Travelogues

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend places and things we’ve personally used or vetted.

Cancun has a reputation problem. Mention it to a seasoned traveler and they’ll wrinkle their nose a little — Spring Break memories, the strip of identical all-inclusive resorts, party boats with foam cannons. We get it. We had the same instinct.

Then we actually went, and here’s what we found: the Hotel Zone is exactly what you’d expect, but it’s surrounded by — and acts as a gateway to — some of the most spectacular natural and archaeological wonders in the Western Hemisphere. The Great Mayan Reef is right there. Cenotes are everywhere. Chichen Itza is two hours away. Tulum is 90 minutes south. The Caribbean water is that impossible blue that exists almost nowhere else on earth.

Cancun done right is an excellent trip. Here’s how to do it right.

Is Cancun Actually Worth It?

Yes, if you know what you’re getting into. Cancun itself — specifically the Hotel Zone, or Zona Hotelera — is a 14-mile strip of beaches, resorts, clubs, and tourist infrastructure. It’s designed for convenience and beach access, and it delivers on both.

What Cancun is not is the authentic Mexico experience. For that, you go to downtown Cancun (El Centro), or — better — you use Cancun as a base and explore the surrounding region: the Yucatan Peninsula, the Riviera Maya, the archaeological sites, and the cenote network that makes this part of Mexico one of the most unique places on earth.

When to Visit Cancun

Best months: December through April. The dry season brings low humidity, consistent sunshine, and calm Caribbean seas. This is also peak season — prices are higher, and certain weeks (Christmas, spring break in March) get absolutely packed.

Shoulder season: May and early June are excellent — prices drop, crowds thin, and the weather is still warm and mostly sunny before the rainy season kicks in.

Hurricane season (June–November): The Yucatan Peninsula can be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, most commonly August through October. Weather is more unpredictable, rain is possible, and you should always purchase travel insurance if visiting this time of year. The upside: hotel rates can be significantly lower.

If you’re booking during hurricane season, do not skip travel insurance. We recommend World Nomads for Mexico trips — see our full best travel insurance comparison.

Getting to Cancun

By air: Cancun International Airport (CUN) is one of the most well-connected resort airports in the Americas. Direct flights operate from dozens of US and Canadian cities — including budget carriers that make Cancun genuinely affordable to reach. Set price alerts on Google Flights; we’ve seen round-trip fares from major US cities under $200.

From the airport: The official taxi stands in the arrivals hall charge fixed rates by zone ($30–55 USD to the Hotel Zone). You can also book a shared shuttle through your hotel or via Viator’s Cancun airport transfer options. Private transfers are worth it if you’re arriving late or with a family.

Where to Stay in Cancun

The choice between the Hotel Zone and downtown defines your entire Cancun experience.

Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera)

If you want beach access, resort amenities, and the full all-inclusive experience, you’re staying here. The Hotel Zone runs north to south, with the north end (near the airport) being more party-oriented and the south end being quieter and more upscale.

North Hotel Zone: Spring break central. Energetic, young, loud on weekends. Good if that’s your scene.

South Hotel Zone (Punta Cancun & beyond): Higher-end resorts, calmer vibe, still great beach access.

For families and couples who want a well-run all-inclusive, see our guide to the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico — we break down the best options by budget and vibe.

Top picks for independent travelers: Hyatt Ziva Cancun (excellent service, multiple pools, great reef snorkeling right off property), Le Blanc Spa Resort (adults-only, genuinely luxurious), Moon Palace (massive, great for families with entertainment options for every age).

El Centro (Downtown Cancun)

The actual city of Cancun — where Mexicans live and work — is a 10–20 minute drive inland from the Hotel Zone. If you want local tacos and tortas, authentic markets, lower prices, and a more genuine Mexico experience, you stay here.

Hotels are significantly cheaper downtown. The tradeoff is you’ll need a cab or the R1/R2 bus to reach the beach. For budget travelers or those who plan to spend more time exploring the region than sitting at a pool, downtown makes sense.

Search all Cancun hotels on Booking.com

Cancun’s Best Beaches

The Hotel Zone has beachfront throughout, but quality varies significantly.

Playa Delfines — The best public beach in Cancun. At the southern end of the Hotel Zone, it’s wide, uncrowded relative to other Hotel Zone beaches, has no resort blocking access, and has the classic Cancun photo-op sign everyone knows. Stunning turquoise water.

Playa Gaviota Azul — Mid-Hotel Zone, adjacent to the Forum mall. Nice beach, good access, one of the calmer stretches.

Playa Norte (Isla Mujeres) — Not technically Cancun — it’s on a small island 20 minutes by ferry from the port — but Playa Norte is arguably the single most beautiful beach in the Cancun region. Shallow, impossibly calm turquoise water, powdery white sand. Day trip or stay overnight on the island.

What to Do in and Around Cancun

Snorkeling & Diving

Cancun sits on the edge of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world. The snorkeling and diving here is world-class — diverse coral formations, sea turtles, colorful fish, and exceptional water clarity.

The MUSA Underwater Museum (Museo Subacuatico de Arte) is one of the most unique dive experiences on the planet: over 500 life-sized sculptures submerged in the Caribbean, now encrusted with coral. Available for both snorkeling and scuba. Book a MUSA snorkeling or diving tour through Viator — skip the glass-bottom boat and go in the water.

Cenotes

This is the thing that makes the Yucatan Peninsula unlike anywhere else. Cenotes are natural sinkholes or caves filled with freshwater, formed when ancient limestone collapsed to reveal the underground river system below. They’re scattered throughout the jungle surrounding Cancun — crystal clear, turquoise, and stunning.

Ik Kil — Near Chichen Itza; the most photographed, with vines hanging down into the blue water. Touristy but genuinely beautiful.

Gran Cenote — Near Tulum; possibly the most gorgeous we’ve visited. Clear enough to see the bottom, with stalactites in the cave sections.

Dos Ojos — Two connected cenotes near Tulum, famous for cave snorkeling and diving. One of the best cenote experiences available. Book a cenote tour from Cancun through GetYourGuide.

Chichen Itza

One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Chichen Itza is a 2-hour drive from Cancun and absolutely worth a full-day excursion. The scale of El Castillo pyramid is humbling in person — photos don’t prepare you for it. Go early to beat the worst heat and crowds.

Book a guided Chichen Itza tour from Cancun on Viator — guided tours add significant historical context and typically include Ik Kil cenote and a buffet lunch.

Isla Mujeres

This small island 20 minutes by ferry from Cancun’s Puerto Juarez is one of the most charming places in Mexico. Golf cart rentals, beautiful beaches, excellent seafood, and a laid-back vibe completely different from the Hotel Zone. Playa Norte is the standout. Spend a day or stay overnight — it genuinely recharges you.

Book an Isla Mujeres day trip from Cancun on GetYourGuide.

Tulum Day Trip

Tulum is 90 minutes south of Cancun and home to one of the most dramatically situated archaeological sites in Mexico: Mayan ruins perched directly on the Caribbean cliffs. The beaches below the ruins are stunning. And the town of Tulum has its own distinct travel scene — more on that in our Tulum Travel Guide. It’s an easy and very worthwhile day trip from Cancun.

Where to Eat in Cancun

Hotel Zone

Most all-inclusives are self-contained, but if you’re eating outside your resort:

La Habichuela Sunset — One of Cancun’s best traditional Yucatecan restaurants, beautifully decorated garden setting. Try the cochinita pibil.

Kinich — Authentic Yucatecan cuisine in a relaxed, locally-loved setting. Papadzules (egg tacos in pumpkin sauce) and poc chuc (marinated pork) are not to be missed.

Harry’s — Upscale steakhouse and sushi hybrid in the Hotel Zone; excellent for a special dinner out.

Downtown El Centro

Mercado 23 and Mercado 28 — Local markets with food stalls serving tacos, antojitos, and fresh juice. Authentic and cheap.

La Parilla — A downtown institution for traditional Mexican food. Everything is good; the fajitas are excellent.

Cancun Travel Budget

Cancun’s cost depends enormously on where and how you stay.

Budget Level	Accommodation	Food	Activities	Daily Total
Budget	Downtown hotel ($40–70/night)	Market tacos + local restaurants ($20–35)	Free beach + public cenotes	$80–130/day
Mid-range	Hotel Zone (non-all-inclusive) ($150–250)	Mix of resort + restaurants ($50–80)	Tours, snorkeling, Chichen Itza	$250–400/day
All-inclusive	Hotel Zone AI resort ($200–400/person)	Included	Add-on tours separately	$250–450+/day (per person)

Note: All-inclusive pricing varies wildly by property, season, and how far in advance you book. The best rates are typically found 3–6 months out.

Where to Book Your Cancun Trip

Hotels & Resorts: Booking.com has the largest selection for Cancun, including all-inclusives that can be booked without a package.

Tours: Viator is our go-to for Cancun’s big excursions — Chichen Itza, MUSA diving, cenote tours. GetYourGuide is great for Isla Mujeres and water sports.

Travel Insurance: Required if traveling during hurricane season; highly recommended year-round. See our best travel insurance guide for Mexico-specific recommendations.

Practical Tips for Cancun First-Timers

The public bus is great. The R1 and R2 buses run the length of the Hotel Zone and downtown for about $0.80 USD. If you’re a budget traveler or just want to get around cheaply, use it.

Tap water is not safe. Stick to bottled water and be cautious with ice outside of established tourist restaurants.

Don’t drink the tap water — even to brush your teeth. Use the bottled water your hotel provides or buy your own.

USD is widely accepted in the Hotel Zone, but you’ll often get slightly worse rates than paying in pesos. Withdraw pesos from an airport ATM or your hotel for day-to-day use.

Book cenote and archaeological tours in advance. Popular cenotes and Chichen Itza have capacity limits, especially in peak season. Book a few days ahead at minimum.

Watch your belongings on public beaches. The Hotel Zone public beaches see pickpocketing. Don’t leave valuables unattended.

Final Thoughts: The Real Cancun

Cancun isn’t trying to be Mexico City or Oaxaca. It’s not pretending to be undiscovered or “authentic” in the way some destinations trade on. What it is, done well, is a beautiful stretch of Caribbean coastline with extremely convenient access to some of the most remarkable natural and historical sites in the Americas.

The Hotel Zone is a tool — use it for the beach and the comfortable base, then get out and explore. Swim in cenotes. Hire a guide for Chichen Itza. Take the ferry to Isla Mujeres. Make the drive to Tulum (our full Tulum guide has everything you need). The Caribbean will be waiting when you get back.

That’s the Cancun most visitors never see, and it’s genuinely, surprisingly wonderful.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend places and things we’ve personally used or vetted.

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The first thing you notice in Barcelona is that the streets smell like food. Olive oil and garlic drifting from open kitchen doors, fresh bread from the panaderias, the salt tang of the Mediterranean two blocks away. Before you’ve seen a single Gaudí building or walked a meter of Las Ramblas, the city has already made its argument for why you should stay longer than you planned.

We’ve been to Barcelona twice — once for four days as first-timers, once for a longer stretch when we wanted to actually understand the city. Both times it delivered.

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Why Barcelona Is One of Europe’s Best Cities

Barcelona sits in an unusual position: it’s simultaneously one of Europe’s most visited cities and one that still manages to feel like it belongs to the people who live there. The neighborhoods have real character. The food scene extends far beyond tourist-trap paella. The architecture — Gaudí’s Barcelona in particular — is unlike anything else on earth.

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When to Visit Barcelona

Best months: May–June and September–October. Warm but not blistering, crowds are manageable, outdoor dining is perfect, and hotel rates are more reasonable than July–August.

Summer (July–August): Peak heat (90–100°F), peak crowds, peak prices. Book everything weeks in advance.

Spring (March–April): Excellent. Mild temperatures (60–70°F), far fewer crowds, and the city is genuinely beautiful.

Winter (November–February): Underrated. The city empties of tourists, locals reclaim it, and restaurant reservations are easy.

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Getting to Barcelona

By air: Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) is well-connected to hubs across Europe and direct to major US cities. The Aerobus runs express from the airport to Plaça de Catalunya in 35 minutes for €6.

By train: Barcelona is 2.5 hours from Madrid by AVE, 4.5 hours from Paris by TGV. Train travel in Europe often beats flying when you factor in airport time.

Pro tip: Get travel insurance before any international trip. See our best travel insurance guide for the options we actually recommend.

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Getting Around Barcelona

Barcelona is one of Europe’s most walkable cities. The Gothic Quarter, El Born, Eixample, and Barceloneta are all accessible on foot if you’re staying centrally.

Metro: Fast, cheap, and covers the entire city. A 10-trip T-Casual card (~€12) is the best value for most visitors.

Taxi / Rideshare: Taxis are metered and reliable. Cabify and Bolt are the main rideshare apps.

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Where to Stay in Barcelona

Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

The medieval heart of Barcelona — labyrinthine streets, Roman ruins, the Barcelona Cathedral, the best tapas bars. An ideal base for first-timers.

Top picks: Hotel Arts (luxury, right on the beach), Hotel 1898 (beautiful historic building on Las Ramblas), Sercotel Amelia Barcelona (boutique, great value).

El Born / El Raval

Our preferred area for repeat visitors — El Born is younger, more local-feeling, with excellent restaurants, independent boutiques, and the Picasso Museum.

Eixample

Barcelona’s elegant grid neighborhood with wide boulevards, Modernista architecture, and the best cocktail bars. A quieter base with easy metro access.

Search all Barcelona hotels on Booking.com — wide range across all neighborhoods.

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The Gaudí Buildings: What to See and How to Do It

Antoni Gaudí’s work is Barcelona’s primary architectural attraction. The most popular sites sell out weeks in advance — book ahead.

Sagrada Família

The most visited building in Spain and one of the most extraordinary structures on earth. Gaudí’s masterpiece basilica has been under construction since 1882 and is still ongoing. The interior floods with colored light from the stained glass.

Our strong advice: Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead in peak season. Book Sagrada Família tickets on Viator — skip-the-line tickets with audio guide are worth it.

Park Güell

Gaudí’s hillside park above the city — mosaic terraces, organic stone colonnades, and panoramic views of Barcelona. The ticketed Monumental Zone requires advance booking.

Book Park Güell tickets on GetYourGuide to secure your slot.

Casa Batlló

On Passeig de Gràcia — Gaudí’s most fantastical residential building, its facade resembling dragon scales and bones. The evening “Magic Nights” experience is particularly atmospheric.

La Pedrera (Casa Milà)

La Pedrera’s undulating stone facade and extraordinary rooftop with Gaudí’s famous chimneys are among the most photographed in Barcelona.

Palau Güell

In El Raval, less visited than the big names but extraordinary — intricate ironwork, parabolic arches, and a rooftop of colorful mosaic spires.

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Best Things to Do in Barcelona

Gothic Quarter Walking Tour

The Gothic Quarter’s Roman roots, medieval churches, and atmospheric plazas reward slow exploration. Book a Gothic Quarter walking tour on Viator — excellent half-day tours run for $20–40/person.

Picasso Museum

One of Europe’s most important collections of early Picasso work, housed across five connected medieval palaces in El Born. Book tickets online; the queues without tickets are brutal.

Barceloneta Beach

Barcelona’s city beach stretches 4 km along the Mediterranean. Perfectly swimmable and reliably warm May–October, just 15 minutes walk from the Gothic Quarter.

La Boqueria Market

Barcelona’s famous covered market on Las Ramblas is worth a walk-through for the visual spectacle. Don’t buy prepared food here — walk through and then eat breakfast in El Raval instead.

Montjuïc

The hill above the port offers panoramic city views, the MNAC art museum, the Olympic Stadium (from the 1992 Games), and the Fundació Joan Miró.

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Where to Eat in Barcelona

Tapas (The Right Way)

Avoid Las Ramblas for meals. The better tapas experience is in El Born, Barceloneta, and Eixample.

Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria): A legendary cava bar in Barceloneta — standing room only, dirt cheap, tremendous cava and bocadillos.

Bar del Pla: El Born’s best sit-down tapas bar. The ham croquetas are transcendent.

Seafood

La Mar Salada: Excellent paella and rice dishes near Barceloneta — honest, well-executed without tourist-trap pricing.

La Cova Fumada: The birthplace of the bombas and one of the most authentic seafood bars in the city. Cash only, no menu, no reservations.

Fine Dining

Disfrutar: Three Michelin stars, consistently ranked among the world’s 10 best restaurants. Book months in advance.

Tickets: Albert Adrià’s avant-garde tapas bar. Theatrical, creative, excellent. Also books out months in advance.

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Day Trips from Barcelona

Montserrat (1 hr): The jagged mountain monastery northwest of Barcelona — one of Catalonia’s most sacred sites and most dramatic landscapes.

Sitges (40 min): A beautiful whitewashed beach town — quieter than Barcelona, gorgeous beaches, great seafood restaurants.

Girona (1 hr by train): A perfectly preserved medieval city with a cathedral that rivals Barcelona’s and a beautiful Jewish quarter.

Costa Brava (1.5 hrs): Rugged coastline with rocky coves, medieval villages, and significantly cleaner water than city beaches.

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Barcelona vs. Other European Cities

Our take: Paris is deeper culturally but more expensive. Amsterdam is more walkable but smaller in scope. Barcelona occupies its own category — modernist architecture, Mediterranean beach access, and the distinct Catalan identity create something that doesn’t quite exist elsewhere. See our Paris in 4 days guide and 3 days in Amsterdam guide for full comparisons.

If you’re building a Spain itinerary, Barcelona pairs beautifully with Sevilla — see our Sevilla travel guide for what to expect.

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Barcelona Travel Tips

• Book Gaudí sites weeks ahead. Sagrada Família in peak season can be sold out a month in advance.
• Eat on Spanish time. Lunch is 2–4 p.m.; dinner starts at 9 p.m. Eating at 6:30 marks you as a tourist.
• Watch your belongings on Las Ramblas. Pickpocketing is endemic — use a front-pocket wallet.
• Learn a few Catalan words. “Gràcies” and “bon dia” are appreciated more than their Spanish equivalents.
• Take the metro. Fast, cheap, and goes everywhere. Get a T-Casual card.

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How Many Days Do You Need?

3 days: The minimum to see the highlights — Sagrada Família, Gothic Quarter, Park Güell, and the beach.

4–5 days: The sweet spot. Time to slow down in El Born, take a day trip, eat properly.

1 week: You’ll leave feeling like you understand the city — and already planning your return.

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Final Thoughts

Barcelona is one of those rare cities that delivers on its reputation and then some. The Gaudí buildings alone are worth crossing an ocean for. But the city’s best qualities are subtler: a neighborhood bar where the cava costs €2, a morning walk through a Gothic quarter that’s been continuously occupied for 2,000 years, a beach sunset over the Mediterranean that makes everything else feel very far away.

Go. Take more time than you think you need. Eat at 9 p.m.

Questions about Barcelona? Drop them in the comments — we check and always write back.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend places and things we’ve personally used or vetted.

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We have been to Kauai six times. We keep going back not because we haven’t seen everything — we’ve seen most of it — but because Kauai’s beaches are, in our honest opinion, the most beautiful in the United States. And we want to sit on them again.

The thing about Kauai’s beaches is that each one has a completely different personality. Some are calm, glassy, and perfect for swimming. Some are wild and rough and spectacular to watch. Some require a long hike to reach and reward you with near-total seclusion.

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A Few Things to Know Before You Go

Kauai’s beaches change seasonally. Winter swells (October–March) make the North Shore dangerous for swimming. Always check the surf report before entering water.

You need a car. Kauai’s beaches span from Hanalei on the north to Poipu on the south, and public transit is minimal. Rent a car — ideally a 4WD.

Parking fills up early. Hanalei Bay, Ke’e Beach, and Tunnels can have full parking lots by 8 a.m. in peak season. Arrive early or use Kauai’s county beach shuttle from Hanalei Town.

Na Pali Coast beaches require commitment. The most spectacular stretch has no road access — reaching Na Pali beaches means the Kalalau Trail, a boat, or a kayak.

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The Best Beaches in Kauai

1. Hanalei Bay

If we had to pick one beach that represents what Kauai is — the version of this island you hold in your imagination — it would be Hanalei Bay. The bay is a two-mile crescent of golden sand backed by emerald mountains, with the Hanalei River flowing into the west end and Bali Hai-esque peaks rising dramatically behind everything.

In summer, Hanalei is great for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and general floating around in the warm Pacific. In winter, the bay transforms into a serious surf break and swimming is not advisable, but the watching is extraordinary.

Best for: Everything in summer. Watching surfers in winter. Sunsets year-round.

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2. Tunnels Beach (Makua Beach)

Tunnels is Kauai’s best snorkeling beach — one of the best snorkeling spots in all of Hawaii. The reef just offshore creates a protected lagoon in summer teeming with sea turtles, reef fish, and the occasional spinner dolphin.

Best for: Snorkeling (summer), swimming (summer). Winter brings significant surf — not for swimming.

Book a Kauai snorkeling tour from the North Shore on Viator if you’d prefer a guided experience with gear included.

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3. Ke’e Beach

At the end of the road on the North Shore — literally the last point where Highway 560 ends — Ke’e Beach is where the pavement stops and the Kalalau Trail begins. Watching the sun drop behind the Na Pali cliffs while the water turns from blue to gold to pink is among the most beautiful things we’ve ever seen.

Note: Ke’e Beach requires a timed parking reservation during peak season. Book at gohaena.com before your visit.

Best for: Snorkeling (summer), sunset watching, Kalalau Trail access.

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4. Poipu Beach

Poipu is Kauai’s most swimmer-friendly beach — on the sunny South Shore, protected from North Shore winter swells with consistently calm, clear water year-round. Hawaiian monk seals haul out on the beach here regularly.

Best for: Family swimming, monk seal watching, year-round swimming.

For families specifically, see our full guide to Kauai with kids — Poipu is a centerpiece of our family recommendations.

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5. Shipwreck Beach (Keoniloa Bay)

Just east of the Grand Hyatt Kauai, Shipwreck Beach is a dramatic stretch of golden sand backed by sea cliffs and pounded by strong shore break. It’s not a swimming beach, but as a spectacle it’s extraordinary. Hike up the bluffs for panoramic views of the South Shore coastline.

Best for: Walking, watching waves, photography, cliff hike views.

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6. Anini Beach

Anini is Kauai’s hidden gem — protected by the longest fringing reef in Hawaii, which creates a lagoon so calm you could practically stand up in it. The beach is lined with ironwood trees that provide shade, rare and precious on a Hawaiian beach.

Best for: Calm swimming, snorkeling, families, shade.

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7. Secret Beach (Kauapea Beach)

Reaching it requires a steep 10-minute hike down a trail through thick jungle. When you emerge, you’ll find a vast, wild, cliff-backed beach — half a mile of golden sand, almost entirely undeveloped.

Best for: Dramatic scenery, photography, adventurous beach walkers.

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8. Haena Beach Park

Just before the road ends at Ke’e, Haena Beach Park is a long open-ocean beach that’s largely local-feeling despite its beauty. In summer it’s swimmable; in winter the shore break and currents make it dangerous. The ancient Maniniholo Dry Cave is right across the road (free to explore).

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Beaches by Activity

Activity	Best Beach
Swimming (family-safe year-round)	Poipu Beach, Anini Beach
Snorkeling	Tunnels, Ke’e, Anini
Watching big surf	Hanalei Bay (winter), Shipwreck Beach
Seclusion & scenery	Secret Beach, Haena
Sunset	Ke’e Beach, Hanalei Bay
Sea turtle spotting	Tunnels, Poipu

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What to Pack for Kauai Beaches

• Reef-safe sunscreen — required by Hawaiian law since 2021
• Snorkel gear — bring your own or rent from Snorkel Bob’s in Kapaa
• Water shoes — useful for reef entry at Tunnels and Ke’e
• Dry bag — keeps your phone and wallet safe in the water
• Beach umbrella — shade is scarce on most Kauai beaches

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Planning Your Beach Days

North Shore beach day: Tunnels for morning snorkeling → Ke’e for late afternoon + sunset. Stop in Hanalei Town for lunch.

South Shore beach day: Poipu for morning swimming → Shipwreck Beach for the afternoon walk and cliff views.

Anini beach day: Pair with Kilauea Lighthouse for a quieter North Shore day that avoids the Hanalei crowds.

See our full one-week Kauai itinerary for a complete day-by-day beach and activity plan.

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Where to Stay for Beach Access

Princeville / Hanalei area: Best for North Shore beach access — Hanalei Bay, Tunnels, Ke’e, and Anini are all within 20 minutes.

Poipu area: Best for year-round swimming. Great resort options.

See our complete guide to where to stay in Kauai for neighborhood-by-neighborhood recommendations.

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Boat and Kayak Access to Na Pali Beaches

The Na Pali Coast’s pocket beaches can only be reached by the Kalalau Trail, by kayak (summer only), or by boat tour.

Book a Na Pali Coast boat tour on Viator — these are among our favorite Kauai experiences and the best way to see the full coastline.

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Final Thoughts

We’ve been to Hawaii many times and Kauai’s beaches remain our favorites on earth. Start with Hanalei Bay. Snorkel Tunnels. Watch the sunset from Ke’e. And then start planning your second trip.

See everything else Kauai has to offer in our complete guide to best things to do in Kauai.

Which Kauai beach is your favorite? Leave a comment — we love hearing from fellow Kauai obsessives.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend places and things we’ve personally used or vetted.

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Nobody warned us how loud Nashville would be. Not just the music — though yes, it’s everywhere, blaring from every open door on Broadway at noon on a Tuesday — but the energy. The whole city has an electricity to it that’s hard to describe until you’re standing in the middle of it with a cold beer, wondering why you haven’t come here sooner.

We’ve been to Nashville twice now: once for a long weekend with friends, once as a couple who wanted something different. Both trips were completely worth it. Here’s what we’ve learned.

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Why Nashville Is Worth Your Time Right Now

Nashville gets a reputation as a bachelorette party city, and sure, the Nash Bash crowd is real and highly visible. But underneath the LED cowboy hat economy is a genuinely great American city with a world-class food scene, one of the country’s best live music ecosystems, a growing arts district, and neighborhoods that have nothing to do with Broadway.

The trick to a great Nashville trip is knowing how to balance the two: embrace the honky-tonk chaos when you’re in the mood for it, and know where to escape to when you’re not.

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When to Visit Nashville

Best months: April–May and September–October. Temperatures are mild (60s–75°F), outdoor patios are in full swing, and the crowds haven’t hit their summer peak yet.

Summer (June–August): Hot and humid (85–95°F), and the city is absolutely packed. The energy is high, but so are hotel prices and wait times.

Winter (December–February): Underrated. Hotel rates drop significantly, the honky-tonks are still rocking every night, and you’ll have a much easier time getting a table at popular restaurants.

CMA Fest (June): If you’re a country music fan, this is the weekend to plan around — four days of concerts and performances on multiple stages. Book months in advance.

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Getting to Nashville

By air: Nashville International Airport (BNA) is well-connected to most US hubs. See our guide on how to find cheap flights for strategies that work.

By car: Nashville is a reasonable drive from Atlanta (4 hrs), Chicago (5 hrs), St. Louis (4.5 hrs), and Charlotte (6 hrs). It’s a solid road trip anchor.

Rideshare: Nashville is very rideshare-friendly — Uber and Lyft are plentiful downtown.

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Where to Stay in Nashville

Downtown / SoBro (South of Broadway)

The most convenient base — everything is walkable from here, including Broadway, the Ryman, Bridgestone Arena, and dozens of restaurants.

Best options: Graduate Nashville, The Joseph (luxury, rooftop bar), Virgin Hotels Nashville (stylish, mid-luxury).

The Gulch

Upscale, walkable neighborhood about 10 minutes south of Broadway. A great choice if you want to be close to the action without sleeping directly above it.

Great picks: 1 Hotel Nashville (eco-luxury), Kimpton Aertson (boutique, excellent bar).

East Nashville

Nashville’s creative, independent neighborhood — coffee shops, vinyl record stores, farm-to-table restaurants, and zero bachelorette parties.

Search all Nashville hotels on Booking.com

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The Broadway Honky-Tonk Experience (Yes, You Have to Do It)

Lower Broadway is Nashville’s famous strip of live-music bars. The honky-tonks are free to enter, and most have live bands playing country music starting as early as 10 a.m.

• Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge — the OG, beloved by locals and legends alike.
• Legends Corner — great live music, a little less touristy.
• Wildhorse Saloon — massive, with free line dancing lessons on weekend afternoons.
• Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk — the rooftop view of Broadway is legitimately excellent.

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Beyond Broadway: Nashville’s Real Neighborhoods

12 South

One of Nashville’s most charming streets — lined with independent boutiques, acclaimed restaurants, and the famous “I Believe in Nashville” mural.

Don’t miss: Frothy Monkey (coffee), Burger Up (best burger in Nashville), Imogene + Willie (denim shop).

East Nashville

The city’s creative heart. Eat brunch at Mas Tacos or Mitchell Delicatessen, browse Five Points for independent shops.

Germantown

Just north of downtown, now one of Nashville’s most culinarily exciting neighborhoods. Henrietta Red, Rolf and Daughters, and Butchertown Hall are all here.

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Best Restaurants in Nashville

Hot Chicken (Mandatory)

• Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack: The original, the legend. Expect a wait.
• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken: More locations, slightly shorter waits, still excellent.
• Party Fowl: Good hot chicken with a fun bar atmosphere.

Fine Dining

• Husk Nashville: Southern cuisine in a beautiful Victorian building.
• The Catbird Seat: Nashville’s most prestigious tasting menu restaurant. Book weeks ahead.
• Rolf and Daughters: The handmade pasta alone is worth a visit.

Casual Favorites

• The Loveless Cafe: A Nashville institution since 1951. The biscuits and country ham are iconic.
• Arnold’s Country Kitchen: A meat-and-three cafeteria-style institution.
• Mas Tacos Por Favor: East Nashville’s beloved taqueria, cash only, perfect.

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Live Music Beyond Broadway

The Ryman Auditorium — the “Mother Church of Country Music” is one of the most beautiful performance spaces in America. Book Ryman tickets and tours on Viator.

The Bluebird Cafe — a small, intimate listening room where songwriters perform their own music. This is where Garth Brooks was discovered.

Station Inn — a legendary bluegrass venue in the Gulch. No-frills, great acoustics, serious musicians.

Third Man Records — Jack White’s record label and vinyl shop with regular live performances. A Nashville original.

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Nashville Tours Worth Booking

Honky-Tonk Crawl — Guided bar crawls hit the best Broadway spots. Book on Viator — several options at $30–$50/person.

Music City Food Tour — Guided walking tours hit 5–8 restaurants across a neighborhood. Find food tours on GetYourGuide.

Johnny Cash Museum — A well-curated museum with extensive memorabilia. Even non-fans come away impressed.

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Nashville vs. New Orleans

Both are iconic American music-and-food cities. Read our full New Orleans travel guide for context. New Orleans is weirder, more historic; Nashville has better hotel infrastructure and a food scene that’s catching up fast. Both deserve your time.

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Nashville Travel Tips

• Don’t drive on Broadway. Traffic is brutal and parking is expensive. Rideshare in and out.
• Book restaurants ahead. Top spots book 2–3 weeks out on weekends.
• Use a travel credit card. See our best travel credit cards guide for picks that actually pay off.
• Budget extra for the honky-tonks. Drinks on Broadway add up faster than you’d expect.

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Day Trips from Nashville

Jack Daniel’s Distillery (Lynchburg, 90 min): The world’s best-selling American whiskey, made in a dry county. Tours are well-run and genuinely interesting.

Mammoth Cave National Park (2.5 hrs): The world’s longest-known cave system. Book tours ahead.

Chattanooga (2 hrs): A surprisingly excellent mid-sized city with a fantastic aquarium and revitalized riverfront.

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Final Thoughts

Nashville rewards visitors who come with an open mind. The Nashville that’ll stick with you is the songwriter at the Bluebird playing something achingly personal, the hot chicken that temporarily removes your ability to speak, the sunrise over the Cumberland River with the city waking up around you.

It’s a great American city. Go find your version of it.

Questions about Nashville? Drop them in the comments — we read every one and always reply.

Best carry-on luggage for frequent flyers — we’ve been researching and testing travel strategies for years, and this guide covers everything you need to know. This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The right carry-on luggage genuinely changes how you travel. After years of testing bags across dozens of trips — Europe city-hopping, long-haul Asia travel, weekend domestic flights — we’ve narrowed it down to the carry-ons that consistently perform. Here are the best carry-on bags for frequent flyers, broken down by type and travel style.

What Makes a Great Carry-On?

Before the recommendations: what actually matters in a carry-on for frequent flyers. Size compliance is non-negotiable — the bag must fit in an overhead bin on your primary airlines (check their dimensions; US domestic is usually 22x14x9 inches). Durability matters because airport handling is rough and wheels/handles fail on cheaper bags. Weight matters because the bag itself eats into your weight allowance. And organization — whether it’s a hardshell spinner or a travel backpack — affects how efficiently you can move.

Best Hardshell Carry-On Spinners

Carry-On Size Guide by Airline

• US domestic (most airlines): 22 x 14 x 9 inches
• International carriers (most): 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches or similar
• Budget airlines (Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair, EasyJet): Much smaller personal item allowances — check current policies before booking, as these change frequently
• Rule of thumb: A 40L backpack fits virtually everywhere; a larger spinner may be gate-checked on regional jets

Packing Cubes: The Carry-On Game-Changer

Whatever bag you choose, packing cubes transform carry-on travel. They compress your clothing, keep categories organized (tops, bottoms, underwear/socks), and make it possible to unpack and repack in 10 minutes. Eagle Creek and Compression packing cubes on Amazon are our go-to recommendations — get a set of 3–4 in different sizes.

See also our guide to packing for Europe for a complete clothing and gear list to go with your carry-on.

Our Top Carry-On Pick

For most frequent flyers, the Away Carry-On (hardshell spinner) or the Osprey Farpoint 40 (travel backpack) are the two best options depending on your travel style. Both hold up to years of regular travel, both fit in overhead bins, and both make the carry-on-only lifestyle genuinely comfortable. Compare carry-on options on Amazon.

Planning resources: For the latest details, visit TSA’s carry-on rules and restrictions, IATA baggage allowance guidelines, and RTINGS.com luggage reviews and ratings.

Packing list for europe — we’ve been researching and testing travel strategies for years, and this guide covers everything you need to know. This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We’ve packed for Europe more times than we can count. This is the Europe packing list we actually use: stripped of the stuff we always leave in the bag untouched and full of the things we’ve been glad to have at midnight in a train station in Portugal.

The Golden Rule: Pack Less

Pack less than you think you need. You’ll carry your bag through cobblestone streets, up four flights of stairs in a Paris apartment, and on and off trains at 6am. Our rule: for 1–3 weeks, a carry-on only. Europe has laundromats, and merino wool base layers dry overnight in a hotel sink.

Clothing for Europe

Build a capsule wardrobe in neutrals (navy, grey, black) that mix and match. For a 10-day trip: 3–4 tops, 2 pants, 1 lightweight layer, 1 packable rain jacket (essential for UK/northern Europe), 4–5 merino socks and underwear, 1 walking shoe that works for dinner. Wear your bulkiest items on travel days.

Merino wool is the best travel fabric: it resists odor, dries fast, and works in a wide temperature range. Shop merino travel shirts on Amazon.

Shoes for Europe

Shoes are the biggest mistake most Europe packers make. The cobblestones of Rome, Prague, and Lisbon will destroy your feet in anything not designed for walking. Our recommendations: one pair of supportive walking shoes or trail runners that are also presentable enough for dinner (Allbirds, Hoka Clifton, ON Running all work well), and sandals in summer. Leave heels at home unless you’re going to a single city for a special event.

Tech and Electronics Packing List

• Universal power adapter — Europe uses Type C/E/F plugs; get one with USB-A and USB-C ports
• Portable battery pack — essential for long days navigating with your phone
• Unlocked phone or international SIM card — don’t rely on roaming charges
• Noise-canceling earbuds — for overnight trains and long flights
• Laptop/tablet — optional; a phone handles most needs

Documents and Money

• Passport (check expiry — many countries require 6 months validity beyond travel dates)
• Digital and printed copies of bookings stored in email
• Travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees — see our guide to the best travel credit cards
• Some euro cash for rural areas, markets, and old-school cafes
• Travel insurance documents — see our travel insurance guide

Toiletries and Health

Buy most toiletries at your destination — European pharmacies and grocery stores are excellent and it saves carry-on liquid space. Must-brings: prescription medications, any specific skincare products you depend on, blister bandages (for cobblestone feet), and a small first-aid kit. A good toiletry organizer makes TSA screening much faster.

The Bag: Carry-On Recommendation

A 40L travel backpack that fits overhead bin requirements is the gold standard for European travel. Osprey Farpoint 40 and Away Bigger Carry-On are excellent options — they’re durable, pack efficiently, and keep your hands free. See our full guide to the best carry-on luggage for frequent flyers for detailed recommendations.

What NOT to Pack for Europe

• A full-size umbrella (get a compact travel one or buy one there)
• A hair dryer (hotels provide them)
• More than 2 pairs of shoes
• Your entire skincare routine
• Jeans (they’re heavy, slow to dry, and uncomfortable in summer heat)
• Anything you’d be devastated to lose

The lighter you pack, the more you enjoy the trip. Every item on your packing list should earn its place — and if you haven’t used something by day 3, it probably didn’t deserve to come.

Planning resources: For the latest details, visit U.S. State Department traveler’s checklist, TSA – what you can bring on a plane, and European Travel Commission official site.

Best all-inclusive resorts in mexico — we’ve been researching and testing travel strategies for years, and this guide covers everything you need to know. This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Faceted Travel!

The all-inclusive resort formula works especially well for families — and Mexico has developed some of the best family all-inclusives in the world. When you have kids in tow, knowing exactly what your trip will cost (food, drinks, activities, entertainment: all covered) removes the biggest source of vacation stress. Add white-sand beaches, warm Caribbean water, and kids’ clubs that genuinely entertain children from morning to dinner, and it’s not hard to see why Mexico all-inclusives dominate family vacation planning.

We’ve researched the best options across Mexico’s main resort regions to help you find the right fit for your family’s budget and style.

What to Look for in a Family All-Inclusive

Not all all-inclusives are created equal, especially for families. Here’s what actually matters:

• Kids’ club quality — A good kids’ club (usually ages 4–12) is the difference between parents relaxing on the beach and parents chasing children around. Look for structured programming, safe supervision ratios, and activities that actually engage kids.
• Pool setup — Family resorts should have multiple pools: a shallow splash area for toddlers, a main pool for older kids, and an adult-only pool for when the kids are in the club. Water slides are a huge bonus for the 6–12 set.
• Food quality and variety — The best all-inclusives have multiple restaurants (not just a buffet), including options that work for picky eaters. Look for resorts with at least 4–5 dining options.
• Beach quality — Protected, calm water is essential for young children. The Cancún Hotel Zone and Riviera Maya generally have calmer Caribbean water than Pacific resorts.
• Room configuration — Family suites or connecting rooms matter enormously. Suite-style layouts with separate sleeping areas for parents and kids are worth the premium.

Best Regions for Family All-Inclusives in Mexico

Cancún Hotel Zone

Cancún has the most developed resort strip in Mexico and the widest range of all-inclusive options. The Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) is a 14-mile barrier island with resorts on both sides. The Caribbean-facing beaches have calm, protected water that’s ideal for families. Cancún International Airport has the most direct flights from the US and Canada of any Mexico resort destination, which helps with the logistics of traveling with kids.

Top family resorts in Cancún: Moon Palace Cancún (exceptional kids’ club and water parks), Hard Rock Hotel Cancún (entertainment-focused, teens love it), Hyatt Zilara/Ziva (adjacent properties — Zilara is adults-only, Ziva is family-focused with excellent amenities).

Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen to Tulum)

The Riviera Maya — the Caribbean coast south of Cancún — is home to some of Mexico’s most beautiful resort properties, often set in jungle backing directly onto the beach. The water here is calmer and the setting more natural than the Cancún hotel zone. Playa del Carmen has a walkable town center that gives a sense of local life beyond the resort fence.

Top family resorts: Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya (massive complex with incredible pools and kids’ club), Finest Playa Mujeres (ultra-luxury with exceptional family amenities), Grand Velas Riviera Maya (award-winning food, beautiful design, strong kids’ programming).

Los Cabos (Pacific Mexico)

Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo at the tip of the Baja Peninsula) offers a different Mexico experience — dramatic desert-meets-sea scenery, Pacific rather than Caribbean, and a generally more luxurious price point. Many beaches in Cabo have strong Pacific surf that’s not suitable for young children — look for resorts on protected coves or with pool-focused amenities. Popular for family travel from the US West Coast.

Top family resorts: Dreams Los Cabos (solid family programming, good beach), Barceló Gran Faro Los Cabos (newer property, excellent value), Marquis Los Cabos (adults lean, but good for families with older teens).

Tips for Booking Mexico All-Inclusives

• Book early for peak season — Christmas, New Year’s, spring break, and summer fill up 6–12 months in advance. Prices are significantly higher during these windows.
• Shoulder season is excellent — Late April through early June, and September through early November bring much lower prices with the same quality. Hurricane season (June–November) in the Caribbean has risk, but most years the weather is fine.
• Check for kids stay/eat free deals — Many Mexico resorts offer kids under 12 free with paying adult rooms. This dramatically changes the value calculation for families.
• Read recent reviews on TripAdvisor — Quality varies by season and management changes. Recent reviews (last 6 months) are far more useful than aggregate scores.
• Travel insurance is worth it for family trips — See our travel insurance guide — with kids, the cancellation coverage alone pays for the policy.

Where to Book Your Mexico All-Inclusive

• Hotel search and comparison: Booking.com Mexico all-inclusives
• Package deals (flight + hotel): Expedia Mexico packages — bundling often saves significantly over booking separately
• Cancún day excursions (Chichén Itzá, cenotes, Cozumel snorkeling): Viator Cancún tours

The best Mexico all-inclusive for your family is the one that matches your specific priorities — whether that’s a world-class kids’ club, a stunning beach, top-tier food, or the best value for your budget. Use the frameworks above to narrow your choices, read recent reviews, and book early. A week in a great Mexico all-inclusive with your family is genuinely one of the most relaxing trips you can take.

Planning resources: For the latest details, visit Visit Mexico – official tourism site, TripAdvisor’s top Mexico resorts, and Booking.com Mexico all-inclusive hotels.

Costa rica travel guide — we’ve been researching and testing travel strategies for years, and this guide covers everything you need to know. This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Faceted Travel!

Costa Rica punches well above its weight as a travel destination. A country slightly smaller than West Virginia somehow manages to contain volcanoes, cloud forests, both Pacific and Caribbean coasts, world-class wildlife, and an outdoor adventure scene that gives New Zealand real competition. We left Costa Rica already planning when to come back — which is pretty much the universal traveler response.

This first-timer’s guide covers the two regions that deliver the best Costa Rica experience for most visitors: Arenal (volcano, hot springs, adventure) and Guanacaste (Pacific beaches, surfing, dry tropical forest).

Why Costa Rica Works for First-Timers

Costa Rica is one of the most accessible adventure destinations in the world. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. The infrastructure is solid. It’s politically stable. The adventure activities — zip-lining, white water rafting, volcano hikes, wildlife tours — are well-organized and safe. And the sheer variety of ecosystems you can experience within a compact area means you can pack an extraordinary range of experiences into one week.

The country’s “Pura Vida” ethos (pure life) is genuinely pervasive — there’s a warmth and ease to interactions here that makes first-time visitors immediately comfortable.

Arenal: Volcano, Jungle, and Hot Springs

Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s iconic image — a near-perfect conical stratovolcano rising from the jungle, periodically shrouded in cloud. The town of La Fortuna at the base is the adventure hub of the country, with an overwhelming number of tour options and the famous natural hot springs fed by geothermal activity.

What to Do Around Arenal

• Hot springs — The geothermal-fed hot springs around La Fortuna range from budget (Tabacón, Baldi) to luxury. Some of the best are free — Río Cholín natural hot springs, reached by a short hike, are essentially a natural hot river with no entry fee.
• Zip-lining — Arenal has some of the most spectacular zip-line courses in the world, with cables running above the jungle canopy with the volcano as backdrop. Book through Viator’s Arenal tours.
• Hanging bridges — Walking through the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park at dawn is one of the best wildlife experiences in Costa Rica — sloths, toucans, and howler monkeys are common sightings.
• White water rafting — The Sarapiquí River near La Fortuna has excellent Class III–IV rapids. Book a half-day raft trip — it’s one of the best value activities in the area.
• Arenal Lake boat tour — Lago Arenal is beautiful and birds and wildlife are plentiful along the shores. Several outfitters offer guided boat tours.

Wildlife at Arenal

Costa Rica contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Around Arenal, sloths are reliably spotted in the cecropia trees near the lake and hanging bridge parks. Howler monkeys announce sunrise and sunset daily (loudly — bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper). Scarlet macaws, toucans, and resplendent quetzals are all possible sightings. Hire a local naturalist guide for a dawn bird walk for the best wildlife encounter of your trip.

Guanacaste: Pacific Beaches and Dry Tropical Forest

Guanacaste Province on Costa Rica’s northwest Pacific coast is where most beach-focused visitors head. The region has a completely different ecosystem from Arenal — drier, sunnier, and more open — and a string of beach towns from Tamarindo (surfer-focused, well-developed) to quieter gems like Playa Conchal (one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, made of tiny shells rather than sand) and Playa Flamingo.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is the most developed beach town in Guanacaste — consistent surf break, excellent nightlife and restaurants, good infrastructure. It’s the easiest option for first-timers who want Pacific beach access with reliable amenities. Surf lessons for beginners are excellent here. Turtle nesting tours at Playa Grande nearby (October–February) are extraordinary.

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano

Rincon de la Vieja National Park in northern Guanacaste contains an active volcanic system with mud pots, fumaroles, hot springs, and excellent hiking through dry tropical forest. It’s significantly less visited than Arenal but equally fascinating geologically. The trails to the active crater are rigorous but spectacular. Book a guided Rincon de la Vieja tour through Viator.

Suggested Costa Rica First-Timer Itinerary

• Days 1–4: Arenal/La Fortuna — hot springs, hanging bridges, zip-lining, white water rafting
• Days 5–8: Guanacaste — fly or drive to the beach. Tamarindo or Playa Flamingo. Surf lessons, beach time, Rincon de la Vieja day trip.
• Day 9: Fly home from Liberia (LIR) — the Guanacaste airport is your most convenient exit point

Practical Costa Rica Information

• Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC), but USD is accepted almost everywhere
• Best time to visit: December through April (dry season in most of the country). May–November brings rain, but also lower prices and fewer crowds.
• Getting around: Rental car gives maximum flexibility. Shuttle services connect major tourist destinations. Public buses are very cheap but slow.
• Travel insurance: Strongly recommended — adventure activities mean accident risk. See our complete travel insurance guide

Where to Book Your Costa Rica Trip

• Zip-lining, rafting, wildlife tours: Viator Arenal | Viator Guanacaste
• Travel insurance: World Nomads — specifically designed for adventure travelers
• Hotels: Booking.com Costa Rica
• Cheap flights: Our flight booking guide

Costa Rica earns its reputation as one of the world’s great adventure travel destinations. The biodiversity is staggering, the infrastructure makes it accessible, and the combination of jungle, volcano, and beach in one compact country is genuinely unique. It’s also a place that rewards return visits — there are whole regions (the Osa Peninsula, the Caribbean coast, Monteverde cloud forest) that we haven’t covered here because a first trip to Costa Rica is really just the beginning.

Planning resources: For the latest details, visit Visit Costa Rica – official tourism board, Costa Rica National Parks (SINAC), and U.S. National Parks – inspiration for nature trips.