The official taxis in San Jose are red with a yellow triangle. Always confirm they will turn on the meter, called “la maria” or agree on a set price ahead of time. This is an excellent option if you’re traveling in a group, as you can split the cost. Drivers are usually locals who can offer valuable insight and recommendations along the way. Before you go, you should seek up the date advice from the UK FCDO about travel to, and within, your chosen destination, noting the importance of regurlarly checking for the latest information. Aditionally, with regards to vaccinations and health requirements, you should check with your GP surgery or for specific advice.
Discover the World
There is so much to explore in the region, but we’ve listed our must-sees, that stand out amongst anything else. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.com/uk/travel/terms-and-conditions/.
Islands
San Jose, the bustling capital, blends urban chaos with rich cultural heritage. Costa Rica was my first time on a plane and out of the country. For the past 11 years, I have been traveling back to this beautiful place that I instantly fell in love with. I mean this literally and figuratively, as I actually ended up falling in love and marrying a Costa Rican. If you fancy a walk along the sea, Sveti Jakov Beach is just a 15-minute walk from Old Town and is a hugely popular spot among the locals.
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Look for the colourful and warming borsch (beetroot soup), exquisite caviar, zharkoye (hotpot) and pelmeni (Russian-style filled dumplings). Vegetarians should note that borsch is often made with beef stock. Organised campsites are rare but wild camping is usually allowed. For something different, try staying in a turbaza – a basic Russian style holiday camp with outdoor activities thrown in. Russia has everything from 5 star palaces, ghastly Soviet-era concrete mega-hotels to friendly homestays and cheap crashpads.
Cost of a Yellow Fever Vaccine & Do I Need One to Travel to Africa?
In built-up areas women should have a veil or light scarf to drape loosely over their heads, but when in more rural areas, particularly when trekking, western clothing is fine. Historically, there has been a number of notable incidents occurring, particularly in the south and centre of the country – and particularly concerning secretarial issues between Sunni and Shia Muslims. The simple answer to this question is, yes, Pakistan is safe for travel. While 9/11 caused severe unrest, and Pakistan has definitely had ups and downs as far as security, we like to say that these rumors are often fueled by negative media. Pakistan has landscapes unique to several different areas of the world, and one of the few mountain ranges with some of the world’s highest peaks.
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Inspiring Scotland travel blogs
Find our latest member boutique hotels, luxury villas and design B&Bs to join The Aficionados collection of creative places to stay. We at The Aficionados get excited about finding standout markers that share our culture for style, creative luxury, design and aesthetic. Possibly random in nature, perhaps, but go ahead and freely explore our collection of hotels, edits, finds and little treasures from Lisbon to NYC – Here, there, not everywhere™️. The Luxury Travel Awards recognise and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the affluent travel and tourism industry. Our team of experts have scoured the globe and travelled extensively in order to identify everything from the very best hotels, airlines and tour operators through to highlighting the most reputable transfer service companies. Russian Visa SupportE-visa applicants are not required to submit an invitation letter, hotel booking confirmation or any other document confirming the purpose of their travel to Russia.
CITIES
The traffic in Sri Lanka can be slightly insane even if you are already used to driving in bustling Asian mega-cities. And know that some scratches are nearly unavoidable if you are driving a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka. There was a terrorist attack in 2019, so it is recommended to stay away from political and larger religious events. Due to this attack, there is a larger military presence at some places including the airport and some roads.
The best hotels in Istanbul for 2025, reviewed
The natural wonders of its landscapes are matched in splendor by those of its diverse and dynamic cultures. In the 20 countries that comprise Latin America, many of the richest treasures to be uncovered lie in the smallest nuances of character. Cut travel time, fly directly across the Cyclades, and unlock adventure with every landing.
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The southern regions are flat and dry, and so the summer is best avoided with the oppressive heat regularly reaching 50 degrees. The winter months are far more preferable and pleasant with temperatures ranging from early 20’s to mid 30’s. Comfortable footwear is advised, and trekking shoes if venturing on a walking tour. If trekking, ensure you pack layers to combat the colder evenings – thermal underlayers, insulated jacket, warm socks, scarf and gloves will keep you warm.
- Our selection includes the titles by top authors like Paul Theroux and Bill Bryson.
- There are myriad to choose from across the Lake District with one favourite being the Geometric hot springs linked by wooden walkways hidden in the forest in Villarica National Park.
- Be sure to go on a Saturday rather than a Friday, when the show is in English.
- We travelled across the border from Costa Rica, so we naturally travelled one-way south in a very linear route and flew out of Panama City.
- With origins dating back to Julius Ceasar’s defeat of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra in Egypt, this historic Amphitheatre of Nimes is well worth a visit.
- As its name suggests, this lush region is interspersed with glimmering lagoons, rivers and waterfalls, and backed by ranges of snowy mountains and volcanoes.
- Experience tumultuous tales of lust, love and loss in romance novels.
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- In the dense canopy, monkeys, agoutis and turkeys will accompany your extraordinary expedition through this UNESCO World Heritage Site – it’s like stepping into another world.
- So, we’ve put together this article for travel companies looking to create effective guides.
- Remember the wi-fi in most public places is unsecured, hotel and restaurant signals may be weak, and slow, but what to do ( the answer is paying your provider back home).
- There are no phone stores at the international airport, unfortunately, just a very expensive third-party re-seller.
- Hurricanes are most likely in September and October and we do not recommend travelling to this region at this time.
- To save money on accommodation in Japan, consider staying at business hotel chains.
It’s easy to feel a little out of your depth when you visit a new country for the first time, but after a few days you’ll easily pick up your bearings. To find a good spot to eat close by, FourSquare uses your location to recommend user-reviews restaurants in your direct vicinity. Tipping in France is a complicated business and there’s no hard and fast rule.
Lastly, Corcovado National Park, often hailed as ‘the most biologically intense place on earth’, is a must-visit for any adventurous traveler, offering the chance to see rare wildlife like jaguars and tapirs. Each of these parks offers a unique glimpse into Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems, ensuring an unforgettable travel experience. Along with neighbouring Georgia, Armenia is the cradle of viniculture, so a wine tasting in the Areni Region should also be on your agenda. The Armenian table is one that has been laid over the course of many centuries. Every city, town and small village offers its own incredible cuisine, making this country a real treat for foodies.
Citizens of many nationalities can enter Panama without a visa for tourism purposes for up to 90 days. After travelling through all seven countries in Central America, I think Panama is one of the most underrated! So many people skip over Panama in favour of neighbouring Costa Rica or visit only as a stopover en route to somewhere else, which I think is so sad.
Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Indulge in organic farm-to-table dining and immersive experiences—where heritage meets eco-conscious living and design for an unforgettable escape. The hotels, the people, the products and a natural sense of creativity, meet our friends that made us smile. Just off the coast of French Guiana, the Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands) shimmer like emerald jewels in the Atlantic, enticing travelers with their beauty and enigmatic past. The name might suggest refuge, but for most who came here, salvation was the furthest thing from reality.
- If you’re ready to book your very own stay in this beautiful region, check out our range of villas in the South of France.
- Check with the FCO before travelling for the latest advice about danger zones.
- For information on how to apply for accessible facilities, please visit our accessibility page.
- Fly into Podgorica, Tivat or Dubrovnik, (Croatia); train from Belgrade; drive/bus from any neighbouring country.
- Oban is best known as the gateway to the Hebridean islands and as a popular tourism destination.
- A thriving culture scene, rich history and great restaurants – fall in love with Belfast.
- For a regular or paper visa you need to present a voucher and invitation document (called visa support).
- Delve into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots.
Southern Oregon
- If the thought of scoring new fashion finds sets your heart aflutter, the USA is your dream destination.
- Located in central Chile, flanked by snow-topped Andean peaks, Santiago is the country’s political, economic and cultural hub.
- We can’t find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a tourist guide right now.
- France is a beguiling place, bustling and cosmopolitan on one hand, calm and contemplative on the other.
- Panama was the final stop of our trip through Central America, and by the time we entered, we did have a genuine flight booking out of Panama City.
- Please visit Travel Aware for the latest travel advice fromthe Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office including information on safety and security, local laws, currency and health.
- Latin Routes’ 10-day Andean Wonders itinerary allows you to make the most of your time in the Atacama, and also includes a trip across the nearby Bolivian border to the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat.
Experience a minimalist, eco-faceted nest egg in Verona’s countryside, where sustainable design and natural beauty blend seamlessly to create a chilled escape rooted in Italian slow living. A think tank for the bold, the curious, the creators of tomorrow. Where minds collide, conversations spark, and urban life gets redefined. A smooth genre of luxury hotels that bring urban touch and impeccable luxe together with an old school quality creating a relaxed, contemporary feel. Dens of creativity, art and playfulness, each of these hotels play host to countless cultural events where boho meets highbrow. We love finding a patch of really good design production, architecture and style.
Located in central Chile, flanked by snow-topped Andean peaks, Santiago is Croatia v Greece the country’s political, economic and cultural hub. Home to almost seven million people, the capital is an engaging, fast-developing place that bears comparison with more lauded South American cities such as Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. For a glimpse at the history of the Lake District, head to the regional capital of Valdivia, one of Chile’s oldest cities. As well as enlightening museums, it has some impressive 17th-century forts, a lively fish market and – thanks in large part to the German immigrants who made their home here – excellent locally brewed beer. Most travellers fly into Santiago, the dynamic capital of this distinctively long, thin country in southwestern South America.
How to spend a day in West Hollywood
And digital travel guides can still play an important role in inspiring and informing travellers. In the age of Google and Instagram, physical travel guides have indeed become outdated. But that doesn’t mean travel guides have gone away entirely – they’ve just changed their form. From Google Maps to digital guides and travel blogs, travellers today rely heavily on online sources for information and inspiration.
As far as air travel goes, Pakistan International Airlines have taken on a new fleet of domestic planes which give access to the more remote parts of the country more regularly. As with any country, travelers should take caution when traveling alone and research destinations ahead of time, but overall people are friendly and there are some areas where the Pakistani people speak English. I’m a road trip guru, outdoor adventurer and the kind of person who gets excessively excited by sunsets. I’m passionate about sustainable + responsible travel, showcasing lesser-known destinations and authentic experiences. Tour guides accompany groups of visitors to tourist attractions, whether on day trips or longer visits, and give them information and insights that help them make the most of the experience. With hardly 2 percent of its total landmass fully urbanized, Guatemala’s resplendent natural scenery is unparalleled.
Contrast Yerevan with the nation’s second-largest city, Gyumri, known for its lofty architecture and house museums. Visit Vanadzor in the north and Goris in the south, both gateways to incredible nature. Spend a day on sparkling Lake Sevan, Armenia’s jewel, spend a night at the Soviet-era Sevan Writers’ House, find solitude in Dilijan National Park, home to the country’s best hiking trails. It is a country with incredible beaches on its long coastline and tea plantations in the mountains of the center. Sri Lanka is a country of colors from its classic light blue trains, the tuk tuks, and its colorful sunsets.
