There are plenty of seasoned cruisers out there with decades of experience, but as travelers who have explored over 80 countries mostly on land, we approached our first cruise this year with a mix of excitement and a little bit of skepticism. We recently sailed on the Celebrity Ascent through the Caribbean, and while we consider ourselves savvy travelers, the “ship life” learning curve was…
Nicaragua is one of the most underrated destinations in Central America and one of the most affordable. This guide covers the best places to visit in Nicaragua for first-time visitors: Granada’s colonial architecture, the volcanic island of Ometepe, and the surf beaches of San Juan del Sur, with firsthand tips on getting around, what to eat, and what to expect on the ground. It’s a…
Roatan is part of the Bay Islands, which are located in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Honduras. This island quickly became one of our favorite places in the world to unwind, and we’ve been going back year after year. A direct flight from the US and a 25-minute taxi ride will take you to either of the two most popular spots on the…
After traveling to more than 80 countries, Central America stands out as the region we return to most often. It has everything we look for: lush jungles, swimmable beaches, friendly people, affordable travel options, amazing cuisine, and rich traditions. Whether we’re snorkeling the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, kayaking through mangroves, or eating baleadas in a historic market, Central America has become our happy place. It’s compact…
Latin America is one of the best regions in the world for affordable travel, even as prices rise elsewhere. These eight destinations are some of our favorites with a nice mix of beach time, city culture, and jungle adventures. They’re easy to reach from the U.S. and Canada, and genuinely good value. Here’s where we keep going back and how you can plan your next vacation without breaking the bank.
El Tunco is an underrated Pacific surf town about an hour from San Salvador International Airport, and El Salvador is a country most travelers skip too quickly. This guide covers what to do, where to stay, what to eat, and what to expect on the coast. The beaches are rocky black sand rather than white sand and manicured, some streets are unpaved, and the whole…
While the Galápagos is known for high-end expedition cruises, a DIY land-based trip is entirely doable and can save you thousands of dollars. Here’s what we did right, and our big mistakes you can learn from.
We think Quito is one of the most underrated capital cities in Latin America. It’s located high in the Andes Mountains at nearly 10,000 feet, and is full of colonial charm and vibrant local culture. We only had two full days in Quito, but they were packed with memorable experiences. If you’re heading to the Galápagos or Amazon, don’t skip Quito. Here’s how to spend…
Choosing where to stay in Belize is the biggest challenge of planning a first visit. Belize has beautiful beaches, jungles, and offshore islands to chose from. And you can hop between them all on a 14-seater Tropic Air flight if you’re up for a big adventure. This guide helps you build the best Belize travel itinerary based on your travel style. We’ll tell you the…
Costa Rica packs more biodiversity, wildlife, and landscape variety into a small country than almost anywhere else in the Americas. This guide covers the best places to visit in Costa Rica for first-time visitors, from the cloud forests of Monteverde and the volcanic hot springs of La Fortuna to the wildlife beaches of Manuel Antonio and the jungle waterways of Tortuguero. We’ve been multiple times…
