New Zealand is a “clean, green” adventure-playground with some tourist destinations being nature areas such as Milford Sound, Abel Tasman National Park and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and activities such as bungee jumping or whale watching. Read our post about Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New Zealand to learn more about what you can see.
From glaciers to beaches, whale-watching to wine-tasting, New Zealand has so much to offer.
Trying to See Too Much
New Zealand is a big country – don’t try to see it all on your first trip. Most people make the mistake of trying to see too much due to their limit timing and instead of enjoying the trip they get really tired at the end.
Driving Over the Speed Limit in New Zealand
The speed limits in the country are set by the New Zealand government. The speed limit in each location is indicated on a nearby traffic sign or by the presence of street lighting. The default urban limit is 50km/h. in some of these areas, there are speed cameras that issue speeding tickets by mail. Police also use handheld laser speed guns.
While the speed limit in freeway-like is 100km/h, the conditions are more dangerous than freeways as there is no barrier separating you from oncoming traffic.
Buying Wine in a Restaurant
You can Bring Your Own Wine into a restaurant and pay a corkage fee! This way you can take a wine of your choice instead of only tasting what a particular restaurant may serve.
BYOB or BYO is an initialism and acronym concerning alcohol that means “bring your own bottle” or “bring your own booze”. In Australia and New Zealand, the term “BYO” (Bring Your Own) emerged to describe business establishments that offered corkage.
Traveling in High Season
The High season in New Zealand is during the summer from December to February. During that period the weather and prices are higher during this time. One of the main misconceptions is that traveling off-season in New Zealand is not a good option. Actually, you can still get warm weather and you’ll save money and avoid the crowd.
Campsites and areas on and around lakes and beaches tend to become very crowded when Kiwis are on holiday.
Some parts of the country such as Central Otago do experience extreme temperatures during summer and winter. During the Christmas and New Year period, almost all businesses shut down for a couple of weeks.
May and early June can be seen as the low season. Northern Hemisphere you’ll get cooler temperatures the more north you go.
Time
A big mistake is not using your time in the country wisely, or not spending enough time in New Zealand. It’s a big country and there is a lot to see.
Not being friendly
People in the country are very friendly. New Zealand along with Denmark are number one in the world of having the lowest corruption rates. Racism levels are very very low in New Zealand.
They are open people and have an open mind to new people, new cultures.
The sun isn’t that strong
It’s a misconception that the sun isn’t that strong in New Zealand. Make sure you wear eco-friendly suncream at all times when you’re outside!
Not keeping the nature safe
While enjoying the outdoors is suggested to don’t remove any plants or other natural resources and always pick up your garbage.
Not going off the beaten path
Off the beaten track you will discover some of the most beautiful, untouched and rugged areas and hidden treasures. If you want autonomy in your trip, you can’t go wrong with New Zealand.
Explore New Zealand and see parts that you don’t see in the guidebooks.
Sights
New Zealand is renowned as a beautiful country, but you don’t realize just how beautiful until you get there! You will be down away by its beauty.
The San Blas Islands of Panama is located north coast of the Isthmus of Panama and east of the Panama Canal. The islands are an archipelago with approximately 365 islands and cays. Only 49 of them are inhabited.
San Blas and its surrounding area is a haven for ecotourism because of its pristine environs. It’s a popular area for sailing, and it is known for its lack of hurricanes and for its beauty. Most popular locations in the Archipelago are Cayos Limones and Cayos Holandeses, the main capital El Porvenir, and the island village of Carti Sugtupu.
The San Blas Islands are the number #1 vacation destination in Panama. In 2011 the islands were renamed to Guna Yala, but it is still more popular by its old name. Its capital is El Porvenir. It is bounded on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by the Darién Province and Emberá-Wounaan, on the east by Colombia,
You have limited options to get to San Blas. You can either take a flight from Panama straight into the San Blas Islands, by helicopter or take a speedboat from Capurganá, or a sailing boat from Cartagena.
By helicopter is the most expensive but also safe and reliable way to access the corners of the archipelago.
Air Panama services Achutupu, Corazon de Jesus (Rio Diablo/Nargana), Mulatupo and Playon Chico.
The best way to get around in the San Blas area is by boat, you can visit different islands within the hour and enjoy the calm clear sea.
Scuba diving is not allowed in the waters around the San Blas Islands, you can only see the sea life by snorkelling.
A snorkeling adventure will show you hundreds of colors underwater of San Blas Islands.
You will find lots of sharks, stingrays, zebrafish, starfish, squid, flying fish, jellyfish, crabs, lobsters, dolphins all around.
You can find many eco-lodges from the local Guna people with perfect place to relax in a hammock, enjoy the sea breeze and the sound of the waves and birds.
Most of them are on uninhabited islands and feature plush sand beaches, hammocks, and offers rustic rooms built out of bamboo and board. There are a few hotels like the Coral Lodge, that offers a pool, bar & restaurant, amenities and AC rooms.
One of the most famous islands in San Blas is Dog Island also known as Isla Perro in Panama. The Island was created when the waters of the Chagres River were dammed by the Gatun Dam to create the Gatun lake.
Isla Pelicano is another small island with a great beach and clear turquoise water. There is not a better place to do snorkeling in San Blas than there. There are no mosquitoes here and the wind is warm and the beach is clean.
Panama declared the islands as a national marine park, the largest of Central America and a year later UNESCO declared Coiba national marine park a World Heritage Site. The national park is home to the second-largest coral reef in the eastern Pacific, at Bahía Damas, and colorful fish, sharks, dolphins, manta rays, tuna, turtles and other marine species.
The rainforest is home to at least 36 species of mammals, including the endemic Coiba howler monkey, 39 species of reptiles, including saltwater crocodiles, over 147 species of birds with around 19 endemic subspecies. Coiba an unparalleled destination for discovering new species as in some of the San Blas Islands, you can find animals that are unknown to science.
The native people living on the San Blas islands are the Kuna Indians. They are a wonderful example of how indigenous people continue to flourish and practice their age old customs surrounded by the modern world. The Kuna Indians are very friendly with the tourists.
Not many of Kuna speak any English – it helps if you know some basic Spanish. There are only 50.000 live on the San Blas Islands.
Featured image photo credit: Alexander Schimmeck / Flickr
Uruguay is a South American country known for its verdant interior and beach-lined coast. The capital, Montevideo, revolves around Plaza Independencia, once home to a Spanish citadel. The name Uruguay means a river of colorful birds. It is a word in Guarani that was spoken by the natives of the area.
15 Must-Visit Attractions in Uruguay
Uruguay is one of the most eco-friendly countries in South America and it is pretty liberal as marijuana and gay marriage are legal, and it is also.
Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. It is a city with a long history and a rich culture, founded in 1724.
With WiFi available in public places and e-scooters filling the city, Montevideo is leading Latin America’s digital revolution.
The exchange of culture and traditions has always nourished Montevideo’s literary movements. The capital is home town of many renowned writers, including Mario Benedetti and Juan Carlos Onetti.
The oldest part of Montevideo, La Ciudad Viejais is mostly cobblestoned with many historical buildings showing the colonial history of Montevideo city such as the cathedral, main plaza and several museums.
San Gregorio de Polanco is a small city in the Tacuarembó Department of northern-central Uruguay. It is one of the best tourist attractions in Uruguay because of its pure healthy air, abundant flora, and blue aqua.
This small town has only 3,000 residents, but there are plenty of things to do including a visit to the native visual arts museum, the excellently adorned OSE water tank, and the regional parish with the art gallery inside.
Salto is an affordable and it offers enough attractions make life interesting. It is the second largest city in Uruguay with a population over 110,000.
Some of the attractions include the Salto Grande hydroelectric Dam shared by Argentina and Uruguay and the AcuaMania Waterpark.
The city owes its name to the Spanish word used to refer to the many falls of water created by the Uruguay River in that area.
Nueva Helvecia is 120 kilometres west of Montevideo, the capital and largest city of Uruguay and just a few miles from the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Nueva Helvecia was the first tourist area in the country. The city has plenty to offer to visitors with its history, culture, local cuisine and natural surroundings full of beauty.
The region is famous for its dairy production. Travelers can visit an artisan cheese factory and learn about the production of different cheeses.
Some of the tourist attractions include the Plaza de los Fundadores, the city gate, Regional Archive Museum, the José Pedro Varela Municipal Park, the OSE tank, with its unusual architecture and the Schöenstatt Shrine.
Piriápolis is located in the Department of Maldonado, only one hour away by car from the City of Montevideo. This historic town is about 40 km west of Punta del Este. Piriápolis was the first beach resort in Uruguay and one of the most popular.
The weather from November to April is pleasantly warm and dry, perfect for plenty of beach time. June to September is cooler and wetter. The active season is between December and March.
There is also a natural reserve of native and rare South America fauna.
Rocha has some of the very best beaches in Uruguay and visitors can enjoy them almost ten months of the year. This is a place with wild isolated beaches and surprising nature is yet to be fully discovered.
In recent years many visitors have discovered the great personality of this fishing village on a rocky point where the sea has sculpted to create almost perfect round shapes and strange stone seas.
The beaches are spectacular; Brava is the southwest, with waves that cut special blue-green. It is ideal for children Mansa Beach, a quiet and huge wind sheltered bay.
Tacuarembó town is fairly small and easily walkable. However, a good number of attractions lie out of town and you’ll need your own transport to reach them. It is located in the heart of the country about 200miles away from the capital.
Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha is a big event during the second weekend of March. It celebrates countryside life and customs. Accommodation is a big issue at the festival.
Some 150 sculptures and murals outdoors exhibits can be enjoyed in public and private spaces in various parts of the Tacuarembó department.
The economy of Durazno largely depends on agriculture and agrotourism. The raising of sheep, and of cattle.
The Yí and Negro Rivers and large streams and in the lakes Rincón del Bonete and Baygorria.
Attractions in Durazno include important events such as the Folklore Festival and the ‘Meeting of the Gauchos’, places like the Hispanidad Park, located a few kilometers from the city, the church of San Pedro Parish, Regional Art Museum, Casa del General Museum.
Carmelo is famous with its winemaking. Winemaking was brought to the region over a hundred years ago by European immigrants. It is one of Uruguay’s largest wine-producing area.
The very alkaline soil with fossils creates a perfect microclimate for vines.
Points of interest in this area are Punta Gorda, Zagarzazú and Colonia Estrella. Close to Colonia Estrella is the Zagarzazú beach.
Nearby places are the picturesque Colonia, historic Fray Bentos, and the spa towns of Paysandú and Salto.
Carmelo is an ideal destination for those looking for a place to relax and for wine lovers tourism due to the large variety of vineyards and wineries.
Cabo Polonio is a rocky point that stands 15 meters above the ocean, with two inhabited islands across one of the largest reserves of sea lions in the world.
There is no water or electricity in Cabo Polonio. This place is attracting many bohemians and backpackers.
You can just lay on the beach and forget about all the luxuriate.
Punta del Este is a city and resort on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay.
Some popular attractions in the area include the La Mano giant sculpture, the Santorini-styled complex Casapueblo, the Enjoy Punta del Este hotel and casino complex, La Barra neighborhood, the iconic Puente Garzón, Gorriti Island, Arboretum Lussich, and the Museum of the Sea. Here is also the Ralli Museum, featuring exquisite pieces of modern and contemporary Latin American art.
Paysandú is one of Uruguay’s most important cities. It is located in the northern part of Uruguay. Due to the historical events in this area, Paysandú is important tourist attraction. Just a few miles away you’l find the Guaviyú and Almirón hot spring resorts.
Some of the attractions of this beautiful historical city include the Historical Museum or the Perpetuity Monument where you can learn a part of the rich and booming history of the city.
Paysandú has many events, including Beer Week – one of the most important events celebrated in Uruguay, which attract many tourists from all over the world.
It is the last coastal resort of Uruguay and it is bordering with Brazil to the southeast. What is interesting is that the main street in Chuy is the actual border between Uruguay and Brazil.
The border is open, so you’re free to cross back and forth between the Brazilian city Chuí and Chuy.
Chuy’s residents are mostly Uruguayans and Brazilians, with almost all its residents speaking Spanish and Portuguese.
It has long beaches which makes it ideal for long walks on the beach. Some points of interest are the Santa Teresa Park, the San Miguel Fort.
“Chui” was also the name the Indians gave a yellow-breasted bird.
Colonia del Sacramento is a city in southwestern Uruguay, across the Río de La Plata from Buenos Aires. It’s known for its cobblestoned Barrio Histórico, lined with buildings from its time as a Portuguese settlement.
It has a long history and it was founded by the Portuguese in 1680 on the Río de la Plata, the city was of strategic importance in resisting the Spanish.
The historic Colonia del Sacramento is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995 and attracts thousands of visitors during the year from around the world. Travelers can enjoy a unique landscape with spectacular views of Río de la Plata.
Main photo credit: Wagner T. Cassimiro “Aranha” Wikipedia
