central america
Central America, once home to the Mayan Civilization, offers a Wander-worthy mix of old and modern.
First Trip to Nicaragua
Spring break 2018, I had the opportunity of going to Nicaragua on a service learning trip. I have always been a travel fanatic. I LOVE to travel. Did anyone say road trip? count me in! I would spend my last dime on traveling if I could. Once I found out about the trip, I was so excited. I started Spanish lessons and started learning about the culture and people. I also started saving for my trip. It was a group of ten students and three facilitators. It took us an entire day to get there. I had a long trip to Nicaragua. Once I walked out of the airplane I felt at home. The humidity, the smiling faces; it felt so good to be in another country. Being greeted with a warm heart and unfamiliar faces. My plan before arrival was to indulge in all things Nicaraguan. We arrived in the night and we got to stay in a luxurious hotel. The next day I got to eat some local food which was so good. The food, culture, and environment were so refreshing.
By Yanique Jenelle8 years ago in Wander
A Little Piece of Guatemala
If you want to go to Guatemala and you are planning to stay just for a few days in the city, Antigua Guatemala is the best choice to go visit, have some fun spending the day there. The city of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, which is the official name of Antigua, is a small city that has a temperate climate and is surrounded by three volcanoes, known as The Guardians of La Antigua Guatemala: Volcán de Agua, Volcán de Acatenango, and Volcán de Fuego. Of these three, Volcán de Fuego is in activity most, if not all year. This magical city is well known by its Spanish Colonial buildings, it was the first city established by the Spaniards in Guatemala between 1541 and 1776. After the city suffered from three major earthquakes and a vast flooding caused by the rupture of the Volcán de Agua's crater, which was full of water for the continuous rain, the city, first capital of Guatemala, was transferred to El Valle de la Ermita that is now the actual capital of Guatemala, Guatemala City.
By leyla Colina8 years ago in Wander
Guatemala
GUATEMALA!!! I heard so many things about Guatemala. My father in law was born and raised there. He told me so many things about where he was born, where he lived, his school days, and his favorite childhood memories. All the places to eat, all the beautiful sights, and the warm beaches. My husband told me some things also. He went to Guatemala when he was about 3 or 4 years old. And the last time he went was about 4 years ago. He told me about some things when he went there. Just hearing stories about it makes me imagine what does Guatemala look like. I see Guatemala as a very colorful and relaxing place. A place to go to the beach and lie in the sun. Put your feet in the sand as it gets in between your toes. I heard that there is a beach there that has black sand. I better wear the right shoes there. I don't want to burn my feet. As the music rings in the air, people start to dance and sing. All the wonderful and delicious food to eat. The smell of the food in the air smells so good, that it makes you want to drool. The restaurants there are like 5 star hotels. I heard that McDonald's, KFC, and Pizza Hut are amazing.
By Shante Hernandez8 years ago in Wander
Listen to the Bullet Hole
Thinking back to that day in Guatemala—I remember I struggled on the dirt road for what seemed like miles; the hot sun was incessantly beating me with its unforgiving rays. I began to fathom the reality of a human who endures this heat and this walk to the only school around. It stands alone within over a 60-mile radius.
By Brooke Gallagher8 years ago in Wander
Beautiful Places & Beautiful Experiences
We are all guilty of going out of our way to go visit certain places within the world just to take photos of attractions, learn new cultures and explore the worlds remarkable dishes and foods! These adventures make our lives look that little bit more interesting than they really are…
By Molly Emily8 years ago in Wander
The Real Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a beautiful country. If you ask anyone who has visited, you will hear them say the same thing. But, if you truly want to visit Costa Rica, then you have to step past "gringo" territory and obtain an accurate view of the country.
By Laurel Solorzano8 years ago in Wander
I Just Saved You $46,900 Excl. Taxes, or Have I Actually?
Someday soon, you will be arriving at an airport in Central America. Your 9-5 job has exhausted you and an escape began to form in your mind. Months or years of saving has left a hefty sum in your pocket and now is the time to splurge on the one thing on your mind: your feet digging in soft, pearly-white sand. An ocean breeze blows your hair back and just as you exhale and think of how grateful you are to simply be alive... a handsome man in a uniform brings you a colorful, fruity cocktail. Alternatively, a cute woman with the prettiest eyes and most intoxicating smile arrives with a stack of neatly-folded towels. A towel is handed to you as she says "Buenos días," in an accent oh-so-sweet, you imagine crossing paths later that day, only to propel yourself in a holiday-fling with her. Bottom-line: you feel acknowledged. "This is bliss."
By Thomas Rivet9 years ago in Wander
Chasing Roatan Island Pirate Treasure
Rob and I stepped off the plane at the airport in Coxon Hole on to the shores of Roatan Island, one of the Bay Islands in the Gulf of Honduras. We were assaulted by taxi drivers all wanting to take us to the West End, a place which we were told in broken Spanish is the place where all gringos are supposed to go.
By Daryl Friesen9 years ago in Wander
Stay Safe with Defenselessness
As so many people and/or nations gear up for battle, denounce “others” as the enemy, and contract with fear, we need to take a deep breath and reflect on our situations from a very different, and much more helpful, point of view. We cannot hear too many times that defensiveness does not make us safe; quite the contrary. Many disciplines remind us that only when we are open and accepting, rather than closed and suspicious, are we truly safe. Long ago my husband and I had an opportunity to put this philosophy to the test, one I will never forget. We were touring several South American countries, including Ecuador. As we had planned our trip (pre-internet), I remembered reading in National Geographic about a tribe of indians that lived only in a small area of Ecuador and nowhere else in the world. Dubbed the Colorado Indians, they were so named because they painted themselves up with red berry juice (Colorado in common usage means “colored red” in Spanish), and since we were from Colorado, it seemed like a great idea to find these name-sake Colorado indians and have a look for ourselves.
By Carol Howe9 years ago in Wander
Finding Wisdom in The Bamboo Clusters of Cascata del Bosco
If you look up the reviews for Cascata del Bosco in San Vito, Costa Rica, you will find glowing remarks from very satisfied guests - all well deserved. With some places you get the sense reviews were paid for - not so here, these are people who were so moved by their experience they had to tell others. I found myself here as a result of a recommendation from my "Facebook family." I asked my group of fellow travelers to recommend a place close to the Costa Rican/Panama border, and several came back with "Go to Cascata del Bosco". So, after a little research, we reached out to the owner George and booked our stay.
By Suki Tranqille9 years ago in Wander
Crossing the Panamanian Border - Part 3
So the journey continues...by now you know from reading Journey to San Vito Part 1 and Part 2, that very little went according to plan. At this point we are on a bus from Rio Sereno to Paso Canoas, an unexpected detour after being turned away at the Rio Sereno border. This part 3 concludes our journey.
By Suki Tranqille9 years ago in Wander
