Hi - I'm just starting to think about where I might like to go in 2010 for a trip, and I thought I'd get some general ideas from people to get me started in my research. This may seem a bit early, but I'm an early planner! Plus, I wanted to post this before the proposed CA/SA split happens.

I will be traveling with my partner. We live in NYC, and we are 39 and 51, now. Both physically fit, able to walk a lot. Bargain-hunting travelers, for the most part - we don't have a lot of money to spend, but will splurge if it's worth it (generally prefer to stay in the $100 to $150/night hotel range).

Neither of us has really traveled a lot (other than some trips to Europe eons ago). We went to Costa Rica this past April (Manuel Antonio) and loved it. Going back this coming March (Osa Peninsula and Manuel Antonio - still haven't made it to Arenal). Other than that, we have not traveled to anywhere else in Central or South America.

I think for the 2010 trip, I want a combination of cultural stuff (can definitely include ruins) and nature - and I sort of want to feel like we're really going somewhere far away. So, I think I'm leaning toward South America (simply because it's literally further away!).

We can usually travel in January or March, and May through August. And we can usually not be gone for more than 10 to 12 days at a time.

We don't speak Spanish, but know some words/phrases.

We aren't total scaredy cats, but we also aren't interested in putting ourselves in danger.

We don't need a "gay friendly" location, but we also don't want to feel danger from being two men traveling together (I doubt anyone would think I'm straight).

I'm basically an auburn-haired, fare-skinned white guy, and my partner is of half-Italian and half-Middle Eastern descent. So, he can pass for many different ethnicities, whereas I can't as easily (in case this matters in our choice of destination).

I think that's it on the parameters.

I've done a bit of research on Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru. I guess I'm just looking for a few recommendations to get me started. Also thinking of Argentina.

Hope I haven't been TOO specific, but I thought I'd lay it all there and see what suggestions come back.

Thanks a lot!

I should clarify this statement:

"We don't need a "gay friendly" location, but we also don't want to feel danger from being two men traveling together (I doubt anyone would think I'm straight)."

I guess I don't mean dangerous so much (though obviously that could be a factor). I mean more in terms of feeling welcome, or overtly not welcome.

I think my top 3 places would be
1 - Argentina...Getting ready to go back for our second trip so obviously I think u should consider that. You can easily do a nice mix of big city, BA, coupled with nature. Iguauzu Falls is fantastic.

2 - Peru offers lots of culture and is fascinating and less expensive. Machu Picchu is absolutely incredible.

3 - Mexico has a wide variety of interesting, fun places to explore. San Miguel de Allende and surroudng area is nice. Oaxaca is also an interesting town. Have traveled all over Mexico and certainly love it, but I think I prefer SA for some reason.

It may be overly "gay friendly" for your tates but Puerto Vallarta Mexico is lovely, safe, a good combination of ammenities (great restaurants, cafes, etc.) but still with authentic local Mexican flavor.

Thanks - this gives me some direction! Looks like my initial impulse on Peru and Argentina is good.

And thank you for reminding me of and for pointing out Mexico - duh! I've never been, and for some reason I tend to jump over it on the map when I'm thinking of non-beach places to explore. I guess I just figure it's too close, too touristy, etc - or something - I don't know. But, I'm really liking the area to the west of Guatemala - I guess that's south central? - looks chock full of cool places to explore.

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll check 'em out.

We did a cruise from Valpairaso to Buenos Aires around Cape Horn and it was beautiful. I would recommend it. You can always get an inside cabin if expenxes are a problem and then hang out on deck. You are safe, and get a feel for the coutries. Chilean fjords are magnificent.

I vote Guatemala. It's not far from the US or expensive to get to but feels like a whole different century and therefore far, far away from my life in the US. In 10-12 days you can easily see some lovely spots in the highlands, fabulous, colorful markets, and some of the most impressive ruins on the planet.

My photos and travelogues are linked below (travelogue links on the main page of each collection). Happy planning and keep us posted!

http://flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

plum - what about Nicaragua? Granada is a lovely old colonial town with 2 volcanoes nearby, pretty cheap too. My hotel, Casa San Francisco was around $60. Many other places in the country to visit as well or you could splurge at Morgan's Rock.

Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu travel guide. Take virtual tours of Inca trail and learn Inca history.
www.peru-machu-picchu.com/

and/or

www.mayan-traveler.com

2 most culturally interesting

weather would be a factor favoring

Peru for most of the year...

Have fun planning

El Salvador is fairly open about gay life styles, do a search on Suchitoto where I have been living for the past 10 years, a couple of nice hotels and a few people like myself providing bilingual tours around the country. Let me know if you need any details or help with deciding on where to stay, my recomendation would be Hotel Los Almendros de San Lorenza a small botique hotel owned by a french friend of mine. You can find my contact information here or searching for el gringo suchitoto...
whatever you decide have a great trip.
Robert

Belize has the cultural stuff--tons of Mayan ruins--and it's very lightly populated, so you shouldn't have too much trouble feeling far away when you're in the jungle or on a coral reef.