Great Vacation To Meteora, Greece
The Greek word Meteora means "suspended in the air", and our words meteorite and meteorology come from the same root. The conglomerate rock at Meteora, Greece, has eroded into fantastic peaks upon which medieval monks built monasteries, several of which are still active. The isolated monasteries of Meteora helped keep alive Greek Orthodox religious traditions and Hellenic culture during the turbulent Middle Ages and Ottoman Turk occupation of Greece (1453-1829). In 1988, UNESCO declared Meteora to be a World Heritage Site.
Travel Tips for Meteora:
- I suggest reading all you can before going - don't rely on a tour guide to give you the depth of perspective necessary to understand the history and the symbols & styles used in the Greek Orthodox Church.
- I suggest visiting monasteries as soon as they open in the morning to avoid the big crowds.
- For photography, I recommend a day or two exploring all the different different angles and possibilities, then be ready for the perfect shot on the next day or two as you experience the ever-changing light. Visit at sunrise & sunset for best photography. Sunset may give the best light since the the cliffs face to the southwest. If you are short on time, rent a car to zip around to the different photo angles as the light changes quickly at sunset. Otherwise, if you have time, walking is the best way to absorb the ambiance of this incredible area.
- I suggest staying anywhere in Kastraki, which is a small town with fascinating architecture, cobbled streets, and closer walking distance to the rock towers & monasteries than the larger town of Kalambaka.
- A few hours drive from Meteora you can hike Mount Olympus, which is culturally very important to Greece. Ascending Mount Olympus is challenging and scenic, with a clean, comfortable overnight dormitory-style hut that serves meals.
- Excellent travel guidebook: Greece, by Lonely Planet Publications, February 2000.
Left: Varlaam Monastery, founded on this pinnacle in 1517 CE.
Below: A face decorates the side of a house in Kastraki, a village at the foot of Meteora.
Right: Storks migrate between Greece and Africa, and some nest here in the Kastraki town square.
The Greek War of Independence of 1821-1829 reclaimed Ottoman Turk holdings in the Peloponnese, Sterea Ellada, and the Cyclades and Sporades Islands, but intervention by Britain, France, and Russia would set up foreign kings to control Greece on and off for generations. With the decline of the Ottomans in the mid-1800's, the "Megali Idea (Great Idea)" of a new Greek Empire became popular for reclaiming former Byzantine Greek lands. The Balkan Wars of 1912-1913 expanded Greece to include southern Macedonia, part of Thrace, more of Epiros, the North-East Aegean Islands, and union with Crete. After siding with the Allies in World War I, Greece invaded Turkey as far as Ankara. However, the young General Mustafa Kemal (later called Ataturk) drove the Greeks out of Anatolia, finally evaporating any Greek desire for the "Great Idea". In a huge exchange causing great hardships on everyone involved, 1.5 million Christians left Turkey and 400,000 Muslims left Greece. Greece also suffered terribly under Nazi occupation in World War II, with many civilians dying of starvation and half the Jewish population sent to death camps. Greece's turbulent history culminated in a 1946-1949 Civil War between monarchists and democrats, where more Greeks were killed than in World War II. Despair motivated nearly a million Greeks to seek better life in Australia (Melbourne), Canada, the USA (New York and Chicago), and other countries. After a coup by Colonels 1967-74 and later socialist rule, Greece has shifted politically to the right as of 2001. The economy is finally showing signs of improvement, and the standard of living is rising rapidly. Low and stable interest rates have hugely expanded car ownership. Greece proudly hosted world visitors at the lightly attended 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, which were broadcasted worldwide on television.Greek Independence
Left: Monks at Roussanou Monastery have historically used the pulley system shown here to drawn supplies up from the valley below. Roussanou, built atop a rock pinnacle in 1545, is now a convent.
Below right: Roussanou Monastery is now a convent.
Left: Grand Meteora Monastery, founded in the 1300's CE on this steep pinnacle.
Below right: Entry to Grand Meteora Monastery.
Below: Saint Nicholas Anapafsa is the English name for Agio Nikolaou Anapafsa Monastery (Greek name), at Meteora:
Below: rustic house with grape vines in Kastraki:
Left: Lumpy rock formations rise above a hotel in Kastraki.
Below right: Pillars of rock tower above Kastraki.
Below: A moped is parked below turquioise shutters in Kastraki.
Below right: a yellowish weathered door at Meteora.
Left: Varlaam Monastery perches atop a rock spire.
Below: Varlaam Monastery clings to a precipice, above a weird landscape of stone towers.
Bunaken, Manado - a heaven under the sea
Bunaken is located at the north of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It belongs administratively to the municipality of Manado. Bunaken is part of the Bunaken National Marine Park, which has some of the highest levels of marine biodiversity in the world. Scuba diving attracts many visitors to the island. The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia’s growing system of marine parks.
The park covers a total surface area of 890.65 km², 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists.
The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27 to 29 °C) Pick any of group of interest - corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken.
The park has around 70 genera of corals; compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found.
Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park.
A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park.
Biologists believe that the abundance of hard corals is crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. Hard corals are the architects of the reefs, without them, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals (folious, branching, massives, etc.) for shelter and egg-laying. Others, like the enormous Bumphead Parrotfish, Balbometopon muricatum, are “coralivores” and depend on hard corals for their sustenance. Bony mouth parts fused into an impressive “beak” allow these gregarious fish to crunch corals like roasted peanuts.
Are you looking for something to do this summer, spring, or even fall? Whether you are looking to do so something independently, with your family, or with your friends, have you ever though about going camping?
The vast expanses of wilderness, mountains, forest, canyons and coastlines lend themselves to a wide range of outdoor pursuits.
From trekking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, canoeing down the Mississippi River, fishing on the Great Lakes, sailing in Florida, diving in Hawaii to skiing in the Rocky Mountains, every activity can easily be arranged.
Here are the most fun and thrilling camping and outdoor activities.
Camping
Hiking/Trekking
Before there were Land Rovers and mountain bikes, there was hiking. The inclination to pack it up and hoof it for long distances can be traced back to our days as nomadic hunter-gatherers, and the goal is little different now than it was back then: Traveling to exciting and unseen places powered by will, stamina, and whatever provisions you can carry on your back.
Today, getting there is all the fun, what with newfangled backpacks to ease your burden, allowing you to drink up the unfolding scenery and let your mind wander.
Canoeing
When it comes to sex appeal, the canoe always seems to lose out to its sexier stepsister, the kayak. Be it the boat’s relative clunkiness next to the kayak’s sleek lines, or just a quirky, passing trend, canoes have somehow come up less cool.
Yet the underdog status just seems to add to the canoe’s appeal, especially among advanced paddlers, who argue that paddling a canoe takes more finesse.
Scuba Diving
Prepare to get hooked on scuba diving the moment you slip below the water’s surface into the peaceful silence of the undersea world.
You’ll finally understand what Jacques Cousteau was raving about all those years as you swim alongside graceful manta rays large enough to eclipse the sun’s filtered rays, or when you come face to face with a hammerhead sizing you up.
Fortunately, 70 percent of the world is covered in water, so there’s never a shortage of great dive sites to feed your submarine cravings.
Mountain Biking
It’s easy to spot mountain bikers–they’re the ones with scab-covered limbs talking animatedly about bonking while riding a wicked singletrack.
Indeed, they are a peculiar lot, but only because of their passion for the sport. They don’t seem to mind the murderous workouts–they actually celebrate sore muscles–as they attack intense rolling trails in pristine wilderness.
The exhilaration of nailing a technical ride in the world’s most stunning places is more than enough fuel for mountain bikers.
White Water Rafting
For those who gaze at their washing machine’s spin cycle and hear the call of roaring rapids, paddling is more than a pastime, it’s a passion.
And who could blame them: Whitewater serves up heart-pounding thrills and adrenaline-pumping action in some of the world’s most spectacularly beautiful spots.
Skiing
Planning a ski vacation, whether alone or with the whole family, starts the fun that you will get from the actual trip. Skiing is basically using gravity to move downhill by gliding over snow conditions using two long and thin boards to keep balance and control.
Snowboarding is a similar snowsport which uses one wide board instead of the two thinner boards that skiers use. Skiers use both boards to coordinate their movements and control their speed and direction. Balance, weight, and edge control are the tricks of the trade in Skiing.
Snowboarding
Bird Watching
An activity that was once considered to be something of a ‘nerdy’ practice, Bird Watching has now become a pastime that encompasses both young and old and allows both experienced ‘twitchers’ and novices to come together in pursuit of some of most common and indeed rarest birds.
You can organize your own Bird Watching excursion to coincide with a camping trip. Many people think that there is a lot of equipment necessary to go Bird Watching but really the most important elements are a decent pair of binoculars, a bird handbook, a notebook and pen, and a keen eye for detail.
Fly Fishing
Camping and fishing often go hand in hand. Whether it’s a young child simply trying to catch a few sticklebacks with a piece of string with a hook tied onto a tree branch to the full blown night sight and sound equipment needed by the serious overnight angler, fishing is certainly one of the most popular pastimes to combine with camping.
As fish often tend to bite earlier in the morning, you’ll want to try to choose a site that’s as close to the action as possible as you’ll be getting up early enough as it is.
Caving
For all the natural wonders aboveground, don’t forget about the ones below. Visiting the depths of a cave offers an experience you just can’t find anywhere else on earth.
Far below the surface, rocks that look like popcorn, butterflies, and bacon strips hang from the ceiling. Explorers of the subterranean realm can wander through the cold shell of a lava tube, listen to musical stalactites, or take in the spectacle of a huge underground waterfall.
Biking
Under your own steam, at your own pace, and requiring fewer technical skills than mountain biking, cycling is the best way to experience a new place. When you travel by bike, with panniers carrying your necessities, you become part of the neighborhood, village, province, or country.
As you leave behind the confines of the car, every hill and valley you conquer comes alive.
Sailing and Yachting
Sailing is the ultimate adventure. After all, it’s how the explorers of old used to travel.
Today you might not discover uncharted waters, but you can certainly reach unknown lands–or at least lands that are unknown to you. Whether you’re cruising in the Caribbean, the Seychelles, or the Mediterranean, you decide the where and the winds decide the when.
True, you are at the mercy and whim of Mother Nature, but setting off into that great blue is the truest test of your mettle and where you’ll find your greatest freedom.
Horseback Riding
There’s nothing quite like seeing the world from the back of a horse. We humans have been riding for 4,000 years, but ever since the introduction of the Model T, we seem to have completely lost touch with our equestrian past.
Thankfully, trekking across the countryside on horseback is a surefire way to reconnect with those bygone times. Let your trusty steed take you across the steppes of Mongolia, explore the game reserves of Kenya, or practice your roping skills on a Wyoming cattle drive.
Wherever you go, you’ll have fabulous fresh-air views, completely unencumbered by that steel-and-glass box–you know, the one that gets us there quicker, but without all the fun.
Wildlife Viewing
We are all attracted to the great outdoors for a variety of reasons. However, one of the things most of us have in common is our love of the abundant wildlife that surrounds us on our adventures.
When the mountains give way again to the deserts and plateaus of the West, you probably thought you had veered off the road and into an alternate reality, where the earth is pink and rocks stand on end.
Pleasing as this scenery is to look at through the car window as you speed along the interstate, it’s much, much more. That’s habitat you’re looking at, full of living things.
Source: iexplore.com, flickr
Wonder what a Candi Prambanan is?
[… …]
Candi means temple and Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple compound in
It was built around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan, king of the second Mataram dynasty, or Balitung Maha Sambu, during the Sanjaya Dynasty.
The complex consists of several hundreds of small temples, except few of them are large and tall temples. A tale mentioned that there should be 1000 temples to be built at Prambanan, but only 999 were built. The compound is assembled of eight main shrines or candis, and more than 250 surrounding individual candis.
What is so mystical about Candi Prambanan?
There is a quaint legend/mystical story behind one of the main shrines in Prambanan. Shiva temple who is often referred by the locals as a Candi Lorojonggrang was actually Princess Roro Jonggrang; daughter of King Boko, who cursed into a statue.
According to legend, an extremely powerful man by the name of Bandung Bondowoso desired to wed Roro Jonggrang. However, she did not love him, and decided to set Bandung Bondowoso a task to deter his desire to wed her. Roro Jongggrang declared she would only marry him if he could build a thousand temples in one night. Bandung Bondowoso was a powerful man with supernatural powers and saw no difficulty in the task set. When he had almost completed Roro Jonggrang's request, she panicked and ordered all the women from the villages to the east to burn piles of hay causing light, and make plenty of noise by pounding rice as if the day's work had begun.
These actions caused the situation surrounding the area to be as if the sun was rising. As the cocks began to crow, being fooled also, the supernatural beings assisting Bandung Bondowoso fled in terror of the pending sunlight. When Bandung Bondowoso realized he had been tricked, he flew into a rage and cursed Roro Jonggrang into a stone statue, finishing his task proudly.
…Blow O wind to where my loved one is
Touch him and come touch me soon
I'll feel his gentle touch through you and meet his beauty in the moon
These things are much for the one who loves
One can live by them alone that he and I breathe the same air
and that the Earth we tread is one…
~~Ramayana Quotes~~
Enjoy Your Day Light...
Olas Navigator Surf Charters has been operating with the Irish Mist Surf Charter Boat in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia for the last 11 seasons. With an experienced Captain who has knowledge of taking you to the well known waves of the Mentawai Islands and further North of Sumatra to Telos and Nias, dedicated surfer himself, speaking fluent English, Indonesian, Spanish and Portuguese your surfcharter holiday is certain to become an unforgettable experience.
RATES:
11 days - $2050 - sleeps 6
IRISH MIST SPECIFICATIONS
Irish Mist is a steel Cruising Ketch built to ocean going design and the interior is well maintained and well preserved with teak finishing.
Design by John Pugh
Length Overall (L.O.A): 15.40 Meters (50 Feet)
Style: Australian Made Steel Motorsailer
Construction: Hull, Keel, Deck, Cabin – STEEL
Marine Engine: Mitsubishi 120HP
Genset: Isuzu 10KW
* Speed Boat Specifications: Wake 200HP engine (Sea Ray)
Make of Hull: Fibreglass
Year Built: 1996
Place Built: Malaysia
Length of Craft: 5.5m
Width of Craft: 1.9m
Depth of Craft: 0.9m
Gross Tonnage: 2.6
Engine: Yamaha 200 Hp
* Auto Pilot
* Radar – 24 Mile Range
* GPS Plotter
* Depth Sounder
* Radios – HF/SSB,VHF Radios
* Weather / Fax
* Life Jackets / Life rings with MOB lights
* Generator
* EPIRB
* First Aid Kits
FEATURES
* Satellite Phone
* 2 x Air Conditioning
* Plasma TV
* Video CD Player/DVD Player
* 2 Fridge /1 Freezer
* Drinking cold water dispenser
* Modena 4 burner Stove with Oven
* Shower and Toilet
* Snorkeling Gear
* Fishing Gear (Penn, Shimano Abu Garcia Reels and Rods)
* Top range fishing lures
* Back Cabin 6 single bunks
* Galley 1 Double Bed
* Deck Table
SERVICES
The Food
The menu is their proud, and is based on Indonesian ,Western and of course South American food, always taking priority of the fresh caugh of the day.
Photo Editing
Every guest has been overwhelmed with the amount of photos they receive on a CD-ROM that is taken on charter. Included are your personal surfing photos, just waves, islands, people, sunsets, fishing and general, all supplied to you at the end of your trip on the Mentawais. This at an additional cost of $200.00 US, well appreciated by all guests.
Weather and Wave Reports
A routine by The Captain is reporting swell, high and low pressure and most importantly wave height, on top of his already acquired knowledge of the journey to different breaks throughout the Mentawais.
Snorkeling
The gear aboard “The Irish Mist” is for you to take advantage of to take a dive over at anytime. Snorkelling is a must as every break has a reef !
Fishing
aboard “The Irish Mist” you have top of the range of Rods and Reels with other Fishing tackle including lines, lures etc. Every trip you will hear the fish run with the line as they trawl between surf spots, and you can pull in a great catch of Spanish Mackerel, Mahi Mahi or Tuna, fishes that are part of the menu.
Personal Service
You will be assisted by The Captain (Jorge), an experienced Skipper and three Indonesian crew attending to you at all time needed.
SCHEDULE
24/04/08 - 06/05/08
19/06/08 - 01/07/08
03/07/08 - 15/07/08
17/07/08 - 29/07/08
31/07/08 - 12/08/08
28/08/08 - 09/09/08
11/09/08 - 23/09/08
25/09/08 - 07/10/08
09/10/08 - 21/10/08
23/10/08 - 04/11/08
06/11/08 - 18/11/08
20/11/08 - 02/12/08
RATES:
$2,050.00 per person
for 11 days 12 nights through the Mentawai Islands.
Includes pick up and return from Padang airport and all meals soft drinks.
In case of delay due to weather or any other, they do offer a complimentary night at the Bumiminang Hotel in Padang. (4-star hotel).
New Mentawi Tax of ^3 per person per day not inclusive ( payable on arrival )
$2,050.00 per person
for 11 days 12 nights through the Mentawai Islands.
Includes pick up and return from Padang airport and all meals soft drinks.
In case of delay due to weather or any other, they do offer a complimentary night at the Bumiminang Hotel in Padang. (4-star hotel).
New Mentawi Tax of ^3 per person per day not inclusive ( payable on arrival )
Contact Olas Navigator to customize your charter, which allows you to choose your length of time and surf trip between Mentawai Islands and North Sumatra, Hinako Islands, (Asu , Bawa and Nias). They shall offer you advice and experience to plan the most exciting and adventurous trip to the Mentawai Islands and they can tailor the trip according to your likes, favourite surf spots plus daily food menu and most importantly make it fit into your finances.
El Savador, Dream For Surfers
The Sunzal Surf Company is based in Playa El Tunco, an oceanfront village in El Salvador five miles west of La Libertad and home to four great surf breaks.
They are all about making surfing in El Salvador a great experience for all visitors, no matter if you want to book an all-inclusive surftrip or only need assistance for booking beachfront accommodation. Sunzal can assist everyone and wants you to enjoy the local culture, food, and ocean experience that El Salvador’s coastline has to offer.
RATE:
Hotel Accommodation from $ 50/night for a double basic room.
Quote on request for an All-inclusive Custom El Salvador Surf Trip
The Sunzal Surf Company features the following SERVICES for surf travelers:
• Multi-Country Surf Expeditions highlighting the best of Central America
• All-Inclusive custom surf trips in El Salvador
• Free Reservations for El Salvador Hotels
• Surf Photography
• Surf Lessons with expert instructors
• Board Rentals
• An Internet cafe with AC, surf movies, and music
• Travel Information and Advice
• Daily Surf Reports and Local Weather Information
For those already in El Salvador you can book any of the services at the Sunzal Surf Shop/Internet Cafe in Playa El Tunco, across the street from Restaurante Erika’s.
SURFSPOTS EL SALVADOR
When we describe the waves of El Salvador, we break them down into two areas: La Libertad area or the West Coast, and The Wild East. It’s important to remember that El Salvador faces pretty much due south, unlike the rest of Mexico and Central America that faces more westerly.
THE WEST COAST is a mountainous coastline that has amazing point breaks conglomerated in about a 30-mile stretch. The port of La Libertad is about 30 minutes south of the capital city of San Salvador. From La Libertad to the Mizata (the last point on the west coast) there are nine of the best points in Central America, including many beach breaks that can be epic in the right conditions.
Punta Roca offers what is arguably the best surf in Central America, definitely the best right. Its long and hollow (300 yards on a set wave) and booties are recommended for people with sensitive feet. There’s a high level of local talent, so respect the locals and you’ll receive the same respect.
Conchalio is one of El Salvador’s best beach breaks, close to Punta Roca and a definite option for small days. Very hollow and fast when working, usually worth a check in smaller season.
La Paz is the point just inside of Punta Roca. It’s a long slow crumbling wave for beginners but sometimes it can line up for a really nice wave.
La Bocana is one of El Salvador’s few left breaks. It’s a powerful right and left breaking river-mouth for advanced surfers. Very heavy local scene on weekends, best to only surf this during the week for gringos.
La Bocanita is a powerful, intense beach-break for advanced surfers. Expect to see an awesome local grommet scene here. There’s a friendly line-up but be ready for heavy waves and strange currents, usually works in the afternoons.
Sunzal is a very long right point break (300 yards), with a fast take off with perfect carving walls, rare barrels but perfect for all surfers. When this wave is on, it offers some of the best surf in El Salvador. Expect to find great learning waves from November through February.
El Sunzalito is a fast beach break for intermediate to advanced surfers. It usually works in smaller surf conditions and is a good option for the afternoon.
El Zonte is a right hand point with some fast sections. It’s suitable for all surfers. The town is very nice and quiet, with good restaurants and many talented artisans. For an El Salvador surf trip, visiting El Zonte is a must.
El Cocal consists of three right hand points. It’s not as consistent as other surf spots in El Salvador but it’s epic when its on. Crowds are very small, up to only five person line-ups.
K59 is a powerful right hand point over sand and rock bottom. There are very small crowds and usually only on weekends. You will probably have it to yourself during the week.
K61 is a fickle right point that becomes insane when its on. It’s only for advanced surfers. No one else will be surfing here. Be careful because it is very shallow and it’s probably best to make the long paddle from K59 because the rocks are loaded with sea urchins.
Mizata is a right point. This is the most isolated place to surf in El Salvador because it is the farest away from San Salvador.
THE WILD EAST area sees much less traffic than the La Libertad area and offers powerful right hand point breaks ideal for solid intermediate to expert surfers. There are basically no shops or restaurants here except in the hotels so be sure and bring a book and your guitar.
Average wave heights are 5 to 10 feet from March to November. Epic swells reach up to 15 feet. The average crowd per point is 10 to 15 surfers.
Las Flores is a very consistent right point break that works best at low- to mid-tide. There’s a sand and rock bottom that breaks mechanically and has been compared to El Capitan in California with long rides and a hollow outside section.
Punto Mango is a powerful, hollow right point breaking over cobblestone. There is an extremely hollow take-off with a serious barrel at size. Punto Mango is accessible only by boat; there are many crews lined-up on the beach that will take your group.
The all-inclusive El Salvador surf trip includes the boat transport so you can surf both Las Flores and Punta Mango each day.
La Vaca is a right point break with an inside reef exposed at low tide. It offers good unsurfed waves.
There are many other secret and remote spots and miles of beach breaks.
You’ll be watching El Toro peel from Las Flores and wondering why nobody is surfing out there, and probably at some point in your session it will be too much to handle and you will start the paddle, the long paddle.. and it will be worth it.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION RESERVATIONS
Every surfer has a different idea of what “Surf Trip” means. For those people who want to find their own path and guide themselves, Sunzal Surf Co. offers free hotel reservations and travel advice.
Sunzal Surf Co. can simplify your decisions by providing unbiased, free travel information and booking services for all destinations in El Salvador. They selected the best beachfront hotels for surfers…
Casa De Mar Oceanfront Hotel and Villas
The Casa de Mar Oceanfront Hotel and Villas on the point at Sunzal is one of the most elite hotels in El Salvador. While the prices are higher, many visitors consider the service, location, and charm of the hotel to be well worth the extra expense. The hotel consists of a series of terraced oceanfront cabanas. You can’t be any closer to the point at Sunzal, just wake up and start paddling.
The food at Casa de Mar is provided by the famous restaurant Café Sunzal. You’ll enjoy fresh and exquisitely prepared seafood dishes and a delicious international menu, all in an incomparable beach front setting.
They offer you different types of rooms:
- Single Room: One queen-size bed, private bathroom with hot water, AC, TV and DVD, living room.
- Double Room: Two queen-size beds, private bathroom with hot water, AC, TV and DVD, living room.
- Double Room with Jacuzzi: Two queen-size beds, private bathroom with hot water, Jacuzzi, AC, TV and DVD, living room.
RATES
Double Room: $140 per night
Single Room: $110 per night
Hotel Roca Sunzal
Hotel Roca Sunzal in Playa El Tunco has oceanfront views of four surf breaks: La Bocana, La Bocanita, El Sunzal, and Sunzalito. The Roca Sunzal offers intimacy, peace and tranquility. The comfortable spaces invite one to relax in the beach front terrace, poolside, or on the each room’s private deck facing the ocean.
All rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms, and the rates are very reasonable. You’ll feel like you’re in heaven as you watch the waves while eating breakfast at the restaurant/bar.
Choose your room:
- Basic Room: One queen-size beds, AC, and TV. Maximum occupancy: 2 persons.
- Double Room: Two queen beds, balcony, Maximum occupancy: 4 persons
- Oceanfront Suite: One or Two king size bed(s), refrigerator, satellite TV, balcony overlooking the ocean.
- Penthouse Suite: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, living and dining room, satellite TV, stereo surround sound, HUGE balcony and ocean view.
RATES
Basic Room:
$50 per night on weeknights
$60 per night on weekendsDouble Room:
$60 per night on weeknights
$70 per night on weekendsOceanfront Suite (one king bed)
$80 per night on weeknights
$90 per night on weekendsOceanfront Suite (two queen beds)
$100 per night on weeknights
$120 per night on weekendsPenthouse Suite ( 2 beds, 2 baths, selfcatering )
$120 per night on weeknights
$140 per night on weekends
Hotel Tekuanikal
Tekuanikal is a small, quaint hotel with an environmentally friendly concept located in Playa El Tunco with oceanfront view of La Bocana and Sunzal. Here you will experience a relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings and amazing waves.
Six rooms are available with all the necessary amenities - private bathroom, private oceanview balcony, AC, direct TV - to make you feel comfortable and relaxed.
There is also a fantastic restaurant and spectacular infinity pool. Maximum occupancy per room is four persons.
RATES
Depending of the number of guests in the room.
1 person: $60 per night
2 persons: $70 per night
3 persons: $80 per night
4 persons: $90 per night
Hotel Mira Flores
Hotel Mira Flores is located on a cliff at Punta Las Flores, just a short boat ride away from Punta Mango. It’s famous for the amazing views.
Mira Flores has four rooms;
- one with private bathroom and capacity for three adults.
- The other three rooms have a shared bathroom and accommodate two adults each.
All rooms have queen-size beds, cable TV, and air conditioning.
The Hotel Mira Flores offers a swimming pool, sundeck, restaurant/bar services, relaxing area with hammocks, showers and DVD rentals
RATES
1 person: $75 per night
2 persons: $90 per night
Room with three queen beds: $100 per night
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