text:
Cu Chi

Cu Chi is about 40 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an elaborate underground community made up of 250 km of tunnels and chambers below the city.

Understand
The tunnels were dug with simple tools and bare hands during the French occupation in the 1940s, and further expanded during the Vietnam War in the 1960s to provide refuge and a defensive advantage over the American soldiers. Despite all the bombings in their town, the Cu Chi people were able to continue their lives beneath the soil, where they slept, ate, planned attacks, healed their sick, and taught their young. Some even wed and gave birth underground, but over 10,000 lost their lives here.

Get in
A multitude of tour buses leave Ho Chi Minh City for the Cu Chi tunnels daily. Expect to pay around US$5 for a half day guided trip (not including admission to the tunnels), with 90 minutes travel and about an hour and a half touring the area. Buses mostly leave around 08:00, so consider a private car if this isn't suitable. Tour operators on Phan Dinh Phung will quote from US$35-50 return by private car, or possibly lower -- don't be afraid to shop around.

If you're making the trip independently, hop on bus 65 from the Ben Thanh bus station. Ask the driver and change to bus 13 after a few stops. The last stop on the route is Cu Chi. Bus fare is 7,000 dong, and the ride is about 1½ hours. When you arrive at the Cu Chi bus station negotiate a motorbike driver for the 20-minute ride for around 100,000 dong return (pay attention as starting price could be 200,000 dong or more). It is also possible to take bus 79. Ask the driver for Cu Chi tunnels, the ride will last about 45 minutes and cost 6,000 dong. The bus will reach a T-junction with Ben Duoc on the left and Ben Dinh on the right. Get off at this point and walk on to Ben Dinh, or stay on the bus as it drives right pass the Ben Duoc entrance. Warning, the buses are sometimes very warm and crowded but manageable.

Admission to the tunnels is 80,000 dong (May 2012), which includes a guide who may or may not speak English well. While friendly, these guides may attempt to rush the tour or distance you from paid guides/groups -- just indicate that you aren't ready to move on yet and take your time if you feel you're being rushed.

There are two locations frequented by tourists:

 * Ben Duoc This is further out from Ho Chi Minh and many local Vietnamese go there. Tour companies can organize a day tour on demand, but you would be better off hiring a motorbike.  Entrance is 80,000 dong and a motorbike should cost about US$1-2 per hour.  The round trip is about 6 hours. A walking tour with tunnels and temple last 1-2 hr. The tunnels feature enlarged tunnel segments for you to crawl through and demos of the sleeping, medical and command quarters underground. The ticket office also features two MIGs.  Some guides here are lethargic and speak little English, but there have been improvements.  There are many dioramas including a mock village.  A starch lunch is served for which a donation box is provided. Bats are also present (see below).
 * Ben Dinh These are the touristed tunnels and you'll be in good company. All the tunnel sections at this site have been specially created for tourists and were never part of the real network.  Bats can be found roosting in some of the tunnels, so if you get bitten or scratched by one, find a hospital quickly as bats may carry rabies.

See
A well defined walking track loops around the area, with things to see spaced at regular intervals, including examples of how people lived and what they ate. There is a 30-m section of tunnel which visitors can crawl through (not recommended for the claustrophobic), examples of traps used during the war, and the remnants of bomb craters.

Do

 * Fire Weapons - Choose between the AK-47, M16, .30 calibre machine gun, M60, M1 carbine, M1 Garand and Russian SKS. Fun, if you can put from your mind the purpose of these guns. In February 2018, firing an AK-47 cost 60,000 dong per bullet. You have to take a minimum of ten bullets, but you can share them among two or three people. You do not have to go the Cu Chi tunnels in order to fire a gun as the range and tunnels are separate. It is outside the Cu Chi complex, by walking it is 2½ km (1½ miles), or take a motorbike.

Buy
There are numerous souvenir shops at the end of the walking track. Given the location there is some focus on war memorabilia, and the traditional Vietnamese souvenirs found elsewhere.

Eat
There are a number of stalls selling food and drinks near the entrance. Mid-way around the walking track is a kiosk/restaurant selling drinks and food and ice-cream at reasonable prices, and at the end there are samples of traditional "Tapiaco (Asian Potato)" to try.

Go next

 * Ho Chi Minh City
 * Tay Ninh, about 2 hr by public bus

title: Cu Chi


text:
Cuckmere Haven

Cuckmere Haven is in the South Downs and East Sussex of England. Cuckmere Haven is an area of flood plains in Sussex, England where the river Cuckmere meets the English Channel between Eastbourne and Brighton. The river is an example of a meandering river, and contains several oxbow lakes. The beach at Cuckmere haven sits next to the famous chalk cliffs, the Seven Sisters.

Understand
The River Cuckmere has been forming the meanders since the last ice age, in the 19th century the meanders were cut off by a canal (for shipping up the river and to lower the risk of flooding). There is a plan to re-instate the meanders to promote the growth of a salt marsh.

History
The first occupiers of the locality was prehistoric man; flint objects such as arrow heads and axes have been found; At about 3,500 BC, a more advanced stone age man started to arrive on the coasts of south east England. Bringing agriculture to the Cuckmere Valley, deforestation happened in the area around Cuckmere Haven, radically changing the areas appearance.

By AD 1000 Exceat village had developed, and was become a thriving settlement, being noted in the Doomsday book; by the 1500s the village was greatly reduced, due to the Black Death and sheep farming on the downs. Smuggling was a bit activity along the coasts of southern England, and Cuckmere haven was no exception, In 1840 the canalised section of the river was constructed by prisoners at Lewes Prison to reduce flooding. The last war involved Cuckmere Haven to a far greater degree than during any previous outbreaks of hostility. During the early part of the war, and extensive network of lights was laid out within the valley. The purpose of these was to give German bomber crews the illusion that they were over the port of Newhaven, around 6 miles (10 km) westwards. Later on pillboxes were constructed (and can still be seen) in the valley to repel any German invasion.

Flora and fauna
Cuckmere Haven is famed for its Saltmarsh environment between the flood bank and the tidal river, a salt marsh has developed which is covered by most tides. The level of the mud is slowly, but constantly rising. At slack water either side of high tide, the suspended silt particles, which have been brought down by the river, sink and are deposited around the roots and stems of salt marsh plants. These are specially adapted to living in a soil with a very high salt concentration and are called halophytes.

The bare mud is first colonised by the fleshy (succulent) green glasswort (Salicornia sp.) but as the level of the mud rises and is covered by water for a shorter time, other plants become established. These include sea purslane (Halimione portulacoides) which has flattened grey-green leaves, sea spurrey (Spergularia media), which may be distinguished from the similar sea blite (Suaeda maritima) when not in flower, by the whitish scale at the base of the leaves, and the red fescue grass (Festuca rubra). Still higher and reached only by the highest tides are the grey-green sea wormwood (Artemesia maritima) and the mauve-flowered sea aster (Aster tripolium). The seed and fruit of these plants are mainly dispersed in sea-water by the movement of the tides.

Public transport
From London Victoria station Take the London – Eastbourne train and change at Lewes for the Seaford train. At Seaford, come out of the station and the bus stop is on the opposite side of the road on the left (next to ‘Flowers’ furniture shop). Take the 12, 12A or 13 bus to Exceat. Or, take the train all the way to Eastbourne, then take the bus from Terminus Road.

From Brighton Take the train to Lewes, then proceed as above or take the 12, 12A or 13 bus from Brighton (the train may be marginally quicker - but more expensive, fares by bus should be about £4 return)

From Eastbourne Take the 12, 12A or 13 bus from the bus stops on Terminus Road (around £3 return), which are outside the Arndale Centre, and just down the road from the train station.

The 13 bus runs on Sundays and Public Holidays only.

Car
Cuckmere Haven is situated on the A259 between Seaford and Eastbourne. From Eastbourne, follow signs for Seaford (A259), and follow the road over the Downs through East Dean down to Cuckmere Haven; but be aware that there can be long queues down to the Haven from the Eastbourne side of the road, due to a one-lane bridge across the river, which gives priority to traffic from the Seaford side. From Seaford, follow signs for Eastbourne (A259), heading east out of the town, down into the valley.

Fees and permits
Entrance is free, but there is a small charge for the Seven Sisters car park, and the Friston Forest car park. You can buy a membership from the Forestry Commission which gives you free parking at several car parks around the area - including the Seven Sisters and Friston Forest car parks - and money off in some places nationally. These can be bought, for £32 for one year, online, or over the phone at +44 300 068 0400.

Get around

 * Foot - slow and steady, there is a metaled path to the beach (although the beach is comprised of cobbles and may not be suitable for all people), alternatively there are paths up into the sides of the valley for the more adventurous; clifftop walks to Beachy Head are also popular.
 * Maps - if you want to walk further around the area, then you should get a map of the area. Ordnance Survey maps are good for this, and can be bought at most UK bookstores, try nearby Seaford or Eastbourne for these shops. For the Cuckmere Haven and surrounding areas, use the OS Explorer OL 25 map, which uses a 1:25000 scale, which gives good detail for walking, or the OS Landranger 199 map which uses a 1:50000 scale, and is better for driving and cycling.
 * Bike - bikes can be rented at Cuckmere Cycle Co there are many different models, also one could cycle in Friston Forest, an area of downland forest behind Cuckmere Haven.
 * Canoe - Canoes can be hired from the Canoe Centre near to Car park, they cannot be landed in the meanders though

See and do
The park is a working farm with grazing sheep and cattle, and therefore you must keep dogs under close control at all times.

Walking
There are two signed walking trails at the park:
 * Park Trail is marked with purple arrowed numbered posts and is 5 km (3 miles) long.
 * Habitat Trail is marked by green arrowed posts and is a 7 km (5 miles) circular trail around the perimeter of the Park.

Both trails begin at the gate opposite the Visitor Centre (opposite the car park and bus stop). After wet weather the path can get muddy and you are advised to wear stout footwear also mobile phones have a tendency to lose signal (although it depends on network)

To purchase a map showing these routes use the Visitor Centre.

There is also an 'easy access trail' for 2 km along the valley floor to the shingle beach and mouth of the river, it provides a view of Seaford Head and is suitable for people with impaired mobility (quite how they would see the view), wheelchairs, mobility scooters and push chairs.

If you wish, you can also walk inland along the river along an unmarked path. To access this route, walk along the road to the side of the bridge furthest from the pub and furthest from the sea, here, there is a gate which leads to a high river bank. You can follow this along the river all the way to the Plough and Harrow Pub in Litlington. This walk is roughly 3.6 km (2¼ miles) long.

Other

 * If you have your own canoe, you can use the meanders for canoeing at any time. However, anyone accessing the meanders by canoe must use the dedicated slipway - this is the only permitted entry and exit point. The banks of the meanders are quite fragile and nesting birds could be disturbed.
 * If you have your own canoe, you can use the meanders for canoeing at any time. However, anyone accessing the meanders by canoe must use the dedicated slipway - this is the only permitted entry and exit point. The banks of the meanders are quite fragile and nesting birds could be disturbed.
 * If you have your own canoe, you can use the meanders for canoeing at any time. However, anyone accessing the meanders by canoe must use the dedicated slipway - this is the only permitted entry and exit point. The banks of the meanders are quite fragile and nesting birds could be disturbed.
 * If you have your own canoe, you can use the meanders for canoeing at any time. However, anyone accessing the meanders by canoe must use the dedicated slipway - this is the only permitted entry and exit point. The banks of the meanders are quite fragile and nesting birds could be disturbed.

Buy
There is a gift shop in the information centre, but apart from this there isn't anywhere to shop. If you really want somewhere to shop, take a short trip to the nearby Seaford.

Sleep
There is limited accommodation in the area, so it's probably best to stay in either Seaford or Eastbourne and then travel to the park. However, if you are planning to walk to the area as part of a school group of organisation like the Scouts, there is a campsite.

Connect
The Visitor Centre is situated in an 18th-century barn, and provides a range of useful information about the Park. There are also displays and exhibitions detailing the history, geology and wildlife of the Park. There is a shop with leaflets, maps, souvenirs and local craft items for sale.

The centre is open Apr-Oct: daily 10:30AM-4:30PM; Nov-Mar: Sa Su only 11AM-4PM.

Stay safe
There's normally someone else walking around, but the area can get foggy (surprisingly quickly) so beware, the beach has some submerged remains (various boats have run aground in the area) and the area can experience strong tides. the cliffs that flank the valley provide a fairly obvious health hazard.

Go next

 * Nearby Newhaven has a ferry service to Dieppe, from where you can explore France and the Continent.
 * There's Brighton to the west and Eastbourne to the east, which is a simple bus journey away (£4.00/2.00 taking about an hour and a half /half an hour). Or, you could take the bus to Seaford, from where you can get the train onwards to Brighton, for trains to Portsmouth and Chichester; or London Victoria for the capital.
 * The South Downs Way passes through the park, from there you could walk to Eastbourne or all the way to Petersfield in Hampshire.
 * Go cycling in nearby Friston Forest.
 * You can walk or cycle up the valley to Alfriston, to see a typical Sussex village.

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

title: Cuckmere Haven


text:
Cuckoo Trail

Cuckoo Trail is an 11-mile (17-km) surfaced track through the East Sussex countryside. It follows the path of the old Tunbridge Wells to Eastbourne railway from Heathfield (although it is possible to cycle to Tunbridge wells from Heathfield using local roads (the route is well signposted).

Understand
The railway line closed to passengers in 1965 and to freight in 1968; along the route there are various station buildings, signals and other infrastructure left behind.

The route also links up with The Forest Way and forms part of the cycle route from London to Paris via Newhaven.

It is so named from the tradition that the first cuckoo in Spring was heard at the Heathfield Fair.

Along the route of the trail are six original sculptures which act as mileposts. In 1993, a dozen wooden benches were installed which had been hand-carved by a local artist from trees felled during the Great Storm of 1987.

Prepare
Have a well-maintained bike and a puncture repair kit; since there are few bike shops and at certain times of the day and certain sections of the route, traffic can be a bit sparse.

Go
The Cuckoo Trail is a safe route for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders of all ages. An extension runs south from Polegate to Hampden Park in Eastbourne forming part of a National Cycle Network route. Benches and picnic tables along the way offer plenty of places to stop for a break. All the towns and villages that the route passes through have at least a pub.

It runs from
 * through:
 * and
 * to
 * and
 * to

Depending on your fitness and speed, cycling it will take about 55 minutes, and walking will take 3 hours 40 minutes. There is a 300-m section in Hailsham on a minor residential road.

Get in

 * Train: Stations at Polegate and Hampden Park.
 * Bus: Eastbourne Bus Service
 * Car parking: at Heathfield, Horam, Hellingly, Hailsham, Polegate and Hampden Park
 * Horsebox parking: Hellingly Cuckoo Trail Car Park
 * Events: Sussex Country Information Centre.

Stay safe

 * Cycle carefully: many people have been hurt by 'speeding' cyclists
 * Avoid walking along the path at night without good lights: many areas of the path have steep sides and are near to roads
 * Keep dogs on leads or at least under control

Sleep
Accommodation: Sussex Country Information Centre

title: Cuckoo Trail


text:
Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong National Park (Vietnamese: Vườn quốc gia Cúc Phương) is in Northern Vietnam, 40 km away from Ninh Binh city. It is Vietnam’s largest national park and one of the most important biodiversity sites in the country. It is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The park can be visited from Hanoi as a day trip or visitors can stay at the park’s lodgings for a longer stay. Visiting the park is a terrific opportunity to get a close look at Vietnam’s nature. Fees generated from tourism help protect the parks wildlife and improve the local economy. The best time of the year to visit the park is during the dry season, from Nov-Feb.

Understand
120 km southwest of Hanoi on 22,200 hectares of rainforest, Cuc Phuong National Park is the centrepiece of Vietnam’s conservation efforts and one of the most accessible parks in the country. Vietnam’s first and largest national park, Cuc Phuong's beauty and a few of its thousands of species of plants and animals can be seen with the help of a park ranger. If you’re not interested in hiking up and down the karst mountains, a good alternative is the easy but rewarding trip to the primate and turtle rehabilitation and breeding centres.

History
In 1960 Cuc Phuong was made into a forest reserve and in 1962 Cuc Phuong National Park was dedicated by Ho Chi Minh, who reminded the Vietnamese people that protecting the environment protects their future. But mankind's relationship with Cuc Phuong began long before Ho's visit. The remains of prehistoric humans dating 7,000-12,000 years ago have been found in the numerous caves in the park. In 1789 the Quen Voi section of the park was the site of a major battle in the civil war between Nguyen Hue and Thanh Long. In the 1980s, conflicts emerged between the government and 2,500 Muong ethnic minority tribesmen who live, farm, and hunt in the park. In 1987, 500 Muong were relocated outside of the park and international conservation groups have worked to eliminate poaching by employing locals in the park and selling Muong handicrafts in gift shops.

Landscape
Cuc Phuong is in the foothills of the northern Annamite Mountains. The park consists of verdant karst mountains and lush valleys. Elevation varies from 150-656 m at the summit of May Bac Mountain, or Silver Cloud Mountain. The limestone formations produced numerous caves, many of which are accessible for exploration.

Flora and fauna
Cuc Phuong is home to a large range of flora and fauna. Inhabitants of the park include 97 species of mammals, most notable are the endangered langurs; 300 species of birds; 36 reptilian species; 17 species of amphibians; 11 species of fish; 2,000 species of vascular plants, and thousands of species of insects, most of which do not bite. A number of species in the park are listed on Vietnam Red Book of endangered species.

Primates in the park include macaques, gibbon, Francois' leaf monkey and slow loris. Other mammals including bats, porcupine, flying squirrel, small striped squirrel, belly-banded squirrel, and the rare giant black squirrel. In the past Asiatic black bears, wild dogs, and tigers have been spotted in Cuc Phuong, but over-hunting and lack of prey have jeopardized the existence of these species within the park. Leopard, clouded leopard, and jungle cat may still stalk prey in Cuc Phuong.

Bird species include bar-backed partridge; scaly-breasted partridge; silver pheasant; red jungle fowl; grey peacock-pheasant; laughing thrushes; red-vented barbet; green-eared barbet; scimitar-billed babblers; brown hawk owl; scarlet minivet; racket-tailed drongos; racket-tailed magpie; white-winged blue magpie. Migrant species include thrushes, flycatchers, tits, finches, pipits amongst others. Hornbills can also be spotted in the forest.

An endemic sub-species of subterranean cave fish is also located in the park.

Mosquitoes and leeches are present in the park, but they are not as bad as you may imagine and repellent keeps at least the mosquitos away.

Flora in the park includes multi-layered canopy with trees up to 70 m in height.; flowers, including orchids; ferns with amazingly tall leaves; and an abundance of lianes and cauliflory. The park also contains plants used as spices and medicines as well as edible fruits, nuts, and shoots.

Climate
The average temperature in Cuc Phuong is 21 °C, with a mean winter temperature of 9 °C. High temperatures can reach above 30 °C and lows are just above 0 °C. At the low elevations in the valley the temperature is hot and humid while at higher elevations the temperature drops and frostbite is a threat. On average it rains more than 200 days a year. The average annual rainfall is 2,100 mm. The dry season is Nov-Feb, the driest months being Dec-Jan.

Visitor information
The Visitor’s Centre at park headquarters is a good place for information about Cuc Phuong.

From Hanoi
Visitors can travel to Cuc Phuong National Park via Hanoi’s Giap Bat Bus Terminal, the city’s southern bus terminal. Hop on a bus going to Nho Quan, the town nearest the park. There are several buses in the morning and afternoon and tickets will cost roughly 50,000 dong. From Nho Quan you can catch a motorcycle taxi to the park headquarters for about 40,000 dong. The total travel time is 2½ to 3½ hours.

An alternative is to book a trip with one of the many travel agencies in Hanoi who can arrange convenient and comfortable, yet pricy, trips to the park.

If you plan on making only a day trip to the park, then it’s best if you go through a travel agency, but if you’re going to stay for one or more nights then the public bus option is viable.

From Ninh Binh city
Park is 40 km away from Ninh Binh, and it takes 1-2 hours to get there due to the road conditions. A motorcycle taxi to the park’s headquarters will cost approximately 100,000 dong and a hired car is 300,000-400,000 dong.

Fees and permits
A permit to enter the park can be purchased at the park headquarters, 40,000 dong adults, 20,000 dong children (2016).

Scooter parking costs 3,000 dong at Park Center.

Get around
Travel within the park can be done on foot or by motorbike, bicycle, or car. A 20-km paved road cuts to heart of the forest and passes a number of paths leading to caves. Bicycles mean less noise, thus you’re more likely to see wildlife.

Bicycles (100,000 dong for the first day, 50,000 dong for the next days) and motorbikes are available for rent at the park headquarters.

National Park Road
Exploration of Cuc Phuong's many limestone caves makes a rewarding excursion. The caves include Thang Khuyet Cave, Con Moong Cave, Pho Ma Cave, Nguoi Xua Cave and the Cave of Prehistoric Man.

Do

 * Bird-watching. Ornithologists flock to Cuc Phuong to catch a glance of silver-pheasants, red-collared woodpeckers, brown hornbills, and bar-bellied pitas and others from among the three hundred species that inhabit the park.
 * Tour guides are available for a reasonable fee and can take you on day or nighttime treks, which is probably the best way to spot Cuc Phuong’s numerous little creatures. Night- spotting trek can be arranged at the park information kiosk, it starts at 18:30, lasts for one hour and costs 400,000 dong for a group of up to 4 people (2016).
 * The park headquarters can also arrange river rafting trips and tours catering to your needs, e.g. caving, insects, reptile and amphibian spotting, biodiversity hotspots, orchid/flower trails, historical relics.

Treks
Dozens of trails cut through the forest and can be used for simple hikes for an hour or two-day treks through the forest. Trekking options include loop trails that take only a few hours of moderate walking to a two-day trek across the park. If you do decide to get off the path and into the brush, make sure you are wearing a long sleeved shirt and long pants. The prickly vines will make mincemeat out of any exposed flesh and the disgusting, yet harmless, leeches will find you to be a quick and easy lunch.

Extensive treks include a 16-km Muong Hamlet trek through primary forest and one night in a traditional stilt house; 20-km camping Jungle trek, which can be further extended by 10 km to include Muong village.

Park headquarters treks

 * Botanical Garden Loop Trail. 3 km, 1½-2 hours, easy.
 * Observation Lookout. 300 m + return, 0.5-1 hour, moderate.

National park road treks

 * Mac lake mountain peak, guide required.
 * Cave of the Prehistoric Man. 300 m, 0.5 - 1 hour, easy.
 * Fossil and Ancient Tree Loop Trail. 9-km loop trail, 3 - 4 hours, moderate, guide required.

Park Center treks

 * Thousand Year Old Tree Loop Trail and Palace Cave. 7-km loop trail, 2-3 hours, moderate. A well-established trail.
 * Ancient Tree. 3 km + return, 1½-2 hours, a paved easy path.
 * Climb to Cuc Phuong's tallest peak - Silver Cloudy Peak.
 * Ngan Hang cave. An easy path, 2 – 3 hours, guide required.
 * Muong village. An easy path, 1 – 2 days, guide required.

Buy
Gift shops are located at the park headquarters and the lodging in the heart of the forest. A wide selection of T-shirts and woodcarvings by the local Muong minority are available for sale. Proceeds go to support the park and ethnic minority Muong who live in the park.

Grocery shops can be found just outside the park entrance, as well as 2-3 km before the park in the village. They sell snacks, drinks, diary products, fruits and vegetables.

Eat & drink

 * There are 3 restaurants inside the park, they all tend to be located near lodging sites: at the park headquarters, near Mac lake and at the Park center. All serve basic Vietnamese dishes, nothing fancy. Meals cost 30,000-50,000 dong. Drinks, beers are also available.

If you bring food into the park just remember to properly dispose of any plastic wrappings, bottles, and cans.

Lodging
There are a few guesthouses on the way to the National Park (about 2-3 km before the park entrance), there is even Cuc Phuong Villas. However, they are all located outside of the park. And if you want to stay inside, park has 3 places with accommodation which are located at the Park Headquarter, Mac lake and Park Center. Fees (with guides and transportation, if they organised it, are paid at checkout).

Camping
Check at park headquarters for camping options.

Backcountry
Home stays in the Muong village deep in the forest are available for those who are making two day treks across Cuc Phuong.

Go next

 * Ha Long Bay - famous for its unearthly scenery.
 * Hanoi - the capital of Vietnam.
 * Ninh Binh - with famous Tam Coc and Trang An areas nearby

title: Cuc Phuong National Park


text:
Cuddalore

Cuddalore (கடலூர் Kaṭalur) is a town at the north coast of Tamil Nadu. Cuddalore is a beautiful town located along the Bay of Bengal which is home to the famous Silver Beach.

By car
Cuddalore is also known as Thiruppadhirippuliyur or Tiruppappuliyur colloquially. It is located 190 km south of Chennai and is well-connected by road, via ECR (East Coast Road), 3hrs 30 mins, or by Pass [Via Tindivanam, Puducherry], 4hrs 30mins.

By bus
You can reach Cuddalore from Chennai by State buses or private transport. Takes about 4 hours via the ECR route. It will be time-consuming if you take a bus through a bypass.

See
the bus stand.
 * Hayagrivar Sannadhi - located in a small hillock nearby, this temple is well-known.
 * Hayagrivar Sannadhi - located in a small hillock nearby, this temple is well-known.
 * Hayagrivar Sannadhi - located in a small hillock nearby, this temple is well-known.
 * Silver Beach - 2nd largest beach in Asia.
 * Sri Devanathan - Five kilometres from the main bus stand is the town Thiruvahindrapuram where this famous Vaishnavite temple is located.
 * Thiruvanthipuram Temple - Next famous to Tirupathi temple. Thiruvahindrapuram is one of the famous 108 Vaishnavite temples in India. There is also a temple for Veera Anjaneyar very close to
 * Sri Devanathan - Five kilometres from the main bus stand is the town Thiruvahindrapuram where this famous Vaishnavite temple is located.
 * Thiruvanthipuram Temple - Next famous to Tirupathi temple. Thiruvahindrapuram is one of the famous 108 Vaishnavite temples in India. There is also a temple for Veera Anjaneyar very close to

Do

 * Visit these temples and you can also go to the beautiful and serene beach at Thevanampattinam, 4 km away. Near Cuddalore Old Town you can also find a minor port. There is a fishing harbour in Old Town.
 * Don't miss the "Paadaleswarar Temple", "Devanadha Swamy Temple" and "Sri Veera Anjaneya Swami" Temple - near to Bus stand and railway station - Thirupapuliyur. Also You can visit the " Sri Pidari Amman Temple" adjacent to the Brahannayaki Temple - Both these 2 temples are very close to the bus stand / Railway Station.
 * The beautiful Manavala Mamunigal sannidhi is located in Thiruvaheendrapuram.

Buy
You can buy good variety of Clay dolls for Navarathri from nearby place Vandipalayam (about 2 km). Also, there is a town called Panruti, 21 km from here, which is famous for its Palaa Pazham (Jack fruit), Cashew nuts, and ground nuts. On the way from Cuddalore to Panruti you can find a place called Thiruvathigai where a famous Shiva temple is located. There is a famous farm in Palur near Panruti where you can get all kinds of plants. Agriculture research is also being carried out in Palur farm. Panruti dolls are also famous. This town is easily accessible by frequent local buses.

Eat
A good number of hotels and lodges are here. South Indian and North Indian food are available in these hotels.

There are good number of hotels available near Cuddalore Bus Stand and the Railway station. Cuddalore is one of the places where you can get the authentic South Indian food.

Be warned : All the hotels serve full meals only till 4 PM ! You can not get tiffin like Idli, dosai etc till after 4-30 PM

Drink
You can find soo many TASMAC in and around Cuddalore. Puducherry is very near to Cuddalore.

Sleep
You can find Nice Hotels in the Cuddalore to have sound sleep.

Go next
The entire visit may take about 10 - 12 hours and then you can leave for Puducherry, 18 km from here, of the erstwhile French territory; or to Chidambaram another town 50 km away famous for its Nataraja Temple.

title: Cuddalore


text:
Kadapa

Kadapa, also called Cuddapah, is a city of 345,000 people (2011) in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India, 261 km from Chennai.

Understand
The city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamala and Palkonda Hills lying on the tectonic landscape between the Eastern and Western ghats. The city is nicknamed "Gadapa" ('threshold') since it is the gateway from the west to the hills of Tirumala.

The economy of city is largely based on agricultural crops like ground nut, cotton, red gram, and Bengal gram. Tee is also mining.

Telugu and Urdu are the official languages in the city. Hindi is also spoken in many areas of the city among North Indian traders. English is also gaining popularity. Urdu is spoken throughout the city, especially by its large Muslim population.

Climate
Summers are especially uncomfortable with hot and humid conditions. During this time temperatures range from a minimum of 26 °C and can rise up to a maximum of 46 °C (115 °F). Humidity is around 75% during the summer months. The monsoon season brings substantial rain to the area, and Kadapa gets some rainfall from both the southwest monsoon and the northeast monsoon. About 615 millimetres (24 inches )of the average total annual rainfall of around 770 millimetres occurs between June and October.

Winters are comparatively milder and the temperatures are lower after the onset of the monsoons. During this time the temperatures range from a maximum of 25 °C and can rise up to a maximum of 35 °C (95 °F). Humidity is much lower during the winter season, which is the best time to visit the area.

Get in

Kadapa has good road connectivity to the other major places like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Nellore, Kurnool.

APSRTC provides bus services from various destinations of the Kadapa district and other cities across South India.

Kadapa has its a railway station on the Mumbai–Chennai line which is one of the busiest lines in the south coast region. A new railway line Kadapa–Bangalore section is under construction stage.

See
Shilparamam is a crafts village in the outskirts of Kadapa.

Eat
Kadapa is well known for its spicy food which is very similar to the South Indian food. Karam dosa is one of the favourite items of Kadapa citizens. People have dosa, idly, sambar and chutney in their breakfast. Rice, daal and curry is usually served as lunch. Most of the restaurants serve South Indian thali including these dishes in their lunch and dinner menu. Although it has a South Indian touch in its dishes it also has a diverse variety of its own which include Ragi Sangati or Ragi Mudda, Boti Curry, Natukodi Chicken, and Paya Curry. Ragi sangati with chicken curry is the staple food in Kadapa and is also one of the most famous dishes in the city. Many other varieties of dishes can also be found in the local restaurants.

Good food at Vishnu Priya Hotel

Sleep
Hotel Sandeep Opp to Bus Stand

Hotel Haritha

Hotel Ashoka

Go next

 * Karnataka
 * Bangalore
 * Mantralayam

title: Kadapa


text:
Cuenca (Ecuador)

Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. The city is located in a highland valley at about 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level, and is home to 518,000 people according to the 2010 census. Its moderate climate makes it enjoyable year round. The center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site site because of its many historical buildings. Everywhere you look in Cuenca, there are flowers, blooming trees, grass and rushing waters.

Cuenca is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with passes to the west, south and east. From downtown, looking southwest, you can see the beautiful Cajas mountains; the majority of this area is protected by the large Cajas National Park (Parque Nacional Cajas), well worth the trip.

The city is cleaner and safer than most large cities in developing countries and there are claims it has purer water than most U.S. and European cities. Unlike other cities in Ecuador, the drinking water is OK to consume. From 2010 to 2013 the government utility agency, ETAPA, built new water and sewage mains covering 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres).

The Cuenca city government has hired a Spanish urban planning company to design 80 km of bicycle trails that will be constructed throughout the city of Cuenca. These trails are in addition to the trails that already follow several of the rivers that run through Cuenca.

Understand
Cuenca's full name is Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca. The dominant features of the city's geography are also the source of its name; In Spanish cuatro rios means "four rivers" and cuenca means "basin", and the city is in a basin made by a confluence of rivers. These rivers are the Tomebamba (named after the Cañari culture), Yanuncay, Tarqui and Machangara, in order of importance. The first three of these rivers originate in the Páramo of Parque Nacional Cajas to the west of the city. These four rivers are part of the Amazon river watershed. In fact, the locals are very proud of their rivers.

Cuenca is a city whose culture encompasses over 100 years or more at the same time. While walking in Cuenca, you will see modern buildings, use high-speed internet and wireless communications while seeing natives washing their clothes in the river while talking on cell phones. You will see many modern vehicles while seeing people move their cows, horses and donkeys to graze along the rivers and parks. In around the markets, you will see people milking their goats and others hauling milk into town on a donkey. This is the charm of Cuenca, a culture that encapsulates traditions and practices of many decades.

A tram line, Tranvía, has been in operation since March 2020, along one line with 27 stops.

Cuenca is a very walkable city. Over the past year, the city has been upgrading miles of sidewalks which is making the city even more pedestrian friendly. Just watch for the drivers, because they will not watch for you. The Ecuadorian government is working on slowing down traffic, but this will take some time and education.

By plane

Be mindful that, unless you are already in Quito or Guayaquil, flying to Cuenca will likely require multiple layovers. If connecting through Quito or Guayaquil, you may have to go through customs then re-enter through security. Make sure you have enough time between flights to make your connections.

A taxi from the Cuenca airport to the center of the city is approximately US$2–3. The Tranvía, Cuenca's tramway line, also connects the airport with the city center. As of December 2023, a ticket on the Tranvia costs US$1.

By bus or car
Cuenca lies on the Pan-American highway. Buses offer connections to many cities in Ecuador. The bus system in Ecuador is well developed. Buses can be obtained every one or two hours during the day.

Loja for connections to Vilcabamba (4½-7 hr, $7.5). The Viajeros buses to Loja do not have a working bathroom and they can take up to 7 hours (you maybe told that it will take 4 hours and that it only make one stop, but it may stop more than 50 times).

San Luis buses run from Cuenca to Loja using the national park route and take 4½ hours, $8. Departures at 07:45, 11:00, 16:00, 19:30 and 24:00. There is a working toilet.

 * To Alausi: 4 hours (Transportes Alausi)
 * To Riobamba: 6 hours (Patria)
 * To Piura, Peru: There is a service to Piura leaving at 19:30, 21:00 and 23:00. This is a partnership between two companies, Pullman Sucre and CIFA International.  It is necessary to change bus at either Machala or Huaquillas.  The 19:30 and 23:00 services connect to a special sleeper seat service.  The price is $12–15 depending on the class of service. It is a good idea to purchase your ticket a day in advance as it is not unusual for them to book out.
 * To Tumbes, Peru: Azuay has one bus a day from Tumbes to Cuenca at 21:00 that arrives in Tumbes at 03:00 or so. Pullman Sucre no longer runs this route, despite what the schedule on their website says (Feb 2018). You may prefer to take one of several buses a day offered by Pullman Sucre or by Azuay ($8, Feb 2018) bus to Huaquillas (Ecuador), and take a bus or taxi for the remaining 30-min drive to Tumbes.

A yellow taxi to the joint Ecuador-Peru "Migraciones" building is $5, and a white Peruvian taxi from there to Tumbes is a fixed rate of US$10 or S/33 (Feb 2018) -- the drivers take either currency, regardless of what you might be told by a taxi driver from Huaquillas who will offer you soles at a rip-off exchange rate.

There is a $0.10 departure fee for leaving from the bus terminal, which you pay at a machine before you can access the platform.

Get around
Cuenca's tourism office, iTur, is on the main plaza (Parque Calderón) and has lots of helpful maps and brochures to guide you during your visit in and around the city. (M-F 08:00–22:00, Sa Su 08:30–13:30 Mariscal Sucre, between Luis Cordero and Benigno Malo. +593 7-282-1035, itur@cuenca.com.ec). There is also a satellite iTur office in the airport (M-W 07:30–11:00, 14:00–15:30 and 17:00–19:00, Th F 07:30–11:00, 14:00–15:30, 16:30–19:00, Sa 08:00–12:00. +593 7-286-2203, ext 162).

Central Cuenca is easily walkable, and it is often faster than taking a cab through the narrow traffic-jammed lanes.

Cabs are readily available and charge $1.50–3 per trip. The fee should be negotiated before entering the car. Some taxis make use of taxi-meters.

City buses are also fairly easy to figure out. Most bus stops are marked. The cost is $0.25 per ride (exact change is required as you put coins into a machine, there is no fare collector on the bus) (July 2017). You can buy an SIT card for $1.75 at any shop that offers SIT recargas. You can find a guide to using the City buses, as well as maps of the routes and an online trip planner at CuencaTransit.com.

See

 * The New Cathedral (c 1885). [[Image:New_Cathedral2.jpg|thumb|right|New Cathedral]] Looming over the main plaza is the city's main church, with its famous 3 large domes. Spot the vertical crack in the building between the statue and the rosette. For $3.00 you can climb to the rooftop terrace, the entrance is from Santa Ana street (it only costs $1.00 if you enter it as part of the free walking tour).
 * Seminario San Luis. Two small but cute courtyards adjacent to the cathedral, they can be accessed from Santa Ana street or from Parque Calderón / Benigno Malo. Both offer beautiful views of the domes of the New Cathedral. There is a few restaurants and coffee shops there, a very nice scenery to enjoy your meal.
 * El Sagrario (the "old cathedral"). Construction began in 1557. It's no longer in use as a church, and is now a museum. A restoration project has been completed and the original paint and old murals can now be seen in certain sections. $2.
 * Christmas Parade (Pase del Niño Viajero) — On 24 December, Cuenca offers a magnificent parade, considered to be the largest and best Christmas celebration in Ecuador and even South America. The procession begins at 10:00 at San Sebastian, goes along Simón Bolivar street, Plaza Calderón and ends up in San Blas. Thousands of musicians accompany the procession and every neighborhood decorates trucks, horses and whatever they can find with plenty of symbols. Children dress up in colorful costumes or as biblical figures. The parade last for at least 7 hours. During the parade, you will see thousands of people dressed up as Joseph, Mary, the three Wise Men, angels, etc. This is truly a sight to see.
 * Festival de Independencia — The independence of Cuenca is celebrated with a huge festival that lasts twice as long as the battle did. Each year it begins the first few days of November and lasts for three to four days. There are hundreds of art displays, craft booths, roving entertainment, street food, and general festivities. Artisans from all over Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia display and sell their works. During this time, there are also many stages with bands and performers. On the north side of the river, at the bottom of the Escalinatas, the grounds of the art museum CIDAP host much more elaborate display booths than those that crowd the sidewalks. A little farther up the river, at La Esquina des Artes across from the University of Cuenca, there are several artists, and a few vendors sell gourmet food products. La Esquina des Artes is an area of permanent shops of artists and artisans.
 * Christmas Parade (Pase del Niño Viajero) — On 24 December, Cuenca offers a magnificent parade, considered to be the largest and best Christmas celebration in Ecuador and even South America. The procession begins at 10:00 at San Sebastian, goes along Simón Bolivar street, Plaza Calderón and ends up in San Blas. Thousands of musicians accompany the procession and every neighborhood decorates trucks, horses and whatever they can find with plenty of symbols. Children dress up in colorful costumes or as biblical figures. The parade last for at least 7 hours. During the parade, you will see thousands of people dressed up as Joseph, Mary, the three Wise Men, angels, etc. This is truly a sight to see.
 * Festival de Independencia — The independence of Cuenca is celebrated with a huge festival that lasts twice as long as the battle did. Each year it begins the first few days of November and lasts for three to four days. There are hundreds of art displays, craft booths, roving entertainment, street food, and general festivities. Artisans from all over Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia display and sell their works. During this time, there are also many stages with bands and performers. On the north side of the river, at the bottom of the Escalinatas, the grounds of the art museum CIDAP host much more elaborate display booths than those that crowd the sidewalks. A little farther up the river, at La Esquina des Artes across from the University of Cuenca, there are several artists, and a few vendors sell gourmet food products. La Esquina des Artes is an area of permanent shops of artists and artisans.
 * Festival de Independencia — The independence of Cuenca is celebrated with a huge festival that lasts twice as long as the battle did. Each year it begins the first few days of November and lasts for three to four days. There are hundreds of art displays, craft booths, roving entertainment, street food, and general festivities. Artisans from all over Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia display and sell their works. During this time, there are also many stages with bands and performers. On the north side of the river, at the bottom of the Escalinatas, the grounds of the art museum CIDAP host much more elaborate display booths than those that crowd the sidewalks. A little farther up the river, at La Esquina des Artes across from the University of Cuenca, there are several artists, and a few vendors sell gourmet food products. La Esquina des Artes is an area of permanent shops of artists and artisans.

Outside of Cuenca

 * Devil’s Nose train leaves from Alausi, about 2½ hours from Cuenca. It is considered one of the world’s best railway engineering feats. This scenic railway travels over a series of switchbacks as it zigzags down the steep mountainside passing small villages and Andean lakes along the way. As of March 2022, the train remains shut down due to continuing COVID restrictions. There is a hiking trail nearby that offers a view of the train's route. Contact local tour companies for further information and assistance.
 * Hot springs and spa in Cuenca — On the outskirts of Cuenca, about a 15-minute bus ride from Coral Centro on Las Americas, 40 minutes from downtown, is a quaint little town called Baños de Cuenca (not to be confused with Baños, nearer Quito.) Baños de Cuenca is right below a mountain where natural warm mineral water flows into the valley. The people of this quiet little town took advantage of this natural resource and created three different mineral spring parks where one can go and bathe in the mineral pools. Two of these mineral springs are geared for families with small children, $8 per day per person. Piedra de Agua Mineral Springs & Spa, a beautiful resort with restaurant, is in the same area. Admission is $10 to spend the whole day in these mineral pools, $20 extra for the spa. Sunscreen can be handy as the pools are outdoor.
 * Hot springs and spa in Cuenca — On the outskirts of Cuenca, about a 15-minute bus ride from Coral Centro on Las Americas, 40 minutes from downtown, is a quaint little town called Baños de Cuenca (not to be confused with Baños, nearer Quito.) Baños de Cuenca is right below a mountain where natural warm mineral water flows into the valley. The people of this quiet little town took advantage of this natural resource and created three different mineral spring parks where one can go and bathe in the mineral pools. Two of these mineral springs are geared for families with small children, $8 per day per person. Piedra de Agua Mineral Springs & Spa, a beautiful resort with restaurant, is in the same area. Admission is $10 to spend the whole day in these mineral pools, $20 extra for the spa. Sunscreen can be handy as the pools are outdoor.

Learn

 * Learn Spanish. There are many language schools for foreign visitors in Cuenca.

Buy

 * Flowers at the flower market on Calle Sucre across from the new cathedral. Continue on about a block from there to get to the clothing and artesan market where one can also find knit crafts from Otavalo. Lovely handmade ruanas, sweaters, hats, mittens, and finger puppets are also available here.
 * Inside the yellow CemuArt building across from the police station at the market other artisans have booths with beautiful embroidery, metal, wood and leather work, Panama hats, musical instruments, knit goods, jewelry and other handicrafts.

Eat

Mid-range

 * Hotel Inca Real: Charming heritage site at General Torres 8-40 between Sucre and Bolivar, behind the new cathedral. Most rooms are large, and all are quiet. All room windows open onto interior courtyards. Three colonial houses joined into one charming hotel. There are three interior courtyards. The first is the hotel lobby and breakfast room, the second has a lovely fountain, and the third is a quiet hideaway. +593 7-2823-636.  $45.14 for two people, including tax and breakfast.
 * Hotel Inca Real: Charming heritage site at General Torres 8-40 between Sucre and Bolivar, behind the new cathedral. Most rooms are large, and all are quiet. All room windows open onto interior courtyards. Three colonial houses joined into one charming hotel. There are three interior courtyards. The first is the hotel lobby and breakfast room, the second has a lovely fountain, and the third is a quiet hideaway. +593 7-2823-636.  $45.14 for two people, including tax and breakfast.
 * Hotel Inca Real: Charming heritage site at General Torres 8-40 between Sucre and Bolivar, behind the new cathedral. Most rooms are large, and all are quiet. All room windows open onto interior courtyards. Three colonial houses joined into one charming hotel. There are three interior courtyards. The first is the hotel lobby and breakfast room, the second has a lovely fountain, and the third is a quiet hideaway. +593 7-2823-636.  $45.14 for two people, including tax and breakfast.
 * Hotel Inca Real: Charming heritage site at General Torres 8-40 between Sucre and Bolivar, behind the new cathedral. Most rooms are large, and all are quiet. All room windows open onto interior courtyards. Three colonial houses joined into one charming hotel. There are three interior courtyards. The first is the hotel lobby and breakfast room, the second has a lovely fountain, and the third is a quiet hideaway. +593 7-2823-636.  $45.14 for two people, including tax and breakfast.

Go next
Cajas National Park: Approximately a 1-hour drive outside Cuenca you will find this national park with beautiful lagoons. It is free to enter and you will be asked to check in at the front office, requiring your passport. There are restrooms and a cafeteria at the park entrance as well. Hiking, camping, and fishing are popular activities. You can reach Cajas by bus (leaving from Terminal Terrestre) or you can arrange a cab. It can take some time to return as you'll have to wait for a bus or cab.

There are several hiking routes through Cajas. "Route 1" is the shortest (approximately 3 miles) and is a good day hike, taking you past several lagoons and inside a stunning forest of "paper trees." Route 1 does not require any technical climbing, but it has lengthy uphill sections and can be physically challenging. Depending on your fitness and pace, route 1 can take 2-4 hours.

Due to the high altitude, Cajas can be much colder than lower-elevation areas, so bring warm layers. If you are unused to the altitude, go slowly and rest as needed. Inexperienced hikers should consider going with a guide or requesting a guide at the park entrance as it is possible to get lost.

Sigsig and Chordeleg: Lovely towns about an hour outside of Cuenca. The landscape during the bus ride is quite scenic. Chordeleg is known for its silver and gold and is a pleasant town to walk around in. Sig Sig is known for a co-op of women who weave 'sombrero de paja toquilla' aka 'Panama Hats' or 'Montecristi'. There is a beautiful river to sit by and a market to visit.

Onward towards Peru: Many travellers find themselves in Cuenca as their last stop in Ecuador before heading to Peru. The fastest way to get to Peru is via Huaquillas and into Tumbes. At Cuenca's Terminal Terrestre there is a company called Pullman Sucre that will sell you a ticket to Tumbes, Mancora or Piura. The journey is fairly simple and involves the following: First 5 or so hours on a Pullman bus until Huaquillas where the bus will stop by the highway at the Ecuadorian immigration point to get your exit stamp. Since this is the end of the journey on the first bus you will have to wait for the CIFA bus to arrive and pick you up. The CIFA bus will head through Aguas Verdes and onto the Peruvian immigration point to get the entry stamp and then head onward towards for another 30–40 min to Tumbes.

title: Cuenca (Ecuador)


text:
Cuenca (Spain)

Cuenca is a town in the Castile-La Mancha region of Spain. Its walled town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The old town is an outstanding example of a medieval city, built on the steep sides of a mountain. The many casas colgadas ("hanging houses") are built right up to the cliff edge, making Cuenca one of the most striking towns in Spain.

Understand
Cuenca is found between Madrid and Valencia, in the third least populated region in Europe. It was home to about 55,000 people in 2018.

Cuenca sits across a steep spur, whose slopes descend into deep gorges of the Júcar and Huécar rivers. It is divided into two separate settlements: the "new" city is situated south-west of the old one, which is divided by the Huécar course.

Climate
Winters are relatively cold, but summers are quite hot during the day with occasional cool nights. Spring and autumn seasons are short, with pleasant temperatures during the day but with rather cold nights due to its altitude from 956 m (3,136 ft) above sea level up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft) in the old town.

By train
There are 2 railway stations in Cuenca. "Traditional" regional trains arrive to the "Estación de Cuenca" (~2 hr 50 min from Madrid) at the town centre. While "modern" AVE (55 min from Madrid), Alvia and Itercity (~1 hr 10 min from Madrid) trains stop at the "Estación de Cuenca-Fernando Zóbel" 5 km from the town centre.

By bus
There is a coach station called Cuenca bus station in the centre of Cuenca that travels to nearby cities. Travel time to Madrid is approximately 2 hours and it is about the same travel time to Valencia, costing around.

By car
Distances to Cuenca: Madrid 165 km (1 hr 30 min), Albacete 145 km, Toledo 185 km, Valencia 210 km

Get around
Its best to go by car, but if you don't mind walking there is much that can been seen and done in the centre of town.

Do
See the hanging houses by the tourist train that leaves from the Cuenca tourist office on the hour every half an hour. If you have a car you can drive to some beautiful waterfalls in another part of Cuenca.

Buy
Because of the museum and because the town is a popular place for visitors from Madrid, Cuenca has a fine collection of small art galleries. You can collect Cuenca souvenirs in the tourist centre near town.

Eat
Most of the best restaurants are down below in the newer part of town, which is far less picturesque.

Alaju, Morteruelo, Ajo Arriero, Zarajos are the most typical foods

Drink
There are some lovely outdoor pubs in the old city of Cuenca. And a more trendy street in the center of town, filled with 10 to 15 clubs. There is also a massive square near this street where people hang out drinking alcohol with friends.

A high-alcohol-content liqueur named Resoli is a coffee-, anise- and orange-flavoured liqueur.

Sleep
Cuenca is a popular weekend destination, for lovers, artists and romantic people, so hotels are often less crowded during the week.

There is a hotel in the centre of town, its sign can be seen from far around Cuenca in all directions. If in doubt ask at the tourist office.

There are some cheap hostels in town.

Both are near the town center.

In old town

title: Cuenca (Spain)


text:
Cuernavaca

Cuernavaca, City of Eternal Spring, is the capital of the Mexican state of Morelos. A popular vacation place due to its comfortable year-round climate, beautiful parks and gardens, and its convenient location within the country. This state capital comes to life on weekends, where local life is combined with the presence of the floating population that comes, mostly, from Mexico City. It's also home to many foreign people who come to learn Spanish, and most young people will have a fairly big understanding of English because of this.

Understand
It is a city of 365,000 (820,000 metropolitan area) people 84 km (52 miles) south of Mexico City.

Be prepared for many micro-climates inside the city and surroundings, where there have been variations of up to 10°C in less than a 8 km radius; while the lower zones can have very humid weather, the northern forest area will most certainly be cold by night.

The heart of the city is the central plaza and palace. Each night of the week you can enjoy dancers, musicians, acrobats and a lot of locals who use the plaza both by day and night as a place to hang out, meet friends and be entertained by many local artists and entertainers. The square and adjacent area is full of street vendors selling everything from bead work to maize on a stick and tacos.

Get in
Getting to Cuernavaca is fairly easy but beware the traffic in the Mexico-Cuernavaca-Acapulco tollway on Friday (from Mexico City to Cuernavaca) and Sunday afternoons (from Cuernavaca to Mexico City). Many visitors tend to travel those days and you might spend more than 2 hours on the road. Plan accordingly or choose other days for your travelling.

By car

 * Take the Mexico-Acapulco tollway south from Mexico City for an hour and a half to two hours from the international airport. The toll road costs M$103 (pesos) or there is a free road which is very well maintained and is primarily single-laned. Normally it takes 20 minutes more traveling by this route.

By bus

 * Several bus companies operate routes to Cuernavaca. Buses run from Mexico City's Terminal de Autobuses del Sur, near Taxqueña metro station, limited runs operate from Terminal de Autobuses del Norte bus station and from Mexico City Airport´s both terminals (Pullman de Morelos to Casino de la Selva Terminal in Cuernavaca). It is also possible to catch a bus 1 km before the toll plaza at the south on the Highway to Cuernavaca. Buses run on average every 20 minutes and tickets cost around M$130 or M$235 from the airport. Pullman de Morelos runs the most frequent routes. Buses are modern and safe and come equipped with air conditioning, toilets, and a movie during the trip. When there is no traffic the trip takes around 75 minutes from Terminal de Autobuses del Sur, or about 2 hours from the airport. Once within Cuernavaca, the bus will drop you off in a few places along the route, except the one from the airport that is non-stop, It's called Ejecutivo Dorado.

By plane
The nearest major airport is in Mexico City.

Get around
Buses cover most of the city and surrounding areas and cost M$8 per trip, more for longer distances. These are not particularly comfortable, but are relatively safe and regularly used by the many foreign language students in the city. Alternatively, there are many taxis which can be hailed on the street or ordered by phone or board them at base stations. There are several radio taxis and there is Uber service. Radio taxis are safer if you call (as opposed to hailing) them, as a record of your pick-up is registered by a dispatcher. Independent taxis lack this documentation and are slightly more risky. Taxis in Cuernavaca do not have meters and prices need to be arranged before getting in the taxi. Most destinations during the day will cost M$35-55. At night prices sky-rocket (double) and trying to get a taxi in the early hours of the morning will often cost substantially more. Try and get some idea of how much a trip will cost from locals beforehand. Once you get an idea of the prices you will be able to haggle and bring them down to reasonable fares.

Do
Cuernavaca has many local and nearby tourist attractions. Water parks are very popular and range from basic water holes such as "Las Huertas" with thermal waters, natural rivers as "Las Estacas" and large, multi-facility parks as "El Rollo" and "Six Flags Oaxtepec." You may also camp in many parks some of which feature other services such as hot baths, cabins and restaurants. About 16 km (10 miles) south of the city is Xochicalco, a large, beautiful and well-restored archeological site; other archaeological sites are in Coatetelco and Chalcatzingo. The nearby Tepozteco mountains and the village of Tepoztlan are very popular destinations for locals and tourists with attractions that include a 16th-century Dominican convent, museum, many restaurants and handicrafts. Fourteen 16th-century monasteries in Morelos have been declared World Heritage Sites, including those in Tlayacapan, Yecapiztla, Atlatlahucan, Tetela del Volcán, Hueyapan, and Ocuituco. Most were damaged during the 2017 earthquake and are closed to the public (March 2019), but visitors can appreciate the main features such as the facade, chapels, and atrium, as well as local food (cecina in Yecapixtla) and handicrafts (black pottery in Tlayacapan).

Cuautla is 55 km east of Cuernavaca. This city was the site of a major battle in 1812, during the War of Independence; the hero of the battle was Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, who gave his name to the state. Not far from there, in Ayala, one can visit Anneculco and Chinameca, where Revolutionary General Emiliano Zapata was born and assassinated (1919).

There are several former haciendas in the area, many of which have been converted to hotels and/or restaurants. Ex-hacienda de Cortes, is on the south side of Cuernavaca in the suburban municipality of Jiutepec.

Also worth visiting in Jiutepec is the hotel/restaurant Sumiya, built by Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton as a home in the 1930s. This is a replica of a Japanese Tea House. There are also some interesting colonial era churches, most notably Parroquia Santiago Apóstol, which dates from the 16th century. Unfortunately, the church suffered damage in a 2017 earthquake and has been closed for renovations since.

The south side of Cuernavaca is also where you'll find the suburban municipality of Temixco. The Hacienda de Temixco is a beautifully maintained 17th century hacienda that is used for weddings and social functions. It's not open to the public tours, but you may want to walk by for some photos. There are also some spas and waterparks in Temixco, and it's the part of Cuernavaca where the city's airport is located.

Also only in season (check to see if it is available) is Rafting at the Amacuzac River with class III & IV white water rapids operated  by [Raft Mexico Home Page: http://www.raftmexico.mx Raft Mexico] - Plaza Dafne, Av. Morelos Sur #1602 int 8, Col. Chipitlan, Cuernavaca Tel. +52 777 127 7165 and 01 800 728 4312.

Learn
Cuernavaca is a major center for study abroad students from around the world studying Spanish. Excellent schools are plentiful throughout the city.

Buy

 * Palacio de Cortes Handicraft Market. To one side of the Palacio de Cortés is a market selling a variety of Mexican souvenirs, particularly silver from Taxco. Among the cheap souvenirs aimed at tourists there are some pleasant items to take home with you.

 * Galerías Cuernavaca is a mall, just off the motorway, that offers a variety of shops, restaurants and a cinema and is proving popular and is often very busy.

 * Plaza Cuernavaca on Plan de Ayala Street is an open-air mall is that is still going strong and has a variety of shops, restaurants, and a cinema.

 * Averanda is the newest modern mall, opened in 2018. It is located next to the freeway, near Galerias.

Eat
Cuernavaca isn't particularly known for seafood, but you might try Tia Lucha on Rio Mayo in Vista Hermosa or in Polvorin. Los Delfines is also popular.

Budget
All these are in the city center:

Tacos
If you are looking for a true Mexican meal be sure to try tacos where the locals eat them. Try the calle de los tacos (street of tacos), Nueva Inglaterra. This street is lined with taquerias with Grano del Oro being particularly good. On Plan de Ayala try the tacos at Los Orientales or have a torta (sandwich) at La Cubana. La Princesa has two locations on Teopanzolco plus a location within Plaza Cuernavaca and one near the village of Parres close to Mision del Sol and Camino Real Sumiya. A taco al Pastor (pork) will cost between M$3 and $8. Traditional Tacos accorizados, which are large tacos served with chicken or beef and rice, are offered at a number of family restaurants.

Pozole
Pozole is a rich broth with meat, corn, and other vegetables. Pozolería El Barco, one block away from the cathedral, serves very good green pozole (with pipián sauce). Try their tostadas de pata as well (crispy tortillas topped with pickled pig's feet).

Splurge
The center of town has some excellent restaurants. Las Mañanitas is a Relais & Chateaux hotel with excellent if somewhat dated cuisine on a menu that never changes. Famous for its large garden with free-roaming peacocks and other large birds, Las Mañanitas is well worth a visit for cocktails or a meal. On the main square facing the Palacio de Cortes is Casa Hidalgo also serving excellent food. These restaurants serve a variety of dishes consisting of traditional Mexican and international fare. Trattoria Marco Polo, across the street from the cathedral, serves good Italian food and pizza. For about US$60, Marco Polo offers a very large pizza (about 1 m/3 feet wide) loaded with everything. Definitely not something would find in Italy, it is, however, a sight to see and excellent to try if you are eating with a large group there. El Faisan on Emiliano Zapata and on Rio Mayo is another excellent high-end restaurant featuring Yucatecan food that is worthwhile visiting when in Cuernavaca. La Provence in a boutique hotel of the same name a short distance south of the zocolo is Cuernavaca's leading French restaurant.

In the downtown 30 m down the street Calle Fray Bart De Las Casas from Plazuela del Zacate, on the right hand side on corner, there is a small nameless place with open grill that has indescribably delicious arrachera and tortas/hamburguesas. M$135 for arrachera as of March 2011. For the best hamburgers in town, however, you'll need to go to either La Casa de Hamburguesa on Teopanzolco (inexpensive) or Meson Gaucho (expensive), on Domingo Diez across from one of Cuernavaca's Walmart stores, which features Argentine steaks in addition to the great burgers.

Bars
Los Arcos on the Zocalo is popular on Tuesdays when students converge on the open bar/cafe with live salsa music and cheap drink. La Bola is a typical Mexican cantina with live Norteno and Mariachi music every night between 19:00 and 22:00. 2 for one promotions daily between 2 and 9PM and very cheap food/drink packages. On average M$400 buys a generous plate of food for the table to share and a bottle of alcohol or 20 bottles of beer. La Taurina and Crudalia are very simple bars that sell cheap booze by the litre. Expect plastic tables and chairs and very few frills but a good atmosphere.

McCarthy's Irish Pub on Avenida Diana in Delicias offers Irish and Mexican drinks and food. As might be expected, it gets boisterous.

Pulqueria La Guayaba on Juan Ruiz Alaracon (downtown, one block from the cathedral) offers this traditional drink at reasonable prices. Sunday afternoons are the best day to visit.

There are several informal bars that sell beer and snacks at La Plazuela, located between the cathedral; and the Cortes Palace. Traditionally, La Plazuela sold hay for muleteers on the Mexico City-Acapulco trade route, but hay hasn't been available since the opening of the railroad in 1890.

Night clubs
On the weekends an influx of visitors arrive in Cuernavaca from Mexico City and head to the night clubs. The door staff at high-end clubs are often quite difficult. Men arriving without female companionship at a club will generally have trouble getting although foreigners are often given preference. It is important to note that much of the violence associated with Cuernavaca takes place in its nightclubs.

 * Barba Azul is a large indoor/outdoor venue with a cover charge of M$100 after midnight. Like Alebrije it is frequented by a young and wealthy crowd and many foreigners.
 * Taizz is the highest end club with a cover of M$200. As with the previous two it is frequented by a similar crowd.

In all the clubs either inside the grounds or directly outside are stalls selling hotdogs and hamburgers and tacos are never far away. Most clubs close their doors at 3AM and do not allow access after this hour. However, it is usual for the last person to leave the clubs at around 5 or 6AM. In most clubs in Cuernavaca women do not pay cover.

Budget
Cuernavacas budget hotel row is in Calle Aragon y Leon. There are several inexpensive casas de huespedes:

 * Real Santa Maria Avicultura, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100 Cuernavaca, Mor., has rooms beginning at M$351. An historical town, it is quite distant from downtown and there is little public transportation. Wheelchair access and child-friendly.
 * Hotel Bajo El Volcan carries the name of the novel by Malcolm Lowrey. Calle Humboldt 19, Centro. +52 777 312 4873. Restaurant, swimming pool, child-friendly. Downtown location. Prices start at M$805.

Mid-range

 * Nuevo Hotel America (Aragon y Leon No. 14, col. Centro) offers small but clean and cool rooms for M$240 a night. It lies on a sidestreet 10 minutes' walk from the Plaza. +52 777 318 6127
 * Nuevo Hotel America (Aragon y Leon No. 14, col. Centro) offers small but clean and cool rooms for M$240 a night. It lies on a sidestreet 10 minutes' walk from the Plaza. +52 777 318 6127

Splurge

 * Hotel La Casa de los Arboles La Casa de los Árboles is a holistic spa-hotel in which nature and the distinctive charm of old Mexican haciendas come together in the middle of an ancient semitropical forest. Developed on five hectares of land with more than 150,000 trees, shrubs, and flowers belonging to over 60 species, this exclusive property offers guests a unique opportunity to take long, relaxing strolls through a one-of-a-kind botanical garden. La Casa de los Arboles offers 60 guestrooms in four different styles.
 * Hotel Rio 1300 on Rio Mayo Ave. The main commercial street in Cuernavaca. Personalized treat with international touch. Swimming pool, lounge bar, etc.
 * Hosteria Las Quintas (Blvd. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz 9, Cantarranas, +01 777 318 3949) offers some of the most beautiful grounds in the city as well as large rooms, swimming pool, restaurant, meeting rooms, wi-fi, and restaurant. About M$1600 (March 2019).
 * Holiday Inn. Boulevard Diaz Ordaz, 86. 2 km from downtown in Acapantzingo, this hotel chain offers a swimming pool, gym, meeting rooms, restaurant, and Wi-Fi. Rooms start at MX$1300. +52 777 362 0203
 * Holiday Inn. Boulevard Diaz Ordaz, 86. 2 km from downtown in Acapantzingo, this hotel chain offers a swimming pool, gym, meeting rooms, restaurant, and Wi-Fi. Rooms start at MX$1300. +52 777 362 0203

Stay safe
Exercise some prudence, as in late 2020 there have been a couple of mass shootings.

Go next

 * Taxco, the famous silver town, is about 30 minutes' drive outside Cuernavaca. This town used to survive on silver mining, now it survives on the tourist industry with almost everybody involved. Taxco is full of silver shops and a very large silver market. Silver is often sold by weight in the markets, be sure it carries the .925 stamp and is not silver plated. On Saturdays, from about 8AM until noon or so, the silver vendors of Taxco sell silver jewelry and other silver wares in a "flea market" that snakes around the city under canopies for a mile or so. It's the same silver you'd buy at full price on all other days of the week, but on Saturdays it's sold at a considerable discount. Get there early! One bus leaves daily for Taxco from Cuernavaca in the mornings and returns around 16:00. Don't miss it, or you'll miss either the silver "flea market" or your ride back to Cuernavaca. Bring a toothbrush in case.
 * Tepoztlan is about 15 minutes outside Cuernavaca and very pleasant to visit particularly on market day. A must-see is the Tepoztec pyramid at the end of a rather long and steep walk up a mountain but the reward is well worth it.
 * Xochicalco is about an hour from Cuernavaca and is the 4th most visited archeological site in Mexico. An early visit is recommended so as to not get too sunburnt. Be sure to enter the observatory.
 * Las Grutas de Cacahuamilpa is a large cave system in a national park 74 km (1 hr 13 min) south of Cuernavaca near Taxco. There are well-illuminated paths with stalactites and stalagmites. The more adventurous can swim an underground river from February to April.Las Grutas official page
 * Zoofari Safari Park is a zoo in Amacuzac. There are over 1500 species, many in a natural setting. It is 1 hour south of Cuernavaca along the highway to Taxco. Entrance is by automobile only, although you can hire a taxi in Amacuzac or Puente de Ixtla. Open 365 days, cost M$199.http://www.zoofari.com.mx/ (in Spanish)

title: Cuernavaca


text:
Cuero

Cuero is a historic town in the crossroads. On the edge of two different landscapes, with the Hill Country to the northwest, and the Coastal Plains to the east and the south, Cuero has always been an in-between city. In addition, it is often a halfway point for travelers going between Austin and Corpus Christi, or San Antonio and the Gulf Coast.

The self proclaimed "Turkey Capital of the World," the town's culture revolves around its historic turkey industry, especially with its annual Turkeyfest celebration, as well as its local high school mascot, the Gobblers.

By car
Four major highways enter Cuero. In addition, several farm to market roads have their origin in the city and are very popular during the spring months for wildflower season.

 * US Highway 77 Alternate passes through Cuero from north to south. It is merged with US 183 from Refugio to just north of Cuero. The highway comes in from Yoakum to the northeast.
 * US Highway 87 passes through town from northwest to southeast. To the northwest is San Antonio and to the southeast is Victoria and Port Lavaca.
 * US Highway 183 passes through from north to south. To the north is Gonzales and Austin and to the south is Goliad and Refugio.
 * Texas Highway 72 has its eastern terminus in Cuero. It comes in from Yorktown and Kenedy to the southwest.

By car
Cuero is not a large city and very easy to get around. The two major town streets are:

 * Esplanade Street (US 183/77A) - The major north to south route, this street passes by several motels and restaurants, as well as local sights and picturesque buildings.
 * Broadway Street (US 87) - East to west road. Most traffic comes from the city limits to the east, and the road intersects with Esplanade roughly in the middle of town.

By foot
The city is easily accessible on foot, especially the downtown area. One popular walk is along the neighborhood streets two blocks to the west of Esplanade, offering opportunities to see some of the oldest and largest homes in the city, many dating back to the late 19th century.

Museums

Buy
Cuero is not as well known as Round Top in Fayette County for its unique shopping options, and perhaps that adds to the town's charms as a shopping destination. Multiple antique stores and boutique shops operate around the downtown area, in addition to locations further up Esplanade that offer unique Texas gifts and memorabilia.

title: Cuero


text:
Cuiabá

Cuiabá is a city in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Understand
Cuiabá was founded on April 8, 1719, as the capital of Mato Grosso State. It's a pleasant modern town of 500,000 that sits in the middle of Brazilian cattle country. It was once not unusual to see folks on the street in cowboy duds, but Cuiaba is now a modern city. It's still a great place to stock up on boots, saddles, and other western gear. The city serves as the main gateway to the northern part of the Pantanal—the Transpantaneira Highway starts just 98 km (61 miles) away—and as the jumping-off point to the Chapada dos Guimarães. While in the city there is much to do and see. There's a beautiful open downtown center where you can find live music, open air shopping, street vendors, and fresh coconut water.

By plane
Cuiabá is served by Marechal Rondon International Airport. Despite its name, virtually all flights are domestic. If you're coming from abroad you'll probably fly in from São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

By car
You can get in by car; there are highways coming in from all directions.

Get around
Most people arrive in Cuiabá and immediately leave on a Pantanal tour. The hotels, sights, and restaurants all within walking distance of the town center. The main hotel neighborhood and center of town is quite safe. The only part of town to avoid is along the riverside. Taxis are inexpensive — R$7 to R$21 to get around town — and they're quick for getting out to the airport or bus station. Lodges will usually arrange transportation and pickup from hotels.

Driving the Transpantaneira -- There are a couple of ironies about the Transpantaneira. Though the name implies that the road traverses the entire flood plain, the highway stops in Porto Jofre, 144 km (89 miles) from where it began, and at least that far from the opposite edge of the Pantanal. The other irony is that the project, which if completed would likely have destroyed the Pantanal (by skewing the ecosystem's drainage pattern), has instead, in its unfinished state, become one of the great wildlife-viewing areas of the world. Ditches on either side of the roadbed have become favorite feeding grounds for kingfishers, capybara, egrets, jabiru storks, giant river otters, and caiman by the dozen. Spend but a day on the Transpantaneira, and you'll see more wildlife than you'd see in a week in the Amazon.

The posted speed limit on the Transpanteira is 60 km/h, but expect to the drive to be significantly slower, especially when the roads turn to mud after rain. The slow drive may be part of the reason the wildlife can easily be found on or near the road. Only the first 3 km is paved. The remainder is a dirt road. Further, travel grinds to a crawl over the mix of over 100 wood and concrete bridges to reach Porto Jofre. Many of the wood bridges are in poor shape despite regular repair.

See
Sights in Cuiabá - The excellent Secretaria de Turismo gives out a very detailed map showing all the various sights in Cuiabá, complete with pictures. It's a nice try, but pleasant though the city is, there's really little to see here.

 * Basilica do Senhor Bom Jesus de Cuiabá, Praça da República. Tu-F 08:00-11:00 and 14:00-18:00. A stylish modern cathedral with some nifty Art Deco features and great stained glass. Mass is at 6AM and 6PM daily.
 * Almost next door there's the yellow baroque Palácio de Instrução tel: 065/321-3391. M-F 08:00-17:00, now home to Cuiabá's history and natural history museums. Admission is R$1 for both. The history museum is mostly devoted to the 1860s war between Brazil and Paraguay, largely fought in this remote region. The natural history wing features a wide assortment of stuffed dead animals—all rather tatty looking—and some great Indian clubs and arrows and headdresses.
 * Down by the renovated riverside port area there's the Museu do Rio Cuiabá and the Municipal Aquarium, Av. Beira Rio s/n (where the Av. 15 de Novembro crosses the river; tel; 065/623-1440. Tu-Su 09:00-18:00. Features displays and exhibits on the changing face of the river, and a small collection of local Pantanal fish.

The centerpiece of Cuiabá is a small green square called Praça de República. The modern but very stylish basilica fronts this square, as does the tourist information office and the small natural history museum. The most important street in Centro (central Cuiabá), Avenida Getulio Vargas, runs northwest from Praça da República. Most of the city's better hotels and several restaurants cluster around Avenida Getulio Vargas about 8 blocks from the square. Directly northeast of Praça República, there's a small shopping district, centered on Rua Eng. Ricardo Franco. Two blocks southeast of Praça República, Avenida Getulio Vargas hits the broad traffic arterial Avenida Ten. Cel. Duarte. On the far side of this street there's a large city park, Parque Antonio Pires de Campos, and on the ridge behind that, the neighborhood of Bandeirantes, where there are a few cheaper hotels. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk from either Banderiantes to Praça República, or from Praça República to the Avenida Vargas hotel enclave.

Do
Three days is the minimum reasonable itinerary for the Pantanal. Four or five days allows you to take things easier; with wildlife viewing, the longer you spend in an area, the better your chances of seeing animals. Spend the minimum possible time in Cuiabá then a take a slow wildlife-spotting drive out along the Transpantaneira to a lodge.

 * Take a guided hike, and after sunset, go for a spotlight drive on the Transpantaneira to see the night creatures: capybaras, tarantulas, and (with the most incredible of luck) jaguars. It is also strongly recommended that you take the time to explore the Pantanal as it was meant to be seen, on the back of a horse.
 * Canoeing one of the North Pantanal's small rivers is a great way to spot monkeys and giant river otters.
 * After exploring the Pantanal, consider a 1-day or overnight trip to the Chapada dos Guimarães, the highlands to the north of Cuiabá. The beautiful red-rock formations, plateaus, and canyons offer excellent hiking and fabulous views, great waterfalls and swimming holes, and some excellent birdlife, including red macaws.

Buy
The main commercial district in Centro is concentrated around the Praça da República. You'll find many stores selling clothing and shoes, as well as stationery, toiletries, film, batteries, and food. There are 3 great malls:
 * Goiabeiras Shopping (close to downtown).
 * Goiabeiras Shopping (close to downtown).
 * Goiabeiras Shopping (close to downtown).

Native & Regional Arts and Crafts - A number of excellent crafts stores with native and regional works can be found around Centro.
 * Feira de Artesanato, Praça Santos Dumont, at the corner of Avenida Getulio Vargas. A weekend crafts market Saturday 08:00-20:00 and Sunday 15:00-21:00.

Cowboy Equipment & Clothes -- Cuiabá is the place to pick up everything you need for that real Pantaneiro cowboy look. If you need a hat, boots, or jeans, stop by:

Go next

 * Várzea Grande — just across the river

title: Cuiabá


text:
Culebra

Culebra is a small Caribbean island, mostly covered in nature preserve that lies about 20 miles (32 km) east of Puerto Rico and 12 miles (19 km) west of Saint Thomas. Culebra is administered as a municipality of Puerto Rico.

Understand
Culebra is 5 miles by 7 miles, without streams. It may have been populated by Caribs before the Spanish conquest, but was then empty until the end of the 19th century. It was used as a practice bombing range by the US Navy for much of the 20th century. Development has been recent and slow, and the island is still mostly woodlands. This makes it a spectacular backcountry destination, away from the crowds and the mega-resorts.

By ferry
You can reach Culebra via daily ferry from Fajardo or on week days from Vieques. Maritime Transport Authority website for schedule and price information. Price is $2.25/adult and $1/child for the ferry ride and it takes 1-1½ hours from Fajardo. However, reaching Fajardo from San Juan by taxi costs $80–100. If you are two people or more traveling the taxi from San Juan to Fajardo might be the better option over flying.

For a budget traveler, you may also want to consider taking one of the local buses from San Juan to Fajardo. Prices may be negotiated if you speak Spanish, and $10–20 per person should cover the two to three-hour ride. This highway tends to get busy. Check what time the last ferry leaves Fajardo. The buses are vans that depart sporadically, do not have air conditioning, and primarily serve locals. Tourists may have difficulty persuading taxi drivers that they want to go to the bus station.

Although the ferry is a cheap option, it is extremely busy during the high season (holidays and summer months). During these times the ferry will be extremely hard to use as people camp out as early as 4AM for tickets. This would be a good time to consider flying in.

Get around
There is only one town on the island: Culebra Pueblo, also called Dewey. The sights are several miles away, so walking is not a practical option.

There are 3 primary modes of transportation on Culebra: publicos, rental cars or golf carts, and bicycles.

Publicos
Publicos are shared taxis/shuttles that offer transportation to and from anywhere on the island including the airport, Flamenco Beach and the ferry terminal. The cost for most rides is $3 one-way or $5 roundtrip.

Publicos on Culebra include:

 * Raul Transportation: +1 787-358-4816 or +1 787-448-6630
 * Miguelito: +1 787-473-2594 or +1 787-633-6020
 * Xavier: +1 787-463-0475
 * Nata: +1 787-969-2863
 * Nelson: +1 787-972-0928
 * Adriano: +1 787-590-1375

Rental cars, golf carts, and scooters
There are several businesses on the island that rent scooters, road-legal golf carts, and cars at the airport. You can rent a jeep for $60 a day, or a golf cart for $35 a day. If you arrive with the ferry, you can take a shuttle to the airport. If you want to see the many beaches on all sides of the island you can rent a car for 1–2 days and pretty much cover the entire island.
 * Jerry's Jeeps is right across the street from the airport. He has older vehicles for $50 a day.
 * Carlos Jeep Rentals (+1 787-742-3514) has a booth and jeeps at the airport.

There are two gas stations on the island: Ricky and Lili's garage by the ferry dock (the area can get very crowded when the ferry is there), and Dakiti on the other side of the channel, past the Colmado Milka supermarket.

See

 * Flamenco Beach is quite outstanding and is featured on many "top 10 beaches" lists. Unlike the other beaches in Vieques and Culebra, it is popular enough to attract a real crowd. The beach is in a calm cove and stretches into a circle of nearly a mile in length, and a few rusted-out U.S. Army tanks silently watch over the beach.  The water is clear, shallow, and calm, and the waves are small.  Reefs exist on each side of the beach and are very easy to access directly off the beach if you have snorkeling equipment with you, and other snorkeling beaches can be accessible by taking the (safe) path through the old army minefield.  The reefs are not world class but they are interesting enough for amateur snorkelers.  Facilities at the beach are few. Showers run sporadically and there are flush toilets, but no lights other than in the bathroom. Fresh water is freely available.  Bring a cooler with plenty of snacks and drinks, plus towels or beach chairs if you can.  Campers should be warned that it gets surprisingly windy and chilly at night. Bug spray is recommended. Bring a tent and sleeping bags, and, if you have one, bring a hammock to string between two trees for a night under the stars.
 * Flamenco Beach is quite outstanding and is featured on many "top 10 beaches" lists. Unlike the other beaches in Vieques and Culebra, it is popular enough to attract a real crowd. The beach is in a calm cove and stretches into a circle of nearly a mile in length, and a few rusted-out U.S. Army tanks silently watch over the beach.  The water is clear, shallow, and calm, and the waves are small.  Reefs exist on each side of the beach and are very easy to access directly off the beach if you have snorkeling equipment with you, and other snorkeling beaches can be accessible by taking the (safe) path through the old army minefield.  The reefs are not world class but they are interesting enough for amateur snorkelers.  Facilities at the beach are few. Showers run sporadically and there are flush toilets, but no lights other than in the bathroom. Fresh water is freely available.  Bring a cooler with plenty of snacks and drinks, plus towels or beach chairs if you can.  Campers should be warned that it gets surprisingly windy and chilly at night. Bug spray is recommended. Bring a tent and sleeping bags, and, if you have one, bring a hammock to string between two trees for a night under the stars.
 * Bioluminescent organisms: While the neighboring island of Vieques may provide a more reliable source, Culebra's waters do contain bioluminescent organisms. Talking to the locals and heeding their advice should maximize one's chances of witnessing the phenomenon and kayak rentals are available on the island to bring more mobility to your maritime search in the darkness.
 * Bioluminescent organisms: While the neighboring island of Vieques may provide a more reliable source, Culebra's waters do contain bioluminescent organisms. Talking to the locals and heeding their advice should maximize one's chances of witnessing the phenomenon and kayak rentals are available on the island to bring more mobility to your maritime search in the darkness.

Do

 * Snorkeling: Shallow reefs are plentiful around Culebra. However, in the 2010s warmer water has killed off much of the once vibrant coral surrounding the island. Yet, the live patches of coral that remain and the schools of colorful fish surrounding them are spectacular. Combine these traits with amazing underwater visibility, up to 15–20 feet depending on the weather, and it makes for a fun snorkeling experience for both beginners and experts.
 * Tamarindo Beach on the west side has a coral reef, and a grass area frequented by turtles and rays. The Luis Peña Channel Natural Reserve is a no-fishing area to help preserve the fish population. You can rent a mask, snorkel, and fins for the day at the beach.
 * Scuba diving: The best reason to visit Culebra. Though the shallow reefs have been hit hard by warmer waters, deep sea coral is still thriving. At depths ranging from 20–60 feet these coral formations are spectacular to swim in and around. Sea life is abundant and variable. Visibility is superb and easily ranges up to 60 feet when off shore. Dive masters are knowledgeable, experienced and patient. All of these aspects combined with phenomenal pricing and Culebra becomes one of the most cost-effective places to scuba dive.
 * Rent a jeep and visit the beaches. Carlos Jeep Rental has a wide variety of cars and jeeps.
 * Rent a small motorboat ($150–200/day) and visit the nearby islets such as Culebrita with even more private beaches.
 * Camp on Flamenco Beach and just relax. Call (787) 742-0700 for more information on Camping
 * Bird watching: Hosting a wide variety of sea bird species, Culebra makes for excellent bird watching (especially in its numerous sanctuary zones).
 * Turtle watching: During the late spring and early summer Culebra hosts a variety of sea turtle species. Returning to the island to lay their eggs, Hawksbill, Leatherback, and Green sea turtles can be observed by beachgoers in the dark of night so long as their direct nesting sites are left undisturbed. The local Department of Natural Resources takes groups of volunteers to survey the turtles on occasion and the agency is your best bet to both find and respectfully interact with the largest sea turtle species on Earth (the aforementioned Leatherback Sea Turtle).

Eat
There are several small restaurants on the island and small hotels which have restaurants. Reservations are recommended if you plan on going to a hotel restaurant.

Several food vendors hawk their wares daily at the entrance to Flamenco Beach. The grilled meat-on-a-stick is both delicious and cheap. Lots of bottled water and other cold drinks from vendors with ice chests.

Supermarkets:
 * Colmado Costa del Sol is the largest supermarket on the island (it's still tiny), by the airport (221 Calle 1).
 * Colmado Milka, a reasonably priced grocery store with recognizable American brands and native foods, and the only fresh meat supply on the island. Open daily but only in the morning on Sundays. Take a right just past the bridge.
 * Superette Mayra is a small jam-packed grocery store that has it all, including sundries such as cooking pots, supplies for diabetics, reading glasses, cheap coffee machines, beach toys, plastic flower pots, sewing needles. Closed Sundays and during siesta time 1-3:30PM. On Calle Escudero.

Drink
Mamacita's bar and restaurant, in the heart of the town, is popular but relatively pricey; the bar area is right by the water. Dinghy Dock also has a waterfront bar.

Sleep
There are half a dozen or so guest houses, including the Palmetto Guesthouse, and small hotels on Culebra.

The term "resort" is a bit misleading as the average facility will be 2-3 stars at best. This is a small island after all! Some of the older hotels are barely a one star. Service is typical laid back (i.e., slow) island style. There are also plenty of houses and villas for rent on the island. Camping is permitted for up to four months at a time on the beautiful government-run Flamenco Beach, just a few miles outside of the main town.

Many private apartments are also available on the island, most can be book through Culebra Vacation Planners.

Go next

 * Vieques is the other "Spanish Virgin Island", a few miles from Culebra
 * Fajardo on the Puerto Rico mainland
 * Saint Thomas in the US Virgin Islands

title: Culebra


text:
Culemborg

Culemborg is a historic town in the Gelderland region of the Netherlands. The city is just south of the river Lek and thereby on the border between Gelderland and Utrecht. The city counts roughly 28,500 inhabitants (2019). The cities of Utrecht and 's-Hertogenbosch can easily be reached by train.

By car
When travelling to Culemborg by car, head for either Utrecht or 's-Hertogenbosch - whichever one is closer. Use the A2/E25 to head for the other city. Half-way down the highway you will find exit 13 (Culemborg), where you should follow the signs directing you to Culemborg.

Get around
Bike rental is available in the centre of the town and is the best way to get around the city. But a bike is not necessary, you can see and reach everything easily by foot.

See
Culemborg is an historical city, and got its city rights in 1315. There are two churches on the main square, also known as 'the market'.

Eat
There are several good restaurants around the Market in the center of the city. In the Tollenstraat and the surrounding streets are also many good restaurants.

Go next
From Culemborg, the provinces of South-Holland and Utrecht are a hop away. The nearest city is Nieuwegein (Utrecht), from which the city of Utrecht is close. Another nearby location in Utrecht is Wijk bij Duurstede, which is most known for its countless invasions by vikings. When staying within Gelderland, consider going to nearby Tiel or Zaltbommel. Larger cities in the area are 's-Hertogenbosch and Oss (North-Brabant) and Nijmegen (Gelderland).

title: Culemborg