Tag Archives: travel
Rick Mereki spent 44 days, traveling 38,000 miles, across 11 countries, just to film this one-minute video. The concept is simple, but boy, what a video.
Top 5 Panama Destinations for Backpackers to Visit
Top 5 Panama Destinations for Backpackers to Visit
Kate and I are about to leave Panama, but before we do, we wanted to compile a list of our Top 5 Panama Destinations for Backpackers to Visit. This guide is based on our personal experience and great tips we’ve picked up from other travelers along the way. Hopefully you enjoy our guide! Panama was picked as the number one place to travel to in 2012 by the New York Times. Although it’s a small country (about the size of the state of South Carolina), it has a great variety of amazing attractions such as:
- Tropical rain forests
- Mountains
- Beaches on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts
- Over 1500 islands
- And oh yes, the 8th wonder of the world, the Panama Canal
It’s difficult to think of any other destination in the world that offers such a variety of attractions so close by and so easy to get to for US citizens.
Kate and Brian in Panama!
This list of Top 5 Panama Destinations for Backpackers to Visit encompasses a bit of everything Panama has to offer:
Panama City, Panama:
If you only have a few weeks to travel, fly into Panama City. Panama City is the biggest city in Central America. It’s both a thriving center for business and an entrance to the beautiful countryside of Panama. “PC” has a beautiful skyline reminiscent of many large international cities. There are many areas around the city for dining and dancing. Most backpackers stay in Casco Viejo, the historic district that resembles a combination of New Orleans and Sevilla, Spain. Panama City is most known for its access to the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal. During your stay in Panama City, we recommend having lunch at the local fish market, where delicious ceviche, among other things, is served by the cup for only $1.25.
Santa Fe, Panama:
This hidden gem is a tropical mountain town that you cannot miss. Santa Fe enjoys one of the most extreme micro-climates in the world, with daily temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the traveling secrets of Panama, this small town is known for its mountain vistas, waterfalls, beautiful rivers, and cloud forests. Walking in Santa Fe you will be stunned by the streets lined with orchids and fruits trees.
Bocas Del Toro, Panama:
This surfers’ paradise of clapboard houses was built by the United Fruit Company in the early 20th century. Bocas is a relaxed community of Panamanians and expats. The friendly atmosphere is very welcoming to backpackers and tourists. Travelers to this island town have a reputation for canceling future plans. Make sure to spend multiple days on the island of Bastamientos, a picturesque beach where you can enjoy waves and great snorkeling.
Boquete, Panama:
The gorgeous mountain town of Boquete is another hidden gem of Panama. This charming village is 75 to 80 degrees with a welcome breeze year round. The weather is so nice, natives have dubbed the town “The Land of Eternal Spring”. Boquete is known for its coffee and flowers — you can visit many different coffee plantation tours in the nearby hills. Tip: Take a short trek to the “Lost Waterfalls” to see three gorgeous waterfalls. For adventurous travelers, try the 26km round-trip hike to Panama’s tallest peak, Volcan Barú. Check our full post on Backpacking Boquete, Panama here.
Santa Catalina, Panama:
Santa Catalina is a fishing village that existed in quiet seclusion until discovered by adventurous surfers in the 1970’s. Today, Santa Catalina offers a smattering of surf camps, low cost hostels and hotels, and great vibes. Santa Catalina is still secluded, as the closest town with an ATM, grocery store, and other basic services is Soná, which lies about an hour away. This tropical paradise offers some of the best surf in Panama. If you want to relax and view the beautiful underwater wildlife in the Pacific, head to Isla Coiba, a Panamanian National Park located just off of Santa Catalina.
Recap:
After Kate and I visited all of these places, Santa Fe was our favorite for of how low key it is. Santa Fe seems to be what Boquete was 20 years ago — there is not much development here due to the protection of the cloud forest. Santa Fe is a great place to kick back, hike, visit multiple beautiful waterfalls, and more. I look forward to expanding more about this town in a future post.
We hope you enjoyed our Top 5 Panama Destinations for Backpackers to Visit list! Which of these destinations have you traveled to? Are you planning a backpacking trip to Panama? Leave a question or comment below and we’ll be happy to help 🙂
Yoga Blogger Interview: The Travel Yogi
Yoga Blogger Interview: The Travel Yogi
Today is the 3rd week our 8 week interview series where we’re presenting interviews of 8 influential yoga bloggers. We ask 8 engaging questions and release an interview every Saturday at 8am US EST.
For this interview, we’re happy to learn more about Jen and Liz of The Travel Yogi. We connected with Jen and Liz recently through Twitter. Enjoy the interview and leave a comment or question for Jen and Liz in the comments section.
1. When did you start practicing yoga?
I became interested in yoga at a very yoga age. Around 10 years old, I begged my parents for ‘yoga lessons’ and our family ended up renting a yoga video and trying it out in the family room. I became more involved in yoga when I moved to California and have found the more I practice the more I can stay grounded in other parts of my life.
Tynan: Five Reasons I Recommend Japan to Everyone
Tynan compiles five reasons why he would recommend traveling in Japan.
#5 was interesting, this is a great way to get around Japan as a backpacker or traveler:
5. It has the Almighty Train Pass
The subways in Japan are around the same price as subways anywhere, but the inter-city trains, especially the bullet trains, can be very expensive. Going back and forth between Tokyo and Kyoto, a manageable day trip, costs around three hundred dollars.
But… if you’re a foreigner, and you buy it in advance, you can get a train pass for less than three hundred dollars that grants you unlimited use of pretty much all of the trains in the entire country. You can go all the way up to Sapporo, all the way down to Kagoshima, and everywhere in between. On average I use $1500 to $2000 worth of tickets every time I get this pass (which is every time I go to Japan).
If you go outside of the major cities (or to Osaka, for some reason), you’ll find English in shorter supply than in Tokyo. However, given how safe Japan is and how helpful everyone is, you should still be able to manage pretty easily.
I try to go to a lot of new places (I’m in Bucharest right now!), but Japan is the one place I keep going back to, almost every single year since 2007. The things on this list, plus many others, make it my favorite place to go, and my favorite place to show to other people. If you’re looking for a place to go, even if Japan holds no special appeal to you, consider it!
Click to read more on traveling Japan.
image via google commons
21 Useful tips for any traveler on any trip
This list was originally published on Eye and Pen
When you’re a seasoned traveler, there’s a few things you pick up that make just about every trip you take a little bit easier from here on out. And there’s also plenty of mistakes you can still make along your next trip, no matter how seasoned you are, but with that in mind, here are some of my own travel tips to help keep you prepared on your next trip (in no particular order):
2. Don’t underestimate how useful luggage with wheels is. The less time spent heaving around heavy bags, the better!
3. Pack dry shampoo in case you can’t get to a shower or just don’t have time for one. It’s a quick fix, but you’ll feel a hundred times better than if you’d left yourself greasy-haired.
4. Try to avoid packing anything that you would be devastated to lose – leave that diamond necklace at home.
5. Make sure you have basic first-aid skills. It sounds obvious, but most people wouldn’t even know where to begin if a minor accident happened.
6. Scan your passport and any important legal documents so you have backups – but remember to store them somewhere secure and well hidden. If your shoes have removable soles, then that’s a great place to store them.
7. No matter how geeky and obsessive it feels, get folders and organize travel documents and itineraries. There’s nothing worse than getting to the airport and not being able to find your ticket because your bag is a mess.
8. Remember to get any necessary vaccinations.
9. Get onto sites like Friends of Friends Travel or AirBnB to find cheaper (or free!) accommodation and to get a local’s help with tips specific to your destination.
10. Keep emergency money somewhere other than your wallet at all times so that even if it gets lost or stolen, you won’t be completely helpless. Stick some cash in your bra (or underwear – though be careful it doesn’t fall out!), roll some up in an empty lip balm tube… get inventive. The shoe trick in #6 works well here too.
11. Carry hard copy maps in case you can’t access wi-fi or your phone runs out of battery. It feels out-dated and a little silly having a massive paper map spread out in front of your face like a classic tourist, but they can really be useful. Better to look like a tourist than to be wandering the streets for hours when your hostel or host’s house was just around the corner.
12. Save money by scoping out local grocery stores instead of eating at your hotel restaurant every day – have picnic lunches! Finding out what locals eat on an average day-to-day basis will also help you feel out the culture better. Friends of Friends travel in #9 could possibly help you ask locals and others who have visited where to find the cheap places to eat too.
13. Keep a stash of plastic bags for dirty clothes so you can separate them from your clean ones. A simple tip, but it really feels like a luxury when your socks start to smell and you can just bag them up instead of allowing them to linger amongst fresh clothing.
14. Pack light, but learn how to sew and keep a needle and thread on you so you can repair small damages.
15. Check if the water is safe to drink. If it isn’t, remember to clean your teeth with bottled water.
16. Never underestimate the importance of good, comfy walking shoes.
17. Know where your embassy is – just in case anything goes wrong and you find yourself stuck, they’ll usually help you out.
18. Be aware of local laws before you arrive. Check whether you’re allowed to drink in public, whether you’re allowed to kiss in public, and if you’re allowed to smoke on the street. If you’re going on a beach holiday, find out the right etiquette for beachwear.
19. And related to that, even if it’s not law, be respectful and dress appropriately for the culture. Your morals and sensibilities are not universal; do not assume them to be.
20. Don’t be afraid to haggle. You can get some great bargains if you’re confident enough to get that price down.
21. Check with your bank that your cards will definitely work when you’re abroad. A formality, but one that will really save you a lot of bother if it suddenly turns out that they don’t. Many banks also need you to inform them of your overseas travel before you go, otherwise they may block your card thinking someone stole it.
Going out in Perth, Australia
Via Eye and Pen
When you come to Perth, you visit a city on the edge of the world. Modern, yet growing, with a hold on it’s past. However, you can find all the entertainment to rival even the biggest tourist destinations in the world. From world class restaurants and nightclubs to theaters and concerts of every variety of music, this city is bustling with nightlife. Even the streets are alive with amusements of all sorts after the sun goes down.
FremantleFreemantle is easily accessible by public transport or by taxi. Many pubs and bars are here. The former offer quieter, English-style opportunities to enjoy a drink while the latter are the louder, more exciting kind of establishments. Try either kind of locale to enjoy different musical styles or do your own pub crawl while walking the streets.West End
If you have a night in Perth over a weekend, the West End is a particularly interesting place to look for entertainment. Find a surprising mixture of cafes and bars as well as local breweries. Just because you only have a night in Perth does not mean that you have to forgo shopping either. King Street is open for late-night shoppers so that you can find just what you wanted to take with you when you leave Perth.Northbridge
If you get the chance to travel to Northbridge, take it. The most famous spots for Perth nightlife are found in this section of town. You can find more adult clubs as well as the more conventional bars, restaurants and cafes. Listen to live soul music and funk pouring out of places like the Bird and the Universal Bar.
