Best Colombia, Cuba and Argentina holiday destinations using VPN for travel: Using NordVPN is like having an online safe-house, a new identity and big ol’ pitbull in the front yard chasing off the door to door salesmen. It’s not just blocking cyber criminals, your ISP and the Government from tracking you and spying on your online activity. NordVPN hides you from anyone and anything that tries to collect your data. I’ve now used NordVPN in Iran, Cuba, all over South America (Argentina, Uruguay etc.) and parts of Central and Eastern Europe over the last 7 years. And it’s never failed me. It’s so easy to use I’ve got my father using it back in Australia and he’s 81! If you want to see just how unsecured your internet connection really is you should go to www.nordvpn.com. Look at the bar on top of the screen on the Nord website. If you aren’t using a VPN the Nord website will be able to tell you your IP address and physical location. See additional details on Traveling to Cuba.
As the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere, Aconcagua is certainly impressive. The peak has a summit elevation of 6,961 meters and is part of the Andes, close to the border with Chile. For climbers, Aconcagua has special meaning, as it’s one of the Seven Summits, the ultimate climbing list that includes the highest mountains in each continent. The mountain falls within the limits of the Aconcagua Provincial Park, a protected area that offers a number of activities for outdoor lovers, including hiking and skiing. For those who are up for something a bit more challenging, the Horcones-Confluencia trail takes hikers up to the basecamp on the route up to the summit. It’s a 14-kilometer-long trail with an elevation of 538 meters. Laguna Horcones, a stunning blue lake fed by glaciers, is another popular attraction within the park.
This quirky Caribbean Island leaves many first-time visitors perplexed. For starters, it’s far closer to Nicaragua than Colombia. Then there’s the fact that its residents don’t speak Spanish but rather an English Creole. Of course, none of that really matters when you find yourself sunning on the most stunning beaches under the Colombian flag. Little more than a dollop of golden sands and perky palms, this isolated island is the jewel of the UNESCO-protected Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, with some of the world’s greatest marine biodiversity just waiting to be explored. You’ll need to first stop on the more popular San Andrés Island and catch a short hopper plane or three-hour catamaran ride to reach Providencia. Once here, you’ll find the largest collection of cottages and hotels in the small hamlet of Aguadulce on the stunning west coast of the island.
If you’re looking for a ravishing slice of nature in central Cuba, head to El Nicho waterfalls. About a 90-minute drive from Trinidad or Cienfuego, in Parque El Nicho, these multi-tiered falls flow into several jade-green jungle pools – the perfect place to take a cool dip on a hot day. Driving here along the twisty rutted roads is an adventure in itself, and the scenery is beautiful. Once you arrive and pay the entrance fee, take the 1.5-mile palm-lined trail to the park’s most scenic spots. It meanders along a cool river and ascends through thick, tropical forest to the falls, where you can swim and sunbathe. Along the way, keep an eye out for the tocororo, Cuba’s national bird, and the beautiful royal palm. Walk beyond the falls, and you’ll end up at a scenic lookout with breathtaking views across lush valleys. Wondering about things to do with the family in Cuba? This is the perfect back-to-nature excursion. Best of all, the waterfalls gush year-round – even in the dry season.
You’ll find some of the best beaches in Colombia within the protected Tayrona National Natural Park, which is known for its palm-shaded coves and crystal-clear coastal lagoons. Most beaches are set against the dramatic mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, whose rainforested hills make for a great side trip on any beach vacation. Tayrona is also a fantastic place for snorkeling at protected areas near La Piscina beach and Cabo San Juan. Though remote, these secluded beaches aren’t exactly a secret, so it’s best to visit in low season (February to November) to avoid the massive crowds. Also, unless you’re paying for the lavish Ecohabs Tayrona, be prepared to sleep in a tent (or hammock) at one of the many beachside campgrounds.
My First Two Years As A Digital Nomad: Leaving Australia in early 2021 bound for Europe with a single bag and no plan, I was determined not to be cooped up inside again. My days of office work and rolling lockdowns were over. I knew I was going to catch-up with my Peruvian friend and tattooist Jimmy in Bonn. But I had no travel plans beyond. I was just going to go out into the big wide world and get my life back onto the track I’d envisioned for myself prior to university. Somehow on entering into university my academic ambitions grew beyond all measure. And then adult life took hold. I woke up one day living with my long term partner, engaged. I was working ridiculous hours as a government contractor for the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia. And I had previously made my way through the Department of Home Affairs (Home Office or Homeland Security for my foreign readers). I’d become a sworn Border Force officer and had been cited for excellence. Find more details at https://inlovelyblue.com/.
Usually simply referred to as Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche is a lively city set in the midst of Nahuel Huapi National Park, and Patagonia’s northern Lake District. Skiers, especially those from the Northern Hemisphere seeking snow in the height of the northern summer, flock to Bariloche for nearby Cerro Catedral, the tallest of its peaks and a popular ski resort. One of the largest ski resorts in South America, Cerro Catedral includes more than 100 kilometers of ski terrain and is particularly popular for its stunning views over Nahuel Huapi Lake, in the middle of the national park. Bariloche is a center for active adventure and for exploring the park’s mountains, lakes, waterfalls, forests, glaciers, and extinct volcanos. Although the region is rich in opportunities for hiking, rafting, cycling, and climbing, a driving circuit known as the Route of the Seven Lakes takes tourists to the alpine lakes of Nahuel Huapi, Espejo, Escondido, Falkner, Villarino, Correntoso, and Machónico.
Rimmed by glittering beaches, Guardalavaca, in the Holguin province, is quieter and more remote than Varadero. Lush foliage fringes the sweeping strand of beach here, providing plenty of shady patches for those seeking respite from the tropical sun. Divers and snorkelers can explore a plethora of sea life along the coral reefs. Day trips from Guardalavaca include jungle adventures, sailing trips, and sightseeing tours of Santiago de Cuba. West of Guardalavaca, Bahia de Naranjo encompasses a large slice of coast and three islands, including Cayo Naranjo with the popular Dolphinarium, which offers close-up encounters with these gregarious creatures. Chorro de Maita is another side trip option from Guardalavaca, with its native Indian burial area and a recreated Taino Indian village.