15. Bogota, Colombia The bustling capital of Colombia is a city full of excitement and wonder. The city has many diverse neighborhoods, many of which feel like entirely new cities in themselves. The ubiquitous street art adds some spice to the already colorful city, especially in the stunning hillside barrio of Comuna Paraiso. There aren’t… Read More My Top 15 Favorite Cities In South America
One of the best off-the-beaten-path activities you can do in the Cusco region is the hike around the Kinsa Cocha. About 45 minutes outside of Pisac in the Sacred Valley are the stunning three lakes of Kinsa Cocha. In the Quechua language, Kinsa Cocha literally means “three lakes”. Creative, right? Anyway, the name truly undersells… Read More The Complete Guide to Hiking Kinsa Cocha Three Lakes | Pisac, Peru
The relaxing beach vibes, otherworldly scenery, and exciting wildlife make Paracas a must-see destination for all types of travelers, but especially so for backpackers.… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Paracas, Peru
It was about to be my third time in Peru and I was beyond excited. Adventures off the beaten path, immersion in foreign cultures, and we got a dope whip to ride in on the journey down from Vilcabamba, Ecuador to Chachapoyas, Peru. I was about to embark on the adventure that dreams are made… Read More Traveling Northern Peru: A Budget Backpacker’s Cost Breakdown
Oh, Ecuador. Some people say they’ll never leave a country. I actually might never leave. I initially planned for about 20 days in Ecuador before bouncing off to Peru. I took me 43 days to finally pry myself away from this incredible country. For some reason, Ecuador has not been on my radar until recently.… Read More What Is The Best Way To Travel Around Ecuador?
The border crossing at La Balsa is the most desolate border crossing I have ever come across. That can both be a good thing and a bad thing.… Read More Guide To Crossing The Ecuador – Peru Border at La Balsa
The surf village of Montañita is a sleepy little town by day and then a raucous display of debauchery at night. For a town with a population of only 4,500, the booming nightclubs rival those of much larger party cities. The beach parties felt like a smaller-scale version of Thailand’s belligerent Full Moon Party. Life… Read More The Backpacker’s Complete Guide to Montañita, Ecuador
While I now advocate for traveling solo whenever I can, I have to admit, I was a bit nervous going into South America. It was my first ever solo backpacking trip and I decided to kick it off in the country of cocaine and cartels: Colombia. While decades of improvement and progress have passed since… Read More What’s It Like To Travel Solo In South America?
Man, I really struggled in Bolivia. Being sick the entire time, terrifying transportation experiences, and more rude locals than I’d met in all of South America up to that point certainly didn’t help. After having a glorious fairy-tale time in Peru, I decided to cross the border and give Bolivia a try. It can’t be… Read More In Hindsight, Maybe La Paz Wasn’t As Terrible As I Thought