Excellent VPN for travel in Colombia, Cuba and Argentina for vacation attractions: You should think about cyber security when staying in an Airbnb. There’s not just a risk of nosy hosts or creepy former guests leaving hidden cameras in the rental. There’s also a risk from the wifi itself. Nosy hosts and creepy former guests could track your online activities through an Airbnb’s wifi connection. You have no way of knowing if the last guest was a cyber criminal who put harmful malware or viruses on the wifi network. You don’t know who has previously had access to that Airbnb’s wifi network and who still does have access. And you certainly have no way of knowing if the host is spying on you through the wifi. That is, unless you use a VPN. Use a VPN on all unknown or unsecured wifi networks to stop others from watching you online. Discover extra details on Best VPN for Argentina.
In central Argentina, a five-hour drive from Buenos Aires, Córdoba is the country’s second-largest city and is often used as a stopover on trips into the Andes. Most of the city’s finest old buildings date back to the early colonial period of the 16th century. Explore the historical center of the city around Plaza San Martin, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you’ll find the beautiful Cathedral of Córdoba, a splendid mix of Baroque and Neoclassical styles that can trace its roots back to the original Roman Catholic church built here in 1580. Highlights of the structure, much of which dates from the 18th century, include an ornate interior with exquisite 20th-century frescoes and murals painted by leading Argentinian artist Emilio Caraffa, a native of Córdoba. Note also the unique silver altar and an important collection of gold votive offerings. Below, the crypts are the final resting place of a number of important Argentinians. One of the favorite things to do in Argentina is learn to tango, and you can take classes at the Cabildo, a cultural center, and mix with locals who go there to dance.
If there’s one man who lingers large over Colombia’s recent history, it’s the billionaire drug trafficker Pablo Escobar. What few people realize is that you can actually visit the lavish estate built and owned by Escobar in Puerto Triunfo, about 110 miles east of Medellin. The sprawling complex, known as Hacienda Nápoles, fell into disrepair in the decade after Escobar’s death in 1993. But the local municipality took control of the property in the mid-2000s and turned it into-of all things-an ever-growing amusement park with an eclectic mix of themed zones, hotels, a water park, and safari-style zoo. The amusements and hotels are new, and signs of Escobar are now limited. The ruins of his former mansion were bulldozed, and one of the Cessna planes he used to smuggle drugs to the US that used to be perched atop the entry gate is gone (as is the gate). The only thing remaining is a small museum that grapples with his legacy and some of his antique car collection rusting peacefully in the sun.
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.
Bogotá might be the Colombian capital, but it’s the smaller and more manageable city of Medellin that tends to capture the hearts of visitors. Medellin was dubbed the most dangerous city in the world in the early 1990s, but a quarter of a century later, it has earned a reputation for something entirely different: innovation. The city boasts cable cars linking the settlements in its hills to a modern metro system in the valley below, a greenbelt of lush “eco parks,” and striking libraries and community centers in some of the poorest neighborhoods. A great day of sightseeing in Medellin might start in the Old Quarter at Botero Plaza, where you’ll find a collection of 23 portly sculptures donated by the beloved Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Adjacent to the plaza is the must-visit Museum of Antioquia and the striking Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture. Then, head into the hills above town by riding the sleek escalator system through Comuna 13 to explore this neighborhood’s colorful homes and elaborate street murals. Finish your day in Medellin’s trendiest commune, El Poblado, where you’ll find buzzing eateries, boutique shops, and the vast majority of the city’s hotels.
My first day seeing sunshine in a couple of weeks, without hesitation I booked the first Airbnb I could find. And of course, I went out drinking. That night I wandered out onto my stoop to get wifi and noticed all the police had retreated from my area at about 10pm. Then the knives came out. Still unable to freely travel into and out of Cuba the tourists had all left. And the average Cuban relies on tourists to make ends meet. As you’d imagine by mid 2021, having been without tourists for 18 months things were starting to boil over among the less affluent populations in Cuba. So when I stepped out of my front door to get wifi and noticed all the police had taken off, I learnt that a running gang battle involving large knives, broken bottles and bricks had erupted. Right on my door step. Fantastic. Find even more details at https://inlovelyblue.com/.
The 156,000-acre Tierra del Fuego National Park extends all the way from Beagle Channel to the Chilean Border and northwards to Lago Kami. It’s a paradise for hikers, with trails for all experience levels. Using the town of Ushuaia as a base, adventurers head out onto the park’s hiking trails or along the coastline to explore its dramatic scenery, which includes everything from tall waterfalls, dense forests, and mountains, to beautiful glacier-fed lakes such as Roca and Fagnano. One of the most popular routes is Senda Costera, a coastal path to Lake Roca from Ensenada Bay that offers a chance to see a rich diversity of wildlife including Andean condors. Those who prefer to see the sights in comfort can take a ride on the superb Southern Fuegian Railway, an elegant antique steam train through the park to Cañadon de Toro.
In a country known for its beautiful beaches, Playa Paraíso (Paradise Beach), on the island of Cayo Largo del Sur, is one of Cuba’s best. This sublime strand of powdery white sand and baby blue sea skirts the sheltered western edge of the island and merges with the equally ravishing Playa Sirena. The island of Cayo Largo del Sur is truly a sun seeker’s destination with a typically dry, sunny climate and few tourist attractions besides some of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba and many hotels and resorts. Cayo Coco is another of Cuba’s idyllic beach destinations and one of its most isolated. The island starred in Hemingway’s novels, Islands in the Stream and The Old Man and the Sea, along with nearby Cayo Guillermo. As part of the Jardines del Rey, the combined archipelago of Sabana-Camaguey, Cayo Coco is connected to the mainland by a bridge, though most visitors arrive by air. Sun-splashed beaches are the prime attraction. Playa Los Flamencos, on the Atlantic side of the island, is a standout with its five-kilometer strand of sun-bleached sand, while the quiet and undeveloped Playa Prohibida offers a peaceful nature trail. The island also offers excellent birding. Connected by a causeway to Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo also boasts a bevy of beautiful beaches, such as the ravishing Playa Pilar, as well as a string of all-inclusive resorts.