Ko Chang is an island paradise with jungle-covered mountains, sparkling blue bays, vibrant coral reefs, and cascading waterfalls. It’s the second-largest island in Thailand so there is a lot of space to move around and get away from the crowds that flock here. Like much of Thailand, the island has seen a rise in tourism […]
Search Results for: pacific islands
Southeast Asia Travel Guide
Backpackers have been traveling through Southeast Asia since the late 1960s and early 1970s, leaving a well-worn trail around the region. Starting in beautiful Thailand, the trail makes its way to up-and-coming Laos, through Vietnam, and to the temples of Angkor Wat. It then winds back into Thailand, where people head south to party in […]
How to Spend a Week in the Maldives for Less Than a Night in a Resort
Last Updated: 03/18/2022 | March 18th, 2022 Before I finally made it to the Maldives, it was the destination I’d been dreaming about. White sand beaches. Over-water bungalows. Azure blue ocean. It was perfect. But those dreams turned into nightmares when I realized how much those bungalows cost. Luckily, changes in the way tourism is […]
Ko Phi Phi Travel Guide
Ko Phi Phi is one of the most popular tourist islands in Thailand. From beautiful Maya Bay (made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio movie: The Beach) to the monkeys on the aptly named “Monkey Beach” to the diving, nightlife, and resorts, Phi Phi is one of the biggest destinations in the country. Destroyed by the […]
Mexico Travel Guide
While most people visit Mexico for its big tourist centers like Tulum, Cabo, Cancun, or Cozumel, there’s a lot more to the country than just its luxurious resorts. Now, I’ll be honest: I was late to visiting Mexico. But when I did, I fell in love with it. Mexico is an incredible destination with a […]
New Zealand Travel Guide
New Zealand’s name inspires pictures of mountains, glaciers, forests, pristine lands, and lots and lots of sheep. And the country is the adventure capital of the world. Hiking, skydiving, caving, bungy jumping, skiing — everything here is geared towards getting you outside and doing something incredible. Backpacking through New Zealand is one of the most […]
Bahamas Travel Guide
Postcard-perfect beaches, crystalline waters, and a plethora of resorts make the Bahamas a popular destination for millions of tourists every year — especially vacationing Americans and cruisers. Composed of 700 islands, of which 31 are inhabited, the Bahamas offers more than just upscale resorts. There’s a huge range of historical, cultural, and natural attractions in […]
Ko Lipe Travel Guide
Located in Southern Thailand, this semi-off-the-map island is one of my favorite places in the world. A tiny island in the southwest of the country close to the Malaysian border, Ko Lipe was virtually untouched when I first arrived. It saw few visitors (the ferry boats didn’t even run here year-round) so I came for […]
Costa Rica Travel Guide
Costa Rica is one of my favorite countries in the world. It was the first country I ever traveled to — and it was the country that sparked my wanderlust. These days, Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations in Central America. It’s popular with expats, luxury travelers, and backpackers alike. While it […]
The 13 Best Things to See & Do on the Oregon Coast
Last Updated: 3/1/24 | March 1st, 2024 Foggy, seeming perpetually damp, vibrantly green, and filled with tiny fishing villages, Oregon’s coast reminds me a lot of my home region of New England. Not so much weather-wise — New England isn’t as damp — but they both have a similar spirit. Here, like there, seafood is […]
The 7 Best Hostels in San Francisco
Last Updated: 5/15/23 | May 15th, 2023 San Francisco is a beautiful, eclectic city. Balancing its hippie roots with its modern, techie scene, it’s a cool, lively, energetic place bursting with history and tons of amazing food. It’s home to hippies, students, artists, entrepreneurs, and sizable immigrant communities. All of that combines to create one […]
The Best Places on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast
Last Updated: 3/17/21 | March 17th, 2021 Most travelers visiting Costa Rica think the Pacific side of the country is the better coast to visit. The remote Osa Peninsula, the monkey-filled area of Manuel Antonio, the surfing near Santa Theres, and the touristy Nicoya coast make it the superior choice. After all, the Caribbean coast […]