Arica
The beautiful city of Arica is as lovely as it is diverse. You can lie on the beach sipping an exotic drink, and hike the trails of the glorious Lauca National Park in the same day. The park's mountains reach heights of 14,000 feet, and offer hiking enthusiasts some of the most exhilarating trails that the world has to offer. The Cathedral of San Marcos is a fantastic man-made achievement, and the Salar de Surire National Monument is spectacular. Arica is found in the northernmost sector of Chile, over 1,000 miles north of Santiago. Only a few miles from the Peruvian border, Arica features a warm climate and a unique landscape that is sure to please every kind of tourist. 170,000 people inhabit the city, and Arica is one of the most affordable tourist destinations in South America. In addition, the city and its surrounding area are virtually rain free, experiencing the least precipitation of anywhere on earth. It also has an incredibly low crime rate, and is a wonderful blend of modern tourist attractions and ancient culture.
Lima
Lima is an extraordinary city nestled on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It's an old city with an esteemed history. Ranging from fast paced activities to relaxing sightseeing, Lima has it all. In 1535, Francisco Pizarro founded Lima, and in its early days the city surrounded the Rimac River. For the next three hundred years the city was the capital of the entire Spanish South American Empire. Over the years, the city has mushroomed, and now Lima is home to around seven million people.
The hustle and bustle of Lima is found in the downtown sector. The area surrounding the Plaza Mayor is the most popular and busy region. This is where you will encounter the most aesthetically pleasing architecture, artwork, and museums. Other portions of the city are more entertaining and exciting, but this is the district that houses the educational and historical sights of Lima. They exist elsewhere within the city, but not in nearly as much of a concentrated fashion as they do here by the Plaza Mayor. Miraflores and San Isidro are the two nicest neighborhoods in Lima, as they are located by the sea and quite affluent. The restaurants and shopping in these areas are probably the best in Lima. The nicest parks are definitely close to the ocean, and a few in particular are absolutely gorgeous. In between the beautiful towns by the sea are small working-class areas of Lima such as Rimac, Brena, and La Victoria. Lima is a city best enjoyed by walking, and during the day it is safe to travel anywhere within the city. Peruvians love the outdoors, and on weekends you will see what seems like the whole country gathered in the Plaza to enjoy the warmth.
Manta
Once you dock at the Port of Manta and enter the harbor, you'll realize that you are in for an enjoyable stay. The area around the harbor is bustling and full of activity, but as you travel inland, the city mellows into a relaxing place full of great restaurants and small communities. This contrast adds to the personality of the city, and incredibly enough, the port of Manta is the busiest fishing port on earth. Because of the inordinate amount of import and export, the variety of cultures within the city is remarkable. The Museo del Banco Central is a fantastic museum that displays countless artifacts that have all been found in the region. Photographs show the progression of the port through the decades, and by looking around you can tell that great time and care went into building the museum's astonishing edifice.
Manta's beaches are spacious as well as beautiful, and are home to a wide array of wildlife. Frigate birds and pelicans occupy some of the area, but keep to themselves enough that they will never spoil your afternoon. Instead, they will provide entertainment as they hunt for their prey come dusk. Soaring and then diving to catch fish, they shoot through the air at incredible speeds. The surf in Manta is usually pristine, and often the beaches of Murcielago will have waves roll through that would impress even the most traveled surfer. There are a few truly great restaurants in Manta, and the nightlife is fantastic.
Huatulco
Bahias de Huatulco is located on the gorgeous coast of Oaxaca in Mexico. This region is beautiful and bursting with activity, and the bays of Huatulco encompass over thirty tropical beaches. The entire community is, in essence, a beach, so you will never be far from the sparkling sea and the warm, shimmering sand. There are a couple of outstanding restaurants in the vicinity, and the shopping here is limited but still enjoyable. The Museo de Artesanias Oxaquenas is an extraordinary museum where you can watch artistic geniuses at work. Huatulco's popularity is increasing, but some tourists remain hesitant to visit because of the unfinished appearance of the area. It is not nearly as built up as Cancun or Mazatlan, but there is a certain allure that is unique to Huatulco. In fact, many seasoned travelers prefer the rustic look of Huatulco to the other more commercialized areas of Mexico.
The bays can be toured by boat, and while viewing the spectacular sunset, you may want to engage in some fishing, followed by dinner consisting of your fresh catch. If you would rather enjoy a meal at one of the local establishments, some excellent choices exist. The crystal clear waters of Huatulco are perfect for swimming, and a wide array of water sports is at your disposal. The coast of Oaxaca is largely uninhabited, and there are trails all around the bays of Huatulco that are ideal for exploration.
Acapulco
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers came across the Bay of Acapulco and were captivated by its naturally protected shores and beautiful surroundings. Today, Acapulco remains a stunning Mexican hideaway that caters to all the needs of the modern tourist.
Acapulco is by far the largest, most opulent of all the resort cities in Mexico. An endless variety of dining, entertainment, and sporting options are available in town, assuring that you will never run out of things to do while visiting. In addition, it is quite close to the resort cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo; two destinations providing a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of Acapulco.
Acapulco is the ideal location for either a relaxing or an exciting day under the sun. A typical day on the bay will find you spending the majority of your time outdoors. With an average temperature of 80 degrees, Acapulco enjoys some of the finest year-round weather in the world. While spending the day on a beautiful beach, you can either lie peacefully, soaking in the sun's rays, or instead enjoy the many adventurous water sports offered in Acapulco. Some of these water sports include scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and water skiing. In addition, you should not miss La Quebrada, where daring cliff divers take a 130 feet plunge into the ocean. Other sites you should see is the beautiful vegetated lagoon of Coyuca, the historical Fuerte de San Diego, built to protect Acapulco from dangerous pirates in 1616, or a glass bottom boat where you can view the submerged Virgin of Guadalupe on the ocean floor off Roqueta Island.
At the end of a tiring, sun-splashed day, head over to Pie de la Cuesta and watch the beautiful sunset. Once the sun is down, Acapulco turns into a city of the night. There are delicious cafes, shops, boutiques, and lively clubs throughout the charming streets of Acapulco.
Cabo San Lucas
At the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula,
where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, lies the tropical paradise
known as Cabo San Lucas. Excellent weather, miles of magnificent public beaches
with crystal clear water, and championship golf courses set the mood for a
vacation that entices you to unwind and refresh.
Once sought after by migrating pirates for its safe harbors,
the Los Cabos (The Capes) area, and Cabo San Lucas in particular, is one of the
most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. It has grown in recent decades to a
city of over 25,000, with many of its residents drawn to its rugged and
beautiful coastline, water-sports galore, and world-class golf resorts. Cabo is
particularly famous among the sport fishing crowd because of its year round
status as the Mecca of big game trophy fish.
No matter what the season, in Cabo San Lucas you can partake
in the thrill of hooking a blue or black marlin, sailfish, dorado or tuna. There
are also many great surfing opportunities in Cabo San Lucas. To add some
underwater excitement to your stay in this beautiful city, go on a deep-sea
diving adventure, where you can see spectacular gardens of black coral reefs,
gorgeous sea turtles, and sand waterfalls.
The legendary spirited nightlife of Cabo San Lucas, as well
as the wonderful fresh seafood served in its charming restaurants, also
highlights this wonderful city. Shopping for creative Mexican arts and crafts,
or spending the day out on a glittering white sand beach, are other ways that
you can enjoy your peaceful stay here. It is no wonder that visitors return
again and again!
San Diego
If you want the most fabulous and extensive collection of beaches in the United States, be certain to visit San Diego. Featuring seventy miles of glorious coastline, and pleasant temperatures all year, San Diego is a great place for tourists. Among many other activities, San Diego is a prime spot for swimming, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, bicycling, and skating. Balboa Park and three world-famous animal parks round out this magnificent city. The San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, and Sea World are all wildlife extravaganzas.
Over the past two decades, San Diego has exploded into a cultural mecca, filled with activities and tremendous diversity. Prior to that, this region had a reputation for being a quiet little Navy town. A huge naval base can be found in San Diego, and a lot of the military have their permanent homes in the city. But the influence of three major universities in the area has transformed San Diego into a lively town. The shopping, dining, and entertainment options expand exponentially annually, and there is no reason to think that this expansion will cease any time soon. In addition, San Diego is right near the Mexican border, and visitors often take a short side trip and venture south into Tijuana.
San Diego was the first city established in all of California, making it a rich center for state and national heritage. It is a significant region that should be recognized as such, and whenever tourists pass through, they appreciate its beauty and importance. In addition to the great beaches and pleasant dining establishments, a number of state-of-the-art facilities are springing up all over San Diego. Qualcomm Stadium is the home of the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego Padres. If you plan your trip to include a sporting event, you won't be disappointed.
Victoria
The landscape of British Columbia is as diverse as it is beautiful, and the west coast, home to glorious Victoria, is no exception. From beaches to mountains, exquisite parks to enchanting architectural sites, Victoria has it all. The museums in the city are marvelous, and the Royal British Columbia Museum, in particular, is outstanding, featuring an IMAX theater and incredible exhibits. The Maritime Museum illustrates the heralded maritime history of Victoria, and the model ship exhibit is fascinating. There are a number of spots in the city where nature has combined with the efforts of local residents to create some of the most amazing sites possible. The Butchart Gardens captivate all who visit, and Beacon Hill Park is a wondrous region that is adored by the entire community.
Victoria is a picturesque seaport that is the capital of the province and the highlight of beautiful Vancouver Island. Positioned ideally, and complemented by the lovely Pacific Ocean, Victoria enjoys a strong English influence, and its Victorian architecture only adds to the feeling. During the 19th century, it was a mighty port city that was a major English outpost. But in the 1880?s, when Vancouver was founded, England basically forgot all about Victoria. However, in the 20th century, and in the new millennium, we certainly cannot forget about this gorgeous city by the sea. With a pleasant climate and plenty of fabulous restaurants to keep you busy for days, Victoria is becoming a more popular vacation spot with each passing year.
Seattle
Seattle has exploded from a small West Coast town known for bad weather into a bustling powerhouse on the Pacific Rim known for espresso. The city of Pearl Jam and Frasier Crane has undergone quite a transformation over the last couple of decades. Starbucks and Microsoft have headquarters in the region, bringing jobs and prosperity with them. With growth comes headaches, of course, and Seattle has had its share. The city's infrastructure was not designed to hold so many people, and the same people who used to snicker at the traffic jams of New York and Los Angeles now find themselves in the same boat.
That's not to say that Seattle doesn't have a lot of other advantages. The city itself is positively beautiful, with lots of greenery. It's a perfect town for a walk, as long as it's not raining. Of course, Seattle also boasts of one of the more recognizable symbols in the world, the Space Needle. The view from the top is simply breathtaking.
Downtown Seattle is where you will probably spend most of your day. The area has undergone a renaissance, with new shops and restaurants opening up around every corner, seemingly every day. A gorgeous art museum and a new ballpark, Safeco Field, have helped to attract this sprawling city back inward. Pioneer Square, which used to be a ghost town, has become the hip place to be after hours.
Seattle has been able to combine a small-town neighborliness with all of the cultural advantages of a big city. This unique dichotomy has attracted more and more tourists, as well as more and more residents.
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