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South America Packing List: My 101 Checklist

Last Updated · May 13th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

south america packing list

If you are still in the planning stage of your trip - welcome! On this page, I will share my South America packing list with you. …

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Visiting Costa Maya: How to stay Safe

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is costa maya safe feat

Costa Maya is nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and it’s the perfect destination if you want to explore ancient …

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Planning a Trip to the Safest Cities in Brazil

Last Updated · Apr 21st, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

safe cities brazil to visit

With it's powerful roots and culture, Brazil is one of those epic South American countries that must be visited at least once in your …

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A Guide to Visiting Colombia’s Safest Places

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

safest places colombia

One of the things that make Colombia a great travel destination for many is its sheer diversity. It offers a variety of climates, …

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San Miguel de Allende: Is it Safe to visit or not?

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is san miguel de allende

If you're only just learning about San Miguel de Allende, it's a charming colonial-style city known for being colorful and full of …

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Exploring Mexico’s Most Dangerous Places

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

dangerous places mexico

Mexico is often unfairly painted with the “it’s all dangerous” label. It often surprises many tourists to learn that there are …

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Tips for Staying Safe in La Paz, Mexico

Last Updated · Apr 21st, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

la paz mexico safety

Located in Baja California Sur, La Paz is a seaside town known for its bustling Malecon and unique eco-tourism opportunities. If …

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Cartagena Travel Safety: Learn What to Expect!

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is cartagena safe

If you are thinking about traveling to Cartagena in Colombia then you should definitely do so and not let alarming crime statistics put …

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Tips for Staying Safe in Medellin (My Experience)

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is medellin safe

If you're thinking about traveling to Medellin, Colombia, on doing research you might have heard or even read some dangerous things …

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Top 10 Most Dangerous Places in Jamaica: Locations to Avoid

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

bad parts of jamaica

It's no secret that Jamaica is a stunning island nation, renowned for its beautiful beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and captivating …

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Visiting Bacalar, Mexico (Travel Guide)

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

bacalar mexico travel guide

Did you know Bacalar is one of the many small towns located on the southern tip of Mexico, that is ever-growing in popularity? Home …

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How to get from Montego Bay to Kingston

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

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Do you need help getting from Montego Bay to Kingston? When flying internationally, Montego Bay and Kingston are usually the …

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Learning The ins and outs of the Gringo Trail

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

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Have you heard of the Gringo trail? Put it this way, if you happen to be an American, Canadian, or European in origin, this trip is …

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Visiting the Yucatan Peninsula: Safety Tips

Last Updated · Apr 21st, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is the yucatan safe feat

When planning a trip to the vibrant and diverse country of Mexico, you’ll undoubtably find a wealth of incredible destinations to …

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Things to do in El Poblado, Medellin

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

visiting el poblado

As you already may have heard, the El Poblado neighborhood is located in Medellin and is the most exclusive and expensive area in the …

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What Does Cabron Mean? Mexican Slang Words

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

cabron meaning featured

When it comes to Mexican Spanish, what does Cabrón mean? In this post, I will continue with my series on Mexican slang, where I …

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Comuna 13 Medellin Tour (Visiting without a Guide)

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

comuna 13 medellin featured

Are you arriving in Colombia and doing the Comuna 13 Medellín tour? Let me start by saying that when I first arrived in Medellín, …

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Things to do in Sabaneta, Colombia

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

things to do sabaneta

Welcome to Sabaneta, the smallest municipality in Colombia Located in the south of the Aburrá valley snuggly fitted between Envigado …

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What does Marica mean?

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

marica meaning colombia

What does marica mean when it comes to learning Spanish? Slang is rich in Colombia and if you are learning Colombian Spanish, you …

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12 Things Colombia is Famous For

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

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Despite the bad press, its fair to say that Colombia is one of those South American countries that you should aim to visit once in your …

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10 Mexican Stereotypes and Cultural Myths

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

mexican stereotypes

Those familiar with the typical Mexican Stereotypes know that the majority of them are made up and portray very little in the light of …

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Punta Cana vs Riviera Maya: How to Choose

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

riviera maya vs punta cana

When considering where to visit in the Caribbean, do you visit Punta Cana or the Riviera Maya and which one will suit your interests …

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Mexican Traditions & Customs to Experience

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

mexican tradations

When I think of Mexico, many concepts spring to mind, the cuisine, the history, the weather, the landscape, and of course the …

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Bus Travel in Mexico Guide

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

mexico bus travel featured

Welcome to this guide to bus travel in Mexico. The more I think about it, the more I realize that Mexico is a vast country with many …

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Jamaica vs. Puerto Rico

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

jamaica vs puerto rico

Jamaica and Puerto Rico are two popular Caribbean islands to Americans. While Puerto Rico is an official U.S. territory, both are …

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica: Travel Safety Guide

Last Updated · Apr 21st, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is ocho rios safe

Ocho Rios is one of the top places to visit for so many different types of travelers to this beautiful island paradise located in the …

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How to stay safe in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is montego bay safe

Montego Bay, one of Jamaica’s top destinations, draws visitors from around the world with its stunning Caribbean beaches and …

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Montego Bay vs. Negril: Which is Best for You?

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

montego bay vs negril

When comparing Montego Bay vs Negril which do you go for? First of all, well done you, out all the caribbean islands one can visit, …

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What is a Paisa in Colombia?

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

paisa colombia

In Colombia, what is a Paisa? And, what does it mean to be Paisa? More often than not, I have found Paisas (the people from …

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How to visit Safe Places in Mexico in 2025

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

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When on the look out for the ulitmate cultural experience, Mexico is often one of the most talked about destinations amongst travelers …

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How to visit safe countries in Central America

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

safe countries in central america feat

When you have the itch to travel to Central America, it’s not only difficult to know where you should start, but also which countries …

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How to stay safe in Guanajuato, Mexico

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is guanajuato safe

For all that did not know, Guanajuato is the name of a province as well as a city in Mexico, located around 4 hours away from Mexico …

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How to get from Playa del Carmen to Akumal

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

akumal from playa del carmen

Akumal is a small town on the beach just north of Tulum, located in the region of Quintana Roo located 38 km (23 miles) south of Playa …

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Is Mazatlan safe? Mexico Travel Safety Guide

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is mazatlan safe

Mazatlán is a Mexican town in the Sinaloa region. It has incredible beaches on the Pacific coastline and many tourists like to travel …

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Rio de Janeiro Travel Safety Guide

Last Updated · Apr 21st, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is rio safe

Rio de Janeiro is the most popular tourist destination in South America and was once even the host of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic …

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Is Buenos Aires Safe For Travelers?

Last Updated · Apr 21st, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

buenos aires safety

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina is famed for its European influences which can be seen in everthing from its people to its …

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The Perfect One Week in Colombia Itinerary

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

one week colombia trip

If you are thinking of spending just one week in Colombia this guide is for you. I have recenty got back from my trip and this was part …

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Best time to Visit Jamaica: A Month-by-Month Guide

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

best time to visit jamaica

This handy travel guide breaks down the weather in Jamaica in an easy way so you can begin to plan your well-deserved trip to the …

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How to get from Buenos Aires to Montevideo

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

bsas to montevideo

In this special guide, I will show you exactly how to get from Buenos Aires to Montevideo so you can plan your trip with nothing but …

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How to Get From Montego Bay to Ocho Rios

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

montego bay to ocho ricos

Below you can learn the different ways to travel between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, as well as where to stay and more travel …

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Getting From Montego Bay to Negril

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

montego bay to negril

After spending various days in Montego Bay I decided to head over to Negril. There are a few transport options depending on your …

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Facts About Argentina

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

cultural facts argentina

So, you want to learn some cultural facts about Argentina? The Land of Silver (Argentina) traces its name back to the voyages of the …

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Best way to get from Medellin to Cali

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

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Do you need some help getting from Medellin to Cali, Colombia? Stay with me on this transport guide as we’re are going to look at …

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20+ Colombian Fruits: My Travel Shopping List

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

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It's these exotic Colombian fruits that keep me coming back to Colombia. In this guide, I will begin to introduce you to a list of …

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Is Jamaica safe? Your Expert Travel Guide

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

is jamaica safe

You may have seen danger warnings in the news but it is also well know that the reggae land of Jamaica is one of the best Caribbean …

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Things to do Salvador Bahia, Brazil

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

things to do salvador bahia brazil feat

Are you looking for the best things to do in Salvador, Brazil? Below I’ll list a few things to do in Salvador that will quickly get …

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Brazil Packing List (Learn What to Pack for Brazil)

Last Updated · Apr 21st, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

brazil packing list

If you’re currenty planning a trip to Brazil and not quite sure what to pack or looking for some inspiration on what to carry; look no …

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How to Travel Alone for the First Time

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

first time solo travel

Today I'll show you how to travel alone for the first time. If you want to travel more and looking for a challenge; keep reading. …

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Being Black in Latin America: My Story

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

black in latin america

Who would think being black in Latin America whilst traveling was a thing? Race and identity are two facts of this multicultural …

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13+ Things to do in Medellin, Colombia

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

things to do in medellin

Are you traveling to Colombia and wondering what to do in Medellin? You’re definitely in the right place... Grab yourself a coffee …

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Tatacoa Desert, Colombia: Travel Guide

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

desierto de la tatacoa

Colombia really does have deserts within its borders! As I journey deeper through South America learning Spanish, I'm continually …

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Safest Countries in South America to Visit 2025

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

safe countries south america

Outside of Brazil, it is said that Colombia and Venezuela are two of the most dangerous countries that you could visit in South …

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Nicaragua Cigar Tours: My Visit inside a Factory

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

nicaragua cigar factory tour

Are you thinking of doing a Nicaragua cigar tour on your travels? My debut arrival in Nicaragua began with Estelí, a quiet city in …

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10+ Awesome Things to do in Kingston, Jamaica

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

things to do in kingston jamaica

With so many beautiful spots to visit in Jamaica, here are more than 10 ideas for you if you are thinking of traveling to Kingston, …

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Solo Travel South America Expert Guide

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Tips

solo travel south america tips

Before my solo travels in South America, I was merely a dreamer. Why? Because I never imagined I’d be sharing my travel experiences …

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How I learned Spanish Conversation Basics

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Latin Culture

basic spanish conversation tips featured

To become fluent, you must start with a basic Spanish conversation. That is something I’ve learned personally over the last couple …

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Backpacking Colombia: Travel Guide

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

backpacking colombia

Every South America backpacking route should include Colombia, and some people even say Colombia is the real heart of Latin …

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Backpacking South America

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

backpacking south america

Welcome my travel guide on backpacking South America. South America still conjures mystical and unknown images in my mind, even …

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10 of My Best Free Things to do in Mexico City

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Guides

free things to do mexico city featured

In this guide, I’ll show you what I learned after finding free activities in Mexico City when I was backpacking on a tight travel …

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Is it Safe to Travel to Mexico: Dan’s Trip Report

Last Updated · Mar 9th, 2025 By Daniel James· In Travel Safety

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Despite what everyone says, is it safe to travel to Mexico right now? If you are currently planning a trip to Mexico in the near …

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After spending years on the road Dan is now offering to help you find your feet in Latin America; inspire you to learn Spanish and get you started on your adventures. Learn how to travel longer and stronger!

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