The journal & travel guides

Guatemala

10 activities you can't miss in Guatemala

Volcano hikes, Tikal at sunrise, Lake Atitlán kayaking, and Maya markets: ten experiences to build into a Guatemala itinerary.

Belize

10 Belize waterfalls worth chasing

Explore Belize’s most stunning waterfalls, from jungle-hidden cascades to iconic mountain falls, with swimming holes, hikes, and unforgettable rainforest scenery.

Costa Rica

11 of Costa Rica's best sustainable luxury hotels and ecolodges

Costa Rica's best sustainable luxury hotels and ecolodges, region by region, with what each protects, what it costs the planet, and who it suits.

Nicaragua

13 romantic things to do in Nicaragua

Forget Paris. Nicaragua is romance with a pulse, turtle arribadas, private islands, volcano overnights, and Little Corn Island bliss, and now with the real details on where each one is, when to go, and how to combine them.

15 best wildlife experiences in Central America & the Caribbean

Where to see sloths, jaguars, sea turtles, and marine wildlife across Central America and the Caribbean, with advice on habitats and timing.

Costa Rica

18 best beaches in Costa Rica and how to choose the right one

Compare 18 of Costa Rica's best beaches for swimming, surfing, wildlife, nightlife and quiet coves, from Guanacaste to the Caribbean coast.

39 dreamy hotels in Central America with private plunge pools

Your own plunge pool, steps from your bed. We've rounded up 39 hotels across Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama where select suites and villas come with private plunge pools, no pool deck required.

5 places in Central America for coffee lovers

Visit coffee farms in Boquete, Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Matagalpa, Copán, and Antigua to meet growers and taste beans at origin.

Adults-only all-inclusives for honeymoons in Mexico & the Caribbean

Compare adults-only honeymoon resorts across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica, from cliffside cottages to overwater suites.

Belize

Belize all-inclusive resorts and packages

Belize does all-inclusive differently: private islands and jungle lodges that bundle meals, transfers and guides. What's included at 16 resorts.

Belize

Belizean food: 10 traditional dishes you have to taste

Discover Belize’s must-try dishes, from fresh ceviche and conch fritters to hudut, rice and beans, and sweet tamalitos shaped by Caribbean and Maya flavors.

Belize

Belize Barrier Reef diving & snorkeling guide

Explore the Belize Barrier Reef - top dive sites like Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley, best time to visit & tips for responsible snorkeling and diving.

Belize

Belize dry season: weather, best months & travel tips

What to expect during Belize’s dry season, from reef conditions to rainforest weather, with advice on where to go and what to pack.

Belize

Belize green season: weather, best months, and where to go

Belize’s green season is humid, lush, and a little wild. Rain slows the pace, crowds fade away, and the country feels deeper, quieter, and more alive.

Belize

Belize honeymoon guide: best resorts, routes & costs

Rainforest lodges, Maya sites, and Caribbean cayes: compare Belize honeymoon routes, boutique hotels, seasonal timing, and costs.

Belize

Belize lobster season: when and where to go

Belize’s lobster season, coastal festivals, and places to try the catch, with advice on planning a trip around the celebrations.

Belize or Costa Rica honeymoon: choosing your destination

Belize wins on reef diving and Maya ruins. Costa Rica is better for adventure variety and land-based wildlife. Here's how to match the trip, the timing, and the cost to the honeymoon you want.

Belize

Belize travel logistics: how to get around

Compare domestic flights, ferries, private transfers, and rental cars for traveling between Belize’s jungle lodges, coastal towns, and islands.

Colombia

Best beaches in Colombia: Caribbean and Pacific coast guide

A practical guide to the best beaches in Colombia, comparing Cartagena’s islands, Barú, San Bernardo, Tayrona, San Andrés, Providencia, Palomino, Nuquí, and Bahía Solano by access, swimming, hotels, wildlife, and season.

Costa Rica

Best beachfront hotels and resorts in Costa Rica

Beachfront resorts in Costa Rica aren't as common as you might expect. We've laid out your options region by region, from Guanacaste's big resorts to Caribbean boutique stays.

Mexico

Best cenotes in the Yucatán: Tulum & Valladolid guide

Compare cenotes around Tulum, Valladolid, Mérida, and Homún, with advice on swimming, snorkeling, timing, and responsible visits.

Mexico

Best family all-inclusive resorts in Mexico

Compare family all-inclusive resorts in Cancún, Riviera Maya, and Playa Mujeres by children’s ages, activities, rooms, and budget.

Best overwater bungalows in the world

Maldives, Bora Bora, Fiji, or the Caribbean? We break down the best overwater bungalows in each destination by price tier, what makes a water villa worth the splurge, and real flight times from nine North American cities.

Belize

Best places to stay in Belize

Belize does not have one obvious resort row. We break down where to stay by travel style and region, from private islands to jungle lodges, so the right base matches the trip you are actually planning.

Costa Rica

Best wildlife experiences in Costa Rica: where to see sloths, turtles and more

Where to see sloths, sea turtles, quetzals, monkeys and whales in Costa Rica, with honest guidance on timing, regions and responsible wildlife viewing.

Costa Rica

Birding lodges in Costa Rica: where to stay for the best birdwatching

Where to stay for the best birdwatching in Costa Rica, region by region, from quetzal country in the highlands to the macaw-rich Osa Peninsula.

Belize

Can you see whale sharks in Belize? What to know before you book

What to know about whale shark encounters in Belize, including Gladden Spit, seasonal timing, and realistic expectations before booking.

Caribbean

Caribbean snorkeling guide: when and where to go, and what you'll see

Sixteen Caribbean islands, one real answer to when and where to snorkel: reef scale in Belize, shore access in Bonaire, turtles off Barbados, and the season that makes each one work.

Choosing the right travel advisor for you

How to choose a travel advisor: regional expertise, local relationships, planning approach, and the questions to ask before booking.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica adventure travel: best tours and activities

A region-by-region guide to Costa Rica adventure travel: ziplining, rafting, and hiking by activity level, real 2026 budget numbers, named lodges, and itinerary options from a 7-day intro to an 11-day package.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica honeymoon activities: 10 things to do for couples

Our ten favorite things to do on a Costa Rica honeymoon, from a Caribbean sunrise and volcanic hot springs to a sunset sail on the Pacific, with the practical details for each.

Costa Rica vs. St. Lucia for your honeymoon

Costa Rica means rainforest, volcanoes, and a different view every day. St. Lucia means one exceptional stay between the Pitons and just unpacking once. Here's how we help couples choose.

Ecuador & Galápagos

Galápagos cruise vs. land: which trip is right for you?

What daily excursions involve, where each trip style can take you, how much to budget, and which option gives you the wildlife experience you want.

Ecuador & Galápagos

Galápagos liveaboard diving: sites, costs, and how to choose

Hammerheads and whale sharks live at Darwin and Wolf, liveaboard-only sites no day boat reaches. Here's what a Galápagos liveaboard actually costs, which sites matter, and how to choose an operator.

Ecuador & Galápagos

Galápagos naturalist guides: why they matter & what they do

Every Galápagos visitor needs a licensed naturalist guide by law. Here's what the certification requires, what the guide levels mean, and how guide quality can dramatically improve your experience.

How to plan a multigenerational family trip

A practical guide to planning a multigenerational family trip: choosing a home base, setting a budget, building in downtime, and keeping everyone happy.

Guatemala

Indigenous activities at Lake Atitlán

Weaving cooperatives in San Juan La Laguna, coffee with the growers, a Maya cooking class, Rostro Maya at sunrise and market day in Chichicastenango.

Nicaragua

Is Nicaragua safe to travel to?

Wondering if Nicaragua is safe? A born-and-raised local walks through what the U.S. advisory covers, what solo travelers should know, and how to enjoy your trip without the worry.

Ecuador & Galápagos

Is the Galápagos worth it for snorkeling alone?

You don't need a dive certification to see the Galápagos underwater. Here's what snorkeling alone actually gets you, and when it's worth certifying to dive instead.

Nicaragua

Lake Nicaragua’s sharks: the truth behind the legend

Discover the truth about bull sharks in Lake Nicaragua, their unique freshwater journey, the myths behind them, and why sightings today are rare and fascinating.

Costa Rica

Luxury travel in Costa Rica: the complete guide

Where to go for luxury travel in Costa Rica, region by region: volcano lodges, rainforest wildlife, boutique beachfront resorts, private naturalist guides, and how to structure a trip to get the best of all worlds.

Panama

Luxury travel in Panama: best hotels and experiences for couples

A guide to luxury travel in Panama for couples, comparing the best hotels in Casco Viejo, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, and the Gulf of Chiriquí, with itinerary ideas, seasonal timing, and honest tradeoffs between each region.

Panama

Luxury yacht charters in Panama: Guna Yala, Bocas del Toro and Las Perlas

A practical guide to luxury yacht charters in Panama, comparing Guna Yala, Bocas del Toro, and Las Perlas, with advice on catamarans, motor yachts, inclusions, transfers, pricing, cultural etiquette, and itinerary planning.

Milestone birthday and anniversary trip ideas for the whole family

A practical guide to planning a milestone birthday or anniversary trip with the whole family: choosing between a private villa and a resort buyout, and where each destination works best across generations.

Caribbean

Overwater bungalows in the Caribbean

Overwater bungalows aren't just available in Bora Bora anymore. From Jamaica to Bocas del Toro, here's where to find them in the Caribbean, what they actually cost ($250 to $4,500+ a night), and what to expect.

Costa Rica

Pura vida in Costa Rica: meaning, origins & how to experience it

What does pura vida really mean? Learn where Costa Rica’s most famous phrase came from, how locals use it, and five ways to experience the pura vida lifestyle for yourself.

Sustainable travel in Latin America

Local businesses, less plastic, and responsible wildlife encounters: practical ways to reduce your impact when traveling in Latin America.

Mexico

Taste your way through Mexico: plan a culinary adventure

Mole in Oaxaca, cochinita pibil in Mérida, tacos al pastor at midnight in Mexico City. Our region-by-region guide to eating your way through Mexico, from bustling markets to northern grills, Pacific seafood, seasonal specialties & the country’s best tables.

Nicaragua

The 7 prettiest beaches in Nicaragua

From secluded private coves to volcanic black sand and remote Caribbean islands, here are the beaches we send clients to and which one fits your trip.

Costa Rica

The best all-inclusive & full-board resorts in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's all-inclusive resorts aren't all the same. See which include alcohol, which are full-board lodges, and how to choose the right one.

Costa Rica

Top 7 best wildlife destinations in Costa Rica

The 7 best wildlife destinations in Costa Rica, from Corcovado's rainforest to Marino Ballena's whales, with what to see, when to go, and our favorite places to stay near each.

Belize

Top Belize resorts with private plunge pools

Plan a luxury Belize escape - boutique hotels with plunge pools, jungle lodges, beachfront villas & private islands, with tips to find your perfect stay.

Underrated honeymoon destinations in Latin America

Come along as we explore seven underrated honeymoon destinations in Latin America, with real pricing, where to stay, and how to combine them.

Belize

When 'impossible' doesn't have to be: a real kosher honeymoon story in Belize

A bride called with a Belize honeymoon she'd been told was impossible: a private island, strict kosher, and a country that didn't have a single kosher supplier. We planned it anyway.

Where to swim with whale sharks: top global spots and tips for an unforgettable ethical encounter

Where to swim with whale sharks ethically, from Mexico and Belize to the Galápagos and the Maldives, plus the season calendar and how to spot a bad tour operator before you book one.

Belize

Why a Belize travel specialist beats booking online

Belize trips involve flights, water taxis, and island transfers that rarely line up on their own. Here's what a Belize specialist handles for you.

Guatemala

Why you should honeymoon in Guatemala

We keep recommending Guatemala for honeymoons: colonial towns that read like Europe, hotels with real character, and pricing that goes further than its neighbors. Here's the full breakdown, plus a sample itinerary.

Costa Rica

Your perfect Costa Rica honeymoon guide

Plan your Costa Rica honeymoon with real advice on timing, budgets, top destinations and the boutique hotels we send couples back to again and again

Nicaragua

Your perfect Nicaragua honeymoon guide

From private-island resorts to hilltop wedding chapels, our complete Nicaragua honeymoon guide covers costs, where to stay, the most romantic destinations, and the questions couples ask us most before they book.