Category Archives: South America

The ultimate Ecuador itinerary: 3 weeks in Ecuador & the Galapagos

The Galapagos represent the best of Ecuador travel.

Ecuador is South America in miniature. It has the Andes, active volcanoes, the Galapagos Islands, the best highland market on the continent, and the Amazon rainforest — all within a few hours of each other. You could pack an awful lot into a short Ecuador itinerary, or you could explore the country for months. 3 […]

Is Colombia safe to travel? A solo female’s take on safety in Colombia

Colombia safety is not an issue for most backpackers - especially not in Cartagena.

Tell your friends and family that you’re visiting Colombia, and you’re sure to get some raised eyebrows (at best). Most people associate the country with Pablo Escobar, FARC, and the drug trade deep in the Amazon jungle. But is that the true story? Or is Colombia safe to travel?   Over the past 20 years, […]

The BEST hostels in Colombia: A complete guide of where to stay

Hostels in Colombia are world-class: Clean, comfortable and social, with tons of atmosphere.

Good hostels can totally make or break your trip when you’re traveling. A few nights in a bad place to stay leaves you sleep-deprived, cranky, and miserable. But a great hostel is a hive of social activity, where you can make friends with the local staff and get the inside scoop on the best things […]

Buses in Colombia: A detailed guide to Colombia transportation

The Colombia transportation system is one of the world's best -- don't let the occasional chiva bus fool you!

If you’re planning a trip to Colombia, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to get between all of the country’s amazing cities, towns and beaches. It’s very uncommon — and astronomically expensive — for foreigners to rent cars here. So you’re going to need to use a lot of public transportation. Luckily, the buses in […]

14 best places to visit in Colombia: Beaches, cities mountains & more

Colombia is a microcosm of South America. It has snow-capped mountains, gorgeous beaches, pulsing nightlife, great coffee, vibrant cities, friendly people and more. You could travel for months here and never get bored. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the luxury to travel endlessly. So I put together this list of the best places to […]

11 AMAZING things to do in Salento Colombia: Top Salento activities

Wondering what to do in Salento Colombia? You can go for a hike, visit a coffee farm, or just walk around town.

Salento, Colombia is the kind of place you’ll fall instantly in love with. The town center is filled with colorful houses and shops. It’s in the mountains, with a nearly perfect year-round climate. It has some of Colombia’s best hostels, plenty of good restaurants, and fantastic coffee. It’s the perfect base for day trips to […]

The ULTIMATE guide to the Cocora Valley Hike: Best day hike in Colombia

The Cocora Valley Colombia is home to the magnificent wax palm.

Picture this: You’re walking through a misty valley in the foothills of the Andes. Cows graze in the pastures beside you. The occasional farmer stops to have a quick chat. The only sound is the clip-clop of horses on the trail. Then, suddenly, you come to a clearing where you’re surrounded by the most incredible […]

How to take a Salento coffee tour: Visit a real Colombian coffee farm

A ripe coffee bean as seen on the Don Elias coffee tour Salento

Colombia produces some of the world’s finest coffee. Most of the coffee farms are in a region known as the Eje Cafetero, or Coffee Axis in English. The traveler center of the region is Salento — a colorful small town surrounded by suburban coffee farms that are open to visitors. If you’re a coffee lover like […]

The ULTIMATE guide to traveling from Jardin to Salento by bus

Chiva buses are famous throughout Colombia, but now only used on remote Zona Cafetera roads.

Colombia’s Coffee Axis instantly seduces travelers. The region offers year-round warm weather, gorgeous hikes in the mountains, charming small towns, friendly people, and all the coffee you could drink. Jardin and Salento are two of the best bases for day hikes and coffee tours — Jardin is very off-the-beaten-path, while Salento has all the amenities […]

Medellin to Jardin by bus: How to get to Jardin, Colombia

Transportation from Medellin to Jardin is straightforward -- this adorable town is just three hours from Medellin by bus

Jardin, Colombia is a magical place. It’s a cute little town in the mountains with just enough traveler infrastructure to make it enjoyable to visit, but not overrun by tourists like Guatape or Salento. And it’s only a three-hour bus ride from Medellin to Jardin. So whether you’re on a short holiday in Colombia or […]