The Pico Bonito National Park is home to a myriad of wildlife, ranging from the world famous toucan bird to the Central American aguti, the elusive jaguar and ocelot (a type of big cat). Out of the 750 species of birds that inhabit Honduras, 500 of them are found here in Pico Bonito. New species continue to be found each year. Head naturalist of the Lodge at Pico Bonito, James Adam,  even goes so far to call this, “the toucan capital of the world”. Undoubtedly, we made it our mission to catch a glimpse of the toucan bird while we’re here.

Over the weekend, we had hiked around the surrounding rainforest, hopped on a boat to see howler monkeys on the Salado River, and even gone on a night hike in the jungle – but the toucan bird had eluded us. It was now our last opportunity to see a toucan bird.

Blurry eyed, we wandered through the lodge’s ground finding our way through the early morning mist. Even before leaving the grounds, the birds were already circling overhead. My excitement heightened with each bird we saw –- the yellow social flycatcher that perched on its nest, the cute crested chestnut colored woodpecker working away on a tree, the beautiful cotinga with its psychedelic blue feathers and the famous motmot with its long self-trimmed tail.

Elmer eventually led us up to the top of an observation tower that opened up to sweeping views of the Nombre de Dios mountain range. The minute I stepped foot on the platform, Elmer called out to me, “Quick, look!”

I turned to my right, and there it was: a rainbow-colored keel-billed toucan perched on the top of a tree right beside the tower. It wasn’t close enough for us to snap a good photo and didn’t even stay long enough – but through the binoculars, I got a glimpse of its gorgeous pointed beak, big eyes, yellow feathers, and brown back. It was indeed a very special moment.

Our mission was now complete but I felt as though my love affair with birding had just begun.

The stunning keel-billed toucan finally makes its appearance (Photo courtesy of head naturalist James Adam)

A bright yellow social flycatcher greets us in the morning

Beautiful blue colors of the blue cotinga

The famous motmot makes an appearance too

Additional Info:

The Lodge at Pico Bonito is a luxury eco-lodge that specializes in birding opportunities in and around the Pico Bonito National Park. There are several viewing towers located around the property, which are excellent for birding. You are free to explore or your own or alternatively, you can book one of the birding packages with the lodge. Room rates start at US$215 per cabin. 

Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by the Lodge at Pico Bonito, but all opinions expressed above are our own. Photos above were also provided by them.

The post Toucans, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers – A Birder’s Paradise in Honduras appeared first on Wild Junket.

It was early in the morning and the air was wet and hot. We were gliding across the water of the Salado River, one of the many water channels that flow through the Pico Bonito National Park, just 45 minutes away from the coastal town of La Ceiba in Northern Honduras. The river is part of the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, home to a vast collection of endemic wildlife ranging from the shy and elusive manatee, to howler monkeys and crocodiles. But because of its isolated location, it receives only a trickle of curious travelers and wildlife seekers.

Wildlife Safari on the River

Earlier that morning, we had left our comfortable base, the Lodge at Pico Bonito, to explore the area around the national park. At the village of La Union, we’d found our ride: a rickety tourist train dating back to 1912, previously built to transport coconuts and now used as a form of transportation for visitors. Along with a big group of young students from Tegucigalpa, we boarded the locomotive, swaying to the slow but hypnotic motion of the train while traversing the 9.5km-long trail.

On our left, we watched the early morning sun rise above the Pico Bonito Mountain Range; and on our right, clusters of villages and patchworks of farm lands whizzed by. Locals waved at us, children shouting ‘hola!’ as we trotted past.

Once on the river bank, our next ride was awaiting: a small six-passenger boat equipped with a motor, that would take us deep into the swamps surrounding the Salado River.  On the surface, the river looked just like any — with emerald green mangroves fringing its banks and murky water lurking its shores. But on closer look, it’s in fact a sanctuary, inhabited by thousands of plants, fish, birds, reptiles as well as local villages.

Covering an area of 13,500 hectares, the refuge sprawls across two major rivers – Cuero and Salado – stretching all the way to the Caribbean Sea.

Covering an area of 13,500 hectares, the refuge sprawls across two major rivers – Cuero and Salado – stretching all the way to the Caribbean Sea. The refuge is home to hundreds of local fishermen who depend on the river for livelihood. Our young boatman is one of them, having grown up in the nearby village of Salado Barra which houses over 40 families. He now works for the Cuero y Salado foundation, shuttling tourists around the river. Having spent decades of his life here, he knows the river inside out.

Within five minutes on the boat, he already spotted our first animal. A beautiful black bird with yellow feet was walking lightly on the water lily leaves, picking on insects hiding within the plants. A northern Jacana, said our naturalist Elmer. These birds have big webbed toes that help them tread on floating plants. Besides the yellow feet, they usually have big yellow patches on their foreheads and their underarms are painted in yellow too. We soon saw it for ourselves when the northern jacana spread its wings and took off, displaying its gorgeous golden-yellow wings in the sky.

Further along, we spotted three northern jacana babies, all eagerly chirping away under their father’s protection. For these birds, their father – instead of mother – takes care of the infants, staying with them for three months before they are mature enough to hunt and survive on their own. Nearby, we found a juvenile Great Blue Heron staring out into the water, looking for the catch of the day. Despite being a juvenile, the heron was already rather large in size, spotting a dark green beak, yellow eyes and dark magenta feathers.

Crabs, Reptiles, and Bats

Continuing on our journey, we glided closer to the mangroves, skirting the edge of the muddy banks. Elmer explained that mangroves play a vital role in this eco-system, holding the roots and protecting land in the area. The Salado River itself has three species of mangroves, each of them easily distinguished from the other based on its color: white, red and black. These mangroves also provide food and shelter for many of these animals, including the toads and mangrove crabs that we saw sputtering across the roots and muddy riverbed.

Sprouting from these mangroves were sapotone flowers, their white lily-like petals and red thin needles creating quite a contrast to the greenery of the setting. And on these sapotone trees were brown patches that seemingly moved with the wind. As our boat inched close to a sapotone tree, Elmer whipped out his binoculars and urged us to take a look. Through the magnifying lenses, I stared for a few minutes before finally realizing what I was looking at: with sharp eyes, small rabbit-like nose, pointy ears, and big wings by their sides, these were long nose bats hanging from the tree trunk, immaculately camouflaging into the backdrop. By this time, our boat was almost touching the tree and just at that precise moment, the bats flapped their wings and fled in all directions. They were gone in just seconds.

Soon enough, we were slowly weaving through a narrow channel flanked by thick fig trees and coiling vines. Three turkey vultures circled overhead, while a large montezuma oropendula stood on a branch staring at us from a distance. A huge lizard was lounging out on the shore under the sun when we were sailing close to shore. According to Elmer, this species of lizard is known as Jesus Christ Lizard, because of its ability to walk on water. While we didn’t quite see the lizard work its magic, we could sense its unspoken power.

Various types of birds, lizards, bats and even crocodiles had made their appearance — only the legendary howler monkey was missing. When we went backpacking in Guatemala a few years ago, we had heard the loud roar of these howler monkeys. The howl they made was so loud and disturbing that we’d found them hard to forget. But in actual fact, we had heard them but never seen them.

Various types of birds, lizards, bats and even crocodiles had made their appearance — only the legendary howler monkey was missing.

Howling Haven

“Its so quiet. Usually we can hear howler monkeys in the refuge, even if they’re 5km away.” Elmer shared, “they are probably out hunting since after the rain last night.” I was beginning to lose hope. Perhaps it was our fate.

But then our boatmen suddenly killed the engine, shushed us, and pointed to the trees overhead. There was a crew of six monkeys right above us — some were lazing on the fig tree branches chewing on fruit, others were swinging from tree to tree with babies on their backs, and one was staring at us cheekily, as if it were up to no good. A few minutes later, the cheeky one spread its legs and started pissing above us, in a bid to protect its territory. Thank goodness it missed.

We spent several minutes quietly watching the monkeys in action. Surprisingly, there was no howling. They didn’t even make a sound. Perhaps they knew we came in peace. Indeed, it’s hard not to be at peace in such a glorious setting, surrounded by the wilderness of the Cuero y Salado.

Additional Information:

This visit to the Cuero y Salado Refuge can be booked at the Lodge at Pico Bonito. It’s priced at US$70 per person including lunch. The tour includes entrance fee, the train ride, boat trip and local wildlife guide.

Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by the Lodge at Pico Bonito, but all opinions expressed above are our own.

The post Life on the Water: Honduras’ Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge appeared first on Wild Junket.

Located in the northern coast of Honduras, the Pico Bonito National Park is an area with one of the highest biodiversity in Central America. It’s home to various species of amphibians, coatis, monkeys, parrots, and parakeets. Within the impenetrable cloud forests perched high up in the Nombre de Dios mountain range, you can even find the endangered Honduran emerald hummingbird and the prized bright-blue feathered cotinga, favorite of the Mayans.

In the day, we had the opportunity to catch fleeting glimpses of a variety of birds – from the legendary mot mot, to the yellow-tailed Montezuma oropendula and the chicken-like the great tinamou.  But once the sun set and darkness unfolded, it became a different world out here. Gone are the diurnal birds and rodents, in their place are tiny peculiar insects, large venomous snakes, and big cats lurking behind the trees. The forest feels almost as if it’s alive.

Safe Encounters

Feeling the tension in the air, we are all slightly nervous as we’re reminded of what James Adam, the head naturalist at the Lodge at Pico Bonito, had shared with us earlier. A few years ago, he had battled a near death experience, after being bitten by a deadly coral snake in this forest. If he hadn’t been rushed to the hospital and given the one and only anti-venom injection in the hospital, he would have lost his life.

Thankfully, instead of dangerous snakes, we encounter a tiny red-and-black ladybug munching away on a green leaf, a giant cricket with red eggs on its body, and a lime green katydid wildly fluttering its antennae-like feelers. Further down the trail, we come across a tropical wandering spider, its luminescent white eyes sparkling in the darkness and its milky translucent legs firmly attached to a leaf. A common toad hops past, with an inflated throat to boot.

Bringing New Life

“Guaaaaakkk,” a loud noise erupts all of a sudden.

“What was that?” We all unanimously ask. It’s so loud that whatever made it must be near. Our guide Elmer calms us down and points out the creature responsible for that ominous sound. Right above our heads on one of the tree leaves is a red-eyed tree frog – a creature we’ve heard so much about.

It has finally showed up. With its shimmering blood red eyes, it stares at us innocently, stretching out its lime green webbed feet on the giant leaf.

We look around the pond and find even more tree frogs around us, belching out melodic tunes together along with the pitter patter of water streaming in. Our guide Elmer tells us that the team had built this pond in 2009 with the hopes of attracting these red-eyed tree frogs. Now after almost three years, they’re here, clearly thriving even more than ever.

In the blur of flash lights and darkness, we all smile as we watch the frog in awe – cheering for the new life that’s been created here in Pico Bonito.

Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by the Lodge at Pico Bonito, but all opinions expressed above are our own.

The post When the Forest Comes Alive: Pico Bonito at Night appeared first on Wild Junket.

We’re here to spend the weekend in the Pico Bonito National Park, Honduras, in search of some birding, hiking and boating opportunities away from the crowd. Located on the northern coast of Honduras, Pico Bonito may be just 15 minutes away from the gateway city of La Ceiba yet it’s still quite a stranger to tourism. As the country’s biggest national park, the protected area spans over an area of 564 square kilometers, with many pockets of wilderness that are impenetrable. With one of the highest biodiversity in Central America, the national park sprawls across a multitude of forests – ranging from low-level dry forests to high altitude cloud forest – in the Nombre de Dios mountain range.

This largely unexplored area is home to a myriad of wildlife, ranging from the world famous toucan bird to the Central American aguti, the elusive jaguar and ocelot (a type of big cat). Out of the 750 species of birds that inhabit Honduras, 500 of them are found here in Pico Bonito. New species continue to be found each year. Head naturalist of the Lodge at Pico Bonito, James Adam,  even goes so far to call this, “the toucan capital of the world”. Undoubtedly, we’ve made it our mission to catch a glimpse of the toucan bird while we’re here.

Over the short span of a weekend, we’ll be unearthing as much of Pico Bonito as we can from our base, the Lodge at Pico Bonito, a luxury eco-lodge standing at the foothills of Pico Bonito in the midst of the lush, tropical rain forest. A network of hiking trails, as well as two rivers and a series of waterfalls are peppered all over the grounds of the property. We won’t have to travel far to see wildlife or immerse in the natural environment – the lodge is literally in the heart of all the action.

Here are some photos Alberto has snapped so far. But do we complete our mission in the end? Keep reading to find out.

Read the full article here

Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by the Lodge at Pico Bonito, but all opinions expressed above are our own.

The post In Search of the Toucan – Pico Bonito, Honduras appeared first on Wild Junket.

I recently just returned from Loreto in Baja California del Sur, Mexico, and am still just as enamored with it as I was when I first arrived. It was difficult getting my head back to my daily life in California, but even now from time to time, I still think back of my beautiful days in Loreto.

During my visit in early November, the weather was as close to perfect as it could get—coming from a California native who is picky about weather. The hot days had already passed in the summer, but the cooler days had yet to arrive; I could step outside at night in my pajamas to admire the stars without needing a jacket. The weather was perfect for snorkeling, fishing, as well as taking tours to see San Javier and cave paintings.

Suite Time to Relax

My home for four days and three nights was a one-bedroom suite on the fourth floor of the beautiful resort and spa Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto. My room was equipped with everything from a kitchenette to a washer/dryer, and two full bathrooms to a king size bed, a one-bedroom suite would be a great match for a group of four.

Within the resort, there are seven pools that create the shape of a turtle, surrounded by a variety of places to eat such as the Casa Mia and The Market Restaurant (both of which have an excellent cuisine), to name a few, and the Sabila Spa, which gives you another opportunity to relax.

Beauty from your Balcony

Villa Del Palmar itself is surrounded by La Sierra Giganta on one side, and by the Sea of Cortez on another — it’s the perfect paradise to escape to if you’re looking for peace and quiet with a scenic backdrop. Anyone at the resort can access the beach, just a few feet away with a rental stand for kayak enthusiasts.

It’s likely that no matter what time of the day you happen to steal a glance from nature from the resort, you’re bound to find something new and different every hour; watch the sun rise and paint the sky and mountains with pastels, or sit on your balcony with a cup of coffee at night and admire the shimmering stars that sparkle above the mountains.

I enjoyed both the beauty of the location as well as the resort—instead of rivaling each other, they compliment each other well to create a relaxing environment for both people who just want to get away and people who find a little bit of adventure.

*Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by Villa Del Palmar Loreto, but all opinions are our own.

The post Slowing Down in Loreto, Baja California appeared first on Wild Junket.

“More than 8,000 people come to visit for the fiesta on 3rd December,” said our guide, referring to their patron saint day. As our van pulled into town,  we were greeted by a clear view of the impressive San Javier Mission, perfectly preserved and untouched by modern modifications. He told us that everyone in town helps to maintain its pristine condition, and that the padre from a mission in Loreto makes the trek up to San Javier give a service every week.

New to the Ears & Eyes

Intrigued by such an impromptu history lesson, I listened more, and followed our guide to the mission’s doors, where he pointed out a white, circular symbol above the open doors that indicated it used to be a Jesuit mission.  It took fourteen years to build. We stepped through the door, and walking past the pews, we saw before us a large, golden altarpiece occupying the front of the mission.

San Javier is located about hour and a half southwest from Loreto, and this town itself only has a population of about 250 people. They received electricity about one year ago, but it is clear that this city is unique in more ways than one. Shocked by the population count and their length of time with electricity, it was definitely unlike anything I was used to hearing.

Ancient Roots

After standing in the awe of part of Baja California’s history, we ventured outside, where there was a small cemetery attached to the side of the mission. Walking past it after examining the names and dates on the tombs, we found ourselves at a tree with twists and knots for a trunk—an olive tree. The olive tree here is the oldest in the area, and still carries olives and creates oil despite being 300 years old.

Beside the olive tree is what looked like a stonewall, but our guide told us that, “It is actually an aqueduct.” He led us to the edge of what we believed to be the stonewall, but saw a groove in the middle of two stone columns, and water trickling in between strands of grass, glistening in the sun.

San Javier’s Charm

This agricultural town itself is charming, and where there aren’t many people on the streets, you’ll see a few people lingering around and occasionally a car will pass through. You’d more than likely see a handful of small dogs kicking up dirt from their trotting across town, too.

After walking through the town next to fields of growing food, and trees with small oranges and olives,  we stopped to have a snack at the a small and simple eatery. We were served homemade quesadillas with goat cheese, taquitos, and guava paste to eat with cheese, which were absolutely delicious and hit the spot after our late afternoon excursion. Before leaving San Javier, we stumbled across an edifice with some of the men of the town artfully, and diligently carving stone with hammers and chisels–it was something new to see, and something you don’t see every day!

Without having noticed how much I actually learned in one day, within a few hours, I realized the best kind of history lesson is one you can see right before your eyes; even if you’re on vacation.

*Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by Wild Loreto and Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, but all opinions are out own.

The post A History Lesson in San Javier, Mexico appeared first on Wild Junket.

Though it was my first time in Mexico, I somehow knew that Loreto was a very special place. Leaving the city behind, it was a breath of fresh air to be in the backcountry surrounded by massive mountains and the sparkling sea.  I was awestruck when I peered down from the airplane window and saw mountains that meet the crashing waves, and a sea that turns gold under the sun’s rays.

Multi-Faceted Loreto

Loreto is a haven for nature lovers. You can take a trip to the Isla Coronado, where sea lions sleep on rocks and blue-footed boobies amble around them. Take a peek into the underwater world of sergeant major fish, sea urchin, and sea stars through your snorkeling mask. You can sit on a chair on your balcony in the early morning, and watch the colors of the Sierra de la Giganta change as the sun rises; or gaze upon the sky at night, and watch the stars and the moon, above the shadow of the mountains.

For adventure lovers, Loreto is a haven. You can go deep sea fishing for mammoth fish, or scuba diving in some of the best dive sites in the world. Whale watching is another exciting activity to do here, during the whale season. Kayak along turquoise bays or simply swim with cheeky sealions – there’s so much to do in the outdoors here in Loreto .

For those who need to get away, Loreto is a perfect place for that.  To get to town, you’ll be surprised to find an absence of tall buildings — instead you’re surrounded by mountains, cactus and the blue sea. Within the Villa del Palma resort, you can visit the spa, relax te pool or get a soothing massage. You can take a walk down to the beach nearby with the waves calmly lapping onto your feet. The very sight from your hotel window is a sight to behold.

Loreto, Baja California del Sur is quiet and yet to be commercialized by tourism. It is friendly and relaxing, and at the same time, it is exciting. And in every way and from all perspectives, it is beautiful. Loreto was made for the soul who needs to get away, and it was made for the soul who wants to relax. Loreto was made for eyes that want to see something extraordinary, something exquisitely natural. Loreto was made for the heart that knows how to appreciate, and Loreto was also made for the quick-beating heart that craves adventure.

I can be almost positive that Loreto was made for everyone, but I can be wrong. So you just might have to visit and find out those reasons for yourself.

*Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by Wild Loreto and Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, but all opinions are  my own.

The post For the Eyes, Heart, and Soul: The Beauty of Loreto appeared first on Wild Junket.

We were on the Isla Coronado, an island just off the eastern stretch of Mexico’s Baja California. Fringed with cliffs and boulders, the islands are rugged and untouched, offering some of the best diving in North America. This area is best known for its wildlife: from sea lions to elephant seals and moray eels. On my recent trip to Baja California, I had the chance to swim with the sea lion and float by yellowtail fish and soak in the serenity of the islands.

On a gorgeous secluded beach, we let our hair down, snacked on ceviche and chips while drinking in the stunning view. It was hard to imagine that a place like this really exists in the world; and that I was actually there. Through my photos, I hope to bring you all a piece of paradise, and give you a taste of what it’s like in the quiet corner of the world.

A picture perfect bay

Bienvenidos a Isla Coronado

A view of the islands from Loreto, Baja California

Sea lions lounging under the sun

More sea lions spotted swimming in the water

Patches of pearly white sand on the shore

An empty beach with the mountains in the backdrop

Our ride for the day

Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by Wild Loreto and Villa del Palmar Loreto, but all opinions are our own.

The post A Quiet Corner of the World: Isla Coronado, Baja California appeared first on Wild Junket.

As the summer heat slowly begins to fade in the northern hemisphere, I’m ecstatic to spend the last few days of heat under the Mexican sun. My first trip to Mexico begins this week as I head down with Alaska Airlines to the Villa del Palmar at the islands of Loreto, Baja California.

Located on the eastern coast of the peninsula, Loreto meets the Gulf of California to the east and the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range to the west. Loreto is known for being the perfect place for sport fishing, as well as scuba diving and other various water sports. On land, Loreto’s geographical location allows for activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.  Adrenaline rush aside, as the first settlement of the Spanish in Baja California, there is no shortage of history in Loreto, which silently rests in its missions, museums, historical buildings, and even cave paintings in the mountain range.

Despite my short stay, my travel itinerary is packed to the brim with a variety of activities I’ve always dreamt of experiencing; along with a group of travel writers/bloggers, we’ll be exploring the San Javier Mission in Loreto, taking a boat ride to Coronado Island to venture into the Sea of Cortez, as well as enjoying the activities that the Villa del Palmar Resort has to offer.

Since I have some downtime to myself, I’m torn between snorkeling, taking out a kayak or paddle board, or just relaxing on the beach—there’s so much to do that time doesn’t permit for all the activities that I’m keen on trying! As of now, it’ll be difficult to pinpoint what the highlight of my first trip to Mexico would be, but who says there only has to be one?

Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by Alaska Airlines and Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa, but all opinions expressed above are our own. 

Photo credit: photos above were provided by Villa del Palmar.

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Travel has a reputation for being expensive, but whilst that’s often the case it’s equally true that there are some exceptional bargains around if you’re willing to spread your wings a bit further. In many parts of the world it’s possible to live on only a few pounds a day – or in luxury for the same amount of money as you would spend at home. Here are seven of the cheapest destinations in the world, based on our own experiences and research.

1. India

This huge, sprawling country has an incredible amount to offer. Although there are plenty of tourist traps in the big cities, you’ll find super-low prices as well as a more authentic cultural experience once you veer off the beaten path. Most parts of India are highly affordable, from Mumbai to Rajasthan and everywhere in between. All in all, you should be able to exist very comfortably for £10 a day.

2. Tunisia

Tunisia’s capital is consistently ranked among the world’s cheapest cities by Mercer who conducts an annual survey on worldwide cost. The coastal city is where the Mediterranean meets North Africa, with the best of both cultures at a fraction of the price you might expect from nearby countries such as Italy. It continues to be the cheapest city in the region of Middle East and Africa.

Flickr image by liketearsintherain

3. Eastern Europe

You can expect to pay comparable prices to those home in Western Europe, but a little further east and you’ll find a very different picture. Food and accommodation are excellent value and they’re often cheap to fly to from European hubs like London and Paris. There is plenty to see and do for free here as well as historically-rich sites to visit. Head for some of the quieter spots in Slovakia, Albania or Macedonia; you’ll find the capitals are reasonable value but further afield prices are truly outstanding.

4. Vietnam and Cambodia

These are well-known tourist destinations thanks to their stunning scenery and cultural heritage, but their popularity among backpackers means that there are plenty of places where prices are ideal for the budget traveler. It’s possible to get an excellent meal – including beer – for $3, and a decent hotel won’t cost much more. There’s so much to see: from beautiful Sapa n Northern Vietnam to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, you can easily spend months exploring this region.

5. Thailand

In fact, Southeast Asia is good value all over, and Thailand is another destination where it’s possible to stretch your money almost twice as far as at home. Recent flooding and political problems have driven prices lower still, and you’ll be helping to boost the local economy. Whether you head to the beach or inland into the jungles, Thailand has all sorts of adventure for the budget traveler

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6. Mexico

On a similar theme, Mexico has had plenty of bad publicity recently thanks to a series of high-profile drug killings. Unfortunately the whole country has been tainted by association, despite the fact that its beautiful stretches of beaches and quaint towns are nowhere near the violence and remain completely unaffected.

7. Greece 

One to watch. Already cheap due to its struggling economy, if Greece crashes out of the Euro and reverts to the Drachma then your dollars could suddenly go literally twice as far against the vastly devalued currency. Public transport and other services may be shaky for a while longer, so make contingency plans – or build some flexibility into your timetable and stay longer.

Flickr photo by Arian Zwegers

*This article is brought to you by Cash Passport, who offers prepaid travel money cards to help you stay in control of your spending money when travelling abroad.

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