Mexico is home to one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the world: the monarch butterfly migration. Every year, millions of monarch butterflies travel over 3,000 miles from the United States and Canada to the forests of Mexico. Witnessing the millions of overwintering Monarchs is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you definitely shouldn’t miss if you’re in Mexico at the right time of … [Read more...]
2 Weeks in Peru: The Classic Itinerary (With Alternatives)
Peru is one of the most thrilling destinations in Latin America — and a personal favorite of mine. If you have at least 2 weeks in Peru, you can plan an epic action-packed trip to this Andean nation. Here’s exactly how. From the lush Amazon rainforest to the dry deserts of the coast, from the high Andean mountains to the picturesque colonial cities, Peru seriously ticks every box. It’s also one of … [Read more...]
First-Time Bangkok Travel Guide: Top Things to Do & Eat
Some travelers feel a bit overwhelmed by the traffic and chaos of Bangkok, but there’s something special about the energy that characterizes this busy city. Bangkok is kind of a love-it-or-hate-it affair, and that’s where I come in. My own Southeast Asia backpacking adventure kicked off in the vibrant streets of Bangkok. Fast forward a couple of years, and now I live part-time in Thailand! This … [Read more...]
Chacahua, A Secret Spot On Mexico’s Pacific Coast
Chacahua is one of those secret spots in Mexico. Its low-key vibe will appeal to a specific type of traveller; if nearby Puerto Escondido strikes you as ‘too commercial’ or you long for some tranquillity, then Chacahua may just be your thing. An Afro-Mexican fishing community along the Pacific Coast, Chacahua has become one of those hushed-about destinations among in-the-know travellers and … [Read more...]
How To Get To Oaxaca City From The Coast
I found frustratingly little information online when I tried to get from Mazunte to Oaxaca City (Oaxaca de Juarez) this year. A lot of blogs talked about flying or renting a car, which surely earns them a commission, but I just wanted to know how to do this trip by bus. So, I thought I’d quickly share the details. You can use this information to… Travel from Mazunte to Oaxaca City Travel from … [Read more...]
Where To Stay In Puerto Escondido: Hotels & Beaches Guide
You may have heard that Puerto Escondido is an excellent place to stay on the Oaxacan Coast. What you may not have heard is that exactly where you stay within PE matters enormously! My first time in Puerto Escondido I spent entirely in Rinconada. To be honest (and this will surely make me sound stupid), I wasn’t even aware there was a whole other section at Zicatela and La Punta! When I came back … [Read more...]
Da Nang Travel Guide (With Top Things to Do In 2024)
Visitors to Central Vietnam typically gravitate towards nearby Hoi An and frequently overlook Danang. I also deliberated between these two cities, ultimately opting to live in Danang (also spelled Da Nang) for a month and explore Hoi An for a week. And I’m glad I did! Vietnam is an incredible country, and so much of its beauty and culture can be experienced in Danang. While I wouldn’t say Danang … [Read more...]
Backpacking Costa Rica: How To Travel On A Budget
Costa Rica is an incredible destination with some of the most spectacular nature in Latin America, but I must admit that I’ve struggled there at times as a budget traveler. It’s actually a common misconception that Costa Rica is cheap! In fact, many of the day-to-day costs are on par with certain Western countries. For some reason, Costa Rica keeps ending up in various “cheap countries to travel” … [Read more...]
2 Weeks In Southeast Asia – 5 Itineraries & Tons of Trip Ideas
Thanks to having so many incredible sights and budget-friendly prices, Southeast Asia has long been known as a region where you can travel to your heart’s content. In fact, I have been on many multi-month journeys and have written guides on planning a big trip in Southeast Asia taking many weeks or months. However, not everyone has the opportunity to travel around Southeast Asia as, say, a … [Read more...]
1 Week in Costa Rica: The Classic Itinerary For First-Timers
Even though Costa Rica is a fairly small country, it seriously has so much to do. In a week’s time, you can visit between 2-3 destinations and get a diverse impression of this unparalleled adventure and eco-tourism hotspot. In this classic Costa Rica itinerary, I’m going to focus on several nature highlights, such as the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Arenal Volcano, and the Tortuguero … [Read more...]
Where To Stay In Mexico City — Best Areas, Tips & Impressions
When I’m looking for a place to stay in a new city, I often just pull up a map, look for the main square, and try to stay as close to it as I can…. but with Mexico City that ISN’T necessarily the best approach. The best areas to stay in Mexico City are somewhat spread out and whether you want to be near the Zocalo (the main square) depends on your preferences. As the biggest city in North America, … [Read more...]
5 Best Ways to Get Free Accommodation While Traveling
Often the biggest portion of travel expenses goes to paying for accommodation, so if you’re traveling on a budget you’ve surely wondered if there are ways to cut your lodging costs. There are, in fact, several ways to get free accommodation that a savvy traveler can take advantage of. Of course, few things in life are ever truly free. Often you’ll have to work in some way to get a free place to … [Read more...]
3 Days In Mexico City Itinerary
Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the entire world, so finding a way to cram all of its glorious culture, rich history, and delicious food into three days isn’t the easiest task. Still, 3 days is just about enough time to see some of the city’s highlights. With a mixture of ancient Aztec ruins and modern skyscrapers, Mexico City is the perfect city to explore a wide variety of things. … [Read more...]
3 Weeks In Vietnam Itinerary: The Classic Route (With Alternatives)
Vietnam is one of the most thrilling countries to travel through in Asia. Because it has so many incredible places to visit, I recommend 3 weeks as the ideal minimum time to see the south, center, and north of Vietnam. But be warned: Vietnam is quite a lot bigger than it may seem on a map at a glance, and your trip may involve a few long bus or train journeys. Traveling the whole length of Vietnam … [Read more...]
The 15 Best Things To Do In Cartagena (With Travel Tips)
South America with some Caribbean flair is precisely what awaits you in the beautiful coastal city of Cartagena, Colombia. Having visited the city twice, I consider it one of the highlights of Colombia, especially when it’s combined with some of the great beaches and islands nearby. Here’s everything you need to know to have the best experience in Cartagena! Plan your trip to … [Read more...]
Villahermosa: How (And Why!) To Plan A Stopover
Villahermosa literally means “beautiful town” in Spanish, but it couldn’t have been named more ironically… I’ll admit: it isn’t the most eye-catching city in Mexico. It’s not bursting with camera-ready heritage architecture or anything like that. Then again, paradoxically this is also why it is underrated and worth visiting — at least, if you can appreciate its authenticity. If you’d like to see … [Read more...]
The Not-Your-Usual Guide To Palenque, Mexico
Located within the tropical lowlands just beyond the mountain ranges of Chiapas, Palenque acts as the gateway to some of Mexico’s most stunning waterfalls and Mayan ruins. Many people visit just for the UNESCO-listed Mayan ruins of the same name. Apart from this, Palenque is also the place for a variety of jungle experiences. Close to the border with Guatemala, Mexico is at its most verdant and … [Read more...]
Things To Do In Taxco — An Underrated Trip From Mexico City
One of my favorite little gems in Mexico is the utterly charming town of Taxco. Despite being located not far from Mexico City, it’s often overlooked by travelers rushing straight to Puebla, Oaxaca, or other better-known destinations. Taxco is usually considered a weekend trip destination from Mexico City, and on average it’s worth staying for about 2 or 3 days. Personally, I spent 5 days in … [Read more...]
Backpacking the Yucatán: Routes, Tips & Hostels
The Yucatán Peninsula is incredibly popular with backpackers in Mexico. From incredible Caribbean beaches and ancient ruins to awesome party towns and idyllic islands, you can almost spend forever here! In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Yucatán Peninsula, including why it’s worth visiting and some of the very best places to explore. I’ll also share various … [Read more...]
10 Places In Mexico That Are (Still!) Amazingly Cheap
Mexico is one of my favorite countries to travel to — not just because it’s filled with fascinating places to visit, but also because it’s so affordable. Many people only think of the Caribbean coast for beach holidays, but Mexico has a greater range than just Cancun or Puerto Vallarta. It’s wild how much culture can be discovered when you step out of the all-inclusive resorts and into a colectivo … [Read more...]