Hello Fellow Travellers,

Please help us decide where our next trip should be... especially considering the extremely weak U.S. dollar.

We currently live in Los Angeles and love both nature and interesting historical areas.

Here is our current top list:

1) Costa Rica;

2) Peru;

3) Argentina;

4) Mexico (though not Cancun or any extremely touristy areas)

5) Galapagos Islands

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Cheers!


We do love the idea of eco tours.

I'd post this on the Latin America forum . . . .

You're in the right forum. The best place for your next trip is right here in the U.S.A!

To start with, how much of your home town have you really explored? You might have the most enjoyable vacation of your life visiting nearby places you've overlooked. The best part is that you can avoid enduring treatment as a criminal at the airport on the way to an airline treating you like useless cargo.

i agree that you should repost this on Latin America forum. It sounds like Betty wants the flavor of visiting a different country. We went to Argentina last year, and while internal airfare costs are very high, everything else -- hotels, food, taxis -- was a huge bargain. Prices may be going up, but relatively speaking, I'm sure you can still get much, much better value than you will find from staying in the U.S.

We went to Buenos Aires and the Northwest region (Salta and Jujuy provinces) and loved it.

Argentina is extremely affordable to U.S. travelers. The current exchange rate is approximately 3:1.

As to eco tours, Iguazú Falls <http://www.iguazuargentina.com/> ranks as one of the top natural wonders of the world, IMO. We went there in April and have told our (adult) children that this is something they must see in their lifetimes!

Please research this further on the Latin America board.

I vote for Argentina, too. You won't be disappointed.

I vote for Budapest.

Thanks to all of you for your great advice!!

Yes, I've been wanting to see Buenos Aires and many other parts of South America since atleast 5 years ago... maybe now is the time! Very exciting.

If any of you have recommendations for any places to stay, eat or shop at a budget in Argentina, I'd really appreciate it.

And yes, absolutely I will go on the Latin American forum as well... Cheers!

Absolutely Argentina. What a great place. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city - the food is great and so inexpensive. Iguazu Falls is a must. Just an incredible experience to see them - but go in the winter. The countryside is lovely and if you are into wine - wow. We had excellent wines for $2 and $3/bottle. We never had a problem with the language as most people spoke english or some anyway enough to get by.

"but go in the winter"


traveller69: Did you mean our winter, or their winter??

I was thinking about going in August, when it is very hot in Los Angeles. Good idea?

Any tips on finding air deals would be greatly appreciated also.

Thanks!

I suspect traveller69 is referring to southern hemisphere winter. We visited Iguazú Falls in autumn (late April) and it was warm, but not excessively hot or steamy. (I'm from Florida and I know hot and steamy!)

Thanks, Vic. Is there a "best time" you would recommend to visit places like Buenos Aires or Macchu Pichu? I am beginning my "heavy research" for a trip, possibly in August.

But if August is a bad time to go, I could reconsider and go in April. (Have to confess, I'm no friend of Humidity... LOL!)

We were there in July 2006 and the weather was great. We went to Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, and Mendoza. It got a little cold at night, but durning the day a sweater or fleece was all we ever needed--and sometimes, not even that.

Hi Betty

I meant their winter if you are going to Iguazu Falls. I understand that August through November is the best time because there isn't as much chance of water on the walkways. I was there in January acutally and it was incredibly hot and humid. We stayed on the Argentina side which I highly recommend as you can certainly get out to the falls better. They have walkways which take you right into the heart of it - just an incredible expenience. We stayed at the Sheraton as it is the only hotel right at the falls on the Argentina side. WE did go to the Brazilian side and spent a night at the hotel there but if I had to chose one it would be Argentina. YOu can do a day trip to the Brazilian side without the Brazilian Visa. The tour companies look after the paper work for that. If you google Iguazu falls there are a lot of great websites with pictures etc. There are two spellings because of the two countries (one Portugese and one Spanish speaking) To answer your question about time to visit I think if you did late August into September would be perfect. Buenos Aires is such a great place I fell in love with it. As a matter of fact Scarlett a very frequent poster on the board moved there recently from I believe Portland. If you search Scarlett and find some of her posts re BA you can get a lot of info - or just start a post like "Scarlett Buenos Aires Info" I am sure you will hear back. As JanisJ says look on the Latin America board for more information.

Nature and history--I suggest the Galapagos Islands and Peru. Both are amazing and they're close enough that you can fit both into one trip.

Thanks, maryann and traveller! Yes, I have communicated with Scarlett often on this board regarding Paris.

kp: Yes, your plan sounds good too.

I have always wanted to see Buenos Aires, and thought maybe I could sneak in a trip to Machu Piccu (sorry if spelling is off).

Right now, it's looking like we'll have TWO WEEKS only, so I can't go too overboard. I wonder if April brings good weather in these areas.

Some people have suggested staying in Buenos Aires and taking a boat to Uruguay as a getaway.

To be continued...