Guys Packing List for Southeast Asia

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After more than a decade of backpacking you’d think I have my packing list down to a tee, but once again I found myself frantically sorting through all my options when it comes down to organizing my bag for backpacking South East Asia. As a guy packing for Southeast Asia you’d assume it to be easy; board shorts, singlets, couple of shirts and your favorite party shirt, but to maximize your space there’s a little more thought that should go into your planning.

So how do you pack your bags for a year on the road? In a nutshell, its a combination of research and past experience. I had the experience, but now I needed the research. For the first time ever I actually sat down and did some forward thinking on the climates we were going to be traveling through. What I found was pretty consistent across the board for Southeast Asia weather… hot and humid, with a decent chance of rain.

With that in mind I started to look for light, breathable clothes that wouldn’t weigh me down and take up too much space. Finally I was starting to put a little thought into my packing list. This time I swore I was going to be more planned and prepared, as opposed to rushed and unorganized.

In the past I’ve been known to just throw anything into a bag and hit the road. I’d choose style over practicality, and comfort over space saving. But those days are over, and I’m here to share with you the best packing list for men traveling to Asia.

Best Tops to Pack

1 Patagonia Micro D Fleece

1 Patagonia Torrentshell Rain Jacket

2 T-shirts

2 Singlets

3 Button Down Shirt

Most of the weather in Southeast Asia is hot and humid, so I’m not really going to need too much cold weather gear. In saying that I have still packed a couple of items to combat the odd cold night, and the very frequent downpours during the rainy season.

I’ve gone for a super lightweight black Patagonia fleece as my only warm upper layer. To battle the rain I’ve got a light breathable Patagonia shell jacket to keep me cool and dry. This is definitely going to be handy during monsoon season in the Philippines. (I feel like a bit of a walking advertisement for Patagonia, but I honestly just love their gear!)

For other tops I’ve thrown in a couple of breathable cotton t-shirts, some singlets and my favorite party shirt, knowing that I don’t need much because Southeast Asia is a mecca for cheap disposable clothes at every stop along the way. If you’re tossing up whether to bring that extra t-shirt or shirt… don’t! I’ve probably got one too many to be honest, but when going away for the year it’s nice to have your own clothes sometimes.

Pants to Pack

1 Patagonia Cotton Pants

5 Board Shorts

1 Running Shorts

I’m definitely bottom heavy on this trip, as I’ve packed a lot of different styles of shorts. I’ve only opted for one pair of long pants, choosing a pair of light cotton pants from Patagonia (in case I need to go anywhere classy). The rest are are all board shorts with pockets.

Board shorts are the definite winner on the backpacking checklist for Southeast Asia. They have so many practical functions; light to wear and pack, quick to dry and never need ironing. You can take them for a run, then jump in the beach and let them dry off as you walk home. Jump in the shower and wash them with yourself and then hang up to dry. You’ll never need to pay someone else to wash them.

Best Shoes for Southeast Asia Travel

Nike Free Runs

Teva Men’s Sandal

Havaianas

Even though you can get cheap knock offs of most shoes I’ve gone for the originals on this trip, because sometimes you can’t substitute quality. I’ve packed the mandatory Havaianas thongs (or flip-flops to you non-Aussies), a pair of light Nike Free Runs and some Teva sandals.

Free Runs, or any other shoes with that light, compactable material are great to travel with if you like to stay active. I know they’re not the best work out shoe due to a lack of support, but they sure beat packing your heavy cross-trainers.

And the Teva sandals. Let me stop your trail of thought by saying, I get it! I used to think Teva’s were only reserved for Americans, like it was something you could only buy if you worked for the Peace Corp or in a summer camp, but boy was I wrong. These are by far the best addition to my traveling checklist. As someone with flat arches, my Teva sandals offer way more support and comfort than rubber flip-flops ever could. With a handy clasp buckle to clip on and off and a neutral color scheme, I like to think I make them look stylish, even if your first thought is middle-aged tourist with knee high white socks.

Other Stuff on the Backing List

1 Baseball Cap

1 UV Buff

5 Pairs of Jocks

3 Pairs of Socks

As a guy traveling Southeast Asia there aren’t as many nifty accessory options. As a girl, you’ve got so many more options in multifunctional and beautiful patterned shawls and colorful sarongs (For a full list be sure to check out Christine’s Girls Packing List for Southeast Asia). What do guys get… hats. Rather than purchase some of the cheaper knock-offs I brought along a couple of things from back home. My SF Giants hat to represent along the way, and a super functional Buff (High UV Pro).

If you’re not familiar with Buff headwear you should check them out. They’re extremely well suited to the hot, humid and sunny regions of Southeast Asia to protect you from the heat and cool you down. They also have an SPF 50 factor to limit the suns harsh UV rays from penetrating straw hats and the like.

I’ve also got some socks and jocks, but not too many. Everything you’ll need is here and a quarter of the price if you need to buy something along the way. I’m on a wash one, wear one rotation at the moment with the jocks, and I haven’t even brought out any of the socks I packed.

So there you have it, my year long list of accessories and clothes for Southeast Asia all summed up beautifully in this short post. This is basically me for the year, bar a couple of purchases along the way to restock my ratty clothes that will inevitably wear down and fall apart. It might seem like a few things, but considering I’m living out of a backpack for the next year it really isn’t a lot. My whole life packed into a 70L backpack and hauled onto my back, trudging through the excitement of backstreet Bangkok, hiking the uninhabited countryside of Cambodia and popping in for a swim with turtles in the Philippines.

Last word of advice, pack light and be prepared to add to your clothes selection after seeing how cheap some of the stuff is in Southeast Asia!

What Should I Have Packed?

There aren’t too many things that I missed along the trip. When it comes to clothes a lot can be bought over here. There are definitely a couple of gadgets and gizmos that I might have included, but you can check out that post to see all the little extras we missed.

What Should I Have Left At Home?

Probably just the quantity of clothes. Everything we packed was handy, but we probably just packed too much. My rain jacket was useful for all those rainy days, but it didn’t get a massive workout because when it rains the best thing to do is just get under cover. T-shirts, shorts and shirts are in an abundance and if you don’t pack as many items you’ll have a little more room to pick up some fun travel souvenirs along the journey. I definitely should have cut back on those and as a result I ended up ditching a few along the way.

Tips for Being a Backpacker in Your Hometown

Whether you’re a long-term, short-term or weekend traveller, when you decide to go off exploring a new city or country you almost instantly become a different person. A person with their eyes open and their ears to the ground. Suddenly everything seems different, and you start to notice small things that you’d usually rush by in your day-to-day life back home.

The more time you spend in these foreign places the more you learn about them. From places to eat deliciously, sleep comfortably and watch live music, to cheap activities, fun local culture and the best spots for a sunset. Backpackers gather around hostels at night digesting the day’s events and the mysteries of the city.

“However ask them about their own own hometown and they’d have to think about it for a while…”

As you meet other travellers your conversations begin to center around the unique ways to enjoy your new temporary home. You all share your tips and take turns uncovering the secrets you’ve unlocked. It’s an awesome way to truly understand and learn about your new surroundings. Most travellers we’ve met are pretty similar. They could tell you the best place to score a cheap bed, discover a delicious meal or find free activities to do in the most random places around the would. However, ask them about their own hometown and they’d have to think about it for a while. Some might even struggle to answer.

And while I’d like to think I know a fair bit about Melbourne, there’s also a hell of a lot of stuff that’s new to me. I mean, I probably don’t need to worry too much about things like hostels, but in terms of hidden eateries, secret art openings or sweet underground live music events, I’m pretty much out of the loop. And that’s because I’ve never needed to know, I’ve never needed to explore and make the most of it. And most people are the same for their hometowns.

“Having a new pair of eyes on your old tired city can open you up to site you’ve previously overlooked.”

That’s why taking a walk around the city with Christine is so exciting. Sometimes I forget that this is all new to her. All the amazing things that Melbourne has to offer are second nature to me, but absolutely incredible to a first timer. Melbourne has iconic sporting, music, art and food culture. Every month in Melbourne is celebrated with some form of festival, and it always feels like something is going on. Here’s how you can find the best your hometown has to offer:

Host a Couchsurfer

Having a new pair of eyes on your old tired city can open you up to sites you’ve previously overlooked. Travelers have a way of finding the fun and exciting in the most mundane places. Host a couchsurfer or other traveller for a drink or coffee (or give them a couch to crash on!) to get a valuable outsiders perspective.

Hit Up Your Visitor Center

Information at visitor centers around the world changes, but at the least they’ll have city maps available for some self-guided tours. At their best visitor centers have local staff dedicated to assisting all your inquiries. They’ll know exactly what’s going on in the city and how you can get involved. Be sure to ask around for upcoming events or activities.

Google That Shit

You may feel silly searching your own city, but sometimes all it takes is a quick Google to see what’s going on. Visit the tourism board websites for your city and see what’s on. Also, check out blogs, news and any other online content you can find that’s promoting events happening around the city.

Walk a Different Path

Got a usual bar, lunch hangout or restaurant you frequent? Throw caution into the wind and mix it up. Read your local food guides and see what’s up and coming and check it out. Take recommendations from people you talk to and actually follow up on them. Talk a walk outside your normal route.

Using these tips to feel like a tourist in your own area will help you appreciate what many of us take for granted. Being a backpacker in your hometown may not seem like the most exciting adventure on your bucketlist, but if you’re between trips or saving up money for your next travels, it can be a cheap and convenient way to feel like a traveler again!

Have you ever been a backpacker in your hometown? Drop us a comment below or find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Why You Shouldn’t Be Scared to Quit Your Job and Go Travel

So you want to quit your job and go travel? You want to escape the paralyzing constraints of the 9-5 world, but you’re worried about the ‘what if’ scenarios. What if I can’t get another job? What if it all goes wrong? What if I regret it?

Well how about I give you one more ‘what if’ to consider. What if you sit on your butt your whole life, too scared to make the changes you want, and then you wind up regretting the opportunities you should have jumped at? For me it’s that what if that makes my decision a little easier as I prepare to quit my job for the third time to go off traveling again.

I’m not here to convince you, but if you do want a little more convincing here’s a couple of extra reasons!

You’ll Get Another Job

Yes you may have worked hard to get your last job, so it sucks to quit, but it’s totally possible for you to do it all again. Jobs might be hard to come by, especially if you’re building up a career, but you might even experience something on your travels that leads you in a new career direction. If you’ve got to start again, at least do it with no regrets and some kick ass stories to tell.

Work Overseas and Travel at the Same Time

If you’re still worried about re-securing a job at home, and you don’t have quite enough money to travel long-term, why not look for work overseas? Education, health care, construction, hospitality, banking… every country around the world has jobs in these professions. Some countries more, some countries less. Working overseas is also a fun way to gain a new perspective on your career. It shows you areas of your job that you might not have dealt with back home, and it makes you even more skilled upon your return… if you do!

Gain Valuable Life Experience

Now more than ever the world is interconnected through sport, art, politics, economics, business, among many other areas. Spending time overseas and experiencing the world tells potential employers a lot about your life skills. Determination, resilience and cultural tolerance, just to name a few. Just think, if an employer asked a question like “tell me about a time you accomplished something difficult”, crack out that one time you hiked solo through Central America with nothing but a backpack, some broken Spanish and a gutful of adventure. See if they’re not impressed!

Life is Short

Now this isn’t meant to be a pessimistic view, but in the broad scheme of things it’s undeniable. Life has gone on for millions of years without us, and is likely to go on for millions of years after we die. Why not make the most of this short time we have! If it’s something you want to do… do it!

Ask For Leave

One last resort. Your job might love you so much that they put your position on temporary hold. Some jobs can do this easier than others, and some jobs might just take you back once you’ve returned anyway. Always remember to leave your current job on good terms; you never know when you might be back knocking on their door.

So there you go, it’s time to quit your job and go travel! And if I haven’t convinced you yet… send me a message and I’ll keep trying! We’re headed to Thailand in February 2015, and you’re always welcome to join us!

Have you quit your job recently to go traveling? Drop us a comment below or Facebook message and tell us all about it!

Choosing the Best Travel Companion: Solo, Couple or Group?

Among the many topics of conversation that backpackers have on the road, this is by far one of the most interestingly debated. What’s the secret to choosing the best travel companion? Traveling by yourself, traveling with your partner or traveling with friends? Each brings their own advantages and flaws to the discussion, but ultimately it comes down to what you want to get out of your trip, and a lot of personal preference. We take a look at some of the highlights and lowlights for each, and let you be the judge.

Traveling Solo

If you’ve recently read Christine’s take on traveling solo you’ll know that when you travel alone you’re never really alone if you don’t want to be. I mean, if you want, you can definitely find your own space, but there are so many people backpacking solo that you’re always bound to make new friends. One of the best things about hitting the road on your own is that you’re open to the possibility of chance and opportunity. You choose your own destiny and you take the path that you want to explore.

“When you travel alone you can do what you want, when you want”

I know this sounds selfish, but when you travel alone you can do what you want, when you want and how you want to do it. It’s a very liberating feeling to be in a foreign place, where nobody knows you and you can just be who you want to be. That being said, traveling alone can also get lonely when you’re in a foreign place, feeling homesick or unwell, and there’s no one that just gets you. You know the times when you can just pop over and visit a friend, spill out all your problems, and they can make you feel better in a second? This can be hard to come by on the road alone.

Traveling As a Couple

So you’ve got a partner, and you don’t have the liberty of just packing your bags and hitting the open road alone for a few months solo. Not to worry, traveling with your significant other has a number of awesome perks that traveling alone doesn’t. For one, wouldn’t it be nice to share all those amazing traveling experiences and memories with someone you also want to share you life with? Traveling alone and meeting person after person, making friends for only a couple of days, and then having to do it all over again, can be very tiresome.

“They put up with you at home, so hopefully they can also while traveling”

The beauty of traveling with your partner is that you’ll always have a solid constant companion with you. And they put up with you at home, so hopefully they can also while traveling. And hey, you’ll still meet people. You’ll also start to meet other couples, which you might not have had the opportunity to do when traveling alone. The only negative is that if you guys find out you’re not super compatible travel partners, you could find yourselves fighting over more things than usual. No relationship needs these extras stresses!

Traveling with a Group Friends

Last but not least, traveling with a group of mates. This category can really go either way. On the one hand they’re your best mates, you’ve got heaps in common and they’d be ripper traveling companions. On the other hand, you’ve never lived in such testing conditions for an extended period of time and slowly you notice things about them that you previously hadn’t. Back home they would be the first person you’d call for a night out, but that doesn’t always mean they’d make compatible traveling buddies.

“Slowly you start to notice things about them that you previously hadn’t”

Luckily I haven’t had any negative experiences like this, but I’ve definitely heard my fair share of broken friendship stories over the years. When picking friends to go traveling with choose the ones that have similar interests as you. If you’re all about experiencing the culture, meeting the locals and having an authentic trip, don’t invite that friend who just wants to rage every night and hang out in the crowded hostels. And vise-versa. There’s nothing wrong with a trip to blow off some steam, so don’t choose the shy friend who wants to keep to themselves and just do their own thing.

Final decision

Too hard to split (although I probably should say traveling with a partner or I might find myself alone again next trip). I know that’s not very helpful as a conclusive thought, but it really comes down to your personal preference and what you want to get out of your travels. I think the easiest way to decide is to try all three! Having experienced all three types of travel I would definitely say that each has its own pros and cons, and I’m glad I could sample a little of each. Variety is the spice of life, so mix it up and see what works best for you!

How have you gone about choosing the best travel companion? What worked for you? Drop us a comment or message us on Facebook and Twitter!

Ways To Make Staying At Home Feel Like A Vacation

Labor Day Weekend was a couple weeks ago for you Americans. The weather is starting to cool a bit, sweaters are pulled from the closet and leaves are beginning to drop to the ground.

Of course, here in Australia, the opposite is happening. Sunny days are just beginning to out number dreary ones. We’re pulling the extra blanket off our bed and starting to leave the door open on warmer afternoons. As the sun becomes more frequent I find myself being pulled outdoors. My restless legs are starting to stir and I can’t help idly browsing Skyscanner and AirBnB more often.

We still have 4 months to go, though, until we’re off to Southeast Asia. Until then we’re trying to lay low and save up money. So how do travel addicts like ourselves, or those that aren’t able to travel, keep entertained while staying still? Here’s how we make staying at home feel like a vacation:

Read A Travel Book

It’s incredible how far books can take you. Seriously, I’m not trying to get too Reading Rainbow here, but books can transport you to just about anywhere in the world. My all-time favorite activity is reading a book set in the place that I’m traveling in. I took Jack Keraouc’s Big Sur on our road trip to Big Sur. Jules and I slowly relished every word of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ 100 Years of Solitude while in Colombia. If you can’t read a book in the country that it’s set, the next best thing is to let that book take you there.

If you need some inspiration, here’s a good list.

Plan Your Next Trip

This is going to sound like BS, but planning a trip can be almost as fun as actually traveling. According to science, a large part of the happiness boost that comes from vacationing is actually from the planning stages. Even if you’re not sure when you’ll actually be able to take your trip, planning it out can be a great motivator. Once you’ve discovered destinations, tours and hotels you’d love to check out, you’ll be more inclined to start pinching pennies so you can actually go! The anticipation and excitement of choosing where to go and creating an itinerary can be a lot of fun. Go on! There’s no harm in looking!

Connect With Travelers

You may not be able to travel at the moment but you can still get in touch with other travelers. Sites like Couchsurfing and Meetup host get-togethers where you can meet travelers or ex-pats from another country. Swapping travel stories with other backpackers will make you feel like you’re back in a hostel, chatting with others about your latest adventures. If you’re interested in learning about a certain country or region, find meetups that are based around that theme. Check out a language exchange night or a foodie group!

Explore Your Own Backyard

It’s crazy that backpackers can travel the whole world and barely explore their own backyard. Okay, not your actual backyard (although setting up a tent and having a camping night in your own yard is always a win), but explore your area! Go on a weekend road trip. Set airfare alerts for cities in your state. Take a staycation and get to know every nook and cranny in your city. Host a Couchsurfer for a drink or coffee and show them what is so unique about what you’re from. You don’t have to travel halfway across the world to remember how special home is.

Best Travel Tips From Our Favorite Bloggers Part 3

It’s time again for some of the best travel tips from our favorite bloggers! This weeks addition looks at the best way to save on accommodation. Most travelers would agree that the cost of accommodation is the one thing that eats away at your precious savings the fastest, therefore, if you can cut some corners you’ll definitely be able to stretch out that trip at least double the length. This week our favorite travel bloggers give us some of their best travel tips in regards to house sitting, living like a local and CouchSurfing.

Enjoy free accommodation – Crazzzy Travel

Couchsurfing, is an online service which allows you to find a couch in someone’s apartment, absolutely for free. It is well-developed all over the world, so you’ll have no problem finding a host wherever you are, whether it’s in the northern provinces of Thailand or in New York City. In order to arrange free accommodation send a couchsurfing request, accompanied with a nice letter, explaining why you travel and why you want to stay with your host. Don’t forget to give back to the community – host people, bring some really nice gifts with you, prepare your national meals, and keep in touch with people you meet on your travels. It is totally free of charge and allows you to learn more about everyday life of the locals.

Live like a local – AngloItalian

Seeing as we’re traveling in our second year on a budget, that should only have been big enough for one person to travel 12 months, we’ve gotten pretty good a living cheaply and living like a local. Buying products where the locals do at the markets instead of bigger supermarkets and convenience stores is a great start, but the key is your choice of accommodation. Using housesitting we’ve spent most of the past half year staying in local houses completely for free whilst the homeowner is away, leaving us to get really integrated with local life, whilst saving money along the way too.

Become a house sitter – Charlie on Travel

If you want to be a long-term traveller, house sitting is an excellent way to do it. House sitting gigs tend to be weeks or months long, which means you can keep travel costs down by having a semi-permanent base. Though staying in one place isn’t for everyone, house sitting gives you the opportunity to get off the tourist track, engage with the community and get to know the local people and lifestyle.

In Costa Rica, we were living well for less thanks to our house sitting assignment in a little barrio in the mountains. But house sitting isn’t all gorgeous views and sunshine, we also had eight dogs and one cat to look after, as well as a deadly snake in the garden! Taking care of someone else’s home and pets is a big responsibility and involves a lot of trust on the homeowner’s part. If you’re going to be a house sitter, that’s awesome, but make sure you’re prepared and committed.

Liked this article? Check out our other Budget Travel Tips From Our Favorite Bloggers.

5 Tips For Traveling As A Vegetarian (Anywhere In The World)

Traveling as a vegetarian can be tough, but it can also be a delicious adventure. Follow our tips to make being a vegetarian abroad easy.

1) Decide before you leave…

Figure out before you leave what leniency you feel comfortable with. I’ve met vegans who become vegetarians while traveling. We personally allow ourselves to eat fresh fish while traveling. This is completely up to you and how strict you want to take it. Maybe you’re wiling to eat meat occasionally to sample famous local dishes? Either way, try not to beat yourself up too much if you end breaking the rules once in a while. Chances are you won’t be able to be as picky as you are at home. Constantly obsessing over finding out if certain foods are made with chicken broth or beef stock will leave you with a headache and drive your travel-mates crazy.

2) Plan ahead.

If you know that you’ll be taking a 32-hour overnight bus and will be limited to the food at the truck stop, pack a dinner instead. Get creative with local fresh produce. Think about some nonperishable snacks you can keep in your backpack for emergencies. While traveling through Latin America, we had a tub of peanut butter on us at all times. Spread on bread or rolled into a tortilla, it was a (very delicious) lifesaver!

3) Research local dishes before you arrive.

Some countries absolutely embrace vegetarians, while others may be a bit more difficult. Most countries will have some sort of local vegetarian dish. If not, there will most likely be local dishes that can be tweaked to be vegetarian.

4) Learn how to say more than just “I’m a vegetarian” in the local language.

This may seem like a no-brainer but having a few key phrases in your pocket will go a long way. In some parts of the world, being a vegetarian is as foreign as being an alien. We’ve encountered people who think vegetarian means no red meat, or eating just a little bit of ham. Learning the words for chicken, pork, etc. will help you communicate your point and identify on a menu what you can or can’t eat.

5) Be flexible.

Just like every other aspect of traveling, not everything is going to go according to plan. We were volunteering in the south of Mexico when we were invited to have lunch with a local indigenous family. They served us heaping bowls of chicken soup. We could have politely declined and attempted to explain the ethics of vegetarianism and the reality of factory farming for the next half hour. But considering our lunch was recently clucking around their backyard, I don’t think it would have translated. Instead we were grateful that they were sharing with us and ate with smiles on our faces. Just with any other part of traveling, be respectful and recognize that for many people, choosing to exclude certain food from your diet is a luxury.

Best Budget Travel Tips From Our Favorite Bloggers Part 2

Welcome to second installment of the best budget travel tips from our favorite bloggers. After the success of the first collaborative post we couldn’t wait to get another article out there showcasing some more amazing tips!

This collaboration not only helped us network with some fantastic blogs, but it has also helped expand our own own knowledge of budget travel. Check out the tips and book that trip!

Always stick to local transport – eTramping

If you want to save a lot of money when traveling the world, you should definitely avoid taxis and travel around the country using local transport instead – trains, buses and subway. It makes a huge difference when it comes to saving, trust me. Usually most of the cities you’ll travel to have a number of train stations, so you can often move around the city with a pass. Also, if you’re planning on being in a city for a few days, a travel card for the bus, tram, and metro will often save you money on buying single tickets.

Another cheap alternative is to rent a bike and experience a town or city at your own pace. Some cities are more geared up for cyclists than others, for example Amsterdam is a cyclists’ paradise!

Plan ahead – Have Blog Will Travel

The days of carelessly backpacking through Europe on a whim are no more. With many European cities hosting large festivals, concerts, and events year-round, the cheapest and best accommodations frequently book up and must be reserved well in advance to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Booking transportation early, a month out for trains, longer for flights, is also crucial to scoring a great deal. We made the mistake of overlooking our train reservation from Paris to London and ended up on an overnight bus to avoid paying nearly $150 US dollars per person for the train. Unfortunately, most last minute tickets are similarly overpriced. In addition to planning ahead, staying flexible when booking can also be crucial to saving money. While those traveling on specific dates are forced to pay a set rate, travelers with more flexible schedules can shop around, adding or subtracting days from their itinerary to get the best price possible. It’s a balancing act but well worth it for the sake of your budget.

Find cheaper flights – IndieTraveller

The cost of flights often makes up a significant slice of any travel budget. Fortunately, you can make substantial savings on your tickets by digging around a little. The differences in price can be so huge sometimes that the savings can easily represent weeks of additional travel. That’s why rather than going with the first flight option I can find, I will happily spend some time researching the options.

Momondo and Skyscanner are two great search engines for cheap flights. I’m especially fond of using Momondo as it has a bunch of great tools for finding the right flight. Be sure to play around with the dates and consider alternative airports nearby. Some budget airlines are not included in these search engines however. Search the name of the airport on Wikipedia and you will typically find a list of budget airlines going there, which then lets you search with these airlines directly.

Sometimes you get lucky by finding a super cheap flight. Recently I flew very cheaply from Colombia to Peru by purchasing a ticket in combination with a return flight via Ecuador. Bizarrely this return ticket was cheaper than any single ticket I could find, so I simply flew to Peru and never used the return. Dig around long enough and you might find such a ‘glitch in the Matrix’ and benefit from a cheap ticket most people would not know about.

Research the local cuisine before you leave – Cook Sip Go

Knowledge is the strongest tool to ensure you eat well on a budget while traveling. Before you leave, block off an hour to research the cuisine of the destination online. As food connected to a place can evoke pride and passion, there are many blogs, websites and Wikipedia pages dedicated to providing information on national and regional cuisines. This approach is a big money-saver and the key is figuring out the everyday or staple dishes. Given their importance to the population, staple mains and sides will be widely available at a good price. You’ll be able to find these foods at market stands, food carts and small restaurants. These places cater to locals, who will not tolerate touristy rates. Even if you’re stuck in a restaurant that targets foreign visitors, don’t be afraid to order off-menu. The national foods are usually available and will be cheaper than the pizza or burger. And they’ll taste much better. Your knowledge of everyday foods impacts more than your travel budget. Ordering locally-sourced dishes also supports the farming community and reduces the emissions necessary to transport the ingredients. A little bit of research can benefit many.

Check out Part 1 if you missed it, or read all about our best budget travel tip!

Or maybe you’ve got something different you’d like to share?

Everything You Need To Know About Choosing A Spanish School in San Pedro, Guatemala

Thinking about pushing pause on your Latin American adventure so you can kickstart your Spanish skills? Great idea. Learning the local language will not only make travel easier, but will also allow you to have a more authentic experience. And what better place to learn than San Pedro, Guatemala? Guatemala is an ideal country to learn Spanish because the accent is mild and locals speak relatively slow. San Pedro is a small town situated on the shore of Lake Atitlan. It’s a popular spot to take Spanish classes as there are plenty of schools to choose from and it’s known for being one of the cheapest places to do it. And on a warm, clear morning you can’t beat the view from your school’s palapa overlooking the entire lake. Convinced? Great. Now here’s everything you need to know.

Why Learn Spanish

Apart from enhancing your travel experience and connecting deeper with locals, Spanish is an incredibly useful language. Learning Spanish will not only help your travels in Guatemala, but in many other exciting and interesting travel locations all over the globe. With over 400 million native Spanish speaker worldwide, Spanish is the official language of 20 countries. From Mexico and Spain, to Cuba and Puerto Rico, Spanish can be utilized all over the world. This makes it second only to Chinese for being the most widely spoken language. Not only that, but Spanish is also one of the most studied language, behind English and French. There are almost 10 million people that speak Spanish as a second language, so no matter where you are in the world, you’re always bound to bump into another traveler or local who knows a bit of Spanish. We’ve even found that Spanish has been a great bridging language between travelers that don’t speak the same language, but know enough Spanish to converse. True story, we were once volunteering in Peru with two guys ( a South Korean and Slovakian) who spoke no English, but became friends and bonded over learning Spanish together. If that’s not a good enough reason to learn Spanish, I don’t know what is!

Don’t Book Ahead

Unless you’re on a strict schedule and are booking a spot at one of the most popular schools during the peak of high season, skip making a reservation. Some schools pressure you into handing over a non-refundable deposit, insisting they could be booked out. The problem with paying a deposit is that travel plans rarely stay on a schedule and you don’t want to lose money because your plans change. There are so many schools in San Pedro that you’ll always be able to find somewhere to study.

Do Your Research

Since there are plenty of Spanish schools in San Pedro, it can be a bit overwhelming to just rock up without having an idea of where you’re headed. There are signs all over the winding streets that point to different schools in different directions. Do some research beforehand and read reviews of each school. Every school will offer basic 1 on 1 classes, but some will have more social events planned like movie nights or hikes. The more well known schools tend to be a bit more expensive, so do your research to see if they’re worth it.

Pay a Week at a Time

Once you’ve decided on your school of choice, pay per week. You never know what might happen to make you cancel your week. You may realize that the school isn’t for you, or you need to move to your next destination sooner than expected. Paying weeks ahead of time could mean forfeiting that money if your plans change. And don’t worry about the school ‘running out of room’, they’ll find a way to keep you on board.

Switch Teachers If You’re Not Comfortable

This is a big one. If you’re not satisfied or comfortable with your teacher for any reason, ask to change. If your teacher talks too much or too fast or even just has a funny accent that completely distracts you from learning, switch. You are paying the school from your tight backpacker budget and it’s up to you to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Don’t feel embarrassed; students ask to switch all the time. And don’t feel bad for your teacher, they’ll be able to find another student. Make your learning the priority.

Do a Homestay

My first time in San Pedro, I booked a homestay but chickened out at the last minute and ended up at a hostel. I was too scared to do it alone, but was resolute to try it out the second time around when I had Jules. I’ll admit our homestay wasn’t exactly the warm family welcome I was hoping for (we stayed at the school with the directors family which felt more like a boarding school than anything), but all of our other friends had amazing experiences. They were invited to experience aspects of local life that you wouldn’t have access to as a regular backpacker. They were taken to church, taught to sew, invited to cook with their families and really got a taste of traditional Mayan customs. Just like if you’re dissatisfied with your teacher, I recommend asking to change. There are many loving families who would welcome a traveler into their home.

Get Involved with the Local Community

San Pedro has an active backpacker community full of trivia Tuesdays and theme parties. But you can get all that at home. The best way to learn Spanish, and really get a sense for Guatemala, is to get involved with the locals. The easiest way to do this is by building a friendship with your homestay family. You can also find volunteer opportunities in town through most of the Spanish schools. I volunteered at a local kindergarten and enjoyed getting out of the backpacker side of town (also known as “Gringolandia”).

And when you get there, make sure to take advantage of the unbelievably cheap avocados to make one of our favorite traveling snacks!

For more information on schools, this article does a good job of comparing the different options. If you hop on Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree Forum you can also find many posts with first hand testimonies on different schools.

Buena suerte!