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Featured Articles Guatemala

Buses in Guatemala

If you are a budget traveler or just a tourist looking for the quint essential Guatemalan experience, the “chicken buses” are what you are looking for. I wouldn’t even go so far as to say you have to look for them, they are quite hard to miss. These lavishly painted and often decorated buses can be found whizzing by in any of the major Guatemala cities or highways. The chicken bus may not provide the comforts of a tourist van or taxi, but they are much cheaper, and much more colorful!

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Argentina travel guide

Learning Spanish in Argentina

Any traveler knows it: if you speak at least a bit of the local language, you can enjoy a country way better than if you are stuck with using only English. Not to mention that you can learn a lot more about the culture and people if you can communicate with them properly.

The Spanish you learned at school helps some but what would you do if you don’t speak any word? No problem, learn it while in Argentina! There are literally hundreds of schools which offer classes. Thanks to so many classes available, the prices are affordable and the quality is high.

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Featured Articles Panama

James Bond: New movie will showcase Panama

Are you excited for the newest installment of the classic James Bond action series? Pumped to watch the suave Englishman dodge bullets, uncover truth and seduce a beautiful woman? If you are a fan of both James Bond and Panama, you’ll be in luck this coming November. The newest installment of the high octane adventure movie, Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig as Bond takes place in Austria, Italy and South America. However, the “South America” scenes in the movie were actually shot in Panama. Rumor has it the streets of Panama City will double for a city in Bolivia in the film.

Shooting for the film started in Panama last February. Main filming locations were scattered around Panama City, serving as backdrops for Bond escaping assassination attempts, dodging bullets, and romancing a beautiful, and maybe dangerous, woman.

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Panama travel guide

Biking in Bocas del Toro

On rainy day in Bocas del Toro, my travel companion Lindsey and I played cards in our hostel (Mondu Taitu) and brainstormed activities that could be equally fun in sun as in the rain. After talking to David, one of the friendly American owners of Mondu Taitu, we decided a bike ride through the island to Playa del Drago on the opposite side was just the thing to do. David told us the bike ride was just as fun, if not more, in the rain and the drizzle would keep us from getting too hot. The journey was 15 km each way and hilly, but we were up for the challenge.

We found bikes to rent in town for US$5 each, though I can’t say these bikes were in top condition. Because of the humidity, ocean air and general lack of upkeep, most bike rental places have rather rusty and ill-working bikes. The brakes worked (mostly at least) and the tires were inflated though, so Linds and I set out on our journey.

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Panama travel guide

Bus Travel in Panama

If you are a traveler on a budget in Panama, buses are definitely the best way to get around. Not only will you be able to travel cheaply throughout the country, it is also a great way to see and enjoy the countryside in between. With only one in four households owning an automobile in the mostly rural country, Panamanian buses are an important and integral form of transportation for the small nation. While busing it may not be the fastest or most comfortable way to get around, it definitely provides an experience in itself. As locals usually travel by bus in between cities, (and it is usually best to do as the locals do) with a little patience and some preparation for the confusion and/or unexpected, buses are a great way to get from Point A to Point B.

Albrook Bus Terminal
From Panama City, you can get to almost any destination both within Panama and a few in Costa Rica from the Albrook Bus Terminal. Although overwhelming and sometimes confusing to figure out which bus leaves when and goes where, this is a one-stop terminal for bus travel anywhere in the country. However, if you ask enough people or simply say the name of your destination to enough people, you will eventually be pointed in the right direction and put on a bus. Most buses collect fares just before you arrive at your destination, so you can keep your money belts and wallets safely tucked away as your navigate through the people and buses.

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Featured Articles

Taxis on the Bay Islands

Taxis very all over the country very in shape, style, and sheer number depending on where you are. In the Bay Islands for example, you wont find taxis on every island, only the big ones. Rotan, of course being the only big one. Places like Guanaja on the other hand, don’t have many cars, let alone a taxi system. Below are some tips for catching a taxi on the island of Rotan.

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Honduras travel guide

Eating in Honduras

While each country in Central America has its own take on food, there are a few staple items that you can find everywhere. If you have ever been anywhere in Central America, you knew right away what I was talking about, rice and beans. Rice and beans in Honduras? Go figure. Aside from this Central America staple items, there are a number of other popular dishes in the country.

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Accommodation Edinburgh Planning a Trip

Edinburgh Backpackers – Trekker’s Hostel Highlights

Entrance8 years ago, Edinburgh Backpackers was the very first hostel I ever stayed in and it hasn’t changed much. It was a great place to stay then and it looks like it continues with that trend. One of the oldest hostels in Edinburgh, it has been there for the past 12 years. With 96 beds and 12 privates there is a community environment created. The Southern Cross Café next door provides guests a 15% discount.

Located up a fairly steep hill from Waverly station but only a hop skip and jump from the Royal Mile, it is in a great location. The numerous floors are linked by winding staircase that could give you vertigo when you look down from the top floor. There is a pool table in the common room and a TV lounge to sit and relax. The rooms are brightly painted and most have excellent views of the city. There is a self catering kitchen with everything you need to cook up a feast.

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Edinburgh

St. Christopher’s & Belushis Bar

EntranceLocated in a prime spot at the top of the stairs from Waverly Train Station and just round the corner from the airport bus drop off, St. Christopher’s has potential to be a great party hostel. St. Christopher’s is a chain hostel located all over the UK and parts of Europe. In most cases the hostel is attached to Belushis Bar. In fact, to check in you have to go to the bartender.

Presently they are busy with major renovations and are planning to completely redo the bathrooms all of which are en-suite, except for the 4th floor. There are around 160 beds divided into 4/8/10 bed dorms, twins and doubles. There is also an entire wing that is female only, and disabled rooms available.

For those of you who don’t want to travel far from your beds, there is not one but TWO bars located on the ground floor of the hostel that also provides food. There is live entertainment 7 nights a week and a back garden for BBQ’s in the summer.

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Edinburgh Planning a Trip

Smart City Hostel

Smart City EntranceBarely a year and a half old, Smart City Hostel is located at the bottom of a hill just off the Royal Mile. It is following the way of newer hostels, with the shiny, modern look. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of the vibe that makes a hostel so much fun is lost to glitz and glamour. Catering mostly to large groups with 622 beds in summer, they also offer winter student accommodation. There is a licensed bar and the Smart City Café, a small meeting room and a great outside area for BBQ’s, in summer the chef cooks up a great feast there. All the rooms are en-suite, shower gel and shampoo are provided, on the girl’s floors there is also lotion and conditioner.