Islands Archives | Practical Wanderlust

Virtual Vacation to the Beach: Take a Tropical (Virtual) Trip from Home

March 27, 2020

Salty air. Waves lapping against the shore. Birds playing in the surf. Ahhh… heaven. Don’t you wish you were there right now? Well today, you’re going to get as close as possible! We’re taking a virtual vacation to the beach. And unlike the real thing, airfare is free and you’ll never get a sunburn! We’ll be guiding you through a visit to some of the best tropical destinations in the world. You’ll explore tucked-away islands, swim with whale sharks, and even try cliff diving! We’ve also included tips to make your virtual vacation as immersive as possible – no special equipment needed. So pack a bag (figuratively speaking) and let’s go!

Asia

The Perfect (Detailed) Bali Itinerary for 2 Incredible Weeks

Last Updated: April 1, 2020

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: April 1, 2020

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: April 1, 2020

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: February 10, 2020

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: March 31, 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!