Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Now this is my favorite spot to visit in Colombia!

Visiting Cartagena feels like going back in time, thanks to its architecture around the city, specially at the Old Cartagena Town.

During our first day, we visited Old Cartagena Town. But before entering by the main door, by the Clock Tower (La Torre del Reloj), and even when it was the middle of the day, very hot weather courtesy of the bright sun on top of us, we enjoyed a walk by the Convention Center, the Camellon de los Martires and the water front.

Few blocks away, there is a restaurant La Cocina de Socorro, very popular and a nice typical place to have sea food. Don't forget to try arroz con coco and patacones as side dishes. Yummy!

Old Cartagena town, it's a city surrended by a great wall where it used to be the main city years ago and now you can walk by its streets and enjoy every single minute of it.

By the end of the day, before sunset, take a ride by the old city in a coche (a horse-drawn carriage) while listening to some stories and history about the city. Just amazing! Later, watch the sunset at Cafe del mar listening to chill out music while having a drink. Nothing more relaxing than that!

To begin a nice night, enjoy a local beer or tropical drink at the many bars and cafe in the squares around the old town, like Santo Domingo square, with live typical music and dance every other time and vendors walking around.

By night, it's usually very windy, and most of the places are outdoors, so you might want to take something to cover yourself.

You don't need a car in Cartagena, there are taxis everywhere, cheep and easy to catch them.

During our second day, we took one taxi from the Hotel. The driver gave us a tour around the whole city of Cartagena and Manga, telling us everything we needed to know. It was fun, and we've got to know everything in the city as a private tour. So don't hesitated to ask a taxi from your hotel to give you a tour.

Weather is really hot, don't forget a hat and protection! Wear comfortable shoes since you're gonna be walking a lot. And take your bottle of water with you everywhere, although before entering to any of the sites, there are always vendors with water and even beers for refreshment. Just be careful they might charge you more of what the real price is.

On the 'taxi tour', first we went to Club de pezca a beautiful restaurant by the bay, great place to enjoy an early dinner. Then, we visited La Popa, an old monastery on top of the mountain, where you can glance the whole city from a different - and highest - view. You can see La Popa from anywhere in the city, a large white house on top of the mountain. Later, the taxi took us to Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. There are some tunnels underground, great spots for pictures, a shop on top of the castle and a nice view to the great wall.

On our way back to the old city, we passed by the statue of La India Catalina, a native woman that was sent away to learn Spanish so she can be a translator between the Indians and the Spanish colony.

Back in the old city, we made our last stop at Las bovedas. A place that used to be for prisoners and slaves back in the days, now you can buy variety of souvenirs for friends and family. Try at the local #23 where we got great presents for family and friends.

There are different places to visit and enjoy during your time at the Old Cartagena. Close to the Torre del reloj you'll find Colon Square, close to it the Hard Rock Cafe. By the Bolivar Square, take a tour at the Palacio de la Inquisicion. Other museums you can visit are The Gold museum which is free to enter; Naval Museum and The Modern Art Museum. We also went to Casa de San Pedro Claver, he was a protector of the slaves.

There are hundreds of stores where you can get gorgeous leather wallets or purses, or just a simple gift to take home.

One thing you may notice, the streets name change at every corner (inside the old city only), so it can be a little complicated if it's your first time visiting.

And remember to keep clean the places you visit! :)

Don't miss AT29's video about this gorgeous city! www.accesototal29.blogspot.com

Margarita Island

Every time I can, I visit Margarita Island in Nueva Esparta State, Venezuela.

Today, you can take a plane from different parts around the globe directly to this tropical island without stopping in Caracas.

From Anzoategui State, in Puerto la Cruz, you can go to Margarita by ferry in 3 or 4 hours (it all depends which Ferry, I recommend you to use the Express (3 hrs or less), it's cleaner, secure and faster.

I usually stay for 3-4 days and you can visit every corner of the island, plus the neighbors such as Cubagua and Coche. Naturally, you'll find lots of beaches and every one of them are different and perfect for every one. My favorite one is El Yaque (close to the airport and ferry port), although it's pretty windy but it's a great spot to practice sports such as Kite and Wind surf. From there, you can take a boat to Coche Island. At El Yaque, you can find small hotels but perfect to stay and relax, restaurants along the beach, a pizzeria, few stores. It's a small town that makes you fee away from everything. Even at night, especially during the weekends or holidays, a great party takes place by few deejays at the beach, so forget about shoes, join the party in your swimming suit! 

If you rent a car, however you can find a taxi everywhere (always try to get them from the hotel or a mall), take a trip around the island. I did it once and it was amazing to see a lot of the beaches, gorgeous views and great places to stop and take a picture. Remember how cheap the gas is in Venezuela!

Other beaches to visit, El Agua and Parguito, the party will begin at the beach during the highest season (specially during Holy week and carnival). There are very pleasant hotels by El Agua beach, plus restaurants in front of the beach, and little stores perfect to buy souvenirs for family and friends that are missing out the fun in Margarita Island!

Pampatar another place you can't miss to go. Restaurants where you can enjoy a fun time with friends or a romantic moment with that special one. Plus there's a fort where you can enjoy the gorgeous view to the bay.

Close to Pampatar, Sambil mall will invite you buy from its stores, from local to international brands. Remember Margarita is taxes free!

In Juan Griego, you'll find another fort on top of the hill, and take a walk around the stores in town. Since Margarita is located in the Caribbean sea, there are a lot of forts to visit, each one with different history.

Late in the afternoon, walk by 4 de Mayo and Santiago Mariño. Lots of stores, vendors by the sidewalk where you can find handicrafts and more from locals.

Naturally, Margarita not only brings you the best during the day, the night life is full of energy wherever you go! Visit the beautiful place of Kamy Beach (yes, right by the beach!). One of my favorite places to visit is an English pub 'The British Bulldog' at Centro Comercial Costa Azul. Live music every night with great local bands, in English or Spanish, it is a great place to hang out. If feel like going to a chill out place, I really like spending some time in Yaque Beach, where they have few lounges by the beach.

Remember to watch Acceso Total's video about Margarita and Coche Island! What are you waiting for to book your trip?? :)

Keep clean the beaches and places you visit!

Florida Keys

All you need is a car to drive from Miami and enjoy a great time in the Florida Keys!

If you have enough time, take it easy then! Drive early in the morning from Miami through the US1 south. Doesn't matter where you look, it's a breathtaking view.

The first Key to meet, Key Largo. Stop by the Bass Pro Shop and enjoy the beautiful scenery while shopping. In Key Largo you'll find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where you can enjoy a relaxing day at the beach, camp for the weekend, rent a boat or enjoy scuba diving in the first underwater park created in USA! Amazing things you can't find anywhere else, such as the Christ of the Abyss.

Keep going until Islamorada. Acceso Total 29's favorite place to visit is right there, Holiday Isle! Enjoy a yummy lunch in front of the ocean and don't forget to try the Pina Coladas and the famous Key Lime Pie! And why not renting a wave-runner? Feel closer to the clear waters!

Close to Holiday Isle, you'll find Theater of the Sea. Watch and swim with dolphins, sea lions, sting rays and more beautiful animals from the sea.

Next to visit, Marathon. Before crossing the famous 7 miles bridge, stop by the Dolphin Research Center and know more about those amazing and beautiful animals. And later enjoy the sun at Sombrero Beach. 


Take a walk at the entrance of the 7 miles bridge, wonderful place for pictures.

After the long bridge, you'll meet the Lower Keys where Bahia Honda State Park is located. More beautiful beaches to see and enjoy!

Drive carefully, you might see adorable Key Deers on the way to Key West!

Welcome to Key West! Even when it's a small city, you'll never get bored because there's always something to see and do! From bars, live music, excellent restaurants, rides by trolleys around the city or you might even rent a scooter and go around the key on your own!.

Get to know the Southernmost Point in USA, only 90 miles from Cuba!.

One thing I really want to do: take a tour to visit Dry Tortugas National Park.

What I love the most? By the end of the afternoon, take a walk by Duval Street. Party never stops there! However, before the party, enjoy the sunset with live entertainment and vendors by the dock!

I never have a bad time while visiting Key West! Love it! You won't regret of visiting!

Enjoy the road trip through the Florida Keys www.accesototal29.blogspot.com You can also check it out with English subtitles here


Keep it clean! ;)

South Florida

South Florida... my 2nd home... There's always something to do! From Miami Beach to Las Olas Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale.

Take a walk by the famous street in South Beach (known by locals as SoBe): Ocean Dr. You will feel as walking at one of the Hollywood films (Scarface, The birdcage, Bad Boys, There's something about Mary...) Exotic cars, famous restaurants, Deco style hotels, stores open until 2am (some of them) and the most gorgeous and sexy people from around the globe in one place! If you're lucky enough, you might even walk into a celebrity or through a film set! How many have I seen?! Or take a picture next to Casablanca's car and Humphrey Bogart.

In South Beach, Collins and Washington Av. are very well known by its stores plus the awesome nightlife. You can find lots of restaurants, pubs, variety of night clubs as Mansion where you might even party with Paris Hilton, Matt Damon or Vin Diesel!

SoBe is so sexy and HOT that there's a World Erotic Art Museum in Washington Av.

Close to the South Miami Beach, in Downtown Miami take a walk at Bayside, a shopping mall, there's always a show at night by the marina. Remember Will Smith's video 'Miami' at the end of the song? There are restaurants, stores and bars in front of the bay. At Bayside, you can also enjoy a tour that'll take you to where celebrities live and around the famous canals, by the day or night. A very tourist spot!

Miami, melting pot of culture as I call it, you can find diverse restaurants where you can experience a latin breakfast, an Italian lunch and then a Greek dinner. All in one city, authentic Mexican, Spanish, Venezuelan, French, Turkish, Brazilian cuisine. You want it, you'll find it. 

Family time? Visit Miami Sea Aquarium in Key Biscayne or Miami Metro Zoo to the South by the US1.


Ft. Lauderdale is part of South Florida, another beautiful city to visit. If feel like driving while getting to know the area, I love going from South Beach driving north by A1A to Dania Beach. Gorgeous beaches along the way, stores, malls, and lots of bridges with a great view for amazing pictures. So roll the windows down and enjoy the time!

Live it up few hours by the beach in Ft. Lauderdale and across the street you'll find restaurants and stores. Then, get dress for the night and have dinner at Las Olas Blvd at any of the restaurants in the area. Very romantic too!

Only few minutes by car from Ft. Lauderdale beach, visit the Hard Rock Cafe & Casino in Hollywood. More than 20 restaurants, night clubs, bars and stores open until late.

Don't forget to get to know more about the Seminoles! From Miami, take the famous Calle 8 and go north until you reach to the Everglades. They have different spots where you can take a ride on an Air Boat, listen to the stories of the area, watch an alligator show and get to know more about their history!

And remember to keep clean the city and respect the nature. Also, check out Acceso Total 29's video about Miami Beach, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale (last 2, in Spanish only)

Cancun!

I always wanted to go to Cancun while in college for Spring Break, but I got the chance after I graduated. Few great, relaxing days and the wait was rewarding!

First of all I have to recommend you the hotel where I stayed. Oasis Viva Beach. Love it! Everything was included. The perfect price for all we needed. All 3 meals plus national drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic). So I spent most of my afternoons relaxing at the beach, beautiful view to the clear waters and with a pina colada in my hands. The only thing I can complain, the sushi bar. I think they were soooo slow! Everything else, great! Everyone was very polite, ready to help you when you need it.

If your plan is to relax, don’t worry about renting a car. There are taxis everywhere. Besides, most of the hotels by the Zona Hotelera (Hotel zone) will have plenty of activities to do during the day and night. In my hotel -well, the one where I stayed -, there are 2 pools, some bars (including 1 inside the pool), a volleyball net inside the beach (yes, inside the water!), you can rent kayak or a wave runner. Plus, it was very close by a mall and a lot of mini stores to buy souvenirs.

If you prefer to go out and explore the city, then rent a car (don’t do it by Caribbean Rent-a-car. I did it and they didn’t have a van after we did a reservation and they said they had a van. Besides they didn’t even try to fix it and they were very rude and impolite). Around 2 hours away from Cancun you should… no, I’m sorry.. you HAVE to go to Chichen Itza. It’s very very hot (at least in summer when I went) so wear protection! Try to look for a tour guide; don’t do the tour by yourself. Even if you know a lot about their culture and Maya History, you won’t regret when a local Maya will tell you all the little secrets you won’t find on books. The tour is about 2 hours, but it’s amazing!

In general, Cancun is a very clean city, everyone was very kind and nice, and of course, gorgeous beaches!

Don’t forget the night life! (who would?) There are a lot of places to visit. A variety of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Go bar/club hopping! From latin music to hip hop.

I hope I can visit Cancun soon! I’d love to discover more of this place!

Don’t miss Acceso Total’s episode from Cancun!! :) or 'Beh Túulis' (Acceso Total in Maya) :) accesototal29.com

Keep the city and beaches CLEAN! :)