Iguazu Falls courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
Now that we have our 2015 plans buttoned down, we’re starting to think about winter 2016. We have only the vaguest idea of what we want to do at the moment so we figured we’d ask our readers to help us fill in the blanks. Here’s what we know:
We’ll ring out 2015 in Key West, Florida. From there we’d like to go somewhere geographically nearby. We’re not interested in enduring more 20 hour flights just yet so that rules out Asia, Africa, Oceania and the like–for this winter, anyway. Cold weather and visa issues rule out most of Europe. Sunny South America, Central America and the Caribbean, meanwhile, are all on our radar.
We’re going to try to limit our time spent in transit, which means we’re not likely to plan a multi-country tour of South America with loads of overnight bus rides and internal flights. Our preference is to pick one or two countries where we’ll have plenty to do while we travel slowly and mostly overland for a couple of months.
So with all that in mind, tell us where to go this winter. What’s your ideal itinerary?
Everywhere Once 
wish i could go to india
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Wish I could make suggestions but Asia is my stamping ground in winter-time and I know little of your side of the world. I’ve visited Mexico, Brazil and Argentina but only for a month long holiday in each so can’t consider that I know them well, but I would be inclined, on my scant knowledge, to tackle Argentina and Mexico (taking good notice of the danger in travelling in Mexico these days). But hey, look, it’s all out there, El Salvador, Honduras, Cuba, Chile. Just pack a bag and go………………
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Our bags are always packed and we’re always going, but never just. 😉
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Colonial cities in Mexico ( Patzcuaro, Guanajuato, Oaxaca, Puebla etc.), all of Guatemala, Peru and Bolivia. Colombia and Ecuador are also great choices. Happy travels, Cheryl
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Yeah, Mexico should have made it on our list too. Funny we’ve never been there. Been to the border from both the U.S. and Guatemalan side but never crossed over. Have no idea why.
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I really enjoyed my South America trip in 2012 – Rio to Santiago via Patagonia. I thought the scenery easily out-shone the cities. Definitely Igauzu, but also the glaciers in the south and the Lake District. Start here for details: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/a-first-taste-of-rio/
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Thanks. How long did it take you to make that trip?
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It was 7-8 weeks. Of course, as always, I could have used more time! If I had stayed longer I would have added the Valdes Peninsula. I skipped Tierra del Fuego on purpose, it doesn’t sound terribly enticing, and if I ever do an Antarctic cruise I’ll wind up there anyway,.
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Cool, thanks.
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I see Mexico has already been mentioned, so I’ll second (or third) the suggestion! I have lived in Guadalajara, Colima, and we spend 5-6 months every year in Oaxaca. There is a LOT to do there and in the neighboring states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla, etc. etc.! Mexico is a treasure trove of archaeological sites, textiles and many other types of artwork, wonderful friendly people, great food, endless festivals, mountains for hiking – I could go on and on! We travel around the country on the bus and always feel perfectly safe, certainly as safe (or more) as in the US, I know many people from the US and Canada who drive their cars down every year.
I know you can read many guide books and online information, but I’d be happy to share with you anything that I know. Mexico gets my vote!
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I’ve enjoyed trips to Asia, North Africa, and South America, but I have to say that Europe is the siren that always calls me back. (Also, I’m going to Key West in 2015 too – for the first time so feel free to send tips to my email through my blog 🙂
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Yeah, we hear you on Europe. It’s our favorite too. Our only problem is that we can only stay there for 90 days out of every 180. Otherwise we probably wouldn’t leave.
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I’ve never visited any of the countries you’re likely to but I have a real heart-longing to go to Trinidad in Cuba, and to St Lucia (relatives stayed in Hotel Chocolat but that would have to be real expensive)….wanna do it for me?! I don’t mind living vicariously 😉
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We’ve had island-hopping through the Caribbean on our list for years. You could start with the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos, an easy jump from Key West. Here’s a twist to consider: always look first for a boat to get off the island you’re on. If you hit the Bahamas, let us know: we’ve got a special secret spot you should get to 🙂
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Oooh, we like special secret spots.
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I lived in Guatemala for four years. I would highly recommend it. I am sure things have changed since my time there, but I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t be wonderful. Do the capital, of course. I always enjoyed the Relief Map in Zone 2 (Mapa en relieve) Do the cemeteries. If you are there on All Saints/All Souls days make sure you see the kite flying. Tikal – you have to see the ruins. But also see the colonial ruins in Antigua. And eat at the Panaderia de Luisa de Xicotencatl. (I’m pretty sure that’s the name.) It was founded by a woman I worked with – Luisa Wheeler. If she is still there, remember me to her. Puerto Barrios, Puerto San Jose. Oh, and Panajachel, Solola and all the towns around the lake. And Chichicastenango and Quetzaltenango. And everything else! Enjoy your travels.
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Cuba!! Obviously.
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PATAGONIA!!!! Fly down to Tierra del Fuego and meander your way up through Chile and Argentina. Depending on how much you want to see, you could choose a route that takes about a month, or go slowly and take 3…
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We were in the Keys in late October for Halloween and into early November before we headed to Managua, Nicaragua on a cheap flight out of Miami. From there we stayed in Granada, Laguna Apoya and about a month in San Juan del Sur. You’ll need to plan ahead to get a good (and cheap) spot during the busy season but it’s a nice place to do a bit of surfing, relaxing and sight seeing. If you are lucky you can find a local house that won’t break the budget. Let us know if you want the email address of an agent who seems to know everyone there. Watch out for the holiday season. It gets very busy as the locals and backpackers stream in for an inexpensive beach holiday. After that we took a bus down to Costa Rica.
We hesitantly suggest Sámara in Costa Rica, only because we don’t want to tell anyone about this beautiful place, to keep it our little secret (not really much of a secret anymore but still not the busiest place to be). It’s a great place to hang out for a month or so, you can get a monthly rental, (we used AirBnb), and the beach is stunning. We stayed from December through early January and, though it gets a little busy during the holidays, outside of Christmas and New Year’s a good place to chill. Great vibe, reasonable prices and good enough infrastructure including internet and general groceries. You don’t have to go too far out of the way to get what you need. Once again, book early. Prices go up as the holidays approach.
Let us know if you want details. -Steve and Eeva
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We’ve travelled a bit in Central America, including Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama. It’s a very underrated part of the world, with Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean coasts, wildlife, history, nightlife, great cities, quiet and seclusion….
This spot in Panama’s Bocas del Toro islands was beautiful and idyllic, definitely ideal for a recharge: https://differentlines.wordpress.com/2015/03/28/off-grid-in-bocas-del-toro/
I’ve a couple of other posts on the region too, but a couple of highlights are cycling the beaches North of Ambergris Caye in Belize, rafting on Rio Cangrejal in Pico Bonito National Park in Honduras or crossing the Sixaola Bridge border crossing from Costa Rica to Panama. Happy planning!
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