I spent 4 months in Guatemala last winter and loved it! My base was in El Paredon at Swell, a surf and lifestyle hotel where I volunteered at the reception and bar for accomodation, meals, and surfboard use. I spent some time in Antigua and Lake Atitlan as well and will share my recommendations for places to stay and eat with you. I hope you enjoy!

Antigua

Antigua is a beautiful city with cobblestone streets, small shops, and numerous restaurants with amazing food. I would recommend getting a taxi or Uber straight to Antigua from the airport.

Where to Stay

Maya Papaya: A hostel with dorm and private rooms close to everywhere you want to go and on a quiet street. They offer a free local breakfast consisting of beans, plantains, eggs, and coffee or a fruit, granola, and yoghurt bowl. The hostel has a bar, shared lounge with Netflix, free WiFi, a shared kitchen, and awesome staff. This is where I always stayed in Antigua and highly recommend it!

What to Eat

Bella Vista Coffee: A great place to grab a coffee and do some computer work with views of the volcano. Located above a wine shop.

Bullseye Sports Pub: Located in El Barrio which is a collection of different bars in a courtyard and even a rooftop bar. They serve some amazing Animal-Style fries!

El Viejo Cafe: The best pan de chocolate. Has a sit-down restaurant and a quick grab-and-go coffee and baked goods area.

Vice Pizzeria: Delicious pizza, drinks, and a cookie on a skillet served on a trendy roof-top terrace.

San Martin Bakery: A great place to go for breakfast or lunch with a wide menu served in a courtyard.

What to Do

Xibalba Studio: A beautiful workshop that allows you to choose a Jade stone and craft it into jewelry for $50. They have a very trendy showroom with products like handmade floral paper, mugs, clothing, jewelry, and more.

Santa Catalina Arch: The iconic photo of Antigua. The arch originally connected the Santa Catalina convent to a school.

Akasha Shop: A plastic-free refillable shop with many products for health and to lower your carbon footprint on the daily.

Explore Antigua! Go for a walk, get lost, find a speak-easy bar on the second floor of a mattress store…

El Paredon

A beautiful black-sand beach town with good waves, beach bars, and restaurants. Very small but home to some awesome people and a great community of locals, expats, and tourists.

Where to Stay

Swell: The best surf and lifestyle hotel with 4 swim-up rooms, dorms, a cabana, a bungalow, a loft, and a studio. The restaurant is run by the best Chef: Tara with food options from tacos, sandwiches, breakfast items, Shashuka, smoothies, specials, and more! The owners are Elan and Marie and the nicest people you will meet. The property is just around the corner from the beach and has many hammocks, a pool, a chill space upstairs perfect for yoga, and a ping-pong table. Almost every room has an outside shower and they are amazing! If you are ever in Guatemala this is the place to stay!

Where to Eat

Swell: The best! Try and make it for one of their special nights or whenever there is an opportunity. The food is insane!!

Mellow Hostel: Great breakfast food and they do great coffees, overnight oats, and traditional local breakfasts. They have a very good ceviche, burgers, cold coconuts, and delicious drinks.

Pacifico: The best pizza and desserts. I would go there almost on the daily for their banana bread or chocolate balls. They also have a refreshing chocolate frozen coffee.

Chef in Flip Flops: Generally only open on the weekends with two main dishes, an appetizer, and a dessert. Very good food and home to one of the best drinks: The Andy.

Cocori: The ideal beach bar perfect for an after sunset-surf drink. They serve Coco Locos, Rum + Jamaica, and very good Palomas. There is also a volleyball net out front that is used almost every sunset. The place to be and a fun spot for Taco Tuesday.

• 

Pakalolo: A gelato shop right down the street from Swell that also makes a mean crepe. They have flavors like lavender, sesame, Crema de Catalana, lychee, and more. (Crema de Catalana was my fav)

What to Do

Surf! El Paredon has a long black sand beach that breaks in many different spots. The surf can get very heavy or it can be fun to longboard. Avoid low-tide as it is even more powerful and shallow. A hidden gem.

Puerto: Get on the little red shuttle that takes you to Puerto from El Paredon for 20Q. Go to Megapaca and thrift all the amazing clothes that take you back in time to the 80s. Right next to Megapaca is the big grocery store with AC called La Torre that sells all the almond milk you can buy…and more.

Go to the beach. El Paredon has beautiful golden hours and everyone congregates at the beach for sunset. The black sand gets very hot and anytime between 11am and 3pm you are going to want to wear shoes.

Take the boat and a tuk tuk to Sipacate. This is a must-do at least one time. Sipacate is a small little town with awesome fruit markets, an ATM, and many small Pacas. The boat will take you through the mangroves and the tuk tuk will take you past all the cow pastures. A good adventure to change things up from El Paredon every once in a while.

Walk to the rivermouth. If you take a right from the Swell palapa it is about a 2 mile walk to the rivermouth. This is a great spot for sunset and just a nice walk to do during the day as it is very quiet and you will just see a few fishermen.

Play volleyball at Driftwood at sunset. Another great spot for some beach volleyball and games are even more consistent then at Cocori. A good spot to have a beer at sunset on their rooftop or play pool.

Shop at Maggie Paca. Maggie goes to all the Pacas and brings back the best pieces. She will occasionally have a stand set up at Cocori, Driftwood, or at the markets.

Participate in a surfing competition hosted by Cocori.

Have your morning coffee at the Swell palapa and check the waves.

Go to Mellow for a pool party, game of pingpong, or just to relax.

Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan is a popular stop in Guatemala. I stayed four nights in total: two in San Pedro and two in Santa Cruz. The lake tends to draw a “hippie” crowd to yoga retreats, full moon ceremonies, or parties. Your trip will start in Panajachel where you will get on a boat to travel to your destination. These boat taxis will go from village to village and it can be around a 45 minute boat ride.

San Pedro

Where to stay

I stayed at Sababa Resort for two days. We received champagne upon arrival and had the pool to ourselves. They have a restaurant and cocktails as well as a pool table. If you have a private boat taxi they can drop you right off at the dock in front.

What to eat

Sababa Restaurant: Their Shashuka hummus is amazing and you can enjoy the view at the same time.

What to do

Explore San Pedro. Take a walk around the town, check out the cemetary, and get lost in the alleyways.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a beautiful, small, quiet town. I only walked to La Casa Del Mundo for a smoothie at sunset otherwise I stayed on property the whole time at Isla Verde.

Where to stay

I stayed at Isla Verde for 2 nights in one of their cabins on the hill. This is a decent walk from the resturant area so be aware when booking.

Where to eat

Isla Verde has an awesome restaurant and even had a pizza day while I was there. No need to look any further for food.

What to do

Take a walk along the trail to the right and explore. I went to La Casa Del Mundo for sunset and a smoothie.

Guatemala is a beautiful piece of paradise that is slowly emerging on everyone’s radar. The surf is good and uncrowded, locals are friendly, Antigua is beautiful, and land is quickly being purchased. If you have any plans to visit Guatemala do it now!

Sayulita

A hippie town located in Nayarit about a 45 minute to 1 hour drive from Puerto Vallarta. Pretty touristy with lots of surf shops, hostels, restaurants, and vendors. 

Getting There from Puerto Vallarta

-Uber: My Uber was around 440 pesos which is equivalent to about 21 USD. Ubers are not allowed to pull up to the airport so you will need to walk left out of the airport and across the pedestrian bridge. At the bottom is where your Uber will be waiting. 

-Taxi: There are plenty of taxis at the airport if you don’t want to walk across the pedestrian bridge but they will charge you double the price of an Uber. 

*If you want to buy some water or snacks before your drive there is an Oxxo located right outside the airport and they do require masks for entry. 

FYI

Montezuma’s Revenge

Exactly one week after arriving in Mexico I woke up in the middle of the night sick. This also happened to some of my friends who visited. As vegetables are rinsed in tap water and food is made a little differently from back home tourists tend to experience “Montezuma’s Revenge” at some point during their stay in Mexico. The best thing you can do is to go to a pharmacy and buy anti-diarrhea and anti- vomit medication and pick up a few bottles of electrolytes.

Getting a PCR Test in Mexico

I needed a PCR test to enter Guatemala that had to be taken within 72 hours prior to travel. I started by asking the clinic in Sayulita who quoted me 600 USD and it would take 5 days as they had to send the test to a lab in Mexico City. Obviously this would not work for the 72 hour time restraint so I decided to check out the hospital in Punta Mita. They were able to do the test in less than 12 hours and it ended up being 182 USD. I took mine here and was very happy with how clean the hospital was and the lack of any wait time. I do know this price does change and I took the test end of November so the best thing to do would be to call and get a quote. You need to take your test before 9am to have the results by 10pm that night. I also had called the hospital in Bucerias and their price was around 212 USD. I visited the hospital in San Pancho but they were not testing at that time and the hospital wasn’t very clean. Do your research and you will be able to find a test with a decent price.

Eat

-Anchor Cafe: A healthy cafe with AC and great WiFi. Try their Coral or Castaway smoothies, avocado toast, and bagels (I liked mine with egg, spinach, and avocado).

-Miscelanea: Another awesome cafe with great WiFi and AC serving corn pancakes, a damn good vegan burger, passionfruit smoothies, and they make and sell their own sourdough bread!

-Mary’s: I always get the veggie rice bowl with sautéd veggies. It is amazing and has all the flavor.

-El Break: My go-to for dinner. Their veggie rice and beans bowl is very good! They are located just off the beach and is a nice spot to go if you want a quieter dinner away from the street performers. 

-ChocoBanana: A popular breakfast spot with traditional Mexican dishes, good pancakes, and fresh squeezed OJ.

-Organi-K: A healthy restaurant mainly known for their smoothies. I would also order an Americano, the sweet almond butter toast, or avocado toast.

-Pakeke: 3 pancakes with jam, syrup, and sautéed potatoes for 60 pesos. Quick and great service! They are closed on Wednesday.

-Trattoria Toscana: A great Italian restaurant right on the square. I had their Fungi pizza and added truffle oil. So good!

-Don Bonito: I got their tapioca granola bowl with fresh fruit. They also have an açaí bowl and French toast that looked really good.

-Bichos: Try their mushroom and cheese quesadilla! They have the traditional set up where you can add beans, sauces, and veggies to your taco or quesadilla. Another quiet spot away from the bustle of the town.

-Buonissimo Cafe + Gelato: My almost every night dessert spot. The best gelato and they even have WiFi! You have to try the Ferrero Rocher!

-Coffee on the Corner: Good, quick, and cheap coffee for 25 pesos served by the nicest man named Ricardo. Also try their Americano breakfast.

-Orangy Smoothies: Thick smoothies served with a wooden spoon. Fresh, delicious, and healthy. They are closed on Thursday.

-Santas Iguanas: A great spot for a quick slice of pizza. Their pizza is pre-made and they just reheat the slice for 5 minutes.

-Casa Gourmet: If you have been to Mexico and haven’t gotten on to Pan de Chocolate you are missing out. Fresh flaky pastry with an awesome chocolate filling. They occasionally sell pizza by the slice and the raspberry fruit tarts that are so good.

-Pizza Venezia: For the low price of 99 pesos you can make your own pizza using 3 toppings. A pretty popular spot with a bit of waiting time as they open at 6pm. BYOB.

-Que Rico: A small ice cream shop right next to Pizza Venezia that serves a small variety of popsicles and a few flavors of scoop ice cream.

-La Rustica: I ate here for Christmas dinner and had Carbonera but switched out the bacon for mushrooms and so good! I also had the Fungi pizza with truffle oil and it was amazing. Do not make my mistake and think the smaller pizza will be enough-go for the the biggest!

Do

-Go to the Organic Markets: Every Friday from 10-2 located over the bridge and just past Organi-K on the right. Masks are required for entry and the market is very similar to the one in San Pancho with food, crafts, and live music. 

-Palu Gallery: Modern paintings, prints, and hats for sale in this cute gallery. All beach or surf inspired.

-Walk to San Pancho: Walk to the right edge of the beach and you will find a trail that will take you eventually to San Pancho. If you just want to enjoy a quiet beach Malpaso is less than a 30 minute walk.

-Go to Playa de los Muertos: If you walk to the far left side of the beach (Facing the beach) you will follow the signs up and over the hill to a quiet small beach with a heavy shore break depending on the size of the surf. A great spot to relax away from all the vendors of Sayulita.

-Paddleboard: Rent a paddle board from Marea Surf School and paddle around the point at Playa de los Muertos and even past the next point to check out the quiet empty beaches.

-Surf: No trip to Sayulita is complete without paddling out on the main beach and catching some long boarding waves. Keep in mind that many surfers are beginners and are not aware of surf etiquette. Also at low tide the rocks are exposed or very close to the surface.

-Surf Trip with Marea Surf School: If you are looking for a day of adventure contact Marea on Instagram and book a surf trip to Platinitos. (Also visit their shop or tent on the beach for surfboard, paddle board, or bodyboard rentals or surf lessons). The drive is about an hour and a half to arrive at this deserted surf break. You will walk down a set of stairs and paddle across a little river to the beach. The break has a sand bottom and is great to surf in the morning. After a few hours here you will drive to San Blas for lunch. Once you have eaten your fill everyone will hop back in the car and drive to a boat launch. You will get a ride around the mangroves spotting numerous crocodiles. Next you will drive to a waterfall. We arrived a little before sunset and after our swim were were able to enjoy the sun setting on the walk back out. This is not a touristy spot and you will rarely see anyone. I highly recommend this trip and you will get to see all the beauty this part of Mexico has to offer.

-Volunteer: I volunteered at Marea Surf School for a month and loved it! The guys are awesome and along with accommodation you have free use of their surfboards. I worked 6 days a week for 5 hours a day .

-Shop: Check out Mañana, YamBak (Open 9-3), the vendors on the plaza (Across from Pacha Mama), and Sininen Surf Shop.

-Go to the beach.

Stay

-Don Bonito: I stayed here for two nights when I first arrived and I loved it. Don Bonito is located a 5 minute walk from downtown and on a quiet street. I loved the pool and terrace area and was able to enjoy their cafe in the morning. Awesome customer service and the showers and bathroom products made you feel like you were at a spa.

Day Trip to San Pancho

San Pancho is possibly my favorite town so far in Mexico! One main street and a beach with short boarding waves. Less options for food then Sayulita but what they have they perfect! 

Getting There From Sayulita

-Bus: If you go to the bus station on Revolucion Road right after Coral and purchase a 22 peso ticket to San Pancho. The bus will drop you off at the gas station and entrance to San Pancho and its a little over a 10 minute walk to the beach. On the way back no buses enter the road to Sayulita so you will have to walk from the gas station. 

-Taxi: A taxi will set you back 200 pesos. 

Eat

-Dough Joe: Awesome donuts! Try their raspberry, Boston cream, and peanut butter. 

-Chido Greens: The best breakfast I have had! Try their breakfast bowl and green juice. 

-Dolce Jardin: Awesome wood-fired pizza! I had their veggie pizza. 

-Dolce Amore: Right across the street from Dolce Jardin and serving up the best gelato in San Pancho. 

-Amar Y Ya: A good place to do some computer work and great for breakfast too! I had their dirty chai, Amar Y Ya smoothie (A banana, mango, pineapple, tumeric, and bee pollen), and Corny croissant which was Nutella topped with strawberries.

-Marii: A beautiful boutique hotel and cafe serving up some delicious eats. I had a sweet toast with red berries, honey, and flowers. 

-GAiA Bowls: Delicious vegan food fresh and lots of flavor! They have a restaurant and a stand at the markets. 

Do

-Go to the Markets: Located in the Plaza off of Calle Cuba and Calle Mexico. Grab lunch at Gaia, a fresh juice, baked goods, fresh raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, vegan cheese, and much more! There is live music, clothing, jewelry, and even swim-wear!

-Go to the beach: Take a walk to the right end for the quieter area and to the left to check out the surfers. 

-Check out all the Murals: Take the last road from the markets to the beach and enjoy all the artwork! There was an awesome sea scene when I was there. 

-Shop at Elote Arte: A beautiful simple shop selling linen clothes, accessories, pottery, and ran by the most beautiful soul, Ignacio.

-Get a massage: I messaged Angelica Spa on Facebook and booked a home massage for an hour. I was able to have a massage in my hotel room for 800 pesos which is about 40USD. Highly recommend! 

-Wander the streets: Because life is slower in San Pancho daily life is much more social. Kids ride their bikes, there are a lot of skateboarders, and it is awesome to see a town full of life with a more authentic vibe compared to the more touristy town of Sayulita. Check out all the architecture, murals, and pet all the dogssss. Walk from the main downtown to the right and quieter side of San Pancho via America Latina Calle and Las Palmas. Enjoy the quiet cobblestone streets along a golf course. 

Stay

-Agua de Luna: A design hotel that has a simple beach resort vibe and only accommodates guests aged 16 and above. They have a total of 15 beautifully styled rooms, a rooftop lounge, and heated pool, a large swimming pool on the ground floor, and tubs or jacuzzis in select rooms. Martha is amazing and will most-likely be there in the morning. They have awesome customer service and allowed me to check out two hours later as no one was checking in. They also messaged me as soon as my room was ready on my day of check in. The hotel has a great location on a quiet street but not too far from the beach. 

Day Trip to Punta Mita

Punta Mita is generally catered to a wealthier crowd staying at all-inclusive resorts. The town is small with many beach-front seafood restaurants and a few upscale shops. 

Getting there from Sayulita

Start by taking the bus to Bucerias for 22 pesos. Once you arrive in Bucerias you will get off and cross the road to catch a bus to Punta Mita for 20 pesos. The whole trip will take a little over an hour. If you decide to take a taxi it will cost around 400 pesos. 

Eat

-Arena Surf Cafe: Located in the quiet side of town on the roof top of Punto Mita Suites. Beautiful view to the beach and a good variety of breakfast foods. Bring a book and enjoy their hammocks while your food digests. 

-El Cafecito: Located on the main road Avendia El Anclote by the beach. They make their own ice cream and have good sandwiches, smoothies, and avo toast on sourdough. 

Do

-Shop: Check out Mita Mita, Un Pueblo, and Sea and Salt. Mita Mita has resort wear, Un Pueblo has totes made in Mexico and pottery, and Sea and Salt has a more boutique feel with a variety of accessories and clothes. 

-Go to the beach: There is stairway across from Hotel La Quinta del Sol and off of Avenida Hidalgo down to the beach. There is a longboard surf break here called Stinky’s and there are rentals available on the beach as well. This is a good beach to have a beach day at as there are no rocks and the water is clear. 

-Surf: Straight out from the restaurant El Coral is more of a short boarding wave. There are plenty of surf shops in town to rent from.

-Walk around and check out the art work, meet some four-legged friends, and view all the cool houses of Punta Mita.

-Surf at La Lancha: I only went here once the afternoon towards the end of rainy season. The entrance is across from the Oxxo and Pemex gas station. There is also a Wild Mex location here if you want to rent boards. It is safe to park your car here in the parking lot. The hike will take you 10 minutes across a river with thick mud and along some muddy trails. I recommend going barefoot and make sure you don’t wait until dark to walk through. The beach here is beautiful and a great spot to longboard. There’s a left break straight out and some peaks off to the right that are better for short boarding. Mind the rocks and bring food and water with you as there is nothing to purchase on the beach. 

-Surf at Burros: My favorite spot to surf! A beautiful right point break good for long boarding and okay for short boarding on the bigger days. There is a left break here too that only will work on those bigger days. You will turn at the Palladium resort and take the dirt road to the left. There are parking spots here and it is best to not leave valuables in the car as there is no security or cameras around. The walk is short over a cobblestone path to the beach. We never had an issue leaving anything on the beach and once again bring all the necessary food and water as there aren’t any vendors on the beach. Stay until sunset here as the walk back is easy and the sunset is worth it! Best to surf here going into low and we found from 1-4pm was a good window. Be careful on the paddle in as it does get shallow and there are a lot of rocks and reef. 

All in all Sayulita is a great place to go for a short surf vacation. If you are looking to stick around for a while I think it would be very worth it to buy or at least rent a car and make it regularly to the better surf spots. For the ease of travel, access to all the necessities, and variety of activities I highly recommend. If you are looking for a chill uncrowded surf this may not be the place for you but if you talk to the locals you might be able to find the uncrowded breaks that make this trip even more worthwhile. Enjoy your time in Sayulita, eat all the foods, surf all the waves, and explore those hidden gems. Adios!

Sunset bonfires on the beach, volleyball tournaments, party waves, beach runs, bike rides, nature hikes, and morning coffees are a few of the reasons why I fell in love with this beautiful island. Located off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island is considered similar to Martha’s Vineyard but a less wealthy/entitled crowd and a lot more nature. I moved here in June 2020 to work for the summer. 4 months later I was on the ferry headed to the mainland and ready to share with you all the reasons you must experience Block Island!

Getting There

-From the airport to the ferry terminal: As soon as I exited the airport I walked across a crosswalk to the bus and Lyft waiting area. I was able to get a Lyft to Port Judith for $44. Taxis will charge you $90 and Uber costs $80 when I checked. I was told Uber pick ups arrived in front of the multi-story parking garage you will see to the right from the benches at the Lyft waiting area. There is also a bus through RIPTA that goes directly to the ferry port for $6 that can be picked up to the left of the Lyft waiting zone. This takes about an hour and forty five minutes and your main option of returning to the airport after leaving Block Island.

-Ferry: I took the slow ferry (55 minutes) from Port Judith which cost me $11.30 for a one way ticket. I also paid $9.55 for my surfboard but my suitcase was free.There is a suitcase rack on the lower deck where you can stow your belongings and walk to the upper decks to enjoy the view. Cars can be taxied on this boat as well. The top deck offers benches and open air as the middle deck is closed in with padded chairs and a little snack bar. 

Getting Around

-Rent a bike: Island Moped and Bike is right by the ferry and where I bought my bike. Rent a bike from them for the length of your stay and bike along all the dirt roads mopeds cannot access. There are numerous moped accidents every year and are a hazard on the road. Please avoid renting a moped and if you do please don’t drink and drive. There are also car rentals on the island and a good option too if you want to check out those dirt roads. Take it slow and be respectful to other drivers, bikers, or pedestrians on the road.

Eat

-Block Island Depot: This is a mini grocery store selling sandwiches, coffee, fruits, veggies, and basic supplies. I picked up a coffee here regularly on my way to Diamond Blue as there is no wait and a small coffee only sets you back $1.60. 

-Block Island Grocery: They have a deli here and offer sandwiches, potato salad, and daily specials. The largest grocery on the island.

-Boat Basin- A convenience store located right next to The Oar selling sweatshirts, snacks, and a small grocery section.

-Payne’s Killer Donuts: Located near Dead Eye Dicks these fresh donuts are served out of an old airstream. Best donuts on the island!

-Aldo’s Bakery: A classic ice cream shop and bakery. They also have an Italian restaurant and we went once – I had the chicken parm. 

-The Oar: If you are looking for a lunch with a view go here and try the mudslides, sushi (get the candy cane roll), and wings. A few more of my favorites are the turkey melt, burger, black bean burrito, blackened scallops, and roasted chicken.

-Springhouse: If you are looking for a nice dinner with a view this is your spot! Hands down the best ahi tuna as an appetizer, espresso martinis, and if you stick around for fall try their butternut squash ravioli or scallops.

-Winfields: Try the lobster mac and cheese and their pork chop. 

-Odd Fellows Cafe: Great coffee with the best chill workspace upstairs.

-Poor People’s Pub: They serve mac and cheese in a skillet with your choice of protein, good burgers, and other typical pub food.

-Los Gatitios: I usually get their rice and beans, guac, kids quesadilla, and mudslide. Good food and good prices. 

-Dead Eye Dicks: Get their lobster fettuccine, cold lobster roll, and try their massive brownie sundae. Request a seat outside at one of the fires for the best experience.

-Eli’s: I had the chicken statler. Great atmosphere and drinks. Make sure to make a reservation as seating is limited.

-The National: I went here weekly after work and sat outside by the fire. Highly recommend the parmesan bacon fries and peanut butter pie.

-The Surf: Great for a quick meal to enjoy the view. Try their fries and grilled shrimp.

-Persephone’s: My go-to was the vegan rancheros: sweet potato, quinoa, black beans, pico de Gallo, and avocado. In the fall they also have an awesome soup of the day.

-Tigerfish: Get their crack fries.

-Beachead: I had the lobster Mac and cheese.

-Cracked Mug: Best coffee and breakfast sandwiches. Open year round.

-Smitty’s: Best ice cream on the island in my opinion. Located next to Dead Eye Dicks. Try their mint patty and peanut butter cup.

-Captain Nicks: Go here for a drink on the weekend when there is live music. Grab a drink on the railing upstairs.

-Old Island Pub: Your typical pub located right next to Poor People’s Pub with a pool table and all the drinks.

-Shols: Our go-to bar just down the street from our housing. Located right on Payne’s dock with great vibes, nightly live music, and good drinks.

-Traders: Located at the end of the dock at Champlin’s and serves up the island’s best mudslide.

-Ernies: Best sit down breakfast spot with a view of Old Harbor. Great avocado on toast and omelettes.

-Hotel Manisses: Good spot for a nice dinner. Make a reservation and grab a drink at their old school bar.

-1661 Breakfast: Mimosas, garden veggie omelets, fruit, toast, and a beautiful view.

-Farmstead Refreshments Food Truck: Located at the 1661 Farm. They have smoothies, cold brew, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.

Do

-Bike to Charleston Beach: From my house (Narragansett Inn) this is a 2 mile bike ride. Google maps says it is a 10 minute ride but with a couple decent hills and a gravel road (Champlin Rd) it will take you more like 20 minutes. As Champlin Rd is gravel mopeds are not allowed and just rent a bike or car if you wish to visit. This beach is beautiful and quite deserted. A few men were fishing and a couple was sunbathing otherwise it was empty! I posted up next to a big piece of driftwood and relaxed and watched a seal swim along the shallow water. This beach has rocks at its shore but transitions into sand within a few feet. When I visited the water was very calm as it is more of a protected beach facing the mainland. 

-Bike to the North Lighthouse and walk the beach to the northern point. I went around 11 and the sand was hot. Bring tennis shoes and walk on the rocks. If you are able to this is one of the coolest places to watch the sunset. We drove out to the northern point and had a little bonfire, roasted some hot dogs, and watched the sun go down. A seal was beached on the northern point and many more in the shallow waters. A very idealic Block Island experience. 

-Go to the 1661 Farm: Home to an awesome menagerie of animals including camels, lemurs, pigs, donkeys, llamas, ducks, goats, and much more.

-Mansion Beach: A more secluded beach with a great trail from the parking lot.

-Rodman’s Hollow: A beautiful hike down to Black Rock Beach. Mind the poison ivy.

-Clayhead Trail: Another trail to the beach with more trails along the cliff’s edge. I walked left along the beach to more secluded beaches.

-Hodge Preserve: A short trail to Middle Pond with great views.

-Enchanted Forrest: The trailhead is located across the road from the airport and more woodsy trails.

-Trail by Block Island Depot: A short trail to Harbor Pond.

-Bike to the South East Lighthouse and Mohegan bluffs: This ride is about 3 miles from me and Google maps says 21 minutes by bike. There are again a couple of decent hills you will run into but the views are worth it! Check out the lighthouse first and then park at the Mohegan Bluffs. Walk to the lookout point and then down the 141 steps to take in the 200 foot cliffs. The beach is rocky and secluded the further you walk. From here I continued biking along the coast and took a right on Lakeside Dr to do a loop back to town. Lakeside will turn into Center Rd and you will pass the airport. Then take a right on Old Town Road which will lead you back to town. You can also walk from the cliffs right to Vail beach, up the stairs, and back to the cliff’s parking lot to get your bike.

-Dory’s Cove or Gracie’s Cove for sunset: Rocky beaches with driftwood make for a great spot to view the sunset.

-Farmer’s Market: Usually every Saturday and Wednesday. Stands vary from lemonade, baked goods, soups, fresh veggies, flowers, pottery, jewelry, and art. Get the cinnamon rolls!!

-Go fishing.

-Shop at Diamond Blue Surf Shop: If you are looking for less-touristy Block Island gifts and apparel shop here at a small business that is run and staffed by some awesome people!

-Play volleyball on the beach: There is usually at least one court set up during the summer with the entrance two beach accesses north of the pavilion.

-Go for a surf: If you are a beginner head to Baby Beach at low tide or explore the other beaches on the island. Generally by the cliffs it is better at high tide.

-Explore the beaches and off the beaten path: Break away from State Beach to find the less-crowded and more untouched beaches. Bike the quiet roads and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Only on Block for 24 Hours?

If you are visiting just for the day or staying only one night here are my reccomendations to enjoy the island to the fullest!

-Rent a bike and start your day off with brunch at Persephone’s. Bike over to the cliffs, walk down the stairs, and take in the view. Bike up Center Road to The Oar and grab lunch along the water at the Adirondack chairs. Walk the beach to Traders and try their mudslide. Grab your bikes and take your time biking over to Gracie’s Cove for sunset. Leave while you still have some light and bike back into town and have dinner at The Springhouse. Make the most of your time on the island while experiencing all the must-dos!

I hope you fall in love with this island as much as I did! Safe travels and don’t be a kook and rent a moped. Enjoy!

If you live in the US this is the place to spend your winters. The waves are consistent, the crowds in the water are few, and the weather is hard to beat. I’m going to share with you some of my favorite places that you must check out and give you local tips along the way. Enjoy!

St. Augustine

St. Augustine is a beautiful, historical, but touristy town. It is the oldest city in the US with some great beaches, cobblestone streets, and good food. I drove the 4 hours up to St. Augustine the day after my 26th birthday and planned to check out the town and possibly stay there a night. I arrived in the afternoon and was surprised by how many people were around. There were trolleys taxiing people to and from tourist destinations and parking spots were scarce. I drove past the Castillo de San Marcos which was packed and decided to check out the main streets first. I had read that Magnolia Avenue was a beautiful street with a live oak canopy covered in Spanish moss. It is definitely worth checking out. Beyond seeing this street and getting my ears pierced at Ms. Deborah’s Fountain of Youth (A great spot and only $35 to pierce your ears!) my time in downtown St. Augustine was up. I do not enjoy crowded touristy areas where parking is difficult. If you do visit you should try to check out Castillo de San Marcos at sunrise as I heard that was a view you should experience.

Eat

-The Reef: Located in Vilano Beach just north of St. Augustine. This dinner made my drive to St. Augustine completely worth it. I had not planned on stopping but when I passed it on the beach road I knew this would be where I would have dinner. I love the siding on this beach restaurant and knowing it is waterfront seafood dining, I was sold. As it was late November when I visited it was chilly and closing in on sunset. I asked for a table outside and put on my coat. The waiter was very friendly and helpful and I ordered a beer and the Lobster Risotto. The meal was so delicious and creamy and the views were spectacular. Dolphins swam by, pelicans flew past, and dogs enjoyed their sunset beach walk with their owners.

Do

-Walk the streets: Walk down to Magnolia Avenue and enjoy the Oak trees covered in Spanish moss.

Flagler

Flagler is a little piece of heaven. Pastel houses line the quiet beach roads to the left. Owners can walk just across the road to a beautiful long beach. There are no chains and only a few restaurants and bars with rooftop seating.

Do

-Go to the beach.

Ormond Beach

Eat

-Donnie’s Donuts: The BEST donuts I have had hands down. Old fashioned-style donuts with fresh delicious toppings. If you go you have to try the strawberry shortcake! They have another location in New Symrna.

Do

-Go to the beach.

New Symrna

Eat

-Mason Bar: This may still be my favorite açaí bowl. They spread peanut butter around the inside of your bowl and top with fresh fruit. So good!

-Donnie’s Donuts: The other location is in Ormond Beach. Vintage donuts with modern charm and sooo good!

-Go Juice: I first went to Go Juice at their location in Nosara, Costa Roca. They have great cold brew, smoothies, açaí bowls and even banana coffee!

-JB’s Fish Camp: A great spot for seafood, live music, and they have a dock if you want to drive your boat up.

Do

-Check out the beach and Flagler St.

-Walk left from Flagler St along the beach to the Inlet. Check out the dunes on your way back.

-Take the scenic route to Playalinda: Playalinda is within a state park and entrance to the beach is $15 for the day. The beach is good for surfing and also known as a nude beach. Make sure you check out the turn offs on the way down. There is even an area where you can see manatees if you are lucky!

Cocoa Beach 

One of my favorite spots to surf in the waves the south are too small. Kelly Slater’s hometown!

Eat

-Green Room: A healthy cafe with a great veggie chili burrito and smoothies.

-The Skinny Mermaid: If you are missing out on beans and rice or Pico de Gallo this is your spot to go! They also have half size bowls if you are not feeling as hungry.

-Cafe Surfinista: The go-to spot after a surf. Iced coffee, smoothies, açaí bowls, avocado on toast…what more could you want! They also have a location in Indialantic.

-Da Kine Diego’s Insane Burritos: Awesome burritos – veggie options as well!

Do

-Surf the pier: A fun spot to surf if it is small everywhere else. You can hear tunes from the pier and take party waves to the shore.

-Surf 3rd St: This is where I started to surf during quarantine as they closed the beach parking. There is a little sandbar here that helps form the waves a little better and a great group of surfers.

-Surf 4th St South: Another spot similar to the two before. If it is a busy day in the water in Cocoa this is a good bet for a lesser crowded surf.

-Surf High Tower: High Tower is down the road at Satellite beach. This may have been one of my favorite surfs in Florida. There was a decent swell and this spot delivered great longboarding waves that lasted all the way to the beach.

Vero Beach

This town has an older retired community but a great spot to stop on a road trip.

Eat

-Countryside Citrus: This is the real draw. Frozen fresh orange juice with soft serve vanilla ice cream. Definitely worth the detour!

Fort Pierce

A quiet town that is known for decent surf at the inlet.

Eat 

-Manatee: A great seafood spot with live music and views of the ocean.

Do

-Surf the Inlet: This surf spot is better for shortboards as the waves are punchier and break quickly.

-Go to Walton Rocks Beach: This is one of my favorite spots if you want a quiet beach walk. The actual beach is a dog beach and I usually walk left at the entrance. If you walk about two miles down you will come upon a beach called Blind Creek which is a nude beach. Up until that point I usually do not see a soul after 10 minutes.

Jensen

Do

-Surf: I usually surf here if the winds are good and waves are 2-3ft for longboarding.

Stuart

Eat

-Modern Juice: One of my favorite places to go for a poke bowl. They also have açaí bowls and smoothies.

-Dune Dog Cafe: A great seafood spot with another location in Jupiter. I had the fried fish sandwich which was huge! Clam chowder and an orange creamsicle made the cut as well.

-Ital Bowls: An awesome açaí bowl, smoothie, and coffee truck with the healthiest and freshest ingredients. Try their peanut butter coffee! Located right next to Ohana Surf Shop.

Do

-Bathtub Beach: Bathtub Beach is known as a good spot for snorkeling. Not far off the shore there is a coral reef that is shallow and easy to snorkel. Do not stand on the reef or disturb the coral or sea life. This beach is also a favorite for families with young kids as the reef blocks the waves from coming in as strong. These pictures below are the beaches to the left of Bathtub Beach and are much rockier.

-Ohana Surf Shop: A great surf shop that rents, buys, and sells boards. I have rented a board here for a friend and picked up some fins and parts for a single fin. Awesome people and customer service!

Jupiter

Eat

-Rocksteady: A great smoothie and açaí bowl cafe.

-Perk Coffee Roasters: A great cafe with a healthy menu and delicious coffee.

Do

-John D Mac Arthur State Park: This is a beautiful state park that only costs $4 to enter if you are by yourself. A long walkway to the quiet beach with the option of a golf cart ride for those who are not as able. They offer kayak rentals at the visitor center and have bathrooms there as well. Once you cross the walk way there is a small pathway you can check out will a variety of different plants and trees all labeled. Spend the majority of your time at the quiet beaches. A refreshing change from the usual packed southern Florida beaches.

-Go to the beach and surf! I like Coral Cove the best and a great place to surf at low tide. Be aware there are rocks and be careful on your exit and entry.

Juno

Eat

-Papa Kwans: A healthy cafe with great avocado on toast, coffee, and baked goods.

Do

-Check out the beach.

Riviera

Do

-Go to the beach.

-Check out the markets.

West Palm Beach/Palm Beach

Eat

-Grandview Public Market: A large open area marketplace in the industrial section of West Palm. There is a surf shop, another small store, bars, restaurants, a surf museum, and live music weekly. One of my favorite places to go!

-Lechon Tropical: Delicious tropical food that takes you back on vacation with its classic rice, beans, and veggies.

-Lokanta: Greek food is served here and I always get the ginger mint lemonade they make fresh daily.

-Pumphouse Coffee Roasters: They make a good dirty chai and have a great cinnamon roll.

-Gypsy Life Surf Shop: All the latest and greatest surfboards, clothes, jewelry, skateboards, gifts, and ukuleles. They have braid bars, ukulele lessons, and weekly music jams. Great customer service and friendly staff!

-Clare’s: Try their Waffle Bites! Chicken deep-fried in waffle batter and served with blueberry mint maple syrup.

-Poke Lab Eatery: Build your own poke bowl!

Do

-Surf North Palm Beach: North Palm Beach is a hidden gem that is usually pretty quiet mainly due to lack of parking spots. Park along North Ocean Way at your own risk.

-Longboard the Lake Trail: A trail on the west side of Palm Beach Island that runs along the water.

-Longboard the streets: There are some wide pathways great for longboarding between Atlantic Ave and the Palm Beach Country Club along North County Road. Park at your own risk-there are no “No Parking ”  signs within the residential area but I have seen parking officers drive up and down these roads.

-Surfing Florida Museum: Located in the alley way along side Grandview Market. A great spot to spend some time learning about the history of surfing in Florida.

-Renegades: A country line dancing bar that offers free line dancing classes weekly.

-Go to the markets. A large variety of vendors selling fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and crafts. Bring cash as most vendors do not take cards.

-Clematis St: The main downtown of West Palm Beach with numerous bars and restaurants.

-Go to Ocean Reef Park: A rockier beach with plenty of sand to sunbath and a few natural blow holes.

Wellington

Do

-Go to a Grand Prix Show Jumping Event at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. This is great to do with friends or your family! They have food trucks, a petting zoo, a couple bars, pony rides, a carousel, face painters, street performers, and a few high end equestrian stores. 

Lake Worth

Do

-Go to the beach. At this beach there is a restaurant and beach store right at the beach. They also have bathrooms and a bar at the start of the pier called Bennys on the Beach.

Boynton Beach

Eat

-Jupiter Donuts: Awesome donuts made fresh daily and sold out quick.

-Tropical Smoothie Cafe: This is a chain and awesome smoothies, quesadillas, and sandwiches.

-Nomads Juice Truck: Great cold brew and smoothies  located right next to Nomad’s Surf Shop.

Do

-Go to the beach – Gulfstream Park offers free parking, picnic and bbq areas, a playground, bathrooms, and showers. My go-to local beach.

-Ocean Ridge Hammock Park Beach: Another beach with free parking. When you get to the beach walk left to the Boynton Inlet.

Delray Beach

My home for the past year. A great downtown on Atlantic Avenue and loads of good spots to eat. The beach is usually very busy compared to Boynton.

Eat

-BurgerFi: I am a regular here. I would say this is similar to In and Out. Great fresh ingredients and great customer service. They have their own sauce and make great burgers and milkshakes.

-The Office: A busy place right on the corner of Atlantic Avenue. Brunch is big here and they have bottomless mimosas.

-Anthony’s Pizza: A chain pizza spot with an awesome roasted cauliflower pizza.

-Subculture Coffee: They have a few locations in Florida and are a great spot to get some computer work done, enjoy a coffee, and even have open mic nights.

-Coffee District: A coffee shop and bar. They have open mic nights here weekly and a good variety of beers.

-Bear’s Food Shack: A Hawaiian healthy food spot to get your tacos, poke bowls, and smoothies.

-Planet Juice: Great variety of fresh juices and smoothies.

-Whole Fresh Cafe: Try their poke bowls, Mexi bowl, and juices!

-Sloan’s Ice Cream: A classic ice cream and candy shop.

-Tin Roof: The town’s country bar that is usually packed. Live music, trivia nights, pineapple carving at Halloween, and karaoke nights.

-The OG: A small old school bar with great drinks and people.

-Necter: A great spot to go for a green smoothie!

-Haagen Dazs: Get your seasonal peppermint ice cream here!

Do

-Go to the beach. Parking can be hectic here but there is a big lot next to the Sandoway Discovery Center.

-Longboard, bike, or walk on Lyons Road: If you park at Walgreens off of Boynton Beach Boulevard and Lyons Road you can take the trail to the left. To be honest this isn’t the best trail for longboarding as it isn’t that smooth but good for biking.

-Go for a walk at Delray Oaks Natural Area.

-Go to West Delray Regional Park for a Longboard sesh: Right at the west end of Atlantic Avenue. This park has a variety of activities to do and some good smooth roads for longboarding.

Boca Raton

Eat

-Duck Donuts: Donuts made right in front of you that you can top however you like.

-3 Natives: A healthy smoothie cafe with the best avocado on toast topped with mango, sprouts and a little cayenne. There are several locations throughout Florida.

-Aloha Poke Bowls: This is a chain and they have it figured out! Delicious fresh tuna and all the toppings!

-Fit Foods Cafe: Great smoothies, juices, and baked goods. They also have meals – I just generally go for a smoothie.

-First Watch: A great breakfast/brunch chain in Florida. Try their Million Dollar Bacon, pancakes, and avocado on toast.

Deerfield Beach

Eat

-Flannigans: Pina Colada and Mozzarella sticks. This location is close to the beach and great for a quick drink or some food.

-Ocean Grille: Poke bowl. A Peruvian restaurant with a great take on the classic poke bowl.

Do

– Go to the beach.

-Go to Island Water Sports: I bought my second hand 9ft longboard here and got a lot of great help from the people who work here. If you are looking for anything water-related this is the spot to go!

Ft Lauderdale

Eat

-Park and Ocean: An awesome little bar inside the park that has great drinks and appetizers. A couple of great bartenders work here and they have live music on the weekend. Try their conch fritters!

-Myapapaya Juicery: A healthy cafe with great açaí bowls and a variety of other health foods.

Do

-Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: A beautiful small state park with a loop to longboard around.

-Go to the beach.

-Volunteer as a dog walker at Abandoned Pet Rescue: An awesome non profit. If you want to be a regular dog walker during the day you can do two training days and then walk at your leisure with these awesome dogs. They have a great and safe system for everything! There is also a night every week either Tuesday or Thursday where you can show up even if you haven’t done any training and walk the dogs. Adopt don’t shop!

Stay

-Pelican Beach Resort – This hotel prides itself as being the only spot in the US to rent out Seedos, an underwater motorized machine that you can use on the top of the water or go below. Great rooms, restaurant, and the ideal spot to have a mini vacation.

Miami

Eat

-Valentino’s Pizza: Sooo good and only $3.75 a slice!

-Versailles: Get an authentic Cuban sandwich.

-Concrete Beach Brewery: A good spot to take a break on a hot day in Miami.

-Veza Sur Brewery: Try their frozen beers!

Do

-Walk around Wynwood Walls and check out all the art!

-Go to South Beach.

The Keys

As Jimmy Buffet says “The lower the attitude the better the attitude”.

This is a road trip you must do at least once! The drive from West Delray is about 4 hours. I only stayed one night here but if you are out on a snorkeling trip, fishing, or boating definitely spend more than one night! Make sure to try as much food as you can as it is all delicious!

Eat

-Cuban Coffee Queen: Awesome coffee down by the docks. They open early and it is really nice to get up and walk around before the streets get crowded.

-Thirsty Mermaid: Go for happy hour any day from 4-6pm. $5 appetizers and $2 pints of Mermaid Lager. I had the lager, mac and cheese croquette, and ceviche.

-Key Lime Pie Co: I had the classic chocolate covered Key Lime Pie and it was SO good!

-Sunset Pier: Head this way an hour before sunset to grab a seat. They have live music and great Rum Runners!

-Glazed: Delicious artesian donuts. Try their Key Lime Pie!

-Garbo’s Grill: Taco food truck served out of an air stream. I had the Yum Yum tacos and SO good! They had live music on as well!

-Blue Heaven: A very popular brunch spot. I had eggs & grits and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Do

-Bahia Honda State Park: Located on Big Pine Key this state park offers a small beach and some camping spots.

-Smather’s Beach: Located on Key West and the beach to go to if you want a typical day in the sun.

-Mallory Square: Very close to sunset pier. Head this way after sunset and check out all the performers.

Stay

-NYAH (Not Your Average Hotel): I stayed here just one night and its the cheapest place to stay in the Keys. I think I spent around $80 for a bed in a 4 person women’s dorm. They have lockers, AC, a TV, WiFi, bathroom, and mini fridge. The location has two pools and a hot tub, breakfast, a bar, and isn’t far from the Main Street.

Marcos Island

Located on the west coast of Florida this town along with Naples is mainly home to the retired snowbird population.

Eat

-Doreen’s Cup of Joe: A very popular breakfast spot with awesome eggs benny and donut holes.

-Go to Snook Inn for a drink and live music on the water.

Do

-Go to Keewaydin Island by boat and have an ice cream.

-Go to JD Marriott for Sunset.

Sanibel Island

A great place to go to have a mini vacation within Florida.

Eat

-The Bubble Room: Try their Orange Crunch Cake and Pina Coladas. A very eccentric restaurant where the bartenders wear Boy Scout uniforms, there are weird little statues everywhere, and you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Do

-Watch the sunset at the Mucky Duck. (Avoid eating here as the food is not great)

-Visit Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve in Cape Coral.

Stay

-Air BnB Garden Bungalow located in Cape Coral. A refurbished garden shed with an outdoor shower.

Anna Maria Island

Eat

-The Sand Bar: Key Lime Pie. This restaurant is located right on the beach and has indoor and outdoor seating.

-Rod Reel Pier: An awesome seafood restaurant located on the end of a short pier with many fisherman catching fish as you wait.

-Island Coffee Roasters: Great coffee in a cute little shop.

Do

-Go to the first surf shop in Florida: West Coast Surf Shop established in 1964.

-Go to the beach.

Saint Petersberg

Eat

-Paciugo: GELATO!!!

-Caddy’s Pub: Located in Indian Shores just south of Clearwater Beach. A great seafood restaurant right on the water.

Do

-Go to the beach.

Tampa

Do

-Check out Armature Works: An indoor marketplace with different restaurants and a great place to grab a meal.

It has been a great year in Florida!I hope you enjoy all my favorite spots and check them out too!

Oaxaca

(Pronounced Wah-haca)

Oaxaca is the quietest and prettiest town ever. Kali and I took a taxi from the airport to Selina for 350 pesos. This is a flat rate taxi you book at a counter in the airport. Taxis are usually 250 if you catch one in Oaxaca and go to the airport. This is probably one of the smallest airports I’ve been in with 2 baggage claims and literally 20 people max there. Oaxaca is made up of cobble stone streets, cute little shops, cafes, and large open parks. When I would tell someone I was headed to Mexico words of concern and negativity about the safety of the country were shared. Yes there are issues with corruption within the police force but arriving in Oaxaca and walking around at night was amazing. There was an abundance of street performers, vendors, and kids playing in the streets. It was an awesome experience and a city you must explore.

Stay

-Selina: Kali and I stayed in a 10 person dorm for 2 nights. The hostel has a nice rooftop you can hang out on, hammocks on the bottom floor to chill in, and a bar/restaurant. Upon arrival you receive a voucher for a free drink which was local Mezcal. Mezcal is similar to tequila, made from agave, and usually served with chilies around the top of the glass. It’s a must-try while in Mexico but not my fav. Make sure to try their guacamole!

Eat

-Café Tradicion: Delicious breakfast spot a few blocks from Selina.

-El Tendajon: You must try their pancakes and bacon!

-Txalaparta: A Hookah bar we received a free drink voucher to from Selina. I had a beer and we left shortly after. A sports bar that was pretty quiet and we went early evening.

Do

-Get lost and explore the city!

-Visit the Stadium and enjoy the view of the city.

-Go to the Bendito Juarez Markets.

-Shop at stores like Lanii which sells awesome straw hats, Casa Murguia which is a little indoor market filled with an art studio, and a store called Coyote which sells hats, unique boots, and clothes.

Puerto Escondido

To get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido we took a taxi from Selina which cost 70 pesos to a mini van company called Villa Del Pacifico. We paid about 12.50 USD each for the 6 hour windy drive to the coast. We researched the drive and bought Dramamine in advance – I highly recommend.

Playa Zicatela

The main beach in town and where the majority of the bars and hotels are. I would recommend spending a night or two here but the majority of your time in La Punta.

Stay

-Selina: AC dorms that are located a few flights of stairs up with a beautiful view. They have two pools, hammocks, a bar, restaurant, shop, and yoga space. The bathrooms are not great but if you are looking for a cheap option this is the way to go!

Eat

-Spirulina: Even when we moved to La Punta we would make trips into town just to eat here. Try their minty smoothie, avo on toast, gorilla pancakes, and guacamole!

-Pizza Place: There is a late night pizza spot on the beach side of the road not too far from Playa Kabbalah that is cheap and delicious!

-Oxxo: The local convenience store that has all the best snacks and damn good nachos – yes hot cheese from a bag. Don’t judge 🙂

Do

-Go to Playa Carrizalillo and stop at the coconut stand “Brenda’s”. This is the surf beach you go to if you are a beginner or if the waves are too big at La Punta. A beautiful bay with a left point break, surf rentals or lessons, a couple restaurants, and a good spot to go for a swim. You might even see a turtle swimming around. Once you make it back up to the top of the stairs and walk towards town you will see Brenda’s a little coco shack. The coconuts here are much cheaper than at the beach, the owners are so sweet, and the cocos are muy frio!

-Visit Playa Coral and Playa Bacocho: We wished we would have discovered this spot earlier! A beautiful beach with strong waves and a man selling coconuts. If you continue to walk to your right over the rocks you will arrive at Playa Bacocho – a longer stretch of beach with a few small hotels. A great place to spend the afternoon!

-Go to Kabbalah and Bar Fly: For a night out these are the places to go! Kabbalah has Reggaeton and ladies night Friday night which is the best night of the week to go!

-Have a Pina Colada at Sunset: Walk along the main road and you will see numerous offers for happy hour. Pick a spot, take in the sunset, and enjoy your bebida.

-Catch a Surf Competition: While we were in town the Mexi Pipe Pro was on and we made sure to watch the competition. Massive waves breaking close to shore makes for an exciting surf comp!

La Punta

La Punta is a dirt road that has a few hotels, hostels, restaurants, and surf shops. The expat haven which has a much more small town feel. Home to a great left point break and a beautiful place to watch the sunset.

Stay

-Hotel San Martin: Kali and I stayed here at about $32/night for a couple weeks for our stay. They offered daily maid service, night security, AC, a pool, TV, and laundry for a small fee. An awesome lady runs the place and there is a restaurant downstairs as well.

Eat

-Aloha Bowls: Kali and I went here I think everyday either for an açaí bowl or poke bowl. So good!

-Lychee: A very popular Thai restaurant that has some awesome food! I ordered the Pad Thai and was not disappointed.

-Moringa: A small little health store with a few pre-made dishes. Try the quinoa salad!

-Coconuts on Corner store in La Punta: The coldest and cheapest coconuts in town.

-A La Burger: Great pizzas, food, drinks, and live music.

-El Polaco Kebabs: This is the restaurant located beneath our hotel and we went on a rainy day. We regretted taking so long so try it as the kebabs were amazing!

-Piyoli: A delicious restaurant with a lot of vegan options. I had the chicken with rice and vegetables and I loved it!

-Layla’s Burgers: Owned by a couple girls from Australia. Their burgers are crazy good, deep fried avocado chips are out of this world, and you have to try their homemade donuts!

-Café Ole: Kali and I were here multiple times a day! They had eggs on toast with avocado, coffee shakes, Nutella waffles, a really good omelet, and some pretty fun people that worked there.

-Burger place across from Café Ole: Pretty basic but a really good burger!

Do

-Surf La Punta: A left point break that can get pretty crowded. Super fun long boarding when its small and when its big it will break further out with plenty of waves for everyone!

-Go to the movies: Kali and I went to the movie theater in La Punta out off the main road and watched It 2. It’s easy to get a taxi there but no taxis around after.

-Shop at Bodeguita Stuff Store: A super cute surf shop with local t-shirts, surf books, bikinis, and great gifts.

 

Overall Kali and I had such a great couple weeks in Mexico. We visited in September and had great weather until the last couple days when it down poured due to a small hurricane off the coast. The surf was good, food was delicious, and we met a lot of fun people. Make sure to check out this laid-back surf town,  enjoy the slow life, and make some great memories!

Panama

A beautiful country that hasn’t been too affected by tourism apart from Bocas Del Toro. The majority of the country is dry, cheap to travel, and the land of cowboys. Do yourself a favor and explore this awesome country! Their Panama Balboas equal 1 USD so it is easy to keep track of what you spend. I again used shuttles to get around and took a shuttle from Bocas to Boquete to Santa Catalina and back again using Hello Travel Shuttles. This company also helps you with the immigration process.

Bocas Del Toro

The most touristy spot in Panama. Known for its good waves, hotels on the water, and party scene. Prices are similar to Costa Rica and the most expensive of all Panama. To get around here you hail a taxi which are shared with everyone. You let them know where you are headed and each person pays a base rate. There is one bank on the island so you don’t have to worry about bringing a lot of cash over.

Stay

-Karma on the Water: The first place I stayed at on Bocas. A few minutes drive off the main road in an area called Saigon. Saigon is known as the “hood” of Bocas mainly because it is occupied by the poorer people on the island. The locals were very friendly and the area was quiet. The owners are a couple from California and they also employ a few friendly locals. The night I arrived they had a pizza night making homemade pizza for everyone. There is only one dorm room with 4 bunk beds, one private room, and one big shared bathroom. Because the house is built on the water the flooring is pretty loose and anytime someone would walk in the dorm room the beds would shake. Beyond that this is an awesome place to stay. They have hammocks on the porch and there are a couple of docks around that local kids will fish off of in the evening. I also went with the owners surfing one morning out to Carenero Island.

-Skully’s House: This is where I volunteered for a month while in Bocas. Skully’s is located near Playa Paunch and right on the water. Skully’s is a hostel, bar, restaurant, ATV rental company, and they also have a surf shop. I worked in reception mainly with the hostel but helping with the ATVs as well. Skully’s is built to resemble a pirate ship as Steve the owner has a pegleg and they stuck to that theme. This is mainly a hostel for surfers as Paunch is a couple minute walk away and Playa Bluff is maybe a 30 min walk. Skully’s also has a pool, beach chairs in the sand, and a pool table. They occasionally have live music, bbq dinners, and other events.

Eat

-Skully’s: Try their chicken wraps, burgers, and smoothies.

-Café Del Mar: A good spot to go for smoothie bowls and right downtown.

-La Cantine: Awesome gelato! Worth a trip to town.

-Super Gourmet Deli: Such a good find! They make sandwiches and have pre-made salads fresh everyday with chickpeas, quinoa, and even kale. They also make delicious brownies, quiche, and their own dried fruits. There is a market for your fruits and veggies but also basics that you might not find at other markets in town. To be honest Bocas is not a place where you will find fresh produce and this grocery store is a welcome change! Located downtown across from Puerto De Ferry.

Do

– Take a day trip to Bastimentos: If you go to the boat dock in town you can get a boat to Red Frog Beach or Old Bank. I would recommend going to Old Bank first and walking around town and then grabbing another boat to Red Frog Beach through the mangroves. These prices will be more expensive as the locations are further. (I think i paid 6 Balboa) At Red Frog Beach you can sometimes surf if the waves are decent. I set up camp at the Selina bar and enjoyed their music, free WiFi, and some pineapple smoothies. There really isn’t much to do here other than have a beach day and it is one of the nicest beaches in Bocas. Also keep in mind when leaving the island boat drivers want more than one or two people in their boat before going to Bocas so leave with a group or you might be waiting for a while.

-Bluff Beach: Bluff beach is a beach where waves are very powerful and break close to shore. This is a hot spot for surfers but because of the strong currents and powerful waves it is not recommended to swim. The sand here is very tan and it is beautiful at sunset. Many people rent bicycles from town to bike here which is difficult as a lot of the road is sand. There is a mini van from town that goes every 30 minutes and I would recommend walking one way from Skully’s, having lunch, and taking the mini van back. There is a restaurant at the very end before the gate to Skully’s ATV trails that is right on the beach and has some good food.

-Go for a walk on the Air Strip: Start at Karma on the water and walk left down the road (if you are facing the water). There is a little trail here and there will be some boards you can walk on if the water is high. You will be walking through local’s backyards and they can point you in the right direction if you are not sure. Eventually you will cross a small stream and then will be on the airstrip. This is completely legal to do just keep an eye out for planes. At the end of the airstrip there are some mangroves that are great for snorkeling around. I personally didn’t do this because I was by myself and didn’t know what I might find. If you have a couple people with you I would give it a go as there is supposed to be some beautiful marine life living here.

-Visit Carenaro Island: Walk around the island in an hour, relax on the beach, and have lunch at Bibis. You can take a boat from the main island  directly to Aqua Lounge for 1 Balboa. From there walk towards Bibis and hang out for a while on the beach nearby. I would not recommend walking the rest of the island by yourself as there are some homeless people and literally no one else around. I did do it by myself and had no issues but was on edge.

-Visit Bocas Del Drago & Playa Estrella: You can catch a mini bus from town or Tony’s Market for 2 Balboa one way. This road is hilly so I would not recommend biking. Once you arrive you will walk left facing the water and follow a pathway to Playa Estrella. Personally I liked this area better where you are dropped off as it is less touristy. Playa Estrella means starfish beach which it used to be until tourists started touching the starfish and the majority were relocated. A good spot to go snorkeling and have a beach day.

-Run or bike to Paunch and Playa Bluff: One of my favorite things to do when living at Skully’s was to run to Playa Bluff. The road is pretty quiet and sandy and right on the water.

-Rent an ATV and take on the Flying Pirate’s Jungle Trails: This is the top activity to do in Bocas. Steve and his team cleared out miles of trail to take ATVs through and you can go through water, over logs, down monkey trails, past ruins, to secret beaches, and blue lagoons. Definitely worth your money and you get a free beer upon return. Check out the Wall of Pain before you go, drive safe, and have fun!

Boquete

Boquete is a well-established mountain town known for its coffee farms, volcano tours, and cooler temps. Boquete reminds me a lot of La Fortuna in Costa Rica and Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka and offers similar tours. Because I had already experience the hot springs volcano hike in La Fortuna and the tea plantation tours in Sri Lanka, I decided to just enjoy the scenery from doing my own exploring.

Stay

-Bambuda Castle: A hostel built to look like a castle on a hill over tea plantations. One of the nicer hostels I have been in with a beautiful porch, pools, separate kitchen, and family dinners. Take a walk around the area and explore the tea fields. The castle is located a ways from town so buy your groceries before arriving. You can choose to pay for a family dinner if you wish and they are delicious!

-Buena Vista Boquete: The second time I passed through Boquete I stayed here as Bambuda was a bit too much of a party hostel. People had been coming in and out of the room the whole night and were pretty loud so I decided to find a new location. Buena Vista is a newer hostel right on the hill and not far from downtown. Super comfy beds and pillows and I only shared the room with one other person both nights. They have a lounge area with a TV, breakfast area, and a rooftop. The owners are super friendly and helpful and even drove me into town the next morning when my shuttle failed to pick me up.

Eat

-Sugar and Spice: towards the end of town and home to some amazing pastries and quiche.

-La Viuda del Cafe: Try their Geisha coffee.

-El Tur Ko: Little Gyro truck just down the road from Buena Vista. Delish!

-Kotowa Chocolate Victoria: Gourmet chocolates and coffee shop.

Do

-Go to the Farmer’s Market on Tuesday 9-12: Buy your authentic Panamanian scarves, bags, and gifts. Awesome food and fresh fruits and veg – even jackfruit!

-Check out the flower gardens across the bridge (Mi Jardin) and go to Fresas Cafe.

Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina is a quiet small town where people go to surf, dive, snorkel, or visit Coiba National Park. There is no party scene and no bars and the local teens dance to music in the street on the weekends for entertainment. The days are quiet and during the afternoons you can find people at the Fruiteria grabbing a smoothie. Surfers are only here to surf and only take breaks to sleep and eat-not usually leaving their accommodation. Chickens walk in the small mini mart to the left of the Fruiteria and dogs come and go from hostels grabbing a drink and bite of food where they can. Evenings are filled with the sounds of cicadas and horses trotting down the main street. Local kids are out lassoing their horse and returning it home bareback. Older men too use horses for transport in town and it’s a good change from cars doing burnouts in more touristy areas. There are two mini marts in town, one fruit and veg shop, and a handful of restaurants. There is a main beach at the end of the road in town which is less windy than Esteros. Esteros is a beginner/intermediate beach break that is not ideal to go to at high tide. There is a river that will get at least knee deep you have to wade through and the high tide will not leave you any sand to relax on. The rest of the coast is pretty rocky and has small cliffs that are great to watch the surf from. There is not a bank here so bring cash for all your expenses.

Stay

-Hostal Surfers Paradise: They do not have any online booking system and didn’t respond to their phone or email so I booked one night at Bodhi Hostel and planned on visiting the next day to make a booking here. This place is the definition of surfer’s paradise. A two story house with multiple dorm rooms. I stayed in a room for $15 a night with two other beds and a couple more upstairs. The room is open air with a couple of fans and a view of the water. They have a restaurant for breakfast and lunch and a communal kitchen if you want to make your own meals. There is a stairway to the water and you can paddle right out to the lineup. There was a max of 15 people out when I was there and almost everyone was staying at the hostel. Surf is at high tide as the break has a lot of large rocks that will pop up as the tide drops. They have a couple awesome dogs and hammocks to relax in. Everyone meets up around sunset on the deck to have a beer and enjoy the views. Located a 20 minute walk from town.

-Bodhi Hostel: I stayed here my first night and then ended up working for a couple nights as the owner had to go to Panama City for business. Very modern hostel that feels like a home. Two private rooms and 6 dorm beds with AC, fully furnished kitchen to use, and a big porch with hammocks.

Eat

-Mama Ines: Restaurant overlooking Playa Esteros and open all day.

-Surfers Paradise: Really good casado con pollo.

-Gelato: There’s an Italian Gelato shop between town and Playa Estero run by an Italian man that makes 4 flavors everyday and they are amazing! Try their chocolate and mango!

Do

-Surf La Punta and Playa Estero: La Punta is an A-frame wave if its big or a right point break. Playa Estero is a beach break. Both are fun waves but Estero is more for beginners and lessons.

-Enjoy the sunset at Surfers Paradise: Visit even if you aren’t a guest, have a beer, and take in the view.

I hope that you make a visit to this amazing country and enjoy the food, waves, culture, and friendly locals. Safe travels!

Easily my favorite country so far in Central America! Nicaragua has so much culture, so many good waves, and I met so many awesome people while traveling here. As most of you know, back in September of 2018 Nicaragua was unsafe to travel due to political riots. I visited from April-May 2019 and even then heard a lot of negative advice when I told friends and family I planned on traveling there solo. One of the biggest annoyances I have is when someone who has only read an old news update online decides to tell you a country they never have been to, have never met anyone from, and have not talked to anyone who has been there recently is very dangerous. I understand this is only with your safety in mind but it is a very uneducated assumption.  What I find ironic is that even in Florida in areas I frequent there are regular shootings. This is considered normal life and seems more untouchable than a rare report of a shooting in another country. While I worked in Panama and Costa Rica I met at least 20 solo travelers who had just traveled in Nicaragua and loved it, found it very safe, and had no issues. When traveling these people are your best source of accurate information. Because of their experiences and advice I traveled to Nicaragua and had the best time! Nicaragua was very quiet due to lower volumes of tourists and very safe-even safer than Costa Rica I felt. The locals were very kind, helpful, and friendly. I advise you to do your research and speak to people who have been where you are going if you have concerns about a country. Once you deem it safe, enjoy your time experiencing a new place and culture!

Maderas

A very small town with only 1 little market. Known for it’s surf break and offshore winds. A beautiful place you can easily get stuck at. About 15 minutes from San Juan Del Sur.

Stay

-Selina Maderas: An 8 person AC dorm goes for $8/night which includes a kitchen, library, cinema room, pool, and yoga space. Awesome staff and they also provide a shuttle service to and from San Juan Del Sur and the beach for a small price. Nightly activities include salsa classes, movie nights, and karaoke.

Eat

-Selina: Try their Gallo Pinto for breakfast and burger for lunch or dinner.

-The Beach House (In SJDS): Try their tostones which is patacones (Fried plantain) with cheese on top served with pico de gallo.

-Machete: Go for their Friday night pizza. They also have a small market if you need any basics for food or snacks and don’t walk to go all the way into town. About a 10 minute walk from Selina.

Do

-Surf Maderas: From Selina its a 10 minute walk to the beach and a big hill to climb each way. The wave is a beach break generally but as the swell hits there will be a left point break coming off the rocks as well. The wave breaks quite fast and tends to close out. There is usually off shore wind in the morning and can make it pretty cold-some guys even wear wetsuits.

-Go to Hush for sunset: From Selina walk towards the beach and take a left towards Hush. Bring a swimming suit to enjoy their infinity pool and some cash to buy a drink.

-Take a shuttle into San Juan Del Sur and explore the town. If you stay at Selina there are multiple shuttles throughout the day.

-Walk to the nearby Playa Marsella for a Tona (A Nicaraguan Beer) and to catch the sunset.

Popoyo

Probably the best surf town in Nicaragua. At least 4 breaks within walking distance and 2 more in the next town over. Very chilled spot, very dry, and very hot.

Stay

-Big Surf House: An awesome hostel run by Mario and Antonio with the best vibes in Popoyo. I was going to stay for 5 nights and ended up staying for 10. Right on the beach and a few minutes walk to the main surf break. This is the hostel that everyone gathers around sunset to play volleyball, pool, ping pong, or foosball. They have a kitchen and bar but do not offer food. There is a restaurant two doors down that also takes card. They rent out surf boards, use a tab system for the bar, and will take you to the nearest ATM if you need to get money out.

Eat

-The Barrel: Right next door to our hostel. I went there about everyday for their chicken burrito which had a sauce and cheese over the top which basically made it an enchilada. Awesome brownies and a good Tico breakfast.

-Dutchy’s: Amazing food! Try their fresh bread around a roast beef sandwich or topped with Nutella. Delicious banana coffee smoothies!

-There is a good fish restaurant at the end of the road past the market on the left.

-Down on the right is a good Italian restaurant with delicious pizzas!

-There is a small market on the left that sells all your necessities, along with a local market at the end of the road. There is also a surf shop just before the first market.

Do

-Surf trip to Playgrounds and Lance’s Left: Two days in a row I went out on a boat and surfed for 5-6 hours at these two spots! We had the waves almost to ourselves and such a good time! We ate peanut butter sandwiches to refuel and went back to catch some more waves. Big Surf House can organize your taxi and boat and a day of uncrowded waves! The price is about $20/person with 8 people.

El Transito

A very quiet surf town with less than 5 places to stay and 5 restaurants. Beautiful beach break that ended up being pretty messy while we were there.

Stay

-Solid Surf Camp: Run by an awesome lady from New Jersey who happened to know my first surf instructor! Beautiful little spot right on the beach in front of the waves with hammocks, rocking chairs, a yoga space, bar, and kitchen to use. I stayed two nights and paid $15 a night for a dorm bed. The bathroom/shower was very nice!

Eat

-There was an awesome local restaurant right across from the mini super that had the best fried chicken! Very cheap – maybe $5 for the whole meal.

-We also went to the little breakfast place on the corner for a Tico style breakfast. As the owner was preparing our food the wife was bathing their son in the sink before school, baby chicks were scurrying around pecking at the dirt, and a local boy ran through the street bareback on his horse. El Transito is very quiet, very local, and one of my favorites places.

-Caracola Café: Awesome chicken rice bowl and smoothies!

Do

-Surf: This is really all you can do in El Transito. Have a few beers, watch the sunset, and enjoy time moving slow.

Leon

Leon is a bustling city on the map for backpackers due to the famous volcano boarding. Very cute streets, cafes, and shops.

Stay

-Malinche Leon: A small little hostel on a quiet street about 5 minutes walking from the main strip and Bigfoot Hostel. I wanted a private room and they have a room with AC for 25$/night with breakfast included. They also have a super cute dog who is very friendly!

Eat

-Kiss Me: A delicious artisanal ice cream shop with homemade waffle cones. Located right next to Get Up Stand Up and right across from Bigfoot Hostel.

Do

-Bigfoot Hostel Volcano Boarding: Probably one of my favorite things to do on this trip. You pay $30 to receive transport to and from the volcano, an awesome tour guide, a tank top, a local beer and fruit after your hike, a mojito upon return back to the hostel, one free night at the hostel, and transport to the nearby beach afterwards. You ride to and from the volcano in the back of a big truck and get to know everyone on the way. The drive is beautiful and you drive past little homes with pigs wandering around and young boys riding horses bareback. We picked up a couple guys to help carry our boards up the volcano (for a fee of 100 Cordobas) and then stopped at the next little house on the road. Our tour guide called out to the little boy named Danny who lived there and told him to get his shoes. Today would be his first day riding down the volcano with us and he was stoked! We ate some local fruit on the ride and then paid our $5 entrance fee (not included in the $30). Then we drove to the base of the volcano and started our hike up! I recommend paying the 100 cordoba to the local men to carry your board up. Not only will you have an easier hike up but you are contributing to their wage as this is their only job. We had a few breaks on the way up which was needed as the trail was quite steep and uneven due to the volcanic rock. We finally reached the top and our guide told us a bit about the volcano – and that we were just in time for an eruption as the last eruption took place 20 years before. Volcanos usually erupt every 20 years – a fact he only shared with us at the top. He also told us how volcano boarding came about. An Australian traveler came upon the volcano during his travels and took up all different materials to try to slide down with including a snowboard, fridge door, and sled. Finally he figured out what worked best and Volcano Boarding was born. This activity is ranked #2 on CNN’s 50 most daring activities to do on vacation. Finally it was time to ride. We paired off and got ready to race. There was a man halfway down taking pictures and another clocking our speed. The record for men is 101km/h and 94km/hr for women. You can adjust your speed by how you sit and decide if you want to go faster or slower. The slowest man and woman would receive the ice bucket challenge. I made it to 50k and was in the middle of the pack so no ice for me! At the bottom we enjoyed fresh watermelon and a cold beer before heading back. I planned on taking the truck to the beach after but after the big day I was exhausted, grabbed some dinner, and relaxed. One of my favorite days in Nicaragua!

Ometepe

Ometepe is a small island not far from Rivas. You take a ferry across from the mainland and get off in the town of Moyogalpa. I went over myself and stayed at a home stay about 5 minutes out of town.

Stay

-Hostel Finca Monserrath: A little homestay about 5 minutes scooter ride from Moyogalpa. I was the only one staying there and they gave me a free upgrade to a room with 3 beds. I paid $27 for two nights. The room had a shower and toilet and two fans. The owners were very nice and had a little puppy upstairs. They also have a small menu and I had one meal there but would recommend getting some food in town.

Eat

-The Cornerhouse: Maybe the best food I had in Nicaragua! I had eggs benedict with roasted potatoes and a thick mango smoothie. So good! Located right downtown a few minutes from the ferry.

-El Pital: A delicious chocolate restaurant were we had chocolate smoothies and a platter of fruit with a magic chocolate ball that melted. Very good!

Do

-Rent a scooter: Back on the mainland you can rent a scooter before getting on the boat and you will be met by someone to take you to pick up your scooter or dirt bike. The price is about 25$/day excluding gas. The first night I went to Punta Jesus Maria for sunset and explored some side streets. The next day some friends I had met in Popoyo came over and we explored both islands. There is a section of road that is loose gravel so keep your speed down on this section if you are driving a scooter.

-Ojo de Agua: Hot springs with a small fee. We jumped off a wooden platform into the water, tried to do backflips, and had a nice swim. You can buy coconuts, alcoholic drinks, or even have a massage.

I highly, highly recommend you make a trip to Nicaragua. This country is not like any other I have visited in Central or Latin America. Due to the drop in tourism I found the locals to be more authentic and more interested in making conversation. Don’t have any set plans and let the people you meet and the places you go dictate your experience.

 

 

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Costa Rica

The land of Pura Vida and the easiest country in Central America to visit as far as safety, ease of travel, access to shuttles, variety of activities, and the majority of people speak and understand English. Costa Rica is definitely the most expensive and most touristic country. There is a definite “Gringo Trail” and the majority of travelers you meet will be American. If you are looking for a stress-free and relaxing vacation without as much culture but still good waves this is the country for you. Here is a list of locations I visited during my time in Costa Rica and advice on what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.

Below is a map and overview of the towns I will be mentioning. The order goes pink, green, blue, yellow…just as my blog does. The pink and blue both start from the top and go down. Hopefully this will be a good visual aid to help you understand where each destination is located. The first towns are San Jose, Herradura, Jaco, Playa Hermosa, and then Esterillos Oeste. If you can see in the legend to the left the first few have been cut off. Enjoy!

San Jose

The capital of Costa Rica. This is where you will most likely be flying in and out of. If you decide to take a local bus it is approximately 2 hours to Jaco. Keep in mind the airport is outside of San Jose and may take 20 minutes in a taxi to get downtown.

Stay

-Stray Cat: Only a block or two from the 7-10 bus terminal. This is where I stayed coming to and from Jaco. Nice dorm rooms and good location. Free breakfast!

-Toucan Hostel: Located close to the airport. I booked a private room for $33. Not many restaurants around so take advantage of Uber Eats!

Eat

-The Corner Pizza: A great Italian restaurant with pasta and pizza.

Do

-Explore the city: Walk through all the small markets, enjoy all the artwork, and get your fix of American fast food.

 Herradura

A small town just up the coast from Jaco-mainly home to condos and the Marriot. Good for a short escape from Jaco. This is the port for fishing trips or water taxi boats headed to Montezuma. There is no surf in this little bay but a good spot for a swim.

Eat

-Los Suenos Marriot: Go for the breakfast buffet from 6:30am-11am for 28$. A large selection of Western and local foods, omelette bar, juices, and $5 Mimosas. Try and sneak over to the pool after breakfast for a couple hours. You can also pay $50/day to enjoy the Marriot facilities which will be a partial credit to the bar and restaurant. You can catch a bus from Herradura town back to Jaco and vice versa.

Jaco

Surf town with one main street. Known as a party town with a surf addiction. Variety of places to eat, shops, and a good-sized grocery store. Try to get accommodation off the main strip and towards the south end of the beach. Easy to get to from the airport – about a 2.5 hour bus ride for around $5.

Stay

-Room2Board: A minute walk to the beach and surf! Surf rentals, lessons, tours, yoga, massage, breakfast lunch and dinner, a bar, rooftop with hammocks, co-working space, communal kitchen, pool, and a free hike. (Where I volunteered in reception for 3 months)

Eat

-Farmer’s Market: If you are looking for a large variety of local foods you need to check out the Feria de Jaco or Jaco’s Farmer’s Market. Prices are lower than the supermarket and the food is fresh and local. It is held every week right next to Garabito Clinic which is just around the corner from Room2Board. The stalls are set up Thursday evening from 5-10 and Friday morning from 7-2. You can find all your fruits and vegetables, juices, chocolate, cheese, yogurt, spices, hot sauces, jewelry, succulents, meats, and even sweets! Our favorite stall to go to is run by Isaac Mena and is called Meno Delicias. He and his wife make everything homemade! My personal favorites are his massive cinnamon rolls for 850c. He also makes very good apple pie, granola, homemade peanut butter and jams, bread, chocolate cake, whoopie pies, and apple turn-overs.

-Green Room: Craft beer and happy hour Tuesday-Saturday 5-7, live music every night. Try the Veggie Burger and Pina Colada. The Green Room has a small store that sells awesome gelato popsicles called Vanilla Gelato. The bars cost around 1500c. The store also sells granola, honey, coconut oil, spices, chips, tea, coffee, and a variety of other health foods.

-Marsican Gelato: Marsican Gelato is a cute artisanal gelato lounge located on the main street. The atmosphere is cozy, inviting, and a perfect break from the heat. The gelato is all made in-house with natural ingredients. All the flavors were amazing and delicious. Make sure you do bring cash as they do not accept cards. Around $4 for 2 scoops.

-Costa Juice: On the more expensive side but some of the best smoothie bowls and sandwiches in town!

-Bohio Coffee Roasters: My favorite coffee shop in town. It has a hipster vibe and hosts the best cold brew and donuts in town. The strawberry/blackberry, dulche de leche, or passion fruit donuts are a must-buy. Spend the afternoon enjoying the tunes and good vibes while sipping on coffee roasted in-house.

-Mandarina: My personal favorite spot for an acai bowl or smoothie. Decent prices and the ladies who work here are so nice!

-Frutas y Tablas: Frutas y Tablas serves a variety of smoothies and Acai bowls. My favorite bowl is called Good Day which has bananas, strawberries, and pineapple. The Acai is blended up and poured over the fruit and topped with granola and honey. This costs 4000c although I always add peanut butter for an additional 500c. Keep in mind they do close at 5pm.

-Room2Board: The best brownie in town resides at Room2Board. For a little over $6 you will get a warm frosted square of brownie, 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, and chocolate drizzle. Also try their shrimp burrito and nachos!

-B-Fresh: A healthy smoothie and acai bowl cafe with quality ingredients.

-Holaloha: A quick smoothie spot close to Room2Board. They were out of Acai every time I went there but they make good smoothies.

-Jerah Thai Resturant: Pricier but really good Pad Thai!

-Taco Bar: Go for taco night and have their orange chicken tacos. Try their massive smoothies as well. Good prices and cool swings around the bar.

-Sushi at Home: Our go-to Sushi spot. Good prices and good sushi – located near Mas x Menos grocery store.

-Pachi’s Pan: If you are looking for cinnamon rolls, cakes, brownies, savory treats, or rolls with jam head over to Pachi’s Pan. Pachi’s Pan is a local bakery located on the left-hand side of the main street and across from MasXMenos. Each dessert is around 500c and freshly made. If you come after 7pm you may be able to get 2 desserts for the price of one!

-Cookie 506: Based in Playa Hermosa, Cookie 506 Alfajores are to die for! Classic dulce de leche filling sandwiched between two shortbread cookies and dipped in chocolate. I recommend having a chilled cookie in the afternoon with an iced coffee for a little refreshing pick-me-up. You can buy these at Room2Board, Bowie’s Point, Bohio Café, Playa Dulce Jaco, and Heladeria El Barco.

Do

-Surf: Favorite spot is directly in front of Room2Board – less crowds. Waves are A-Frames and usually a short fast ride. The beach is pretty rocky but after a few meters into the water it is just sand.

Intermediate skilled surfers are advised to surf 2 hours before or after high-tide while beginners have better luck during low-tide catching white-water. The best time to surf at Playa Jaco is May to November but the waves are good year-round.

You do need to be aware of what is in the water. Jaco is a tropical place with stingrays, crocodiles, and small jellyfish. The jellyfish are not very painful and will just leave a small sting on where you make contact with them. If you are surfing you may see stingrays jump out of the water and belly flop back down again. The stingray population increases during the summer and you need to shuffle your feet when entering or exiting the water.

Crocodiles are present in Jaco as there are two river mouths that empty into the ocean after a rainfall. This is when it is most common to see a crocodile floating in the shallow water. They usually will float with the current down the beach and go back up the river. If you see one the best thing to do is to calmly get out of the water with not much splashing and alert other surfers or swimmers. Also wait three hours once the river stops emptying into the ocean after a rainfall to surf. This gives the ocean enough time to circulate the dirty water out and be safe for you to surf or swim.

I saw two crocodiles while in Jaco and never had an issue with either. They were small and using the current of the ocean to transport them to the next river. Stingrays are usually not very present either but if you see a few just take precautions and shuffle your feet. Enjoy the surf in Jaco and catch some fun waves!

-Hike El Miro: A 30 minute hike from Room2Board up a hill to two viewpoints on an abandoned property that has been spray-painted. If you head south on the beach you will take the last road: Calle Madrigal up to the main road. On the other side of the main road is the trailhead for El Miro.

-Take a yoga class at Room2Board: Located on the roof with a view of the ocean and free on Sundays!

-Go to Selina for sunset, volleyball, and drinks.

-Explore around the north end of the beach at low tide. To walk from Room2Board to the very end takes about an hour. Try to do this walk in the morning as the sun is strong in the afternoon. Once you reach the end you walk over rocks and can explore tide pools and find hidden caves. Keep walking and around 45 minutes later you will arrive at Herradura beach. This is only possible at low tide.

-Chase Waterfalls at Neofauna: Grab a taxi and head to Neofauna which is about a 10 minute drive from Jaco. There is a sign on the left hand side of the road to Neofauna. If you see Deco Rock on the right you have gone too far. Take the road up to the left until you see Escuela Pueblo Nuevo on the left and turn left. At the end of this road is the trailhead. You will follow this trail until it runs into a river and follow the river all the way to the waterfalls. You will get completely soaked as you will have to wade or swim through some waterfalls to climb to the next. There are yellow spray painted rocks to show you the way and sturdy ropes to help with climbing. Make sure you explore all the way up-there are many waterfalls and if you are feeling brave jump from a platform into the pool below. Always test the depth before jumping and jump at your own risk. If it is dry season be aware the water levels are a lot lower. Make sure to arrange a pick up or have a waterproof phone and number for a taxi when you leave. You usually will spend at least 2 hours here if not three and rarely see anyone else.

*Side Note: Once you near the first waterfall you will see a house up the hill on the left. This is when you need to keep your head down, speak only English, and don’t slow down. The second time I went was with a big group and we took too long deciding if everyone wanted to go up or not. The owner of the house came over and started saying we each had to pay $20 or he would call the cops. This is obviously a scam but if you keep a steady pace you will not be troubled.

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa is a very small surf town known for its surf competitions and good consistent waves. Hermosa is about a 10 minute drive down the coast from Jaco. Playa Hermosa is our favorite day trip as it is a quiet surf beach and just a great place to relax during the day.

Eat

-Vida Hermosa: Cute little restaurant with wifi, awesome smoothies, and delicious mains-try their sesame chicken! We bring our surfboards and catch some waves on the end of high tide. We always sit  under a little shack for shade or on the grass to the left. There are usually some slack lines in place to test your balance and they have an outdoor shower to rinse off after a surf.

-Las Olas: A restaurant and hotel serving great smoothies, crepes, gelato, and Cookie 506.

Do

-Go to the weekly surf competition at The Backyard on Saturday at 4pm. Ladies night 6-9.

-Take a road trip down the coast from Hermosa: If you rent a car a beautiful drive starts just after Backyard in Hermosa. If you are looking for uncrowded waves this is your ideal road trip! Take a right hand turn after Backyard and follow the road along the beach. This road is gravel and has speed bumps but can be done without a 4×4. You will pass about 5 surf spots and the road ends at a river mouth where the only people will be a couple of fishermen. Have a surf or nap on the beach and grab a coconut from the solo stand on the road. The road ends at the river so you will have to turn around and come back to the main road. If you then take a right and continue down the main road you will come to another quiet surf town called Esterillos. Esterillos is not touristy at all and only has a few sodas as food options. If you are looking for uncrowded beautiful waves this is where you should go! The last spot on your map should be Playa Bejuco – about another 10 minutes down the road. This is a great place to go longboarding and there is a surfboard rental shop in town. Try to go when high tide is in the morning as the winds are not strong and the waves are cleaner. Spend the day at one of these beaches and enjoy the beautiful sunset before heading back to Jaco.

Manuel Antonio

A beautiful small beach town that advertises surfing but rarely has any waves. Known mainly for the National Park which is pretty touristy. Check out the north end of the beach where its less crowded. Great place to go for a day trip.

Stay

-The Bustel: A renovated bus parked a minute from the beach. The Bustel has a queen bed, two bunk beds, a fridge, oven, dishes, 3 fans, toilet, games, and there is an outdoor shower. Kali and I stayed here two nights and loved our time on the Bustel! You can book the Bustel on AirBnB and check it out on Instagram and Facebook. The bus was parked in Manuel Antonio in a quiet and not too touristy area. We loved having our own space, outdoor showers, and the beach so close. The bus cooled down at night so much that I woke up cold once and threw on a sheet. We were parked right near a nice restaurant where we went for a few of our meals and could use their Wi-Fi. Arnaud is the owner and answered all my questions, met us on time at the bus, gave us a good run down of the bus, and was very helpful. If you are looking for a quiet escape this is the best and unique way to do it!

Eat

-Emilio’s: Great café with a beautiful view. They have croissants with jam or avo/tomato/onion, eggs benny, and lots of cakes and pies. Closed on Tuesday.

-Hotel Buena Vista: Right next door to the Bustel serving good food, smoothies, and drinks.

-Baldi’s Fresh: Right across from the beach and they serve the best nachos and smoothies.

Do

-Visit Manuel Antonio National Park: Arrive before 8am. If the park reaches max capacity it will close and you will have to wait in line to enter. Do not bring cigarettes, drones, chips or nuts, or speakers. You can bring an individually wrapped sandwich. The guards will go through your bags before entering so nothing will pass through. Keep an eye on your bags if you go swimming as monkeys and raccoons will come through and try to steal your things.

-To get to Manuel Antonio from Jaco take the bus to Quepos (about 1.5hrs and less than 2000c). Then you will get on the bus to Manuel Antonio which takes about 20 minutes and is around 335c. Wait until you go around a roundabout and then hop off. There will be a $16 charge to enter the park. Make sure to enjoy the hikes and further beaches that are much quieter.

-Enjoy the Beach: If you are looking for a quiet beach day, get off the bus near the Buena Vista Hotel bus stop. This area isn’t as packed or touristy as the main beach. Walk to the beach and find a palm tree to lie under. Take a walk down to the right hand side of the beach and explore at low-tide. If you are hungry go to the hotel for lunch. They have bathrooms and Wi-Fi and it is a great place to go in the evening for a drink. They have happy hour and you can get two drinks for the price of one. There are tables under the palm trees, fairy lights strung through the trees, and the atmosphere is relaxed.

Dominical

We came to Dominical on a short day trip from Manuel Antonio. Dominical is a very small hippy town. There is a market on the road near the beach and a nice surf shop. The town is known mainly for the good surf and there is not much else to do other than surf, eat, and sleep. If you want a couple quiet days this is the place to go!

La Fortuna

A little mountain town where the temps are cooler and hiking is the main activity. Visit the hot springs and enjoy all the good food. Two days here is sufficient. It does rain quite a bit so bring your raincoats and layers.

Stay

-Arenal Backpackers Resort: 5 minute walk to town. A little oasis with a pool and slack line, volleyball court, hammocks, pool table, mechanic bull, comfy lounge, bar, and restaurant. We stayed in a private room with AC and a TV. The staff are amazing-the man who works in the kitchen is very friendly and the receptionist helped me sort out a new shuttle after the first had cancelled.

Eat

-Organico Fortuna: This is slow food-very healthy and fresh. I had the quinoa burger and a pitaya smoothie and loved it!

-My Coffee: We had the special of the day which was a chai latte and the American breakfast. Very friendly and helpful staff.

-Anch’io Pizza: Right around the corner from Arenal Backpackers Resort. We had the Margherita and chicken and avocado pizzas. Very good with lots of flavor!

Do

-Free Natural Springs: Go to the Tabacon Natural Springs and there will be parking on the road just before the bridge. You may have to pay a man to park. Walk towards the bridge and down the steps on the right side. Go a couple hours before sunset as the cold air makes the water feel hotter and the mist is really nice. We went both days we were here and loved it!

-1968 Trail: About a 20 minute drive from La Fortuna. $12 for a self-guided admission to the trails. Takes about 2 hours to walk around and see the lake, lava fields, and fauna. Bring bug spray and anticipate rain.

Monteverde

A very quiet mountain town about 3.5 hours from Jaco. Because of the elevation Monteverde is quite cool and you will need to bring layers and a raincoat. 2 Days is plenty of time to spend here.

Stay

-Chillout House: Private rooms with a shared bathroom from $18. Cozy atmosphere and they have a nice breakfast that is included.

Eat

-Taco Taco: Tacos and craft beer. I had a chicken quesadilla and hot tea. Good sized burritos as well.

Do

-Monteverde Extremo: Ziplining 14 platforms starting at 1,400ft. One ride goes on for ½ mile, a Tarzan swing at the end, a 30m rappel, one superman line that is 1030 meters long, and one superman through a tunnel. $50 and pick up drop off at your hotel.

-Climb a Ficus Tree: Get directions from your hostel on where the trail is located. Be careful if the tree is wet as it can get pretty slippery. A unique experience and worth the steep hike.

Tamarindo

Easily my LEAST favorite town in CR since it is flooded with Americans and could be any beach side town in the US. The waves are small and packed with beginners, there is no local culture, and there are way too many people.

Eat

-Pico: A healthy restaurant right on the beach.

Stay

-La Ovejo Negra: We stayed here for a couple nights and had a private room. Right across from a grocery store and they also have a restaurant at the hostel. La Ovejo Negra has a pool, communal kitchen, ping pong table, and a big comfy couch.

Do

-Explore Llanos de Cortes Waterfall: You will need a car to get here but the waterfall is a short hike from the parking lot. Also explore the top of the falls.

-Go to Playa Grande: Playa Grande is down the beach to the right from the main beach in Tamarindo. You need to wade through an estuary so make sure you do this at low tide otherwise you can pay a man on a small boat $1 to take you across.

-Playa Avellanas: Take a road trip to the beautiful Playa Avellanas and go for a surf! We rented boards from Cabinas but keep in mind board rentals are limited. You can walk from Cabinas to the beach over a wooden walkway. When we were there the water was cold due to the offshore winds and many people were wearing a thin wetsuit. The waves were breaking fast and close to shore but still allowed for a longboard.

Nosara/Playa Guiones

The land of the best longboarding in Costa Rica. Quiet roads, good vibes, delicious food, and quality people.

Travel

If you are planning on visiting Nosara I highly recommend flying from San Jose with Aerobell. They offer daily flights that last about 45 minutes in a 12 passenger plane. I purchased round way tickets as I was traveling from Jaco a day or two before New Years. Bus tickets are first come first serve at the station in San Jose. I wanted a guaranteed easy trip to Nosara and didn’t want to deal with 6+ hours on a bus. Both flights were very smooth, air conditioned, and had great views. We flew over the beach in Nosara right around sunset when we arrived! Flights at that time were around $100 each way and very worth it!

Stay

-Nosara Beach Hostel: $23/night and located a quick 2 minute walk from the beach, right next door to Agua Tibia (Where you can rent the best quality surfboards), and a 20 minute walk from most restaurants.  No AC and it does get pretty hot at night.

-Driftwood: A Glamping experience. Located a decent distance away from everything so a car would be ideal if you stay here. There is a pathway down to a small beach you can enjoy. They have a pool and café as well.

-Selina: This location used to be a 4-star resort before it was converted into a Selina. Beautiful grounds, awesome kitchen with AC, cinema room, library, two pools, a pool table, bar, restaurant, surf school and rentals, yoga, and a small local artisanal shop. The dorm room has AC as well. The main downfall is location as the road Selina is located on has no side walk, is poorly lit, and has a drop off. There is a path to the beach from the lower parking lot but it takes a minimum of 20 minutes to arrive. This is also a hiking path with no lighting. You will most likely have to take tuk-tuks where ever you want to go and they are not cheap. If you can figure out transportation I highly recommend!

-4You Hostel: A very well built Hostel. Made more for the long term traveler as they have shelves and even a place to hang your clothes. Located just up the road from the majority of the restaurants in Guiones and 10 minute walk to the beach…if even. The owners are lovely and will make you feel right at home.

Eat

-Grab a coconut or fresh fruit from a stand on the side of the road

-Go Juice: A delicious food truck that offers acai or smoothie bowls, smoothies, coffee, and even banana coffee. Perfect for after a surf!

-La Brasa: Argentinian place known as a grass-fed grill and soo good!

-Sushi Mar: Located near La Brasa in an area with a few other small restaurants. We were there on a Wednesday night and they had a local live band playing.

-10 pies: If you are looking for really good casado, look no further. Try their ahi tuna, quesadillas, and peanut butter smoothies! Really good food and always packed!

-La Luna: Located on Playa Pelada La Luna has a beautiful Southern California feel. Great to go to during the day or at night when all their fairy lights are on. Great drinks and pizza

-Black Dog Café: Located across from the beach in between Agua Tibia and the main street. I was only here once for breakfast after a surf and had Gallo Pinto.

-Organico: A small organic grocery store near the bus stop on the main road. They have empanadas and cookies they make and sell that are amazing. There is also a Poke bowl station in the back but not open every day.

-Destiny: A more expensive restaurant that serves healthy dishes and awesome smoothies. Below is avocado and eggs on fried plantain – filling and delicious.

-El Jardin: Located near Olivia’s in a renovated bus! Awesome avocado toast, croissants,  live music, and reliable wifi.

-Guilded Iguana: A must-visit for lunch! I enjoyed eggs benny.

-Spirit Lounge: Located behind Beach Dog Cafe offering high quality cocktails, appetizers, live music, and a small store.

Do

-Surf Playa Guiones: My favorite place to longboard! If you catch it on a glassy day you will have so many perfect long waves!

-Playa Pelada: Check out this rocky/coral beach. There is a pathway directly from Driftwood or you can walk over the hill from Guiones.

-The Guilded Iguana: They have live music on Tuesday nights. Great atmosphere.

-Go to the beach

Samara

A chilled beach town with small waves.

Stay

-Kiban’s Surf Hostel: Located in the center of town and within just a 5 minute walk to the beach. We stayed in a dorm with AC and queen sized bunk beds. They have a T.V. room and a communal kitchen. Kiban was super nice an invited us to go surfing with him and his friend at a beach nearby called Camaronal. We hopped in the back of his truck and balanced on the tailgated over 15 minutes of potholes and speed bumps. The beach is beautiful and has a turtle sanctuary. The waves were pretty big and a challenge for me. We were the only ones out besides one guy and the waves were something you saw in a surf magazine.

Nambu: Located on the hillside over looking Playa Carillo – about a 10 minute drive from Samara. Beautiful pool, lounge chairs, AC, TV, balcony, and a 2 minute walk to the beach.

Eat

-El Tigre Verde: Awesome plantain shrimp burger

-Casa Maxou: Try their peanut butter gelato!

-Pizza a la Lena: Good Margharita pizza located across from Gusto on the Beach and in a mini food market. (Also where El Tigre Verde, Casa Maxou, and a small organic grocery store are)

-Roots Bakery: We came here many times. Try their cinnamon rolls, carrot cake, fresh squeezed orange juice, and croissant sandwiches.

Do

-Surf: I surfed here one day but it was very small. Enjoy the beach and go for a swim if it is flat!

Manzanillo

Manzanillo is a super small town we passed through on a road trip. There is one place to eat, one mini mart, and one place to stay. The beach is so beautiful and empty. If you are driving here from Nosara make sure you have a truck. Our little car struggled but we made it! If you are driving on these roads you will have to do a couple river crossings-in the rainy season this is not possible with a car. Ask locals in Guiones for advice and updates on the condition of the roads.

Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa has an almost Bali vibe before Bali was packed. Everyone rides motor bikes, dirt bikes, or ATVs and wears masks and goggles because of the dust. There are hip little spots for food and the town is populated mainly by Argentinians, Israelis, and expats. If you are wanting a local feel to your community this isn’t the place to base yourself. If you are looking for good food and good vibes alone you will be happy here!  The beaches are some of the most beautiful I have seen in Costa Rica: long stretches of white sand with driftwood and seashells scattered around. Catch as many sunsets as you can! Also keep in mind Playa Carmen is home to the only ATM in town which is about a 30 minute walk from Selina North.

To get here from Jaco you can take a shuttle to Playa Heredia and then hop on a boat to Montezuma. There a truck will pick you up and drive you to Santa Teresa. This can all be booked through Room2Board and is around $50/person.

Stay

-Selina North: Kali and I stayed here three nights at around $19 per person per night. This is probably the best hostel in town. We stayed in a 9 person dorm with AC all day. There were loads of cute lounge areas and a pool. The only downfall was the kitchen was a huge mess, the fridges were packed with food and not frequently cleaned out, and they were very strict on their check in time of 3pm. We had to store our luggage in a tiny room that was packed with suitcases and backpacks. There is also a walkway to the beach right around the corner, surfboard rentals, a couple shops connected to Selina, and a café.

Eat

-Earth Café: We came here every day for their Acai bowl –so good! Also good variety of foods like Buddha Bowls, sandwiches, baked goods, and gelato. The best part was the AC and three dogs that lounged around the place.

-Pronto: Very good Italian restaurant just down the road to the north from Selina. Pre-made eggplant Parmesan that was to die for!

*We also really liked a local bakery that was just before Earth Café if you were walking from Selina. The best cinnamon rolls and pizza. Good for a quick cheap fix.

Do

-Surf: While we were in Santa Teresa they had just been hit with a swell and the waves were a bit mushy and closing out. It was very hard to get out past the break and the currents were strong. We just swam while we were there and passed on the surfing.

-Catch every sunset: The sunsets are some of the best we have experienced and as usual everyone is at the beach.

-Rent an ATV: We rented an ATV for the day from Savannah X-treme Tours on the south side of town. We paid about $60 for the day and $5 for theft insurance. We actually came around 3pm the day before and were able to have it overnight and drop it off the next day before 5pm.  Usually the price is $70 but because it was late in the day and no one else was going to rent they gave us $10 off. You get a map of the area and the first evening we went to Cabuya. Cabuya is a small fishing village that has an island with a cemetery on it you can walk to at low – tide. We also checked out some side roads and went to a brewery near the Savannah Tour Rental. The brewery is up a very steep road with an infinity pool that overlooks the ocean. We only stopped for a few minutes to check out the view and kept going. Kali did all of the driving as she has quads on the farm and with the steep gravel roads I was all okay with that. The next day we headed to Montezuma to see the waterfalls. They are free but if you want to park right night to them you need to pay 1000 colones. We parked on the other side of the bridge for free. There is a bit of a hike up to the waterfalls and barefoot or tennis shoes are your best bet. The locals will climb up the sides of the falls and jump in. We went for a swim and relaxed for a bit before heading down the road. We drove into Montezuma and grabbed some snacks-not much to see and then headed back towards Cabuya along the coast. We saw a couple of small longboarding spots with a few surfers out but not much else. We rented our ATV in February in the dry season and still there was two spots we had to cross over water. Keep in mind in the rainy season the water will be higher and after a rain roads may be washed out. I also would recommend after dropping the ATV off at 5 to check out the sunset right across the road at Playa Carmen. Also if you are going by yourself get a sim and load some credit onto your card at the grocery store so you can call the tour company if anything goes south.

-Shop: Check out Swell and the shop right besides the bank. Both house local brands that are trendy and very surfer vibe. Nice graphic men’s tees and muscle shirts, women’s tanks, shorts, dresses, and some accessories.

Puerto Viejo

One of my favorite beach towns in Costa Rica. Puerto Viejo has a very rasta vibe and is home to delicious Carribean-style food, reggae music, and good surf.

Stay

-The Lion Fish: This is where i stayed both times i visited Puerto Viejo and I loved it. The staff was very friendly and even upgraded me to a better room the second time I stayed. They have the cutest dogs, a communal kitchen, and a little cafe downstairs. This is located on the main street only a 2 minute walk from Playa Negra.

Eat

-Bread and Chocolate: A cafe great for brunch. Awesome waffles and egg dishes – known for their cacao and coffee.

-Deelite: A small gelato shop near the water. They serve food here too but i would stick to the dessert and choose your mains elsewhere.

-Port Vell: Healthy cafe serving coffee and mainly breakfast foods. I ordered a smoothie bowl.

-Lidia’s Place: The must-go local spot for casado. This casado has Carribean sauce on the meat and is soo good! (The veggie casado is pictured below) Also order their jackfruit smoothie!

-Hotel Banana Azul: I stopped here with one of my shuttles and they include a meal. We had wraps that were delicious. A good place to hang out if you are looking for a quiet beach and good food.

Do

-Rent a bike and bike to Playa Manzanillo: Right across from the Lion Fish you can rent bikes for cheap for the day. You can also store these bikes overnight inside at Lion Fish if you decide to rent for longer. The ride is pretty long but mostly flat except for a couple hills. Keep your eyes up as there are a lot of sloths that climb along the telephone lines. Make sure you check out Punta Uva along the way – beautiful right point break and a great place to have a beach day. There are a few trails along the beach you can ride your bike on too. Once in Manzanillo walk the beach to the left and you will see an abandoned boat on the shore. On the way back to Puerto Viejo stop at Casa Mandala for some food or check out their artsy shop.

-Walk the beach trail from Salsa Brava (Near The Lazy Loft Hostel) to Playa Cocles: This takes you maybe an hour but is mostly shaded. Beautiful peaceful walk. Keep an eye on the ground as you may see lines of ants carrying small leaves. There are also nature tours given on this trail.

-Surf Playa Negra: Playa Negra is a two minute walk over the bridge from The Lion Fish. This spot only works if the surf in Playa Cocles is decent size. Usually there are surf lessons happening here but the locals are friendly and you can rent boards right on the beach.

-Surf Playa Cocles: This surf spot is fun-a-frames and the surf can get big. Many board rental places along the beach and where the surf competition was at when I visited.

Final Tips for Costa Rica

-Make sure you try Casado, Gallo Pinto, Jackfruit, and Patacones. Casado is rice, beans, plantians, salad, and meat. Gallo Pinto is rice and beans mixed together and served with cheese, pico de gallo, eggs, and avocado. Jackfruit is a delicious sweet yellow fruit. Patacones are fried plantains. All these dishes are local to Costa Rica and delicious!

-Use Caribe shuttles when crossing the Nicaraguan or Panamanian boarders. Use local buses while traveling throughout Costa Rica. They are cheap, efficient, and some are even air conditioned.

-While crossing the boarder do not allow anyone to carry your bags as they will ask to be tipped. A lot of scams happen at the boarder. One of the most common is people carrying around cash converting your money and giving you much less than they are supposed to. Get through the boarder and take care of everything in the next town.

-Uber is illegal in Costa Rica but still available in San Jose and Jaco. Because of this you will usually be asked to sit up front and enter and exit the vehicle quickly. Uber prices will be much cheaper than metered taxis.

-Pura Vida does not JUST mean pure life. It means hello, goodbye, everything’s great, or in general a good lifestyle. You will hear this everywhere!

-Enjoy your time, soak up the local culture, and have fun! 🙂

Here is a list of all my favorite places I went to in Sri Lanka over a year and two months! I would recommend starting in Colombo and taking the train to Nuwara Eliya and Ella. From there you can catch a bus to Arugam Bay and then make your way back along the coast to Colombo. You are going to want a minimum of two weeks and I would recommend a month if possible! Pack light, immerse yourself in the culture, and enjoy the local foods.

Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is a small town on the east coast. It is very dry, hot, desert-like, and wild. On the way to a surf you may see elephants roaming about, wild peacocks, or water buffalo. The town is built off of one main street and has everything you will need. You will struggle getting a wide selection of fruits or vegetables in town as there is just one small grocery store.  There is also no alcohol shops in Abay so pick some up before you arrive if you are looking for a bargain. You can drive to Pottuvil for a larger selection. Go during the high season (May-August) or many places will be closed. If you are not a big surfer and have a limited amount of time in Sri Lanka I would spend more time on the south coast than making the trip out.

Stay

• Eagle Resort – I stayed here both times I visited ABay and enjoyed the convenient location and the AC. It is located just around the corner from Hideaway and run by two friendly locals. Around $20/night.

Eat

• Hideaway – Anything you order from them is delicious. Hangout here after your morning surf and grab brekkie. Also check out their restaurant for dinner which has a menu that is always changing. A little pricier but so worth it!

• Bites – A good stop for cakes, coffee, and homemade ice cream. Delicious food and even AC inside!

• Geko – Stop here for an awesome tomato soup and ask for avo on the side.
• Rotti Shop – There is a local shop near the YMCA that make a mean omlette and peanut butter rotti. I do not remember the name of it but Kali and I went here twice a day.
• Juice Shop – This is located near the intersection for Main Point on the strip. Fresh Mango juice for 200rs.
• Seahorse – Home to the best wood-fired pizza in ABay.
• Hello Burger – Best burgers on the island with Mexican, avocado, and Hawaiian burgers.
• Bay Vista – Good spot to hangout for the day or yoga in the morning. Roof top area with a view to Main Point and they serve delicious smoothie bowls.

• Karma Gardens – Try their smoothie bowls, avo on toast, and waffles. So good!

Do

• Surf – Try your hand at surfing with the crowd at Main Point or head over to Elephant Rock for some fun long boarding. Do NOT walk through the lagoon at Elephant Rock – I did this 4x at dusk and 5 days later a man was attacked and killed here. There is now a local who owns a small fishing boat who will take you across to the beach for a small fee. You can also walk along the rock. Keep in mind if you have a long board and its windy this will not be easy. Check out Peanut Farm-surf on the front break if you are more of a beginner and head to the back break if you are more advanced. I also went to Pottuvil Point and long boarded. If you have a car and want to have a smaller crowd, head over to Okanda. Keep in mind you will be paying a minimum 1000rs for a tuk tuk to Elephant Rock and more for further distances. The driver will wait 2 hrs at this price.

• Sunset at Elephant Rock – Climb up Elephant Rock and enjoy the sunset and surfers catching the last waves of the day.

• Main Point – Head over for sunset or to catch some rays and watch the surfers.

• Yoga at Hideaway – Best yoga in ABay – schedule a massage after as well!
• Shop at Hideaway – Beautiful shop with quality clothes, surf boards, and a great place to pick up gifts.
• Happy Hour at Hideaway – Go for happy hour from 6-8 every day and buy one get one free! Best spot to catch up with everyone and have a chat. Saturday nights there is also live music.

• You will most likely see elephants crossing the road when you go to and from Abay as you pass near Yala National Park! Try to refrain from feeding them as they have been accustomed to tourists doing this. Wait for them to cross and then proceed.

Udawalawe

If you are looking to go on a safari while in Sri Lanka this is the place to do it! The crowds are smaller than Yala and although you may not see a leopard you will see many elephants! Go to my older Udawalawe post for more information.

Stay

• Kottawatta Village – I stayed here for a night the first time I visited Udawalawe and it is beautiful! A cabin with one bed will go for about $27/night. A quiet sanctuary with a bridge you walk across to get from check in to the cabins. There are private cabins or tents on the property with AC and TVs (at least in the cabins) but no luck with many english channels.

Eat

• Kottawatta Village – I ate here when I stayed and came back with Kali and enjoyed the Calamari fried rice. The restaurant is located in a big jungle building with open air. I enjoyed the hammock after breakfast when I stayed and watched the rain.

Do

• Safari – I highly recommend a safari here over Yala. I went in the off-season in July and saw only ONE other jeep in 3 hours. I do have a separate blog about this so check it out if you are interested!
• Baby Elephant Orphanage – This is one of the best run facilities in SL as far as care for the elephants and limited human interaction. Once again check out my Udawalawe blog for more information.

Hiriketiya

Hiri was my base for many months and my escape for many weekends. This is the true jewel of Sri Lanka. Quiet streets, a beautiful horseshoe bay, turquoise waters, and  great food. This should be your base if you are looking for a relaxing vacation with surf.

Stay

• Verse – Very modern accommodation with dorms as well. Great place to go if you have to do some work on a laptop. They have some comfy seating areas inside, a swing, skate ramp, and a bar to use for computer work.
• Dots – Stay at Dots Cafe if you are looking to stay longer and want a small kitchenette to use, hot showers, and free pedal bikes. There is a hostel and two private studios. New AC dorms are being made as well. If you want to stay closer to the beach the Bay House has dorms as well and private rooms. This can get a bit noisy with the beach dogs in the middle of the night and the monkeys in the morning as the dorms are in a cabana. There may be live music one night per week during high season. They also rent surf boards here and have yoga every morning and evening. There are two lovable dogs Coco and Lulu and if you are lucky there may be some puppies around!

• Salt – If you are a yogi this is the best place to stay in Hiri. Yoga twice a day in an open air room. Prices are higher than most in the area but accommodation is very modern and new and they have just put in a pool!

Eat

• Verse – You must get their freshly made chocolate chip cookies! They have great coffee, veggie bowls, and hummus.

• Dots – Try their D Burger, waffles, brownie, smoothie bowls, and rice and curry.

• Salt – We went here about every day for their smoothies and their Tropical Wrap-one of the best meals on the island. Try their brownies and their chocolate mousse!

• Grove – Best breakfast in Hiri! Kali and I would each get a main and split the pancakes-best I had on the island! Try their BLAT, potatoes and mushroom dish, and breakfast tacos for breakfast. Come back at lunch or dinner for their fish tacos. Home to the best but yet most expensive brownie coming in at 850 rs. Get it fresh and you won’t regret it!

• Squid – Grab your take away Calamari or fish and chips here and take it to the point for sunset!

• Dikwella – Egg Hoppers and Juice. Cheapest dinner you can get! The juice spot is on your way out of town towards Hiri on the left hand side called “The Cool Spot”. The local who runs this is very friendly and you can get a fresh juice for around 150-200 rs. I recommend pineapple, passion fruit, and lime. Make sure you say no sugar, salt, or a straw. There are a few good spots for egg hoppers that are both on the same side as the cool spot. These are usually only open in the evening and are about 40 rs a hopper.

Do

• Surf – This is my favorite place to surf in Lanka. The water is turquoise blue and you will see turtles swimming around. You can surf the beach break if you are learning or head to the point if you are more advanced. The beach break is mainly all sand but there are a few areas of reef scattered around. Try to fall flat or on your board when the wave dies off. Be careful if it is low-tide as the reef is pretty shallow here. Even if it is high tide make sure you land on your board after and don’t ride too far inside. There are sea urchins everywhere. The point is at the left hand side of the bay. It is best to paddle from the beach to get there. Some people will walk around and jump in by the rocks but it is not very safe. Surf boards can be rented on the beach or at Dot’s Bay house for 250 rs/hour.

• Walk to the point for sunset – Start at the main beach and head left along the beach. You will walk past the stairs and then walk over the grassy hill. Cut back to your right over the rocks and around the corner where you will see the surfers and Hiri bay. Best place to enjoy the sunset!

• Yoga – Go to Dot’s Bay  House or Salt for yoga twice a day.
• Get a massage at The Beach House. Great for after surf and massages for 30 mins as well.
• Explore the abandoned houses to the left of Dot’s Bay House, walk along the “yellow brick road”, enjoy the beach, catch a sunset on the stairs, or ride a bike through the quiet streets of Hiri.

• Saturday Market – Walk along the road in Hiri past Grove and up over the hill to get to Dikwella beach. You can walk along the beach, take a quick ride on the swing on the beach, and enter the markets from the back. This is the biggest local markets of the week with fresh fruit and veg. These prices will be much cheaper than the grocery store and fresh. Get a bag of popcorn, try some jackfruit, and stock up on all the locally grown goods.

• Visit the Temple – If you go into town you can take the main road to the right if you are headed in the direction of Matara (coming from Hiri). Follow this along and you will come to the temple on your left. It is free to tour but there may be ladies trying to sell you temple flowers as you enter. This is less than 5 minutes from town.
• If you continue on this temple road out of town you will pass through rice fields and banana plantations. Go about 20 minutes from Dickwella and explore the area. We also found another temple that was a nice spot to take a break.

• Explore the Island – If you look on the map the Island is just east along the coast maybe 5 minutes away. On low tide you can walk across the sand to explore. There is also a boat harbor here and will be some fisherman hanging around.

• Drive along the coast and discover a new beach, surf spot, or yoga shala.

Talalla

Talalla is a small town to visit if you want to go to a retreat or if you want a good meal at Zephyr. There isn’t much to do in town and the bay is rarely surfable. Spend an afternoon here and head on your way.

Stay

• Talalla Retreat-Beautiful retreat right on the beach that provides yoga, surf, or wellness retreats. Has buffets for each meal, movie nights, and a pool to enjoy.

Eat

• Talalla Retreat – Great variety for breakfast lunch or dinner. Healthy western or local dishes.
• Zephyr – Beautiful restaurant on the beach with a great menu. I recommend the prawn burgers, fresh veggies, potato wedges, mango salad, or the battered prawns.

Do

• Climb Sunset Hill – Kali and I explored this place after we passed it everyday on the scooter. There is a sea pool below people swim in. As you turn off the main road (Leaving Dickwella headed to Talalla – the bay before Talalla) the road to your right will be blocked off so take the narrow road to your left. You will need to go slow as the road isn’t paved and has a lot of ruts and holes. Go all the way up to the barbed fence and park. Crawl under the fence, walk up to the top, and enjoy the view!

• Walk to Sunset Rock – If you are at Talalla Retreat walk out to the beach and over the rocks on the right hand side. There will be a path that starts that you will follow over to the rock. This is a great place to hang out and watch the sunset.

Sk Town

A great place to go for a surf! You can walk down the beach from the bus station in Matara. Not many places to eat at or things to do other than going to the beach or for a surf.

Do

• Go for a surf! This is a long stretch of beach at the end of a dead-end road that goes all the way down to the bus station in Matara. Fun beach break to play around on and there is a variety of rentals to choose from. This gorgeous beach reminds me of Torrey Pines in California and is another good spot to catch the sunset.

Matara

Matara is one of the biggest towns in Sri Lanka. Take caution if you are borrowing a scooter as traffic here can get hectic. Be a decent driver before going through Matara. The town itself does not have much personality but you can find just about whatever you are looking for here. This is where we bought fairy lights, went to second-hand stores, curbed a Domino’s craving, or visited the hospital. If you are looking for a quieter area go to Pohlena beach!

Stay

• The Doctor’s House – Great spot if you are a surfer. Very close to the main break and right across the road from the beach. Run by a couple of Australian guys who are fun to be around and will keep you entertained. During the high season they will have live music and markets. They have a surf shop as well and one of their friends shapes boards here called Nachos. Their main accommodation is two dorm rooms that have awesome outdoor showers. If you do plan on surfing its best to bring your own board as there are not any rental places around.

Eat 

• The Doctor’s House – Their food is very good and I recommend their Cape Town wood fired pizza, nachos, any baked goods, smoothies, and coffee. They have happy hour some days from 5-7 and make great cocktails. Try the espresso martini or the mango daiquiri. They are very proud to serve the coldest beers on the south coast.

Do

• The Doctor’s House Live Music/Markets – Check their Instagram to see what is on for the week. These events happen mainly during the high season.

• Surf Main Point – Down the street to the right from Doctor’s House. There is a right and left that can be pretty shallow at times. There is a reef ledge you have to walk out on before starting to paddle and a small area between two houses when there is a break-this is where most people paddle in if you are surfing the right. If the waves are big this spot is only for the advanced.

• Shop at a second-hand store – There is two main stores located in downtown Matara. They are called Dew Creations and have clothes sorted by clothing style on tables. You will pay 200-400rs on average per item. You can find some great flannels, vintage high-waisted shorts, or great party shirts here.
• Catch a gorgeous sunset right out in front of Doctor’s!

Mirissa

Mirissa is one of the most touristy towns in Sri Lanka. This is where you go if you want a little less culture, some crazy nightlife, higher prices, or actually some of the best food (shout out to Shady Lane). Around May 2018 the government bulldozed around 18 beach-front businesses due to lack of building or alcohol permits. These were the main bars or restaurants. I know some have started rebuilding but Mirissa is not the same. Kali and I would come here mainly to eat at Shady Lane or to get some sun on the beach.

Eat 

• Our World – Great local spot for the cheapest coconuts in town and a great place to pick up some local fruit.
• Wood Space – Known for their delish smoothie bowls!

• Aloha – Again check out their smoothie bowls – this one below is a peanut butter bowl.

• Shady Lane – Such GOOD food! The owners are awesome and they are THE best place to go in Sri Lanka for avo on toast and a smoothie bowl. You can build your avo on toast and add mushrooms, spinach, eggs, and more! Also try their smoothie, iced coffee, or French toast.

Do

• Surf the Point – On the right hand side of the beach is a nice right hand surf break. There is reef so be careful when exiting and entering and if it’s low tide.
• Walk along the beach and explore the streets.

• Explore the Peninsula of Palms

• Badora Spa – Great spa to go to that has individual huts in a garden. Reasonable prices.

• Secret Beach – Such a beautiful place. You can get to this spot from the road by tuk tuk but most will not take you all the way down to the beach as the road is pretty rough. If you are feeling adventurous take the path to the left back-up and over the hill where you will have to hop over a gate to get out. You will leave near a home-stay called The Palace. The local boys at the beach may show you where the path begins. Watch out for wild peacocks!

Weligama

The main surf town on the south coast. Lots of options for hostels, restaurants, and local spots for food. Spend your evenings at Hangtime, meals at Aloha, and days surfing by the Island.

Stay

• Hangtime Hostel – has a rooftop open-air restaurant, a shop, yoga, tours, ac dorm options, and is the popular hangout for travelers. Right across the road from the beach break in Weligama. During the high season there will be loads of places open for surfboard rentals.

• Beatroot Hostel – 1500 rs for an ac dorm and breakfast. Right across the road from the island surf spot. They offer yoga and have a café. Awesome owners.
• Villa Naomi – A beautiful spot right on the beach. They have 4 rooms and plan to add-on more and a pool. They also have an outdoor restaurant and bar open to the public. Kali and I worked here for a few months and hosted movie nights in the garden. Follow their Instagram as they may start them up again during the high season.

• Ceylon Sliders – Beautiful private rooms overlooking the island – starting around $50US. Offer sunrise yoga on their roof, an awesome restaurant/café, and a high quality surf shop.

• We Escape – a “Poshtel” with a pool, ac rooms, restaurant, and bar.

Eat

• Aloha – Everything is made to perfection with reasonable prices. Try their avocado on toast, quiche, waffles, cheesecake, lime and pineapple juice, fruit salad, banana bread…it’s all delicious. Open air restaurant on the second floor with a skate ramp on the first.

• Soul Café – try their soursop smoothie, sundae, or avo/eggs on toast. They also have a small but great selection of bikinis.

• Hangtime – try their smoothies, brownies, pizza, and if you are lucky you will be around for a sushi night.

• Ceylon Sliders – You MUST try their corn fritters! Awesome smoothies.

• Marriot – best breakfast buffet from 6:30 am-10:30 am. $14 USD with a selection of Indian, Sri Lankan, and Western foods. Waffles, omelets, egg hoppers, fruit, bagels, danishes, salads, ice cream, and cereal.
• Rotti shop to the left of Hangtime – good egg rottis and fresh juice. Try a passionfruit juice with a scoop of ice cream.
• Villa Naomi – A great spot for drinks at sunset. Open air bar with view of beach and surf spots. Fresh seafood, great chicken burgers, fruit salad, banana fritters, and fried rice.

• Breakpoint – good wood-fired pizza, hummus, and falafels.

• Nomads – try their jackfruit tacos, Kickstarter smoothie: espresso, peanut butter, and cacao, pancakes, and avo on toast.

• Grab some Kottu at one of the many local spots downtown.
• Try some fresh mango from a stand on the street.

Do

• Surf at the beach break in front of Hangtime during the on season (November-April) and at the Island the rest of the year. Also get over to Fisherman’s Reef for a surf. About a 10/15 min paddle out through the reef but a nice right-handed wave for long boarders when the waves are smaller and when it gets bigger the short boards get to enjoy one of the nicest waves on the island. Make sure you have a surfing buddy because if anything does happen you have a long paddle back.

• Enjoy the Beach

• Check out Coconuts surf break in between Weligama and Midigama located in the town of Gurubabila.  There is a beautiful grassy field that runs right up to the beach. The surf break is pretty reef-y but I have never really hit bottom here. You walk out onto a reef and hop off in between sets and exit to the right if you are looking at the ocean. There is a small green sign you can use as a landmark for exiting as the reef breaks up here. Cows and dogs roam around and local kids play cricket or volleyball as the sun sets. Explore the beach to the left which curls around to Cape Weligama. Some nice small beaches to relax on.

• Go to Tikki Bar for a night out for lunch and enjoy the beautiful view over Fisherman’s Reef. If you are interested in a surf camp check out Elsewhere which is nearby and owned by the same guys.
• Go to W – 15 for free cocktails for ladies every Saturday night 5-7.

 

Midigama

Midigama is a quiet surfer’s town right on the main road. There are a few good options for food and many good surf spots. It can get hectic just with all the buses flying by. This is a good base on the south coast if you have come for the waves. Be aware in the off-season there are no waves to surf and you will have to go to Weligama.

Stay

• Surfing Wombats – A great hostel that has just added canvas tents for glamping. Large hostel beds, a couple private rooms, and one with AC!

Eat

• Surf View – Try their tacos and brownies!
• Sun & Soul – Great spot to go for an afternoon snack. Good coffees and baked goods.
• Surfing Wombats – The BEST pizza made by an Italian chef!

Do

• Cheeky Monkeys – Go for a night out or for a board rental during the day.
• Go to the beach and buy some fruit after a surf. This was my favorite spot to swim-turquoise calm water that quickly gets deep. We would swim from the left by the rocks parallel to the beach. Not much coral here at all.

• Walk along the train tracks

Ahangama

This town is still very local and not much tourism has effected the actual town. There are some hotels on either end but not much for tourists in the town itself. I wouldn’t plan on spending any time in the town itself.

Do

• Visit the Herman White Tea Factory-This tea factory far surpasses all the ones in Nuwara Eliya. A 30 minute tour of the grounds and factory with a free cup of tea and piece of cake. You get to try 20+ teas after in the shop as well!

Kabalana

Kabalana is becoming more of a surfing area. There are a few new restaurants popping up and the surf breaks are getting more crowded. Go here for a surf or meal but not a place to base yourself unless you are at a surf camp.

Stay

• Lapoint – If you want an all-inclusive surf and yoga experience this is the one for you! Always awesome staff local and foreign with activities every day. You can go to a rainforest, play volleyball, go to one of the local surf coach’s place for tea, do a beach clean up, and get involved in the community.

Do

• Mojos – Go here for an afternoon snack after a surf or for a night out.
• Get something tailor-made at the best tailor in Sri Lanka: Maji! (She is on the right with her parents and husband)

Wijaya

Very small town mainly known for its beaches and wood-fired pizza. Short stop here.

Eat

• Wijaya Pizza – Delicious wood-fired pizza right on the beach! Try their brownie!

Do

• Frog Rock – Located just down the beach from the pizza place. This beach is also populated with turtles as well.

• Sri Yoga Shala – The best place to go for yoga on the south coast. Back off the main road is a beautiful yoga shala, infinity pool, and now a café! You will also receive a cup of cinnamon tea after your practice is over.

• Dog Care Clinic – They have a quote outside the clinic that says: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” – Mahatma Gandhi. A great place with tours through out the day. The owner funds 80% of the project. Her mission is to bring down the population by spaying an neutering street dogs and houses many dogs that are recovering from surgery or disease.

Unawatuna

Another touristy town similar to Mirissa. One main narrow road that leads to the beach. Lots of home-stays and restaurants. I go for the food and head out.

Eat 

• Kat’s Coffee – Great selection of coffee including cold brew. Also have daily homemade desserts!
• Bedspace – One of my favorite paces to go-very good pita bread, drinks, and dessert.

• Skinny Tom’s – Healthy deli with super-food salads, fresh cinnamon rolls and desserts, sandwiches, and refreshing drinks. Located at the very end of the beach road.

• French Cafe – Best croissants & strawberry and lemon tarts.

Do

• Ring Store – There is a ring store past the French Bakery on the left hand side after a blue gate. The name is Lucky Gems or something similar and the man there is very helpful and sells silver rings with waves or other small details for around 600rs. You can get a custom ring made for 1000rs.
• Sanctuary Spa – Massage with a coconut after. I usually went for a deep tissue. Reasonable prices!
• The Secret Garden – Great place for yoga in a small dome in the garden.
• Go to the beach!

Galle

Galle is one of the larger towns in Sri Lanka. The Fort is where the tourists flock and prices are a lot higher. If you go into town on a scooter be sure you have some skills as anything is fair game. Go to some of the local markets away from the main road, check out the cricket stadium, and have a good meal.

Stay

• Kew Villas – This business is owned by my previous employer I nannied for. Beautiful 5-Star villas right on the beach. Each has its own pool and personal chef.

Eat

• Isle of Gelato – Artisianal gelato in an AC shop with seating upstairs and on the balcony.

• Illy Gelato – One of the original gelato shops in Galle. Great variety of flavors. They used to have a good deal where you could get 4 small scoops for 500rs. Try the mint and toasted coconut.

• Poonies Kitchen- Healthy cafe inside Mimi Mango. Try the corn fritters!

• Old Railroad Café – Local cafe with a view of the train station. Downstairs a number of tailors work on clothes for the owner’s upscale clothing line.

• The Shack – This is my favorite place to go after a surf. You can sit under the roof on a little patio and look out at the surf. Great coffee and you have to try their mango passionfruit crumble.

Do

• Walk around the fort

• Shop at Salt (Peddlers St.) & Soul Riders (Connected to The Shack)

• Surf Dewata – Rent boards at Bobbie’s – located to the right of Sahana.

• Shop the local markets

• Walk from the Beach at Unawatuna to Jungle Beach, visit the Japanese Peace Padoga, and walk to Dewata surf beach.

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is a little surf town that’s touristy but there’s not much there I do other than surf and eat at Salty Swamis.

Eat

• Salty Swamis – The south coast location with same owners as Hideaway in ABay. Open from September. Located right on the beach.

Do

• Surf – One of my favorite places to short board. Steeper waves easy to get on with a short board and not as much competition as further south.
• Buy local fruits

• Rent boards at Mountain Surf – I ended up trading my board from Australia here-great guys who work here. Ask for Jimmy!
• Visit a turtle hatchery – These hatcheries are scattered all over the south coast and can be deemed controversial. The majority keep the hatchlings around longer than they should for the tourist attraction. They do rescue and treat turtles who are injured, blind, or sick. I paid a small amount to release some baby turtles at dusk. The location I went to was in Bentota.

Colombo

Colombo is where you go if you need a break from the culture of the South Coast. Very Western and you can find anything you need. Lots of shopping, food, yoga, and massages.

Stay

• Drift hostel – Kali and I stayed here for a few days. Tip: check the vacancy online and if there is a large number of rooms available try to make a reservation off the street. You will receive a free breakfast. We had juice, toast, an omlette, and fruit. Nice air-conditioned rooms and bathrooms.

Eat

• Café Kumbuk – healthy fresh food. Try their eggs benny, vegan pancakes, and kickstarter.

• Black Cat Cafe – Try their Nutella pancakes and coffee! They have a small library you can use and read a book while you eat!

Do

• Shop at Odel – This is the mini mall of Colombo. Stores like Mango, a foreign health food and chocolate shop, a gelato store outside, and a variety of other shops and food spots.
• Massage at Thesare Talking Hands – HIGHLY recommend. You will be taken to a massage table and have two people come speak to you. One will be blind and the other will give you a quick check up to see where they need to focus on. Once the information has been relayed the blind massuse will take over. This is more of a treatment than a massage-no oils but very relaxing and beneficial. I love that the owners have given the opportunity to the blind for employment and are helping their future. You will also see a stand for their business at the Good Market on Saturdays.

• Good Market – A great place to go on a Saturday to try healthy fresh food, get a massage, or pick up some local crafts. Located near the cricket stadium.
• Horse cart rides in the park

• Take the Colombo to Ella Train – Pick up some bananas around the corner from the train station – Kaitlin and I may have went on a market day as there were hundreds of bananas!

Negombo

I only venture to Negombo when leaving or arriving to Sri Lanka. There is one main tourist strip down town and nothing much to do other than shop and eat. Visit the beach if you have time.

Stay

• Hangover Hostel – This is where I always stay if I am going to or from the airport. Just five minutes away and far enough off the main road that it is quiet. The rooms are in storage containers with air conditioning. They have a sweet pet dog and may have a local dinner you can pay for. Otherwise Dominos is a phone call away.

Eat 

• T-Lounge – Great range of teas, sandwiches, and desserts.

Do

• Visit the beach
• Walk around the tourist strip
• Try your luck and enjoy the pool at Jetwing Hotel-not open to outside guests. We came off the beach, dropped our bags, and hopped in. If anyone asks say you are staying at the Jet Wing Beach location just up the street.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is the coldest place I went to in Sri Lanka. Tourists mainly go here to visit a tea plantation. You will need a jacket so bring layers.

Stay

• Sherwood Cottage – This is a cute A-Frame cottage Kait and I stayed at. Around 2pm we arrived in Nanu Oya station which is the nearest station to Nuwara Eliya. We caught a tuk tuk to our accommodation for 800 LKR. Nuwara Eliya is also known as Little England because of the European style of houses and the cooler temperatures. After our tuk tuk climbed up a couple hills we checked into our little cottage. The location was perfect-on the hillside overlooking the town with a path out front to town that took about 10 minutes to get down. We also requested a local dinner. The manager there has two Dalmations that we met as well. Very friendly people!

Eat

• Adma Argo Strawberry Shop – There is a small strawberry shop out by the lake that sells strawberries and makes strawberry pancakes and shakes that are pretty good! We went here for breakfast after hiking up Single Tree.

Do

• Tea Plantation – Kait and I decided to head to the Bluefield Tea Plantation. The road to the tea plantation is mainly just switchbacks the whole way so Kait and I just slid from one side of the tuk tuk to the other for the whole drive. Along the road locals sold fresh veggies, fruits, and flowers. We arrived at the tea plantation and did a quick tour of the grounds before enjoying a complimentary cup of Ceylon tea. I bought a piece of chocolate cake as well.

• Ramboda Waterfalls – After visiting the tea plantation, you can stop by the Ramboda waterfalls.  The waterfall is only 5 minutes down the road and right on the side of the road. You have to pay 50LKR to enter but out driver managed to get us in for free. We walked up the stairs and enjoyed the view. There were a few other travelers who went for a swim but the majority of the people were locals having their evening bath. We walked up to one more view-point before heading back down and to our cottage. The tuk tuk ride round trip was 2500LKR.

• Hike Single Tree – It was a 45 minute walk to the base of the hill from our cottage and a 30 minute walk up. We walked on the road up and it was a good climb but not too strenuous. The views were awesome and we saw maybe 5 locals on the way up and no tourists. We made it down in 20 minutes.

• Racetrack – There is a small racetrack in town where some jockeys were exercising their horses.
• Visit the lake – a small lake with a playground and a few boats.
• Downtown – Take a walk around and check out the old style version of Cargills – a common grocery store.

Ella

If you like to hike this is where you should go. Start early as it can get hot during the middle of the day. A really nice mountain town with a good tourist crowd. Not much for night life but many good restaurants.

Stay

• Sen Rose – a guesthouse at the top of the hill and down the train tracks owned by a couple and their daughter. THE nicest people! Beautiful view and very good local food.

Eat

• Rainbow Café – A very good café on the way to Little Adam’s Peak. We had a vegetable soup and a mango smoothie.

• Ella 360 – A good western restaurant where we enjoyed pizza and spaghetti. There was live reggae music that night too!

Do

• Hike Little Adams Peak – You can walk right from town and will see a sign that will direct you to the peak. The first 2/3rds of the way is very easy and then the stairs start. After they end you climb a bit more and then descend one of the peaks to get to the final peak. You will definitely benefit from having both hands empty and tennis shoes. The view was incredible and we arrived right at golden hour.

• Nine Arch Bridge – This is located further down the road from Little Adam’s Peak. You can walk along the tracks, through the tunnel, and up a little pathway to get a great view when the train comes through. There is a little juice hut here and the locals are very friendly. They will let you know when the next train is coming through and also own a friendly dog named Sinka.

Overall this is one of the most diverse, backpacker friendly, beautiful, and enjoyable places I have been. Sri Lanka is actually Lonely Planet’s number one spot to go in 2019 and for many good reasons! I highly recommend visiting and staying a while-you will not regret it! Safe travels!