If you’re looking for the best hotel in Merida Mexico, The Diplomat Boutique Hotel Merida is a perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and attention to detail. Nestled in a beautifully restored colonial building, this charming oasis is one of the … Read More
Why Visit Merida A Merida vacation offers a unique cultural experience. The city is rich with Mayan heritage, delicious Yucatecan cuisine, and stunning colonial architecture. If you travel to Merida, Mexico, you’ll find it’s a perfect base for exploring the … Read More
When deciding where to stay in Holbox, it’s essential to find a balance between comfort, location, and tranquility. During our stay, we found that Casa Mar delivered on all three fronts. Whether you’re searching for a peaceful retreat or a … Read More
Holbox is an otherworldly island that feels completely different from the rest of the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula. While it’s a perfect spot to relax and disconnect, there’s also plenty to explore. In this Holbox travel guide, I’ll … Read More
Traveling between Cancun, Isla Holbox, and Merida requires some planning, but there are a few transportation options for each budget and travel style. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get to Holbox from Cancun, as well as your options … Read More
Recently, I decided to upgrade my travel gear with some new hard case luggage, and after much research, I settled on what I now consider the best luggage set for my needs: the Level8 Road Runner Carry On and the … Read More
Puerto Escondido is growing at lightning speeds, which means that the infrastructure is struggling to keep up with demand from Airbnbs, hotels and tourists flooding in. Amid this bustling tourist influx, Casa de la Tierra stands out as an eco-friendly … Read More
Though I’ve visited the Oaxaca coast countless times, it took me years to stay in Huatulco because I had trouble finding a Huatulco boutique hotel. There aren’t many, this area is mostly filled with very large all-inclusive resorts. That’s just … Read More
My schedule was a bit complicated this summer but when I suddenly had the opportunity to take time off, I threw together a 10 day Mexico road trip itinerary, to get out of town quick and “do something simple but … Read More
My favorite pueblo magico is now Cuetzalan, Puebla, the absolutely gorgeous traditional town in the northeast of Puebla state, tucked into the lush tropical mountains. I based myself from the beautiful Cuetzalan hotel, Posada La Vereda, which was a perfect … Read More
We visited the beautiful towns of Mineral del Monte Pueblo Magico and Huasca de Ocampo Pueblo Magico recently during an epic road trip and they were beautiful and interesting towns to get to know Hidalgo. We based ourselves in two … Read More
What’s better than waking up on vacation and seeing the ocean’s waves outside your room window? Better yet, swimming in an infinity pool with a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean and a long beautiful beach below? If you’re looking … Read More
For years, Zihuatanejo was at the top of my Mexico travel list. I finally made it in 2022, and immediately loved it as much as I thought I would. The dramatic cliffs surrounding the deep bay that the town sits … Read More
When I truly love a place, I take sooo many pictures. At my lovely 3 night stay at Casas Maria Matilda, I took 1500+ pictures and video 🙂 . This Punta Pajaros Airbnb quickly rose to the top of my … Read More
After a few days staying near Playa La Ropa, we retreated to the tranquil Zihuatanejo Mexico beach hotel, Puerta Paraiso. This hotel on Playa Larga is beachfront, so you can enjoy the sight and sound of the waves from many … Read More
Zihuatanejo had been at the top of my list for years. I had been saving pretty hotels in the area on my Instagram, and at the top of my wishlist was Casa del Cielo, a boutique hotel in Zihuatanejo with … Read More
I put off writing this post for years because I wasn’t sure there needed to be another “where to eat in Mexico City” guide out there. But because food is such a huge part of my travel experience and connection … Read More
Bianni Beuú is hands down one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed, and it’s the best beach Airbnb in Oaxaca for groups of friends or families who want a gorgeous place to stay with lots of space and comfort. … Read More
For digital nomads and many modern travelers, fast reliable internet is a must, and can be stressful to find in a hotel or airbnb. Countless times I’ve scoured airbnb and hotel reviews about wifi to see if I truly can … Read More
I’ve stayed in many hotels and airbnbs in Puerto Escondido, La Punta, each with their distinct personality and pros and cons. The neighborhood of La Punta is growing extremely fast, and many new accommodation options are popping up, but I’m … Read More
I’ve stayed in many hotels and lots of towns on the Oaxaca coast, but one of my favorite places to stay is the gorgeous Monte Uzulu hotel in San Agustinillo. This impeccably designed Oaxaca beach hotel is perched on a … Read More
The line between typical mezcal and Mexican gin is hazy (but delicious), when it comes to agave gin. By definition, gin is a grain based alcohol that has been distilled with juniper and/or botanicals. Though mezcal is not grain-based (it’s … Read More
It’s been a minute since I posted a recipe, but I know we are all still looking for new cocktails to devour. I’m so excited to share these below two cocktails from one of my favorite bartenders, Leslie Cobos. She … Read More
Guatemala is an incredible, diverse country and it’s impossible to do everything in a week. But we’ll visit 3 distinct regions during our 1 week Guatemala trip. From the jungle and ruins of Tikal, to the beautiful colonial city of … Read More
Many people only plan a long-weekend Oaxaca trip, and miss out on so much food, culture, and beauty in the city and pueblos. I can’t tell you how many times those visitors have started planning their next trip before their … Read More
Travel Daydreaming is a virtual travel series, where I take you day-by-day through an itinerary in one of my favorite places. Today we will spend 1 week traveling to the best Oaxaca beaches, including Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, San Agustinillo, Zipolite … Read More
What are the best mezcal brands in the USA (and beyond)? This is a question I often get. It’s actually a bit tricky because most of the mezcal brands sold in the USA or abroad, aren’t the bottles that we … Read More
Mezcal makes everything better, doesn’t it? Including the classic moscow mule, transformed into a robust mezcal cocktail that’s still refreshing. This mezcal mule recipe walks you through making a fresh ginger concentrate for an authentic ginger flavor. This ginger concentrate … Read More
The goal of this post is to compile a bunch of options I’ve found to support local farms, small businesses and local designers during this time of COVID-19 in Oaxaca. I know some others have already made some great lists … Read More
Today’s cocktail comes from Cristian Valenzuela Teran, a mixologist from Mexicali Baja California, who trained at the renowned Criollo in Oaxaca, but now creates delicious drinks at Malia Ocean Bar in Ensenada, Baja California. He’s sharing his signature drink, the … Read More
During this COVID-19 pandemic, almost every industry, and therefore employees, are suffering the loss of business and jobs. I know many are concerned, and want to do anything they can to support others in their community at this time – … Read More
It’s mango season in Oaxaca, that means I am trying to find more ways to incorporate them into my diet. 🙂 So a couple weeks ago I tried making a spicy mezcal cocktail with mango and habanero. It was so … Read More
Flavored waters, or aguas frescas/aguas de sabor are a very important part of Mexican cuisine. If you go to any almost any local restaurant, they’ll have at least one agua for the day. They can be flavored with fruits, herbs, … Read More
Post and recipe in collaboration with: Perrito de Mercado There is something so comforting (and juicy) about a homemade burger, so we decided to try out a Oaxaca style version and the result was so, so good. The main star … Read More
During this strange time, I’ve been cooking as my main form of connecting with my community, myself, and enjoying simple pleasures. It’s been a really fun way to play with Oaxacan ingredients and dishes, so I want to share some … Read More
On my last trip through Chiapas and Guatemala, I spent the first two nights and the last two nights of my 2 week journey at the beautiful oasis of Sombra del Agua. This is one of the best designed Chiapas … Read More
On my first trip to Chiapas, I ran out of time to make it to the Lacandona/Montes Azules Chiapas jungle and I really regretted it. So on my last trip to Chiapas, I made it a priority to make it … Read More
One thing I love about the Oaxaca coast is that there are so many different types of beaches and hotels, you can find something perfect for every type of traveler. Villasol is one of the overall best hotels in Puerto … Read More
The reason I started this blog years ago, is because I worked in a creative industry (fashion) but was burned out & craved inspiration (alongside my insatiable urge to travel). Learning from local artisans, seeing amazing architecture, and visiting museums … Read More
I studied fashion design, then proceeded to work in the seemingly glamorous business in New York for 5+ years. I hated it. Mostly because the industry is structured to cut corners and value the bottom line above all else. This … Read More
When planning my trip to this colorful colonial city, I was searching for the best hotel in San Miguel de Allende to base myself. While there’s no shortage of options, I had a harder time than expected finding one that … Read More
There are so many travel and social apps out there, but none seem to be totally perfect for everything I want to do. As a creative person, I really like apps that are aesthetically pleasing and allow for my own … Read More
Antigua Guatemala is a place I visit often, so I finally decided to put together an Antigua travel guide. This beautiful and lovely little city is one of my favorites in Central America, it’s full of gorgeous historic homes and … Read More
If you travel a lot, you know the importance of getting rest when you can on those long haul flights, trains or buses. A restful journey means more time and energy to hit the ground running and enjoy your destination. … Read More
After several trips to the country, I can absolutely say that Lake Atitlan is one my favorite places to visit in Guatemala. When I think about Guatemala, I picture the magical lake surrounded by epic mountains and volcanoes, and the … Read More
Finding the perfect travel luggage has felt like a never ending search for me. But it’s become clear that I prefer and find a quality backpack so much more convenient than rolling options. I recently came across Banana Backpacks, and … Read More
Planning my Palenque tours from San Cristobal was probably the most difficult part of my Chiapas travel planning. The Palenque ruins are quite far from San Cristobal, and there is mixed information online about the safest way to get there. … Read More
This post is for the ladies (men now is your chance to click away!) Let’s talk about periods while traveling – annoying, expensive, and inconvenient are words that come to mind. But a couple years ago I discovered something that … Read More
A couple of months ago, I started planning a solo trip, but wanted to be in a space where I would: 1) meet interesting people and 2) have a meaningful experience. I had planned on finding a yoga retreat somewhere … Read More
I’ll be honest, I spent a few years of travel being lazy about my environmental choices. When I was traveling full-time, I didn’t feel like I had time to research and find natural, healthy, and sustainable products. Now I know … Read More
Last month I had the pleasure of staying in the beautiful and welcoming Casa Lum Boutique Hotel San Cristobal, Chiapas. For 4 days and 3 nights. I felt at home in the thoughtfully decorated hotel, taken care of by the … Read More
It’s not every day I find a company that has some of the most beautiful, unique clothing around AND a strong moral compass & mission. MATTER is just that – their mission is to connect designers with artisans, in order … Read More
Before my trip to San Cristobal de las Casas, I did some searching for where to eat and drink in the city. I had a hard time finding info that wasn’t only directing me to tourist restaurants – and while … Read More
For 3 years all I had was one suitcase and about a week and a half of outfits. I loved the minimalist packing lifestyle, and was a bit worried once I settled down that I might start amassing a bunch … Read More
After years of dreaming about Chiapas travel, I finally had a chance to explore the southernmost state in Mexico. It’s a beautiful and unique place, really different from anywhere else I’ve been in the country. If you like visiting places … Read More
There is very little that gets me more excited than learning from talented, master artisans in their homeland. In fact, the original reason I came to Oaxaca years ago was because of its reputation for gorgeous textiles and traditional artisan … Read More
One of my most frequently asked questions is – where to stay in Oaxaca? So I put together a list of the best hotels in Oaxaca. I will only be including hotels that I have stayed at and loved or … Read More
One of my favorite things about our lovely weekend trip to Puebla was our stay in the gorgeous boutique hotel in Puebla – Meson Sacristia de la Compañia . This Puebla hotel is a sight for sore eyes – a … Read More
Contemplating a quick trip to Puebla? Many people skip over this huge, historic city, but if you have even a couple of days to detour here, you’ll find tons of cool things to do in Puebla city. So I’ve put … Read More
My mantra lately has been to let go of boring clothing that is only functional without being beautiful or fun. So I’ve been trying to rebuild my wardrobe, adding in some stylish travel clothes that pack well and serve lots … Read More
My favorite way to spend time on the Oaxaca coast is to divide my time between the larger surf town of Puerto Escondido, and the laid back beach villages of Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Zipolite. My first time making the … Read More
This is my most asked question about the Oaxaca coast – how to get there?! That’s because this remote area is surrounded by rugged mountains and there just isn’t a lot of info online. So I want to share what … Read More
This is probably the #1 question I get about the Oaxaca coast – how do you get there? So I want to put together the best info I’ve gathered over many years about how to get to Puerto Escondido. This will … Read More
The Oaxaca coast is full of different cove beaches and towns. The unique thing about this coastline is that every Oaxaca beach and town has a totally different vibe, so you can find a place for any type of traveler … Read More
I’ve been on a spree of writing blogs about the Oaxaca coast because it’s such a gorgeous area that few people know about. My new favorite part of the coast is the tiny, relaxing, off-the-beaten path town of San Agustinillo. … Read More
As a digital nomad and former full-time traveler, I can attest that I am (sometimes too) aware of international wifi roaming options. I’ve lived and worked in 17 countries, and spent lots of time being stressed out about having adequate … Read More
The Oaxaca coast is still outside of the mainstream tourist itinerary, so you can escape the crowds here and be treated to some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. One of my favorite parts of this coast are the … Read More
After 3 years of full-time travel, I’m tired of items that are only functional. Boring plain black bags and dresses don’t hold any appeal for me. I’ve realized that over the last 4 months, I’ve suddenly filled my closet with … Read More
I visit La Punta Zicatela, Puerto Escondido often from my home in Oaxaca. I’ve gotten a good handle on all the best things to do in and around Puerto Escondido – including releasing baby turtles, cliffside walks, and the best … Read More
I’ve been learning Spanish for years now. First in high school/college, then out in my travels, and then pretty heavily over the last 3 years as I’ve traveled full-time in Latin America. I’ve tried lots of language learning tools, some … Read More
I recently found out about a new trip planning tool called Relovate that I’ve been using as my itinerary planner for two upcoming trips. It has some really unique features that I haven’t seen before all in one tool, so … Read More
El Salvador travel is very off the radar for many, which is exactly the reason I was so interested to visit. During my whirlwind 6 day El Salvador tour with the El Salvador Tourism Board, I visited 10 towns/cities, 4 beaches, … Read More
The time has come for me to put together a comprehensive Oaxaca food guide of all the best restaurants in Oaxaca, a place that has pulled me into its orbit again and again. After years in this city, I’ve been … Read More
When you choose an alternative lifestyle with no road map, how do you know when to make changes and where those changes should lead you? I’ve been debating sharing about this for a couple of months now. It’s honestly pretty … Read More
I’ve already established that my time on the Caribbean island of Roatan was above and beyond anything I expected. I loved this interesting and beautiful island. One of the most surprising parts of my Roatan vacation was my 3 days … Read More
Roatan is an beautiful Caribbean island that seems to be on very few non-divers’ radar. It’s actually fairly little known in the travel world in general. This small island is part of a chain of 3 islands in the clear … Read More
A good hotel should tick all the boxes – including location, decor, and amenities. But most importantly, it should feel GOOD to be in. Roatan hotel, Puerta Azul boutique hotel has a great vibe and felt like the perfect retreat … Read More
The Cayos Cochinos are a little-known and postcard-worthy island archipelago off the coast of Honduras. The only way to reach them from Roatan is by chartering a sailboat or taking one of only a couple sail tour options. I was … Read More
If you are looking for a boutique hotel near Roatan’s most beautiful beach, West Bay Beach, Ibagari Boutique Hotel is a gem. This West Bay Roatan hotel is beyond gorgeous, in a perfect location, and is both luxurious and relaxing. … Read More
Over the last 3 years (2 of which have been full-time travel) I have flown 31 one-way flights (it’s hard for me to speak in terms of round trips because I almost never book a round trip flight) all of … Read More
Mezcal is one of my favorite things, this is not news to anyone who knows me. I usually prefer to drink it straight – the way it’s meant to be sipped. But sometimes, it’s nice to have a refreshing cocktail, … Read More
One of my favorite things to do in Mexico is eat, especially on the street. Mexico’s street food is full of the most traditional, well-prepared, delicious food and I like to take it upon myself to try it all. So … Read More
In my humble opinion, the Puerto Vallarta beaches south of the city are the most Instagram-worthy, beautiful, and dramatic beaches, and yet they are usually mostly empty. It baffles me because they are SO easy to get to, whether you … Read More
When you travel 100% of the time for over 3 years, you learn some things about what things you REALLY need and what things you don’t. I’ve made lots of tweaks and changes to my location independent travel packing list … Read More
I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me until recently, but food tours are my new favorite way to get to know a city and a culture. So when I was planning my trip to Pacific coast of Mexico, … Read More
Do you ever just immediately fall in love with a city you visit? This is what happened to me when I visited Granada, Spain. I loved every minute of wandering this old city’s winding streets. So I put together a … Read More
Food, to me, is one of the biggest pieces of the cultural puzzle. I try to eat as many local, traditional, and every day meals as possible to get a feel for the culture, history, and lifestyle of a place. … Read More
I love hiking and doing nature explorations when I go to a new place. So when I was planning my time in Spain, I knew I wanted to find a way to fit some trekking in. I had heard that … Read More
One of my absolute favorite activities when visiting a new place is simple – wandering the streets with a camera in hand, hunting for pretty nooks and corners. When I was researching what to do in Cusco,I found some good … Read More
When I first found Amantica Lodge online, I immediately fell in love with this Peru luxury hotel. The design of the exclusive villa was everything I look for in a hotel – sleek, hip and beautiful. This seemed like the … Read More
One of the very first things I knew I wanted to do when I got to Peru was the Rainbow Mountain trek. This hike is still fairly new on the tourist scene, but it’s splashed all over social media – … Read More
I feel like my time in the Cusco region of Peru was nothing short of magical – and I don’t say that lightly. For 3 weeks we spent time in Cusco city, Ollantaytambo, and many of the surrounding towns and … Read More
One of my favorite things to do in any Latin American city or town is visit the local markets to quickly get a feel for the local culture and taste the traditional food. I’ve been to the most famous Oaxaca … Read More
Oaxaca is such an amazing foodie city that I don’t want to make one “must eats” post – I don’t think that does the traditional food culture here justice. Instead I want to focus on certain important dishes (like … Read More
It shocked me to find so little info online about what mezcal distilleries to visit on a Oaxaca mezcal tour. Sure there are lots of articles about the trendy spirit – but almost all focus on what mezcal is with … Read More
When I found Nautilus Boutique Hotel online, I knew they filled all 3 of my Santa Teresa hotel requirements:◆Jungle plant overload◆Central location to beach and amenities◆Lots of cute details So if you hadn’t already guessed, I loved my time here! I only … Read More
When I found Peace Retreat online, the first thing that I noticed was how flexible their programs were. I’ve wanted to try a yoga retreat for while, but was often turned off by high rates or specific dates that didn’t … Read More
Tlayudas in Oaxaca are what street tacos are to Mexico City, or pizza is to New York City. They’re the quintessential meal/snack/post-bar grub/hangover food/etc.. Every restaurant has their own version, plus plenty of street food stands. At worst I’ve had … Read More
After spending years in Oaxaca, I’ve made it my mission to visit just about every Oaxaca mezcaleria in the Centro. I’ve narrowed down my list of favorites, each with their own vibe, depending on your mood. I think mezcal is … Read More
One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to take photos. While a lot of people say that you miss enjoying the scenery when you’re focused on your camera (or phone) lens, I actually think I notice details … Read More