Grace on Pace

Tag - Panama

Our 10 Favorite Beaches In The World

Our 10 Favorite Beaches in the World

Our 10 Favorite Beaches

Our 10 Favorite Beaches in the World

Chances are, like us, you love the feel of sand between your toes, sunlight on your face, and the sound of waves crashing.  So, without further ado, here are our favorite beaches in the world…

Favorite Beaches #10. Boulders Beach – Cape Town, South Africa

This beach, with its wind sheltered bays and safe sandy shores, is home to a breeding colony of over 2000 endangered African Penguins.

Boulders Beach, South Africa

Favorite Beaches #9. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach – Hawaii Island, USA

Coconut palms fringe the upper edge of sand and you will undoubtedly encounter a large honu, or Hawaiian Green Sea turtles, basking on the beach.

Punalu'u Beach, Hawaii

Favorite Beaches #8. Afantou Beach – Rhodes, Greece

In Greek, ‘afanto’ means ‘invisible’, and in the past the city was strategically placed so that marauding pirates could not see it from the sea.  On the Eastern edge of Afantou, the beach gets its nickname “Grotta a Le Cave,” for its pebble floored hidden caves.

Grotta A le Cave Beach, Rhodes

Favorite Beaches #7. The Calamian Islands, Philippines

The Calamian group of islands is an undiscovered paradise between El Nido and Coron in the Palawan.  The isolated area hides hundreds of white sand beaches with crystal clear water water, thick wild jungle, and coral reefs teeming with life.

The Calamian Islands, Philippines

Favorite Beaches #6. Playa del Amor (Lovers Beach) – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Located right near the famous arched rock formation, Lover’s Beach is one of Cabo’s most famous beaches. Bring a pair of sneaks and hike West through the jagged rocks and you will be rewarded with endless coastline all to yourself.

Lovers Beach, Cabo San Lucas
Favorite Beaches #5.  Mosquito Beach – Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

With its flashy, blonde beaches framed in limestone cliffs and thick jungles, Phi-Phi is the best of the Andaman coast.  In the evening, Beach cabanas turn night clubs, where you can dance between them in the shallow waters til’ sunrise.

Mosquito Beach, Thailand

Favorite Beaches #4. West Bay Beach – Roatan, Honduras

Combining nice powdery white sand, crystal clear warm water, and a very accessible reef, West Bay offers the chance to relax in between spectacular snorkeling among schools of fish, sea turtles, etc.

West Bay Beach, Roatan

Favorite Beaches #3. Fragos (Simos) BeachElafonisos, Greece

A very popular beach with Greeks, its “party”-like atmosphere is perfect for those who like to go to the beach to socialize, but if you prefer more peace and quiet, don’t despair, the more secluded Sarakiniko beach is around the corner.

Simos Beach - Elafonisos, Greece

Favorite Beaches #2. Papakolea (Green Sand) Beach – Hawaii Island, USA

Green sand beaches are very rare, with only four  in the world.  It is a beautiful sight.

Green Sand Beach

Favorite Beaches #1. Red Frog Beach – Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Red Frog Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches readily accessible from mainland Central America and truly a jewel of the Caribbean.  Take a boat to Red Frog, but hike North along the coastline through the jungle to find deserted beaches.  Consider hiking west through the jungle and stay a night on Bastimentos Island away from the hustle of Bocas Town.

Red Frog Beach


Backpack Honeymoon

Itinerary

Volcanoes, Zip Lines, Colonial Character, and Bare Feet

Two Weeks (December 28th – January 12th, 2008)


Backpack Honeymoon

Beginning with an international multi-destination flight from JFK to San Jose, we hit the ground running and took a bus to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for the evening. In the morning, we bused south into Panama and boated out to the Caribbean archipelago of Bocas del Toro for snorkeling, island-hopping, soft sand beaches, and turquoise waters. Reluctant to leave paradise, we shuttled back to San Jose for the New Year’s celebration. Next, we headed north to Volcan Arenal to watch its lava splash while soaking in its hot springs.

A bus-boat-bus journey brought us to Monteverde, where we explored the highlands via zip line. Next we hit the Pacific coast at Sámara’s brown beach. Bronzed, we continued north to test the surf at kicked-back San Juan del Sur, where we plotted our next adventure on Isla de Ometepe, a volcano island where a moto and short hike can take you to the clouds. We followed up with a trip to colonial Granada and tour of capital Managua. Our journey was finished with a direct bus North to San Salvador for our flight back to JFK.

Capture 1

Budget = $1,150 / Person (Traveling with Two People)
Flight - JFK to San Jose & San Salvador to JFK$1,150
Moto, Bus, Boat - Rental, Fuel, etc$1,150
Lodging - Hostels, Hotels$1,150
Food$1,150
Activities - Zip line, Museums, Tour Guide for Hiking, etc.$1,150