Choose from 812 Fun Things to Do in Riviera Maya & The Yucatan
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Aiguille du Midi Cable Car
Soaring up the rocky peak of Aiguille du Midi at 12,605 feet (3,842 meters), the Aiguille du Midi Cable Car is one of the highest in Europe. Setting out from Chamonix, the cable car has two stages, culminating in an elevator ride to the summit with spectacular views over Mont Blanc and the surrounding French and Swiss Alps.
The Basics
Visitors to Chamonix usually opt for the popular cable car ride. Tickets include access to the 360-degree summit viewing station and Step into the Void observation deck, a glass cage teetering over the cliff edge.
Many visitors arrive on a day trip from Geneva, just over the Swiss border. Full-day tours often combine Aiguille du Midi cable car skip-the-line tickets with a ride on Montenvers Railway, an open-top bus tour of Chamonix, or free time to explore the resort town.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The cable car takes you to the top station, from where it’s a short elevator ride to the summit. Plan two to three hours for the entire trip.
- Ticket lines can take more than an hour at peak times, so it’s worth prebooking skip-the-line admission.
- A restaurant, café, and souvenir shops are located at the second station.
- Dress warmly—temperatures can be as low as 14°F (–10°C) even in summer—but don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen, too, as the sun can be strong at the peak's high altitude.
- The Aiguille du Midi cable car is wheelchair accessible, although some activities and attractions on the mountaintop may not be accessible.
How to Get to There
Aiguille du Midi is in the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps, close to the Swiss border. Cable cars set out from the Aiguille du Midi station on Place de l'Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix—easily reached on foot from the village center. At the top, take an elevator to the highest observation point.
When to Get There
The cable car runs year-round, except November (annual closure). The busiest time is in July and August, when queues can be long. Visit in the early morning to avoid crowds.
Things to Do at Aiguille du Midi
Ski, rock climb, and paraglide at Plan de l'Aiguille mid-station, depending on the season. Or, hike to Montenvers Train Station and look out over Mer de Glace glacier, before riding the train back to Chamonix. At the top station, brave the Step into the Void observation platform, before walking through The Pipe to encircle the entire summit, or ride the Mont Blanc Gondola to the peak of France’s Helbronner.
Address: Chamonix, France
Hours: Varies by season
From $ 63
7th Arrondissement
The 7th arrondissement of Paris is home to some of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, and Napoleon’s tomb. Situated on the left bank of the River Seine, the 7th arrondissement is a charming mix of narrow cobblestone streets, bustling street markets, quaint cafés, and local shops.
The Basics
For first-time visitors, the 7th arrondissement is the perfect place to begin an exploration of Paris. Take a sightseeing tour to see the district’s highlights and enjoy a great introduction to Paris culture, history, and architecture. You’ll admire views of the Eiffel Tower, wander the Musée Rodin Sculpture Garden, discover quaint cobbled side streets, and sample traditional French foods.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The 7th arrondissement is a must for first-time Paris visitors.
- Book a walking tour to see neighborhood highlights and hidden treasures.
- Wear comfortable shoes and plan to spend a lot of time walking.
- Book Eiffel Tower tickets and tours in advance to avoid long wait times.
How to Get There
It is easy to get to the 7th arrondissement using public transportation from anywhere in Paris. Metro lines 6, 8, 10, 12, and 13 service the arrondissement with stops including Bir-Hakeim (for the Eiffel Tower), Musée d'Orsay, and Varenne (for Les Invalides and Musée Rodin).
When to Get There
The 7th arrondissement is worth exploring any time of year. If visiting during the summer months, consider booking tours and museum admission tickets ahead of time to avoid long lines. If you’re on a budget, you’ll find the best deals visiting November through February and also enjoy less tourist crowds, though with fewer services.
Shopping in the 7th Arrondissement
The 7th arrondissement boasts a vast array of shops, from small speciality stores and consignment shops to high-end boutiques and large department stores. Fashion enthusiasts must visit Le Bon Marché, Paris’s oldest and most prestigious department store. Showcasing the finest designer brands and gorgeous window displays, Le Bon Marché is like an art gallery for fashion lovers.
Address: 7th Arrondissement, Paris, France
From $ 68
Afu Aau Falls
If there’s a single image of tropical paradise it’s a hidden waterfall in the rainforest. That’s the scene that visitors will encounter at Afu Aau Falls, where a waterfall peacefully plunges into a cool, crystalline pool. After paying a nominal entry fee at the gate to local villagers, park the car by the changing station and make the short, 10-minute walk to the tumbling stream of water. Be sure to pack along a swimsuit, since one of the highlights of Afu Aau Falls in splashing and swimming in the water. It’s the perfect refresher on a hot day of exploring Savai’i, and you could easily while away hours just splashing and hanging out on the rocks.
For visitors traveling without a car, the waterfall is a popular stop for half-day, guided tours of the island, where you can experience the lush, natural beauty just minutes away from town.
Insider's Tip: Be sure to bring proper walking shoes for the short hike up to the falls.
Practical Info
Alcohol is strictly forbidden at the falls, and there is no access on Sundays. There are basic toilets and changing rooms that offer minimal privacy, and the walk to the waterfall can often be slippery—particularly after it’s rained. Because the road to the falls is narrow, visitors who choose to drive independently will need to reverse down a long driveway since turning around can be a challenge.
Address: Afu Aau Falls, Vailoa, Samoa
Hours: Closed on Sundays
Admission: $2 donation
From $ 64
Al Alam Palace (Sultan's Palace)
With its funnel-like gold and blue pillars and lone flagpole extending like an antenna from its flat roof, Al Alam Palace (Sultan's Palace) is one of Oman’s most striking examples of contemporary Islamic architecture. The palace, built in 1972, is set between the Mirani and Jalali forts along the coast of Muscat’s Old Town and is one of six royal residences belonging to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
Over the years, the ceremonial palace has received a number of important visitors, including Queen Elizabeth of England and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, as well as hosting a number of official functions and ceremonies. Although the palatial buildings are closed to the public, visitors can still enjoy views of Imam Sultan bin Ahmed’s masterpiece from the surrounding palace gardens or the waterfront of the nearby Muscat Port.
Address: Waterfront, Muscat, Oman
From $ 52
Blue Bay Marine Park
In case you’re wondering about the biodiversity at Mauritius’ Blue Bay Marine Park, there are more species of corals here than you could count fingers and toes. By some estimates over 40 different types of coral are found in these shallow, turquoise waters, which also house up to 70 species of colorful, tropical fish. With an average depth of only 10 to 20 feet, Blue Bay Marine Park is easily accessible to snorkelers and casual swimmers—most of whom are immersed in fish the moment they jump off the boat. If, on the other hand, you’d prefer to keep your head above water but still see all the fish, glass bottom boats are a dry-hair option for watching the action below. Despite the area’s beauty, however, overuse and abundance of fish feeding is quickly becoming a problem, and snorkelers are reminded to not touch the corals or feed the large schools of fish. The concerning reef degradation aside, Blue Bay Marine Park is one of the nicest areas in southeast Mauritius, and a laidback, warm, white sand shore for spending a day in the sun.
Blue Bay Marine Park is 15 minutes from the airport and 50 minutes from Port Louis. There is no entry fee to visit the park, though fees are charged for tours.
Address: Mauritius
From $ 179
8th Arrondissement
The 8th arrondissement (neighborhood), one of Paris’ 20 districts, is probably best known for the famous boulevard Champs-Élysées. With sidewalks lined by trees, high-end shops, and fashion boutiques, the boulevard is also home to the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde, as well as the Élysée Palace (the official residence of the President of France). On one end of the Champs-Élysées is the Arc de Triomphe, which offers sweeping views of the city from its top. On the other end of the Champs-Élysées is the Grand Palais, an historic building dedicated “to the glory of French art.” The Grand Palais is now a museum and an exhibition hall that is home to an impressive art collection. The 8th arrondissement is probably best known as a retail district, where posh shoppers come to sip a beverage at one of the area’s numerous cafes or restaurants, then browse name-brand boutiques like Chanel, Christian Dior, and Louis Vuitton.
Practical Info
Located on the right bank of the Seine river and centered around the Champs-Élysées, the 8th arrondissement is one of Paris's main business districts and employs more people than any other single neighborhood in the city.
Address: Paris, France
From $ 74
Al Jalali Fort
One of a pair of 16th-century ports perched on the coastal cliffs surrounding the Old Town of Muscat, the dramatic stronghold of Al Jalali Fort is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. Built by the Portuguese in 1587, both Al Jalali and its neighbor, Al Mirani Fort, played important roles in the years of Portuguese colonization before being reclaimed by the Omani in the mid 17th century.
Today, the hilltop fortress houses a private museum set up by Sultan Qaboos bin Said to showcase items of Oman’s national heritage to visiting dignitaries and heads of state. Reached by a stairwell cut into the rocks or by cable car, the mighty fortress hosts a number of military parades and city celebrations, but remains closed to the public except for special events.
Address: Muscat, Oman
From $ 52
Al Mirani Fort
Looking down over Muscat’s Old Town from its cliff top perch, the mighty Al Mirani Fort is one of Oman’s most striking landmarks, guarding the entrance to Muscat Bay. Built in the 16th century, along with the neighboring Al Jalali Fort, the fort is one of the most significant structures left over from the years of Portuguese colonization and was occupied by Portuguese troops until Imam Sultan bin Saif recaptured it in 1649, spearheading the decline of the city’s Portuguese rule.
Restored and extended in the 19th century, the fortress of Al Mirani is the larger of the two forts and makes an impressive backdrop for those exploring the Old Town or strolling along the Muttrah Corniche. Despite its popularity though, the fort is closed to the public and visitors will have to make do with taking in the views from the outside.
Address: Muscat, Oman
From $ 37
13th Arrondissement
Paris is made up of 20 arrondissements or neighborhoods, which are arranged in a clockwise spiral of ascending numbers from the 1st arrondissement in the center. Southeast of the city center along the left bank of the River Seine, the 13th arrondissement is best known as the home of Paris’s booming Asian Quarter or Quartier Asiatique.
The Basics
Less touristy than other parts of Paris, the 13th arrondissement has a rich Chinese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese community and is a great place to find Asian restaurants and shops as well as one of the largest Chinese New Year Celebrations in Europe. The 13th district has also become something of an open-air museum, with dozens of massive works of street art, and several walking tours of the district highlight these urban pieces.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The 13th arrondissement is great for visitors wishing to explore off the beaten tourist path.
- Explore the lesser-known Butte aux Cailles neighborhood to view the area’s abundant street art.
- Bring comfortable shoes and be prepared for lots of walking in this hilltop district.
How to Get There
The 13th arrondissement is easily accessible by public transportation. Metro lines 6, 7, and 14 make numerous stops throughout the neighborhood. Not far from the Latin Quarter, it’s a nice walk from central Paris along the River Seine to the 13th arrondissement.
When to Get There
The less-visited 13th arrondissement is wonderful to explore any time of year. The neighborhood is particularly lively during the Chinese New Year, in January or February, when the streets fill with brightly lit lanterns and colorful costume parades. The festival features plenty of children’s activities, traditional music performances, and authentic food.
The French National Library
The 13th arrondissement is also home to the massive French National Library. Comprised of four 25-story glass towers, the library houses one of the largest collections of books in the world with well over 10 million titles. The library also contains numerous historical texts including thousands of ancient Greek manuscripts, as well as antique ceramics, coins, sculptures, and King Louis XIV’s globes.
Address: 13th Arrondissement, Paris, France
From $ 110
Cinque Terre National Park
Cinque Terre National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of postcard-worthy landscapes: sweeping sea cliffs dotted with sandy coves, brightly painted villages clinging to steep terraces, and forested plateaus blooming with wildflowers. Stretching some 4,300 acres (1,740 hectares) along northern Italy’s rugged Italian Riviera, the park dazzles visitors with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean coastline.
The Basics
The five centuries-old villages comprising Cinque Terre National Park—Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola, and Vernazza—are the main draw for travelers. A well-worn footpath links the towns; some portions of the trail are better maintained than others, but all offer stunning views over the Ligurian Sea. Day tours are the most convenient way to visit the coast, running to the Cinque Terre from La Spezia, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, and most commonly, Florence. Most day trips squeeze in all five towns plus a stop in nearby Portovenere, but those who want more time in the Cinque Terre can stay overnight or on a multi-day tour to make the most of outdoor activities—such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and paragliding—plus the region’s seafood and warm hospitality.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Cinque Terre can get extremely busy in peak summer season, so book tours and accommodations in advance.
- Pack sunscreen, a refillable water bottle (drinking fountains are available throughout the park), and comfortable and sturdy walking shoes (the village roads are often steep and uneven).
- While many hotels and attractions in Cinque Terre National Park are wheelchair and stroller accessible, the villages’ steep and narrow lanes can be challenging for those with mobility issues.
- Wi-Fi is available throughout the national park.
How to Get There
Cinque Terre National Park is two hours from Florence by road, an hour from Pisa, and 20 minutes from La Spezia. Parking is limited in the villages, so unless you are staying in Cinque Terre overnight, ditch the car and join a tour or arrive by train. Trains (year-round) and ferries (mid-April through October) connect the five villages, but the best options for exploring the national park are hiking and mountain biking.
When to Get There
Cinque Terre National Park sees the most visitors (especially day-trippers) and the highest temperatures—upwards of 100°F (40°C)—during summer. Hikers should aim to visit in May or September to avoid the heat, while budget-minded might plan around August, when hotel prices rise. Visiting in winter is possible, but some hiking trails may be inaccessible in rainy weather.
Hiking in Cinque Terre National Park
There are over 75 miles (120 kilometers) of hiking trails in Cinque Terre National Park, some of which were the only connection between the villages and the hinterland for centuries. Today, the most commonly traversed path is the Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro), a six-hour coastal trail linking Cinque Terre’s villages and offering spectacular views. For visitors who fancy more of a workout, there are plenty of rugged mountain trails, including the Sciacchetrail, a challenging 29-mile (47-kilometer) route that loops around the entire protected area—and hosts an annual trail-running race.
Address: Italy
From $ 55
55 Window Palace
Built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754, the stunning 55 Window Palace in one of the Kathmandu Valley’s most iconic landmarks and a destination for travelers venturing to the famed Bhaktapur Dubar Square. Although locals are quick to talk about an earthquake that devastated and destroyed much of the original structure—and in fact kept the palace closed to the public for some 22 years—visitors will today find the impressive structure mostly-open thanks to a Rs. 2.18 billion renovation and truly worthy of a visit.
Visitors can explore the incredible collection of ancient statues tucked among the remarkable architecture of the 55 Window Palace, which includes a 10-armed representation of the goddess Taleju Bhawani. Travelers should wander along the Golden Gate and journey into one of the former courtyards as well during a visit to this beautiful place.
Practical Info
The palace is located at the center of Bhaktapur Dubar Square. Entrance to the palace is included in the cost of a ticket to Bhaktapur, but travelers will need to pay 100 rupees to enter the museum.
Address: Bhaktapur Dubar Square, Bhaktapur, Nepal
Admission: Museum: 100 rupees
From $ 91
9th Arrondissement
The 9th Arrondissement is located on the Right Bank in Paris and is home to a number of places of cultural, historical and architectural interest. It also boasts more hotels than any other arrondissement in Paris, so it can be a great area to base yourself to explore the city. Here you will find the Palais Garnier, which is home to the Paris Opera, as well as the Musee Grevin, a waxwork museum featuring more than 500 characters from French history. As you walk around the arrondissement, look for commemorative plaques outside of homes indicating notable landmarks. Be sure to check out the covered passageways near Boulevard Haussmann and rue Vivienne. Dating to the 19th century, these were precursors to the modern shopping mall.
The 9th Arrondissement is also home to several major department stores, including Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, both of which offer good skyline views of the city. In the young and vibrant South of Pigalle district, you can find a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes, and in Little Tokyo you can discover some of the best Japanese food in Paris.
Practical Info
The 9th Arrondissement covers less than one square mile. To get there, take Metro line 3, 7 or 8 to the Opera station; line 7 or 9 to the Chausette d’Antin La Fayette station or line 8 or 9 to the Grands Boulevards station.
Address: Paris, France
From $ 87
Birdpark Malta
The first nature park in the country, Birdpark Malta is a hidden gem for visitors. Open to the public for just five years and covering 5,000 square meters, it is home to more than 200 species of birds. A variety of other animals also populate the park, including kangaroos, wallabies, antelopes, deer, meercats, snakes and other reptiles. Visitors can watch daily feedings, participate in interactive sessions with owls, macaws, reptiles and other animals, or join a guided tour of the park to learn more about bird habitats, songs and calls, migration patterns and nests and eggs. And of course, the park’s helpful keepers are always on hand to answer questions. Consider combining a trip to Birdpark Malta with a visit to the National Aquarium of Malta for a full day wildlife experience.
Practical Info
Birdpark Malta is located next to Kennedy Grove in the Salina neighborhood of Malta. Visitors can either join a tour to the park or take a bus to the Salini stop, near the Salina Bay Hotel. If you visit independently, you can still join a guided tour offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Address: L-Imdwra Road, Burmarrad, Malta
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission: 8 Euro
From $ 37
Cinco Ceibas Rainforest Reserve and Adventure Park
Even though it’s less than a mile long, the elevated boardwalk at Cinco Ceibas Rainforest Reserve can take an hour to complete. Here, at Central America’s longest boardwalk, endangered, swooping green macaws can often be spotted in the treetops, and rows of marching leaf-cutter ants parade along vine-covered trunks. Every few steps are worth a stop to marvel at the forest around you—which stretches for over 2,700 acres of pristine Costa Rican countryside. The elevated forest boardwalk aside, Cinco Ceibas Rainforest Reserve is a bright light of conservation in the midst of natural destruction. Here in the province of Sarapiquí to the north of San José, a global demand for Costa Rican pineapples has led to deforestation. Tirelessly working to conserve what they can, Cinco Ceibas set out on a mission to plant half a million trees—including a grove of towering teak that’s been growing for 20 years. Today the teak grove forms the backdrop for eco-tours on horseback, and many of the park’s facilities and buildings were sourced using park-grown materials. Hear the efforts towards conservation while kayaking the Rio Cuarto, a leisurely, slow-moving mountain stream where monkeys, macaws, and red-eyed tree frogs flit across banks and bushes. Best of all, is that despite the park’s remote location and distance from San José, guests are greeted with comfortable facilities and impeccable customer service. It’s the park’s hope, that through education and tourism, that much like the stoic Ceiba trees that have stood for 500 years, the sustainable, natural, conservation practices will help the area keep its forests for at least 500 more.
Practical Info
Cinco Ceibas Rainforest Reserve and Adventure Park is located 2.5 hours north of San José towards the border with Nicaragua. Minimum age for horseback riding is 12, and there’s a maximum weight of 220 pounds.
Address: Pangola, Sarapiqui, Heredia, Costa Rica
Admission: $40-$99
From $ 85
Boat Quay
There are a number of places to scope out Singapore’s cityscape and the historic Boat Quay is among the best. Once the epicenter of maritime trade, the famous Quay now boasts loads of great restaurants and bars housed in well-preserved old shop houses. Complete with open-air terraces, these mainstays of the Quay are heralded for not only their terrific viewpoint, but reasonably priced sea food as well.
Open through the late hours of the evening, one can sit back there and take a midday break from the urban sightseeing or have a romantic dinner as the city lights glimmer on the waterfront. The pedestrian area also contains a few great nightclubs and pubs, for those looking to stay out a bit later.
Among the structures you can spot from the Quay are the Parliament House and Empress Place Building along the North Boat Quay Promenade as well as the famous Fullerton Hotel.
Open through the late hours of the evening, one can sit back there and take a midday break from the urban sightseeing or have a romantic dinner as the city lights glimmer on the waterfront. The pedestrian area also contains a few great nightclubs and pubs, for those looking to stay out a bit later.
Among the structures you can spot from the Quay are the Parliament House and Empress Place Building along the North Boat Quay Promenade as well as the famous Fullerton Hotel.
Address: Singapore
From $ 14
6th Arrondissement
For many, the 6th Arrondissement is the quintessential Parisian neighborhood, complete with cafes, wine shops, patisseries, small art museums and shops lining its streets. Situated on the left bank of the Seine, the walkable neighborhood is home to the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Medici Fountain and the beautifully manicured Luxembourg Gardens.
Saint-Germain-des-Pres has long served as the literary and intellectual heart of the city, and some of Paris’s most iconic cafes are here, including Les Deux Magots, Cafe de Flore, Brasserie Lipp and Le Precope. Each make for a perfect people watching perch.
Practical Info
Access the 6th Arrondissement from Odeon, St. Germain, Solferino, Musee’ d’Orsay, rue du Bac and Sevres Babylone metro stations.
Address: 6th Arrondissement, Paris, France
From $ 29
58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant
Chef Alain Soulard serves up French cuisine on the first level of the Eiffel Tower at 58 Tour Eiffel, a name that references the height in meters of the restaurant's kitchen range from the ground. The2-story eatery features a modern interior design and is surrounded by glass windows so you can take in views of Paris and the tower's intricate metal architecture while you dine.
The Basics
Eating at 58 Tour Eiffel is one of the best ways to escape the tower's crowds and get more out of your visit. You can sit down and relax before or after heading up to the Eiffel Tower's second level or summit for the requisite look down on the city (which may require an additional ticket purchase). Make your lunch or dinner reservation directly with 58 Tour Eiffel, or take a tour that combines your meal with other Parisian experiences such as a Seine River cruise, a city tour, a show at the Moulin Rouge, or a trip to Versailles.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The restaurant is not available for drinks only; you must have a full meal.
- Large bags are not permitted at the tower.
- The restaurant is accessible for guests with limited mobility.
How to Get There
Walking, taxi, and public transit are the best ways to reach the Eiffel Tower, located in the 7th arrondissement on the banks of the Seine. By public transport, head to the Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, or Ecole Militaire metro station or the Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel RER station. Upon arrival, if you have a booking, go to the restaurant welcome desk on the esplanade to receive a priority-access ticket for the elevator.
When to Get There
The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. You may want to select one or the other based on the environment you're looking for—lunch is more casual and kid-friendly with light meals served in a picnic-style basket, known as a chic picnic, while dinner features a more sophisticated atmosphere and dishes.
Other Things to Do at the Eiffel Tower
It may seem that visiting the Eiffel Tower consists simply of riding up to the viewing platforms, taking photos, and heading back down. But this is far from the truth. In addition to 58 Tour Eiffel, on the first level is an immersive show and interactive exhibits. The second level features shops and Le Jules Verne by Alain Ducasse, and the summit is home to Gustave Eiffel's restored office and the Champagne Bar. Perhaps most interesting is the backstage tour, during which you can get a look at the 1889 machinery used to operate the tower’s lifts.
Address: 58 Tour Eiffel, Paris, Ile-de-France, France
From $ 54
Bogotá Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno)
Bogota’s Museum of Modern Art, affectionately referred to as MAMBO, offers an entirely different experience than the capital’s other museums. The sleek building, designed by Colombian architectural icon Rogelio Salmona in the 1980s offers four floors of clean-cut galleries hung with outstanding 20th-century art.
While the museum focuses on the Colombian masters of the last 40 years, a world-class permanent collection includes famous pieces from international figures such as Dali, Picasso, Otero and Andy Warhol, represented here with his famous “Marilyn” silkscreens. Modern design and photography are also well documented in this most thought-provoking of museums.
Temporary exhibitions, artsy films, workshops and other activities are almost always on offer; check their official website (Spanish only) to see what’s on when you’re in town.
Address: Calle 26, Bogotá D.C., Cundinamarca, Colombia
Hours: Tues-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 10am-5pm
Admission: Adults 3,500 pesos (<$2 USD), Children and Seniors 2,000 (<$1 USD)
From $ 50
Boca Catalina
One of the nicest beaches in all of Aruba, here you’ll find unspoiled white sand beaches and calm, placid waters. Postcard-worthy scenes and miles of white sand make for pleasant sunbathing, while free access to public parasols means that you have available shade should you want it. Boca Catalina is also one of the best beaches in Aruba for snorkeling. Here you’ll see scores of fish, black coral structures and untold surprises from the warm Caribbean blue.
Practical Info
Boca Catalina is a remote beach located on the northwestern tip of Aruba, but it is serviced by bus from Oranjestad. Just offshore lies the Antilla Shipwreck, and there are no facilities nearby, so visitors should pack what they need.
Address: Oranjestad, Aruba
From $ 45
Blue Hole National Park
Belize’s Blue Hole National Park (officially St Herman’s Blue Hole National Park) sits near the capital city of Belmopan and is home to two cave systems (Crystal and St. Herman’s), along with nature trails and the jungle pool that gives rise to the park’s official name.
The caves are the main attractions in the park, with the cave and hole connected by an underground stream. The Blue Hole pool was formed by an underground limestone cave that collapsed, creating the sapphire blue pool at the bottom of the cenote. Visitors also typically visit Crystal Cave, also called Mountain Cow Cave, which can be seen on a guided tours through the Mayan underworld known as Xibalba.
The park has a series of small trails, many of which are good for birding, as the forest canopy is low-lying. Birds spotted in the region include jacamars, blue-crowned motmots, scarlet-rumped tanager, nightingale wren and the long-tailed hermit hummingbird.
Practical Info
St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park is just off Hummingbird Highway, about 12 miles southeast of Belmopan. There are two entrances. If you enter at St. Herman’s Cave, there are trailheads, picnic facilities and a visitor center and gift shop. The other entrance is close to the Blue Hole pool and also has a small picnic area. As you may get wet, it’s recommended to bring a change of dry clothes. Pack sunblock and bug spray as well.
Address: Hummingbird Highway, Belmopan, Belize
From $ 110