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Provincetown

Provincetown is at the very tip of the Cape Cod peninsula region of Massachusetts. Perhaps due to being at the remote end of the Cape and because of its variety of beautiful scenes, Provincetown has attracted artists of all types over the years. One of the oldest artist colonies in America, it has produced a large number of excellent galleries, cutting edge theatre and many unique shops. There is also the persistence of an attitude of tolerance, making Provincetown a preferred home and travel destination for many gays and lesbians.

"P-town", as it is sometimes called, also has an intriguing history as the first landing site of the Pilgrims and the place where the Mayflower Compact was signed. Fishing and whaling have also been a huge part of Provincetown's past. Its large, safe harbor and prime location made it the Cape's fishing center, with thousands of ships calling it home port. The glory days of fishing are now gone and only about two dozen ships continue the traditions. The Portuguese influence brought by the fishing era still lives in Provincetown.

Provincetown is also blessed with pristine beaches and dunes on the Atlantic side. Race Point Beach has often made the lists of top beaches in America. It is also one of the few spots on the east coast where one can watch the sun set into the water.

Understand
As the first stopping point of the English settlers on the Mayflower, Provincetown grew into a colonial port, but remained small compared to other Yankee trading towns until the 19th century.

The town became prosperous in the 1800s as a fishing and whaling center. The population was bolstered by a number of Portuguese sailors, many of whom were from the Azores, and came to live in Provincetown after being hired to work on US ships. Today, the town is a hub for whale watching vessels, which provide excellent opportunities to see whales.

After the 1898 Portland Gale severely damaged the town's fishing industry, members of the town's burgeoning art and theater community took over many of the abandoned buildings. By the early decades of the 20th century, the town had acquired an international reputation for its artistic and literary output.

Some of the most famous literary lights and artists who lived in Provincetown included playwrights Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill, and Susan Glaspell; Artists Marsden Hartley, Robert Motherwell, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock; Norman Mailer, author, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and co-founder of the Village Voice, beat poet Harry Kemp and Slaughterhouse-Five writer Kurt Vonnegut. Today, the town is well-known for off-beat, queer and left of center writers and media personalities, including filmmaker John Waters; Michael Cunningham, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Hours; Andrew Sullivan, author, columnist for the Daily Beast; blogger Andy Towle, poet and founder of Towleroad.com; Kate Clinton, comedian and writer; and Anthony Bourdain, chef, author, television host.

Because of its status as the first artist's colony in the U.S., the town has a strong ethic of tolerance which supported the development of a large gay community from the 1960s on. Today it is quite common to see same-sex couples showing affection and one can expect to encounter men in drag, particularly on Commercial Street, which is the main string of restaurants, shops and galleries. In general, however, the town's attitude of tolerance extends to heterosexuals, who are increasingly present and are welcome in most establishments.

Climate
The water surrounding Provincetown has the effect of moderating temperatures in all seasons, such that the entire town is included in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a, which indicates an average annual extreme minimum temperature (1976–2005) of between 0 and 5 °F (-17.8 and -15 °C). The water also has the effect of delaying the onset of the seasons, by keeping spring temperatures cooler and fall temperatures warmer than the rest of the state.

The average annual snowfall is $$ per year. The record high temperature was in 1964. The lowest recorded temperature was in 1976.

Read
Land's End: A Walk in Provincetown (ISBN 0609609076) by Michael Cunningham. This award-winning author and resident of Ptown writes an engaging travelogue about the city at the tip at of the Cape.

The Maytrees: A Novel (ISBN 0061239534) by Anne Dillard. Set in Provincetown, this novel examines family life and the mysteries of marriage, the effect of forgiveness and human development.

Ptown: Art, Sex, and Money on the Outer Cape (ISBN 0743243110) by Peter Manso. This (now) dated, gossipy take on the people of Provincetown and the lifestyles of the somewhat rich and barely famous would make a good beach read. Published in 2003.

By car
The fastest route from the Cape Cod Canal bridges is Route 6, the Mid Cape Highway. Travel time from Boston's Logan Airport or Providence's T.F. Green Airport (PVD) is about 2½ hours without traffic slowdowns. From the Cape Cod Canal, Provincetown is about 60 mi (97 km) and 1½ hours. Eastham, with its 40-mph speed limit and two-lane highway, is a notorious speed-trap.

By boat
Ferry service to Provincetown operates seasonally, late spring to mid-fall. All services dock at, just to the south of Lopes Square (off Commercial St at the foot of Standish St). All ferry companies allow bicycles on board for a fee.

From Boston:

From Plymouth:

By bicycle

 * Ptown Bikes, 42 Bradford Street, 9AM to 6 PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals, sales, accessories, and repairs.
 * Arnold's Bikes, Commercial Street, 10AM to 5PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals and repairs.
 * Gale Force Bikes & Beach Market, 10AM to 5PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals, sales, accessories, and repairs. Beach Market sandwich shop.
 * The Bike Shack, 63 Shank Painter Road, 10AM to 5PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals, sales, accessories, and repairs.
 * Provincetown Bike Rentals, 136 Bradford Street, 10AM to 5PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals.

Fishing
Race Point and Herring Cove beaches are popular surfcasting spots.

The following companies offer charters:

Bike
The Province Lands Bike Trail is an 8-mile, two-way paved loop through the dunes, with access to Herring Cove, Race Point, Provincetown Airport, the Province Lands Visitor Center, and Beech Forest. It was the first bike trail built in a National Park (1967). It can be accessed from town by crossing Route 6 via Conwell Street and entering at Beech Forest or via the bike lanes on Bradford Street and Province Lands Road to the trailhead north of Herring Cove Beach.

Drink

Gay and Lesbian Oriented

Splurge

Go next

 * Take the ferry to Boston or Plymouth or just explore any of the Cape Cod towns.
 * Cape Cod National Seashore

title: Provincetown


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Provo

Provo, a city in the Wasatch Range region of the state of Utah in the United States of America, is known as a base for exploring the surrounding countryside and national parks. Approximately 90% of the residents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon), compared to about 65% of the state as a whole. It is also the location of Brigham Young University, an LDS-owned university; the public Utah Valley University is located in the adjacent city of Orem.

Provo has a population of about 115,000 people, but the Provo-Orem metropolitan area that encompasses Utah Valley is home to over half a million people. Other cities in the valley are very accessible, especially Orem, which sits side-by-side with Provo. Because of Orem's proximity, visitors to Provo should also look at things to do in Orem, as well as places to eat and sleep, depending on their needs.

The, is in the Utah Valley Convention Center (220 W Center St, Suite 100, , M-F 8:30AM-5PM). Its website provides free maps, itineraries, and activity ideas for Provo and the rest of Utah Valley.

Understand
The LDS (Mormon) church dominates here, and many businesses (including some gas stations) are closed on Sunday. BYU students are not required to practise the Mormon faith, but are required to abide by the Mormon code of conduct (no premarital sex, no consumption of tea, coffee or alcohol) while enrolled at the university.

On BYU campus, nearly all campus services are closed Tuesdays between 11AM and noon due to weekly campus devotionals and forums.

The main area code in Provo is 801, but because the area served by 801 is also served by a second area code (385), the area code must be dialed along with the local number.

By plane
The most common way to get to Provo is to fly into Salt Lake City, and drive or catch a shuttle from the airport. The drive follows I-15 and usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour, but can take up to an hour and a half during heavy traffic; for better traffic conditions, travelers can take I-215 through the Salt Lake Valley until it connects to I-15, then take I-15 to Provo.

Allegiant Air offers twice-weekly flights between, and Mesa, Arizona.

By bus
You can take the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) bus and light rail system from northern Utah and Salt Lake City into Provo, but scheduling is limited. In addition to that, public transportation in Provo is mostly on a 30-minute or hourly schedule, although some routes have 15-minute service, so plan your transit schedule carefully.

Route 550 runs between the Salt Lake City airport parking garage and Salt Lake Central Station about every half-hour. From there, you can transfer to FrontRunner to get to Provo. Below are some options. For bus rides, always check the UTA website for detours and schedule changes. With the implementation of FrontRunner, express buses from Salt Lake City have been canceled.
 * Weekdays, you may take the southbound TRAX line to the Sandy City Transit Center. From here you may Transfer to the 811 Bus Route (Utah Valley Trax Connector) that will deliver you to the Lehi Intermodal Center. From there you may board the Southbound FrontRunner train to Provo. This option will take about two hours.

Greyhound also stops in Provo (124 N 300 W). Provo is a stop on the routes from Salt Lake, Las Vegas, and Grand Junction.

By train
Amtrak serves Provo with the California Zephyr, which runs daily between Emeryville (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and Chicago. The train platform (PRO) is at 600 S 300 W and has no services.

FrontRunner is a commuter rail service that connects Provo to major cities along the Wasatch Range, including; Orem, American Fork, Lehi, Draper, South Jordan, Murray, Salt Lake City, Woods Cross, Farmington, Layton, Clearfield, Roy, Ogden and Pleasant View. The train averages and the time from Provo to Salt Lake City is 55 minutes. Many stations are intermodal and connect to other Utah Transit Authority (UTA) bus lines and Trax. The Fronrunner/UTA Intermodal station is located at 690 South Freedom Boulevard.

By car
I-15, which connects Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, runs through the western half of Provo. By car, Provo is about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, 6 hours from Las Vegas, and 8 hours from Denver (on Highway 6/I-70). Take I-15 exit 263 for south Provo; exit 265 for downtown (east) or Utah Lake (west); exits 265 and 271 for north Provo and Riverwoods, via Orem; and exit 272 for Provo Canyon, via Orem.

There is heavy construction on I-15 as the freeway is being redeveloped. Slow down, watch for construction workers, and expect delays. From the north, taking State St (from exit 279) through American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Lindon, and Orem is often (but not always) a viable surface-street alternative to the freeway.

Get around
UTA operates a bus system throughout parts of Provo and Orem, but service in the rest of Utah County is sparse when compared to Salt Lake County. New cycling paths are being built throughout the city. Cars are the main method of transportation. Parking is generally easy to find except on the Brigham Young University campus (although permit parking generally opens up to the public in the evenings).

Car rentals are available at the Salt Lake City airport and in various places in Provo. Several car rental agencies are listed here.

The majority of Provo's streets follow a grid layout. The city limits between Provo and Orem are often unmarked and unclear. When following directions and finding addresses, take care that you are in the correct city. Many newer road signs indicate the city next to the street address. Also, there are two major streets named "University": University Avenue, which runs through Provo from north to south, and University Parkway (often called simply "Parkway" or the "Diagonal") which runs through both Provo and Orem.

See

Do

Eat
Listed below are notable restaurants within Provo city limits, but there are many good restaurants in Orem that are easily accessible.

Treats
As a college town, Provo has a large number of places to get family and "date night" treats. In addition to the standard chains (Coldstone, Baskin Robbins, Dairy Queen, Jamba Juice), here are some local favorites.

Go next

 * Orem and other cities in Utah Valley, which have a number of interesting sites, including several Daughters of the Utah Pioneers museums, the Springville Museum of Art, and the Hare Krishna Lotus Temple in Spanish Fork.
 * Park City, home of the Sundance Film Festival.
 * Provo Canyon and Heber Valley, including Deer Creek Reservoir, the Heber Valley Railroad and Heber Valley CAF/Aero Museum in Heber City, skiing at Sundance Resort, and hiking in Wasatch Mountain State Park.
 * Salt Lake City and other cities along the Wasatch Range. Many of these towns also have rich pioneer heritage.
 * Timpanogos Cave National Monument, located along Highway 92 in American Fork Canyon. This national monument offers a strenuous but scenic hike to an impressive cave featuring myriad formations. Entrance to the cave is possible only on a ranger-led walk, with two options available: an off-trail spelunking tour and an on-trail tour through the cave's most scenic rooms.
 * Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn State Park in Fairfield.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Provo


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Prudentópolis

Prudentólis is a city in the state of Central Paraná in South Brazil. This city was founded by immigrants from western Ukraine and 70% of its citizens claim Ukrainian heritage.

Get in
Prudentópolis lies along the BR-373 highway between the cities of Ponta Grossa and Guarapuava.

See

 * There are also over 100 waterfalls in the area. Several waterfalls are more than one hundred meters high.
 * There are trails on which you can discover the walls of the mountains between the second and third plateaus of Paraná
 * Adventure sports such as rappelling and zip-lining
 * The city has more than 100 religious temples linked to Christianity, of Roman and Byzantine rite traditions, of which the most important is the Church of São Josafat
 * There are trails on which you can discover the walls of the mountains between the second and third plateaus of Paraná
 * Adventure sports such as rappelling and zip-lining
 * The city has more than 100 religious temples linked to Christianity, of Roman and Byzantine rite traditions, of which the most important is the Church of São Josafat

Do

 * The Ukrainian colonization provides Prudentópolis with several festive activities typical of the Ukrainian culture, with emphasis on the Vesselka Folk Group and the Ukrainian Night.
 * National Black Bean Festival (Fenafep)
 * The celebration of the day of one of the patron saints of the municipality, São João Batista, is one of the biggest June festivals in Paraná. Artistic and pyrotechnic presentations attract many tourists to the region.

Go next
Guarapuava, which is about 30 minutes by car, is a university city with a good nightlife and the Parque do Jordão, with nice landscapes.

For more Ukrainian enclaves in the New World, see Kalyna Country in Canada.

title: Prudentópolis


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Pryor

Pryor (officially but less commonly known as Pryor Creek) is in the Green Country region of Oklahoma.

Do

 * Rocklahoma, a popular rock music festival.

Sleep

 * Hotel Pryor, 5401 S Mill St. Possibly a muffin for breakfast. Tel: +1 918-981-8900

title: Pryor


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Przemyśl

Przemyśl (German: Proemsel; Ukrainian: Перемишль, Peremyshľ) is a town in southeastern Poland in the Subcarpathia region. The town has a picturesque location at the foot of the hill surrounding the town, only a few kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.

Understand
Przemyśl owes its long and rich history to the advantages of its geographic location. The city lies in the Przemyśl Gate, an area connecting mountains and lowlands, with easy communication and fertile soil. It also lies on the navigable San river. Important trade routes passed through Przemyśl and ensured the city's importance.

Przemyśl is the second oldest town in southern Poland, after Kraków. It appears to have been founded as early as the 8th century.

By train
Trains run every hour or two daytime from Kraków, taking just under 3 hr via Tarnow, Rzeszów and Łańcut, for a fare of 50 zł. There's one direct train from Warsaw but you can connect via Kraków every couple of hours, total time 6 hr; similarly from Gdańsk, Poznań, Wrocław and Katowice. There is a daily direct train from Berlin (10 hr via Wrocław and Katowice), Prague (10 hr via Ostrava and Katowice), and Graz via Vienna.

An overnight train from Szczecin takes 14 hr 30 min via Poznań.

Trains run twice a day from Kyiv and daily from Odesa via Lviv to Przemyśl; this last leg takes 2 hr.

Get around
The city centre is small and manageable by foot.

See

Buy

 * Przemysl InPost parcel lockers can be used for collection of orders from polish online shops. All you need to collect parcel from locker is valid polish mobile number and email address.
 * Przemysl InPost parcel lockers can be used for collection of orders from polish online shops. All you need to collect parcel from locker is valid polish mobile number and email address.
 * Przemysl InPost parcel lockers can be used for collection of orders from polish online shops. All you need to collect parcel from locker is valid polish mobile number and email address.

Mid-range
There are several hotels in Przemyśl, city council website has a list of them with prices.

title: Przemyśl


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Pskov

Pskov is the largest city and administrative capital of Pskov Oblast. One of the oldest cities in the country, it has preserved many unique architectural monuments of the 12th-16th centuries.

A unique ancient Russian city, it is striking in the number of old churches, walls, towers and other defensive fortifications, but the inimitable Pskov architecture is even more memorable: light and concise in its temple version, impressive in the fortification, and every time bizarrely asymmetrical. In Pskov there are some of the oldest monuments of fresco painting in Russia, ancient stone chambers and, of course, churches, most of which are at least 500 years old. It is part of the Silver Ring of cultural and historical centers of Northwestern Russia.

By train
From Saint Petersburg

There are daily long-distance trains departing from Saint Petersburg's Vitebskii Station to Pskov. Also there is a commuter train (elektrichka) departing from Baltiskii Station six days a week (no schedule on Tuesdays). The train departs at 07:25 and arrives to Pskov at 11:30, this train usually has a lot of passengers so if you want to have a seat by the window (or any seat at all, for that matter) make sure to arrive beforehand. As of 2012 the ticket costs ₽464.

From Moscow

A daily night train leaves Moscow each evening at 16:55 from the Leningradsky station and arrives to Pskov the next day at 07:30.

From Luga

There are two daily commuter trains and also the commuter train and both long-distance trains from Saint Petersburg make a stop in Luga

From Minsk

A long-distance train departs from Minsk twice a week, on Monday and Thursday.

By bus

There are several daily bus routes from Saint Petersburg. The travel times given below are according to schedule, and of course they are subject to change due to road work and weather conditions.
 * From bus station №2 you can ride on one of the several long-distance buses which make a stop in Pskov. The cost of the ticket is ₽420 as of 2012. The travel time is around 5 hours and 20 minutes. This bus station is at Naberezhnaya Obvodnogo Kanala 36, close to Obvodny Kanal metro station.
 * There is a dedicated bus service between Saint Petersburg and Pskov run by a local company. Tickets must be booked in advance by phone call or through the web-site and the price is ₽500 as of 2012. The buses depart from Park Inn Pulkovskaya hotel, close to Moskovskaya metro station. The travel time is 4 hours.
 * Ecolines operates two routes to Pskov. The buses depart from Vitebskii train station, close to Pushkinskaya metro station, Ecolines office is located there as well. The travel time is around 5 hours.

There are 2 buses per day to Novgorod, 4hrs ride, costs ₽470.

By car
When driving, Pskov is along the highway, linking Saint Petersburg with the border to Belarus.

See
Many churches and fortresses in Pskov have been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture.

Consulates

 * 🇪🇪 Estonia
 * 🇱🇻 Latvia
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands

Visa centers

 * 🇫🇷 France 🇸🇮 Slovenia

Go next

 * Mikhaylovskoye Museum Reserve — a village once owned by the poet Alexander Pushkin, together with the preserved neighbouring estates, is now turned into a huge museum complex.

title: Pskov


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Pskov Oblast

Pskov Oblast is in Northwestern Russia, which borders Latvia to the west, Estonia to the northwest, Leningrad Oblast to the north, Novgorod Oblast to the northeast, Tver Oblast to the east, Smolensk Oblast to the southeast, and Belarus to the south.

Cities

 * — the ancient capital is not well prepared for tourism, but is rich in sites; its Krom (medieval citadel) is very impressive, it is circled by monasteries—including one which is Russia's oldest, and the city is full of small, old churches
 * — a medieval town famous for its churches, which were destroyed in an act of cultural vandalism by the German Wehrmacht, but are being carefully restored
 * — a town 30 km to the west of Pskov with a huge, ancient fortress, surrounded by a modern day park
 * - a town with amazing chain bridges.
 * - a town just 8 km from the border of Russia and Estonia, famous for its great Orthodox monastery.
 * — a small town with a fortress constructed by Alexander Nevsky in the 13th century
 * — a small town most interesting for its 17th century baroque, Polish built, Roman Catholic cathedral, which has been reconsecrated as an Orthodox cathedral
 * — the second largest city in the region; the principal attraction is the estate-museum of composer Modest Mussorgsky, outside the city

Other destinations

 * (Pushkin Hills) - a former Pushkin's mansion and its surroundings converted into a large open-air museum with breathtaking scenery and traditional Russian ethnic elements. An excellent weekend destination.

Understand
Despite the proximity of the border with Latvia, Estonia and Belarus, in socio-economic terms, the Pskov Oblast is the most underdeveloped among all the Oblasts of Russia (only among the Oblasts), and the most backward region of Central Russia. There is practically no industry here, and agriculture is poorly developed.

An ancient region of Russia which once constituted its own republic, Pskov Oblast is a great weekend trip or longer from Saint Petersburg. Tourist infrastructure is at best rudimentary, although one would expect this will change in the near future, but the region has lots to see for an adventurous traveler or a traveler with a good guide. Pskov, the capital, is without a doubt the principal attraction and likely the only stop for most travelers, but it might be a good plan to get out of the city and check out nearby Izborsk.

Talk
See Russian phrasebook.

Get in
Two daily buses depart for Pskov from Novgorod at 08:30 and 16:00.

Trains from Saint Petersburg are unfortunately very inconvenient—they leave around 03:00 and arrive in Pskov four hours later. A better option is to hop on a bus from Petersburg's Vitebsky Vokzal; there are 15 buses bound for Pskov daily and they take about 5 hours to get there.

There is a daily overnight train from Moscow which leaves around 20:00 and arrives in Pskov around 08:00.

Pskov Airport from Moscow and Sochi.

Go next
Pskov is a common last stop in Russia for visitors traveling overland to the Baltic states.

title: Pskov Oblast


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Pteleos

Pteleos (Πτελεός) (or Ftelio, as the locals call the village) is a village at the Magnesia prefecture, Greece. Population 2,500 in 2011.

Get in
By public transportation

See
In the municipality of Pteleos there are many historical sights to admire such as the remains of Mycenean tombs, the Venetian castle in Pigadion with its fantastic view, the well restored remains of an old windmill in Hamak, the ruins of the village of Hamak, but also the biotope in Lihoura, the mountain range of Othrys with its caves and the maritime museum in Ahillion. Apart from the historical sights there are also numerous little churches and chapels which either due to their position or their history are worth a visit. One should see the church of St. George high up on a hill, from where you can admire the Gulf of Pagasitikos and the mountain range of Pilion, at any time of the day or night!

Do

 * Sunbathing
 * Swimming

Beaches
The beaches Agia Marina, Lefki, Lihoura, Loutro, Pahiamos, Draka, Mitrouna, Kotsikia, Briniotissa, Rodia, Panagia belong to the most beautiful and cleanest in the southeast of Magnesia. Some of these are easily accessible, offer all facilities, other places are more remote, ideal for romantic trips. All the beaches along have been honoured with the "Golden Star" and "Blue Flag" awards for purity and beauty of the landscape.

Eat
There are local tavernas and restaurants by the sea -all over Pteleos- for all tastes. In all cases, you have to try local traditional delicacies like "galatopita" (milk pie), "kolokythopita" (sweet cucumber pie), properly cooked and served fresh fish and sea food (try it with the local drink Tsipouro - Τσίπουρο).

Drink
The tap water is drinkable and restaurants will serve glasses of ice water upon request. Local drinks include wine and Tsipouro - Τσίπουρο

There are also a few local bars open almost 24 hours a day during weekends in summer.

Sleep
There are many rooms-to-let. Just ask the locals upon arriving. There is no tourist information office.

Stay safe
Pteleos is a generally safe destination.
 * The summer sun tends to get very strong. You should not take the risk of dehydration, sunburns or even heat strokes lightly. Wear appropriate clothes, maybe with a hat and sunglasses; use sunscreen; bring enough water on excursions and know when to stop exhausting yourself and seek the shade of a tree.

Go next
Ships travel from the port of Pteleos named Pigadi, to Sporades Islands such as Skiathos and Alonissos on a daily basis and at very reasonable prices.

title: Pteleos


text:
Ptuj

Ptuj is a city in Eastern Slovenia on the Drava River. It is known for its historic buildings and its Kurentovanje festival.

Understand
Ptuj is one of the oldest town in Slovenia, with settlement dating back 2000 years. Its history reaches back to the Stone Age, but the city experienced its greatest flowering in the Roman period. The name originates in the times of Emperor Trajan, who granted the settlement city status and named it Colonia Ulpia Traiana Poetovio. Roman Poetovio developed into an important military, commercial, customs and administrative center. Forty thousand people lived in the Ptuj area in this period, a number never since reached. It was later burned by the Huns and occupied by the Avars and the Slavs. In the period of the Slav prince Pribina, it was incorporated into the Frankish state. Later, it became the property of the Salzburg archdiocese and experienced the Hungarian attacks. The city recovered and when city rights were granted, it was able to build a wall around the city. The first city statutes from 1376 provided the legal regulation of the city and contributed to its economic power. This declined under the pressure of Turkish attacks and major fires, floods, and epidemics.

Today, it is an important center of the lower Podravje region of Slovenia. It is a city of fairs, wine cellars and thermal springs.

Get in
By car, Ptuj can be reached from Maribor and the A1 highway by the A4 highway. There are also frequent bus and train connections between the two cities.

There are also bus and train connections to Ljubljana.

Eurobusways do a transfer to Ptuj, on the way between Budapest and Ljubljana.

You can see a regional bus timetable here.

See

The various parts of the museum are:

Do

Ptuj is known for fairs since Middle Ages, when fairs lasted for weeks. Nowadays the fairs are contracted to only 3 days a year - Jurijev sejem (23 April), Katarinin sejem (25 November) and Ožbaltov sejem (5 August).

Whatever you do, don't forget to bargain! On this day a Medieval market is also organized and it is a thing that shouldn't be missed out.
 * Carnival - Kurentovanje — Since 1960, Ptuj has been the stage for the annual traditional carnival event called Kurentovanje, the biggest organised carnival event in Slovenia. The membership in the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC) since 1991, has without any doubt helped the Ptuj carnival to distinguish itself from other carnivals and gain an international reputation. At the same time, the carnival has grown enriched by new carnival figures and concepts. If Kurentovanje used to be a one-day ethnographical-carnival event, it has grown into an eleven-day carnival festival of ethnographical, carnival and musical performances. Ptuj, traditional and carnival centre of Slovenia, combines Kurentovanje together with other carnivals or "fašenk" in neighbouring villages of Markovci, Cirkulane, Dornava, Videm, Cirkovci, Bukovci. The word Kurentovanje is derived from the traditional carnival mask Kurent or Korant, as it is systematically called by traditionalists. The most prominent mask belongs to the so-called group of animal masks - furry masks. That means that its outfit consists of a fur coat made of different domestic animal skins (especially of sheep skin), of a chainbelt with five bells (previously, only one enormous bell), of a wooden club with a hedgehog skin at one end called "ježevka" to be carried in its hand. The former vegetative demon represents today an important identification symbol for a wider local community, region and even the state.
 * Ožbaltov sejem (Oswald's fair) — In the old town of Ptuj happens once a year, on the 5th August (except if it is Sunday, then it happens on Monday, the 6th). It is very interesting and you can see (and buy) almost everything - traditional wooden products, traditional products made of honey, dried fruits, clothes, antiquities and many more (and more and more :)
 * Jurjev sejem (George’s Fair) —It opens the season for traditional fairs in Ptuj. It takes place on the streets and squares of the town on April 23. There are approximately 150 manufacturers and sellers from all over Slovenia that gather on this fair and offer a great variety of products.
 * Katarinin sejem (Catherine's Fair) — The last of three fairs, which take place on the streets and squares of the town. It happens on November 25 and there you can see a large number of sellers offering a variety of goods (also second hand goods).

Go next
Ptujska Gora is a small village 15 km southwest of Ptuj with a church dating from the 15th century noted for its Gothic art. It is also provides excellent views of the Drava flatlands and Haloze hills and the spot is popular with hikers and cyclists.

title: Ptuj


text:
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park on the Big Island in the state of Hawaii.

Understand
The park is open 7AM-8PM daily.

 * Visitor Center, +1 808 328-2326. 8AM-5PM daily. Staffed for park orientation, books and videos for sale.

History
The Hawaii of old was an organized into a social structure including chiefs, priests, skilled laborers and commoners. Strict laws or "kapu" existed for each of the separate divisions. Death was the penalty for breaking the law. One's only option for survival was to elude your pursuers and reach the nearest pu'uhonua, or place of refuge.

The Royal Grounds adjacent to the pu'uhonua were a favored residence of Hawaiian chiefs. Hale-o-Keawe acted as the royal mausoleum and held the remains of 23 chiefs. It was surrounded by carved wooden images (ki'i) of the gods. The mana (spiritual power) of the remains bestowed sanctity upon this sacred area. This temple was constructed in honor of Keawe'ikekahiali'i o kamoku, the great-grandfather of Kamehameha I.

Flora and fauna
When the first Polynesians came to Hawaii, they brought with them the plants and animals they would need to make a start in the new world. In the park you can spot the shiny-leafed noni, with its pale yellow fruit. Noni was used as a tonic to treat many different ailments.

You may also notice several stone planters found around the Hale Ho'okipa Visitor Contact Station. In this dry side of the island, the planters were used to raise crops. The stone walls protected the plants from the wind and coconut husks soaked in water were placed around the growing plants to keep the soil moist.

The fragrant pua maia with its white flowers is a native species. It was used for medicine and to help set broken bones. Growing along the lava, you may spot the lavender pohuehue, a native beach morning glory. Walk under the shade of the hala tree, whose leaves are used to weave mats and baskets. Many plants found in the park are invading the native ecosystem, choking out the native vegetation and damaging archeological sites. Non-native red mangrove has aggressively invaded many shoreline habitats in Hawai'i. Beginning in the mid-1970s, red mangrove overran Kaloko and Aimamkapa Ponds. Shortly after the park acquired the lands, the park staff aggressively removed the mangrove. This was a huge undertaking and the park's example has now been widely copied on the other islands in Hawai'i. Red mangrove has been entirely removed from the park - but the management staff constantly monitor and remove all new seedlings of this invasive weed.

The monk seal, one of only two mammals native to Hawaii, can sometimes be seen basking in the sun at the park. Sea turtles are also frequently seen in the small cove just off shore.

Climate
The weather in the park is typically hot and sunny. Plan for daytime temperatures in the upper 80s °F (~30 °C) with cooler temperatures in the evening.

Get in
From Kailua-Kona, travel south towards Volcano on Highway 11. Turn right towards the ocean on Route 160 at the Honaunau Post Office. Watch for the park sign on the left as you drive towards the ocean.

Public transportation is available along the highway, but not directly to the park.

Fees and permits
The entrance fees are as follows:

 * $5 per vehicle - 7 days. Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all of its passengers. Organized non-profit groups, (service organizations, scouts, church groups, college/school clubs) are not eligible for the $5 vehicle permit if utilized.

 * $3 per individual - 7 days. Admits one individual when entering by foot, bicycle, or motorcycle. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

 * $25 Tri-park Annual Pass. Allows access for 1 full year from date of first use at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park and Hawai`i Volcanoes and Haleakala National Parks.

Do

 * Hiking A 2-mile (3.2-km) (round trip) backcountry hike along the 1871 trail through the agricultural areas that surround the park. Along the trail are Hawaiian temples, holua sled courses and the dramatic Keanae'e cliffs. This ancient trail existed long before Europeans arrived in Hawaii and originally connected coastal villages along the South Kona Coast. In the 1800s the trail was widened for travel in horse-drawn carriages.
 * A snorkeling area lies adjacent to the park among the coral gardens of Honaunau Bay. There are lots of sea turtles in the area. The snorkeling in this area is only for those with strong swimming skills and those comfortable with swimming in deep water. Limited parking.
 * Picnic A picnic area with tables and grills is available on a first-come basis.

Buy
Books and videos are available in the gift shop at the visitor center.

Eat
No food is available in the park.

Drink
A drinking fountain is available. Bottled water is available at the gift shop.

Lodging
No lodging is available in the park and camping is not permitted. Several bed & breakfasts are located within Honaunau and neighboring towns. Hotels are available in Kailua-Kona, approximately one half hour from the park.

Backcountry
No camping is permitted.

Stay safe
If you plan to explore the park, bring sturdy walking shoes, a hat and sunglasses. Negotiating over lava on the trails may include loose rocks and uneven terrain.

Also, don't forget to bring plenty of water and use sunscreen.

The nearest hospital is in Kealakekua, approximately 8 miles north of the park.


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Pucallpa

Pucallpa is a city in the Peruvian Amazon on the banks of the Ucayali River, a major tributary of the Amazon River. It's an excellent base for visits to Lake Yarinacocha.

Among the main attractions of the city include ecological tourism, such as the Parque Natural, or cultural tourism, in the case of shamanism.

This article also covers the town of Yarinacocha, which has few places to eat or sleep.

Understand
Most of the transport to Pucallpa is done on the Ucayali River. It is the second most important river port in the Amazon (behind Iquitos). The Federico Basadrees highway is the main center of land transportation, and connects the northwest of the city with the Captain Rolden International Airport.

By boat
It's possible to travel by boat upstream from Iquitos on the Rio Ucayali all year round. It's also possible to come downstream from Atalaya on Rio Ucayali.

By bus
Buses from Lima take about 18 hours or more (about S/100; "Transmar", "Movil Tours" and other companies).

By car
The road past Huanuco is very foggy at times, with little visibility. Past Tingo María landslides have devastated the road in sections, you can get through but its muddy and slow going in small sections.

Get around
Mototaxis are motor-tricycle taxis that are the standard mode of transportation for Pucallpa. Expect to pay about S/2 for a trip within downtown, S/3 for a trip in from the outskirts of town, and as much as S/6 for a trip from one of the suburbs (you might need to switch mototaxis). About S/4 to Yarinacocha.

Collectivos are normal passenger cars that run set routes (like buses). They are a cheaper option for travel (especially if you are alone - S/1 per person). The colectivos can get crowded - two people in the front seat and four across the back seat. Pucallpa to Yarinacocha is S/1.50.

On foot: Downtown Pucallpa is small enough that you can get to many places just by walking. If you don't know where something is located, ask directions, but the directions you are given may not to be correct. People feel compelled to give an informative answer, regardless of whether or not they know the right one.

See
There is not very much in the way of sightseeing in Pucallpa. Most of its attractions are water-related: Pucallpa sits on the shores of the Ucayali River, and there is a lake near the city called Lake Yarinacocha. In the middle of the lake is an island called La Isla de Amor. This is a nice place for a day trip.

Buy
There are a number of markets within Pucallpa. These markets are filled with booths that are manned by vendors selling all sorts of wares. Hammocks are best bought at the market nearest to the Ucayali River (Mercado numero 3), and you can buy any number of artifacts/crafts from many of the surrounding indigenous tribes. There are also pharmacies, banks, travel agencies, and 3 grocery stores with imported projects. Los Andes market is a delight for anyone looking for European or North American products. Fisa is the smallest of the three, but carries some Asian products that can't be found elsewhere. Valdivia (Near the plaza de Armas) is your best bet for many other imports, and has a wide selection of liquors and wines. If you are looking for a specific product, and have some time on your hands, you can ask the proprietor of the store to order it for you. You can get inexpensive, custom made furniture from a place in town called "El Huecito".

Pucallpa
There are many cheap hostels around the Plaza de Armas, ranging from about S/10 per bed.

Stay safe
The road between Tingo María and Pucallpa is infamous for robberies. Particularly buses are prone to suffer, as some of the robbers get on as paying passengers and then stop the bus while more robbers get on and strip the passengers of all valuables. If you have to use the road, try organizing a taxi or lorry from Huanuco. Avoid travelling when there are special events in Pucallpa (or Christmastime), as the robbers are known to be more active then. And don't ever travel this road at night. Pucallpa is particularly dangerous around Christmastime. Many robberies occur during December, and police corruption is at its worst then, too. The situation seems to have improved since the road between Tingo María and Pucallpa is mostly paved now (as of 2011).

Go next

 * Atalaya - Upstream
 * Iquitos - Downstream

Pucallpa

title: Pucallpa


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Puchong

Puchong is a major town in Selangor, Malaysia.

By transit
The Sri Petaling line LRT (Light Rapid Transit) provides access to Puchong from Kuala Lumpur.

By road
From Kuala Lumpur the easiest and toll-free way will be via Jalan Klang Lama or through Bukit Jalil which will lead to Bandar Kinrara (a township in Puchong).

If coming from Putrajaya, then you will have to use the LDP (Lebuh Raya Damansara Puchong) and pay a RM1.60 toll. Puchong is also accessible from Shah Alam by KESAS highway (toll) and Subang Jaya by LDP via Bandar Sunway (toll).

By car
Puchong is easily accessible by car. The backbone of Puchong is LDP, if you are going around within Puchong you will definitely need to use LDP. Within Puchong, there is no need to pay tolls on the highway and there are many entrances and exits along it.

By taxi
As in other parts of Klang Valley, there are metered taxis, but sometimes you will have to negotiate the price before starting the journey.

By bus
Puchong is served by Rapid KL and Metro bus. You might find some mini buses as well. It is recommended to use Rapid KL. Metro bus drivers are rude and their buses are very poorly maintained.

By LRT

 * Sri Petaling line LRT

Buy
Tesco - hypermarket

Giant - hypermarket

Setia Walk

title: Puchong


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Puck

Puck is a city in Pomorskie in Poland.

Get in

 * By plane - the international Lech Walesa airport at Gdansk or the international Szczecin-Goleniow airport
 * By car - from Gdansk or Szczecin by the route E28 to Reda and than just north by the 216.
 * By train - (PKP)
 * By bus - (PKS)

Go next
Gdańsk Bay:

 * Pomeranian capital Gdansk with a beautiful old town and the biggest gothic brick church worldwide
 * Sea resort Sopot with the longest European wooden pier
 * Sea resort and port-city Gdynia with the biggest port on the Baltic Sea

Vistula Bay:

 * The medieval town of Elblag
 * Sea resort and medieval town of Frombork with the tomb of Nicolaus Copernicus
 * Sea resort Kadyny

Kashubian Coast:

 * Slowinski Nationalpark with some of the biggest dunes in Europe
 * Sea resort Rowy
 * Sea resort Leba
 * Sea resort Jastrzebia Gora
 * Sea resort Rozewie
 * Sea resort Wladyslawowo

On the Hel Peninsula:

 * Sea resort Chalupy
 * Sea resort Jastarnia
 * Sea resort Jurata
 * Sea resort Hel

On the Vistula Peninsula:

 * Sea resort Krynica Morska

title: Puck


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Pucon

Pucón is a small touristy town in the middle of the southern lake district in Chile. Pucón is extremely popular with Chileans and foreigners for the beautiful views of Volcano Villarrica and for mountain-climbing. The night-life is quite active.

Understand
The city center is a backpacker's Disneyland, filled with travel agencies offering a wide range of day trips. If you don't like it crowded, you'll be better off in the nearby town of Villarrica. January and February are the busiest months.

The climbing of Volcano Villarrica, which is the highest and most-active climbable volcano in South America, is highly commercialised. You must take a guided tour unless you are a professional climber with a certification. Tour prices sky-rocketed in the mid-2010s. The trail is easy, though. Local tour guides will admit that the only reason for these rules are to force tourists into expensive guided tours.

By bus
Buses travel between Santiago and Pucón daily, many overnight. Tickets are scarce in summer, buy yours sufficiently ahead of your intended departure time. You can also take the bus from Valdivia, it takes 3 hr.

By plane
Pucón's airport operates only during summer (for regular flights); the flights from Santiago are expensive. The closest airport for the remainder of the year is Temuco, to which airlines do the flight in about one hour from Santiago or Puerto Montt. Temuco is about 1½ hours away by road.

By train
Trains run to Temuco in summer (Dec-Feb), and only to Chillan at the rest of the year. Buses are better value.

By car
Driving from Santiago takes approximately 8 hours and involves the passing of seven road tolls on the ruta 5, 1,600 pesos each. The road from the turnoff to Pucón is paved and in good shape.

Mainly taxis to places out of town; the town is small enough to walk. Cycling is easy as they have put in cycle lanes along the main road. There are plenty of collectivo buses too and small public buses.

See
From Pucon's center there are stunning views of Volcan Villarrica, one of the most active volcanoes in Chile.

Do

 * Skiing and snowboarding. The skiing area on Villarrica is open May until the beginning of October. Rent equipment in Pucón, or on the drive up to the ski slope. The highlight of the resort is its amazing views over the lake. It has 4 chairs and 3 T-bar lifts. The resort area goes from 4,527 ft to 5,314 ft, making a total drop of approximately 800 feet. The backcountry possibilities of the resort are great: with the help of a local guide you can ski to the Villarrica Volcano's summit, 9200 feet above sea level. The volcano often has good snow conditions up until November and the duration of the climb and descent is approximately 9 hours, for advance skiers in good shape, but it's really worth the effort.
 * Golf. In "Peninsula", a residencial area downtown, there is a well maintained golf course with views of the Villarrica volcano and the lake surrounding the course. The course is officially for members only.
 * Horse back riding. This is a popular way to see the Mapuche settlements like Quelhue in the area. Tour agencies selling these tours are located all over the town. Check the conditions of the horses, as not all of them in good shape. Rides to "Salto el Claro" are in parts beside paved roads. Trustfull agencies are at Ecole and Politur.
 * Hike past the waterfalls and gurgling brooks in the Huerquehue National Park. Doing this will enable you to get to know the strange Araucaria (monkey puzzle) tree, and other native vegetation such as Coigües and Lingues. The trails pass view points where you can while away the time namedropping volcanoes and Andean peaks. Bring food and water because you might want to stay the whole day.
 * White water rafting and kayaking is a possibility in the glacier-fed Trancura River. Trancura Bajo offers third-degree rapids, good for beginners. Trancura Alto offers fourth-degree rapids and might require a little more courage. Tour agencies in the town will take you there.
 * Fishing. Guided fly-fishing excursions are held on the tranquil Río Liucura and the more turbulent Río Trancura. Both rivers offer scenery and trout.
 * Visit the volcanic caves at Villarrica Volcan.
 * Visit the volcanic caves at Villarrica Volcan.

Tour prices
Some official guided tour prices as of Mar 2018:
 * Climbing Volcan Villarrica: US$130-165
 * Rafting Alto (i.e. higher level): US$38-46
 * Termas Geométricas: US$63
 * Termas Los Pozones: US$38
 * Parque National Huerquehue: US$74
 * Canyoning: US$46

Sleep
Due to being extremely popular for its volcano, there do exist many accommodation options in Pucón and prices are considerably lower than elsewhere.

Go next
Should Pucon start to feel a bit too touristy, hop on a mini bus and make the 20 minute trip to the little city of Villarrica. It has a population of about 46,000 and escapes the tourist trappings of Pucon.

However, most people will probably decide to head further to either Concepción or Valdivia.

title: Pucon


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Pudukkottai

Pudukkottai is in Tamil Nadu. Pudukkottai is also known as Archaeologist's Paradise. It is one of the oldest human settlements in south India.

History
The history of Pudukkottai is an epitome of the history of South India. In and around Pudukkottai, there are many vestiges of the oldest habitations of man and some of the lithic records known in the south. The Pandyas, Cholas, Pallavas, Haysalas, Vijaynagar and Madurai Nayaks ruled over this part of the country and fostered it's communal organisations, trade and industries and embellished it with temples and monuments of outstanding merit.

By plane
The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli. Pudukkotai is about 50 km from Tiruchirappalli. Regular bus services are there from Tiruchirappalli to Pudukkottai.

By bus
Regular buses are there from Chennai and other important places in Tamil Nadu. Buses are run by Tamil Nadu State Transport corporation (TNSTC). Bus tickets can be booked at TNSTC Ticket booking. Also private buses can be booked at www.redbus.in

title: Pudukkottai


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Puebla

Puebla is a city in Mexico. It is in the Puebla Valley, surrounded by volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, slightly over 110 km (68 miles) south-east of Mexico City. It has been listed as a because of its architecture. Puebla is also considered to be the "cradle of Mexican Baroque" in architecture and in the decorative arts, and one of the five most important colonial cities in Mexico.

Understand
The city of Puebla is the fourth largest city in Mexico with 1.7 million inhabitants (2020), with 3.2 million in the metro area. It is the capital of the State of Puebla. It was founded on April 16, 1531 as "La Puebla de los Ángeles". It was the first city in central Mexico founded by the Spanish conquistadors that was not built upon the ruins of a conquered Amerindian settlement. Its strategic location, halfway between the port of Veracruz and Mexico City, made it the second most important city during the colonial period. During the 17th century, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz lived in the city until her confrontation with the Bishop of Puebla.

The historical and cultural value of Puebla's architecture is a major reason the city was chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Various styles and techniques such as Baroque, Renaissance and Classic are represented here in over 5,000 buildings included in the catalogue. The historic center is filled with churches, monasteries, mansions and the like, mostly done in gray cantera stone, red brick and decorated with multicolored tiles.

The city’s main claim to fame, however, is Cinco de Mayo, a festival commemorating the May 5, 1862 defeat of a French expeditionary army by Mexican general Ignacio Zaragoza. It was after this battle that the name of the city was changed to "Heróica Puebla de Zaragoza". The forts where the battle took place are a major tourist attraction of the city and the site of an annual month-long carnival marking the anniversary of the battle. However, despite the quite extensive St. Patrick's Day style festivities for Cinco de Mayo in the US, outside the area around Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is a minor festive day in Mexico, surpassed by independence day. The city is also famous for its cuisine, being said it is this city where mole — a famous Mexican spicy thick sauce — was invented.

By ridesharing
A ride between Mexico City and Puebla is around M$120 (Nov 2021) with Blablacar.

By bus
Traveling to Puebla from Mexico City is fairly straightforward and can be accomplished via bus. There are continual bus services between Mexico City and Puebla throughout the day and night both from the TAPO terminal (also known as Terminal Oriente, located beside the San Lázaro Metro station) and from Benito Juarez International Airport.

A one-way ticket on Estrella Roja (ER) or ADO from the TAPO usually runs about M$190 (Jan 2019) for regular non-stop service; a first class ticket ("Pullman Primera Clase" service) on Estrella Roja costs M$212 (Jan 2019). (The extra M$22 or so are worth it: the first class seat fewer people, thus less crowded, more space, more comfortable.) Buses leave for Puebla approximately every half hour from both locations. Travel time from TAPO to Puebla's CAPU is usually around 2 hours, but this time may vary by up to a full hour depending on Mexico City traffic conditions at that time of day.

There are two bus terminals in Puebla: the Centro de Autobuses Puebla (CAPU), which is the main bus terminal, and the neighboring CAP, a smaller secondary terminal.

Taking a city bus from CAPU to the historic center and further: Cross the bridge over the Blvrd Nte. In front of the Domino's depart After crossing the bridge there is a tasty taco stall: Two for M$16 (Nov 2021). For going to the center, get a bus number 44. Exit the bus as soon as it hits Av. 10 Ote and walk the rest (5 blocks to Zocalo).

By bus
For finding city bus connections, Moovit is somewhat better than Google Maps as of Nov 2021. Moovit shows you the number of the bus line. In the app you can filter for only showing you direct connections. The general fare is M$8.50 (Nov 2021), paid in cash. There is no public transport card. (Safety note about buses: they are generally safe, but they tend to carry pickpockets, especially when crowded. Always have a hand over any bags or backpacks that you have.) The buses generally run from about 07:00 to 22:00.

By e-hailing
Uber, Cabify and Didi are available.

By taxi
Taxis are almost always safe. They tend to run between M$60-120 (Sept 2021) for a ride. Negotiating a fare before entering a taxi is normal as the taxis do not carry meters in Puebla. If the driver does not offer you a fare that you like, you can wave them off and wait for the next taxi.

Do

 * If you like night life, try the antros (clubs) in Cholula. Many don't charge cover. There is also abundant live music throughout Puebla. Smaller and less popular antros are also located in the Los Sapos district, only a few blocks from the Zocalo.
 * Take a tour around the city on a tour bus. This may seem very touristy, but this is a really cheap easy way to get a quick view of some of the coolest attractions in the city. It also is a way to get a good bearing before you decide to set off and dive into some of the attractions the city has to offer. The tour is in Spanish, but you can ask for headphones when you get on the bus and then you'll be able to listen to a translated in several languages. The bus has several stops along the route where you can get down and get up.
 * As the temperatures go down in the winter to 5°C at night, you can go to a sauna in the morning. For example to the

Further afield

 * – 10 km. Filled with as many as 365 churches (actually just 45..) and an archaeological site which contains the worlds largest (by volume) pyramid.
 * – 16 km. A town for an authentic northern Italian experience.
 * – 30 km. Known for its production of ornamental plants and cut flowers. The festival El Huey Atlixcayotl, a modern adaptation of an old indigenous celebration occurs the last Sunday of September.
 * The neighboring (in the west) or  (in the north-east) to spend a day hiking or camping there.
 * The neighboring (in the west) or  (in the north-east) to spend a day hiking or camping there.

Buy
ATMs are available throughout the city. There is an ATM of Caja Popular Mexicana in the CAPU intercity bus station. ATMs of Banca Inbursa and BanCoppel are for example in the historic center.
 * Talavera (Fine china-like wares.)
 * Local crafts and artifacts from El Parian.
 * Jewelry, antiques and crafts from Los Sapos.
 * Freshly ground coffee or beans from Cafe Britania, Av de la Reforma 528a, available per kilo and also sold in 250-g bags. The coffee comes from the nearby Veracruz region.
 * Local Puebla folkart: the store Cihuatl sells crafts made by indigenous women: 7 Poniente 110, Colonia Centro

Eat
Eat the street food. Travel books will almost always tell you not to, but generally speaking, it is entirely safe and can be one of the best cultural experiences of your trip.

Street foods to try:
 * Quesadillas with mushrooms, sausage (chorizo), pumpkin flower (flor de calabaza), or huitlacoche (corn truffle, an Aztec specialty)
 * Memelas (tortillas made with mixed masa and beans red or green salsa on top, then topped with onions and cheese)
 * Elote (corn on the cob with Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise if desired, and chili powder).
 * Pelonas (fried sandwiches filled with meat, lettuce, cream, and salsa)
 * Gorditas (similar to memelas, but topped with chorizo, chicharron --fried pig skin)--or chicken, avocado slices, salsa, onions, and cheese).
 * Potato chips, usually fried the same day (extra crispy) and topped with lime juice and hot sauce.
 * Mixiotes - piece of chicken or carnero (goat) in a special sauce made out of guajillo chile and spices with an avocado leaf cooked in vapor all wrapped in foil paper or special mixiote paper.
 * Chalupas a tortilla with green or red sauce then topped with onion, chicken or beef shreds. (Traditional chalupas have no cheese.)
 * Cemitas - a special bread that looks like a torta prepared with milanesa, avocado, queso oaxaca in shreds, papalo, aceite de comer and chipotles.
 * Tacos árabes, similar to kebab usually made of pork meat

All street food generally includes anything with mole poblano, tacos Arabes (made with lamb or pork, originated from the large Arab population in the city), chiles en nogada, pozole, pambazos, pipian, adobo and chanclas.

Budget
All these are in the historical center:

Drink
Local drinks include pulque, agua miel (honey water), tequila, agua de limon (lemon water), agua de tamarindo, agua de jamaica, horchata, chocolate Mexicano, atole (cornmeal drink), cafe de olla (coffee with cinnamon), pasitas (in los sapos), and tortas de chalupa (mini telerra roll with mashed potatoes, beans and 2 fried tortillas covered with green or red salsa).

 * Along Avenida Juárez there's a good selection of bars and clubs.
 * Along Avenida Juárez there's a good selection of bars and clubs.
 * Along Avenida Juárez there's a good selection of bars and clubs.
 * Along Avenida Juárez there's a good selection of bars and clubs.
 * Along Avenida Juárez there's a good selection of bars and clubs.
 * Along Avenida Juárez there's a good selection of bars and clubs.
 * Along Avenida Juárez there's a good selection of bars and clubs.

Sleep
For the night you don't really need air conditioning. In winter the temperatures go down to 5°C, in the warm season to 13°C.

Stay safe
Drink bottled water and be careful with valuables in public.

Because of the altitude tours can be quite exhausting. This can cause problems for travelers. The mild climate may also lead you to underestimate the strength of the sun. Sunburn and sunstroke are a threat, so it is vital to wear sunscreen/sunblock and drink plenty of bottled water.

At mealtimes, exercise extreme caution with salads and fruit, or avoid them altogether. If you must eat fruit, peel the skin, as washing is not enough. Salads may be tempting, but enjoyment may be short-lived! For all cases of diarrhea take appropriate drugs and seek medical advice.

You will rarely see locals wearing shorts, doing so will identify you as a tourist. Jeans are generally acceptable, except perhaps in some of the nicer restaurants.

If you are staying in a hotel and you want to take a taxi, someone working the front desk will most likely be able to call and arrange for a cab to pick you up, or you can hail one off the street if you speak enough Spanish to be able to negotiate the price with the driver. In Puebla, there are a multitude of taxis but your best bet will be a radio taxi.

The radio taxis are the best cabs in appearance and since they are registered they are also the safest, but they tend to charge more: about 10 pesos more than if you hail one on the street. If you run into a friendly cab driver, it is a good idea to get his cell phone number, so you can call whenever you need safe transport.

Learn

 * Livit Immersion Center, www.livitspanish.com Nuevo León 18, El Carmen, +52 222 290 6060. The family-run, small and intimate, Livit Immersion Center, offers Spanish language and cultural immersion programs and classes for all levels. Learn Spanish while exploring Puebla's fantastic colonial arquitecture, rich history and exquisite traditional cuisine.

Go next
Your next destination for staying can be:

To the west and north-west

 * Cuernavaca – 150 km. "The City of Eternal Spring" due to its climate. It's a popular vacation place and has beautiful parks and gardens.
 * Mexico City. From there to Toluca or Valle de Bravo

To the north-east

 * Xalapa – 170 km. Known as the "Athens of Veracruz". With some fine colonial architecture and a nice climate. There are many traditional villages nearby.
 * Cuetzalan - mountain town known for its lively tianguis and for its colonial flavor

To the east

 * Córdoba (Mexico) – 170 km. A lively city boasting of colonial places, parks and its gastronomy. You can see the building where the Mexican Declaration of Independence was signed with Spain.
 * Veracruz – 270 km. A large coastal city famous for its nightlife. Its spacious downtown area near the harbor comes alive with music and dancing with a strong Cuban influence.

To the south-east

 * Oaxaca (city) – 340 km in the south-east. With a rich culture. The old town is an UNESCO world heritage site. From the city you can go further to the beach village Puerto Escondido.

By air
Puebla has direct low-cost flights for example to Guadalajara, Cancún and Monterrey. (updated May 2022)

title: Puebla


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Puebla (state)

Puebla is a state in Central Mexico with scenic mountain landscapes dotted with snow-capped peaks and a few smoking volcanoes. Several important archaeological sites are in the state, including the great pyramid at Cholula. Puebla was the historic home of a number of indigenous cultures including the Totonac and the Otomi. With its proximity to Mexico City, Puebla makes for an easy side trip or weekend destination and has 10 charming colonial era towns that have been designated as Pueblos Mágicos.

Cities

 * — the state capital is rich in history and cultural tradition, it is surrounded by volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, a
 * — this Pueblo Mágico is famous for its large ornamental flower arrangements and its yearly celebration of El Huey Atlixcayotl.
 * - ridiculously scenic small town with good food and a museum dedicated to the axolotl
 * — a town that retains the culture and language of the immigrants from Veneto, Italy, who settled here in the late 1800s
 * — the site of the Great Pyramid of Cholulawhich is the largest pyramid on a platform in the world
 * - highland colonial city with nearby Totonac archaeological ruins, waterfalls, and a huge cave system
 * - quaint mountain village in northwest Puebla
 * — known for hosting many festivals that celebrate traditions and costumes from the ancient native peoples
 * — small mountain town in the center of Puebla's coffee growing region
 * — scenic small town known for its native heritage and its apple orchards

Other destinations

 * — Home to the active volcano Popocatépetl; the second-highest mountain peak in Mexico, and its sister volcano, Iztacchuatl.
 * - Popular volcano with easier hiking and climbing routes
 * — Home to a dormant volcano that is the highest volcano in North America.
 * — world heritage listed biosphere reserve and IUCN world biodiversity hotspot in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains

Understand
The state is one of the most industrialized in the country, but most of its development is concentrated in Puebla and other cities. Many of its rural areas are very poor, forcing many to migrate away to places such as Mexico City and the United States.

Culturally, the state is home to the traditional dress known as china poblana, mole poblano, active literary and arts scenes, and festivals such as Cinco de Mayo, Ritual of Quetzalcoatl, Day of the Dead celebrations (especially in Huaquechula) and Carnival (especially in Huejotzingo). It is home to five major indigenous groups: Nahuas, the Totonacs, the Mixtecs, the Popolocas and the Otomi, which can mostly be found in the far north and the far south of the state.

By plane
Puebla Airport is the largest airport in the state, though many parts are easily accessible by flights to Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport  or Santa Lucia Airport.

By bus
Many cities and towns in the state of Puebla have direct bus service to and from Mexico City. Most buses to Puebla leave Mexico City from the Taxqueña bus terminal. The biggest bus station in the state is the CAPU terminal in Puebla and the major bus company in the state is ADO.

Get around
Buses are widely available and serve most cities and towns in the state. ADO is the largest bus operator, but a number of smaller companies often provide better or more frequent service on certain routes. Combis are also common on major routes. Taxis are widely used and are often the most convenient way to get to smaller towns.

See
The state has 2,600 historic buildings, antiques, bars and pottery workshops. The downtown of the capital is filled with churches, government buildings and large homes, built by indigenous hands for their Spanish overlords. This downtown was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Outside of the Puebla metropolitan area, the state promotes natural attractions such as the cacti of Zapotitlán, the 100-million-year-old fossils of Cantera Tlayùa in Tepexi de Rodríguez and smaller ones such as waterfalls, churches, caverns, archeological zones, former monasteries, traditional markets, fresh water springs, and lakes.

The early 16th-century monasteries on the slopes of Popocatepetl are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Archeological sites
Archeological sites include Cantona, a 12-km² (5 sq mi) site, in the north of the state between the municipalities of Tepehualco and Coyoaco. The site was occupied between the 7th and 11th centuries CE and reached its height at the time many other urban centers were falling. The site is filled with a large number of patios which measure 50 x 40 meters or larger.

Cholula was once a major Mesoamerican city with a multicultural population that was bound by a common religion based on the worship of Quetzalcoatl. The city was a pilgrimage site for the worship of this deity. Its architecture was complex and shows various foreign influences. Its height was reached between 100 and 900 CE along with Tula and Teotihuacan. The site is known for its Great Pyramid.

Tepexi el Viejo, southeast of the city of Puebla, was founded as the seat of one of the most important Popoloca dominions and control much of what is now the south of the state from 1200 to 1500 CE.

Unlike other sites in the state, Yohualichan was dominated by coastal groups, which eventually abandoned it in the face of incursions from peoples from the central highlands. The site was a ceremonial center which was probably dominant over other similar sites. Containing niched pyramids as well, it is related to the El Tajín site in Veracruz.

Tepatlaxco is located on the south side of the Totlqueme mountain. It is centered on a ceremonial center which has more than eight structures, surrounded by numerous smaller mounds. Much of the site was constructed into the mountain itself, causing it to blend in. In addition to the mountain, there are two large ravines to give the site added protection. The most important structure is named Mound A, which also shows the longest occupation. It measures nine meters high and 36 meters at its base.

Natural attractions
Natural attractions in the state include the Bosque Mesófilos de la Sierra Madre Oriental in the north of the state, Piedras Encimadas Valley, Iztacchuatl-Popocateptl National Park, La Malinche National Park, and the Pico de Orizaba National Park. The best-known wilderness area is the Izta-Popo National Park, which the state shares with neighboring State of Mexico. It is 55 km (34 mi) west of the state capital and the two often snow-covered volcanoes are easily visible from this area, and important to the state culturally. The park is an area protected by the federal government because of its biological diversity and considered to be the “lungs” of the area due to its forests. Access to the park, especially to the volcanoes themselves is more restricted than in the past due to past ecological damage. Even further restrictions are put into place when the Popocatepetl volcano is active. However, the park has numerous hiking and horse paths in the forests that cover the lower elevations. On the slopes, there are many small caves, which in pre-Hispanic times were often used for ceremonies.

The Sierra Madre Oriental, locally called the Sierra Norte, is a series of rugged mountains covered in abundant vegetation, which has had an isolating effect on the people here over the centuries. The Valle de Piedras Encimadas (Valley of the Stacked Stones) is near the town of Zacatlán. It is really a series of small valleys covering 400 hectares filled with conifer forest. The attraction here are the stone formations which resemble stones stacked one over the other which take on numerous forms. Some have been said to resemble objects such as dogs, elephants, human heads and monsters. Most of the area is only accessible by foot or horseback.

In the center of the state, just before the land rises to the north to form the Sierra Norte, there is an area filled with lakes, both with water and dry. The dry lakebeds contain water only during the rainy season, which runs from summer through fall. The two largest are Salado and Totocingo Lakes. The first is 7 km long and 2 km wide and the second is larger. The largest “wet” lakes are Laguna Preciosa, Laguna Quechulac, Laguna de Atexcac and Laguna de Aijojuca.

Itineraries

 * Ruta de los Conventos del Popocatépetl — A challenging week long bicycle tour visiting the earliest 16th-century monasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl. Along the way you‘ll cross two national parks, an active volcano, and more historical sites than any reasonable person would ever want to visit.

Do
Towns throughout Puebla celebrate special dates with their own local festivals, including celebrations to honor the town's patron saint. The largest and most important events include the Day of the Dead in Huaquechula, the Carnival of Huijotzingo, Spring Equinox in Cantona, Fiesta de Santo Entierro y Feria de las Flores, the Fería del Café y el Huipil, the Huey Atlixcáyotl Festival, the Quetzalcoatl Ritual and of course, Cinco de Mayo (locally known as Battalla de Puebla), celebrated in the entire state.

Eat
Many of Mexico's most iconic foods trace their roots to the state of Puebla, including the complex, richly flavored sauce called mole and iconic chiles like the jalapeno. Other foods common to the state include atole with chili pepper (chileatole), spicy mole verde, barbacoa, chilate with chopped onion, cemitas, cecina, guacamole with lime, and mole de caderas or mole espinazo. Many of these are found in the Sierra Mixteca region. The state is best known for cemitas, mole poblano, chiles en nogada and chalupas.

The cemita is a kind of sandwich on a roll, related to the torta, particularly popular in Mexico City and the pambazo, which is of French origin and popular in several areas in central Mexico. The cemitas were prepared at home and filled with potatoes, beans and nopal cactus and eaten by the lower classes. Later, an establishment in the Mercado Victoria market began to sell them to the public filled with meat from bull's feet with a vinaigrette, herbs, onions and chili peppers. This new filling was a hit and eventually this and other variations became a staple in many markets and popular eateries. Today, many varieties exist but all are prepared using the same type of bread.

The best-known mole is named after the city of Puebla, mole poblano. Many food writers and gourmets consider one particular dish, the famous turkey in mole poblano, which contains chocolate, to represent the pinnacle of the Mexican cooking tradition.

According to the legend of chiles en nogada, there were three sisters from the city of Puebla who were in Mexico City. When the Army of the Three Guarantees entered the capital at the end of the Mexican War of Independence, they were feted by many. At one of these parties, the three sisters fell in love with three of the army's officers. Soon after, Agustín de Iturbide himself was set to visit the city of Puebla. Remembering the sisters, the soon-to-be emperor wanted to visit them. Wanting to impress Iturbide but not knowing how to cook, the sisters turned to the nuns of the Santa Monica convent who were famous for their food. The nuns decided to invent a dish for the sisters, which would represent the three colors of the new Mexican flag. On the appointed day, the banquet was prepared with the dish now called chiles en nogada, which pleased Iturbide.

Chalupas are thick corn tortillas fried in lard then covered in red or green chili pepper sauce and topped with shredded meat and various ingredients such as shredded chicken, pork, chopped onions, chipotle peppers, red salsa or green salsa. Chalupas are popular in other areas of central Mexico but are considered a specialty of Puebla, where they are served from humble street carts to upscale restaurants.

Drink
Beer, tequila, and mezcal are sold everywhere and pulque is not uncommon, though it certainly isn't as popular as in other parts of Central Mexico. If you want to experience a true taste of regional Puebla spirits, there are three you will want to keep a watch for:

 * Ancho Reyes - Rum made in Veracruz is the base for this spicy liqueur which has been made in Puebla for more than a century. The rum is infused with ancho chile peppers. Ancho are dried poblano chiles. Available in both a red and a green variety. Red is the original and uses ripe red chiles. Green is a more recent invention and uses younger, green chiles.

 * Yolixpa - Liqueur that is said to date back to the time of the Aztecs. It is an aromatic liqueur based on rum, infused with a blend of aromatic botanicals (aka, herbs). The drink is popular in the town of Cuetzalan, where it is made using from 20 to 30 different herbs, including mint, lemon balm, sage, and wormwood. Modern versions are often sweetened with piloncillo, an unrefined brown sugar.

 * Rompope - Spiked eggnog is called rompope throughout Latin America, and in Puebla, typically includes rum or brandy, in addition to the usual blend of milk, eggs, and cream flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, or nutmeg. Pueblan tradition holds that the first rompopes in the new world were made in the 1600s in Puebla by the Santa Clarita nuns. And who ever said nuns don't know how to have a good time...

Stay safe
Puebla is one of the safer states in Mexico and you should have no problem exploring it as long as you use common sense: keep your belongings secured, don't flaunt cash or valuables, and don't talk smack.

Go next

 * Tlaxcala
 * Oaxaca
 * Morelos
 * Hidalgo
 * Veracruz

title: Puebla (state)


text:
Pueblo

Pueblo is a city of about 112,000 that is home to several museums and a castle that is being built in the Medieval style. The city is the historic eastern gateway to the high country of the Rocky Mountains in the south central region of Colorado.

Understand
The City of Pueblo is the seat of Pueblo County. Pueblo lies 104 mi south-southeast of Denver on the Arkansas River, the historic boundary between the United States and New Spain.

By car
Pueblo is on Interstate Highway 25, about 45 miles south of Colorado Springs, 120 miles south of Denver, and 100 miles north of the New Mexico border. US Route 50 connects Pueblo to points east and west.

By plane

Colorado Springs Airport is the closest full-service airport.

Get around
The City Of Pueblo Transit is the city's bus operator. Fares are $1.00 for one-way & $3.00 for a day pass.

Go next

 * Bishop Castle, 12705 State Highway 165, in the village of Rye, 719 485 3040. A quirky one-man construction project in progress since 1971, open to visitors during daylight hours year-round. The structure features, among other things, a 160-foot-tall tower, a dragon-shaped chimney, and a ballroom. Donations appreciated.

title: Pueblo


text:
Puerto Ayacucho

Puerto Ayacucho is a city of 126,000 people (2011) in Guayana, Venezuela, across the Orinoco River from the Colombian village of Casuarito.

Understand
Puerto Ayacucho was founded to facilitate the transport of goods past the Atures Rapids on the Orinoco River in the late 19th century (mostly rubber). The Venezuelan army and navy are based here.

The climate is equatorial and the surrounding rainforests are some of the world's least explored and most untouched. The nearby forested mountains (tepuis) contain some of the world's least investigated microsystems.

90 km to the east is the second highest waterfall in Venezuela, the 2,200 ft (670 m) Yutaje Falls. The surrounding rainforest contains some facilities for tourists, including an airstrip, and the area also has a large population of greenwing macaws, Ara chloroptera. There are also jaguars, pink river dolphins, numerous monkeys and other bird life.

The inhabitants are mostly mestizo – of mixed indigenous and Spanish descent. There are a number of local indigenous tribes including the Yanomami, the Panare, the Bari, Piaroa, and Guajibo (also known as Jibis).

By road
Two national highways connect it with the rest of the country:
 * Troncal 12, via Caicara del Orinoco.
 * Troncal 2, via San Fernando de Apure, which intercepts Troncal 12 in the vicinity of Puerto Páez, Apure State.

See

 * Rómulo Betancourt Square: Popularly known as "Plaza de Los Indios", it is a place where the indigenous people of the area come to sell their handicrafts.
 * Cathedral Maria Auxiliadora: built in 1952, in whose interior there is an enormous Christ painted in oil.
 * Indigenous Market.
 * Bolivar Square.
 * Cold Mountain.
 * Tourist center "La Perla NegraRaudales de Atures and Maipures.
 * The viewpoint of Monte Bello.
 * Tourist center "La Perla NegraRaudales de Atures and Maipures.
 * The viewpoint of Monte Bello.

Do

 * Visit one of the spas: Pozo azul, Pozo cristal, Los Márquez, Las Tinajas.

Go next
There is a hairdresser along the avenida orinoco, on the left hand side as you walk towards to the airport, that offers combined transport to San Fernando de Atabapo (by road up to Samariapo or Morganito, then by river). it leaves at 07:00 in the morning and costs €9 (2010). this could be a good way to get to Puerto Inírida, in Colombia.

title: Puerto Ayacucho


text:
Puerto Banús

Puerto Banús is a marina located in the area of Nueva Andalucía, to the southwest of Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol. This resort town was developed in 1970 as a luxury marina and shopping complex for the rich and famous. Developed around a coastal village in the Mediterranean architectural style, Puerto Banús offers its visitors an extraordinary fare of expensive shopping malls, restaurants and bars with a marina studded with luxury yachts of the rich and famous with the interior streets having impressive archways and patios.

Get in
Puerto Banús is on the Costa del Sol of southeast Spain, 6 km (3.7 mi) southwest of Marbella, 64 km (40 mi) southwest of Malaga.

The Malaga Airport is 60 km (37 mi) away. There is a good network of roads and transport services connecting Puerto Banús with adjacent towns and suburbs.

A taxi from Malaga Airport to the marina is €65 and approx €12 from Marbella centre.

By taxi
Taxis are available from Malaga Airport to Puerto Banús prebooking online. Two companies specialised in private transfers (private taxi) are Autosol Private Transfer and Holiday-Transfer.co.uk. A transfer from Malaga Airport to Puerto Banús will quote €76 with Autosol; Holiday-Transfer will quote only €66. These are your best options if you are looking for a reliable and at the same time economical taxi company. With your prebooked transfer you will not wait in long airport queues for your taxi or minibus transfer.

Do
Puerto Banus Street Market: The Puerto Banus Street market or Puerto Banus Saturday market is near the bull ring in Nueva Andalucia and it is held every Saturday from around 09:00 to 15:00. The street market runs from Avda. De Jose Banus (by Playas del Duque) all the way up to the shopping centre Centro Plaza. It is one of the largest markets on the Costa del Sol.

You can find every type of goods for sale. The most popular are shoes, bags, crafts, furniture, flowers, fruit & veg, paintings, clothes and antiques, and there are good bargains to be made.

It's a great place to visit, even just to walk around and look at people making bargains (you might learn a trick or two) and soak up the exciting atmosphere. In the summer it gets very hot and very busy so beware of your bags, money, etc. Make sure you've got plenty of sun protection on too!

Ferry Fly Blue - Puerto Banus to Marbella

Departs opposite 'Sinatra's' bar.

The Fly Blue Uno motor catamaran offers daily cruises between Puerto Banus and Marbella Marina, with a duration of some 30 minutes each way.

Leaving from Puerto Banus, which elevates the mode, fortune, glamorous parties and high standards, you will enjoy the panoramic views along the coastline of Marbella and its Golden Mile where the most luxurious villas are found lying at the foot of La Concha mountain.

A return boat cruise ticket will cost you €15 and €8.50 one way which is cheaper than a taxi and a return boat cruise ticket for children is €8.50 and only €5 one way.

Buy
Its streets are lined with expensive luxury boutiques like Christian Dior, Gucci, Bvlgari, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Hacket, Valentino and a '007' Boutique offering Guess handbags and swimwear.

Drink
Constructed almost completely in wood and forged iron, the furniture is unique and original. This is not just a bar but a kitchen for cocktails. Try the cherry,chocolate & vodka cocktail.
 * Taco Loco: Excellent funky bar on the marina front. Happy Hour in the day, great for cocktails. Taco Loco has such a good atmosphere, the staff are friendly and you can quite easily spend all night here people watching on the marina front. The mojitos are recommended!
 * Astral Cocktail Bar: On beach side, opposite the large statue at the eastern entrance to the port. Surrounded by all types of plants and flowers Astral Cocktail Bar is constructed in the manner of an old sailboat of the 19th century including an 8-meter mast with sails.

Sleep
Benabola Hotel & Apartments - on the marina front, the best location to stay in Puerto Banus.

Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus http://www.tgsguadalpinbanus.com/en/

Beachfront resort, located a 15-minute walk to the marina. Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banús has 181 exclusive rooms decorated with noble materials & luxury finishings, offering splendid views of the Mediterranean Sea in an atmosphere of privacy and rest.

H10 Andalucía Plaza - The H10 Andalucía Plaza has been revamped with an avant-garde and modern design. It has spacious and luminous rooms, a buffet restaurant with à la carte service, a Convention Centre with a capacity for up to 600 people and the Despacio Spa Centre.

Go next

 * Marbella.

title: Puerto Banús


text:
Puerto Barrios

Puerto Barrios is a seaport and the capital of the department of Izabal on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. Its population in 2018 was just over 100,000 people. It is also the commercial heart of the region, because it has two ports: Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla. Santo Tomás is the biggest port in the country.

By bus

 * From Guatemala City: The national bus company 'Litegua' takes you to the capital city. A trip can take 5 to 6 hours. You can choose first or second class. First class goes directly, includes one meal, and has air conditioning. A one way ticket costs Q80 (quetzales). Second class stops several times during the trip. And it is possible that the bus goes to Morales, that takes one more hour. One way ticket for Q50.

 * From Honduras (Utila/La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula): If coming from Utila by public transportation, the total trip will take about 12 hours, meaning you need to take the 7am ferry and will arrive in Puerto Barrios around 7pm. The route will be: Utila to La Ceiba (L630), La Ceiba to San Pedro Sula (L125), San Pedro Sula to Puerto Cortés (L55), Puerto Cortés to Corinto/"La Frontera de Guat." (L.50). After crossing the border (no fee) you can haggle a collectivo to Puerto Barrios for 25 Quetzales. The whole journey is long but it's fairly easy because buses along the way tend to leave about every 30 minutes. If going the opposite way, remember the last ferry to Utila leaves at 4:40pm so you will need to stay the night somewhere along the way. (Updated Feb. 2020)

By boat
'El muelle' is the boat terminal, near to 'El Rastro' or Calle 12. You can get a boat to Punta de Palma and Livingston, and also to Punta Gorda in Belize.

Boat service from Punta Gorda in Belize to Puerto Barrios might run less frequent in low season (July/August). It runs at least at 13:00 and 14:00. Cross the immigration in Punta Gorda and move on to the dock. Tickets have to be bought at a booth near immigration, ask the security. Exit fee of BZ$30 + BZ$7.50 is charged. Boats to Puerto Barrios (1hr) go to Livingston (30min) first, where you can get off as well. Immigration in Puerto Barrios is just up the street of the dock. From Puerto Barrios there are taxis that will take you to the border for about US$9 per person. People will approach you at the dock, but regular taxis are just at the exit of the dock. Probably also Buses available. At the Honduras side of the border at Corintho there are also buses and taxis (100 lempira) to take you to Puerto Cortez in Honduras. Omoa is a great little town to head to.

Get around
You can take a bus or taxi. The bus costs Q3 and taxi costs Q5, but for tourists it may cost a little more.

There is only one route that goes from the Central Market, in Puerto Barrios; to San Agustín, in Santo Tomás de Castilla. The bus stops don't have signals most of the time, so you must have to know the place where you are coming down.

To travel more widely, taxis are best. But be careful. Taxis must have an identification number on both doors. Also, you can negotiate the payment with the driver. Most of the time, this isn't necessary; but like you don't know the city and you don't have your own car, you will have to do it sooner or later. Most of the time, a "carrera" will cost you between Q20 or Q50; depending on where you are going.

Assaults are very common in the country, but Puerto Barrios is a relatively safe city, but be careful with taxis at night. Take them in well illuminated places and if you can, guide them to your destination and ask them not to pick up anyone else. This will cost you a bit more, but you won't get ruined.

English is not widely spoken, you will have to communicate with the rest of the people by using Spanish.

Do
One of the most visited places is a local river called "Las Escobas". It's in the cerro San Gil, outside the urban area of Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla. The river is famous for its crystalline water and is very cold. It's in the middle of the jungle, but is very easy to reach it by a road or walking. Now "Las Escobas" has been reconstructed into a beautiful hiking and swimming area. If you're an adventurer and like to hike, there is a hiking trail, of course you have to be careful with the surrounding for there might be snakes and other amphibians.

The river has several natural pools, and they look like paradise.

But check the weather report before going there. If it has been raining in recent days, the water will be dirty. It's not polluted, but it isn't nice to take a bath in.

If you don't feel like traveling for a few hours then you can just stay inside the city. There you can walk to the two parks that the city has. One is located in the old part of Puerto Barrios, its name is Tecun Uman. This park is right in front of the "Hotel del Norte." Cars and motocycles can go to a paved terrace overlooking the ocean called "El Malecon". "Reina Barrios" is another park on the opposite site. There is a large outside theatre shaped like a shell, known as "La Concha Acústica".

Now if you feel like cooling off from the hot sun, there is a mall called "La Pradera" located outside Puerto Barrios going to Santo Thomas. There you can find a foodcourt with McDonald's, Pollo Campero, Domino's Pizza, Saritas (ice cream parlor), and many more different stationeries. There are clothing stores such as Gap, Adidas, and other local stores. There is also a game place near the foodcourt where you can play arcade games, air hockey, and ride a small carousel.

Puerto Barrios is a very nice place to hang around, to meet locals, enjoy the small citylife, go dancing.

Buy
Another location you may want to visit is Amatique Bay, the only downside is that, people are required membership to get it.

Eat
Seafood is typical of the city. One of the best restaurants is restaurant Safari. It's located in the neighborhood "El Rastro". Safari is a nice, warm, cozy restaurant that is right beside the beach. There you can order traditional plates like tapado, camarones a la plancha, ceviche and many others.

Another typical Garifuna-plate is rice and beans, which has rice, beans, coconut cream and meat.

Other restaurants are El Castillo, Fogón Porteño, Pepin Burger,Restaurante y Cafeterìa MAXIM and Doña María and some others that have special things like churrascos or tortillas de harina.

If you like Cuban food, you can go to La Habana Vieja. This restaurant is located on 13a Calle between 6a and 7a Avenida. You can enjoy the best Cuban-style meats and original Mojitos there.

If you want to try a typical of the entire country; you can go to Pollo Campero (Country Chicken) It's located in 8th street and 7th avenue, next to the Central Market. This is an international chain of restaurants like Kentucky Fried Chicken, but has the special Guatemalan flavour.

If what you are looking for is for 1st class cuisine, go to the Mar Brissa hotel or to Amatique Bay hotel. The finest restaurants in town. Both of them are a little far away form downtown, but is very easy to get to them.

For sure you should try the fresh fruits that are sold in the local market. Papaya, mango, melon, pineapple and many others like you've never eaten before. You should also taste the 'licuados', juices and milkshakes that refreshes very well in the tropical heat.

Drink
One of the most famous places is a disco, called Paradise at 9a. Avenida 14 y 15 Calle. But you have to get used to crowds and beer and the location being a bit iffy.

Sleep
There are several hotels in the city. But you have to be careful with them. The city is famous for having a lot of prostitution and you can end in a hotel that is used for it.

It's safer to use hotels that are big. The may be a little more expensive than others, but you won't get ruined. Some of them are:

You can also hospedate in Hotel del Norte. Is a beautiful hotel that is more than 100 years old. Is in the old downtown of Puerto Barrios and is close to the City Hall and the Central Market. But it is close to the port, so there's a lot of traffic and dust.

Go next
You can take boats that go every day to places like Punta de Palma, one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. But be careful. You may find that the beach is full of garbage after a holiday. Another beautiful beach is Punta de Manabique, which is at the end of the Bahia de Amatique.

 * You can take a boat to Livingston (Q25 in 2020). This small town has an important "garífuna" community. It's also a good place to eat and dance. You will find typical things like bracelets to take home. From Livingston you can take another boat to Río Dulce.
 * There are at least two daily boats from Puerto Barrios to Punta Gorda in Belize, one around 9-10AM & one at 2PM, they cost Q200. You may be charged an unofficial stamping out fee of Q80 by the Guatemalan immigration officers in the office by the port. Be sure to ask them for a receipt.

title: Puerto Barrios


text:
Puerto Cortes

Puerto Cortes is a city in Honduras, on the coast of the Caribbean Sea.

Understand
Puerto Cortes is the main port of Honduras; indeed the busiest port in Central America. The main part of town is on a peninsula between the Caribbean and a lagoon. A causeway crosses to the south to connect with the town of El Porvenir.

The town was founded in the 16th century as "Puerto Caballos"; in the 19th century it was renamed after Spanish Conquistador and explorer Hernan Cortes who landed in the area in the 1520s.

It was a small town until it boomed with the coming of the railway to San Pedro Sula in the 19th century, and became a center of the export of bananas. It has continued to grow to today.

Get in
By ship or by road. There is no airport here. A good multi-lane highway connects Puerto Cortes to the city of San Pedro Sula and its international airport about 60km /1 hour to the south.

See

 * El Malecón, a concrete promenade along the bay front

Go next

 * Beaches to the west of town; Playa Coca Cola and La Cieneguita.
 * Omoa quaint beach front town with an historic colonial fortress
 * San Pedro Sula The second city of Honduras.

title: Puerto Cortes