Central America

Exploring Panama On, and Beyond, the Canal

Published February 21, 2022 | By Clark Norton

Ever since my own visit to Panama, I’ve considered it one of the “essential countries” for travelers.

And not just because it harbors a canal vital for global commerce. Panama also connects two continents (North and South America) and is a key link in a chain of countries (including neighboring Costa Rica and Colombia) that claims some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet.

For older baby boomers, it’s also an enticing location for retirement, offering comparatively low prices and modern amenities.

Contributing writer Robert Waite recently visited Panama and returned with this informative report:

By Robert Waite

Panama City – When I think of airlines and stopover programs, Icelandair comes immediately to mind.

For no extra charge, they allowed you to stop over in Reykjavik when flying from North America to Europe. They often threw in discounted hotel stays and a trip to the hot spring-fed Blue Lagoon.

But… Continue reading →

Posted in Airlines, Baby boomer travel, Boat travel, Bucket Lists, Central America, cultural travel, retirement travel | Tagged Biomuseo, Canal Zone, Copa Airlines, Embera Indigenous village, Lake Gatun, Miraflores Locks, Panama, Panama City, Panama Stopover, Panama travel, the Panama Canal., Visit Panama | 4 Comments

Journey to Yaxha: Pyramids, Monkeys, and Myths

Published August 6, 2020 | By Clark Norton

Steep steps lead to the top of temple 216 in Yaxha, but the view from the top is worth it. Photo by Robert Waite.

In the first part of this two-part series, contributing writer Robert Waite described his visit to Tikal, Guatemala, the enormous ruins of one of the world’s great archaeological wonders, which 2,000 years ago was larger than ancient Rome or Beijing.

In Part II of this series, Bob writes about his travels to another stunning Mayan archaeological site nearby — Yaxha — and finds humor and cultural insights amid the ancient pyramids.

By Robert Waite

On the morning we left Tikal we headed for Yaxha, 30 km (19 miles) to the southeast, with our new guide, Cesar Quinones.

Yaxha is Guatemala’s third largest Mayan archaeological site (after Tikal and El Mirador) and boasts 500 structures spread along a hilltop stretching about three km (two miles).

Located… Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Baby boomer travel, Central America, cultural travel, Film Locations, History | Tagged "Star Wars" locations, "Survivor Guatemala", GEM Guatemala Travel, Guatemala travel, Mayan ball courts, Mayan culture, Tikal travel, Yaxha Guatemala, Yaxha travel | 1 Comment

Tikal Your Travel Bone at Iconic Mayan Site

Published August 5, 2020 | By Clark Norton

Tikal’s Temple I rises to a height of 154 feet (47 meters). Photo by Robert Waite.

For those planning their post-COVID travels, or who just like a good read, our roving contributing writer Robert Waite sets foot this time in the fabulous Mayan ruins of Tikal and Yaxha, which flourished two millennia ago in the jungles of what is now Guatemala.

It was the New York of its day, a massive complex complete with “skyscraper” temples, plazas, and palaces. When it seems safe to go, you may well want to add it to your future travel plans.

By Robert Waite

Tikal, Guatemala – Anyone who still buys into the myth that the Americas needed to be discovered by Columbus to be “civilized” has not wandered among the pyramids or across the expansive plazas of Tikal.

Beginning around 350 B.C. and stretching into the 5^th century A.D., at a time… Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Baby boomer travel, Bucket Lists, Central America, cultural travel, History | Tagged Ancient Mayans, Guatemala travel, Mayan civilization, Tikal, Tikal Guatemala, Tikal travel, UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 9 Comments

According to government and private surveys:

Leading-edge baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1955) and seniors account for four out of every five dollars spent on luxury travel today.
Roughly half the consumer spending money in the U.S.--more than $2 trillion--is in the hands of leading-edge baby boomers and seniors.
Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) travel more than any other age group.
When asked what they would most like to spend their money on, baby boomers answered “travel” more than any other category, including improving their health or finances.