Results for "new mexico"

Agave plant
Rene in Yelapa

Finding the Hidden Yelapa Waterfall

In Yelapa, near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, there are two waterfalls, but one is secret. Everyone will tell you about the Yelapa waterfall, but they’re all talking about the one in town. There’s another bigger, better waterfall if you dare to hike to it. I didn’t learn about the secret waterfall until after I met my Airbnb group at the Malecon pier to tour Yelapa. It was just me, the guide, Carla, and two Americans from Colorado as we made our...

Rene snorkel los arcos

Snorkeling at Los Arcos in Puerto Vallarta

There’s an entire underwater world waiting when you go snorkeling at Los Arcos in Puerto Vallarta. I visit its mysterious depths after a walk, a ride in a Volkswagen bus, and a short hike. Then: transcendence. Los Arcos National Marine Park You can see these rocky outcroppings from downtown Puerto Vallarta, but you need to get close to them to appreciate their size and stunning beauty. They look like massive gray boulders dropped in the sea by Poseidon. Los Arcos...

Sayulita

Day Trip to Sayulita and San Pancho from Puerto Vallarta

In Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita and San Pancho are excellent places to take a day trip. These two beautiful beach towns in the Riviera Nayarit offer old-school culture and new-wave hipster vibes with amazing waves perfect for surfing or a hefty dose of culture for hanging out. The two towns are very close and can be visited on the same day as I did. What you’ll find there that you won’t find in Puerto Vallarta are more bespoke shops and restaurants...

A young charro boy sits astride a brown horse

Celebrate Day of the Dead in Puerto Vallarta

Celebrating Day of the Dead in Puerto Vallarta is a festive, weeks-long celebration of life that changed my perspective of death. In America, we mourn death and curse what it takes from us, but in Mexico, they take a different tack and celebrate the life once lived and practice intentional remembrance. That subtle shift makes a sad occurrence into a happy one, and the same event, an entirely different feeling across borders. Plus, it’s lively and beautiful to see. I...

Old Town, San Diego

Things to Do in Old Town, San Diego

I stumbled upon Old Town San Diego accidentally while looking for a “Saturday Market.” It ended up being one of those delightful days filled with fun and interesting things to see and do. The best part is that I didn’t know it existed until I was there. The reason I went to Old Town San Diego was because I read they had a street market on Harney Street, so I arrived and saw an entire busy district and a park...

Terlingua wood sign

Road trip: Terlingua, the Texas Ghost Town by Big Bend

There are “ghost towns,” and then there is Terlingua ghost town. One is for tourists and the other is an abandoned old mining town filled with ghosts. You’ll notice the difference immediately. See, I’m a city girl, so you’ll understand when I tell you that I expected there to be cafes and gift shops in Terlingua. They call it a “ghost town,” but I’ve been to ghost towns before. They’re usually tourist traps. Tarted up little towns that attract people...

Sedona, Arizona

8 Things to See and Do in and Around Sedona, Arizona

If you’re looking for a place to relax in a beautiful environment, there are plenty of things to see and do in Sedona, Arizona. The warm desert air is sure to soothe your weary bones, while the diverse geography offers plenty of outdoor activities, or spaces and places perfect to sit back and relax. Here are a few of the things I enjoyed in Arizona. Vortexes The Sedona vortexes are energy centers that are said to exist at ley lines...

Key West sailboat in the sunset

7 Things to Do in Key West Starting at the Overseas Highway

Driving the Overseas Highway to Key West is among the most epic drives you can take in the United States. Key West was also home to prolific American writer Ernest Hemingway, so, for me, it was a no-brainer – road trip time! My daughter Autumn and I flew to Miami and rented a car to drive the Overseas Highway on U.S. Route 1 through the Florida Keys. The highway leads you over 100 miles directly into the Atlantic Ocean and...

Rene at Niagara Falls, Canada

10 Tips to Travel More on a Budget

I’m always looking for a way to travel more, but as someone who hasn’t always had a lot of money, I’ve had to be crafty. These ten tips help me travel more affordably. I hope they allow you to travel more too. The biggest thing that makes travel a reality for me is flexibility. I’m as flexible as a contortionist when getting a deal on travel. I have a long list of places I want to go, so I’m ready...