Annnnd just got back from glorious Costa Rica. I've now been 2x -- think Jaco is literally the worst, but Manuel Antonio/Quepos was pretty fantastic. In these types of places I've noticed that the ATV tours are the shit. Always have a lot of fun with them.
thanks for the info. CR looking like it will be my next (as yet unplanned) trip. how did you pick your atv outfitter?
I can barely keep up with this thread but I love all the bits that I am able to read. Really makes me want to start to do more international travel and travel to places I don't normally go to. Thanks to everyone for chipping in.
Have you been to Arenal? I've mostly been to Costa Rica for work but the few times I've taken time for vacation I've loved that area. The canyoneering/rappelling down waterfalls is one of my favorite vacation activities ever.
I have not been, but looking it up now. Canyoning is the shit -- definitely agree. I've only done it 1x in Queenstown however.
In Puerto Iguazu airport now, about to fly to Buenos Aires. Going to take a lot for BA to top Rio for me (which was also safe as shit, and I did not apply bug spray nor see a mosquito the entire time). Everything about the city was incredible. Did have one semi-sketchy experience going to a samba party in the north zone, but other than that was perfectly fine. It may just be 'recency bias,' but Rio comes close to topping Northern Thailand for me, which I did not think was possible. Language barrier in Rio is one of the toughest I've ever encountered. Spanish hardly gets you anywhere, I thought it'd help out some. I was wrong. I was with some locals thankfully, otherwise it would've been really tough. Brazil was also a little more expensive than I thought it'd be. Obviously cheaper than US, but not exactly budget-friendly, especially in Ipanema and Leblon. Couldve been because I was in Rio, though. Argentina is absurdly cheap, so far at least. Stayed in a hotel last night to detox and recover from partying so much in Rio, got a really nice hotel for US $40, and then ate a ridiculous meal at the #1 rated restaurant in Puerto Iguazu on Tripadvisor---4 course meal, with a massive delicious steak and a glass of wine was about US $35. I think I slept for 12 hours last night. Enjoyed Brazilian side of Iguazu more than Argentina side, which puts me in the minority according to what I've read. But Iguazu is also pretty damn incredible.
Sao Paulo is one of if not the most expensive city I've ever been. I'm surprised Rio is cheaper than the US considering Sao Paulo is so horrible price-wise.
All inclusive resorts aren't really my favorite thing to do, but I have some days off around labor day I wanted to do something with so I figured why not. Going to do grand sunset princess all suites in Riviera Maya for 4 nights
Looking at flights for this weekend from ATL... Cancun -- $604 Punta Cana -- $593 Belize City -- $621 Miami -- $233 Austin -- $284 Key West -- $396 Las Vegas -- $275 Seattle -- $339 Might do it, but more likely it's wishful thinking.
Heading to Belize on Monday for a little over a week. If you choose there and head back home on Monday maybe we can high five as we pass each other in the airport.
Coronado is cool. Hit up a ballast point tap room. Go bar/restaurant hopping at Ocean and Pacific Beach. Awesome brunch spot on the second floor of this building that faces ocean beach almost directly on it, can't remember the name but if you're on the beach near the pier you'll see it.
3rd the Ballast point tap room in little Italy. Modern Times in point loma is my favorite brewery there and has a tap room as well. Love Blind Lady Ale house as well. PB is good if you're looking for the college age party scene. North Park is good for more hipstery bar hopping.
Any suggestions for where I should watch euro finals Sunday at noon? Staying at Gaslamp and need to be reasonably close to the ballpark
Looking at vacations for December 26-30 to use my Southwest companion pass one last time before the year is up. Trying to figure out ideas, so here are some, but open to others: Keys - wife may be pregnant, so we are staying away from Gulf/beaches in the SE -Seattle - neither of us have been, maybe wrong time of year? -Charleston - never been, more mild temp, enough to do in December if you can't relax on a beach some? -San Diego - Mild temp, unsure what we would do beyond the zoo -Phoenix/Scottsdale (only with friends so I can have a golf partner), good temps -NYC - very cold, but NY in christmas, can do shows and such rankings/thoughts?
Skip NYC that time of year imo, unless just dying for the Christmas stuff which i was never blown away by. Skip Seattle, weather would suck. Id go Charleston or San Diego, because flying sucks I'd choose the closer of the two. I'm not a beach person but there's plenty to do in either for 4-5 days regardless.
San Juan, PR is a great couples trip. If she can't drink then somewhere with entertainment might be good. D.C. has a bunch of free museums.
Shakespeares is the best soccer bar. It's not in gaslamp but close, would have to take an uber (old town). It will be packed. Downtown, Barleymash would be good. Will probably have more of the casual fan, but tons of TV's. The Field (irish pub) should be solid too.
I'd save a beach for a time when you want to be on the beach. Seattle is probably my vote. It'll be cold (probably 30s), but not any colder than Atlanta at the same time of the year. That said, it's best to visit Seattle in summer/fall imo.
yeah we aren't really doing beaches for this trip, as who knows what Zika threats will be by that point... it's dumb but not worth it if she is going to be pregnant.
San Diego. Just visited with my gf and it is my favorite city in the US. Did a evening sail boat cruise on a 40ft boat. Very cool.
4th Ballast Point in Little Italy. Sunset cliffs are very cool. Gaslamp area and PB are the spots at night. Some good brunch spots in PB as well.
So this is a sweet deal. Discounted tickets to new Zealand and Australia with free stop overs and accommodations in Tahiti. Good through march except for December holidays it appears http://thepointsguy.com/2016/07/air-tahiti-nui-flight-and-hotel-stopover-promotion/
No beaches in Arizona. Weather is usually pretty nice and they run some deals around Christmas since it isn't a real popular spot for people to travel to around that time. Not sure what it'll be like with the CFP semi approaching on 12/31 though.
Yeah... I think NYC is great for tourists around xmas as well? Charleston, NYC, Seattle are my votes. I have a soft spot for Seattle though.
Have done NYC in early December so not quite as cold but all the Christmas stuff up was cool. Charleston is pretty awesome any time of year, never been to San Diego but don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything bad. Those would be my top 3.
Where's the majority gay part of Key West? I don't even know if there is an epicenter of gay, but I was asked
No clue on that one... I am in-line with your thinking, because I just assumed the whole island was their epicenter.
gay expert here. there are gay bars on Duval but they are spread out. I remember an apartment complex that was mostly gay as well. it's such a different experience going down there when you hang with people that live there. We went to a dock that had 4 house boat parties going on and then walked to a hole in the wall bar that was rowdier than anything on Duval.
So this is the plan for tonight. Rave in an abandoned church. Nice knowing everyone. https://loqueva.com/church-rave-entre-lo-sagrado-y-lo-prohibido/