Tag: Plans

Why This City In Mexico Plans To Make A Historical Tourism Comeback In 2024

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Travelers seeking a sun-soaked vacation in Mexico tend to have a select few beach destinations to choose from.

Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos are the leading beach vacations, yet there are so many other beaches to check out.

Whether it’s tranquil towns like Loreto, underrated resort towns or digital nomad hubs like Puerto Escondido, Mexico is the place to be for an incredible beach trip.

For a variety of reasons, one Mexican beach city has lost its luster over the years but still remains a household name.

Vacationers may often choose the most popular beaches, but 2024 is the year to give this, dare we say iconic, beach destination another chance.

What Happened To Acapulco?

Let’s go back in time for a moment.

Before the 5-star ritzy resorts of Los Cabos and all the sleepy beach towns turned popular getaways, there was the magnificent resort town of Acapulco.

Globally renowned as the place to be, Acapulco became Mexico’s shining star for years.

The state of Guerrero’s most recognizable beach town to this day has spiraled in popularity.

Since the days of being mentioned in Frank Sinatra songs, when the rich and famous would set their sights on Acapulco as their destination of choice, crime has been a huge factor for the entire state.

Today, the U.S. State Department has Guerrero listed as ‘Do Not Travel’ with references to violent crime and unpredictable checkpoints by armed personnel.

The advisory goes as far as to say government employees are forbidden from visiting tourist areas, including Acapulco.

As crazy as it sounds, some may remember viral videos of violent attacks on jet skis at beach resorts in recent years, which certainly didn’t help Acapulco’s reputation.

The good news is that Acapulco is ready to turn the page and is dedicated to making the necessary changes to become a major player in tourism once again.

Acapulco Is Ready For A Resurgence

Acapulco may not want to call it a comeback since they’ve been here for years, but they’re certainly ready for a hard reset.

The beautiful beach city has declared 2024 to be the stepping stone into a historic resurgence for tourism.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day”, as they say, but Acapulco is a step ahead as the city isn’t starting from scratch.

Sure, progression takes time, and this will certainly not be an overnight transition to becoming a place tourists deem safe.

Only time will tell if the U.S. State Dept. lowers their advisory level for the region, but Acapulco is putting in effort to increase security measures for tourists.

Mexico thrives on tourism, and one key factor is ensuring tourists not only feel safe but making sure they make it back home unscathed.

Acapulco is investing heavily in security by bringing in more National Guard troops with construction of 12 new barracks underway.

The National Guard will have a heavy focus on touristy areas, along with overseeing public transportation.

Beach Resorts Are Back

Not only has crime become a deterrent for travelers with much safer destinations in other parts of Mexico, but also a disastrous hurricane destroying hotel grounds.

Hurricane Otis ravaged southern Guerrero in 2023, causing serious damage to many beach resorts.

Reports indicate Acapulco’s accommodations are nearly halfway back to were they were before with 7,000 rooms open for vacationers right now.

There were approximately 19,000 before the hurricane wreaked havoc, but Acapulco is focused on taking baby steps to make a major comeback.

One of the best parts of Acapulco is staying at beachfront hotels, wrapping around the famous Acapulco Bay, and stretching further down the scenic coastline.

With premium prices for some of the more popular Mexican vacation hotspots, one way to entice travelers to vacation here is the much lower resort prices.

The 5-star Hotel Las Brisas Acapulco is in the low $100s for many dates through spring, with many others below the $100 mark.

American Airlines is the only U.S. airline that flies to Acapulco offering connectivity through Dallas, otherwise travelers will have to connect in Mexico until more flights are added.

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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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March 28, 2024
6 Reasons You Should Add This Central American Country To Your Travel Plans This Year

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With so many diverse places to choose from in Central America, it’s likely that the majority of travelers head for popular destinations such as Costa Rica and Guatemala, and with good reason.

Central and Latin America are full of diverse countries that overflow with natural beauty, and choosing between them can be a tough call.

While all these places definitely deserve a place on any traveler’s wish list, there are some Central American countries that tend to get overlooked by visitors, and here is where you can often find the undercover gems.

One such place is Belize – which is in no way a secret – but is, however, a country that hasn’t traditionally gotten as much traveler attention as it should, although this is changing and the country is becoming more and more popular with tourists.

In fact, 2022 saw Belize being named one of the top destinations of the year, and CNN Travel listed Belize as one of the 23 destinations to visit in 2023.

You can find the small tropical country of Belize nestled between Mexico and Guatemala.

The country is full of postcard-perfect beaches, colorful towns, ancient Mayan ruins, dense rain forests, and, not to mention, so much natural beauty both on land as well as offshore.

Here Are 6 Reasons You Should Consider Visiting Belize This Year:

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Easily Accessible

While you might feel as if you are worlds away from most American cities, technically speaking, you are only a short 3-4 hour flight from most of the U.S. and Canada.

Belize City is well connected to many American airports, making this lush destination an easy flight compared to some other tropical places further south or over in Southeast Asia.

Recently airlines have been adding Belize City to their routes from major Canadian cities as well, meaning there are more options and better fares than before.

Southwest, United, and American Airlines are popular options from the U.S., while WestJet and Air Canada offer options from Canada.

Not to mention that Belize is easily reachable from Mexico’s Uber-popular Yucatán Peninsula, and bus connections make this addon an option for any Cancun area trip.

It also offers a bit of a different vibe for those looking to avoid the crowds and nightclubs of the ever-popular hotspots along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, although there is possibly no escape from the seaweed.

It’s best to check the local reports for that, as the record sargassum that has been plaguing the Mexican coast might be an issue here as well, depending on the current conditions.

Sustainability

Many reports have indicated that sustainable travel is a big trend for this year, and travelers are making more of their holiday choices based on the economic impact of their trip.

Those who are attempting to make strides in this area will be happy to know that Belize is too.

The country’s new Tourism Minister has stated that Belize is dedicated to becoming a low-impact/value destination for visitors.

The country recently publicity committed to protecting 30% of its ocean territory, and many are hailing Belize as a conservation success story for this and the many other initiatives taken thus far.

No Language Barrier

This may or may not be a reason for some people, but Belize is technically the only English-speaking country in all of Central America.

Being a county that is as diverse as Belize, the official language is English, yet Spanish and Creole are commonly spoken as well.

This lack of language barrier makes traveling here much easier than in other Central American countries, where you might find it a bit more difficult to get around if you do not have some basic Spanish under your belt.

New Resorts

An increased interest in Belize also means more accommodation options can be expected to spring up, and this year saw one major one open its doors.

The popular resort chain Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville has just opened its newest Caribbean property in Ambergris Caye, one of Belize’s most popular tourist areas.

Alongside the Margaritaville opening, Belize has seen a handful of other high-end properties breaking ground recently, including The Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences and The Alaia Belize.

In addition, luxury hotel group Four Seasons has announced their plans for their first private island in the Americas, off the coast of Belize, planned for 2024.

Dive Right In

For being such a small country, Belize makes up for it with its stunning waters full of life and wonders to discover.

Home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, snorkelers love this area for the warm, clear turquoise waters and the variety of fish, coral, and many other kinds of marine life you are sure to see here.

In addition to the coral reef, one main draw for divers looking for adventure is the famous Blue Hole. This massive underwater hole was made famous by Jacques Cousteau in the 1970s and remains a huge draw for those looking to see it for themselves.

Experienced divers can make the trip, and the hole – about 1,000ft wide and 412ft deep – is known to be the world’s largest.

Mayan Ruins

One thing that Belize has in abundance is Mayan Ruins, which shouldn’t be hard to believe since it is the cradle of the ancient Maya civilization.

In fact, the small country of Belize actually holds more Mayan Ruins per square mile than any other country in the World.

While the ruins range from easy to visit to ones you have to trek to get to, they are no doubt worth visiting.

If you are one of the many who are waiting for the Maya Train to open in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, hopping over the border to explore the Belize ruins is a good alternative.

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April 2, 2023
7 Overrated Destinations For 2023: Should You Change Your Travel Plans?

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There are certain destinations that look incredible on social media but are not at all what you expected in reality. Places that became so popular that all you can see are large crowds that make it impossible to truly enjoy or even take one nice picture. Or you encounter restaurants and accommodations so expensive that make you question your decision to visit that city.

The world is big and there are so many fascinating destinations to visit that are truly worth the time and the money to visit, but others seem to have just great marketing behind them.

To help travelers across the world, we created a list of 7 overrated destinations, considering our personal travel experiences, the current travel reality at these destinations, and other travelers’ anecdotes, here’s the result:

Paris

“The City of Light” is always trendy and now that “Emily in Paris” season 3 is out, people from all over the world are flocking to France’s capital to have a fancy dinner on the Eiffel tower, drink a Kir Royale in a beautiful Parisian terrace, or have a romantic moment at the ‘Le mur des je t’aime’ (the wall of love). But is it really worth it?

@toooldforthistt #paris #eiffeltower #viralvideo #ohno #ohnono #viraltiktok #fyp #foryoupageofficiall #foryou #foryourpage #foryoupage❤️❤️ #ohnononono #traveltiktok #pariseiffeltower #realitycheck #overrated #overatedplace #uk #uk ♬ original sound – ❤️Naina❤️

Opinions about Paris are polarizing more and more, people absolutely love it or hate it. But why would people hate the most romantic city in the world? We gathered a few reasons. One of travelers’ current main concerns has to do with its popularity, sometimes there are so many tourists that it feels overwhelming. Other discouraging factors are garbage —certain streets have trash piled up and look filthy—, and the high prices. Paris is very expensive! The average price for a basic room in Paris is around $150 and food —especially near landmarks— can be extra pricey. And yes, French people in this city might not be the friendliest.

Maldives

The gorgeous emerald water, the white sand, the fancy hotels, it all looks like a dream come true until… you get bored! This fascinating destination in South Asia has the promised natural beauty, but many travelers have complained about the lack of activities, restaurant options, and uninteresting nightlife.

@saraistravelling it is overrated #ocean #nomad #traveltiktok #maldives #bucketlist #travel ♬ Inspiring Emotional Piano – Metrow Ar

Flight tickets to the Maldives are expensive and it takes at least 16 hours to get there on a direct flight from the United States! For some American travelers visiting the Maldives is not worth it, especially considering that there are other beautiful Caribbean beaches just a few hours away.

Los Angeles

This city is known as one the coolest places in the United States where travelers get to explore Hollywood, hike to the Hollywood sign, and visit the Griffith Observatory… if you’re still in the mood after a horrible traffic experience from the airport.

@shaunamcatamney Over 63,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles…#LA #losangeles #homeless #poverty ♬ Gangsta’s Paradise (feat. L.V.) – Coolio

Traffic in Los Angeles is a historical part of the city that doesn’t seem to evolve, and it’s even featured in movies like La La Land. Even though LAX will have new train cars this year to reduce traffic congestion, moving around the city can be very frustrating.

And not many influencers talk about the drugs, the trash on the streets, and the homeless crisis. According to a recent report, nearly 42,000 people experienced homelessness in Los Angeles City in 2022, and travelers get to see the crisis firsthand.

Bali

Don’t come for us, keyboard warriors! Yes, Bali is a magical and beautiful place, but some people are constantly surprised by the bad infrastructure—including unwalkable sidewalks, massive litter problems and rising crime.

@victoria_goulbourne Dont be fooled by insta 😅🌝 #traveltok #bali #canggu #indonesia #traveltok #comedy #fyp #instavsreality #baliviews #balitravel ♬ original sound – Andrei King

Travelers can also encounter garbage on the beach, depending on the places they are visiting, and others have complained about increasing prices and certain travel experiences designed for tourists that don’t feel authentic.

Venice

This famous Italian city has been getting maybe too much attention lately. Overtourism is a major concern for the government and they have been announcing new measures to restrict access by requiring travelers to prebook and pay a fee to enter the city. The ticketing system has been delayed, so crowds are still packing the small city.

@macyleighart I just wanted to see a sunset in Venice🥲 #flood #fyp #veniceflooding #travel #foryoupage #holidayfail #2019 ♬ Into The Thick Of It! – The Backyardigans

And locals no longer live in Venice, the population has been diminishing—it dropped below 50,000 people in 2022— so it feels like a themed park. Residents have been feeling suffocated by tourists and preferred to leave, turning the city into a sort of museum. Also, travelers have complained about the bad smell, garbage, certain buildings in terrible conditions, and, of course, the large crowds.

Tulum

Not too far from Cancun, Tulum has been a fascinating destination for travelers from all over the world. But the travel experience might not be as glamorous as many Tuluminati—a term used to refer to digital nomads and foreign influencers living in this town—make it look.

@adrien_tulum Tulum, Mexico: Instagram vs Reality #instavsreality #instavsrealite #tulummexico #tulumbeach #tulumvibes🌴😎 ♬ september on crack ft. a recorder (Earth, Wind & Fire – September) – frickin weeb

Tulum has been losing popularity due to the ridiculously high prices visitor have to pay for everything. Taxi fares are among the highest in the world —around $25 – $100 US for a 5 km ride depending on the driver—, more expensive than Manhattan! Hotels are very expensive, the Internet connection is not good or stable, and the plumbing could improve too, it is barely functional. And there are similar —less crowded and less expensive— destinations nearby like Bacalar with similar beaches and reasonable prices.

Santorini

This beautiful Greek island is one of the most popular destinations in the Aegean Sea. The iconic white houses, the spectacular sunsets, and the beautiful beaches. And yes, the views are amazing but it gets too crowded and feels touristy.

@simeytok Sunsets in Santorini 🌅 #santorini #santorinigreece #greece #instagramvsreality #travel #traveltok #fyp ♬ original sound – Talia

Santorini has a lot to offer travelers but so do other Greek islands. Travelers on Tiktok are suggesting tourists visit Paros instead since it has the same vibes, it is cheaper and you don’t have to make long lines or walk through congested allies and lookouts.

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January 8, 2023
This Major U.S. Airline Plans To Offer Free Wifi

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One of America’s largest airline carriers is offering FREE WiFi to all passengers on board some of its flights – up until 10 June.

Having begun the trial just a few days ago (4 May), Southwest Airlines – which is the world’s largest low-cost carrier – is currently offering free WiFi on board a number of its Boeing 737 airplanes.

The trial is part of a test for new hardware – which has recently been installed on 40 of the airline’s fleet – to see if it can cope with large numbers of users at one time, as well as provide faster internet to all passengers that connect to it.

Which Flights Are Offering Free WiFi?

As just mentioned, the trial of free WiFi is currently taking place on board 40 of Southwest’s Boeing 737 planes – with these aircrafts operating flights throughout the western part of the United States.

Will You Be Able To Stream Netflix Using The FREE WiFi?

Passengers that are on board any of Southwest’s flights that are part of the Free WiFi trial will be able to “stream, browse, and engage on the internet,” according to Southwest’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations, Tony Roach.

So, it does look like passengers will be able to stream their latest Netflix or HBO series whilst cruising at 30,000 feet in the air.

The airline’s current offering of WiFi – which is available on board Southwest’s WiFi-enabled aircrafts at a cost of $8 – does not allow passengers to stream movies and content from websites such as Netflix, HBO Max, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.

This is due to the airline’s WiFi blocking access to high-bandwidth websites, applications and video conferencing services.

How Long Will The Trial Last For?

The trial is set to last for six weeks, with all passengers on board the 40 flights – that has the new WiFi hardware installed – being able to connect to the WiFi at no cost.

The trial began on 4 May and will continue up until 10 June.

Is Free WiFi Available On All Southwest Flights?

At this moment in time, no.

However, it could well be in the near future – especially if the newly installed hardware on some of Southwest’s airplanes can cope with large numbers of users at one time.

The airline does currently offer WiFi to all passengers on board its flights at a cost of $8 per passenger to use it – with the service being free to connect to for Southwest’s A-List Preferred Members.

Will Southwest Be Offering FREE WiFi On Board All Of Its Flights In The Future?

At this moment in time, this is unknown.

However, if the trial is a success then it could be that in the future all Southwest passengers will be able to connect to FREE WiFi – which would allow them to stream their favorite movie or TV series whilst flying high in the sky.

Speaking about the airline’s trial of their upgraded WiFi, Southwest’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations, Tony Roach, explained the company’s vision:

“Our goal is to evaluate how the new hardware improves performance while delivering a reliable internet experience used by a large volume of Customers.”

Do Any Other Of The Major Airlines In The U.S. Offer Free WiFi?

Right now, only one of America’s major airlines – JetBlue – offers free WiFi to all passengers on board any of its flights.

However, just a month ago we reported that five airlines in the U.S. had lowered the cost of their onboard WiFi services.

And, just last week it was revealed that Hawaiian Airlines will become the first major airline to provide Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service to passengers on board its flights from next year.

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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May 8, 2022
Belize Plans To Lift All Remaining Covid Restrictions

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A destination still requiring foreign tourists to present proof of vaccination or a negative test in order to enter, Belize could soon become the next country in the Caribbean to lift all remaining Covid restrictions, as announced by a top government official. And what’s best: a further relaxation of measures is expected as soon as next week.

Though vaccinated travelers have enjoyed hassle-free visits to Belize throughout most of the pandemic, recently even those considered fully immunized have had to observe a series of requirements. Among them, tourists must purchase mandatory health insurance, book accommodation at a Gold Standard property, and wear masks once inside various indoor spaces.

Now, it seems the country is preparing to lift most – if not all – curbs.

Belize’s Cabinet Might Lift Remaining Restrictions As Soon As April

Speaking at the Spanish Lookout Business Expo, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Eamon Courtenay, suggested that any remaining Covid restrictions still being enforced by Belizean authorities might be lifted ‘next week‘. That means travelers due to arrive in the country this April for their yearly vacations could experience an even-freer Belize.

During his statement, the Minister pinpointed that it is ‘important’ to appreciate that, because of Covid, Belize has suffered ‘the worst economic crisis’ of its recent History. As a nation heavily reliant on tourism, especially that originating from nearby countries such as Mexico and the United States, Belize’s economy took a heavy hit over the last couple of years.

Courtenay highlighted how the pandemic took its toll on average Belizeans, not only due to infections and subsequent deaths, but also job losses. In 2020, the first year of the crisis, the small nation experienced a staggering 16% fall in GDP, with over 65,000 Belizeans losing their jobs, as a result of strict health protocols and tight measures that made travel burdensome for several categories of travelers.

While he notes that ‘personal rights and freedoms had to be seriously curtailed in the public interest’, the Foreign Minister concedes that the cost of Covid was substantial, hinting that the country may soon reopen further. In his own words, those monitoring the level of restrictions in Belize closely should ‘tune in for the announcement from the Cabinet next week’.

According to him, there is a chance ‘freedoms will be restored again‘ following the announcement. At present, the measures that are still in place across Belize involve mandatory mask wearing indoors and in public offices, enforcement of physical distancing in indoor settings, capacity limits for certain venues, and a Covid proof of entry for foreign travelers, including U.S. citizens.

What Exact Measures Could Be Relaxed Next Week In Belize?

While the country has recently started allowing fully vaccinated Americans, as well as other immunized visitors, to enter without a negative PCR test, the unvaccinated are still subject to testing.

When unable to present a vaccination certificate, foreigners must be in possession of a negative PCR result, issued within 72 hours of arrival, or a negative Rapid Antigen result dated no earlier than 48 hours prior to the border crossing.

Home test kits are also not accepted.

When choosing to not undergo testing prior to traveling, unvaccinated visitors are subject to testing at the airport upon arrival for a fee of US$50, or BZ$100, to be paid in cash.

If an active infection is picked up, they will then be required to undertake quarantine at a government-approved hotel at their own expense, only being allowed to leave following verified recovery, such as a second negative test.

For now, we still do not know what travel restrictions will be lifted exactly in April, or whether the Cabinet will focus specifically on the easing of internal mandates, such as mask usage and the scrapping of the Gold Standard program.

Currently, those eligible to visit Belize must book accomodation at a Gold Standard-listed hotel, and are required to present proof of having done so. It is also not possible to affirm, at this stage, whether Belize will follow neighboring Mexico’s lead in scrapping all existing Covid border measures.

Unlike Belize, Mexico grants both the vaccinated and unvaccinated unrestricted entry, having returned to pre-pandemic travel regulations and going as far as removing the increasingly popular Health Declaration Form.

We will find out more about the Cabinet’s reopening plan next week, as revealed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Right now, despite its tougher protocols, Belize is one of the safest countries to visit in the Caribbean, reporting a nearly negligible average of 8 infections per day, or only 1% of its January 23 peak.

Due to these favorable trends, which point towards a further relaxation of rules, travelers can expect more positive news coming from Belize in the next few days.

For those scheduled to arrive in Belize soon and who are seeking official information, we advise you to check the Belize Tourism Board website for more updates.

Read More:

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Top 9 Scenic Spots To Explore in Belize

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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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March 30, 2022