u/Right_Focus1456

As the heading mentions, wondering if there are any recommended companies on compact SUV's or rental cars that can handle some minor rough roads (going around Apeneca), but at a budget price. We are there Nov 8-18, and finding prices around $300CAD. Enterprise seems to have the best reviews, Fox the worse.

Any near the airport that may be more local while still trustworthy? Or just go with one of the big brands?

Thanks!

Hello all!

My buddy and I are heading to El Salvador this November for 10 days.

Our rough itinerary is:

• 2 nights Santa Ana — volcano hike en route to Juayúa
• 3 nights Juayúa — hikes, waterfalls, nearby towns, birding
• 2 nights ??? — this is where we need advice
• 3 nights La Libertad — waterfalls, one day of surfing, relaxing in the nearby surf towns

For the unknown 2-night stop, we're looking for somewhere with a jungle/green atmosphere, expansive views, good birding, hiking, and ideally a small, quaint community/café vibe. We'd rather avoid somewhere that feels too developed or resort-like.

We were considering somewhere north of Apaneca (we see there are great "view" options), but we're open to other ideas. Ideally, it should also make sense logistically between Juayúa and the coast without adding hours of driving.

Thanks for any tips provided.

Hello all,

My partner and I (very active, well travelled, 40's couple living in the Canadian Rockies) are hoping to visit this April. We hope start with 2 nights in Taipei, 3 nights in the mountains to focus on a few epic hikes (bigger the better), and a few days on the east coast. Bonus points if we can dabble in the odd river or hot springs, and relax on the coast with potential snorkelling/swimming.

Early in planning stages, but we were thinking:

• Arrive and explore Taipei for 2 nights.
• Train to Hualien, rent car, find a quaint community for a home base for 3 nights. Maybe Cingjing or Dayuling, or Tianxiang?
• Hike Qilai Main Peak…big day!
• Second hike day, shorter, but still an epic one, probably permit needed again. 
• Next day, head to east coast, stay 2 nights (maybe 3) in community not too far south, looking for dramatic mountain views, walkable beaches, maybe just south of Hualien? Maybe Shitiping?

Anyways, hope I'm on the right track. Thanks!

Calgary Canada (my home) will be getting their very first Middle East airline. Flights start October, with daily direct flights to Abu Dhabi.

We hope to fly to Oman in a year. Flights look to be advertised at a consistent rate of $1750-1850 CAD.

My question is…do these new route flights increase in price once in operation, remain similar, or become discounted? Is it all based on demand? Not sure when to buy flights, not sure if we can hope for better prices, or if we should be jumping at these current prices. I've heard Etihad had some good Black Friday sales in the past?

Thanks!

UPDATE ON UPDATE: did McGillivray today, 4hrs, did some of the climber sections on the way up. I was off trail at least 20 times, dang that side hill scree bowl was brutal! Overall, good hike, but the scree coming down took a lot out of me.

UPDATE: Ok, So far, Mount McGillivray has jumped to the top of my list! A rare one I have yet to do!.

With the snow pack, I'm running out of interesting ideas for hikes, ideally ones I have yet to do.

As a background, I'm a 47 year old peak bagger, I've summited over 150+ peaks here in the Rockies, tech ability can be anything right up to a climbers scramble, always solo, and I usually spring train ever year on the following peaks (done each at least 20+ times):

- Grotto, Prairie, EEOR, Lady Mac, Yamnuska, Moose, Wasootch

I like them because thy are close, proper elevation, can be ran in sections. I used to do the triple crown, and attempted the quad, but those days are long gone haha.

Question: Anyone have any sleepers I might be missing close to Calgary that is snow free tomorrow? I did Tiara a few weeks ago that I consider a sleeper, what an excellent loop. I'll probably do the Grotto loop again tomorrow, but looking for something that has maybe gone under the radar?

Just wondering if I've missed anything?

Thanks all!

Hello all,

We are in the VERY early stages planning a trip with points from Canada through Doha to South Africa in a little over a year from now. The layover seems to be just over 15hrs on almost all flight options.

Question: For their layover program, specifically the cheaper package option (14$US pp), would anyone recommend a solid hotel offered that is close to most of the attractions…close to the Doha Corniche? We hope to have a short nap, clean up, walk the town for 3-4 hrs, relax, etc, before optimizing the airport lounge.

Thanks!

UPDATE: Thanks, question solved. I see the saver seats roughly around 355 days from today.

I'm based out of Calgary, but will get myself to one of the Qatar fly out points (Dallas, New York, Toronto), and make my way to Muscat (via Doha). Ideally we plan to fly to Muscat next year around April/May, and Cape Town October/November. Plan is to use Avios points.

So far, all Q-suite searches in all months, default to 150,000 points one way. I was told 70,000 point saver seats are possible here and there. How rare are these? Heck, I'd even jump on the 90,000 point seats that seem to also be a thing?

I'm new with Qatar…any trick to finding these seats for next year? I would love to experience the Q-quite. We used Avios last year on Cathay business and loved it!

Thanks!

I'm based out of Calgary, but will get myself to one of the Qatar fly out points (Dallas, New York, Toronto), and make my way to Muscat (via Doha). Ideally we plan to fly to Muscat next year around April/May, and Cape Town October/November. Plan is to use Avios points.

So far, all Q-suite searches in all months, default to 150,000 points one way. I was told 70,000 point saver seats are possible here and there. How rare are these? Heck, I'd even jump on the 90,000 point seats that seem to also be a thing?

I'm new with Qatar…any trick to finding these seats for next year? I would love to experience the Q-quite. We used Avios last year on Cathay business and loved it!

Thanks!

We are joining a wedding in February. The resort chosen has average reviews, and a 7 day package is an eye watering $3400 CAD per person (for a basic room and flights from Calgary).

We are going to stay right beside the resort in an Airbnb, a nice large 2 room condo (with pool) for $1300 and do 2-3 day passes to the resort for $120US/day, $150US including evening.

Question: Anyone have experience using day passes? Would they ever do multi-day discounts? How do they ensure you leave on time? Emailing the resort has been a grind! Any tips staying near these massive resorts?

Thanks!

Hey all,

So my buddy and I are coming November 8-18. Our plan is to focus on wildlife, birding, hiking (we are very active), a day surfing, chill vibes, chill coffee cafes, waterfalls. We are struggling to fill in 2 nights somewhere. Looking for advice on what others think? We are 2 dudes in our early 40s (leaving the wife's lol), moderate budget, with a car. We also want to avoid tours, groups, and crowds.

• NOV 8-10: Arrive late, straight to Santa Ana - hike volcano, explore
• NOV 10-13: Juayua - Waterfalls, coffee, wildlife (birds)
• NOV 13-15: ??
• NOV 15-18: El Sunzal - rustic beach bungalow (BOOKED), 1 day surf, waterfalls, chill, early morning flight on the 18th.

Thoughts? ChatGPT recommended El Imposible Area? Other travellers say Ataco, but isn't that just right beside Juayua??

Thanks for any help!

I've traveled extensively around the world the past 30+ years (I dont even bother counting countries), and find myself now looking to travel somewhere new and "out there" for 2 weeks, during their shoulder season, focusing on beaches and epic hikes. Ideally, want to get away from the trending tourist crowds. Also, Albania was considered, but will pass this go around.

Key wants...

• beaches to relax and even stay on, snorkelling would be a nice bonus
• hiking, 10-20km long, ideally with significant elevation gains, expansive views

2nd tier wants...

• culture shock
• moderate budget that gets a lot of bang for value (as a Canadian, that Euro and US conversion has beaten me down)
• exploring the regions food scene
• Bonus: wildlife

Oman was recommended. Etihad has some decent flights leaving my city now for there (Calgary Canada). Turkey also recommended. Even Reunion was mentioned as a wild card.
Thoughts? Thanks!

As title suggests, my buddy and I are coming to El Salvador early November. after travelling through the interior, we hope to spend 3 nights on the beach. We are a couple of 45 year old dudes done with the hostel scene, coming for some hiking, nature, birding, etc. We just want to chill on a patio, enjoy some beers, maybe 1 day of surf, lots of coffee, simple. We want to be right on the beach, at minimum see and hear it.

Location? Any of the communities, El Zonte, el Sunzal, El Tunco, any of them. We will have a car.

problem: Dang prices are a bit eye watering. Does anyone have any recommendations somewhere for UNDER $200/night with the above wants? We currently found a hilltop unit with views for $120/night, but we want to be closer to the water, and it’s a bit small.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks!

Hello all,

I have a few extra flight points and think flying from Calgary through Dallas to El Salvador Nov 1–10 would be a good idea. I’ve been to Costa Rica 3x, but don't like what its become, and dang, it's pricy... hoping El Salvador gives me a similar mix of nature/adventure at a much lower cost. I travelled Nicaragua 8 years ago and really enjoyed it.

I’m a very active well travelled 47 year old. This trip would mainly focus on adventurous hiking, nature, birds, beach vibes, etc. I’d also like to finish the trip with 3 nights near El Zonte or El Sunzal relaxing in an oceanfront/ocean-view place with amenities nearby. However… wow, the prices there seem much higher than I expected.

I’m currently debating renting a car vs relying on buses/shuttles, keeping budget in mind. Since I’m solo, accommodation costs add up quickly.

Current rough itinerary idea:

- Head straight to Santa Ana after landing, hike Santa Ana Volcano next day.

- Move to Juayúa for 2–3 nights and use it as a hiking base

- Head to El Zonte or El Sunzal for beach time, hiking, and relaxing

- Finish in San Salvador for 2 nights before my early morning flight home

Does this flow make sense? Also curious whether people think renting a car is worth it for this route, or if public transportation is straightforward enough. Any recommendations for quieter beach accommodations that aren’t surf-camp or party oriented would also be appreciated. 

Thanks!