At first glance, San Pedro de Atacama evokes the rugged charm of an old Western film set in the American Southwest. Its single-story Spanish colonial adobe buildings, splashed with mud from the deep red dusty roads, blend seamlessly with the landscape. Venture outside town, and you might spot cowboys on horseback or herders tending sheep and goats, their hooves echoing on the unpaved paths. At an elevation of 7,900 feet (2,400 meters), combined with scorching days and freezing nights, even sho

In our Santiago quick guide, we noted how the city reveals its charms gradually, without blockbuster landmarks beyond the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, and the Gran Torre Santiago—South Americas tallest skyscraper. Yet, Santiago brims with subtle, captivating features. For instance, along the rushing Mapocho River from the tower lies a expansive green space between major avenues, home to a meticulously curated sculpture park featuring dozens of thought-provoking works. As locals who explored extens

Planning a journey through southern Chile and Patagonia led us to Chiles Lake District, a region settled by German immigrants in the mid-19th century. This area retains a strong German cultural influence, sparking curiosity about its depth. From architecture to cuisine, discover what drew thousands of Germans here and how their legacy endures today. Our first stop was Puerto Varas, known for its historical German-style architecture. Sites like the Sacred Heart Church, Kuschel House, German Hou

The iconic Villarrica Volcano towers over the charming town of Pucón in Chiles Lake District. This snow-capped peak, often likened to Japans Mount Fuji, draws hordes of tourists for its active lava lake and thrilling adventures. Hiking to the crater rim and sledding down its 10,000-foot slopes are among the most exhilarating experiences here—far outpacing even the quickest descents on Nicaraguas Cerro Negro. Unfortunately, relentless rain prevented us from summiting during our visit. As nomad

Our New Mexico road trip was packed with unforgettable experiences, making it tough to pick a favorite. One highlight was driving through stunning red and multicolored rock formations from Española to Abiquiú and on to Ghost Ranch, Georgia OKeeffes beloved home. Its easy to see why the iconic artist chose this rugged, sparse landscape for inspiration. We initially thought two weeks might be too long, but we extended our itinerary and now plan to return for more: additional national parks, a raf

After nearly a week of road tripping through New Mexico, our journey has been filled with nonstop highlights. Picking a favorite for this weeks Polaroid was tough, but nothing tops the spectacle of driving through the White Sands National Park in southwest New Mexico. We spent half a day exploring this vast 275-square-mile (712 sq km) expanse of pristine white gypsum dunes. Visitors can sled down the dunes—a surreal sight resembling people in shorts sliding down snowy hills amid 100°F (38°C) hea

We never expected volcano boarding to feature on our itinerary upon arriving in León, Nicaragua. We dont ski, snowboard, or surf—and wed never even heard of this unique activity until we asked Ayngelina from Bacon is Magic, who had recently spent weeks there, for must-do recommendations. Her instant reply: “Volcano Boarding.” After days of indulgent eating and focused work, we committed to this iconic León adventure. Comparing tour operators, we chose Quetzaltrekkers over the popular Bigfoot Hos

After nearly two weeks exploring León, Nicaragua, we tackled the exhilarating activity of volcano boarding—one of the citys top draws. This involves hiking up a volcano and sliding back down. We did it twice in scorching heat, returning to our hotel at Colibri Hostel (now sadly closed) covered head to toe in black lava dust, with grit even in our teeth. Eager for a cold shower, we learned the water was cut off, with no estimated return. By then, wed grown accustomed to Leóns unpredictability, m

Welcome to our Hotel Tip of the Week series. Traveling full-time means weve tested countless accommodations worldwide. Amid budget disappointments, gems like this stand out. Each week, we share personally vetted recommendations. This week: Hostal Bosque Nativo in Valdivia, Chile. Arriving in Valdivia after rough nights and rainy days, I craved a hot shower, solid sleep, and quiet workspace. Peak Chilean vacation season forced us into a rare dorm booking, following our worst hostel ever. Expectat

As we travel slowly southward through Patagonia toward Ushuaia, Argentina—the worlds southernmost city—we paused in Puerto Natales, Chile, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Famous worldwide for the iconic W Trek, a challenging 5-day hike ranked among the top 10 globally, the park attracts adventurers everywhere. After sharing many Torres del Paine photos on Facebook, this Polaroid of the Week celebrates the regions legendary winds (Jess is from Chicago, the Windy City, after all).

As avid beach lovers, weve cherished this travel year, but it lacked the salty ocean air and sandy shores we crave—especially after spending nearly six months on beaches last year. Even during recent beach visits, the water was too chilly for swimming, except in Southeast Asia or the Caribbean for Dani (Jess dives in almost anywhere). Our last beach time was in sunny Uruguay before leaving South America last spring. After months in Germany and the U.S. without seeing the ocean, were thrilled to

Just weeks into our Patagonian journey from Puerto Varas, Chile, a brief guidebook mention of Chiloé Island—a mystical spot off Chiles Pacific coast—prompted an irresistible detour. Our next planned stop was Bariloche, Argentina, across the Andes, but was doubling back worth the extra day of travel? Chiloé stood apart from mainland Chile: one of its most remote regions, featuring 16th-century wooden churches (UNESCO World Heritage sites), traditional fishing villages, pristine nature, and pengui

Important Update (2021): Casa Kreyenberg has permanently closed since our visit to Valparaíso. Perched atop Cerro Alegre on Avenida Alemania in Valparaíso, Chile, Casa Kreyenberg was run by the welcoming Chilean couple, Juan Pablo and Lucía. Lucía inherited the early 20th-century home from her grandfathers German friend, Herr Kreyenberg. The duo began renting rooms about six years ago, initially to locals before pivoting successfully to travelers with a simple roadside sign. This award-winning

Chile stands out as one of South Americas most prosperous nations, maintaining a budget surplus and a low unemployment rate of around 6%. Despite frequent earthquakes, its economy has demonstrated greater resilience than the Great Recession that impacted Europe and the U.S. In recent decades, Santiago has positioned itself as the regions most progressive capital, with its skyline of modern skyscrapers showcasing remarkable economic strength. Steel-and-glass towers now define the cityscape. We

If youre following us on Facebook, youve seen our discoveries in Santiagos subway. Many stations boast artistic designs, comfortable lounge areas, a pizza vending machine, and even book exchanges or mini-libraries for commuters. Punctual, clean, and efficient, Santiagos metro prioritizes aesthetics. Renowned Chilean architects and artists, like Mario Toral with his massive history mural at Universidad de Chile station, have shaped key stops. Planned in 1944, construction began in 1968, with the

When we decided to fly from Chile to New York that spring, we assumed our Bolivian salt flats adventure was on hold until returning to South America. Unexpectedly, we explored salt flats in two countries beforehand: Argentinas during our road trip through the breathtaking Quebrada de Humahuaca, and then Chiles Atacama Desert—the worlds driest—where the Salar de Atacama, Chiles largest salt flat, was a highlight of our week-long stay.Unlike the bright white expanses of Argentina or Bolivia, this

In the 1980s, the last sign on the road out of Porvenir read simply, “El ultimo apaga la luz.” If you’re the last to leave, turn off the light. During that decade, much of Porvenir’s population crossed to Argentina’s side of Tierra del Fuego seeking work, nearly abandoning this remote Chilean town. Today, around 5,000 residents remain, creating an eerie yet captivating ghost-town vibe. Unlike bustling Punta Arenas across the Strait of Magellan or tourist-packed Ushuaia, Porvenir offers true iso

“Each man should be able to marry two women, that way no man has to be considered a cheater,” the trucker rationalized, taking long drags on his Benson & Hedges cigarette. Blowing smoke politely out the window, his cackling laughter turned into a deep cough, revealing a glint from his gold tooth. While hitchhiking across one of the worlds most barren and isolated landscapes (watch our hitchhiking video here), smiling and nodding proved the best approach with this outspoken Argentine driver.

After a month exploring inland Mexico, we reached the Pacific coast last weekend, celebrating our 100-day travel milestone. We stayed in Mazunte and Zipolite—stunning, near-deserted beach villages. While Zipolite draws hippies and backpackers, Mazuntes locals embrace a traditional life rooted in the land.

Welcome to our weekly Hotel Tip of the Week series. Traveling full-time means weve stayed in countless hotels worldwide. Amid the mediocre budget options, weve uncovered true gems. Each week, we share one personally tested recommendation that proves budget travel can be both affordable and enjoyable. This week: Posada Ziga, an exceptional budget hotel in Mazunte, Mexico. The previous night had been our trips worst—filthy and unbearable—in a makeshift hostel. At dawn, we fled in search of better