WORLD DANK TRAVEL

Welcome to World Dank Travel! This is just a little page dedicated to all of the funnest places on earth!.. The sun is always shinning, the surf is always bombing, and you wake up every day with a smile ear to ear. The sounds of the jungle awakening, the sweet smells of morning and this beautiful mommocitia sleeping right  next to you. Are you dreaming? Is this heaven?...Yes it is! You can't find a better way to spend a winter. At first it starts out  as a winter, then before too soon, you wonder " can every day be like this.. can I stay here forever?". Well you can't become a citizen.. too easy, but for the most part... man, you can always live an endless summer.. endlessly! Remember we all control how we want our life to be. So get up, and get out! Trust me when I tell you traveling  is the best therapy for anyone. I'll be writing all about some of theses crazy awesome spots the earth has given us, starting with Central America. For the low down on what you will need, and some other info, check out the website: www.worlddank.com . for now here is a bit about Costa Rica!

FINDING PARADISE IN COSTA RICA TRAVELS

 COSTA RICA TRAVEL

COSTA RICA!! PURA VIDA! ...This is my favorite country in all of central America! It's where North America and South America meet in the middle and flow with perfect harmony. Most people fly into San Jose but don't spend much time there, however there is so much going on right in the city. There's great clubs with live music, shopping, incredible food, some of the best places to dance, and is tourist friendly by all means. It really is a place worth spending some time in. Whether you are flying in or driving in, the absolute best place to s start out at is Costa Rica Backpackers. It's located in the heart of San Jose about a thirty minute taxi ride from the main airport (SJO ). This is a tranquil spot to start your trip off coming right from the plane or if you been driving and crossing borders all day long. Once inside it's so chill you will forget your in the city. The hostel has a pool, restaurant, game/movie room, many computers, telephones and kitchens for anyone who wants to cook there own meals. The dorm rooms with WiFi included runs $13 a bed can and sleep up to 4 people a night , or you can pay $32 for a private room with WiFi included as well. If you leave for day trips to the volcano's or white water rafting they offer a safe place to leave your luggage or surf boards so your not stuck lugging it around. Everything is kept under lock and key well supervised by the staff. They have so many resources to all of Costa Rica right from the hostel as well as trusted taxis and shuttles to and from the airport. There staff speaks English as well as other languages so you can call ahead to reserve a room and have a taxi waiting for you at the airport. Go to: http://www.costaricabackpackers.com/index.html Of course there are dozens of other hotels and fancy places to stay but hostels are cost effective if your backpacking. A best western or a Marriott will run you up to a hundred and fifty dollars a night, and sometimes more on the beaches. On the beaches most resorts are pricey and usually empty (which can be a good thing for some) because there are so many chill hostels and beach motels surrounding them.


COSTA RICA FUN

There is such a crazy night life in San Jose , every night you can find something going on. One of the biggest clubs to check out in San Jose is El pueblo. This is the spot! It's a small community of 20 bumping bars and clubs in a 10 block area. They have every type of music, dance, food, live Djs and dancers every night of the week! It's easy to find with every taxi or just about anyone in Costa Rica knows where it is. Of course the tropical beaches with bomb surf is fun enough, but there is still so much more going on before you even leave the city. Out side San José in Alajuela there are some incredible volcano's and white water rafting that make for great day trips. The most active volcano in Costa Rica is Arenal located in the Arenal National park. To climb a more accessible volcano near by in the same park you'll want to visit the poas volcano. To be the closest to Arenal, spend the night in La Fortunas Hot spring resorts a little town a stone throws away from this erupting beauty. Being so close yet in a safe distance from harms way is perfect for sitting back and enjoying the truly spectacular show. Jump on tico time and check out the surrounding cities and pueblos filled with tons of restaurants , festivals and the always thriving Tico culture. Check out the official page http://www.worlddank.com/CostaRica-Travel-Guide.html

COSTA RICA BEACHES

COSTA RICA BEACHES

Once you've seen the city, and are ready to chill beach side there is so many beautiful beaches on both sides of the country. If you are staying at most places in San Jose there will be shuttles and taxis to the beach but are very expensive running you up to $100 depending which beach you chose. If your driving your own car or a rental then your stoked and there's a good chance people looking for rides will pay your gas all the way there, especially if your staying at a hostel. The best and cheapest route is the main bus station located in downtown San Jose called the Coca Cola bus station. It's well known and easy to get to. There you'll find a bus to every location. With the buses lined in a row and big signs hanging over each bus to where the buses destination is , it's pretty simple to catch the right one. The bus drivers usually charge a couple bucks to put your surf board below in the luggage so don't be alarmed. All the bus schedules and locations are available at just about every hostel or hotel you stay at. The tickets can be brought right across the street in the office or you can just pay the bus driver. There are so many tropical beaches to choose from all through out Costa Rica! Usually you start out on the Caribbean side. Puerto Viejo! where it's bomb mellow with some perfect waves and Rastafarian love blazing through the air!! It's one of the best spots on the Caribbean, definitely check it out! To get there you grab a ten dollar taxi to a different bus station called the Tico bus station which is in central San Jose. All taxis are accustomed to lugging surfboards, I always pack a few bungee cords to make it fast and easy strapping to the taxi. In Puerto viejo the main wave and heart of this town is Salsa Bravo. It's a bomb reef break when conditions are good. Further down the beach there is tons of reef breaks that go off when the swells hit right. During the day along the main strip there is vender's set up selling tons of jewelry, pipes , Bob Marley memorabilia and everything else you could ever want. At night the town livens up with reggae parties till the break of dawn and then the beauty just continues all over again! Once you raged some of the best reggae party in Costa Rica boogie back to San Jose for a night of disco and cooling down in the city breeze. The next stop is the west coast of Costa Rica starting at Jaco and working you're way up to Tamarindo where the famous Witch's Rock and Ollies point are.!

COSTA RICA TRAVELS MONTEZUMA AND JACO

JACO

Jaco is known for it's party scene.... and definitely is a party. The surf is usually good, but small, fun waves every day. I have surfed here when the swells would come in right and it was going off, other days just perfect waves for teaching beautiful women how to surf! Jaco is a pretty small town for tourists and pass byers but pretty big if you live there and get to check it out for a while. Right at the end of the main street where the main surf is there's a line of sweet places to stay and phat restaurants to eat. You get to wake up in paradise with some eggs ranchero and fun surf. Along the strip if needed there are tons of places to rent surf boards and boogie boards. If your in Jaco and the surf isn't that great then go to Playa Hermosa a 15 minute taxi ride down the road. It's a heavy, quick wave that is usually going off. Hermosa has tons of places to stay and has grown in the last few years, but the nightlife rages in Jaco. Jaco also has many cool tours at great prices. You will find some good fishing tours, Unbelievable horse back riding, and the famous zip lines! such a rush! All tours are best worked out in person at the present time you want to go. In other words check out the tours when your in Jaco, so you know it's the one for you. When its time to keep on ...keepin on, head further south from Jaco to Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Manuel Antonio is a beautiful beach in a quaint little town with a decent break when conditions are good. Like most pueblos in Costa Rica there's lots of restaurants, resorts and hostels to stay and party for the night. Quepos is more of a taxi town, you just pass through mostly on your way to Manuel Antonio. There is delicious cheap food to eat in Quepos while your on tico time waiting for the bus. Even further south is Dominical where the waves are a little more consistent and bigger and a chill spot a little less traveled by tourists that makes for a good getaway beach on the weekends. Then of course the famous Pavones!! One of the longest lefts in the world. Because of it's location it only goes off when the swells are right so be sure to check the surf report before taking the journey. When you're ready to hit further up the Pacific side you're going to need to reach Montezuma.

HEADING TO MONTEZUMA

To reach Guanacasta quickly and easily You will need to head to Puntarenas and take a ferry across to the Nicoya/Guanacaste region. In Jaco and Manuel Antonio you can also take a water taxi if your traveling it by foot. Always travel early! If you make it to Puntarenas to late you will be stuck staying the night or paying $50 bucks for a taxi to take you around. To take a direct bus to the ferry and then to Montezuma you need to leave from the Tico bus station in San Jose. Usually to travel more then six hours... it's a days travel, and if you time it right you can arrive in a town to catch a little surf just as the sun is going down. Once you make it to Montezuma there's a wide selection of places to stay depending on your budget just ask around. There isn't much surf in Montezuma but its a good spot to spend the night and relax, just don't drink the water! From Montezuma get ready to surf some bomb waves! There are regular buses that run through Montezuma multiple times a day that will get you further up the pacific coast. If you have the funds there is also tons of shuttles and tours that will bring you in style!
Costa Rica is well equipped for tourism and generally is very easy to get around if you feel like doing it yourself. I have hitched hiked in all countries but would suggest you use your own discretion's. Some of the best beaches are yet to come so keep posted and I will have much more to come on traveling Costa Rica!

WELCOME TO MEXICO

Que pasa! Welcome to Mexico! There is much culture to see and much history to learn from traveling through this country. From Mexico cities raging night life to its coastlines world famous surf you'll find paradise cost to coast. For me the best parts were the beaches (of course) , but really the mountains as well. Traveling through Chiapas Mexico towards Guatemala you will see and feel a completely different culture and vibe as well as a rapid change in temperature and air pressure. The smells of fresh fires and looks of a much simpler life will make it seem like your on another planet. A good portion of your drive is through the deserts, hundreds of miles of highway so make sure your ride is in check! All maps I had for the trip lead me through most of the cities and major towns, however some places and roads just aren't on the map! If your driving get yourself the best detailed maps you can find and a separate map explaining Mexico city cause its a maze! For the most part I had a blast driving and chilling all through Mexico. I found most people and even the policia to be friendly and helpful along my way.

MORE MEXICO!!!!

MEXICO CITY
The Valley of the Damned! Get ready for a crazy ass ride through a maze of a city! Of course if you drive it for a couple of hours you'll figure it out, but definitely be prepared for consistent heavy traffic. Mexico City is an awesome place to visit and chill for a few days with so much to see and do that you wont know where to start first. There are over 100 museums, beautiful gardens, busy markets, great restaurants, and ridiculous clubs. The nightlife in Mexico City is insane! Many clubs don't even open until 10pm. If you want to practice your salsa, then the Mama Rumba is the spot. If you want to get your drink on, La Casa de las Sirenas has over 150 different types of tequila. Here is a link to a list of bars, clubs, and restaurants all with the locations and phone numbers. You'll also be able to find a list of bus stations, places to stay, and things to do.

PUERTO ESCONDIDO
Oaxaca is home to the town of Puerto Escondido. Puerto Escondido is the spot in Mexico and has some of the sickest waves to surf. The sickest of them all is the Playa Zicatela or the Mexico Pipeline! It's one of the most powerful beach break barrels in the world. This back breaking, board busting, most rewarding balls to the walls wave is located at Zicatela Beach on the east side of Puerto Escondido. Everyone knows where it is, so finding it will be no problem. Like most breaks hit it early before it gets blown out. There are several other waves in the area; "La Punta" (or "the point") it's a fun, fast left point wave that is three-quarters of a mile up the beach from Puerto Escondido. There's Sayulita, Nayarit, Trocones, Pascuales, Colima, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Saladitas (fun little starter waves), and many more. All are good but none compare to the Mexican Pipe! All locations are easy to find with a little research, but I will give you the best site for all the breaks and there locations as well as places to stay!! Go to... http://www.mexicoguru.com/bestsurfspots.php .

Once you have raged the Mexican coast and you're ready to move on, head to Comitan, Chiapas. This is a cool place to stop for the night and it's real close to the Guatemalan border. There are also a ton of signs directing you to the Guatemala border. If you have any problems just ask a gas attendant or anyone else around and they will gladly point you in the right direction. Also tourist maps will show you where all the border crossing are as well as many cool tourist destinations.
There are plenty of cheap places to stay at in Chiapas. I stayed at Hotel Monticristo and it was a sweet place! Clean, cheap, $10 per night, and the owners were mad cool and so helpful in any way they could be. The exact address is 1a. calle sur pte. no. 107 Barrio, candelaria, the tele is 01(963)101-3891. Any taxi can tell you how to get there.
Feel free to e-mail us at WorldDank for any questions or comments! SAFE TRAVELS!

Crossing The Mexico Borders

THE BORDERS
You always want to try to arrive at every border as early as possible,  it makes for a faster process and leaves you the full day to travel. Not all borders are open 24 hours so be sure to check which ever you chose to cross. I did travel a little bit at night but wouldn't suggest it , the roads are dark, with all soughts of creatures around and you stand a much greater chance of running into trouble! There are so many places to cross into Mexico , ill list the main ones. Coming from California the most common ones are San Ysidro ( I-95) , Otey Mesa (SR-905) and Calexico ( SR-111). Coming from Arizona you have San Luis (US-95) , Sasabe (SR 286) and Naco ( D STREET). Coming from Texas you got Laredo-Juarez/Lincoln ( I-35), Hidalgo ( U.S- 281) and Brownsville Texas where I crossed this last trip. If you cross at Brownsville you will want to take the Veterans International Bridge (Interstate 69) leading to the Brownsville Texas - Matamoros Mexico border. There is a toll booth for crossing the bridge, and customs is right after, two minutes away. Once you're there, park and enter the customs building on the left. Before you take your trip get Mexican insurance before you enter Mexico ( it's much easier), have it printed and make photo copies. You need to get your tourist permit first. When that's done in the same building, directly behind you, go to the Banjercito (Mexican Military Bank). You will need to have your tourist permit, driver licence, vehicle title, and passport and make sure to have multiple copies of them all. You are going to need a non-Mexican credit/debit card  to pay a tax of about $30-$40.Once that is all done you ready to actually cross.. head to the place where it says ENTER MEXICO.. as you pull up the border police will ask you questions,where you going , how long you'll be here,do you have weapons, etc. etc. and most likely search through your vehicle. I was pack with tons of stuff and believe it or not they just looked and passed me through. As you make your way in you'll come to a town where it can get a little confusing so pull over at a gas station and get your bearings to where your going. From here I made my way to Tampico right before Veracruz in a short days travel.

VERACRUZ TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO
You can drive to Veracruz from the border in just one day, as long as you start out early! I stopped in Tampico for the night but would suggest driving the extra distance making it to Veracruz. Tampico is small but congested like a city, even so there are tons of hotels to set up for the night. From Veracruz you can make it to Puerto Escondido in a day with no problems. Veracruz is not a country known for its surf. Its an old country, of towns and villages that haven't changed in over a hundred years. The locals there are mad cool and some of the most easy going people I've ever met. At night the hot spot is the Plaza de Armas which is filled with delicious food, jammin music, and crazy dancing. Click here for all about Veracruz.

Crazy Friend Stuck In mexico

Welcome to the next post! I was up all night writing and working on my website when I got a chat message  from a friend in Mexico through Facebook. This was an old buddy I met in Nicaragua a few years back. This guy started writing me the craziest of crazy. He said he's homeless in Tijuana Mexico, stuck without his papers and has no way to get over the boarder and  back to Canada where he was living. This guy is from Nicaragua, but was married to his Canadian girl and had dual citizenship. At the time I was talking to him,  he had just woke up from sleeping on a bench some where in Tijuana, and while he was sleeping someone stole all his shit, including his socks and shoes. Knowing this crazy dude he probably  passed out wasted and woke up clueless, with no socks and shoes. When I last left him 2 years before in Nicaragua, he was on a journey to the tip of Chile, where he had a girlfriend. Mind you this guy had no car, no job, and no money. Some how he did make it to Chile. I heard from him a few times and then he disappeared until yesterday. He also told me Mexico is a war zone right now, like he has never seen it. He said there is really bad shit going on all over the place. I know this dude pretty well and even though he's crazy I  believe what he is saying. This is coming from a local Latino, that blends in very well and even he didn't feel safe. Take it for what it's worth, just be careful while traveling south of the boarder right now. I have been through there many times, and it always went pretty smooth. Just know things are getting out of hand in some countries especially at the borders! I suggest if your crossing borders, always do it during the day and try to stick to the more common border crossings used more frequently by travelers. As for my friend , last he said was he was going to find a Coyote to get him back over the boarder. Lets wish him luck!

Backpackers Dream

Now a days there are two types of travelers, the vacationers, and the backpackers! Being a backpacker is to be  a modern day explorer. Living with no cares, only to roam with the essentials, backpack, surfboard, and guitar. Who could ever ask for more! For many years I would wander finding warmth in strangers, and home to where ever I laid my head. I can tell you this  first hand, it will change your life forever! To see so many different places, each with it's own uniqueness, and really step into living amongst other cultures, other life and languages will always make you realize how beautiful life really is. Just traveling around the United States is a trip but when you travel out of the country it's a whole new world. Today is February something 2011 and if it's all the same to you I would like to share a little of life's secrets. Most of which I have learned on the road. Almost everything you are told in life, you know the crazy sounding things your parents told you and there parents told them, like keep your friends close and your enemy's even closer etc, etc... it's all true! You have to live it.. to know it. Same goes for traveling, some call them travel tips, I know them as life lessons! The biggest mistake people make, and usually the first when It comes to hitting the road, is fear. I can't tell you how many people I know, when it comes time to plan a trip or to travel,  they have a fear in just about everything they want to do.The who, how, what, where,when, the costs etc etc... For real stop! Take a breath. I start to tell them, imagine yourself  already being  there... feeling comfortable and that everything is going smooth. Imagine you are on your way to one of  the best experience's you will ever have, keep focusing on the good parts, the reasons why you're taking this trip in the first place. I promise you we all can control the way we want our life to be. Most definitely when we have any negative energy flow in or around us it will cause negative out comes to everything we do or want. So keep in mind even when your planning your trip, to always look at it with a positive feeling and get yourself excited! keep that to be your focus. This works with just about everything you do in life and most definitely has worked for me in every situation traveling. Some of the best times of my life were spent on the road. When I was younger I never understood what it was like to feel homesick. Many years later after being on the road for so long, and long past the homesick feelings, I started to feel like the road was my home. I was able to feel every city I passed through, every beach I surfed, the places I stayed and people I met. Almost every passer by has some story to tell of just about everything you could think of. I wish I  recorded them all. Thankfully my memory is still functioning so I can pass their story's on as well as some of mine. I was just reading a story of this dude in mexico, a Canadian tourist , shot in the leg during a  gang land execution a few weeks  ago. This guy was hit by a stray bullet while he was leaving his hotel heading for a plaza. You know what the Canadian guy said.. "he still feels safe in Mexico"!!.. At 69 years old. Now that is a trooper! Hats off my man... keep on keepin on! To be honest violence and crazy shit is always going to be present where ever you go in this world. Remember, this guy probably didn't want to be shot, nor did he probably bring this upon himself. Even though we do control how our life is to be, we cannot control gravity, or the action of others and the consequences they may bring. Thats it for now!! More to come and safe travels!