Pto Vallarta Mexico by Melissa Wentarmini, on Flickr

Expanding on our Mexico travel information, we highlight a travel photo of Puerto Vallarta, one of the most popular tourist destinations for holidays in Mexico.  Located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is easily accessible for West Coast Americans and Canadians, although also frequented by Mexicans during their holidays.  It is also known as the most LGBT friendly community in Mexico.

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Guatemala Travel – Antigua Independence Day Festival

Hanging out in Antigua, Guatemala during the celebration of Guatemala’s Independence Day is wonderful travel treat. High school bands compete while vendors cover the street corners selling souvenirs and latin food fare. Watch the activities in our HD travel video from Antigua.

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Ecuador Travel – Snow Capped Volcano Cotopaxi near Isinlivi, Ecuador

Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanos in the world, just shy of 20,000 feet or 6,000 meters. It hasn’t erupted since 1940, so it’s become a hot spot for adventure activity in the Andes highlands of Ecuador. If you plan to bike ride, hike or grab an ice axe for extreme adventure, get yourself to Latacunga and plan your Cotopaxi adventure. Volcano Cotopaxi is the second highest peak in Ecuador.

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Go Travel Inspiration from Latin America Travel Blog http://2backpackers.com

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Guatemala Travel – Tikal Nation Park, Sacrifice Stones

There was proven human sacrifice in the Mayan civilization, but to what extent is unknown. Pictorials have been found detailing the practice as well as the linking of special events in the calendar. What is even further debated is whether or not the Mayans practiced cannibalism. There is no clear evidence, but scholars continue to debate. One theory is that it was a diet reward for the nobel.

In our Tikal adventure video, our guide, details his belief of the sacrifice from this spot depicted in the travel photo.

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Panama Travel Photo – Panama City Seafood Market

This picture is from the Seafood Market in, Panama. While Panama City is quickly becoming one of the most modern metropolises in the Americas, you can still see local fisherman heading out into the Bay of Panama to make a daily catch for sale at the market. The market also has a lot of amazing fresh ceviche that you can sample for less than a dollar. It makes a great snack to enjoy while looking out onto the bay!

Jeremy is the author of Top Spot Travel.com, a blog dedicated to his international travels.

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Road Trip Car in Argentina along National Route 40 or RN40, often called Ruta 40

During our Argentina travel we spotted several cool classic cars, but this one was unique to us because it was a road trip vehicle. This little car in Cafayate, Argentina, a wine region, was doing the tour of Ruta 40. We loved the stickers and and the map of Argentina on the sides of the car.

Route 40 is the longest route in Argentina and one of the largest in the world (along with the U.S. Route 66 and the Stuart Highway in Australia -without counting the unofficial Panamerican Highway-), more than 5,000 km (3,107 mi) long. At its traditional southern end near the city of Río Gallegos it starts at sea level, crosses 20 national parks, 18 major rivers, 27 passes on the Andes, and goes up to 5,000 m (16,404 ft) above sea level in Abra del Acay in Salta. – Wikipedia

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Escaping in Death Valley (Valle de la Muerte) near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

One of the many tours and sightseeing that can be done from the adventure base town of San Pedro de Atacama. You can really escape in Death Valley. This amazing lanscape with the backrop of a big storm coming, reminds me how far from a sprawling urban development we really were.

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Flowers Recovering near Mount St. Helens by Jonathan Look

On the morning of May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens became one of the largest volcanic events in North America. The explosions took 65 human lives, wiped out substantial populations of bear, elk, deer, and coyote, and spewed stone, ash, and poisonous gas over 230 square miles of forest and vegetation. However, after only a little over thirty years the area is recovering. The explosion and these flowers are both testament to the strength of nature and its ability to recover under the right circumstances.

Jonathan is a regular contributor for 2Backpackers.com. For more information or to sign up for his newsletter visit LifePart2.com.

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Travel Photo – A Mayan Woman Walking in the Rain by Jonathan Look Jr.

San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico is a 24 hour a day all you can eat buffet of photographic opportunity. Even the rain brings out some amazing opportunities. I am fascinated by reflections and puddles. On this evening life goes on as usual for a Mayan woman on her way to market in the city’s main square.

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Travel Photo – Cascada El Chiflón in Chiapas, Mexico – Waterfalls

Cascada El Chiflón in Chiapas is one of the highest and most powerful waterfalls in Mexico. From the top, bright teal water cascades almost 400 feet into a series of calm pools that run for almost a mile and are perfect for relaxing by or swimming in on hot tropical days.

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Travel Photo – Aracely Hiking the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon was the first adventure trip Aracely and I ever took together. Not only did we want to visit the Grand Canyon, we wanted to hike to the bottom and back out. The backpacking was definitely going to be a challenge, but so was the fact that this was going to be our first time being together over night. We expected to be dirty, cranky and exhausted during our 4-day hiking adventure. It was all of that, and more. We survived, and began making more check marks on our bucket list in the years to come. If the Grand Canyon is on your bucket list, start searching for flights to Phoenix now, and make your dreams a reality.

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Travel Photo – NYC Skyline at Night from atop the Empire State Building

After visiting many places in the world, Aracely and I often get asked, “Where do you want to live?” Maybe our answer would surprise you. It’s New York City, the greatest city in the world. That’s our opinion. We love NYC, and we promise to make it our home some day. If you haven’t visited, be sure to travel to NYC and decide for yourself, if you could live there. So yes, even after traveling to many of the greatest cities in the world, NYC still stands tall with the best of them.

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View from our Campsite on Volcano “El Hoyo” in Nicaragua

During our travels in Nicaragua we joined a trek to Volcano El Hoyo, above is a picture of where we put our tent.  The view was simply amazing. This particular location certainly earned its value ten times over

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Colombia Travel – The Beach Boulders on Arrecifes Beach in Tayrona National Park

Tayrona National Park (Parque Nacional Tayrona) is one of the most beautiful places to visit during Colombia travel if you are a beach lover. The natural landscapes include waves crashing against some of the largest boulders you have ever seen washed up on shore. A few hostels exist, or you can rough it one night in a hammock at El Cabo Beach. Just remember a mosquito net. On the hike out of the park one very early morning, we spotted a bunch of monkeys making their way across the canopy. This makes our dream destination list. In case you are looking to be persuaded, check our reasons to travel to Colombia.

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Colombia Travel – Arrecifes Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – Arrecifes Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – Jason Walking on Arrecifes Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – The Beach Boulders on Arrecifes Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – Jason Climbing the Beach Boulders on Arrecifes Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia  Travel – A Heron Caught in Flight

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Colombia Travel – Wildlife at Tayrona National Park / Beaches of Tayrona

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Colombia Travel – An Old Boat at Tayrona National Park / Beaches of Tayrona

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Colombia Travel – The Walking / Hiking Trails along Tayrona National Park Beaches

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Colombia Travel – El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park – The Hammock Hut

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Colombia Travel – Aracely on a Boulder at El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – Boulders and Rocks at El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – Jason Posing for a Picture on the Boulders of El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – Volcanic Boulders on El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – Aracely at El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia Travel – Shifted Land at El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Colombia  Travel – Boulders at El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Columbia Travel – Sleeping in a Hammock at El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park

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Bali Holidays - Bali temple by David Blackwell., on Flickr

When you think of a beautiful beach honeymoon, Bali often comes to mind. Aracely and I never really had a proper honeymoon, so trips to places like this are always on our minds. Aracely will bring up the fact, “But, we didn’t really have a proper honeymoon.” Someday we will enjoy Bali holidays. Our 10yr anniversary sounds good.

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Las Vegas Travel - Red Rock Canyon National Park

Las Vegas travel is always good to us. One might think that after you get married, Vegas doesn’t have the same appeal. We would disagree. It’s not just about hotels and casinos. We love Las Vegas for many reasons, including the adventure the area offers. Hiking, biking and rock climbing can all be done in the mars-like landscape of Red Rock Canyon National Park. Ride a dune buggy in the desert. So go out, work up a sweat, come back to your posh hotel and go enjoy some of the best dinning and gambling the world has to offer.

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China Travel - Asia Holidays

We recently visited Asia for the very first time during our visit to Beijing, China. Our only disappointment was that we didn’t have time to explore more of Asia. Many of the travelers we met in the hostels were doing the typical Asia backpacker trail, which included Thailand, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. Next time we visit Asia, I hope it’s after researching for Hong Kong holidays. It’s on our list of must see big Asia cities, and we hear it’s a lot easier to travel as a tourist in Hong Kong than in Beijing.

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Australia Travel - Byron Bay by aschaf, on Flickr

Guess where we haven’t traveled to yet? Australia.  Yup, still haven’t made it to the great Gold Coast or any type of Australia travel. Byron Bay is a popular stop for backpackers exploring the Australian coast, but yet, these 2 Backpackers haven’t made the trip yet. I am guessing when we finally venture out there we will be searching for Byron Bay hotels rather than hostels, as our travel tastes have changed a little bit. Although, it’s not a cheap country, so maybe a hostel will still suffice.

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Thailand Travel - Eating Bugs in Phuket, Thailand

As a tourist traveling in Thailand you will inevitably stumble upon a food market, and, in that food market will be some interesting bugs to eat. It won’t be on everyone’s bucket list, but you will find foreigners taunting their buddies to have a try. If eating strange bugs is on your bucket list, start searching for flights to Phuket now, and beat your friends to the victory!

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