Here’s the deal: Time for another monthly recap and income report, where I share what’s new in the world of Desk to Dirtbag and offer a bit of transparency behind the blogging. On to this month’s report… Highlights Visiting Ecuador We finally made it to another country, my 18th (we are slow travelers). From what we’ve seen so far in …
Things to Do in Armenia, Colombia: The Capital of Quindio
Armenia, Colombia sits along the southern edge of the Coffee Triangle and is the third big city of the area along with Pereira and Manizales. Armenia isn’t exactly a popular tourist destination, being outshined by the pueblo of Salento just next-door. I’ll admit, I didn’t have many expectations for Armenia when I first visited, but I’ve traveled through twice now, …
Never Drive at Night: Overcoming Blockades and Protests in Oaxaca, Mexico
The first rule of driving in Mexico is to NEVER drive at night. Yet here we were: nearly 2 AM as I blasted down the dark and lonely road – the windows down as the smell of salty, warm air wafts into the cab. No other cars in sight. My eyes burned and cried out for sleep. Driving at this …
8 Things to Do in Salento, Colombia
Salento, Colombia sits in the heart of the Coffee Triangle — Eje Cafetero — just a short drive from the city of Armenia or Pereira. I’ve visited lots of little towns all across Colombia, but Salento stands out as one of the best — quaint and beautiful, friendly and fun. You could easily spend a few days or even a …
The Ultimate Road Trip – Driving the Pan American Highway
I’m big on road trips and traveling, so after a few extensive, long-term road trips across the United States, the next most logical idea was driving the Pan American Highway, or at least a pretty good chunk of it, as it stretches the length of North and South America, passing through some of the most incredible scenery on earth. If …
Ecotourism Among the Mangroves and Wildlife in La Ventanilla, Mexico
Just a few miles west of the popular beach town of Mazunte and the Mexico hippie beach town of Zipolite, lies a sleepy and tiny coastal fishing village called La Ventanilla, Mexico. Honestly, this is a place I’d never heard of and wasn’t on my radar, but I’m so glad we found out about it. We had stopped in to …
Hiking the Cocora Valley – What to Know Before You Go
The Cocora Valley hike is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Salento, Colombia. Here you will find towering +60-meter wax palms nestled into rolling green hillsides. It’s a unique and one-of-a-kind place, that should be on your travel bucket list. Information isn’t always great about how to go about visiting the Cocora Valley once you actually get …
Where Your Coffee Comes From: A Coffee Farm Tour in Salento, Colombia
I love great coffee. If you’ve been following my site for any length of time, you know I go to great lengths to have a great cup of coffee no matter where I am. Colombia is famous around the world for its incredible coffee, so when Uncover Colombia invited me on a coffee farm tour in the heart of Colombia’s coffee …