Out of all the countries I visited in Central America, Panama is the one that surprised me the most. This country is one of the most underrated and often overlooked by travelers. While many people only associate it with the famous Panama Canal, this small country has more to offer than most people think. From the pristine Caribbean islands and turquoise waters of Bocas del Toro and San Blas to the…
Bocas del Toro is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful destinations I have visited in Panama. The place has such a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere, with a huge variety of activities to enjoy, from surfing and biking around the island to island hopping through the stunning archipelago. Best of all, it is home to Zapatilla Island, one of my favorite islands in Panama. In this guide, I will…
As you probably know by now, I love hiking, and when I had the chance to visit Panama, I made it my mission to check out all the country's most famous hiking destinations, including El Valle de Antón and Boquete. While El Valle has some of the most accessible hiking trails in Panama, Boquete more than makes up for it with its incredible variety of landscapes, from cloud forests and waterfalls to…
I was a little on the fence about visiting El Valle de Antón, or simply El Valle, when I was first planning my trip around Panama. I was in the middle of a 5-month journey through Latin America and couldn't find much information that convinced me to visit. I was also already planning to spend time in Boquete, another popular hiking destination in Panama, so I wasn't sure if El Valle would offer…
I am from Thailand and have visited a lot of tropical islands over the years, so I do not get easily impressed by beach destinations. However, I found the San Blas Islands to be absolutely incredible. For one, the area is quite unique, with its shallow waters and the countless small islands dotted with a few coconut trees, creating a scene that looks straight out of a postcard and is not something…
Panama City was the first place I visited in Central America, and it is where I began my months-long journey across the region, so this city has a special place in my heart. Some people may think that Panama City is too developed, or not authentic enough, whatever that means, but for me, it is one of the most interesting capital cities in Latin America. For one, this city has one of the most…
Other than some of my Dutch friends, I barely know anyone who has visited Suriname, which is one of the reasons I decided to stop by during my trip around South America. I first heard about the country back in 2015 when I met a Dutch couple on a beach in Bali. They could not stop talking about Suriname and how wonderfully off the beaten path it was. Ever since then, I have been intrigued by the…
Located just 3 hours south of Paramaribo, Brownsberg sits atop a forested plateau overlooking the massive Brokopondo Reservoir. The park is home to several waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, abundant wildlife, and miles of jungle trails, making it the perfect destination if you are looking for something more active to do outside of Paramaribo. I visited Brownsberg as part of a 2-day trip that combined…
Originally, I didn't plan to visit Suriname at all during my second 5-month trip around South and Central America. However, since I was already traveling through northern Brazil, I thought it would be fun to stop by the country's capital, Paramaribo, and see what it had to offer. Little did I know that it would end up being one of the most unique and surprising cities I visited on the entire trip.…
Brazil had been high on my bucket list for years, and when I finally had the chance to visit the country properly, as I had technically been to Brazil 10 years earlier when I crossed the border from Argentina at Iguazu Falls for a day, I decided to dedicate an entire month to exploring what this country has to offer, and boy, was it worth it. Truth be told, I never felt bored during the entire…
Belém was one of the biggest surprises of my trip in Brazil. Before arriving, I knew almost nothing about it except that it was near the Amazon, but I quickly discovered just how unique and awesome this city is. From its incredible Amazonian cuisine and fascinating culture to the beautiful wildlife and lush rainforest surrounding it, I ended up enjoying my time here far more than I expected.…
There are a few reasons why travelers might find themselves in São Luís, the capital of Maranhão State in northeastern Brazil. However, I would assume that most of you landed on this page because you are planning a trip to Lençóis Maranhenses, only to realize that you have to pass through São Luís first, and now you are wondering whether the city is worth a stop. Am I right? Well, I had the exact…
When most people think of Brazil, places like Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Iguazu Falls often come to mind. However, hidden away in the northeastern state of Maranhão lies one of the most surreal landscapes not only in Brazil but in the entire world: Lençóis Maranhenses. At first glance, the national park looks like an endless desert, with towering white sand dunes stretching to the horizon. But…
While Rio de Janeiro is known for its iconic beaches and São Paulo for its sprawling urban landscape, Salvador stands out for its colorful colonial streets, rich Afro-Brazilian heritage, lively music scene, and some of the best food in the country. It is one of the most fun cities I have ever visited, with so many colors, creativity, and, best of all, music reverberating through every corner, and…
Out of all the places I visited in Brazil, Chapada Diamantina is hands down my favorite. Why? Well, it combines two of my favorite things about travel: hiking and unspoiled nature, and Chapada Diamantina has plenty of both everywhere you look. From watching the sunset over the iconic Morro do Pai Inácio to tackling the epic hike to Cachoeira da Fumaça, where you can peer down one of the highest…
If there is one reason to travel all the way to Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais, it is Inhotim, one of the best art museums in the world that is part contemporary art museum, part botanical garden, and part open-air park. In all my years of travel, I have never seen anything quite like it! One moment, you are standing inside a room surrounded by Yayoi Kusama's mesmerizing lights. The next, you are…
I initially didn't plan to visit Belo Horizonte, which, unbeknownst to me, is the sixth-largest city in Brazil and the country's third-largest metropolitan area, home to more than 6.4 million people. However, after taking a 10-hour bus ride from Rio de Janeiro and not wanting to endure the same journey back, I decided to head to Belo Horizonte instead and fly out from there. The city completely…
I think Ouro Preto might be one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Brazil, and I've spent over a month exploring this vast country. With its steep cobblestone streets, beautifully preserved colonial architecture, magnificent Baroque churches, fascinating museums, and rich history, Ouro Preto is easily one of my favorite destinations in Brazil. What surprised me most was just how atmospheric…
So, you just got yourself the incredible Sony a7V and are now looking for the perfect lenses to pair with it for your next trip? If so, you've come to the right place. In this guide, I'll walk you through my favorite Sony lenses for travel and help you choose the right one based on the kind of traveler and photographer you are. From versatile zooms to lightweight prime lenses, here are 14 of the…
Looking to visit Praia do Sono as a day trip from Paraty? Well, I did this trip myself a few months ago, and I'm here to share everything you need to know to help make the journey as smooth as possible using public transportation. In this guide, you will find a step-by-step breakdown on how to get from Paraty to Praia do Sono, how to get back, the current bus schedules, and more. So, let's begin,…
With its beautifully preserved colonial streets, lush rainforest-covered mountains, stunning tropical beaches, island-filled bays, and laid-back atmosphere, Paraty is easily one of the most relaxing destinations in Brazil. I originally came to Paraty looking for a quieter escape after the chaos of Rio de Janeiro during New Year’s Eve, and honestly, I ended up loving it way more than I expected. It…
After more than a decade since my last trip to South America, I finally made it to Brazil this time around, starting with Rio de Janeiro, and honestly, I could not have asked for a better city to begin the journey. Rio de Janeiro is probably one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen, right up there with Cape Town, with its iconic Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, one of the Seven…
It's been years since I last visited Buenos Aires, and I recently had the chance to spend more time here again during my trip to Antarctica. Wow, I had completely forgotten just how incredibly fun and lively this city is. This time around, I also managed to visit on a Sunday while the San Telmo Sunday Market was in full swing, and honestly, it is by far the best day to experience the city. I also…
Sony has one of the best mirrorless camera lineups out there, and with the constant release of their new mirrorless cameras, the Alpha series that combines professional functionality in a smaller compact body, each year, there are more options for you to choose from than ever before. That said, with more options comes the overwhelming feeling of choosing the right Sony mirrorless camera that fits…
Right at the edge of the world, on the southern tip of the South American continent, you will find a small city called Ushuaia, which is often either the endpoint of many South American trips or the beginning of a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica. I've been to Ushuaia twice: first over a decade ago, when I was backpacking around South America and ended my journey there, and more recently, when I…