The summer vacation season is well under way and many Americans will be heading out of town for the upcoming holiday weekend. US workers get fewer vacation days than any other developed nation with only 14 days a year, yet the national average of vacationing Americans sits at only 34 percent. There are many good […]
Read PostSad news from Costa Rica
We are saddened by the news from Costa Rica last week regarding the tragic death of Jairo Mora Sandoval, a turtle conservationist working with WIDECAST in Moin on the Caribbean Coast (http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/costa-rican-turtle-defender-found-slain-on-the-beach-he-patrolled/). We have walked beaches at night in Costa Rica with the goal of helping protect endangered sea turtles, a goal shared by Mr. […]
Read PostTiger Leaf Frog Conservation – Veragua Rainforest, Costa Rica
We spent two nights at Veragua Rainforest after Estacion las Tortugas. During our stay, we learned about a variety of research projects currently under way at the center including a conservation project focused on critically endangered tiger leaf frogs. Tiger leaf frogs are rare in most of their range (Costa Rica and Panama), but a […]
Read PostIn Search of Leatherbacks
It doesn’t take long for us to find evidence of leatherback sea turtles, the ancient mariners we’ve come looking for, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Large areas of disturbed sand are telltale signs of nesting activity on this beach. Female leatherbacks can weigh 1000 lbs and span 6-7 ft in length, making them the largest […]
Read Post5 Favorite Things – Isla Mujeres
1. Explore the underwater world nearby. Isla Mujeres provides an ideal starting point for snorkeling and scuba diving. Manchones Reef is one of the best sites for snorkelers and divers of all levels. Sea turtles, brain coral, colorful tropical fish, and even nurse sharks are common sights in the area. Cruz de la Bahia (Cross […]
Read PostSpring Equinox, Chichen Itza, and Kukulkan
Ever since first hearing about the play of light and shadow on El Castillo during the spring and fall equinoxes, I’ve wanted to see it first-hand. The Mayan site of Chichen Itza, located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is the most visited archaeological site in the region and even more so during the equinoxes. Equinox (“equal […]
Read PostIk-kil Cenote – How To Escape the Crowds
Ik-kil Cenote in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is located only about 5 minutes from Chichen Itza Archaeological Site. Its proximity to Chichen Itza makes Ik-kil a popular stop on group tour itineraries in the region. Open to the sky, Ik-kil’s water level lies approximately 85 ft below ground level. A stairway leads down to […]
Read PostSnorkeling at Puerto Morelos National Reef Park
Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, was designated a protected area in 1998. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The reef’s proximity to Puerto Morelos’ shore and protected status provide for some of the most accessible […]
Read Post10 Travel Essentials You Thought Were Trash
We are always on the lookout for great travel tips and ideas for pack lists. One of the best articles we’ve seen on this subject recently was published by The Independent Traveler. It lists great travel accessories you can get for free by not throwing them in the trash. Their suggestions are easy on the […]
Read PostKeeping Everyone Happy on Vacation
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a notable increase in the number of clients traveling in a small group of six or more individuals. Often times these groups include families that span three to four generations. Grandparents are taking their children, grandchildren and maybe even great-grandchildren on vacation with them. In addition to multi-generational […]
Read Post