Fundación Educación para los Niños - 2014 Fund Raiser

GPSTravelMaps recently participated at the Education for the Children Foundation - 2014 Fund Raiser near Antigua, Guatemala.  It was incredible to see so many enthusiastic people involved in helping out this cause.  We donated the latest version of our Guatemala map (on SD format) to use with Garmin, which was one of the raffle prizes delivered to the guests.

Surrounded by Guatemala´s beautiful mountains and volcanoes, the Foundation runs a school in Jocotenango, Sacatepequez where over 550 children and young adults receive a full bilingual education, including hands-on training to learn different skills and crafts, as well as feeding, health care and career guidance.

GPSTravelMaps participó recientemente en el Evento de Beneficiencia 2014 para recolectar fondos para la Fundación Educación para los Niños, cerca de La Antigua, Guatemala.  Fue increible ver a tantas personas tan entusiastas involucradas aydando a esta causa.  Donamos la última versión del mapa de Guatemala (en formato SD) que fue uno de los premios del sorteo entregados a los invitados.

Rodeada por las bellas montañas y volcanes de Guatemala, la Fundación tiene una escuela en Jocotenango, Sacatepequez, en dónde más de 550 niños y jóvenes adultos reciben una educación bilingüe completa, incluyendo entrenamineto manual para aprender diferentes habilidades y manualidades, además de ofrecerles alimentación, servicios de salud y una guía para sus carreras.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our Guatemala map. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

You can also connect with us on Google Plus, see our travel guide pictures on Pinterest, and view some of our videos on YouTube.

Lebanon: The Best Destination You've Never Considered

Temple of Jupiter, Baalbeck

Lebanon: It’s bold, dazzling, and arguably the best travel destination in all of the Middle East. With history dating back to the Phoenicians, Lebanon’s ancient past is among the country’s most utterly fascinating draws. From Baalbeck, one of the best examples of Middle East Roman architecture, to the Temple of Bacchus, this country is full of splendid ancient temples, looming Roman coliseums, and dramatic mosques.

But this Mediterranean repose boasts much more than ancient ruins. You will find vibrant coastal hotspots, such as Jounieh, as well as world-class skiing destinations in the mountains. And, of course, Beirut is an absolute must. Rapidly gaining a reputation as the region’s party place, this unique city is often known as the “Paris of the Orient.” In Beirut, ancient temples meet the ultramodern: You will find world-class universities, an incredibly vibrant nightlife, internationally renowned museums and art galleries, and one of the freest gay scenes in the region. Visitors are well-advised to check out the National Museum of Beirut and meander through the city’s infamous souks, a kind of open air-market.

Lebanon's Natural Beauty

And don’t forget to bring an appetite! From hummus to lobster, we can assure you that when in Lebanon you will dine like a king.

View of the Mountains, Lebanon

Lebanon does present some travel challenges. Power cuts, political demonstrations, and unrest can interrupt travel plans, so it is important to be cognizant of potential problems and prepared. Luckily, with GPS Travel Maps, you can navigate around any obstacle thrown in your way with ease.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our Lebanon map. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Screen Capture from our Lebanon GPS Map

Screen Capture from our Lebanon GPS Map

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

You can also connect with us on Google Plus, see our travel guide pictures on Pinterest, and view some of our videos on YouTube.

The Virgin Islands—Many Islands, Many Experiences

Virgin Islands

Just east of Puerto Rico, in the island chain known as the Lesser Antilles, sit the Virgin Islands. It’s commonly assumed that the islands were named for their untouched beauty, but that’s not the case—actually, Christopher Columbus himself named them after the Catholic Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers.  The sheer quantity of islands in the archipelago must have impressed him.

Trunk Bay

Nowadays, the island group is split almost down the middle into United States and United Kingdom territory.  To the west lie the three major U.S. islands, Saint Thomas, Saint John, and St. Croix.  Farther east lie Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada of the British Virgin Islands.  Both groups are wildly beautiful and deserve your attention when you visit.

The capital and largest city in the U.S. Virgin Islands is Charlotte Amalie, on the island of Saint Thomas.  It’s popular as a cruise ship port as well as a shopping destination, and it’s worth a trip if just to appreciate the town’s history.  On Saint John you’ll find the Virgin Islands National Park.  It comprises about 2/3 of the island, and its famous Trunk Bay is truly a sight to behold!

The Baths

In the British Virgin Islands, make sure to visit “The Baths,” otherworldly boulders that form natural
pools and grottoes on Virgin Gorda.  When you’re ready to relax, head to world-famous Foxy’s Bar on Jost Van Dyke.  There you can rest during the afternoon or party until the morning, depending on your state of mind.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our Virgin Islands map. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Screen Capture from our Virgin Islands Map

Screen Capture from our Virgin Islands Map

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

You can also connect with us on Google Plus, see our travel guide pictures on Pinterest, and view some of our videos on YouTube.

FAQ - Searching for locations on your Garmin

Having trouble finding a location on your Garmin? The information below will help. If you need further help remember you can contact us at support@gpstravelmaps.com and from our website

(Instructions below are for a Garmin Nuvi. If you have a different model please refer to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to turn maps on and off as well as how to view maps and for using the "near" search function.)

First be sure that the map you want to search is the only one turned on on the GPS by doing the following:

From the main screen of your GPS choose Tools → Settings → Map → Map Info You will now see a list of all maps installed on your GPS and/or SD card. Uncheck all maps except the one you want to search.

In most emerging countries there is a lack of a central address system which can make navigation by the "address" more difficult, so we recommend NOT searching with the Address function. However, there are several other ways programmed into your GPS for finding a destination. You can navigate by:

1. Touching a location on the map
2. City
3. POI - Point of Interest
4. Street Intersection
5. Latitude and Longitude (Coordinates)
6. Your own saved waypoints

All of these methods can be found on the "Where to" screen and they are fairly easy to figure out by simply experimenting with your GPS, but if you need more specific help, please refer to your owner’s manual for your GPS. If you still need further assistance you can contact Garmin support; their contact information can be found at Garmin Support. You could also send an email to support and we can provide a more detailed explanation.

Your GPS will automatically show you maps, cities, and POI’s near your current location, so if you want to be able to view a map and search for cities, intersections, and POIs in a country different than the one in which you are currently located you must choose the “Near…” option after you select “Where To?”

To Search for POI’s in a country where you are not currently located use the following steps:

1. At the main screen choose "Where To?"
2. There should be a button at the bottom of the screen that says "Near…" Touch that button.
3. You should now see a screen that shows several choices. You should choose "A Different City". Then select "OK".
4. You should now see a screen where you can type in the name of a city in the country you wish to view. Choose "Done" when you have finished typing in the city name.
5. You will now see a screen that shows a list of cities. Select the city you typed in.
6. You will now see a menu with several icons you can choose. Select whichever fits your needs best. Select "Points of Interest.
7. You can now select several categories of POIs or spell out a name. For example, if you want to find hotels select "Lodging," restaurants choose "Food," gas stations, choose "Fuel," etc. You can also choose "spell name" and type in the name of the POI you would like to see.
8. After making your selection you will see a list of hotels, gas stations, or restaurants, etc. relating to whichever category you choose.

Visit Stunning Haiti

Bassin Bleu, Haiti

A nation situated on the island of Hispaniola, Haiti has suffered considerably in the past several years, in part due to the destruction wreaked by a 2010 earthquake. But what Haiti lacks in modern amenities and comfortable transportation, it makes up for in natural scenery. This Caribbean paradise boasts truly sublime stretches of pristine beaches, gorgeous cerulean freshwater pools, and lush patches of verdant jungle. Travelers are well-advised to head to Bassin Bleu, a spectacular series of three azure pools joined by beautiful cascades. Dissolved minerals give these pools their distinctive color, and according to local legends, water nymphs live in the grottos of the pools and often come out to sun themselves on the rock. However, they are said to disappear at the sound of mortal footsteps.

Artwork at Grand Rue, Haiti

But there is more to Haiti than just stunning scenery. From quaint coffee ports like Jacmel to Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s bustling capitol city, this country is full of vibrant culture and unique architecture. Pay a visit to the infamous Grand Rue artists, a vast Caribbean junkyard where artists convert scrap into eccentric voodoo sculptures, or check out the beautiful Salubria Gallery, an impressive collection of artwork housed in a blue-and-white fin-de-siècle house owned by American professor Robert Bricston.

Haiti certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, but for those who are brave enough to make the trek, the rewards are great. Of course, once you are armed with a GPS Travel Map, you’ll have no trouble navigating this underexplored paradise.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our Cuba map. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Screen Capture from our Haiti GPS map

Screen Capture from our Haiti GPS map

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

You can also connect with us on Google Plus, see our travel guide pictures on Pinterest, and view some of our videos on YouTube.

Jamaica beyond the Beach Resorts

Don't let your Jamaican vacation be average.

Bluefields Beach, Jamaica

It’s a sad truth that a large number of Jamaican resorts are all-inclusive.  This means that guests arrive at the resort, stay at the resort, and never get a glimpse of the island outside of their own little walled-off section.  When you travel to Jamaica, we sincerely hope that you’ll buck this trend.  Jamaica is an island like no other, and there are so many sites beyond cookie-cutter all-inclusive resorts that deserve your attention.

Cockpit Country, Jamaica

Crime in Jamaica, especially violent crime, has been falling consistently for years.  This represents a concerted effort on the part of the Jamaican people of course to improve their own communities but also to help tourists feel more comfortable on their island.  As soon as you leave your resort, you’ll quickly realize how warm, welcoming, and kind most Jamaicans truly are.  Of course, this isn’t to say that it’s perfectly safe to visit Kingston’s roughest neighborhoods in the middle of the night—but as long as you keep your wits about you,
Jamaica and her people will welcome
you with open arms.  So get out and explore!

Kingston, Jamaica

On the island’s southwest end, check out Bluefields Beach, where you’ll encounter the delightful sights and smells of family cookouts and a memorial monument to reggae legend Peter Tosh.  Explore “Cockpit Country,” Jamaica’s largest rainforest and proposed world heritage site.  And sure—visit Kingston’s markets, historical sites, and incredible harbor scenes.  All this and more is waiting for you; all you have to do is get out and go!

Before You Go... 

Pick up our Jamaica map. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

Screen capture from our Jamaica GPS map.

Screen capture from our Jamaica GPS map.

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

You can also connect with us on Google Plus, see our travel guide pictures on Pinterest, and view some of our videos on YouTube.

FAQ - Map Language

Customers frequently ask what language our maps and the voice navigation instructions are in.

Answer: The data and names on our maps match however you would see that name in the actual location.  So if a hotel in Costa Rica is named a Spanish name, you will find it under that Spanish name on our map.  If a road sign in Panama names a street by an English name, you will find that street under that English name on our map.

The language of the voice navigation instructions, on the other hand, is actually determined by you and the settings on your Garmin.  You can set your Garmin to several different languages and whichever you choose is the language in which you will receive all navigation and directions.

For more answers to FAQ's visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or feel free to email us at support@gpstravelmaps.com

Colorful Cuba

Explore this little known Caribbean paradise. 

There is no place quite like Cuba. Although it is situated less than 100 miles off the coast of Miami, this island feels like another world altogether. A Caribbean island nation of 11 million, Cuba is a multicultural paradise, boasting a unique range of cultural influences from Europe, Africa, and the U.S. Here you will find vintage 1950s cars parked in front of colonial palaces, world-class beaches juxtaposed against the bustling Havana cityscape. Cuba is as paradoxical as it is beautiful, and there is always a surprise waiting around every corner.

Havana, Cuba

Havana, the Caribbean’s largest city, is the cultural mecca of this unique and vibrant island. Take a stroll through Old Havana’s cobblestone streets and admire the colorful colonial architecture, or enjoy a quick rum and Coke at the famous Floridita Bar, one of Ernest Hemmingway’s favorite Havana hangouts in the 1930s. You can even visit the iconic American writer’s former residence, known as Finca La Vigia, where both “The Old Man and the Sea” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” were written.

Home in Caibarién, Cuba

Beyond bustling Havana, the beautiful Cuban countryside has much to offer
visitors. Spend a day in Caibarién, a picturesque fishing village that boasts beautiful Neo-Classical and Art Nouveau architecture, or check out some of the country’s most remote, pristine beaches on the western shore.

Whether you’re in search of late-night adventures full of rum and salsa in Havana or want to meander through the lush Cuban countryside, you will always know where you’re going with GPS Travel Maps.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our Cuba map. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

A Screen Capture from our Cuba GPS Map

A Screen Capture from our Cuba GPS Map

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

You can also connect with us on Google Plus, see our travel guide pictures on Pinterest, and view some of our videos on YouTube.