La Azotea
May 16, 2020
Guatemala
Located a short drive from Antigua, La Azotea is a multi-faceted cultural centre located within a sprawling coffee estate.
Blog
Welcome to our Features
Plazas of Old Havana
May 14, 2020
Cuba
Pretty much all our clients will include Havana on their Cuba holiday which means time spent exploring the atmospheric streets and plazas of Old Havana.
Puuc Hills
May 13, 2020
Mexico
Located an hour’s drive south of the city of Merida in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the Puuc Hills are home to a cluster of atmospheric, Mayan ruins.
Havana Travel Guide
May 11, 2020
Cuba
The complete Havana Travel Guide including when to travel, how long to stay, where to stay, what to see and do and where to eat, drink and party.
Ixpanpajul Natural Park
May 10, 2020
Guatemala
Ixpanpajul Natural Park is less than 30 minutes’ drive from Flores and is probably best described as an eco-adventure park.
San Ildefonso Cathedral
May 07, 2020
Mexico
Completed in 1598 after a near forty year build, San Ildefonso in Merida is one of the oldest cathedrals anywhere in Latin America.
Cuba Visa
May 05, 2020
Cuba
A guide to Cuba visa requirements including who needs one, who doesn’t and how you go about getting one.
Laguna Petexbatun
May 03, 2020
Guatemala
A brief guide to visiting Laguna Petexbatun in Guatemala – where it is, why you should visit, how to get there and where to stay.
Legendarios del Guajirito
Apr 30, 2020
Cuba
Legendarios del Guajirito is a music and dance cabaret-style show that is performed every night in the heart of Old Havana.
Rio Lagartos
Apr 20, 2020
Mexico
On the quiet shores of the Yucatan Peninsula’s north coast, Rio Lagartos is a small fishing village and jumping off point for Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Lagartos, a UNESCO Biosphere since 2004.
Palacio de Valle
Apr 12, 2020
Cuba
The Palacio de Valle is a whimsical, mainly Moorish-inspired building located in the coastal city of Cienfuegos on Cuba’s south coast.
La Plata – Castro’s Secret Hideaway
Apr 02, 2020
Cuba
La Plata is the abbreviated name given to the headquarters of Fidel Castro and his small band of fellow comrades at the start of the Cuban Revolution.
Coronavirus Update
Mar 19, 2020
General
With the situation constantly changing, it has been extraordinarily difficult of late to keep pace with the various implications for travel brought about by the Coronavirus.
Totopos & Salsa
Mar 05, 2020
Mexico
Whenever I’m asked what my first memories of the Yucatan Peninsula are, the answer usually comes as something of a surprise – Totopos & salsa.
Havana’s Calle Obispo
Feb 27, 2020
Cuba
Spend any time in Old Havana and it’s almost inevitable that you’ll find yourself walking along Calle Obispo, the city’s busiest street.
Maximon – Guatemala’s Folk Saint
Feb 19, 2020
Guatemala
Defining Maximon is no easy feat although the most suitable description of him is probably as a folk saint.
New Joint Venture Flights To Havana?
Feb 04, 2020
Cuba
Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM & Delta have just launched a new North Atlantic Joint Venture. Will flights to Havana follow?
Temazcal – Hot in the Yucatan
Jan 28, 2020
Mexico
A Temazcal is just one Anglicised version of the name given to a sweat-lodge by the indigenous, pre-Hispanic natives of Mesoamerica.
Sian Ka’an
Jan 20, 2020
Mexico
Located on the Yucatan Peninsula’s east coast, Sian Ka’an is a protected biosphere made up of tropical forests, marsh and mangrove as well as a large marine section.
Havana Flights Switch To Heathrow
Jan 14, 2020
Cuba
With effect from 9th June, Virgin Atlantic’s twice-weekly service from London to Havana will switch from London Gatwick to London Heathrow.
What Is ABTOT?
Jan 09, 2020
General
Most prospective travellers in the UK have heard of ATOL & ABTA. We are also a member of ABTOT which provides protection for your non-flight holidays.
Cuba Two Centre Holidays
Jan 07, 2020
Cuba
Cuba two centre holidays are perhaps the most popular option for visiting the Caribbean’s largest and most varied island and Beyond The Ordinary offer thousands of options.
Hiptipico
Jan 03, 2020
Guatemala
Hiptipico, which describes itself as an ethical fashion brand, is based in the town of Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan.
Cuba Homestay Holidays
Dec 24, 2019
Cuba
Experiencing a traditional Cuba homestay is now one of the biggest selling points of a holiday to the Caribbean’s largest island and something that Beyond The Ordinary highly recommend.
British Airways Cancun Flights
Dec 20, 2019
Mexico
For anyone wishing to explore Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, British Airways Cancun service is the only direct, scheduled option from the UK.
Destinations Show London – Cuba Holidays
Dec 17, 2019
Cuba
The Destinations Show is returning to London Olympia from Thursday 30th January to Sunday 2nd February and Beyond The Ordinary will be there.
Car And Driver In Guatemala
Dec 11, 2019
Guatemala
Being very much a touring destination, the first decision visitors must face is how exactly they plan to get around this fascinating country. Having a car and driver in Guatemala is by no means the only option but, in our opinion, it is by far the best.
Cuba Walking Holidays
Dec 04, 2019
Cuba
Although we don’t offer any specific tours or set itineraries, options for Cuba walking holidays abound and we are able to pre-book a number of private, guided walks in various destinations.
Edzna – House of the Itzas
Dec 02, 2019
Mexico
Located around 45 minutes’ drive south-east of Campeche city, the Mayan ruins at Edzna are notable for their mixture of architectural styles, a result of its location relative to other, more powerful Mayan cities, namely Calakmul, Uxmal & Palenque.
New Trinidad Hotels
Nov 20, 2019
Cuba
As one of Cuba’s key tourist destinations, one would assume that Trinidad has a great selection of hotels to choose between. Up until now, sadly not.
Solola Market, Lake Atitlan
Nov 19, 2019
Guatemala
Taking place every Tuesday & Friday morning, Solola Market is often referred to as being one of the most ‘authentic’ markets in Guatemala.
Combining Mexico City & The Yucatan Peninsula
Nov 14, 2019
Mexico
Combining Mexico City & the Yucatan Peninsula couldn’t be easier and offers an insight into two very different parts of this vast and fascinating country.
Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski
Nov 11, 2019
Cuba
Set to open in early 2020, the Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski is set to be the most luxurious beach hotel in Cuba.
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
Nov 06, 2019
Cuba
Located just to the north of the town of Baracoa, almost at the eastern tip of the island, the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park is home to one of the most important eco-systems in the Americas.
Two Weeks In Guatemala
Oct 29, 2019
Guatemala
On the basis that this is a fairly typical holiday duration, this is our guide to what to do and where to visit with two weeks in Guatemala.
Merida’s Paseo de Montejo
Oct 25, 2019
Mexico
Named after the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Montejo, who founded Merida in 1542, the Paseo de Montejo is one of the grandest, most attractive avenues to be found anywhere in Mexico.
Havana Recommendations – Our Top 10
Oct 17, 2019
Cuba
Trying to decide on our top 10 recommendations for things to see and do in Havana has been no easy feat but here we go……
The Quetzal – Guatemala’s National Bird
Oct 15, 2019
Guatemala
The Quetzal is part of the Trogon family and is the national bird of Guatemala. It is found both on the country’s flag and coat of arms as well as lending its name to the national currency.
Hacienda Sotuta de Peon
Oct 03, 2019
Mexico
At the height of the boom in henequen production, known as the ‘Green Gold’, it is said that the Yucatan Peninsula was home to well over 300 haciendas, including Hacienda Sotuta de Peon.
Gran Hotel Bristol by Kempinski
Sep 27, 2019
Cuba
The Gran Hotel Bristol By Kempinski will be the luxury hotelier’s second hotel in Havana and third overall in the country.
Financial Protection
You’re in safe hands
When making your travel arrangements, we understand just how important peace-of-mind is. Beyond The Ordinary hold both ATOL & ABTOT bonds so whether you book your flights through us, or independently, any money you pay us is 100% protected. More detailed information on Financial Protection can be found by clicking here.
Make your next holiday Beyond The Ordinary
Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
Plan my Extraordinary