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Have you been here? Tell us about it below!End your day in Old San Juan with a pre-dinner stroll along the water, alongside the Old City Walls. It’s that time of day when everything seems to slow down, even the waters of the Caribbean Sea begin to ease into a glassy stillness - perfectly reflecting the midnight blue sky and the incandescent glow of the street lamps. Start from Paseo de la Princesa, at the Raices Fountain, and wind your way around the walls. Take in the views of the setting sun from the benches that line the walkway. Reminisce about the day and linger. There’s no need to rush into the night and tomorrow will come soon enough.

Mexico City’s answer to the Champs-Élysées, the wide, tree-and-statuary-adorned Paseo de la Reforma was first known as the Paseo de la Emperatriz, laid out as a ceremonial lane to take Their Majesties Maximilian and Carlota between the Centro’s government palaces and the imperial residence atop Chapultepec Hill. Today, it functions as one of the city’s most striking business districts, lined with skyscraper banks, offices, apartment towers, and shopping centers, and studded with old-fashioned traffic circles that add big-city excitement. Be sure to hit the roundabout that’s home to Mexico’s Monument of Independence—a beautifully carved column crowned by a gilt, winged Victory that has come to symbolize the city. Great for strolls day or night, Reforma is especially appealing on Sundays when the boulevard is closed to motorized traffic in favor of cyclists, skaters, and just plain walkers.

Paseo de la Reforma–or just “Reforma” to locals–is Mexico City’s principal avenue, and its generous width means there’s ample space to maintain large-scale public artworks. Among the best-known artists who have sculptures along Reforma is Jorge Marín, who has lived in Mexico City since he was a child. Thirteen of Marín’s sculptures are among the many public artworks on Reforma; this set of pieces comprises a body of work called “The Wings of the City.” Many of the other works along Reforma have an interactive or functional component; many, for example, also serve as benches. In addition to these permanent installations, Reforma also hosts occasional temporary exhibits, often in conjunction with special events or cultural celebrations.

Located near the ferry pier, this upscale, open-air colonial mall is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. A cobblestone path leads past a number of U.S. brands and boutiques such as American Apparel and Diesel. For coffee lovers, Starbucks is located at its center.

Ambiance is the key to this Panama City restaurant’s popularity—surprising given that the restaurant’s setting is in a former dungeon. During the early days of Casco Viejo, the structure did, indeed, serve as a jail; now, the cells serve French dishes to a discerning crowd. If you’re not taken with the idea of dining in a vault, ask for an al fresco table adjacent to the lovely Plaza Francia.

I made a drive to the center of Puerto Rico to attend an Oktoberfest in Morovis. This was my first trip into the heart of the island and I was thrilled for the mountainous landscape and cooler temperatures. We first left the north coast and drove through Manati before stopping in the town of Ciales to take this photo from the Paseo Lineal building, overlooking the river and the town below. I love how the clouds snuggle into the tops of the mountains, as though our elevations rival Everest. Although the coast is where I belong, I’m excited that a journey into the mountains is only a short car ride away.

Overview

Overview

Seattle’s favorite Caribbean grill features fantastically messy grub that catapulted Paseo to number three on Yelp’s 2016 list of best places to eat in the U.S. The menu’s undisputed star: the slow-roasted pork—garnished with jalapeños, romaine lettuce, and soft-cooked onions—on a bed of pillowy bread. This gooey, drippy deliciousness soaks right through two layers of waxed paper...and no one ever minds. Not feeling the gluten? Go for a bean-and-rice bowl, tofu braised with garlic-tapenade, or a chicken breast grilled over lava rocks. The restaurant also has a Fremont location (4225 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103).

Paseo Nuevo wraps like a snake around the old town, although as far as reptile similes go, it is more of a chameleon. What appears to be a mere path changes according to the season: in summer, fairgrounds with rides and churro stands; in winter, a daredevil’s paradise, with waves that reach over 25 feet at their tallest. Starting at the (lovely to visit) aquarium, the path for both bikers, walkers and cars loops around the Oteiza sculpture ‘Construcción Vacia’, past the cemetery on the mountain: sweeping views of Santa Clara, the Cantabrian Sea, and Mount Ulia included.

One of the best ways to see Santa Marta is on the waterfront promenade, the Paseo El Camellón (also known as the Paseo de Bastidas), which runs between the city’s old port and the new marina. The palm tree–lined walk has several plazas where you can stop and take in the view, which is especially stunning at sunset. The walk is also a popular location for vendors selling crafts and sweets made from coconut and tropical fruits. Sculptures along the promenade depict the indigenous people of the region, providing a link to the area’s history.

Whether they intend to visit Mexico City to participate in the annual PRIDE festivities, or whether they happen to be in town during PRIDE Weekend, many visitors to the capital are surprised by how raucous, how well-attended, and how respectful Mexico City‘s annual LGBT parade is. The parade is a reflection of the diversity and relative safety and freedom LGBT residents of Mexico City experience. The city recently established a subsection of its tourism department specifically for LGBT travelers, and an ever-growing roster of annual festivals and events attracts a growing number of LGBT visitors. The annual gay pride parade is held each June. For specific dates, visit the website of the Secretary of Tourism.

In some Spanish-speaking ports, the seafront boulevard is called the malecón; here, it’s called Paseo de los Turistas, or the Tourists’ Walk. Designed to be pedestrian-friendly, it’s an ideal way to explore the shops and stalls near the part of the port where cruise ships dock. There are lots of restaurants and informal spots where you can have a beer or another cold drink, too, while watching people come and go.

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, host Aislyn Greene visits Albuquerque to unpack the Southwestern city’s outdoorsy roots.

This unassuming two-story plaza has become a popular Friday- and Saturday-night hangout for 20- and 30-something locals. In addition to its shops, Plaza Paseo Cobá is home to several restaurants and bars with a trendy, bohemian vibe that’s far removed from the beach area’s bump and grind. Feast on artisanal Italian at indoor-outdoor Casa Sofia, or dance to live music at the Public Place.