What do you think? United States and Latin America Tour for 2.5 Months Next Year 2021!

With the current scare on travel amidst the COVID19 pandemic, it is sure that some airlines are selling tickets at a lower rate. I got my chance through Philippine Airlines last week. For only 655.06 US dollars, I got a round trip ticket from Manila, Philippines to Los Angeles, California, USA.  I got a bit impulsive though, I think, because my return flight would be after 74 days! 2months in a half. whoah.

The inclusive dates are from January 18-April 2 2021. I thought this could be ok because by that time, we may still be on a work from home set up. Maybe I can be approved for a leave on some dates that I travel, then for some dates I can work by the beach or in the hotel. Unfortunately though, a week after booking the plane ticket with so much excitement and impulsiveness, HR called me and thus advised that my job is redundiated. Yes.. redundiated. And quote: ‘Dear Mr. Nunag, This refers to the consolidation of job description in the company to make its operation cost efficient and responsive to its needs. In view thereof, the Management is constrained to terminate your employment with the company..’ 

Amidst the pandemic, I booked a ticket to follow my dreams but at the same time lost my source of income. Today is only July24. I still have 171 days to prepare to make sure that I am sustainable until the whole trip. I have liquid cash which could suffice for at least 3 months as long as I would not be an extravagant spender. Apart from that, I have hefty sum of stock market investments and dollar accounts. I cannot liquidate those though yet because that would mean a loose on my end. I bought those investment products higher than what they are currently worth now. 

As I have a lot of time today.. you know what I mean.. I just got redundiated, I am doing my plans for my United States and Latin America Tour. Or should I say, California and Latina America Tour? We’ll see. For now, the title of this blog is ‘What do you think? United States and Latin America Tour for 2.5 months next year 2021’

So, here it is. My plan for California and Latin America. Just comment if you have any suggestions etc. I would gladly appreciate it.

1.) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA- 10AM PST, Jan18 to Jan20

I will land in LAX Airport Terminal B. I don’t know what it looks like or what are the things I can find there, so maybe after this blog, I will blog about the LAX Airport. I would be probably sleepy from a 14hour plane trip so I think I should go straight to my accommodation. Any suggestions for an LA accommodation (perhaps near Union Station)? Which places should I visit? I’m thinking of visiting the USS Iowa Battleship Museum, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Mulholland Drive, Hollywood Boulevard, University of California and the LA train stations.

2.) SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA- Jan20 to Jan22

From Los Angeles Greyhound Bus Station (1716 E 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021), I am planning to take the bus for 3 hours to San Diego Greyhound Bus Station (1313 National Ave. San Diego, CA 92101). San Diego is your gateway to Mexico based on my research. Some of the things I might do while in San Diego is visit the USS Midway Museum. USS Midway is the longest serving American aircraft carrier in the 20th century. Any tips where should I stay in San Diego? What bus or train or plane I will take to cross the Mexican border?

If you are a US multiple entry visa holder, they do not require a Mexican visa to travel to Mexico for a period of entry not exceeding 180 days and for non-gainful activities. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is NOT considered a valid U.S. visa for the purpose of travelling to Mexico under the exemption of the Mexican visa. The U.S. visa must be stamped on the current passport. My reference is in this link.

3.) TIJUANA , BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO- Jan22 to Jan24

From San Diego, I can cross the border to the town of Tijuana, Baja California State, Mexico. As per research, it is best to use taxi or uber from B my Hotel accommodation. I can start my tour in Museo de Cera Tijuana then proceed to a group of museums just walking distance from each other such as Centro Cultural Tijuana, CECUT Centro Hispanoamericano, Museo de las Californias, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, and Parque Industrial Internacional Tijuana.

4.) MEXICO CITY, MEXICO- Jan24 to Jan31

Landing to Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico via Volaris airlines, Places I can visit are Frida Kahlo Museum, Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares, Parroquia San Juan Bautista, Centro de Coyoacan, Mercado de Artesanias, Mexican Wrestling Experience, National Autonomus University of Mexico, Paseo de Bucareli, Los Pinos, Castillo de Chapultepec (Museo Nacional de Historia), Paseo de la Reforma (Paseo de la Emperatriz), Embassy of the Philippines and the four UNESCO World Heritage sites- Historic Center of Mexico City, Xochimilco, Casa Luis Barragan, and Ciudad Universitaria. I think I can walk around as average temperature around that time is 23 degree Celsius.

5.) BOGOTA, COLOMBIA- Jan31- Feb3

Landing to El Dorado International Airport, Bogota, Colombia via Aeromexico, places I can visit are Museo del Oro, Botero Museum, La Candelaria, Chapinero, El Carmen Church, Plaza De Bolivar where Casa De Nariño is located, La Catedral Primida, La Puerta Falsa, Parque de los Periodistas (where Justin Bieber drunkenly painted a Canadian flag with a marijuana leaf replacing the maple leaf. He created his masterpiece on 26th street in downtown Bogotá), Museo Nacional de Colombia, and Embassy of the Philippines.

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: Viaggio Salle Bed & Breakfast

6.) RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL- Feb3 to Feb5

Landing to Galeão International Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, places I prefer to visit are Christ the Redeemer, Ipanema Beach, Copacabana Beach, Olympic Boulevard (where the largest mural in the world by Eduardo Kobra is located), Lapa Neighborhood (where street arts such as Selaron Steps are located), Historic Santa Teresa Tram.

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: ?

7.) BRASILIA, BRAZIL- Feb 5 to Feb 8

Landing to Brasilia International Airport via Varig-GOL Airlines, Brasilia, Brazil, places I prefer to visit are Palacio do Planalto (open only to the public every Sunday), Palacio da Alvorada (open only every Wednesday), Embassy of the Philippines and a third degree family member.

8.) SAO PAOLO, BRAZIL- Feb 8 to Feb 11

Landing to Sao Paolo Guarulhos International Airport via Varig-GOL Airlines, I prefer to visit Avenida Paulista where Museu de Arte Sao Paolo is located, Football Museum, Immigration Museum, Helicopter Taxi Service, Catedral de Se, and Embu das Artes. I also plan to do a yotube challenge to myself such as No Shopping Challenge in Embu das Artes, Walk in the Streets with an Expensive Camera in Sao Paolo Challenge.

9.) SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA- Feb 11 to Feb 13

Landing to Santa Cruz de la Sierra Airport via Amaszonas, places I prefer to visit PLaza 24 de Septiembre, Skydive Bolivia and Plazuela Callejas.

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: Casa Cruz Hotel, La Jara Hostel, Urban Suites Apart Hotel, Hotel Cortez

10.) SUCRE, BOLIVIA- Feb 13 to Feb15

Landing to Juana Azurduy de Padilla International Airport  via Amaszonas, places I prefer to visit Parque Cretacico, Museum of Indigenous Art and Cementerio General.

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: The Beehive Sucre, Casa Al Tronco, El Hotel De Su Merced

11.) LA PAZ, BOLIVIA- Feb 16 to Feb 19 SantCruz Bolivia to La Paz via Flota de Bolivar –

Landing in El Alto International Airport, La Paz, Bolivia, places I prefer to visit are Plaza Murillo, Palacio Quemado, lampost where Gualberto Villaroel (Bolivian Dictator) was hanged, La Paz Cable Cars, Calle Jaen, The Cholita Wrestling, Museum of Precious Metals, Museum of Musical Instruments, The House of Murillo Museum, Museum of the Coast (about the Bolivia-Chile war), The Juan de Vargas Customs Museum (traditional custom and culture), National Art Museum, Ethnography Museum, Coca Museum, Tambo Quriquincho Museum and Central Cultural Museum.

Other Places to Visit Nearby La Paz: El Alto Market

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: Adventure Brew Hostel, Wild Rover Hostel, The Cathedral, Selina , Hotel Sagarnaga, Loki Boutique, Atix Hotel, Casa Grande

12.) CUSCO, PERU- Feb 19 to Feb 22

Landing to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, Cusco, Peru via LATAM Airlines, place I only prefer to visit is the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain.

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: ?

14.) OLLANTAYMBO, PERU- Feb22 to Feb 24

You can access Ollantaymbo either through Inca Rail or Peru Rail companies. The most important place I wanted to visit in South America is here- Macchu Picchu.

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: ?

15.) CUSCO, PERU- Feb24 to Feb 25

Coming from my Macchu Picchu trip, I may just rest in my hotel to prepare for my Lima flight.

16.) LIMA, PERU- Feb 25 to March 10

Landing to Jorge Chavez International Airport, Lima, Peru, places I prefer to visit are La Merced Church, Plaza de Armas, Lima Cathedral, Government Palace , Church of San Francisco, Aliaga House, San Cristobal Hill, Cat Park, Malecon (where Parque del Amor and El Beso are situated), Paragliding in Peru, Playa Waikiki, Larcomar Mall, Huaca Pucllana, Larco Museum, Barranco, Natural History Museum and Magic Water Circuit.

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: ?

17.) QUITO, ECUADOR- March 10 to March 25

Landing to Mariscal Sucre Airport, Quito, Ecuador, places I prefer to visit are viewing site of Cotopaxi Volcano, Plaza Grande, Presidential Palace, La Compania de Jesus, San Francisco Church, Basilica de Voto Nacional, Calle de la Ronda, El Panecillo, Intiñan Museum, Mitad del Mundo Monument, and La Mariscal.

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: ?

18.) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA- March 25 to March 29

Landing to San Francisco International Airport, placess I prefer to visit are Asian Art Museum, The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Chinatown, San Francisco Cable Car, Ghirardelli Square, Walt Disney Museum.

Preferred Hotel Accommodation: ?

19.) MOUNTAINVIEW, CALIFORNIA- March 29 to March 30

Place to visit is the Googleplex!

20.) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA- March 30-31

21.) SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA- March 31 to April 1

22.) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- April 1 to April 2

TO BE CONTINUED.. PLAN IN PROGRESS.. LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS.