A typical Villa de Leyva street.

It may be overpriced and overdone, but it’s hard to deny that there’s something special about Villa de Leyva, Colombia’s favorite colonial small town. I tend to stay away from destinations on the beaten path, but Villa De Leyva brings me back over and over.  Here, you’ll find Colombia’s largest cobblestoned plaza surrounded by untouched colonial churches and buildings, framed by arid mountains and surrounded by picturesque, narrow streets, cozy restaurants, pastry shops and impressive mountainside fincas. So whether you’re in Colombia for a couple weeks or long-term, pack up your weekend suitcase and discover one of Colombia’s most charming destinations.

When to Go

Villa de Leyva has sunny, spring-like weather all year round, but December through March is the sunniest, warmest time. On weekends and holidays, Villa de Leyva comes to life with Bogotanos escaping the busy city, but during the week, things quiet down and Villa de Leyva reverts to its sleepy, old-time self, where you’ll find men and women wearing traditional ruanas (shawls) and hats, and life seems to go on as it has for 100 years. If you want to see the authentic Villa de Leyva, a weekday visit is best, but if you want to be in town when things are popping, I recommend heading to town during one of Bogota’s many puentes, or holiday weekends.  If possible, don’t miss the weekly farmer’s market, held every Saturday on the main plaza.

Getting there

The easiest way to get to Villa de Leyva is to take a Transmilenio to the Portal del Norte and walk over to the Exito.  Buses heading toward Tunja (2.5 hours; COL$17,000/US$8.50) pass by every 15 minutes or so. At Tunja, you’ll have to transfer to a smaller bus headed to Villa de Leyva (45 minutes; COL$5,500/US$2.75).   There are a few buses a day that go directly to Villa de Leyva from el Terminal de buses, but you’ll want to call ahead to confirm departure times (+57 1-423-3600; Diagonal 23 No.69-65).

Where to Stay

Whenever I got to Villa de Leyva, I stay at the Renacer Hostel (+57 8 732-1379; Mobile 311 308-3739).  It’s about 1 KM outside of town and is situated on a tranquil hillside overlooking the Villa de Leyva valley.  The hostel is run by Oscar Gilede, a young biologist who also runs Colombian Highlands, which offers hiking, rappelling and horseback riding tours in the Villa de Leyva area.  Even though the hostel is a bit of a walk from town, the energy feels right and the colonial-style farmhouse attracts a diverse group of travelers.  There’s a group dining area, a camping area, dorms and private rooms,  a TV room, Internet and breakfast for COL$5,000/US$2.50.  The hostel fosters an air of comradery among guests and it’s not uncommon for someone to pull out a guitar or share a tasty meal with new friends.

If you want to be closer to town, La Roca, (+57 8 732-0331)  offers doubles for about COL$90,000/US$45.000 and is located right on the plaza. Travelers looking for more upscale lodging will want to head to El Duruelo  (+57 8 732-0222). Although rooms are not particularly luxurious, the hotel has gorgeous gardens and a spectacular pool.

However, it’s hard to go wrong when it comes to lodging in Villa de Leyva, as nearly all hotels and hostels are housed in traditional, colonial era homes that ooze charm.  Unless you’re visiting on a holiday weekend, it’s not necessary to book ahead of time.

The Renacer Hostel, located on the outskirts of Villa de Leyva.

Where to Eat and Drink

Those looking for more upscale dining options will want to head to Casa Quintero on the corner of the plaza by the main cathedral. Inside you’ll find about half a dozen elegant restaurants serving up mostly international fare. Restaurants around the plaza offer the best in terms of people watching, but tend to be more expensive than those on the side streets. For whatever reason, pizza seems to be a particularly popular option in Villa.

Villa de Leyva can’t compete with Bogota in terms of nightlife, but the Villa afterhours scene has charms of its own.  Rather than head to a bar or club, locals and tourists alike hang out around the church steps and indulge in beer and aguardiente. Soon enough, everyone’s become fast friends and the plaza is converted into an outdoor bar. Of course, there are plenty of places to get a beer or two, but when in Rome…

If you’re in Villa de Leyva during the week, you won’t find much of a party scene.

What to Do

In my opinion, the ultimate Villa de Leyva plan is to stroll the cobblestoned streets, dine at one its quaint restaurants, and enjoy a long afternoon siesta in your hotel hammock. However, those wanting a more active city break have their choice of outdoor fun, such as horseback riding, hiking and rappelling. Known as the El desierto, or the desert, Villa de Leyva’s surroundings are a stark contrast to Colombia’s typically colorful and vegetated landscapes.  However, there is an undeniable beauty in Villa’s arid hills and desert vegetation.

Villa de Leyva is famous for its archealogical sites and ostrich farm, so just ask your hotel concierge for a map and suggestions.  Outdoor enthusiasts will want to book a tour with Guias y Travesias (+57 8 732-0742) or Colombian Highlands (+57 8 732 1379).

Villa de Leyva is a popular hiking spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

Coffee is Colombia’s second best known export and café culture is a big part of day-to-day life in Bogota.  As an expat living in Bogota, I am constantly discovering fantastic new coffee shops and absolutely love the fact that Starbucks isn’t my only option. Tinto can be bought just about anywhere; in fact, even a sidewalk vendor will be glad to sell you a cup of black coffee. There are plenty of great neighborhood coffee shops in Colombia’s capital, ranging from inexpensive cigarrerias to high-end European-style cafes.   So if you’re in Bogota for a couple of days (or long-term) you may want to check out some of my favorite spots below.

Diletto Café (www.dilettocafe.com) has half a dozen cafés scattered throughout Bogota.  My personal favorite is the Zona G branch on Calle 70 with Carrera 5. Authors Bookstore, an English-language bookstore with the largest selection of English language fiction and non-fiction titles is located right next door, convenient for those who want to read a book while they sip their cappuccino. Diletto’s in La Zona G has a nice outdoor patio and free Wi-Fi.

Juan Valdez (www.juanvaldez.com) is one of Colombia’s biggest coffee chains and is named after the mythical Juan Valdez himself. There are over a dozen branches in Bogota, my favorites being the Parque 93 and Museo del Oro locales. Here, coffee drinkers will find everything from plain old tinto to skim milk caramel frapaccinos topped with whip cream to iced mocha lattes. Juan Valdez only provides customers with a 30 minute Internet voucher card, so you might want to head somewhere else if you’d like to get some work done while enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

La Boheme (Calle 27 Carrera 5) is a tiny but cozy café in the trendy Macarena neighborhood and serves up some great milkshakes. It maybe small, but La Boheme delivers when it comes to ambience. The décor channels 1920s Paris and Milan and the staff are friendly and greet customers on a first name basis.  There’s an internet café upstairs and free Wi-Fi for those with their own laptops.

Café del Sol (Calle 14 Carrera 3) One of my hands down favorites, Café del Sol is a popular meeting place for college students and professors. It offers a large variety of hot and cold coffee drinks and baked goods. Café del Sol has a tendency to play 1960s and 70s Latin pop, but its location in a beautifully renovated colonial-era house in La Candelaria more than makes up for this. Plus, the free Wi-Fi makes it a good work spot.

Café Estacion del Tren (Calle 14 Carrera 4) If you are seeking a truely unique café experience, Café Estacion del Tren has what you’re looking for. The café is housed in an old train cart and is a great spot to indulge in Bogota’s favorite afternoon snack:  Chocolate Santafereano con queso y pan (hot chocolate with cheese and bread). The inside of the cart is decorated with black and white pictures of historic Bogota and the café fills up in the afternoons.

Over a million Americans travel abroad every year to seek medical treatment, most for elective procedures.  Latin America offers patients affordable elective and non-elective medical and dental procedures, usually at one third to half the cost of the same procedure in the United States or Europe.  As the name implies, medical tourism allows patients to combine medical treatment with a relaxing, tropical vacation south of the border; in fact, most medical tourism packages include excursions to nearby attractions and guided sight-seeing tours.

Because plastic surgery is so prevalent in Latin America (it’s estimated that up to 70% of middle and upper class women in some Latin American cities have had at least one cosmetic procedure), Central and South American plastic surgeons provide some of the most advanced and cutting edge surgical techniques in the field, usually in first class rate hospitals with better after-care than most U.S hospitals.

Medical tourism is booming in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico, perhaps with Brazil and Colombia among the world leaders in elective cosmetic procedures. In a a continent where so much importance is placed on beauty (particularly female beauty) Latin American surgeons have honed their skills and helped develop some of the most innovative surgical techniques in practice today. But plastic surgery isn’t the only thing boosting the medical tourism industry in Latin America; even those seeking non-elective procedures such as fertility treatment, joint surgery or organ transplants will likely find more affordable treatment options than at home.

Although Latin America is generally considered the third world, it boasts many excellent clinics, cosmetic centers, and hospitals.  However,  it’s important to make sure that the chosen hospital, clinic and doctor has international healthcare accreditation. The majority of doctors who participate in medical tourism packages were trained in the United States or Europe or at the top universities and clinics in their respective countries. Unless the patient is very familiar with the country of choice and the doctor who will be performing their procedure, it’s a smart idea to go through a Medical tourism company, which will arrange everything from the hospital, to lodging, meals, the operative doctor, aftercare and post-operative excursions.  Keep in mind  that although there are plenty of first rate medical facilities in Latin America, there are also an equal number of subpar facilities; going through a medical tourism company can help assure quality and satisfaction. Patients should also keep in mind that a tropical climate means that there may be infections and diseases not found in Europe and the United States and patients should obtain all required vaccinations before heading south.

One of the reasons that medical care is so much cheaper in Latin America than in the United States is because Latin American health care professionals earn about 20% of what American health care professionals earn and medical malpractice suits are rare and difficult to win. Although lower wages help keep medical costs down,  if something goes wrong during or after surgery, the chances of a patient successfully suing the hospital or doctor are slim to none, a factor individuals should keep in mind before deciding to seek medical treatment abroad.

Most importantly, it’s important to do research and contact several medical tourism companies to find one that’s right for you. Medical Nomad (www.medicalnomad.com) is a great source of information in the realm of world-wide medical tourism and allows users to find accredited providers and hospitals in Latin America. In addition, the website provides plenty links to medical tourism articles and information in various countries. Some popular agencies include: Healthbase (www.healthbase.com); Medretreat (www.medretreat.com); WorldMed Assist (www.worldmedassist.com); Planet Hospital (www.planethospital.com). Most of these agencies can help potential patients arrange cosmetic, dental, weight-loss and non-elective procedures.

For years the Darien has had a reputation as a dangerous guerilla hotspot. However, the little known and long-underrated province is actually quite safe, although heat, humidity, rigorous hikes, rustic lodgings, lack of electricity and proximity to dangerous wildlife means that pickier travelers may want to stick to cities or more developed destinations. That said, visitors should be perfectly safe as long as they don’t wander too far off the beaten path.

A bird-watchers haven, the Darien is home to the Harpy Eagle, among the world’s most elusive of large birds and prize sighting among birders in the know. Although rare, Harpy sightings have been reported and it’s not uncommon for bird-watchers to spot as many as 100 different species a day. This region of winding rivers and incredible biodiversity is home to Panama’s most pristine rainforests and dozens of small, isolated indigenous villages, hours from the nearest town — and decades removed from the modern world. Unlike the rainforests of Costa Rica that are often o

ver run by tourists and sometimes feel a bit like a theme park, Panama’s Darien Rainforest is refreshingly free of crowds, though this may change as the security situation between Panama and Colombia continues to improve.

Due to its isolation and difficult terrain, most tourists who visit the Darien do so as part of a 3-14 day-long all inclusive package. Package deals generally include air and land transportation, three meals a day, guided hikes, bird-watching excursions, wild-life spotting, rustic but clean accommodations and bilingual guides. The recent influx of tourists to this historically economically depressed region has helped native communities cling to their traditions and ways of life, and travelers will have the opportunity to interact with and learn about the various Embera communities in the area.  Visitors will generally participate in craft, dance and religious belief presentations and ceremonies, and eagle-eyed local guides take visitors on the best wildlife spotting and bird-watching trails in the area. This growing collaboration between foreign tourists, Panamanian tour companies and local Embera communities allows travelers to appreciate and experience one of the world’s most isolated rain forests and brings much needed resources to local communities.

The best time to visit the Darien is between during dry season in mid-December and mid-April. The Darien can be extremely rainy and hiking trails can be slippery and dangerous during the rest of the year.  Advantage Tours Panama and Ancon Expeditions are two of the most respected travel agencies offering Darien excursions.

Advantage Tours Panama (www.advantagepanama.com)

Ancon Expeditions of Panama (www.anconexpeditions.com)

Photo source: Flickr – Elbier Minks

Diego Rivera was arguably one of the greatest and most renowned Mexican and World wide artists of the 20th Century.  For at least sixty years, Dolores (“Lola”) Olmedo did not have the slightest doubt about who the greatest painter of the twentieth century was. While in the USSR in the 1950s, Diego Rivera often sent Dolores Olmedo love letters and notes, one of which he translated into a mural that spans the entire ceiling of his studio that she had specifically constructed for him on her estate in Acapulco. Following his surgery, and treatment for prostate cancer in late 1955 in the USSR, Olmedo invited him to recuperate at her Acapulco vacation estate, House of the Winds, which she had purchased in 1951. In the 18 short months before his death he had created 5 large murals, 24 sunset paintings, and numerous lithographs of Dolores’s children. These priceless works of art were his way of showing his lifelong friend and patron just how much he appreciated her generosity, friendship and love at that time and throughout the years.

Now 7 years after Dolores’ passing the private estate is being offered for sale by the family. Never before has there been such a unique opportunity to own Diego Rivera Murals, no to mention on such a magnificent private property which overlooks the famous La Quebrada cliffs on the Pacific side in Acapulco.

The facade of Exekatlkalli (House of the Winds) features the rarest of murals created by Mexico’s most important and influential artist and muralist of the Twentieth Century, Diego Rivera. Rare and unique because they all relay unique messages that relate to the naming of the estate~ House Of The Winds. Rare because they are the last ones he completed before his death in 1957. And rare because they are the only Diego Rivera murals to exist on privately owned land in the entire world. House of the Winds not only possesses the facade murals, which draw thousands of art enthusiasts from around the globe each year, but also three additional murals located in the maestro’s studio – two gracing the exterior patio and one covering the entire ceiling of his studio. These registered historic landmarks were created in 18 months from 1955 to 1957, in which time Rivera also painted 24 the famous stunning sunset scenes and produced numerous lithographs of Dolores Olmedo’s children. Sitting in the magnificent room where Diego painted and enjoyed his days with his dear friend Dolores, you can feel the history still lives in this home and the studio.

ABOUT DIEGO RIVERA

Diego was a leader in the Mexican mural movement believing art should serve the working people, not just the wealthy and so he became interested in frescos where he took the art outdoors where everyone could enjoy them. Diego represented the working class people, painting murals on public buildings with narratives of the story and history of his native country.

One of his first Murals in Mexico was a work at the National Preparatory School in 1922, at which time Frida Kahlo was a student there. He went on to paint a series of frescos for the Ministry of Education, and one at the National Agriculture School. He worked in a modernist artistic style and is best known for his powerful, politically charged public murals painted on the architecture and walls of Mexico and the United States. He is one of “Los Tress Grandes” of Mexican modernism, along with Josè Clemente Orzoco and David Alfaro Siqueiros creating artwork with revolutionary, politically leftist themes.  Diego was both talented and politically controversial, refusing to separate his political message from his work. He was more socialist while Siqueiros was an open communist.

ABOUT DOLORES OLMEDO

Savvy businesswoman, art collector and socialite are synonymous with the name Dolores Olmedo Patiño. She was a loving mother who raised four wonderful children, as well as a great philanthropist who loved her native country.

Dolores was born in 1908 in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico to Maria Patiño Suarez who was a professor and Manuel Olmedo Mayagoitia, a businessman. She would go on to become an educated woman who, not only amassed the largest collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, but also turned a brick factory, on the edge of extinction, into the largest construction firm in Latin America. This in itself was an incredible accomplishment during the 1940s for a young Mexican woman: A time when men ruled and women in the workforce were virtually unheard of. This experience was perhaps what made her a respected no-nonsense businesswoman who always went after what she wanted and, more often than not, got it.

Dolores Olmedos first marriage was to Howard S. Phillips, a naturalized Briton who decided to remain in Mexico after reporting on the Mexican Revolution. This marriage – her longest – produced three sons and one daughter. Her four children each went on to achieve success in their own right; Alfredo Phillips Olmedo was appointed Mexican Ambassador to both Canada and Japan, served in Congress, and was Chief Executive of the North American Development Bank; Eduardo Phillips Olmedo is a prominent cybernetic engineer and project manager who worked for Kodak, Renault & American Motors Company and is credited for creating the computer systems and networks for the Mexican Finance Ministry; Irene Phillips Olmedo is a talented professional and highly regarded celebrity in México City;  Carlos Phillips Olmedo currently handles the historical and cultural landmark museums (Casa Azul, The Anahuacalli, and La Noria) bequeathed by his mother to the People of Mexico.
“Casa Azul” (The Blue House) in Coyoacán is now a museum dedicated to artist Frida Kahlo. It is the home where she was born, where she spent her whole life – with her family and then with husband, Diego Rivera – and eventually died in.

“The Anahuacalli Museo” (Mexico City Valley House) was the home in which Diego Rivera lived in Mexico City. It was transformed into a tribute/museum to the artist in 1963 by Dolores Olmedo and opened to the public in 1964. His vision was to create a “City of the Arts” in a pyramid shaped structure with an atmosphere where music, theatre, crafts and dance could be enjoyed by everyone. “La Noria” (The Well) in Xochimilco is a spectacular 16th Century monastery where Dolores Olmedo resided and eventually restored and created the Museo Dolores Olmedo. This historic property is home to the largest collection of original works by Diego Rivera – 143 pieces including 24 sunset paintings created from his favorite chair as he gazed out over the Pacific Ocean from the living room of House of the Winds in Acapulco. A bronze likeness of Rivera greets La Noria’s worldwide visitors. Immaculate grounds are roamed by graceful peacocks as do eighteen Xoloitzcuintle – the beloved rare hairless breed that Dolores Olmedo was very fond of. Giving La Noria to the people of Mexico was an extremely generous gift to Mexico, and to visitors worldwide, as the artwork and artifacts it houses span more than 400 years of history and worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This generosity was perhaps a life quest that was set into motion when her mother, Maria Patiño Suarez told her daughter, “Share all that you have with other people”.

Despite the focus on her social status, along with her philanthropy work, art and artifact collections, and business dealings, one can hardly mention Dolores Olmedo without mentioning Diego Rivera as well. Perhaps it is because her museum houses the largest Diego Rivera collection (with thousands of smaller items such as letters, notes, etc. not on display yet) – or the fact that Rivera named her “Custodian of his Art” upon his death. Or maybe it’s because he adorned her Acapulco estate, House of the Winds, with five grand murals while he was her houseguest from 1955 to 1957. Whatever the reason, the two had become life-long friends after a meeting when she was 12 years old.

Just when Diego Rivera returned from U.S.S.R. in 1956 and being already in Acapulco, he portrayed on the studio the letter that he sent to Lola who was in Europe:  “From the land of peace the artist toad flew through the clouds to deliver its palette and its heart to its beloved”.  The letter to Lola Olmedo is represented on the ceiling of the studio by a dove; the land of peace is represented by the hammer and sickle (U.S.S.R.); there is a plane, fish, the toad (symbol of Diego Rivera) and the heart (Dolores Olmedo) with four stars (her children).

“House of The Winds” estate has a total of 9,746 square feet of living space between the home and studio. The estate is host to Diego Rivera Studio Acapulco, a freestanding building within the compound. The pool and grounds are dense with tropical foliage, huge windows, magnificent vistas, and spectacular decks overlooking the Pacific Ocean, La Quebrada cliff diving platform, and the yacht club harbor hosting the Acapulco Marina.

This property is a cultural landmark and represents a unique opportunity to acquire major Diego Rivera murals. To learn more about this unique offering please visit (bi lingual website) www.houseofthewinds.com or contact Heidi Wosak of Century 21 Sun & Sand. heidiwosak@century21penasco.com

Planning a trip to Mexico can be stressful unless you know exactly where you’re going and what you need to do before you get there. Trip planning is not just about flight details, hotel reservations, restaurant choices and local attractions; there are other important things to consider before you leave home. Traveling through Mexico is an exciting adventure, but it can turn into a costly, risky nightmare if you don’t exchange currency before you leave home. Mexican police added more patrols in Mexico City’s Airport last year, because thieves were attacking arriving tourists immediately after they exchange their currency for Pesos. Not only did the tourists pay a higher rate to exchange money in the airport, they risked their own safety to do it.

Internet currency exchange sites are not much better.

Some travelers do make an effort to exchange currency for Pesos on the Internet before they leave home, but they do it without researching the currency market first. Websites like Western Union, Travelex, Wells Fargo and Bank of America are all known for money transactions, but the fees they charge for these transactions can be as high as 23%. For every $1000 you exchange you pay up to $230 in extra fees, which means you have 77% of your budget left for trip expenses.

The value of the Peso is always fluctuating, so unless you follow the currency trading market consistently, meaning every hour, chances are you’re going to blow part of your budget on a phony Internet exchange rate. Visa, MasterCard and American Express will exchange your currency to Pesos online, but not without adding a hefty profit to each transaction. They also add a fee to each credit card purchase while you’re visiting Mexico.

What strategy can I use to save money when I exchange currency for Pesos?

Veteran traveler’s do research and asks questions before they start exchanging money, especially if they’re using the Internet. The first question to ask is: Who is promoting the Internet exchange site? If it’s a financial institution, you can bet they are making a nice profit on each exchange. The next question is: Does the website offer good advice about exchanging currency? Some websites offer you advice based on inaccurate research, or the information is based on personal experiences, which may not apply to your situation. The third question is: Is the advice real time advice, or is it outdated information? Some websites post information that no longer applies to current currency exchange facts and figures.

The two most important things you need to know in order to exchange currency and save money in the process is the current rate for your exchange pair and where to get that rate. In other words, if you’re exchanging American Dollars for Mexican Pesos, you want to know what the actual exchange value is for that pair at the time you make an exchange. A professional currency broker can give you that information. The next thing you need to know is where you can get that rate of exchange. Once again, a currency broker will exchange your currency using a real time rate and will notify you when the market fluctuates, so you can take advantage of the natural movement in the market. A currency broker will help you average your exchanges before you leave home, so you avoid a sudden surge in the value of the Peso. A currency broker does make a couple of points on each transaction, but you will save money when you use one. If you have Internet access once you arrive in Mexico, you can continue to exchange your currency with a broker quickly and efficiently.

Saving money when you exchange currency will give you more money to spend on the things that count, like duty free souvenirs or that sombrero you can’t live without.

ForexTraders.com wrote this article to help save you money before you travel to Mexico. To learn more about currencies and the several factors to consider when doing currency trading, such as; a country’s economy, undercapitalization, brokers, technical and fundamental analysis etc, visit ForexTraders.com.

Flickr photo by Lucy Nieto

A vacation in another country is always an exciting thought. Planning a trip to any or several Latin American countries takes patience and research. Finding the right hotel, special attractions and good restaurants can be an issue, especially if you’re traveling to smaller cities like Merida in Mexico to check out the Mayan Temples. The vacation budget is the travel gospel for most people unless they just won the lottery and the currency exchange market gives it credibility, if you exchange money wisely. Waiting until the last minute to exchange U.S. Dollars for Reals for a trip to Brazil can be a budget nightmare. The global market is constantly changing and if the Dollar just moves 1000 points over the course of a few days, it will cost you $100 for every $1000 you exchange. Getting that news when you arrive at airport in Rio is a not only a budget breaker, it’s a wake up call.

Seasoned travelers exchange small amounts of money while they’re planning the trip. By exchanging small amounts of money at different times before the trip you can average your exchanges to protect yourself from sudden currency shifts. You also know what each exchange costs, so you can build a budget on facts not fiction. Averaging also protects you from sudden surges that can happen to currencies like the Brazilian Real. The Real can increase in value overnight and destroy a vacation in a matter of hours, unless you have been averaging your exchanges with a reliable currency trader.

Where should I ?

Most of us believe that a bank will give us the best rate of exchange, but banks add a fee to every exchange and they may only post one or two rates a day. The currency market changes every hour, so you may not get a real time rate. Credit card companies adore you if you use their services when traveling. They use their own rate which includes a built-in profit and they add a surcharge on every holiday purchase, so you don’t know what the trip costs until you get the statement. Airport currency traders may add a hidden fee to the rate which means you have fewer dollars to spend on the trip. A reliable currency trader can help you average your exchanges while you’re planning the trip. A profession will give you a real time rate so you avoid excess fees, surcharges and bogus rates that destroy your budget.

Other travel thoughts

Always carry cash in a money belt or a hidden pocket that’s secure and out of sight. Wallets and purses are easy targets, so just carry a little cash in them for travel incidentals Hotel safes and other security measures should be used when you arrive and common sense is your best security tool if you use it. Some countries limit the amount of cash you can carry through customs. If a random custom search finds you exceed that limit, your money could be confiscated.

Pipi’s Restaurant and Bar

If you are looking for a great place to have a nice meal on the water, this is a place you want to check out. The Braised Pork Shank on a bed of pureed plantains is pretty darn tasty. The view makes the food taste even better. Margaritas watching the sunset make for a guaranteed good time.

Pricey, but really fine dining

Cafe Artistes is a very charming, high end restaurant that is a great place to celebrate something special. The food is exquisite, but does come at a price. They have the option of choosing a fixed price menu of 3, 4 or 5 courses.

What’s your favorite restaurant?

Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/queen_of_subtle

If you want more information about Puerto Vallarta or Nayarit, you can check out those two resources or if you have related websites you can add them.