The Travel Mantra rounded up a bunch of the best spots to visit while backpacking in South America—and my tip to do a boat trip through the San Blas Islands made the list! Check out the write-up (and a bunch of other great destinations) here:
All articles filed in South America
Visiting the Baldi Hot Springs in Costa Rica
Tourist hawkers along La Fortuna’s main street will try pushing a huge number of activities on you. You can four-wheel up volcanic slopes. Zipline through the tree canopy. Rappel down waterfalls. Get soaked on a white water raft. Spy on vipers, toucans, and monkeys on a hike. Take a horseback ride through the rainforest. There’s…
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Visiting the Panama Canal: A New World Wonder
Country 21: Panama | This post is part of my 30×30 series. Read more here! Completely by accident, I arrived in Panama City on the day of the 100th Anniversary of the Panama Canal opening. After four days of touring the pristine San Blas Islands, I was pretty reluctant to trade my beach vibes for a trip…
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5 Fun and Cheap Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia
Country 20: Colombia | This post is part of my 30×30 series. Read more here! If the plethora of swanky bars and burgeoning boutique hotels in the Walled City are any indication, While Cartagena is starting to boom as a hotspot Colombian destination, it’s still quite possible to tour the city as a budget traveler. Here are…
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Visiting the Jardim Botânico in Rio de Janeiro
Country 19: Brazil | This post is part of my 30×30 series. Read more here! Rio de Janeiro is perhaps the most awesome city I have ever visited, with heavy emphasis on the awe. It is the very definition of urban jungle, with plenty of concrete and plenty more greenery. But tucked between the beaches and…
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San Blas(t) Adventures: Sailing from Colombia to Panama
Now that the moving in is all settled, we can get back to the adventures. San Blas Islands, Panama — August 2014 After leaving Cartagena, we spent just one night in Turbo before leaving for the promised (is)land chain: the San Blas Islands. There are a few ways you can do this three-night, four-day journey—most…
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San Blas Adventures Review: Sailing from Colombia to Panama
San Blas Islands, Panama — August 2014 Sailing from Colombia to Panama was an absolute dream. After leaving Cartagena, we spent just one night in Turbo before leaving for the promised (is)lands: the San Blas Islands. There are a few ways you can do this three-night, four-day journey. Most of the options involve large-scale sailboats…
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The Adventure Begins: Turbo, Colombia
If you hate sleeping in hammocks, the San Blas islands are probably not for you. If you hate traveling by boat, the islands are probably not your jam. If you hate drinking games, meeting new people, bonfires, snorkeling, or fine white sand, you are likely going to hate the San Blas islands. Luckily for you,…
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Cartagena, Colombia: Door Decor
Cartagena is famous for its beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. Ornately carved woodwork, beautiful balconies, shuttered windows, shining stucco, and brilliant orange-tiled roofs all draw the eye and the camera lens, but my favorite architectural detail had to be the door decor. An unexpected bit of elegance and whimsy, these metal creations added personality and flair to the adobe…
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Turning World Cup Stadiums Into Housing
From Stadium Seats to Sitting Rooms: Turning World Cup Stadiums Into Housing
Wow—what an incredible idea. As the World Cup medal ceremony commenced, I had more than a pang of sadness at the thought of these colossal structures going to waste. But then I came across this article on Fast Company that showcases two architects with a brilliant idea of turning the World Cup stadiums into high-density housing. With the public enraged at the use of government spending for the FIFA tournament, what better way to spin the situation into a positive than by turning them into a public benefit? Click the link above for the rest of the story and pics!
Up and Gone 