This week, my favorite Latin America travel deals include a Day of the Dead package in Guatemala, a rejuvenating vacation package in Mexico, pre-holiday vacation discounts in Puerto Vallarta, and a tour and hotel package in Panama City that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal. Read on for details.
Don’t forget: You can get some of the best rates on airlines, hotels, rental cars and cruises by using LatinFlyer’s own travel booking engine (it’s at the top right-hand side of this page if you’re using a computer or tablet, or at the bottom of each page if you’re on a cell phone), where it says “Save Big on Your Trip.” With one click, you can compare airfares and rates from more than 10 top travel sites, including Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. No more wasting time when you travel!
Casa Palopo
Guatemala
The Deal: Day of the Dead in Guatemala
What Makes It Cool: In Guatemala, Day of the Dead (or Día de los Muertos) is celebrated on November 1 with a kite festival in the town of Sumpango, where locals showcase gigantic kites made with tissue paper and bamboo. Their elaborate designs traditionally portray a message, commonly related to preserving Mother Earth. Casa Palopó has locations in Antigua and Lake Atitlan, and the town of Sumpango is an ideal stop between the two. The boutique hotel’s “All Saints Day” package includes one night in Antigua (with a walking city tour), three nights at the main hotel on Lake Atitlán, private transportation, welcome bites & cocktails, a boat tour around the lake and excursion to the Sumpango kite festival. Rates start at $523 per night.
Valid for Travel: Through Dec. 31, 2014.
Info & Reservations: email reservations@casapalopo.com or call 1-888-479-6026
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Hotel Escondido
Mexico
The Deal: Viaje al Espíritu
What Makes It Cool: This Mexico hotel — part of the chic Grupo Habita — is offering a three-night package called Viaje al Espíritu (Journey to the Spirit) that includes roundtrip airport transfers, temazcal treatment, yoga, meditation and music therapy classes. Prices start at 18,500 Mexican pesos per person, double occupancy.
Valid for Travel: October 30-November 2, 2014.
Info & Reservations: www.grupohabita.mx
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Hacienda San Angel
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The Deal: Pre-Holiday Siesta
What Makes It Cool: This Mexico hotel is offering a pre-holiday package that includes 30% off room rack rates for a three-night stay with one free poolside lunch for two, an in-room massage for two, daily continental breakfast delivered to your room or served in the restaurant, locally made chocolates at turndown and personal concierge service. A three-night stay is required and rates start at $620 in October and $975 in November and December.
Valid for Travel: Through December 15, 2014.
Info & Reservations: www.haciendasanangel.com
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DON’T MISS: Top 5 Reasons to Vacation in Puerto Vallarta
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Westin Playa Bonita
Panama
The Deal: Panama Canal 100 Years package
What Makes It Cool: This August marked the 100th birthday of one of the largest engineering projects ever completed – the Panama Canal – and the celebrations are just getting started! At Westin Playa Bonita, where rooms boast views of ships waiting to enter the canal, the “Panama Canal 100 Years” package includes a full day tour with visits to The Panama Canal Visitors Centre at the Miraflores Locks, the Interoceanic Panama Canal Museum and Casto Viejo (The Old City), and daily breakfast for two.Rates start at $229 per night. NOTE: The Westin Playa Bonita won the LatinFlyer award for Best Beach hotel in or near Panama City in the 2014 LF Hotel Awards!
Valid for Travel: Through Dec. 31, 2014.
Info & Reservations: www.westinplayabonita.com