Travel Destinations
“You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another.”
Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises
One of the most difficult decisions to make when deciding to travel, is also probably the most important: choosing where to travel to. Below is a collection of various travel guides to different destinations spanning from Latin America to East Asia. Check back frequently, as we’re always adding more. Or better yet, sign up for the mailing list!
Keep in mind wherever you travel that we have a certain responsibility as tourists. Especially as tourists from rich countries visiting poor or developing countries. Many of these countries have suffered for decades at the hands of our governments and corporations. The least we can do is be respectful when we visit these amazing places. The people in these countries have welcomed us, we should behave as grateful guests. Be mindful of local customs, be prepared to pay a little extra sometimes and remember that most people really want you to have a good time in their country!
Central America
Asia
The Latest Travel Posts from Various Destinations…
- Bananas, Backpackers and the Bourgeoisie: Why You Shouldn’t Travel to Bocas Del Toro, Panama
Bocas del Toro is on all of the must-see travel lists for Panama. This Caribbean archipelago, near Panama’s border with Costa Rica, has been the next big thing in tourism for years. With its sandy beaches, clear waters and laid-back culture, Bocas del Toro definitely seems like a sure thing. Well, I’m here to ruin it for you. I’m the guy putting up a big beach umbrella to block your sun. The jellyfish that stings your leg during a snorkeling tour. The little kid who pees in your hotel pool. In my opinion, Panama’s next big thing in tourism just… Read more: Bananas, Backpackers and the Bourgeoisie: Why You Shouldn’t Travel to Bocas Del Toro, Panama - Panama City Travel Guide: It Has a Canal and Some Other Things
Panama City is glitzy, modern and sprawling. Glass and concrete skyscrapers line streets. Cranes and construction sites promise more buildings to come. Swanky hotels and short-term rentals stacked upon cosmopolitan restaurants and posh shopping centers overlook grey, rocky tidal flats. A cement highway rings the Pacific shoreline and traffic crawls like a line of ants. Panama City is located at the strategic junction North and South America. It’s famous namesake canal connects the world’s two major oceans and is a major thoroughfare for international shipping. The city’s architecture ranges from the elegant Spanish Colonial homes of the Casco Viejo district… Read more: Panama City Travel Guide: It Has a Canal and Some Other Things - Santa Catalina and Coiba National Park: Panama’s Worst-Kept Beach Secret
I’ve heard rumors of a mythical off-the-beaten-path beach destination for years. A tiny town where the local fishermen outnumber the tourists. Where people haven’t even heard the words “spring break” or “digital nomad.” I’ve traveled the globe for years looking for this mythical beach town, only to be sorely disappointed. I have to say that Santa Catalina, Panama, isn’t quite the beach town of legend, but at least it didn’t disappoint. Santa Catalina is a former fishing village on Panama’s Pacific coast. It’s well-known as a surfing destination, but it’s also the gateway to the magnificent Coiba National Park. Despite… Read more: Santa Catalina and Coiba National Park: Panama’s Worst-Kept Beach Secret - Hiking, Coffee, and Classic Rock: Boquete is Panama’s Pleasant Surprise
The mountain town of Boquete in Panama’s western highlands is sort of like receiving a surprise bouquet of flowers. It’s unexpected, but delightful. Boquete was unexpected, because on paper, it seems like the sort of place I hate to travel to. The town center is very gentrified. It’s a major hub for North American retirees. Boquete is the sort of place where the main road is lined with so many burger joints, pizzerias and craft breweries. You’ll hear almost as much English as Spanish. You might even forget you’re in Panama. The delightful surprise is that Boquete has much more… Read more: Hiking, Coffee, and Classic Rock: Boquete is Panama’s Pleasant Surprise - Rethinking Travel Safety and Crime in Latin America
Mention traveling in Latin America to almost anyone in the United States and you’re likely to get one question: is it safe? Our newspapers are filled with horror stories of cartel violence. Crime and safety even dominate discussions in hostel common rooms on the road. Not the food or culture or scenery or anything else. The main concern is always how safe are Central and South America for travelers. My wife and I were at a party shortly before we left for our year and a half long trip through Latin America. A few beers in, an acquaintance sat us… Read more: Rethinking Travel Safety and Crime in Latin America - Passing Through Panama: A Travel Guide to the Country that Connects the Americas
Panama is the little snake sliver of land that connects North and South America. It’s home to the famous canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Depending on your travel itinerary, you may even have a connecting flight at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. Maybe you could say Panama is the land of connections. Unfortunately, I can’t say that I really connected with Panama. The country felt like a bit of a shoulder shrug compared to some of its neighbors. It doesn’t have the archeological and cultural richness of Guatemala. It definitely doesn’t have the exquisite friendliness of… Read more: Passing Through Panama: A Travel Guide to the Country that Connects the Americas