text:
Piura

 Piura is the capital city of the region of Piura in northern Peru. It's a bit bustly and not overly beautiful, yet still has an attractive air, and is a great place to gobble down some tasty Peruvian cuisine.

By bus
National buses run along the Panamerican Highway from Lima to Piura (17 hours) & some to the border with Ecuador.

ITTSA has luxury buses to:
 * Trujillo 7 hours (S/30 in Semi-cama, S/40 in Sofa-Cama)
 * Lima 17 hours (S/90 in Semi-cama, S/120 in Sofa-Cama)

Other transport enterprises are Transportes Linea, Oltursa and Transportes Flores, which have frequent buses to Chiclayo, Trujillo and to Lima.

Bus lines that run to the north include EPPO and El Dorado.

There are buses to both Loja and Cuenca directly, the latter via the coastal highway. In Dec 2019 both services leave only once daily at 9pm and arrive around 5-6am at their respective destination. For Loja it is about 48 Soles and they can keep your bag until departure in their office, which is a bit hidden behind another company called Ronca Peru, just southeast of Avenida Bolognesi and Loreta.

See
Some wonderful colonial architecture, gorgeous plazas and parks, a large market, and a museum are found in Piura.

Eat
The city of Piura is among the best places to eat in Perú. Try ceviche; fish and other types of seafood are always fresh. Another options are leche de tigre (tiger's milk, obviously is not made of a tiger), seco de chabelo, jalea, etc. Food is not particularly spicy in the Mexican sense, though there is a good deal of hot onion and citrus juice in ceviche. In Piura city you can visit El Caracol Azul restaurant, La Santitos or Cafe Capuchino.

If you want to eat traditional food, you can visit Catacaos city or Sullana city (have a care in Sullana); both have great restaurants, particularly those of Don Carlos in Sullana. In the mountains around Ayabaca it is possible to find restaurants where they serve cuy (Guinea Pig), as well as food with more ají.

Sleep
In all Piura are options to sleep. See Street View for more hotels.

Other hotels and hostels exist, including ritzier places where you can pay American prices if you want. For example:

Stay safe
Be very careful if you decide to change money with the street changers. They are known to rip off tourists, for example by tampering with their calculators to display a wrong amount, or by exchanging one of your bills with a fake one and giving it back to you, claiming it is torn. Better use an established money exchange (Spanish: casa de cambio) or even banks. Or, if you are on your way south through Peru, wait for Arequipa, which has plenty of money exchanges with great rates.

Go next
If you enjoy beaches, you have to visit Mancora, Colán, Yacila, Punta Sal (Tumbes) and Los Órganos. There is an hourly bus, between 7AM and 8PM, from Piura to Los Órganos.

The city of Colán hosts the oldest church in South America, but has no priest and therefore is only used on Sundays for mass. The beach by this quiet town is much more relaxed than in Mancora. There are bungalows maintained by a retired Belgian man who also runs a restaurant for his guests. Rooms are very cheap at S/20 per night, but food is about the same price. To access Colán, one must get off at where the main highway intersects the road into the city and catch a moto or colectivo into town.

In Ayabaca is the famous statue of Sr. Cautivo, one of the most powerful saints in Peru. Every October thousands of pilgrims walk from as far as Lima and Ecuador to adore this miraculously created image of Jesus, which allegedly was carved by artisans who disappeared from a sealed room after completing the figure, accepting no payment. Ayabaca is also close to Bosque de Cuyas, one of the most accessible remnants of cloud forest on the western slopes of the Andes. To see the forest, which hosts over 140 species of birds in a mere 600 hectares, it is best to employ a guide for S/12 per day from the village of Yacupampa, about 5 minutes from Ayabaca in mototaxi. Lodging can be had in several hotels (S/15-30 per night) around the main plaza in Ayabaca.

title: Piura


text:
Pixley

Pixley is a city in Tulare County. With a population of 3,300 (2010) and a dry climate, it shares many of the features found in small towns in the southern part of the Central Valley.

History
The town began as a real-estate-speculation in 1884. Frank Pixley was a partner in the Pixley Townsite Company. The company purchased additional land in the vicinity. When the Southern Pacific extended its tracks to the townsite, the town prospered. Special railroad fares were offered to people in other areas of California and as far away as Boston in order to bring potential customers to see the new lands and the investment possibilities near Pixley.

In the early 1890s, Chris Evans and John Sontag robbed a Southern Pacific Railroad train at Pixley.

In 1933, Pixley was one of the towns in California involved in the San Joaquin cotton strike, a labor action by agricultural workers seeking higher wages. A violent clash between strikers and growers left two workers dead and eight wounded. Five thousand workers gathered in Tulare for the dead strikers' funerals, one of the largest agricultural demonstrations in California's history. Eight cotton growers were indicted in the violence against the workers, but were later acquitted.

By car
Pixley is on California State Route 99 and can be reached via SR-99 from Fresno to the north and Bakersfield to the south.

By bus
TCAT (Tulare County Area Transit) Route 20 provides bus service from Tulare to the north and Delano to the south.

Stay safe
Dial 911 for any emergency

Law enforcement is handled by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department from the Pixley Substation. 161 North Pine Street. .

Fire and Emergency Medical Service is provided by the Tulare County Fire Department from the Pixley station. 200 North Park Drive. .

The nearest hospital is south of Pixley in Delano or north of Pixley in Tulare.

Go next

 * Porterville - 99 North to 190 East. About 35 minutes away.
 * Lake Isabella - 99 South to 155 East. About 2 hours away.
 * Bakersfield - 99 South. About 45 minutes away.
 * Fresno - 99 North. About 1 hour away.

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

title: Pixley


text:
Placencia Peninsula

Placencia is a long, narrow peninsula – almost an island – along the Caribbean coastline of Belize. However, if you are an outdoor nature enthusiast, looking for beautiful sunsets (in this case, over the Maya Mountains), 25 km (18 miles) of barrier reef off the coast, outstanding local cuisine, all in a lush, relatively raw, natural and untouched state, you may have found your paradise. And, even though it is not overflowing with hotels and tourist attractions, Placencia does now have a good amount of them, ranging from backpacker hostels to very high end resorts and most everything in between. You can choose which best suits you.

Understand
The peninsula of Placencia used to be virtually untravelled and virtually unknown, with very few amenities for travellers. Even today, it has only one paved road and maintains a small fishing village ambiance.

Another advantage of Placencia (as opposed to the islands in Belize) is that it is connected to the mainland of Belize, so you can drive to additional and varied activities this relatively small peninsula does not offer, for example, mountains and ruins.

Get in
Flying from Belize City with Tropic or Maya Island Air is easiest from the north. You can also ride a school bus into Placencia from Belize City; 4-6 hours. You can also fly from Punta Gorda, south Belize, or take a bus.

Get around
There are usually a number of cab drivers waiting at the airport to take you to your final destination in Placencia. There are no meters but the trip should cost $3 per person. For scheduled cab service, try Sam's Tax Service.

Placencia is fairly small and walking is one option. You can also hire cycles, golf carts or cars.

See
Reach many cayes around the village by boat, charter, or tour. Great diving sites on the inner and outer reef. Amazing snorkeling adventures await you. Jungle tours and kayaking, excellent trolling and fly fishing.

Do
Diving and snorkelling: The second largest barrier reef is just a few miles off the coast of Placencia. The local dive centers have comfortable boats and will take you to the numerous dive sites in just 30-45 minutes. Usually they offer two tank dives with a lunch break on an island in between. The lunch consists of chicken, rice, beans, soft drinks, fruits and while doing your surface interval you will enjoy the beautiful white sandy beach.

On an average dive you can see turtles, rays, moray eels, barracudas, lobsters and if you are lucky you might spot a hammerhead shark, Caribbean Reef Shark or Sail fish. If you haven’t dived before, all the dive centers offer PADI Open Water Courses as well, or you can just go snorkeling in the clear shallow reef around the islands.

Between March and June around the full moon whale sharks will pass by. These huge gentle giants, feeding just on plankton, are pretty much guaranteed to see on a spot called Gladden Spit. Make sure you arrange your spot upfront.

Sailing: Two of the largest charter fleets in Belize are established in Placencia. They offer day trips, over night or weekly charters with or without crews.

Fishing: Book either a private fishing trip or check out one of the tour operators. The guides are perfectly trained and licensed and will bring you out to the reef or nearby islands and you can do drop-, hand-line fishing or fly fishing with or without your own gear. You can catch Snapper, Grouper, Jack, Permit, Tarpon, Snook and Bonefish.

Kayaking: Explore the lagoon or kayak to the nearby islands. In the lagoon you might spot a manatee and guaranteed are sightings of a lot of birds.

Tours: In the village are tour operators who will be happy to give you all the necessary details on all available tours. Also ask in your hotel.
 * A must is a trip to one of the nearby Maya Ruins - explore this amazing old culture which is still vibrant when strolling through the large areas of ruins.
 * Jungle tours offer a safe and guided entrance into an amazing world of nature. See howler monkeys, crocodiles, turtles, anteaters and more. If lucky you will see footprints of a Jaguar. They are nocturnal and very shy. The Cockscomb Basin Reserve, just a 45 minutes drive from Placencia, is a perfect place to be part of Belize’s stunning flora and fauna.

Relax: The Placencia Peninsula offers the most beautiful beaches in Belize. The weather is mostly perfect with a slight breeze. Stroll along the Sidewalk (once announced as the world narrowest street) and shop for some souvenirs.

Explore also the nearby villages Seine Bight (6 miles) and Maya Beach (8 miles) by bus, golf cart or ride your bicycle. Seine Bight is a Garifuna community and a very gifted artist calls it her home. Visit Lola’s Art just passed the football field. In Maya Beach shop at Spectarte Art Gallery.

Eat
Some good dining choices abound in the local Placencia Village. For handmade Italian, Trattoria~Placencia offers a smaller but delicious menu. Da'Tatch restaurant has a larger menu offering choices from rum mango chicken to seafood. For items such as wraps, the Purple Space Monkey is the place to go with a larger bar menu as well. Most places to eat are open-aired and located right off of the main sidewalk along the beach. Down on the point of the peninsula tucked away is a place called Yoli's, which one can order a meal and have a few extra culinary surprises thrown on the plate as the chef tries to clear out the kitchen as the night gets older. More smaller restaurants area also scattered within the village to be discovered as well.

Pirates Grill, located on the sidewalk at Lost in Paradise Beach Shop, offers philly cheese steak subs and fish tacos. Fresh seafood, and baja style entrees, salsa, ceviche, nachos, cocktails, lobster, conch and salads. Vegetarian menu is 100% vegetarian beans. Breakfast burritos, steak and eggs, 5 stack pancakes, chicken and waffles. This outdoor grill bar is ideal for eating on a budget and quality entrees for the budget traveller. Delivery is available.

For more upscale (and more expensive) dining, the French Connection is a quaint restaurant off the main sidewalk that delivers a French dining experience. They use almost exclusively local ingredients in their dishes.

One the main street Wendy's is popular with the locals and is famous for their fried chicken. Amigos, on the same street, further away from the shore offers some pretty good Mexican cuisine. And at the end of the road near the Splash Dive shop is Brenda, who offers delicious BBQ chicken and a variety of soups and rice (she also does hair braiding).

Also not to miss is Tutti Frutti, which offers gelato made from the freshest of ingredients as well as other desserts like tiramisu. One scoop and you'll think you are in Italy, not Belize.

Drink
There are a number of local drinking spots along the main road (sidewalk) along the beach. Sunrise offers some lively karaoke some nights. Barefoot Beach Bar is next to the beach near the Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar.

One great local drink is the local bitters, a type of spiced rum usually taken as a shot. The local beer is Belikin and comes into two main flavors: regular which comes in bottles with green bottle caps and stout with blue caps. They also make a few other flavours like Lighthouse.

Sleep
Omar's - On the Sidewalk, cheap (BZ$30 doubles Sept 2010) basic rooms some with sea views and private bathroom. Just off the beach, friendly owners.

Stay safe
The Placencia Peninsula is a very safe place. However use common sense. Don´t leave your hotel room or windows open when not in the room.

Go next
Daily buses to Dangriga 6:15AM, 7AM and one in the afternoon, stop the bus anywhere on the Street (BZ$10 p.p. Sept 2010).

title: Placencia Peninsula


text:
Placencia

Placencia is a tourist village of about 750 people (2010) at the southern tip of the resort Placencia peninsula in Belize. It offers tourist bars, kayaking, snorkelling, diving, saltwater fly fishing, and whale shark watching.

Get in
If coming from Punta Gorda or anywhere to the south, take a bus to Independence (Mango Creek), then a taxi or 20mins walk to the Hokey Pokey Water Taxi dock. The boats supposedly leave to a schedule, but actually really leave when they have around 20 passengers. The 15-minute ride costs Bz.$10, the last boat is 5:30PM - except on Sundays when it is 4:30PM.

Flying from Belize City with Tropic or Maya Island Air is easiest. You can also ride a bus into Placencia from Belmopan. The road from Southern Highway to the village is rough and dusty - alternately take the bus past Placencia road to Independence and Mango Creek in Stann Creek and then the Hokey Pokey water taxi across to Placencia.

Get around

Just wear comfortable shoes. There are taxis, but you shouldn't need them except perhaps to/from the airstrip, which is only 10 minutes from town. "The Sidewalk" is a concrete pedestrian-only path that runs most of the length of the village, ending at the seashore. It is interesting to walk up and down and there are many businesses of all types along the way.

See
Rent a kayak and snoop around the lagoon. Manatees, crocodiles, dolphins and birds.

Do

 * Chill out on the beach.
 * Sailing Two of the largest charter fleets in Belize are established in Placencia. They offer day trips, over night or weekly charters with or without crews.
 * Fishing Book either a private fishing trip or check out one of the tour operators. The guides are perfectly trained and licensed and will bring you out to the reef or nearby islands and you can do drop-, hand-line fishing or fly fishing with or without your own gear. You can catch Snapper, Grouper, Jack, Permit, Tarpon, Snook and Bonefish.
 * Kayaking: Explore the lagoon or kayak to the nearby islands. In the lagoon you might spot a manatee and guaranteed are sightings of a lot of birds.
 * Take a sailing trip with Nextwave Sailing, or one of the other sailing charters in town. Go fly fishing. Take an eco-tour and go snorkeling with D-tourz or Nite Wind.
 * Relax: The Placencia Peninsula offers the most beautiful beaches in Belize. The weather is mostly perfect with a slight breeze. Stroll along the Sidewalk (once announced as the world narrowest street) and shop for some souvenirs.
 * Jungle tours offer a safe and guided entrance into an amazing world of nature. See howler monkeys, crocodiles, turtles, anteaters and more. If lucky you will see footprints of a Jaguar. They are nocturnal and very shy. The Cockscomb Basin Reserve, a 45-minute drive from Placencia, is a perfect place to be part of Belize’s stunning flora and fauna.
 * A must is a trip to one of the nearby Maya Ruins - explore this amazing old culture which is still vibrant when strolling through the large areas of ruins.
 * Explore also the nearby villages Seine Bight (6 miles) and Maya Beach (8 miles) by bus, golf cart or ride your bicycle. Seine Bight is a Garifuna community and a very gifted artist calls it her home. Visit Lola’s Art just past the football field. In Maya Beach shop at Spectarte Art Gallery.

Diving and snorkelling
The longest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere is a 45-minute boat ride off the coast of Placencia. Laughing Bird Caye, a National Park and World Heritage Site is even closer. The local dive centres have comfortable boats offer 2 or 3 tank dives with a lunch break on an island. The lunch consists of chicken, rice, beans, soft drinks, fruits and while doing your surface interval you will enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches. Splash typically does a barbecue on the beach.

On a typical dive you may see turtles, rays, moray eels, barracudas, lobsters and if you are lucky you might spot a nurse shark, hammerhead shark, or Caribbean Reef Shark. You may see a pod of daulphins on the boat ride to the dive site.

If you are not yet a diver, all the dive centres offer PADI Open Water Courses as well (including Discover SCUBA Diving which lets you dive almost immediately but under the close supervision of a PADI Instructor), or you go snorkelling in the clear shallow reef around the islands.

Between March and June around the full moon whale sharks will pass by. These huge gentle giants, feeding just on plankton, are pretty much guaranteed to see on a spot called Gladden Spit. Make sure you arrange your spot upfront.

Tours
In the village are tour operators who will be happy to give you all the necessary details on all available tours. Also ask in your hotel.

On the Hook: Fishing Charters offers a variety of fishing adventures and ocean tours. Trolling to spin casting or traditional hand line fishing along with snorkeling, or just a day on an island can all be done.

 * For scuba diving or snorkelling check out Splash Dive, near the end of the Sidewalk.

Nauti by Nature: Fishing Trips You could customize your fishing vacation, incorporating various types of fishing, snorkelling, island hopping or even add camping and stay the Nauti way.

Placencia Wildside Adventures - Turtle, Spiny Lobster and Lionfish are just some of the creatures you will encounter during your Snorkel tour from Belize. This tour company also offers Scuba Diving and Island Adventures fun for the entire family.

Nautical Adventures Belize - Here you will find the only Glass bottom boat in Placencia, where the operators of daily tour to the reef and Island to view the under water world from the comfort of the seat of a boat. They also offer great sailing charter for a day or to enjoy the sunset. This company carries out daily sailing and snorkeling trips to laughingbird Caye, two person minimum.

Blue Turtle Adventures: We specialize in private tours to some of the best snorkeling sites near Placencia. Get a chance to explore the largest living coral reef system and snorkel with some of the friendliest creatures. We also offer fishing trips, seafood hunt/spearfishing and cater to cruise ship passengers.

Buy
Buy from the locals. Maya women and girls typically line the sidewalk from the early morning hours.

Eat
The best seafood is at Lost In Paradise Beach Shop & Pirates Grill, located on the sidewalk in Placencia. Great baja fish tacos, ceviche, shrimp cocktails, nachos, burritos, tapas and philly cheese steak subs, vegetarian meals. Great affordable meals, small location, great food on the go. Breakfast, Coffee and Wifi available.

Actually, you can find quite a bit of good food and a few places for great food. A few suggestions would be Barefoot Beach Bar for burgers, smoked fish, smoked chicken and cold beer. French Connection offers limited seating and astonishingly good food. Tratoria offers good Italian, there is another Italian place above Wallens Market, that's also quite nice. If you want to spend a lot of money you could visit one of the resorts, though it's not the best way to spend your money. De Tatch is the best place for local food. Seafood, chicken and daily specials reasonable.

Drink
Belikin Beer (they also make a decent stout), or One Barrel rum, both products of Belize.

The local coconut rum is surprisingly good, and happy hour at the Barefoot Beach Bar (6-7PM) is the best place to be. They also have an excellent band on a Sunday evening, Inner Vibrations.

The very good artesian water from the tap.

Sleep
Accommodation ranges from huts with shared "bathroom" to cabanas on the beach to guest houses to resorts. The resorts are north of the airstrip in Seine Bight and Maya Beach, and not really part of the village.

Stay safe
You can drink the water; it's plumbed in from an artesian well on the mainland.

Go next

 * If heading north you have three choices - fly, take a bus, or take a water taxi to Independence & bus from there. If headed south take the water taxi & catch a bus from Independence.
 * Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve. It's back on the mainland in Stann Creek and well worth the effort to get there.
 * Monkey River Town. Several outfits can hook you up with a boat trip south for manatee and howler monkey watching.

title: Placencia


text:
Placentia

There is more than one place called Placentia:

Canada

 * Placentia (Newfoundland) - A town in Newfoundland and Labrador.

United States of America

 * Placentia (California) - A town in the state of California.

title: Placentia


text:
Placentia (California)

Placentia is a city in Orange County in Southern California.

By car
The CA-57 Orange freeway runs north-south through the city. The CA-91 Riverside freeway is only a mile south of the city and runs east-west.

By bus
Orange County Transportation Authority offers bus service.

Get around
The only reliable way to get around Placentia is by car. Buses are notoriously slow and have few stops, and because of this, few locals use them regularly, causing a vicious cycle in which this leads to services being only minimally offered.

Go next

 * Yorba Linda - Located 4 miles to the east, Yorba Linda is the birthplace of President Richard Nixon and is home to his Presidential library and museum.

title: Placentia (California)


text:
Placentia (Newfoundland)

Placentia (French: Plaisance) is a town of 3,500 people (2016) on the west side of Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula. It was the French capital of Newfoundland in the early 17th century.

Placentia
Placentia is the core of a group of small villages (Placentia, Jerseyside, Townside, Freshwater, Dunville and Argentia). The community is primarily a fishing village and has declined rapidly in population since the depletion of Atlantic cod stocks in the 1990s.

Fort Plaisance (1662), Fort Royal (1687) and Fort Saint-Louis (1690) were early French military fortifications in the area; the hilltop bastion Fort Royal served as home for the French governor. After the French abandoned Newfoundland in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, the British built the redoubt Fort Frederick. While much of the original fortification is in ruins, what remains is preserved as Castle Hill National Historic Site.

Argentia
Argentia was a small fishing village established by the French in the 1630s as Petit Plaisance (Little Placentia), meaning "Pleasant Little Place". The village was renamed in 1901 to reflect the presence of silver ore in the Broad Cove region; a silver mine operated until the 1920s. A railway branch line reached the community in 1888, allowing the adjoining Ship Harbour and Fox Harbour to serve as a seaport to supply other coastal villages (outports) in the region.

In August 1941, a four-day wartime meeting between Winston Churchill and Franklin Delanor Roosevelt took place on board the British battleship HMS Prince of Wales, moored at Placentia Bay, off Argentia. In 1942, the villages of Argentia and Marquise were expropriated and completely demolished to make way for a US military base which was to serve as one end of a key World War II trans-Atlantic supply line. The dispossessed villagers were largely resettled in Placentia. The US base closed in 1994 and its airport sits abandoned; attempts have been made to re-purpose the base as an industrial park. The Newfoundland Railway is gone. The docks remain in use seasonally for the Marine Atlantic ferry to Cape Breton.

Get in
The nearest major airport is in St. John's.

By car
Placentia is 131 km from St. John's, southwest on the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1). then south on Route 100.

By ferry

 * The ferry operator also operates a North Sydney to Port aux Basques (7 hours) route, typically two times per day throughout the year. Port aux Basques is located in south-western Newfoundland.
 * The ferry operator also operates a North Sydney to Port aux Basques (7 hours) route, typically two times per day throughout the year. Port aux Basques is located in south-western Newfoundland.

Get around
Placentia is on Newfoundland Highway 100, which leads to the Trans-Canada Highway.

Go next

 * St. John's

title: Placentia (Newfoundland)


text:
Placer County

Placer County is in California. From the Lake Tahoe and the Gold Country in the west, this county extends east across the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Gold Country
The following Placer County cities are in the Gold Country:

 * - Auburn was established as a mining camp in 1849, and its rapid growth led to it becoming the county seat of Placer County just two years later in 1851. Today travelers can visit the historic downtown, including the Placer County Courthouse which now houses a museum. Outside of town, the Hidden Falls Regional Park boasts over 30 mi of multi-use trails, and the Auburn State Recreation Area provides boating and hiking along 40 mi of the North and Middle Forks of the American river.  Other area trails host a variety of extreme endurance challenges each year, including the 100 mi Western States Endurance Run.

Sierra Nevada
The following Placer County cities are in the Sierra Nevada mountains:

Other destinations

 * — a ski resort near Old Donner Summit
 * — a ski resort near Old Donner Summit

Go next

 * - Located north of Placer County, Nevada County rises from the Sierra foothills to the Nevada border. The county retains many examples of its Gold Rush past, ranging from California's oldest operating theater in Nevada City to the Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, an establishment that has hosted four Presidents since its opening in 1851.  Even before the Gold Rush, the county gained fame for the ill-fated Donner Party of 1846, and today the lake named for that doomed expedition is a popular recreation spot.
 * Western Nevada
 * - The name of Placer County's southern neighbor translates from Spanish as "the gilded/golden", an appropriate title for the county where the California Gold Rush was kicked off after a discovery at Sutter's Mill (near Coloma) in 1848. The county's attractions include mountain scenery, gold mining history, the impossibly blue waters of Lake Tahoe, backpacking opportunities in the Desolation Wilderness, and epic skiing in the South Lake Tahoe area.
 * - Bordering Placer County to the southwest, Sacramento County stretches from the wetlands at the edge of the San Francisco Bay to the rolling hills of Gold Country. The Sacramento and American Rivers played prominent roles in the county's development, and today offer outdoor opportunities ranging from boating to fishing to birdwatching.  The capital city of Sacramento is located at the rivers' confluence, and visitors will appreciate its historic districts and more than 25 museums.
 * - Placer County's western neighbor, tiny Sutter County lies between the Sacramento and Feather rivers, with nearly 90% of the county's land used for grazing and agriculture. The county is home to the eroded volcanic lava domes of the Sutter Buttes, which occupy a circular area roughly ten miles across and are sometimes referred to as the world's smallest mountain range.
 * - Bordering Placer County to the northwest, rural Yuba County is located along the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas, offering visitors recreational opportunities in the Plumas and Tahoe National Forests, and providing a glimpse into the area's Gold Rush past at the ghost town of Timbuctoo and neighboring Smartsville. The western side of the county is flatter, more populous, and primarily used for fruit orchards, rice fields, and grazing.

title: Placer County


text:
Placerville

Placerville is a town in El Dorado County in California's Gold Country. It was a key supply hub during the Gold Rush, and was California's third-largest town when it was incorporated in 1857. In 2021 the permanent population was around 11,000, but visitors flock to the town due to its convenient location halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, and also for its historic downtown, with many of the businesses housed in buildings that date back to the mid-1800s.

Get in
Placerville sits 39 miles east of Sacramento and 43 miles from Lake Tahoe. It is accessible from Highway 50 east and west, also Highway 49 east and west, and 193 south. Placerville also has a small private airstrip located a mile or two outside the city, and there is also commuter buses coming in from Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.

Go next

 * - The California Gold Rush began in Coloma in 1848 with the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, and today travelers can visit the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park to see the exact spot where gold was found. In addition, the park has a recreation of Sutter's Mill, exhibits documenting the Gold Rush, and the opportunity to pan for gold in the American River.  While much of the original town is now essentially a ghost town, there are a few lodging options and restaurants.  For visitors seeking adventure, the American River is a popular whitewater rafting destination, and a number of outfitters offer trips that start in Coloma.

title: Placerville


text:
Plainfield

There is more than one place called Plainfield:

United States of America

 * Plainfield (Connecticut)
 * Plainfield (Illinois)
 * Plainfield (Indiana)
 * Plainfield (Iowa)
 * Plainfield (Massachusetts)
 * Plainfield (New Hampshire)
 * Plainfield (New Jersey)
 * Plainfield (New York)
 * Plainfield (Ohio)
 * Plainfield (Pennsylvania)
 * Plainfield (Vermont)
 * Plainfield (Wisconsin)

title: Plainfield


text:
Plainfield (Indiana)

Plainfield is a small city and southwest suburb of Indianapolis in the Nine-County Region.

Do

 * - located in Plainfield

Connect
Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, 101 W. Main Street. Phone: +1 317 839-3800 Fax: +1 317 839-9670 Email: chamber@town.plainfield.in.us

title: Plainfield (Indiana)


text:
Plain of Jars

The Plain of Jars is a world heritage site in Central Laos. It consists of thousands of stone jars scattered around the valleys and foothills of the Xiangkhoang Plateau.

Understand
The Plain of Jars combines ancient and contemporary history with insights into Phuan, Hmong, Khmu and Tai Dam culture. Nature encounters are easily accessible off the beaten track.

Unlike ancient Greece or the First Emperor of China that date from around the same time, very little is known about the civilisation that created the Plain of Jars. Excavations have uncovered bones and pots of cremated human remains around the jars. There is a cave at Site 1 that was used for cremations. It is theorized that the jars were used to store bodies for 1–2 years before the bones were cremated and buried.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the area suffered badly due to heavy bombardment by Americans during the Vietnam War. The locals have found imaginative ways to rebuild their lives and surroundings, sometimes using the remnants as part of their daily life; bomb fragments became spoons, and a distinct Xiengkhouang-style of architecture has been created, incorporating bombshells as building material and décor for houses.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Phonsavan. Lao Airlines offers six flights a week in peak season and four flights in low season to Vientiane.

By bus
If you are travelling to Phonsavan from Vientiane you can take either VIP buses or local buses. The buses leave from the northern bus terminal and take about 10–12 hours. The roads are paved but there are plenty of bends. The bus trip from Vang Vieng takes 7–8 hours. Minibus run daily from Luang Prabang via Road 13 and Road 7 and take 11 hours for the 260-km-long ride, due to extremely poor road condition. You could also hire a minivan in either Luang Prabang or Vientiane.

Coming from Vinh or Hanoi in Vietnam, visas are available on arrival at the Nam Ka border crossing, which is open daily from 06:00–18:00. The bus from Vinh leaves four days a week and takes 12 hours. There is one per week from Hanoi.

Get around
To get to other towns in the province you can take local buses or pick-up trucks. Travel agents in Phonsavan arrange bike, motorbike and car rentals. A bike costs depending on quality from 20,000 kip per day. You can rent scooters for about 100,000 kip/day (70,000 kip in low season). The roads to the Site 1 are paved or in very good state. To rent a minivan costs about US$50-80, a four-wheel-drive costs over US$100. Depending on the company, the cost either includes or excludes petrol. All prices greatly vary depending on season and availability.

Motorbike are available for rent. All of them are semi-automatic, so you do not have to be an experienced biker. You can visit all three jar sites, but sites 2 and 3 can get a little tricky if it rains. You may not go to few other places like War Spoon Village unless you have an expensive tour guide. Even if it is a planned move by the tour companies, it still is fun to ride through the villages. Ask for a map at the rental place or your guest house.

You can also bicycle to jar site 1 from Phonsavan. Depending which map you believe, it's 8–15 km away and although the roads have some inclines it's possible to cycle there without being especially fit (maximum 45 min). It's easy to find: the junction off the main road is signposted and from that village it's 2.5 km. Parking your bike at Jar site 1 costs 2,000 kip on top of the entrance fee. If your arrive before 07:00, the site is deserted and nobody will ask for an entrance or parking fee.

See

In Phonsavan, many companies offer tours of the Plain of Jars and around surrounding villages and other sights. See the Phonsavan section for activities and attractions around the Plain of Jars.

There are hundreds of jars at the various sites. Some were damaged in the Indochina War and some during the invasion of Chinese bandits. They are showing wear and tear caused by tourists climbing on them. Some of the sites have impressive bomb craters and jars split by the force of the bombing.

Jar Site 1 is one of the most impressive and the easiest to get to. Entrance fee to Site 1 is 35,000 kip and to Site 2 and 3 30,000 kip each. Take a (motorbike) tour to Jar Sites 2 and 3. However, there are few signs, so don't be afraid to ask local people for the way or look for the blue and white painted sign to go to Site 2 or a spray painted sign on an electric post to find Site 3. There is an easy hike between the two sites, and is suitable for families. The path was cleared of unexploded ordnance in 2007, but visitors are strongly advised to follow the red and white markers.

Other visitable sites include Jar Sites 16, 23 and 52.

Buy
Typical local products from Phonsavanh and the surrounding area are natural dyes and textiles, each with individual pattern depending on the ethnic group, and basketry, mulberry paper umbrellas, spoons and bangles made from war scrap or Hmong embroidery. Taking antiques home from Laos may be illegal.

A special drink is Mastake whisky made from Hed Wai, a highly valued mushroom from the pine forests of Xieng Khoung.

Eat
Don't bank on eating a meal along the road between Phonsavan and Jar Site 1 as once you leave the outskirts there's only one village. You can buy water and snacks. There is a small cafe at Site 1.

The nearest place for food is Phonsavan.

Drink
There are several salabeers around Phonsavan overlooking small lakes. The best to find are opposite Maly Hotel or on the road to the airport near Nam Ngum market.

Sleep
Check the Phonsavan section for hotel descriptions. Phonsavan has a wide range of hotels from simple guesthouses to more luxurious hotels and even a French boutique hotel on top of a mountain.

Stay safe

During the Laotian Civil War of 1959–1975, a.k.a. the "Secret War", the Plain of Jars was in the middle of contested territory that was heavily bombed by the US and heavily mined by both sides. Decades later, there is still a lot of unexploded ordnance (UXO) on the ground in the valley, which continues to kill or maim Laotians. However, the international NGO Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has worked at demining the area continually since 1994, and special attention was paid to the Plain of Jars sites to make them safe for visitors. Visitors today are quite safe so long as they stay within site boundaries that are clearly marked with MAG marker bricks. The white side of the marker indicates the safe side, and the red side indicates an area that has yet to be checked for mines. To learn more about UXO around the Plain of Jars and the ongoing MAG operations, visit their information centre in central Phonsavan.

Go next
There is a daily (morning) bus to Luang Prabang, with the 8-hour journey costing 95,000 kip (Mar 2020). The many minivans going to Luang Prabang cost around 120,000 kip. There is also a daily bus to Vinh in Vietnam. A night bus to Vientiane, arriving the next morning, costs around 130,000 kip for a VIP bus and 110,000 kip for local bus. See Phonsavan for more details.

title: Plain of Jars


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Plains (India)

The Plains of India are considered to be the country's heartland. The Ganges (Ganga in Hindi) and Yamuna rivers flow through this region. Major events of India's history took place here. This region contains the large and politically significant states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, and the country's capital, New Delhi. It is the large space of level land that is made by the Ganges River in the northern parts of modern India and the border surrounding areas of the Himalayas. It is an important part of the countries of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Its space of about 700,000 sqkm is the home of about 1 billion people (about one in every eight persons alive today). Its western edge is the Thar Desert; its northern edge is the Himalayas, the highest mountains on Earth; its eastern edge is the Ganges Delta, the largest river delta in the world; and its southern edge is made by the Vindhya and Satpura mountains and the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

Regions

 * Bundelkhand is a cultural region, but is not a state. See Northern Bundelkhand and Northern Madhya Pradesh for Wikivoyage's coverage of the region.

Cities
Here are nine of the most notable cities.
 * — home of the world-famous Taj Mahal

 * — contains the Golden Temple, the most important centre of pilgrimage for Sikhs

 * — the capital of Madhya Pradesh
 * — the capital of both the Punjab and Haryana, designed by Le Corbusier
 * — the bustling capital of India
 * — originally a hilltop fortress, now famous for its fort and St. Jude's Shrine
 * — the Golden City of the East
 * — the gateway to the Buddhist and Jain pilgrim centres
 * — a sacred Hindu city on the banks of the Ganges

Other destinations

 * , Uttar Pradesh — an expanse of approximately of marshes, grasslands and dense forests representing a very rich ecosystem. It is also part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

 * , Punjab — this has a diversity of wetland animals and plants. It was Harike Pattan Bird Sanctuary and is known for its many species of migratory birds. It is habitat for several endangered species such as the Testudines Turtle and Smooth Indian Otter

 * , Madhya Pradesh — located in the rugged terrain of the Satpura hills, this park is a habitat for a large diversity of animals such as the tiger, leopard, wild dog, chital, wild boar and wide variety of birds. On rare occasions, elephants, lions and water buffalo have visited the park.

 * (Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary), Haryana — this park provides habitat and feeding grounds for many migratory birds such as the Siberian crane as well as the many resident bird species found here

 * (Valmiki National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary), Bihar — this pristine forest, grassland and wilderness is part of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Understand
The Plains, watered by the holy Ganges and its tributaries, are the breadbasket of India. This region is also the Hindi Belt, formerly the Sanskrit belt where the Aryan ancestors of most of today's Northern Indians established themselves in ancient times when Hinduism was developing into the form known today. It is an area of densely populated cities and villages, including the very big cities of Delhi, the nation's capital; Lucknow; Varanasi and Patna. As a result of this area's continuous habitation for thousands of years and the creativity of the people under various dynasties, some of the most famous sights in the world are on the Indian Plains.

Talk
Given that the Plains are the Hindi Belt, Hindi and Urdu are widely spoken in almost all of the states, with the exception of Punjab, where Punjabi dominates. As in the rest of India, English is a very commonly learned second and third language.

By plane
All major cities in the area have airports. Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is large, and likely to be the point of entry for most foreign visitors to this region. Domestic flights from other parts of India are also commonplace.

By train and bus
Long-distance trains travel from all other parts of India to this region. The same is true of long-distance bus lines.

Get around
There are numerous train connections between the major cities in this region. Domestic flights for longer distances are also possible. Buses also traverse this area.

See
The Plains contain some of the most famous sights in the world. Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal; near Agra is the former royal town of Fatehpur Sikri, which is made out of red sandstone. The Ganges at Varanasi is both a sight and an experience — the crowds of people ritually bathing in the river, the funeral pyres near its banks, the splendid ghats. There are quite a few other places along the Ganges, Yamuna and other rivers sacred to Hindus that are worth visiting. The small town of Khajuraho boasts Tantric temple complexes that some art historians consider to represent the pinnacle of erotic art. The towns of Bodh Gaya and Sarnath are two of the wellsprings of Buddhism; Bodh Gaya in particular has impressive temples. Amritsar's pride and joy is the Golden Temple, the world headquarters of the Sikh religion. And of course there is the capital city of Delhi, which has numerous sights including the Jama Masjid and Qutb Minar, two of the best known examples of Islamic architecture in the country, and the Red Fort.

Do

 * For a unique experience and view, take a boat trip on the Ganges.

Eat
The plains serve a lot of North Indian cuisine, which foreigners who eat Indian abroad would be familiar with, including tandoori dishes. As this is more of a wheat-growing area, flatbreads (roti, naan, etc.) are the most commonly eaten grain. However, rice is also consumed, in particular the worldwide famous long grain, basmati. Much of the northern plains food is hearty and aromatically spiced, though only sometimes heavy in chilli.

Vegetarianism is not as prevalent in some of these areas as in Rajasthan and Gujarat, partly because there are many Muslims living in these states, which were influenced by hundreds of years of rule by the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire. As such, it is not hard to find goat, mutton and chicken curries in restaurants. However, you will still come across cities considered holy in Hinduism or Jainism in the region that are almost entirely vegetarian.

Do not expect to see much beef for sale (5-star hotels being the exception). Pork is also rare. Even among non-vegetarians in the region, curing meat is an unheard-of practice. Whatever meat is eaten tends to be fresh.

Dairy products such as yogurt (usually as a side dish on its own or in the form of raita, a yogurt-based sauce) and paneer (fresh cheese curd) are used often in a wide variety of foodstuffs.

Drink
Northern India is the land of milk-based drinks such as lassi. Masala chai — tea with milk and a blend of spices — is also a common beverage in this region.

Stay safe
The Plains have higher crime rate than the West. Pickpockets are very common in urban areas. Carry your cash, passport and cards in a secure money belt, with only enough cash for a few hours at a time in your wallet or other accessible place. However, this is not so much of the concern due the introduction of digital payment (UPI) by 2016.

Largely illiterate states like Bihar have a terrible reputation for crime and banditry (or "dacoity", to use the Indian word).

title: Plains (India)


text:
North Costa Rica

North Costa Rica, also known as "Región Norte" or "Huetar Norte" (in Spanish) is a region located within Costa Rica and borders in the north to Rio San Juan Region of Nicaragua.

Cities

 * – The largest city by far in the country's North, surrounded by hot springs popular with Costa Rican vacationers.
 * (La Fortuna de San Carlos) – The town that sits at the foot of Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna is quaint and has a great local flavor complete with great restaurants and tons of tour companies offering Volcano tours, zip lines and Lake Arenal crossings.
 * – About an hour north of San José by car. The town is a decent size where you can stop at the local sodas or market, but don't expect much in the way of tourism. It is mostly a stop on the way to Arenal or to the Los Angeles Cloud Forest.
 * – Border town on the very north of the country. Crossing into Rio San Juan Region of Nicaragua by boat.

Understand
This region is known for Arenal Volcano, but it has other gems that are not-so-hidden such as Lake Arenal and the Los Angeles Cloud Forest.

Arenal is the world's 3rd most active volcano and can be heard rumbling several times an hour. The lava flow changes frequently, but even without seeing the lava the mountain is impressive in size and shape.

The Los Angeles Cloud Forest is not as visited as the Cloud Forests in Monteverde, but the wildlife is abundant and the locals are extremely friendly.

The city San Ramon is a moderately sized town that really only has one tourist attraction, the local church or cathedral. The church is large and in a state of repair but it is next to the town's central park which follows Japanese influence in its design. The north-eastern parts of this region are dominated by mono-cultural exploitation of sugar cane, citrus trees and pineapple farms.

Get in
The best way to get to the North Zone is by car. There are also local buses that travel San José and San Ramon, but the car offers the most flexibility to stop and experience the local culture on your trip to the North.

From Nicaragua you can cross the border by boat at San Carlos (Nicaragua)/Los Chiles, but it is not possible to take a car with you. From Los Chiles there are regular buses to Ciudad Quesada. A much faster overland border crossing is now open via a bridge over the Rio San Juan. The border post is at Las Tablillas 6 km from Los Chiles; it is open 08:00-16:00.

The same buses that come from San José and Ciudad Quesada serve the remote border post for around ₡500 from Los Chiles. A land exit tax of ~US$7.00 is payable when leaving Costa Rica and an arrival tax of ~US$12.00 on arrival in Nicaragua, only payable in US dollars or córdobas (Sept 2017).

Buses from San José to Los Chiles leave each morning and afternoon at around 05:30 and 15:00 and take about 5 hr.

Get around
Frequent buses travel the area. Bus times are considerably unreliable and infrequent in La Fortuna, probably due to forcing tourists into taking a taxi. Otherwise, between the larger towns and cities there are buses every 1-2 hr.

See

Sleep
Around Río Celeste there are many inexpensive guest houses available. Checkout GoogleMaps or AirBnB to find them.

title: North Costa Rica


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Plainview

There is more than one place called Plainview:

United States of America

 * Plainview (Arkansas) - A town in Arkansas.
 * Plainview (Minnesota) - A town in Minnesota.
 * Plainview (Nebraska) - A town in Nebraska.
 * Plainview (New York) - A hamlet in New York.
 * Plainview (Tennessee) - A town in Tennessee.
 * Plainview (Texas) - A town in Texas.

title: Plainview


text:
Plainview (New York)

Plainview is a hamlet in South Oyster Bay in New York.

Understand
Plainview is a small hamlet in located on Long Island in the Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York. Plainview and its neighboring town, Old Bethpage, share their school system, library, fire department, and water district.

Plainview's history dates back to 1648, when land was purchased because it was considered desirable farming land. The remaining land was purchased in 1695 in a deal called the Bethpage Purchase. When the Long Island Railroad was built, Plainview had an increase in the farming market.

After World War II, many people were trying to leave New York for a more rural area. People moving out of the city resulted in many of the farmers in Plainview to sell their land. Massive development in the area began to take place and turned Plainview into the suburban town that it is now. The population jumped in size, making Plainview change from farmland to a functioning town.

Climate Plainview has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Fall and spring are the most comfortable seasons, with weather averaging in the 50s-60s F (about 10-20°C). Winters can be harsh and temperatures usually drop down to the teens and sometimes even single digits. Plainview also gets a lot of snow, mostly in January and February. The summers are relatively warm, with weather in the 70s to low 90s°F (21-35°C).

By plane
The nearest airport is John F. Kennedy International Airport, about half an hour from Plainview assuming no traffic. JFK Airport has flights coming into New York from all over the country and the world. Another airport. Only about an extra 5-10 minutes further than JFK, is Laguardia Airport. Like JFK, LaGuardia has many incoming and outgoing flights for those interested in visiting Plainview.

By car
Depending on where your point of origin is, the Long Island Expressway (LIE), is one of the most useful ways to get in and around Long Island. It stretches across the entirety of Long Island. The LIE can be accessed through taking I-95/New Jersey Turnpike in you are coming from either north or south of New York. Plainview can also be accessed by the Northern State Parkway and the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway.

By train
The easiest way to travel to Long Island, especially Plainview, is to take the train from New York City. Amtrak provides a number of services from all over the country ending in New York's Pennsylvania Station. From Penn Station, the Long Island Rail Road can be taken to Hicksville to end your journey just 5-10 minutes outside of Plainview.

Get around
Since Plainview is not very large, there is little public transportation available. The easiest way to get from one place to another would be to rent a car from any of these places:
 * Avis Rent-A-Car - 195 N Broadway, Hicksville - +1 516 942-8216
 * Enterprise Rent-A-Car - 549 S. Brdway, Hicksville - +1 516 931-1818
 * Budget Car Rental - 14 East Old Country Road, Hicksville - +1 516 433-0294

Buy
Plainview has many different shopping centers where one can find almost anything they need or desire:

New York pizza
As any New York location should, Plainview is packed with pizza places serving delicious New York pizza. There are places only minutes away where you can have this amazing meal:

New York bagels
In Plainview, there are many places where one can experience this New York treat:

Go next

 * Bethpage
 * Farmingdale
 * Massapequa

title: Plainview (New York)


text:
Plainview (Texas)

Plainview is a city in the Llano Estacado region of Texas.

title: Plainview (Texas)


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Plainville

There is more than one place called Plainville:

France

 * Plainville (Eure) - A commune in the Eure département.
 * Plainville (Oise) - A commune in the Oise département.

United States of America

 * Plainville (Connecticut) - A town (pop 17,328) in Hartford County, Connecticut.
 * Plainville (Kansas) - A city (pop 2,029) in Rooks County, Kansas.
 * Plainville (Massachusetts) - A town in (pop 7,683) in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
 * Plainville is also the name for places in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

title: Plainville


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Plakias

Plakias is a village in Rethymno region of Crete. Plakias has grown from a fishing jetty and a few houses in the 1960s to a tourist resort today. Plakias has a 1300-metre-long sandy beach and there are several other beaches within walking distance.

Understand
The first official mention of Plakias was in 1961, when it was recorded in a census as the permanent home of six fishermen. The recorded history of surrounding mountain villages like Myrthios and Sellia goes back to the 10th century, when the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas (961 AD) built roads and bridges in order to link those villages, and there are some fragments of wall remaining from a fortified area on a hill top just northeast of the present main town. The local area is geographically suitable for a settlement, having plenty of agricultural space, and there may well have been a settlement there since Minoan times.

Get in
By road, several buses daily from Rethimno and Ayia Galini, one in high season from Sfakia.

Get around
Walk; bicycles, cars & scooters for hire; taxis available; local bus service.

See

Plakias has a stunning, long, gently shelving largely sandy beach. The eastern end is backed by dunes and is largely naturist. A number of other beaches, including the nearby coves at Mikro Amoudi (or Amoudaki), are easily reached. Strong swimmers can pass between the two coves by swimming through the underwater arch, or round the pinnacle that divides them.
 * The sunset from Panarama taverna in the village of Mirthios on the hill above Plakias.

Do

 * Walk in the surrounding countryside. Local bookshops have walking guides. One of the best is the series from Marengo Publications
 * Swim, snorkel & sunbathe, getting an all over tan if you wish. Plakias has one of the best nudist beaches in the world, with an easy-going atmosphere, loungers, umbrellas, and a doughnut seller who wanders up and down the beach.
 * Scuba Dive.
 * Visit the southern-most lending library in Europe which is behind the village towards the Youth Hostel.

Sleep
Plakias has no shortage of rooms and hotels. It is featured in a number of package holiday brochures. If you want to avoid crowds, just five minutes away by car in the town of Myrthios on the hillside, you will find some family-run apartments and tavernas.

title: Plakias


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Plano

Plano is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas and is north of Dallas.

Get in
Plano is easily accessible from Highway 75, which connects to Interstate 20 and runs straight through the east of the city. The nearest airport is Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, which is approximately 30 minutes outside of Plano. You can get to Plano by DART rail by taking the Orange Line to the LBJ/Central Station then transferring to the Red Line for the rest of the way. During peak hours, the Orange Line will run all the way to the station at Parker Road. Taxis and cars for hire are readily available.

Get around
Driving a car is by far the best way (and likely the only reasonable way) to travel in Plano. Plano's major roads are in a grid system, which makes it very easy to drive around. Many local businesses will give an approximate location as the intersection of two major roads, such as Coit and Legacy. Major highways running through Plano include the Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH 121), the Dallas North Tollway, US 75, and the George Bush Turnpike.

However, there is a public transit system, the DART, that connects Plano to Dallas via the Red line which ends at Parker Station located at Parker and 75. From there you can take a bus to lots of areas in Plano. A day ticket costs $4, or $2 for students with high school ID, seniors 65+ and children ages 5-14. Much of Plano is somewhat far away from the 2 stations within city limits, so your best bet is to take a car.

Plano is a very large city, and a bike will not allow you to get where you want to be in a reasonable amount of time.

See

 * Interurban Railway Museum
 * Interurban Railway Museum
 * Interurban Railway Museum

Do

 * - located in Plano
 * - located in Plano
 * - located in Plano

title: Plano


text:
Plantation

Plantation is a suburb of Fort Lauderdale in the US state of Florida. The area is the base for many large corporations, such as Motorola, Nortel and American Express.

Get in

 * Fort Lauderdale International Airport.

Go next

 * Fort Lauderdale. The famous "Blue Wave" Beaches are about 6 miles away.

title: Plantation


text:
Plantation Midlands

Plantation Midlands is a region in the state of Georgia.

Understand
The Plantation Midlands are part of the Black Belt.

Get in

 * Valdosta Regional Airport

See

 * Radium Springs - One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia
 * Radium Springs - One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia

Do
Despite what it may seem, the Plantation Midlands region has some substantial recreation areas, like the Okefenokee Swamp for sure as well as General Coffee and Seminole State Parks
 * (south of Donalsonville) - Recreation area along the Lake Seminole segment of the Chattahoochee River, with boardwalks through swamps, camping, and wildlife

Go next

 * Classic Heartland
 * Coastal Georgia
 * Inland Florida
 * Florida Panhandle

title: Plantation Midlands


text:
Plant City

Plant City is in Hillsborough County in the Tampa Bay Area. Incorporated in 1885, it is known as the "Winter Strawberry Capital of the World" because over three-quarters of the nation's midwinter strawberries come from Plant City.

Understand

The city is known for its strawberries, particularly during the winter season, but this is not the origin of the city's name. It was named after railroad developer Henry Plant. The town's first name was "Ichepuckesassa," a Native American name, but pronunciation challenges caused it to be renamed, first to "Cork" after the city in Ireland, until Henry Plant's railroad brought economic success to the town.

Climate
Plant City is known for having higher quality soil than the surrounding area. As is found across much of Florida, the wet season lasts during summer, with the "dry" season occurring across the other months. Rainfall is fairly high throughout the year, with a total of $$ in an average year, enabling strawberries to grow.

By plane

 * Plant City Airport

By car
Plant City is on Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando.

Go next

 * Orlando, to the east, is the location of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
 * Tampa, to the west, is the main city in the county.

title: Plant City


text:
Plaquemines Parish

Plaquemines Parish is in Louisiana, at the south-east edge of the Greater New Orleans region. (A Louisiana "Parish" is the equivalent of a "county" in other states.) The parish seat is officially Pointe à la Hache, although since the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 most of the government has been in Belle Chasse.

Understand
Plaquemines Parish is a peninsula along both sides of the Mississippi River where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The area's development started in Louisiana's French and Spanish Colonial eras, taking advantage of the rich agricultural land along the narrow strips near the river, and the rich fishing in the wetlands and Gulf beyond.

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit the area. Belle Chasse was moderately damaged; in most of the rest of the Parish damage was severe to catastrophic, with storm surge sweeping over the levees, and smashing or sweeping away the majority of the buildings.

Eastbank
The East Bank is on the same side of the river as most of New Orleans and as Chalmette. It is less populated than Plaquemines' West Bank. Highway 39 follows the River down the Eastbank; it connects to St. Bernard Highway (46) in St. Bernard Parish.

Note that the gas station at Scarsdale, at the intersection of 39 & 3137 across from the ferry to Belle Chasse, is the last chance for gas going down river on this bank.

A number of small communities line the road. A few old plantation houses dot the route, of more modest size than the grand mansions up river; some are immaculately restored, others in states of ruin.

At the town of Phoenix the road splits. Highway 15 runs by the River and 39 continues parallel further back. 15 is the slower more scenic route.

Near the end of the road is Pointe à la Hache, still officially the Parish Seat, but as of Spring 2012 little is there other than the ruins of the old Courthouse and an open convenience store/sandwich shop. A ferry boat crosses the river here to West Pointe à la Hache, the furthest south vehicle crossing of the Mississippi River.

Westbank

Louisiana Highway 23 follows the bends of the Mississippi River down the Westbank. Running down the river north to south:

 * Belle Chasse is the population and business center of the Parish, just down river from the Algiers section of New Orleans. Also home to a Naval Air Station.  The only community in the Parish that might be considered a city.
 * Myrtle Grove has a marina and a few restaurants and bars.
 * Woodland Plantation Old plantation house (featured on 19th century engravings and the labels of bottles of "Southern Comfort" liquor) is now a bed & breakfast. Those not staying the night can take a look around the historic grounds and have a drink at "Spirits Hall", an old church building renovated for secular use.
 * West Pointe à la Hache Ferry across the Mississippi River.
 * Port Sulphur has a number of open businesses (full grocery, hardware, bank etc) otherwise still rare below Belle Chasse.
 * Empire
 * Buras was a "ground zero" for the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A cafe and a couple small businesses in the area are open as of early 2010.
 * Fort Jackson historic brick fort was site of an important battle in the American Civil War.
 * Boothville town has the area's open school and heliport.
 * Venice a small fishing town with roughly 500 inhabitants. It is at the end of Highway 23 along the west bank of the Mississippi River. As the last place down the river delta reachable by land, Venice is nick-named the end of the world. Venice has long been famous for the rich fishing in the area, both commercial and recreational. It also serves the offshore oil rig industry. The town has a couple of restaurants, specializing in fresh seafood, and a couple of small motels and marina cabins are for rent in its vicinity.

Get in
By car, or helicopter to Boothville

See

 * Woodland Plantation, listed above

Do

 * Fishing.

Buy

 * Fresh citrus. Plaquemines has long been famous in this region for the great oranges, satsumas, and other citrus fruit grown here. There are several stands and shops along the highways.

Eat
Belle Chasse has Plaquemines' largest selection of restaurants, both national chains and locals. The area around Venice at the end of Highway 23 has a number of restaurants specializing in fresh seafood.

 * DJ's One Stop Pointe à la Hache, on Route 15 a block up from the Ferry landing near the Courthouse ruins.  This small combination grocery/restaurant is the only place to buy a meal in Pointe à la Hache, but fortunately it's good. Generous reasonably priced sandwiches (the hot sausage and the turkey are both good), eat in or to go; they also do pizzas, and seafood specials on Fridays.

Connect
Area code is 504, same as in New Orleans.

Go next

 * New Orleans
 * Saint Bernard Parish, including Chalmette

title: Plaquemines Parish


text:
Plaster Rock

Plaster Rock is a beautiful village of about 1,000 people (2016) in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada. It is on the Appalachian Range Scenic Drive, along the banks of the picturesque Tobique River.

Understand
Plaster Rock’s first European settlers arrived in 1881. They gave Plaster Rock its name based on the hill on the other side of the Tobique River – the rock is made up of gypsum, or plaster.

Primarily English, the town has been a logging and lumbering community. Known as the Gateway to Mount Carleton Provincial Park, the community is the source of business, commerce, banking, grocery shopping, and religious and sport gatherings for the surrounding hamlets and homes of the Tobique River region.

The Tobique First Nations Reserve is found where the Tobique and Saint John Rivers come together.

Get in
From the Trans-Canada Highway, exit eastbound onto Route 390 in Perth-Andover or Route 108 in Grand Falls.

Do
The area is a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts as the region offers a host of activities ranging from camping, swimming, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, golf, fishing and other sports throughout the spring/summer season.

In the autumn, New Brunswick's legendary outfitters offer hunting for black bear, whitetail deer, moose, woodcock and grouse.

The winter season offers New Brunswick's famous "white gold", unbelievable snowmobile and cross country trails as well as snowshoeing, sliding, skating and ice fishing.

title: Plaster Rock


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Plastira Lake

The famed Lake Plastira lake, the lake for all seasons, is situated in the Thessaly region.

Understand
The lake is named after Nikolaos Plastiras, a former Prime Minister of Greece, and lies some 30 km west of Karditsa town. To be precise the lake is actually artificial, a reservoir created after the building of an immense arch-shaped dam which stands some 83 m high and measures some 200 m in length.

Lake Plastira is situated in the Agrafa Mountains and is a jewel in the crown, not only of the Prefecture of Karditsa, but also all of Greece. All villages surrounding the lake, such as Neohori, Mesenikolas, Morfovouni, Kerasia, Kalyvia Pezoula, Neraida, Belokomitis, Kastania, Lambero, and many others, are truly charming.

title: Plastira Lake


text:
Platamonas

Platamonas (Greek: Πλαταμώνας) is a Greek town and coastal resort in Pieria region, Macedonia (Greece).

Understand
Platamonas is a small town with a population of about 2,000 permanent inhabitants. Platamonas is located in eastern Olympus riviera, an area with many destinations for tourists such as Litochoro, Katerini, Leptokaria, Neoi Poroi. It is part of the Municipal unit of East Olympos of the Dio-Olympos municipality. Platamonas is near two cities. It is 38 km south of Katerini and 49 km northeast of Larissa. The town is easily accessible by train and bus with many routes every day. Platamonas is one of the most famous summer destinations in the area with many hotels, taverns, restaurants and beach bars. The tourists mainly come from nearby cities and towns or from other countries, mainly from Eastern Europe.

Get in
Platamonas can be accessed by train or bus. The train station is located in a nearby town, Neοi Porοi, which is accessible even on foot from Platamonas. The nearest airport is International Airport Makedonia in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is 104km north of Platamonas, (about 1 hour by train - 1 hour and 10 minutes by bus). The price of train ticket is from Thessaloniki,  from Larissa (thirty minutes).

Get around
Platamonas is a small town. You can get around on foot. You can even go on foot to Neoi Poroi however you can move by car, motorbike or bike to save time.

Do

 * Take a trip to the town of Dion (29km north). Near this town there are the ruins of a whole ancient Macedonian town, ancient Dion, an important archaeological site. You can also visit the museum of Dion with many ancient findings from that area.
 * You can go by train or bus to nearby towns such as Leptokaria (about 10 minutes by train), Litochoro (about 15 minutes by train), with nice beaches, many cafe bars, beach bars and taverns. The latter is a popular starting point for activities such as climbing and mountaineering. Litochoro is the basis of the Greek Mountaineering Club and member of the Greek Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing. You can go climbing or/and mountaineering in mount Olympos (2,917m) the highest mountain in Greece and the house of ancient Greek gods.

Eat
In Platamonas you will find typical Greek food such as gyros and souvlaki which are the cheapest choice. Taverns serve Greek cuisine plates and fresh fish from the Aegean. You can also eat pizza, crepes and pasta. Prices vary and depend on the tavern/restaurant and the plate you will choose.

Mid-range

 * 84 rooms & 4 suites. A nice hotel on the sandy beach. Afew minutes away from the center of Platamon on foot.

Stay safe
Platamon is a generally a safe place. In some rare cases there are reports of people who were stung by weevers after stepping on them, while walking in the sea.

Go next
Move on to Thessaloniki (104 km north) and Chalkidiki or move on to Volos (107 km southeast) from where you can go by boat to Skopelos and Skiathos, the latter being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece.

title: Platamonas


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Platres

Platres is a village in Limassol district. Perched high up (at an altitude of 1200 metres) on the Troodos Mountains, it is a refuge from the sweltering heat that dominates summer period on the lower parts of the island. In the winter bring thick clothing, plus a couple of skis. Trekking gear is a must.

Get in
By car or powerful motorbike. Taxi would cost a fortune from any of the cities. Rural bus services do exist (from Nicosia and Limassol) but service although cheap, is often unreliable. Ask at the regional tourist office for more information.

Get around
On foot within and around the village, but you need a car for anywhere else. A 4x4 helps.

See
The pine forests, the unobstructed views.

Do
Hiking through the Troodos Mountains or vegetate by a pool in the summer. Ski in the winter, (providing there is snow).

Kids can be kept occupied on the numerous arcade parlors dotting the centre of the village.

Buy
Homemade preserves and local artisanship mostly.

Eat
Most eateries line the centre of the Pano Platres square. The local tavernas are on par with your average everywhere else on the island. They are excellent value for money. Unless you are desperate don’t even bother trying out any international cuisine restaurants as you will be disappointed. With the exception of course of the Forest Park Hotel, see below.

Farmed trout fish is the local specialty. Kebabs and meze are just as common (and palatable) as everywhere else on the island. Lokoumades and shamishi, are popular (but calorie ridden) desserts. If you are on a diet, chose from a healthy selection of fresh local fruit especially during the summer months.

Drink
Zivania (potent local version of grappa). At your peril.

Go next

 * Visit mount Olympus
 * Trek up the Caledonian Falls, and numerous other free and well laid out nature trails.

title: Platres


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Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh is a small city on Lake Champlain in New York's North Country.

Understand
The closest American city to Montréal, Plattsburgh (city and town) has a population of about 20,000 (2020).

The area was the site of a native Indigenous village at the time of Samuel-de-Champlain's 1609 Lake Champlain valley expedition. The French settled in the area during the «coureur-de-bois» fur trade era in the mid-to-late 17th century. Historically a French area, Plattsburgh later fell to the English, then finally, was under American control.

Located on the western shore of Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh is separated by the lake from Burlington, Vermont to the east. It is the primary city serving the vast Adirondack Park region, as development within the park boundary is strictly limited outside the few existing villages (such as Saranac Lake and Lake Placid).

Plattsburgh has a long military history. The city, founded in 1785, is home to a War of 1812 museum; it was the site of the Revolutionary War's Battle of Valcourt Island and the War of 1812's Battle of Plattsburgh. In 1915, the Preparedness Movement established the first of the "Plattsburgh camps", volunteer pre-enlistment training grounds for prospective future Army officers. During the Cold War, Plattsburgh Air Force Base (PAFB) was the Strategic Air Command's primary wing on the US East Coast; its sheltered location in the Champlain Valley was protected by the rain shadow of the Adirondack Mountains. The 556 Strategic Missile Squadron, activated at Plattsburgh AFB in 1961 and armed with a dozen Atlas liquid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, disbanded in 1965. The Air Force base closed in 1995.

The former base, one of four military bases in the United States large enough for a Space Shuttle landing, now serves as a small civilian airport.

Plattsburgh is connected by Interstate 87 to Montréal to the north and Albany to the south; Amtrak's New York City-Montréal "Adirondack" service passes through the city.

By plane

 * Burlington International Airport is a  larger airport in nearby Burlington, with flights from Baltimore. Newark, Cleveland, New York City, Orlando, Detroit, Washington DC, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Charlotte. It is about 70 minutes away.
 * Trudeau International Airport is a major airport in nearby Montreal, Canada, with flights worldwide. It is about 80 minutes away.
 * Trudeau International Airport is a major airport in nearby Montreal, Canada, with flights worldwide. It is about 80 minutes away.

By train

 * Train operator:
 * Route stopping in Plattsburgh:
 * Adirondack operating daily between Montreal and New York City including stops along the way in Saint-Lambert, Rouses Point, Plattsburgh, Westport, Ticonderoga, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.

By boat
Plattsburgh is separated from Burlington (Vermont) by Lake Champlain. To avoid a lengthy detour south to Crown Point or north to Champlain and Rouses Point on the Canadian border, most traffic to Burlington crosses by ferry.

There are several marinas for those cruising on small craft:

By bus

 * Clinton County Public Transit (CCPT)'s fleet of 16 buses provides transportation to and from the City of Plattsburgh by way of Au Sable, Champlain/Rouses Point, Clayburg, Ellenburg, and Lyon Mountain. Service is provided within the city between Clinton Community College, SUNY Plattsburgh, Downtown Plattsburgh, and various stores and plazas along Cornelia Street (Route 3).

By taxi
Within the city of Plattsburgh, taxis operate on a zone system. A law requires rates conspicuously posted in every taxicab; a trip cross-town should cost no more than $7.75. Cabs are not generally available for hail on the streets, except downtown on weekend nights, so must be called:

A taxi to the Canadian border should cost no more than ten times the cross-town rate (so $77.50).

See
Plattsburgh bills itself as a "two state, two nation, do-it-all destination" on Lake Champlain with several historical and art museums, a famous sandy beach, marinas and a downtown dining and entertainment district.

Plattsburgh State College
There are two SUNY member colleges in the Plattsburgh area; the four-year Plattsburgh State College in the city and the two-year Clinton Community College at Bluff Point.

Buy
Plattsburgh serves a regional market; to the many tiny villages in the Adirondacks with only a few small, local independent merchants, the Champlain Centre is the closest major mall.

As a cross-border shopping destination for Canadians, Plattsburgh's fortunes tend to be cyclical. When the Canadian dollar is strong, the Montréal community eagerly seek out cheaper prices in the US; when exchange rates are unfavourable, Canadians stay home en masse. Tightened passport restrictions in the post-9/11 era have also weakened cross-border demand. A few stores (such as Target, and JC Penney) do not exist over the border in Canada and some grocery items (such as milk and yoghurt) are less expensive stateside.

Price Chopper, Hannaford, Yando's Big M (South End), North Country Food Co-Op (Downtown), and Wal-Mart are possible destinations for grocery shopping.

Eat
Michigan red hots are a local favorite similar to a chili dog but seasoned differently. Recipes are prized and closely guarded. A red hot consists of a steamed hot dog on a steamed bun covered with a ground beef sauce. It may be served with or without raw chopped onions ("Buried" onions served beneath the meat sauce is traditional.)

Sleep
Hotels are clustered along I-87, with little to no accommodation available downtown.

title: Plattsburgh


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Plauen

Plauen is the biggest city of the Vogtland in the federal-state of Saxony (Freistaat Sachsen). It is famous for its lace industry.

Understand
Plauen was founded by Sorbs. It was a booming Germany city in the early 20th century because of its lace industry. At this time it was one of the biggest cities in Germany and was a home to a lot of rich people. World War I and World War II destroyed more than 75% of the city. Because of its proximity to the inner German border during the cold war it was a base to Russian soldiers. The first demonstrations against the communist government of East Germany, and divided Germany started here. Today it is home to around 66,000 people. It's the most important city in the "kreis" of Saxony.

By plane
It is not very convenient to reach Plauen by plane. From a lot of European destinations you can go to Dresden, Leipzig, Nuremberg and take a train from there towards Plauen. But it will take at least 1½ hours.

By train

Plauen also has some smaller train stations, but they are less interesting for travelers, except you are coming from Gera.

From the main station it is a 10-min walk to the city center.

By car
Plauen can be reached without problems by car from the rest of Germany. It is well connected with the German highway system (A72).

Walking
In the center, especially in the historic part in Old Town (Altstadt), everything is easily accessible by foot.

By bus and tram
There is a combined system of tram (called Straßenbahn) and bus. See Plauener Strassenbahn GmbH. A single ride on all tram and bus lines for 45 min is €1.70. A day ticket costs 4.50 euros, a weekly ticket costs 12.50 euros.

By car
The street network is very good and many roads have been refurbished. Except during the Christmas shopping time and at some festivals you will always find a parking space.

By bicycle
There are some lanes for bicycles, but Plauen is a very hilly city.

See
After the reunification of Germany a lot of old buildings have been restored.

Events

 * The Spitzenfest the biggest festival in Plauen and is normally held in June with 3 stages with different music.

Buy
If you want to buy some “Plauener Spitze” there is a factory outlet for lace.

In the city centre you can find a typical German shopping mall (Stadt Galerie) with lots of shops.

On the Bahnhofstrasse and around the city hall you will find some smaller shops.

Eat
There are many Restaurants within the city. Some famous ones are:

Drink
There are a lot of places to drink. Once you are in Plauen or in the Vogtland you should try the local beer called “Sternquell”.

Budget
Youth Hostels - HI Hostel:

Stay safe
Plauen is very safe in general. You can also walk around the city centre and most other parts late at night without having any worries. Simply enjoy the city.

Connect
Local telephone code is 03741.

Go next

 * Dresden, a beautiful old city in the east (approx. 1½ hours with car via Autobahn, or by train)
 * Leipzig, an industrial centre and a cultural centre, offering interesting sights, shopping possibilities and lively nightlife (approx. 150 km via Autobahn or by train)
 * Erzgebirge hiking and craftwork (Christmas)
 * Vogtland — a hilly region south of Plauen with some small ski resorts and a ski jump in Klingenthal
 * Czech Republic — a 30-min ride by car from Plauen
 * Talsperre Pöhl, is a dam 5 km east of Plauen. There are a lot of camping grounds and you can go swimming in summer. In the "Kletterwald" you can go climbing in a small forest between the trees.

title: Plauen


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Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is a beach resort and ferry port on the south coast of Lanzarote, some 50 km southwest of the capital Arrecife. It's part of the municipality of Yaiza, but with a population of 12,960 in 2021 it has far outgrown that village.

Understand
The resort is named for the central white beach - Playa Blanca - in a 9-km wide bay on the south coast of Lanzarote. Playa Flamingo is the western beach within the bay and Playa Dorada the eastern. These are mostly sandy, and sheltered by volcanic hills from the Atlantic wind and waves, so they're good for swimming and sunbathing. They're backed by restaurants, retail and hotels (mostly low rise) and there's a ferry port and a leisure marina. What's called "Papagayo Beach" is a series of sandy coves 3 km southeast of town.

Get in
Highway LZ-2 runs from Arrecife and the airport to Playa Blanca, about 40 km.

Bus 60 / 62 runs from Arrecife via Intercambiador, Playa Honda, Tías, Uga and Yaiza to Playa Blanca ferry pier, every 30 min M-F and hourly Saturday and Sunday.

Bus 161 runs from Arrecife Airport T1 and T2 via Puerto del Carmen and Yaiza to the ferry pier. It costs €3.30 (Jan 2023) and runs M-F every 30 min, Saturday hourly and Sunday every 2 hours. On Sunday it might be quicker to take Bus 23 towards Arrecife and change at the Intercambiador west edge of the city for Bus 60 / 62.

the bus station is a roof covered drop-off and bus parking lot with squalid toilets. Buses towards Puerto del Carmen, the airport and Arrecife stop across the road, on the northbound carriageway of Av de las Canarias.

is the landing point for Fred Olsen car ferries from Corralejo on Fuerteventura. These sail hourly and take 30 min, for a fare in 2023 of €32 per adult foot passenger, €45 per car plus driver.

Lineas Romero ferries compete on this route, sailing five times a day for €20 per adult, foot passengers only.

Get around
The central area is compact and walkable but the town sprawls 8 km east-west.

Playa Blanca has an e-scooter sharing system. You can take one anywhere and leave it anywhere in the designated area. The service is provided by Superpedestrian Link Scooters and can be used with their app. In 2023 it costs €1 to unlock then €0.30 per minute.

Bus 30 traverses town every 30 min, from Montaña Roja in the west via the ferry pier and Estación de Guaguas to Sandos Papagayo in the east. The fare in 2023 is €1.40, pay the driver in cash, they give change up to €10.

Taxis are readily available, but "Taxi" at the foot of Av de Papagayo is just a coffee shop.

See

 * is the lighthouse at the tip of Lanzarote, a gaunt white cylinder alongside its low-set predecessor. The approach path is rough, and you only come for the view of Fuerteventura and the sunset.
 * is the volcano looming west of town centre. You can hike to the crater rim and down into the caldera.
 * Marina Rubicón is the leisure boat harbour, surrounded by shops and restaurants. At night you can see the lights of Corralejo on Fuerteventura twinkling across the channel.
 * is a stubby tower east end of the marina, first built in 1742 to guard against pirates. There's no entry, but those naughty pirates ignored the sign and torched it.
 * are pools formed by the rocks. Some are dinky and you look for crabs, others are suitable for bathing in calm conditions, while others are exposed and the returning surf could sweep you out to sea. All of them are popular with sea urchins. In strong weather there are blowholes. Charcones are all along the west coast but this is the best group, reached by a 2 km dirt track past an abandoned hotel. This track is nowadays closed to vehicles.

Do

 * The Spoon in Concrete is on the seafront, near Av Marítima 44. Yes, it's just a spoon set into the pavement surface, and your task is 1) to find it, and 2) contrive to get a thrill out of the quest and discovery.
 * Dino Water Park on C Francia is small, worn, and less fun.
 * Scuba diving is year-round, with water temperatures always close to and visibility over . Centres include Diving Lanzarote Toninas, Dawn Dives, Dive College, Bonito Diving, Pura Vida, Windblue Sports, Lanzarote Nonstop Divers and Rubicón.
 * Playa Flamingo west of the ferry port and Iberostar Hotel is sheltered by breakwaters so it's calm for kiddy-bathing. It's popular for shore-based diving: you head out over the sand to a drop-off. The "Blue Hole" is a short swim-through, entered at 26 m and you pop out at 18 m.
 * Playa Flamingo west of the ferry port and Iberostar Hotel is sheltered by breakwaters so it's calm for kiddy-bathing. It's popular for shore-based diving: you head out over the sand to a drop-off. The "Blue Hole" is a short swim-through, entered at 26 m and you pop out at 18 m.
 * Playa Blanca ("white beach") is central and gives its name to the town: it's sandy but small.
 * Playa Dorada east side is larger and sheltered by breakwaters.
 * Playa de Colorados is east by Sandos Papagayo Resort: it's black lava, so you come here for water sports not beach lounging.
 * Museo Atlántico is an underwater sculpture park off Playa de Coloradas. The sculptures are in 12-14 m depth and are especially appreciated by nervous novice divers.
 * Playa Mujeres and Playa del Pozo are attractive sandy beaches a few km further southeast. You need transport to enjoy them: there's a €3 road toll.
 * Golf: sorry, "golfo" is just the Spanish word for a gulf or sea inlet. The nearest 18-hole course is on LZ-505 between Tías and Puerto del Carmen.

Buy

 * Supermarkets cluster near the roundabout at the foot of Av de Papagayo, for example Hiperdino Express, open daily 08:00-22:00.
 * Centro Comercial Rubicón is a shopping centre on C El Berrugo by the marina, open daily 08:00-22:00.
 * Marina Market is held at Av Marítima 159F on Wednesdays and Saturdays 09:00 to 14:00.

Eat

 * Beachfront eating places face the midday sun, so lunchtimes indoors can be stifling. They're more comfortable at dusk.

Budget

 * Fresh baked goods are available at Spar, Superdino and Hyperdino Express supermarkets.
 * Chinese restaurants near central beach are Royal China Wok, Buen Gusto, Jumbo, Asia Playa Blanca, New Oriental Asiatico and Mr Panda.
 * Indian restaurants near central beach are Spice Fusion, Indian Delights, Tamasha, Imagine India and Curry House. Mumbai Masala is at the marina.
 * Chinese restaurants near central beach are Royal China Wok, Buen Gusto, Jumbo, Asia Playa Blanca, New Oriental Asiatico and Mr Panda.
 * Indian restaurants near central beach are Spice Fusion, Indian Delights, Tamasha, Imagine India and Curry House. Mumbai Masala is at the marina.
 * Chinese restaurants near central beach are Royal China Wok, Buen Gusto, Jumbo, Asia Playa Blanca, New Oriental Asiatico and Mr Panda.
 * Indian restaurants near central beach are Spice Fusion, Indian Delights, Tamasha, Imagine India and Curry House. Mumbai Masala is at the marina.
 * Chinese restaurants near central beach are Royal China Wok, Buen Gusto, Jumbo, Asia Playa Blanca, New Oriental Asiatico and Mr Panda.
 * Indian restaurants near central beach are Spice Fusion, Indian Delights, Tamasha, Imagine India and Curry House. Mumbai Masala is at the marina.

Drink

 * Papagayo Beach: Paolo's, Las Coloradas and Alfie's are all within El Pueblo shopping centre.
 * Marina area has The Flagship, ONE Sailors Bar de Navegantes and Golden Beach Club.
 * Playa Dorada has The Harp, Barney's, Wax Sports Bar and Waikiki nightclub.
 * Town centre has O'Connors, Bar Avenida, Old Mill Bar, Kaos shisha and Rosco's,
 * Popeyes is a Sports Bar, likewise within Punta Limones shopping centre.
 * Vineyards: the island's main wine-producing area is 15 km northeast at La Geria near Yaiza, which also has a gin distillery.
 * Vineyards: the island's main wine-producing area is 15 km northeast at La Geria near Yaiza, which also has a gin distillery.

Sleep

 * Barcelo next to Dreams is scheduled to open in Dec 2023.
 * Self-catering: lots available.
 * Barcelo next to Dreams is scheduled to open in Dec 2023.
 * Self-catering: lots available.
 * Self-catering: lots available.
 * Self-catering: lots available.
 * Self-catering: lots available.
 * Self-catering: lots available.
 * Self-catering: lots available.
 * Self-catering: lots available.
 * Self-catering: lots available.

Connect
As of Nov 2023, Playa Blanca and its approach highways have 4G from Vodafone, and 5G from Masmovil, Movistar and Orange.

Go next

 * Yaiza 10 km north is the entrance to Timanfaya National Park, a volcanic badlands.
 * Puerto del Carmen is a large resort with the island's best beaches.
 * Arrecife the capital has two island castles, one a museum the other a modern art gallery.
 * Fuerteventura is the next island south, 30 minutes by ferry.

title: Playa Blanca


text:
Playa Bonita

Playa Bonita refers to a kilometre-long stretch of spectacular beach shore about 3 km west of the fishing and beach town of Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic. The name appropriately translates to 'beautiful beach' because of the long curve of tan sand, scores of swaying coconut trees and aquamarine surf that is shallower and prettier than at Las Terrenas. Off the coast but well out of swimming distance are several small palm-lined islands.

There is no local community in Playa Bonita and the beaches here have far fewer people on them than those at nearby Las Terrenas. There is also far less traffic noise here. By car, Playa Bonita is reachable by a single road that turns off from the highway between Sanchez and Terrenas.

Get in
There is usually a taxi and a couple of motoconchos at the Playa Bonita turnoff from the Sanchez-Las Terrenas highway. The cost to reach any of the hotels directly on the beach from that turnoff is US$10 by private taxi or $5 by motoconcho (sounds a little expensive - try negotiating if you have pesos).

Motoconchos also go to Play Bonita from anywhere in Las Terrenas. In September 2020, the standard price was RD$100 per person each way.

It is possible to walk to Playa Bonita from Las Terrenas, but not along the beach. You have to take the back roads, and it will take an hour or two.

Get around
Once you're in the Playa Bonita area, everything is within walking distance.

Buy
Most shopping is in Las Terrenas, so see that article for more info.

Sleep
Away from the resort crowds, these hotels offer an individualized experience or a more European flavored resort vacation.

title: Playa Bonita


text:
Playa Carrillo

Playa Carrillo is a postcard-perfect beach in Costa Rica's Guanacaste province, next to the small fishing village of Puerto Carrillo.

Get in
The beach is accessible via paved road from its larger sister to the north, Playa Sámara. It is a drive of approximately 6 km.

Do
The typical amenities found on most Costa Rican beaches are harder to find here; the beach is relatively quiet and deserted. For the usual offering of rental and tour services, your best bet is to head to neighboring Sámara.

Sleep
There are a few accommodations in the town of Puerto Carrillo, on the hill that slopes eastward from the beach.

 * The Hotel Esperanza, on the main drag, is clean and comfortable, with a pool and a pleasant restaurant.

Go next
The coastal route south of Puerto Carrillo turns into a dirt- and dust-riddled affair. Though it is it is possible to explore the southwestern reaches of the Nicoya peninsula this way, it should not be done without a 4x4 and should be avoided outright during the rainy season.

title: Playa Carrillo