thumb chiapas travel guide things to do in san cristobal de las casas (1)
23 Apr 2019

Chiapas Travel Guide: Best Things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas + Hotels

by | posted in: Chiapas, Cultural Destinations, Food, Hotel Reviews, Mexico, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Tours, Transportation | 0

After years of dreaming about Chiapas travel, I finally had a chance to explore the southernmost state in Mexico. It’s a beautiful and unique place, really different from anywhere else I’ve been in the country. If you like visiting places … Read More

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10 Apr 2019

Artisan Oaxaca Tours: Thread Caravan Hammock Workshop + Textiles, Ceramics, and Mezcal Tours

by | posted in: Central America, Central America, Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Guatemala, Mexico, Mezcal, Nature, Oaxaca, Panama, Tour Reviews, Tours, Travel Planning Resources | 0

There is very little that gets me more excited than learning from talented, master artisans in their homeland. In fact, the original reason I came to Oaxaca years ago was because of its reputation for gorgeous textiles and traditional artisan … Read More

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25 Feb 2019

Oaxaca Coast Guide: The Best Beaches in Oaxaca for Every Travel Style

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Cultural Destinations, Mexico, Nature, Oaxaca, Off-the-Beaten Path | 2

The Oaxaca coast is full of different cove beaches and towns. The unique thing about this coastline is that every Oaxaca beach and town has a totally different vibe, so you can find a place for any type of traveler … Read More

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18 Feb 2019

San Agustinillo Hotel with an Epic Ocean View: Beautiful Zazil Retreat

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hotel Reviews, Mexico, Nature, Oaxaca, Off-the-Beaten Path | 0

I’ve been on a spree of writing blogs about the Oaxaca coast because it’s such a gorgeous area that few people know about. My new favorite part of the coast is the tiny, relaxing, off-the-beaten path town of San Agustinillo. … Read More

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1 Feb 2019

San Agustinillo + Mazunte Oaxaca Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Eat + Where to Stay

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Hotel Reviews, Mexico, Nature, Oaxaca, Tour Reviews, Tours | 3

The Oaxaca coast is still pretty unknown to tourists, so you can escape the crowds here and be treated to some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. My new favorite part of the coast are the adjacent towns of … Read More

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28 Jan 2019

Zicatela & La Punta, Puerto Escondido Guide: Things to Do in Puerto Escondido, Restaurants + Where to Stay

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Hotel Reviews, Mexico, Nature, Oaxaca | 5

I’ve now visited Zicatela, Puerto Escondido on 3 trips – and plan to return many more times from our home base in Oaxaca. I’ve gotten a good handle on all the best things to do in Puerto Escondido – including … Read More

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11 Dec 2018

Best Things to Do in El Salvador: Why El Salvador Travel Should Be On Your Radar

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Central America, Central America, Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, El Salvador, Food, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path | 0

El Salvador travel is very off the radar for many, which is exactly the reason I was so interested to visit. During my whirlwind 6 day El Salvador tour with the El Salvador Tourism Board, I visited 10 towns/cities, 4 beaches, … Read More

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10 Apr 2018

A Roatan Vacation for Adventure Lovers: Camp Bay Lodge in Off-the-Beaten Path East End

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Caribbean, Central America, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Honduras, Hotel Reviews, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path | 5

I’ve already established that my time on the Caribbean island of Roatan was above and beyond anything I expected. I loved this interesting and beautiful island. One of the most surprising parts of my Roatan vacation was my 3 days … Read More

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4 Apr 2018

Roatan Travel Guide: Non-Diver’s Guide for Where to Stay, What to Do + Where to Eat on Roatan Island

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Honduras, Hotel Reviews, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Tours | 9

Roatan is an beautiful Caribbean island that seems to be on very few non-diver’s radar. It’s actually fairly little known in the travel world in general. This small island is part of a chain of 3 islands in the clear … Read More

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27 Mar 2018

Roatan Hotel: Puerta Azul Boutique Hotel – A Blue Door That Leads to the Sea

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Central America, Central America, Honduras, Hotel Reviews, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path | 3

A good hotel should tick all the boxes – including location, decor, and amenities. But most importantly, it should feel GOOD to be in. Roatan hotel, Puerta Azul boutique hotel has a great vibe and felt like the perfect retreat … Read More

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20 Mar 2018

Cayos Cochinos from Roatan Tour: Snorkeling + Sailing the Most Pristine Coral Reef with Zeppelin Dive & Sail

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Central America, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking + Adventures, Honduras, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Tour Reviews, Tours, Transportation | 2

The Cayos Cochinos are a little-known and postcard-worthy island archipelago off the coast of Honduras. The only way to reach them from Roatan is by chartering a sailboat or taking one of only a couple sail tour options. I was … Read More

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14 Mar 2018

The Best West Bay Roatan Hotel: Artistic + Secluded Ibagari Boutique Hotel

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Honduras, Hotel Reviews, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path | 6

If you are looking for a boutique hotel near Roatan’s most beautiful beach, West Bay Beach, Ibagari Boutique Hotel is a gem. This West Bay Roatan hotel is beyond gorgeous, in a perfect location, and is both luxurious and relaxing. … Read More

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23 Jan 2018

The Best Puerto Vallarta Beaches for Instagram-Worthy Photos

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Hiking, Lodging Tips, Mexico, Nature, Transportation | 8

In my humble opinion, the Puerto Vallarta beaches south of the city are the most Instagram-worthy, beautiful, and dramatic beaches, and yet they are usually mostly empty. It baffles me because they are SO easy to get to, whether you … Read More

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22 Oct 2017

What to do in Cusco: Prettiest Places to Take Instagram-Worthy Photos of Cusco

by | posted in: Budget Travel Tips, Cultural Destinations, Hiking, Nature, Peru, South America, Uncategorized | 23

One of my absolute favorite activities when visiting a new place is simple – wandering the streets with a camera in hand, hunting for pretty nooks and corners. When I was researching what to do in Cusco,I found some good … Read More

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17 Oct 2017

Boutique Hotel Lake Titicaca: A Luxurious Experience at Amantica Lodge

by | posted in: Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Peru, South America, Tour Reviews, Tours, Uncategorized | 9

When I first found Amantica Lodge online, I immediately fell in love with this Peru luxury hotel. The design of the exclusive villa was everything I look for in a hotel – sleek, hip and beautiful. This seemed like the … Read More

rainbow mountain trek
9 Oct 2017

Rainbow Mountain Trek: 2 Day Tour with Ayni Peru

by | posted in: Cultural Destinations, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Peru, South America, Tour Reviews, Tours, Uncategorized | 10

One of the very first things I knew I wanted to do when I got to Peru was the Rainbow Mountain trek. This hike is still fairly new on the tourist scene, but it’s splashed all over social media – … Read More

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4 Oct 2017

Short Inca Trail Hike, Machu Picchu, & Sacred Valley Tour: Review of Ayni Peru

by | posted in: Cultural Destinations, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Peru, South America, Tour Reviews | 15

I feel like my time in the Cusco region of Peru was nothing short of magical – and I don’t say that lightly. For 3 weeks we spent time in Cusco city, Ollantaytambo, and many of the surrounding towns and … Read More

caye caulker things to do
27 Apr 2017

Quirky Caye Caulker: Things to Do in Belize’s Offbeat Island Paradise

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Belize, Caribbean, Central America, Cultural Destinations, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Travel Tips | 16

 Belize is unlike the rest of Latin America. It may as well be on a different continent for its cultural differences with the neighboring countries. The culture is Afro-Caribbean, with some Mayan mixed in. The official language is English, though it’s … Read More
13 Feb 2017

Casa Lajagua: A Relaxing Boutique Hotel in Panama’s Azuero Peninsula

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Central America, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Panama, Uncategorized | 14

 Panama saved the best for last. We spent two months in the country traveling to many of the big tourist destinations, but really fell in love with Panama’s Azuero Peninsula during our last two weeks in the country. This area … Read More

la finca cambutal hotel
1 Feb 2017

La Finca Cambutal: Hotel on the Best Undiscovered Beach in Panama

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Central America, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Panama, Travel Tips, Uncategorized | 14

 Panama really surprised me. In our 2 months in the country I spent time in such varied locations: from the ultra-modern and developed capital city, to Caribbean island towns only accessible by boat, to traditional farming towns with a cowboy culture.   While … Read More

hotel in las lajas panama
1 Jan 2017

Naturalmente Hotel in Las Lajas Panama: A Foodie’s Paradise on the Pacific Coast

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Panama | 0

 When we mentioned to anyone that we were heading to a hotel in Las Lajas Panama next, we were met with blank stares. Even many locals in the country hadn’t heard of this tiny Pacific town minutes from a wide … Read More

things to do in medellin
25 May 2016

Colombia Travel Guide: Top 6 Things to Do in Medellin

by | posted in: Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Food, Hiking, Nature, South America, Travel Tips | 13

 Medellin is located northwest of Bogota, in the state of Antioquia. Residents, called Paisas, are much more interested in their local culture than that of Colombia as a whole. Antioquians are very proud of their history, culture, food, and way … Read More

things to do in bogota
21 May 2016

Colombia Travel Guide: Top 5 Things To Do in Bogota

by | posted in: Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Food, Hiking, Nature, Photo Diary, South America, Travel Tips, Uncategorized | 2

 Bogota is located almost exactly in the center of the country, high up in the Andes mountains at 2644 meters (8675 feet). It’s a huge city – with 6 1/2 million residents, but surrounded by beautiful natural places that can … Read More

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16 May 2016

The 3 Best Adventures in Colombia: Part 3 – Visiting the San Bernardo Islands

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Food, Hiking + Adventures, Islands, Lodging Tips, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, South America, Transportation, Travel Tips | 21

Visiting the San Bernardo Islands is the final part in my series about the 3 best adventures in beautiful and diverse Colombia. Be sure to check out my previous posts about hiking epic Valle de Cocora and camping Parque Tayrona.   Grab … Read More

camping parque tayrona
8 May 2016

The 3 Best Adventures in Colombia: Part 2 – Camping Parque Tayrona

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Colombia, Food, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Lodging Tips, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, South America, Travel Tips | 1

This is part 2 in my 3 part series about the best adventures in Colombia.  Head back to my previous post about hiking epic Valle de Cocora. And stay tuned for the final adventure in the series!  Here is Part 2 –

hiking valle de cocora
6 May 2016

Hiking Valle de Cocora: The 3 Best Adventures in Colombia Part 1

by | posted in: Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, South America, Travel Tips | 4

My 3 favorite adventures during my month long trip around Colombia weren’t found in the main tourist destinations of Bogota, Medellin, or Cartagena, they were in beautiful remote areas that took some work to get to. One of my absolute favorite days in … Read More

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28 Sep 2015

San Juan Del Sur Beach Round-up: All Beaches are Not Created Equal!

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Central America, Hiking, Nature, Nicaragua, Travel Tips | 20

The southern Nicaraguan coast is a series of bays or coves, ringed with jagged and dramatic rock formations. This makes for dozens of different beaches within a short distance from San Juan del Sur. Each beach is unique – with … Read More

Rincon Beach, Las Galeras, Dominican Republic
19 Jul 2015

The Three Beaches in Las Galeras: The Unconventional Way

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Caribbean, Cultural Destinations, Dominican Republic, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Travel Tips | 1

The first thing you’ll be told to do in Las Galeras is “The 3 Beaches” tour. This entails hiring a small speedboat from the main beach in town and taking a tour of the three most beautiful beaches nearby – … Read More