News
Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala & Venezuela
New excursion: Day of the Dead in the villages of Oaxaca's Central Valley
By Condor Verde Mexico • 7 April 2025
We will immerse ourselves in the vibrant Day of the Dead traditions and festivities of Oaxaca's Central Valley, taking place from October 30 to November 2. According to popular belief, the dead have divine permission to visit friends and relatives on earth once a year, on November 2. This is not a day of sadness but one of joy.
We will drive 40km south to the village of Ocotlan de Morelos, where we will learn to prepare pan de muerto (bread of the dead). While it bakes, we will explore the village’s main square and church, beautifully decorated for the occasion, as well as the lively local market, where families gather supplies to adorn their loved ones’ graves in preparation for welcoming their souls. Back at the bakery, we will enjoy our freshly baked pan de muerto with a cup of hot chocolate.
We continue to the village of San Martin Tilcajete, where we will visit a workshop of alebrijes – dreamlike creatures carved from wood and painted with intricate Zapotec designs. Throughout the village, colourful Day of the Dead altars adorned with offerings for the departed can be seen.
We will then enjoy a delicious Mexican dinner before visiting the s breathtaking fields of cempasuchil – the vibrant orange-yellow marigolds grown exclusively for the Day of the Dead. Afterward, we return to Oaxaca. Duration: 7 hours.
Tripadvisor names world's best beaches in Travelers' Choice Awards
By Condor Verde Costa Rica • 7 April 2025
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Tripadvisor is honoring the top beaches of the last 25 years based on all-time reviews:
1. Balos Lagoon – Crete, Greece
2. Eagle Beach – Oranjestad, Aruba
3. Waikiki Beach – Oahu, Hawaii
4. Ipanema Beach – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
5. Isla Pasion – Cozumel, Mexico
6. Playa Manuel Antonio – Quepos, Costa Rica
7. Spiaggia La Cinta – Sardinia, Italy
8. Banana Beach – Phuket, Thailand
9. Praia da Falésia – Algarve, Portugal
10. Manly Beach – New South Wales, Australia
Playa Manuel Antonio is located within Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. It is known for its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and pristine white sands. A wonderful, tailormade Costa Rica itinerary could include: Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and Osa Peninsula.
New UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Barriletes gigantes
By Condor Verde Guatemala • 7 April 2025
The "Technique of making the giant kites of Santiago Sacatepequez and Sumpango, Guatemala" was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. With gigantic, colorful kites, the towns of Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepequez - located 30 minutes from Antigua - celebrate All Saints Day on November 1st. The kites are hand-made from paper and cloth with bamboo frames by the villagers, and painted with flowers, animals, and geometric patterns. It is believed that the higher the kites fly, the better their messages will reach the dead. We can include this festivity in a tailormade Guatemala itinerary.
New excursion: Hacienda Santa Teresa rum estate
By Condor Verde Venezuela • 7 April 2025
Founded in 1796, Hacienda Santa Teresa is a historic rum estate located in El Consejo, about an hour west of Caracas. It is famous for producing Santa Teresa Rum, one of Venezuela’s most well-known and internationally recognized rums.
During our visit, we will tour the distillery, gain insight into the rum-making process, explore the beautiful estate, and enjoy a tasting of various rum varieties.
Hacienda Santa Teresa is also known for its social reintegration program, which rehabilitates at-risk youth by integrating them into work opportunities and rugby teams.