Category: vacations

Vacation in Mexico

5 Lesser known but amazing resorts in Mexico

by hotelsetc, posted in vacations

Have you ever taken a vacation and been pleasantly surprised or even amazed?

Everyone knows Mexico is a stunning destination and hugely popular but there are still some hidden gems which are lesser known that could be the perfect fit for your next vacation. Yes, it’s not all about the Hilton, Dreams or Iberostar.

Here are 5 lesser known resorts for your next vacation in Mexico

Lesser known resorts in Mexico

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit (Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit)

Riviera Nayarit is still under the radar— as of now. Before everyone learns about this 200- mile stretch of coastline tucked in between the historic port of San Blas in Nayarit and Banderas Bay in Nuevo Vallarta, you must visit it as soon as possible. It is surrounded by various golf clubs, including the first golf course in Banderas Bay, Flamingos Golf Club, which is only 20 minutes away from Grand Velas. Other activities to enjoy are surfing in Suyalita, visiting the down town of Puerto Vallarta for its art galleries and markets, and merely exploring the sea through canopy tour, deep- sea fishing and pirate ship tours. Whatever your interest is will surely be served. Grand Velas, on the other hand received recognitions as Best Romantic Hotel/ Resort Mexico, Best Spa and Wellness Hotel, and Best Luxury Hotels categories from Travvy Awards Dream Vacation for 2016, which guarantees an excellent vacation.

Rancho Encantado Eco- resort and Spa (Bacalar, Quintana Roo)

If you are seeking for a peaceful escapade, you must visit the Laguna Bacalar. It is famous for Lake Bacalar, also known as Lake of Seven Colors, because of water’s gemlike beauty. Laguna Bacalar offers serenity for its Yucatan small village feel and absence of jam packed tourists. The Fortress de San Felipe Bacalar, located in the center of town, represents one of Maya’s bastions before the Spaniards came and features a small modern museum. You can do kayaking in the lake, dancing in the city square at night, and walking in the jungle. If these still do not please you, check out the Mayan ruins surrounding the town. Stay at Rancho Encantado and it will do you a favor by touring you in the Lake of Seven Colors.

Fiesta Americana Hotels and Resorts (Progreso, Yucatan)

Just four miles away from the Gulf of Mexico, Progreso is a popular cruise ship destination. Cruise passengers have a chance to visit the nearby city of Merida, which features historic feel, and variety of shops to purchase local products. Also, take a sip of the local licorice flavored drink, Xtabentun.  Stay at Fiesta Americana Hotel, located at Merida, 30 minutes away from Progreso. The hotel is surrounded by various destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling activities, hot springs, gastronomic experiences, historical sites, and more.

Las Gaviotas Resort (La Paz, Baja California Sur)

Indeed, as the name implies, La Paz brings peace to the visitors. Go deep into the Aquarium of the World, Sea of Cortez and see the grey whales migrating from Alaska, and other lovely creatures of this biologically rich body of water. Devour on the freshly caught seafood that can be enjoyed by the seaside promenade. If you want to learn more about the history of La Paz, visit the Regional Anthropology and History Museum of South Baja California. The museum nestles a collection of fossils dated 60 million years ago, as well as cave painting and engraved rocks that depicted natives’ everyday lives. Stay at Las Gaviotas Resort to view the ocean front in each room’s wide terrace.

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Hotel Puerta Calakmul (Campeche State, Mexico)

Home to the Historic Fortified City of Campeche by UNESCO in 1999, Campeche is filled with architectural and historical treasures. Historic buildings are restored making it to be instagram worthy. On the other hand, stay at Hotel Puerta Calakmul for a biodiversity feel. If you want to appreciate Mother Nature, take a walk in the jungles where the hotel is enveloped, meet the jaguars, or just watch how the birds fly freely. Take a dive into the hotel’s pool in a sweaty afternoon after a wilderness encounter.

You should check out Hotels Etc for huge discounts on all of the above resorts in Mexico to help you save on your next vacation.

Mexican Kitchen

5 Foods to try on a Caribbean vacation to Cancun

by hotelsetc, posted in vacations

Cancun is famous for beach time and all-inclusive resorts, but are you familiar with the food you need to try on your Caribbean vacation to Cancun? Many types of Mexican cuisine might be considered fast-food in North America but make no mistake, these local foods are traditional in Cancun and you should absolutely try them on your next Caribbean vacation.

5 local foods to try on a Caribbean vacation to Cancun:

Empenadas

You may have tried them in a fast food restaurant at some point but honestly, nothing compares to an empanada in Cancun. Succulent and crafted to perfection, these hunky wraps are much bigger than what you will find in North America while offering a large variety of fillings including chorizo and chicharon. If you are unsure of which one to choose, try the Quesadilla Tierra Del Sol.

Vacation in Cancun

Tacos

North Americans seem to love the taco just as much as their southern neighbors but again, the quality, variety and scale of this popular cuisine in Mexico is staggering.  There are many taco stands you will find on street corners around Cancun offering a beautiful mix of flavors topped off with cheese, avocado salsa and grilled onions. However, one of the lesser known yet most popular places to eat in Cancun is called Porki’s and the carnitas here are particularly good.

Fish Ceviche

Take a trip down town into the markets some day and you will be rewarded with this local delicacy. Fish Cerviche is very much the traditional food of choice here when it comes to seafood and you can buy some freshly grilled fish here for as little as $1 while it is then accompanied by the most delightful sauce, Tapatio hot sauce!

Nacho Chips with Dips

This was always going to go without saying but just in case, make sure you try them out on a Caribbean vacation. Although the chips will be pretty much the same as what you will find almost anywhere in the world, dips are always freshly made in Mexico which make all the difference.  And then there are the toppings; what do you want? Salsa, cheese, guacamole, minced meats or kidney beans…the options are endless.

Pozole soup

Pozole

If would like to try something a bit more traditional, Pozole is a local dish found all over the country. Made from a combination of lettuce, onion, oregano, chili and corn, Pozole is a soup-like vegetarian dish for the most part but you can also try a version with shredded pork. It may not be as enticing as some of the more fast-food like options on this list; Pozole is absolutely worth a try.

You can try all of these foods on a Caribbean vacation to Cancun but before you do anything, check out Hotels Etc. for vacation discounts to make it all happen in 2017.

Hiking on a Caribbean Vacation in Costa Rica

Why Costa Rica is the alternative Caribbean Vacation for 2017

by hotelsetc, posted in vacations

While Mexico and white sandy beaches may be at the forefront of your mind when booking a Caribbean vacation, spare a thought for an alternative option to Cancun and Riviera Maya. Located close to the beach and every other attraction you could want in elsewhere, Costa Rica has a little more to it than almost everywhere else in this part of the world making it one of the best destinations for a Caribbean vacation in 2017.

Here are five alternative things to do on a Caribbean vacation in Costa Rica:

Playa Nicoya Rainforest Retreat

And you thought the beach was the best place to relax on a Caribbean vacation? Think again. This isolated haven in the middle of the rain forest is an absolute must for those you who enjoy a little bit of pampering.  In fact, it is largely thanks to several select resorts such as Playa Nicoya that Costa Rica is becoming known as the ultimate destination for Spa Retreats in the Caribbean. Where yoga teachers and health professionals are always on hand to help you organize your stay, even a day visit to this special place will leave you far away in a moment of complete relaxation.

Caribbean vacation

White water raft Rios Tropicales

Another of Costa Rica’s most famous attractions come in the shape of rafting in Rio Tropicales which is suited to both beginners and more advanced rafters. That said, this is also a region and experience which allows you to stay overnight in a jungle lodge for a more authentic encounter with the rural interior. This will also be a most appreciated setting having spent a fun day adventuring down the river.

Hiking after dark

As far as unique experiences come, how about taking a hike after dark when the jungle comes alive? Many different species of nocturnal wildlife find themselves in the rural parts of Costa Rica and on a Caribbean vacation you can now catch a glimpse of them when they come out to play. Armadillos, bats and caimans are just a few of these and the guided tour itself will usually last for up to three hours.

Explore the spheres of stone

Costa Rica is also overflowing with historical features and on Yap Island; you can also find the regions smaller version of the moai on Easter Island in Chile. Dating back as far as 200 B.C these stones are a bizarre sight and were believed to have been carved by hand many centuries ago. You can visit the stones in the National Museum in San Jose where a visitor center explains everything about them including how they were first discovered on nearby banana plantations.

Monteverde

Visit Monteverde Biological Reserve

Costing only $15 entrance, this is one of the most affordable and amazing things to do in Costa Rica. Hiking into the upper regions of the mountains here will award the visitor with spectacular views but the luscious scenery en-route is just as impressive. Well marked and easily identified, the trails are suitable for anyone wanting to trek without the assistance of a guide and explore the surrounding wilderness at leisure. Monteverde Reserve is located in the north of the plains, not far from San Jose making it easy to access.

You can start organizing your next Caribbean vacation to Costa Rica by checking out the best online discounts on Hotels Etc.

Things to do in caribbean

5 Alternative things to do on a Caribbean vacation

by hotelsetc, posted in vacations

We all know about the sunbathing, swimming and spa treatment rooms but what about the more alternative things to do in the Caribbean?

Here’s five alternative things to do in the Caribbean

1.Become a pirate for the day

Believe it or not, the movie was based on true story and you now have an opportunity to re-enact the adventures of Pirates of the Caribbean in real time. Located in St Lucia, the Big Unicorn tall ship is home to an unforgettable experience and one of the best thing to do in the Caribbean.

Passing through a tropical paradise, you can sit back and relax on this ship as it continues to evoke images of pirates scrambling across deck. It is also the ship which was used in the movie itself so you can expect what is possibly the most authentic way to see the surroundings.

Submarine tour

2.Ride in a submarine

Maybe you have never gone scuba diving before and would like to see how it feels to be submerged in these tropical waters? Or maybe it just sounds like one of the fun things to do in the Caribbean? Either way, you can take a ride in a submarine on your Aruba vacation and participate in the Atlantis Submarine Expedition.

Safe in the knowledge or experienced crew and perfectly dry in the confines of the submarine, this truly is a special way to see the marine life off the coast of Aruba and experience one of the most alternative things to do in the Caribbean.

3.Hiking in Dominica

When you finish soaking up the rays next to the pool an enjoying the spa, hiking is a great way to spend spare time on a Caribbean vacation to Dominica.

Largely due to past volcanic activity, the region is littered with mountains and beautiful surrounding in which to hike. Sitting high in the mountains, there is also the mysterious “Boiling Lake” which is reminiscent of the hot springs you might find in Iceland and they make a perfect way to end a day of rigorous hiking.

4.Take a Camel Ride

While you may be right in thinking this is truly a bizarre place to find camel never mind ride one, you should absolutely still do this on your next Caribbean vacation. In fact, what better place can there be to ride a camel than along the sands, next to the ocean and accompanied by a gentle breeze?

That said, Jamaica has long been known as a country which adopted camels during trading in the 1700’s and their presence here really is no surprise. Starting out in the beautiful plantations, you can take a camel trek here through luscious rain-forest and some of the most impressive scenery while having this unique close encounter with a camel. It may not have been on your list for a Caribbean vacation but it most certainly should if you see a little bit more adventure.

Camel ride on Caribbean vacation

5.Visit the Soggy Dollar Bar

Imagine stepping onto the most incredible white sands next to Turquoise Ocean only to find your own private bar on a private island. Many resorts will make promises for your Caribbean vacation but when it comes to private bars on private islands, they are mostly an imitation of the Soggy Dollar Bar.

Located in the British Virgin Islands, this Tiki bar is a hidden gem with infamous cocktail and ample space for relaxation. Friendly, hospitable and always open, the reputation of the Soggy Dollar Bar precedes itself but it truly lives up to it in every way.

Have you been to any of the above places or can you recommend any more alternative things to do in the Caribbean?

Join Hotels Etc. for vacation discounts on resorts in any of the above destinations and start saving on your Caribbean vacation today.

Why more North Americans are deciding to vacation at home

by hotelsetc, posted in vacations

Since 9/11, there has been a large decrease in the number of North Americans traveling abroad in general and this is quite understandable given the current climate. However, there are far more reasons for why recent trends are showing that many Americans are opting to vacation at home rather than traveling abroad and they all make sense entirely. Here is the main reason as to why so many North Americans are deciding to stay at home rather than vacationing abroad in 2017, diversity.

Yes, North America has all the necessary ingredients needed for an unforgettable vacation and often, with the use of hotel discounts or deals, it will also cost a lot less.

Stay at home

It’s not Fear, it’s out of interest

Let us get this out of the way, in contrast to popular belief, it’s not actually fear that is deterring locals from traveling abroad. Yes, since 9/11 people are more reluctant in terms of leaving the confines of home  and unfortunately, there is still a concern that elsewhere is unsafe or that terrorists are waiting to pounce outside every hotel abroad but none of this is really true. No, most of the reasons for which North Americans are spending their vacations at home are positive and with the best of intentions.

You see, it must be understood that this is a huge part of the world and as a landmass, the States has almost every type of bio-diversity, attraction or variety of landscapes as anywhere else on earth. Something majestic? The Grand Canyon. Entertainment? Las Vegas. Exciting cities? New York, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco. Wilderness, swamp lands or beaches? Montana, Florida and California. It makes complete sense to stay at home as why feel the need to travel abroad for new experiences when you can have a less expensive and just as interesting vacation closer to home.

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North America is accessible and affordable

And that brings us to the cost. Traveling in the US was once an expensive thing to do but with the arrival of the online world, just about anyone can afford a vacation with hotel discounts. Want a hotel room in New York for half price? Use hotel discounts. Want two for the price of one in a restaurant? Use restaurant discounts. Want special offers on local attractions or recreational activities? There are discounts for everything online. But you’ve got to know where to look, and that’s where we come in; we know exactly why you should stay at home for your next vacation and we want to help you make it happen at the most affordable price.

You can sign up for a free trial on Hotels Etc here and start finding all the biggest hotel discounts and more.