How to Visit the Amazon Rainforest in Bolivia (Updated 2019)

Updated: 8/5/19 | August 5th, 2019

Bolivia provides a budget-friendly option for exploring the rainforest. It’s cheaper and less crowded than the Amazon tours from Brazil. In this guest post, Erin from Never Ending Voyage shows us how we can experience the rainforest by going through Bolivia at a cheaper price!

The Amazon Rainforest. It’s the world’s largest tropical rainforest, covering some 5.5 million square kilometers. Offering the opportunity to see rare flora and fauna, it’ should come as no surprise that it’s at the top of many travelers “to-do” lists.

When most travelers think of the Amazon, they tend to think of Brazil.

Yet the Amazon basin actually stretches across nine countries in South America, which means that you don’t have to take an expensive tour in Brazil to see the jungle. For the budget-savvy traveler, Bolivia provides an amazing (and affordable) alternative from which to visit the basin.

Not only is it cheaper and less crowded but it’s just as biologically diverse as Brazil!

In this post, we’ll show you everything you need to know to have an amazing Amazon experience in Bolivia!

Where Do You Start?

The starting point for trips into the Bolivian Amazon is the town of Rurrenabaque. It’s straightforward here to sign up for tours, and it’ll be cheaper than if you book in advance in La Paz. Moreover, it’s a small town, so it’s easy to wander around and find a guesthouse for around $5-10 USD a night while you check out a few tour agencies.

There are two ways to visit the Amazon from here:

1. The Pampas

The pampas tours are the cheapest option and are where you’ll see the most wildlife, including alligators, squirrel monkeys, and the giant rodent capybara. It may not be the classic Amazon jungle experience you envisioned, though, as the pampas are a wetland savannah on the edge of the Amazon basin rather than deep in the jungle, but the lack of trees means it’s much easier to spot wildlife.

All the tour operators operate nearly identical two-night/three-day trips for around $75 USD plus the park entrance fee (which will be around $20 USD). Tours generally include all transportation, food, and a guide. You get what you pay for, so expect basic accommodation and meals (I recommend bringing snacks), and your guide may not be the most knowledgeable if you go with a cheap operator.

Since guides are so important to the overall experience, make sure you ask around for a company with good, knowledgeable guides.

After a very bumpy three-hour jeep ride to the jungle, you’ll transfer to a motorized canoe and travel a further three hours along the river to your lodge. The river trip was the highlight for us, as we got up close to an amazing amount of wildlife: hundreds of alligators, entire families of capybara (giant semiaquatic rodents), turtles sunbathing on logs, and trees full of tiny yellow squirrel monkeys. All while birds such as egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, blue kingfishers, eagles, and hoatzin (pheasant-like birds with blue faces and spiky hair) flew and nested around us.

The riverside camp is in a peaceful setting among the trees, with plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities (I had monkeys peering into my room!). Accommodation is in shared wooden huts on stilts, and you’ll wake up to the raucous sounds of howler monkeys. A generator provides power until 10pm so you can enjoy cold beers while lounging in a hammock and watching the sunset over the river.

The pampas tours are a great way to view lots of wildlife for a very affordable price, but choose your tour operator carefully and make sure they don’t touch or feed any of the wildlife — especially the anacondas.

2. The Jungle

For a more classic Amazon experience, opt for a jungle tour. You can stay at an eco-lodge in the jungle and do activities from there, but this can be pricey. We (my other half and I) paid $207 USD each for a two-night/three-day tour with Madidi Travel to their Serere Lodge, but we did get a large, comfortable bungalow, great food, and a very professionally run trip. We also liked that profits from the trip go back into conservation work for the area.

Although triple the price of a pampas trip, this is still much less than you’d pay for a similar experience in Brazil.

Serere Lodge is reached by a three-hour canoe ride and a short trek through the jungle. You can choose from a range of activities, including canoe trips on the lake next to the camp (at night you can see the glowing red eyes of caiman), day and night treks in the jungle, piranha fishing, and making jewelry from nuts and seeds.

Jungle treks are tiring in the heat and humidity, and there were many more mosquitoes than in the pampas. It is also much more difficult to spot wildlife — you could spend hours and not see one monkey, while we’d canoed past dozens of them in the pampas. It was interesting to see colorful spiders and giant bugs, and learn about the medicinal uses of trees and plants, though.

In general, we just enjoyed the peace of being in the jungle, especially from the comfort of a hammock, even if we didn’t see a lot of wildlife.

There are cheaper jungle tours available with more basic accommodation for similar prices to the pampas trips. We also met someone who had hired a guide independently and trekked and camped out in the jungle. This will save you money and possibly be a more authentic experience, but conditions in the jungle are hard, so don’t undertake one of these treks lightly.

If you have the budget and time, I’d recommend both the pampas and jungle trips, but otherwise, you’ll need to prioritize spotting wildlife in the pampas or the classic jungle experience.

10 Travel Tips for the Bolivian Amazon

1. You can get to Rurrenabaque from La Paz by a horrendous, bumpy 30-hour bus ride or take the scenic 35-minute flight across snowy mountains and into the jungle. We flew with Amaszonas for $75 each way, but TAM might be a little cheaper. Obviously, the $10 bus ride will save you money, but it might not be worth it for your sanity!
2. The best time to visit the Bolivian Amazon is the dry season from May to October when there is more wildlife attracted to the rivers and fewer mosquitoes.
3. There is no reliable ATM in Rurrenabaque, so bring plenty of cash.
4. Many tour operators will offer anaconda hunts where you can pose for photos. Don’t go on these. Wild animals should be viewed from a distance only; they aren’t pets.
5. The jungle trek is more physically demanding than the pampas tour so be sure to have good footwear and proper hiking clothing.
6. Many guides will encourage you to get up close and personal with many of the animals that you see. For your own safety, don’t.
7. To make sure you get a reliable tour operator, don’t pay less than around $90-100 USD for your tour. Anything below that price point will like be less than ideal.
8. If you’re doing the jungle tour, you’ll want to wear waterproof hiking boots or shoes.
9. Wear light trekking clothes as it can get warm, but also make sure to cover up so you aren’t attacked by mosquitoes. Bring bug spray with you as well.
10. We did our pampas trip with Indigena Tours. I can’t say I recommend them, as it was quite badly organized, the food portions were too small, and our guide wasn’t very helpful. But at least they didn’t touch any of the animals, which is a common problem here. There are definitely worse tour companies in Rurrenabaque. Ultimately it’s a cheap trip and you get what you pay for (there aren’t any more expensive, better-run options), but it was worth it for us to get up close with so much wildlife.

***
Visiting the Amazon jungle is a highlight for many travelers in South America, and it’d be a shame to miss out because you can’t afford the high cost of trips in Brazil. For us, Bolivia made for a perfect affordable alternative.

Visiting the Amazon jungle is a highlight for many travelers in South America, and it’d be a shame to miss out because you can’t afford the high cost of trips in Brazil. For us, Bolivia made for a perfect affordable alternative.

If you’re heading to Bolivia anyway (and you should — it’s an amazing country!), be sure to consider taking an Amazon tour here. You won’t be disappointed!

Erin McNeaney and her partner Simon sold everything they owned and left the UK in March 2010 to travel the world forever. You can follow their adventures at Never Ending Voyage, or Twitter and Facebook.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

10 Reasons Why I Love Thailand (And Why You Need to Visit)

Updated: 8/5/2019 | August 5th, 2019

I’ve been to Thailand more times than I can count. I’ve lived in Bangkok twice, I’ve run tours through the country, and if I stay away for more than a year, I feel as if a piece of me is missing.

I love visiting Thailand.

It holds a special place in my heart.

People often ask me why I return to places I’ve already visited instead of exploring somewhere new. Well, that’s an easy answer: because I feel attached to them. I feel at home when I’m visiting them.

And Thailand is probably the one place outside of the U.S. where I feel most at home.

And why do I love Thailand so much?

Here are ten reasons why Thailand is one of the best countries in the world to visit – and what you can look forward to when you travel there:

1. The delicious food

When people say they like Thai food but haven’t been to Thailand, I can’t help but think, “You’ve never really experienced Thai food.” Thai food in Thailand is leagues better than anywhere else in the world. The spices, the fragrances, the variety of flavors. Your mouth dances with flavor when you eat here. There are dishes and styles in the country that you simply can’t get anywhere else.

All over the streets of Thailand, outdoor stalls serve up the cheapest and best meals you can find. You’ll be hunched over a bowl of noodles next to a little kid, office worker, and bank president. Street food in Thailand is the great equalizer and fundamental to Thai culture. And no matter what time of the day it is, there’s always food available somewhere.

Moreover, Thailand has world-class international food (and a few Michelin starred restaurants) thanks to the hordes of tourists and expats that come here. Some of my favorite sushi restaurants are in Bangkok, and you can find amazing halal and Indian food in the downtown Sukhumvit area.

Thailand is a foodie’s wet dream.

2. The warm weather

I love the sun a lot (much to my mother’s and my dermatologist’s dismay). I think after shoveling snow in Boston for the vast majority of my life, I gravitate to the sun because, in the tropics, there’s no snow. I love the heat, and the fact that it’s always hot and humid in Thailand appeals to me. It’s never “jacket” weather here.

(OK, that’s not entirely true. In January, I do wear a jacket. It gets pretty close to 20° C here. You can always tell the expats from the tourists in Bangkok because the expats are the ones wearing sweaters and jackets in January. I once had a friend visit me and I refused to turn on the A/C in my apartment. It was far too cold for that!)

3. The friendly locals

Thais are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They’re always happy, always smiling, extremely polite, and always helpful. They’ll help you out if you’re in trouble and help translate for you if you can’t speak Thai. They treat you well, and whenever I come back here, the local shop owners whose stores I frequent greet me with a warm smile and a big hug. Once a friend, always a friend. I always feel safe in Thailand. Thailand is one of the few countries I feel comfortable leaving my laptop out while I go to the bathroom.

4. It’s the perfect travel hub

Thailand is smack-dab in the middle of everything. It’s three hours to Hong Kong, two hours to Singapore, four hours to Bali, and half way between Australia and Europe. You can get to a lot of places easily from Thailand, which, for a traveler like myself, is really appealing.

5. The postcard-perfect tropical islands

I love the beach. I can sit on the sand and go for a swim for hours upon end. While Thailand has been developed for years and many of the best beaches have been ruined through uncontrolled development, you can still find some pristine, picture-perfect islands and beaches around the country.

I particularly love Ko Chang, Ko Kood, Surin Island, Ko Adang, and Ko Lanta. The best islands are down south near the Malaysian border. They all look like the above picture.

As long as you avoid the super touristy and overdeveloped beaches (and there are many), you’ll find the postcard perfect beaches you’ve already dreamed of!

6. The lush jungles

As much as I enjoy sitting on the beach, I also love to hike through jungles, and Thailand has some of the most beautiful and lush ones I’ve seen. From the jungles and elephants in Khao Yai National Park, to the famed lake of Khao Sok in the south, to the famous jungle and hill tribe treks near Chiang Mai, you can get your tropical jungle fix very easily here.

They may not be the wild and untamed jungles of some places in Borneo or the middle of Africa, but they still offer amazing views, dense forests, waterfalls to cool off in, and an interesting variety of wildlife.

7. The international environment

Thailand is a country where you can get as local or foreign as you like. Because of all the tourists and expats who live here, the country is very cosmopolitan and international. There are global food chains, international restaurants and stores, Starbucks, and Hollywood movies.

Thailand is a melting pot of people, and you’ll find people from around the world. I’ve made friends here from France, Germany, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Israel, just to name a few.

8. The convenience

Thailand is convenient. Hungry at 3:30am? There’s someone around to sell you food. Need to take a bus to Vietnam? That can be easily arranged. Need to go shopping at some strange hour? There’s a store open. Pharmacy at 2am? Got that too. Thailand is just an easy place to live and move around in. And in Bangkok, you never have to wait for a taxi.

(HEY! Are you planning a trip to Thailand? Don’t forget to check out the book I wrote about the country. Click here to travel it like a pro!)

9. Bangkok

I hated Bangkok the first few times I traveled there. It wasn’t until I moved there that I fell in love with it. Bangkok, it turns out, is an easy city to live in. There’s lots to do, plenty of events, great bars, and amazing food (see above), and it’s easy to get around (except during rush hour). I love cities where there’s always something to do. No matter what time of the day or day of the week, you can always find something to do in Bangkok.

I began to love Bangkok when I got know it beyond the temples and the tourist trail. When I found hidden markets and amazing street stalls frequented only by locals, became friends with residents, and understood how it operated, I knew why people loved Bangkok so much.

Bangkok is not a city for tourists.

It’s for residents.

Take some time here and enjoy it!

10. It’s cheap!

Thailand is cheap to visit and cheap to live in. Yesterday, I spent $4 USD for all of my food for the day, including some drinks and snacks. Most food from the street vendors costs $1. I can get a private room for $10 USD per night or a bungalow in front of the beach for $15–20 USD. An apartment in downtown Bangkok costs $300 a month, and it’s still bigger than what I need. Thailand simply offers incredible value for your money.

A few years back, I was telling my friend that after a month bouncing around the islands, I had spent around 40,000 baht ($1,400 USD). He was shocked! “How the hell could you spend so much money in one month!” he exclaimed.

If you’re traveling here on a backpacker’s budget, you can get by for about $30 USD a day!

***When people ask me what my favorite country is, I always say Thailand. Though I wonder how you can pick a favorite country. Each one is amazing in its own right. No country is really better than another, just different. However, Thailand has a special place in my heart. We have a long history together. I’ll always return to this country.

When people ask me what my favorite country is, I always say Thailand. Though I wonder how you can pick a favorite country. Each one is amazing in its own right. No country is really better than another, just different. However, Thailand has a special place in my heart. We have a long history together. I’ll always return to this country.

If you’re looking to visit Thailand, here are some resources we have to help you:

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

The Travel Hack Rebel Wilson Stole From ‘Cats’ Costar Taylor Swift

Chris Allerton/Shutterstock

Rebel Wilson has already had two movies come out this year — "Isn’t it Romantic" and May’s "The Hustle" with Anne Hathaway — and has more to come (including the much talked about live-action "Cats") which means she is traveling constantly. Luckily the "Pitch Perfect" star has perfected the art of flying. “I have been to London, Australia, Mexico, Paris and I mean like five trips to London already this year, and New York of course,” she said at a New York screening of MGM’s "The Hustle" earlier this summer hosted by 1-800-Flowers.com and social media expert Natalie Zfat. The film is a remake of the 1980s comedy "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" but with a feminist twist.

So how has she become an exquisite flyer? Wilson shared with Travel + Leisure her tips and travel hacks (including the one she and her "Cats" co-star Taylor Swift practice religiously) as well as her favorite places to visit when she's not on set.

T + L: First of all, what was it like to film "The Hustle" in Mallorca?

Rebel Wilson: Mallorca was so awesome. We stayed at a brand new Park Hyatt there. It was so beautiful. We shot French hours which means you don't have a lunch break but you end early and then all of us, cast and crew, watched the sun set together. We filmed at the end of summer so it was good because it was a little quieter, but still warm. And the big mansion you see in the film is three different locations in Mallorca. 

What’s the most amazing trip you recently took?

This year for my birthday [in March] I stayed at the new Ritz in Paris. It was just renovated and that was such an amazing, decadent way to spend my birthday.

What are your best plane hacks? 

I don't drink any alcohol on planes. And if it is an overnight flight I like to eat in the lounge before and not eat on the plane. I heard Taylor Swift does that, who I was just working with, she doesn't eat on the plane.

I suffer from jet lag so badly so I like to make time to rest when I get there but sometimes it is impossible and you have to go straight to work. But I have been doing a few little tricks like cryotherapy. And I love massages when I get to the destination.

I sometimes bring SK-II face masks. They freak people out on a plane because you look a bit like a ghost and if you get up to go to the bathroom people are like, ‘Huh?! That doesn't look human!’ but they are the best.

Are there any gadgets you always bring on the plane with you? Any more hacks?

You always need ear plugs. I've got this little kit in an Anya Hindmarch bag. It's called a take off kit and I put all my little beauty products, the mask, etc., in it. Someone gave me a cashmere eye mask and it's so comfortable and feels really good on the skin. But wear really comfortable clothes. Leggings are awesome because they have a bit of compression to them. 

What is your packing routine?

My sister, Anna, she normally does the packing. Having four movies out this year and the press I have been so busy. It's literally insane.

Are there any trips you’re dying to take? 

I went to Iceland last year and had the most amazing time. It's the new five star resort at the Blue Lagoon (it's the only five-star resort in Iceland.) It's insane. I'm lucky I've been to a lot of places. I've basically been everywhere in the world. But I've never been to the Bahamas. So maybe like a private island there?

Note: This interview was lightly edited for clarity.

Connecting on the Island of Ios in Greece: A Travel Story

Updated: 03/15/2019 | Original Posted: 5/25/2010 (Updated with new info on visiting Ios)

03/15/2019 | Original Posted: 5/25/2010 (Updated with new info on visiting Ios)

A few weeks from now, I turn one year closer to 30. It’s a reality that isn’t sitting well with me.

Thirty. It seems so old.

At the beginning of the year, I decided I’d spend the summer in Europe, with most of my time spent on the island of Ios in Greece.

During the summer months, the island becomes a haven for young backpackers seeking to soak up the sun, water, and the suds. I knew there wouldn’t be another chance to do this pre-30. It was time to do it now before I became that “dirty old backpacker.”

But like all the best-laid plans, this one fell through. I have to return to the US in June to speak at a conference, cutting my summer trip in half. Now there will be no spending the summer in Greece enjoying my “pre-30” crisis. My trip to the Greek islands will only last only a month before I move on to Italy, Hungary, and, finally, Sweden.

So, heavy heart in hand, I arrived in Ios more than two weeks ago to stay for four nights.

I stayed for seven.

Then, leaving for Santorini, I ended up returning two days later. I missed Ios too much. I stayed for another week before I left for Paros and Mykonos.

Now I’m back on Ios.

Again.

Pushing off the rest of my travels for some more precious time on this little rock.

I often talk about what travel is and what it means. What does it mean to travel? To backpack? Is one form better than the other?

Travel doesn’t fit into a box.

It’s a lot of things.

It’s more than seeing a place or a style of travel.

But one thing that permeates all discussions about the nature of travel is that, at the end of the day, travel is about making connections.

Not only with places, but with people, too.

Ios is a rocky plot of land with a main town growing like a vine up a pointy, church-topped hill with quintessential blue and white houses, small cobblestones lanes, and tiny storefronts. The island’s wide, yellow sand beaches are lapped by beckoning azure blue water. Small clusters of houses and terraced cliffs for wine and crops branch out from the main town. The island as a whole is a haven for young backpackers seeking to soak up the sun and to party.

There are more beautiful islands in Greece. (And, really, I prefer my islands to have more palm trees, jungle, and tropical fish.)

Ios’ main draw is still the partying, beaches, and crowds. I came for that because I wanted to party a summer away in Greece, but I stayed because of the connections I made with the people here on the island.

And I’m pulled back there because of those connections.

Arriving in May that year, before the crowds, I found most of the other backpackers there were looking for work. Ios’ economy in the summer runs on backpackers working the bars and restaurants in exchange for free food, drink, and enough money for a room.

I made friends with the owners of empty bars and restaurants. George at the Greek restaurant the Nest taught me some Greek. Alex from Blue Note Bar introduced me to a variety of Greek alcohol. Many nights, Demetri and Nicos from Slammers discussed the sad state of Greek politics with me over ouzo.

You meet a lot of people when you travel. Faces and names begin to blur after a while. You become friends on Facebook, but you rarely ever see each other again. I’ve met thousands of people on the road, but only a handful of people whose weddings I’ll attend and babies I’ll meet. It becomes a rare occurrence when you meet people you connect with on a deeper level.

It happened to me when I lived on the Thai island of Ko Lipe in 2006, where, four years later, all of us were having Christmas together. It happened on Haat Rin in 2007, where, two years later, I attended the wedding of my Australian friends.

It happened last year in Valencia, when three Americans, two Australians, and one Malaysian shared a dorm room for a week and clicked so well that people asked us how, when, and where we had became such good friends, given our different nationalities. “We just met three days ago,” we’d say to their astonishment.

And so again on Ios, a group of strangers came together and acted as though they’d known each other for years. Some will work the whole season on Ios. Others leave in a few weeks. Some stay half the summer. Some left before me.

But all of us impacted each other in some way, and each day I see a common update on Facebook from those who have already left: “I miss Ios.”

Most travelers stayed only a couple nights on Ios. They would party hard, sit on the beach, and, after a few days, stumble back onto the ferry, having checked Ios off their list.

My friends and I were here for the long term – them because they needed their travel plans depending on working and me because, having found a group of people I liked, saw no reason to leave. Staying put allowed us to create roots on a windy island where people blew in and out like leaves.

This was, at least temporarily, my family.

Days and nights together, we chatted little about our life back home and the memories there, and we laughed about our shared experiences. We gossiped over hookups, bickered over where to eat that night, traded book suggestions, and sparred over the politics of the Greek economic crisis.

Time is different on the road. Days feel like weeks and months like years. Two weeks on Ios felt like an eternity. When I left, people couldn’t believe I was only there for two weeks. To them, and to me, it felt much longer.

I don’t regret only spending two days on Santorini and Mykonos, though, because it gave me more time with friends on Ios. Now, I’m back and sad again I must say good-bye while they stay here.

Travel is about the people we meet more than the places we see.

And somewhere out there, other travelers are connecting and forming bonds that will last far into their futures, too. Somewhere in the world, they too are nicknaming themselves “a family” and just watching the world go by together…

4 Tips for Visiting Ios

Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation, expect to pay at least 30 EUR per night for a private room (and even more in the high-season). This will usually include a private bathroom, AC, a TV, and a mini-fridge. On Airbnb, shared rooms usually start around 15 EUR per night while entire homes/apartments can be rented for around 40-50 EUR per night.

Food
You can find gyros (meat, cheese, sauce, onions, and tomatoes served on pita bread) and other street food for only under 5 EUR. For a budget restaurant, expect meals to cost between 10-15 EUR, including a drink. For a mid-range restaurant meal, expect to pay almost double that. If you’re on a budget and want to cook your own meals, expect to pay 40-50 EUR per week for groceries (pasta, vegetables, chicken, and other basic foods).

Transportation
To get around the island, you can take the local bus. Just keep in mind that the local bus system only runs in the summer. Tickets cost 2 EUR and runs along the island’s main road. The local bus only runs until early evening after which you’ll need to take a taxi. More common for transportation are ATVs. You can rent ATVs for about 15-40 EUR per day to get to the beaches and parts of the island further afield.

To get to Ios you’ll need to take a ferry (there is no airport here). Ios can be reached best from Naxos, Santorini, Crete, and Piraeus (which is near Athens). Expect to pay at least 30 EUR for a one-way ticket from Piraeus to Ios for a basic economy seat. The journey will take between 4-8 hours depending on which ferry you take (the high-speed ferry will cost more but is much faster).

A one-way economy ticket from Santorini to Ios will cost around 13 EUR and takes around 1 hour.

Book Your Trip to Greece: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. My favorite places to stay are:

• Francesco’s – This family-run hostel has a pool, terrace, and gives you a free dirnk on arrival. What’s not to love?
• Far Out Beach Club – If you’re looking for a place to party on a budget, this is it. The hostel has a pool, bar, space for camping, and a non-stop party that goes until sunrise.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Want More Information on Greece?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Ios for even more planning tips!

Ko Phi Phi: Thailand’s Most Dangerous Island

Posted: 9/22/2010

9/22/2010

This is a guest post by Sean Ogle, who blogs about location independence at locationrebel.com

When you think of dangerous islands, you might think of earthquake-prone and poverty-stricken Haiti. Or maybe it’s Australia, with its deadly spiders and snakes. Or perhaps it’s someplace even more remote, like the jungle wilderness of Borneo.

Yet there is an island out there that is far more dangerous and far less obvious. That island is Ko Phi Phi off the coast of Thailand.

Ko Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s most famous islands. It’s one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country and is where the movie The Beach was filmed.

Every year, thousands of people flock to this island to relax in the sun, swim in the ocean, and dive the surrounding reefs. But despite its international reputation as being a world-class travel destination, for many young travelers it can often be the most dangerous place they visit on their trip through Southeast Asia. What makes Ko Phi Phi so dangerous?

Two words: buckets and fire.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Thai bucket, it’s a combination of Red Bull, Thai whiskey, and either Coke or Sprite. It gets its name from the small sand pails in which they are served and is a staple on the Thai tourist trail.

My personal bucket-and-fire story started seemingly harmlessly enough, with a burning rope landing on my foot.

Originally, I thought nothing of it. I cleaned it up and took care of it. Yet three weeks later when I had an infection half an inch deep and was forced to make my first visit to a Thai hospital, I realized it was more than nothing.

Others get it much worse, getting mangled on flaming jump ropes or falling on top of fiery limbo sticks. I saw one British guy forcefully removed from the activities because he was too drunk to feel the constant burns he was inflicting upon himself with the rope.

The combination of buckets and the fire antics that take place at beach bars such as Ibiza and Apache put inebriated travelers in a position to have the best nights they’ll never remember, yet leave them with scars that will never let them forget the nights they spent on Ko Phi Phi.

On any particular night, you can head down to any of these beach bars around 10pm and find an exciting display of poi fire dancers, fire jump-ropers, and even a fire limbo.

You watch in awe as you sip on your first drink, wondering how anyone could possibly have the nerve to participate in such an acrobatic display of fire mastery. The Thais doing these moves seem to be masters at it, catching balls of fire thrown at them from across the beach. They have real talent.

However, over time, something begins to change. The locals begin to invite tourists to participate in a little jump-roping, promising to go slow, and always ensuring you that you won’t get hurt.

Yet as the night wears on, the audience gets more excited, more drunk, and more daring. They want to go faster and sometimes two at a time. As they get drunker, their reflexes slow down — and that’s when people get hurt.

As the alcohol continues to flow, the fire seems to disappear, as you show off your flexibility and ability to dive head first into the flames. The next day, it seems like everywhere you look on Ko Phi Phi, travelers have bandaged arms or heads. They’re on crutches or perhaps have a couple casts on various appendages.

After your first night on the island, you’ll understand where those came from.

The time I spent on Phi Phi was among the best I’ve had in Thailand. I loved the beaches and the people I met. Yet it’s important to be aware of what goes on there and not to be influenced by your friends or your nightly “liquid courage.”

[Matt’s note: I did not like Ko Phi Phi.]

Sean Ogle is a location-independent entrepreneur who teaches people how to overcome fear in order to live the lives they really want.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Thailand!

My detailed, 170+-page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money while in Thailand, a country I used to call home (so I know it really well!). You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, nontouristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and get started!

Book Your Trip to Thailand: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. My favorite places to stay are:

• Rock Backpacker – This walk-in only hostel has huge dorms, but it’s cheap, clean, and has its own restaurant and bar.
• Hanover Hostel – This is a classic backpacker party hostel. It’s cheap and the amenities are basic, but the staff is helpful and it’s easy to meet other travelers.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Thailand?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Thailand with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credit: 2, 3

Paris is NOT a Touristy Destination (No place is)

Updated: 07/23/18 | July 23rd, 2018

Updated: 07/23/18 | July 23rd, 2018

As winter continues on and the days get colder, I find people begin to think of travel: warmer places, tropical beaches, and spring trips. My inbox fills up more than normal with questions on where to escape to, what to see, and things to do.

But there is always a common theme to these emails: people want to avoid the “touristy” stuff. They want to avoid the crowds and see the local side of a city.

”I don’t want to go to Paris. It’s too touristy. Where else can I go that is like it but without the crowds?”

I cringe when I see statements like this. I understand the desire to explore places and find hidden gems. We want a glimpse at the local life. We want to be Indiana Jones and feel like we‘re discovering and experiencing something new, not simply joining a horde of other tourists and buying into mass consumption.

It’s good to see something different and explore what hasn’t been Disneyfied for tourists. But this idea that simply because a place is popular it’s become “too touristy” and thus ruined is….well, crap.

Paris is not touristy.

Neither is New York City.

Or Bangkok.

Or Cairns.

Or any other city in the world.

No place in the world is “too touristy.”

The problem isn‘t the destination — the problem is where you’re going when you’re there. The only thing that’s touristy are the spots you choose to see. The beaten path is beaten because it’s popular and everyone wants to see it. Why do the crowds clutter around the Eiffel Tower? Because it’s amazing. Why do people flock to Times Square? Because it’s iconic.

But if you’re sick of tourists and want a “local feel,” all you have to do is avoid those spots. Venture away from the crowds. Odds are good that you won’t find them a few blocks over. 90% never stray off the path. To say a city of millions of people is “touristy” is to focus on the tourist spots and then say that the whole city/country/region is like that.

And that’s just not true.

I live in New York City. Every day thousands of tourists wander its streets. I rarely notice them. I rarely see them. Why? Because I’m not walking around Times Square, clamoring to see the Wall Street bull, or fighting my way around the Met.

Instead, I hang out in my local neighborhoods and shops that most tourists won’t ever find or go to. My friends and I just live in this city and go where we know to go. I sometimes forget that NYC is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world because in my day to day life I’m not involved in that side of a city.

If you‘re only visiting the most famous sights, you’ll find any place touristy. Walk away from that area and head down a back alley and into a new neighborhood, and suddenly you’re surrounded by locals and experiencing local life.

Next time you cringe at all the tourists, look at your surroundings. Are you in a famous, highly popular area? if so, change where you are. Don’t skip the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, and make sure to walk the Champs-Élysées.

But then keep walking — you’ll leave behind the crowds who will never venture past that one block, and you’ll be free to explore new, untouristy areas all by yourself.

And once you start doing that, you’ll never call any city touristy ever again.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!

For more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written for budget travelers like yourself! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more!! Click here to learn more and get started.

Book Your Trip to Paris: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Paris by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel in Paris with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Paris?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Paris for even more planning tips!

 

6 Reasons Why Girls Should Go to Southeast Asia in 2019

Updated: 04/28/2019 | April 28th, 2019

Updated: 04/28/2019 | April 28th, 2019

This is a guest blog by Laura, one of our resident experts on solo female travel. Be sure to check out our comprehensive section on solo female travel for even more helpful advice!

Planning a solo trip as a woman can be intimidating. Sometimes it’s not always by choice; after all, it’s not easy to convince someone to jump ship with you and take an extended vacation.

However, solo travel can be exhilarating, insightful, and incredibly rewarding. As Matt has said, travel is a great tool for personal development — and solo travel especially so!

When it comes to finding a great destination for your first solo trip, I can’t think of a better place than Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia is easy to navigate on a budget, there are plenty of other travelers around to meet, and it’s quite safe. Still not convinced? Here are X reasons why every girl should consider Southeast Asia for their next solo trip!

6 Reasons Girls Should Travel to Southeast Asia

1. It’s Budget-Friendly

One of the downfalls about solo travel is that it tends to be more expensive. You don’t have someone to share a hotel room with or to split a cab ride, for example. But compared to the Western world, Southeast Asia is cheap!

One of the downfalls about solo travel is that it tends to be more expensive. You don’t have someone to share a hotel room with or to split a cab ride, for example. But compared to the Western world, Southeast Asia is cheap!

Depending on your travel style you should be able to live off of $20-30 USD per day. On my cheapest day in Southeast Asia, I spent just $7 USD for lodging and food in Laos.

Best of all, thanks to the sharing economy, if you plan to hang around a city for at least a month, you can rent an apartment at an extremely low rate.

2. It’s Easy to Get Around

You can take public transportation to pretty much any destination. Not only is it widely available, but I consider it fairly comfortable as well. Most buses are air-conditioned, and if you’re taking an overnight bus, there are sleeper buses available.

You can take public transportation to pretty much any destination. Not only is it widely available, but I consider it fairly comfortable as well. Most buses are air-conditioned, and if you’re taking an overnight bus, there are sleeper buses available. Traveling in Southeast Asia can be done both easily and affordably.

I remember my first bus ride in Southeast Asia was from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Battambang in Cambodia. I bought my ticket at a travel agency around the corner from my hotel, and they said, “The bus company will pick you up at your hotel 30 minutes before departure.”

I was caught off guard and thought, “What? You mean I don’t have to grab a taxi or lug my bags to the bus station? I don’t have to worry about getting lost and finding the right bus to get on? This is great!”

Most of the time, you can book a bus that will pick you up at your hotel. If not, arranging transportation is incredibly easy. Your hostel or accommodation can help you with that, usually by ordering a taxi or tuk-tuk in advance.

3. Travelers Abound

Unless you really make an effort to

Unless you really make an effort to get off the beaten path or venture into a town that’s unheard of, you will see tourists everywhere. I consider this a definite plus for a first-time solo trip. You shouldn’t have any problem meeting other travelers in guesthouses or around town.

Not only is it nice to make friends (after all, who wants to talk to a brick wall the entire time?) but you’re also likely to find other travelers to join you to go sightseeing or to grab dinner or a drink in the evening.

I think it’s also noteworthy to point out the stereotype of travelers you may meet in Southeast Asia. Everywhere I’ve traveled to, I find a different type of tourist. I find the travelers in Southeast Asia to be more social and have more of a “travel hard, party harder” attitude. Rarely will you find a guest in your hostel sitting around or sightseeing solo.

Yes, plenty of travelers go alone to Southeast Asia, but they want to and do meet others quickly. You just have to make sure you put yourself out there.

4. It’s Safe

While there is crime — as there is everywhere in the world — I feel extremely safe when I’m in Southeast Asia. I take standard precautions, but I’m not afraid to walk around by myself or take public transport. I go out in the evenings and don’t hesitate to interact with the locals.

While there is crime — as there is everywhere in the world — I feel extremely safe when I’m in Southeast Asia. I take standard precautions, but I’m not afraid to walk around by myself or take public transport. I go out in the evenings and don’t hesitate to interact with the locals.

As a female traveler, safety is key, and I feel just as safe here as I do back home. If you run into any sort of theft, I’d venture to say it’s most often by a fellow traveler in your guesthouse.

As long as you aren’t wandering drunk at 3am in the seedy area of Phuket, you will be all right. Yes, there are travel scams to be aware of. But if you take normal, common-sense precautions you should have nothing to worry about.

5. There are Friendly Locals & Unique Cultures

If you’re looking to really dive into a place that’s completely different,

If you’re looking to really dive into a place that’s completely different, Southeast Asia will not disappoint. Mouthwatering street food and some of the friendliest locals in the world are probably my favorite things about this part of the world. It doesn’t matter if you come into contact with a local who knows zero English (as I did on a 10-hour train ride); they will generally still want to communicate with you.

While I was in a village in Laos, I told a restaurant owner that I wanted to participate in the alms ceremony for monks. She invited me to her home at 5:30 the next morning, made rice for me to give to the monks, and showed me proper etiquette for this Buddhist ceremony. Most locals in Southeast Asia treated me like a member of the family.

You won’t have to try hard here if your goal is to dive into the culture, and if you ask a local about some ceremony or event, you’ll most likely be invited to participate (even in weddings).

6. There’s Something for Everyone

Whether you’re looking for relaxing beach getaways, hectic cities full of delicious street food, world-class diving opportunities, all-night parties, or rich history, you’ll be able to find it in Southeast Asia — often all within the same country!

Whether you’re looking for relaxing beach getaways, hectic cities full of delicious street food, world-class diving opportunities, all-night parties, or rich history, you’ll be able to find it in Southeast Asia — often all within the same country!

From the stunning ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia to the epic Full Moon Party in Thailand to the health and wellness mecca of Bali, Southeast Asia has something for every solo female traveler’s appetite. It’s just a matter of deciding what you want to see first!

***
If you are considering a solo trip for the first time,

If you are considering a solo trip for the first time, Southeast Asia is a great place to start. As a female backpacker, I like that I feel safe here, can get by on a budget, and meet other people. It’s a great combination when I can achieve all of these things, as well as discover amazing cultures.

Laura Walker ran the travel website, A Wandering Sole. She’s an avid traveler, former blogger, and entrepreneur.

Conquering Mountains: The Guide to Solo Female Travel

For a complete A-to-Z guide on solo female travel, check out Kristin’s new book, Conquering Mountains. Besides discussing many of the practical tips of preparing and planning your trip, the book addresses the fears, safety, and emotional concerns women have about traveling alone. It features over twenty interviews with other female travel writers and travelers. Click here to learn more about the book and how it can help you, and you can start reading it today!

Book Your Trip to Southeast Asia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewher eother than a hotel, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Southeast Asia?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Southeast Asia with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!