Discoverymundo Blog

Category: Travel

Best 10 places to visit in the city of Guanajuato

Alleyway of the Kiss

A romantic alcove created by two balconies separated only by 27 inches, this famous landmark owes its name to a popular legend of two lovers. Nice place to take your girl!

Funicular Tram to the Pípila Monument

It´s a ride where you can observe the city from a unique panoramic perspective. Continuous rides from behind the Teatro Juárez to the Pípila Monument and return.

Jardín de la Unión

A beautiful triangular-shaped park located in the center of the city, this is one of the places where locals gather. On Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m., the State Band plays for the enjoyment of everyone. Everyone dances and listen to the bands, if you want to have a relaxing, happy and enjoyable time give this a try!

“El Pípila” monument

Monument built in honor of Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez, nick-named “El Pípila”, who heroically burned down the door of the Spanish stronghold Alhóndiga de Granaditas on September 28th 1810, during the first major battle in the Mexican War of Independence. The Monument offers a spectacular view of Guanajuato, that is the best part. At night you can see all the city lights, it is beautiful!!

University of Guanajuato

The University was a school/hospice in 1732. This beautiful neoclassic building of green limestone has an impressive outdoor staircase. The University is the most important center of academic activity in the State, as well as promoter of artistic and cultural activities. The building has an amazing architecture, it is beautiful!

The Experimental Mine El Nopal

Exploratory work began on this mine before 1868. During this year the “Nopal Mining and Company” was formed with the goal of exploring and exploiting the silver veins at “El Nopal” and other mines. Today, the mine is dedicated to educating residents and visitors and providing guided tours. It has trained guides and accident insurance.

The Mummies Museum

The construction of the Santa Paula Municipal cemetery was begun by the City council on August 30 of 1853. The mummification in Guanajuato is a spontaneous and natural phenomenon caused by the lack of oxygen in the wooden burial niches or drawers and the absorption of the fluids that come from the body when it begins to decompose. This, in addition of the microclimates inside the drawers, promotes the dehydration of the human tissues and inhibits the process of rot. The first exhumed mummy was the French Doctor Remigio Leroy and was found on June 9 of 1865. The Mummies museum of Guanajuato has in exhibition 57 bodies including adults and infants that can be observed in 10 rooms. The rooms have been renovated for the visitors comfort. However, the museum’s total collection is 111 mummified bodies and three skulls.

This is really incredible, this is a museum you can´t miss if your traveling to Guanajuato!

Alhóndiga de Granaditas Museum

The construction of Alhóndiga de Granaditas began in 1797 and it was concluded in 1809. This imposing work of neoclassical architecture, with a simple design but an impeccable technique, reflects Guanajuato ́s peacefulness toward the end of the XVIII century. This was used initially as warehouse in 1810. Also, it was scenario of the heroic act from the “Pípila”, burning down the door and allowing the entrance of the rebels on September 28 of 1810. This was one of the initial battles of the Independence movement and its victory motivated the rebels to continue the fight. The wealth of the Regional Museum of Guanajuato is renowned for cultural goods of the national archaeological, historical and artistic patrimony. The permanent exhibitions are organized in four main sections: archaeology, history, ethnography and art. Besides the rooms of permanent exhibitions, there are many temporary exhibitions. The main collections include: Pre-Hispanic stamps, paintings by of Hermenegildo Bustos, and Meso-American Art.

“Teatro Juárez”

This famous theater was officially opened on October 27, 1903, by President Porfirio Díaz, with a performance of the opera “Aida”. It is without a doubt one of the most attractive theaters in the country and known worldwide for its architecture and for being the scene of diverse and important international cultural events.

It is a building that the eclecticism of architecture of that time. It was built in a Doric style of Roman inspiration.

The facade is formed by twelve columns of green stone, finished off by capitals of brass. On the roofline are sculptures of eight of the nine muses.

The interior of the theatre is in Moorish style, with arabesque balconies, boxes and panels.

The first stone was placed on May 5, 1873 on the site of the former Temple of San Pedro, which itself later became the hotel Emporium.

Its is a georgous theater that everyone should see if you have the opportunity!

Diego Rivera Museum

The Diego Rivera Museum is in the Historical Center of the city. It was founded in 1975, in the house where Diego María Rivera Barrientos, one of the most famous Mexican painters of all time, was born. Rivera was born on December 8 of 1886, in one of the rooms of the ground floor where he inhabited the first six years of his life; this time marked the development of his creative personality.

In the year of 1971, the project to transform the house into museum began. This was a tribute to the illustrious Mexican muralist in his native city. In 1975, the Federal Government started the restoration work.

The museum exhibits around 175 original works of Diego Rivera, primarily from a collection of the generous donor, Marte R. Gómez. This collection is one of the most important of the country because it represents the artist’s diverse creative stages, such as the years of his formation and his cubist period, among others. Portraits, landscapes, nudes, allegories, and sketches of murals can be enjoyed in the museum. They are made in diverse techniques such as oil,

drawing, tints, lithographs, and watercolor.. Absolutly beautiful, something you can´t miss.

July 14, 2015
Another Side of Playa del Carmen

Once a small fishing village, Playa del Carmen has grown exponentially in recent years. Today, it’s one of the hippest spots in the Yucatán Peninsula and the third-largest city in Quintana Roo. It’s also conveniently situated for vacationers near enough for Cancun airport transfers to and from the hotel and an easy day trip away from other popular tourist destinations like Tulum, Cozumel, and Cobá. While visitors likely want to experience the attractions geared toward tourists, such as various guided tours, they may also enjoy seeing a more relaxed side of the Playa del Carmen area.

This is where bike rentals come into play. With rentals averaging around $10 a day and widely available throughout the city, cycling is not just a means to stay fit while vacationing. It’s an economical way to tour Playa del Carmen that gives you the freedom to explore venues that lie off the well-worn tourist path. Feel free to just wing your route, and you’re sure to find some cool spots and maybe a lesser-known establishment to sample local fare. There are a few tried-and-true routes, however, you may want to follow.

If you want a shorter ride that reveals how the locals really live, just head west past Highway 307. This takes you into a residential area with colorful homes and landscaping. There are also several ice cream shops to satisfy your sweet tooth and help cool you off if the heat becomes too much. Once you build up a more substantial appetite, you may even want to check out La Floresta on the corner of Highway 307 and Calle 14 Norte, which offers lunchtime seafood tacos the locals recommend highly.

Another easy, approximately 2 km ride east of Highway 307 Punta Venado turnoff takes you to Punta Venado Caribbean Eco-Park, which lies at nearly a halfway mark between Playa del Carmen and Cristalino. The park is full of jungle wildlife, and scores of fun activities are available. There, you can lock up your bike and go snorkeling, take a guided horseback ride, or take a dip in a cenote. If you arrive early enough, you’ll likely beat the tourist crowds and have plenty of time for a leisurely pedal back to your hotel in Playa del Carmen.

For those really wanting a secluded spot and a more vigorous ride, go about 25 km south along Highway 307. This takes you to the cenotes in El Jardin del Eden, Cenote Azul and Cristalino. As with other places, the early bird gets the worm, and it’s not unlikely to be the only ones swimming before the heat sets in. Make sure to take a little cash with you for the ride because the cenotes generally charge a modest admission fee, and you’ll surely want to stop for refreshments on the ride back to Playa del Carmen. When touring the Playa del Carmen region by bicycle, however, you should always consider your safety. Many of the roads, including Highway 307, are fairly narrow with a high volume of traffic. So, be aware of your surroundings as you pedal and pull off to the side where necessary. Of course, always wear your helmet when cycling; one should be included with your bike rental. If it isn’t, request one or go to another shop that offers such protection. Your rental establishment should also provide you with a bike lock for when you want to stop and explore.

Most of the bike rental shops in Playa del Carmen are located just north of Constituyentes Avenue on 30^th Avenue. Depending on the type of cycling you prefer and chosen route, you can opt for beach cruisers, mountain bikes or road bikes. Be warned, however, that most of the bike shops are closed on Sundays, and you should check that your tires are properly inflated and make any adjustments to the seat or handlebars before you take off.

July 6, 2015
How to Spend a rainy day in Cancun

When you book a vacation in a tropical paradise like Cancun, you likely envision lazy days enjoying the surf and sand with a few tourist activities sprinkled here and there. Most of the year, that plan would go off without a hitch. Even Cancun isn’t immune to occasional rainy days, especially in the “hurricane season” that lasts from June to November. Don’t let a few raindrops spoil your fun, however; Cancun has plenty to keep you entertained until you can feel the sun’s rays across your face again. Here are some great ideas of things to do in Cancun on a rainy day:

Museo de Antropologia e Historia (Museum of Archeology and History):

While visiting a museum on vacation may not sound like the most exciting thing to do, the Museo de Antropologia y Historia is worth a trip rain or shine. Located south of the Convention Center in the Hotel Zone of the city, the museum houses over 800 historically significant items, chiefly from Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula. When the sun begins to shine again, you could then armed with the background and knowledge you gained at the museum to enhance the overall experience.

Try Your Luck at the Casino:

There are several casinos in Cancun where you can place a few wagers in the hopes of winning big. Within the Hotel Zone, the Playboy Club is a popular choice. If you’re closer to downtown, however, the Dubai or Play City may be better bets. Play the slots or try a hand or two at the tables, and you stand a chance of winning enough to buy a cocktail, dinner or even more with higher stakes. If you happen to have a little too much fun, you can always call a taxi to take you safely back to your hotel.

“Sightsee” by Submarine:

You don’t have to avoid the water entirely when rain begins to fall. You can still see ocean wonders while staying dry when you take a submarine tour. The SubSee submarine in Cancun provides daily two-hour tours of the Punta Nizuc reef, where you can gain a rare glimpse of the ocean floor and get up-close-and-personal (from behind the safety of glass) with a variety of sea creatures. If you’re traveling with children, this is an especially good choice because the submarine permits all ages to board.

Hands-On Learning About Mexican Cuisine:

One of the best things about vacationing is sampling the local fare, but it gets even better when you learn how to duplicate your favorite dishes once the trip ends and you’re back at home. The Ritz-Carlton Cancun Culinary Center regularly offers classes with accomplished chefs, teaching a wide range of skills from how to craft the perfect margarita to the preparation of a four-course Mexican meal. It’s an unforgettable activity that’s ideal for couples, small groups, or even solo travelers.

Shop Till You Drop:

Let’s face it. The family and friends you left behind at home expect souvenirs so they can live vicariously through your adventures, so use the rain as an excuse to stock up on trinkets to show you care. Cancun is full of unique shopping experiences from specialty shops full of handcrafted items to upscale boutiques, so you’re sure to find just the right items for everyone on your list – including you. While the open air markets like Coral Negro Flea Market may be off limits, Kukulcan Plaza can keep you dry as you explore the myriad of shops inside.

As you can see, a little rain on your Cancun vacation isn’t the end of the world. Chances are, the showers will blow off in a matter of hours or in a day or two at most, so you can work on your tan or feel the waves gently lap at your ankles on a leisurely walk. Use the weather as an excuse to see a different side of the city, and you can play the proper seaside tourist when the sun returns, perhaps even booking a tour of Chichen Itza or Tulum.

Andres Lee

June 30, 2015
Los Cabos Fever
So there i was… lonely in my room on a Wednesday night, when i received on my inbox the newsletter from one airline company offering super special discounts due to their anniversary. I entered and booked the cheapest flight i’ve ever seen to Los Cabos.. yep, no plan, no thinking, just booked it for the next year.

The year went by and as the date was getting closer i realized i really needed to start working on the details of the trip if i didn’t want to lose the ticket, so it came to my mind to invite my sister-in-law (who by way is lots of fun!) to join me. She of course, said yes. Then when talking to my grandma, i mentioned the trip and she was like: “Would you mind if i come with you?” She is lots of fun too actually, so i said “I would love you to!”. And there we were, 3 girls making this trip randomly planned. Luckily it turned out to be better than i thought!

We booked our 3 night stay at Wyndham Cabo San Lucas (now known as Tesoro Los Cabos after the hurricane) and got a great deal that included breakfast buffet (which we discovered once we were checking in so it was a positive surprise!). We got assigned a magnificent marina-view room, spacious enough for the three of us, that had also a great view to the pool from the balcony. We loved it. We also loved the breakfast, it was not that kind of juice, bread and cereal included, you could actually have a variety of dishes to choose from.

On the first day, we went to Cabo Wabo, which was walking distance from the hotel and recommended by many staff people as the main visited place to eat. It was OK, place is nice but food is overrated. Drinks are served strong, so be careful with the happy hour!

After eating we kept on walking to Paraiso Mall. The mall was almost empty and stores were too expensive, so i wouldn’t recommend you to waste time on getting there unless you really need to.The back of the Mall that faces the Marina is, on the other hand, a really nice spot for pictures and has some restaurants that look nice and classy.

That night, my sis-in-law and i decided to go out and went to Fahrenheit Bar to have some drinks. We were surprised by how empty the places were! It was Thursday already and we would assume people would be partying, but all we found was places closing at 11 AM.

Second day, we were a little disappointed on Los Cabos party ambience we were told (and expecting) so we decided to spent the day on the hotel pool: Best idea ever! We found it quite relaxing, pool was great and not too crowded, it had a delicious jacuzzi and the drinks were awesome, especially the Mojitos. Prices were reasonable and we also had plenty of food meals to order. Staff was kind and willing to serve at all times.

On our third and last day, we went to our previously booked Arc Tour. Los Cabos, as you may know is famous for this rock so you cannot miss it. We were taken on a fast boat to see The Arc in person and take some photos. Depending on the season, sometimes you can go down and walk underneath it. We then spent a couple hours in Lover’s Beach.

To close our vacation we went to Arre Mango Karaoke, funniest place in town as of my experience! We sang many songs, we had some snacks and we had the greatest time.

We really loved Cabo even when it was completely different to what we were expecting…Instead of a party place, we found it quite small and relaxing, like a little town. My sister-in-law and I live in Cancun, so we kind of have enough party the whole time and my grandma.. well, she didn’t mind!

Highlights from our trip would be as follow:
1. We loved Wyndham Resort. The location, the facilities, the staff, the prices, the pool, the drinks, the view. Not a complaint! I would definitely book there again no hesitating.
2. You can actually walk to any place in Los Cabos downtown. Everything is quite close, just make sure to cover from the sun as weather is really dry.
3. You have to visit Cabo Wabo even when food is not great. It’s like one of the biggest places in town, so you kind of have to actually visit it. Also, photos on the inside are nice, just don’t expect much of a mexican meal as they claim to serve. If you go on the night, you may like the place better as they have a live band.
4. When going to The Arc Tour, have your beach backpack with you. We didn’t know and had to rent towels, umbrellas, and everything. We enjoyed the beach day, but i am sure it would have been even better if we had everything prepared for a beach day (including drinks which are limited there). Also have your camera ready since you board the fast boat. They will not wait much for you to take the pictures and since it is in movement due to water, it does not give you much time to think on the scene.
5. Don’t take cabs. Cabs are extremely expensive! Pre-book your airport transfer and walk while in town. Distances are not long and the ride is not worth to be paid for.
June 30, 2015
High school trip to Guanajuato, México.

This was a trip to Guanajuato with my school about 3 years ago, going to this beatiful and historical city. We arrived to “Hotel Minero” , which was not the nicest hotel but it was comfortable for us, we live our luggage right away and head to the “Alhóndiga de granaditas” a regional museum so we didn´t waste time.

We walked from the hotel to the Museum which was really close (we walked everywhere really) and enjoy the views and took some photos. We enojed the museum, which is a very awesome building and the story about the place it´s really attractive.

After the museum we stopped for some icecream on our way to the next visit, “Teatro Juarez” a famous theatre everyone must visit on their trip to Guanajuato which is regarded as one of themost beautiful theatres in Mexico. We took a tour of the theatre and it was incredible, we were amazed with it. Then we started to feel hungry and decided to grab something to eat near the place, everyone went to a different restaurant , some friends and I decided to eat in a restaurant just in front of the theatre where we relax and enjoyed the food and view. Then we went to have a glance of the “Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato”, a well conserved old temple which was really close to the restaurant and we decided to go and have a look. There was a wedding happening so everything was outstanding and we where there for about 20 minutes until we realized the group was waiting for us, so we we had to run!

Once everyone rested it was time to go to “El Monumento al Pipila” a famous monument dedicated to “Pipila” who performed an heroic act in the war of Independence on the fire to the “Alondiga de granaditas”. It was and absolutly amazing place, it was up hill so we had the best view of the city! Once the sun went down and the city lit, we were astonished. It is a place I highly recommend to visit if you are on a trip to Guanajuato, as I said it is the nicest view of this city.

The next day we woke up early in the morning to start our second day, we were tired of all the walking and the sun of the day before, but we were excited because we were visiting the “Museum of the Mummies” that day. It was really sunny this day so the heat was terrible but once we arrived to the museum we enjoyed all the mummies and have a great time at themuseum. You need to go to these museum, is one of the best and most famous attractions in the city.

Later on we went to “University of Guanajuato” one of the oldest in Latin America. Which first opened in the eighteenth century as a jesuit school. The architecture of the building is really beautiful but we weren´t allowed to enter that day so we just took some photos and have a great time fooling around. We enjoyed some “Alley performances” on the evening, it is a leisure stroll along Guanajuato´s old cobbled alleys (one of them the famous “Alley of the kiss”), we walked alongside troupes of musicians dressed in 17th- century costumes. We really have and incredible time dancing, laughing and having a blast.

After walking all day long again we decided to go to the hotel early get dinner and go to sleep, because the next day we were going to visit “La Mina Valenciana” which is an old minewe were going to visit!

We woke up the next day, we had breakfast and then we got all our luggage into the bus to get to “La valencia” a village where the mine is located. When we arrived we got into groups, each group with one guider. They started by telling us the story of the mine and that it was one of the richest silver mines in Guanajuato. Everyone got a helmet in orderto enter the mine, which had a lot of stairs and not a lot of space , also they turned the lights off for a moment so we could see the darkness in that place, you couldn´t see a thing! It was a great experience and I think many people would like to know a mine if they had the chance.

This trip was brilliant, I had a great time with my classmates and teachers and we all enjoy this georgous city, you all need to make a trip to Guanajuato sometime if you have the time and opportunity it was a great weekend!

June 29, 2015
Day of the Dead in Mexico

The Day of the Dead in Mexico is a holiday celebrated in every corner of this beautiful country. It is celebrated from the evening of November first, this day, Mexico is decorated with orange flowers, marigold flower is one of the main symbols of this famous festival.
According to the belief, on November 2, the dead return to the underworld, to live with their families and enjoy everything they enjoyed in life: food, beverages, personal belongings, among other things. This celebration, blending elements of traditional, indigenous and Catholic religion.

On Day of the Dead in Mexico people join and celebrate with their loved ones of the dead who have left the earth physically and guide them in their spiritual journey, bringing his favorite food, flowers, ornaments, incense, the famous skulls made of sugar and chocolate, decorated with different colors and stamps golden glow.

People also dress up as skeletons with mexican hats, decorated with colored ribbons, paint their faces or masks made of corn cane paste, wood or clay are also made; which it is carved with gestures smiling toothless elderly, rosy, rosy skin.

The famous wooden horses that will “ride” on the offerings and the altars of the houses, which are known as “ketzitakua”, dedicated to those who died in that year.

The parades are made by the same people and disguise carts altar with colorful flowers, candles, skulls made of sugar and many ornaments of this particular date.

The dances are performed by people dressed in masks of old men, known as “The Dance of the Elderly” (T’arche Uarakua) their movements in an explosion of force and agility, footwork and jumps performed thunderous contrast with coughing and tremors that cause falls and humorous attempts to revive his colleagues affected.

Viejitos, costumed dancers in Patzcuaro, Michoacan

Traditional food for the Day of the Dead in Mexico offering is used, which is placed on the sides of the altar as fruit punch, tamales, pan de muerto, gruel, fresh water, tequila, bread of hojaldras toasted with sesame, mole and sweets made with pumpkin.

The favorite foods of our loved ones, or any recipe that reminds us of them are also prepared.

Day of the Dead in Mexico is not a sad day, it is a celebration of the lives of our loved ones. Meals are left at the altar, the candles are lit and music is played until midnight, when it is said that the souls of loved ones return. It is a tradition that is passed from generation to generation, and is full of pride and honor.

If you are in Cancun, México and you are looking for things to do in Cancun on this holidays, don´t forget to buy your tickets to Xcaret and celebrate the traditional Day of the Dead in Mexico like never before!

June 27, 2015
Travel guide to Cancun

Travel guide to Cancun

Cancun’s paradise is a top travel place to experience the perfect beach vacation and more than that. Counts with plenty activities such as: Adventure, Parks, Shopping, archaeological, beaches, nightlife & more.
Most locals live in the center of Cancun “El Centro” where the most delicious typical mexican food and artesanal souvenirs are.

Zona Hotelera, a big big straight way surrounded by hotels, apartments, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping malls is a concentrated tourist area. The party life of Zona Hotelera has inevitably earned it the title “spring break capital of the world.” A high variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs at the ”Hotel Zone” are the main attraction for college students at Km. 9. This area is so famous and accesible for everyone for the fact that you can actually walk to the bus of 1 dolar that will take you directly to your hotel in less than 10 min!

Lots of activities such as watersports, golf courses, scuba diving, parks, boat rides or just a relax day at the many resorts will fill your bucket list. Cancun is one of the premier spa destinations in the world with a choice of more than thirty Cancun spa resorts awaiting you to transport your mind, body and spirit to a nirvana of pure bliss.

For those couples looking for a romantic trip, this is the perfect place for planning your wedding.

So, don’t look further. Cancun is simply the perfect destination for you!

June 25, 2015
Tulum, the Hidden Paradise

If you want to relax, have a great time and have a memorable holiday Tulum will be the right place. You can explore the archeaological zones and the mayan culture, you can enjoy and admire the beautiful caribbean sea and the nicest beach clubs, and don’t forget the warm friendly people.

The first time I went to Tulum was an incredible trip that I enjoyed with some friends from Cancun. We rented a van and head to the hidden Paradise, it was a 2 hour drive, we were really anxious to reach our destination. We arrived to Tulum hotel zone to a hotel named “Papaya playa Project” its an incredible place to stay, you can choose a private house, a rustic cabin, a beachfront cabin and more. Me and my friends stayed in a beachfront cabin (the most requested “cabaña” type at Papaya Playa) so we had an awesome view of the carribbean sea. We had an outdoor terrance to enjoy the view with two hammocks and lounge furniture, on the inside of our cabin we had 2 double beds and a private bathroom, we paid around 160 USD for one night for the 4 of us with breakfast included! Also it included wifi at the front desk if needed.

Once we get our cabin we put our bathing suits and head to the “Papaya beach club” . We enjoy typical beach activities while being served some really nice seafood and nice cocktails, accompanied the best music from the extensive playlists of the resident DJs. We spent all day at the beach club having a blast, dancing and partying and we met awesome friendly people!

When the sun went down we decided to go to our cabin and rest so we can go back to the beach club área later because there was a late night event involving live gigs and sets played by a major-league DJ. We rested about an hour and then we went for something to eat beacause we were starving. We ate a simple burger and fries which was delicious and then we went to enjoy the event. We spent all night dancing, having some drinks and meeting new people. I remember we went to sleep around 6 am . Time flies when you´re having fun people!!

Unfortunately we couldn´t stay one more night but if we had been able we would have stayed without question. It was an awesome experience and an incredible magical place. If anyone have the oportunity to visit Tulum please do so you wont regret it!

June 21, 2015
The most typical dishes of Guayaquil

I have lived several years in Ecuador and discovered that Guayaquil is characterized by the warmth of its people and its delicious food. First I will start with the dishes they eat for breakfast.

Having breakfast in Guayaquil?
In Guayaquil, people tend to breakfast entrees. As the famous “Recalentado” is rice and beans from the previous day. (Here they call “Menestra” to beans)
Usually they accompany breakfast with black coffee, fruit juices or a coke.
Serve something light is off the daily menu of Guayaquil…

For the weekends, it is the typical Ecuadorian dish “Bolón de verde” with cheese or pork rind, juice or coffee; “Bollo de pescado” (alone or with rice) and coke. It is not just the bolón, it is also eaten with liver and eggs.

There is also the famous “Tigrillo” which is a combination of green banana with eggs, cheese and cracklings.

The most famous place for all these dishes is “Café de Tere” this is your site, you can now ask for delivery, it usually takes about 30 minutes to get https://www.elcafedetere.com/

On Sundays, to remove a hangover from the previous day or a departure milia, eat “Encebollado” with green plantain banana chips. The onions is a soup made of fish albacore cassava, onions and other ingredients.

The best onions in Guayaquil is “Picantería Don Juan”
ADDRESS: 1026 Avenue of the Army and Clemente Ballen, or is also in Cordova 700 and Luis Urdaneta
SPECIALTY: albacore stew
PRICE $ 2.30
HOURS: Everyday, from 08:00 to 16:00

What usually eat in the evenings?
Rice with Menestra of beans or lentils and meat, chicken or chop.
This is a truly coastal, the most traditional and popular dish of Guayaquil, this dish is generally eaten at night.

The best is in the north of Guayaquil, is called “Los Asados”. Menestra or Moros are one of the most desired dishes. Here rice stew and grilled meat (chicken or cutlet) is $ 3.50.

Moros with cheese

This is a very traditional dish of the Ecuadorian coast, originates from cooked rice with lentils, obscuring its merger Kemp rice, hence its name.

Seco de Pollo
The Dry chicken is a dish of the province of Guayas. It consists of a plate with a piece of chicken, presented by way of soup and spicy, accompanied by the “maduros” made from bananas.

Guatita
The guatita is a very popular dish in Guayaquil. It is a cow tripe stew (guatitas). Served with potatoes and peanut sauce. In Ecuador there is a popular belief that guatita often lessen the effects of a hangover. For this reason sometimes in some restaurants its for breakfast on weekends.

Best of Guayaquil is “La Guatita restaurant”
Address: Luque and Pedro Moncayo.

And for dinner?
Humitas
It is also one of the most typical dishes in the kitchen of Guayaquil. Basically a sweet corn tamale mixed with meat or vegetables and cooked inside the leaf corn cob.

Besides these dishes, Guayaquil has beverages as “Chicha Resbaladera” which is made from rice chicha.

Address: March 6, 2316 and Gómez Rendón. It is a small place called “La Chicha Resbaladera of Rosita Armendaño”

Guayaquil gastronomy is quite varied. This is because within the city we can find the culinary influence of the people around the Ecuador.

June 20, 2015
New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas
It was the beginning of year 2014. I was at Las Vegas with my father (who lives there), my best friend and my cousin. New year at Las Vegas, what else can you ask for?

There this big publicity of the famous new year show, all the fireworks, the nightclubs full of artists, it makes it even hard to decide what you want to do! However, New Year’s Eve is a synonym for “be ready to spend lots of money” and not all of us are ready to spend our vacation budget in a single night. If you want to have a great night and still not spending a fortune, here are some highlights from my experience that may help you:
1. Plan your night with enough time in advance and either book in the restaurant you want to go, buy your entrances to the nightclub or show, or plan your itinerary, considering how to move from one place to another. One important thing to know is that all the closest streets that access to the Strip are closed that day since the afternoon.
1. Avoid using cabs. Cab drivers really make their night on New Year’s Eve! They charge more than double from regular prices. Instead, buses have a special long schedule, so they are available all night (or almost all night). Cab or bus, you will likely be dropped you off 3 or 4 blocks away from the place you want to get to, since (as i mentioned before) streets around the Strip are closed. Most important than everything: don’t drive if you are drinking. Police patrols are everywhere, stopping cars for no reason and randomly so avoid accidents to happen and your night to get ruined.
1. No high-heels. Or at least, keep them on your purse until you get to the place. New Year’s Eve is all about walking, and unless you are a professional model, you may not be comfortable with talking half an hour in high-heels; plus, by the time you get to your destination, your feet will be destroyed.
1. Prepare your drinks. A great way to save money on that night is to have your drinks prepared on your own. Many people plan to spend the night only walking at the Strip and it is actually a great idea! You can see the fireworks from there, enjoy the party atmosphere everywhere, enjoy the hotel’s lighting and decoration from outside and inside and do all that while having a drink. In Vegas it is legal to walk in the street and be drinking at the same time, so you can fill a soda bottle with rum and coke, a thermo with vodka and pineapple juice or whatever you prefer. You will save LOTS of money by having your own drinks at least for the beginning of the night.
1. If you wanna go to a nightclub, be sure to have a large group, or join one. New Year’s Eve reservations for nightclubs are only available if booking a table and they usually come with at least 2 bottles, non-negotiable rate. And let me tell you: rates can be pretty high! The best way to avoid paying a fortune is to be with a large group so you can split the bill between everyone. If the bottles are not enough, once inside you can get personal drinks per glass, but you will already be inside enjoying the famous DJ that will most likely be playing and celebrating the start of a new year with tons of people sharing your mood.
With those helpful tips given, now let me share my last 2013 night with you! We decided to have a small dinner at home, since my father lives in an apartment that has A GREAT view to the Strip so we thought fireworks would be better appreciated from there.

Then we prepared our yards and took the bus to the Strip. We walked all over the Strip for about an hour and finally decided to enter Encore nightclub, where my cousin’s boyfriend used to work. We had a blast that night (and an unbelievable hangover the next morning).

Even though you can never have a bad night in Vegas, this date specially will surely exceed your expectations! Be cautious, have fun and take lots of picture so you can remember New Year’s Eve in Vegas forever.
June 19, 2015