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The third stop on our virtual tour is in my favorite Australian city, Cairns. Yes, Cairns beats Sydney in my book. I know, call me crazy, but there is a good reason why I fell in love with Cairns immediately. First and foremost, the climate. Cairns has a very tropical climate and anywhere with a tropical setting automatically wins a place in my heart. What can I say? I am a sucker for humidity, rainforests, palm trees, beaches, and the sun roasting my skin. Apart from the climate, Cairns is one of the most inviting places in Australia. What do I mean by inviting? The locals are your classic laidback, surfer, “carpe diem” type of crowd, which makes you feel like anything goes, which for the most part it does. The following are my top three things to do while visiting Cairns.
1. Visit the Great Barrier Reef
First ever Scuba Diving experience in the Great Barrier Reef.
The first item on my to-do list is the most obvious of all. If you travel all the way to Queensland how are you going to skip on seeing the world’s largest reef system? There are many different ways to visit the reef, one of them being scuba diving and snorkeling. My very first scuba diving experience was in the Great Barrier Reef. I am a swimmer and have been snorkeling plenty of times before but I had never truly experienced the beauty below the surface until I went scuba diving. I loved it so much that I became a certified diver and have been on countless scuba excursions since then.
When I went I used the company Tusa Dive for my introductory scuba experience. They provide both scuba and snorkel excursions. If you prefer not to scuba dive but are comfortable with snorkeling and want to get up close and personal with the reef then definitely check them out.
For more information on Tusa Dive company and their pricing check out their website here: https://www.tusadive.com/
2. Visit Cape Tribulation
In the name of transparency, I will admit that I had never heard of Cape Tribulation. When I was planning my trip I did what everyone does- I googled places to see in Cairns. One of the areas that continuously popped up was Cape Tribulation. After looking at photos of Cape Tribulation, I decided I had to see it. Port Douglas is about an hour drive from Cairns and apart from it being a beautiful beach, it is also part of the Great Barrier Reef so for those who do not want to adventure into snorkeling or scuba diving this is another excellent option to see the reef without even getting your feet wet! Why is Cape Tribulation on my list? Port Douglas and 4-mile beach are gorgeous beaches that are surrounded by a beautiful, green, and lush rainforest, which brings me to my third thing to do while in Cairns.
3. Visit the Daintree Rainforest
Daintree Rainforest Lookout.
When looking for ways to visit Cape Tribulation, I came across a tour that takes you to Port Douglas, 4-mile beach, and Daintree Rainforest on the same day. I am so glad that I opted for this tour because I feel like I got my money’s worth times ten. First of all, for those who do not know (like I didn’t), the Daintree Rainforest is the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world. It may not be the biggest (the Amazon) but it is the oldest. While walking through the rainforest I felt like I was in Jurassic Park. The views felt like they were from another world. I could have spent an entire week in the rainforest alone.
The other reason why I feel like booking this tour was the best is because the tour guide that I had was incredible. Extraordinarily informative but also had a very approachable and laid back personality. Basically, he knew his facts but knew how to laugh when people told jokes. The tour company’s name is Uncle Brian’s, and I will 100% book another tour with them when I return to Cairns.
The Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation, and the Daintree Rainforest are the best things to do while in Cairns and are each something I will recommend to anyone that is planning a visit to Cairns. You seriously cannot go wrong with any of these, and I can almost guarantee that you will wish that you would have spent more time in Cairns after your visit. Please don’t take my word for it though, get out there and explore Cairns for yourself!
Your virtual tour guide,
Janel
Interested in checking out more posts on Australia?
If you have been following my virtual journey on Instagram, you know the second city we visited in Australia is Adelaide. Adelaida is in South Australia, and if you are like me, you probably have never heard of it until now. I’m going to be fully transparent and admit that I had never heard of Adelaide, Australia until one of my close friends moved from the U.S. to Adelaide. I knew nothing about Adelaide except that she lived there.
Since I had a friend living there and I knew that I would be staying with her, I left the planning up to her to show me around her new town. I’m glad I decided to let her take over the planning because she showed me some excellent spots that I highly recommend to anyone visiting Adelaide. The following is my list of recommendations for activities to do while visiting Adelaide.
1. Jacob’s Creek Winery
While in Adelaide, I quickly learned that it is Australia’s wine capital. Immediately, it earned a place in my heart. I love a good glass of vino, what can I say? Knowing my undeniable love for good wine, my friend took me to a popular winery called Jacob’s Creek. Jacob’s Creek is a must-see while in Adelaide. The landscape of the Barossa Wine Valley is stunning, as you can see in the picture, and it makes me wonder why more people don’t mention Adelaide considering just how gorgeous it is. As for the wine, I bought a wine flight because if I’m going to spend the day at a beautiful winery and not try them all, what was the point? I savored each glass to the very last drop and enjoyed the views of the vineyard. If you live in the U.S. and you would like to try Jacob’s Creek before flying to Adelaide, you can buy it here, but I will say that there is something extra special about having a glass of their wine on their gorgeous vineyard. They offer tours around their vineyard, and their tasting room has lovely views of the vineyard.
Time to take a break from city life and bask in nature. It wouldn’t be a trip to Australia if there wasn’t a koala involved. Am I right? Let’s be honest, most of us learned about the animals of Australia thanks to Steve Irwin, and while everyone else can enjoy the array of poisonous snakes, spiders, and great white sharks that are plenty, I prefer the cuter, friendlier furry friends. Gorge’s Wildlife Park allows you to get up close and personal with several of the animals. While visiting, I was able to hold a koala. They smell like eucalyptus and love. Ok, just eucalyptus, but I loved being able to hold one in my own arms. I mean, how often are we able to be so up close and personal with nature?
Apart from koal-ity time, I was able to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies as well. Kangaroos and wallabies are hopping around everywhere at the park, and some of them even have babies in their pouches. One even held my hand while I fed it. It’s another experience that I highly recommend while in Adelaide or Australia in general. You can feed the kangaroos and watch them play with each other. Make sure that you provide them with the food at the Wildlife Park and not something else.
To find out more information about Gorge’s Wildlife Park and to plan your visit, check out their website here: https://gorgewildlifepark.com.au/
3. Morialta Conservation Park
If you love wildlife and nature and prefer not to visit a wildlife park but see the natural habitat, I highly suggest visiting Morialta Conservation Park. The trails provide Adelaide’s stunning views, including a waterfall, mountainous lookout, and even koalas freely roaming and climbing trees. Being someone who likes to walk at my local park a lot, my mouth dropped when I saw koala’s just hanging out in the trees above me. It was a very unique experience and one that I probably wouldn’t have had if it weren’t for my friend taking me there.
My beautiful friend and I finally reunited.
4. Mount Lofty Summit
If you want some insane views of Adelaide, then head to Mount Lofty Summit. It is found in Cleland Conservation Park, and even though it was cloudy when I visited, the views were still impressive. I’m an outdoor enthusiast, and anything that involves mountains, greenery, and views, I’m there.
The stunning views at Mt. Lofty.
5. The Beach
It wouldn’t be a visit to Australia without visiting the beach, now would it? Adelaide has a gorgeous coastline and a boardwalk in Glenelg, filled with tons of cute shops and places to grab a bite to eat. While I visited, it was too cold for me to go in the water because I was there at the end of their winter. Hence the jacket and jeans at the beach.
I never imagined I would be wearing jeans and a jacket to the beach.
I highly recommend anyone visiting Australia to make the trip to Adelaide because it is a nice and refreshing slowing down of pace from the busier cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. I hope you have enjoyed my top 5 things to do while visiting Adelaide and if you get the chance to go, let me know if you added any of these to your itinerary.
Like most travelers, I had a long list of places that I wanted to visit in 2020—Burning Man 2020, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico, Dublin, Ireland, and Machu Picchu, Peru, to name a few. And then BOOM. COVID-19. I’ve been trying to make a positive out of a negative, and I figured if I can’t travel around the world right now, I can at least do it virtually.
In 2017, I made a Trip Around the World where I started in Australia and ended in Iceland before returning to the U.S. I visited four continents and had a fantastic time. So why not relive some of those moments and show my followers places around the world that could be potentially added to their bucket lists. I mean, we can’t stay home forever. Right?
It has been quite the task to put this virtual “Trip Around the World” together, but it has also helped relieve some of the sadness I’ve felt from not just getting up and going. It has also brought back those lovely feelings of nostalgia and thoughts of “What the hell was I thinking?” The answer is, I wasn’t. I was living.
Not only has this project help me relive moments, but it has also allowed me to relive outfits—some that I probably never want to see again in my life and other staples of my wardrobe. For example, you may notice that I’m wearing shorts and a black tank top for many of my pictures. To this day, my sister makes fun of me for it because I packed a ton of cute outfits, but when I was in Asia, it was as humid as a swamp in the middle of summer, and I chose comfort over Instagram fashion. Looking back on the pictures reminds me that what’s cute to me today probably won’t be in 3 years; wear it anyway.
I’ve also decided to include a few videos. Some of them are of the weird things that I either ate or drank on that trip. I mean, if you are going to experience a country and it’s culture, food and drink are an essential part of it. If you don’t believe that, then just know that Anthony Bourdain (my travel hero) is shaking his head in disappointment at you from the other side.
Therefore for the next 30 days on my Instagram page, I will be sharing different places and experiences around the world and details about my experience of just the destination in general. There are a few destinations that I have included that are not from that same trip, but I wanted to include them. Apart from posting photos on Instagram, I will be posting on my blog weekly about one of the destinations that I have posted. The blog post will include my recommendations on what to do, sites to see, areas to check and out, and my experience.
The link to follow my Instagram page so you can follow along on the visual journey is below.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, everyone is facing challenging times ahead. People, like myself, have lost their jobs, and the future is uncertain. One question that I have gotten since mass hysteria hit has been, “As a traveler, how does this make you feel?”
Honestly, as a traveler, this is probably my worst nightmare come true. Having to stay put in one place for an extended period has never been a department that I excel in. I’m always on the go. Even when I’m not traveling, I find a way to be doing something. It can be work or leisure, but it’s hard to stay in my house for longer than a day. My closest friends even say that my Instagram stories exhaust them because I’m always doing something.
When news of the COVID-19 first came out, I was traveling in Panamá. I, just like many other travelers, brushed it off as not a big deal. The world, in general, seemed not to pay it much attention and brushed it off as just a simple cold. I didn’t want to alarm myself over something that appeared to be contained to only Asia while I was, in fact, in Central America far, far away from the epicenter of the madness. Thinking back on this rationalization, it was pretty ignorant to assume that in today’s day and times where travel is so easy that the virus wouldn’t spread quickly. Jump to today, March 26th, and the virus has spread across the entire globe.
Luckily, I was already back at my home before all hell broke loose. As a traveler, I would typically be all in for being stranded somewhere and just taking it day by day and figuring it out. Right now, if I were to be stranded somewhere, not knowing if my family is safe, I would probably lose my mind. My adventurous side has currently taken a back seat, and my family, my health, and their health has taken priority over everything. I’m concerned with the survival of the ones I love during all of this. I’m praying for everyone around the world. The ones who are suffering because of the virus, whether they have it themselves or have lost a loved one from it.
Although my focus has shifted, this doesn’t mean that I have totally forgotten about travel; it has actually made me appreciate more. I have been looking back on photos and video clips of places I’ve seen around the world. Now, more than ever, I realize how privileged I am. I have been able to see many parts of the world and soak in cultural experiences that not many people can say that they have had. I have been watching GoPro videos of my last sunset on the beach in Panamá, looking at pictures with friends around the old part of the city, and other photos and videos I took while I was there. These fleeting moments have now become cherished memories.
Once the quarantine is over, and we are allowed to freely move about the world, I plan on creating more memories and traveling to more exotic locations. If this quarantine has reiterated anything for me, it’s that when this life is over, I will be taking nothing with me. The only thing we will take with us is the memories that we make. What stays embedded in my brain during this chaos are the images of beautiful sunsets, gazing at the stars with my mom during summer, dancing with friends, walking on beautiful islands, listening to a stranger’s story, and sharing a coffee with a new friend. These are the moments that are engraved in my mind. The moments that I value and cherish now more than ever are the ones that seemed so simple at the time that they were happening.
I can’t speak for every traveler around the world because we are all different, and we are all dealing with this pandemic in distinct ways, but for now, I plan to continue to live in the moment. Worry less about the future and focus on the now. This doesn’t mean that I won’t continue to dream about foreign places and possible trips. Right now, dreams of freedom and unfamiliar places are the glue that is keeping me together at times. Until the last day of this arrives, I’ll continue to live through my photos and videos and vicariously through other travelers’ videos and pictures of places I’ve not yet been to. This also may be the spark that will light the fire for others to want to venture out and see the world. I choose to remain hopeful that this will trigger a positive shift in our mindsets and light a fire in our hearts to continue to explore the world. In the meantime, I’ll let my wings rest like the rest of the world.
One of the most popular destinations in Panamá is a small mountainous town of Boquete. Located about 7 hours away from Panama City (the capital) and roughly an hour away from Costa Rica, it makes for a perfect escape from city life and an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Some people refer to Boquete as the “Switzerland of Panamá,” and when you look at photos of the landscape, you can tell why people would give it this nickname. It is surrounded by mountains, a river that runs through the main town, and a luscious land that produces some of the world’s best coffee.
Not only is it a popular tourist destination, but it is also a hub for ex-pats. The reason being is that the climate is much more refreshing than the rest of the country. Although it does rain frequently, Boquete has a milder temperature as in 60 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit or about 15-22 degrees Celcius. The climate, in particular, appeals to ex-pats who look to not sweat to death in the tropics and a way to escape the crazy city life in the capital. Boquete is a win-win situation not only for tourists and ex-pats, but it is also an ideal getaway from Panamanians. Boquete is located about 7 hours away from the capital and is easily accessed via car or public transport (bus).
On my recent trip to Panamá, I was able to return to one of my favorite places, Boquete, and take in all of the waterfalls, nature trails, hummingbird and butterfly sightings, and delicious coffee that this beautiful town has to offer. Here are my suggestions on how to get there, where to stay and where to eat while visiting Boquete.
How to get to Boquete
Option #1- Take a bus from the city to David, Chiriquí.
The first option and the most economical is by bus. Buses leave the city from the Albrook Terminal. The regular bus takes around 8 hours because of the many stops it makes on the way, and it costs $15. The express bus leaves at night and arrives at David, the capital of the Chiriquí province, where Boquete is located at around 6 a.m. It takes 6 hours and costs $18. Personally, I prefer the express option. From David, you will have to take another bus to arrive at Boquete. It costs $1.50 and takes about 40 minutes. The schedule changes, so you must check once you arrive at the bus terminal in David.
Option #2- Fly from Panama City (Ciudad de Panamá) to David, Chiriquí.
Air Panama and Copa Airlines provide daily flights from the capital to David. They average around $180 round trip. It is the most expensive option but also the quickest. The flight takes around one hour from Panama City to David and the airport that you will use depends on who you decide to fly with. Copa leaves from Tocumen and Air Panama leaves from Albrook. Once you arrive in David, you will still need to arrange transportation from David to Boquete. A taxi can cost you between $20-$30 to take you directly to Boquete. You can also get a ride to the terminal and then take a bus from David to Boquete.
Option #3- Rent a car and drive to Boquete.
Renting a car in Panamá is similar to renting a car in the U.S. as far as the paperwork and processing. You can find excellent deals are car rentals with some rentals being as cheap as $20 a day. The downside to this option is that it takes around 7 hours to drive from the city to Boquete, this is including stops of gas and restroom breaks. Not only does it consume several hours of your day, but if you have never driven in Latin America or Miami, I wouldn’t suggest Panamá being your first experience. Between the insane traffic in the city, drivers who have absolutely no knowledge of necessary driving skills, and not the best road conditions, driving in Panamá isn’t for everyone. I have driven from the city to all different locations across Panamá, but that’s because I used to live in Mexico, and if I could drive there, then I could pretty much drive anywhere in the world.
Getting around while in Boquete- If you chose the bus option or flying and not renting a vehicle, then there are two options to get around in Boquete, one being taxi and the other walking. There are no Ubers in Boquete, so you can solely rely on taxis, which are pretty inexpensive compared to other parts of the country. I would never suggest using a taxi in the capital, but in Boquete, it is a safe and reliable option.
You can search for flights and rental cars on my favorite travel website Kayak.com. The bus times, availabilities and prices can be found at the Albrook Terminal.
Where to stay
Boquete has many options when it comes to lodging. It provides plenty of options for anyone between the penny-pinching traveler to the billionaire travelers like Beyoncé, who want a full-on luxurious experience. The following are options that go according to different travel budgets.
Option #1- Budget-friendly.
Hotel Central Boquete is an excellent option for anyone looking for a beautiful place to stay, but that doesn’t empty the bank account. The average nightly cost is $48 U.S.D. a night. What’s to love about Hotel Central Boquete? They have their own coffee shop, amazing views of the mountains, and there are hummingbirds continually flying around the back of the hotel. (That wins significant points for me, obviously.) Apart from that, the hotel is clean, decent beds, and it is not too far out of the main town.
Hotel El Oasis. It is centrally located so you can walk from the hotel to anywhere in the main town with no issues. Your view is of the local river that flows through the town and the mountains that surround Boquete. The rooms are comfortable and are your average hotel style setup. The average nightly cost is $85 U.S.D., and the level of comfort and convenience validates the cost.
Bambuda Castle. It wouldn’t be an actual travel blog post if I didn’t provide you with the spot to stay to make your Instagram feed as lit like a Christmas tree, now would it? I have not stayed in Bambuda Castle, but I have visited and what I can say is this, THEY HAVE HOBBIT ROOMS. That’s right—literal mini hobbit castles. You and a friend (or a lover or partner, no judgment) can stay the night and overlook the mountains while you reenact scenes from Lord of the Rings. I know, the influencer in all of us is just dying to stay there. The good news is that it is incredibly affordable. The average nightly cost is $79 U.S.D., which makes your hobbit dreams much more attainable. The downside? It’s pretty far outside of the main town, so if you didn’t bring a vehicle, you would probably end up spending a decent amount on taxis trying to get back and forth.
https://bambuda.net/boquete
Option #4- Luxury over expense.
Valle Escondido. If money isn’t an issue and you’re trying to experience what luxurious locations Boquete has to offer, then look no further than Valle Escondido. Valle Escondido (“Hidden Valley”) is a hidden resort that offers peace, solitude and nothing but the best in accommodations to all of its guests. It averages around $175 per night, and having stayed there myself, I can confirm that it is worth every single penny. It is comfort, beauty, and convenience all in one. Though it is hidden, it isn’t far from the main town, and while staying there, you don’t even feel the need to leave. There are flowers, streams, and cute gardens everywhere—plenty of places to get beautiful pictures, not just of the luscious landscape but also of the gorgeous resort.
Hacienda Los Molinos- This is for the traveler who doesn’t know the word budget, or at least it is the very last of their concerns. Averaging at $275 U.S.D per night, Hacienda Los Molinos is the definition of luxury. You can rent a villa and say “Adios!” to the outside world, well at least until you run into one of the other hotel guests, but for the most part, it is pretty private and also provides are more intimate experience than the rest. It is also the destination of many Panamanian weddings so don’t be surprised if you just so happen to be there the same day as a wedding party.
https://losmolinoshotel.com/
Where to eat
Although Boquete is a tourist hotspot, it is still a pretty small town. With that in mind, the food options are limited, but there are plenty of good restaurants around. In this category, I have decided to select my top restaurants for different meals.
Breakfast- Sugar & Spice
It is one of the healthiest options for breakfast that you will find in Boquete. They offer items such as pancakes, omelets, breakfast burritos, and typical continental breakfast. You may be thinking, “That isn’t healthy.” Compared to the traditional Panamanian breakfast options, which tend to be fried, such as fried sausage, eggs, and hojaldre (fried dough). Not only is it a healthier option, but I have never been disappointed in a meal since I started going there. Their food is fresh, delicious, filling, and their prices are reasonable. My personal favorite thing to eat is their omelet, but there are no wrong choices here.
This isn’t a healthy option, but if you want to try a delicious sandwich and strawberry milkshake, then you cannot skip out on Granito de Oro. It is located outside of the main town, going towards David. You can only reach it by car or taxi, but trust me, the ride is worth it. My favorite sandwich on their menu is their pork sandwich or “emparedado de pierna” even though I don’t eat pork often, there is no denying that this sandwich is beyond excellent. One of the main things that the Chiriquí province is known for, besides coffee, is strawberries. When visiting Boquete, you cannot skip out on trying “fresas con creama” or strawberries with whip cream, but at Granito de Oro, they don’t sell strawberries with cream. Instead, they sell the best strawberry milkshake that you will ever drink in Panamá. It is an obligatory stop anytime that I am in Boquete. Just be prepared to take half of your sandwich home with you because the portions are massive.
Location: Calle 4ta Noroeste, Alto Boquete, Panama
Dinner- Retrogusto
A lovely Italian restaurant that is t is on the fancier and more upscale level of dining in Boquete. Although it is on the pricier side, the food and service validate the price. The prices are also less than the costs of fine dining restaurants. My favorite plate is the gnocchi, but their pizza is fantastic as well. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a nice meal either by yourself or with the company of someone else.
Location: Avenida Central & Calle 1 Norte
https://ilretrogusto.com/
There you have it—my suggestions for transportation, lodging, and food while in Boquete. Be sure to look out for next week’s post when I discuss my favorite things to do in Boquete. Trust me; if you love adventure, then you won’t want to miss out on the next post.
The classic Boquete picture of the river that runs through the town.
Strawberry milkshake from Granito de Oro
Emparedado de pierna from Granito de Oro
Omelet from Sugar & Spice
When the milkshake is so good that you can’t resist a selfie.
Blue morpho butterfly. One of many butterfly species that can be seen in Boquete. This just so happens to be my favorite.
Inside of where the have their annual coffee and flower festival.
Boquete at night.
Views from one of the mountainsides.
The welcome sign before you enter the actual town.
The banks of the river that runs through the town.
The flowers in bloom during their love coffee and flower festival.
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