Tag: Area

  • This Beach Area In Mexico Is The World’s Hidden Gem According To Time

    This Beach Area In Mexico Is The World’s Hidden Gem According To Time

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    At last, Time Magazine has revealed its yearly list of the World’s Top 50 Greatest Places. While some old classics have unsurprisingly made the list, such as Miami, Istanbul and Bali, a couple of up-and-coming destinations were also featured, including a beach strip in Mexico that attained the coveted title of World’s Hidden Gem. On this post, you will learn why this destination has been awarded the honor, what makes it special, and where exactly you should go based on your own travel preferences.

    Quiet Beach At The Riviera Nayarit, State Of Nayarit, Pacific Coast, Mexico

    Although Cancun and the wider Riviera Maya get all the international recognition, this spot has equally stunning beaches. It runs for nearly 200 miles up Mexico’s Pacific coastline, nestled between the historical San Blas port and Banderas Bay, where countless natural landmarks and picturesque seaside towns can be found.

    Mexico’s Next Cancun Is Ready o Be Discovered

    Traditional Colorful Mexican Beachside Villas, Mexico

    In compiling the list, Time accepted nominations from their international network of ‘correspondents and contributors’, with a particular focus on ‘new and exciting experiences‘. Each destination was then granted a unique title, such as Seoul, named ‘The Smartest City’, or Nairobi, deemed a ‘Cultural Metropolis’.

    As an off path travel blog, we couldn’t help but gravitate towards 2022’s ‘Hidden Gem’ – or namely, the absolutely stunning Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, that does not get half as many tourists as the ultra-packed Cancun or Tulum, though it is definitely growing in popularity. As Time Magazine points out, Nayarit is home to the Pacific’s ‘most unspoiled tropical beauty’.

    Sandy Beach In Nayarit, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

    Mexico has always been a vacation hotspot, and its relaxed attitude towards Covid have now crowned it the unnoficial ‘King of Tourism‘. This year alone, 40 million visitors are expected, superseding major tourism powerhouses, such as Spain and France, whose weaker-than-expected rebound is attributed to stricter health regulations.

    Mexico has been open to tourism from the get go, long before vaccination certificates were introduced for travel and all of these European countries started dropping curbs. This bold move is now being acknowledged, with Time adding country’s rising star as one of the top picks on its revered yearly travel list.

    What Are Some Of Nayarit’s Strongest Assets?

    View Of Pelican At The Beach, Riviera Nayarit, Nayarit, Pacific Coast, Mexico

    As the publication details, the ’emerald forests’ of Sierra Madre and the clear blue Pacific Ocean are two of Nayarit’s strongest assets, as well as its extensive list of luxury hotels that are either open for the season, or will launch soon. The best thing is: it doesn’t matter which hotel you’ll be staying, you’re never too far from the ocean.

    Time specifically mentions the all-inclusive haven of Susurros del Corazon, an Auberge Resorts, scheduled to open this November. Additionally, the magazine lists the all-inclusive, adults-only Naviva resort as one of the reasons why the Nayarit Riviera is the ultimate vacation destination. In fact, it might as well become the next Cancun, especially now that safety concerns are widespread across the Riviera Maya.

    Female Tourist With A Sun Hat Looking Happy On A Beach In The Mexican Caribbean, Mexico

    On top of that, the beaches in Nuevo Vallarta, the gateway into Nayarit, have been named the third best in all of Mexico, beating the crowded Playa Delfines in Cancun and Cabo’s Medano Beach. Snorkeling and horseback riding tours are among some of the other best rated activities tourists can undertake in the region.

    Where To Visit In Riviera Nayarit?

    The Riviera Nayarit is divided into five sections:

    Couple Of Tourists Taking A Selfie In Cancun, Mexico
    • Bahia de Banderas
    • Southern Nayarit
    • Jaltemba Bay
    • Central Nayarit
    • Northern Nayarit

    Bahia de Banderas is home to Nuevo Vallarta and all of the most popular hotels, including several golf courses and family-friendly beaches. Southern Nayarit, on the other hand, is the furthest point from the main urban centers, and where various secret beaches and small Mexican towns are ready to be discovered.

    If you’re looking for more classic Mexican cityscapes, with all the vibrant colors and Instagrammable streets, then you should head instead to Jaltemba Bay, especially the towns of Rincon de Guayabitos and La Peñita. Central Nayarit is for the countryside, animal sanctuaries and outdoor tourism; lastly, Northern Nayarit is where Mexico’s colonial past is displayed in both architecture and customs.

    Ruins Of La Marinera Church, San Blas, Riviea Nayarit, Nayarit, Mexico

    San Blas, in the Northern section of the Riviera, is renowned for its Spanish-era architecture, 18th century ruins, museums and the landmark Las Ilitas cliffs, a must-see for all who visit the state. As you can see, the Riviera Nayarit truly has it all, from culture to beach retreats, and it is really no wonder Time Magazine has named it 2022’s Hidden Gem. Luckily, several American Airlines offer direct flights there.

    When vacationing in the Riviera Nayarit, tourists can either fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), located in the neighboring Jalisco and providing easy access to the small state of Nayarit, or the Tepic International Airport (TPQ). A full list of airlines serving both airports can be found here.

    Read More:

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    Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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  • Eastern Europe Is Now The Most Restriction Free Area Of The World

    Eastern Europe Is Now The Most Restriction Free Area Of The World

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    Being the first collective of nations to bar tourism in the wake of Covid, Europe is ironically paving the way for the reinstatement of international travel and pushing for pre-pandemic normality. More than half of the continent has dropped Covid entry requirements, and along its Eastern front, the Balkans have become the most-restriction free area in the world.

    Girl Making A Heart Sign With A View Of Stari Most, The Old Bridge In Mostar, Bosnia And Herzegovina

    Especially after major setbacks like Omicron, the continent’s barriers were put up high and complex travel rules made it virtually impossible for many to visit. Even though the Balkans have always had a more relaxed approach to Covid, with countries like Croatia and Albania for the best part, the whole peninsula has now decided to abolish entry curbs fully.

    These are wonderful news, considering that navigating Covid rules while crossing the Balkans’ borders was extremely challenging before:

    Land Border Crossing Between Romania And Bulgaria In Ruse, The Bulgarian Side Of The Border, Balkans, Easten Europe

    What Are The Balkans?

    Geographically, the Balkans are a peninsula in Eastern Europe comprising 12 countries. 9 of those are located almost entirely in the peninsula, including Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Also included are parts of Slovenia and Romania, the Greek mainland, and European Turkey.

    Politically, the term ‘The Balkans’ traditionally refers to modern states that were once aligned with Post-War Communism, including those that were once part of a wider, now-defunct country called Yugoslavia (Croatia, BiH, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Slovenia), and then Albania, Romania, and Bulgaria.

    Picturesque Perat In Kotor Bay, Montenegro, Balkans

    The Balkans Are Open For Travel

    Irrespective of what definition of the Balkans you use – whether it’s the purely geographical or political – this region is entirely open for tourism, irrespective of nationality or vaccination status. From the castle-dotted, alpine peaks of Westernmost Slovenia, to Easternmost Turkey’s vibrant metropolises, the Balkans have no restrictions in place whatsoever.

    Traditional Ottoman Era Houses In Berat, Central Albania, Balkans

    Even though other European countries have also reopened, some in the West have staunchly refused to drop all rules. That is the case with France and Portugal, which still require at least one type of Covid certification from a majority of travelers. As it is open, and geographically being a group of 12 states, the Balkans are officially the freest region in the world for travelers right now.

    As can be seen on IATA’s Covid-19 Travel Regulations Map, the Balkan Freedom Bubble, as we are dubbing it, is clearly the easiest zone to country-hop at the moment:

    IATA Covid 19 Travel Regulations Map – Source: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php

    Crossing Borders In The Balkans Is As Easy As Ever

    Even if you have your heart set on visiting a single country, such as Croatia, it is very likely you will end up crossing a border or two. As Balkan states are tiny, in most cases you will be passing through other countries to reach your final destination, which makes country-hopping across the peninsula super easy – especially when driving.

    For example, when using Dubrovnik as your entry point into the Balkans, you will likely pass through a section of Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach other hotspots in Croatia, such as Split or Zadar. That is because Bosnia’s only access to the sea separates Dubrovnik from the rest of Croatia’s coast by a 9 km stretch.

    Dubrovnik, Croatia

    While this may sound exciting for those looking to tick off as many countries as possible, crossings in the region can be a very unpleasant experience when there is traffic. During Covid it was a big hassle, as each Balkan country had set out their own entry guidelines: being allowed into Croatia did not necessarily mean you would be granted entry into Bosnia.

    Now, the whole peninsula has re-established pre-pandemic entry guidelines, and you are free to travel the Balkan countries extensively without having to worry about testing for Covid prior to a border crossing, or even presenting a vaccine pass. Traveling from Croatia to Bosnia, then Croatia again, ending up in Slovenia or vice-versa is as easy as ever.

    Historical Part Of Zadar With Cathedral Of St Donatus And Roman Forum Ruins, Zadar, Croatia

    All Are Welcome Irrespective Of Covid Status

    In sum, there are:

    • No pre-departure tests, irrespective of vaccination
    • No vaccination requirements
    • No recovery letter for the unvaccinated
    • No post-arrival tests
    • No mandatory quarantine
    • No other health-related entry requirement

    Countries that have at least a part of their territory in the Balkans, and that are open for travel are the following:

    View Of Petrovaradin Fortress On The Danube River In Novi Sad, Serbia
    • Albania (100% in the Balkans)
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina (100%)
    • Bulgaria (100%)
    • Kosovo (100%)
    • Montenegro (100%)
    • North Macedonia (100%)
    • Greece (83.7%)
    • Serbia (65.8%)
    • Croatia (42.4%)
    • Slovenia (24.7%)
    • Romania (4.6%)
    • Turkey (3%)
    • Italy (0.1%)*

    *Italy, yet another country that has removed all entry requirements recently, also has 0.1% of its territory in the Balkan Peninsula.

    Even though all of the above countries are again welcoming tourists, we advise you to read more on the History of the Balkans and plan your trip accordingly, as some countries – particularly Serbia and Kosovo – still have unresolved conflicts that may affect travelers. The definition of ‘Balkans’ used on this article has been mostly the geographical one.

    Read More:

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    Why Travelers Should Only Go Carry-On This Summer

    ↓ Join the community ↓

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    Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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