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Cancún, Mexico
Arrive 16:30PM - Straight to Isla M
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Isla Mujeres, Mexico
TRAVEL = UBER to Juarez and Boat to Isla Mujeres
STAY = Selina poc na hostel - BOOKED
To Do:
kin-ha – breach club/restaurant
rent a buggy to get around
underwater sculptures – snorkel or dive
hire a golf buggy (£38 for the day) and explore the island
punta sur – statues and ruins
isla animal dog sanctuary
playa norte (for sunset) – best beach
geisha valentina for dinner
dan to do diving here!!
hobbys cantina
EATS - Cafe Mogagua
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Isla Holbox, Mexico
STAY = Che hostel - BOOKED
TRAVEL = Puerto Juarez - Chiquila (ADO Bus) - BOOKED 15:15PM Boat 1PM
HOLBOX EXPRESS - Pay at terminal.
TO DO:
go to punta moqsquito go at sunrise to see flamingos – sand bank
soul box rooftop pool - free entry
barba Negra
compliment café
Mr happy
the hot corner
bikini bottom bar
zoomay bar for sunset on the beach
Refugio animal – walk dogs
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Tulum, Mexico
TRAVEL = HOLBOX EXPRESS - Pay at Terminal
BUS (Chiquila - Tulum)
STAY = SLNA - BOOKED
stay at the mayan monkey – grwat facilities but not great location as 30 mins from beach or downtown and 30 mins walk to the bus stop (ADO) and expensive to rent a bike for a day
taboo beach club
kin tih Tulum for sunset – restaurant on top of jungle
calle 7 – best food spots and cheap drinks
mayan ruins
scubadiving in cenotes (dan) – el pit cenote, dos ojos cenotes has caves,
regeton bars
book a tour with ‘notintheguidebooks’ – casa cenote, taak bi ha,
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Bacalar, Mexico
TRAVEL = BUS BOOKED 12PM ADO Tulum
STAY = The yak lake house - BOOKED
To Do:
che hostel also good and cheaper
azul36
casa chukum
maria y daniels place on airbnb
to eat: mr taco, mi burrito, café tito, la Playita, Mistura, El Socio (breakfast
to do: sail around lagoon on catermaran, kayak/paddleboard, che hostel sunset boat party, day trip to los rapidos, watch sunrise at one of the free access public access docks, walk around fuerte de san felipe, rie around on a bike to beaches/cenotes, yak lake house party every weds, centote azul,
beautiful lake, amazing nature, yoga retreats etc)
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Cancún, Mexico
Bus 12:20 from Bacalar - arrive 5:45PM BOOKED
Night stay before Flight - Book near Airport?
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Oaxaca, Mexico
TRAVEL = FLIGHT TO OAXACA (23rd) @ 13:15PM (TERMINAL 2) ARRIVE @ 14:25PM
STAY = Casa angel Oaxaca - BOOKED
TO DO:
food tour
boulenc for brunch
jalatlaco neighbourhood
Mercado 20 noviembre - smoked bbq
Casa armadillo negro
Barrio de xochimilio
Xchomilica neighbouhood
Pan con madré bakery
Lavanduro de olla restaurant - Michelin guide (mole)
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Puerto Escondido, Mexico
TRAVEL = BUS ADO - 9am 26th BOOKED
Playa zicatela
playa carrizalillo is the other side and make sure to do this - get collectivo
La Punta
bike hire and explore
turtle release at 5pm
bonita hostel ladies night – visit one eve for drinks
congo bar – reggeton music
sativa for food
playa coral
punta vida on a Sunday
Sunset - mirador las tortugas
Horse riding on beach
Whale watching
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Mexico City, Mexico
TRAVEL = FLIGHT TO MC - 31st (19:50PM) Arrive 21:15
STAY =
hostel – u-co roma in roma norte area or wanderlust
places to eat: el habanerito restaurant, panaderia rosetta, cheesecake factory, el califa, Orinoco, taqueria Gabriel, tacos el bein, la once mil, tacos atarantados, contramar, onomura, macimo bistrot, bmarmota, huset, have, masa house, corazon de maguey
coffee: malcriado, arabica, quentin, chiquito, late late, los rejas (cheap street tacos) ,
La taqueria orinoco
Ladyboy Thai
Huset
Lardo
drinks: taverna, Teclan, tigre silencioso, toledo rooftop, bar 27, Tokyo music bar, minus sound room, el minutito
Run around chapultapec park
Walk to polanco
hot air balloon ride for sunrise – volar en globo company
Calle Obregon
Walk along paseo de reformer
Breakfast at niddo
Mercado coyoacan
Breakfast at Ojo de agua
La condesa neighbourhood
Listen to authentic Mexican bands in plaza garaboldi
Zinco jazz club
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Guatemala City, Guatemala
TRAVEL = FLIGHT TO GC - 2nd FEB (12:50PM) Arrive 14:45PM
Bus to Antigua
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Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
TRAVEL =
STAY =
To Do:
walking tour (santa Catalina arch, Antigua cathedral ruins, iglesia de la merced church), cierro de la cruz, hobbitenango (get uber or tuktuk up), bar crawl v fun every Saturday
to eat: , toko baru, la pasta nostra, Mulan, union café for breakfast, elbarrio for drinks, Antigua brewing company for drinks (speak easy inside), café sky, café bohemia, hectors bistro, rainbow cafe
El hato verde
Cerro de la Cruz hike
Go thrifting at Mercado central
Rinconcito antigueno
Cactus bar
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Acatenango Volcano Trailhead, Guatemala
TRAVEL =
STAY =
Volcano hike – acetenango base camp, or do it through tropicana hostel (don’t stay at tropicana though as it’s a party hostel)
acetenango 4am sunrise hike – stay at yes please hostel
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Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala
TRAVEL =
STAY =
stay at la laguna de Perdida or free cerveza hostel if you can get in (free paddle boarding, family dinners, cooking class, yoga and a party, amazing views) can do day trips to other towns from here
panjachel nature reserve
Chichicastenango market – day trip and colourful cemetary
san juan day trip – colourful streets, murals on wall, tuktuk tour
Day pas to casa del mundo
Sunrise paddleboard
Cliff jumping in San Marcos
Cooking class
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San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
TRAVEL =
STAY =
home of the hippies, best place to swim
stay at ATI hostel and beach club
things to do: hippy/chill town, cute lil market streets and jewellry, must swim here as best place on lake to swim in the nature reserve – has diving board – good for yoga classes and cacao ceremony, eagles nest
circles bakery
El casa del mundo for a day pass
Do cooking class
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Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Bus from Selina Panajachel 12PM - Antigua
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El Tunco, El Salvador
5:00AM from Somos Antigua. Pedro Tours
Booked and Paid
Sunset surf hostel
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León, Nicaragua
TRAVEL = 3:00 Pick up from Surf Villa (El Tunco - Gekko Travel)
STAY = Bigfoot Hostel
Birthplace of the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua and still a staunchly pro-revolution town. It’s home to some cool street art (above) which helps tell its story and is one of the few genuinely interesting urban destinations on this route.
big foot hostel + poco a poco (poco a poco junior is more chill)
free walking tour
manana manana café
chicken bus bar crawl – bigfoot hostel
rooftop cathedral – watch the sunset
day trip to las penitas – get bigfoot hostel shuttle
volcano boarding – cerro negro (organise through big foot hostel)
23 bar
Eat : pan y paz
Sua Leon
Food market east of main square
Las peñitas beach
Bars : via via
El mirador
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Granada, Nicaragua
TRAVEL = 9:30am Bus booked bookaway
STAY = Socialtel
TO DO =
A colonial-era town and perhaps the most beautiful and best preserved in the region. It’s a real contrast to its traditional rival Leon with lots of churches and relics to an altogether different, distant past. It’s also nicely located on the banks of Lake Cocibolca, the largest lake in Central America.
stay at azul hostel or slna
Granada boat party via oasis hotel every Wednesday. Not recommended to stay at oasis as it’s so hot.
treehouse rave on Fridays
watch a show at the psych lounge
eat in garden cafe
can do a day trip to laguna de apoyo (20 mins away) deffo do this get a taxi
walking tour through slna hostel
Chinese restaurant Caimito
Tosto metro for a plantain burger
Boco baca
Pita pita for dinner
Gaia cafe
Walk to cathedral get a drink on pedestrian street next to cathedral
Paradiso hostel - day pass + taxi = $14
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Ometepe, Nicaragua
TRAVEL =
STAY =
TO DO =
(Rivas is where you leave to get to Ometepe via ferry) – 4 or 5 days – judging from blogs I feel like you could get carried away and spend a week here
When on the island stay in Moyogalpa. I travelled with one girl and Ometepe was her fave place so don’t miss it. Its an island in middle of the giant lake with two volcanoes. It’s an excellent location for mountain biking or hiking.
could stay at el pital chocolate paradise (its an hour from port) – chocolate farm (amazing views). Very hippy dippy, no air conditioning but nice near lake with breeze, no curtains, no communal kitchen but can eat there. Could just do a day trip
Rent a bike to explore
playa mango – sunset spot – can kayak and swim to platform in lake, volcano views
café compestre
punta jesus maria
raindance hostel
chocolate cake in elpital
Ojo de agua pools
Finca Magdalena
Waterfall
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San Juan del Sur Bay, Nicaragua
playa manderas
Sunday funday bar crawl
main beach
Eat at la reina del sur
Christ of mercy statue hike (20 mins walk from hola hola)
eat at olha or nacho
This is the first stop on the route on the Pacific Coast and that means two things. Giant waves and lots of surfers! If surfing is not your thing, then it’s not an amazing place to visit with a fairly average beach and a few cheap, decent bars but nothing remarkable.
Dinner at the buffet next to sola hostel
Breakfast at dale pues
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Monteverde, Costa Rica
TRAVEL
STAY =
TO DO =
night safari
plotpackers – day trip
santa elena cloud forest – cheaper and less crowded than the main one
soda Shangri-la
zip lining tour with ‘extremo’
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La Fortuna, Costa Rica
TRAVEL
STAY = Selina or la vid hostel or la choza inn
TO DO:
touristy town
el salto swimming spot (free) with rope swing
soda viquez - to eat
Mistico hanging bridges
Sky walk
Sky tram
La fortuna waterfall
tabacon hot springs (free)
– waterfall and nature reserve. Can go swimming
arena volcano national park – hike - lava flow trail
hot springs 15/18$ entry fee
maquique adventure -canyoneering / ziplines – this looks cool
white water rafting – exploradores outdoors (includes rafting and transport to Puerto Viejo)
Arenal rafting company - white water rafting
Day 1 = waterfall and town exploring
Eat: chante verde
Don rufino
Fortuneño
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Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica
TRAVEL =
STAY =
TO DO =
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San José Province, Costa Rica
Travel and Fly same day
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Cartagena Province, Colombia
TRAVEL = flight 14:40PM San Jose Santamaria int
Sofitel santa clara, republica hostel
The old town is the most charming (within the walled city) – you can walk the city walls
Getsemani neghbourhood - café Havana (enjoy an authentic salsa dancing experience)
when leaving get the bus to santa marta via Barranquilla then get a taxi to minca town
café san alberto
café del mar for sunset drinks
Where to Eat
Cartagena is a bit on the expensive side compared to the rest of Colombia as it is on the coast and lots of cruises etc stop here.
Beer & Laundry. Bizarre place but good pizza. It is literally a few seats in a small laundrette. There’s a lovely lady that runs it who is from Medellin and has great English and stories to match. I know it’s not SA food vibe but a good alternative if you’re looking for a filling yet cheap meal.
Where to go out
There is another rooftop party on a Tuesday at Eivissa. – I went to this rooftop party, it was okay but not amazing. If you stay in El Arsenal you get a wristband for discounted/free entry. This was a really fun night with loads of travellers.
Where to Visit
We were only here for two days but:
• The old town is really nice to wander around. Take a wander around the fortress walls near the sea for some refreshing views.
• There are some nearby beaches (playa blanca) that is supposed to be nice
• The old colonial fortress nearby has some nice views. I went at sunset and it was really pretty so recommend doing that. Also there’s a shopping complex nearby with good aircon to protect you from the heat lol.
• I did a visit to a mud volcano thing through the hotel where you bathe in mud – kinda gross but a fun random thing to do if you’ve got nothing else on!
Further tips/conclusion
• The coach terminal is a bit far from the old town where you will be staying. I would recommend taking a taxi with travelling pals purely to save some money.
• Quite commercialised, was a nice place but not my absolute favourite in Colombia.
Nia bakery
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Minca, Colombia
TO DO = la miga panderia
Casa Loma for sunset views
Cattleya fast food
Mirador 360 hike
Amora Cafe
go to marinka waterfalls (upper and lower waterfall you can swim in + canopy etc)
Playa costeno
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Palomino, Colombia
TRAVEL =
STAY = casa del pavo real or reserva natural el matuy
TO DO =
laid back town, very chilled,not much to do – relax
sea isn’t great for swimming so choose place that has a pool, go surfing
go tubing
go to a dog shelter (can take them for a walk)
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Buritaca, Colombia
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Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, Colombia
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Santa Marta, Colombia
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Medellín, Colombia
TRAVEL = flight 10:15am 19th avianca
STAY = - el poblado or stay in laureles area
TO DO = los birria in el poblado, provenza bar
Where to Stay.
•
What to do
• Watch a football game. Ignore the game but just witness the atmosphere. These people are mad about football. This was really fun! .
There’s two teams that play there regularly so there will defo be a game on during your visit. Not dangerous but stay aware of anyone dodgy. If there’s a derby on then god forbid wow that would be wild.
• Pablo Escobar tour. This was an odd one. It was us and a few other people in this Colombian guys car driving to different locations eg Escobar’s grave. He is very anti-escobar and makes that clear. Can be a bit of sitting in traffic at times but I found it quite interesting. I didn’t do this, but Matt recommends!
• Take the cable cars. These bought improved conditions to the local favela and are connected to the metro system, so you can use the same ticket for these journey’s. take the cable cars to Arvi Park which is supposed to be nice. We visited too late and couldn’t go into the park but took the cable cars all the way there lol. Stunning views. I did this, was really cool and a nice way to spend an afternoon.
• Communa 13 walking tour. Class tour around what used to be the most dangerous part of Medellin. Escalators and cool art dominate this area. Nice views of the city and real favela view. Very unique experience. This was amazing, definitely do this!
• Real city tours. Free walking tour city. Very interesting, well-paced and covers a lot of ground. As I tried some nice fruit on this, make sure you get stuck into the fruit throughout all of Colombia. It’s outstanding.
You can book this at the paintballing shop on the next road up from Casa Kiwi.
• Do a day trip to Guatape rock. Good views. You do this with the Pablo Escobar paintballing experience. Two birds with one stone etc.
• Things I wish I had done:
Paragliding. Very cheap here and the views are supposed to be stunning. Check TripAdvisor, loads of options. I did this, was fun but I was v hungover so felt very sick lol…
Science Park. Award winning science park which is supposed to be fun for a half day visit but was shut when I visited. I did this, didn’t find it that fun tbh lol.
Where to Eat
We didn’t eat out really in Medellin. Lots of nice options near Casa Kiwi which we tried for lunch which was pretty good. However the cooking facilities are so good and there is a shop nearby so we cooked for ourselves.
Where to party
Calle 9+1. Class house club, loads of fun. Very close to the hostel. Loads of travellers go here. Go to Top Secret. This was fun! Nightlife is amazing in Medellin.
Loads of bars in the Poblado District (where Casa Kiwi is based) that are good fun. There is a bar crawl organised by Happy Buddha (party hostel which is a bit of a shithole. Almost stayed there but happy we didn’t). Agreed, Happy Buddha looked gross – don’t stay there!
Further tips/conclusion
Loved this place. Really fascinating place. Very different to the rest of Colombia. You will enjoy it. I loved Medellin! My fave part of Colombia I think.
Kate notes
Areas to stay: el poblado or Laureles
los patios hostel, range boutique hostel, nomanda hotel, sites hotel
Things to do in addition to the above:
bike tour
go to Guatape for a day trip
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Salento, Colombia
What to do
You are in the coffee region of Colombia. You must take a coffee tour at one of the local farms. These can be found by exiting Luciernaga, turning left and following the road for a good 45 mins.
We chose Don Pablo tour but there are loads of options. A quirky activity and something to do. People take taxis etc to get there but it’s actually a really refreshing walk. Beyond that, Salento is a quiet place. There’s a small town square where some nice fruit is served and there are a few bars that we did not try. I could have stayed for a few nights to recharge my batteries and to just relax.
As we have discussed, Cocora Valley is the place to go. You need to get to the town square early doors and queue for a jeep taxi which will take you there. If you hike the route which requires you to go up a steep hill, it is easy to miss the turning. We did this (I did) and walked in the wrong direction for a good hour lol. Basically, stay prevalent to there being a left hand turning with a small arrow. If you don’t turn left then start walking steeply uphill then you have gone the wrong way. Consult other hikers on this point. I just did it with a group as I’m rubbish with directions! It was fine and not that hard, the reviews make it sound like a really difficult walk but it’s fine.
Where to eat
Go here, recharge your batteries and leave feeling fresh!
Please note that the weather is dramatic and changes quickly. If you leave the hostel to go hiking and it’s a sunny morning, bring a rain proof coat.
jump in a willy (lol an old fashioned jeep) from the town centre and do the complete valley hike (5-6 hours) or one of the shorter trails. Or go horse-riding
main street in town is called Calle Real – try and go see the colourful shops before 9am before they open to see it at its most beautiful. Then follow signs from calle real to the mirador Salento (amazing view of the town and valley below).
in the afternoon do a coffee tour (unesco world heritage site) you can do one that involves horse riding!!
santa rita la cascada (beaut waterfall just outside town)
Kiwi cafe
Manaos campestre cafe
Salento brunch for packed lunch
Get a return jeep to cocora valley
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Bogotá, Colombia
TRAVEL =
STAY =
TO DO =
To be honest, I cannot recommend much from Bogota. We had an Airbnb and exclusively cooked. We were here for about 2 nights and only went up to Monserrate which had some sick views. Same, this was cool!
It’s essentially a very very hectic and unorganised city. I have heard of a cool graffiti walking tour. Most people that visit here do not rate it highly. I did a graffiti walking tour which was decent and went to a football match with the hostel but not the best place in Colombia. I went to a festival with Foals and Arctic Monkeys so ended up having a good time but that was a bit random lol.
Kate notes
Places to stay:
La Candelaria (safest area and has nice cafes and boutiques)
botanico hostel or Selina la candelaria
Things to do:
Do a walking tour (street art tour)
monserrate mountain (2-4 hours to hike) trail can only be entered in the morning so recommended to take the cable car.
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State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
TRAVEL = flight 4:15PM
STAY =
TO DO =
Lewis flew straight to Rio and stayed in Copacabana (5 nights).
ubers are cheap
Things to do:
copacabana beach – try coxhinas (shredded chicken in dough ball)
ipanema beach
Parque Lage
hike the two brother hike (really recommend)
Favela tour
went to a football match at the maracana stadium
escalaria selaron (famous steps) – in lapa neighbourhood
arcos de lapa
Bloco (street party) in Leme
Sambadrome
Christ the Redeemer (book train to the top in advance)
then go to Ipanema beach for cocktails and watch the sunset on the rocks
Sugarloaf mountain (go for sunset) – you can hike up half way up via morro da urca and get cable car the rest of the way
Santa Teresa (this is the edgy bit where a lot of backpackers stay but has cool bars and its up in the hills so good views + restaurants). You might want to stay here but its far from the beach etc but can uber
Blocos des carmaletas
Places to eat:
Steak Restaurant ‘Boteco Belmonte’
Terra Brasilis
Aprazivel
Churrasco ‘carretao’
Botafogo for drinks / dinner
Monday street party pedra do sal
To eat: galeta sats in copacabana
Joaquina
Pura brassa in ipanema
Nola
Malta beef club
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Ilha Grande, Brazil
TRAVEL =
STAY =
TO DO =
Get a private transfer from Rio (paraty tours) or you can get a bus and a boat crossing
stay at Abraao
have a wander around abraao
day trip to lopez mendez beach
full island tour (you go to 5 or 6 beaches and can do mini hikes)
island tours are apparently amazing but weather dependent
restaurant on beach called ‘lua e mar’
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Paraty, Brazil
TRAVEL =
STAY =
TO DO =
50 min boat from ilha grande
then 1 hour bus
cute Portuguese fishing village and live music in eve
get emma to recommend her b&b
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São Paulo, Brazil