The Riu Panama Plaza is the hotel chain’s first foray into the urban hospitality concept, set in the heart of Panama City. THE ARRIVAL: With 645 rooms, the Riu Panama Plaza is largest hotel in Panama City, Panama (for now, that is; this fast-growing metropolis has larger properties in the pipeline). It also marks…
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HOTEL REVIEW: Esplendor Panama, Panama City
THE ARRIVAL: Set in a soaring, 42-story skyscraper in the financial-oriented Obarrio district, the 100-unit Esplendor — which debuted just recently — makes for an impressive entrance; its small lobby is marked by lots of glass and three thick columns covered with gold-colored mirrored tiles. The property — which is owned by the Argentina-based Fën Hoteles…
The Faces of Mexico’s Bicentennial
An early- morning reveler at the Zócalo. All photos ©Mark Chesnut for LatinFlyer.com. A recent article in the New York Times indicated that people weren’t that excited about Mexico’s Bicentennial this week. But it would be difficult to say that if you were attending the festivities. More than one million people attended the celebrations in Mexico…
Seven Things I Bought in Central America for less than $3
Traveling through Central America can be as economical as it is enjoyable. Guest contributor Matt Hope, founder of backpackingworldwide.com, shares some great travel values for budget-minded wanderers in Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. (Text and photos courtesy of Matt Hope.) Travelers are almost always on some sort of budget. We try to make the money we’ve…
INTREPID TRAVELER DISPATCH: Mexico City
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DAVID DUDAR. My well-traveled colleagues at TravelOjos.com supplied this Intrepid Traveler Dispatch, from contributor David Dudar, who recounts his trip to Mexico City. WHO: Just me. WHY: I have been traveling to Mexico City since the 90s, when I worked for United Airlines. For me, it is about as exotic a city as…
How Are You Celebrating Mexico’s Bicentennial?
Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma will be the site of major festivities in September. This is a big year for Mexico. Not only is it the 200th anniversary of the nation’s independence from Spain, it’s also the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, which helped set the groundwork for turning Mexico into one of…
Abandoned: The 6 Best Hotels You’ll NEVER Stay In
These classic mid-century modern hotels still stand, but they’ve been abandoned for years.
Dennis Hopper’s Peru Connection
As you may have already heard, actor Dennis Hopper died on May 29 at age 74. So what does that have to do with Latin America? For “Mr. Peru,” a blogger who specializes in that South American nation with this site Streets of Peru, the actor’s death brought to mind one of Hopper’s movies, which…
Santiago’s Quiet Gem: Barrio Concha y Toro
Even though I was pretty much in the center of bustling Santiago de Chile, as I strolled down one narrow, stone-paved street, the only sound I could hear was a mellifluous male voice singing, accompanied by a pianist from some upper window at a small music school. Such is the sense of peace that you…
Glimpsing a Glorious Past in Valparaiso, Chile
Nobel-prize-winning writer Pablo Neruda called Valparaiso “mi ciudad desordenada,” or “my disorganized city,” according to my guide from Chilean tour company Ruta Chile. But don’t think that’s an insult; after all, this city’s wonderful informality — most noticeable in the seemingly random array of fascinating historic architecture on its winding hills — is what makes…
7 Interesting Hotels in Uruguay
During my recent visit to Uruguay on a trip with Borello Travel & Tours, I checked out a bunch of noteworthy and interesting small hotels set in various interesting locations — many in and around Punta del Este, the chic, sun-drenched getaway that’s sometimes called the St. Tropez of South America. Here are a few…
7 Interesting Stays in Uruguay
During my recent visit to Uruguay on a trip with Borello Travel & Tours, I checked out a bunch of noteworthy and interesting small hotels set in various interesting locations. Whether you prefer something sleek and modern or rustic but luxurious, this South American nation has plenty to offer. Here are a few of my…
Montevideo’s Architectural Treasures: Headed for Landmark Status?
The glistening tower of the Comando General de la Armada, with the Mercado Central in the foreground. Uruguay’s capital city may be smaller than Buenos Aires and carry less of a jet-set image than Punta del Este, but it’s laden with interesting and diverse architecture that some feel should warrant UNESCO World Heritage ranking. Peek…
Shopping and Sleeping in Colonia, Uruguay
Founded in 1680 by Portugal as Colónia do Sacramento, what is commonly called simply Colonia is a quick and comfortable 45-minute ferry ride from Buenos Aires, Argentina — it’s easy enough to visit that some people do it as a day trip from Buenos Aires, or else as a stopover en route to Montevideo and…