A bit of travel destinations tips (I couldn’t resist), classified per region of the world and countries that I have visited or got good tips about.
What’s on this page?
Countries Random Tips page content:
Central America & the Carribean
Asia
Bhutan
Only way to visit: visa+all-included tour package (and expensive one)
Cambodia
Motorbikes trip visiting waterfalls East and North of the country
China
Convenient train transport – visit Sichuan Tibetan areas
Hong Kong
Nature by the city: nice trek tracks and beaches next to skyscrapers in HK island
India
Train system tips: early booking and do it yourself (never take agencies trip booking)
Indonesia
Long term cheap scouter rental (or buy) for island hopping (taking your motorbike in boats)
Japan
Train discount kippu 18 if good season – accommodation tips: air bnb, manga kissas and love hotel
South Korea
Cheapest accommodation option: jimlibang to take a bath and stay overnight
Laos
Nice motorbike loops (Thakhek loop the best) – Muang Ngoi (if not too touristy already)
Malaysia
Cheap and speak good English – Borneo if DIY renting scouter/motorbikes
Mongolia
DIY motorbike trip camping style, sleeping by a different nomadic family every night next to their yurts
Myanmar
DIY but check areas restrictions
Nepal
Cheapest DIY long trek, having accommodation and food in tea house along the way
North Korea
Not to go, don’t do this north korean border tour things, pointless touristy attraction
Philippines
Speak good English – Island hopping
Singapore
Airport – dose of perfect city, Disney World style – check popular neighbourhood for more Chinese style
Sri Lanka
Good road quality, ideal to self-drive – different season north and south
Thailand
Go off season + extremities of countries to be off tourist track
Vietnam
Motorbike: buy one for your whole trip and sell it when leaving (watch out quality when buying)
Central America & the Carribean
Cuba
Cheapest place I have been if managed well with local currency CUP
Dominica
Hitchhiking and wild island (the most beautiful I have been to in the Caribbean)
Guadeloupe
Big island with a lot to do (treks, waterfalls, etc.), plan enough time
Guatemala
Tikal national park, best wild ancient ruins I have done (can camp cheap next to it)
Honduras
Cheap diving (party place full of tourists but can find Spanish speaking dive centre)
Mexico
Guanajuato (colourful city) + good mix possible from beach to mountain to ruins
South America
Argentina
Cheapest in the North, most expensive deep South – Patagonia enjoyable from Neuquen (North side)
Bolivia
Cheap cheap cheap – go down in the jungle (cheapest side of Amazon) or high (cheapest 6000m+ peak climbing of the world)
Brazil
North: deeper and more authentic Brazil
Chile
Deep south supposed to be even more beautiful than Argentinian side of Patagonia
Colombia
From jungle river to Caribbean side – Tayrona national park by the beach
Ecuador
US dollars: some local stuff cheap but some expensive attractions too (because of currency)
French Guyana
Jungle river and hiking
Peru
Machu Picchu : forget the Inca Trail, search for local trekking alternative around and do DIY Machu Picchu on its own – Huaraz : Glacier and 5000m+ treks, cheap alternative to expensive deep South Patagonia ?
Uruguay
Mate addict country – only South American country legalising marijuana
Venezuela
Go with US dollars in cash, dirt cheap due to currency issue (black market exchange rate)
Africa
South Africa
See all landscapes in one country, from cliff coast in the West to tropical beach in the East, passing by green lands and waterfalls in the Centre – Not forgetting high-altitude rivers and mountains in Lesotho (enter using same visa as South Africa)
Botswana
Land of the famous Okavango delta in Maun and cheap wildlife opportunities (well, cheaper than other spots) from Kasane
Zambia
South Luangwa park, sleep in Mfuwe, just by the park and see animals from lodges situated just by the river (= free safari 😊)
Zimbabwe
Nice people, very welcoming because they lost many tourists – Victoria Falls town: see Elephants wondering around when walking around town
Malawi
Beautiful mountain trekking in the South before relaxing by the lake – take the boat to travel the lake
Tanzania
Nice train ride from Dar el Salaam to Zambia
Oceania
Australia
Only cheap way : doing road trip (cars relocation or finding ride on Gumtree), free camping by the road and cooking your own food (+ CouchSurfing in big cities)
New Zealand
If going for less than a month, pick the South Island only – same tips for costs of travel than Australia