Independent Relaxation, Expatriate Guides

For such a tiny country, Belize has a startling diversity of people, places, and ecosystems. Inside the guide, you'll ride shotgun with Terry in his rented pick-up as he encounters a relaxed frontier environment of exotic wildlife, Mayan temples, entrancing villages, and quirky characters of hybrid ethnic ext...

Campos do Jordao: A Continental Contradiction

Destinations: Campos do Jordão, Brazil

Categories: 4-7 day trips, Activities (General), Arts, Backpacker, Children & Travel with Children, Culture, Expatriate, Fishing, Food & Dining, History, Honeymoon & Romance, Mid Range, Mountain, Museums & Galleries, Nature, Parks, Real Estate & Retirement, Relaxation, Shopping, Sports & Exercise (General), Top End, Trekking & Hiking, Villages, Walks and Tours

Published on This is an independent guide published on GuideGecko

English, 11 pages, Nov 2011,

Brazil conjures up images of eternal revelry enlivened by samba dance mania and women parading in skimpy bikinis, obscuring their genitals with a garment the size of a postage stamp. At the other extreme is a quiet, modest little European style city nestled in the rarified mountain air of Sao Paulo state, a 4...

Cuenca: 1st Time's a Charm..So is the 3rd

Destinations: Cuenca, Ecuador

Categories: 1-2 week trips, 2-4 week trips, Arts, Backpacker, City, Culture, Expatriate, Food & Dining, Honeymoon & Romance, Mid Range, Mountain, Museums & Galleries, Nature, Real Estate & Retirement, Relaxation, Road Trips, Top End, Trekking & Hiking, Villages, Walks and Tours

Published on This is an independent guide published on GuideGecko

English, 24 pages, Jun 2011,

This city of 500,000 in Ecuador is the most talked about ex-pat retirement destination, due to its coveted colonial charm, preeminent culture, Andean mountain magic, and low cost of living. The author put his money where his mouth is, buying land here last year. Discover all the reasons why! ...

Does Nicaragua Warrant a Callback?

Destinations: Nicaragua

Categories: Activities (General), Animals & Wildlife, Backpacker, Beach, City, Culture, Expatriate, Food & Dining, Honeymoon & Romance, Island, Mountain, Museums & Galleries, Nature, Real Estate & Retirement, Relaxation, Sightseeing, Surfing, Trekking & Hiking, Villages, Walks and Tours

Published on This is an independent guide published on GuideGecko

English, 13 pages, Apr 2009,

The emergence of Nicaragua as both tourist and retirement destination. Chock full of information about the country's natural beauty - beaches, lakes, volcanos, mountain treks, and property investment opportunities. ...

Ecuadorable

Destinations: Ecuador

Categories: 1-2 week trips, 2-4 week trips, Activities (General), Animals & Wildlife, Arts, Backpacker, Barhopping & Drinking, Beach, City, Clubbing & Party, Culture, Expatriate, Food & Dining, History, Mid Range, Mountain, Museums & Galleries, Nature, Parks, Real Estate & Retirement, Relaxation, Road Trips, Shopping, Sightseeing, Single, Sports & Exercise (General), Top End, Trekking & Hiking, Villages, Walks and Tours, Wellness

Published on This is an independent guide published on GuideGecko

English, 40 pages, Nov 2010,

Ecuador goes straight into your heart with its warm, gentle and helpful people, whose indigenous roots are still a prominent influence on the culture. This guide leads you to a wonderland of snow-topped Andean mountains, dramatic volcanoes, breezy tropical beaches, and peerless colonial architecture. The auth...

Fortaleza, Brazil: A Fruit Pie, With A Flakey Crust

Destinations: Fortaleza, Brazil

Categories: 1-2 week trips, 2-4 week trips, Activities (General), Adventure Sports, Amusement Parks, Arts, Barhopping & Drinking, Beach, Business Traveler, Children & Travel with Children, City, Clubbing & Party, Culture, Expatriate, Fishing, Food & Dining, Golf, History, Honeymoon & Romance, Jogging, Low Budget, Luxury, Museums & Galleries, Nature, Parks, Real Estate & Retirement, Relaxation, Senior Traveler, Shopping, Sightseeing, Single, Snorkeling, Sports & Exercise (General), Surfing, Trekking & Hiking, Walks and Tours

Published on This is an independent guide published on GuideGecko

English, 20 pages, Sep 2009,

Fortaleza overcomes its sometimes flakey rep with beautiful beaches, exotic women, great food, and a boisterous nightlife rivaling any city. Europeans are coming in droves, filling up hotel rooms and buying property before they leave. Selected as one of the host cities for the 2014 World Cup, the government i...

Medellin: An Eternal Spring in Their Step

Destinations: Medellín, Colombia

Categories: 1-2 week trips, 2-4 week trips, Activities (General), Animals & Wildlife, Arts, Business Traveler, City, Clubbing & Party, Culture, Expatriate, Food & Dining, History, Honeymoon & Romance, Mid Range, Mountain, Museums & Galleries, Nature, Parks, Public Transport, Real Estate & Retirement, Relaxation, Shopping, Sightseeing, Student, Top End, Trekking & Hiking, Villages, Walks and Tours

Published on This is an independent guide published on GuideGecko

English, 29 pages, Jun 2011,

This guide is a celebration of "La Cuidad de la Eterna Primavera," The City of Eternal Spring. What's to celebrate? According to one new resident, “The dark drug cartel days are history. It’s Springtime every day, without the bugs (due to higher altitude)…your only clothing decision is short sleeve...

Natal, Brazil: It's a Dune Deal

Destinations: Natal, Brazil

Categories: 4-7 day trips, Adventure Sports, Animals & Wildlife, Arts, Backpacker, Barhopping & Drinking, Beach, City, Clubbing & Party, Expatriate, Food & Dining, History, Honeymoon & Romance, Mid Range, Museums & Galleries, Nature, Parks, Real Estate & Retirement, Relaxation, Sightseeing, Single

Published on This is an independent guide published on GuideGecko

English, 9 pages, Dec 2010,

Natal is leaping to the front of the international tourism line, with magnificent sand dunes sprouting up from its magical and immaculate beaches. One of Brazil's safest, sunniest and cleanest cities, Natal is also the closest Brazilian city to Europe and North America's east coast. Despite its tranquil re...

Off the beaten path in Northeast Thailand

Destinations: Thailand

Categories: 1-2 week trips, 4-7 day trips, Bike Trekking, Children & Travel with Children, Cooking, Culture, Cycling, Expatriate, Gay & Lesbian, History, Honeymoon & Romance, Language, Low Budget, Mid Range, Museums & Galleries, Nature, Pets & Travel with Pets, Relaxation, Senior Traveler, Shopping, Sightseeing, Top End, Villages, Walks and Tours, Weekend trips, Women

Published on This is an independent guide published on GuideGecko

English, 4 pages, Feb 2010, Ed First,

PDF download: Free

Experiencing Thailand with the locals in an untravelled region....

Passing the Bar Examinations in Pattaya

Destinations: Pattaya, Thailand

Categories: Animals & Wildlife, Arts, Backpacker, Barhopping & Drinking, Beach, Business Traveler, Children & Travel with Children, City, Culture, Expatriate, Gay & Lesbian, Honeymoon & Romance, Island, Nature, Parks, Relaxation, Shopping, Sightseeing, Single

Published on This is an independent guide published on GuideGecko

English, 9 pages, Apr 2009,

There is more to Pattaya than just the bawdy nightlife. Tantalizing temples, nature parks, water sports, botanical gardens, and international cuisine complement the beautiful bayside location. And, it's even very family-friendly, with many activities for kids....