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Samut Sakhon

Samut Sakhon (สมุทรสาคร) is a city in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand.

Understand
Samut Sakhon, called "Maha Chai" by the locals, is a small province on the mouth of the Tha Chin River, only 2 kilometres from the sea and 36 kilometres from Bangkok. It is a historic city recorded in the Ayutthaya Chronicle. This was during the period that Phrachao Suea travelled by the royal barge procession creating the story of the loyal Phanthai Norasing.

This province was originally called "Tha Chin" because it was a large district on the Gulf of Thailand, where there were a lot of foreigners, especially the Chinese -Chin- who travelled by ship and stopped at the port –Tha- for trading. Therefore, it was well known as Tambon "Tha Chin". In 1548, during the reign of Phra Maha Chakkraphat, many new cities were established with the royal aims to gather power to fight the Burmese. Ban Tha Chin, hence, was upgraded to Mueang "Sakhon Buri" to be an outpost city preventing the invasion of enemies arriving by sea. Until the reign of King Rama IV, the city's name was changed into Mueang Samut Sakhon.

During the reign of King Rama V, he conducted governance reform by organising the regional bureaucratic system in the form of a circle called "Monthon Thesaphiban" and announced the establishment of Thailand's first sanitary district in Tambon Tha Chalom in 1906.

Then, in 1913, King Rama VI announced a royal command for the government to transform the word "Mueang" (town) to "Changwat" (province) throughout the country. Mueang Samut Sakhon was changed to "Changwat Samut Sakhon" as it is still known. The word "Maha Chai" that people usually used is the name of a canal dug across the crooked Khlong Khok Kham which is the symbol of the loyalty of Phanthai Norasing.

By car
Travelling from Bangkok can be done as follows:

 * From Bang Pakaeo Intersection. Go along Highway No. 35 Thon Buri – Pak Tho Road (Rama II Road), passing the Bang Khun Thian District Administration Office, Ekkachai Weighing Station to the Maha Chai Intersection at km28. Then, turn left to Samut Sakhon city. A total distance of 29 kilometres.
 * From Dao Khanong Department Store. Go along Ekkachai Road, pass Bang Khun Thian Bridge, Wat Sing, Bang Bon Intersection, Sueksanari School, Wat Pho Chae, Tambon Khok Krabue, Ekkachai Weighing Station, Maha Chai Community Housing, to the centre of Samut Sakhon. A total distance of 30 kilometres.
 * From Tha-Phra Intersection. Go along Highway No. 4, Phetchakasem Road to Nong Khaem and turn left into Soi Phetchakasem 81 to the Ekkachai Intersection. Then, turn right and go along Ekkachai Road, passing Sueksanari School and the Ekkachai Weighing Station to the centre of Samut Sakhon. A total distance of 30 kilometres.
 * You can also take Phetchakasem Road, pass Bang Khae and turn left into the outer ring road, crossing with Ekkachai Road. Then, turn back to Ekkachai Road or go straight on into Thon Buri – Pak Tho Road or from Phetchakasem Road, pass Om Noi to Setthakit 1 Road at km25, passing Amphoe Krathum Baen.
 * From Phra Pinklao Bridge. Take Borommaratchachonnani Road and take any one of 3 routes into Phetchakasem Road which are Phutthamonthon Sai 2, 4 or 5 Roads. Then, 2 ways can be chosen to enter the centre of Samut Sakhon. Either from Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road to Ekkachai Road. Turn right and pass Sueksanari School; a total distance of 35 kilometres, or take Phutthamonthon Sai 4 and 5 Roads to Setthakit 1 Road and pass Amphoe Krathum Baen; a total distance of approximately 50 kilometres. Besides, you can take the outer ring road, passing Ekkachai and Thon Buri – Pak Tho Roads.

By bus
The Transport Company Limited provides buses to Samut Sakhon everyday from 04:20-21:00. For more details, contact the Southern Bus Terminal, Borommaratchachonnani Road at Tel. +66 2 435–1199, +66 2 435-5605 (air conditioned bus).

By train
The State Railway provides trains leaving Wongwian Yai Station many times a day from 05:30-20:10 to Maha Chai Station or across the river by boat to Ban Laem Station and take a train to Mae Klong Station, Samut Songkhram. For more details, contact Wongwian Yai Railway Station at Tel. +66 2 465–2017, +66 2 890-6260 and Maha Chai Railway Station at Tel. +66 34 411003.

Go next
On weekends, Amphawa has a floating market that is popular with local daytrippers from Bangkok.

title: Samut Sakhon


text:
Samut Songkhram

Samut Songkhram (สมุทรสงคราม) is a city in Western Thailand, sometimes considered a part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.

Understand
Samut Songkhram is a small province not far from Bangkok. Samut Songkhram is 72 km from Bangkok, covering an area of 416 km². It takes a little more than one hour to reach the province. For those who enjoy cultural tourism and traditional ways of life, this province has much to offer. For example, the people here earn a living from vegetable and fruit farming, and coconut palm sugar simmering. Furthermore, the Tha Kha Floating Market still maintains the traditional way of life of a community by a canal.

There is no evidence to indicate the establishment of the city of Samut Songkhram. It is presumed to have been a former district of Ratchaburi called "Suan Nok" (outside garden). Then, during the transition from the Ayutthaya to the Thon Buri periods, it was separated from Ratchaburi and named "Mueang Mae Klong". Samut Songkhram was historically important during the establishment of Thon Buri as the kingdom’s capital by King Taksin the Great. When the Burmese led an army to Tambon Bang Kung, the king gathered the people to build a fort and prevent the city from the Burmese troops. This was an important act against the Burmese invaders at that time.

By car
Take Hwy 35 (Thonburi–Pak Tho or Rama II Rd), past the Na Kluea–Maha Chai intersection. At around km63, take the elevated road into the town of Samut Songkhram.

By bus
The Transport Company Ltd offers a daily bus service between Bangkok and Samut Songkhram, leaving the Southern Bus Terminal on Borommaratchachonnani Rd from 05:40–21:00.

By train
From the Wongwian Yai Railway Station, there is a daily train from Wongwian Yai to Maha Chai. Take a boat from the Maha Chai Pier to the Tha Chalom Pier and get on a train from the Ban Laem Railway Station to the town of Samut Songkhram. Or take a bus from the Maha Chai Railway Station straight to the town. For a train schedule, contact the Wongwian Yai Railway Station, Tel. +66 2 4652017, +66 2 8906260.

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

title: Samut Songkhram


text:
Samye

Samye (桑耶) is a village in Shannan prefecture.

Get in
Buses leave for at the Brahmaputra River Crossing (Chinese: dùko) at 7:30AM from just south of the New Mandala restaurant in Lhasa, a journey of about 90 minutes. From the crossing, an open, flat-bottomed boat transports passengers across the river in about 1 hour. Finally, a 40 minute tractor ride completes the journey to the monastery.

See

 * Samye Monastery (桑耶寺; Tibetan: བསམ་ཡས་). The first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet, and the location of the famous 792CE debate when Indian forms of Buddhism were pitted against Chinese. The Indian traditions prevailed and consequently were established as the state religion. Samye Monastery was constructed in 779AD under the patronage of King Trisong Detsen and overseen by Santarakshita and Padmasambhava, two prominent Buddhist teachers from India.

Eat

 * Gompo's Snowland Restaurant, near East Gate. The restaurant has English speaking staff.

Sleep

 * Samye Guesthouse, near Monastery. Offers cheap dormitory beds
 * Family-run Guesthouse, near East Gate. Popular with Western travelers.

Go next
Buses leave Samye for Lhasa via Tsethang at 8:30AM, and this journey takes about 6 hours.

title: Samye


text:
Sana'a

Sana'a is the capital of Yemen, located in the Yemeni Mountains and generally the first destination for travellers to that country. See the Stay safe section of this article and the Yemen country page for important safety advice.

Understand
One of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world (others being Jericho, Damascus and Aleppo), Sana'a is traditionally said to have been founded by Shem, the son of Noah. As a result, the city has the unlikely nickname of "Sam City".

Sana'a will start surprising you the moment you arrive at the airport. All the policemen and the civilians wear jambiya, the unique Yemeni dagger. Even small children wear little daggers. Many people have swollen cheeks because of chewing qat leaves. Outside the airport, all buildings look the same because of uniformly painted windows and walls.

Climate
The city experiences a mild desert climate, with much more moderate temperatures than other Arabian Peninsula cities due to its high elevation.

By plane
Sana'a International Airport is the city's international airport. As of November 2023, there are daily commercial flights between Amman and Sana’a operated by Yemenia, the country’s national carrier.

By bus
Yemen has a few bus companies. Sana'a is connected by all major cities (Aden, Ta'izz, Marib, Sayun, etc.) via bus. Perhaps the best bus company in Yemen is the new-ish Raha (established in 2008). Raha buses are in good condition and fares are reasonable. The buses are still new. Note a travel permit (tasirih in Arabic) needs to be obtained from the Ministry of Tourism before embarking on over-land adventures. Each town has a military checkpoint that will ask for a travel permit and will likely refuse people entry if they have forgotten to get one. Travel permits are issued free of charge. When applying, visitors should bring their passport, a list of places they are going to visit, and the time period for travel. Visitors should have photocopies of their travel permit as each checkpoint may ask for a copy, and they should also have copies of the biographical information page (that contains their photo) of their passport handy. Often foreign passengers give a pile of travel permit copies to the bus driver so that he can provide them to officials at checkpoints. Visitors should let the bus driver or military personnel know of their nationality as they need to know. Note that there are also many traffic police checkpoints. They are not interested in your permit; only those with green uniforms and big guns are.

Get around
Sana'a is a big city which, in common with many other developing-world capitals, is spreading in all directions at once. Visitors will almost certainly have to use taxis or hired cars to get around, as the street maps often leave much to be desired.

There are many "Dabaabs" or mini vans that go on different routes around the city. They serve as public buses and are quite cheap. They have fixed routes and cost 15-30 riyals/ride.

Taxis to the airport from the centre should cost 1000 rials (August 2008). Be prepared to bargain with your taxi driver for a reasonable fare. Usually fares can be reduced by a third of the price after a bit of haggling.

Cars are used a lot but they are mostly 4x4s or pick up trucks. Drivers tend to use the horn excessively which is normal in this beautiful congested city.

See

The Old City of Sana'a is World Heritage Listed and makes a great place to see the uniquely Yemeni style of architecture - multiple-storey tower houses with the distinctive qamariya windows. Within the Old City is the Souk al-Milh, arguably the best souk (marketplace) in the Arabian Peninsula.

Do
Sana'a is a great place for people-watching and culture observing. The unhurried pace of Yemeni life, coupled with the almost total lack of industrialisation seen in nearby countries, means that it's quite possible to sit in a coffee shop and watch the world go by for hours on end.

If you want an experience you can only get in Yemen (and are prepared to risk your health): participate in a qat session. Qat (khat) is a mild narcotic chewed by most males in Yemen. They spend their afternoons hanging out, chewing the leaf, and conversing. A bag will cost no more than 5 US dollars, and you can get "inferior" product for less. Side effects are lack of appetite and insomnia. Qat is considered by many as the prime cause of Yemen ranking as the poorest country in the Middle East. Note that Qat is a controlled substance in many other countries, and those trying to bring it into such countries risk arrest.

Learn
Yemen is an excellent place to study Arabic for several reasons: 1. Languages other than Arabic are much less commonly spoken than they are in nearby countries; 2. The low cost of living; and 3. There are several excellent Arabic language institutes that offer both group and private courses with flexible schedules and reasonable prices.

The offers courses in Arabic language as well as academic seminars in English language about the contemporary Middle East. With over 20 years of experience, YCMES is the first and only accredited programme n Yemen (i.e. students can transfer credit to their home universities). Regular tuition packages include accommodation, meals, excursions, cultural activities, wireless internet, library, etc. The YCMES can also help with international and domestic travel arrangements.

Other options are Sana'a Institute of the Arabic Language (SIAL), Center for Arabic Language Studies (CALES), and, all of which are located in the Old City.

Additionally, Yemen Institute for Arabic Language (YIAL) a teacher owned institute that offers similar courses outside the Old City, although it also has very good accommodations in the Old City and in the institute itself. YIAL primarily offers private courses. YIAL also organises activities and trips.

Work
Unless you have work lined up as an expat, work in Sana'a (and elsewhere in Yemen) will be very hard to come by. The majority of the locals sitting by the road will be waiting to be hired as manual labourers or domestic staff, in the latter role competing with guest workers from across the Red Sea. Those with good abilities in Arabic may be able to find work teaching English, however this will be informal and exceptionally temporary work. Schools such as AMIDEAST, MALI, and YALI hire English teachers, but you will likely need a bachelor's degree and some sort of teaching certification.

Buy
Almost everywhere you look, you will have the chance to buy the curved dagger (jambiya) worn by local men. This purchase can be simply of the dagger and its accompanying sheath, however handmade belts and silver pouches are also for sale, with many tourists opting to purchase each item separately. When purchasing a jambiya, remember first and foremost that it counts as a weapon for customs purposes, even though it is not used as one anymore. Secondly, the sheath is predominantly leather with either a base metal or (in more expensive models) silver decoration. Traditionally, handles were made of animal horn or ivory. It is doubtful that the handles sold today as being made from either of these products are genuine, and so a wooden or amber handle may be a better option. If a real jambiya costs too much, there are also pendants and brooches commonly available in the shape of the knife and its sheath.

Necklaces and jewellery are also common souvenirs, and many of these will be made of the semi-precious stones the souvenir sellers claim. Nevertheless, a healthy grain of salt should be added to any belief that one is actually purchasing a necklace of lapis lazuli or anything like that.

Bargaining is expected and worthwhile. If you are with local guides, a common approach is to have them ask for the "Yemeni price", however any bargaining on the part of the tourist will result in discounts. Bear in mind that what may seem an absurdly cheap price for an item in Western terms will still be a great return for many locals.

Yemen's currency, the rial (riyal), is subject to high inflation. As a result, many prices (particularly those quoted to white-skinned visitors) will be given in US dollars or euros. Any of these three currencies will be accepted by the seller, so ask for the price in whichever currency is preferred.

Eat
Visitors should be careful when eating from street stands as the same warning which applies to tap water applies to poorly-prepared food. Salta is a popular Yemeni lunch dish that is served very hot.

Budget
Nearly all Yemeni food is budget. An average meal at a Sana'a restaurant will cost less than US$2. Chicken is ubiquitous. A tuna steak served with rice costs 150-200 riyals.

Mid-range
Hadda Street is where the more "upscale" restaurants are located. Clean restaurants with a large range of food include:

Splurge
The five star hotel have decent, but pricey western food (and beer).

Drink
As in the rest of the country, the tap water should be avoided at all costs. Bottled water, both chilled and at room temperature, is readily available and very cheap - as is the normal range of fruit juices and soft drinks.

Near the Shumaila Hari Supermarket you will find the, a place where you can get an excellent latte or cappuccino at Starbuck's prices and eat a piece of carrot cake while checking your e-mail on their Wi-Fi hotspot.

Sleep
Good option to stay is new part of Sana'a. It's walking distance to Old part of town but hotels offer better value to money. Around Tahrir area there are about 10 hotels to choose, ranging from five star Taj Sheba hotel to no-star hotels. recommended are 2 Wadi Hadramout hotels. More expensive Wadi Hadramout hotel is cross the main road from Tahrir Square, other more economical is near Taj Sheba hotel at Ali Abdulmogny Street. There double room with bathroom and TV costs about 2000 rials. Staff are very helpful and friendly and some speak English.

Stay safe
See the warning on the Yemen article for information on the security situation.

Visitors should take care particularly in the Old City as the streets are poorly signposted and the unwary may find themselves in someone's courtyard.

Maps of Yemen tend to have details of the city, but (as with road maps in the country) they are unreliable. If at all possible, visitors should use a local guide.

Gun carrying is normal as many men hold or have a gun for traditional reasons. One should not be alarmed at the sight of a gun, even a Kalashnikov.

Embassies

 * 🇬🇷 Greece

The United States embassy has suspended consular services; contact the embassy in Cairo instead. The United Kingdom embassy has also suspended its services.

Go next

 * The awe-inspiring Dar Al-Hajr (often known as the Rock Palace) is located in Wadi Dahr roughly 30 minutes from the city centre and makes a very easy afternoon's excursion. You will be able to take one of the local taxis.
 * A full day excursion can take you to Thulla, Kawkaban and Shibam (not the Hadramout version but the Amran version) which is approximately 55 km from the outskirts of Sana'a. It is possible to stay overnight in Kawkaban, although there are only two hotels (more like full-board guest-houses as there are no restaurants). Accommodation and meals cost about €7.

title: Sana'a


text:
San Agustín de Valle Fértil

San Agustín de Valle Fértil or Valle Fértil is a village in the San Juan province in Argentina, near the Ischigualasto Provincial Park.

Get in
There's a 4h bus (company: Vallecito) leaving three times a day from San Juan (43 pesos).

See
The Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Moon Valley) and the Talampaya National Park (canyon) are nearby. Two tourist companies can take you there (they will wait for you at the bus station); note that the entrance fee to the parks is not included in their prices. The HI hostel also takes your to the parks.

Sleep

 * Hostel Valle de la Luna,, offer tours to the parks, free wifi, 35 pesos (30 for HI members)
 * Eco Hostel

title: San Agustín de Valle Fértil


text:
San Agustin

San Agustín is a small town in the department of Huila in Colombia that is famous for its pre-Columbian statues. The area has many rock carvings depicting animals. In one waterfall a beautifully carved gorilla faces out of the cascading water.

Understand
San Agustín is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Landscape
It's a great place to go with friends and family where you can see beautiful things such as sculpture objects.

By bus

 * from Pitalito: COP$10,000
 * from Bogota: COP$54,000, 10 hours (twice a day with beautiful Tatacoa Desert or the Magdalena River)
 * from Popayan: COP$40,000, 5 hours
 * from Neiva: COP$30,000, 5 hours
 * from Tierradentro: Take the jeep leaving San Andres at 6:30AM or 8AM to La Plata (1½ hr, COP$14,000). From there you can take a minivan to Pitalito at 9AM or noon (3 hr, COP$28,000). From the bus terminal in Pitalito are regularly leaving shared taxis to San Agustin (45 min, COP$8,000).

By motorcycle
It is a rough road from Popayan or Cali to San Agustin. The drive has beautiful views but is not paved at times.

Get around
The different archaeological sites are scattered over a large area. If you have the time walking is the best option, the scenery on the way is amazing and some of the local transportation can help you on your way. It is also possible to rent horses. Several agents run jeep tours to some of the more remote sites.

Archaeological sites

Other

Money
There are ATMs in San Agustín, buy they are not very reliable and are out of cash at the end of long week ends. To get money you may have to go to Pitalito. Bring your passport or you might end up in the DAS office in Pitalito.

The only ATM in town does give cash advance on Visa credit cards.

Drink
This region is rich in coffee, drink very common in the rural community, as well as drinks and chicha guarapo alcoholic beverages that are used by the aboriginals ansestros and even today are consumed by local residents.

Jugo de Caña is also commonly found, it is freshly pressed sugar cane juice with a hint of lemon - a very sweet beverage.

Stay safe
Most guidebooks may tell you this area is guerrilla territory, but this is no longer the case. If you are going to Popayan, Tierradentro or Mocoa, it is still best to avoid travellin by night.

Some of the agents organizing jeep tours are more interested in your personal belongings. Set up tours at your hostel.

Go next

 * Bogotá: Coomotor has three daily buses (12 hr, COP$65,000 to 75000), one in the morning (5:00) and two (18:30, 19:45) in the evening, to the capital of Colombia.
 * Popayán: You can get to Popayán in a small bus for COP$40,000. Several buses a day leave from downtown, or you can flag a bus at the crossroads to San Agustín. If buses are full at the crossroads, you can catch a colectivo to Isnos and buy a bus ticket there. The ride takes about 4.5 hours and is very bumpy (unpaved road through Puracé National Park).

title: San Agustin


text:
Sanandaj

Sanandaj, also called "Senna" is a city in the Kurdistan Province of Iran. Sanandaj occupies a fertile valley in the Zagros Mountains. The city is a major manufacturing and retail trade center with many diverse products, including carpets, cotton textiles, leather, metal ware, cutlery, pottery, wood furniture and wood crafts, milled rice, refined sugar, and processed foods. Its old bazaar is noted as a place to buy Kurdish handicrafts.

Sanandaj is home to the ruins of an 11th- and 12th- century fortress, the Dar al-Ehsan Mosque, and the Sanandaj Museum. The museum is housed in a 19th-century royal palace whose Arusi Room, or Wedding Room, is considered a masterpiece of handcrafted woodwork. Kurdistan University, founded after the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, is also in the city.

The area around Sanandaj is known for its many mountain caves, hot springs, and freshwater lakes, many of which cater to tourists. The nature around Sanandaj is very beautiful.

By plane
There are 5 daily flights from Tehran. And 2 weekly flights from (Kurdistan of Iraq) and also monthly flights from Antalia (Turkey).

By train
A railway line connecting Sanandaj with Tehran and the rest of the national network is under construction. It is expected to open in 2024 or 2025.

By car
Freeway Tehran, Sanandaj

There are many shared taxis to Tehran for US$30.

By bus
There are more than 50 buses from Tehran, Kermanshah, Tabriz, Hamedan and other Iranian cities daily.

Also there are buses from Istanbul, Wan and Antalia (Turkey) and from Suleymaniye and Erbil (Iraqi Kurdistan).

Get around

 * Outside the city there are beautiful hills, mountains, water caves and lakes.

See

 * National Museum of Sanandaj
 * Didgah Park
 * Abidar Park
 * Palangan ancient village
 * BAME-SANANDAJ entertainment center
 * World's largest outdoor cinema in Amiriye park
 * Hajar Khatoon Mosque
 * Kurd House
 * Khosro-Abad Buildings
 * Aseef Buildings
 * Eqbal Square
 * Khosro-Abad Buildings
 * Aseef Buildings
 * Eqbal Square

Do

 * Go to Abidar mountain in the Western corner of Sanandaj. This mountain is the place where the residents of Sanandaj go on hiking and has many beautiful parks like "Amirieh" Jungle Park.
 * Go to the Bazaars, like 6th Bahman, Vahabi House of Fabrics, Chapoor, Eqbal square.

Learn

 * Kurdistan University (Medicine, Agriculture and Engineering colleges)
 * Sananadaj Azad University (IAU)
 * Payame Noor University
 * Elmi Karbordi University
 * IM Universities for Arts and foreign languages.
 * IYCS-Sanandaj (Iranian youth cinema society-Sanandaj branch for film making teaching)

Buy
Brown bread Bread Kok Konji Gazo
 * Kurdish sweet Confectionery, Nan-e-Konjedi, Nan-e-Berenji

Eat and drink

Some local specialty drinks are dough, which is a type of buttermilk, and istek.

Go next

 * The beautiful villages of Galin and Tangisar
 * Lake Zarivar near Marivan is a very beautiful lake near Sanandaj. Don't miss it.
 * Hawraman is an ancient Kurdish village.
 * Quri Qaleh water cave is one of the most beautiful water caves in Iran.

title: Sanandaj


text:
San Andrés

San Andrés is one of the two principal islands of San Andrés and Providencia. It is 200 km east of Nicaragua. San Andres and Providence belong to Colombia and are located in Nicaraguan controlled and recognized waters. San Andrés is a tourist destination but not as slick and modern as others in the Caribbean. The island specializes in all-inclusive budget vacations that cater towards Colombian tourists. Outside of the downtown area there is a rural feeling, with small houses close to the main circle road, small sidewalks with some areas without any sidewalks at all, and many people hanging out on the streets, even at night. The people are extremely friendly and generally speaking the island is safe.

The sea surrounding the area is known by Colombians as the "Mar de siete colores" (seven-coloured sea), due to the variations of depth. To fully appreciate this, it is needed to go to the highest place in the island, around 70 meters high. Any locals will give directions to that precise spot, which is a normal stop for the island tours.

By plane
There are non-stop flights from Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Cartagena, Panama City, Miami as well as charter flights from Canada (via Air Transat). By far the best air fares you get from and to the Colombian mainland starting at about US$30 one-way.

Colombian customs need to be cleared upon arrival to the island. Check with your local travel agency to see what documents you need to travel to Colombia. For many passengers, a tourist card has to be presented on arrival. Airlines flying to San Andrés sell them on the counter for the official price of US$25.

If arriving from outside Colombia, exchange currency at the airport, the rates are similar as downtown if not better. Any foreign exchange in Colombia is very formal and a passport is required and a big official receipt handed with the passport details on it, before returning local currency.

Get around
Rent a golf buggy or a scooter. Golf buggies can cost around COP$100,000 a full day. The police do not let golf buggies pass towards the south side of the island (away from downtown) after a certain time, usually 4PM.

Use public transportation. It is very convenient, safe and cheap (bus COP$1700). Ask about the times though, busses may not go around the island (or outside downtown) after a certain hour of the evening.

Take taxis. They will take you anywhere. You can also talk a taxi driver to pick you up other days and move you around. They are very friendly. Prices: COP$11,000 from/to airport; COP$6000 Downtown/Sarie Bay. Prices double after midnight (April/2014).

Be careful with the motorcycles! Most of the locals move around in them, and besides the noise they make, they appear everywhere at relatively high speeds.

Do
The beaches are very nice. All are open to the public, but the hotels outside of the downtown area have direct access to a number of them.

Buy
San Andres is a tax free zone - so prices are often cheaper than on the Colombian mainland. There are lots of shops in the town centre, many of which specialize in perfumes.

You can purchase alcoholic beverages at very competitive prices; bargain as much as possible, you may cross the street and find the same object cheaper. Check the bottles for rust around the cap, some bottles may have come by ship and may have spent many days in humid containers or warehouses.

Clothing is very cheap too and you can find famous brands as well as good quality local clothing. Beware of counterfeit merchandise, shop only in reputable stores and boutiques. Ask for a warranty (in writing).

Do not purchase marine souvenirs (artifacts and handcrafts made of coral). Commercialization of these products contribute to the deforestation of the marine ecosystem.

Eat
Most travellers to San Andres have meal plans included with their hotel packages. The variety and quality of the food varies with the hotel choice, but it is in general acceptable. Downtown in San Andres there are plenty of restaurant that serve what they call "almuerzo ejecutivo" (Executive Lunch) or "corrientazo" (short circuit) which is the local term for an economic lunch which may include soup, meat/fish, rice, vegetables, etc. There are also many street spots that sell smaller snacks like "arepas" (thick tortillas) and other local fast foods.

Native cuisine is found downtown, though many foreign travelers enjoy typical islander cuisine found around the "El Cove" bay and San Luis, where the typical dish of the island can be enjoyed: Rondon, which is a soup of crab, fish, pigtail, plantain, potato, breadfruit, etc.

Outside of downtown there are small shops selling everything from produce to beer and liquor. Ask at the hotel desk for the nearest one.

Tap water in San Andres is not suited for consumption. It comes from wells and/or desalinization stations.

Drink
Tap water on the island is not suitable for human consumption; it comes from wells and/or desalinization stations.

Alcoholic beverages are sold to adults (18 years of age) and are found everywhere around the island; they are very cheap so feel free to bargain and ask around in several shops. Check the caps though, some bottles may have stayed long periods in humid containers and warehouses and develop rust. Beware of counterfeit liquors by purchasing from a reputable store.

Try Coconut Water, or local beverages served in coconut shells: Cocofresa, Cocoloco.

Sleep

Various large all inclusive chain hotels can be found.

The largest chain is Decameron, with 6 hotels and a beach club: Marazul, MaryLand, SanLuis, Aquarium, Los Delfines, El Isleño.

Other hotels are:

Sol Caribe centro, Sol Caribe campo, Lord Pierre, Bahia Sardina, Casa Dorada, Casa Blanca, Cocoplum, El Dorado, Tiuna, Toné, Sunrise, Sunset, Calipso

There are also hostels with dorms on the island.

Another accommodation option are the guesthouses called "Posadas Nativas" or Native Inns, run by the local Raizal people. These are bed and breakfast style including a homemade traditional island breakfast, and hosts speak English and Creole, which is great for international speakers who speak English and not Spanish.

For more information visit your local travel agency to see what packages are available.

You can also rent apartments for as cheap as COP$130,000 a night. Search for them online, there are plenty.

Nearby Providencia Island also has a variety of accommodation options.

Go next
Travel onwards, by plane or boat, to neighbouring Providencia.

Get a boat tour to visit small inhabited islands near by such as Cayo Bolivar, located a couple hours by boat from San Andres. This is usually a full day trip.

title: San Andrés


text:
San Andrés (Guatemala)

San Andrés is a small town on the north shore of Lago Petén Itzá in Petén.

Get in
To get to San Andrés you can take a local bus (colectivo) from the main bus terminal in Santa Elena. The ride is usually around 45 minutes and is by far the cheapest way to get there.

Colectivos run every day from 6am until 5pm between San Andrés and Santa Elena.

Get around
The cheapest way to get around town is to walk, but on very hot days and for visiting neighboring town San José you might wish to take a tuk-tuk. They are very cheap and readily available around town.

See
It's all about the lake here, and on ridiculously hot days it is just the perfect place to be, deep down in the crystal clear waters of Lake Peten Itza.

Do
San Andrés is a lovely little town where the local people are very polite and helpful. This is particularly pleasant and useful when you are undertaking intensive Spanish classes in the town. The language schools are all community based projects and include home-stays as part of the study package. The people of San Andrés although mostly of Maya Itzá descent, speak Spanish exclusively and they speak the language well.
 * Learn Spanish

Neighboring San José has a very similar option for learning the Spanish language through Bio Itza.

Eat
A local specialty is a home made ice-cream named Helado Loco (Crazy Ice-cream). Various homes in the town and some smaller shops will be able to sell them on some days. Apparently it is a great antidote to a hangover, but sure worth trying since the ingredients include Coconut and Jabanero Hot Sauce (among many other things).

title: San Andrés (Guatemala)


text:
San Andrés Tuxtla

San Andrés Tuxla is a city in the state of Veracruz, in an area known as Los Tuxtlas. There is not much tourism in this calm city, so locals may be unaccustomed to travelers.

By bus
There is an ADO bus station in the city, about 1 km from the center. Buses also serve Catemaco, Veracruz, Coatzocoalcos, Villahermosa, and most major cities in the region.

By car
San Andrés Tuxtla is located on Highway 180, about 3 hours from Veracruz city.

On foot
Walking around downtown is easy, but for larger distances a taxi may be the best bet.

By taxi
You can find taxis offering four pricing levels. Beginning with $13, it will become more expensive the further away you want to go.

By bus
Also, there are small buses ("camiones") serving parts of the city. Just ask for the destination or read the signs on the windshield.

Eat
Small restaurants are all over the place and offer typical Mexican food.

Mid-range
Both of those hotels offer different prices depending if you want a room with air conditioning.

Connect
There are some internet cafes around.

Go next
There is an ADO bus station in the city. It connects to all major and minor cities around. You can get to the beautiful, more touristy town Catemaco or to the harbour city Veracruz. Trips to Coatzacoalcos and Villahermosa are also available.

title: San Andrés Tuxtla


text:
San Andres (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called San Andres or San Andrés:

Colombia

 * San Andrés island
 * San Andrés and Providencia

Guatemala

 * San Andrés (Guatemala) - A town in the Northern Lowlands.

Mexico

 * San Andrés Tuxtla (Mexico) - A city in Veracruz.

Spain

 * San Andrés (Tenerife) — A coastal city on the island Tenerife of the Canary Islands archipelago

title: San Andres (disambiguation)


text:
San Angelo

San Angelo (pronounced "Snangelo" by locals) is a city in the Northern Edwards Plateau of Texas, on the Concho River. It is the home of Goodfellow Air Force Base, Angelo State University, and the Producer's Livestock Auction, the country's largest sheep and lamb market.

Understand
San Angelo is the county seat of Tom Green County, and the largest city in this mostly sparsely-populated part of west Texas. The military and college communities, along with business opportunities and Mexican immigration, have contributed to the city's growth and change over the years.

The city was founded in the late 1800s outside a new Army post, Fort Concho. The founder, Bartholomew DeWitt, named it "Santa Angela" after his wife, Carolina Angela. This was eventually shortened to "San Angela." The final change came in 1883 when the US Postal Service informed the town that the name was grammatically incorrect (san can only be used before a male name). Rather than revert to the original name, they changed it to "San Angelo."

The city has benefited economically from agriculture, the oil and gas industry, and after World War II, the US Air Force presence in the form of Goodfellow Air Force Base. Today, San Angelo's economy is largely supported by its two hospitals, telecommunications, agriculture, the university, and the region's largest employer, the Air Force.

Even though this city has over a 100,000 people, the locals will still notice if you're not from around here.

By car
San Angelo is not on an Interstate highway, so there aren't any completely direct routes from any major cities.

From the Dallas/Fort Worth area, take Interstate 20 to Abilene, and then either US-277 directly to San Angelo, or US-83 to Ballinger and US-67 from there to San Angelo (neither route is substantially faster or slower).

From San Antonio, the best path is probably Interstate 10 to Fredericksburg, US-83 to Eden, then US-87 to San Angelo.

From El Paso one can start on Interstate 10, then get onto Interstate 20 when it splits off from 10, go through Midland and Odessa to Big Spring, and then take US-87 from there to San Angelo.

By plane
There are taxis that can pick you up at the airport, but usually you have to call them to come pick you up. There are also two rental car companies that serve the airport. Parking: there are 352 public parking places.

By bus
San Angelo is served by Greyhound. Buses stops at San Angelo Transit Center, 510 N Chadbourne St.

Get around
A car is necessary to get around just like in most places in Texas, it's not really recommended to walk as everything is spread out. The main roads that can pretty much get you anywhere around town are Knickerboker, Bryant, Chadbourne, Sherwood, and Avenues L and N. Expressways US-67 (around the north) and Loop 306 (around the south) form a partial ring around the city.

Cars can be rented from:
 * Affordable Rent 325-949-8549
 * Avis Rent a Car  325-949-8681
 * Budget Car & Truck Rental 325-944-4718
 * Enterprise Rent-A-Car 325-942-0912
 * National Car Rental 325-944-9505

By taxi
Taxi service is available but usually needs to be called, as it's rare to hail a taxi on the street.
 * Red Ball Taxi and Shuttle 325-942-8899
 * Checker Cab 325-655-3105

By Bus

 * Concho Valley Transit, 510 N Chadbourne St. Operates all day M-Sa. Tel: 325-947-8729.

Museums

Events

 * San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo It's the one of the largest livestock shows in the State of Texas and fourth largest in the United States
 * Running of the Sheep, held in September

Buy
Downtown, one cannot walk around Chadbourne, Concho, Oakes and other nearby streets in the downtown area without finding numerous small shops selling gifts, clothing, and antiques.

 * Eggemeyer's General Store, 35 E Concho Ave. Something like an old mercantile, with curios and bon bons, er, candy and fudge, and things. Tel: +1 325-655-1166.
 * Eggemeyer's General Store, 35 E Concho Ave. Something like an old mercantile, with curios and bon bons, er, candy and fudge, and things. Tel: +1 325-655-1166.

Fast food
A variety of fast food restaurants located throughout the city including Burger King, Taco Bell, Sonic Drive-In, Jack in the Box, KFC, Wendys, Quiznos, Arby's, Long John Silver's, Subway, Popeye's, Wienerschnitzel, McDonald's, Denny's and IHOP.

Pizza
They have some of the national pizza chains like Domino's, Little Caesars, Cici's, Pizza Hut and Papa John's etc. These are some of the more local/regional type of pizza places.

Mexican
Well, if you like Mexican food then you have come to the right place. They have a lot of good mom and pop Mexican restaurants, most of them are very good and aren't too expensive either.

Casual/sit down
You can find most of the standard American chains of restaurants such as Chili's, Carino's, Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse, TGI Friday's, Red Lobster, and Olive Garden. Beyond this there are other, more local options:

Connect
San Angelo is part of the 325 Area Code.

Cope

 * San Angelo Standard Times the Newspaper that serves San Angelo and the surrounding area

Stay safe
San Angelo does not have a high crime rate just take caution as you would in any other town, they take drunk driving very seriously here in Texas and it is not uncommon to see a DUI checkpoint around so be forewarned, also they are very strict on the speed limit here and will pull you over and ticket you

Water

 * Be prepared to buy drinking water, the water is potable but honestly doesn't taste that good. There are water vending machines all over town that you can usually fill a gallon jug for a quarter. Another word of note-- if you ask for water at a restaurant it would be a good idea to ask if its filtered water or not or just buy water in a bottle there.

Go next

 * Paint Rock, about 35 miles east of town near a small town of the same name. This rock face on the bank of the Concho River has hundreds of pictographs stretching half a mile. Some pictographs were made even after the Spanish began colonization efforts, as pictographs of missions and men with crosses can clearly be seen. The site is open to tourists by reservation only. Contact Paint Rock Excursions, +1 915-732-4376.
 * San Antonio, about 212 miles to the South so it could be a 3-4 hour drive depending on the traffic
 * Dallas, it is literally an hour plane ride to Dallas and not too expensive on your wallet.
 * Abilene is about an hour-and-a-half drive north on US highway 277.
 * Odessa (Texas) can be reached by taking US highway 87 to Big Spring, and then Interstate 20 to Odessa.
 * Del Rio/Ciudad Acuña is a direct, but long, drive south on US-277.

title: San Angelo


text:
San Anselmo

San Anselmo is in Marin County in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. It's bordered on the east side by San Rafael, and the west side by Fairfax.

Get in
San Anselmo is accessible by automobile, bicycle, and Marin Transit bus service.

Get around

 * Bus: Marin Transit

Buy
Lots of shopping. Two bicycle shops.

Go next

 * Fairfax
 * San Rafael

title: San Anselmo


text:
San Antonio

San Antonio is the second largest city in the state of Texas and the 7th largest in the United States. It's the 24th largest metropolitan area in the country. Visited by more than 31 million annual visitors, San Antonio is a beautiful city at the axis of three different geological terrains: Hill Country, South Texas Plains and Prairie and Lakes. There's a lot to do in this city: fine art museums, historical missions and plenty of amusement parks in addition to great dining and lots of drinking. The culture and people are vibrant and interesting. San Antonio's downtown is one of the most lively in the nation.

Understand
San Antonio is considered to be the cradle of Texan liberty. Its best-known landmark is the Alamo, the site of the famous battle (1836) where Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were killed. When most visitors see the Alamo for the first time, their common reaction is "Hm, I thought it would be bigger."

No other city in Texas reflects the state's Spanish and Mexican heritage better than San Antonio. Hispanics make up a considerable fraction of the population and it shows in most places. The Hispanic atmosphere of San Antonio makes it a truly unique U.S. city. This becomes most evident during Fiesta week, a yearly celebration that attracts 3.5 million people to its over one hundred events including parades, music, festivals, fairs and food and drink in the charming downtown streets of the city. San Antonio also has a significant African-American population.

San Antonio, with a population of about 1.5 million (2020), and a metro population of nearly 2.5 million (2018), still enjoys a small-town feel despite the hustle and bustle. Its people are friendly, open and bicultural, and the concentration of population around its center makes it easy to get just about anywhere within a 30- to 40-minute drive.

Climate
During the summer it can get hot, and sometimes humid. Temperatures in the 90s and 100s °F (30s °C) are typical from May to September, though there are some days that stay cooler. April and October have also been known to get into the 90s and even 100s, and during the winter it typically is cool and rainy. Carry a light sweater; you never know when the weather may change in San Antonio.

Visitor information

 * Visit San Antonio website

By plane

 * . Serves over 30 national and international destinations with non-stop service and many more with one-stop direct service.  For destinations, check with individual airlines.  Ground transportation from SAT to Downtown available by shuttle ($19 one way per person), by taxi ($25-35 one way, up to 4-6 persons depending on the size of the taxi), or by public bus (Number 5) which stops just outside Terminal B (brings you downtown in about half an hour for $1.30 exact change and runs approximately every 30 minutes).

By train
San Antonio is served by two Amtrak long-distance trains. The Texas Eagle provides a direct connection with Chicago while the Sunset Limited calls in San Antonio on its way between Los Angeles and New Orleans.

By car
Most visitors to San Antonio arrive by either I-35, I-10, I-37 or US 281. I-10 comes from El Paso to the west and Houston to the east. I-35 comes from Austin to the north and Laredo to the south. Driving times are about 1 hour from Austin, 4 hours 15 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth and less than 3 hours from Houston.

By bus

 * Megabus. Service from Dallas, Austin, and Houston. The bus stop is in the parking lot on the south corner of 4th St and Broadway St.
 * Autobus Americanos. Mexican trans-border bus line with services from various points in Mexico. Bus stop is at 301 Broadway in San Antonio.
 * Turimex Internacional. Mexican trans-border bus line with services from various points in Mexico. Bus stop is at 518 N, Alamo in San Antonio.
 * Omnibus Mexicanos. Mexican trans-border bus line with services from various points in Mexico. Bus stop is at 930 Broadway in San Antonio.
 * Omnibus Mexicanos. Mexican trans-border bus line with services from various points in Mexico. Bus stop is at 930 Broadway in San Antonio.

By boat
San Antonio is in the middle of Texas. Therefore, it is not accessible by boat, although there are many tubing opportunities around San Antonio, thanks to the huge abundance of rivers in the area.

Public transit
San Antonio's bus system, the VIA Metropolitan Transit, runs the downtown trolley service (actually a bus) for a small fare. Bus fares range from about $1.10 to $2.50 depending on the service with a one-day $2.75 pass (for purchase at some retail outlets see VIA's Website under Fare information) for all routes.

There are 4 types of routes: Express, Skip, Frequent, and Metro. The Express routes usually run from the sub-urban areas (mostly Park and Rides) to downtown. Most of them run about once every 30 minutes. Skip service usually runs along the streets with high traffic. They usually do not stop at bus stops that are served by the frequent routes. Skip routes also usually run about every 30 minutes. Frequent routes can also be found on high traffic roads and as the name implies, the stops are very frequent. Although Frequent routes come by about once every 15 minutes, it is usually faster to wait a little longer and take the Skip routes if you are going a long distance,for example on San Pedro ave, it is usually quicker to wait for the #3 (Skip) as opposed to the #4 (Frequent) if you wanted to get from downtown to North Star Mall. Metro service is usually found in neighborhoods around the city, frequency varies with each route, but they usually run about once an hour.

Discount fares are available to children between the ages of 5 and 11, senior citizens 62 and older, Medicare recipients, persons with disabilities and students. A reduced fee ID is required for reduced fares and can be acquired from VIA Information Centers (students may get the necessary forms from their campus administration). Bus schedules and route information can be found at VIA's website, by calling the VIA information line +1 210-362-2020 or for the hearing impaired at +1 210-362-2019, or at the San Antonio Visitor Information Center.

Taxi
Cabs are available to be hailed downtown, at the airport, or at military bases. In other areas you should reserve a cab in advance.

Events

 * First Friday Art Walk. San Antonio First Friday is a free showcase of the art community in San Antonio. The event takes place on the 1st Friday of every month in the historic King Williams district. Many local restaurants feature live music, and there are vendors selling local goods along the walk.
 * First Friday Art Walk. San Antonio First Friday is a free showcase of the art community in San Antonio. The event takes place on the 1st Friday of every month in the historic King Williams district. Many local restaurants feature live music, and there are vendors selling local goods along the walk.

Theaters
San Antonio is home to several historic vaudeville theatres; The Empire, Aztec, Alameda, and the Majestic. There are also many live music venues including, Sunset Station, Paper Tiger, Scout Bar, Blue Star Arts complex, Pearl Brewery, Cowboys, La Tuna's, Randy's Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar, and The Ten Eleven and many great local bands.

Buy
San Antonio is home to a variety of shopping venues with a wide selection of shops and stores. With ten major shopping malls within an hour drive of downtown as well as La Villita and Market Square in the heart of downtown San Antonio.

Groceries and other basics
The major supermarket chains in San Antonio are H-E-B and Walmart, with some locations open 24 hours. In addition many specialty and organic supermarkets such as Whole Foods Market, Central Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe's can also be found in San Antonio.

Farmers Market
The Pearl Brewery (now an urban re-development center) hosts a farmers market on Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM and Sundays from 10AM to 2PM. Local farmers, vendors, and artisans offer up fresh, seasonal products to the public. Excellent restaurants, boutique shops, condos and apartments have been incorporated in this yellow brick former brewery. The horse stables have been converted into a ball room/dance hall. The "Pearl" is right next to the San Antonio River which forms an excellent green area, you can walk or take the river shuttle up from your hotel downtown. Plenty of parking is available under Hwy 281 and along Grayson St.

Drink
San Antonio's downtown is the hub of the city's nightlife, with hundreds of dining options, bars and clubs mostly on the Riveralk and throughout street level. Other major nightlife locales, include Southtown Arts District, home to First Friday Art Walk, a large art block party with crowds upward of 20,000 along Alamo St. Scores of dining, galleries, theatres and lodging options, that include more than 10 historic 19th century B&Bs adjacent to the Riverwalk.

Wander down through the River Walk and take your choice of bars and eateries. You can't go wrong. There are also several bars/restaurants in the Mercado block of tourist shops.

Stay safe
By American standards, San Antonio is safe for its size; despite a rather high poverty rate and the racial tensions that flared up around the country since 2017, the Alamo City has managed to avoid most of the crime waves that hit other American cities. As long as you take elementary precautions, you'll have a fantastic time. Even when there are crowds for such events like the Alamo Bowl, it is still relatively safe. The River Walk always has something going on, but if you're in one of the quieter spots at night, exercise some caution.

San Antonio has a high rate of cars break-ins. Do not leave any belongings in your car.

Some neighborhoods in the east (Eastwood Village, Wheatley Heights, Arena District) should be approached with caution at night, though they are of little interest to tourists unless you. In San Antonio, if a place looks iffy, don't go there at night.

Connect
As of Dec 2021, San Antonio has 5G from AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile. Free WiFi is widely available.

Consulates

 * 🇧🇪 Belgium
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico

Go next
To leave San Antonio, use US 281 south to get to Brownsville, I-10 east to get to Houston, I-10 west to get to El Paso, I-35 north to get to Austin, Waco, and Dallas/Fort Worth, I-37/US 181 south to get to Corpus Christi and Floresville, SH 16 north to get to Bandera, SH 16 south to get to Poteet, or US 281 north to get to Blanco and Johnson City. An alternate route to Austin is to use US 281 north and US 290 east. I-410 and SH 151 do not leave the city. However, Loop 1604 does go to small towns in the county.

 * New Braunfels - 30 miles northeast of San Antonio, this town is best known for its German culture and heritage, not to mention the Schlitterbahn, persistent in being voted the world's best waterpark.
 * San Marcos - 50 miles northeast of San Antonio, San Marcos is the home of Texas State University and its Aquarena Center, as well as two massive outlet malls that have more than 350 shops.

title: San Antonio


text:
San Antonio (Belize)

San Antonio is a village in the Toledo District of southern Belize. The village was established by Mopan Maya who fled across the Guatemalan border in 1883 from San Luis, Peten, in order to avoid persecution and military service.

The village sits among several small hills, with traditional thatched houses spread high to low, and intersected by several gently-flowing streams. The village Catholic Church is built of limestone salvaged from surrounding Maya ruins, transported by the villagers, and the stained glass windows were donated from a church in Missouri. The village celebrates the Feast of San Luis - the village patron - with a performance of the Deer Dance, which is held over several days. The dance of the holy deer represents the relationship between humanity and nature.

San Antonio is the most developed village in the Toledo District, with electricity, community telephone, a central water system, a new health centre, several small shops, and a drying and purchasing centre for the Toledo Cacao Growers Association.

Talk
Although this Mopan Maya village is the largest in Toledo, Mopan Maya is spoken by only a small number of people (varying sources suggest between 5,000 and 7,000 in southern Belize and Guatemala combined). The language is distinct from Kekchi Maya, but close to Yucatec (Mopan speakers can largely follow the dialogue in Mel Gibson's film Apocalypto without needing to read the sub-titles).

Most, if not all, the villagers speak English, and many also speak Spanish and Kekchi Maya.

Get in
Take the unpaved road inland from 'Dump' junction at the Southern Highway towards Mafredi, and continue on this road for a further couple of miles (do not turn left at Mafredi, which would take you to Blue Creek)

San Antonio is served by two village busses (Chun's Bus, and Coc's Bus) and Bol's Bus (to Jalacte), Cindy's Bus (to Jalacte) and Chen's Bus (to San Vicente) also stop at San Antonio. The bus fare is BZ$3, and the journey from Punta Gorda takes around an hour.

Buses from Jose Maria Nunez Street, Punta Gorda:
 * 6AM: Bol's Bus to Jalacte
 * 11AM: Cindy's Bus to Jalacte
 * 11:30AM Chun's Bus to Jalacte
 * noon: Chun's Bus to San Antonio
 * noon: Coc's Bus to San Antonio
 * noon: Chen's Bus to San Vicente

Get around
The village is small and easily walked. Some villagers have horses, and although no formal horse-riding is available it's worth asking!

See
The San Antonio Falls (Noh-sus) are located a mile west of the village, heading towards the village of Santa Cruz - you'll see the sign welcoming you to the falls on your right-hand side. The falls gently cascade 8 feet over limestone rock, and the pool below is perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day, surrounded by lush vegetation, brightly coloured dragonflies, and hummingbirds.

Further upstream, the Falls' local management team have cut trails for exploring the surrounding jungle. They have also constructed palaps, tables, and changing rooms and the entrance to the Falls. Entrance fee BZ$2 - BZ$5.

Do

 * Visit the San Antonio Falls, take a swim, and hike the jungle trails
 * Visit the craft-makers, and learn about the traditional Maya blouses still worn by some ladies
 * Talk to the friendly villagers to learn more about their culture

Buy
Some ladies in the village make crafts, and you should ask for directions to the houses. The traditional Maya earrings you see worn by many ladies in Toledo are sometimes available from Mr Bol's shop on the left-hand side as you enter the village. Although commonplace in Toledo, they are rarely worn elsewhere.

Eat
There is no restaurant in the village, although with advance notice you can arrange meals through the TEA village guesthouse (breakfast and dinner BZ$6.50, dinner BZ$8), or buy snacks in one of the small local shops.

Sleep
The Toledo Ecotourism Association (TEA) operates a village guesthouse, where guests interact with the villagers but sleep in a purpose-built guesthouse to allow for privacy on both sides (BZ$22 per person). They provide food on request, and guided tours.

Bol's Hilltop Hotel has rustic rooms with shared bath for BZ$15.

Connect
Trained guides (through the TEA scheme) are Reyes Chun, Luciana Chun, Fedelia Chiac.

Go next

 * Lubaantun
 * Punta Gorda (Belize)

Coc's Bus leaves San Antonio for PG around 1:30PM, and Bol's Bus passes through San Antonio on its journey from Jalacte back to PG around 4:30PM. Ask in the village whether the schedule has changed.

title: San Antonio (Belize)


text:
San Antonio (disambiguation)

There are several places called San Antonio.

Belize

 * San Antonio (Belize), a small village

United States

 * San Antonio, a large city in the U.S. state of Texas

title: San Antonio (disambiguation)


text:
Sant Antoni de Portmany

Sant Antoni de Portmany (aka San Antonio Abad or simply San Antonio) is the second largest town in Ibiza, and is considered by British clubbers to be the clubbing capital of the world. It is on San Antonio Bay, on the west of Ibiza.

For two thousand years, Sant Antoni was a small fishing village, but it began to grow in the late 1950s when many hotels and tourist resorts were built as part of a mass tourism initiative which took place across Spain.

By the 1980s, Sant Antoni had acquired the stigma of being the holiday location of choice for British football hooligans, which lead to a decline in tourism in the area. However, it regained its popularity in the mid 1990s when it gained a reputation in Britain as being the best place to stay whilst having access to all the island's night clubs, often quoted as the best in the world who also host the best DJs in the world. Young British clubbers make up the vast majority of visitors to the area.

In late 2020, the government indicated its intent to close permanently the streets where excess alcohol and anti-social behaviour "put people’s health and safety at large in danger".

Understand
Most locals speak English quite well. Or to put it another way, most of the British tourists here don't bother trying to speak any Spanish.

By plane
See Ibiza Airport for details.

A taxi from the airport costs approx. €27-30. You can also take the airport bus to Ibiza town and change there or in peak summer season there is a direct bus to Sant Antoni every 30 min. Will cost around €3.

By boat
In season there are some boats to/from Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.

On foot
Walk. Town is small enough.

See
People go to Sant Antoni for clubbing, drinking, beaching, etc., rather than enjoying the beauty of this town. That's not least because of that it is not a particularly attractive place: someone on the Internet has written that the most lovely building there is the building of the Lidl supermarket at the town's outskirts (which is quite an ugly one). Still a curious traveller may find a few places are worth visiting:

Do

 * Clubbing (although the most of the larger famous Ibiza clubs are actually located out of town)
 * Drink in a West End bar and sit and watch as the crazy world go by
 * Beaches
 * Cruises, speedboats
 * Parasailing
 * Sunsets
 * Workers Parties
 * Party boats
 * Bungee jumping
 * Water Sports

Buy
"Genuine Imitation" Sunglasses from the "Looky Looky" men

Eat
The Town is full of pizzerias, Chinese restaurants and bars. It's difficult to find decent restaurant with local food.

 * Davids Pizzeria. Set menu priced at €12.50 available until 21:00 offers unbeatable value for a 3-course meal and drink. In peak season it becomes very very busy with a waiting list and large queue.
 * The Curry Club. Over priced and under flavoured Indian food, but still remains popular with a beautiful garden eating area.
 * Zebra Art&Grill. Soletat 43, 07820 Sant Antoni (near Kanya). This restaurant serves delicious meals prepared with fresh ingredients and an artisan's pride in preparation and presentation - a fact largely wasted on the hordes of Brits looking for a fry-up or microwave pizza, which is probably why the prices are very reasonable.
 * The Curry Club, Tucked behind the sunset strip in San Antonio, its beautiful inside, the staff are great and the food - amazing!

Drink

 * Café del Mar - This is the must spot to catch an amazing sunset set to chillout music. A perfect start to any night.
 * Viva Ibiza The local bar for all the workers and is busy til 06:00. Ask to buy a Viva wristband (€5) and then all summer (if you are a worker) or all week (if you are a tourist) your drinks will be over 50% cheaper there than in any other bar in town.
 * Bar Amsterdam - Cheap drinks offers but they don't always use the best quality drinks in your deal.
 * Viva Ibiza The local bar for all the workers and is busy til 06:00. Ask to buy a Viva wristband (€5) and then all summer (if you are a worker) or all week (if you are a tourist) your drinks will be over 50% cheaper there than in any other bar in town.
 * Bar Amsterdam - Cheap drinks offers but they don't always use the best quality drinks in your deal.

Sleep

When the sun comes up, it is the best time to sleep. The locals have the town in the day, and singing crowds are likely to keep you awake at night. It's hot all day and night, so you have to be either very tired or have an air-conditioned room.

Go next
Look for local clubs and bars that have pre-parties and buses to big clubs outside town. You may need to buy tickets in advance (prices range from €12 to €50)

title: Sant Antoni de Portmany


text:
San Antonio de Areco

San Antonio de Areco is a town on the Areco River, 113 km (70 mi) northwest of Buenos Aires, on the riverside of Arroyo Areco.

Understand
Founded in 1730, the town is proud of its gaucho (Argentine cowboy) tradition, and visitors can explore the surrounding villages and ranches. It was declared "The National Capital of Tradition" on January 29th, 2015.

The origin of the name of the city has two versions, some historians say that it takes its name from a soldier, named Areco, who fought against the aboriginal people on those shores. The version of a local historian affirms that the name of that river is due to the fact that on its shores grew the "areca", which was a kind of palm tree.

Important dates
Tradition and history joined in this site, and Tradition Day was established in 1939. Nowadays this day is celebrated on November 10th, date of birth of the Argentinian poet José Hernández. The protagonists of this celebration are the countrymen with their horses, but also the artisans, musicians, dancers, painters. The folkloric events are the reason for meetings at any place and time of the year. As you walk through its streets you will discover, behind its colonial bars and narrow paths, the history and tradition of the country.

Other dates of its tourist calendar are: Easter (April), the Horse Party (May) and San Antonio Patron festivities (June).

By bus
Pullman and Chevallier run buses from the Retiro Bus Terminal in Buenos Aires between 6.05am and 12.45am, with approximately 18 daily departures. The journey costs between Ar$29 and Ar$37 and takes about two hours. There are also several daily departures from Rosario, costing Ar$60 and taking about four hours.

By car
San Antonio de Areco is accessible by car from Buenos Aires along National Route 8.

Get around
The city centre is compact and can be easily covered on foot, but there are also several radio taxi companies available for hire if one wishes to explore the nearby ranches.

Alternatively, the tourist office at the junction of Arellano and Zebroni on the north side of town has four free bicycles available for hire between 8.15am and 6.45pm.

It is a beautiful place to spend a weekend and get to know a city that seems to have stopped in time, protecting our customs and traditions.

See
There are eight museums on regional and traditional themes which can help a visitor form a complete idea of the history and culture of this town.

Cope
The tourist office at the junction of Arellano and Zebroni on the north side of town is open Mondays to Fridays 8.00am to 7.00pm, and on weekends and holidays 8.00am to 8.00pm. It can be reached at (54 2326) 453165 or direcciondeturismo@areconet.com.ar.

Go next
Pullman and Chevallier run buses to the Retiro Bus Terminal in Buenos Aires between 5.30am and 11.15pm, with approximately 18 daily departures. The journey costs Ar$26 and takes about two hours. There are also several daily departures to Rosario (including at 2.20pm, 6.10pm and 8.50pm), costing Ar$60 and taking about four hours.

title: San Antonio de Areco


text:
San Antonio Oeste

San Antonio Oeste is the most important port town in Rio Negro Province of Argentina.

Understand
San Antonio Oeste is the main fishing port in Northern Patagonia, and locally well known for its beaches in the suburb of Las Grutas. The town is on the shore of the Bay of San Antonio, a shallow extension of the San Matías Gulf, and has 20,000 inhabitants.

The city is divided into three main localities: the proper San Antonio Oeste at the western shore of the bay, the port of San Antonio Este at the eastern shore, mainly used for the export of fruits and vegetables, and the Las Grutas beach resort 10 km south-west of the city centre. There are some more recent smaller resorts with very few services, most of them south of Las Grutas, while one was built at the Conchillas beach in San Antonio Este.

Whether the proper San Antonio Oeste is a quiet and lovely town, the Las Grutas beach resort becomes very crowded in January and February, as it has converted into a "in" place since the 1990s. It is mostly visited by families and young people. Best time to visit is late summer and early autumn, when the water is very warm - it's the warmest of Argentina because of the sunny climate of the area and the relatively shallow waters - and there are less tourists.

Get in
San Antonio has an airport, but it is (as of Jan 2020) not served by passenger flights. Nearest airports are in Viedma and Puerto Madryn, from where you can take a bus.

Most people will go to San Antonio by bus, with connections to all important cities in Argentina. There are two bus terminals, one in San Antonio proper and the more active one in Las Grutas.

A inexpensive train with only regular service operates on the line between Viedma and San Carlos de Bariloche twice per week, stopping at San Antonio.

Get around
Las Grutas and San Antonio Este are connected to San Antonio Oeste by paved roads.

There are several local buses. The main line between San Antonio and Las Grutas runs every 30 min until late at the evening. Another service connects San Antonio Oeste to the port of San Antonio Este and Las Conchillas beach, three times per day.

See
San Antonio is mostly a modern town with largely uninteresting buildings in the centre, with two exceptions: the neo-classical Municipality and the neo-baroque Church.

The harbour section in the proper San Antonio Oeste is full of picturesque old wooden houses, but most of the area is run down.

The port installations of San Antonio Este cannot be visited.

Do
The beaches are the main attractions of town and surroundings. Only the Las Grutas main beach becomes really crowded. The other beaches are quiet and beautiful alternatives. Visitors can practice diving and fishing in many areas. The San Antonio Bay loses nearly all its water when the tide is low, and nature lovers can make large walks "on the ground of the sea".

Las Grutas

 * The Playa Central is surrounded by rocks, with wider sandy areas and some small caverns. It is often crowded and becomes very small when tide is high. Stairways, the so-called Bajadas, go down the rocks to the beaches; they are numbered from north to south. There are several bars and other activities at the beach.
 * Beaches north of the center are rocky, with less sand, but interesting rock formations and caverns.
 * About 4 km south of Las Grutas is the very picturesque Playa Piedras Coloradas surrounded by red rocks.
 * Playa El Fuerte is located even more south, it's sandy and has a nice view of a rocky mountain near the coast called El Fuerte.

San Antonio Este

 * The brightly white Playa Las Conchillas is the most attractive beach of the area, with a mix of sand and milled clam shells. It is located east of the town and has some accommodation and very few services, there is also a little sea lion colony.
 * The main beach north and south of the port is sandy and you get a nice view of the port installations.
 * Punta Perdices, a small peninsula, and the bay Caleta Falsa are located north of the town, they're strikingly beautiful locations with very blue water and white beaches, but there is not much sand and there are no services.

San Antonio Oeste

 * The central beach only has water when tide is high. Water temperature is even higher than in Las Grutas.
 * Playa La Mar Grande lies south of the town center, about 2 km west of the ALPAT factory and has no services. When tide is low it is almost 2 km wide, while at high tide access is much easier.

Buy
Las Grutas has a pedestrian mall with dozens of shops, although they tend to be expensive. Most of them close between Easter vacations and December. At summer evenings, there is a craft market.

In San Antonio Oeste, the main commercial street is San Martín, above all west of the main square. There are fewer shops than in Las Grutas, but they're also cheaper and open the year round. San Antonio Este has only basic services.

Eat
Many restaurants offer good fish specialities. They are concentrated in Las Grutas but San Antonio Oeste itself also offers good choices. In San Antonio Este, there are also some small restaurants.

Drink
In summer, Las Grutas has an active nightlife, but music in the clubs tends to be poor and chart-heavy. The rest of the year there are a few pubs and a disco in San Antonio Oeste.

Sleep
Most visitors of Las Grutas sleep in rented apartments. There is a still relatively small, but growing number of hotels and several large camping grounds. It is highly recommended that you reserve your place in advance, even in the campings (above all at weekends, when many families of the Rio Negro Province visit the town).

In the proper San Antonio Oeste and San Antonio Este the situation is less tense, but there were cases with the whole area without a single free bed.

Connect
Internet and locutorios (telephone centers) exist in all parts of the city.

Go next

 * A little known and attractive area is Sierra Grande, 120 km south of San Antonio, with a sea-lion and penguin colony, nice desert hills with red rocks, the very attractive Playas Doradas beach and much tranquility.
 * Towards the east, you can reach Viedma and Carmen de Patagones, the oldest cities in Patagonia, and several small seaside resorts which become accessible via Ruta Provincial 1. This area is very attractive for nature lovers, with a sea lion and a large parrot colony.

title: San Antonio Oeste


text:
San Antonio Palopo

San Antonio Palopo is an authentic Mayan town on the shore of Lake Atitlán in the Western Highlands of Guatemala.

Understand
San Antonio Palopo has very few of the tourist trappings nor traffic. It's known for its ceramics and its beautiful but simple native dress (Traje). The villagers are cautious but will greet your smile with an even bigger one.

Though a laid back and simple Mayan village, San Antonio Palopo can service tourists nicely, if only a couple dozen at a time.

Sleep
There are two restaurants/hotels that service travelers and a bed and breakfast that also includes use of a kayak.

title: San Antonio Palopo


text:
San Benito County

San Benito County is an inland county in the Central Coast region of California. Except for a small area at the extreme north end of the county, it is hot, dry, and mountainous.

Other destinations

 * - Rising out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, east of central California's Salinas Valley, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano. Massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate movement. Hiking through the impressive rock formations is the primary recreational opportunity, although bird watchers will enjoy the possibility of seeing the highly endangered California condor.

Understand
San Benito County is predominantly rural and mountainous. Just over 55,000 people reside in the county, with about two-thirds of the population living in the county seat of Hollister.

The county was formed in 1874 from portions of Monterey County. The county is named after the San Benito Valley, which was itself named by the Franciscan missionary Father Juan Crespí in honor of San Benedicto, the patron saint of the married. The state gem of California, benitoite, is named after the county. While the mineral exists elsewhere, San Benito County is the only place in the world where it exists in gem quality.

The county's economy is based primarily on agriculture and agritourism. While the oil and gas industry traditionally operated several wells in the county, an effort to ban fracking in 2014 has essentially shut down any further extraction activities.

By car
The main gateway to the county is U.S. 101 which cuts through the northwest corner of the county. The southern portion of the county can be accessed via CA-146 from Soledad.

By air
There are no commercial airports in the county; however, there are nearby airports that can be used to reach the county.

The nearest commercial airport is Monterey Regional Airport in Monterey, west. The nearest major airport is San Jose International in San Jose, north.

Go next

 * - Located northwest of San Benito County, the second-smallest county in the state is home to the quirky town of Santa Cruz and a rugged coast that is equally popular with surfers and elephant seals. The Santa Cruz mountains are the abode of redwoods and bright yellow banana slugs, both of which can be easily seen on the many hiking trails.  Other portions of the county are known for agriculture, with farm stands dotting the roads.
 * - San Benito County's northern neighbor is home to Silicon Valley, headquarters to hundreds of tech companies including giants like Apple, Intel and Hewlett Packard. Visitors will appreciate the massive array of restaurants, museums, and cultural opportunities offered by the huge city of San Jose, while at the other end of the spectrum the tiny town of Gilroy is famous for garlic, with its annual festival attracting over 100,000 garlic lovers.
 * - San Benito County's northeastern neighbor is located entirely within the San Joaquin Valley. Most travelers will likely just take advantage of the county's hotels and other amenities, but there are a few attractions worth considering.  The Castle Air Museum in Atwater is home to over 50 planes, while the Merced National Wildlife Refuge hosts thousands of waterfowl during winter months, including huge flocks of snow geese and sandhill cranes.
 * - San Benito County's neighbor to the east, sprawling Fresno County is home to Fresno, California's fifth-largest city, and vast agricultural areas. The eastern side of the county is mountainous, featuring the remote wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park, which attracts visitors to its giant sequoias and unspoiled meadows that lie at the crest of the Sierra Nevada range.
 * - Located southwest of San Benito County, Monterey County is what many people think of when they think of the Central Coast - the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the beautiful 17-Mile Drive, Cannery Row, Pebble Beach golf course, and the rugged beauty of Big Sur. The northern part of the county contains every manner of amenity for travelers, ranging from chain motels to five star resorts, while the southern portion of the county is remote and accessible mainly by the Pacific Coast Highway or on foot by hikers.

title: San Benito County


text:
San Bernardino

San Bernardino is a city in the Inland Empire in California. It is the site of the first McDonald Brothers Hamburger Stand

Understand
San Bernardino is the largest city of San Bernardino County. The 2000 census shows the population to be 185,401. Of this, 45.2% are white and 16.4% are African-American. 27.1% is cited as "some other race", the majority of which is most likely Hispanic. The city, along with its outlying areas, has a large Hispanic and Spanish-speaking population. 40.4% of the population speaks a language other than English at home.

The closure of the Kaiser Steel facility in nearby Fontana in the 1980s and the closure of Norton Air Force Base in 1994 were cataclysmic to the economy of the city. Repeated attempts at downtown revitalization have been mostly unsuccessful. In 2012 the city declared bankruptcy in the wake of a stubborn economic decline. It only emerged from bankruptcy in 2017, making it one of the longest municipal bankruptcies in U.S. history. The city was further devastated by a mass shooting by two terrorists that took place in 2015. 14 people were killed, and 22 others were injured.

By plane

 * The next nearest airport for regular commercial flights to San Bernardino is the LA/Ontario International Airport, west on I-10 and N Archibald Ave (Exit #55A). LA/Ontario is more compact, less crowded, has fewer delays, and usually cheaper and closer in than Los Angeles International Airport which is  away.
 * The next closest airports to San Bernardino are in Palm Springs which is  east along I-10 and Santa Ana  also  southwest of San Bernardino along I-215 and CA Hwy 91 through Riverside and Corona.
 * The next closest airports to San Bernardino are in Palm Springs which is  east along I-10 and Santa Ana  also  southwest of San Bernardino along I-215 and CA Hwy 91 through Riverside and Corona.

By train
The MetroLink San Bernardino Line from the downtown Los Angeles Union Station (via Rialto and Fontana) and the Inland Empire-Orange County Line from Oceanside through Orange County and Riverside stop at at 1170 W 3rd St (second to last stop). The cost of tickets varies depending on how far you are traveling. Amtrak serves San Bernardino at the same location with the once daily Southwest Chief line between Chicago, Kansas City, Albuquerque, Grand Canyon (at Williams Jct) and Los Angeles and with the Amtrak Thruway Buses connecting San Bernardino to the San Joaquins Line in Bakersfield. From here the Metrolink Trains continue southeast to the south of downtown, along W Rialto St between S 'G' St and S 'E' St, where both Metrolink routes terminate at. The Amtrak train continues north to Victorville (next stop) from the Santa Fe Depot on its journey towards Chicago.

Intercity bus services
The intercity bus companies maintain separate bus stations or stops in different parts of town and are far away from each other. Travelers will need to use a taxi, local bus (Omnitrans) or Uber/Lyft to transfer between the stations & stops. Some of the stops are in neighboring Fontana or Ontario instead:

See By bus under Get in of the Ontario article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area.

By public transportation
The following services provide rides to the surrounding cities in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside Counties) from the next to the Downtown Metrolink Station:
 * For going to the airport by public transport take the Metrolink San Bernardino Line train to Rancho Cucamonga Station and transfer to ONTConnect (#380) bus to the Ontario International Airport (ONT) or stay on the same train to the downtown L.A. Union Station and transfer to the LAX FlyAway bus to get to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
 * For going to the airport by public transport take the Metrolink San Bernardino Line train to Rancho Cucamonga Station and transfer to ONTConnect (#380) bus to the Ontario International Airport (ONT) or stay on the same train to the downtown L.A. Union Station and transfer to the LAX FlyAway bus to get to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Get around
The city is fairly navigable with I-210, I-10, I-215, and I-15 as the freeways in the city.

See

Downtown San Bernardino is definitely a neat place to check out. It has angled parking, festivals, stores, lower speed for vehicles, and street appeal, this place is a hit! It is a very lively core with all kinds of stuff to do and lots of parking despite not being shown. It incorporates beautiful, generous wall-to-wall structures and scenic landmarks.

Consulates
Most of the foreign consulates are in Los Angeles. Most of the consulates are located along Wilshire Blvd between Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica, through Beverly Hills, the Wilshire neighborhood and West Los Angeles. They can also be in other parts of town too. They can also be located in other parts of the Greater Los Angeles area too. The following countries maintain consulates in and around San Bernardino:
 * 🇸🇻 El Salvador
 * 🇬🇹 Guatemala
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico

Go next
San Bernardino is a good launching point for Joshua Tree National Park.

title: San Bernardino


text:
San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County is a county that spans the Southern California and Desert regions of the state of California. It is the largest county in the state at - an area larger than nine of the US states, and about the same size as Costa Rica!

Southern California
The following San Bernardino County cities are in the Southern California region of California:

Mojave Desert
The following San Bernardino County cities are in the Mojave Desert region of California:

 * - Lying out in the desert, this ghost town has a population that today varies between 4-8 people. A stop on the historic Route 66, the town is worth a visit to see a decaying piece of American history.
 * - Lying out in the desert, this ghost town has a population that today varies between 4-8 people. A stop on the historic Route 66, the town is worth a visit to see a decaying piece of American history.

Get in
It is served by Ontario International Airport with flights from Mexico, Taiwan, and the West Coast. The city of San Bernardino (SBD) has an airport, although it has never been used commercially.

Do

 * Hiking in Mojave National Preserve

Go next

 * - Bordering San Bernardino County to the south, Riverside County's western portions include the far outskirts of Los Angeles, as well as more rural areas like Temecula, known for its wineries and hot air balloons. The majority of the county lies in the desert, with the most-visited portion being Palm Springs and its neighboring resort towns.  Further east the county is essentially uninhabited, and includes the remote, rocky desert of Joshua Tree National Park, and the empty landscapes west of the Colorado River.
 * - While Disneyland is obviously the attraction that brings the most visitors to Orange County, there is more to this county than just the House of Mouse. The county's Beach Cities offer vast sand expanses great for sunbathing, swimming, surfing and even whale watching, particularly in the spring and fall when grey whales migrate along the coast.  Festivals such as Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters (July & August) or the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa (mid-July to mid-August) draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.  And Knott's Berry Farm was an actual berry farm before adding roller coasters and other rides, and since 1973 has featured a popular October transformation into "Knott's Scary Farm" when the entire  park is re-themed into a haunted house style attraction.
 * - While many places claim to have "something for everyone", San Bernardino County's southwestern neighbor actually does. There are movie studios to tour in Hollywood and its surrounding cities, shopping at luxury boutiques in Beverly Hills, the Ice Age fossils of the La Brea Tar Pits, the incredible museums of Exposition Park (including the Space Shuttle Endeavour), hiking and camping opportunities in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, some of the world's most impressive roller coasters at Magic Mountain, the famous beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica or Venice, and a million other options; just budget extra time to get to all of these places as you brave the infamous traffic with the county's ten million residents.
 * - Bordering San Bernardino County to the northwest, Kern County extends across a number of geographic regions: the western portion is in the San Joaquin Valley, the northeastern portion is in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the southeastern part is in the Desert. Visitors to the county are most likely to be heading to Bakersfield, one of California's largest cities, or traveling along Interstate 5 past oil fields and agricultural areas.
 * - San Bernardino County's northern neighbor is a land of extremes, covering a massive expanse of the Eastern Sierra and California Desert. Inyo County is home to Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48 states, as well as Death Valley National Park, the largest national park in the lower 48 states and host to earth's hottest temperatures and the continent's lowest elevation. In addition, ancient bristlecone pine trees can be found within the White Mountains, the oldest of which is estimated to be around 5,000 years old.

title: San Bernardino County


text:
San Blas (Mexico)

San Blas is a city and port of about 10,000 people (2010) facing the Pacific Ocean in Nayarit state of Mexico. It is a relaxed beachside town, complete with a lively village plaza, historical attractions, and jungles and swamps full of wildlife for the nature lovers in the family. The town is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.

Understand
During Mexico's colonial era, San Blas was established as a port city with connections to the Spanish Empire's Asian outposts via Manila. During this era, Acapulco was the primary commercial port while San Blas took on the role of primarily serving the Spanish armada as a military base and a shipyard for repairing naval vessels. (The town still has a naval base, and visitors may sometimes see patrol boats going in and out of the harbor.)

At one point San Blas was earmarked for tourism development. The town (and beach) are plagued by small biting no see-ums, and as a consequence no mass-scale tourism happened.

Get in
It is about 160 km (99 mi) north of Puerto Vallarta, and 64 km (40 mi) west of the state capital Tepic, and three hours drive from Guadalajara.

Small bus station beside the Plaza. You are able to catch buses direct from Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. It is easiest to transfer buses in Tepic.

Buses from Tepic run hourly.

Get around

San Blas is a small town and you can get to the beach and most restaurants and bars by foot.

You can catch local buses to towns along southern Nayarit's Pacific Coast, some going as far as Puerto Vallarta.

From the Muelle, ferries go to Islas Marias, a former penal colony turned offbeat weekend destination. Ferry info and reservations can be made on the official Islas Marias website.

Do

 * Surfing. You are able to hire surfboards on the street running between the plaza and the beach, and also from beachside restaurants. San Blas has some of the best surfing conditions in Mexico with a number of challenging surfer beaches close to town.
 * Matanchen Bay offers legendary breaks. In fact, many surfing enthusiasts consider this area to have the world’s longest most rideable waves (allegedly riding a mile on one wave)!
 * Stoners, which gets its name from surfers who spent more time on the beach smoking weed than out on their boards riding the waves, is on the outer point of Matenchen Bay and offers high quality waves that break frequently.
 * Lolas is slightly remote but can be reached by panga from the San Blas waterfront. Because its remote, the beach is mercifully crowd-free with the only people there likely to be fellow surfers. Lolas offers reliably good surfing conditions, and is known for some of the best barrel surfing in San Blas.

 * Chill out on the beach. There are many palapa restaurants and bars where you can sit in the shade, buy meals, and enjoy a cool beer or a frosty margarita. San Blas is blessed with several beautiful beaches. More distant beaches include Playa los Cocos, Playa las Islitas, and Bahia de Matanchén (which has a malecon and a muelle). Beaches in town include:

 * Relax in the plaza, there are many stalls to browse and cafes, restaurants, and liquor shops in the surrounding streets.
 * Jungle boat tour of the mangrove swamps in the Tovara reserve.
 * Birdwatching. * The area has an abundance of migratory birds in the surrounding estuaries and lowland palm forests, attracting significant numbers of birders. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count regularly finds well over 200 species in San Blas, with a record 292 species in 1983.

Buy
There are many stall on the plaza selling Mexican crafts: hammocks, jewelry, carved wooden animals, decorated ceramic plates, artwork, etc.

Eat

Sleep

 * Restaurant Mar y Sol have cabinas for rent right on the beach. Negotiate a weekly rate.
 * Playa Isletas has cabinas for rent on the beach.
 * Stoners Surf Camp - also on the beach.

Connect
Cell coverage is good in town and along the highway connecting beach towns in southern Nayarit. Mostly 4G service. Most hotels and restaurants have internet available with free WiFi.

Go next

 * Islas Marietas
 * Tepic
 * Chacala
 * Sayulita

title: San Blas (Mexico)