Susan Metenosky

Quirky Caye Caulker: Things to Do in Belize’s Offbeat Island Paradise

Beach Escapes, Belize, Caribbean, Central America, Cultural Destinations, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Travel Tips

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 not unusual to hear their own distinct Creole with some English and even a little […]

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Mexico City Travel

Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexico, Mexico City, Travel Tips

When I mention to someone that I’m currently living in Mexico City, I get two very distinct reactions. Sometimes my statement is met with enthusiasm (usually from someone who has already done some Mexico City travel), but more often it’s met with a pause and some confusion. Many Americans, Canadians, and even Europeans are very misinformed

How to Get to Cambutal, Panama by Bus

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Central America, Off-the-Beaten Path, Panama, Transportation

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 that is literally at the end of the road. It hasn’t been discovered yet, and

How to Get to Las Lajas, Panama

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Central America, Off-the-Beaten Path, Panama, Transportation, Travel Tips

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. So I want to dedicate a post to getting to Las Lajas, Panama from anywhere

Casa Lajagua: A Relaxing Boutique Hotel in Panama’s Azuero Peninsula

Beach Escapes, Central America, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Panama, Uncategorized

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 is thought of as the cultural heart of Panama – full of cowboys, ranchos, traditional

La Finca Cambutal: Hotel on the Best Undiscovered Beach in Panama

Beach Escapes, Central America, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Panama, Travel Tips, Uncategorized

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 we really enjoyed all the different regions we were able to visit, one area stood

The Ultimate Guide to Transportation in Mexico, Central & South America

Budget Travel Tips, Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, South America, Transportation, Travel Planning Resources, Travel Tips

15 Ways to Travel Latin America by Bus, Boat, Tuk-Tuk & More! Have you ever felt a little intimidated, or even terrified, to figure out how to navigate the plethora of options for transportation in Mexico, Central and South America? Don’t panic and book the incredibly overpriced private transportation you find online. Take a few

Naturalmente Hotel in Las Lajas Panama: A Foodie’s Paradise on the Pacific Coast

Beach Escapes, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Panama

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 stretch of black sand beach. So it wasn’t a surprise to us to find this

Boutique Hotel in Boquete: A Lush Mountain Retreat at Isla Verde

Central America, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Panama

Our first stop in Panama was Boquete and the timing for us was a bit tricky. We had just come out of an intense week running back and forth seeing family in the States. And the month before that, my husband and I were apart while he worked on a music tour and I continued to

5 Tips to Finding Budget Hotels and Hostels in Central America, South America and Mexico

Budget Travel Tips, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Lodging Tips, Mexico, Nicaragua, South America, Travel Planning Resources, Travel Tips

Are you scared of hostels? Do you fear pre-booking a budget hotel, only to walk into the bedroom and find stains on the sheets and cockroaches in the corner? Fear not, there are tons of great budget hotels and hostels in Central America, South America and Mexico. I’ve traveled through this region for years, staying

Dreamy Design Hotel in Tulum: Review of Huitzical

Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Hotel Reviews, Lodging Tips, Mexico, Mexico Beaches, Nature, Travel Tips, Tulum, Uncategorized

Mention Tulum and you’ll get some strong opinions. Some people love it, while others think it’s over. I just visited Tulum for the second time, and I loved it just as much as the first time a few years ago. However, because it’s now quite touristy, I think there is a specific way you should

Cochinita Power: My New Favorite Restaurant in Mexico City

Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Mexico City, Uncategorized

It’s ironic that I’m writing this recommendation for a Yucatecan restaurant in Mexico City when I am actually in the Yucatan Peninsula. But Mexico City does cuisine from every region of the country incredibly well, and Cochinita Power is no exception! During our last trip to Mexico City, we stayed in the historic neighborhood of San

Copy of boutique hotel in mexico city el patio 77 historic hotel

Gorgeous Boutique Hotel in Mexico City: El Patio 77 in a Historic Mansion

Cultural Destinations, Mexico, Mexico City

Anytime I have a chance to pass through Mexico City, I’m thrilled. I’ve been lucky enough to spent many months here over the years, staying in tons of airbnbs and hotels from Roma, Condesa, Coyoacan, Anzures, to San Rafael. They all have their own personalities and charms, but El Patio 77 boutique hotel in Mexico

How to See the Best Oaxacan Textiles: Review of Las Bugambilias Tours

Cultural Destinations, Food, Mexico, Oaxaca, Oaxaca City, Off-the-Beaten Path, Tour Reviews, Tours, Travel Tips

The first time I ever came to Oaxaca was mainly due to the rich textile culture here. I’ve always been on the search for the best Oaxacan textiles: the most traditional techniques, high quality fibers, beautiful natural dyes and amazing huipiles. Guided Tour vs. Solo Exploring for the Best Oaxacan Textiles When you have a

What is Housesitting? And How to Find Your First Housesit…

Housesitting, Lodging Tips, Travel Planning Resources, Travel Tips

Housesitting has changed my life. I never thought I’d be able to travel for extended periods of time, but we traveled non-stop for almost 3 years, and housesitting is a big reason we were able to do so! I can’t say enough good things about international housesitting. This amazing arrangement allows us to cut out

Oaxaca Hotel Review: Casa De Las Bugambilias B&B

Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Hotel Reviews, Lodging Tips, Mexico, Oaxaca, Oaxaca City

It’s probably pretty obvious by now that Oaxaca is one of my favorite cities in the world. Few places have it beat for its high level of culture, complex food, delicious mezcal, colonial architecture, and surrounding natural beauty. So when I was planning my second trip to the city, I knew what I wanted in my

Boutique Hotel in Guadalajara: Review of La Fe Hotel and Arts

Guadalajara, Hotel Reviews, Lodging Tips, Mexico, Uncategorized

When I look for the perfect hotel in Latin America, I always like to find accommodation that balances authentic local charm with modern and comfortable amenities. LA FE Hotel and Arts does this perfectly. This boutique hotel in Guadalajara is set in a gorgeous 1930’s mansion that has been converted into a quaint 7 room hotel. Almost all of

How to Find Good & Safe Street Food in Latin America

Caribbean, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexico, South America, Travel Planning Resources, Travel Tips, Uncategorized

You know all those people who say not to eat street food because it’ll make you sick. IGNORE THEM, please. In my opinion, street food is safer than a meal in a restaurant, as everything is done right in front of you. Don’t like the look of the kitchen? Think the food doesn’t look fresh?

Colombia Travel Guide: Top 4 Things to do in Cartagena

Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Food, Lodging Tips, South America, Travel Tips, Uncategorized

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 descent, so the local culture is totally different from the culture inland. Vibrant colors, colonial

Colombia Travel Guide: Top 6 Things to Do in Medellin

Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Food, Hiking, Nature, South America, Travel Tips

Medellin is located northwest of Bogota, in the state of Antioquia. Residents, called Paisas, are much more interested in their local culture than that of Colombia as a whole. Antioquians are very proud of their history, culture, food, and way of life. The city is located in a valley surrounded by mountains. It’s large and sprawling,

Colombia Travel Guide: Top 5 Things To Do in Bogota

Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Food, Hiking, Nature, Photo Diary, South America, Travel Tips, Uncategorized

Bogota is located almost exactly in the center of the country, high up in the Andes mountains at 2644 meters (8675 feet). It’s a huge city – with 6 1/2 million residents, but surrounded by beautiful natural places that can be reached on day trips or longer ventures. If you go to Colombia, chances are

The 3 Best Adventures in Colombia: Part 3 – Visiting the San Bernardo Islands

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Food, Hiking + Adventures, Islands, Lodging Tips, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, South America, Transportation, Travel Tips

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 my customized map below with accommodation options on the islands and links to book! [thrive_leads

The 3 Best Adventures in Colombia: Part 2 – Camping Parque Tayrona

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Colombia, Food, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Lodging Tips, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, South America, Travel Tips

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 – Parque Tayrona is a national park on the northeast Caribbean coastline of Colombia. It’s well

Hiking Valle de Cocora: The 3 Best Adventures in Colombia Part 1

Colombia, Cultural Destinations, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, South America, Travel Tips

My 3 favorite adventures during my month long trip around Colombia weren’t found in the main tourist destinations of Bogota, Medellin, or Cartagena, they were in beautiful remote areas that took some work to get to. One of my absolute favorite days in Colombia was hiking Valle de Cocora, walking amidst the tallest palm trees in the world,

San Juan Del Sur Beach Round-up: All Beaches are Not Created Equal!

Beach Escapes, Central America, Hiking, Nature, Nicaragua, Travel Tips

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 it’s own geography, ocean currents, and patrons. Part of the fun of staying in town

Rincon Beach, Las Galeras, Dominican Republic

The Three Beaches in Las Galeras: The Unconventional Way

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Caribbean, Cultural Destinations, Dominican Republic, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Travel Tips

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 – Rincon, Fronton, and Madama. We had loosely planned to do this, but ended up touring

Hotel Tip in…Las Galeras, Dominican Republic

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Food, Hotel Reviews, Islands, Lodging Tips, Off-the-Beaten Path, Travel Tips, Uncategorized

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. The budget options here tended to be a bit rundown, with bare bones furniture and

Can you backpack in the Dominican Republic?

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Food, Islands, Lodging Tips

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 resorts in the Dominican Republic. Yet when I began my search for budget hotels or

5 Things the Guidebooks Miss about Oaxaca

Cultural Destinations, Hiking, Mexico, Nature, Oaxaca, Oaxaca City, Travel Tips

The first thing you must do in Oaxaca is eat. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eat second breakfast, mid-day snack, and late night treat. Eat! Between meals, you should fit in some of the other activities the city has to offer. The five things below may or may not be in the guidebooks, but if

11 Must Eats in Oaxaca: 11 Important Oaxacan Dishes + Where to Find Them

Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Oaxaca, Oaxaca City, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal, Uncategorized

Complex sauces made from 30+ ingredients, chile roasted grasshoppers, and soup made of squash flowers – what do these foods have in common? They are a few of the local dishes that make Oaxaca famous for their complex cuisine. How about some suckling pig, artisanal hot chocolate or small batch mezcal? Did you know

Hotel Tip in…Oaxaca, Mexico

Budget Travel Tips, Cultural Destinations, Hotel Reviews, Lodging Tips, Mexico, Oaxaca, Travel Tips, Uncategorized

My husband and I rented a fantastic apartment in Oaxaca, Mexico for a week in April. The aptly named Casa de los Abuelos (House of the Grandparents) made us feel right at home during our stay. When thinking over the pros and cons for this list, I really struggled to come up with any cons. I think

Coffee Beans and Bahias: Day Tripping on the Oaxacan Coast

Beach Escapes, Cultural Destinations, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Mexico Beaches, Oaxaca, Oaxaca Coast, Off-the-Beaten Path, Travel Tips, Uncategorized

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 drive up high into the inland mountains to explore the tiny, coffee-growing village of Pluma

Surfers and Hippies find their Endless Summer: Puerto Escondido

Beach Escapes, Mexico, Oaxaca, Oaxaca Coast, Off-the-Beaten Path, Travel Tips

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 the world chasing the perfect wave. I was ready to buy a VW van and

Hotel Tip in…Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Hotel Reviews, Lodging Tips, Mexico, Mexico Beaches, Oaxaca

It’s rare to find a budget hotel with a great beach view directly from your room. So when booked a room at Hotel Buena Vista for $36/USD a night, I was thrilled. Our room was huge, with two beds, a kitchenette, private bathroom, and a huge balcony that overlooks Playa Zicatela below. I spent every

Author name: Susan