Where I've actually been.
Each entry is anchored to a YouTube video. Read for what didn't fit the cut, watch for the rest. Grouped by country and then by city so a place lives in one place.
Mexico
Mahahual, Mexico
Costa Maya Port to Mahahual Beach: Walk, Taxi, Costs and Which Beach Club (2026)
Costa Maya port to Mahahual in 2026: the exact distance, taxi vs shuttle vs walking prices, six beach club day passes compared, an all-aboard timeline, and a budget table.
#costa maya#mahahual#mexico#cruise port#beach clubs
Costa Maya Cruise Port Guide: The Port, Mahahual Town, and What's Worth Your 6-8 Hours
An honest Costa Maya cruise port guide: the port complex vs Mahahual town, taxi costs to the malecón, which beach clubs are worth it, and the Chacchoben and Bacalar day options.
#costa maya#mahahual#mexico#cruise port#excursions
Banco Chinchorro Tours from Mahahual: Prices, Operators, and How to Actually Get Out There
Banco Chinchorro tours from Mahahual: real 2026 prices, the operators worth booking, snorkel vs dive, the 8-person minimum, and whether to base in Xcalak.
#banco chinchorro#mahahual#xcalak#snorkeling#diving
Things to Do in Mahahual, Mexico: The Reef, Banco Chinchorro, and Cruise-Day Reality
The best things to do in Mahahual: snorkelling the reef off the beach, the serious Banco Chinchorro day trip, beach clubs, kitesurfing, fishing, and a Bacalar run.
#mahahual#mexico#things to do#banco chinchorro#snorkeling
Hotels in Mahahual, Mexico: Where to Stay by Zone (2026)
The best hotels in Mahahual by zone: Malecón south vs the quiet beach-road strip vs off-grid far south, with named picks like Noah Beach and Luna de Plata.
#mahahual#mexico#where to stay#costa maya#caribbean
Bacalar, Mexico
Things to Do in Bacalar, Mexico: The Lagoon, the Tours, and What to Skip
The best things to do in Bacalar: lagoon boat tours, sailing, sunrise SUP, Los Rápidos, Cocalitos, and the stromatolite rules that actually matter.
#bacalar#mexico#things to do#lagoon#toursWhere to Stay in Bacalar, Mexico: Best Areas & Hotels Compared
Where to stay in Bacalar, Mexico: honest comparison of the zones plus the best hotels and hostels in each, by traveller type and budget.
#bacalar#mexico#where to stay#best hotels#hostels#yucatan#lagoon
Mérida to Bacalar: ADO Bus Times, Tickets, and What to Bring
ADO bus from Mérida to Bacalar in honest detail: how to book, what to bring, where to grab cash on arrival, and the first stop before the lagoon.
#bacalar#mexico#merida#ado bus#yucatan#first time
Is the Bacalar Lagoon Worth It? An Honest Review
Bacalar lagoon got a 6 out of 10 from me, the town overall a 9. Honest review of why both numbers are right and when to visit for clear water.
#bacalar#mexico#honest review#lagoon#yucatan
Colombia
Medellin, Colombia
El Poblado vs Laureles: Where to Stay in Medellín (and Which One I'd Book)
El Poblado vs Laureles for your Medellín stay: price in COP, safety in 2025-2026 reports, metro access, nightlife and named hotels, with a verdict for first-timers, nomads, budget and families.
#medellin#colombia#where to stay#el poblado#laureles#neighborhoods
Things to Do in Medellín: What's Worth Booking and What to Skip
The best things to do in Medellín: Comuna 13, the Metrocable, a Guatapé day trip, paragliding, football at the Atanasio, and what to DIY instead of booking.
#medellin#colombia#things to do#comuna 13#guatape
Where to Stay in Medellín: A Real Comparison of Every Zone
Where to stay in Medellín by traveller type: honest comparison of Laureles, Envigado, El Poblado, Estadio and El Centro, from someone who learned the safety trade-offs the hard way.
#medellin#colombia#where to stay#neighborhoods#laureles#el poblado
Is Medellín Safe? An Honest Answer After I Got Drugged There
Is Medellín safe in 2026? The honest version from someone who got drugged there: the real risks, the myths, the safest neighborhoods, and what I'd do differently.
#medellin#colombia#safety#scopolamine#solo travel
Cartagena, Colombia
Getsemaní vs Walled City vs Bocagrande: Where to Stay in Cartagena
Getsemaní vs Walled City vs Bocagrande, compared on price, noise, walkability and hotels, so you can pick the best area to stay in Cartagena for your trip.
#cartagena#colombia#where to stay#getsemani#bocagrande#walled city#best area to stay
Rosario Islands Day Trip from Cartagena: Which Boat Tour, What It Costs, and Playa Blanca vs Rosario
Rosario Islands day trip from Cartagena: which boat tour to book, real 2026 prices in COP and USD, the port tax, and whether Playa Blanca is better.
#cartagena#colombia#rosario islands#day trips#boat tours#playa blanca
Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia: What's Actually Worth Booking
The best things to do in Cartagena, ranked by what recent travellers actually rate: Rosario Islands, the Old Town, food tours, salsa, and what to skip.
#cartagena#colombia#things to do#rosario islands#day trips
Where to Stay in Cartagena, Colombia: A Real Comparison of Every Zone
The best area to stay in Cartagena, by traveller type. Honest comparison of the Old Town, Getsemaní, Bocagrande, and Manga neighborhoods, with hotels in each.
#cartagena#colombia#where to stay#best area to stay#neighborhoods#old town#getsemani
Is Cartagena Worth Visiting? An Honest Review from a Kiwi
Cartagena earned a 9 out of 10 for me. Honest review of the Old Town, the food, the Bocagrande beach, the touts, and who Cartagena actually suits.
#cartagena#colombia#honest review#is it worth it
First Day in Cartagena, Colombia (As an Asian Traveller)
My first 12 hours in Cartagena, Colombia: the plaza selfie request, the Thailand-level heat, the Caribbean Spanish barrier, and what to actually do on day one.
#colombia#cartagena#asian traveler#honest review#first time
Guatape, Colombia
Colombia, Colombia
Cartagena vs Medellín: Which One Should You Visit?
Cartagena vs Medellín compared honestly by someone who did both: weather, safety, cost, nightlife, things to do, and which city fits which kind of trip.
#colombia#cartagena#medellin#comparison#trip planning
Asians in Colombia: My Honest Experience in 3 Cities
Kids asked for a selfie within 4 hours of landing. What being Asian in Colombia is really like: the 'chino' thing, which city is easiest, and what never happened.
#colombia#asian traveler#bogota#medellin#cartagena
Bogota, Colombia
Things to Do in Bogotá: What's Worth Booking and What to Skip
The best things to do in Bogotá, ranked by what recent travellers actually rate: Monserrate, the Gold Museum, graffiti tours, markets, day trips, and what to DIY.
#bogota#colombia#things to do#attractions#south americaWhere to Stay in Bogotá: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Timers (2026)
Where to stay in Bogotá by traveller type. Honest comparison of Chapinero, La Candelaria, Zona G, Zona Rosa, Usaquén and Parque 93, with the trade-offs that matter.
#bogota#colombia#where to stay#neighborhoods#south america
China
Shenzhen, China
Futian vs Luohu vs Nanshan: Which Shenzhen District to Stay In (2026)
Futian vs Luohu vs Nanshan compared: price bands, metro lines, Hong Kong border access and named hotels, with a verdict for first-timers, budget trips, families and business.
#shenzhen#china#where to stay#futian#luohu#nanshan
Shenzhen Hotels Near the Hong Kong Border: Luohu, Futian Checkpoint and Shenzhen Bay (2026)
Hotels near Luohu Port, Futian Checkpoint and Shenzhen Bay with walk times to each crossing, 2026 opening hours, metro lines, RMB prices and the 24-hour Huanggang option.
#shenzhen#china#hong kong#hotels#border crossing#where to stay
Shenzhen Theme Parks: Window of the World vs Happy Valley vs Splendid China, Which Is Worth a Day
Window of the World vs Happy Valley vs Splendid China vs OCT East: 2026 ticket prices, metro access, night shows and honest verdicts on which Shenzhen park is worth a day.
#shenzhen#china#theme parks#window of the world#happy valley#shenzhen with kids
Is Shenzhen Worth Visiting? An Honest Verdict
Is Shenzhen worth visiting? Honest verdict from someone who went: who it suits, who should skip it, how it stacks up against Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
#shenzhen#china#is shenzhen worth visiting#honest review#hong kong day trip
Shenzhen Itinerary: 3 Days in China's Strangest, Best-Value City
A 3-day Shenzhen itinerary that actually works: Huaqiangbei and Futian day one, Nanshan and Shenzhen Bay day two, Shuibei, Dafen and the spa day three.
#shenzhen#china#itinerary#3 days in shenzhen#huaqiangbei
Where to Stay in Shenzhen: Best Area for First Timers (2026)
Futian, Luohu or Nanshan? The best area to stay in Shenzhen for first timers, honest hotel picks from $28 a night, and the zone closest to the Hong Kong border.
#shenzhen#china#where to stay#futian#hotels
Things to Do in Shenzhen in 2026: What's Worth It, What to Skip
Huaqiangbei tech market, Shuibei gold by weight, Dafen painting village, a 24-hour spa and the Shenzhen Bay skyline: what's worth your time in Shenzhen and what to skip.
#shenzhen#china#things to do#huaqiangbei#tech market
Guiyang, China
Qingyan Ancient Town from Guiyang: The Half-Day Guide (Tickets, Getting There, What to Eat)
Qingyan Ancient Town from Guiyang in a half day: metro Line 3 plus bus, Didi costs, the 10 vs 60 RMB ticket, a 4-5 hour route through the four gates, and the trotters and rose sugar to order.
#qingyan#guiyang#guizhou#china#ancient towns#day trips
Guiyang Food Guide: What to Eat in Guizhou (and Where)
A Guiyang food guide from a Kiwi with family in the city: sour soup fish, changwang noodles, si wa wa, grilled tofu, the chili that is not Sichuan, and where to eat it all.
#guiyang#china#food#guizhou#sour soupDay Trips from Guiyang (2026): 6 Ranked by Train Time and Cost
Huangguoshu in 30 minutes by rail, Qingyan for a half day, and the two trips to skip. Six Guiyang day trips ranked with 2026 train times, costs and honest calls.
#guiyang#china#day trips#guizhou#huangguoshu#kaili#high-speed railThings to Do in Guiyang, China: A Researched In-City Guide
Things to do in Guiyang, China: Jiaxiu Tower, Qianling Park macaques, the coffee scene, night markets, and what's actually in-city vs a day trip out.
#guiyang#china#things to do#guizhou#attractionsFirst Impressions of Guiyang, China (Visiting My Mum's Hometown)
First impressions of Guiyang, China, as a Kiwi visiting my mum's hometown: what surprised me, what I got wrong, and what I'd do differently next time.
#guiyang#china#first time#guizhou#asian diaspora
Captain George Coffee Guiyang: An Honest Review (2025 WBC Winner)
Captain George Coffee in Guiyang: I waited 40 minutes for the 2025 World Brewers Cup winner's coffee. Honest review of the wait, the brew, and the verdict.
#guiyang#china#coffee#captain george#honest review
Where to Stay in Guiyang, China: A Real Comparison of Every Zone
Where to stay in Guiyang, China: honest comparison of Nanming, Yunyan, Guanshanhu, and Huaxi, with hotels in each. From a Kiwi visiting family.
#guiyang#china#where to stay#guizhou#coffee
Chongqing, China
Chongqing Itinerary: 2 or 3 Days in China's Vertical Megacity
A researched 2-3 day Chongqing itinerary for first-timers: Jiefangbei, Hongya Cave, the Yangtze cableway, Liziba, Ciqikou and Wulong, with transit tips.
#chongqing#china#itinerary#hongya cave#wulong
Where to Stay in Chongqing: Jiefangbei, Nanbin Road, Guanyinqiao Compared
Where to stay in Chongqing: honest comparison of Jiefangbei, Chaotianmen, Nanbin Road, Guanyinqiao, and Liziba, with real hotels and prices in each.
#chongqing#china#where to stay#jiefangbei#hotels
