I visited Tubbataha Reef and Anilao, so there will be extra information on those areas, but this post also covers other diving areas in the Philippines. Use this guide as a trip planning primer and then dive deeper. There is a lot of information in this post, so scan through and then zero in on each section to go deeper.

How to Plan Your Philippines Dive Trip

Here are some pointers to guide your planning:

• What do you want to see while diving?
• How many days is your trip? Do you have enough time to visit multiple places?
• What is your budget?
• Dive shop or dive resort or liveaboard?
• Do you want to stay at one resort for an extended period or island hop to different dive areas?
• What else do you want to see/do on your trip? Do you want to be somewhere with topside activities?

Here are some of my notes in hindsight:

• Dive areas in the Philippines are focused on diving, meaning there aren’t places with both diving and abundant land activities. You’ll likely visit small islands.
• Our Tubbataha Reef liveaboard was great, but because the dive profiles throughout the trip were very similar, I’d consider a liveaboard that also visited Apo Reef and Coron for more variety.

Where to Dive in the Philippines

With over 300 dive sites, the Philippines has a variety of different things to see when scuba diving, though you’ll have to travel to different areas to get guaranteed sightings. Most visited areas include: Tubbataha Reef and Coron Bay from Palawan, Malapascua and Moalboal from Cebu, and Anilao and Puerto Galera from Batangas.

You’ll likely be flying internationally into Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB) and then taking a domestic flight to the specific area. Our round-trip flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan (port for Tubbataha Reef) was about $100 per person.

Here’s a quick list of where to go, the closest airport, and what type of diving it’s known for:

• Anilao – Nudibranch capital of the world, muck diving
  • Fly into Manila, drive around 3 hours south to Batangas
• Apo Reef – coral reef
  • Fly into San Jose Airport (SJI), 2-3 hour boat
• Bohol – reefs, wall dives, turtles
  • Fly into Bohol–Panglao International Airport (TAG)
• Coron Bay – wreck diving capital of Southeast Asia 
  • Fly into Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU), drive 30-40 minutes
• Donsol – whale shark snorkeling
  • Fly into Bicol International Airport (DRP), drive 2 hours
• Dauin/Siquijor/Apo Island – muck diving, reef
  • Fly into Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport (DGT), take car or boat/ferry
• Malapascua – famous for thresher sharks
  • Fly into Cebu, drive 3.5-3.5 hours, take 30-45 minute boat
• Mindanao – reefs, walls, macro
  • Fly into Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) or Davao (DVO)
• Moalboal – sardine run, wall dives
  • Fly into Cebu, drive 2-4 hours
• Puerto Galera – a little bit of everything; macro, wreck, pelagic
  • Fly into Manila, drive around 3 hours south to Batangas, take a ferry for 1 hour or private boat for 30 minutes
• Tubbataha Reef – liveaboard only, very healthy reefs, wall dives, micro and macro
  • Fly into Puerto Princesa, Palawan; the liveaboard port is a few minutes away

We chose the dive areas for our trip because Tubbataha Reef is known as one of the best places to dive in the world, and as a fan of nudibranchs, I wanted to visit an area with guaranteed sightings.

Best Time to Dive in the Philippines

The best time to dive depends on where you want to go and what you want to see. Consider dry vs wet season, high tourist season, water/wind conditions (choppier seas), and typhoon possibilities.

Below shares the typical time period that experts recommend to dive the area. This is typically the dry season, though keep in mind that you could visit some places at other times, but what you’ll see and the water conditions will be different.

• Anilao – November to May
• Apo Reef – December to May
• Bohol – February to June
• Coron Bay – December to May
• Dauin – December to May
• Donsol (snorkeling) – November to June
• Malapascua – March to June
• Mindanao – March to September
• Moalboal – December to April
• Puerto Galera – November to May
• Tubbataha Reef – March to June

Liveaboard Options in the Philippines

There are about 13-15 liveboard options in the Philippines. They are 4 to 12 nights, with the majority at 6 or 7 nights. The most affordable is about $278 per day and goes up to $458 per day, totaling $1,700 to $6,475 per person. I like using Liveaboard.com to research boats since it aggregates all options uniformly.

Typical routes include:

• Apo Reef, Coron, Anilao
• Tubbataha Reef
• Visayas North: includes Malapascua, Bohol, Maolboal
• Visayas South: includes Siquijor and Apo Island

Our liveaboard, Atlantis Infiniti, was focused on Tubbataha Reef, where there are three atolls. We had a great time on our boat – good food, outstanding service, comfortable rooms, and quality equipment. If you want to see more than just Tubbataha Reef, liveaboards with more than 7 nights also visit Apo Reef and Coron.

Our liveaboard was on the more expensive end of liveaboard options. The liveaboard was $3,800 per person, not including park fees, fuel surcharge, gear rental, and tips, which amounted to an additional $700 per person. (It is recommended to pay 10-15% of the liveaboard cost for tips.)

Diving Tubbataha Reef

Tubbataha Reef is known for its biodiversity; it’s home to over 600 fish species and 350 coral types. Because of its isolation and protection as a UNESCO World Heritage Marine Sanctuary, the park is only accessible by liveaboard from March to June. Some liveaboards only dive in Tubbataha, while a few longer liveaboards also visit nearby Apo Reef and Coron.

Quick Stats

• Port: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
• Water Temperature: Ranges from 27-30°C / 81-86°F, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters / 100 feet
• Dive profile: many wall dives ending on top of a reef, occasional currents

In Tubbataha Reef, we typically saw groups of sharks and an abundant variety of fish and coral on every dive. They were typically wall dives ending on top of the reef for the last 15-20 minutes. We flowed with the current, so dives were typically not strenuous. Some things I enjoyed seeing were nudibranchs, sea stars, clown fish, clams, octopus, unicorn fish, and porcelain crabs.

Diving Anilao

Anilao is known as one of the world’s best places for macro diving. It’s also widely described as the “nudibranch capital of the world,” so as a nudibranch lover, it was a must!

We stayed at Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort, a secluded dive resort in the area, and dive sites were no more than 20 minutes away. It truly was a nudibranch paradise. We saw at least 10 different types on every dive. It wasn’t only nudibranchs in the muck. We also saw frog fish, banded sea krait, electric clam, and mantis shrimp.

Dive Shops and Dive Resorts in the Philippines

Here are a few recommended dive shops and resorts around the Philippines. Use the PADI website to find more options.

For dive shops or dive resorts that aren’t secluded, dives cost around $35-40 USD per dive.

• Dauin – Atlantis, Atmosphere
• Malapascua – Evolution, Sea Explorers
• Moalboal – Cebu Seaview Dive Resort
• Puerto Galera – Arkipelago, Atlantis
• Siquijor – Bahura Dive Center

I’ll look back at this Philippines trip with so much joy! It was an ideal liveaboard experience and a life-changing experience trying muck diving. I hope you get to experience diving in the Philippines for yourself!

Book your liveaboard here.

Need more scuba diving inspiration? Check out these posts:

• Diving Komodo National Park by Liveaboard + Indonesia Diving Guide
• What to Know About Scuba Diving in Dominica – Adventure Island
• Diving with Manta Rays in Hawaii + Big Island Dive Guide

The post Guide to Scuba Diving in the Philippines – Tubbataha Reef and Anilao appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Disclosure: I’m an affiliate partner of A Chef’s Tour, meaning I earn a small commission from bookings through my links. I truly appreciate your support in keeping this blog running!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I love food tours, especially when I’m traveling. So, it made sense to try a food tour in the Philippines. We specifically wanted to go on a food tour in Manila’s Chinatown, called Binondo.

A Chef’s Tour

When you’re traveling, food tours are a great way to give you the lay of the land in a new location. They teach you about local cuisine, culture, and history. You’re guided by a local who can give you more insight and will show you all the best spots. It’s a meal and a history lesson all in one.

A Chef’s Tour has food tours throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These tours are a few hours long with multiple stops to visit restaurants and see significant sights. Local foodies work with the founders to research the best eats in an area. Yes, the research involves a lot of eating! There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination to determine the final route and stops.

Food tours are great for adventurous people who love to eat. You’ll learn a lot while enjoying some of the best bites along the way!

Manila Food Tour

When it comes to food tours in Manila, Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown and the world’s oldest Chinatown, is the place to try Chinese-Filipino fusion cuisine. We enjoyed exploring the area with and learning history from Jace, our tour guide and a Filipino local.

You’ll get a mix of places on this tour, including a convenience store, a dim sum restaurant, an alley food stall, and an ice cream shop. Many of them are recognized with being a long-standing restaurant, and one stop is even the oldest restaurant in Manila!

Here’s where we stopped on our tour.

Polland Hopia Factory – making baked goods since 1966. We enjoyed a kuchai empanada – empanada with pork and chive filling.

Ying Ying Tea House – a favorite spot for Cantonese dim sum and barbecue. We had dumplings and barbecue pork here.

New Po Heng – alleyway shop known for its fresh lumpia

Toho Panciteria Antigua – the oldest restaurant in Manila, established in 1888. We tried their fried lumpia, pancit (noodles), and fried rice.

Big Scoop – a classic ice cream shop where you can get halo-halo

Between our food stops, we did some sightseeing, including a walk through the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz, commonly known as Binondo Church. We also took a fun tuk-tuk ride through the neighborhood.

Are you ready to book your Manila food tour?!

Book Your Food Tour

If you want to book a food tour when you travel, check out A Chef’s Tour. They have tours across Asia, Latin America, and Africa, and are expanding to South America and Europe. Book your tour here.

Looking for food tours in other places? Here are some posts to read:

• Why Take a Food Tour When You Travel
• Most Inspiring Travel Experiences in the Last Decade of Adventures
• Eating and Drinking in Mexico City

The post A Chef’s Tour for Foodies – Manila Food Tour appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

This post is a good starting place if you want to plan a trip to Guatemala, and it’s specifically about my travels to Antigua and the Lake Atitlan area. Read on for all my trip tips!

Why Visit Guatemala

Our reason for visiting Guatemala was to hike Acatenango to see the Fuego Volcano’s lava. Though we didn’t accomplish that, we still enjoyed the trip. Here are some of the reasons to visit Guatemala:

• Hiking
• Seeing Volcanoes – there are 37 of them, which is a lot for a small country
• Enjoying outdoors
• Exploring colonial buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Antigua)
• Finding a spiritual experience with Mayan tradition
• Traveling on a budget

Things to Know When Traveling to Guatemala

• Currency: Guatemalan Quetzals. The exchange rate is about $1 USD to Q7.72.
• Language: Official language is Spanish. You may also hear Mayan languages.
• Water: Not safe to drink from the tap. Most hotels and rentals will have EcoFiltro jugs, usually in a common space. Bring a reusable water bottle or use the glasses provided to enjoy fresh water.
• Vaccines: No vaccines required; make sure everything is up to date.
• Visa: No advance planning needed for U.S. residents. You will get a visa stamp when you arrive at the airport. No additional cost.
• Tipping: Restaurants typically add a service charge. Tips for hotel workers, drivers, and tour guides are not necessary but appreciated.
• WhatsApp: This is the primary way to connect with shuttle operators and tour guides if you have booked anything ahead of time.

Best Time to Visit Guatemala

The dry season is typically November to April and the wet season is May to October. The dry season tends to be cooler, so pack layers. I would avoid the days around Christmas and Easter.

Is Guatemala Safe?

The U.S. government recommends travelers “reconsider travel” (level 3 out of 4) due to crime in specific areas. Petty crime can be an issue, and normal caution should be observed. This includes not flashing expensive items, being aware of your surroundings and personal items, not being out late at night, and staying in safe areas.

I stayed in tourist-oriented cities with no issues and followed the recommendation to not spend much time in Guatemala City, where the international airport is located.

Check your government advisories and news for the latest updates before you travel.

How to Stay Healthy in Guatemala

When it comes to health, you should be on your guard in Guatemala. I’ve gotten uncomfortable (not quite sick) on my travels, so I used extra caution in Guatemala.

• Don’t pet the street dogs and cats
• Don’t drink tap water – many places to stay provide access to EcoFiltro jugs to fill up a reusable bottle
• Bring medicine like charcoal pills and vitamin c
• Use caution with food – aim for freshly cooked
• Use bug repellent (and check your vaccinations) – to avoid malaria, dengue, and zika
• Wash your hands and carry hand sanitizer

Here’s what we packed in our health/emergency kit.

• First aid kit
• Charcoal pills (for upset stomach)
• Motion sickness pills (for hilly shuttles)
• Acetaminophen (for altitude sickness)
• Ibuprofen (for mild headaches)
• Vitamin C packs (for immunity)
• Bug spray (for mosquitos)
• Lavender spray (for bed bug prevention)

Flying to Guatemala

La Aurora International Airport (GUA) is located in Guatemala City and is the only international airport in Guatemala. From there you can fly to Flores to visit Tikal National Park or take a shuttle to Antigua or Lake Atitlan.

Transportation – Getting Around Guatemala

There are several ways to get around: tourist shuttle, chicken bus, tuk-tuk, boat, and Uber. 

Shuttles

For transport between Guatemala City, Antigua, and Panajachel, we used Atitrans, a tourist shuttle. We booked all our shuttles on their website before our trip and they were $18-20 per person for a shared shuttle. We took one private shuttle from Guatemala City (airport) to Antigua, and it cost $65 total. They will confirm the time and meeting spot, typically your hotel. Know that the time is approximate, and you could wait up to 30 minutes for arrival.

You can also use GuateGo or Bookaway to find shuttles.

Typical travel times

• Guatemala City to Antigua: 1.5 hours
• Guatemala City to Panajachel, Lake Atitlan: 3 hours
• Antigua to Panajachel, Lake Atitlan: 2.25 hours

Public Transportation

If you are saving money and more flexible with your time, you can flag down a chicken bus, one of the very colorful school buses that you will see everywhere. Locals use these and they make frequent stops.

For travel within a city, there are tuk-tuks, which are small like a pedicab, and Uber. We found that most places were within a 20-minute walking distance, so we walked most of the time.

Boats

To travel to cities around Lake Atitlan, it is much faster to take a boat.

• Public boats (“lancha”) leave from Panajachel from 7 am to 7 pm, and you can walk up and catch one every 20 minutes.
• The cost depends on the distance. The farthest you’ll go from Panajachel is San Juan and it’s Q25 (about $3.25) one way. It is about 30 minutes if you’re going direct (private boat) but there will likely be stops in between, so budget up to 50 minutes.
• If you have luggage, it’s typically an extra Q5.
• Exact change is necessary.
• The last boat from San Pedro back to Panajachel leaves at 5 pm.
• Private boats are available. You can arrange with your hotel or walk up to the boat dock.

Where to Visit in Guatemala

We visited the most popular tourist cities. Here’s a little more about them.

• Antigua – If you love historic buildings, this is your city! It’s very walkable and has plenty of restaurants.
• Lake Atitlan – Visit the lake for the sunrise Rostro Maya hike (30 minutes), to take a yoga class, participate in a cacao or temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremony, and visit some artisan shops.
  • Panajachel – This is the jumping-off point at Lake Atitlan since shuttles will bring you here and the public boat leaves from here to take you around the lake. It’s a busy city with a natural reserve you can visit, but you’ll likely head towards another town on the lake. Because of its size, it does have a lot of restaurant and coffee shop options.
  • San Juan La Laguna – My favorite town on Lake Atitlan, San Juan is artistic, laid-back, and filled with local artisan shops. It’s a good place to stay to go hiking.
  • San Pedro La Laguna – Known as the backpacker town, San Pedro has many hostels and party options. It has a bunch of Spanish schools and is a 10-minute boat ride from San Juan.
  • San Marcos La Laguna – This town is known for its hippies and yoga expats. You’ll find many boutique retreats and restaurant options here. If you want to cliff jump, you can do it here at Cerro Tzankunjil Nature Reserve.

Where to Stay in Antigua

When looking at places to stay, I read reviews before booking. Here are some things to look for:

• Location: Is it a safe neighborhood and close to the things you want to see/do
• Shower Drainage: Does the shower drain well? We had this issue with a few places.
• Hot Water Shower: Lukewarm water seemed common
• Cleanliness: Any issues with bed bugs or mold?
• AC: Many mid places in Guatemala do not have added AC units. It can get hot/humid during the day but cools off at night. Look for this if it’s a priority
• Noise: Whether it is late-night revelry or morning bird songs, Guatemala has an above-average noise level when you’re trying to sleep

We stayed in one hotel and two rentals in Antigua. This Airbnb rental was one of my favorite places to stay during the trip, and the host has several properties. We also liked this Airbnb rental. Hotel La Sin Ventura was ok, a basic hotel with a good location, though it was a tad loud.

I also looked at these places in Antigua:

• El Carmen Hotel
• Good Hotel
• Casa Santo Domingo

Where to Stay around Lake Atitlan

We stayed in two hotels at Lake Atitlan – one in Panajachel and a boutique property with its own dock. While Panajachel has a good selection of restaurants and coffee shops, in hindsight, we would have enjoyed staying in San Juan La Laguna the whole time.

Hotel Regis was a convenient and safe place to stay in Panajachel. It has its own guard and gate.

We also liked La Fortuna at Lake Atitlan, a boutique property with six casitas that runs 100% on solar power and has a private dock. It is secluded, so you are limited to their menus ($7 for breakfast, $8 for lunch, $25 for dinner), and the boat costs more to arrive and depart from their private dock. However, the perks are complimentary use of their VW van turned sauna, hot tub, wading pool, kayaks, and paddleboards. Also, the grounds are immaculate and private.

Here are some other places around Lake Atitlan to consider:

• Eco-Hotel MayAchik – boutique hotel in San Juan
• La Casa del Mundo – also has a private dock but more affordable stay 
• La Iguana Perdida – a more affordable hostel in Santa Cruz with private rooms
• Porta Hotel Del Lago – 4-star in Panajachel
• Jenna’s River Bed and Breakfast – Panajachel
• Kula Maya – luxury stay with spa in San Marcos
• Casa Prana – luxury resort near Santa Cruz
• Eco Hotel Uxlabil – boutique hotel in San Juan

Best Things to Do in Guatemala

This post shares nine things to do in Guatemala. I’m an enthusiast for old, historic buildings. Another option is hiking Acatenango!

Where to Eat in Guatemala

Check out this post about eating and drinking in Guatemala to learn about typical dishes and restaurant recommendations.

Guatemala Trip Budget

Guatemala is more affordable than other countries in Central America, and there’s a wide range of options depending on how much you want to spend. You can find a bed in a hostel for $15 a night to a room in a 4-star hotel for $70 a night. All in, we spent about $1,000 per person for 9 days.

We aim for mid-luxury, so our hotels were around $50-60 a night while our shuttles were about $20 a person. The one private shuttle we booked from Guatemala City to Antigua (estimated 1 hour but with traffic, it took us almost 3 hours) was $65 total. For food, our dinners ranged from $15-50 a person.

Our round-trip flight from Austin to Guatemala City with a stop in Houston was about $635 per person, but our flights were “free” because we booked with points. I highly recommend a rewards credit card for perks like this! (Chase Sapphire and Capital One Venture are popular.)

1-Week Itinerary

We spent 9 days in Guatemala, Saturday to the following Sunday. About 2 cumulative days were spent traveling. We took time for slow travel on this trip, but sometimes I get a little bored when we do that! If needed, I suggest more time in Antigua than Lake Atitlan.

Many backpackers spend multiple weeks in Guatemala, so this itinerary might seem rushed. This itinerary is geared toward travelers who want to maximize their limited vacation time. You could squeeze this trip into a long weekend. Many do for weddings, but they typically only visit Antigua.

Here’s my recommended (adjusted) trip itinerary.

Day 1

• Travel to Guatemala City
• Shuttle (3 hours) from Guatemala City Airport to Lake Atitlan
• Stay in San Juan La Laguna

Day 2

• Sunrise Rostro Maya Hike
• Explore cities around the lake: San Juan, San Pedro, San Marcos
• Cacao Ceremony in San Marcos

Day 3

• Shuttle (2.25 hours) from Panajachel to Antigua
• Explore Antigua

Day 4

• Acatenango Hike

Day 5

• Return from Acatenango Hike
• Explore Antigua

Day 6

• Travel Home

I hope this post helped you plan your Guatemalan adventure!

See these posts for more Guatemala planning:

• 9 Best Things to Do in Guatemala
• Eating and Drinking in Guatemala + Favorite Restaurants
• Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike in Guatemala

The post Guatemala Travel Guide + 1-Week Itinerary appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Guatemala is a country for people who love historic buildings, outdoor adventures, and artisan crafts. This colorful country has a lot to offer. We visited Antigua and several towns around Lake Atitlan, but there are sights outside these areas too.

Here are 9 things you should do when you visit Guatemala.

Explore Antigua’s Old Buildings

My favorite thing about our trip was seeing Antigua’s historic buildings. The architecture is Baroque-influenced, and the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. An earthquake in 1773 is why there are many ruins to see. Here are some of the sights we visited:

Arco de Santa Catalina

San José Cathedral Antigua and Ruinas de La Antigua Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago – favorite!

Iglesia San Francisco el Grande and Museo del Hermano Pedro

Antiguo Colegio de la Compañía de Jesús

Iglesia de la Merced

Convento Santa Clara – favorite!

Real Palacio de los Capitanes Generales

Hike Rostro Maya

This is a popular hike out of San Juan La Laguna. You’ll start around 4:45 am to make it to the top by sunrise (between 6-6:30 am). The steep hike is about 30-45 minutes and somewhat challenging. While the path is straightforward, a guide is recommended because it crosses private land. We booked this affordable guide on Tripadvisor. Don’t forget to bring a headlamp.

Shop for Local Handicrafts

You’ll love the colorful textiles and pottery, and you’ll see them everywhere. This art was created by indigenous women with traditions passed through generations. The traditional weaving can be found in skirts worn by local women, tablecloths in restaurants, and bed runners in hotels. Here are some of my favorite shops we visited and ones where you’ll find more authentic items:

• Casa de los Gigantes (Antigua)
• Casa Flor Ixcaco Weaving Cooperative (San Juan La Laguna)
• Casa Del Tejido y Tours (San Juan La Laguna)
• Algodones Mayas (Antigua)
• Weekend market at the Antigua Square

Take Part in a Mayan Ceremony

Lake Atitlan is known as a spiritual place, and there are various ways to experience mindful ceremonies around the lake. These include cacao, fire, and temazcal (Mayan sweat lodge) among others. In any of these ceremonies, you’re taking time to self-reflect, meditate, and learn about the traditions.

We took part in a cacao and fire ceremony at Kawoq Forest led by a teacher. Each person brings their intention to the circle, like asking for guidance on a decision, and we use this space and time to slow down and connect with ourselves and the earth. We sat around a small fire pit, drank cacao to open the mind and heart (not psychedelic, just caffeine), burned things like wood and herbs, and prayed for gratitude and hope as the teacher shared specific prayers to the 20 Mayan nahual (spirits). This is a good (easier) ceremony to attend, but there are ones with other plant medicines if you want to go deeper.

San Marcos La Laguna is known as the spiritual town at the lake. I liked Kawoq Forest, and here are a few more places to research to find the right experience for you:

• Maya Moon Cacao
• Lava Love Cacao
• Ki’kotemaal Ka’kaw

Hike Acatenango

Many visit Guatemala for hiking and Acatenango is the biggest challenge. Hiking Acatenango gives you a great view of the neighboring Fuego Volcano, which typically erupts lava every 20 minutes. We were disappointed to visit during its two-month break, and it erupted 8 days after our hike.

See this post for all the details about our Acatenango hike.

Take Photos of Street Art

From colorful murals in San Juan La Laguna to the picturesque windows and doors everywhere, I enjoyed taking pictures on our walks. San Juan La Laguna is especially colorful because of its community of artists.

Drink Guatemalan Coffee 

You can’t miss it – it’s everywhere! Guatemala is a top 10 exporter of coffee beans in the world, and you’ll find a lot of Guatemalan coffee in the U.S. But it hits different when you drink it in Guatemala. Sometimes all you need to add is a bit of sugar. You can find coffee shops everywhere, especially in Antigua and Panajachel.

If you’re a foodie nerd (like me), take a step further and visit a coffee farm (finca in Spanish). We didn’t do it on this trip since we did it a lot when we visited Indonesia, but here are some farms you could check out. You can also find tours on Tripadvisor or Viator.

• Shangri-La Atitlan (San Marcos La Laguna)
• Finca La Azotea (Antigua)

See where we drank coffee in Guatemala in this post.

(Learn about craft coffee in this post.)

Learn About Chocolate

Similar to coffee, you should try the chocolate here. You’ll see chocolate on coffee shop menus and bars of chocolate in gift shops. You can also tour cacao farms to learn about the process from tree to bar, make chocolate in a workshop, or take part in a cacao ceremony for a more spiritual experience.

Cacao was known as the “drink of the gods,” a sacred gift consumed by the elite on special occasions. It opens the heart, gives you focus, and deepens your connection.

• Fernando’s
• ChocoMuseo

(See my chocolate posts to learn more.)

Visit Tikal National Park

We didn’t add this to the schedule because of the distance, but one of the most popular sights to see in Guatemala is Tikal National Park. This is one of the largest Mayan archeological sites. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is far from other sights, in the north part of the country, so it can be hard to get to. From Guatemala City, you’ll take a flight to Flores and then a 1.5-hour shuttle from Flores to Tikal.

If you need more ideas, check out the natural pools of Semuc Champey or the beaches of El Paredón.

I hope you get to see this beautiful country for yourself! From historic buildings to inspiring landscapes, Guatemala is for adventurers!

Want to read more about Guatemala? See these posts:

• Eating and Drinking in Guatemala + Favorite Restaurants
• Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike in Guatemala
• Guatemala Travel Guide + 1-Week Itinerary

Looking for travel recommendations? I got you:

• 10 Best Things to Do in Costa Rica
• Most Inspiring Travel Experiences in the Last Decade of Adventures
• 10 Best Things to Do in Dominica – Caribbean’s Nature Island

The post 9 Best Things to Do in Guatemala appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

This post shares some of the things you’ll find on a traditional Guatemalan menu and some of the restaurants I visited. I’ve also included some of the restaurants I bookmarked and didn’t have time for, if you need more recommendations.

Foods to Try in Guatemala

If you’ve traveled in Central America or enjoyed Latin American food, you may recognize some familiar or similar dishes. Here are some of my observations on the dishes we had.

Corn Tortillas

I typically prefer flour tortillas over corn, but if these corn tortillas were the norm, I would order them every time! They are slightly thicker but not grainy. They’re typically served with a meal, especially if there are runny eggs and soups. They also take these and make thick tortilla chips.

Coffee

Did you know Guatemala is the 10th largest coffee exporter in the world? Yes, you’ll love the coffee here, and it’s not hard to find! In the cities I visited, there were coffee shops everywhere and you can even seek out a coffee farm to visit. Many times, we found the coffee didn’t need milk, just a bit of sugar. (Pictured below are delicious lattes from Cafe Loco in Panajachel.)

Typical Breakfast

Similar to other Central American countries like Costa Rica or Belize, a typical breakfast includes eggs, refried beans, fried plantains, and a slice of cheese. Don’t forget the coffee!

Pupusa

A pupusa is thicker than a tostada but crunchier than a tortilla. A pupusa is also typically filled in addition to topped, while a tostada is only topped. These originated in El Salvador.

Avocado/Guacamole

The “oro verde” (green gold) as one local called it. It is delicious! We enjoyed it as guacamole most of the time but also liked it as a side accompaniment and on toast.

Tostada

You’ve likely had a tostada. Imagine a big, circular, crunchy tortilla chip topped with goodness. For breakfast, you might see these tostadas with a spread of black beans and a fried egg.

Flan

You might have had it before and you should try it! (Pictured below is flan from Barriga Llena in Antigua.)

International/Western Food

I was surprised to see the prevalence of international and Western food options. During our trip, we enjoyed French toast, pizza, pasta, and croissants. This speaks to the influence of tourism in these cities.

Restaurants to Try in Guatemala

Here are some restaurants you should bookmark for your trip!

Antigua

Barriga Llena – This casual and trendy spot served a great meal. They focus on traditional dishes and local ingredients but may add a twist.

Arrin Guan – This restaurant hit the spot for a spontaneous breakfast

El Comalote – This restaurant highlights their native corn and you can taste it through their tortillas. Their pepian casserole was flavorful, and they had huge horchatas.

Nanik – This fancier restaurant has been getting recognition from multiple media outlets for its elevated dishes and creativity. While a few dishes and the cocktails were excellent, the second half of our meal had us leaving before dessert. It was about $150 for three cocktails, two appetizers, and two entrees.

Antigua Brewing Company – This is a solid brewery with a great rooftop

Ulew Cocktail Bar – While the presentation and theatrics are fun, this popular speakeasy cocktail bar located inside Antigua Brewing Company left flavor to be desired when we enjoyed four different cocktails. (Not sure if it was the bar or the bartender.) I guess the plus side was that the four cocktails cost $25 total. Expect funny drink platters, colorful drinks, and definitely smoke.

Siena Luz – We enjoyed coffee and a light breakfast in the lovely courtyard here. The cafe is also a bookstore.

Panadería Le fournil – Stopped in here for some very tasty French pastries. We had trouble finding a Guatemalan bakery, but this was a great consolation

Cafe Sol – We ran out of time to make it here, but this is a cute coffee shop

Caoba Farms Restaurant – Didn’t make it here since it’s a little farther to walk from Central Antigua, but it’s known for fresh eats on a farm

Luna del Miel – I had bookmarked this spot for crepes

Panajachel

Deli Jasmin – There are many recommendations for this restaurant, and here’s another! It has nice outdoor, garden seating, and I really enjoyed the chicken sandwich with fresh vegetables.

Cafe Loco – This coffee shop was excellent! It only has eight seats, but you can also take it to-go. It was started by a Korean man who helps export coffee beans around the world and is a local and traveler favorite.

Jose Pinguinos – We were intrigued by the live music the night before and came back for dinner. The meal was great, and it felt like one of the most Guatemalan meals of our trip.

7 Caldos – This restaurant is a chain, so it can be found in multiple cities. While it’s a tad more expensive, we enjoyed their breakfast.

San Pedro La Laguna

Sababa – Looking for a quick snack, we stopped here for a pasta dish (mediocre) and a sticky bun (pretty good). Their restaurant and bakery are separate, so you can’t order things from the other, but each spot has a great open-air view of the lake.

San Marcos La Laguna

Circles – We stopped here for a pastry and coffee slushie. It’ll be packed with foreign travelers, probably coming after their yoga class, but their French pastries (strawberry croissant) are solid.

Konojel Restaurant – This restaurant is run by a non-profit that provides jobs and training for women.

Il Giardino – This Italian restaurant was where we stopped for dinner. It was good but not memorable.

San Juan La Laguna

Cafe El Pajarero – This was a nice spot for a simple typical breakfast post hiking 

Nativo – We enjoyed resting and snacking here. The avocado toast and fruit smoothie were delicious.

We spent our 9-day trip eating and drinking around Guatemala and enjoyed all the flavors we got to try! I’ll be searching for great Guatemalan coffee in Austin and hoping to try the Guatemalan restaurants in town.

Plan the rest of your Guatemala trip with these posts:

• 9 Best Things to Do in Guatemala
• Guatemala Travel Guide + 1-Week Itinerary
• Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike in Guatemala

P.S. Trying food in different countries is one of my favorite things. Check out these posts or the travel eats page:

• 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan
• Eating and Drinking in Mexico City
• Eating and Drinking in Belize
• Best Restaurants in Dominica

The post Eating and Drinking in Guatemala + Favorite Restaurants appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

This post shares all the details about my experience and information you should know to plan yours!

What is the Acatenango Hike?

Acatenango is a challenging 5,170 ft hike to a 13,055 ft peak, about an hour outside Antigua, Guatemala. It is typically done in 24 hours with an overnight at a basecamp.

One of the main reasons for doing the Acatenango Hike is to see the nearby Fuego Volcano erupting as close as possible. The volcano typically erupts every 20 minutes, and while you can see the mountain from Antigua, an hour away, it’s a whole other experience seeing it from Acatenango’s summit at sunrise.

Here are the quick stats:

• The hike is 1,576 m / 5,170 ft
• The hike starts at 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
• The base camp is near 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
• The hike to base camp takes 4.5 hours, depending on your fitness level. This is from about 9:45 am to 2 pm
• There is an optional hike to Fuego from 4:30 to 7:30 pm the same day (to get closer to the erupting volcano)
• The hike to the Acatenango summit at 3,976 m / 13,044 ft starts around 5 am to see a 6:20 am sunrise. The hike up is about 1.5 hrs, and the hike down is about 30 minutes.
• The final descent is about 2-3 hours, from 8 am – 11 am.

In total, it is about 8-9 hours of hiking (or 13 hours if you do the additional Fuego hike) within 24 hours. There were about 4 official, longer breaks as a group, but you could always stop to the side for a breather. Our tour had front and back guides to ensure our group stayed together.

The terrain and elevation are what make this hike difficult. Parts of the hike are loose gravel, making it hard to get your footing. You’ll be very thankful for hiking poles! Going down is easier and faster but will be hard on your knees.

The dry/high season – November to April – is recommended for clear weather and less/no rain. The rainy/low season is May to October. They don’t cancel because of rain.

Hike Schedule

Here’s a quick rundown of our trip schedule:

• 7 am: Tour shuttle picks us up from Antigua
• 8 am: Arrive at HQ, eat breakfast, pack up final things/get rentals
• 9:30 am: Short drive to the hike start
• 9:45 am: Start Hiking
• 2:15 pm: Arrive at basecamp, eat lunch
• Afternoon: Take a nap, take photos, relax
• 4 pm: Say no to the 2nd hike, haha (hike left at 4:30)
• 4:45 pm: Hot chocolate and cookie snack
• 7 pm: Eat dinner
• 8 pm: Try to go to bed
• 4 am: Wake-up call
• 4:50 am: Start hike
• 6 am: Arrive at the summit
• 6:20 am: Sunrise
• 6:40 am: Hike back to basecamp
• 7:30 am: Back at basecamp, eat breakfast
• 8:15 am: Bye, basecamp! Start hike down
• 10:30 am: Finished the hike!
• 11:15 am: Back at HQ, unpack, snack
• 1 pm: Tour shuttle drops us back in Antigua

I work out three times a week, but hiking steep elevation is a whole other fitness challenge. My legs do not like inclines, and 4.5 hours of consistent inclines was a small torture. Thank goodness I had an audiobook to drone everything out. About one hour in at basecamp, I started getting a headache, and medicine zapped that quickly. Sleep was not very restful because of the cold and unfamiliar place, but it was enough to be ready for the morning hike! The morning hike felt even slower because we were back to steep inclines, and the path was crowded from the different groups. But wow, the views!

Where We Slept

Each tour company has a base camp on the mountain.

We opted for a private cabin, so we enjoyed our 7 ft by 5 ft structure with a door to ourselves. It had a mattress, two fleece blankets, several sleeping bags, and pillows.

Even with all the layers they provided and the ones we brought, I was a tad cold some parts of the night, but overall comfortable when I didn’t have to leave our enclosure!

On the outside, we each had a plastic chair and at the right time, a perfect view of Fuego.

What We Ate

The food provided was better than I expected. I heard rumors about plain pasta for dinner but was very happy we were served more than that. Overall, the food was not gourmet but was nourishing and somewhat satisfying for the short period.

After we were picked up in Antigua at 7 am, we arrived at the headquarters to enjoy breakfast.

We were then issued a food sack to carry on our hike. It included our lunch, utensils, and cups for the trip. Our lunch was hearty, and we enjoyed it when we got to base camp around 2 pm. (They recommend waiting until base camp to eat because hiking after eating could cause altitude sickness.) Lunch consisted of rice with veggies, curry-seasoned chicken, pineapple, an apple, a pack of Oreos, and apple juice.

Around 4:45 pm, they came around with hot chocolate and cookies to help us warm up.

Dinner was served at 7 pm, and it included penne pasta with carrots and red sauce, roasted chicken, and two tortilla chips. There was even wine for anyone interested. They also had s’mores around a campfire, but we were too tired and cold to join in.

We also brought hiking snacks that we ate during stops or along the trail. We packed these for our whole trip, but you can easily stop by a convenience store in Antigua before the hike. We opted for beef sticks and granola bars.

After the morning hike, we were served cereal with granola and warm milk, which we enjoyed while watching Fuego in the distance.

I was never hungry during the 24 hours. Honestly, I was focused on getting through the hike!

What to Pack

While tour companies have rentals, we wanted to be as ready as possible, so we brought most of our gear. The only things we rented were hiking poles (Q25/$3.24 USD each set), which I highly recommend having.

We hiked in late February. During our trip, the overnight low was about 30 degrees F / -1 degrees C, so warm layers were necessary. The hike started around 65 degrees F / 18 degrees C. Most of the hike was warm, and our clothes were sweat-soaked through, which is why an extra set of clothing to change into will be most comfortable when you get to basecamp.

Other essentials I had and recommend:

• Hiking backpack (good support helps; mine was 40L but 30L could work)
• 3-liter water bladder (required as everyone needs to bring their own water)
• Hiking boots
• Toilet paper (required since they don’t supply it)
• Gaiter or bandana x2 (lots of hiking dust)
• Beanie
• Gloves
• An extra set of clothing, including socks – I recommend light, long sleeves and pants for sun protection
• Thermals (for sleeping overnight and maybe the morning hike)
• Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
• Thermal jacket for overnight/morning hike (down or fleece)
• Hiking snacks
• Acetemetophin (for altitude sickness)
• Light rain jacket (good to have a light jacket plus if it were to rain)
• Phone and headphones (have music or an audiobook to keep you going)
• External charger

Other things I didn’t have that might have been nice:

• Compression socks
• Electrolytes (tablets/drink mixes)
• Hand warmers

Our tour company had rentals for everything, from heavy jackets, backpacks, and hiking shoes, so you don’t necessarily need to pack these from home. But items also depend on availability.

Acatenango Tour Options

I liked our tour company, V-Hiking. The team and guides were organized, professional, and encouraging. The food and sleeping arrangements were better than I expected. We were able to store our extra luggage at tour HQ, so we didn’t need to bring extra weight.

There is a range of tour companies by price. Our hike was Q850/$110 USD per person for a private cabin. A shared cabin with 3-4 people was Q600/$78 per person. The extra, 3-hour hike to Fuego is about $26 per person. I suspect some with lower prices have shared accommodations or not as good food. Here are some other companies I considered:

• Trek Guatemala
• Ox Expeditions
• Soy Tours

This hike was the worst and best thing. The above photos are a good representation. The photo on the left is when we first got to base camp and felt defeated that we did this terrible hike and everything was covered in clouds. We were worried we wouldn’t get to see anything. The photo on the right was taken a few hours later when it cleared up, and we could see the Fuego Volcano.

Now that I’m done with it and looking back, I’m glad it happened, and the views were incredible. Is it the easiest way to see a volcano erupting? Definitely not. Maybe go to Kilauea in Hawaii. Is it the best place to see above the clouds? Again, go to Hawaii for the Mauna Kea Summit Tour.

It’ll always be part of my memory of visiting Guatemala!

Need more recommendations for your Guatemala trip? Check out these posts:

• Guatemala Travel Guide + 1-Week Itinerary
• 9 Best Things to Do in Guatemala
• Eating and Drinking in Guatemala + Favorite Restaurants

I seek adventure. Here are some posts to read to find your next one!

• Diving with Manta Rays in Hawaii + Big Island Dive Guide
• You Must See Luxor’s Awe-Inspiring Sights When You Visit Egypt
• 10 Best Things to Do in Dominica – Caribbean’s Nature Island
• Most Inspiring Travel Experiences in the Last Decade of Adventures

The post Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike in Guatemala appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Here’s a quick rundown of our trip:

• 48 hours
• 20 miles walked
• 22 food stops including
• 10 spots for sweets
• 7 spots for drinks
• 4 restaurants
• 10ish? stores

It was a packed trip and we were exhausted by the end, but we made many great memories!

Sights We Saw – Places We Visited

One of the big reasons we came in December was to experience the city in holiday decor. It was special to walk around and see lights everywhere. It was busy though, so I recommend visiting on weekdays if possible.

Bryan Park Holiday Market – This outdoor market has many booths with vendors selling art, gifts, and food.

Rockefeller Center – You have to stop and see the famous tree. This year’s was 74 feet tall and 43 feet wide with 50,000 lights and a 900 lb star on top!

5th Avenue Lights – This street is known for its storefront holiday displays. Plus you can do some shopping.

Central Park – This is a lovely spot for a morning winter stroll. Grab a coffee before you go! Stop and watch ice skaters, admire the 42 arches and bridges, and take photos of the city skyline.

Shopping in Greenwich Village and Soho – These neighborhoods have plenty of clothing stores.

Little Market NYC – We passed by and found a charm bracelet bar. Of course, we made charm bracelets with a matching charm to commemorate the trip.

Times Square – Ideally, we wouldn’t stop here because it’s so busy, but check it out if you haven’t experienced it. We came to visit two specific shops – The Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardine and Line Friends.

Vessel – This landmark opened in 2019. We didn’t go up, but if you’d like to, be sure to get tickets. The structure is 16 stories high with 2,500 steps and 80 landings for photos.

Things We Ate

Is eating at 22 spots in 48 hours…too much? We almost thought so but it was all tasty! And walking 20 miles around the city got us pretty hungry. So, here’s what we ate during the trip.

Bryant Park Market

• Apple Cider Donut from Breezy Hill Orchard
• Ube Mochi Cookie and Pandan Mochi Bar from The Boiis Co
• Jian Bing from Jian Dumpling

The holiday market at Bryant Park was our first stop after dropping our bags at the hotel. We stopped at three different booths. There are several holiday markets around the city, and this is a fun thing to put on the schedule.

Seafood Pancake, Tofu Soup, and Woodae Galbi at Rib No. 7

The only reservation we had was at this Korean barbecue restaurant. The Woodae Galbi was excellent!

Cocktails and Basque Cheesecake at Harta 

Our nightcap back at our hotel was cocktails and a slice of basque cheesecake.

Lattes at % Arabica

We needed caffeine to get our day started and these lattes were delicious!

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie at Levain Bakery

This just might be the best cookie I’ve ever eaten! Lightly crispy on the outside, perfect flavors, and plenty of chocolate chips.

Strawberry Fruit Sando, Matcha Mochi Donuts, and Egg Sando at Postcard Bakery

One of our favorite stops, this Japanese bakery delivered three outstanding items. I loved that the fruit sando wasn’t milk bread but cake! And the egg sando had perfect filling.

Pizza at L’Industrie Pizzeria

You can’t go to New York City without eating pizza! And this spot was worth the short wait in line.

Strawberry Matcha at Boba Guys

We walked by Boba Guys and had to stop for a strawberry matcha. They were kind enough to divide it into three cups for us.

Juice at Joe and the Juice

We stopped here for a juice, mainly so we could use the restroom! But Janna said her juice was good.

Cupcake at Little Cupcake Bakeshop

I’ve seen accolades about this being one of the best bakeries but sadly we were very disappointed by our cookies and cream cupcake.

Churros at La Churreria

We stopped in for some churro bites. Good but not too special. Perhaps one of their specials or filled churros are better?

Beef Noodle Soup and Dumplings at Shu Jiao Fuzhou

This was one of our cheapest meals! A small bowl of noodle soup with beef and 12 dumplings for $13. It’s cash only.

Rooftop Cocktails at Bar Cima

This was rated one of the best rooftop bars in NYC and we could see why: very stylish decor and views of the Empire State Building. The cocktails were good too. We didn’t have reservations but got there earlier in the night.

Ube Eclair, Sugar Cookie Cruffin, Passionfruit Curd Donut, and Chocolate Croissant at Supermoon Bakeshop

We picked up pastries to eat later and these were delicious! Definitely a bakery I would return to.

Rooftop Cocktails at Daintree

While I liked Bar Cima more, Daintree is a few blocks away and also has views of the Empire State Building. I would recommend getting here before 9 pm if you don’t have a reservation.

Latte at Blue Bottle Coffee

This brand is only in four cities in the world and Janna said the shakerato is great!

Matcha Latte at Matchaful

I saw this was one of the best places for matcha in the city. It was tasty and I bought some matcha to enjoy at home.

Lox Bagel Sandwich at Russ and Daughters

I would come back for this bagel sandwich! It ticked all the boxes and was so delicious. It’s counter service, so expect a wait.

Strawberry Matcha Crepe Cake at Lady M Cakes

This slice of cake was so delicately flavorful and delightful. Perfectly flavored with strawberry and matcha.

Sandwiches from Heritage Grand Bakery

We got this to-go and ate them at the airport for a late lunch/early dinner. It hit the spot! They also have lots of baked goods and seating so it would be a solid place for lunch.

Quick Notes

Here are some things to know for your next future trip.

• Go on a weekday for cheaper flights and a less busy city. But flights and hotels will be pricey – about $450 for a non-stop, roundtrip flight from Austin and $400+ a night per person for a hotel.
• We stayed at Grayson Hotel (a Hyatt property). I recommend it for the Midtown location.
• Dress in layers and wear a beanie or earmuffs
• Getting from JFK Airport to Downtown:
  • Taxis at the airport are at a fixed rate of $70 + taxes and fees to come out to $98 per car
  • Rideshare is about $90-100 per car
  • Subway will be $13-19 per person
• If you’re serious about visiting specific places (like we were), map out those places to plan out an efficient schedule. Traveling around the city takes time.

Thanks for reading through my trip recap and I hope you enjoy some of these great eateries on your next trip to NYC!

Want more travel inspiration? Click to read these posts:

• 10 Best Things to Do in Dominica – Caribbean’s Nature Island
• My Bachelorette Party in San Antonio
• Best Things to Do in Washington, DC
• Cozumel Dive Trip with Cenotes, Whale Sharks, and Resort Life

The post 48 Hours in NYC – Here’s What We Ate and Saw appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Scuba Diving in Cozumel

The main reason we went to Cozumel was for scuba diving. Four of us are scuba divers and I had never dove in Mexico. Cozumel is one of the best places to dive in the Caribbean, and it’s a quick two-and-a-half-hour direct flight from Austin.

We did 3 days and 8 dives with Dive with Martin. Our resort has its own dive company, but we opted for a smaller company that offered semi-private boats. The semi-private boat limit is 6 people but we typically had 4 people max. Our resort’s boat had 8+ divers. For an additional fee, the company picked us up from our resort’s pier, so we didn’t have to take a taxi to the marina every day. The company also had free gear rental.

The diving was good! We saw typical Caribbean creatures like lobster, green moray eels, nurse sharks, green turtles, loggerhead turtles, yellow stingrays, and starfish. We were excited to see toadfish and my favorite, multiple nudibranchs!

Here’s a quick breakdown of our fees:

• 2-tank dives: $112
• Marine park fee: $7 daily
• Wetsuit rental: $10 daily
• Hotel dock fee: $3.50 daily

Cenote Diving

One bucket list thing for the trip was visiting and diving a cenote. We took the ferry to Playa del Carmen and the company – Xpu Ha Divers – drove us south to the cenotes. We paid for a cenote upgrade and visited Eden and Chikin-Ha. Typically, the dive company will give their recommendations.

Our dive guide shared that divers typically don’t enjoy their first cenote dives, which was the experience for me. It was enjoyable at times, like seeing the light rays, but at other times, it was uncomfortable and scary. Imagine diving in a dark tunnel! At this point, it was a one-and-done diving experience, but I’m glad we got to do it!

If you’re looking to dive a cenote, here are some additional ones to try:

• Dos Ojos
• Calavera Cenote
• Taj Mahal
• The Pit
• Chichen Itza
• Angelita
• Dream Gate

Whale Shark Tour

Another excursion we did was a whale shark tour. Again we took the ferry to Playa del Carmen and took a shuttle north (1 hour) to Cancun. Then we took a boat about 45 minutes out, past Isla Mujeres. There was a large radius where the whale sharks, about 20-30 feet long, were feeding. There were many boats out there but 2 snorkelers and 1 guide per boat were allowed in the water at a time.

While the experience is slightly chaotic – whale sharks don’t stay still and you have to move fast – but for a few seconds, the experience is magical. The whale sharks were so majestic! I’m not sure if I’ll ever see a whale shark while diving (hopefully one day!), so this somewhat manufactured experience was cool.

Resort Life

This was my first experience at Iberostar, a global hotel chain. We picked this all-inclusive resort because it was ideal for divers and had amenities, like a beachfront and a large pool, for non-divers. For us divers, we usually did a 2-tank morning trip from 7:45 – 11 am. Then we checked in when we returned for lunch, beach time, pool drinks, and games organized by the hotel.

The resort provides free daily use of snorkel gear, catamarans, and other water sports equipment for an hour (though there are additional fees like a Marine Park Fee). The pier is a great place to snorkel and see creatures.

Downtown Cozumel was about a 20-minute cab ride and some of us ventured out for souvenir shopping. Our cenote and whale shark excursions started and ended with being downtown, so we used that trip to shop. Otherwise, we spent all of our time at the resort.

The resort hosts different games and shows every night to entertain guests. The shows are music-themed with performers, and they also host a silent disco night and karaoke night. Alberto’s is the only restaurant/bar in walking distance from the resort and it can be accessed by the beachfront. They sometimes have live music.

Iberostar Cozumel was a spacious resort with multiple dining options, so I didn’t get tired of it. There was variety and I could typically find something tasty on the buffet or menu. They have breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet options, and also three specialty dinner options (first come, first serve) offering Mexican, Asian, and barbecue cuisine. There’s also a grill by the pool that serves burgers, hot dogs, and fries all afternoon, so you can typically find food anywhere in the daytime. 

Don’t forget the bars. The one in the main lobby is open all day (where to get coffee in the morning too) while the beachfront bar and pool bar are open mid-morning. The specialty restaurants also have their own bars.

All in all, we enjoyed the property and offerings and would visit other properties by the brand.

Things to Bring to a Beach Resort

We were making this list throughout the week, so I thought I’d share for your next trip (and leave a reminder for myself).

• Towel clips – These are for clipping your towel to your beach chair so it doesn’t blow away
• Reusable cup – There are refillable water stations, so this is great for staying hydrated
• $1 bills – While it’s all-inclusive, tipping bartenders and servers is nice
• Activated charcoal pills – Sickness prevention if you’ll be drinking or for minor stomach issues
• Stomach medicine – If you get sick when you travel, you’ll want this
• Motion sickness medicine – Bring this if you’ll be on a boat
• Bug spray – Heavy rain in Mexico brought TERRIBLE mosquitos during our trip, so we used this multiple times a day. Buying a spray can here will set you back about $17
• Tote bag – For carrying all your things from your room to the pool/beach
• Playing cards – Always good to have to cure boredom

Beach resort trip with friends – I highly recommend it! I’m so glad we got to make these memories.

P.S. See more diving trips here.

The post Cozumel Dive Trip with Cenotes, Whale Sharks, and Resort Life appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

One of my best friends has lived in Nashville for nearly two decades and I’ve been lucky to visit multiple times. Every visit is a little different, from young college kid to adult foodie, and it’s been fun returning and discovering more. This list includes places I visited on two visits in the last decade.

See below for recommendations on Nashville food, sweets, and drinks.

FOOD

Audrey

The flagship restaurant of Chef Sean Brock, Audrey celebrates traditional southern food inspired by his Appalachian roots. Named after his maternal grandmother, this restaurant has classic dishes on its menu like cornbread and grits, but the final presentation is elevated by quality ingredients and creative chefs. Their tasting menu, The Feast, is eight dishes served family-style for $75 per person. We were thrilled with the variety and size of the dishes and left very pleased with the meal.

Offering: Dinner, happy hour, weekend brunch

Neighborhood: Northeast, Mcferrin Park

Address: 809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

Website: https://www.audreynashville.com/

Cafe Roze

This hip yet low-key spot was great for a spontaneous dinner. I’ll be wishing for the smoked trout dip and steak and frites. Both were excellent and among the best eats we enjoyed in Nashville.

Offering: Lunch, happy hour, dinner

Neighborhood: Eastwood

Address: 1115 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

Website: https://www.caferoze.com/

Five Points Pizza

My friends tell me this is the best pizza in Nashville! I couldn’t verify since it’s the only pizza I had in Nashville but I really enjoyed it. I like that you can get it by the slice and the slices are huge! They have two locations.

Offering: Lunch, dinner

Neighborhood: West, East

Address: 1012 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206 and 4100 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209

Website: https://fivepointspizza.com/

Prince’s Hot Chicken

Known as the original Nashville hot chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken has seven locations and counting. We tried the X Hot (2 more levels after this) and it was pretty spicy. I think medium or hot would have had better flavor and you don’t want to order tenders.

Offering: Lunch, dinner

Neighborhood: Multiple, including downtown and the airport

Address: See locations here

Website: https://www.princeshotchicken.com

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

While Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has expanded outside of Tennesee (yes, even Austin!), it continues to be a go-to hot chicken spot in Nashville. They have five levels of spicy, from no spice (Southern) to mouth-on-fire spicy (Shut the Cluck Up). I had the medium but probably wouldn’t have minded more heat. Also, you don’t want to miss the Pimento Mac & Cheese! Their banana pudding is also a guest favorite.

Offering: Spicy Fried Chicken for lunch and dinner

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: Midtown Nashville (original location): 112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 plus 4 locations in Nashville

Website: https://www.hattieb.com/

Far East Nashville

What a great vermicelli bowl! I had the Bun Fareast with Vietnamese BBQ pork and it came with vermicelli, crispy egg roll, shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, Vietnamese pickled daikon and carrot, sliced cucumber, basil and cilantro. We also started with the tofu fresh rolls, and Abbie got the pork banh mi.

Offering: Vietnamese cuisine, including bun, banh mi, and pho

Neighborhood: East, Watkins Park

Address: 614 18TH Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Website: http://www.fareastnashville.com/

Frothy Monkey

Frothy Monkey is one of the most popular coffee shops in Nashville with multiple locations. They roast their beans so you know they’re serious about their coffee. They’re also a cafe so you can come for a casual meal.

Offering: Coffee; Full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 4 locations in Nashville

Website: http://frothymonkey.com

Barista Parlor

We were advised by a local to find the best biscuits here and they did not disappoint! This sleek, modern, and hipster coffee shop is the perfect place to wake up slowly.

Offering: Coffee and snacks

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 6 locations in Nashville

Website: https://baristaparlor.com/

SWEETS

Five Daughter’s Bakery

Yes, this bakery is worth all the hype! The 100 Layer Donut (a croissant donut) takes three days to make. You can never go wrong with a Quinn, their version of a kouign amaan. If you’re paleo or vegan, they have treats for you too.

Offering: Baked goods

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 6 locations in Nashville. See them here.

Website: http://www.fivedaughtersbakery.com/

Hattie Jane’s Creamery

This small-batch creamery is a Tennesee original and uses local dairy for their ice cream. They have two locations in Nashville, including one at Assembly Food Hall, one in Murfeesboro, and one in Columbia. I enjoyed their classic flavor Cookie Jar Supreme with cookies, brownies, and Oreos.

Offering: Ice cream

Neighborhood: Downtown, Donelson

Address: 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 and 2418 Lebanon Pk, Nashville, TN 37124

Website: https://hattiejanescreamery.com/

Baked on 8th

This bakery is currently being renovated but you can order for pick-up. You’ll have a selection of slices of cake, cookies, treat bars, and more. You’ll find a lot of classic flavors here.

Offering: Baked goods

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

Address: 1512 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Website: https://www.bakedon8th.com/

The Cupcake Collection

The cupcake tour continues! We stopped in The Cupcake Collection right when it opened and the bakery smells were so delightful. We got a four-pack with sweet potato, red velvet, blackout, and strawberry. Fans know best – their most popular sweet potato cupcake with cream cheese icing was my favorite! Can’t make it to Nashville? They ship!

Offering: Cupcakes

Neighborhood: Germantown, Lennox Village

Address: 1213 6th Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37208 and 6900 Lenox Village Dr. Suite 15, Nashville, TN 37211

Website: http://www.thecupcakecollection.com/

Fox’s Donut Den

Good ole classic donuts. Because sometimes you don’t need crazy toppings or combinations. You want a classic glazed or a blueberry cake donut. We picked up a few donut holes, and they also sell gigantic, sheet-cake-sized donuts that serve as an alternative to a birthday cake. Stop in if you visit Parnassus Books next door.

Offering: Donuts

Neighborhood: South

Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike #2, Nashville, TN 37215

Website: https://www.facebook.com/FoxsDonutDen/

DRINKS

Attaboy

The only other location of NYC’s award-winning bar of the same name, Attaboy in Nashville operates similarly to its original location. Expect modern and creative cocktails you order by telling the bartender your liquor and taste preferences. No reservations and you get in by waiting outside the door. They’ll be watching for your arrival. Our cocktails were $18 each.

Offering: Cocktails

Neighborhood: East, East End

Address: 8 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Website: https://attaboy.us/visit-us-1

Living Waters Brewing

We stopped in here for an afternoon beer. They have a few IPA options, though they brew all types of beer. They also have a coffee bar program, so you could drink both. It’s a cute spot with spacious table and lounge seating.

Offering: Craft beer, coffee

Neighborhood: East Hill

Address: 1056 E Trinity Ln #101, Nashville, TN 37216

Website: https://www.livingwatersbrewing.com/

Yazoo Brewing Company

One of the oldest breweries in Nashville, Yazoo Brewing Company is about 20 minutes from the downtown area. They have a taproom and tours available.

Offering: Craft Beer

Neighborhood: Madison Park

Address: 900 River Bluff Dr, Madison, TN 37115

Website: http://yazoobrew.com/

Jackalope Brewing Company

One of the most popular breweries in Nashville since 2011, Jackalope Brewing Company moved spaces since I last visited and has a colorful taproom.

Offering: Craft Beer

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

Address: 429B Houston St., Nashville, TN 37203

Website: http://jackalopebrew.com/

The Patterson House

This upscale bar with speakeasy vibes serves craft cocktails with a smile. While we had to wait a bit to get in (no reservations), the low-key atmosphere at the bar gave our laid-back night the cherry on top. Not to mention – the bartenders know their stuff and will help you find your next favorite cocktail.

Offering: Fancy cocktails

Neighborhood: Midtown

Address: 1711 Division St. Nashville, TN 37203

Website: http://thepattersonnashville.com/

I can’t wait to go back to Nashville again because I still have a list of places to try! Here are some recommended places:

• SS Gai – Thai chicken street food
• Maiz De La Vida – tacos
• East Side Banh Mi – Vietnamese
• Mas Tacos Por Favor – tacos
• Otaku – ramen
• Catbird Seat – tasting menu
• Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Southern cuisine
• Loveless Café – Southern cuisine
• Biscuit Love –  brunch and biscuits
• Pinewood Social – American food and bowling
• The Treehouse – American cuisine
• The Pharmacy – burgers
• City House – rustic Italian
• Vui’s Kitchen – Vietnamese

What are your favorite restaurants in Nashville?

P.S. Want to read more about travel eats? Check out these posts:

• Chef’s Tasting at Rooster & Owl in Washington, DC
• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan
• Eating and Drinking on Big Island of Hawaii
• The Ultimate Austin Foodie Bucket List

The post Best Restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I was so lucky to get the chance to visit Japan. Like so many before me, I was dazzled by my visit. I enjoyed the food, the culture, and the historical buildings. 

I highly recommend a trip to Japan. This country is great for people who want to explore a city and are adventurous eaters. To help you plan your trip, this post gives you all the nitty gritty details and tips. Keep reading for information and an itinerary.

Why Visit Japan

“Can you do that with more care?” A server quietly asked this to another server (in Japanese) during one of our meals, and it illustrates one of the things that makes Japan so special. The care that Japanese people put into their actions, fashion, and way of living is extraordinary. People are thoughtful, kind, generous, and helpful. Even if they’re frustrated on the inside, they are patient and understanding outwardly. It was easy to feel welcomed as a traveler.

In cities that are crowded and busy, I felt carefree. (Though I know I might have some bias from being on vacation.) Their thoughtful living makes processes efficient. You know to expect the order of where to stand when you get on and off a train. You aim to get everywhere early.

The food is so good! There are so many unique dishes to try. Seafood is a major ingredient in their diet, but you’ll see plenty of other protein. It might be slightly harder if you are vegan or gluten-free, but it’s possible!

It’s relatively easy to get around. The train system is extensive.

Altogether, you should visit Japan to marvel at its brilliance. From great hospitality to incredible meals, you’ll find a warm adventure when you visit.

Quick Tips

• Visa: Most countries, including the U.S., will receive a 90-day visa upon arrival.
• Language: Japanese
• Currency: Japanese Yen. $1 USD is about 148 JPY
• Credit Cards: Widely used. Cash is good for street food markets
• Tipping: None required
• Capital City: Tokyo
• Water: Tap water is drinkable
• Vaccinations: No special vaccinations are needed.
• Religion: Primarily Shinto and Buddhism

When to Visit Japan

The best months are fall (September to November) and Spring (March to May). This will also be the high season when you can expect more tourists.

Which Cities to Visit

It’s hard to pick a favorite city! Each one has its pros/cons and things that make it unique. This section will share more about the cities travelers usually visit.

We went to 5 cities (6 cities for one of us) in 2 weeks, with 2 cities (3 cities for one of us) as day trips. We visited what some would call the “greatest hits” or the most popular cities for tourists. 

While we loved each place, you can expect crowds and high-traffic city life. Of course, there are less popular cities to visit, but you have to factor in the time and money to get there (possibly less availability on trains) and the number of resources, like restaurants to try, in that place. It’s not impossible and depends on how you want to spend your time!

• Tokyo – Tokyo is very efficient and orderly. They have to be with that many people! You’ll find fewer trash cans (and less trash) on the street and clear signs indicating where to stand for the train. But while people are more reserved, they will jump to help you if you look lost in a train station.
• Hakone – If you want to find a slower pace in a mountain town and enjoy hot springs, Hakone is a good option. You could see Mount Fuji from here, and it’s also a great base for travelers interested in guided hiking adventures around Hakone and Mount Fuji.
• Osaka – This city is very similar to Tokyo but a little less strict. The people are more carefree and so are their habits. For example, there are more trash cans on the street and more trash strewn about. I found locals are less likely to jump to your aid but are friendly when asked.
• Kyoto – This city is the place of many shrines and temples. It’s where to go to learn about Japanese history and traditional customs like tea ceremonies and see old relics. If this is important to you, I recommend staying a few nights here and getting up early to see the sights. It gets exhaustingly crowded at popular tourist sights.
• Nara – While Nara is known for its wild bowing deer, you’ll also want to visit the most impressive Buddhist temple.
• Hiroshima – Most tourists probably know Hiroshima from its WW2 history. You can visit to see old buildings from the nuclear attack and memorials. It’s a bittersweet place to see and honor history.
• Hokkaido – This is Japan’s northernmost island. This region is popular for outdoor activities, like hiking and skiing.
• Okinawa – I want to come back and visit Okinawa to scuba dive!

How to Get There

International flights will likely fly into Tokyo for the most direct access. There are two airports in Tokyo – Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND). Haneda is the one closest to Tokyo’s center. Narita is about an hour’s drive from the center of Tokyo.

How to Get Around

Public transportation is efficient and widely accessible in Japan. You can travel from city to city and within cities with almost one card. Train station signage is usually abundant and clear, with English, color coding, and numbers.

We bought the JR Pass, which is about $563 for 14 days of travel. It’s recommended if you’ll be going to other cities and is supposed to be cheaper than paying for each route. This allowed us to take multiple long train rides. The pricing changed in the fall of 2023, so it’s recommended to price out your routes to see if the JR Pass pricing will save you money or not.

You’ll also need a Suica card. This is a metro card you can reload and it’ll get you around most train stations. You can get this at the airport when you land. This card will also take you longer distances, like city to city.

Google Maps or Apple Maps is your best friend! It will give you specific train information.

What to Wear in Japan

Dress for the season and layers are best. I went in the fall (Temperatures in the 60-70s) and noticed Japanese are very modest and dress warmly, commonly wearing pants or long dresses/skirts and also covering their arms.

Key Japanese Phrases to Know

While becoming fluent in Japanese is not necessary, knowing a handful of phrases shows respect and can get you further. I recommend watching some YouTube videos about “Japanese words for tourists” to get prepared. If all else fails, pointing, gesturing, and Google Translate will help you get by.

Here are some phrases I used:

• Konichiwa – hello
• Arigato gozaimas – thank you
• Sumimasen – excuse me
• Onegashimas – please
• Konbibi- convenience store
• Mizou – water
• Toyay – toilet
• Kanpai – cheers
• Hai – yes

What to Eat in Japan

I’ve got plenty of posts to help you plan what to eat! This includes special meals to make a reservation for and experiences to plan around.

• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan
• Sushi Omakase at Sushi Punch in Tokyo, Japan
• Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan
• 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan
• Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan

2-Week Japan Itinerary

The following 15-day itinerary combines things: what I had planned, what we did, and what I would do differently. It’s somewhat my ideal schedule but it’s also packed! When you’re looking at this to plan your trip, I would note the groupings of activities because of physical proximity but edit the schedule to your interests.

Some changes I made:

• We spent 3 nights in Hakone, which was relaxing, but could be a bit slow. It depends on how fast you travel.
• We had a day trip to Kyoto, but I would have liked to see more of Kyoto, either doing another day trip there or staying two nights in Kyoto. The train from Osaka to Kyoto is about 15 minutes, so you would save a bit of time by staying in Kyoto.

Day 1 – Travel Day

• Flight to Tokyo – left Austin at 7 am and stopped in Houston, left Houston around noon

Day 2 – Night in Tokyo

• Land in Tokyo at 3:30 pm – about a 14-hour flight
• Take the train to our hotel
• Walk to Omoide Yokocho (restaurant alley) for dinner
• Post-dinner walk around the Shinjuku neighborhood or Golden Gai for drinks

Day 3 – Tokyo

• Meiji Jingu Shrine (Shibuya) – opens at 5:20 am, large park to walk around
• Grab breakfast nearby – in Shibuya/Harajuku neighborhoods
• Lunch: Relax Shokudo (Harajuku) – traditional bento box meal
• Explore Haranjuku neighborhood
• Explore Shimokitazawa neighborhood for shops and vintage
• Shibuya Crossing around 6pm 

Day 4 – Tokyo

• Hie Shrine (opens at 6am)
• Imperial Palace (opens at 9am)
• Explore the Ginza neighborhood – Itoya Stationery Shop, Bongen Coffee
• Lunch: Kanda Matsuya – soba noodles
• Explore Akihabara – games
• Snack: Aoi Marushin – tempura
• Sensō-ji* – Buddhist temple
• Asakusa Shrine
• 5pm Ninja Food Tour

Day 5 – Tokyo

• Tsukiji Fish Market (open 8am – 2pm)
• Team Lab

Day 6 – Travel to Hakone

• Breakfast/lunch
• Take the train from Tokyo to Hakone
• Check into hotel
• Get a massage
• Dinner included at the hotel

Day 7 – Hakone

• Go up the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani
• Take the pirate ship sightseeing tour
• Visit the Hakone Open Air Museum – sculpture art
• Dinner included at the hotel

Day 8 – Travel to Osaka

• Take train from Hakone to Osaka in AM (3 hr ride)
• Shitennoji Temple
• Tennoji Park
• Dotonbori neighborhood – Kuroman Ichiba Market
• Taste Osaka Food Tour

Day 9 – Osaka

• Osaka Castle
• 40 min train to Namaze to Takedao (3.4mi hike)
• Cup Noodle Museum

Day 10 – Day trip to Hiroshima

• Train to Hiroshima – 2 hours
• Visit the memorial garden and museum

Day 11 – Day trip to Kyoto

• Train to Kyoto – 15 mins
• Hokan-ji Temple
• Tea Ceremony at Camellia Flower Teahouse
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Yasaka Shrine
• Explore Gion neighborhood

Day 12 – Day trip to Kyoto

• Train to Kyoto – 15 mins
• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – get there very early because it gets crowded
• Nijo Castle
• Nishiki Market
• Fushimi Kandakara Shrine

Day 13 – Day trip to Nara

• Train to Nara – 45 mins
• Explore Nara Park (all day, stop for lunch)
• Kasuga-Taisha Shrine – Shinto shrine with famous interior, 9am public prayer service
• Tōdai-ji Temple – Buddhist temple complex
• Hōryū-ji – Buddhist temple
• Kasugayama Primeval Forest
• Lunch at Hiraso 
• Mochi at Nakatanidou (go before 2 pm)
• Take train back for dinner in Osaka

Day 14 – Travel to Tokyo / Last Night in Japan

• Take train from Kyoto to Tokyo
• Mori Art Museum
• Last-minute souvenir shopping

Day 15

• Flight to Austin – leave Tokyo at 10:30 am, arrive in Houston at 8:30 am, arrive in Austin at 1 pm

Quick Reference of our Trip

• Airline to Japan: All Nippon Airways
• Tokyo Hotel: JR Blossom Shinjuku
• Tokyo Hotel: Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda
• Hakone Hotel: Masutomi Ryokan
• Osaka Hotel: Karaksa Hotel Grande Shin-Osaka Tower
• Tokyo Food Tour: Ninja Food Tours
• Osaka Food Tour: Taste Osaka
• Kyoto Tea Ceremony: Camellia Flower Teahouse
• Train: JR Rail Pass, Suica Card

Japan, I hope to see you again one day. I’d love to dive in Japan one day!

For more tips and recommendations, here are all my Japan posts:

• 13 Best Things To Do in Japan for a Fantastic Trip
• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan
• 10 Helpful Tips You Need for Your Japan Trip
• 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan
• Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan
• Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan
• Sushi Omakase at Sushi Punch in Tokyo, Japan

The post Japan Travel Guide + 2 Week Itinerary appeared first on Fearless Captivations.