Cuba & Costa Rica Blog
About this blog
Written by Cuba and Costa Rica expert Christopher P. Baker, this blog will update readers on life in these two diverse and exciting countries.
Recent Posts
- Last blog post on Costa Rica and Cuba
- First-ever group motorcycle tours of Cuba successful
- Cuba’s Mariel port readying for Panama Canal expansion
- Musings on wildlife encounters on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula
- Cuba’s Steam Trains puffing their last gasp
- My top five thrilling activities in Costa Rica
- Cuba’s fun February festivals include Harleys, Books, Cigars
- Five top volcano viewing experiences in Costa Rica
- New road along Costa Rica / Nicaraguan border mired
- Cuba’s Hotel Campoamor at Cojímar to be restored?
- Cuban revolutionary Celia Sánchez honored in new book
- Christmas challenge for Costa Rica’s sexually abused girls
- Costa Rica opens Chinatown in downtown San José
- David Soul films Hemingway’s car restoration in Cuba
- National Geographic Expeditions receives license for Cuba tours
Hotel Terral opens as Cuba’s latest Havana hotel
During the past few months while leading 10-day ‘Cuba: Discover its People & Culture’ programs for National Geographic Expeditions, I noticed a new building being completed along Havana’s seafront Malecón boulevard.
It was striking for its stylish contemporary look—a counterpoint to the venerable well-worn Art Nouveau and Beaux Art facades adjoining.
Then two weeks ago a new sign appeared outside the building, announcing it as the Hotel Terral.
On Monday May 7, 2012, I walked along the Malecón to check it out. more >>
Moon Costa Rica available as e-book travel apps
Avalon Travel Publishing, which publishes the Moon guidebook series (plus Rick Steves’ famously popular European guidebook series) is at the very forefront of digital guidebook publishing, and makes its user-friendly guidebooks available on a network of mobile devices, complete with hundreds of photos and customs maps.
(Moon’s electronic guidebooks also let you search for information, just like you flick through the index of a book.) more >>
Cuba’s ‘Gentleman of Paris’ charms visitors to Havana
Firstly, please accept my apologies for the belated post. I returned today from Cuba, where the inefficiencies of the state-run Internet system proved as frustrating as ever. Not least, hotels without scratch cards. Out-of-date Windows systems that prevented access to my Word docx. And an inability to access the hard drive or download programs to convert the docx.
All conspired to prevent being able to post to my blog from Cuba!
Meanwhile, many years ago, in the early days of researching my Moon Cuba Handbook, my “family” in Havana—Jorge Coalla Potts and his wonderful wife Mari (see their website)—told me about an old tramp known affectionately by Cubans as the ‘Gentleman of Paris.’ more >>
Costa Rica’s annual travel trade show opens
Yesterday marked the opening of Costa Rica’s annual travel trade show, Expotur (May 9 -11).
Normally I would attend this show where, as I explain in my blog post of last week—“Costa Rica profiled in new TV travel show”—I get to meet all the tour operators, hoteliers, car rental representatives, and other travel industry personnel… and where I catch up with long-time friends in the industry.
In fact, I attended my first Expotur in 1990, when the event was in its sixth year.
However, prior travel commitments preclude being able to attend, as I’m currently leading multiple trips to Cuba for National Geographic Expeditions. more >>
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.