Bonjour à tous,
voilà tres clairement pourquoi je suis ici, je cherche des avis eclairés sur des destinations depaysantes et ou le coup de la vie est relativement bas.
Nous souhaiterions partir, ma femme, mon fils (de 2ans) et moi meme a l'etranger afin de se couper un peu du monde actuel. Nous cherchons un pays stable politiquement, sans grand danger pour la santé, de preference ensoleillé, ou la vie est calme, paisible et peu onereuse.J'ai mis 3 pays qui me semble pas mal ( CostaRica, Mada et la Thailande) mais je suis ouvert a toutes autres propositions. J'attend vos avis avec beaucoup d'impatience.Merci des reponses que vous voudrez bien me fournir.
salut!pour repondre a vos criteres, si vous n'avez jamais 'bougé" hors de france je vous conseille la thailande pays tres facile pour une premiere, ou les philippines aussi plus facile niveau visa. mada c'est plus "roots" disons plus le souk, plus pauvre, moins de facilitees pour le touriste, moins devellopé que la thailande...
Bonjour merci de ta reponse, au niveau sanitaire est ce que partir sur la thailande ou les philipines avec un jeune enfant (2a) n'est pas risqué ? et peut on trouver des location de maisons facilement ?
Bonjour à tous,
voilà tres clairement pourquoi je suis ici, je cherche des avis eclairés sur des destinations depaysantes et ou le coup de la vie est relativement bas.
Nous souhaiterions partir, ma femme, mon fils (de 2ans) et moi meme a l'etranger afin de se couper un peu du monde actuel. Nous cherchons un pays stable politiquement, sans grand danger pour la santé, de preference ensoleillé, ou la vie est calme, paisible et peu onereuse.J'ai mis 3 pays qui me semble pas mal ( CostaRica, Mada et la Thailande) mais je suis ouvert a toutes autres propositions. J'attend vos avis avec beaucoup d'impatience.Merci des reponses que vous voudrez bien me fournir.
Bonjour Guido,
Hôpitaux au top en Thaïlande et a part quelques coins reculés aucun risque de maladies tropicales. Mais attention. La Thaïlande n'est pas aussi pauvre que Mada ou même le Costa Rica! La vie location de maison ou de voiture n'est pas donnée pour un Standart occidendental.
Combien comptez-vous comme budget annuel?
A votre écoute
Irina
Bonjour, oui tout a fait l'Afrique Australe reste un reve pour moi ! Mais souvent compliquer pour les visas non ? puis pas beaucoup de sujet sur des pays comme la Zambie Mozambique, Lesotho...bref mais si tu as des renseignements je suis preneur ! avec plaisir ! mais un pays avec une stabilité politique evidente kan meme lol !
*
Mais attention. La Thaïlande n'est pas aussi pauvre que Mada ou même le Costa Rica! La vie location de maison ou de voiture n'est pas donnée pour un Standart occidendental.
je suis allé a mada et je peux te dire malgrés que c'est plus pauvre, le rapport/qualité/et surtout prix est bien mieux en thailande, je trouve les prix des logements assez cher a mada pour tres peu de confort, mais rien a voir aussi, c'est l'afrique comme je disais, plus "roots"
si vous avez regardé les différents type de visa de séjour longue durée pour la Thaïlande, vous comprendrez de suite qu'il est difficile d'envisager cela pour un séjour d'un an en famille ( visa de tourisme pour 60 jours ext 30 J - éventuellement double entrée soit au total 180 j cumulés)
pour connaitre les pays d'amerique centrale ( et y avoir vécu plusieurs années ) et résident de longue date en Thailande,
le gouffre culturel entre européens et thais ici ne facilite pas vraiment les choses ; pour un séjour de durée 1 ans, et pour quelqu'un qui n'a pas vraiment l'habitude de la vie hors de france en longue durée, les pays d'amerique latine sont alors de tres loin préférable ( en 3 mois on parle espagnol sans probleme , pas de grande différence culturelle, )
certes, on peut aussi prendre des cours intensifs de thais et apprendre en 3 mois !
Hôpitaux au top en Thaïlande et a part quelques coins reculés aucun risque de maladies tropicales.
A votre écoute
Irina
Gare à la dengue tout de même qui ne se limite pas aux coins recules. Et n'est pas super pour les jeunes enfants....
"Le touriste apparait comme le principal agent de diffusion du mépris anti touristique. Plus le touriste se voit en miroir de l'autre, plus il le déteste".
Merci pour les infos, effectivement, plus j'avance dans mes recherches plus je me dis que l'amerique centrale est plus simple sur bien des aspects.Merci du temps que vous avez pris pour me repondre
Sont stables l'Afrique du Sud, la Namibie et le Botswana. L'Afrique du Sud a mauvaise réputation mais je pense que le danger pour un européen est le même que pour tout pays aux richesses mal partagées. Bref, il ne faut pas faire n'importe quoi, n'importe où et à n'importe quelle heure.
Au niveau sanitaire, ces pays sont à peu près comme l'Europe. Les frontières est de l'AFS, le nord de la Namibie et une bonne partie du Botswana sont impaludés (risque saisonnier ). Il y a surtout des précautions à prendre envers les animaux(les petites bestioles genre serpents ou scorpions)
Les infrastructures sont aussi d'un bon niveau (routes, distribution d'eau , d'électricité...) La corruption n'est pas à un niveau élevé pour ce qui concerne la vie quotidienne (La police ne t'arrête pas à tout bout de champ pour réclamer quelques billets)
Le climat est méditerranéen (région du Cap) ou plus contrasté avec une saison chaude et pluvieuse (mais pas avec un taux d'humidité désagréable) et une saison fraiche et sèche (les températures peuvent descendre en dessous de zéro la nuit-il neige exceptionnellement-en journée le thermomètre peut dépasser le 20)
Ces 3 pays sont plutôt des pays pour les personnes qui aiment le contact avec la nature. Ou alors il faut plutôt s'installer dans la province du Cap.
Les prix ne sont pas bon marché comme en Thaïlande (il y a tout de même un budget meilleur marché en Afrique Australe qu'en Thaïlande : le vin!😄) mais ils sont tout de même inférieurs aux prix pratiqués en France (Essence, péage, viande, poisson, restaurant, logement, les fruits et légumes cultivés localement...)
Ces 3 pays(surtout l'Afrique du Sud qui est un peu au centre de la région) sont une bonne base pour aller sillonner l'Afrique australe(Zambie, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi) tout en ayant un pied à terre confortable.
Donc tu penses qu'il est preferable disons "d'habiter" en AFS puis de silloner de là vers les pays alentour? Mais depuis l'AFS vers la Namibie Zambie Lesotho Swaziland ne se pose t il pas de problemes de sejours ou de visas est ce simple de rentrer et de sortir de ces pays depuis l'AFS ? Trouve t on facilement de quoi se loger a bon rapport qualité prix avec un enfant?
je te déconseille vivement de choisir Madagascar, car le pays n'est pas stable du tout depuis de nombreuses années et surtout avec un enfant de deux ans............Cela n'empêche pas que j'adore ce pays et que j'y vais régulièrement.
Je suis d'accord avec ceux qui te préconise la Thaïlande qui lui est un pays stable.
Amicalement🙂
Tant que la couleur de la peau sera plus importante que la couleur des yeux, nous ne connaitrons pas la paix.
Bonsoir Guillaume, sans hésiter je vous conseille la Thailande qui reste un Pays à visiter et dépaysant, stable, sécurisé et ou l'on mange très bien et pour pas cher 🙂 L'inconvénient... Victime de son succès commence à devenir une destination trop touristique, évitez aussi les endroits réputés tourisme sexuel c'est pas très réjouissant... Mais si vous préparez bien votre voyage vous pouvez encore trouver des coins un peu tranquille et hors du temps 😛 Et surtout sans stress pour l'insécurité, ça n'a pas de prix et pour toile de fond de très beau paysage.
Laurence 🙂
Lukmee a soulevé un problème de VISA qui n'est pas négligeable (vous aurez le même problème à Madagascar et dans beaucoup de Pays) mais là je ne peux pas vous répondre... il faut se renseigner auprès des Pays concerné 🙂 l'avantage de Madagascar et que vous avez La Réunion et Mayotte à coté.
Donc tu penses qu'il est preferable disons "d'habiter" en AFS puis de silloner de là vers les pays alentour?
Pour minimiser les frais et pour ne pas avoir l'impression d'être en perpétuel mouvement, le mieux est peut être de se poser au moins un mois au même endroit puis de repartir en vadrouille avant de se re-poser un peu plus loin...
L'AFS n'est pas le pays le plus "dépaysant" du secteur point de vue vie quotidienne (pour le reste, si !😛) mais c'est le pays le plus "confortable".
ne se pose t il pas de problemes de sejours ou de visas
Je pense que le problème est d'obtenir un visa longue durée pour l'AFS. Je ne sais pas du tout quelles sont les formalités. Pour un séjour de moins de 3 mois, il suffit d'un passeport valable un mois après le vol retour Le visa est alors accordé gratuitement à l'arrivée.
L'entrée dans la plupart des pays voisins est simple. Il n'y a pas besoin de s'y prendre à l'avance et le visa est délivré gratuitement à la frontière. N'ayant pas voyagé sur des longues périodes, je te laisse le soin d'aller regarder sur France diplomatie les durées de séjour pour un visa tourisme.
Payant mais à la frontière donc facile également : le Zimbabwe et la Zambie.
Pour le Mozambique, il semble qu'il ne soit plus possible d'obtenir le visa à la frontière. Mais pas besoin de le faire en France, tu peux le faire en AFS.
Trouve t on facilement de quoi se loger a bon rapport qualité prix avec un enfant?
Les logements ont tout le confort moderne en AFS. Pour le prix en longue durée, tu peux avoir une idée ici .
A la journée, un emplacement de camping coûte de 10 à 20 euros. Un BB simple coûte 40 euros. Un logement en dur mais avec SDB collective dans un parc animalier coûte 30- 40 euros. Un logement plus sophistiqué débute à 60 euros jusqu'à plusieurs centaines dans les réserves privées.
Certains français vivant en AFS interviennent sur ce forum à la rubrique Afrique Australe.
Ils pourraient te donner une idée plus précise du coût de la vie sur le long terme car je n'ai malheureusement pas encore eu l'opportunité de m'installer quelques mois là-bas !
Perso, je prendrais comme premier point de chute la Thaïlande et après avoir visité ce très beau pays, vous pourrez vous rendre en Birmanie (soit par avion -tarif abordable- au départ de Bangkok, soit en passant la frontière à Mae Saï -Tachilek, mais bien se renseigner avant), au Laos (facile avec les trois ponts frontaliers), au Cambodge puis remonter le Vietnam et passer en Chine.
L'autre possibilité serait d'aller en Malaisie en train et pousser jusqu'à Singapour.Vol pour Jakarta (les 1000 îles/ Pulau Seribu) puis de nouveau le train pour traverser Java d'Ouest en Est. Superbe balade avec qq arrêts évidemment. Enfin, le ferry pour atteindre Bali (un must), proche de l'Australie pour une nouvelle grande aventure...
Circuit Nord ou circuit Sud en 6 mois minimum pour bien savourer les superbes paysages, la bonne cuisine, les traditions culturelles, les sourires, la faune et la flore. L'intérêt de l'Asie, c'est aussi d'avoir des possibilités d'hébergement, de restauration et de transport (train, avion) réellement compétitives. Songez qu'un Jakarta-Bali - aller simple- se négocie autour de 30 euros, taxes comprises, sur Air Asia... On est très loin des tarifs d' Air Madagascar !
Il faut savoir que cette personne a un enfant de deux ans et je ne pense pas qu'ils pourront faire les globetrotters dans toute l'Asie du sud est lollll😉
Tant que la couleur de la peau sera plus importante que la couleur des yeux, nous ne connaitrons pas la paix.
Il faut savoir que cette personne a un enfant de deux ans et je ne pense pas qu'ils pourront faire les globetrotters dans toute l'Asie du sud est lollll😉
Apres mure reflexion et nombreux avis de vos parts....je pense qu'avant de partir emmener ma ptite famille ou que se soit, le plus sage reste tout de memede se rendre sur les lieux afin reelement de voir la vie làbas! Je pense que mon choix se portera ou sur la Thailande ou bien les Philipines ou encore le Costa Rica.Y aller voir durant 3 semaines et se faire une idée.....meme si l'Afrique australe m'attire toujours...mais trop d'incertitudes dans tout ces pays.
Bonsoir, je connais bien le Costa Rica pour y etre allé une dizaine de fois depuis l'année 2000.
C'est un pays qui était bon marché autrefois et qui l'est beaucoup moins maintenant à cause du
nombre important d"americains venus s'installer dans le pays.
Bonjour,
Le Costa Rica est un très beau pays très accueillant où la vie est facile mais qui reste relativement cher.
Je suis allée aussi en Thailande, aucun problème, la vie n'est pas chère et de très bons hôpitaux en cas de soucis de santé.
Cela bouge pas mal à Madagascar depuis quelques temps et c'est à mon avis risqué.
J'ai des amis français qui vivent au Chili et qui ont vécus en Argentine et qui sont enchantés de ces pays, personnellement je ne connais pas.
Nous partons le 31/12/2013 en Asie : Cambodge, Laos, Vietnam. Je pourrai vous donner mon ressenti à mon retour. Quand pensez-vous partir ?
Michèle
Michèle
http://mjm-nosvoyages.blogspot.fr/ Ethopie 2020-Birmanie 2017-New York 2015-Sicile 2015-Ouest américain 2015/16/17/18/19 - Madrid/Barcelone - Cinq Terre 2017-Prague 2018-Venise 2019
http://surlarouteasiatique.blogspot.fr/ 2014 : périple de 9 mois Cambodge, Laos, Vietnam et ouest Américain
A vraie dire je ne sais trop quand partir et surtout je ne sais ou !! C'eest vraie que l'Amsud et plus particulierement le CR m'attirent, mais je pense que la vie a 3 serais plus simple en Asie ( thailande, philippines, bali....).Le 1er trimestre 2014 serait une periode favorable pour un depart.En tout cas je vous remercie du temps que vous avez pris pour repondre a mon post, c'est tres gentil.Il me tarde que vous rentriez pour raconter votre perible qui a l'air fort interressant.
mada prend une claque de nouveau. la thailande dispose d un systeme de sante publique bcp plus avance qu au costa rica, et a fortiori qu a mada, qui te permettra de faire face a peu de frais au petits pepins quotidiens (il y a qq annees, une tourista qui traine deux jours, je vais voir un toubib au hazard qui parle un anglaistres correct, qui me fait une ordonnance et me delivre les medicaments necessaires avant de partir, cout: 150 bahts soit moins de 4 euros). Il y a egalement bcp d hopitaux top niveau a des standards internationaux (le tourisme medical est aussi une priorité économique officielle) qui prendront en charge en cas de pepin plus serieux en attendant un rappatriement, le tout assez facilement pris en charge par la secu
ou la vie est calme, paisible et peu onereuse
pour le calme et paisible, c est sans doute mieux en thailande, mais le costa rica tient la route, par contre je n en dirais pas autant pour le reste de l amerique centrale et l amerique du sud. Par contre, tout le reste de l asie du sud est au top a ce niveau la (un peu moins en indonesie et encore un peu moins aux philipines, mais rien a voir avec le nicaragua, le salvador ou la colombie
pour ce qui est du cout de la vie, l asie du sud-est est largement en tete. En particulier la thailande ouil est tres facile de trouver des hebergements, ce qui maintien les prix a des standards bcp plus bas qu au costa rica, et a des rapports qualite prix bien superieurs tant a mada, qu en amerique centrale ou du sud.
la thailande est aussi largement plus aisee pour se deplacer : reseau routier de qualite bien superieure au costa rica, et plus encore a mada, facilite pour se reperer, pour louer/acheter un vehicule (l achat/revente etant probablement une solution qui te fera economiser bcp d argent). pour le cote «envahi par les touristes, facile de relativiser: la thailande est un pays grand comme la france, avec 15 millions de touristes par an contre 90 millions en france, sans compter les francais qui font du tourisme en france, plus nombreux que les thai en thailande. comme en france, 95% du territoire est indemne de «l invasion touristique»
pour les visas, le pb se posera partout, mais en thailande tu peux avoir trois mois avec un simple visa touristique, renouvelable sans trop de probleme moyennant une vadrouille hors du pays et un passage dans une ambassade/consulat thai pour un nouveau visa touristique tous les 3 mois. a cote de la thailande, tu auras aussi trois mois mais sans visa prealable en malaisie, et tres simplement un mois au laos/cambodge/vietnam/birmanie. il est meme possible de passer d un pays a l autre avec son propre vehicule (moto en tout cas, realise et decrit recemment par un francais qui a achete sa moto en thailande et qui vient de passer au laos. en voiture c est peut etre plus complique avec la conduite a gauche en thailande/malaisie, et a droite au laos/cambodge/vietnam)
il est vrai que la barriere de la langue sera un peu plus difficile a gerer en thailande, mais comme deja dit, l’aspect «se couper un peu du monde» prendra à ce prix bcp plus de sens.
Mon ami et moi même partons au CR le 24 déc juqu'au 10 janvier. je lis beaucoup de post sur le forum, j'ai acheté des guides pour nous faire un circuit, ça…
Travailler, étudier et vivre à l'étranger › Costa Rica · 14 replies
Ne sui pas du genre a claqué mon argent betment et je sui économe je sai deja que je doi sortir du CK 3jour tout les trois mois pour renouvlé mon visa donc svp…
Sites personnels des membres › Costa Rica · 16 replies
Depuis des mois que nous écrivons un blog sur notre vie au Costa-Rica, je n'avais même pas pensé à venir le présenter, quels distrait suis-je! Alors voilà:…
Un ami et moi comptons voyager au Costa Rica du 24 décembre au 7 janvier. Je sais que cette période de l'anné est très occupé du aux vacances des fêtes. Est-ce…
I’m heading to Guatemala for 18 days in August with my 11-year-old and I’m wondering if renting a car makes sense—not so much because of the road conditions, but because I’d like to spend about 3 days in Livingston. Since it’s only accessible by boat, I’d have to leave the car in Río Dulce. Maybe possible at a hotel, but that means paying for a rental for 3 days without using it...
Same issue for Semuc Champey—it’s only reachable by 4x4, and I won’t be renting that type of vehicle.
Also, has anyone traveled from Panajachel (Lake Atitlán) to Cobán (to explore the caves and waterfalls in the area)?
According to Google Maps, it’s a 6-hour, 44-minute drive... so whether by car or minibus, it’s *really* long (same for Cobán-Flores later).
Are there any interesting stops along the way where I could spend a night? And if I’m not renting a car, is it possible to take two private shuttles for this route?
Hello,
We're planning 15 days in Chiapas. We already spent 3 weeks in the Yucatán 4 years ago.
What would you recommend in Chiapas? Our idea is to rent a car so we can move around freely—there’ll be two of us.
Thanks for your tips on great places to stay, restaurants, and sights to visit!
In 2024, I spent two months solo in El Salvador. While I’m still putting together my travel journal on Myatlas, here’s a quick recap.
It’s a country where it’s really easy to travel without a guide or agency.
SAFETY:
For a long time, the country was considered one of the most dangerous in the world because of the "maras," ultra-violent gangs. But today, I think it’s the safest country in Latin America.
BUDGET:
For French tourists, the country is very affordable, especially in the less touristy regions.
TRANSPORT:
I got around everywhere by local bus.
Local buses go everywhere and run all the time. For me, it’s the best way to travel in El Salvador—you’re fully immersed, moving at the pace of the locals, and interacting with Salvadorans who are eager to connect with travelers.
I saw all sorts of things on those buses—I’ve got dozens of stories!
PEOPLE:
I’m used to traveling all over Latin America, and for me, Salvadorans are the warmest and most welcoming. Everywhere you go, people say, "Welcome to El Salvador!"
The connections and long conversations with locals were my favorite part of the trip.
TOURIST CROWDS:
The country isn’t well-known among European tourists, but Americans and Quebecers visit. Overall, it’s still pretty low-key, especially compared to other Central American countries. That said, tourism has been growing since security improved significantly.
WHAT I LOVED ❤️
-Suchitoto, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Central America.
-The volcanoes—there are so many! Santa Ana is the most touristy.
-The lakes—also plentiful. Coatepeque is the most famous, but there are lots of lagoons too.
-The mountainous regions, where the cooler weather is a nice break: La Palma, Perquín, Cerro El Pital, etc.
-The charming villages along the Ruta de las Flores, especially Nahuizalco with its nighttime atmosphere and food stalls. Juayúa and others are great too.
-The conversations with people who lived through the horrors of the civil war in Perquín and Cinquera. I met one of them by chance while waiting for a bus.
For surfers, El Salvador is a paradise, with world-famous beaches.
WHAT I LIKED LESS:
I loved almost everything, but I found the archaeological sites a bit underwhelming. Joyabaj de Cerén is billed as the "Pompeii of El Salvador," which is a stretch (though it *is* a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical value).
I’ve been reading some really conflicting info about the best ways and advantages of exchanging euros for Mexican pesos. For those with recent experience, could you shed some light? Is exchanging at the airport currency exchange offices more worthwhile? Other advice suggests that withdrawing with an international bank card is the best option. Thanks for sharing your experiences on this!
Philippe
Hi,
We’re planning a trip to Mexico this summer (loop through Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche). We’re thinking of using public transport or possibly renting a car. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has a lot of recommendations. Are these states safe for solo travelers? Are there any precautions we should take or areas to avoid?
Thanks,
Hi everyone, I’m planning to go to Panama in December and I’d like to know which city is closest to the Panama-Costa Rica border—and just across the border in Costa Rica—to buy the cheapest bus ticket? Just so I have proof of onward travel when I take my flight, thanks.
When planning a trip to Panama, you often hear about Panama City, Bocas del Toro, Boquete, or even San Blas. Yet, there’s a region that remains relatively under the radar in travel guides: the Arco Seco.
Located on the Pacific coast, between the provinces of Panamá Oeste, Coclé, Herrera, and Los Santos, the Arco Seco enjoys a generally drier climate than the rest of the country. Even during the rainy season, you’ll often find more sunshine here than in other parts of Panama.
For travelers who love alternating between beaches, nature, hikes, and local discoveries, this region is definitely worth a detour.
A few ideas for visits:
• The beaches of La Ensenada, El Palmar, Punta Barco, and Coronado
• Surfing at El Palmar, one of the most well-known spots on the Pacific coast
• Kitesurfing at Punta Chame, which is highly reputed!
• El Valle de Antón, nestled in an ancient volcanic crater, with its hikes, waterfalls, artisan market, and hot springs
• Various hikes offering stunning panoramas
• The waterfalls in the San Carlos and El Valle areas
• Golf at Vista Mar or Coronado
• Fishing villages where you can still buy freshly caught fish directly from local fishermen
What I particularly love about this region is that it lets you discover a more authentic and peaceful side of Panama while remaining easily accessible from Panama City.
I’ve been living in San Carlos for several years now, and I’m still discovering new places, trails, beaches, and hidden gems.
If anyone is planning a trip to this region and has questions, I’d be happy to share my favorite spots and personal recommendations.
I’m reaching out to tap into your knowledge and experiences, as my partner and I are heading to Guatemala and Belize for the entire month of February 2020, and we could really use some tips.
I was thinking of spending 20 days in Guatemala and 10 days in Belize, especially since our flight arrives in Guatemala City and departs from Belize.
We were considering hiring a driver-guide for part of our time in Guatemala. Which part do you think would be best? We’re choosing this country for all the culture and traditions it has to offer, so skipping a guide entirely would be a shame—but I can imagine it’d be tough to keep one for all 20 days.
So maybe a week or ten days. What kind of budget should we plan for? And most importantly, do you have any contacts for reliable driver-guides?
Thanks in advance for your valuable advice.
Marilyne
Hi there! We’ve decided to head to Panama this summer and would love to do a road trip with a rental car—there are four of us, and our kids are 20 and 23. Do you have any recommendations on must-see spots and things to avoid? Any great tips for accommodation, restaurants, or activities? Thanks so much for your help
Hello,
We’re heading to Playa del Carmen for two weeks in August with our 4-year-old child.
We’ve seen that you can visit places like Tulum or Cozumel on your own using colectivos. For Coba, we’re hesitant to go alone because we’d like to see the cenotes and the Mayan village.
But we’d prefer to find a French-speaking agency that guarantees small-group tours, especially for Sian Ka’an.
We’d rather avoid the "mimi tours" even though they’re recommended by a lot of people and the *Guide du Routard*, based on the reviews we’ve read.
I’m interested in the agency Muuch Ximbal, which seems to offer slightly different outings. There’s also H and L Tours or Delphine Fautré’s agency (though the last two don’t list excursion prices). We also found Promomaya, but apparently, they don’t have an on-site agency.
Do you have any tips or other agencies to recommend?
We’d also like to swim with dolphins but outside of the Xcaret and Xel-Há parks. Do you know of other ways to swim with them, maybe even in the open sea???
I’ve also seen that it’s possible to swim with whale sharks—is this doable with a 4-year-old who doesn’t like putting her head underwater yet? Have any of you done it? This excursion is quite expensive, and I’d be okay with swimming with them, but just sailing on a boat without being able to see them would be disappointing.
PS: Our Spanish isn’t very good.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
we’re traveling as a couple to Guatemala from Feb 8 to 22.
We’ve realized that given the distances, it feels a bit short.
So, we’ve decided to limit ourselves to:
- Antigua: 3 nights (from Feb 8 to 11), including the arrival day
- Lake Atitlán: from Feb 11 to 14 – 3 nights in San Juan La Laguna, including the morning trip from Antigua to Lake Atitlán
- Chichicastenango: from Feb 14 to 15 – 1 night to attend the Sunday market and visit the cemetery
We have 7 days left that we’re not sure how to organize to cover:
Flores – Tikal – El Remate, then head back to Guatemala City for our flight on Feb 22.
Actually, I have a few questions:
Do you think the time in Antigua and at the lake is enough?
We might do the Pacaya Volcano, which is accessible for beginners, and that’s it.
Should we spend a bit more time at these two spots: Antigua and the lake? If so, we’d have to skip the Chichicastenango market.
We’re also thinking of leaving Chichicastenango to head to Flores, then staying overnight in El Remate. Does that seem doable in one day?
We’ve noted that the trips are long, and since we don’t want to rush, we’ve reduced the number of accommodations. Even though we know we won’t see everything, we don’t want to miss the must-sees.
We’re also wondering if we’ve planned the route in the right direction, or if we should head straight to Tikal when we arrive.
Anyway, I know this is long, but we’re a bit lost.
Thanks so much for your help!
Annick
My partner and I would like to travel to Mexico during the Christmas holidays. We’re well aware that this is a peak tourist season, but it’s the only time of year when we can take a long trip (over two weeks) due to work commitments.
We’re looking to avoid overly touristy areas and travel independently (renting a car). We want to explore Mexico’s history, take our time, and enjoy nature and the sea.
I’ve never been to Mexico before, and I’m considering the following regions (not all of them, of course): Yucatán (outside Quintana Roo), Baja California, Oaxaca, or Chiapas.
I’ve more or less ruled out Chiapas for safety reasons (even though the nature there looks amazing), and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the other regions. From experience, I know that even in highly touristy areas, you can often find quieter spots with good planning and by avoiding the main hotspots. For example, we were in Thailand last year during the same period, and aside from 2-3 places, we had a very peaceful trip—sometimes even being the only Westerners around. Would the same be true for Yucatán or Baja California?
Do you have any recommendations for nice, less touristy spots? What are your thoughts on the regions I mentioned?
Thanks so much for your help, and I hope you have a great weekend!
Hi there,
We’ve had to change our plans, so we’re heading to Guatemala from October 16 to 25, 2025 (in just 6 days 😱 😊😕), with two kids aged 8 and 10. No time difference for us.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Morning: Arrival in Guatemala City at 9 AM. Drive to Antigua (1-hour shuttle) / Afternoon: Stroll around Antigua / Night: Antigua
Day 2: Explore Antigua / Night: Antigua
Day 3: Visit the area around Antigua OR hike a volcano (Acatenango?) / Night: Antigua
Day 4: Drive to Chichicastenango for the big market (how many hours?) / Afternoon: Iximche ruins? Or the hanging bridges at Atitlán Reserve? Or spend the day in Chichicastenango / Night: Panajachel
Day 5: A day by boat visiting villages around the lake and checking out local crafts (which villages to pick?), Night: Panajachel
Day 6: Drive to Flores with 1 stop? Should we go to Semuc Champey? (how many hours?), Night: ??
Day 7: Drive to Flores (how many hours?), Night: Flores
Day 8: Yaxha (1.5-hour drive each way with a driver), Night: Flores
Day 9: Day trip to Tikal, Night: Flores
Day 10:: Flight from Flores to Guatemala City, then departure at 4:30 PM
About hiking a volcano, I’ve read mixed reviews. Some say it’s easy, others say it’s tough.
Is there a kid-friendly hike where we could see lava from a volcano? Is it only visible at night? Do we *have* to sleep at the top and come down the next day?
I’ve heard of people doing it with 2-year-olds by carrying them, and others using horses—but I guess the horses don’t go all the way up? Seeing a real volcano would be amazing! I think it’d be a memorable experience for the kids. It’d be so cool to say, "We did that as a family!" But maybe it’s way too hard and a bad idea...
I’m struggling to find reliable info on travel times:
- How long is the drive from Antigua to Chichicastenango, please?
I’ve read shuttles leave at 7 AM and arrive at the market by 8:30 AM, but I’ve also seen people say it’s a 4-hour trip 😕.
Are the times on Google Maps reliable?
A blog mentioned visiting Chichicastenango’s market in the morning and Iximché in the afternoon. That seems like a lot of driving, especially after leaving Antigua in the morning. What should we do in the afternoon instead?
Days 6 and 7: The trip from Panajachel to Flores. Any advice on taking an overnight bus?
Should we go during the day with a stop at Semuc Champey? Or fly and spend the extra day somewhere else?
Day 8: Is a full day at Yaxha too much?
Thanks so much for your help—it’s *so* valuable with such short notice! 😅 😅 😅 THANK YOU
PS: If you have recommendations for private drivers, shuttle services, or any firsthand experience, I’d love to hear it!
Hi, a friend will be in Panama at an all-inclusive resort and was wondering if it's worth visiting the Canal in a single day, and also which attractions shouldn't be missed.
Is it better to choose a package deal? What's the recommended mode of transport for this trip?
Thanks
We’re a retired couple in our 70s looking to spend six weeks in Costa Rica between mid-January and mid-March 2026. We’d like to stay in comfortable bungalows (2x3 weeks) and rent a car for the entire period. We enjoy light hiking and some beach time, but we also love relaxing on a shaded veranda, reading, and unwinding. Which places would suit these preferences? We have a lot of experience with this kind of stay in the French West Indies or Indian Ocean islands but have never been to Central America. Does anyone have good tips?
Hi there, after my trip to Nicaragua in January, I’m planning to visit Honduras and El Salvador during the same journey. Can anyone tell me where to cross the border from Nicaragua to Honduras by bus? Is it doable? Safe? And most importantly, what’s a good route to take and what’s worth seeing in Honduras in a safe way?
Is it better to travel with a group (through an agency) or is solo travel no problem?
P.S.: And for El Salvador, same question—what’s a good route and what’s generally worth seeing? Is it better to start in the south (El Salvador) and then head north to Honduras before continuing to Guatemala, or...?
I spent two months alone in Guatemala this summer, without a guide or agency, and I’d love to share a quick recap of my impressions.
● First off, it’s really easy to travel without a guide or agency.
If you want a guide for excursions, you can easily find one through the many agencies in Antigua or Panajachel. In Flores, there are also plenty of agencies offering multi-day jungle treks.
● I got around by shuttle for part of the "classic" and more touristy route. To step off that path, I took "camionetas" (chicken buses) or minibuses.
For me, "camionetas" are the best way to get around Guatemala. They let you travel everywhere, fully immersed, at the local pace. They run all the time and are even an adventure in themselves.
Shuttles are direct, but local buses aren’t.
No matter how you travel, trips take a while because roads are often in bad shape, and in the mountains, you can’t overtake.
● As for safety, there’s nothing unusual compared to other Latin American countries. Just keep in mind it’s not Europe. As a solo woman, I try not to draw too much attention—though traveling alone already does that. Like in other countries, I was often asked where my kids and husband were, and I just gave whatever answer I felt like.
● Budget-wise, Guatemala isn’t too expensive for French tourists, but Antigua and Panajachel—two very touristy spots—are pricier.
● Guatemala is a small country but incredibly rich in culture and nature (volcanoes, mountains, beaches, etc.). You can easily spend several days (or even weeks) in each region.
● My top picks ❤️:
- The Mayan markets, especially the one in San Francisco El Alto
- The Ixil Triangle: Nebaj, Chajul, Acul
- The stunning landscapes around Todos Santos Cuchumatán
- Antigua, very touristy but beautiful
- Lake Atitlán, also touristy but gorgeous
I planned to climb Pacaya Volcano, but early in my trip, there was an earthquake in Antigua, and by the end, I wasn’t in the mood. Climbing Acatenango is more spectacular but also more challenging.
● Biggest highlights ❤️ ❤️:
- Tikal—it’s THE must-see site, an incredible mix of archaeology and nature!
- The Joyabaj Fair, which I hadn’t planned to visit but ended up spending a week at: Mayan ceremonies, equestrian parades, diverse dances, processions with Mayan priests, and especially the "palo volador"—the highlight of the festival!
● Small letdown 👎:
- Ranchitos del Quetzal, where I went hoping to spot the quetzal. I knew it wasn’t the right season, but I was still disappointed—I didn’t see any other birds either, and the hiking options were limited. It also took me a slight detour from Cobán.
If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them.
● If you’re interested, I kept a more detailed travel journal, and I’m working on another one just about the Joyabaj Fair:
We’re planning a 15-day family trip in February 2026 (with 3 teens). We’ll be visiting friends who live in Puebla. Initially, I was thinking of the Yucatán, but after reading up on it, I don’t think it’s the right fit for us (too crowded, too touristy).
So, we’re leaning toward something like this:
- Mexico City: 2 days (Teotihuacán + city)
- Puebla: 3 days
- Tehuacán: 2 days (to break up the trip—is this a good choice? Is there enough to do for 2 days?)
- Oaxaca: 3 days (Hierve el Agua, Monte Albán, city/tours)
- Pacific Coast: 4 days (snorkeling, excursions)
Does this seem balanced? We’d like to end on the coast for some relaxation, ocean time, and fun for the kids. I’ve seen lots of excursions offered along the coast but can’t decide where to stay. Puerto Escondido? Huatulco? The beaches seem better for snorkeling in Huatulco, but I’ve read mixed things, and it’s farther away. What do you think?
For transportation, is this doable by bus? I’m struggling to find a decent bus between Tehuacán and Oaxaca (overnight schedules), and I’m not sure how to get around the coast. Also, how do we handle luggage between cities? We usually rent a car.
Finally, I’d love feedback on the Pacific Coast excursions—I get the feeling some are worth it and others aren’t. Is bioluminescence really magical? Are dolphin-watching tours ethical and not too "factory-like"? (We skipped them in Quebec and just watched whales from shore.) Can you see sea turtles up close?
Hi everyone,
There’s not much info out there on Nicaragua in general, which is why I posted my questions here on the forum... but didn’t get many answers since it’s tough to find any anyway.
It’s a stunning country, but my experience was mixed.
There are areas with very few tourists (which is exactly what we were looking for), but as a result, there’s almost no way to get around (unless you walk, and even that’s not easy or always possible) and no real tourist infrastructure.
Finding info is nearly impossible—there’s practically nothing, so it’s hard to know what you’ll find in a given place, whether it’s worth taking a 12-hour bus ride across the country, only to turn around 48 hours later.
The easy and pleasant spots: Granada, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur and the Pacific beaches, León, and the Corn Islands. These are the places mentioned in guidebooks (the rest is jungle to the east, not many roads south of the lake, and no boats on the lake either—except for the Rivas-Ometepe connection). Venturing off the beaten path is really tough.
The Caribbean coast: aside from the Corn Islands (which are very touristy but not easy to reach by ferry from Bluefields), or if you want to take a flight with La Costeña, book in advance—there are often very few seats! The rest isn’t particularly satisfying, especially Pearl Lagoon, where swimming isn’t possible due to unsafe water. Don’t expect a postcard-perfect setting. But everything’s worth it if you have the time...
Buses: there are plenty, and they’re super cheap—but be warned, they stop everywhere, take forever, and are loud (though kind of charming in a vintage way). Too many buses can ruin a trip.
Lodges: affordable on a small budget, except in Managua and along the entire Caribbean coast! For example, beaches like El Tránsito (which is gorgeous) charge at least $50 or $60 per night for a basic room. Good to know.
In Matagalpa, we tried to rent a motorcycle to get around—impossible. I asked everywhere, but there was no way. So we cut our stay short because once you’ve explored Selva Negra, there’s not much else to do (an 8-hour bus ride to see a waterfall? No thanks). These might seem like small details, but they really matter when you want to enjoy where you are and discover nice spots—you end up stuck.
Bring plenty of mosquito spray + oral antihistamines: mosquitoes and bites are a *serious* nuisance. (I got over 200 bites in one go during a trip to a humid tropical forest, even though I was covered and protected.)
All in all, it’s an adventurous, exploratory trip. The people are great, and we never felt unsafe (even though some travelers have had *really* bad experiences). I thought there’d be a carnival since it was the right time of year—nothing. No dancing, not festive at all (compared to Brazil, for example, it’s the complete opposite).
We saw animals, but no toucans, for example!
For a beautiful, pristine, and well-organized trip, everyone agrees—go to Costa Rica, but be prepared to pay a lot more. Nicaragua is something else entirely. For surfers, though, it’s amazing! Personally, I love watching fish in clear, calm waters, hiking in nature, and swimming—I think I picked the wrong destination, but I’m glad I got to experience this totally wild side of Central America! :-)
Here’s our itinerary for 15 days in Guatemala.
Does it seem logical in terms of distances to avoid overly long trips? If not, which stop should we cut?
- Antigua
- Atitlán
- Lanquín
- Río Dulce
- El Remate – Flores
- Guatemala City
Could you help me estimate the approximate travel time for these routes by tourist bus or shuttle?
- Atitlán – Lanquín
- Lanquín – Río Dulce
- Río Dulce – El Remate
- Flores – Guatemala City
Hi everyone,
I’m so happy 🙂 to be traveling again after 5 years without a trip. I’m heading back to Costa Rica for 18 days from December 12th to 30th with a friend. We’re doing San José-Sarapiquí (2 nights), then Sarapiquí-Tortuguero (3 nights), then from Tortuguero heading to the Cahuita and Puerto Viejo area. We’ll spend about ten days in that region, then make a 2-day stop somewhere before flying back out of San José.
From what I’ve read on this blog, Puerto Viejo seems like the "rasta," party-friendly spot, which is honestly the kind of place I tend to avoid—too touristy. I’m looking for places surrounded by beautiful nature. I’ve already spent several weeks in Drake Bay (in 2019 and 10 years before that) and loved it. My friend also wants to visit the Bri Bri.
Could you recommend some authentic spots in this southern Caribbean area? Your favorite places—whether it’s sights to see, accommodations, or even your favorite little restaurants 😛?
What’s the most authentic way to visit the Bri Bri? What’s your take on that?
And finally, what beautiful stop would you recommend before heading back to San José?
A huge thank you to everyone!
Have a great day,
Zineb
We’d like to do a tour to Yaxchilan and Bonampak from Palenque, but it seems there are tons of travel agencies offering this tour. We’ve also read about a lot of disappointments... any recommendations?
Hi,
I’m heading to Cancun next January and I’m looking for a rental car.
I’m overwhelmed by all these cheap offers from sites like Booking, Carigami, and others...
Some reviews mention extra insurance fees that had to be paid on the spot.
I’d love to hear about your experiences—what company did you use? Were you charged any additional costs?
A lot of ads redirect to Touracancun, but they don’t seem trustworthy to me.
Thanks for your feedback!
My son is finishing up a year of working holiday in Canada soon. His plan is to take a bus from Montreal to Florida on 10/26, stay there for a few days, then fly to Cancun, Mexico. From there, he doesn’t have a precise plan yet, except to head down to Panama if the security situation in the countries he’ll cross allows it. Then, in March 2026, he’ll take a flight to Martinique, where he’d like to either find a sailboat (as crew) for the return transatlantic crossing (option 1) or do a sailing internship that includes the crossing (option 2).
So my questions are:
- Will he be able to re-enter Mexico without an exit date or proof of a flight back to Belgium? Would being able to prove his return by sailboat with a specific date (option 2, the sailing internship) make things easier?
- Are there any countries to avoid between Mexico and Panama? He’s traveling backpacker-style on a small budget.
Hi everyone, absolute travel lovers after our 20 trips to the USA, we’ve decided to head to Mexico in February (flight already booked: Nice to Cancun on February 20th, returning on the evening of March 1st).
I’m mainly hesitating about trying to do too much, as usual when discovering a new country. Here’s my itinerary—I’m unsure about a few things:
- **Day 1**: Should we stay relaxed at the resort we booked, or should we do Isla Mujeres instead? If we stay, when’s the best time to visit the island?
- **Day 3**: If we visit Chichén Itzá right at opening, will the Ik-Kil cenote be quieter in terms of tourists? If not, which cenote nearby would you recommend?
- **Big decision**: Should we go all the way down to Bacalar or not? After that, it feels a bit rushed. **Day 6** is mandatory, or are there other options? Honestly, I’m counting on your advice!
For context, we’re a family of four (with very grown-up kids who are used to traveling), and we’ve already rented an SUV for this period. Thanks in advance for your help—it’ll be invaluable!
**Departure – February 20th**: Arrival in Cancún
Arrival at 8:20 PM, pick up rental car.
Overnight in Cancún.
**Day 1 – February 21st**: Isla Mujeres
Ferry from Cancún to Isla Mujeres.
Playa Norte, snorkeling, golf cart tour.
Return to Cancún. Overnight in Cancún.
Drive (~3.5h). Settle in Tulum.
Visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum (stunning ocean view).
Swim in Gran Cenote or Cenote Calavera.
End the day at Playa Paraíso.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 6 – February 26th**: Sian Ka’an Reserve
Guided excursion:
Option Muyil (half-day): boat tour + swim in the Mayan canal.
Option Punta Allen (full-day): dolphins, turtles, snorkeling on the reef.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 7 – February 27th**: Tulum → Akumal → Playa del Carmen
Morning: snorkeling with turtles in Akumal.
Lunch, then drive to Playa del Carmen.
Evening on 5th Avenue.
Overnight in Playa del Carmen.
**Day 8 – February 28th**: Playa del Carmen → Puerto Morelos
Free morning in Playa del Carmen (beach or Cenotes Azul & Cristalino).
Afternoon: drive to Puerto Morelos (~30 min).
Overnight in Puerto Morelos.
**Day 9 – March 1st**: Puerto Morelos → Cancún → Return flight
Relaxing morning in Puerto Morelos.
Drive (~30 min) to Cancún Airport.
Return rental car. Return flight.
Back in 2002, we spent two weeks in Playa del Carmen. We did day trips to Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Xcaret.
We’re heading back at Christmas with our two daughters, aged 15 and 19. I’m sure it’s changed a lot with the booming tourism.
Flights are booked: Paris-Cancún on 19/12 (arriving at 8:20 PM) and Cancún-Paris on 01/01 at 1:30 PM. We’re still finalizing the itinerary because we want to explore but don’t want to switch hotels too often. We’ll be there for 13 nights and 12 days, so we’re choosing among:
- Playa del Carmen
- Cozumel
- Holbox
- Valladolid
- Tulum
- Mahahual
We won’t do everything, so any tips would be great! I’m also unsure if renting a car is the best option.
Hi, can you tell me if there’s a bus or shuttle from Alajuela to the Nicaragua border via Los Chiles? I’d like to avoid going through San José.
Thanks for your help!
A fantastic trip, dominated by the Altiplano, volcanoes, and especially the Mayan people!
Our route: Antigua – San Lucas de Toliman (Lake Atitlán) – Chichicastenango – Sayaxché – El Remate – Flores – Río Dulce – Livingston – Antigua
I won’t describe our trip in detail but will highlight a few points that go beyond the usual routes and really won us over.
In Antigua, it’s easy to take a chicken bus from the bus station next to the central market in the eastern part of the city to visit nearby villages. We went to Santa María de Jesús on a Sunday without seeing any other Westerners. We got lost in its colorful market, ate at a *comedor* with local dishes we didn’t find anywhere else, and were surrounded by incredibly welcoming Mayans.
Several villages around Lake Atitlán are well-covered by travelers and guides like *Routard* and *Lonely Planet*, but if you want to stay somewhere more authentic, I recommend San Lucas de Toliman (we stayed at *Casa Qatzil*—great place!). It’s in the southeast of the lake, with a market on Tuesdays and Fridays, a central square full of locals (more of those super-friendly Mayans!), and the option to visit other villages by *lancha* (boat) for the day. A walk toward the lake lets you pass by the washhouses, and there are hikes accessible by *pick-up* (shared transport), like the twin volcanoes Tolimán and Atitlán or Cerro del Oro (less challenging!). We loved visiting Santa Catarina Palopó—get lost in its maze of steep alleys, admiring the blue facades with their characteristic paintings. There are direct *chicken bus* connections to Chichicastenango in 1.5 hours. Cheap and convenient, though a bit bumpy!
Chichicastenango is famous for its market, described as the largest in Central America, on Thursdays and Sundays. A flood of tourists arrives between 10 AM and 1 PM, shuttled in by organized buses from Lake Atitlán and Antigua. But if you have time, stay overnight the day before and enjoy the market before 10 AM or in the afternoon. This little town (more of those welcoming Mayans!) is worth lingering in for a day or two to visit the cemetery, extraordinarily colorful and a site of Mayan rituals. Also take time to go to *Plaza Baktun*, a site considered sacred in Mayan culture where religious ceremonies take place around seven sculptures several meters tall.
The ruins of Aguateca are barely excavated (most structures are still covered in vegetation) and are only accessible by boat, traveling up a tributary of the Río de la Pasión to the sound of howler monkeys and birdsong (1.5 hours from Sayaxché). We felt like we got a sense of daily life in the ancient city—not just its religious dimension—with its ravine for sheltering women and children during attacks, its cliff, and defensive walls. Alone with our *lancha* driver, who acted as our guide in the barely cleared jungle, this site doesn’t overlap with Tikal at all—the vibe is completely different.
We stayed in El Remate instead of Flores to visit Yaxhá and Tikal, at *Posada Ixchel* (great place!). This quiet little town lets you stroll along the lake and hike in *Cerro Cahui*, a protected biotope leading to a viewpoint. Plus, it’s on the way to the sites, saving 45 minutes per trip.
Feel free to ask me questions about the places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!
