Author: Charlie Marchant
Yucatan Backpacker Route
Backpacking the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico is an incredible experience. From white sand beaches and swimming with whale sharks to the ruins of Chichen Itza and watching Mayan ball games, there is a lot for a backpacker to do in one trip.
While backpacking the Yucatan peninsula offers an out-of-this-world travel experience, it’s worth noting that it costs more to travel here than it would to backpack in Vietnam, Thailand or other Asian countries.
The Yucatan is also much more expensive than central Mexico. But backpacking the Yucatan can be done on a budget and it’s well worth it if you ask us.
13 Things to Do in Guadalajara, Mexico
When we first arrived in Guadalajara, we weren’t sure what to expect. I had assumed that being Mexico’s second largest city, it wouldn’t be dissimilar from Mexico City. But it is. The two cities are completely different.
Monarch Butterfly Migration in Mexico
Imagine walking into a forest where thousands of dark orange butterflies are swirling through the trees. Sounds like something dreams are made of. That’s what it felt like too.
Best Travel Destinations + WIN Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017
If you’re anything like me, all you want to do is wrap up all snug this Christmas holiday and start planning your 2017 travel adventure. I’ve just read Lonely Planet’s best in travel for 2017 and jotted down the best travel destinations on my travel wishlist. I can’t stop dreaming of snowy pine forests in Canada, eating hot corn cakes in Colombia, and lying underneath coconut palms in Dominica.
10 Best Budget Airbnbs in Mexico
Hunting for the best Airbnbs in Mexico takes time. We’ve travelled from Cancun to Chetumal, San Cristobal to Oaxaca and spent three weeks in Mexico City. We’ve scoured Airbnb listings for the best budget accommodation across Mexico.
Now, we’re going to share our favourite Airbnbs from our trip around Mexico. All of the places on our list of the best Airbnbs in Mexico are private double rooms, well kept and well-located, owned by awesome hosts and budget-friendly.
Vegetarian Guide to San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
Eating vegetarian in San Cristobal de las Casas was great fun. San Cristobal is our favourite vegetarian food destination in Mexico. The hippy vibe and Western influences have meant the city has a delicious mix of both international and Mexican vegetarian food.
A Day with an Indigenous Community in Santa Catarina Barahona
Small Change 4 Big Change is a charity dedicated to helping the indigenous families of Santa Catarina Barahona help themselves through education and sustainable farming.
Lisa Mitchell de Mena founded the not-for-profit organisation in 2012 and set up projects in the local community. The projects focus on teaching local people how to live a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Lisa’s aim is to support families to earn their own income and live well.
Ecofiltro Water Filter Factory Tour in Guatemala
Ecofiltro is a social enterprise who provide clean drinking water for rural communities in Guatemala. Their water filters can be seen across Guatemala. We had the chance to visit the factory where their water filters are produced.
As anyone who’s spent time in Guatemala knows, you can’t drink the tap water here. While tourists can afford to buy purified bottled water, not all locals can. Just what does this mean for local Guatemalans and rural communities?
Make Your Own Peanut Butter in Guatemala
Ever wanted to learn to make your own peanut butter? If you really want to see how to make natural, organic peanut butter in Guatemala, then you’re in luck. We met Lidia, a local Guatemalan who makes her own peanut butter from scratch. And I mean from scratch. And fortunately for us, they run a peanut butter workshop so you can learn how they do it.
Lidia told us that her family is one of only eight families in Antigua who farm peanuts. And her family are the only ones to make peanut butter! She said that the more people there are selling peanuts, the lower the price of peanuts get. If you can find something new or different to do, then you can get a better price for your peanuts. Her family have been making peanut butter for four years now.
19 Things To Do in Antigua, Guatemala for Culture Lovers
There are so many things to do in Antigua that you won’t know what to do first!
I’d only heard incredible stories about Antigua’s colonial buildings all painted in a light shade of yellow. The misty blue-grey backdrop of volcanoes surrounding the city. The women dressed in gorgeous patterned Guatemalteca clothing. I couldn’t wait to see it for myself.
I’m lucky enough to have travelled and house sat in Antigua twice now! And to be honest, I can’t get enough of this beautiful city. I thought I’d exhausted all the things to do in Antigua on my first visit. When I came back for a second visit, I realise how wrong I was. I discovered even more exciting things to do in Antigua.
Semuc Champey – What No One Told Me
I’d been dreaming of Semuc Champey for a long time. The rough mountain hike that overlooks those magical turquoise limestone pools and the final, satisfying plunge into the cool sparkling waters at the end of the sweaty path.
If you’ve seen photos of Semuc Champey before, then you’ll know exactly what I mean. Semuc Champey is one of Guatemala’s most famous destinations and looking at those aquamarine waters, it’s not hard to see why.
But there was one thing that no one told me about the trip to Semuc Champey and it was my worst nightmare.