Antigua - The colonial capital

As the oldest city in Guatemala, Antigua is a city draped in historical buildings and ruins. In its heyday when the country was still under Spanish rule, Antigua was the capital city. You will see and recognise the similar design and architecture of other Spanish colonial cities the minute you arrive. In the centre you will find the Main Plaza surrounded by the key buildings of the city. Here you will find several cathedrals and the Government Palace. Parque Central is only a stones throw away and a splendid place to get a bit of rest and time to sit back and reflect. Right next to the park is one of the best museums in the city, the Convento de Santo Domingo. Visiting other sites like the ruins of the city can seem a bit steep compared to other cities but are well worth it. And when you finished walking around the city you can go hike up one of the nearby volcanoes that surround the city. Of the three volcanoes, Volcan Pacaya is the easiest climb and can be done in one afternoon. Volcan Acatenango is the most difficult and you will need to be prepared both for time and the right gear.

San José - The Centre of Costa Rica

The centre economically, physically and politically of Costa Rica, San José is place we passed through several times on our travels. The city itself feels very laid back and not too large, so you can take a walk around and see most things. In fact most of the tours are walking tours of the city. The people there are fiercely proud of their city, even to the point where they will happily tell you all the faults and how exactly they should be fixed. There are several museums in the city and one of the most popular and recommended include the Children’s Museum which has several interesting displays for both parents and children. There are plenty of other quality museums like the Gold Museum, the Jade Museum and the Insect Museum. You can also go visit the Simon Bolivar Zoo and see the local wildlife of the country and nearby regions. There is quite a collection of local foods available at relatively cheap prices, and plenty of cheap goods (some better quality than others). San José is also a good place to take trips to the regions around the city. Some of these include trips to the coffee plantations, river rafting and there are daily buses that take you to the volcanic mountain of Poas.