thumb aura light travel jacket stylish travel clothes copy
7 Mar 2019

Stylish Travel Clothes: Light Travel Jacket for Creative Outfits on the Road

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Central America, Central America, Clothing + Accessories, Europe, Packing Tips, South America | 0

My mantra lately has been to let go of boring clothing that is only functional without being beautiful or fun. So I’ve been trying to rebuild my wardrobe, adding in some stylish travel clothes that pack well and serve lots … Read More

Puerto Escondido to Mazunte, San Agustinillo, Zipolite
4 Mar 2019

Puerto Escondido to Mazunte, San Agustinillo + Zipolite: How to Get Between These Oaxaca Beach Towns

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Mexico, Oaxaca, Off-the-Beaten Path, Transportation | 2

There isn’t a lot of info online about how the Oaxaca coast, and much less about how to get around. Our last trip, we spent a few days in Puerto Escondido, followed by a few more in Mazunte. I scrapped … Read More

thumb Copy of oaxaca to Mazunte, how to get to Mazunte, san agustinillo, zipolite (1)
4 Mar 2019

How to Get to Mazunte, San Agustinillo + Zipolite: Oaxaca to Mazunte Overland + By Plane

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Mexico, Oaxaca, Off-the-Beaten Path, Transportation | 4

This is my most asked question about the Oaxaca coast – how to get there?! That’s because this remote area is surrounded by rugged mountains and there just isn’t a lot of info online. So I want to share what … Read More

oaxaca to puerto escondido, how to get to puerto escondido
4 Mar 2019

How to Get to Puerto Escondido: Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Overland + By Plane

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Mexico, Oaxaca, Off-the-Beaten Path, Transportation | 2

This is probably the #1 question I get about the Oaxaca coast – how do you get there? So I want to put together the best info I’ve gathered over the last few years about how to get to Puerto … Read More

oaxaca coast guide best beaches thumb copy
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

zazil retreat san agustinillo thumb
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

new thumb san agustinillo mazunte oaxaca travel guide thumb
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

Puerto Escondido things to do in puerto escondido thumbnail
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

El Salvador Travel copy
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 | 2

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

roatan vacation thumbnail
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

roatan travel guide (1) copy
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

roatan hotel puerta azul copy
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

cayos cochinos from roatan pin thumb
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

west bay roatan hotel thumbnail copy
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

instagram puerto vallarta beaches (1)
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

santa teresa hotel
1 Aug 2017

Santa Teresa Hotel: Review of Nautilus Boutique Hotel, Costa Rica

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Central America, Costa Rica, Hotel Reviews, Lodging Tips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Uncategorized | 14

 When I found Nautilus Boutique Hotel online, I knew they filled all 3 of my Santa Teresa hotel requirements:◆Jungle plant overload◆Central location to beach and amenities◆Lots of cute details So if you hadn’t already guessed, I loved my time here! I only … Read More

costa rica yoga retreat
26 Jul 2017

Peace Retreat: A Costa Rica Yoga Retreat for Anyone

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Central America, Costa Rica, Hotel Reviews, Off-the-Beaten Path | 11

 When I found Peace Retreat online, the first thing that I noticed was how flexible their programs were. I’ve wanted to try a yoga retreat for while, but was often turned off by high rates or specific dates that didn’t … 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

How to Get to Cambutal Panama
2 Mar 2017

How to Get to Cambutal, Panama by Bus

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Central America, Off-the-Beaten Path, Panama, Transportation | 6

 Cambutal, Panama was my absolute favorite beach in the country, and that’s saying a lot considering I visited 10 beaches up and down the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. There is just something so special about this wild black sand beach … Read More

How to get to Las Lajas Panama
2 Mar 2017

How to Get to Las Lajas, Panama

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Central America, Off-the-Beaten Path, Panama, Transportation, Travel Tips | 4

  Las Lajas, Panama is so off-the-beaten path, that I couldn’t find any information about how to get there from Bocas del Toro. Even the information about how to get to Las Lajas from Panama City was hard to find. … 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 cartagena
26 May 2016

Colombia Travel Guide: Top 4 Things to do in Cartagena

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Food, Lodging Tips, South America, Travel Tips, Uncategorized | 12

 Cartagena is a Unesco world heritage site located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It’s the one of the oldest cities in Colombia, founded in 1533, and has loads of Spanish colonial charm. The majority of the city’s population are of Afro-Caribbean … Read More

san bernardo islands colombia copy
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 –

san juan del sur beach list thumb
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

Las Galeras beach, Dominican Republic
5 Jul 2015

Hotel Tip in…Las Galeras, Dominican Republic

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Food, Hotel Reviews, Islands, Lodging Tips, Off-the-Beaten Path, Travel Tips, Uncategorized | 1

As I’ve previously mentioned, budget hotels in the Dominican Republic didn’t impress me much. In Mexico or Central America you can find many stylish hostels or quaint local guesthouses in every town, but in the DR it’s much more challenging. … Read More

backpacking dominican republic
22 Jun 2015

Can you backpack in the Dominican Republic?

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Food, Islands, Lodging Tips | 1

Are people backpacking Dominican Republic? This was the question that I asked myself before our recent trip. The answer is yes…but the information and online resources are few and far between. Daily I’m bombarded with Groupon and Travelzoo deals to all-inclusive … Read More

oaxaca coast day trip
5 Apr 2015

Coffee Beans and Bahias: Day Tripping on the Oaxacan Coast

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

We haphazardly threw together a vague day-trip plan the night before – get up early, rent a car, and knock out three adventures – a boat tour of Chacahua lagoon, then on to the turtle sanctuary in Mazunte, and finally … Read More

sunset puerto escondido
4 Apr 2015

Surfers and Hippies find their Endless Summer: Puerto Escondido

by | posted in: Beach Escapes, Mexico, Oaxaca, Off-the-Beaten Path, Travel Tips | 1

I’m not sure exactly when I became fascinated with surfer culture, but I think it was around the time I first saw Endless Summer, the wonderfully cheesy 60’s documentary with a bangin’ soundtrack about a couple of dudes who travel … Read More