Quick travel guides for nomads
Johnny SuperTravel is a super scam!
Beware when booking through here. You might see cheap prices online, a professional-looking website, and even receive email & WhatsApp confirmation.
…but that’s where the professional company image ends…and the horror begins…
Big metropolitan city of Peru. Kind of like any other major city.
Welcome to Peru’s “big city”. A modern, beautiful city with beaches (although not the prettiest), wind sports, and parks. The vibe ranges from chill to chaotic, bougie to bohemian. Although Lima doesn’t offer the classic Peruvian tourist destinations (like Cusco), it’s still a very nice stopping point for food and living good.
You can see it all in 3 days. But I’d recommend prioritizing other destinations first.
A fun island for snorkeling or scuba-diving.
A super fast 1-day stay with beautiful. Not much else to do.
Which type of camera will produce better photos?
I’m still on the fence about getting a real camera vs sticking with my iPhone 14 PRO. I won’t speak for anybody else but will share personal thoughts from the research I did. And keep in mind, I’m no expert. I haven’t touched any DSLR’s for years. And even when I did, I was just a noob taking amateur photos & videos with it.
The Salsa capital of the world, “city of rhythm” in south Colombia.
Cali is a fun place with warm vibes and easy-going atmosphere. Of all the places I’ve been in Colombia, it’s the one I felt I could spend the most time in. Mainly because of yes, I want to learn how to dance salsa…but also because of the nice restaurant area. It reminds me a bit of the El Poblado and Provenza neighborhood in Medellin.
2-3 days is enough to enjoy the vibe, but you’d probably want to stay longer. For whatever reason, many people really hang out here. It’s just a nice chill vibe, and also cheap. Most people I ran into were living life and not even doing tourist stuff.
Small beach town, relaxed and quiet.
Cartagena and Santa Marta are 2 opposite beach towns. Those who like Cartagena may find Santa Marta to be boring (like I did). Those who hate Cartagena’s crowded touristy-ness will like Santa Marta’s peace. I’d guess you have to come see for yourself if it’s your vibe or not.
The town has very little to do. And by little, I mean nothing in terms of touristic value. The beaches nearby are also not so pretty…you’d have to drive to get anywhere nice. It does have some nice cafes and restaurants. The center park is controlled by the local drug mafia. And you’ll be propositioned often for drugs. Also, they’ll stop you from recording any videos.
Most of your time will probably be hanging out at your resorty hotel or hostel pool with the rooftop terrace overlooking the hills and sea. Which basically means Santa Marta has nothing going on. How many days of nothing would you like? You choose.
Colorful small town with lush green landscape reaching across the water like many fingers.
Very touristic and beautiful, definitely worth a visit! The whole town looks like it was designed by kids. Then you go up the famous Piedra del Penon rock and see beautiful views of the landscape from above. Believe me when I tell you, I’ve been to many places and seen many beautiful views…but Guatape has its unique views with the green lands extending out all over the water. It’s very cool.
Day trip would be enough to see its main points if you don’t have time. Staying 1 or 2 nights if you have a fun AirBnB would be a great way to chill with friends. Depending on what you book, you’ll have a very different experience of Guatape.
Colombia’s coolest hippest city, built in the mountains and infamous as Pablo Escobar’s former territory.
In what used to be a dangerous narco city is now a rapidly transforming hilly city providing beautiful panoramic views, massive nightlife, and expat-friendly scene. Is it as expat-friendly as say Mexico? NO! But it’s getting there and many foreigners do love it. Medellin is great for parties, and also if you just want to live in a cool place in Colombia and don’t mind that there’s no beaches nearby here.
2-3 days is enough to see everything. Stay longer only if you want to party.
Vibrant touristy colonial beach city of northern Colombia.
Cartagena reminds me an awful lot of Salvador, Brazil. Big northern beach city with colorful touristy old town, and then “ok” beaches full of really aggressive vendors. Most people spend a day in the touristy old town part (enjoying the busy life and restaurants/bars), and then another day at the beach and then hop off to other northern coastal towns and islands. But despite everybody saying the other towns are better, the same people will still insist on you stopping by Cartagena.
Usually just a 2 day stop, as people come for the tourist stuff and quickly move onto elsewhere for better (more peaceful) beach vibes.
Jungle city in the mountains with lots of nature, hippie vibes and eco-lodging.
Minca was probably my favorite place in all of Colombia. Super safe, tranquil, fun, good food options, several nature hangouts, beautiful lodging. It was such a vibe. And a much-welcomed break from the usual over-stimulated Colombian destinations with annoying vendors harassing you every 2 minutes.
2 days is good but many will extend to 3-5 days (and some even vowing to return again before end of their trip) because the vibe is so nice. 3 days was perfect for me. Pick an awesome accommodation and you’ll see what I mean.
South Korea’s capital and largest city. Vibrant busy city, nightlife, and massive cultural immersion.
Seoul is Korea’s equivalent of Tokyo (Japan). Vibrant, busy, dynamic, full of people, and beautiful sites. Although Seoul isn’t as crowded and over-stimulated as Tokyo, it’s still quite a bit (for a Westerner). It’s a great entry point into your Korean cultural exploration. Get your bearings and learn how to use public transpo, and order/pay at restaurants, etc.
Main touristy highlights of Seoul can be covered in 3 days. But you might wanna stay longer to really enjoy the food, bars, nightlife, and soak in that Seoul vibe. 5-7 days is a better fit. You could easily spend a month and still not see everything. But do feel free to move on to Busan or Jeju island if you had enough.
South American caribbean beach country with many different vibes.
Colombian is an interesting mix of many things. Most people know it as Caribbean beach destination with parties and beautiful people…but it has much more landscapes and personalities than just that. It also has the Pacific Ocean, San Andres island near Nicaragua, Amazon river like Brazil, also jungles, deserts and mountains. Colombia’s hippest city (Medellin) is actually a mountain town.
Culturally and economically…Colombians are also very distinct. Generally, they are poor and things are cheap. You will feel a much bigger cultural divide between them and the visiting gringo/foreigner. Whereas in Mexico or Brazil, where locals seem to bond better with foreigners or at least can vibe with them…in Colombia, it’s a bigger gap. You’re just too different and won’t be accepted into their circles like you would elsewhere. (This isn’t to say that they aren’t friendly!)
Which means you’re likely in Colombia to party cheap with foreigners. Or you want to explore more local and off-the-beaten-path destinations where there are zero foreigners. There’s no in-between.
Major destinations can be done within 3-4 weeks, but you’d need 2 or 3 months to really see everything. See if you like the vibe before you stay longer. Many people would easily camp out here 3-6 months enjoying the beach, party life, or just Colombian vibes.
The Niagara Falls is the biggest tourist trap ever. Don’t ever go here.
The only thing you’ll be amazed by is how incredible their marketing was to make this place such a recognizable name in pop culture, movies, and travel references.
It’s just a tiny border town with casinos, and a man-made waterfall to entice Americans into crossing the border to spend their money. That’s it.
And how’s the waterfall, you ask? It is literally one of the least impressive waterfalls you’ve ever seen. While it may have size, it looks fake (and manufactured) as heck. You’re standing on the sidewalk behind a metal railing looking at a big flat waterfall with lights. Not much picturesque rocks or greenery. It’s like taking a picture of a waterfall at Disneyland theme park or some resort hotel. It’s not the same as a huge natural one you saw on an epic hike.
Biggest tourist trap ever! It is not a worthy stop in east coast Canada whatsoever!
I really like Booking.com, Hostelworld, Agoda.
These are the main 3.
Mexico’s premier party beach, psuedo-spiritual, over-Instagrammed overly-commercial destination.
A once quiet beautiful beach town with authentic hippie vibes, got discovered, and within 10 years became an overly-commercialized super posh fancy Mexico destination. Probably Mexico’s #1 destination in terms of “cool” factor and most popular among the sexy influencers and crypto bros type of crowd. It’s rapidly developing and now has a ton of sexy casual fancy type of accommodations with a jungle/beach oasis vibe. Fancy restaurants, bars, cafes, boutiques all catering to that foreigner crowd.
Personally, I think Tulum is more hype now and too crowded with Americans and Europeans. Its best days are long behind it. But is it right for you? Let’s find it if you should stay for days, weeks, months, or forever.
Which is the best (Mexico) Quintana Roo island for you?
These 3 islands in the eastern Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo offer a unique vibe from the others. Let’s find out which one fits your best.
What’s the best (Mexico) Quintana Roo beach city for you?
Finding the perfect vibe is always your best bet. The right balance between people and nature. Peace and quiet, as well as having things to do. Bars, cafes, restaurants, daily activities. And also to meet the kind of folks you’d like in your tribe.
I’ve been to all 3 numerous times and can help you sort out options.
Ultra-modern, super developed Asian country. Fun, great, hyper-stimulated environment.
On paper and to a Westerner, Korea could best be describe as another Japan…or like a cheaper, less-developed, less-cool version of Japan. And despite the hate you’d get from Japanese or Korean people for saying that, you wouldn’t be so unreasonable.
Both of these countries have been battling each other for a long time. With a feud debating events back as recent as 50 years ago to 2 millennia ago. Both with their own version of historic events. Both with their take on who was the aggressor. Fueling ultra-nationalistic pride in their citizens and even corporations. Whereas Japan has Sony & Panasonic, Korea has Samsung & LG. Japan has Toyota & Honda, Korea has Hyundai & Kia. And so forth and so forth. They even argue which one evolved from the other.
And as much as they’ve hated each other the years, there’s no denying that they are ultimately more alike each other than with any other nationality in the world. Korea is super safe and modern like Japan. Things are high-tech, clean, more expensive. Public spaces are visually over-stimulated and colorful.
But that’s where it ends. Whereas Japan has stayed very collective and by-the-rules, Koreans are developed their own sub-culture. More individual and unique. They stopped copying Japan things less and less and became more unique like the west. Their own TV shows and music, dancing and arts, are now worthy of being copied (ripped-off) by even Western/American industries. Korea is more unique if you know and appreciate where to look. They have their own food, culture, vibe, their own thing. They are not just a lesser version of Japan. Korea is super cool and worth seeing on its own unique merit.
1 week for just Seoul & maybe 3-5 days Busan, and another 3 days for Jeju Island. 1-2 days here and there for smaller towns. So at a minimum, 2 weeks for main spots and 1 month for comprehensive tour. One thing is for sure…you’ll probably wish you spent more time. Korea is a cool place to live, not just to see and leave.
Small city with historic places, but is also a nice vibrant modern city.
Come for the history, stay for the modern vibe. Many nice restaurants, vibrant nightlife, plenty of people and places, restaurants and bars, things to do, but not overly busy and crowded like other places. I think Hue is actually underrated. Many visitors see it only as a place to see the historic city and pagoda and then move on.
You can see the historic sites within a day. But next time, I’d definitely stay 3 or 4 days for sure.
Beautiful mountain region of northern Vietnam with the infamous Ha Giang Loop motorbike tour.
Imagine yourself riding around beautiful green mountains with picturesque rice fields and colorfully-clothed local mountain people, zipping through local towns and markets as the mountain kids run along the street to yell “hello” and try to high-five you. Yes…it sounds exactly like a Disney Movie.
For anyone who’s ever done the motorbike tour, many will say it sits among the most memorable travel adventures they’ve ever had in their lives. And I’d have to agree. It’s because the mountain motorbiking experience is REAL! You’re not just sitting from the outside and taking photos. It’s you living the hilly mountain world through your bike, seeing their world as they see it. Experiencing their beauty as they live it.
If you got 3 precious days to spare, I guarantee the Ha Giang Loop is one you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. I can’t think of anything like this in any other country I’ve been.