We live with the motto that, one can choose to be blind to the world, or to be an adventurer in search of its treasure. And, although we do believe in taking all necessary and proper safety precautions during this pandemic, we were not going to let COVID keep us from living and experiencing our nomadic lives. So we adapted. We began 2021 quite differently than we had begun the past three years of our travels, deciding instead to look at traveling through a new lens; and to slow waaaay down. Looking through this new lens has shown us a completely open world book (COVID permitting), let us create a robust list of 60 things to accomplish by the time we’re 60 (which is much more measurable than a “bucket list”), allowed us to minimize even further by scaling back our two backpacks (holding pretty much all we own) and making them both carry-ons(!), and given us the staggering realization that our life was going to be fully nomadic from this point forward. Home-free…with no end in sight!

At the beginning of the year, we made a 2021 goal to cut our daily budget to $40/day (combined) or $1300/mo. reduced from $50 since we are now slowmading. Three months of housesitting gigs, lots of at home healthy meal preparation, and traveling in countries where our dollars stretch (aka geoarbitrage) enabled us to hit our budget for the year… while also visiting Mexico, Panama, and Colombia as well as squeezing in a road trip to New England in our own home country (also the most expensive month by far!!) 

That said, it’s time to wrap this year up with The Geneys, our annual “awards” list…

Best Cultural Experience

Ceviarem Temazcal in Oaxaca, Mexico

A temazcal spa is a sweat lodge found in the State of Oaxaca in Mexico. This pre-Hispanic spiritual ritual was used by the Zapotecs and has been around Mexico for thousands of years. It is said to represent the time inside a mother’s womb. When a person steps out of a temazcal, they are said to be reborn. It was one of the most mind-blowing, remarkable, and intimate experiences we’ve done in a long time. Highly recommend for couples (we preferred going alone and not with a group!), anyone on a soul-searching journey, or anyone who is having challenges in life and is open to change. Read the full story.

Honorable Mention: Riding a Chiva in Rural Colombia

When in Colombia, it’s mandatory for any voyager to hop aboard a rainbow dusted chiva to experience these robust mountain party buses, which have been plodding through the Andes since the early 20th Century.  We made the trek from Jerico to Jardin. “Chiva” means goat, which is a nod to the extreme mountain mud, cliffs, bumps, and curves the buses are required to endure on mostly one lane roads trudging about 8-15 kilometers per hour (5-10 miles.) They are colloquially known as “escaleras”—ladders—because of the ladders on the sides and roof so extra people, as well as goods can join the fun. Fortunately, we scored a non-roof seat. In addition to an adventurous spirit, it’s a ride that requires patience and dexterity, as you have to hoist yourself about a meter (3 feet) off the ground just to get in. Also, not so good for those afraid of heights as there are many moments when you’re trucking along on the edge of not-too-stable cliff without guard rails. Read the full story.

Best AirBnB

Rural Finca in Barichara, Colombia

This is a tough category because we spend so much of our time in Airbnbs. Our favorite, however, was our cute as a button private finca cabin for eight nights in Barichara, which we wrapped the year in. For us, it was over budget at $35/night, but was a well-worth-it year end reward when we’ve stuck to budget for the remainder of 2021. The finca was a private cabin with a phenomenal view, outdoor/indoor bathroom, an expansive farm-style kitchen, a super comfortable bed and a patio to bask in the upper 70’s t-shirt weather temperatures that douse this part of the country year-round. We were inundated with sounds of nature..insects and these funny-looking birds that look like pheasants, but sound a bit like a chicken crossed with the crank of a Model T. Also, the most important bonus? This Airbnb was a 30-minute walk to a place that continues to be one of our favorites on earth…Barichara.

Honorable Mention: Caribbean Bungalow, Bocas del Toro, Panama

After another very long day of travel from Santa Fe, we nestled into our Caribbean front bungalow for a week ($32/night.) We couldn’t have asked for a better place on Isla Bastimentos. We had our own hut and hammock, and a private bathroom with a hot shower around the corner. There was also a full shared kitchen, where we cooked our meals. The best part, however, was being seduced by the lull of the waves every night as we slept. And we also got graced with more sunshine than we thought possible during “rainy season.” Read Full Story.

Best Hotel or Other Accommodation

The Natural Reserve at Rio Claro, Colombia

In the little lush haven of Reserva Natural Canon del Rio Claro you will find an all-inclusive eco hotel tucked into a dramatic marble canyon with a crystalline waterway as your constant companion. They offer stellar activities at rock-bottom prices including some of the best spelunking of our lives. ($7.50/person for a three hour tour.) The two nights we stayed there was a definite splurge at double our normal daily budget of $80 a night (all meals included), but one that was absolutely well worth it. In our cabana, there were no doors leading outside but simply a mesh curtain leading out to a balcony overlooking the forest and the river below. Read Full Story.

Honorable Mention: Majikal BnB, San Andres Cholula, Mexico

Every once and awhile we stumble onto an accommodation that instantly makes a huge impression on us. Someplace that, when we find it, makes us love travel all the more, and jumps straight into our all-time favorites list. We found such a place in San Andres, Cholula. We spent a very comfortable week there soaking up tranquillity and relaxation in this one-of-a-kind family-run property. Originally the property consisted of four large family houses, which over the past 20 years have been meticulously divided and transformed into 22 extraordinary and impossibly adorable themed and decorated apartments. Every apartment includes all the necessities like a well-stocked kitchen, comfy living room/sitting area, private terrace/patio, private bath. And, the wifi worked phenomenally well too! Apartments start at $549 pesos or $27.50/night, but to be honest we were upgraded to the best room (Santa Clara) and paid $14/nights due to a publicity exchange. Read full story.

Best Unpaid Accommodation

Jungle Housesit on the Azuero Peninsula, 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 of the wild animal a few weeks prior, see below) was when the owners sent us the housesit guide, which in our experience is usually a 3-4 page document. On this occasion, we got a full-on 30 page manual of “light reading,” Marcy had joked. It was so vast that Mandy actually recommended she include a table of contents, which Marcy agreed would be a good addition. We loved this housesit for a hundred and one reasons…the view, the cats, the monkeys that surround the house, the fruit, the hiking trails, the wonderful staff, and our hosts, Ray & Marcy. We are very excited for the opportunity to return in the future. Read full story. 

Honorable Mention: Casita in Guanajuato, Mexico

In Guanajuato, we ended up getting five nights of free accommodation in this stunning royal blue two-story casita thanks to Naelly, who became our new real estate agent friend, in exchange for publicity. She’s the best and we know we’ll work with her again in the future. Read full story.

Most Charming Pueblo Magico (Mexico)

Bernal, Queretaro 

In the year 2001, the Mexican tourism board did something brilliant. They began recognizing pueblos mágicos, which are small “magic towns” that truly offer something a little different, whether it’s fantastic architecture, cultural curiosities, stunning natural wonders or even just exceptional regional food. Now of the 132 Pueblo Magicos in Mexico, and the 19 at least one of us (Greg) have been to, Bernal easily gained one of our top spots after spending a week staying in this little gem. One thing that makes Bernal so special is the iconic Peña de Bernal monolith, which rises 433 meters (1421 feet) majestically to create the staggering backdrop of the the town, which was founded in the 17th Century. It was really fun to climb. Read full story.

Honorable Mention: Tequisquipan, Queretaro

From Bernal, we decided to take a day trip to another pueblo magico of, Tequisquiapan, which the locals have acceptably and graciously nicknamed “Tequis.” The town has a 300-year heritage as a colonial town and was populated mostly by indigenous people. Like Bernal, it’s predominantly a tourist town, bedecked with shades of pink, on the famous Vino & Queso route, which mostly caters to weekend visitors from Mexico City and the city of Querétaro. Fortunately for us, we experienced it blissfully empty on a Wednesday. Read full story.

Most Dreamy Heritage Town (Colombia)

Barichara, Santander

Barichara is just this. Not only charming…., but utterly dreamy…. quixotic …. a starry-eyed hamlet. Its Spanish colonial architecture, red-tile roofs, wide undulating cobble-stone streets, and white-washed homes with perfect peekaboo windows emanates the aura from the pages of a romance novel. And, for this good reason, Barichara is often the setting for Spanish-speaking telenovelas and movies. Our week in Barichara in 2021 marked our second visit to Barichara. We first left a piece of our hearts here in 2014 during our honeymoon and know we’re breaking off an even bigger piece this time. Next time we come, it’ll definitely be for even longer. 

Honorable Mention: Jardin, Antioquia

Many blogs, guidebooks and locals all proclaim that Jardin, 3.5 hours south of Medellin, is the “most beautiful pueblo in Colombia.” So, being that we’re into cute things and buckets of color, it seemed like a place we definitely wanted to check out on our way south to the Coffee Zone. Jardin is beloved by Colombians and many tourists flock here every weekend, but we still loved it because it manages to keep its laidback, charming and authentic vibe. It’s a town made for people watching…absorbing…sitting back with a beer or tinto (Colombian coffee), and our favorite…for taking luxurious breaths of fresh air while hiking amongst waterfalls and rolling Andean scenery. Read full story.

Stinkin’ Cute Small Town (USA)

Middlebury, Vermont

In June, we decided to take an ambitious American-style two-week road trip to cover all the New England states and have a wonder through Mandy’s last six states. During our journey, Middlebury was by far the most charming town we stopped in on our two week New England road trip. It is known for its dignified brick and stone buildings, as well as being a college town. As soon as you roll into town it’s hard not to think, “wow, now this is somewhere I could live.” It seems to have lovely restaurant, shopping, recreation, and hotel opportunities as well. The architecture is unique and superb. Read full story.

Honorable Mention: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

In Portsmouth, we had flashbacks of our time in the UK as we enjoyed strolling the streets and visiting the USS Albacore submarine. This city, established in 1623, envelops the greater portion of New Hampshire’s minuscule 18-mile coast. It was once an important colonial seaport noted for fur trading and shipbuilding. Pictured is the North Church of Portsmouth in Market Square from 1657. Read full story.

US Roadside Attraction

Hindu Shrine in West Virginia

As we rolled into a state where “mountaineers are always free,” we were excited to kick off our shoes, at a top rated “five water tower” attraction on our Roadside America app called the Prabhupada Palace of Gold. Plopped on a secluded hilltop in West Virginia near Wheeling, the Palace of Gold bizarrely transports you to the sparkling and exotic land of India. It is the crown jewel of New Vrindban, a “curry-favoring utopia” founded in the late 1960s by the followers of Hare Krishna. It was meant to be a home for Krishna’s spiritual leader, Prabhupada.  Sadly he died two years before it opened. The place soon grew into a pilgrimage destination and palace fit for a raja, with crystal chandeliers, marble floors, immaculate stained glass windows, and mirrored ceilings. In short, particularly tucked in the hills of West Virginia…it was fascinating. Read full story.

Honorable Mention: USS Albacore Museum, New Hampshire

The Albacore was a Navy research sub which has been retired….in a ditch like a beached whale…since 1972. We know that it was a Cold War experimental sub, but we don’t know what types of mischief they were getting into. We also didn’t know what type of mischief we could get into! The best part about this tour is we got the sub all to ourselves so we were free to explore, play and pretend that we were in the Navy. Mandy climbs into the main door. Everywhere you go you have to watch your step and your head. When we learned that 55 men were onboard in these teeny spaces, just imagining was enough to induce some claustrophobia. Read full story.

Most Captivating City

Guanajuato, Mexico

There’s only been a few places in our lives we’ve been completely captivated by from the moment we stepped into its enchanting landscape. Guanajuato is undoubtedly one of them. Ambling throughout the callejones (alleys) of this city is like being tossed into a box of spilled Crayola Crayons. The 64-color box you always wanted, not the 24-color box you always got. Every precipitous hill, every mesmerizing color, every delectable meal, every neighborly encounter, it’s an absolute marvel. This is the very essence of Mexico and made us realize all the more how lucky we are to have this astounding and welcoming country as our neighbor. Read full story.

Honorable Mention: Mexico City, Mexico

The fifth largest world city at 23 million, often conjures up fear among many people…of crime, of chaos, of congestion of crust-moving. (Yes, there are a lot of earthquakes, of which we even experienced several small tremors during our short time there). But, in fact, this dynamic city has morphed significantly into a true treasure, even since Greg first saw it 22 years ago. It features an exploding foodie scene, easy-to-use and cheap public transport, trendy and historical neighborhoods, and world-class museums. In short, this megapolis uniquely founded on a lakebed in 1325 should never be skipped on a trip to Mexico. In our two weeks, we were glad to soak in a smattering of the neighborhoods, including the historic center, Polanco, Jamaica, Condesa, Roma, Chapuletepec Park, and Coyoacán. That said, it would take years and lots of contacts with locals to truly capture the full essence of this magnificent city. Read full story.

Best Natural Wonder

Zapatilla Island, Bocas del Toro, Panama

We both remember the days of FT office jobs and that iconic stock image we’d gaze at longingly while on an endless annoying phone call. We always wondered…where does the computer wallpaper comes from? Well, we think we may have found where it at the Zapatilla Islands of Bocas del Toro. Or…at least one version of it. The Zapatillas are two blissfully remote uninhabited islands off the coast of Isla Bastimentos and couldn’t offer more stereotypically idyllic beaches…ringed with white powder sand, crystalline tranquil Caribbean water, draping palm trees, and a piece of solitude if that’s what you’re seeking. And despite the fact that it was rainy season in Panamá, we waited it out a couple days and ended up with a bucket-of-sunshine kind of day. One of the benefits of slow travel for sure! Read Full Story.

Honorable Mention: Cocora Valley Wax Palms, Quindio, Colombia

Valle de Cocora is a cloud forest in the larger national park, the Los Nevados. If you watched the Disney movie Encanto this year, you might have noticed the soaring wax palm trees in the background. These trees, which fittingly look a bit cartoonish, are a notable icon for the country, and often stand over 200 feet tall with an incredibly skinny trunk that you can give a good squeeze. Reaching toward the clouds, they are ethereal and simply entrancing.

Best Man Made Wonder

Teotihuacan Pyramids, Mexico City, Mexico

Newsflash….You don’t have to go to Egypt to see pyramids. In fact the Americas, starting with our neighbor to the south, actually contain more pyramid structures than the rest of the planet combined (more than 2000!) This is thanks to ancient civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, Aztec and Inca, which all built pyramids to house their deities, as well as to bury their kings. Mexico is littered with these jaw-dropping structures built by Mesoamerican peoples around 1000 B.C. up until the time of the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century. Read full story.

Honorable Mention: Comuna 13, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Although Comuna 13 isn’t a Man-Made Wonder in the way that Teotihuacan is, it’s undoubtedly a wonder. This remarkable neighborhood of Medellin gave us tremendous hope. For cities that may be falling into a downtrodden path, for countries ripped apart by wars and dictatorships, and for our planet as it continues an uphill battle against climate change. It’s hard not to have hope when you see a neighborhood like Comuna 13. Less than 25 years ago, this sprawling hillside barrio was considered one of the most dangerous places in the world run by violent drug trafficking organizations, who used this area as a transit route in and out of the city and which served as a stronghold of guerrillas, gangs, paramilitary groups and the Colombian government. Today, through grassroots efforts of the community, it has exploded in quite a different way. It has completely transformed to include an interconnected network of escalators, a passionate street music scene, and undoubtedly the most vibrant and provocative street art we’ve ever laid eyes on. Plus, the people just seem to have a certain glint of hope in their eye as they welcome you left and right. Despite its tumultuous and heart-breaking past, you realize this is one resilient neighborhood. Read full story.

Best Transit Experience

La Garrucha Teleferico, Jardin, Colombia

We began one of our hikes in Jardin by taking a haphazardly constructed wooden and metal box across a pernicious ravine to a viewpoint called La Garrucha. Now, we’ve been on a lot of cable cars, gondolas and other floating contraptions, but this was our first boxed teleferico over a morality-testing pit. And it was….so AMAZING! Read full story.

Honorable Mention: Metro Cable in Medellin, Colombia

The public transportation system in Medellin is top-notch and certainly the best we’ve seen since Europe. In fact, it has an integrated Euro-quality metro, tram and cable car system, which we were very excited to move about in. Metro rides cost $.69 each, and we bought a Civica card for the time we were there with multiple rides. Riding the metro cable is a terrific way to get an inexpensive tour of the city, and visit arduously steep and local neighborhoods you might not see otherwise. Read full story.

Best Street Food

El Vilsito Al Pastor Tacos, Mexico City

Mexico as a whole unequivocally wins the top spot for street food. It has, not only the best street food of the countries we visited in 2021, but perhaps anywhere we’ve traveled. However, unlike Thailand or Malaysia, it probably won’t be winning any awards for “most healthy” options. Haha. Of the street food we had in Mexico, our award goes to El Vilsito in the Benito Juarez barrio of Mexico City. You would certainly never know it by the looks of it, but this mechanic by day and taco joint by night, serves the “best” al pastor tacos in Mexico, according to the Netflix TV Show, “The Taco Chronicles.” Greg watched this show for Spanish practice and confirmed, they’re the best al pastor tacos he’s ever had. He kept gushing “look at the marbling!!” Read full story.

Honorable Mention: “The Ceviche Lady”, Lo De Marcos, Nayarit, Mexico

In Lo De Marcos, you will find plenty of retired expats with strong opinions about US politics and food. According to them, it was necessary to visit the “ceviche lady” near Granja El Paraiso on “the concrete street.” We’re glad we listened. Not only were they the best ceviche tostadas we’ve EVER had, they were ridiculously cheap. $90 pesos ($4.50) which included two shrimp, two fish (both very loaded) and a drink. And huge bonus…fresh and healthy! This was the nice thing about being at the coast and not being only surrounded by the delicious buckets of lard-y tacos and fried delights we had experienced inland. Read full story.

Most Regrettable Departure

Manizales, Caldas, Colombia

This one surprised us. After a string of go-go-go travel and cuteness overload, we were ready to “settle down” for awhile (aka two weeks) in green and mountainous Manizales, which is one of the three mid-sized cities in Colombia’s Eje Cafetera, or Coffee Triangle. We liked Manizales…a lot. More than we thought we would, and in fact, surprisingly more than Medellin. A lot of this had to do with how much we loved our apartment, which was thoughtfully cozy and had a terrific view on the ninth floor ($21/night). The other reason we liked Manizales? It’s a digital nomad’s dream. It was just a very cheap, very safe, and livable place to be. Easy to buy groceries, easy to shop, easy to take transport and super fast internet. It also is known as “The City of Open Doors,” which is highly accurate considering its friendly and welcoming people (but isn’t that true for the whole country of Colombia?) Read full story.

Honorable Mention: Guanajuato, Mexico

We became 100% lovestruck by Guanajuato the moment we arrived and could have spent much longer than the five weeks we had. Its cheerful rainbow hues filled our hearts with pure joy, its weather is practically euphoric, its callejones (alleys) offer up nonstop discovery, its people…gentle, kind, and patient with our fumbled Espanol. For nomads like us, it became an easy place to live in as well…easy to find inexpensive grocers or markets with anything you might need and bountiful produce stands lining the streets, easy to buy necessities like prescriptions or water, easy to work online or find good quality Spanish language schools, and best of all… one of the most safely walkable cities we’ve ever been to. Read full story.

Most Underrated Destination

Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico

We weren’t originally planning on heading to the pueblo magico of Orizaba, in western Veracruz state, but thanks to a bit of buzz on the backpacker trail, we had become quite intrigued. And, it was exactly the dose of green and fresh air we were needing at that moment. In fact, we could have unpacked our bags for much longer than a week. This town of just over 100k is tucked into emerald mountains at the foot of Pico de Orizaba, which is the third biggest peak in North America. Orizaba is probably one of the most surprising places we’ve encountered in Mexico so far…packed to the brim with natural opportunities, as well as providing a little fantasyland for any budget-conscious family. Plus, we loved the fact that this pueblo magico is still mostly undiscovered on the tourist trail. Read full story.

Honorable Mention: Jerico, Antioquia, Colombia

One thing we’re quickly learning about Colombians is they love traveling within their own country. As they should. They are blessed with a plethora of phenomenal options, year-round great weather, and a wonderful tourism structure. We’re also realizing because of this, that weekends can be a bit of a madhouse when traveling to the many charming pueblos, particularly on the outskirts of big cities. However, one place that still seems less visited by locals, and virtually untouched by foreigners, is the endearing colonial town of Jerico. Here you will find authentic culture and traditions, like men riding their horses to the bar, the prettiest pink church any little kid has ever laid eyes on, locals listening to live music in the square, and a variety of artisan markets. What you won’t find are any Jerico t-shirts or keychains. Ahhhh, yes. We truly love this place. Read full story.

Most “Ah”some Moment

Tolantonga Hot Springs, Mexico

Tucked into the mountains of central Mexico, Las Grutas Tolantongo is an aquamarine hot springs Garden of Eden, which is arguably one of the most dynamic and entertaining natural thermal experiences we’ve ever dipped our toes in. The cliffside travertine pools reminded us a lot of Pamukkale (Turkey), except even more extraordinary because you could plop yourself down into the delightfully warm waters of any one of them. The park also features multiple hot springs waterfalls, a hot springs river (above), a 40-meter tunnel, a cave with a waterfall and regular swimming pools with water slides and diving boards. It’s a little off-the-beaten-path, but well worth the effort to get there. Read full story.

Honorable Mention: When the Generator went off at our Jungle Housesit, Bucaro, Panama 

Yes, this one is kind of a joke, but an amusing reminder that jungle and beach life isn’t always free of its challenges. Panama, while an absolute treasure for expats, isn’t exactly known for its reliable electricity and we lived in a house that was privileged with a back-up generator. However, in a world surrounded by nothing by sounds of nature, that mother f@$%er was LOUD. We always breathed a sigh of relief when we were able to turn it off again. Read full story.

Amazing Animal Encounter

Baby Jaggy, the Wild Jungle Cat, Bucaro, Panama

When we took a rural 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 with the rhapsodic sounds of true nature and nothing else 24/7. What we didn’t expect, however, was that we’d also be raising a five-week old rescued jagarundi jungle cat. In the nine weeks we were there, we watched him develop from a curious toddler to an adventurous pre-teen. Read full story.

Honorable Mention: Mama Sea Turtle Laying Eggs, Isla de Canas, Panama

Witnessing a sea turtle laying eggs on the beach is one of those life moments that’s just mesmerizing…truly something everyone should see. It’s purely incredulous that a turtle can find her way to the exact spot where she was born 15-30 years prior (depending on species) to bury her young. And like a tried and true single mom, she also knows exactly the method in which to do it safely. Read full story.

Best Restaurant

Elvia, Barichara, Colombia

Our friends who visited from the States, Abby and Alex treated us to an absolutely exquisite and mouth-watering meal at Elvia, which is a top 5 restaurant in Colombia and top 10 in Latin America. We were beyond appreciative and so impressed by the presentation and flavors of the food as well. The seven-course meal included things like Citrus Cured Trout, Coco Ceviche with Avocado Foam, Roasted Banana Heart Croquettes and a polished and professional atmosphere. 

Honorable Mention: La Cevicheria, Oaxaca, Mexico

In a country of sensational cuisine, Oaxaca is the cherry on top…an absolute powerhouse of incredible culinary options. One of the more notable restaurants we visited there was La Cevicheria. Dios Mio. It was hands down the most delicious ceviche of our lives and an insane value for what we received, the service and the presentation. Two entrees, an appetizer, agua del dia, chips/dip and tip came to $270 pesos ($13.) We ordered the mango/ceviche tostada which was an absolute flavor and texture explosion. The fish used was tuna and it couldn’t have tasted fresher than if it had been caught that morning. Read full story.

Best Hike (Senderismo)

Beehive Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

This trail is known as the popular “thrilling Acadia classic” which allows hikers to scramble, climb ladders and ascend the mountain rather quickly in about a mile. It also warned that this popular trail was not recommended for small children or people who were afraid of heights. We have neither of these so there was no problem. Despite the June crowds, the views from the top were simply phenomenal. Read full story.

Honorable Mention: Los Tres Cascadas, Boquete, Panama

Boquete is a flourishing, spring-like, and mountain-laden walker and hiker’s dreamland…as long as it’s morning hours. In the afternoons, due to rainy season, it’s normal to be blitzed with a tumultuous downpour which is a daily excuse to stay in, relax and be productive. We loved the cooler temperatures, as well as the melodic Euro-style church bells, tropical birds and peace of the community. Our favorite trail in Boquete was Las Tres Cascadas. This 3.4 km out and back “moderate/difficult” popular hike immersed us in the lushest and most verdant jungle canopy we’ve ever hiked in, and like its namesake, took us to three gorgeous and swimmable waterfalls. Read full story.

Best Country Overall

Colooooombia

For us, this title is a bit of a no-brainer considering since 2014, ColOmbia has been a country on the very top of our “favorites” list anytime people ask. (Side note: there are t-shirts here that read, “It’s Colombia, Not Columbia.” Apparently this is one way to really annoy a local.) Two and half months in has certainly confirmed our passion for this enthralling country which for us, truly has it all. Plus, it takes all that we loved about Mexico and Panama, and smooshes them together…

It has every type of terrain: Mountains—from the rolling green option to the snow-capped and volcanic variety, aqua blue Caribbean beaches, sweltering Amazonian jungles, and rippling farmlands. It has every type of climate—from hot and humid, to eternal spring, to cold and rainy. It is super easy and cheap to use public transportation. It has a robust local tourist infrastructure making accommodation, sightseeing and food options plentiful and competitive. It boasts functional and modern cities and the most vibrant and colorful colonial villages. The country is safe, despite the predominately tarnished worldview that many people have, still hanging onto 1980s/90s Narcos stereotypes. Colombian Spanish is easy to understand and speak…most of the time. And when it’s not, the locals are helpful, friendly and polite. Customer service is the real deal. It’s the only country we’ve ever been in where a taxi driver gave us money back because he “got lost and took too long.” Oh, and the icing on the cake? It’s easy to get up to a six-month visa. Living and traveling here is very doable on $40/day. We actually can’t come up with any cons for traveling here…although the food certainly isn’t as stellar as our honorable mention…

Honorable Mention: Mexico

Colombia did have stiff competition because 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. (For the record, those top five countries are now..in order: Colombia, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Turkey & Mexico). Read full story.