Travel Forum / Destinations / Latin America / January 2008

I am hoping that somebody can advise me which is the best
time of year to do a tour of Central America. At present are
there any earthquakes or erupting volcanos etc? The current plan
is to go in Feb.

I'm considering a teaching position in Quito.  The school pays a
housing allowance of $300/month.   I'd like to be within walking
distance of the school in the Carcelen area of the city (I think north
of the airport).  Any idea how much apt. $300 would get?  Ideally, I'd

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We're considering a vacation to Big Corn Island later this year - I've read
all I can find, and most descriptions tout the laid-back atmosphere, fresh
seafood, wonderful beaches, and great snorkeling - but a few reports I've
read talk about crime problems, particularly those ...

so, to make along story short, I am looking for a place that I can
combine getting some arthroscopic knee surgery(torn meniscus) and some
warmtime ( I live in Saskatchewan, Canada -its getting colder)  I would
prefer a reputable facility and one I could get into in the first week ...

I feel like an idiot just asking this question, but I've been away from the
group for a while and I don't know the "state department requirement of the
week". Do we need passports to get back into the states from Mexico or not?
TIA, Howard

My wife and I are planning a vacation in Brazil over the New Year.  We
have to change planes in Panama City airport on the way into the
country, but our changeover time is only an hour and we will not be
leaving the airport.  Does anyone know whether this means that we will

I will be going by road with a small group from Belize to Tikal and
back for 2 days in Feb. At one time the road, and the site at Tikal,
had a bad safety reputaion - armed robberies, car-jackings etc. Has
that improved, and what's the situation now?

Flying in to San Jose at 10:20 pm.  Looking for a decent hotel near airport
or not far timewise.  Is SJ a place to sightsee for a day or so?

I think our window for vacation this spring will be right up against spring
break, in the Mar 9-23 timeframe.  Is it reasonable for us to hope to find a
place that won't be overrun with partying kids if we go either north or
south of Cancun?  Our interests are primarily a nice ...

I am "passing through" Argentina next week on my way to Antarctica.
My itinerary gives my at least a full day in Buenos Aries and another
day and a half in Ushuaia.
When shopping in Argentina, is it expected that you try and haggle the

How does one find a decent hotel that shows consistent quality.  We are not
difficult to please.  What  we have found in Cancun that the majority of
hotels are old.  Plumbing and Air Conditioning  functioning  are concerns.
We've been to Cancun several times and booked through ...