Antilles but also in the whole Caribbean. It is near the South American oilfields. Willemstad is home to 125 thousand people according to the latest measurement.
The big city-small town effect on Willemstad is not quite what you will expect. In other countries, the cities offer the most fun and variety, while the towns offer peace and quiet. In Willemstad, city life is very ordinary that you would crave for the “town” sector where Dutch heritage is most evident. In this area, you could feel like you are in a tiny portion of its ruling country, the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
It is better to get in and out of Willemstad through flights from Amsterdam in the Netherlands, from Aruba or Bonaire, and from the United States. Though you may expect to pass by the island of Curaçao via cruise ship, you will not find a regular trip via boat or ferry. Inside the city of Willemstad, you can get around by bus or taxi. Ask about fares at the airport because taxi fares are fixed. If you want to see more of Willemstad or the whole of Curaçao, you may opt to rent a car. Because the climate is tropical in Willemstad, expect steady warm temperature from morning to night. The average temperature ranges from 73 degrees Fahrenheit to 87 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want to visit any part of the Netherlands Antilles, you need to have your passport ready and valid for at least three months. This is because you cannot stay in the region for up to three months without visa. You also have to present your travel documents, proving that you are planning to leave by a certain date.
Named after St. John the Baptist, San Juan is the largest municipality and the capital of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico itself is a territory of the United States but still has its own unique personality. San Juan has a history going back to the 16th century, having been founded by Spanish colonists in 1521. During that time, however, San Juan was called Ciudad de Puerto Rico, which translates to “rich port city.” True to its old name, San Juan is an important seaport in Puerto Rico even today. It is home to about 450thousand locals and visited by a lot of tourists as well.
Multicultural by borrowing and by inheritance, San Juan is a definite must-visit for tourists who want to get more from one destination. Not only do cultures merge in this bustling city, but you can also enjoy a blend of old and new. The modern party atmosphere in the city does not clash but rather complement the old city feel of America’s second oldest European settlement. Wandering into the city’s fun streets come with a price, though. You have to endure terrible traffic along with locals and tons of tourists.
Puerto Rico’s international flights are served at Aeropuerto Internacional de Luis Muñoz Marin. When getting around San Juan, it is better to use public transport, such as a bus, a tram, or the metro. You can also hail a taxi if you want. You can also rent a car there only if you are familiar with the streets. Take note though the traffic can be so frustrating that driving a car around the city is not a tourist’s way of enjoying a visit. Tropical in climate, San Juan experiences about equal amounts of rain and about the same warm temperature all year round. The average temperature is at 82 degrees Fahrenheit. You may want to avoid hurricane season, which is from July to November.
Because Puerto Rico is a US territory, you follow US rules when visiting. If arriving straight from the United States, Americans do not need a passport or a visa to enter Puerto Rico. A valid ID card is enough.
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago’s capital, is also the country’s most developed city. It is located in the northwest coast of the main island, Trinidad. The name “Port of Spain” originated during the time Spanish colonists set up a port in the area in 16th century. The Spaniards named the place “Puerto de los Hispanioles,” then finally “Puerto de España.” The latter can literally translate to Port of Spain. The capital city is home to 49 thousand people according to the latest measurement.
What makes Trinidad and Tobago fun is that the country is a melting pot of races and, to some extent, of interests. Lively Port of Spain offers extrovert-attracting fun with its annual carnival. For those who do not want to party, they can retreat to Trinidad’s natural resources for inspiration. Bird-watching is a definite must-do especially for tourists who want to photograph something beautiful or something unique. For extroverts and introverts alike, you can experience East Indian culture through temples and dishes in this Caribbean setting. The murder and overall crime rate can, however, be daunting. So make sure you do not stray away from the crowd or flaunt expensive stuff.
You can enter Trinidad and Tobago through various airlines including American Airlines, British Airways, and Caribbean Airways. You can get around Port of Spain via bus or mini-bus. Mini-buses are also called maxi-taxis. The average temperature ranges from 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a sweltering 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a cool 50 degrees Celsius have also been recorded. Protect your skin from the equatorial heat with sun block.
If you are from the United States, you do not need a visa to stay in Trinidad and Tobago for a maximum of three months. You do need your return ticket and valid passport to gain entry. You will need other permits, such as student permits or working permits, if you are not visiting as a tourist.
El Salvador’s capital of San Salvador is the country’s largest city. It also has the second biggest population in the whole Central American region’s capitals. The city is also quiet old, having been founded in 1525. Interestingly enough, San Salvador can be found approximately in the middle of El Salvador, near the bottom of a volcano. The valley where it is found is called “Valle de las Hamacas”. The name is Spanish for “valley of the hammocks”. According to the latest measurement, San Salvador has a population of 1.6 million people.
Tourists are scared of venturing into this Central American city. Publicized as a haven of violence, San Salvador is haunted by its past. Today, however, as long as you stick to the safe zones, you can enjoy the city’s culture through its artsy cafes and breathtaking museums. You can also go on a trip back to history through war memorials and live out the modern turn of the city through its shiny malls and bars. Keep away from Soyopango, however, if you do not want any trouble with the city’s gangs. Stick to areas where the crowd is.
Your best entry point to San Salvador is through Auropuerto Internacional Comalapa. If you are coming from a nearby city, however, you can enter San Salvador through a bus. Traveling within the city, you also have the extensive bus network to rely on for public transportation. You may also go around San Salvador via taxis; taxis charge very cheap rates. Make sure though that you hail a licensed taxi; your clue is the letter A as the first character in its plate number. Hailing a taxi may turn out to be a good idea especially if it is summer in San Salvador. The highest temperature reading recorded in the city is a scorching hot 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool temperature can, on the other hand, give out readings of as low as 47 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want to visit El Salvador, you do not need a visa. However, you need to buy a tourist card upon arrival. A tourist card provides you with 30 days to get around. You also need a passport valid for at least six months upon entry and a return ticket.
Costa Rica’s capital is also its largest city. But unlike the modern capitals of other countries, San José can be very village-like in feel. It is found on a 1500 meter-high plateau in Central Valley. Although Costa Rica has made its mark as one of Latin America’s oldest democracies, it has one of the youngest capitals in the region. Take note though that San José is heading toward modernism. According to the latest measurements, it is home to 350 thousand people.
San José is not the most modern representative of today’s Latin American city, but every Costa Rican has to go there if he or she wants to be right where the seat of government is. If you are a visitor, being in San José will give you the best idea of what life is really like in Costa Rica. This is what makes the city a capital in the truest sense. In San José, you can also enjoy an active nightlife, though you have to be careful about the distinctions of fun offered. Some night thrills are recommended to those looking for something classy, while the rest can be debauched fun. Be warned against petty criminals as well.
Getting around San Jose is a breeze because the city is the main transportation hub of the country. Walking is the best way to discover downtown San Jose, as most establishments are all within walking distance. Driving a rental can be problematic as the city does not have any street signs whatsoever, something that has not fazed Costa Ricans one bit. You can visit San Jose anytime of the year because the country is blessed with warm weather all year round. Taxis are also available although you should make sure that your taxi uses a meter. Tourism usually peaks during the dry season, which starts from December to April. It is recommend to plan your vacations at least a few months ahead if you want to visit during the dry season.
If you plan to visit Costa Rica, you will be happy to know that you do not need a visa to enter and stay for up to 90 days. However, you need a passport, which is valid for up to at least 30 days upon entry. You should also present important travel documents, such as proof of financial capability and return ticket.
Hamilton, located in Pembroke Parish, is Bermuda’s capital and largest city. It is also Bermuda’s main port. You should not mistake it for Hamilton Parish because though the city and parish have the same name, the city of Hamilton belongs to the parish of Pembroke. Unlike the parish, Hamilton is named after its governor Sir Henry Hamilton (1778 to 1794). Founded in 1790, the city of Hamilton is part of the United Kingdom’s Caribbean territory of Bermuda. It is home to approximately thousand people. There are times, however, that Hamilton’s population is estimated at more than a thousand.
Though tiny, the city of Hamilton is home to several parks, including the popular Victoria Park, named after the late Queen of Britain. Hamilton is also the island territory of Bermuda’s center. This means that it has enough energy to keep you interested. The city has managed to keep up with modern times without discarding its traditional roots. It is up to you if you’d rather gaze at the ships at the harbor or to take part in the restaurant scene. Have a unique taste of Hamilton by sampling rockfish or by having a horse-carriage ride.
You can reach Hamilton easily from other parts of Bermuda. You can fly over to Bermuda to its only airport, Bermuda International Airport. The Bank of Bermuda is found at the ground floor of the airport. In Hamilton, you can get around by taxi though you can easily get by on foot. The Bermuda climate is tropical, with temperature rising to as high as 82 degrees Fahrenheit. There are milder, cooler seasons when you experience temperatures in the fifties.
If you are from the United States, you need a passport valid for at least six months. Though you are not required to present a visa, you need to show an onward or return ticket.
George Town in the Grand Cayman is the capital of the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. It is the center of the financial industry of the Cayman Islands, which is evident in its 600 banks. George Town is also the seat of government in the Cayman Islands. It is home to an estimated 20 thousand people.
A worthy cruise ship stop, George Town offers one of the best lengths of beaches in the world, the Seven Mile Beach. If you want the ultimate fun in the sun, visit this capital city for snorkeling, diving and other explorations. You can also commune with nature by touching underwater creatures, such as stingrays. Make sure you do not touch a stingray’s tail, however, if you want the sea creature to remain gentle. Underwater photos can bring you home memories of not just fish and other active sea creatures but also of gorgeous corals. If you are not much for diving, you can visit the Conch Shell House; you’d be amazed by this structure mad of purely trumpet shells. If you are an avid shopper, George Town can offer you huge bargains on well-known brands through duty free shopping.
Book a flight to Owen Roberts International Airport to reach the Cayman Islands. The airport is only 1.5 miles away from George Town. If you visit via cruise ship instead, George Town will just be one of many Caribbean stops. In George Town itself, you can get around by bus or by rented car. To rent a car in George Town, you have to be at least 21 years old; you must also be comfortable with left-hand driving. The climate in George Town is tropical so you can enjoy outdoor activities all year round.
To enter the Cayman Islands, you need a passport valid for at least six months. You also need to present your return ticket though you are not required to have a visa.
San Francisco, California is one of the most popular travel destinations around the world. According to the latest measurement, San Francisco’s estimated population was nearly 800 thousand, making it the 13th largest city in the United States in terms of population. The city has gained such a reputation in Northern California, that it is often referred to plainly as “The City.” Located on a peninsula, San Francisco is surrounded by San Francisco Bay in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the West.
With a city as well-developed and as popular as San Francisco, there are loads of activities, events, attractions, museums, sights, bars, and nightclubs for tourists to experience. Some of the most popular attractions of San Francisco are the bars and cafes situated along the city’s rolling hills. The city is also well-known for its active arts and cultural scene. The bay provides a playground for those who enjoy water activities, as well as a source for underwater creatures that fill the Aquarium of the Bay. No matter what time of day it is, there are tons of things to do in San Francisco, and it is just up to the tourist to take advantage of the place, its people, and its many fun and exciting venues.
Most of the people who travel to San Francisco by air will land at the San Francisco International Airport. Traveling around San Francisco is relatively easy, with taxis, buses, and trolleybuses rolling around the city’s streets. Car rentals are another option for tourists. One of the best ways to truly get a feel of San Francisco is by walking in its streets, no matter how tiring that uphill hike may be. Those who want to enjoy the city’s popular fogs should visit during spring or early summer, when the weather is neither too cold nor too hot.
American citizens traveling to San Francisco by air will need to have a valid passport, but a visa is not required. International travelers are required to have a valid passport as, depending on your: nationality, reason to visit or length of stay you may be required a visa. Travelers entering the United States to visit San Francisco are advised to contact the local USA embassy to verify before leaving.
Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia, Canada, with a population of over 578 thousand according to the latest measurement and an area of over 44 square miles. Vancouver is located in the southwestern region of British Columbia, along the Strait of Georgia. The coastal city is a major seaport of Canada, as well as one of the most popular destinations in the country.
The city of Vancouver has numerous attractions of different kinds to fit the desires and needs of just about any traveler. Those who enjoy the great outdoors can go in the nearby mountains, the thick Canadian forests, or the many parks around the city. People who love the beach and water activities are welcome to make the most of Vancouver’s long coastline, numerous lakes and surrounding rivers. For those who would rather stay inside, Vancouver has some great markets, shopping areas, cultural centers, museums, cafes, art clubs, theaters, restaurants and bars to experience. In fact, Vancouver is quite famous for its cityscape and architecture. The large Chinese population in Vancouver has formed a sprawling Chinatown where Chinese festivals are often celebrated.
Getting around the developed city of Vancouver is rather easy, with its numerous public transport systems. For example, the Sky Train and the West Coast Express are transit systems that stop at some of the city’s most popular venues. The B-Line is a bus line that also travels around Metro Vancouver. Vehicle rentals, the Amtrak, foot passenger services and bicycle ferry services called SeaBus are also available throughout the city. The summer is one of the best times to visit Vancouver, although the winter also brings cool weather that can be equally fun and exciting.
US citizens traveling to Vancouver, Canada are required to have a US passport, but visas are not needed. There has been some confusion with regards to entry requirements to Canada, so before leaving, it is important to get up-to-date information on the exact requirements needed to travel to Vancouver, Canada.
