It is not very often that my husband and I had some time to spend alone and together and we wanted to do something extra fun. The day went fantastic and ended with a fabulous romantic dinner in Mezon Panza Verde. One of the thisgs we decided todo was to go for a short adventure and do something I have never tried before: A private salsa lesson in Antigua Guatemala.

There are many salsa academies in Antigua so it was hard to make up my mind. But when we were talking about it I remembered that I had been told about a really good place where they offer private salsa lessons called Salsa Chapina Dance Company. So we were ready for this adventure. I was a bit nervous at first because I have no idea of how to dance salsa. But salsa is really good music and worth dancing and it wasn’t that bad, in fact it was actually really good and a lot of fun. Here is how it went:

It is located in the center of Antigua so we simply walked there. When I first got in it the place didn’t look like anything special, it’s just a room with mirrors and some ornaments. We met our instructor whose name is Alexander Miranda and was great with us and so patient. He told us about all the different styles of Latin dance he could teach us and we decided to start with some basic salsa moves. At first I was a bit stiff and my feet were not responding very well but after a little while I got very comfortable and that was when all the fun started. I learned nothing fancy but made great progress in my dancing skills.

Then as I started to feel brave I asked our instructor to show us some Rumba and later some Cumbia. Which are a bit differet but not hard to learn. He also knows merengue an bachata but we didn’t have the time to try that. We decided that we would go back as soon as soon as we had some time (i would love to become a good dancer). But this time we will bring along some friends to come with us. I bet it will be just like a party!

As you can see Guatemala has so many different things to offer. Don’t you miss it!

Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, lives in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She’s traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. Having first hand experience of all the places with her family, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

Traveling in Antigua Guatemala is something you have to do in Guatemala. It has so many great things and places to offer. There are tons of great restaurants, lots of fun bars, hotels that go from $5 a night to 5 star hotels.

I love its buildings and streets because they are filled with history. But there are also great things to do outside of it. For example there is the earth lodge. It is a place where you can go camping in a safe environment or you can rent a cabin in the middle of the forest with the most amazing views of the nearby towns. You can also go to the only vineyard of Central America: Chateau deFay. Here you can also have lunch and go for a tour in the middle of the vineyards.

For some exciting tours and great food how about Finca Philadelphia? It offers canopy and mule tours around the forest and is located only 5 minutes away from Antigua.

If you want to drive for 10 more minutes you can visit a 5 star hotel & Golf Resort located 20 minutes outside of Antigua Guatemala. It has the Agua Volcano in one side and the active Fuego Volcano at a safe distance. It is called La Reunion Antigua Golf Resort & Residences. This luxurious hotel has 26 rooms with a lovely kids club. We were there for a weekend and loved it. We had some time to explore the place and enjoy the delicious meals in their beautiful restaurant (El Mirador Restaurant where they specialize in meat and pasta but they also offer some seafood dishes.

I’ve visited all of them and I love them and I can say that they are all great. So if you want to do something different around Antigua these are my recommendations.

Marina K. Villatoro, has lived in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She’s traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. With her first hand experience, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

In this occasion I wrote about Costa Rica’s best hotels for families, groups of friends and honeymoons. I guarantee they will make your vacation a success.

1. Casa Panorama South

This luxury villa offers a honeymoon suite and a two bedroom luxury vacation home with amazing ocean views. It is super close to the Manuel Antonio National Park and beach. Casa Panorama North can be found in Tulemar Gardens, in Manuel Antonio.

2. Villa Mot Mot

Villa Mot Mot is a two floor luxury villa located in the exclusive Tulemar Gardens, Manuel Antonio too. Both floors have independent entrances so you can either rent just one of them or the whole villa. It is minutes away from the beach and the Manuel Antonio National Park.

3. Villa Mot Mot

Villa Mot Mot is a two floor luxury villa, since both floors have independent entrances you can rent just one of them or the whole villa. It is located in the exclusive Tulemar Gardens, Manuel Antonio too, minutes away from the beach and the Manuel Antonio National Park.

4. Casa Bella Rita

Casa Bella Rita is an intimate boutique hotel in San Jose. The place is run by Steve and Rita, the owners, and breakfast is made to order, there is no menu or buffet. This bed and breakfast offers 6 beautifully decorated rooms and can be found very close to the international airport.

5. Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens

Casa Bella Rita is an intimate boutique hotel located very close to the international airport in San Jose. This bed and breakfast offers 6 beautifully decorated rooms. The place is run by Steve and Rita, who are the owners and breakfast is made to order, there is no menu or buffet.

Marina K. Villatoro, lives in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

categories: vacation specialist,family travel,honeymoon,luxury,travel services,arenal hotels,manuel antonio hotels,costa rica,travel,vacation

Costa Rica boasts of the most scenic beaches, hidden coves, and beautiful coasts. It also gives you awesome sunsets. Can you think of a better way to see these wonders than to go sailing? You have two options: get a charter boat, or book a sailing tour. So why don’t you gather your friends, and enjoy the views, the scenery, and the experience!

You can also choose between day sailing tours, dinner sailing tours, sunset tours and there are even wedding sailing packages for those planning to tie the knot in a very unique way. Day tours usually start early in the morning, dinner tours have a romantic bent to it with champagne and lobster included, while sunset tours take place late in the afternoon in order to catch the breathtaking view of the sun going down.

These tours start as soon as the boat departs. In them you will pass through beaches, coasts, and islands, the sailing tours will also get you close to the marine life that Costa Rica offers. These sailing tours also include some other activities such as kayaking, rafting, diving, fishing or snorkeling. You might be able to catch some views of dolphins frolicking, or some whales and giant sea turtles swimming lazily by. Drinks and food are also prepared and served on board by the staff.

Marlin Del Rey offers sailing tours on board of its 66-foot sailing catamaran from Tamarindo. Sunset Sail Tours has a 49 feet trimaran that cruises off Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. The sailing tours often take you to beautiful beaches such as Playa Grande, Playa Flamingo, Bahia Amore, Playa Conchal, Bahia de Las Pirates, and Tamarindo Beach.

Try sailing the famous and beautiful waters of Costa Rica, and enjoy an amazing & relaxing experience now!

Marina K. Villatoro, lives in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!