Hello and welcome to On a Road to Nowhere!
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to visit our humble travel blog. We’re here to inspire unique, authentic, and ethical travel experiences while giving you deeper insights into the history, politics, and culture of some of our favorite destinations. Travel should be about making meaningful connections and responsible exploration, not just ticking popular sights off a list.
Explore Destinations
Most travel blogs kind of suck. Half the time, it feels like you’re reading a pitch for a multi-level marketing scheme. At On a Road to Nowhere, we’re trying our best not to suck. Our travel guides provide honest opinions and insights into local history, culture, and politics so you can actually understand a place before you visit.
Central America
Asia
Living Abroad
Gain insights and information about adapting to new cultures and navigating life overseas. Here we share stories and advice about the joys and harsh realities of living in a new country and culture. Click here for more or explore some of the latest posts…
- How to Talk to People Who Don’t Speak English Good
- What is Culture Shock? My Personal Experience in China
- Loneliness, Holidays and Living Overseas
- How to Vote in the Primary From Overseas
Language Learning
Mastering a new language can open both doors and windows to deeper connections and richer travel experiences. Whether you’re a casual tourist or a long-term expat, we have tips and guides for saying more than just “where is the library?” Read more here.
- The Best YouTube Videos for Learning Chinese: Your Ultimate Guide
- How I learned Chinese (and So Can You)
- How to Talk to People Who Don’t Speak English Good
- Bad Advice: Things You Shouldn’t Do When Learning Chinese
- Studying Chinese in China
The Most Recent Posts
- León Was Nicaragua’s Biggest Travel Letdown
León seemed like the kind of place I would love. Before I arrived, I did what most travelers do and read all the travel guides and blogs I could about Nicaragua’s second largest city. A city filled with crumbling colonial architecture, burning with both tropical sun and leftist political fervor. Young Nicaraguans would fill the… Read more: León Was Nicaragua’s Biggest Travel Letdown - Granada, Nicaragua: a Colonial Beauty That Might Steal Your Heart
Granada is Nicaragua’s charismatic temptress. The city, nicknamed “La Gran Sultana” exudes old-world elegance charm. But don’t let that refined outer beauty fool you into thinking she’s some kind of stuffy old maid. There’s a fiery passion that flows through Granada’s colonial streets, and a population of some of the warmest people you’ll ever meet.… Read more: Granada, Nicaragua: a Colonial Beauty That Might Steal Your Heart - Understanding Nicaragua: A History Guide for Travelers to This Land of Resistance and Resilience
Nicaragua has had a turbulent history to say the least. As travelers, it’s important that we make an effort to understand the history of places we visit, to learn why they are the way they are. Especially countries, like Nicaragua, that may have suffered from the actions of our own governments. Thus, here’s my attempt… Read more: Understanding Nicaragua: A History Guide for Travelers to This Land of Resistance and Resilience - Navigating Nicaragua: A Travel Guide to the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes and Revolution
Nicaragua will always hold a piece of my heart. It was the first country I’d ever traveled to independently, and where I fell in love with both travel and Latin America. Before visiting, I remember reading about the Nicaraguan civil war and Iran Contra scandal. It made me realize that the U.S. government weren’t always… Read more: Navigating Nicaragua: A Travel Guide to the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes and Revolution - El Tunco: Wiping Out in El Salvador’s Beginner Surf Capital
El Tunco is a small town on El Salvador’s Pacific coast. The town has a reputation as a backpacker beach party town. It’s definitely a backpacker beach party town. El Tunco is also one of the best places to learn how to surf. In fact, there isn’t much else to do in El Tunco besides… Read more: El Tunco: Wiping Out in El Salvador’s Beginner Surf Capital - San Salvador: Not a Travel Guide to El Salvador’s Burgeoning Capital
There was a time not too long ago when the mere mention of El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador, struck fear into the hearts of all wholesome North American tourists. This city of two million still conjures up images of scary bald men with face tattoos toting guns and murdering with impunity. But in the last… Read more: San Salvador: Not a Travel Guide to El Salvador’s Burgeoning Capital - Roaming La Ruta de las Flores: Coffee, Waterfalls, and Scenic Villages in El Salvador
La Ruta de las Flores might be my favorite part of El Salvador. It’s a collection of tranquil villages resting along a winding road that twists and turns through El Salvador’s western mountains. The climate is cool, the air is clean, the views are gorgeous and the pupusas are cooked fresh. What to Know about… Read more: Roaming La Ruta de las Flores: Coffee, Waterfalls, and Scenic Villages in El Salvador - Santa Ana: A Guide to What Might Be the Friendliest Place in El Salvador
Some cities immediately blow you away with their beauty and energy. Santa Ana is not one of those cities. However, look beyond the first glance and you’ll find a charming and place with plenty to keep you occupied for a few days. You’ll also find a city full of incredibly friendly, warm people who would… Read more: Santa Ana: A Guide to What Might Be the Friendliest Place in El Salvador
As tourism becomes more popular worldwide, the travel industry has grown increasingly exploitative and damaging. Instead of supporting local communities, tourist dollars often end up lining the pockets of foreign millionaires, while gentrification tears communities apart.
At On a Road to Nowhere, we want you to think critically about your impact as a traveler. Are you contributing to neo-colonial exploitation? Or are you striving for a meaningful cultural exchange? It’s important we challenge our own perspectives and do our best to contribute to travel ethically and responsibly. In other words: don’t be a jerk.