How popular is Latin America with folks from the US?
Jun 17th, 2006, 08:25 AM
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How popular is Latin America with folks from the US?
Just wondering why there are relatively few posts on this board compared to Europe and Asia. As a non-scientific observation I guess 80% of posters anywhere on Fodors are American - and Latin America is your back yard.
Should this put me off? What is it you know that I don't? Or is it just that the further away from home you can get the better?
Really curious - and if there are any LA aficionados out there would you like to share your favourite places?
Should this put me off? What is it you know that I don't? Or is it just that the further away from home you can get the better?
Really curious - and if there are any LA aficionados out there would you like to share your favourite places?
Jun 17th, 2006, 07:02 PM
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Since Latin America is such a huge entity, it's hard to generalize. Certainly Mexico and Costa Rica get a huge number of posts on this board; Peru and Brazil, somewhat less. I saw a question here a few days ago about Paraguay. I think that was the first one of those I'd ever seen. 
I don't know that distance is the issue. Mexico is pretty close, but you start talking about Brazil, Chile and Argentina, you're looking at distances the same or farther away from the U.S. than Europe.
Who knows? Maybe Europe seems more familiar to U.S. travelers. We see pictures of the Eiffel Tower, the Houses of Parliament and the Coliseum long before we ever see those sights in person. Even if we've never been there, they become ingrained in our consciousness in a way that Machu Picchu isn't.
There's the perception that travel in Latin America will be more "difficult" than in Europe, and in some ways, it is. Europe has the resources to offer a more polished product than does Latin America.
There's probably a fear of poverty too. It's the whole "First World" vs. "Third World" thing. I dislike those terms, but I bet many regular visitors to Europe have never even considered a trip to Latin America for that very reason.
I know many people who think that everything south of the Rio Grande is all alike and will be "just like Mexico." Argentina and Bolivia, right next door to each other, are worlds different, and no, they don't serve tacos in Brazil, except in a Mexican restaurant.
I don't know that distance is the issue. Mexico is pretty close, but you start talking about Brazil, Chile and Argentina, you're looking at distances the same or farther away from the U.S. than Europe.
Who knows? Maybe Europe seems more familiar to U.S. travelers. We see pictures of the Eiffel Tower, the Houses of Parliament and the Coliseum long before we ever see those sights in person. Even if we've never been there, they become ingrained in our consciousness in a way that Machu Picchu isn't.
There's the perception that travel in Latin America will be more "difficult" than in Europe, and in some ways, it is. Europe has the resources to offer a more polished product than does Latin America.
There's probably a fear of poverty too. It's the whole "First World" vs. "Third World" thing. I dislike those terms, but I bet many regular visitors to Europe have never even considered a trip to Latin America for that very reason.
I know many people who think that everything south of the Rio Grande is all alike and will be "just like Mexico." Argentina and Bolivia, right next door to each other, are worlds different, and no, they don't serve tacos in Brazil, except in a Mexican restaurant.
Jun 18th, 2006, 05:37 AM
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I can't see why less posts on the LA board than the Europe board would put you off, personally that would be a non-factor in where I decide to vacation. I don't think there "are relatively few posts" either, seems like a lot to me; compared to Europe of course it's less, but it's as relative as how long is a piece of string.
I think Europe just has better visibility to Americans, IMO. Paris, London, Rome et al has been ingrained as places to go, but that isn't a bad thing. I've done Europe & LA, I have no problem switching back & forth but maybe others do.
Also, I don't want to paint with too wide of a brush here, but I think maybe a little part of the problem is ignorance - or at least it's something I've come across several times. I've had various people tell me that Costa Rica is an island, that it only had one coast, not understand the difference btwn Costa Rica & Puerto Rico and (the funniest) worry about my safety "because of the guerillas". I've had a person look at my pics from CR and ask with all honesty "wow, they have roads there?" I also think some people know Mexico but then everything South of that all the way down to Panama is a just little hazy. These are just some random thoughts, but again I wouldn't let the fact that they're are less posts be a factor.
I think Europe just has better visibility to Americans, IMO. Paris, London, Rome et al has been ingrained as places to go, but that isn't a bad thing. I've done Europe & LA, I have no problem switching back & forth but maybe others do.
Also, I don't want to paint with too wide of a brush here, but I think maybe a little part of the problem is ignorance - or at least it's something I've come across several times. I've had various people tell me that Costa Rica is an island, that it only had one coast, not understand the difference btwn Costa Rica & Puerto Rico and (the funniest) worry about my safety "because of the guerillas". I've had a person look at my pics from CR and ask with all honesty "wow, they have roads there?" I also think some people know Mexico but then everything South of that all the way down to Panama is a just little hazy. These are just some random thoughts, but again I wouldn't let the fact that they're are less posts be a factor.
Jun 18th, 2006, 08:17 AM
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On the countrary.. we have been to Macchu Picchu more than 20 years ago, Venezuela three times, Colombia and Costa Rica for several weeks. Now, we are just discovering Europe... through cruising.. although we have been to the UK three times for a week..SA is very undiscovered by North Americans... I read recently that SA will become the new Alaska... With the Euro against the $$ traveling to S.A is definetely in our favor.. I hope our next trip is the Amazon...
Jun 18th, 2006, 08:48 AM
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We began our travels to Mexico about 25 years ago and there are still several destinations there we hope to visit someday. I agree that the "poverty" thing seems to be a chief factor with lots of Americans. It's really annoying to me that this would outweigh all the positive things in a country. In response to these kinds of comments, I sometimes ask "when was the last time you visited a slum area in your city?" There's poverty everywhere, but those areas are usually avoided in their own town by the same folks who seem to find it the "highlight" of their LA trip.
We made our first trip to Europe about 12 years ago and returned every year until four years ago, when the exchange rate turned against the dollar. Instead we've traveled to a number of places here in the US we had never been, and last year we went to beautiful Buenos Aires for one of our best trips ever. What an excellent choice we made! We hope to make future visits there and to elsewhere in Argentina, as well as other countries in South America.
Lack of knowledge about the rest of the world seems to be fairly prevalent with some Americans. We have friends that went to London and Paris on their first venture to Europe, loved London but Paris was a whole different thing. The language barrier, fear of using the metro (thanks to horror stories from other American tourists), the food, on and on. The same people went to Cabo last year and guess what: hated it. Language barrier, cheated in the stores, etc. We have other friends who wouldn't dream of going overseas independently, but take tours instead. Also 9/11 still worries them in terms of flights as well as how they will be treated at their destinations.
Preparation has a lot to do with the success of a trip. And there is so much information available on the internet, the library, guide books, etc., there is no excuse for accepting hearsay from like-minded people rather than finding the facts for yourself.
I guess maybe some people should just stay home!
We made our first trip to Europe about 12 years ago and returned every year until four years ago, when the exchange rate turned against the dollar. Instead we've traveled to a number of places here in the US we had never been, and last year we went to beautiful Buenos Aires for one of our best trips ever. What an excellent choice we made! We hope to make future visits there and to elsewhere in Argentina, as well as other countries in South America.
Lack of knowledge about the rest of the world seems to be fairly prevalent with some Americans. We have friends that went to London and Paris on their first venture to Europe, loved London but Paris was a whole different thing. The language barrier, fear of using the metro (thanks to horror stories from other American tourists), the food, on and on. The same people went to Cabo last year and guess what: hated it. Language barrier, cheated in the stores, etc. We have other friends who wouldn't dream of going overseas independently, but take tours instead. Also 9/11 still worries them in terms of flights as well as how they will be treated at their destinations.
Preparation has a lot to do with the success of a trip. And there is so much information available on the internet, the library, guide books, etc., there is no excuse for accepting hearsay from like-minded people rather than finding the facts for yourself.
I guess maybe some people should just stay home!
Jun 18th, 2006, 11:28 AM
#7
Fodors has more of a Europe concentration. There are other travel forums that cover Mexico, Central and South American more fully. I don't think the number of posts on one website reflects popularily of any given destination.
Jun 18th, 2006, 05:13 PM
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We paid our first few visits to Guatemala in the 80's, then started going back in 2003 and will probably hit somewhere in LA every summer as long as we're able. I think many places in Latin America lend themselves to a less structured, more budget-minded travel style that doesn't include organized tour groups or hotels with star designations. That style of travel - ours by choice more than budget - isn't addressed frequently here. Although I check this forum every few days, my interests are more closely aligned with other forums such as the Thorntree; maybe that's part of the reason there are fewer posters? Happy trails...
Jun 19th, 2006, 05:20 AM
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Hi there,
Thx all for a really interesting bunch of responses. Some of them supported pre-conceptions, and others disabused them. I guess I thought the lack of posts was due to folk not needing to ask cos they just went. But maybe not.
I've just 'discovered' Central America as a possible destination. I guess I last thought about it many years ago, and since then it has slipped under the radar.
I've been doing some reading and am overwhelmed by the possibilities. It seems that there are places that receive lots of visitors on organised tours. But maybe there are still lots of places, even in Mexico, that are quiet.
If you were me - want to journey as much as arrive; stay in small pensions; and not find myself in tourist central.
Where would you go in Mexico - or should I just decamp to Nicaragua.
Should say that some time on a beach would be nice - but not a resort.
Thank you again.
Thx all for a really interesting bunch of responses. Some of them supported pre-conceptions, and others disabused them. I guess I thought the lack of posts was due to folk not needing to ask cos they just went. But maybe not.
I've just 'discovered' Central America as a possible destination. I guess I last thought about it many years ago, and since then it has slipped under the radar.
I've been doing some reading and am overwhelmed by the possibilities. It seems that there are places that receive lots of visitors on organised tours. But maybe there are still lots of places, even in Mexico, that are quiet.
If you were me - want to journey as much as arrive; stay in small pensions; and not find myself in tourist central.
Where would you go in Mexico - or should I just decamp to Nicaragua.
Should say that some time on a beach would be nice - but not a resort.
Thank you again.
Jun 19th, 2006, 03:14 PM
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Fuzzy; In Mexico try the Playa Del Carmen area. It south from the glitz of Cancun and there are tons of things to do from there. You can:
Explore ecological parks in Xel Ha and Xcaret.
See Mayan ruins in Tulum and Chitzen Itza.
Take a ferry to Cozumel and Isla de Mujeres which also is a good choice for lodging as it is away from the hustle and bustle and is more laid back.
You can also consider going further south to Belize.
Explore ecological parks in Xel Ha and Xcaret.
See Mayan ruins in Tulum and Chitzen Itza.
Take a ferry to Cozumel and Isla de Mujeres which also is a good choice for lodging as it is away from the hustle and bustle and is more laid back.
You can also consider going further south to Belize.
Jun 19th, 2006, 03:30 PM
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What do you mean with "latin America is your back yard" ?
Do you know how big is Latin America, or just Mexico to be a back yard for anybody?
Latin America is more than just the US-MX border... please do not call it back yard.
Is the US, Canada's backyard?
Do you know how big is Latin America, or just Mexico to be a back yard for anybody?
Latin America is more than just the US-MX border... please do not call it back yard.
Is the US, Canada's backyard?
Jun 19th, 2006, 07:03 PM
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I don't think the OP meant anything condescending either, just simply physical proximity. In fact, I've had many people all over Latin America say about the United States: "We're right in your backyard, and you don't pay any attention to us."
Back to the original question: I think you might be describing Nicaragua. Tourism is definitely growing there, but even in Granada, the place that sees the most visitors, I never feel like it's overrun with tourists. San Juan del Sur gets a bit crowded at times, but it has a long way to go before it turns into Tamarindo, farther down the coast in Costa Rica.
The western half of the country is easy to get around. Roads are good. Distances are too great. You have Leon, the other colonial city, which doesn't get as much attention as Granada does. The hill towns of Esteli and Matagalpa are the heart of Nicaragua's coffee-growing region and are a wonderful respite from the lowland heat. (It does get very hot in Nicaragua, but unless you go in March and April, it's bearable.) The Caribbean coast is less accessible because of the scarcity of roads, but there are domestic flights. Then there's Managua. The less said about Managua, the better, but the city does grow on you, and has a burgeoning selection of good restaurants these days.
Nicaragua is a very friendly country too. You'll encounter people who love to talk politics. They all have opinions on what went on during the 1980s, although I think very few of them would turn the clock back to those years. I'm a U.S. citizen, but I have never felt any animosity during such discussions.
Nicaragua can be a tough place if you don't speak Spanish. You can make yourself understood, but there are nowhere near the number of English speakers you find in Mexico or Costa Rica.
Give it some consideration, especially since you mentioned it.
Back to the original question: I think you might be describing Nicaragua. Tourism is definitely growing there, but even in Granada, the place that sees the most visitors, I never feel like it's overrun with tourists. San Juan del Sur gets a bit crowded at times, but it has a long way to go before it turns into Tamarindo, farther down the coast in Costa Rica.
The western half of the country is easy to get around. Roads are good. Distances are too great. You have Leon, the other colonial city, which doesn't get as much attention as Granada does. The hill towns of Esteli and Matagalpa are the heart of Nicaragua's coffee-growing region and are a wonderful respite from the lowland heat. (It does get very hot in Nicaragua, but unless you go in March and April, it's bearable.) The Caribbean coast is less accessible because of the scarcity of roads, but there are domestic flights. Then there's Managua. The less said about Managua, the better, but the city does grow on you, and has a burgeoning selection of good restaurants these days.
Nicaragua is a very friendly country too. You'll encounter people who love to talk politics. They all have opinions on what went on during the 1980s, although I think very few of them would turn the clock back to those years. I'm a U.S. citizen, but I have never felt any animosity during such discussions.
Nicaragua can be a tough place if you don't speak Spanish. You can make yourself understood, but there are nowhere near the number of English speakers you find in Mexico or Costa Rica.
Give it some consideration, especially since you mentioned it.
Jun 20th, 2006, 06:52 AM
#15
I'm guessing this is a first trip to the region? To me it seem Nicaragua would be a bit of a challenge for someone new to the general area of travel and who does not speak Spanish.
I would start with Mexico, the coastline around either Puerto Vallarta (west) or Playa del Carmen (east) to get your feet wet, so to speak. It's easy enough to stay away from resorts.
I would start with Mexico, the coastline around either Puerto Vallarta (west) or Playa del Carmen (east) to get your feet wet, so to speak. It's easy enough to stay away from resorts.
Jun 20th, 2006, 10:54 AM
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I live in Texas...LOTS of people here travel in Mexico. But when I told people I was going to Costa Rica, most acted like it was some exotic, third-world destination. I can't believe that I can get somewhere so beautiful in only a three hour flight; however, a lot more people I know here have been to Hawaii and London than CR.
Jun 20th, 2006, 01:25 PM
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fuzzy,
In the mid 90's I visted Peru, Bolivia, CR, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatamala, and Hondurus.
More recently we revisted Mexico, went to Argentina and Brazil and I posted on these trips.
We loved the Haciendas in the Yucatan which are wonderful destinations to see some of the major and minor Mayan monunuments.Highly recommeded mexico is such a fascinating cultural destination though much of the discussion here is beach related.
We loved Argentina and Brazil, in particular Buenos Aires, Rio, Brasilia and a wonderul eco lodge which is a flight out from Manaus called the Uakari Lodge in the Mamiraua biosphere. We had a fabulous trip...the food, architecture from colonial to modern, the music, wine, hospitality...loved it all.
For me the reason the Latin America board is a little less lively is that it's a less cohesive group in terms of destination. It's a huge area. Frankly I think they should consider seperating Central America and Mexico from the rest of LA.
For example over on the Asia board (also a large geographical are) lots of people are going to the same places...Bangkok, Angkor, Rajasthan, China. On this board there's alot more divergence....a predominance of posts on the Mayan Riviera and Costa Rica and then a much more amorphous range of posts on a huge range of different destinations.
This difference doesn't refelect the interest these destinations hold. On the Africa board which is predominately safari based the range of destinations is often held together by the type of travel.
Although it may take a long flight to get to LA it's in fact much easier than going to Asia because of the less dramatic time difference.Peru offers great markets, history, food. You can do the beach in brazil and elsewhere, winetasting in Chile and Argentina...the question is what are you interested in?
PS You were asking for the American perspective...Although I'm not an American poster I do live on the West coast.
In the mid 90's I visted Peru, Bolivia, CR, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatamala, and Hondurus.
More recently we revisted Mexico, went to Argentina and Brazil and I posted on these trips.
We loved the Haciendas in the Yucatan which are wonderful destinations to see some of the major and minor Mayan monunuments.Highly recommeded mexico is such a fascinating cultural destination though much of the discussion here is beach related.
We loved Argentina and Brazil, in particular Buenos Aires, Rio, Brasilia and a wonderul eco lodge which is a flight out from Manaus called the Uakari Lodge in the Mamiraua biosphere. We had a fabulous trip...the food, architecture from colonial to modern, the music, wine, hospitality...loved it all.
For me the reason the Latin America board is a little less lively is that it's a less cohesive group in terms of destination. It's a huge area. Frankly I think they should consider seperating Central America and Mexico from the rest of LA.
For example over on the Asia board (also a large geographical are) lots of people are going to the same places...Bangkok, Angkor, Rajasthan, China. On this board there's alot more divergence....a predominance of posts on the Mayan Riviera and Costa Rica and then a much more amorphous range of posts on a huge range of different destinations.
This difference doesn't refelect the interest these destinations hold. On the Africa board which is predominately safari based the range of destinations is often held together by the type of travel.
Although it may take a long flight to get to LA it's in fact much easier than going to Asia because of the less dramatic time difference.Peru offers great markets, history, food. You can do the beach in brazil and elsewhere, winetasting in Chile and Argentina...the question is what are you interested in?
PS You were asking for the American perspective...Although I'm not an American poster I do live on the West coast.
Jun 21st, 2006, 05:22 AM
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Thank you again. I should perhaps put some things straight. I am not based in the USA. The phrase "back yard" is someone else's - I wish I could remember whose!
I framed the question the way I did cos I wanted to get a sense of what I would find. I know Mexico is an enormous country and I guessed folk who read between the lines of my post would pitch in with places that were not overrun by package or short stay tourists. And you did - brilliant!!!
Nowt wrong with short stay folk - they have their trip and I have mine - just prefer them not to be congruent, and as it is such a big country, maybe it is possible to take oneself somewhere else where there are still places to stay that ordinary Mexicans would.
It's hard to quantify this - I'm no longer really devil may care - you know just pitch up and sleep on a rooftop if need be - but neither am I quite willing to sink into the book everything in advance/stay in sterile chain hotels either.
I've read a bit about Nicaragua and think I'd like Lago de Nicaragua, and the trip to El Castillo from San Juan, and maybe the Corn Islands by air.
Willing to graft a little by road/boat, and fly where it makes sense.
But equally there are places in Mexico that appeal - Michoacán. Oaxaca.
If I go, it will indeed be my first trip to Central America. But I have travelled extensively in Africa and Asia so .. nuff said.
I speak enougth Spanish to get by (at least in Spain) - i wish it were more fluent - but, hey, if I buy that RTW ticket I'll be studying away.
Don't expect a reply to this - as I haven't really asked a question.
Just wanted to say thanks - but if anyone does want to continue the conversation,and offer tips - that would be great.
I framed the question the way I did cos I wanted to get a sense of what I would find. I know Mexico is an enormous country and I guessed folk who read between the lines of my post would pitch in with places that were not overrun by package or short stay tourists. And you did - brilliant!!!
Nowt wrong with short stay folk - they have their trip and I have mine - just prefer them not to be congruent, and as it is such a big country, maybe it is possible to take oneself somewhere else where there are still places to stay that ordinary Mexicans would.
It's hard to quantify this - I'm no longer really devil may care - you know just pitch up and sleep on a rooftop if need be - but neither am I quite willing to sink into the book everything in advance/stay in sterile chain hotels either.
I've read a bit about Nicaragua and think I'd like Lago de Nicaragua, and the trip to El Castillo from San Juan, and maybe the Corn Islands by air.
Willing to graft a little by road/boat, and fly where it makes sense.
But equally there are places in Mexico that appeal - Michoacán. Oaxaca.
If I go, it will indeed be my first trip to Central America. But I have travelled extensively in Africa and Asia so .. nuff said.
I speak enougth Spanish to get by (at least in Spain) - i wish it were more fluent - but, hey, if I buy that RTW ticket I'll be studying away.
Don't expect a reply to this - as I haven't really asked a question.
Just wanted to say thanks - but if anyone does want to continue the conversation,and offer tips - that would be great.
Jun 21st, 2006, 01:30 PM
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When I was in University (decades ago) the term back yard was used in discussing American involvement in Central America. For that reason it still has a negative "feeling" for me.
You're right - considering their relative proximity and population size, there seem to be far fewer Americans in Central America than Europeans or Canadians. I wouldn't let that put you off.
You're right - considering their relative proximity and population size, there seem to be far fewer Americans in Central America than Europeans or Canadians. I wouldn't let that put you off.
