Though our remote beach house on Mexicos Costa Maya had few neighbors, it was alive with dozens of geckos of all sizes. These natural pest controllers kept mosquitoes and bugs at bay. Jess adored the tiny newborns—barely an inch long—but our favorite was this bold green gecko. He loved hanging out nearby as we cooked, read, or dined, and was incredibly photogenic, striking poses for the camera instead of scurrying away.This morning, we said goodbye to him, the other geckos, and our faithful beac

In Battambang, one of Cambodias dusty provincial cities, travelers often explore unique attractions via a one-day tuk-tuk tour. We had vivid preconceptions of the bamboo train from fellow travelers, guidebooks, and blogs like Alex in Wanderland’s A Weekend in Battambang. We imagined an old-fashioned bamboo train on a single track once used for goods transport—perhaps even bamboo rails in the countryside, showcasing sustainable building. Travelers raved about this fun, rustic must-do. (Watch the

One of the most captivating aspects of Mexican culture is its joyful embrace of death. Far from somber farewells, Mexico honors the departed with vibrant music, dance, and lively family gatherings. These colorful skeletons, known as Calacas, are depicted in festive attire, dancing merrily and often playing musical instruments. They symbolize the Mexican belief that the dead deserve joyous remembrance, not sorrow. Calacas feature prominently in Día de los Muertos on November 2, a holiday dedicate

The cool tiles underfoot greet me as I brew green tea on this crisp morning. The kettles whistle soon overtakes the rhythmic crash of waves visible from our window. My partner Dani and I sit at the kitchen table, just 100 feet from the ocean, at Fenix Hotel in Playa Samara, Costa Rica, using the rainy weather to catch up on work. We adore our room even on rainy days, but sunny weather transforms Playa Samara into paradise, with Fenix Hotel as the ideal base. Designed for relaxation, all six room

Since our last visit to Costa Rica in February 2011, the country has unveiled redesigned colón banknotes that are so captivating, were hesitant to spend them. (The 15,000 colónes pictured are worth about US$30.) Renowned for its biodiversity, Costa Rica celebrates this heritage on its currency with vibrant images of sloths, monkeys, birds, sharks, butterflies, deer, sea turtles, scorpions, and starfish, alongside natural wonders like the Guanacaste tree, cloud forests, coral reefs, and mangrove

Last week, we arrived in Colorado amid perfect fall weather—blue skies and sunny days ideal for mountain hikes. A standout was the trail along Eldorado Canyon State Parks steep rocks, where we watched skilled climbers conquer massive sheer red walls. Can you spot the climber in this photo?With temperatures over 80°F, many ascended barefoot, showcasing their expertise. Hard to believe ski season starts next month! The snow-capped Rocky Mountains peaks are breathtaking, explaining why Aspen and Va

After being captivated by Buenos Aires street art, we wondered how Santiago would compare. Known for Valparaísos murals, Chiles capital surprised us with expansive graffiti scenes in every neighborhood we explored.Bellavista features the most colorful streets, but this mural of an indigenous woman with her baby is in the Brazil neighborhood. Amid Santiagos modernity, Chiles Aymara, Quechua, and Mapuche communities endure. Were eager to learn more on our Chilean journey.

In a previous post on 33 things we love about Buenos Aires, we highlighted the Argentine capitals active lifestyle. Yet, just days in Santiago reveal an even greater fitness enthusiasm. With the snow-capped Andes as a dramatic skyline, locals embrace skiing and hiking, while daily workouts permeate the city. Santiagos urban design caters to joggers, featuring bike paths and running trails through parks and the verdant medians of major downtown thoroughfares. Mornings and evenings, cyclists and

Yesterday, we marked our 1,000th day of full-time travel. Today, were reflecting on the highs and lows from days 901-1000 across Costa Rica, Argentina, and Chile—including standout food experiences—plus practical recommendations for Buenos Aires and Santiago to enhance your own South American adventures. Top Travel Moments Celebrating our 1,000th day at a rooftop pool party in Santiago Among countless memorable moments in these 100 days, nothing topped watching the sunset from the GEN hotel r

We arrived in Santiago last week and settled into our first South American housesit. Though weve spent about 12 hours a day editing and publishing our new book (as shared in yesterdays launch post), were making the most of it. Our stay is in one of Santiagos exclusive neighborhoods. This bright, clean three-bedroom condo rivals a five-star hotel. Best of all, were caring for two affectionate Scottish Terrier brothers who welcomed us warmly. Their daily walks—to the nearby Starbucks—have been ou

We arrived in Argentina just in time for the nations largest pride event—the 21st Gay Pride March in Buenos Aires. The parade kicks off at Plaza de Mayo, directly in front of the Casa Rosada (Argentinas presidential palace), and proceeds along Avenida de Mayo to Congress. Renowned as Latin Americas most LGBTQ+-friendly country, Argentina has advanced gay rights substantially in recent years.Argentina made history as the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010, including adoption right

We recently spent a week in Valparaíso, Chiles coastal gem and once the most important port on South Americas Pacific Coast. The Panama Canals opening in 1914 reduced its maritime dominance, but the citys timeless charm remains etched in its architecture. Sailors dubbed it Little San Francisco for its evocative similarities to the U.S. city. With 45 steep hills, Valparaíso offers colorful houses snaking up slopes, many adorned with striking street art. Our explorations uncovered murals, panoram

To truly capture the essence of Valparaíso, Chile, visit the Cementerio de Disidentes, where the stories of its pioneering immigrants live on through their tombstones. These dissidents—non-Catholic foreigners who shaped this historic port city in the 19th century—left indelible marks on its culture. As one of the worlds busiest ports, Valparaíso drew daring British, European, and other adventurers. Their graves, inscribed in English, German, Spanish, and more, candidly recount adventurous lives

Cruising down Route 66 is an enduring American classic. On our Northern Arizona road trip, we captured this nostalgic moment along the historic highway. Our journey took us through Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Petrified Forest, Sedona, Navajo Nation, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the majestic Grand Canyon.

London boasts one of the worlds most eclectic and vibrant cultural scenes. Autumn brings a lineup of unmissable festivals celebrating art, music, design, and ideas. Discover our expert picks for the best events. Liberty Festival, Trafalgar Square (September 1st-2nd) Ideal for budget-conscious visitors staying in affordable London hotels, this free annual event delights families with performances and artworks by disabled and deaf artists from London, the UK, and beyond. Expand your cultural horiz

This week, we ventured beyond our usual Manhattan and Brooklyn haunts. With friend Rease in town, we explored Roosevelt Island—a slender gem in the East River between Queens and Manhattan. Despite its proximity to the Upper East Side, it remains off the typical tourist trail. While the F train works, arrive in style via the aerial tram from bustling Lexington Avenue, offering sweeping vistas of Manhattans skyscrapers, lively streets, and the East River. As our cable car ascended, we confirmed: v

Broadway is world-famous for its theater district, but strolling its full length—as we did during our recent New York visit—reveals why its the true pulse of NYC. Broadway spans all of Manhattan, from Bowling Green in the south to 220th Street at the Harlem River in the north (15 miles/24 km). It continues another 18 miles to Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County. Last week, we walked Manhattans stretch south to north, reaching 125th Street in Harlem after seven hours, countless photos, and video

We cherish our readers, and our loyal followers know our deep passion for street art. Over brunch in Williamsburg, reader Laura tipped us off to 5Pointz—a hidden gem even many locals overlook. We wouldnt have found it without her! Thank you, Laura! Dedicated entirely to street art, 5Pointz: The Institute of Higher Burnin’ was an open-air gallery in an abandoned Long Island City factory in Queens. Though graffiti remains illegal in NYC, the 1990s Graffiti Terminators initiative channeled artists

We spent two months in New York during May and June, but it wasn’t until after we flew to Europe that we learned about the city’s famous pizza tours. Naturally, upon our return to the Big Apple last week, we joined Scott’s Pizza Tours to dive deep into New York-style pizza. Scott’s passion for pizza far exceeds expectations—you won’t find anyone more enthusiastic. We visited four pizzerias across Harlem, Nolita, Queens, and Brooklyn, traveling in our own private yellow school bus. Beyond the sli

Weve had an unforgettable time in Chicago these past few weeks, reconnecting with friends and family while rediscovering the citys magic.One highlight was viewing the Bean—officially Cloud Gate—on a crystal-clear autumn night. Created by British artist Anish Kapoor and unveiled in 2006, this stunning sculpture anchors Millennium Park. Its a tourist favorite, but it never fails to reignite our love for Chicago during family visits.The Beans mirrored surface warps the citys legendary skyline, invi