America
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Ollantaytambo (Peru): Paradise Exists
Last time, Ollantaytambo impressed me more than Machu Picchu, so this time I decide to stay for a week. We get dropped off there during a tour of the Sacred Valley. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal JB spots a hotel a three-minute walk from the village market and main square (Hostel Apu Qhawarina, Booking link), and we go for the most spacious room to spend a week. The internet isn’t super stable but is enough to work, and the hot water isn’t scorching but is warm enough for a long, pleasant shower. Payment is cash only, though, and since we hadn’t taken out enough…
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[Travel Diary] Chinchero, Moray, Maras (Peru)
I’m happy that last time we didn’t visit the entire Sacred Valley; there are still quite a few famous places we can visit this time, so it’s a bit of a change. From Cusco, we take a one-day guided tour to Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal I remember last time when I saw Ollantaytambo, I was extremely jealous of the people who could spend the night there, and I saw tourists from the guided tour finish their tour at Ollantaytambo and this time, I’ll do the same. The tour will go from Cusco to Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo,…
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Lima and Cusco (Peru): ringing in the new year
After our road trip across the United States, we need to pick our next destination. It’s tough because from what we remember, there isn’t necessarily high-speed internet or hot showers in small towns in South America. We still take the gamble and go to Peru to see for ourselves. And in the end, high-speed internet has made it to the mountains, and hot water too. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Lima Don’t ask me what Lima looks like because I only saw the park across from my hotel and the beach from a taxi. We absolutely did NOTHING in Lima. The Las Vegas –…
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Prepaid 4G SIM/eSIM in Bolivia: How much does it cost? Where to buy?
Buying an eSIM for Bolivia If you have an eSIM-compatible phone and want to get one for Bolivia, you can go through Holafly (read our article on the topic). See eSIM offers for Bolivia. Don’t hesitate to use the promo code TOURDUMONDE5CONTINENTS Holafly offers unlimited internet plans ranging from €29 to €79 depending on the length of your stay. The rates are more expensive than buying a local SIM card, but that’s the price of convenience. Buying a SIM card at the airport I entered Bolivia overland from Peru, so I didn’t get to see the offers at the airport. If you have any info, feel free to share it in the…
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Taxi from Lima airport: how much does it cost? (2024)
Usually, when we arrive at an airport, we either use public transport or an Uber to get to our accommodation. In Lima’s case, there is a shuttle bus that seems really good, but it only leaves once an hour. We were very tired after a sleepless night and a 12-hour journey, so no. Uber is present in Lima, but they don’t have privileged access to the airport, so it’s not a recommended option. I had done my research and noted that the taxi fare to Miraflores, the neighborhood where we were staying, should be between 55 and 80 soles. Peruvian taxis don’t have meters, so you have to negotiate the…
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Taxi from Cusco airport: how much does it cost? (2024)
Just like at Lima airport, you’ll find a kiosk to prepay for an official taxi, right before the exit. The fare to reach Cusco’s historic center is 40 S/. There’s clearly a “tourist tax” because that’s roughly the price of a 30-minute ride in Lima, while Cusco’s center is only about fifteen minutes away. I had read that it was possible to pay less by leaving the airport and negotiating with “unofficial” taxis. Since we weren’t in a particular hurry, we gave it a shot. Sure enough, just a few steps out, drivers approach you. I’m offered 30 S/, I counter with 15. We settle on 20 S/, specifying that…
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How to withdraw money without fees in Peru?
When you withdraw money from an ATM in Peru, you are subject to two types of fees: In Peru, the vast majority of banks charge between 25 and 38 soles per withdrawal. That’s still between €6 and €10! You could get around this by withdrawing a large amount each time, but withdrawal limits are very low! Judged rather (figures observed in January 2024 in Lima). Bank Fixed fee Withdrawal limit Equivalent in % if you withdraw the maximum amount BCP 36 S/ 700 S/ 5% Scotiabank 25 S/ 400 S/ 6% BBVA 38 S/ 200 S/ 19% (!!!) Globalnet 25 S/ 400 S/ 6% These fees are colossal! If you…
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Las Vegas – Road trip in the American West #16
Hallelujah, we’re finally back in Las Vegas. Since we’re going for the 4th time (just a few hours layover the first time just before Covid, 2nd and 3rd time starting and in the middle of this road trip), we feel like we know the city more or less. This article is part of our series of articles on the American West road trip. If you haven’t read the previous travel diaries, here they are: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15 Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Day 33 of the road trip I say “hallelujah” because…
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Review of our invitation to the Marriott Vacation Club presentation
It all starts with our check-in at the Marriott Vacation Club “Grand Chateau” hotel in Las Vegas. We’re handed a voucher for a gift to pick up from the hotel concierge. Since we’re Gold members (thanks to our card American Expresswe regularly get a little treat upon arrival in our room: a snack, a handwritten welcome card, … but it’s the first time we’ve been given a mysterious voucher like this. We don’t have high expectations, we predict a voucher for a drink at the bar. We go see the concierge. After showing us a card that offers discounts at several restaurants in the city, he gets down to business.…
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Joshua Tree National Park – Road trip in the American West #15
Between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, we were recommended to pass through Joshua Tree National Park. This article is part of our series of articles on the American West road trip. If you haven’t read the previous travel diaries, here they are: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14 Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal This little stop at Joshua Tree National Park lets us take a small part of Route 66, the famous one! After several days of hopping from city to city, we really miss the national parks. We’ve heard about Joshua Tree National Park as…
