HELP!! I cant decide where to go for my glorious week vacation. I love the culture and peolple of Central American and have already been to Costa Rica. My spanish is intermediate...I was thinking about Panama--any thoughts?? Maybe Mexico?? I just loved Costa Rica--should I return?? How friendly are these places to lone, young women travellers? <BR> <BR>any suggestion is most welcome!! <BR> <BR>

I would definitely consider Mexico. Mexico has the friendliest most hospitable people in the world. Mexico is also the most cultured and interesting country to visit. There are so many great places to visit in Mexico that to recommend one would be difficult without knowing some more details. Single women travel all the time in Mexico with no problems. One consideration is climate. Any beach area will be very hot and humid during the summer and fall. Some areas such as Guadalahara have a spring like climate all year.

Mexico.

Consider Ecuador. I've been there 6 times. It is easy to get around, safe, her people are incredibly friendly to gringos, and it's cheap. It is often called the "Switzerland" of South America due to the number of snow-capped mountains in such a small area. <BR> <BR>As a single female you will get whistled at and stared at in Ecuador but that is common in many Latin countries. You have to exercise common sense and caution just as you would elsewhere. The "sierra" (mountainous middle third of the country) is probably "safer" than the coastal part of the country. <BR> <BR>I can't imagine Panama would be as interesting. The culture is very Americanized compared to Ecuador. How "exotic" do you want?

As far as I know, Uruguay used to be called the Switzerland of South America in the fifties, because of its economic stability, <BR>That was long ago, nevertheless, Let me tell you some facts about it. <BR>It is not as exotic as Ecuator, Peru, Even Brazil. The population is European in its origins. All native inhabitant of these lands were exterminated, So you wont find any "indians" here, as many people think. <BR>It also has very high rate of literacy, one of the top of S.A. We are very friendly. <BR>The country: Small in comparison with others in the region, has a lot to offer! Beatiful Beaches, Extraordinary countryside houses, or eco farms, where you can stay. I can give you more information on this if you are interested. <BR>I have to go now, Bye

Hello Lisa. I live in Argentina but have been to Mexico some years ago and I think you will love it. There is so much antique culture there you wonīt beleive it. <BR>You must visit Chichen-Itza (Yucatan Peninsula), Tulum (Yucatan Peninsula), Teotihuacan (close to Mexico DF), Palenque (Yucatan Peninsula), etc. All these places are wonderful ruins of Mayas and Aztecs. <BR>The people of Mexico is the most friendly and their hospitality has no match with other people. <BR>I spent one month and a half there and I didnīt want to come back. It is quite cheap too. <BR>If you like the beach the best place to go is Cancun or other places on the Yucatan Peninsula. <BR> <BR>My E-mail [email protected]

Lisa, I would recommend Guatemala. It's a country that is recommended highly by anyone who's visited. I came as a Spanish Student 3 years ago and never left. The scenery is beautiful, there're volcanoes, clean air, the weather in the highlands is pleasant all year long, there is still a 60% indigenous culture that practices weaving and many handicrafts. There are jungles, incredible Mayan ruins, and you can get almost anywhere very cheeply on a chicken bus. The cost of living is very low. Hotels can be very inexpensive if that's what you're looking for. <BR>We like it so much we're living here permanently and write the "GUATEMALA Living & Retirement" Newsletter and the "GUATEMALA Bus Travelers Little Helper." Contact us if you have more questions. <BR>