Stores at the base of Piedra el Penol in Guatape, Colombia

The Rock of Guatapé, Colombia: Everything You Need to Know

The Rock—also called Piedra el Peñol—is definitely the highlight of Guatapé, Colombia. Towering 656 feet over the ground below, this granite monolith has become something of an icon of the colorful town—and for good reason!  Beyond its own striking appearance, you’ll get jaw-dropping views of the surrounding landscape as you climb up to its summit. So if you want to experience one of the quirkiest features in all of Colombia, here’s everything you need to know about visiting The Rock of Guatapé. 

Couple sitting in front of colorful buildings with zócalos in Guatape, Colombia

10 Incredible Things to Do in Guatapé, Colombia

Guatapé, Colombia is a colorful village in Central Colombia that’s become a popular side trip to the sprawling city of Medellin. Guatapé is largely known for its zócalos, the colorful artwork along the baseboards of the town’s buildings, and Piedra del Peñol, an enormous granite monolith that towers above the surrounding landscape—but it has so much more to offer than that! Here’s 10 incredible things to do in Guatapé, the most colorful town in Colombia. 

Couple walking in front of a colorful building in Salento, Colombia

9 Incredible Things to Do in Salento, Colombia

Salento, Colombia, with its towering palm trees, colorful buildings, and misty hills, feels a bit magical—in fact, Disney’s Encanto was based on this charming village! And while the town may be small, with less than 10,000 residents, there’s still plenty to get up to here. Here’s 9 incredible things to do in Salento, Colombia, from drinking some of the best coffee to hiking under the tallest palm trees in the world! 

Woman sitting on a rock looking at Marinka Waterfall in Minca, Colombia

8 Incredible Things to Do in Minca, Colombia

The Pacific coastline of Colombia is one of the most popular areas for travelers to flock to in the country—but one town is often overlooked. The adorable town of Minca, tucked high in the lush Sierra Nevadas, offers incredible wildlife-watching opportunities, stunning waterfalls, and lots of chill vibes. So if you're looking to soak up some of those vibes for yourself, here’s 8 incredible things to do in Minca, Colombia. 

Couple embracing in front of the Prada Marfa art installation in Valentine, Texas

17 Incredible Things to Do in Marfa, Texas

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten path getaway, look no further than Marfa, Texas. This teeny town has become quite Instagram-famous, due to its unique mixture of artsy Burning Man-type vibes and its barren desert landscape. So if you’re planning to visit this unique place, here’s 17 incredible things to do in Marfa, Texas. 

Couple standing at the base of Temple I in the Grand Plaza of Tikal ruins in Guatemala

Visiting Tikal in Guatemala: Everything You Need to Know

The ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal is one of the most popular stops in Guatemala for visitors—and for good reason! Dating all the way back to 1000 BC, exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site kind of makes you feel like you’re Indiana Jones—in fact, you can even climb some of the temples here!  While visiting Tikal is definitely bucket list worthy, it also can be a bit confusing at times, from whether you need a guide and where to buy tickets to where to stay while you’re visiting the park and what’s worth exploring. My husband, Justin, and I recently spent almost a month exploring Guatemala, including these beautiful ruins, and have put together this guide with everything you need to know about visiting Tikal.

Woman sitting on the edge of a cold plunge pool at Los Termales in San Pedro on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

San Pedro on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala: Everything You Need to Know

Lake Atitlan is one of the most popular destinations for travelers in Guatemala, known for the 11 Mayan towns that are perched on its shores. San Pedro is one of these towns, which is renowned for its party vibes, Spanish schools, and epic volcano views.  While many people assume that San Pedro is nothing more than rowdy hostels and cheap beer, my husband, Justin, and I spent three weeks in this colorful town and discovered that it has SO much more to offer than its reputation might suggest. So if you want to get to know this magical town a bit more, here’s everything to know about San Pedro, Guatemala.

Three brown bears cuddling near a rock near Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park

Bear Viewing in Katmai National Park: Everything You Need to Know

Katmai is one of the most unique U.S. National Parks, with one of the highest concentrations of brown bears on the planet. But it’s not exactly the kind of national park that you can just stroll up to and see some bears—it’s also one of the most remote national parks in the country and the bears are only in certain accessible areas of the park at certain points in the year. So if you want to see one of the largest land predators on the planet for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about bear viewing in Katmai National Park. 

Brown bears fishing for salmon in Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park in Alaska

How to Get to Katmai National Park in Alaska

Katmai is one of the most unique national parks in the United States, given that it holds the impressive claim of having one of the highest concentrations of brown bears on the planet. However, you do have to work a bit to get to this special corner of the country—thie national park is located in a remote area of Alaska and can only be reached via plane or boat. If you want to see its famed bears for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about how to get to Katmai National Park.

Brown bears fishing for salmon on Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park

11 Incredible Things to Do in Katmai National Park

Katmai is one of the most unique U.S. National Parks—not only is it located in an incredibly remote part of Alaska, but it also is home to one of the highest concentrations of brown bears on the planet. My husband, Justin, and I spent four days in Katmai, primarily to see some of these magical creatures, and wound up discovering that this park has so much more to offer than its famous furry residents, including volcanoes, turquoise lakes, and fascinating history. Here’s 11 incredible things to do in Katmai National Park. 

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