Mayan ruins, tropical rainforests, surfer beaches, and colorful towns — Central America has got it all! While there may be certain challenges to be aware of, this collection of bite-size countries is affordable, (mostly) safe, and a growing backpacking hotspot. Are you dreaming of traveling the whole region? Or maybe a specific country? Either way, scroll forth for my top tips for backpacking … [Read more...]

You’ll often read that the best time to visit Vietnam is in March or April because those months tend to bring clear and temperate weather throughout the country. I’ve been living in Vietnam for a decade, though, and I can tell you that the real best time to visit is a bit more complicated than that. You’ve got to consider the answer to questions like: What part of Vietnam are you visiting? What … [Read more...]

Malaysia isn’t talked about by tourists nearly as much as Bali, Phuket, or even Singapore. Somehow, it’s often overlooked by travelers in Southeast Asia, even though many who’ve visited will tell you they love it for its cuisine, multi-ethnic culture, and incredible nature. However, Malaysia is very different from its neighboring countries, and it honestly may not be everyone’s cup of tea (even if … [Read more...]

Scattered around Panama’s northwestern corner near Costa Rica, the Bocas del Toro archipelago offers a unique blend of lush mangroves, vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture, and pristine beaches. During my seven months backpacking … [Read more...]

Dalat is one of the most popular domestic and international tourist destinations in Vietnam, and it’s not difficult to see why: it is, in my opinion, the most scenic town in the country. And as someone who’s been living in Vietnam for a decade, I have a solid basis on which to make that judgment. It was once favored by French nobility as a mountain vacation destination during their occupation of … [Read more...]

Bulgaria’s capital had much more to offer than I expected. Here’s how to get a perfect impression in one or more days… Before my visit to Sofia, I’d read several online guides that suggested spending merely 24 hours in the Bulgarian capital. While you can tick off the absolute highlights in a day, you don’t need to rush as a curious traveler will find plenty more things to do in Sofia. I spent 6 … [Read more...]

Malaysia has become an incredibly hot tourist destination, surpassing even Thailand as the most visited Asian country in 2024. And that’s why I recently took an interest in the tourist experience presented by its capital, Kuala Lumpur. Over the past few weeks, I buried myself in research and online interviews with expats living in “KL” (the common local name used to refer to Kuala Lumpur) about … [Read more...]

Guatemala is the perfect Latin American country to tackle if you’re looking for somewhere adventurous yet easy to travel, thanks to having a compact travel circuit that can fit well within 2 weeks. I’ve spent just over 5 weeks in Guatemala across two visits, but what I’ll describe here is a route that includes the absolute essentials. With 2 weeks you’ll definitely be able to cover the must-dos, … [Read more...]

Central Vietnam is the least written-about part of the country, which is why it often flies under the radar of many visitors. Believe it or not, though, it’s my favorite region of Vietnam. The nature is gorgeous, the culture is vibrant, and the area has a fascinating history. The best representations of why Central Vietnam is so great are the three best-known cities in the region: Da Nang, Hue, … [Read more...]

Cat Ba Island, located just to the south of the world-famous Ha Long Bay, is one of the best-kept secrets in Northern Vietnam. That’s not to say it’s totally off the radar – Cat Ba Island welcomes almost 3 million visitors per year, most of whom are domestic tourists. Unfortunately, most of those visitors only visit a certain small part of the island and have a negative experience because the most … [Read more...]

To truly appreciate Bogota, it’s essential to dive a bit below its surface. While its colder climate and gritty aesthetic haven’t made it a tourism honeypot quite like Cartagena, if you seek to understand Colombia’s culture and history, you will be highly rewarded when exploring its capital. In this guide to the best things to do in Bogota, we’ll help you better understand this fascinating city. … [Read more...]

Heymondo is the travel insurer I’ve been using continuously since 2020. Because I’ve had good first-hand experiences with them, it’s the insurance provider I’ve been recommending at Indie Traveller. In this Heymondo review, I will firstly discuss the different Heymondo plans. Based on your trip length or needs, you can save quite a bit of money by choosing a different package. I will also discuss … [Read more...]

Visiting the Mekong Delta region is a beloved activity for travelers visiting Southern Vietnam. Going to the Mekong isn’t like traveling to a small city like Hoi An or Sapa, though – it’s a huge area with lots of ground to cover. That’s why knowing about where to go and what to do is crucial. In this Mekong Delta travel guide, I’ll share all the details that I’ve learned by talking to locals and … [Read more...]

The Colombian capital is often overlooked by travelers who skip straight to other cities like Medellín or Cartagena. This is usually because Bogotá’s climate doesn’t quite conform to expectations of a ‘tropical’ destination, or because the capital can seem a little grittier at first sight. However, Bogotá has a lot going for it, and it’s worth spending some time getting to know the city on a more … [Read more...]

Hue may be my favorite city in Vietnam. It’s got a rich and fascinating history, sure, but it has so much more to offer: sleepy and provincial streets, magnificent natural beauty, and a unique food scene. And all of it gives off a feeling that is distinctly Hue. In other words, every part of my experience in the city has felt refreshingly different than my time elsewhere in Vietnam… or anywhere … [Read more...]

In the eastern part of Indonesia is the dreamy island of Flores, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands — an off-path part of Indonesia that beckons to be explored. Although Flores is less visited than certain other Indonesian islands, it has still received considerable attention over the past decade for being the main gateway to the illustrious Komodo Island, home to the world’s largest … [Read more...]

For all of its culture, beauty, and history, most visitors to Bali don’t venture further than the island’s southwest coast. As the traffic grows and the Bintang flows, it can be easy to get sucked in… However, for every Balinese highlight, view, and beachfront, there’s a quieter equivalent. One that exists without the attention of those who ‘Gram. All it takes is following a different road! With … [Read more...]

I came away from Panama convinced that it is thoroughly underrated. With all the travel talk fixated on the better-promoted Costa Rica, its neighbor often goes ignored — even though it offers a similar array of ecotourism experiences and surfing hotspots, not to mention a safe capital to explore. I have done two trips to Panama: one for a week and one lasting two weeks. Not everything made the cut … [Read more...]

I’m often asked how much to costs to travel the world. Specifically, many people want to know how much it costs to travel one whole year. Round-the-world (RTW) and career break trips often aim for 12 months away from home, and most gap years last for… well, a year! So how much does it cost to travel the world? Unfortunately, asking  “how much is a year of travel?” is kind of akin to … [Read more...]

Chiapas is often overlooked by tourists in favor of more popular destinations like Cancun or Mexico City. But if you’re a bit of an explorer, you may well consider it one of the most fascinating regions of Mexico. Nestled in the southernmost part of Mexico close to Guatemala, Chiapas offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty. Although it’s one of the poorest and least … [Read more...]