Rosewood Hotels & Resorts Offers Complimentary Nights at Luxury Destinations Around the World
Posted November 10, 2009 , comments closed) Dallas, TX (November 1, 2009) Imagine more sand between your toes, more starry nights, more uninterrupted quality time with family and friends. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the premier manager of ultra-luxury hotels and resorts throughout the world, is thrilled to offer More Rosewood to those in search of one more day to be away. Through this exclusive opportunity, Rosewood is offering a complimentary night stay at its luxury hotels and resorts in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean, inviting guests to extend their escape and spend additional time relaxing at the most luxurious and highly revered destinations in the world.
From the sophistication and charm of Rosewood’s city hotels, to the sun-soaked indulgence of its intimate luxury resorts, More Rosewood offers something for everyone. Whether guests wish to spend one more night of romance at Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, enjoy an extra day to doze on the beach beneath a majestic palm tree at Rosewood Little Dix Bay or take in one more Broadway favorite in the “Big Apple” at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, this special complimentary night offer allows guests one more day to nourish the soul and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Stay 2 nights and enjoy a complimentary 3rd night at the following luxury hotels and resorts:
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel - New York, New York
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Dallas, Texas
Rosewood Crescent Hotel Dallas, Texas
The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel Atlanta, Georgia
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi - Santa Fe, New Mexico
Rosewood Sand Hill - Menlo Park, California
San Ysidro Ranch, A Rosewood Resort - Santa Barbara, California
Stay 4 nights and enjoy a complimentary 5th night at the following luxury resorts:
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort - Los Cabos, Mexico
Rosewood Mayakobá - Riviera Maya, Mexico
Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort - St. John, US Virgin Islands
Rosewood Little Dix Bay - Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort - Antigua, West Indies
CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort - San Martin, California
To book More Rosewood, please call 888-ROSEWOOD, visit rosewoodhotels.com or contact your travel professional.
Valid for travel January 3-May 30, 2010. Subject to availability and blackout dates. Excludes tax, resort fees and inclusive food and beverage elements. Not combinable with other offers nor applicable on existing reservations or group bookings. Advance reservations required. Stay must be a consecutive-night stay and the complimentary night is only applicable on that stay.
About Rosewood Hotels & Resorts:
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts manages properties worldwide including Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and Rosewood Crescent Hotel in Dallas, The Carlyle in New York, The Mansion on Peachtree in Atlanta, Rosewood Sand Hill, CordeValle and San Ysidro Ranch in California, Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe, Las Ventanas al Paraíso and Rosewood Mayakobá in Mexico, Hotel Seiyo Ginza in Tokyo, Japan, and a triumvirate of world-class Caribbean properties Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, Caneel Bay on St. John and Jumby Bay on Antigua. Rosewood recently launched a new spa brand - Sense, A Rosewood Spa® - featuring treatments reflective of the brand’s signature philosophy A Sense of Place®. For more information on Rosewood Hotels & Resorts or Sense, A Rosewood Spa®, please call 888.ROSEWOOD or visit rosewoodhotels.com.
Central America on $25 a day: Enjoy an Exotic Destination on a Tight Budget
Posted September 18, 2009 , comments closed
Last year when my friend Lindsey and I started cooking up a plan for a month-long trip somewhere, we had a few requirements to work around. We wanted to go some place that would offer cultural opportunities, adventure and beautiful scenery—but we also knew we had a really tight budget to work with. Recently graduated and not much money in our bank accounts, we almost immediately decided that Central America was the place to go. Since airfare to Central America tends to be relatively inexpensive from the United States and most of the countries are a budget travelers dream, we booked our tickets to Panama and began to plan our Central American adventure.While some of the coastal resort areas of Mexico, Belize and Costa Rica cater to tourists on short, all-inclusive type vacations (and are priced to match), there are plenty of other options for those traveling on a tighter budget. In many ways, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama all offer some of the world’s best travel bargains.
Getting to Central America for Cheap
For travelers coming from the United States and Mexico, it will usually only cost you $100-$200 more to fly into many of the Central American cities than a domestic flight. Depending on the time of year, city of origin and destination, you can usually count on being about to get airfare for anywhere from $400-$700 without too much difficulty.
While you may not plan on spending any time in the capital cities of Central America (which I would recommend you didn’t), flying directly into these cities and busing it to your final destination is sure to save you hundreds of dollars on airfare. Check here for great deals on cheap international airfare.
Budget Planning: Where to go
If you are trying to stick to a tight budget ($20-$25 a day) you are best off skipping certain areas altogether. Forget heading to the coastal Mexican resort towns (Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas) as well as the islands of Belize as well as many of the main tourist towns along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
When Lindsey and I chose Panama, we did so precisely because we knew we could probably stay longer and do more for less money than if we traveled in neighboring Costa Rica. While there are definitely still ways to see and explore these areas on a budget, you’ll find that Mexico, Belize and Costa Rica tend to be on the high-end price wise and Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras on the lowest end.
Keep in mind that almost any time you find yourself in a popular tourist spot or in an already discovered beautiful beach town, you are likely to see a jump in prices that reflects the influx of travelers and outsiders coming to the region. While things may still be priced reasonably, you will almost always find the lowest prices in smaller, isolated and less exposed regions unaccustomed to seeing many tourists.
For those who can speak Spanish, you also tend to fare a little better in being able to get a fairer price and being able to negotiate with locals.
Another tip is to find good budget alternatives to certain destinations. For example, while Rotan Island in Honduras continues to get more expensive every year, nearby and equally beautiful Utila offers a good budget alternative. Backpacker destinations and places not yet discovered by big hotels, resorts and other travelers will always offer better bargains.
Getting Around on a tight budget
While internal flight prices do tend to be fairly reasonable, they are seldom a great bargain and a sure fire way to blow through your budget quickly.
Luckily for those travelers trying to get around without spending much, almost all of Central America is well connected by buses, most of which don’t cost more than a few dollars even to cover longer distances.
While these buses are not always the most luxurious or comfortable ride (yes, sometimes you will be sharing the bus with chickens, large bags of produce and more people you thought possible to fit into a small space), they provide relatively reliable transportation to and from almost anywhere in the various Central American countries.
Taking the buses is also generally a safe way to travel. While you still should exercise caution (and keep your valuables hidden or securely on you), traveling around Central America via public transportation is definitely not only a cheap way to get around, but also a safe one.
Keep in mind that bus travel is not always a time efficient way to go—as some local buses can take several hours to cover a relatively small distance. Keep this in mind before venturing out on a day trip or when planning how far to travel in one day. However, for the cost of just a few American dollars you can easily cover large distances with relative ease.
>>Read more about Bus Travel in Central America
Taxis are also usually inexpensive in Central America, except once again in major tourist zones in Costa Rica, Belize, and Mexican beach resorts. You can also often hire a car and a driver for a day for the same amount or less than renting a car.
If you are trying to keep you budget under $30/day, regional flights and renting a car are out of the question. If time is more valuable than money on your vacation, this is probably a better way to go, but it is also sure to blow your tight budget really quickly.
Eating Cheaply in Central America
Because eating is such a huge part of any travel experience for me, knowing that I would be eating well and still not spending much money was a huge bonus to traveling in Central America. In most countries and in most places, it is easy to get a full meal that costs anywhere from $2-$6. While Central America is a vast region and it is hard to make many generalizations about travel there, when it comes to meals it is pretty easy to get a decent meal for cheap anywhere from Cancun to Panama City.
If you are looking to keep your food budget to a minimum and want to eat like a local, avoid restaurants that cater to tourists. English on the menu usually means higher prices to reflect the clientele. Look for where the locals eat.
You will find many simple restaurants, market stalls and cafeteria style restaurants where you can get a simple and filling meal—usually which consists of ingredients like rice, beans, tortillas, eggs, fired plantains and meat (usually chicken) . On the coasts you will find more seafood and fish dishes.
Don’t be afraid to eat like the locals. One of my best meals in Panama consisted of roasted chicken and fried yucca served from an open air shack in Santa Catalina, all for about $3. If you are trying to stick to a tight budget and want to stay well nourished, avoiding the restaurants where the tourists dine and opting for simple and nourishing food is the best way to keep your eating costs way down.
To my delight, I also found that some items that are expensive at home were abundant and cheap in Central America. Pineapple, avocados, mangos and a variety of other tropical fruits can be bought at produce stands almost anywhere and usually don’t cost a whole lot. The fresh tropical fruit makes for a delicious, satisfying, healthy and cheap snack while on the road.
Drinking Cheap in Central America
If your travel plans in Central America also include indulging in the local drink, you’ll be happy to know that you can still enjoy nights out partying without ending up with a giant bar tab. Rum, tequila, and usually some sort of sugar cane derived alcohol tend to be the drinks of choice throughout Central America.
The cheapest way to drink in Central America is probably to buy a bottle of booze from a local cantina, and get a couple of bottles of Coke. That way, you have a ton of drinks for several people for under $15. You will also find a clear liquor distilled from sugar cane in many Central American countries. Called Guaro in Costa Rica and Seco in Panama, while this type of booze may be nearly akin to rubbing alcohol, it is almost always dirt cheap.
Beer is also usually quiet affordable in Central America and can range in cost from .50 to about $2 depending on where you find yourself. Again, tourist bars and destinations will mean higher drink prices.
Most Central American countries have a few different national brands that are popular and the beer is usually a lager style cerveza that can range from great to just passable.
Keep in mind that save for resort towns popular with backpackers and young people and some of the larger, more progressive cities, bars tend to be a male affair in Central America. In a region where machismo still very much rules, females should scope out a bar before heading in, especially if traveling with another woman or by herself.
Cheap Accommodation in Central America
Budget accommodations are plentiful throughout Central America and most will be amazed by what kind of room they can get for not a whole lot of money. While you’ll probably want to search out dormitory style hostels in more expensive tourist zones, there are plenty of places where you can get a private room with a shared or private bath for as little as $4-$8/per night.
While accommodations will be more expensive in Costa Rica, Mexico and Belize, even in these countries it’s usually possible to find rustic, dorm style accommodations for as little as $2-$10/night.
When traveling in Panama, my travel partner and I never had a problem finding decent and comfortable accommodations in private rooms for under $10, even in some of the more tourist traveled areas like Bocas del Toro. If you feel like you could use a night with a little more pampering, spending another $5 to $10 a night is usually enough to get you a hotel with a private bath, maid service and perhaps even a hotel with a patio, courtyard or garden.
With simple accommodations starting as low as $2 a night in some places, finding a cheap place to stay should not be a problem in most places in Central America—making it easy to stay on budget.
Other Tips for saving money and staying on budget
- Slow Down— No matter where in Central America you find yourself, the best and easiest way to save money and keep your budget low is to simply slow down. Not moving around too quickly (and therefore saving on transportation costs) is a great way to stretch your dollars.
- Pop and juice is cheaper than water—Since the water is not safe to drink in much of Central America, you will be forced to spend some of your budget on bottled water. However, you will also find many areas with juice stands (with fresh squeezed tropical juice) and pop (made with sugar instead of corn syrup). These options are almost always cheaper than water. While I don’t suggest you replace water drinking with juice and pop, subbing in these beverage items can be a good way to keep a little extra dough in your pocket.
- Pick guided activities and tours wisely—Especially in areas with a higher concentration of tourists, you are sure to find plenty of opportunities for taking guided canopy tours, river rafting excursions and more. Pick and choose these types of adventures wisely. While you certainly don’t want to miss out on something great because it costs $10-$25, you also don’t want to be spending all your cash on tours and activities that may not provide you with all that cool of an experience—and will cut into your budget big time.
- Don’t be afraid to make little splurges—If you are trying to stick to a tight budget, but are traveling for a longer period of time and feel like you need a break from the rice and beans or dorm style accommodations, don’t be afraid to splurge a little more one day. Just remember you’ll probably have to cut back the next to make up for it. Making small splurges can also be a good way for you to stay sane and keep traveling cheap.
- Write down what you spend–I always like to keep a little pad of paper or notebook on me with traveling, and keeping a page where you write down your expenses (how much you spent on what) is a great way to keep your budget on your mind, see where and how you are spending your money and see if there are areas where you can cut back.
About the Author
Although BootsnAll staff writer Julie Blakley spends most of her time writing about traveling in France for the Paris Travel Guide and France Travel Guide, she left her heart in Central America after a month long backpacking trip around Panama. From steamy jungles to gorgeous beaches and heaping piles of rice, beans and yucca frita, there isn’t a whole lot Julie doesn’t love about Central American adventures.
photos: Guatemalan currency by Antigua Daily Photo on flickr , rice, beans and chicken plate by stu_spivack on flickr, all other photos by Julie Blakley.
Caribbean suffers crippling impact of the global recession
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Aug 21, 2009
The Caribbean region continues to suffer from the crippling impact of the global recession.
That information was contained in the Central Bank of Barbados Economic Review, June 2009. The challenges were faced with particular respect to the critical tourism sector.
It said: “Long stay arrivals declined in all countries except for Cuba, Jamaica and Cancun, Mexico, as arrivals to these territories rose by two per cent, 0.2 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively. Long stay arrivals for Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia fell by 4.6 per cent, 14.3 per cent and 13.7 per cent, respectively. Similarly, tourist arrivals for Anguilla, Belize and St. Vincent and the Grenadines declined by 21.4 per cent, 7.7 per cent and 12.9 per cent, respectively, for the first two months of 2009. The downturn in long stay arrivals throughout the Caribbean region was driven by a fall-off in visitors from major source markets, namely, Europe and the United States.”
It was also revealed that the performance of the productive sectors in the region was mixed: “Construction value added in Jamaica and the Bahamas remained moderate during the last quarter of 2008. However, in Trinidad and Tobago the sector continued to benefit from ongoing work on a number of private and governmental projects. With respect to agricultural output, value-added in the sector declined in Jamaica, the OECS and Trinidad and Tobago, while marginal growth was recorded in Guyana.”
Some of the larger economies suffered major contraction: “The level of inflation in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago eased during the first quarter of 2009. At February 2009, the rate of inflation in Jamaica was 0.8 per cent, compared to 1.8 per cent in the corresponding period of 2008 and zero percent in December 2008. Increases in all sub-categories fluctuated between 0.1 per cent and 1.1 per cent except for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels. Similarly, the rate of inflation in Trinidad and Tobago slowed from 14.5 per cent at the end of December 2008 to 11.7 per cent in January 2009. This outturn was mainly driven by a reduction in food prices. However, inflationary pressures strengthened in the Bahamas, as a rate of inflation moved to 4.28 per cent at March 2009, compared to 2.63 per cent, one year earlier.” (DB)
TravelStore Features Special Offers On Princess Cruises Tropical Cruise Getaways to Sun-Swept Caribbean, Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera
Posted August 7, 2009 , add a comment) LOS ANGELES, Calif. (July 31, 2009) ? Whether travelers choose to explore the beaches and colorful islands of the Caribbean, enjoy the warm welcoming culture of the Mexican Riviera, or marvel at the dramatic Panama Canal, TravelStore offers a wide array of options for tropical cruise getaways to some of the most popular warm weather destinations on one its most popular cruise lines, Princess Cruises.
“With the convenience of close-to-home departure points, these itineraries present many inclusively-priced vacation options in the balmy tropics,” said Dan Ilves, TravelStore Vice President. “So many people have delayed taking vacations, a cruise vacation is a more affordable way for many to escape the grind, enjoy the warmth of the tropics and take advantage of the best deals.”
A number of Princess Caribbean cruises, which range from one-week to up to 14 days, feature the private beach of Princess Cays. On Princess Mexican Riviera cruises, passengers can sail from Los Angeles or San Francisco to some of the area’s most popular resorts south of the border. Those wishing to experience one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels on Princess Panama Canal cruises can choose from convenient round-trip voyages or experience the drama of a full canal transit.
“With the pent-up demand for travel, we have released next year’s fall and winter schedules early so travelers can begin to plan and book future vacations early and avoid disappoinment,” said Ilves. “Of course, there are some great opportunities yet this year to getaway to these popular cruise destinations.”
Highlights of next year’s tropical getaway options include:
Caribbean Cruises ?a variety of vacation options exploring the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean.
Seven-Day Eastern Caribbean ?Roundtrip cruises from Fort Lauderdale on Sundays. The itinerary features calls at Princess Cays, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Grand Turk.
Seven-Day Western Caribbean ?Roundtrip cruises from Fort Lauderdale, visiting Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and Princess Cays.
Seven-Day Southern Caribbean ?Cruises from San Juan on two alternating itineraries. The Classic Southern Caribbean route sails to the ports of St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados, while Southern Caribbean Explorer sailings travel to St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba.
10-Day Eastern and Southern Caribbean ? For a more in-depth island vacation with the convenience of roundtrip travel from Fort Lauderdale. The Southern Caribbean Medley itinerary calls at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. The Eastern Caribbean Voyager itinerary offers calls at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Princess Cays.
14-Day Caribbean Collection ? Cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. The ship sails to Aruba, Curaçao, Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and Grand Turk.
14-Day Sailings from Barbados ?A series of alternating 14-day Caribbean voyages from Barbados. The Grand Caribbean Islander route feature calls at Tobago, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Tortola, Antigua, St. Kitts and Dominica. The Grand Caribbean Adventurer itinerary features stops at Grenada, Bonaire, Curaçao, Grand Turk, Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Trinidad.
Mexican Riviera Cruises ?Cruisers can choose from departures from either Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Seven-Day Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles?This popular seven-day roundtrip route takes in favorite Mexico ports with calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.
10-Day Mexican Riviera?One roundtrip sailing from San Francisco to Catalina, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas and San Diego, departing on September 29, 2010.
11-Day Mexican Riviera?From San Francisco featuring calls at Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Three departures on April 8, 19 and 30, 2011.
Panama Canal Cruises ? A “must see” feat of engineering. On an extended 15-day cruise features the line’s Two-Day Canal Experience ? a full Canal transit plus a day with the ship anchored at Fuerte Amador, on the Canal’s Pacific side. Passengers can take advantage of this extra day in Panama to enjoy a variety of shore excursion options including the Panama Canal Railway, Panama City, Soberania National Park Rainforest or a visit to an authentic Embera Indian Village.
15-Day Panama Canal with Two-Day Experience ?Sailings between Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles or San Francisco. In addition to the Canal transit and additional Panama call at Fuerte Amador, the cruise visit Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena and Aruba. Departures are offered between September 21, 2010 and May 4, 2011.
10-Day Panama Canal Full Transit Sailings ? The 10-day Panama Canal Adventurer route between Fort Lauderdale and Acapulco offers a full Canal transit plus visits to Ocho Rios, Fuerte Amador or Cristobal, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Nicaragua (San Juan del Sur) and Huatulco. Departures between October 6, 2010 and April 24, 2011.
10-Day Roundtrip Panama Canal? Roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, with a partial Panama Canal transit to Gatun Lake followed by a call in Cristobal, plus calls in the Caribbean ports of Aruba, Cartagena, Limon (Costa Rica) and Ocho Rios.
Current as well as these tropical sailings are currently available for booking. Early reservations are encouraged to secure the best stateroom selection. Fares for seven-day Caribbean and Mexican Riviera sailings start at $569 per person, and 10-day Panama Canal cruise fares begin at $1,199 per person, based on double occupancy.
TravelStore is one of the nation’s top award-winning travel agencies, and a Princess Cruise specialist. Additional information is available calling 1-800-821-4271, or by visiting the company’s cruise website.
11 Volcanoes in the Americas That You Can Climb
Posted July 15, 2009 , add a comment11 Volcanoes in the Americas That You Can Climb
Maybe it’s because they seem primordial, or because you did really well in rocks for jocks, or actually know a thing or two about geology. Or perhaps just because it’s there, and well, so are you. But for some (perhaps magnetic) reason, where there is an accessible volcano, there are travelers (and sometimes locals) bathing in its hot-springs, scaling its slopes and marveling at its lava flows.
As you make your way around this still-forming planet, consider the following fairly accessible volcanoes for part of your next been-there-done-that party. It goes without saying that climbing or getting close to an active volcano carries risks, but most travelers find that those risks pale in comparison to lava, fumaroles, lava tubes, tumbling rocks and the kshgrrrrburbleburble that volcanoes whisper and shout to you when you’re nearby.
Below you’ll find a list of accessible volcanoes for your hiking and viewing pleasure in the Americas. Sadly, Kilauea in Hawai’i is politically but not geographically in the Americas, so we’ll have to save that for a special ring of fire edition of the volcano walking for the mildly intrepid. For now you’ll have to make do with these beauties.
Mount St. Helens – Washington, USA
Since May of 1980, when Washington state’s Mt. St. Helens blew her cone and covered Seattle with ash that my friends tell me looked like snow, she has gained respect from locals and travelers alike. On a clear day, she is visible in the distance, from Seattle and Portland, Oregon as well, a flattened giant that blew her top.
Since 1987, the southern slopes of Mt. St. Helens have been open to climbers who wish to climb close to (but not into) the crater. Monitor Ridge is a popular trail that starts at Climber’s Bivouac, and takes between 7 and 12 hours to climb. Climbers can gain views of the crater, blast area and other nearby volcanic peaks, but those wishing to climb above 4,800 feet (the rim is at 8,365) must seek a permit.
More details are on the Mt. St. Helens website.
Mt. Redoubt – Alaska, USA
Mt. Redoubt is an active stratovolcano that erupted violently in March 2009, and is probably best seen from nearby, as opposed to up close. Until recently, climbing Redoubt required some technical expertise, fixed rope climbing and a peakside scramble to the top, but there’s no telling what things will be like after the eruption finally stops, so do your research before packing your gear.
For now, views of Redoubt volcano (from the Russian Sopka Redutskaya meaning “fortified place”) are best taken from afar. The 9,000-foot volcano is less than 200 miles from Anchorage.
You can also get a (less sulphuric) peek from home at the Alaska Volcano Observatory webpage.
Tequila Volcano - Mexico
In Mexico, there are a number of volcanoes that can be easily accessed, including Tequila Volcano, where visitors can actually drive to the edge of the crater and peer inside to see the forests that have sprung up inside. Not surprisingly, this volcano is located a stone’s throw from the town of Tequila, better known for another kind of liquid fire.
Rock climbers will want to summit “the plug”, a lava column that formed inside the mouth of the volcano and was then thrust upward by geologic pressure. Its sheer walls are not for the uninitiated, nor the acrophobic.
Other climbable volcanoes in Mexico
Also near the state of Jalisco is the Nevado de Colima volcano (inactive), which can be climbed, and Volcan de Fuego, which is active, and therefore best seen from down below. High-altitude treks would take climbers to the peaks of Iztaccihuatl and Orizaba (the highest peak in Mexico at 18,404 feet), but these are not for the inexperienced, the guideless or those who are short of time as they require a few days.
Volcan Arenal - Costa Rica
This starring player in Costa Rica’s ecotourism route is far too active and explosive to be climbed safely. It is often socked in with clouds, but nighttime visits to the nearby hot springs bring vantage points to see the small lava explosions and red-hot rocks tumble forth from the cone.
The area has grown in recent years with Costa Rica’s runaway tourism, and you may find more souls with whom to say “oooh” and “aaaah” than you were expecting.
Several hotels and outfitters in the town of Arenal, and nearby Fortuna, run tours, and the Arenal Observatory Lodge offers volcano views from right inside.
Horseback riding and bicycling are popular in this area, with all eyes trained towards the volcano, day and night.
Pacaya - Guatemala
Guatemala’s Pacaya volcano’s ash-lined slopes have been calling to travelers since the gringo trail first appeared. Volcano-lovers generally stay in the colonial town of Antigua, where tours can easily be arranged, and which is a pleasant, oft-visited spot on its own.
The hike up Pacaya starts with a steep climb through a pine forest, up through a strenuous section up slippery ash-lined slopes (two steps forward, one step back). Views from the top extend down to the pacific lowlands and all the way to El Salvador. A guide is recommended as the volcano’s activity is unpredictable, and the route may not always be clear. Also, historically there have also been muggings on this volcano, so going with a tour is a safer option.
For those aspiring vulcanologists for whom one Guatemalan volcano is not enough, you might consider taking a five-day tour with an outfitter that leads hikers up Pacaya, Sta. Maria, Acatenango and Fuego with camping on the slopes of the volcanoes.
Ometepe - Nicaragua
Nicaragua is home to several active volcanoes, including Masaya, which can be toured at night, and which has lava tubes which visitors can explore. A headlamp is a nice touch, as it keeps your hands free, but a flashlight is fine as well. Nicaragua’s Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua attracts volcano lovers as well for the two volcanoes that comprise the island (Ometepe means two mountains), Maderas and Concepci?n, neither of which tops 6,000 feet.
Concepci?n is the world’s highest lake island and is considered a fairly perfect example of a cone volcano. It remains active. Maderas is terraced in places where farmers take advantage of fertile growing conditions on her slopes.
For those visitors for whom these three volcanoes in Nicaragua have not quelled their need to see the world’s geology lab might consider also visiting Cosig?ina, in the northwest corner of the country. This volcano’s violent eruption in 1859 spewed ash and rock, and contributed to the formation of some of the islands in the Gulf of Fonseca. It’s now considered dormant, and is only 900 meters high, and covered in dense vegetation.
Boiling Lake - Dominica
Of sixteen active volcanoes in the Carribean, Dominica is home to nine, and since no significant eruptions have taken place since Columbus’ time, the rainforests are lush and mostly undisturbed. Visitors to this eco-destination can visit Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a World Heritage site since 1997, which is named for the remains of what was once an enormous volcano.
The park contains several volcanic features, including the hot springs at the Valley of Desolation and a 13 km, 3-4 hour hike up to the world’s second-largest boiling lake, a bubbling, burping greyish-blue 200-foot-wide lake which geologists believe to be a flooded fumarole. Locals consider it to be a right of passage, but except for the guides, you won’t find many repeat visitors. It’s messy business, especially since in addition to being highly volcanic, Dominica is also the rainiest of the Carribean islands. “Stinking hole” is another feature here, a lava tube in the middle of the forest that leaks sulphuric fumes.
For those who prefer their waters a little clearer, Dominica also offers an unusual underwater view of volcanic activity in the form of Champagne, an underground vent system that releases ticklish sulphuric bubbles that visitors can snorkel through. This is accessible by tour, or by kakaying out to the access point.
Soufri?re Hills - Montserrat
The formerly dormant Soufri?re Hills volcano on Montserrat came back to life in 1995, triggering fears of an imminent eruption, and chasing half of the island’s 12,000 inhabitants away. In 1997, the volcano made good on its threats, and covered the southern part of the island, including Plymouth, the 200-year-old capital, with a giant, lava-spilling eruption.
Ever since the volcano stabilized, travelers teem there to see the aftermath, and investments pour in from abroad to keep the economy going. Guests at Hot Rock Hostel get front row seats to the spectacle, and hiking and boat tours are also available. For details on what the volcano is doing at any given time, you can also visit the Montserrat Observatory site.
An overview (if brief) glimpse of the contrast between the two sides of the island, destroyed and unscathed is perhaps best gleaned from up above, which you can achieve by flying to one of the nearby islands, such as Dominica, a volcanic powerhouse in itself (see above). In fact, some experts suspect that Dominica is primed for an eruption on a similar scale to that suffered on Montserrat.
Villarica Volcano - Chile
Villarica Volcano is 19 km from Puc?n, Chile’s adventure sports capital in the Lakes District, in the middle-south of this stringbean of country. Outfitters charge a pretty penny to suit you up with mountaineering boots, a nifty waterproof jumpsuit, helmet, and piolet, or ice axe. A several hour-long climb takes you up to about 9,000 feet, and when the snow cooperates, much of the descent is done on little sleds on snow chutes set up by the guides, and stopped (hopefully) through self-arrest with an ice axe, which has led to more than one emergency-room visit in recent years.
Thousands of hikers climb this volcano every year, though weather turns many people back before reaching the top. Depending on the wind, the sulfur fumes can be blinding, and the temperatures punishing up at the top. Other volcanoes in Chile that can be climbed in a relatively short time period include Guallatiri in the far north, and Lincancabur and Lacsa from touristy San Pedro de Atacama. The Llaima and Chaiten volcanoes (in the south) have both erupted very recently and at the moment are not considered climbable.
There is also a short ski season during the southern winter up on the slopes of Villarrica and Osorno (near Puerto Varas) volcanoes. The mother of all volcanoes, and the highest (probably active) volcano in the world is Ojos del Salado on the Argentine/Chilean border, but this is a several day trip that requires serious mountain gear.
Cotopaxi - Ecuador
Ecuador is home to Pichincha, Riminahui, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes, and of these, Cotopaxi is perhaps the most emblematic and the most frequently climbed, though is does require an overnight at a refuge. At 19,347 feet, it is the second highest volcano in Ecuador (the first is Chimborazo), but not on the continent. That honor goes to Ojos del Salado, on the Chile/Argentina border (see above)
From Quito, you can hire a guide, though since the starting point of the hike is at nearly 15,000 feet, a number of days’ acclimation in Quito beforehand, as well as climbing some smaller, nearby mountains would be wise. Hikes up Cotopaxi start the day before, gain several hundred feet of elevation over the course of a few hours, and then have climbers resting/sleeping from 6 PM to around midnight. At 1 AM climbers begin their summit attempt. It generally takes approximately 7 hours to summit and 3 to arrive back to the parking lot. For those who just want to get close and then put the volcano behind them, some Quito outfitters offer mountainbike trips down from the park’s entrance.
El Misti - Peru
Beautifully symmetrical El Misti Volcano is 19,101 feet high, and is accessible from “the white city” of Arequipa in Per?, which itself is 2400 meters above sea level, which will help travelers to acclimate. Misti (which means the gentleman in Quechua) last erupted in 1870 and is the source of much of the white stone of which the city itself (the second largest in Peru) is constructed.
This trip takes two days and one night, and gives hikers the chance to descend into one of the three concentric craters, should energy abound. The first day involves a 4×4 trip to the end of the road, followed by a 6-8 hour hike, a night of “sleep” at 4800 meters, and a 4 AM wakeup to make the summit in about five hours. Participants can expect to drink copious amounts of coca tea and be cold, even in their -15C sleeping bags. Tour agencies recommend booking this trip before arriving in Arequipa, as it is quite popular.
For a list of volcanoes of the world, visit the Global Volcanism Project. For a list of volcanoes with recent and ongoing volcanic activity, please see the International Volcano Research Centre’s website.
If you’ve climbed one of these volcanoes, or another in the Americas, let us know in the comments.
Read about author Eileen Smith and check out her other BootsnAll articles.
Photo credits:
Mt. St. Helens by barcar on Flickr, Redoubt on wikicommons, Tequila by mickou on Flickr, Arenal by pawpaw67 on Flickr, Pacaya by Bruno Grin on Flickr, Conception by tarariffic7 on Flickr, Dominica on wikicommons, Monserrat on wikicommons, Cotopaxi on wikicommons, Villarica by andyinsouthamerica on Flickr, El Misti on wikicommons