Food Archives -

Merida Travel Guide: What to do in Merida Vacation (Instagram Po

Merida Travel Guide: What to do on your Merida Vacation

Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Merida, Mexico

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 Yucatan Peninsula, offering countless day trips from Merida to nearby archeological sites, cenotes (natural underground […]

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Where to Eat in Mexico City: Best Restaurants for Tacos, Street Food, Coffee, Breakfast, Cantinas and More

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

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 with culture & since I have several other posts about CDMX and I continue to

Mezcal Collins Recipe: Classic Mezcal Cocktails

Cocktails, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Oaxaca, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal, Recipes + Cooking

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 put together a couple versions of classic mezcal cocktails including a mezcal collins recipe using

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Cucumber Flavored Water: Agua de Pepino con Chia Recipe

Food, Mexico, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal, Recipes + Cooking

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, vegetables, flowers, or a combination of things. One of my favorites is cucumber flavored water,

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Homemade Spicy Burgers: Oaxaca Hamburger with Chile de Arbol

Food, Mexico, Oaxaca, Recipes + Cooking

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 in these homemade spicy burgers is the chile de arbol – one of my favorite

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Jamaica Tacos: Vegetarian Friendly Hibiscus Flower Tacos

Aguas de Sabor/Flavored Waters, Food, Mexico, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal, Recipes + Cooking

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 of these recipes with you. First up will be vegetarian-friendly jamaica tacos – or tacos

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Wellness + Yoga Retreat Guatemala: Villa Sumaya Lake Atitlan Retreat

Central America, Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Guatemala, Hiking, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Retreats

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 in Central America, and when I stumbled on Villa Sumaya, Lake Atitlan retreat, I knew

Reusable Travel Utensils + Travel Food Containers: To-Go Ware to Reduce Your Environmental Footprint on the Road

Budget Travel Tips, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking + Adventures, Packing Tips, Travel Planning Resources, Travel Tips

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 that was an excuse (I could have made time) so I’ve become determined to cut

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San Cristobal Restaurants, Bars + Coffee Shops: What to Eat + Drink in San Cristobal de las Casas

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

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 some tourist restaurants are fine, I love to get a taste of typical local food

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Chiapas Travel Guide: Best Things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas + Hotels

Chiapas, Cultural Destinations, Food, Hotel Reviews, Mexico, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Tours, Transportation

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 with stunning, wild nature or cultural destinations, you will love this region. Over my week

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Artisan Oaxaca Tours: Thread Caravan Hammock Workshop + Textiles, Ceramics, and Mezcal Tours

Central America, Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Guatemala, Mexico, Mezcal, Nature, Oaxaca, Oaxaca City, Panama, Tour Reviews, Tours, Travel Planning Resources

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 work. A couple years ago, I discovered Thread Caravan’s artisan Oaxaca tours (as well as

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Where to Stay in Oaxaca: The Best Hotels in Oaxaca City

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

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 that I have very strong recommendations from trusted sources. There are hundreds of hotels in

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Quick Puebla Travel Guide: 7 Things to do in Puebla City

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

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 together a quick Puebla travel guide to tell you my favorite highlights. You could easily

San Agustinillo Hotel with an Epic Ocean View: Beautiful Zazil Retreat

Beach Escapes, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hotel Reviews, Mexico, Mexico Beaches, Nature, Oaxaca, Oaxaca Coast, Off-the-Beaten Path

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. Last trip we settled ourselves into Zazil Retreat, a beautiful San Agustinillo hotel that was

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San Agustinillo + Mazunte Oaxaca Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Eat + Where to Stay

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Hotel Reviews, Mexico, Mexico Beaches, Nature, Oaxaca, Oaxaca Coast, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal, Tour Reviews, Tours

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 adjacent towns of San Agustinillo and Mazunte, Oaxaca. They are so close you can walk

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Zicatela & La Punta, Puerto Escondido Guide: Things to Do in Puerto Escondido, Restaurants + Where to Stay

Beach Escapes, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Hotel Reviews, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Mexico Beaches, Nature, Oaxaca, Oaxaca Coast, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal

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 swimming beach in town – so I wanted to share them here, along with some

Best Things to Do in El Salvador: Why El Salvador Travel Should Be On Your Radar

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Central America, Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, El Salvador, Food, Hiking, Hiking + Adventures, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path

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, 2 volcanoes, 2 local markets, and a coffee farm. I learned so much about the

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Best Restaurants in Oaxaca: Ultimate Oaxaca Food Guide – Street Food, Fine Dining, Bakeries, Cocktail Bars + Everything in Between

Budget Travel Tips, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Mezcal, Oaxaca, Oaxaca City, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal, Travel Tips

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 able to experience living in different neighborhoods as well as villages outside the city, eating

A Roatan Vacation for Adventure Lovers: Camp Bay Lodge in Off-the-Beaten Path East End

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Caribbean, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Honduras, Hotel Reviews, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path

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 on the wild and undeveloped East End. The East End of the island receives

Roatan Travel Guide: Non-Diver’s Guide for Where to Stay, What to Do + Where to Eat on Roatan Island

Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Honduras, Hotel Reviews, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Tours

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 Caribbean waters off the coast of Honduras. Most Roatan travel revolves around exploring the second

Cayos Cochinos from Roatan Tour: Snorkeling + Sailing the Most Pristine Coral Reef with Zeppelin Dive & Sail

Beach Escapes, Caribbean, Central America, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking + Adventures, Honduras, Islands, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Tour Reviews, Tours, Transportation

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 determined to visit this gorgeous island chain, so I did my research and booked a

The Best West Bay Roatan Hotel: Artistic + Secluded Ibagari Boutique Hotel

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

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. After spending 10 days on the island of Roatan in Honduras, I am so

Mexico City Mezcal Cocktails: Where to Drink Mezcal Cocktails in Roma + Condesa

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

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, and Mexico City mezcal cocktails are among the best! In my many collective months spent

The Best Tacos in Puerto Vallarta Old Town

Beach Escapes, Budget Travel Tips, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Mexico Beaches, Puerto Vallarta

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 when I was in Puerto Vallarta for my second visit, I decided to do some

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Puerto Vallarta Food Tour: Tasting the Best of PV with Pitaya Food Tours

Beach Escapes, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Mexico Beaches, Puerto Vallarta, Tour Reviews, Tours

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, I contacted Pitaya Food Tours to set up a Puerto Vallarta Food Tour asap. The

Granada City Guide: What to Do in Granada Spain

Budget Travel Tips, Cultural Destinations, Europe, Food, Hiking, Spain, Travel Tips

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 Granada city guide, letting you know what to do in Granada – one of my

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Granada Food Tour: Tasting the Best of Granada with Spain Food Sherpas

Cultural Destinations, Europe, Food, Spain, Uncategorized

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. And also because I like to eat. 🙂 For some reason though, I rarely do

Boutique Hotel Lake Titicaca: A Luxurious Experience at Amantica Lodge

Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Hiking, Hotel Reviews, Nature, Off-the-Beaten Path, Peru, South America, Tour Reviews, Tours, Uncategorized

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 perfect choice for a boutique hotel Lake Titicaca experience. The stay totally lived up to

7 Things to Eat in Oaxaca Markets: Mercado Benito Juarez & 20 de Noviembre

Budget Travel Tips, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Mezcal, Oaxaca, Oaxaca City, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal, Uncategorized

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 Markets – Mercado Benito Juarez and 20 de Noviembre – dozens of times, but never

The 3 Best Places to Drink Tejate in Oaxaca

Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexico, Oaxaca, Oaxaca City, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal, Travel Tips

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 tlayudas), markets, and food collections in separate posts. One of the most important culinary gems

Oaxaca Mezcal Tour: Guide to Visiting the Best Mezcal Distilleries with Las Bugambilias Tours

Cultural Destinations, Eat Well in Latin America, Food, Mexican Food + Mezcal, Mexico, Mezcal, Oaxaca, Oaxaca City, Oaxacan Food + Mezcal, Off-the-Beaten Path, Tour Reviews, Tours, Uncategorized

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 a brief mention that Oaxaca is the place to find it. Then there are many

The 3 Best Places to Eat Tlayudas in Oaxaca

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

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 a couple tlayudas that were “good.” But at best, they are ricisimo (delicious) ! So

Oaxaca Mezcaleria Guide: 8 Places to Drink Mezcal in Oaxaca

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

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 one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted. (I love mezcal so much, I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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