I was desperate to fall for Costa Rica. To feel the admiration for it that others held. To swoon about its nature, its people and its Puravida. However, as time went on I felt a niggling sense of disappointment. Following my first visit to the country’s carribean coast in December 2017, I made excuses for this…
Occasionally, necessity drives our decisions. That’s how southern Mexico became a last minute stop on my journey through Central America. After a long stint in the C-A4 block – made up of a political agreement between Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua – I needed to leave to renew my tourist visa. It’s a well…
In Central America there’s a well established ‘Gringo’ trail for good reason. The Maya ruins, colonial cities and tropical coastline that make up the isthmus draw backpackers, holiday makers and expats from around the world. For the most part, I’m an advocate of staying on or around the beaten path. Not just because there’s usually…
“I’ve been coming up here with my father since I was ten.” Lionel told me. “Of course, there was no one else up here then”. Lionel and his dad used to climb the slopes of Volcán Acatenango to gather hard grass for roofing materials. These days, the villages around the volcano’s base use mostly steel…
“Maybe we should go to Salama?”. I put the question to my travel buddy despite knowing it was a big ask. Salama was a two day trip off our planned route but that’s how extreme my quetzal obsession had become. Quite the reputation In the UK I spend my work life juggling multiple priorities and…
Nowhere is it more obvious that water gives life than in Monteverde Cloud Forest. The way in which this threatened environment captures, uses and recycles water is evident in the petals that drip with tiny globules of liquid; the slippery mud underfoot and the clouds that get sucked up the mountainside in sudden, misty waves.…
I had the pleasure of meeting David as part of a free walking tour that I joined through the city of San Salvador. Born and bred in El Salvador’s capital, David now works as a guide to show visitors everything his city has to offer, as well as running his own tourist business Skies & Sea…
