Santa Fe, founded by the Spanish in 1557, is definitely off the beaten path for most foreign travelers and according to the guidebook, is “like Boquete 20 years ago” (before the white people invasion?) We really enjoyed Santa Fe. For us, it felt like a little slice of the interior of Hawaii… mountainous, exuding lushness, deliciously pure and cool air,…

Continue ReadingSanta Fe, Panama: Into the Mountains

After nine weeks of luxury in a comfy orthopedic bed, stocked kitchen and hot shower, we figured we were due a little roughing it. So, from Bucaro, we had the hosts from our housesit drop us off an hour away at the Isla Cañas dock to head out to a very long ocean spit for a chance to see sea…

Continue ReadingSimplicity and Sea Turtles in Isla Cañas, Panama

Thanks to our nine week housesit near Bucaro, Panama and the fact that it came furnished with a rough and tumble Toyota Helix, we had the opportunity to explore the Azuero Peninsula to our heart's delight. The Azuero Peninsula is located in the center, Pacific side of the country, which is bizarrely the south of the country as the country…

Continue ReadingExploring the Azuero Peninsula, Panama

Welcome to the jungle! Aka…our home for nine weeks in the Los Santos province of western Panama. When we took this housesitting opportunity, we knew it was going to be extraordinary, thanks to the sweeping Pacific views, the howler and capuchin monkeys that swing and hoot through the surrounding canopy, and the chance to watch four (regular) cats while communing…

Continue ReadingOur Jungle Book: Raising a Wildcat in Panama

We knew we were in for an adventure when we signed up to housesit four cats in a remote location on the Azuero Peninsula in Panama. What we didn’t know is how much being plopped in the jungle for 9 weeks actually affects your daily life. The first indication that this wasn’t a run-of-the-mill housesit (other than the minor addition…

Continue ReadingExploring our Jungle Gene: Housesit in Panama

Six months in Mexico was far from enough. And, it confirmed, no matter where we go and how much we travel, this country will probably always hold a piece of our heart and a coveted top spot in our list of favorite countries. Although we’re still undecided if we’ll buy property one day, here’s the top reasons why we’ll certainly…

Continue Reading20 Reasons We Love Mexico

If you’ve never been to Mexico and want an all-encompassing dose of the culture, Oaxaca is an ideal introductory option. The radiant city of 300,000 has a distinctive fusion of indigenous traditions, pre-Hispanic ruins, colonial architecture, a dynamic color palette, and a bursting food and drink scene, which is arguably one of the most succulent in the country. But, like…

Continue ReadingTasting the Simple Life in Oaxaca, Mexico

If we were going to choose any place we've been in Mexico as an authentic Mexico "starter" experience, Oaxaca might be the one we would recommend to people. It's captivating, it's vibrant, it's one of the culinary powerhouses of the country, it has ruins, and its loaded with unique experiences. Mostly due to the cultural heritage and indigenous Zapotecs and…

Continue ReadingIndigenous Experiences in Oaxaca