Islands Archives | Practical Wanderlust

The Perfect (Detailed) Bali Itinerary for 2 Incredible Weeks

January 23, 2019

Rice paddies, monkeys, sandy beaches, volcanoes, temples: there is so much to see in Bali, Indonesia that it’s difficult to fit everything into one itinerary! But we’ve done the work for you and created the perfect 2-week Bali itinerary, plus tons of Bali travel tips to help you plan your trip. In this massive, giant, monster post, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan the perfect Bali Itinerary. I’ve included the exact 2-week itinerary we followed, plus suggested changes we’d make – and everything you need to know to plan your trip to Bali!

Asia

How to Visit Bali on a Budget: 8 Money-Saving Tips

Last Updated: October 30, 2019

Before our trip to Bali this past July, we wondered: Is it actually possible to visit Bali on a budget? I mean, 99% of the Bali photos you see on Instagram involve fabulously beautiful people rolling around in luxury villas, swimming with all 18 of their abs in infinity pools, and eating way-too-fancy breakfasts while wearing high-end watches. So, we weren’t sure: is Bali a luxury playground, or are there budget-friendly deals to be found? Well, good news: you can absolutely visit Bali on a budget! You’ll just be experiencing a different side of Bali from the resort-goers and luxury lovers. Leave your high-end watch at home – you won’t be needing it where you’re going. We’ve partnered with Expedia to create this guide to saving money on a trip to Bali. Here are our favorite money saving tips for visiting Bali on a budget!

Asia

25 Things Nobody Tells You About Backpacking Bali, Indonesia

Last Updated: December 12, 2019

From overly aggressive monkeys in Ubud to that time we crashed our motorbike to reusable straws to what you’re supposed to do with your toilet paper (we’re still not sure?), we learned a lot during our first ever trip to Asia. Most importantly, we learned that Bali actually IS worth the hype! Here are 25 things that nobody told us before our trip to Bali, Indonesia.

Latin America, Travel Tips

Essential Galapagos Packing List: What to Pack for the Galapagos Islands

Last Updated: November 16, 2019

The Galapagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador in South America, are a bucket list destination. From the clear turquoise water and white sand beaches to the huge variety of unique animals and happy, ecologically protected wildlife, the Galapagos Islands are a magical place to visit. We spent 9 incredible days exploring the Galapagos Islands on a budget and it was by FAR the highlight of our trip to South America. But there were definitely some surprises along the way. Like for starters, the Galapagos Islands aren’t tropical. At all. In fact, from island to island, the geography completely changes: Isla Isabela has palm trees and sandy beaches, but Santa Cruz is actually covered in desert and cactus and volcanic rock. The geological variation is part of what make the islands SO interesting – and surprising! Now that we’ve had some time to reflect, we’ve created an essential Galapagos Packing List to help you plan your trip.

Latin America

Travel Guide to Playa Blanca & Isla Baru: Cartagena, Colombia’s Island Paradise

Last Updated: January 10, 2020

Isla Barú, located just off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, is the kind of tropical paradise that most visitors to Cartagena envision when they book their tickets. Palm trees, bright blue Caribbean sea, sandy beaches, fresh seafood and fruit juice… heaven, basically. You can visit Isla Barú for the day, sunning on the shores of stunning Playa Blanca, or you can choose to stay overnight, which is what we did. Read this travel guide to Isla Baru for more tips about visiting Isla Baru and Playa Blanca, and our pick for the best Isla Barú hotel!

Latin America

12 Sun-Soaked Things to Do in Isla Mujeres, Mexico: A Massive Guide

Last Updated: December 24, 2019

Isla Mujeres, Mexico is a tiny, beautiful, sleepy little island located off the coast of Cancun. Its bright blue water, coral reef, sugar sand beaches, gently waving palm trees, migrating whale sharks, Mayan ruins, and giant iguanas that walk over your foot sometimes when you’re not looking (ok, scratch that last one) make it one of the best destinations in the Riviera Maya. If you’re looking for all the things that make Cancun wonderful without … like, all the things that make Cancun terrible (come on, we all know what I mean by that, right?) Isla Mujeres is a much quieter, sleepier way to enjoy a Yucatan vacation. In our giant, massive, extremely long guide to Isla Mujeres, we lay out everything you need to know about getting to Isla Mujeres from Cancun, what to pack, and where to stay. Read on to discover the best things to do in Isla Mujeres!