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Rio de la Plata

The part of Uruguay on the Rio de la Plata is much visited for its well-preserved historic sites, pretty colonial towns, and a fair share of beaches and farmland. It includes the departments of Montevideo, Canelones, Colonia, Rio Negro, San Jose and Soriano.

Cities

 * – The capital city of Uruguay
 * – A riverside town near Colonia, popular for its wineries and golf
 * (Colonia del Sacramento) – An old colonial city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * – A pastoral colonial town near Nueva Helvecia
 * – A small town near Colonia, with English architecture left over from its original founders
 * (Rio Negro) – A city which used to feature one of the world's most prominent meat factories, now a museum.
 * (Soriano) – Pinacoteca Gimenez and Casa Puerta are art museums worth a visit in this colonial town
 * – A pastoral town founded by Swiss and German settlers, with traces of Swiss culture still apparent to visitors. Uruguayans call it interestingly well organised
 * – A small town featuring many outdoor murals
 * – A 18th century colonial architecture and the first European settlement in Uruguay with a famous cemetery
 * – A small town featuring many outdoor murals
 * – A 18th century colonial architecture and the first European settlement in Uruguay with a famous cemetery
 * – A 18th century colonial architecture and the first European settlement in Uruguay with a famous cemetery

Other destinations

 * - a national park and a protected Ramasar wetland of international significance. It is considered the best spot in Uruguay to observe wild animals. Gateway to the park is the town of Nuevo Berlín.

Understand
Dairy farming is a major industry.

By plane
The only major airport in the region in Carrasco International Airport just east of Montevideo. Alternatively, you can also consider flying into nearby Buenos Aires and taking a ferry from there.

By bus
Buses are available from other parts of Uruguay; Montevideo is the biggest hub by far. International buses, usually running only once or twice a week, serve Montevideo from cities including Asunción, Buenos Aires, Camboriu, Curitiba, Florianópolis, and Porto Alegre.

By car
It's easy to drive from other parts of Uruguay or from Argentina (crossing the bridge between Gualeguaychú and Fray Bentos). If you're coming from Buenos Aires, some of the ferries will carry cars.

By boat
Ferries are available from Buenos Aires to Colonia and Montevideo, and from Tigre to Carmelo. Connecting buses are available in all of these cities, and you can sometimes choose to include a connecting bus in your ferry ticket.

By bus
Bus service is pretty extensive in the region. Montevideo is the most important hub by far, and Colonia is also a something of a hub.

See
This region is home to both of Uruguay's UNESCO World Heritage sites: the old city in Colonia and the meat-packing complex in Fray Bentos. Montevideo's old city is also famous. Beyond that, there are lovely little towns scattered through the region's farmland, as well as beaches on the shores of the enormous river.

Eat
Parts of the region are known for dairy production—try the cheese in Colonia del Sacramento and Nueva Helvecia!

Stay safe
Certain neighborhoods in Montevideo and some of its suburbs are best avoided, but other than that, the region is safe.

Go next

 * Buenos Aires Province, right across the river in Argentina
 * The beaches of Uruguay's Atlantic Coast, where the water is blue!
 * Haven't see enough cows yet? Head to the largely agricultural Central and Northern Interior of Uruguay and you're sure to see plenty more...

title: Rio de la Plata


text:
Rio Dulce

Rio Dulce (also called Fronteras) is a coastal river town in eastern Guatemala. It is also the name of a national park that spans an area of about 130 square kilometers along the Rio Dulce and its lake. Rio Dulce town is a popular moorage spot for people sailing around the Caribbean, as it sustains very little damage from hurricanes.

Understand
The main part of town is along the CA13 highway, where most shops, transport, and other services are. The rest is along the river, including marinas and accommodation options.

Near the mouth of the river is the historic Castillo de San Felipe de Lara, a colonial era Spanish fort built to protect against pirates.

The Rio Dulce National Park was established in 1955 to provide protected habitat for a number of species including manatees, crocodiles, over 100 species of birds including a number of marine birds like herons and pelicans.

By bus
There are 1st class buses and chicken buses connecting Rio Dulce with Flores (Guatemala), Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala via Guatemala city. Litegua operates 5 buses per day from Guatemala City to Rio Dulce and Fuente del Norte operates 4 buses per day. The ride from Guatemala City to Rio Dulce is under 4 hours and costs about US$30 on a first-class bus but local second class buses can take double that with all the stops they make, but can cost half as much.

Shuttles from Coban and La Ceiba in Honduras are possible as well. Buses are also available from Copan Ruinas in Honduras with a change of bus at a junction - but you can buy tickets directly to your destination.

By boat
Boats come up the river from Livingston every couple of hours.

Get around
Getting around Rio Dulce really depends on your mood. You can walk, take a chicken bus, sail, hire a lancha (boat), take one of the many shuttles or minibuses or even a Tuk-Tuk (moto taxi). If you're heading to one of the further sites, you can even mix & match! It's always a "ride"!!

See

 * Castillo De San Felipe - A small fort built by the Spanish in 1652 to protect from British pirate raids. It’s a 5-km walk or tuk tuk ride from Rio Dulce Town, or it can accessed by boat. Entry is Q20, opening hours 09:00-17:00.
 * Quiriguá - Mayan ruins southwest of town. Either arrange transportation in town or chicken bus out to the site.
 * Finca Paraiso (Hot Springs Waterfall) — A blend of hot springs, a hot waterfall, a cool emerald pool to swim and play in (cliff diving is great fun when the water is high), lush tropical jungle and if you're lucky, mingle with the local villagers. A simply beautiful place to swim and relax. Gets full on weekends and holidays. Get there by taking a bus from the market in Rio Dulce, heading towards El Estor/Lago Izabal.

Do

 * Take a boat tour of the Rio Dulce, which can include a waterside view the Castillo, a stop by hot springs, and other natural features of the river.  The journey is particularly beautiful and is well worth trying out, the trip then ends at Livingston.
 * A three-day trek is run by Felipe. He can generally be contacted at Oasis Chiyu, or elsewhere around town.  Just ask for Felipe from Philadelphia.  Varying degrees of difficulty can be arranged.
 * Lanchas el Canche run trips along the river and into Livingston as well as snorkeling/diving trips to the Belize Barrier Reef, +502 5334 7975

Buy

 * A market is held everyday in the center of town. Typical market fare is available here.

Eat
There are numerous restaurants along the riverside, some more upscale serving international food, others serving simpler things, but still mainly aimed at visitors in sailboats and other tourists. Street food and minimarkets are on the main street.

Sleep
There are many places outside the immediate town on the banks of the river that are nice. They can only be reached by boat. Most have private shuttle boats and will come to pick you up if you call them.

Tijax Express, close to the bridge, is Rio Dulce's unofficial tourist information. They can call all the places and arrange pickup.

Go next

 * Puerto Barrios
 * Livingston

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

title: Rio Dulce


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Rio Gallegos

Rio Gallegos (Río Gallegos) is a town in southern Argentina. There may not be much to see in town but it can be a base for exploring the wider area. The town serves as the provincial capital of Santa Cruz.

Understand
Rio Gallegos was originally established to enforce the influence of Argentine over the southern Patagonia. For tourists it can be good jump-off point for exploring Tierra del Fuego and southern Chile.

By plane
Patagonia has cheap connections to Rio Grande (~AR$100) and in high-season to Ushuaia. Ask around in one of the tour agents in town. Aerolineas Argentinas and LADE operate to Buenos Aires and other towns throughout Argentina.

By bus
The bus terminal is about 3 km from the center. There are bus connections to Rio Grande (Tierra del Fuego) and Ushuaia. Buses arrive from Buenos Aires (36 hours) and Puerto Madryn (16 hr) along Highway 3.

By car
From Buenos Aires the drive goes along the fully paved but sometimes heavily trafficked Highway 3. The distance is 2,587 km. Ruta 40, going along the whole of Argentina from north to south passes through Rio Gallegos. Its southern end is in Punta Loyola, 37 km from Rio Gallegos.

Get around
Walk.

See

 * Museo de Arte "Eduardo Minnicelli": Small art museum with free admission.

Sleep

 * Casa de Familia Elcira Cantreras, Zuccarrino 431, +54 2966-429856. Offers cheap dormrooms. Only a 15-min walk from the bus terminal.

Go next

 * There is a penguin reserve about 2 hours south that is right on the Strait of Magellan.
 * The glacier Perito Moreno is the only glacier in the world that is still advancing, and is 4 hr or so to the west, close to the village of El Calafate. It is a treat to see chunks of ice the size of a ten-story building falling into the blue depths of Lake Brazo Norte.
 * Fly with Latam to the Falkland Islands.

title: Rio Gallegos


text:
Río Grande

Río Grande is a city in the Eastern Coast region of Puerto Rico founded in July 25, 1840 by Deriderio Brothers and Quilimaco Escobar.

Understand
Río Grande is at the foot of El Yunque, a huge rain forest which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Go next

 * Luquillo

title: Río Grande


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Rio Grande do Norte

Rio Grande do Norte is a state in Northeast Brazil. It sits on the northeasternmost tip of the South American continent. Rio Grande do Norte is widely famed for its sand dunes and sunny beaches. The main attraction of Rio Grande do Norte is tourism (especially seaside), alongside fishing and local handicrafts. Since the mid-1990s, Rio Grande do Norte has had a significant increase in tourist activity, becoming one of the first destinations in northeastern Brazil because of its natural beauty and safer security than other Brazilian areas and cities.

Cities

 * — has some great beaches, historical sites, and nature areas, and it is a frequently used base for exploring the nature of the state
 * — Barra de Cunhaú Beach has mangroves
 * — Praia da Pipa and its surrounding beaches are among the most beautiful and probably the most famous of the state
 * — second largest city in Rio Grande do Norte, a center of oil extraction, agriculture and shrimp farming on the western edge of the state, halfway between Natal and Fortaleza
 * — the main beach resort for the people of Mossoró
 * — the "Beautiful Bay" has great beaches and lakes, unspoiled rainforest and mangroves
 * — known for Praia de Buzios Beach and other nearby beaches
 * — its main attraction are its fields of sand dunes and its beaches, including Genipabu, one of the most famous of the state and easily accessible from Natal
 * — home to the Barreira do Inferno launch center, the Pirangi and Cotovelo beaches, and the largest cashew tree of the world

Other destinations

 * — famed for shifting sand dunes right on the beach, and accompanying wild ride buggy tours and camel-rides

Understand
The state has 410 km (254 mi) of sandy beaches. The main economic activity is tourism, followed by the extraction of petroleum (the second largest producer in the country), agriculture, fruit growing and extraction of minerals, including considerable production of seasalt, among other economic activities.

The tourist entry point is always the state capital, Natal, especially the beach and the tourist district of Ponta Negra. Remarkable and easily accessible are also other places on the coast such as, on the southern coast of Natal, the beaches of Piranji, Búzios, Pipa, Barra de Cunhaú,Baía Formosa (with the nearby " lagoa da Coca-Cola "); in the north coast, those of Genipabu, Muriú, Maracajaú, Barra de Punaú, Zumbi and São Miguel do Gostoso.

The name literally translates as "Great Northern River", referring to the mouth of the Potengi River.

Get in
Augusto Severo International Airport in Parnamirim is 18 km from Natal. It receives flights from the main centers of the world. The airport is the only one in the Northeast Region to receive charter flights from Scandinavia.

See
Tourist attractions in the state include the Cashew of Pirangi (the world's largest cashew tree); the dunes and the dromedaries of Genipabu; the beaches of Ponta Negra, Maracajaú and Pipa; the 16th-century Forte dos Reis Magos fortification; the hills and mountains of Martins; and the Natal Dunes State Park.

title: Rio Grande do Norte


text:
Rio Grande do Sul

Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, bordering Uruguay and Argentina. It is in some sense a unique region that merges clearly identifiable elements of Brazilian culture, the culture of Pampas region which also includes Uruguay and a large portion of Argentina, as well as the culture of German and Italian immigrants.

Cities

 * - The state capital and home of the World Social Forum, is a vibrant metropolis with a buzzing nightlife.
 * - The second largest city in the state, has a rich Italian heritage and traditional wineries in the region.
 * - Charming city with Italian heritage, with many vineyards and exuberant food culture. Brazilian capital of grapes and wine.
 * - Often visited as a side-trip from Gramado but with enough attractions to visit on its own, it's a great area for ecotourism.
 * - With cool weather, a picturesque city center and lots of family activities, it's where Brazilians go to feel like they are in Europe.
 * - A city with a rich heritage left by German immigrants, it is home to Rio Grande do Sul's Oktoberfest and ENART, the largest gaucho art and culture event in the state.
 * - Where Brazil and Argentina meet and mix with each other.
 * - Containing the Ruins of São Miguel das Missões, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * - A city in the heart of the state, surrounded by hills, where has important paleontological sites.
 * - A seaside town with beaches surrounded by impressive rocky cliffs. Torres is home of Ilha dos Lobos, a small uninhabited island on the coast that welcomes sea lions throughout the year.

Understand
People born in Rio Grande do Sul are called gaúchos. The state has a unique history that sets it somewhat apart from the rest of the country. It was initially settled by Spanish Jesuits in the 17th century, which founded there seven Jesuit missions, the Sete Povos das Missões. The region would become subject of violent disputes between Spanish and Portuguese settlers, often using local indigenous tribes as proxies. While the Spanish eventually were expelled, they left strong marks in the Rio Grande do Sul's culture, culinary and language, renewed by the continuous interaction between the region and its Spanish-speaking neighbouring colonies (which would eventually become the countries of Argentina and Uruguay).

Rio Grande do Sul is the only Brazilian state which managed to obtain de-facto independence for some period of time. A few years after Uruguay became independent from Brazil, the state, during the 1835-1845 Ragamuffin War (Guerra dos Farrapos), rebelled against Brazil's Imperial government, and formed the Riograndense Republic, which existed for 9 years. Although it was defeated, the revolution and its commanders such as Bento Gonçalves and Garibaldi remain a strong source of pride and of regional identity for gaúchos, as well a source of inspiration for Brazil's South Region timid separatist movement.

After the Ragamuffin War in 1845 and until the beginning of the World War II in 1939, the state received a large number of immigrants, especially from Germany and Italy, to settle in the state's rural areas. The cultural impact of those immigrants remains strongly felt, especially in the northern half of the state, with some towns still speaking dialects of German and Italian, and interestingly, has contributed to strengthen, rather than dilute, the gaúcho unique regional identity.

Attractions
Rio Grande do Sul is a state known for its beaches on the coast, its canyons and cities influenced by European immigrants, the ruins of the old Jesuit missions in the northwest of Rio Grande do Sul and its rural culture, which has the gaucho (the typical South American cowboy) as a cultural icon. Due to being a state with a very strong rural culture, mainly inland, Rio Grande do Sul is sometimes referred to as the Texas of South America.

Rio Grande do Sul gets much less foreign visitors than its beach-famous neighbouring state Santa Catarina. However, its mountainous region of Serra Gaúcha north of the capital Porto Alegre, which contains the municipalities of Antônio Prado, Caxias do Sul, Gramado and Canela, is very popular among Brazilian tourists, due to its cool weather, beautiful nature, legacy of German and Italian immigrants, and excellent wineries. Still in the region of the Serras Gaúchas, the municipalities of Bom Jesus, Cambará do Sul and São José dos Ausentes still has its impressive canyons.

Outside the Serra Gaúchas, tourist infrastructure is limited, and it might be more difficult to enjoy what the region has to offer without speaking Portuguese or Spanish, or at least without having a local guide. It is, however, certainly worth visiting for those interested in the proud and unique gaúcho culture, including traditional dances and arguably the best BBQ meat (churrascos) of Brazil and the Chimarrão, the typical drink. South and west of the capital, a vast portion of the state is covered by the Pampas Gaúchos, a mostly rural area with culture more close to the neighbouring countries of Argentina and Uruguay, famous for the high-quality cattle production. A good point to get to better know the culture of the region is the city of Bagé, near the border of Uruguay, which hosts several gaúcho events such as the Festa Internacional do Churrasco.

The coast of the state is entirely lined up with sand beaches, but the state is not a famous beach destination due to the seawater, which is considered cold by the locals and has a brownish color (nicknamed by the locals "chocolatão", big chocolate). Only the city of Torres gets some fame from its beaches, due to its beautiful basalt cliffs. Finally, the capital Porto Alegre is also not a popular tourist destination, although it's a large, bustling metropolis, and there are plans to renew the city's under-utilised wharf and turn it into a lively promenade.

Climate
Due to its geographic location in the south, below the Tropic of Capricorn, most of Rio Grande do Sul has a humid subtropical climate, with defined seasons and rainfall distributed equally throughout the year, without a dry season. Winters are usually cold and often have frost. Average minimum winter temperatures are usually 10º C (50º F) on the coast and 9º C (48º F) inland, and maximum temperatures are usually between 17º C (63º F) and 20º C (68º F). However, there are times when temperatures are above 30ºC (86ºF) in mid-winter. This phenomenon is called by the locals "veranico" (Indian summer). In the region of the Serra Gaúchas, the altitude greatly decreases temperatures during winter, reaching less than 0ºC (32ºF). Summers are very hot and humid, making temperatures sometimes close to 40° C (104° F) in many cities, although in the Serra Gaúchas region, altitude makes temperatures cooler than that.

Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year and is sometimes intense, with average annual rainfall around 1200mm on the coast (47.2 inches) and 1700mm inland (66.9 inches). Cities with altitude between 900 and 1400 meters, such as Cambará do Sul, Bom Jesus and São José dos Ausentes, often have snow in winter.

The state has two types of winds: the pampeiro and the minuano. The pampeiro is a very strong wind that comes from Argentina, causes rain, quickly lowers the temperatures and causes frosts. The minuano is the most famous wind in the state. It is a wind of polar origin that occurs after the passage of cold fronts.

Talk
Natives of the state typically speak the Gaúcho Portuguese dialect, strongly influenced by the Spanish of the Pampas region. The dialect is notably different from standard Brazilian Portuguese, has many unique words and expressions (such as "bah!" and "tchê!" used to express amazement) and is remarkably recognizable by using the pronoun "tu" instead of the "você" (you) widely used in the rest of Brazil, an influence of the Spanish colonization. However, but gaúchos will generally switch to a more regular Brazilian Portuguese when talking to Brazilians of other regions.

As in the rest of Brazil, English is not widely spoken, except in big cities like Porto Alegre, where younger people probably will have a good knowledge of English.

In the border areas with Argentina and Uruguay, Portunhol — that is, a mixture of Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish — is commonly used as a lingua franca among Brazilians and their Spanish-speaking neighbors.

Local dialects of German (Riograndenser Hunsrückisch) and Venetian (Talian) are spoken by some communities of German and Italian descendants in Rio Grande do Sul, although one needs to go to smaller towns and rural communities to ever hear them, for instance Nova Petrópolis or Serafina Corrêa.

By plane
The best way to get to Rio Grande do Sul is to fly to Porto Alegre (Salgado Filho International Airport) from São Paulo-Guarulhos or Rio de Janeiro-Galeão airports, where most international flights to Brazil arrive. However, Porto Alegre also receives international flights from other cities in the Americas, such as Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santiago, Lima and Panama City.

From Porto Alegre you can get anywhere else in Rio Grande do Sul by rental car, or by taking a guided tour. From Salagado Filho International Airport, you can take the commuter train (Trensurb) to the Historic District of Porto Alegre or get off in the Rodoviaria Station (Central Bus Stations) from which you can continue to many other destinations - the buses are pretty safe and comfortable.

By car
Rio Grande do Sul can be easily accessed by land from several roads coming from Argentina and Uruguay. Depending on the checkpoint, visitors may have to pass through two segregated immigration facilities (one to emigrate and another to immigrate), or they may be co-located. The state has two cities, Santana do Livramento and Chuí, which are in full conurbation with the respective cities of Rivera and Chuy in Uruguay. In these cities, as well as others on the Brazil/Uruguay border, people can freely cross the border between the countries as long as they remain in the conurbation, but are still required to pass through regular emigration/immigration formalities in order to venture any beyond that. For example, a visitor with legal permission to stay in Uruguay who is in Rivera can walk to Santana do Livramento and move freely there, but visitors who want to go to any other place in Brazil must pass through emigration/immigration formalities.

By bus
Buses are available from Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, and other parts of Brazil. Porto Alegre is the big transportation hub.

As when you travel by car, if you are going from Uruguay to Brazil or vice versa, make sure to pass through the emigration/immigration checkpoints in both sides of the border. If you're taking a direct bus from Uruguay to Brazil, the bus company should take your passport and do the border formalities for you while you stay on the bus; if there are any issues they'll wake you up so you can address them. If you're taking a bus to a border town and then crossing the border and taking another bus from the other side, it's your responsibility to make sure you go to passport control. The bus driver should stop there for you if you ask.

By bus
The state is well connected by bus. Porto Alegre is the largest hub of road transportation, with a long-distance bus terminal (Estação Rodoviária de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre Bus Station) that serves several cities in the interior of the state.

By train
Just like in the rest of Brazil, in Rio Grande do Sul, railway transport was being scrapped from the 1960s onwards. The only regular passenger railway line that operates in Rio Grande do Sul is a surface metro line known by the local habitants as Trensurb (abbreviation in Portuguese for "Urban Trains"), which is operated in Porto Alegre and the metropolitan cities of Canoas, Esteio, Sapucaia do Sul, São Leopoldo and Novo Hamburgo. There is also a touristic steam train line, called Trem do Vinho (Wine Train), which runs 23 km between Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi and Carlos Barbosa, in the Serra Gaúcha region. This line hosts theatre and music presentations that tells the history of Italian immigration in the region, and here, it is possible to observe beautiful landscapes and wineries.

By car
The state of Rio Grande do Sul has one of the worst road networks compared to the more developed Brazilian states, such as the state of São Paulo, or even the neighboring state, Santa Catarina. Few highways are duplicated (most of them federal highways close to Porto Alegre) and many can have a bumpy lane. This is especially true on state highways (which begin with the initials RS, e.g.: RS-118, RS-122, RS-020). Some may have potholes in the track or poor signaling conditions and may have sinuous curves, especially in the mountains of Serra Gaúcha. Highway traffic can also be high, particularly on long weekend holidays. Caution is recommended when driving on highways in the state.

By plane
Flying within the state may not be a viable option, as flight schedules are limited to a few flights per week and it can cost more to fly than traveling within the state in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. The only airports of the state with regular flights departing from Porto Alegre International Airport are the airports in Bagé, Santa Maria, Santa Rosa, Santo Ângelo, Pelotas and Uruguaiana.

Eat

For many Brazilians, Rio Grande do Sul is synonymous with churrasco, the Pampas-style barbecued beef, and as the state is a large producer of cattle, it is easy to be spoilt in terms of options of barbecued meat restaurants. The state was the place of foundation of the Fogo de Chão Brazilian restaurant chain, although the chain has far more branches in the United States than in Brazil, and no branches at all in Rio Grande do Sul. Every year, the city of Bagé hosts a festival dedicated to churrasco, along with typical gaúcho music and dance.

Other famous gaúcho dishes are the charque (dried salted beef), the arroz carreteiro (a sort of risotto based on charque) and the galeto ao primo canto (grilled spring chicken).

Drink
Rio Grande do Sul's trademark beer is the Serramalte, known for its strong malt flavour and bitter taste, and commercialised by the Ambev conglomerate. The state is also known for its variety of craft beers and for producing the best wines of the country - according to the Il Sommelier magazine, no less than 13 of Brazil's 16 best wines are from Rio Grande do Sul. Most of these wines are produced in the Italian-settled area of the Serras Gaúchas, in particular, the triangle formed by Bento Gonçalves, Pinto Bandeira and Garibaldi. Not surprisingly, this area should be the starting point for enotourism enthusiasts. Chimarrão, also known as mate, is a hot beverage made from yerba mate leaves and drunk through a metal straw, distinctive to Rio Grande do Sul and neighboring areas such as Uruguay, Argentina, and to a lesser extent Santa Catarina. You'll see the distinctive chimarrão gourds everywhere, and unlike in Uruguay and Argentina, here they range in size from small ones that only hold a couple of gulps to very large ones that you could sip for a while.

Go next

 * Santa Catarina, the state north of Rio Grande do Sul, with popular beaches and German- and Italian-influenced culture
 * Uruguay has a lot in common with Rio Grande do Sul, including gaucho culture and mate (their version of chimarrão)
 * Misiones, Argentina, with ruins of missions and half of Iguaçu Falls (the other half is in the state of Paraná, Brazil)

title: Rio Grande do Sul


text:
Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley (informally called The Valley) is a region in Deep South Texas, which includes Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties. To the east this region is bordered by the Gulf Coast of Texas. To the south it is bordered by the Rio Grande River and the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. To the north and west it is bordered by the Texas counties of Kenedy, Brooks, Jim Hogg, and Zapata.

The region is known for its warm weather, exotic birds, citrus orchards and large volume of palm trees. The warm weather attracts large number of retirees from the Northern United States and Canada during the winter months. Its abundance of great shopping opportunities attracts Mexican nationals throughout the year. Beach lovers and sports fishermen are drawn to South Padre Island, Port Isabel, and Port Mansfield on the Gulf Coast. Bird-watchers can watch a wide variety of exotic birds throughout the region.

Understand
Located in the southernmost tip of Texas, the Rio Grande Valley is a distinct region from other parts of the state. With the exception of Willacy, all counties in this region border Mexico. For this reason, many traditions from Mexico have been mixed with American customs.

The region upholds several stereotypes that outsiders identify with Texas. For example, the further you go towards Starr County, the more rural and conservative the culture there is. Although, as you move eastern towards Cameron County, the area becomes more tropical and greener.

Geography
The Rio Grande Valley is not a valley, but actually a delta or floodplain. Cameron and Willacy counties are part of the Gulf Coast geographic region of Texas, whereas Hidalgo and Starr counties are part of the South Texas Plains region. The terrain is mostly flat, although there are some hills in the western part of the region in Starr county and sandy terrain near the coast.

Everyone knows Texas is big. However, you can't truly appreciate its size until you take a Texas road trip. Texas is about north-south and about 800 miles east-west depending on your route. A 10-hour drive from the Rio Grande Valley will take you to Mexico City, Mexico or to Dallas, Texas. Although the region is only four of Texas' 254 counties, the Valley is comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut.

Climate
Also called the "Texas Tropics", the Rio Grande Valley is known for its hot weather. Winters are usually warm and comfortable. It is rarely cold, and the infrequent winter cold snaps do not last long. Summers are usually very hot. Contrary to what many say, cities near the coast rarely have days that go above 100 °F weather. This is only a common feature in Hidalgo and Starr county. The humidity does add to the hot temperature feel, making indices go up to 105 °F.

Although hot weather is common in this region, the weather here tends to vary depending on location. Cities closer to the ocean such as Brownsville and South Padre Island tend to see much more rainfall than cities further inland such as McAllen or Rio Grande City. For this reason, the counties of Cameron and Willacy feature greener vegetation and higher annual rainfall totals. South Padre Island and Brownsville are also known for successfully growing coconut palm trees.

History
The first Spanish settlers arrived in the Rio Grande Valley in the 1740s. Jose de Escandon was commissioned by the Spanish government to establish settlements in the area. At that time, the region was part of the Spanish colony of Nuevo Santander. After Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821 the Rio Grande Valley was part of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. In 1836 Texas won its independence from Mexico, and the Rio Grande Valley was disputed territory between Mexico and Texas. Texas claimed that the border with Mexico was at the Rio Grande River, whereas Mexico claimed that the border was at the Nueces River about 200 miles (320 km) to the north. The dispute was finally resolved in 1848 at the end of the Mexican–American War. The first battles of the Mexican–American War were fought in the Rio Grande Valley in the Brownsville area.

Many Mexican–American families in Rio Grande Valley can trace their ancestry to the first Spanish settlers that arrived in the 1740s. As a result, a frequent expression they like to say is "we didn't jump the border, the border jumped us."

During Spanish and Mexican times the region was mostly ranch land. Large numbers of Anglos (English-speaking Americans) immigrated to the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Those settlers were large scale farmers who established citrus farming in the region. Since the 1980s the Rio Grande Valley has witnessed an explosive population growth that continues to this day. Agriculture continues to be important to the economy, but trade with Mexico and tourism are becoming increasingly important as well.

Cities

 * - The southernmost port city of the continental U.S. and an important border town, is the second most historical location in the state of Texas. The city played an important role in two historical events: the Civil War and the Mexican–American War and has many battlefield and state park sites dedicated in their name. It is home to the only enclosed zoo in the region, the Gladys Porter Zoo and will be the world's first commercial orbit facility for SpaceX. Brownsville is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico along with three international bridges that connect itself with its border town, Matamoros, Mexico. For this reason, the city adopted the motto, "On the Border, By the Sea" in 1966.
 * - On the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, SPI is an international tourism destination with a wide range of accommodations, attractions, restaurants, RV parks, and bars. It has five continuous miles of traffic-free beach, an active nightlife, and several bay side and beach side cafes, bars and restaurants. There is a large birding and nature center, a sea turtle center, a marine lab, and large water park.
 * on the Laguna Madre is usually considered the gateway to South Padre Island, but it is also a destination in its own rights for history buffs, sports fishermen and shoppers. It has four historical museums, a cluster of art, craft, and souvenir shops surrounding the lighthouse, a sea life center, and a fun pirate ship cruise. Hotels, RV parks and restaurants are generally more affordable than on "The Island."
 * A popular retiree location, Harlingen is beloved by Winter Texans, seniors from Canada and states in the Northern United States. Many consider the city to hold more conservative roots and a "slower" routine from other major cities in this region. It is commonly referred to as the central city in this region. One of the city's main attractions is its Bass Pro Shops store, which also houses an indoor museum and art gallery. Downtown features a collection of bright murals depicting different artistic perspectives found in the city.
 * A shopping and dining destination, McAllen is a popular location for Mexican Nationals. The outskirts of this place are landlocked with a cluster of cities all around. It is home to the McAllen Convention Center, a mixed-use retail development project with chain restaurants and retail stores. In the main lobby, performances by musicians are held here. One of Simon Property Group's highest grossing malls in the country, La Plaza Mall, is located here. The city is about 10 to 12 miles from the border with Reynosa, Mexico.
 * The northernmost established city, Edinburg, is the region's "college town". It is home to one of the main campuses belonging to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is the site of the largest arena in the region. To locals, it is regarded as the Gateway City to the Rio Grande Valley.
 * - With the naturalist in mind.

Other destinations

 * Regarded as the most tourist-friendly location in this region, South Padre Island is a popular destination for young college students. It is a haven for electronic music concerts, with some of the most popular artists performing around the second week of March, during the Spring Break holidays.

Talk
The two major languages you will find in the Valley are Spanish and English. If you are fluent in either of these languages you will get along just fine. 80% to 90% of the Valley's population is Mexican-American. Also, there are usually many Mexican visitors in the Valley, so it is not uncommon to meet people who speak little to no English. A knowledge of Spanish is helpful, but not necessary.

You will find that most Valley natives are bilingual and can quickly switch from English to Spanish, sometimes in the same sentence. Since this is a border area there is a blending of American and Mexican cultures in this region. Its quite common to encounter people speaking 'Spanglish.'

By plane
There are three regional airports operating in the Rio Grande Valley.

, 700 Emilia Earhart Dr, +1 956 542-4373. It is served by the following airlines: In late 2020, the terminal will be replaced by a modern, larger facility (June 2020).
 * American Airlines (non-stop service between Dallas and Brownsville)
 * United Airlines (non-stop passenger service to/from Houston)

, 2500 S Bicentennial Blvd, +1 956 681-1500. It is served by the following airlines:
 * Allegiant Air (non-stop service to Las Vegas, Seasonal service to Los Angeles and Sanford/Orlando)
 * American Airlines (non-stop service to Dallas)
 * United Airlines (non-stop service to Houston)

, 3002 Heritage Way in Harlingen, +1 956 430-8600. It is served by the following airlines:
 * Southwest Airlines (non-stop service to Austin and Houston)
 * United Airlines (non-stop service to Houston)
 * Delta Air Lines (seasonal service to Minneapolis/St. Paul)
 * Sun Country Airlines (seasonal service to Minneapolis)

By train
There is no passenger rail service to this region. The nearest Amtrak station is in San Antonio, which is about 240 miles north of the Rio Grande Valley.

By bus

 * From other Texas cities -The only bus line that connects to this region from other cities in Texas is Greyhound, which makes stops at all four counties.
 * From Mexico - Greyhound has routes that connect to central Mexico and Mexico City. Mexico's close proximity to the Rio Grande Valley has encouraged Mexican bus lines to offer bus services to Mexico. Some of these companies include Tornado, El Expreso and Transpais. For more information on this, check out La Plaza at Brownsville website or the Metro McAllen website. Both services have information on this.

By car

 * U.S. Highway 77 is an interstate spanning over 1,000 miles and connects with cities such as Dallas and Oklahoma City. The highway ends at Sioux City, where it interchanges with Interstate 29 and stops at the U.S.–Canadian border near Winnipeg. Its southernmost point is in Brownsville, where it connects to Mexican Federal Highway 180.
 * U.S. Highway 281 is an interstate that starts SH 48 in Brownsville and connects with the cities of Pharr and Edinburg. Further away, it meets with San Antonio and goes northern until meeting at its ending point on the U.S.–Canadian border. It is regarded as the longest three-digit highway in America.
 * U.S. Highway 83 meets with the several of the same cities as U.S. Highway 281, but goes west from McAllen and towards Laredo. It passes through Abilene and goes northward until reaching the U.S.–Canadian border. All three highways meet in North Dakota.

When traveling south of this region towards Mexico, it is strongly advised to carry a passport and other important identification with you. There are several checkpoints where Mexican police will search your vehicle for weapons and drugs. Police will also search for unwanted fruits and vegetables that are illegal in their state. Failure to comply with the law may result in a fine.

Most personnel will most likely not speak English so it is also advised that foreign travelers learn simply answers to questions such as Where are you from? or Do you have drugs or firearms? Officers will visibly carry large weapons with them, a practice not present in the U.S. Although it may seem threatening, they are simply doing their job and there is no reason to worry.

 * Federal Highway 40D is a four-lane toll road that leads to Monterrey. It is a restricted-access road that splits with Mexican Federal Highway 40. It meets with the same cities as said highway.
 * Mexican Federal Highway 40 is a major road that starts in Reynosa and connects to large cities such as Monterrey and Torreón. Baluarte Bicentennial Bridge, the highest cabled bridge in the world, runs along this highway. Sections of this highway connect with Federal Highway 40D, one of Mexico's toll roads. It's western point leads to Mazatlán, which borders the Pacific coast.
 * Mexican Federal Highway 97 is a short road that connects from Reynosa to Ciudad Victoria. The road splits into Mexican Federal Highway 101 near San Fernando and continues until reaching the outskirts of San Luis Potosí.
 * Mexican Federal Highway 180 starts at the interchange of Mexican Federal Highway 101. It temporarily splits off with Mexican Highway 80, then reconnects and meets at Tampico. The road meets through the cities of Veracruz and Merida before reaching the tropical city of Cancún in Quintana Roo.

By boat
There are no commercial boat lines that make port this region. If you own a boat, you can arrive via the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, through Brazos Santiago Pass to South Padre Island or Port Isabel, and through Mansfield Pass to Port Mansfield. However, if you plan to arrive through Mansfield Pass, you should check in advance to learn if it will accommodate your boat's draft and the availability of dock space at Port Mansfield. Port Isabel and South Padre Island offer ample marina facilities and docks, even for large boats. The Port of Harlingen primarily serves tugs and barges while the Port of Brownsville primarily serves ships and commercial fishing boats.

The across the Rio Grande river on the Mexican border is a hand-operated cable ferry, the last of its kind across the river, and a unique way to enter into the region from Mexico.

By car
The most convenient way to get around the region is by car. If you do not arrive by car, there are car rental agencies next the three regional airports in the area.

If you are not traveling by plane, these are the major interstates and highways that connect most cities in this region:
 * Interstate 169 splits off with Interstate 69E in Olmito. Leads to SH 48, the main road towards South Padre Island. The road partially splits sideways, then meets with SH 550, then splits into two routes: one leading to the Port of Brownsville and SH 48.
 * SH 550 is a toll-road in the outskirts of Brownsville leading to SH 48. It is the only toll road in the Rio Grande Valley. While 18-wheeler trucks tend to use this road, tourists can also use this as a way to reach Padre Island Hwy at a faster rate.
 * U.S. Highway 100 is a road connected with U.S. Highway 77 leading to Los Fresnos. One of the two main roads leading to South Padre Island. F.M. 803 is another road that is being constructed to connect with Highway 100, in order to decongest incoming traffic and provide an alternative route for tourists driving east for the SpaceX monthly rocket launches.
 * U.S. Highway 83 connects the west part of the region with Cameron County. It is a popular road for truckers and tourists coming in from Laredo. It splits off and on with Interstate 2 and ends in Harlingen, where it meets with Interstate 69E.
 * US Highway 281 is the main road used to arrive at Edinburg. It connects itself with Interstate 69C in Pharr, then unsplits eventually leading to the U.S.-Mexico border at the Pharr International Bridge.
 * TX-48 is about 20 miles long and connects Brownsville and Port Isabel. It connects to the Brownsville airport via Iowa Street and it passes the Port of Brownsville. Between the Port of Brownsville and Port Isabel the stretch is devoid of development, even utility poles, except for two bridges and a boat ramp. Shore birds are often seen feeding in the shallows along the highway. The Bahia Grande is the largest wetland rehabilitation project in North America, and an ocelot corridor crosses the highway just west of it. Permitting is in progress to construct three liquid natural gas (LNG) plants, storage tanks, and export docks along much of the eastern part.
 * Queen Isabella Causeway between Port Isabel and South Padre Island is the only bridge that connects South Padre Island to the rest of the region. It is the longest bridge in Texas with a span of 2.37 miles. Tourists are advised by flashing lights to watch out for pelicans during strong winter winds because they sometimes land on the causeway.

By bus
The whole region is interconnected, so finding a route between other cities will be relatively easy.

Intercity
These are the main bus lines providing services throughout cities in the Rio Grande Valley:
 * Metro Connect 1501 W U.S. Highway 83, +1 956 681-3550, Toll Free: +1-855-220-8827 - local bus service acting as an intercity and regional bus. Routes stretch from Hidalgo and Cameron County. There are three bus lines: Green (McAllen to Edinburg), Red (McAllen to Brownsville) and Blue (Brownsville to South Padre Island). Free Wi-Fi is provided.
 * Island Metro (previously, "The Wave") 4601 Padre Blvd, +1 956 761-3864 - provides rides from South Padre Island to Brownsville, Port Isabel and Laguna Heights. Service runs daily from 7AM through 9PM. It is free of charge. Connects to Metro Connect Blue Line near the intersection of TX-100 and TX-48.
 * Valley Metro 510 S. Pleasantview Dr, +1 956 969-5761, Fax: +1 956 969-8176 - in Weslaco, this regional bus line offers regular shuttle service throughout cities in this region. Fares cost $1.50 with discounts for students and seniors. Routes run Monday to Friday from 6AM to 5PM.

Intracity
There are only two main terminal centers in operation in the Rio Grande Valley. One is in the central part of the region, while the other is in the eastern side of the region, near the coast.
 * Brownsville Metro (B-Metro) - Main bus service providing rides on 13 routes throughout the city's major arteries. The system operates M-Sa from 6AM through 8PM each day. The terminal center, called La Plaza at Brownsville, is at 755 International Blvd close to the Gateway International Bridge. The center provides several restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating.
 * Metro McAllen - bus service for the city of McAllen. Operates M-Sa 6AM-10PM, Su 8AM-6PM. Offers 7 routes that pass only through the city limits. Formerly the McAllen Express Transit. Fares are $1.00 with a .5 cent discount for elders, children and those on Medicare.

By foot or bicycle
Since most big cities in this region are far apart, walking and cycling are not the best options to get across the area. If you wish to explore the area by bicycle, it is best to do it within one city only, since it tends to be more bicycle-friendly. This includes the Downtown area, wildlife refuges and other trails dedicated to the city.

The city of Brownsville has been designated the "Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley" for integrating its many trails through its commercial and forest areas.

A BikeShare Program by Zagster is available for renting a bicycle. The program has six bike stations around Brownsville, including several in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Other locations include La Plaza Terminal, CityPlaza, Linear Park, Washington Park, Dean Porter Park and the Belden Connect. Edinburg has five stations near the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Harlingen has two stations: one in McVeley Park and one at the other university campus. Membership for the program costs $35 per year, $15 per month and $2 an hour.

A"bike-hike-paddle" trail is being developed to connect each city in the county. It is anticipated that resacas (or floodplains) will be used for this plan as well.

Do
The warm, tropical climate has made the region a hub for migratory birds. There are excellent reserves and wildlife refuges scattered throughout many areas of the Rio Grande Valley where you can observe parrots, egrets, spoonbills and a hundred other species as well. Many tourists have referred the area as a "must see" for bird enthusiasts.

Laguna Madre is a bay formed between the mainland shore of Texas and the long, narrow North Padre and South Padre Islands. The island runs much of the length of the Texas coast and has few outlets to the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing is outstanding with favorite fish being Sea Trout, Red and Black Drum and Flounder. Being a shallow bay, most of the bay boats you will see have tunnel hulls, and motors that can lift (usually a jack-plate). There is also excellent offshore fishing. You will find numerous captains/guides that charter both small or large groups people for deep sea fishing. Highly productive snapper banks are 30-60 miles out and other locations yield trophy quality big fish from the deep blue waters. Several small coastal towns are favorite locations for fisherman. One of the best known is Port Mansfield which is about 40 miles north of Harlingen. It is also a great place for windsurfing or kiteboarding. Because the bay is relatively shallow throughout most of its course, it is an outstanding location to learn these water sports. South Padre Island has two rental locations and several easy ways to reach the launch sites. The wind blows out of the south-east at about 10-30 mph most days of the year and, because of its southern latitude the weather is warm, even in winter. Surfing and kiting is also possible on the Gulf side of South Padre Island but the surf waves are not as big as those found in the waters of the east and west coasts.

While the Gulf of Mexico often has a "murky layer" there are artificial reef areas set aside specifically for scuba (these have several features sunk for divers to experience) and in the upper layers of water where the visibility tends to be above average.

Discussions and explorations of re-opening Delta Lake for recreational use are underway (north of Edcouch-Elsa, and the Monte Alto area).

Eat
There are many eating options across the Rio Grande Valley area. Local dining stands are sometimes small, with hamburgers and traditional tacos around (a normal order is 6 small format tacos).

In Brownsville, the La Southmost neighborhood has earned a national reputation for the quality and diversity of its tacos. From machacado con huevo (salt beef in scrambled egg) at Sylvia's for breakfast, to pit-grilled cow's head barbacoa at Vera's for lunch (weekends only), to the fried-potato tacos dorados at Taco El Compadre for dinner, you could spend days eating through just this small area.

On South Padre Island, Blackbeards has been serving up half pound burgers, shrimp and even steaks for more than 30 years. The back room is the original restaurant seating area. There are many places to eat at the island, from Beachside to Bayside; many places on the bay are excellent spots for sunset watching.

Many people enjoy a beverage while watching the sun set. Pelicans Wharf is one such spot, as is 202, and Louie's Backyard.

The food options extend to both sides of the border: just be sure to bring your passport. Garcias, Arturos, La Mansion, La Fogata, and many other high service food options are just across the border, or for the adventurous, several Calle de Taco options are out there.

Many of the great local places have grown out of walk up stands- to full service places and even adding on rooms for special events like weddings and such. One is Trevino's in Edinburg (north of the Courthouse on Business 281).

La Jaiba Shrimp House has several locations around the Edinburg area. There are also several places on North 10th in McAllen as you approach the Trenton cross street.

Drink
Drink plenty of water as this is a very hot climate. Dehydration will make your trip a bad one.

Stay safe
Violent crime rates tend to be lower in the valley when compared to the U.S. national average. However, other crimes such as theft and auto theft tend to be higher. It is advised to take precautions to protect your car especially if you drive a model that is a frequent target of theft.

Consulates

 * 🇲🇽 Mexico
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico

Go next

 * Other Texas cities -When leaving the Rio Grande Valley whether you are flying or driving you may be asked for proof of status from the Border Patrol. If you are driving north on US 77 or US 281 there are Border Patrol checkpoints about 70 miles north of the international border with Mexico.  At these checkpoints all cars must stop.  The agents there are looking for illicit drugs and undocumented immigrants.  If you are not a US citizen then you need to have appropriate documents (e.g., passport, visa, greencard). When flying out of a Valley airport you may also be stopped by a Border Patrol agent when going through security.  Even though you are still in the United States you will need to show documentation verifying that you are in the USA legally before you can fly.
 * Mexico -If you are a U.S. citizen traveling to Mexico you do not need any documentation to travel to Mexican cities and towns along the border. Mexican authorities at the international border will not ask to see any documentation.  However, if you travel deeper into Mexico then you will need a tourist visa.  There is a secondary checkpoint further south, and there you will need a tourist visa to proceed past that checkpoint.  US citizens must bring their passports or passport cards when crossing the border into Mexico in order to return to the US.  The United States Department of State travel advisory recommends U.S. citizens defer all non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas because of violent crime, including homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault. It further advises criminal activity is more common along the northern border. Additionally, the advisory notes that the border area has experienced a lot of gun battles and attacks with explosive devices.

By car

 * US 83 follows the border out of the Valley to Laredo area through historic Zapata county.
 * US 281 and US 77 go north out of the Rio Grande Valley.
 * MEX 40 goes south to Monterrey, Saltillo, Torreon, Durango, and ultimately Mazatlan
 * MEX 97 goes south to Victoria and Tampico towards Veracruz Mexico.

title: Rio Grande Valley


text:
Riohacha

Riohacha is the capital of the department of La Guajira. The city with 188,000 inhabitants (2018) is on the Caribbean coast and the land behind the town is rather desert-like.

By plane
You may also want to consider flying to the airport of Santa Marta. There can be big savings, especially on last-minute flights. From Santa Marta there are intercity buses to Riohacha.

By bus
The is 1 km south of the city centre at junction Caerera 11 and Avenida El Progreso. A taxi to the centre is COP$5,000 (Oct 2021). Buses of Expreso Brasilia/Unitransco go: Buses with COPetram go:
 * from Santa Marta: 2½ hours (every half hour). Several intercity bus companies like Brasilia, Copetran, Unitransco and Exalpa. In Oct 2021 it was COP$30,000 with Copetran
 * from Barranquilla: 5 hours (every half hour)
 * from Cartagena: 7 hours (every hour)
 * from Maicao: 1 hour
 * from Bogota: 18 hours (once a day)
 * from Bucaramanga: 12 hours (8AM, 3:30PM)
 * from Valledupar: 3½ hours (8:15AM, 3:30PM)
 * from Uribia: 1 hour with a colectivo. In Uriba you can change buses from Cabo de la Vela.

Coming from a village between Santa Marta and Palomino: Only a few intercity bus companies allow you to join the ride. For example Brasilia and Copetrans don't. It could take some time until you can depart. To Palomino you can take the white bus. In Palomino are shared taxis to the Calle 15 (Highway 90) in Riohacha for COP$20,000 (Oct 2021) and to your accommodation in Riohacha for COP$25,000 (Oct 2021).

Get around
Downtown Riohacha is very walkable. There's nothing much to see outside of the ten or so square blocks around the ocean. If you need to take some wheels, it's easy to hail a cab.

Mototaxis cannot go to the old centre, only taxi cars.

Do

 * Tourist dock: Located on the beaches of Riohacha, it offers a privileged location to observe the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, it has also become an extension of the boardwalk of 1ra or 14 de Mayo street. At the end of the dock there is an image of the Virgen del Rosario or Fátima, carved in wood, which is why this point has become a pilgrimage site for those who like religious tourism.

 * Monument Identity: Tourist boulevard: Along Calle 1ra, facing the sea, this boulevard extends, which offers a special walk, where you can buy Wayuú handicrafts, directly from the hands of artisans, enjoy a delicious shrimp cocktail, see monuments that are on this boulevard, among them the 9-meter-high Identity monument, the sculpture of El Palabrero, the Obelisk with the castes of the Wayuu Ethnic Group, the 'I Love Riohacha' sign and others, which make it entertaining and the ride is happier.
 * Wayuu handicrafts: Wayuu handicrafts on the boulevard Malecón de Riohacha in the 1th street.
 * Los Flamencos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary In Camarones, a village 20 kilometers from Riohacha, is this sanctuary, a refuge for the beautiful Pink Flamingos, striking for their characteristic color and size. This place offers tours so that visitors can admire the landscapes and spot the flamingos.
 * Rancherías Wayuu: If you want to immerse yourself in the culture of the indigenous Wayuu, you must visit a ranchería, towards the outskirts of Riohacha, several communities offer the experience of visiting real rancherías, where you can learn a little more about the customs, eat their dishes more traditional and even dance the dance of their ancestors. Contact a travel agency to do that.
 * Valle de los Cangrejos: It is a swamp area, formed by the Ranchería River delta, where you can see different types of birds and mangroves, in addition to its characteristic crabs and crabs. It also has a wide beach with medium waves. It is not a very exploited destination, so not all tourism agencies include it in their plans, it will be necessary for those who want to visit it to inquire about the existing options.
 * Laguna Salá: It is a wetland that was formed with the waters of the Ranchería River, since it was once linked to the river, it was the scene of the Battle of Laguna Salada, on May 25, 1820. It still offers a beautiful landscape, in which herons and gannets can be observed, although it has been reduced due to the urban growth of the city.
 * "El Riito" ecocultural trail: It is a dock that starts from the bridge over the Riíto, bordering the Ranchería River, until reaching the town of Villa Fátima, with a route of approximately one and a half kilometers. Due to the fact that it is a mangrove area and because of its low maintenance, it is not very visited, but it offers beautiful landscapes of the Ranchería River.
 * Kitesurfing and windsurfing: The practice of these two sports is very well received in the city, especially in the afternoons. Local sailors with their own equipment meet on the city's beaches known as Anasmai, where there are usually no bathers and they enjoy the wind and the sea. Anasmai is a wide and extensive beach passing the Ranchería River to the north of the city within the urban area. Although you can navigate the entire Riohacha coast, this beach is the one indicated by the Port Authority for practices. For tourists or visiting sailors without equipment or curious who want to learn, there are some schools in the city that provide services, give lessons and rent material.
 * Gateway to the desert: Due to its location and because it is the only city in the department that has an airport, Riohacha becomes an obligatory stopover for those whose final destination is the Alta Guajira desert, where they find places such as Cabo de la Vela, which has a beautiful beach in the desert and Punta Gallinas, the northernmost place in Colombia and South America.

Buy
ATMs are available throughout the city. For example at the beach is a

A very good place to buy Wayu artesan products, mochilas in particular.

Street food
At the Plaza José Prudencio Padilla is some

And at Carrera 7A/Calle 14 you can find

Budget

 * The simple restaurant inside the Terminal de Transporte is good. They serve a main dish, a drink and a soup for COP$10,000 altogether (Oct 2021).

Drink
There are a string of bars and small clubs along the ocean which serve Aguila on tap and a few imports.

Sleep
There is a surprisingly wide variety of accommodation in Riohacha. It's a hot city, you may want to have a room with air conditioning. The most expensive places tend to be located next to the beach, with a series of slightly dated mega-hotels. Expect discounts of up to 60% in the off season or for rooms that do not face the ocean.

Lower priced are small bunkhouses and guest hostels further away from the beach. Try just east of the bus station. As of July 2009, be warned that many of these places cater to internal refugees displaced from Colombia's long drug wars. You will probably be sharing with some (mostly friendly) long term guests.

Go next
Hostels and private rooms are available ...:

in the south

 * Valledupar – 190 km

in the west

 * Camarones – 25 km
 * Dibulla – 60 km
 * Buritaca – 120 km
 * Guachaca – 125 km
 * Tayrona National Park – 135 km
 * Santa Marta – 170 km

in the north-east

 * Cabo de la Vela – 160 km. From there to Punta Gallinas – beautiful dunes, desert, exotic beaches and sacred indigenous culture

title: Riohacha


text:
Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is one of the five Cinque Terre villages, in Italy.

Get in
The regional train that runs along the Sestri Levante (Levanto) - La Spezia Centrale line stops pretty frequently in all five of the Cinque Terre villages. Coming from Milano Centrale (Milan), you can buy a ticket that should connect you through one of the Genoa stations, with a change to the regional train. This journey should take around 3 hours.

There is a direct train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence) to La Spezia Centrale that makes frequent stops at most major stations along the way. The train from Pisa runs along this same line. Once again, you will need to connect to the regional train once you arrive at La Spezia Centrale. This journey should take around 2 1/2 hours.

On the regional train, there's a chance you might end up stopping in the middle of a tunnel. There should be a sign that says Riomaggiore somewhere in the tunnel. It might be a good idea to check with someone else on the train to see if you're in the right place. Once you get off the train, you'll need to head east on foot and you'll reach another tunnel with art on the walls that will lead you directly to the main street of Riomaggiore called Via Colombo (which will be on your left [the only way to turn]). If you continue straight, you'll immediately see the steps to the marina. This all should theoretically be easy to find, but if not, there should be someone at the tourist info office situated near the train tracks who will let you know how to get to where you need to be. One brunette lady who seems to be there all the time speaks several languages, including Italian, English and French.

''One note: Although there is a direct train from Florence to La Spezia, there is not a direct train from La Spezia to Florence (last checked February 8th, 2011). To get back to Florence, you will need to change in Pisa first. This journey could take a bit longer (~3 hrs) depending on the change time in Pisa.''

Get around
Riomaggiore is a pretty small village, so walking around on foot shouldn't cause a problem (there are a lot of steep hills and steps, so it can get a little tough on the legs after a while).

To get to Manarola (the village just west of Riomaggiore), La Via Dell'Amore is accessible with the Cinque Terre card (which can be purchased at most of the tourist information centers in each of the villages). To get to the rest of the villages, you'll need to take a train. Or swim...

See
Facing the sea while on Via Colombo (the street that runs through the center of Riomaggiore), walk straight forwards, and take a left down the steps into the entrance for the marina. This will take you past all of the boats, and if you keep walking, you'll eventually take some stairs up a path that runs along the sea for about a quarter mile. This offers a great view of the Ligurian Sea.

Do
Cliff jump into the Mediterranean. The water is perfectly clear-blue, so you'll see rocks or sharks before you hit them. There are some nice extensions of rock (complete with stairs and rails) next to the marina. Be careful in the winter, because there's a good chance you might dive into an iceberg... The weather seems to be kind of hit-or-miss during winter in Riomaggiore. The week of February 1st - 8th of 2011 was sunny and warm during the afternoons, but according to some people and old weather reports, there's a good chance the weather can be rainy and cold.

Buy
Sciacchetrà (shak-eh-trah) - this Cinque Terre dessert wine should be available in any of the wineries throughout the villages. In the Coop shop in Riomaggiore (as of February 2011), it should cost €36 (~US$54).

There are a couple Coop shops in Riomaggiore (a local supermarket) that have a lot of things you can buy, like dairy products, breakfast rolls, meats, cheeses, olive oil, frozen pizza, and wine. Everything is pretty fairly priced, and this makes it easy to cook food at your hostel for cheap.

Just like almost everywhere else in Italy you will go, there is a Tabacchi shop (tobacco shop) and a Farmacia (pharmacy: you will see a neon green "+" sign and listings of the local temperature) situated right next to each other. Toiletries seem to be much more expensive in the local Riomaggiore farmacia, and there seem to be almost no travel-sized options. You can find great deals on most everything if you take a quick 10-15 min ride east to La Spezia to buy your essentials. There seem to be thousands of different options for cigarettes (including small packs, unlike most places in the USA), and they don't seem to be too expensive.

Drink
There is a bar half-way up Via Colombo (the main street of Riomaggiore) that is open in the winter (it might be open in the summer, too). There is a patio out front with music playing. They have a lot of options, and be prepared to buy a drink or you might be asked to leave.

Sleep

 * Hostel Mar-Mar – rooms can be rented for cheap (~€20/night for 6 nights for 1 person). You can book online on Hostel World. One of the hostel rooms is an apartment with three beds, a kitchen, a washer/dryer, a toilet, and a hot shower.

title: Riomaggiore


text:
Rioni Region

Rioni Region is a lush, green, mountainous region in western Georgia along the Rioni River.

Cities

 * – historically the capital of western Georgia, Kutaisi is a must visit for its two UNESCO World Heritage sites.
 * – the capital of Racha is small but attractive, very leafy, and up a very steep road leading to the Greater Caucasus.
 * – a 1950s mining town with famous cable cars (16 in total), which are all out of order (as of Oct 2019), and the nearby Katskhi Pillar. There is a direct train from Kutaisi I station, or you interchange in Shorapani by train or bus. Regular marshrutkas from Zestafoni leave for 4-5 lari.
 * – a town in Lower Svaneti, which boasts several 10th-century churches, a castle, and Svan towers in a nearby village.
 * – a very pretty, rustic town on the Rioni River up in the mountains that for centuries was a center of Georgian Jewish culture. Today it's a major tourist destination for domestic travelers, and attracts adventurous foreign travelers with its natural beauty, remote setting, and a local culture that has not seen the effects of tourism yet.
 * – a town in Imereti, Georgia
 * – maybe interesting for its dam and pass into the mountains, otherwise the train ride there can be a soothing and interesting 3-hr ride.
 * – a mineral water spa town that is being revived. It has active spa options, but also interesting Soviet ruins or former spa centers. Also, several caves and sights nearby, the Prometheus Cave and Okatse Canyon, and more.
 * – Vani became famous due to its stone grave, filled with gold. The graves were part of a large ancient urban settlement, and it is believed to have been the ancient capital of Colchis.

Other destinations

 * — a high alpine Soviet-style resort near the source of the Rioni River in Upper Racha; simply unbelievable hiking opportunities

Understand
Rioni coincides with the and  administrative regions of Georgia.

Talk
Georgian is unquestionably the main language in the region, but much of the older generation speak Russian. The younger generation is increasingly speaking English due to hostility towards Russia, and because English has replaced Russian as a second language in schools nation-wide since independence. When in need for help, look for younger people, as they are more likely to know some English.

Get in
All traffic towards Kutaisi will bring you into Rioni.

Get around
By thumb, marshrutka and taxi, as always. Rioni's cities and towns are well connected.

Checkout Kutaisi, which is the main transport hub of the region and has many connections to remote regions and villages like Chiatura and Oni.

Go next
Georgia's principal east-west highway passes through Kutaisi, and you can get to pretty much anywhere from there. To the east, past the highway junction at Khashuri are the Kartli cities of Gori and Tbilisi to the east and Borjomi to the south.

There is a road leading north from Lentekhi that is the principal route into the high mountain villages/fortresses of Svaneti. And lastly, there is a road leading east from Oni towards Tskhinvali, South Ossetia, but this route is susceptible to highway banditry, carjacking, and kidnapping and is not recommended.

title: Rioni Region


text:
Rio San Juan

Rio San Juan is a small city in the Dominican Republic, about 100km east of Puerto Plata.

Note that, unlike in most other cities, none of the ATMs here will accept Maestro cards!

Get in
The buses that go along the northern coast pass through Rio San Juan.

Get around
The city can easily be covered on foot.

See

 * Gri Gri Lagoon

Do

 * Fishing
 * Horse riding

Eat
Around the lagoon are several restaurants.

Drink
Around the lagoon are several bars.

title: Rio San Juan


text:
Rio San Juan (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Rio San Juan:

Dominican Republic

 * Rio San Juan - A town.

Nicaragua

 * Rio San Juan Region - A region

title: Rio San Juan (disambiguation)


text:
Rio San Juan Region

The Rio San Juan Region is a region in Nicaragua which borders in the south to Plains of the North, Costa Rica

Cities
This is largely a rural area, so the term "cities" is something of a stretch. Juigalpa, Boaco and to a lesser degree San Carlos are the only places with the size and services you would commonly associate with a city.
 * Boca de Sabalos (part of the same municipio as El Castillo)
 * Boca de Sabalos (part of the same municipio as El Castillo)
 * Boca de Sabalos (part of the same municipio as El Castillo)
 * Boca de Sabalos (part of the same municipio as El Castillo)
 * Boca de Sabalos (part of the same municipio as El Castillo)
 * Boca de Sabalos (part of the same municipio as El Castillo)

Itineraries
Ruta del Tránsito

Understand
This region has historically been one of the least developed regions of Nicaragua, but in the early 2010s this seemed to change with the construction of a paved highway from San Carlos to Managua slashing travel times and investment making the area attractive to backpackers. However, due to the crisis, the (seemingly permanent) cancellation of the Ometepe-San Carlos ship and a reduction in tourism, the once projected growth seems to be gone and the heyday over. The river, which was considered more than once as a possible route for an inter-oceanic canal linking the Pacific and Atlantic, belongs entirely to Nicaragua, although its right (or southern) bank is Costa Rica beginning a bit downriver from El Castillo all the way to San Juan del Norte. This has in the past sometimes caused frictions between the two countries.

Before the transcontinental railroad was built in the USA, taking a ship down to San Juan del Norte (also known as Greytown) and then a boat through the Rio San Juan up to Lake Nicaragua and crossing the narrow strip of land in the (now) Rivas-departamento was one of the fastest and most practical ways to get from New York to San Francisco. Several notable figures of 19th-century America traveled on this path including Mark Twain, who wrote about the trip in one of his books. This historic route is today known as Ruta del Tránsito and you can still travel on the trail of these first outside travelers to the area. However the boat you will use are powered by internal combustion rather than steam and you would have to go out of your way to go a significant distance by horse drawn carriage.

Talk
English is not prevalent in the Rio San Juan area, as few people have been to university or lived in Miami at some point in their lives. People from Managua and other big cities like to make fun of the supposed hillbilly accent of the people in this part of the country. However there is hardly a noticeable difference to the untrained ear.

Get in

 * Bus from Managua to San Carlos (6 hours, C$150 (córdobas); via Juigalpa).

 * Twice weekly flights from Managua to San Carlos (US$120 round-trip). Some of them via Ometepe - at least according to official schedules of La Costeña but reportedly scheduled flights to/from San Carlos were not operating in either 2018 or 2019.
 * Flights from Managua to San Juan del Norte via San Carlos
 * For all domestic flights check with the website of the only domestic airline - if you can't book it on the website, try to contact their desk at Managua airport and be prepared for the flights not going if they're not bookable online.
 * Boat from Bluefields to San Juan del Norte (inquire in advance as the schedule keeps changing)

Get around
Most of the trips are done on little boats on the Rio San Juan or Lake of Nicaragua.

From San Carlos there are regular public boats downriver every day to El Castillo, stopping at various points on the way, notably Sabalos. If you wish to go beyond El Castillo you'll need to go on occasional public boats that go all the way to the end of the river at San Juan del Norte. It takes 3 hours for most public boats to travel between El Castillo and San Carlos; a faster boat leaves once daily (usually early in the morning) and takes only half as long.

Apart from the San Carlos Juigalpa carretera there are no roads to speak of in this area of Nicaragua; all significant transport between San Carlos and San Juan del Norte is by boat or occasionally plane. The area just beyond El Castillo downriver to San Juan del Norte (San Juan de Nicaragua) is part of the Indio Maiz national park.

To get to the Solentiname islands your best bet is to take a boat from San Carlos. The boats usually leave and arrive from the malecon; for more, see the city article.

See

 * Sunsets on lake Cocibolca from the malecon of San Carlos
 * A Spanish fortress in El Castillo
 * Wildlife including caymans, exotic birds and monkeys
 * The Rio San Juan, a river of great emotional and historic importance to Nicaraguans
 * The Reserva Natural Indio Maiz, Nicaragua's second biggest natural reserve

Do
A kayak or canoe trip up the Sabalos river, from 1 hour to 3 or 4 hours depending how far or deep you want to get, you can combine the trip with a visit to a cacao plantation, and then come back down stream in the Rio San Juan. You could also arrange for a longer trip all the way down stream to El Castillo is about another 2 hours. For the most adventurous there is the possibility to canoe o kayak all the way to San Juan del Norte, a 4- or 5-day trip, about downriver, you must bring your camping gear, guided trips are expensive, but if you have experience and are in good shape, this could be the adventure of a lifetime.

If you like fishing, go give it a try to capture a giant Tarpon, weighing an average of 140 plus pounds, for this you must rent a boat, or pang. There is even a national fishing tournament in San Carlos every year.

Eat
As most of this region is close to lake Cocibolca and numerous rivers, fresh, high-quality fish can be had for roughly the same prices as comparable meat dishes almost everywhere.

A particular specialty in this area are the so-called giant river shrimp, or "camarones del rio". These resemble large crayfish or small lobsters, and are quite delicious. Typically you'll pay thirteen dollars for a plate of three. However they are not around year round, as it is illegal to catch them from February to April.

Drink
As this area is not as developed as the Pacific side of the country, caution regarding tap water is recommended. In most places, running water is only available during certain hours of the day. However, all but the most basic hotels should have a tank that enables you to shower at any time. Bottled drinks are generally safe, but if you are suspicious, look at the cap before opening, because sometimes people just fill empty bottles with tap water. Ice is often made out of tap water; whenever in doubt, ask whether something is made from agua purificada (purified water) or not. Remember to stay well-hydrated, as temperatures and humidity can be especially challenging in this part of the country.

Although this isn't really a party destination there are some places for your Toña or Flor de Caña. For more see the individual city articles

Stay safe
Since the construction of the new carretera from San Carlos to Managua crime has risen somewhat, still the area is not less safe than most of Nicaragua and probably safer than the big cities. Normal caution should apply and taking taxis at night in San Carlos when going home from the bars and discotheques is certainly advisable.

In the Rio San Juan (as well as in lake Cocibolca) there are some bull sharks (yes seriously!) that are known to have attacked humans. As their numbers are very low humans are probably a bigger danger to them than the other way around, but the possibility of an attack exists.

When hiking through remote areas guides are always a good idea as getting lost is less fun than having somebody who can explain plants and wildlife to you.

Stay healthy
Malaria and especially Dengue are more likely along the Rio San Juan than in more urbanized parts of the country. Dengue is transmitted by a type of mosquito that is only active during the day whereas the Malaria-mosquito is active during dusk and dawn but also at night. Doctors usually do not advise to take any medication against Malaria before the occurrence of symptoms and the Nicaraguan strain is comparatively harmless but precautions against mosquitoes (clothing that covers as much skin as possible, DEET-containing repellents (widely available, called "repelente" in Spanish) and mosquito nets (mosquitero in Spanish)) are certainly a good idea.

To combat mosquitoes local and federal authorities sometimes fumigate streets and houses. While it certainly looks frightening to those not accustomed to it, its health risks are much lower than those of the mosquitoes it helps keep in check.

Go next

 * Costa Rica (only possible at the border crossing by river from San Carlos)
 * Ometepe (by boat from San Carlos, roughly 12 hours one way, C$161)
 * Bluefields (by infrequent boat from San Juan del Norte)

title: Rio San Juan Region


text:
Rio Vista

There is more than one place called Rio Vista:

United States of America

 * Rio Vista (California) - A city in California
 * Rio Vista (Texas) - A city in Texas

title: Rio Vista


text:
Rio Vista (California)

Rio Vista is in the California Delta in Solano County in the Sacramento Valley region of California.

Rio Vista sits on the northwest bank of the Sacramento River. It's a quiet town which is beginning to suffer from overdevelopment of tract houses built to house the overflowing populations of Sacramento and the Bay Area. Ships headed from the ocean to Sacramento routinely pass by the waterfront.

Rio Vista briefly made international headlines during the 1980s when a wayward Humback Whale took it upon itself to swim upstream before becoming a spectacle. The Whale spent about a week near Rio Vista before being led back to the ocean 100 miles away.

By car
Rio Vista is in the heart of the California Delta, and accordingly is skirted by levee roads on most sides. Highway 160 is a wonderful drive if you can handle its narrow lanes, and offers a scenic view of many delta waterways as it follows their winding paths all the way from Sacramento in the north to Antioch in the south. Turning from Highway 160 onto Highway 12 West, drivers will pass over the Rio Vista Bridge, an iconic draw bridge admired by Rio Vistans as one of their most renowned monuments. Entering from Highway 12 East coming from Fairfield, one must drive very carefully, as this is one of the deadliest roads in all of California.

By plane
Rio Vista Municipal Airport

Get around
Although the Rio Vista City Council has brought great improvements to the bus lines running through Rio Vista, it is much easier to walk. The entirety of the downtown area can be ambled through in just about 15 minutes, that is, if you can resist the tug of such bucolic boutiques as The Social Butterfly Consignment Store and the many eateries which line Main Street.

title: Rio Vista (California)


text:
Ripley

There is more than one place called Ripley:

Canada

 * Ripley (Ontario) — A town in Ontario.

United Kingdom

 * Ripley (Derbyshire) — A town in Derbyshire.

United States of America

 * Ripley (Ohio) — A town in Ohio.
 * Ripley (New York) — A town in New York.

title: Ripley


text:
Ripon

There's more than one place called Ripon:

Canada

 * Ripon (Quebec) - a municipality in Quebec

England

 * Ripon (England) - a city in England

United States of America

 * Ripon (California) - a city in San Joaquin County, California
 * Ripon (Wisconsin) - a city in Fond du Lac County, Northeast Wisconsin

title: Ripon


text:
Ripon (California)

Ripon is a city in San Joaquin County, California.

title: Ripon (California)


text:
Ripon (England)

Ripon is a cathedral city in North Yorkshire, England, with a population in 2011 of 16,702. Its main attraction is the cathedral, and the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. It’s also a good base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales.

Understand
Ripon has long been a religious centre. In 1132 thirteen monks were expelled from the Benedictine house in York (rioting, rowdiness, just the usual monastic peccadilloes). They found a new base in the valley of the little River Skell and affiliated to the Cistercians. Their abbey grew wealthy through wool, and they farmed far and wide, even as far away as Preston ("priest town") across the Pennines. The great stone buildings of Fountains Abbey grew up in the 12th and 13th centuries. It then struggled, through instability in the wool trade, attack by the Scots, plague, and the Papal schism. It revived in the 14th century but like other monasteries was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539.

The abbey lands passed through several owners until in 1693 they were inherited by John Aislabie, who from 1718 was Chancellor of the Exchequer. In that role he almost bankrupted the entire country single-handed, by touting the South Sea Company, set up to operate the slave trade. Remarkably this made a loss, and its bubble share price collapsed in 1720. Aislabie was thrown out of Parliament, imprisoned in the Tower of London and barred from public office. With time on his hands upon his release, he set about prettifying his estate. His son William added the abbey ruins to the estate, and created the water garden. In 1983 it passed to the National Trust.

Ripon meanwhile grew as a provincial market town; it was connected for a while by canal and railway but never became industrial, so its old centre has been preserved. Its church connection continued into modern times, with a women's Anglican teacher training college based here from 1862. In 1974 this merged with a similar men's college to form the College of Ripon and York St John. It later affiliated to the University of Leeds, then to York and relocated there in 2001. It's now the independent York St John University.

By road
Ripon is 5 miles west of A1(M), which from the south you need to leave at Boroughbridge (Exit 48). Follow A168 to B6265 - A1(M) runs parallel but has no interchange at that point. The B road takes you into Ripon and onwards to Fountains Abbey.

Transdev Bus 36 runs every 15 min from Leeds, taking 90 min via Harrogate. From York, buses 142 and 143 run every two hours M-Sa, taking 80 min, usually with a change at Boroughbridge. From Thirsk, Dales Bus 70 (from Northallerton) runs every two hours M-Sa taking 40 min.

Ripon is on National Express route 537 between Glasgow and Corby. This leaves Glasgow daily at 7AM, running via Edinburgh, Newcastle and Durham to reach Ripon at 1:45PM. It continues south through Leeds, Sheffield and the Midlands. The return bus leaves Corby at 7:30AM, reaches Ripon at 1:45PM, and continues north to Glasgow for 8PM. For other destinations including London and Manchester, travel via Leeds which is much better connected.

By train
The closest railway station to Ripon is at Harrogate, which has trains from Leeds (every 30 min, taking 40 min) and York (hourly, taking 40 min). From Harrogate take bus 36 for Ripon.

To and from the north, Thirsk railway station may be quicker – but often not, as it’s longer to get there, and it has fewer trains.

Get around
Dales Bus 159 runs from Ripon to Masham, Leyburn and Richmond M-Sa every couple of hours, passing Jervaulx Abbey and Middleham Castle.

Dales Bus 139 runs from Ripon to Fountains Abbey M Th Sa at 9:45AM, 11:15AM and 4:25PM, taking 15 min. It returns at 11:30AM, 2:40PM and 4:40PM.

See

 * The Watchman blows his horn on Market Square at 9 pm, as he has every night since 886 AD, to warn everyone to get indoors, safe from marauding Vikings. The horn was originally presented by King Alfred the Great, to symbolise Ripon’s charter as a city, and to remind folk to stay vigilant against the foes he’d defeated.

 * Chapel of St Mary Magdalen on Magdalen's Road half a mile north of the cathedral was founded in the 12th century as part of a leper hospital. It was re-modelled in the 15th century, fell into disuse in the 19th but has been restored. None of the medieval skeletons found about it showed signs of leprosy (Hansen's Disease), but any disfiguring chronic skin disease could get you so labelled and shunned.
 * Ripon Canal starts from town centre and courses south for two miles to join the River Ure. It was completed in 1773, bringing in coal and taking out agricultural goods, but in the 1840s a railway company got their hands on it and deliberately let it fall derelict. It was abandoned in the 1950s but a campaign group had it restored. It's navigable throughout, as is the Ure beyond which connects to the Ouse-Aire-Calder canal network. There's a footpath but no cycleway.
 * Studley Park is outside the north gate of the abbey and water park, so you could visit separately, but most visitors see the abbey first, then exit into Studley Park. There's an ornamental lake, and the 19th-century St Mary’s Church, paid for with the unspent ransom for Frederick Grantham Vyner, murdered in 1870 by Greek bandits before they could collect. The Choristers House is a charming Victorian Gothic creation adjacent. Formerly a music school, nowadays it’s let by the National Trust as a holiday cottage (five bedrooms, sleeps ten). Beyond stretches a deer park. Studley Royal House in the park was a medieval manor which burnt down and was replaced by a Palladian mansion. This too burnt down in 1946, but the stable block survived and was converted into a private residence, which you can't visit.

Do

 * Brimhams Active is the leisure centre on Dallamires Lane, with gym, fitness clases and pool.
 * Golf: Ripon City GC is half a mile north of town on A6108. White tees 6084 yards, par 70, visitor round £38.
 * Harrogate Flower Show have their spring show at Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, but their autumn show is at Newby Hall (see above), in mud-Sep.
 * Ripon International Festival is mostly classical music, at various local venues in Sep and Oct.
 * Harrogate Flower Show have their spring show at Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, but their autumn show is at Newby Hall (see above), in mud-Sep.
 * Ripon International Festival is mostly classical music, at various local venues in Sep and Oct.

Buy

 * Ripon Market is held on Thursday in the main square.
 * Sainsbury's is the main supermarket within town, on main square and open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM.

Eat
North Yorkshire really does dinner, so if you’re prepared to drive, there are several top-rate restaurants within ten miles or so. Harrogate also has many choices.

Drink

 * Hambleton Brewery makes beer in Melmerby. No tours.
 * Ripon Cathedral Beer Festival is usually over the late May public holiday.
 * Ripon Cathedral Beer Festival is usually over the late May public holiday.

Connect
As of March 2024, Ripon and its approach roads have 4G from EE and O2, and 5G from Three and Vodafone.

Go next

 * Harrogate is a charming spa town with fine gardens; Knaresborough is its smaller sister.
 * York and Durham are both unmissable historic cities.
 * Ripon is a good base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales — take in Masham, Jervaulx Abbey and Middleham Castle on the way — and the North York Moors east of Thirsk.
 * For big city attractions, Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne are the obvious choices.

title: Ripon (England)


text:
Ripon (Wisconsin)

Ripon is a town in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States.

Ripon is a town steeped in history. It is the official birthplace of the Republican Party in the United States, and was a hotbed of idealistic thought in the 19th Century. The nearby settlement of Ceresco was a communal experiment that ultimately failed, leading to Ceresco being absorbed by the town of Ripon in 1851. Unsurprisingly, Ripon was a strongly abolitionist enclave.

These days, Ripon hosts Ripon College and the Little White Schoolhouse, the latter of which is the place where the Republican Party was created.

By car
Ripon is quite close to the cities of Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. You can take US 41 North or South to reach Oshkosh or Fond du Lac, and then take either WI 23 or WI 44 to Ripon.

title: Ripon (Wisconsin)


text:
Riquewihr

Riquewihr is one of the most enchanting towns in Alsace. Parking is outside the town walls and entrance into the old town is through a series of old town gates in the large clock and watch towers. It is first of all a wine town surrounded by hills of vines. There are many quaint restaurants and Winstube along the main road up the hill. Good shopping in the crystal shops as well. There are old houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. Many still have wells and fountains, and their courtyards are overlooked by galleries above.

In autumn the restaurants have signs proclaiming "La choucroute nouvelle est arrivée". Choucroute means sauerkraut, and is a signature Alsatian dish, piled high and laced with cuts of pork and sausage. The signs are a joking reference to those seen elsewhere in France in autumn, announcing the arrival of the new beaujolais.

Riquewihr is a small city in the east north of France, more precisely in the Grand Est, in Haut-Rhin. Riquewihr is a medieval city with a lot of half-timbered houses, which give the charm of the city.

Get in
The nearest train station is in Colmar.

A bus line #106 connects Colmar with Riquewihr via Beblenheim and Bennwihr, departures are roughly every 4 hours, online timetables.

You can go to Riquewihr by airplane to Strasbourg, which is at 68km to Riquewihr, or to Colmar, which is the nearest, 14,3km to Riquewihr.

Get around
The most common way to travel around here is by foot, hiking the Route Du Vin. If you drive in yourself, have an auto or camper, the parking is really hard to find. The city has paid parking via parksheins, which eat all your change quickly. There is public street parking around the perimeter of the 'Old City wall', but it goes quick, and is hard to find when you want it. There are several parking lots for Bus and RV campers, on the East end of town, near the Hotel le Riquewihr but these are paid lots. It is just about impossible to find parking inside the old city walls. Estimating about 20 parking spaces inside the walls puts a premium on these, and the locals seem to have a lock on them.

See and do
The town is small. The remains of the fortified city walls and ancient porticos, Dolder (lookout tower), and authentic buildings is amazing. This is a small, genuine original 15th and 16th century village. Only a small part of it has been changed (modernized) with almost no reconstruction after either World War. Apparently only two bombs fell in the city in WWll, thus there is no ‘false authenticism’ as is seen elsewhere in Europe. If you are looking for glamour, glitz and polish; look elsewhere. If you want real authentic, OLD history then ‘downtown’ Riquewihr is what you want! There are about 20 Winstubs? (pronounced: Vinschtubbe) around the town. A Winstub is a particular winery’s own wine cellar, and reflects their own: ‘posh’, ‘natural’, or ‘sophisticated’ presentation. Some were slick and really cosmopolitan. Others were pretty much a workingman’s’ wine cellar. There seems to be no relationship to the taste of wine. That would be for YOU to determine on your trip there!

You don’t have to walk from vineyard to vineyard to learn about the wine. The Winstubs are located around the town, mostly in the cellars of the hotels, and under business’ in town. Actually each village and city along the Route du Vin has their own winstubs, and their own vintners. An interesting point is that about half the winstubs charge a fee to sample. Half are free. Our opinion is that the ones that charge are not worth the price. After sampling around 30 or 35 samples the ones we bought were invariably from the ‘free’ shops. It appeared if the winstub has to charge for the samples, then the product is not making them enough money to start with. The good wine sells itself, and the samples are simply a way to let you figure out which wine suits your particular palette. Some of the Winstubs surrounding the town are actively making wine as you pass by them. I didn’t ask, but found out if you ask at the winstubs they may have a tour of their own vineyards. Having seen wine production before this was not an active interest, and we certainly did not want to lose the time coordinating a visit into our schedule, and waste time waiting for someone to give us a tour. If you have more free time, this would be a welcome option.

Near to Riquewihr, at Hunawihr, there is a wildlife park, the NaturOparC. The most popular activity is the Petit Prince park at Ungersheim, there are a lot of attractions for all people.

Buy
At Riquewihr, you can taste the traditional bretzel, an alsacian speciality or the Kougelhopfwhich is a typical cake from Alsace.

You can also find the famous plushies of stork, because stork is the mascot of Alsace, there are many storks in this region.

Eat
Eating in Alsace is mostly about choucroute, flammekuche (tarte flambée), baeckehoffe or kugelhopf. It is a place of earthly dishes to enjoy in autumn with a glass of Riesling, Gewurtztraminer or Pinot Gris. This is the same in Riquewihr and you will also find many tourist restaurants.
 * La Table du Gourmet, 5 rue de la 1E armée, which has gastronomic food, typical cuisine. +33389490909
 * Au Dolder, 54 rue du Général de Gaulle, alsacian food. +33389479256
 * Au Dolder, 54 rue du Général de Gaulle, alsacian food. +33389479256

Sleep
The hotels in and around Riquewihr are as varied as the wine. Hotels inside the old city walls are typically old, and typical old European buildings (small sized, old, tilting, and original.) However, the hotels outside the city walls are more modern, and newer. The price seems to be similar where ever you stay, however the town restaurants, and gift shops are inside the old city walls. If you stay outside the walls, in a modern hotel, you will have to walk uphill a distance of approximately 1000 feet, or 300 meters to get back to a selection of food and shops. The old city has cobblestones everywhere. If you are unsteady on your feet, this will be a chore to walk on. The whole city slopes downward from the west end (the old end) toward the east (the new end).

If you go to Riquewihr, you can sleep in hotel :

 * the Best Western hotel & SPA Le Schoenenbourg, 2 avenue, rue de la piscine, 3 stars, there are a spa and a swimming pool. per night. +33389490111
 * Le Riquewihr, 3,route de Ribeauvillé, 3 stars, per night. near to Colmar, at 25km. +33389860300
 * Le Saint Nicolas, 2 rue Saint Nicolas. 2 stars, per night, 350m from the Christmas market in Colmar. +33389490151

Go next
The whole area is riddled with vineyards, and small cities to visit. At the upper end of the Route du Vin is Strasbourg, and the lower end is Colmar. Both cities are worth a visit, to explore the Alsace region.

 * Some of the original Siegfried line/Maginot line is nearby around Selestat.

title: Riquewihr


text:
Risør

Risør is a very well preserved coast town between Kristiansand and Oslo, with an old history of sailing ships and lumber export in the golden days in the late 18 century. Nowadays known for art and handicraft.

Sleep
The white wooden houses in the inner city makes the town known as "Den hvite by ved Skagerak".

title: Risør