The Millennium Experience

It used to be that when you asked Americans and Europeans where Costa Rica was, the reply would invariably be, “Um. It’s that island in the Caribbean. Right?” Times have certainly changed. Mention Costa Rica to someone today and most likely they’ll conjure up visions of rain forests, tropical beaches, and exotic wildlife. The reason perceptions about Costa Rica have changed is simple: the country has become one of the hottest destinations on the map. ... More

Panama is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the Americas, offering far more than its well-known canal and eponymous white hats. The country is stable, prosperous and welcoming to travellers who come to explore the unique rainforest and Indian culture, enjoy the superb watersports and savour the heady mix of modern America and old world Spain in the vibrant cities. ... More

The American vision of Panama is usually restricted to the canal Teddy Roosevelt dug there, a dictator named Manuel Noriega, and the invasion George Bush launched to put Noriega behind U.S. bars. Are we myopic, or merely uninformed? Probably a bit of both. If we just look beyond that controversial canal, we’ll discover vast expanses of jungle that hold amazing biological diversity, proud and colorful indigenous cultures that preserve centuries-old traditions, idyllic islands with coral reefs a shell’s toss offshore, and exuberant mountain forests filled with colorful birds and other interesting creatures. And since Panama has only just started to receive the attention it deserves, you won’t have to share its attractions with hordes of tourists. ... More

The Caribbean high season has traditionally been winter, usually extending from December 15 to April 14. This is when northern weather is at its worst, not necessarily when Caribbean weather is at its best. In fact, winter is when the Caribbean is at its windiest. It’s also the most fashionable, the most expensive, and the most popular time to visit–and most hotels are heavily 15booked. ... More