Paladares of Cuban version of privately owned restaurant! You can get any kind of treat. But I was in for a shock when I entered the building where La Guarida is located. The building is all marble with amazing stairwells now completely run down and occupied by apartments. The restaurant is on the third floor. The food was OK, but the building made my day!

Entrance to La Guarida – Paladar, Havana Centro

Grand Marble Staircase

Domino Players

La Guarida – Paladar Film Location for Fresa y Chocolate

Bartender

Chef

Malanga’s in Cream – Cuban Food

Havana Club – Mojito

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Aerial View of Revolution Square, Habana Cuba

Jose Marti Sign – Revolution Square

Stairway Leading to Presidential Tower – Kid Friendly – Habana Cuba

Jose Marti Sculpture – Presidential Tower – Havana Cuba

Plaza de Revolucion – Jose Marti – Habana Cuba

Presidential Tower and Jose Marti Habana Cuba

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There is so much to do in Santiago on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Check out Moximon, the lake, and the Mayan Culture.

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So many people opt for the same holiday destinations in winter without giving it a second thought. However if you want to try a winter escape with a difference and fancy something more than simply lying around on a beach for a few weeks, then why not try a visit to Costa Rica. Here you can combine a fantastic array of wildlife with great weather, fantastic food and great people. Much more than just sea, sand and the sun!

The meaning of Costa Rica- “land of riches” – certainly describes this small country well. With coastlines on both Caribbean and Pacific oceans, you can experience a range of climates all on one island. Although primarily an ecotourism destination for its stunning wildlife, it has plenty to offer all travellers with its diverse scenery, fantastic beaches and outdoor adventure opportunities.

The best time to visit is during the dry, summer season between December and April, with temperatures around 23 degrees daily. So if you are looking at honeymoon ideas and you have your wedding booked in winter, it’s a great option.

There are endless ways to view the wildlife, depending on how adventurous you are feeling. You can try treetop walkways or zip-lines through and over the forest canopy, to a rafting trip down the Plenas Blancas River. Or perhaps a visit to the Playa Grande beach, home to the nesting site of the leatherback sea turtle. There are plenty of guides to help you spot the local brightly coloured birds and beautiful flowers.

The Osa Peninsular in the Corcovado National park is the best place to view the spectacular wildlife. It’s one of the most secluded areas and home to resorts situated on cliff tops with uninterrupted views of the rainforest canopy and out to sea. The thick tropical forest with the oldest trees in the country stretches down to black sandy beaches. Here you can enjoy a stay at the Casa Cordova Jungle Lodge which is accessed only by boat and is right on the border of the national park where scarlet macaws, jaguars, tapir butterflies and orchids abound.

If you are really feeling adventurous, then combine this stay with something even more sporting. There are fantastic rivers for white water rafting and kayaking like the Naranjo in the Central Pacific area which has opportunities for all levels of excitement and adrenalin trips. For other thrill seekers, the area around the Arenal Volcano and Lake, in the plains of the north, is great for mountain biking, hiking, stand up paddling and then relaxing in the hot springs. The volcano can still be heard rumbling and gaseous clouds escape from time to time.

With beautiful beaches on both coasts the most popular are situated on the Pacific side, however, on the Caribbean it’s possible to snorkel just offshore on the coral reef and submerged wrecks in the Cahuita National Park.

To the north west of Arenal, you’ll want to spend some time relaxing on the white expanse of the beaches in the Guanacaste region in the north of Costa Rica.

Tamarindo town, a former fishing village is a popular tourist resort with plenty of local Tico flavour. Here you can find, an outdoor vegetable market, bakeries and an assortment of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes.

Famous for its coffee, there are plantation tours packed with culture and history which include visits to the coffee fields, roasters, and cafés. Although scattered throughout Costa Rica, the highland areas surrounding San Jose and the Tilaran Mountain range that extends to Monteverde are ideal climates for Coffee plantations.

Coffee beans are an ideal present to bring home along with all those wonderful memories of amazing animals and birds.

James Bell is the Sales & Marketing Director at The Turquoise Holiday Company. Please get in contact for more information on a wide range of fabulous travel destinations.

SPONSORED POST

Marina,

It could not have been better. Everything went to plan. I’ve been meaning to write to you since coming back but waiting for a time where I have an hour free.

I saw 11 snakes in all, crocs, poison dart frogs, and stacks more. The swamps with Juan and Cano Negro were beautiful. The efficiency of the transport amazed me and all hotels were great.

Cannot thank you enough and plan to come back hopefully next year.

Kindest Regards,
Simon Grant

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Costa Rica is teeming with rare, endangered and beautiful wildlife. But the reality is that hunting, poaching, and illegal animal trade exist here. The Costa Rican government is doing all it can to buckle down and catch the wrongdoers, but in the mess animals get injured, orphaned, confiscated, abandoned and suffer from habitat loss. Gratefully, Costa Rica is also teeming with wildlife rescue centers. Most are privately owned with amazing volunteer programs and extremely effective conservation efforts. They are all open to educate the public.

San Jose and the Central Valley Region

Simon Bolivar Zoo

This is the national zoo, with tiny cages filled with native animals and a few international species.
Schedule: Monday – Friday 8am – 3:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am – 4:30pm
Where is It: Avenida 11, Calles 7 and 9

PANACA

This is a full day’s visit! You don’t want to miss the interactive, educational five shows where visitors come into sensory contact with the largest collection of animals from the domestic zoology (over 3500 animals from more than 3000 races) and with agriculture, nature, and all resources the park provides, as well as the agro-industrial productive processes.
Where Is It: San Mateo, Alajuela

Zoo Ave

This is the most successful rescue and rehabilitation project for birds, reptiles, and mammals in Costa Rica. Over 100 species including scarlet and green macaws call these 59 hectares home. Zoo Ave is one of only two zoos in the world to display resplendent quetzals.
Schedule: Daily 9am – 5pm
Where Is It: Dulce Nombre, on Hwy. 3, about 3.5 km east of the Pan-American Highway, Alajuela.

North Pacific Region

Africa Mia

Go on a real safari tour where giraffes, zebras and tigers are all at a safe, arms reach. Here you will definitely have close encounters of all kinds while feeling as though you’re in Africa. Contact us for this unique and special animal adventure.
Schedule: Daily 8am – 6pm
Where Is It: El Salto, 5 km south of Liberia

Monkey Park Animal Rescue Center

Not just for monkeys, this 23-acre environmental refuge center takes care of rescued animals and their main focus is eventual release. However, due to certain conditions certain animals can not be released and remain here under the refuge’s care. Plus this is much more than just a rescue center, it is also a great educational facility teaching everyone from three-year-olds to adults about feeding, mating and lifestyle habits of their animals.
Programs Available: Volunteer programs are available on a daily basis or stay overs.

The Puma Rescue Shelter

Over forty years ago, Swiss born, Lilly Bodmer De Hagnauer arrived to Costa Rica and began rescuing animals. Her passions have produced one of the most successful feline rescue center, educational and research facilities in Central America.
Where is It: 4.5 km N of Canas on the Pan American Highway
Programs Available: There are volunteer stay over programs available.

Northern Region (Arenal and Monteverde)

Wildlife Rescue Center La Marina

This is one of the oldest family run rescue centers in Costa Rica. The Rojas Ramirez family and their children are 100% taking care of the animals through Breeding, Liberation, Rescuing, Reintroduction and Conservation. They are also fully connected with the community and the public through their Environmental Educational programs that the visitor will understand and internalize upon leaving with such concepts as how to value, love, and protect the environment.
Where Is It: San Carlos
Programs Available: All inclusive, fully immersed volunteer stay-over with food packages are available for any length of time.

Project Asis Costa Rica

Twelve years ago Don Jaime Del Castillo and his son Alvaro had a dream to turn a once-abandoned farm back into a vibrant rainforest while providing a sanctuary for hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife. Their dream has come true. Today Asis is one of the best rehabilitation centers for animals with a slew of programs for hands-on interaction and educational programs for visitors and volunteers. You can also get double the fun by signing up for Spanish lessons and home-stays.
Where Is It: Javillos
Programs Available: Volunteer stay-over programs and Spanish classes are available for all ages from little tikes to mature adults.

South Caribbean Region

The Sloth Rescue Center (Also known as the Aviarios del Caribe)

This is the only sloth rescue and research center in the world. Come and join in the care of baby sloths who were either injured or separated from their
mothers.
Where Is It: 11 km north of Cahuita
Programs Available: Volunteer opportunities are available for either one day or multi-day stay overs.

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Cubans are crazy for ice cream. With the heat beating down on them and lots of time, they go to their favorite ice cream shop – Coppelia! There are two ways you can get in. If you have the Cuban Peso you’ll have to wait on the long lines with the rest of the hoards. Or if you’re a tourist and have the Convertible Peso, you by pass everything and enjoy a treat!

The Famous Coppelia Ice Cream in Havana Cuba

Serving Coppelia Ice Cream

Locals Enjoying Family Day at Coppelia

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Every Sunday at noon Callejon de Hamel comes to life with African music, African dance and African soul. It is one of the best attractions to experience in Havana and it’s totally free!

Entrance to Callejon de Hamel

Drumming Boys

African Dancers of Callejon de Hamel

Local Vendor

Building Art of Callejon de Hamel

Water System for Callejon de Hamel

Tub Art

Art Work

Climbing on Art

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The secret is ‘almost’ out. There is an unbelievably lovely, super affordable, very central hotel in Antigua that is a must visit!

D’Leyenda Hotel, a six room, hotel is located half a block from the Central Park of Antigua, yet is peaceful, quiet and a special find.

Carmen Maria, the owner, has put her elegant tastes into decorating this tiny hotel.

The courtyard and terrace are great for enjoying the continental breakfast while watching the volcanoes surrounding Antigua do their own thing – either sit quietly or spurt out occasional puffs of smoke.

You can also request to use the jacuzzi on the terrace and being such a small, private hotel, chances are you’ll get it all to yourself.

Each room talks about a Guatemalan Legend and half of the rooms have working chimneys that the extra-friendly staff will gladly work for you so you can enjoy the coziness and not worry about the hassle of lighting it up and then cleaning up after it.

But the most incredible part of all. This luxury, boutique hotel is less than $100 per night including breakfast! How’s that for a find!

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Tikal National Park is the greatest Mayan Ruin on the Maya Route from Mexico through Belize and Guatemala to Honduras.

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