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)

Gran Sabana

FINALLY!! I was waiting for that moment a long time ago! After 4 of my friends and I decided to go to Canaima National Park for a week, I couldn't wait any longer. I've seen pictures from friends and family and La Gran Sabana looked so gorgeous that I was dying to go there. But, naturally, being there is not the same as looking at a picture or even videos. The experience of driving through those beautiful views, looking at the Tepuys so close to me, breathing nature, it was something that I have to do again and again... and again! So, when are we going again?? :)

The trip was amazing, first because of crew (great friends) and of course the whole time that we spent in Bolivar State.

We drove for about 5 hours from Lecheria, Anzoategui to Puerto Ordaz, Bolivar. The only thing we needed to worry about, was getting the gas tank full every time we could. After El Tigre, Anzoategui; there were no gas station for a long time.

There is a very beautiful part on the way to Puerto Ordaz that we felt we were in Canada or something like it. For about 15 minutes, we drove through a Pine Forest. It was something that at least in Venezuela we haven't seen before. Neither of us! Just amazing!

We kept driving and arrived at Bolivar State. How did we know? We needed to pass by the Orinoco River and the newest bridge over the river made us stop and take pictures.

One thing I have to add, the roads in Bolivar state are in great conditions! *clap clap for another state in Venezuela!* Great for road trips!

We wanted to go to La Llovizna in Puerto Ordaz, so we can add it to our Acceso Total video, but we found out that the whole city needs its own video! So anytime soon we'll be visiting that city again.

From Puerto Ordaz to the entrance of La Gran Sabana it was going to be another 6 hours. So we decided to spend the night in Guasipati, only 3 hrs away from Puerto Ordaz. A small town. We didn't like the hotel where we spent the night, but of course, we weren't waiting for a 5 star resort. It was pretty messy and from 1-5 of cleanliness, maybe a 2 1/2. But I guess all the hotels by that area were going to be the same, besides it's just to spend the night. So, don't mind about it! Just lock yourself in by night!

Next morning, we find the only place where we can had breakfast and it was good! Yummy 'pastelitos' and passion fruit juice! ;) The name of the place Joy Full, can't miss it cuz it's on the route you've been for hours! :) 

Gotta keep going on the road!

After few hours we finally arrived at La Piedra de La Virgen where they welcomed us to La Gran Sabana! (well, it was just a sign that said so) The drive from there to our next stop is the worst! I mean, the road is not damage at all, but a LOT of curves in a very narrow way. Uh, another thing I have to add, there are a lot of security (National Guards) on the way, I guess that's a good thing.

Once we were over those curves, the view in front of us was delightful! We stopped at the Soldado Pionero. From there you can have a nice 1st look at one of the Tepuys (far view, but good). That stop is not of a big deal, but just the beginning of a great trip ahead! So keep your cameras with you all the way!

On the way to Santa Elena de Uairen (the last city before crossing to Brazil), there are a lot of amazing places to stop and enjoy nature! Falls, rivers, streams, and just the entire way made us keep the cameras out to take pictures and capture great clips. Seriously, do not miss any second!

Some of the spots where we took a walk or it's just great for a picture: Kama Meru, Rapidos de Kamoiran, Quebrada de Jaspe and Soroape. Of course, there are a lot more, but hopefully next trip I'll get to know more :) (I'm not kidding, when are we going?? :) hehe)

To cross everything to Santa Elena de Uairen, it's about 3 hours without stopping, but of course you will want to stop everywhere! Just remember to keep the gas tank full! (see below to know where we pump it and we were fine!)

In Santa Elena de Uairen, we stayed at Ruta Salvaje and they even have plans for different things you can do while visiting La Gran Sabana. We went rafting with them! So much fun! We walked inside a water fall, water was cold, but worthy! And we also did with them paragliding so we can have a better view to show you at Acceso Total! and well... it's always fun to do those kind of things!

And without a doubt, you can't stay in La Gran Sabana and forget to spend some time during the night watching the stars! I think we saw about 7 shooting stars :) and even the milky way was noticeable!

In less than 30 minutes from Santa Elena, we were visiting Brazil! Well, a very tiny spot of the country. We went to the border line and took some pics with both flags and then we had lunch at the small town in Brazil. It's not a big place and it's not beautiful, but at least we ate 'churrasco' and had 'caipirinhas'.

TIPS for gas:
This is very important if you're doing a road trip to Santa Elena de Uairen.
If coming from Puerto La Cruz, at El Tigre: full tank. There's nothing until you get to Puerto Ordaz.
Pump it again in Puerto Ordaz. Doesn't matter how much you have in the tank, do it!
At Km 88 (San Isidro) after El Dorado, Pump it again! it's the last one for the next 80km ahead (or so)
At Rapidos de Kamoiran they have a gas station, plus a small place to eat. This is the only place for gas on the road before Santa Elena. 
In Santa Elena, there are 2 gas station, it all depends on the car's tag to know which one to use. But ask first because usually (or at least during high season as we went) tourists can go first. 

Enjoy our 2 videos special about La Gran Sabana only at accesototal29.blogspot.com :)

Respect the nature and keep it clean!

Merida, Venezuela

In Venezuela you can visit gorgeous beaches across the coast. You can drive to the South to go to the jungle, savannahs and see the highest fall in the world. Go to the country side and see beautiful farms. Visit the tallest and longest cable railway in the world in Merida State!

Merida is where you can enjoy nice cold weather in the country. I went from Caracas by car and it took us about 10 hours (with few stops to have lunch and rest in the country side). We stopped first at Mucuchies town. Very cold! (compared to other cities in Venezuela) Love it. It's a small place but pretty nice. It has the main square (Plaza Bolivar) with a church and gorgeous view! Everything looks as a movie set in the XIX Century. Clean and narrow streets.

Then we went to the State capital city, named after the state, Merida. There you can visit the longest and tallest cable railway. (it's been close for a year since they are doing some repairs and updates). There are 4 different stations on the way. With restaurants, stores and of course, the view of the whole city is amazing, plus you can get to play with snow on the top of it. Enjoy the 4765mts (15633 feet) over the sea level. Try to go in the morning since it can be cloudy later. (if it's open of course)

Some other activities you can enjoy while in Merida, visit 3 theme parks. La montaña de los sueños which it's about movies, tv and radio from the 50's, 60's and 70's; Los Aleros will make you feel in the XIX Century; and La Venezuela de Antier that will show you different sides of Venezuela and their typical dances, music and arts. Thanks to Alexis Montilla, the creator of the parks, you will have an amazing and different time during your visit.

Other place to see if you are with a car, Pico El Aguila, Laguna Mucubaji and Mercado Municipal de Merida where you can find a lot of typical sweets and handicrafts.

Acceso Total 29  will show you the best of Merida.


Keep the city and places you visit clean!

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! :)

A weekend in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known as the Switzerland of Latin America. I think they are right. I thought it’s a gorgeous country, very peaceful, happy and no army! Yei! Plus very green. Everywhere I looked, beautiful green views from their mountains and very clean streets.

I went to San Jose, the capital. My first night I visited El Pueblo (The town). It’s a place where you can find some restaurants, bars, clubs and stores. I had dinner at one of the restaurants where food was great! I'm sure every restaurant at El Pueblo will have great dishes. Delicious!

Next day in the morning, I visited Down Town San Jose. First I went to the Gold Museum, which is located under the Plaza de la Cultura (The Culture Square). Nearby is the Theater, where you can feel in Paris since it has the resemble of the Opera House in Paris. I took a tour inside the Theater and got the opportunity to watch some rehearsal for an Italian play.

The Cathedral is a block away. Beautiful place to visit in front of a gorgeous square.

There are taxis everywhere in San Jose, I suggest you to rent a car if you would like to travel to other cities.

What I like the most from the country, the short distance between towns. I’d be doing a lot of road trips if I lived there. Just be careful driving, since there are a lot of curves on the way courtesy of the mountains.

From San Jose, I went to the North West, close to the Nicoya Gulf. I visited the cities of Orotina and San Mateo. Enjoyed a delicious Ceviche de Mango and of course, fresh sea food in front of the beach.

One of the things I enjoyed in Costa Rica, is the variety of sports. During an afternoon, I visited a park, Turubari, close to San Mateo. They offer you horse rides, a long walk across the park getting to see different animals and plants, rappel, canopy and an incredible flight as Superman.

To the north of the Alajuela city, I visited Poas Volcano. Although, I couldn't see the volcano very weel, since it was very cloudy (and cold). But I enjoyed a walk across the park and looking at those big leaves known as sombrilla de pobre.

I hope I can go back to Costa Rica soon, since I want to go to the beaches next time!

Don't forget to take a look at our video in Acceso Total accesototal29.com (visit the blog)

Keep it clean!

Pintando con luz Anzoategui

Holas!!

Chequeen esta pagina http://pintandoconluzanzoategui.blogspot.com/ estare de invitada el 20 de junio en la exposicion! Los invito a conocer a excelentes fotografos del oriente del pais y obvio, vallan apoyarme :)

a weekend in Bogota

From this beautiful city I have a lot of great things to say. Every person is so nice, polite and I'm sure they are willing to do anything to make you feel comfortable! I think they were always in a good mood!

The streets are very clean! And there are a lot of places - maybe most of them - that use recycled paper and do everything possible to help our planet! *clap clap clap* :)

There is security everywhere, public transportation is great, and I think it's always on time. There are taxis everywhere plus the Transmilenio buses.

My first night in town, I went to a nearby city Chia where I visited Andres Carne de Res. A very original restaurant, very big, where you will have fun while eating. They have special events through the day and night, great food and awesome drinks :).

Another city I visited near Bogota, is Zipaquira (about 40min away) where the famous Salt Cathedral is located. Yes, SALT.. the cathedral is underground and everything is made by salt! the crosses, the statues, you even walk in salt! It's a place you MUST visit if you go there. Besides, is good for your health! You get an hour tour inside where they explain every detail about the origins and future plans.

In Bogota you have a lot of malls to visit, with local and international stores. A variety of cafes, restaurants and bars around the city. A lot of squares and beautiful gardens to walk around and relax. Plus the wonderful weather that I love, it's always cold, but a nice cold to enjoy the city. That's because Bogota is located 2600 meters (about 8,530 feet) over the sea level. And if you want to go higher... visit Monserrate, where you can go by cable car. There is a churh, some mini stores to get some souvenirs, have lunch at some of the restaurants and see the nice view of Bogota!

One of my favorite places I visited at night was the Zona Rosa where the Andino Mall is located plus a square with a lot of bares and restaurants to hang out at night. From local beers and food to an irish pub and thai food!

And don't forget to go to Downtown! Visit some of the museums as Botero (free to visit!) and the Gold Museum. Also, take a walk by the Bolivar Square in front of the Cathedral. Mine advise, take a taxi everywhere, besides you don't have to worry about where to park and there's always a taxi in front of you on time and secure!

Keep the city clean!

Celebrating our 1st anniversary!!

Hello!! :)
Last week it was Acceso Total's birthday! :) yei! Hopefully you all have been enjoying our segments, and we still have a lot to show you! don't forget to visit us @ www.accesototal29.blogspot.com and we're still working on www.accesototal29.com where you will find much more about us, the program, pictures, tips for traveling........ a lot more!

check out a video we did for our 1st anniversary!!



enjoy! :) and thanks everybody for the support! :)

Xmas Madrid 2008

Freezing... but a great time!
Ana and I went to Madrid to spend Christmas and New Year. We had an AMAZING time in the old continent.

It was my 2nd time in Spain, this time I got to know El Escorial, Toledo, Segovia and more of the parties of course!

If you go to Madrid for at least 1 week you can get to know all that as well (I spent 3 weeks)

To get to Toledo (to the South) or to Segovia (to the North) is about an hour by car (or you can take the train from Atocha Station close to El Prado Museum). Just take less than a day for each city and to walk around them.





Toledo has one of the oldest cathedrals in the country that at some point (a long time ago) was the main Cathedral in Spain. You can also visit La Casa del Greco, don't forget to try Masapan, visit Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, take a look at the Rio Tajo (the river), and enjoy the antique architecture of the whole town!

In Segovia you can visit the Alcazar Castle which it was the inspiration for the Disney Castle. Take a look at the Roman aquaduct that's been there for more than 2000 years!








Back in Madrid, besides visiting museums as El Prado and Reina Sofia (that you can visit them for free on Sundays), enjoy a tour at the Bernabeu Stadium, walk and shop around Sol, La Gran Via and Callao; have some "tapas y cañas" (tipical Spanish dishes and beer) at La Latina, and have lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and don't forget to take a look at the National Library which is beautiful and has a Museum.

And of course, the night life in Madrid is amazing! There are hundreds of bars and clubs around the city. I think I saw at least one in every block. During the summer (when I first visited Madrid), Plaza Mayor (in DownTown) is a great place to hang out, have a Sangria jar and a tapa while relaxing at the end of the afternoon. Close to it, you can find a Belgium bar where you can get all types of beers (I had a 12degrees beer) or our favorite: Irish Pubs. And of course, visit the typical Spanish bars where you can find, at some of them, a special treat such as 1 tapa + 1 caña = 1€. You will have fun at night, always, all the Spanish people LOVE having fun and they all will treat you GREAT!

Check out our Madrid and Segovia video only at accesototal29.blogspot.com