Archive for the 'Latin America & Caribbean' Category
Travel sans guilt? See the ‘Developing World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations’
July 22, 2008 3:09pm
Certainly where we travelers go, we leave footprints, and where we spend our dollars, we affect economies. However, how much heed we pay varies, depending upon our priorities and even moods. I’ve taken trips in which I’ve considered potential environmental and cultural impacts, but I’ve also embarked on vacations aplenty where my only real goal was R&R and maybe a good meal and margarita.
But I’d like to think that I will be more cognizant of the effects of my travels in the future. I want to be more responsibly minded and would like my tourism dollars to work toward good. So, where to go? To Argentina, apparently.
A project of the San Francisco-based nonprofit Earth Island Institute, Ethical Traveler has just published a list of the “Developing World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations,” focused on the developing world. Argentina tops the list, followed by Bolivia and Bulgaria. Here are all of the countries (in alphabetical order) that made the Top 10, chosen for their commitments to the environment as well as to human rights and social welfare:
Travel Ticker website from Hotwire focuses on bargains
July 21, 2008 12:01am
The unemployment rate in California is up to a five-year high, and that tells you nothing good about the economy in the Golden State or anywhere else.
So the timing for Travel Ticker (www.travel-ticker.com), a new bargain website from the Hotwire people, probably couldn’t be better. It makes its debut today.
“We love to read about deals so we wanted to have something that was enjoyable to read and peruse and would inspire travel among enthusiasts,” said Barbara Messing, vice president of Travel Ticker.
Unlike some sites that suggest bargains that aren’t bargains for West Coasters, Travel Ticker uses “geo-targeting,” meaning you’ll see bargains appropriate to where you live. Read the rest of this entry »
American Airlines’ sale on fall flights to Mexico and Caribbean
July 17, 2008 4:00pm
Come fall, will you be ready for a beach vacation away from it all? If so, have a look at what American Airlines has going for its sale to a number of destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Deal: The “Caribbean and Mexico Sale” features low fares to a handful of popular locales bearing cabana-shaded sands aplenty. Destinations include Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Los Cabos and Cozumel, Mexico; other sale options are Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and more.
Los Cabos, Mexico: Meet the endangered sea turtle
July 16, 2008 12:00pm
The next time you’re in Los Cabos, Mexico, greet the sea turtles and wish them well. Just 15 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas, in Rancho Punta San Cristobal, the Assn. for the Protection of the Environment and the Marine Turtle in Southern Baja (ASUPMATOMA) invites you to explore its sea turtle camps. There, you can spend time with local biologists and learn more about the endangered species.
According to the organization’s website, the sea turtle population in the Sea of Cortez region is in great danger because of pollution, land development and illegal fishing and hunting. Sea turtles have been around for more than 200 million years. For many reasons, it’d be a shame to see them go.
Cozumel, Mexico: 5-night diving & hotel package for $671
July 13, 2008 12:00pm
If you’re looking to tank up for a dive exploration soon, chances are you’ve considered Cozumel, Mexico, our hemisphere’s most popular scuba-diving locale. Adventure-travel agency Island Dreams Tours & Travel, whose spring special I mentioned last April, is once again offering attractive discounts for August stay-and-dive vacations in the Yucatan hotspot.
Deal: A four-day, five-night package that includes lodging, meals and diving is going for $828 for a single diver, or $671 per person based on double occupancy; taxes are included in these rates. Accommodations are at Scuba Club Cozumel, a low-key divers’ hub a mile south of downtown Cozumel’s ferry dock.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: summer deal at all-inclusive Riu
July 11, 2008 10:57am
A couple of miles from downtown Cabo San Lucas, Riu Santa Fe Hotel, which opened in November 2007, is an all-inclusive mega-resort with 902 rooms, multiple restaurants, bars, a dance club, pool, tennis courts, activities and more. The resort’s summer sale makes it a good bet for good value, especially for families with kids.
Deal: For bookings of three or more nights, the resort is offering an all-inclusive room-and-food package starting at $249 per person (pre-tax and based on double occupancy). Children 12 years of age and younger eat and stay free with two paying adults.
Mexico City, Mexico: JW Marriott spa weekender packages
June 25, 2008 1:36pm
For an urban getaway less than a four-hour flight from Los Angeles, how about Mexico City? In the site-rife capital, a weekend won’t be nearly enough to see all there is to see. But if it’s a weekend you have, hey, it’s a start. And JW Marriott Mexico City, with its spa packages, will make sure you get at least an hour’s chillaxing worked into your busy itinerary.
Deals: The “Escape Spa” package offers, for $269 per night (pre-tax, based on double occupancy), a stay in a master suite, full breakfast for two and a 60-minute massage at the onsite spa for each guest. This is a weekender deal, valid for stays Fridays through Sundays. Use promotional code “SPA” when booking online.
Prefer dine to unwind? Read the rest of this entry »
Celebrity Cruises is having a last-minute 2-day sale (June 24-25)
June 24, 2008 1:15pm
Start shopping for new cruise wear. Celebrity is having its two-day sale starting today. Book a cruise Oct. 1, 2008, through Nov. 30, 2009, and get up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom. That’s nice, but those deals are easy to find. What’s great about this sale is that your deposit is reduced by 50% if you book by tomorrow (June 25).
Since I’m not a regular cruiser, I got a little overwhelmed looking at the destinations on the sale page: Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Bahamas, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii/Pacific Northwest, Panama Canal, South America, transatlantic.
What I wanted to know was, which cruises departed from Los Angeles. So, I called the reservation number and had a nice agent help me without any sales pressure. It turns out, there are only three cruises departing from Los Angeles during the sale period.
Merida, Mexico: Hacienda Xcanatun offers fourth night free
June 22, 2008 12:26pm
Hacienda Xcanatun (pronounced ssh-cana-TOON) is a 10-minute drive from the Yucatan capital, Merida, and within two hours of ancient sites such as Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Dzibilchaltun. If you want a cozy and comfortable base camp from which to explore all things Mayan, this 18-room boutique hotel seems an elegantly attractive choice. Plus, it’s offering a hot deal this summer.
Deal: Buy three nights and get a fourth night free; room rates start at $250 per night (pre-tax) and are based on double occupancy. You’ll also receive a welcome cocktail, daily breakfast at the hotel, artisan chocolates and a bottle of sparkling wine. You must call or e-mail to reserve this deal, as it is not bookable online. Ask for the “Living Luxe Package.”
Delta to cut flights to Loreto and other Mexico cities
June 20, 2008 11:52am
As reported by Los Angeles Times staff writer Peter Pae in his article “Delta cuts 13% of its LAX flights,” travelers will soon find fewer Delta Air Lines flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to destinations including Boston, Massachusetts; Columbus, Ohio; and Mexico and Latin American destinations.
Several routes to Mexico are being temporarily suspended or eliminated altogether. According to Delta spokesperson Anthony L. Black, starting in mid-August 2008, Loreto (LTO) and Manzanillo (ZLO) will no longer be serviced by Delta flights from LAX. These are permanent cancellations. Flights to León (BJX) will be suspended indefinitely starting Aug. 16, 2008.
Those planning trips to Mexico in the late summer and fall, take note:
