Thailand travel has become synonymous with Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party. No matter what age you are, or type of backpacker, this party has to be experienced at least once in your lifetime.  I have seven Full Moon parties under my belt. Some were spent writhing around in the crowds growing massive calves from attempting the hard feat of dancing on sand. Others were spent ‘working’ behind a bar, where the booze was free flowing and I spent more time laughing at all the heathens rather than being one myself. Either way, this party is so memorable and one of the many reasons why I love Thailand.

Thailand Travel - Full Moon Party

Full Moon Party Origins

Thailand Travel - Lighting display for the Full Moon Party

Full Moon Party folklore tells us that when I was only a whisper of a thing at two years old in 1985, a large leaving party, for a group of super cool travellers on Haad Rin Beach, went down so well that some clever soul thought, “Why don’t we do this every month?” From there spawned that glorious heard-it-on-the-grapevine thing and every month since, the party has gotten bigger and bigger with around 30,000 revelers turning up each month. The Full Moon party totally deserves it’s reputation for a unique experience in paradise.

How to get to the Full Moon Party

The island of Koh Phangan is a couple of hours off Thailand’s mainland.  Most travelers take a sleeper train down from Bangkok to Surat Thani or Chumpon and then a catamaran ferry to the island for around 1,200 baht.  Increasingly, cheap flights are being offered which whisk you down from the capital city to the neighbouring island of Koh Samui.  Costs for flights vary greatly, particularly during peak seasons or New Years Eve, so booking in advance is essential.  The ferry from Koh Samui is only 45 minutes so this isn’t a bad option if you don’t have a lot of time.

Haad Rin Beach

Thailand Travel - Full Moon Party

The party happens on Haad Rin beach, a cove setting where the only road access goes over some steep and often treacherous hills that make for a white knuckled moped ride or a shaky open taxi.  Staying in Haad Rin can be convienient as this party goes on until the sun comes up and beyond, so stumbling back to your hotel makes life easy.  Most people who are on the island for more than a few days often choose to stay on quieter parts of the island. I’ve done both and it totally depends on how long your staying and how much you can afford.

I have stayed just off the beach in Haad Rin in a private fan room for as little as 400 baht.  I found this place the night before the party which was very lucky by Koh Phangan standards.  When I had friends come and visit, they stayed in a 4-star resort on the neighbouring beach, about five minutes away from Haad Rin for around 1,500 a night – and they booked a month or so ahead.  Be sensible and try to arrive a few days before with either an advance booking or time to find somewhere perfect for you.

Thailand Travel - Beach Bar at the Full Moon Party

What to bring to a Full Moon Party

Not a lot.  Firstly, who wants to be partying with a bag to lumber around? Not me.  Security is definitely something that should be adhered to during this party.  Common sense goes a long way here.

Tips for a Fun and Safe Full Moon Party:

• Only bring enough money to last you the night, under 2,000 baht should be fine. (Although I often went with less than 1,000 and had an incredible time)
• Don’t bring any valuables as they’ll likely end up waterlogged or coated in sand.
• Don’t wear your best outfit.  Neon body paint is all the rave here and it doesn’t come out of clothes, so be warned.
• Of course you’ll want to bring your camera but be careful if you do.  Don’t leave it on the bar while you order a drink, and if it’s waterproof and shock proof, even better.
• Shoes! I know it’s a beach and being barefoot makes sense but broken bottles and naked feet are not a happy combination.  The clean up effort that happens the day after the party is brilliant but you’d be amazed at how many flip flops are left behind…

Thailand Travel - Kiri getting neon painted on her at the Full Moon Party

What to see at the Full Moon Party

Look up at the moon! It lights up the beach and casts a beautiful silvery glow over the crowds.

Make sure you check out the the Thai professional fire poi dancers. They are the best in the world.  Gorgeous sun kissed Thai men, usually adorned in some pretty impressive traditional Thai tattoos, marvel the crowds with perfectly timed fire routines.  They know how to get the crowds going and  it’s easy to spend hours dancing around them.

Watch out for the fire skipping though. I am still baffled by the amount of people that think skipping rope whilst its aflame is a good idea. It’s not. If you start thinking it’s a good idea, check yourself, you may have had one too many buckets and need to have a quiet word with yourself.

Thailand Travel - Dangerous Fire Skipping at the Full Moon Party

Thailand Travel - Kiri at the end of the Full Moon Party

Burns are the most common form of injury during the party, followed by all the mad people that ride a motorbike whilst inebriated. Never a good idea, especially on the Haad Rin hills.

Lastly, if huge thronging crowds seem a bit much for you, there are many calmer, nicer bars that overlook the beach.  Here you can dance to Resident DJ’s and still enjoy the atmosphere of the party whilst staying away from the mayhem.

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Australia Travel - Byron Bay by aschaf, on Flickr

Guess where we haven’t traveled to yet? Australia.  Yup, still haven’t made it to the great Gold Coast or any type of Australia travel. Byron Bay is a popular stop for backpackers exploring the Australian coast, but yet, these 2 Backpackers haven’t made the trip yet. I am guessing when we finally venture out there we will be searching for Byron Bay hotels rather than hostels, as our travel tastes have changed a little bit. Although, it’s not a cheap country, so maybe a hostel will still suffice.

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Watch More Adventure Travel Videos

Enjoy the best off-the-beaten-path beach in Costa Rica through an HD adventure travel video from 2 Backpackers, Jason and Aracely Castellani, while visiting Sámara, Costa Rica.  In travel video episode #21, we film the flat, calm, white sand Samara Beach and it’s small island of Isla Chora. Enjoy the show!

Costa Rica Travel – Sámara

Samara is located on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast. Costa Rica is Central America’s most developed country and attracts the most tourists, allowing it to build an improved infrastructure attracting luxury beachfront resorts. As a budget traveler, this can be a challenge. You want to explore the wonderful beaches of Costa Rica, but you also have a travel budget to stick to.

Best Beach in Costa Rica

Have you ever envisioned a wonderful cove beach with subtle waves, endless reefs, nearby cliffs battered by the sea, horses running along the water’s edge, palm trees bending towards the horizon, reefs occasionally sun bathing and a small rock island that beckons you as you rest on the mainland?

Then you better get yourself to Samara Beach, the best off-the-beaten-path beach in all of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Travel - Samara Beach

2 Backpackers - Samara Beach Costa Rica – Travel Video Ep. 21 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Watch More Adventure Travel Videos

Surf lesson tips and a zip-lining canopy tour through an HD adventure travel video from 2 Backpackers, Jason and Aracely Castellani, while visiting San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.  In travel video episode #17, take our video camera high above the forest canopy to share some incredible views and fast flying zip-lines. Enjoy the show!

The Beach Cove in San Juan del Sur

Getting to San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua was on our list of must see beaches since we heard about it from other backpackers while traveling in El Salvador.  “This is where you go to surf,” they exclaimed.  From Grenada, we boarded a local bus to Rivas.  At the Rivas bus terminal, which is located in the market, we searched for a bus to San Juan del Sur.  In no time, we were on our way to the coastal town on the Pacific Ocean, in southwest Nicaragua.

Colorful Streets of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Hostels in San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur’s most popular hostel is Casa Oro, which is on the corner of the main street and the street that leads down towards the water.  It’s currently under construction, but still a hot spot for those seeking dorms.  As we exited Casa Oro Hostel, a women on the street asked us if we needed a place to stay.  We replied, “Si,” and she offered us a private room with bathroom around the corner for $20 USD a night.  Sounded perfect to us.  Rebecca’s Inn was clean and comfortable, but lacked a social environment.

Colorful Streets of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

After settling in, we quickly went out for a walk around town.  The town is well developed with lots of hostels, hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and surfing shops.  Many tourist shops around town offer shuttle rides to the surrounding beaches for surfing. 

Bars and Restaurants on the Beach of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

San Juan del Sur isn’t a beach for surfing, but rather your base town for day excursions. The beach is flanked on both sides by mountains and bars and restaurants line the water’s edge, creating a picturesque night life. It’s still low season around here and the night life was lacking during our stay.

Volcano Boarding in León – Video Ep. 15

Trip Budgeting for Central America

Photo of Church of Guadalupe in Granada, Nicaragua

Photo of Sunset Over Los Maribios Volcano Chain

Bars and Restaurants on the Beach of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Nicaragua Travel Costs

Gradually, our expenses have been increasing, and shockingly, Nicaragua has been the most expensive country for us so far.  It was surprising to us considering it’s also the second poorest country in the Americas; Haiti being the first.  Nicaragua, typically includes a 15% tax on everything in its tourist cities.  San Juan del Sur, was no exception, and we struggled to find dinner for under $10 USD.

A Surfer Fixing His Board

Surfing Lessons in San Juan del Sur

We walked back to Casa Oro Hostel to book our surfing lessons for the next morning.  A surf board costs $7 to rent and the lessons were $25 each including transportation to Playa de Madera.  The morning drive to the beach was approximately 45 minutes on a muddy dirt filled road.  We arrived to Tres Hermanos Hostel which resides on the small isolated beach.  The beach itself was rather dirty, lined with piles of drift wood, seaweed and washed up trash.  Unfortunately, it makes the beach much less welcoming even though it is so remote.

A Surfer Working his board in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

The waves break in three stages, providing all sorts of options for surfers of differing skills.  As beginners, we stayed close to the shore, in whitewater waves only.  Initially, Aracely and I both thought surfing was going to be extremely challenging.  I figured it to be similar to snowboarding, which is very difficult to learn. Luckily, surfing is not that challenging.  More specifically, its not as challenging to get up on the board and balance yourself.  It will become much more challenging as we venture out into bigger waves, but Aracely and I aren’t anywhere near that stage yet.

San Juan del Sure Beach & Cove

Fredo, our surf instructor spent 2-3 hours with Aracely, Miguel and I.  The first hour was on the beach, learning where to lie on the board and finding out if we stood regular or goofy.  I always look goofy, but in regards to surfing, I am regular and Aracely is goofy.  Once we got into the water, in only 15 minutes Aracely was up on the board, surfing her way to shore.  She even impressed the teacher.  After we all got the hang of things, we each attempted to surf on our own for the remainder of the day.  At 4:00pm our ride back to San Juan del Sur arrived and we all jumped back in the Land Rover.

San Juan del Sur Beach Cove

After returning to our hostel, Aracely and I realized our ribs hurt and our knees burned.  Seems as if I rubbed the hairs off my knees a bit getting in the standing position.  It was a still a great time, and we can now officially say, “We surf!”

Canopy Tour in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

There are several beaches you can visit near San Juan del Sur for surfing.  If you are looking for something else, try renting a quad or bike on the beach, charter a fishing boat or go searching for turtles.  We booked a canopy tour on zip-lines with Da’ Flying Frog Tours the next day.  We had amazing views of the forest canopy and the coastline all for $30 a person, a fraction of what you will pay in Costa Rica.

Canopy Tour in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

San Juan del Sur Nightlife

Each evening we hung out at Barrio Cafe and continued to watch the World Series baseball games. Other places we enjoyed a drink or some food were Big Wave Dave’s, Iguana’s Beach Club and El Gato Negro Bookstore Cafe.

El Gato Negro Bookstore Cafe of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

2 Backpackers - Zip-Lining & Surfing in San Juan del Sur Nicaragua – Travel Video Ep. 17 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Jade Johnston of OurOyster.com, shares her tips on travelling to the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia in this travel guest post for 2Backpackers.com.

Despite over five years of travel, and over thirty countries visited in that time, the Perhentian Islands marked two of my travel firsts. My first time travelling solo properly, and my first proper beach holiday. I know, shocking.

And like anyone, taking their first shaky steps onto new territory, I fell hard. I made a couple huge mistakes which can be easily avoided, but I also did a few things right.

Perhentian Islands. Malaysia by willposh, on Flickr

Perhentian Island Paradise

The Perhentian islands, although only taking up a page in Lonely Planet’s Malaysia book, are well known on the backpacker route. They are your typical island paradise, with long sunny days, beach parties at night, and great snorkeling and scuba diving activities. Which island you chose to stay on will depend on your budget and your travel lifestyle. Perhentian Besil, the big island, is popular with families and the typical accommodation includes resorts and hotels. Perhentian Kecil, the small island, is backpacker haven. Cheap guesthouses and dorm rooms abound, and a dorm can be obtained for as cheap as 12 ringgit a night. Thats 4 dollars!

The two islands are easily reachable from Kuala Besut by speedboat for 70 ringgit return. Kuala Besut is easily reachable from most main towns in Malaysia by bus, and I reached the town by overnight bus from Kuala Lumpur.

So below are my top 5 tips to make your visit to the Perhentian islands a memorable one. And do take these tips into consideration – as I learned several of them the hard way!

Perhentian Island by karma-police, on Flickr

Top 5 Tips for Travelling to Perhentian

1.  Arrive early to ensure you get a good room

Many of the hostels on Kecil are not available to book online, so most people search out a guest house when they arrive. This is definitely an “early bird gets the worm sort of situation,” and the decent budget rooms disappear quickly. So unless you want to sacrifice your wallet, or sacrifice the luxery of a semi decent toilet facility, try to get there early! I took the 7:30 am boat to Kecil and was lucky to therefore be the first in line for a dorm room in the cheap and very clean Tropicana Inn. Many others were waiting for a dorm room after me, but several ended up being turned away.

Top tip: take the overnight bus to Kuala Besut – that way it will be impossible for you to oversleep and miss the first ferry.

Perhentian Beach by karma-police, on Flickr

2.  Slip, Slop, Slap!

Now I know this is supposed to be common sense, but if you like me (no sense) and don’t want to end up looking like a lobster, then heed this advice. Slip on long sleeves, slop on some sunscreen, and slap on a hat. The sun on the Perhentian islands is extremely strong – and the atmosphere is extremely relaxing. A dangerous combination. Now I don’t ever need to wear sunscreen! I’m half Asian and never burn! Wrong! I ended up burnt to a crisp and having to spend the rest of my time on the Perhentian islands hiding from the sun with a book. The worst part of it – it peeled … making me paler when I got home than when I left.

Top tip – Try not to fall asleep in full sunlight in the mid afternoon!

3.  Snorkel or dive

The Perhentian islands are located in a marine reserve and the water is crystal clear and teeming with marine life. Just from standing on the pier, I was able to see several species of fish. I didn’t go snorkeling due to my having not followed tip #2, but others I spoke to raved about it. Apparently it is rather easy to see small sharks, sea turtles, sting rays, and dozens of brightly coloured fish.

Top tip – Every man, woman, and child seems to run their own diving and snorkelling excursions here, so make sure you spend some time shopping around to get the best deal.

Perhentian - Underwater by Anan Amri, on Flickr

4.  Coral bay

The main beach on Perhentian Kecil is long beach, and it is therefore lined with guest houses, shops, and restaurants. However, for a slightly less crowded beach and for cheaper eats, take the walking trail across the island (only about 500 meters) to Coral Bay. Also, be aware that the restaurants stop serving food around 7pm or 8pm, so make sure you get your dinner in before it’s too late. (Another mistake I made!)

Top tip – The restaurants in coral bay are almost half the price as those on the main beach.

5.  Bring bug spray

Since I spent most of my time in Malaysia in larger cities, I didn’t really encounter many mosquitoes or insects at all. (note: I wrote this before my last night in Malaysia – the night I got feasted upon by bed bugs!) However, in the Perhentian’s the mosquitoes are about the size of house cats – seriously! When one came at me, I had the same panic reaction as if a pigeon was swooping at my head.

Top tip – it’s better to stock up on your bug spray (and sunscreen as well) on the mainland, as prices are a bit inflated on the island.

Amazing Sunset on our last night on Besar by The Shifted Librarian, on Flickr

Well, those are my top 5 tips for travelling to the Perhentian Islands – most of them learned the hard way! It’s somewhere I definitely want to revisit – but next time with my sunscreen!

Have you been to the Perhentian islands? What are your greatest tips?

2 Backpackers - How to Travel the Perhentian Islands 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Cairn on Big Sur California's Pfeiffer State Beach

Jonathan is a regular contributor of travel photos for 2Backpackers.com. For more information or to sign up for his newsletter visit LifePart2.com.

Usually when one thinks of “California Beaches” they imagine miles of sun baked stretches of groomed sand beset with oiled bodies packed side by side like fish in a can, body builders and volleyball games. But there is another type of California beach; a little less accessible but worth the effort. Big Sur’s Pfeiffer State Beach just a couple of miles from the famous Highway One south of Monterrey is world unto itself. You don’t go to Pfeiffer State Beach to be seen but to see nature. Huge waves crash onto dark rocks, shore birds soar overhead and if you stay until sunset you will be treated to a full canvas of glorious reds and golds as the sun slips into the Pacific. Pfeiffer State Beach is a treat just perfect for an afternoon of quiet reflection and contemplation.

2 Backpackers - Travel Photo of the Day – Cairn on Big Sur California Pfeiffer State Beach 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Key Biscayne National Park is one the best Beaches in Florida

Key Biscayne Fl is one of the most beautiful islands located just off the coast of downtown Miami.  If the Miami beaches are too crowded or too full of tourists, drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne and visit one of the many beaches or parks for a day of sun, grilling and swimming amongst the tropical trees of Miami as captured in the travel photo.

If you are visiting Miami, don’t forget to take one of the most scenic drives in America down to the Florida Keys for a Key West Sunset.

2 Backpackers - Travel Photo of the Day: Key Biscayne FL Beaches 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Study of the Skeleton of an Old Boat in the Mexican fishing village of Xcalak

Jonathan is a regular contributor for 2Backpackers.com. For more information or to sign up for his newsletter visit LifePart2.com.

The skeleton of and old boat on the beach lies abandoned and deteriorating near the Mexican fishing village of Xcalak. Xcalak, population 400 is the most southern village on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, near the border of Belize.

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Seaside Heights, New Jersey Boardwalk and Beach

Seaside Heights is a a popular beach town with an amusement-oriented 2 mile plus boardwalk, and numerous clubs and bars, making it a fun party and family atmosphere. The town is also famous for being the location of the hit MTV show “Jersey Shore“. – Wikipedia

We enjoyed enjoyed the boardwalk and beach during Independence Day Weekend and captured these pictures of the Jersey Shore.

New Jersey Boardwalks

New Jersey Boardwalks are full of game stands, pizzerias, souvenir shops, beach gear stores, arcades and ice cream parlors drawing families, teenagers and adults alike. The Seaside Heights boardwalk is bookended by two 300-foot-long (91 m) piers that feature amusement rides, carousels, log flumes, roller coasters, Ferris wheels and more. One of these piers is the world-famous Casino Pier, home to a 1913 circa merry-go-round, the Niagara Falls log flume and the Jet Star roller coaster. The other is the Funtown Amusement Pier home to the Tower of Fear, Seaside’s tallest Ferris wheel and a go-kart track. Many of the businesses are still family-owned and operated and have been almost as long as the boardwalk has been around. – Wikipedia

Seaside Heights, New Jersey Boardwalk

Boardwalk Games in Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Boardwalk Games in Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Boardwalk Rooftop Miniature Golf in Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Skyscraper Ride on Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey

New Jersey Boardwalk Arcades in Seaside Heights

New Jersey Boardwalk Food Stands in Seaside Heights

New Jersey Boardwalk Games in Seaside Heights

The Budweiser Bud Man

Casino Pier Sky Ride on the Boardwalk at Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Casino Pier Boardwalk Sky Ride

Seaside Heights, New Jersey Boardwalk

Seaside Heights, New Jersey Boardwalk

Seaside Heights, New Jersey Boardwalk

New Jersey Boardwalk Food Stands in Seaside Heights

Lucky Leo's Arcade in on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk

The Jersey Shore Beaches

New Jersey doesn’t have the warmest beaches, the water rarely gets above 73F (23C), but they still get packed full of people for the Summer.

Jersey Shore - Seaside Heights

Jersey Shore - Seaside Heights

Jersey Shore - Seaside Heights

Jersey Shore - Seaside Heights

Jersey Shore - Seaside Heights

New Jersey Boardwalk Food

Food and games. That’s what you do on the New Jersey Boardwalk. Food is the same throughout all the New Jersey Boardwalks. Mostly specializing in Philadelphia and New York City favorites, which means Italian food. Get your NYC Pizza, Philly Cheesesteaks, Italian Sausage, Curley’s Fries, Ice Cream and Funnel Cakes.

New Jersey Boardwalk Food - 3 Brothers Pizza

New Jersey Boardwalk Food - Kohr's Original Ice Cream & Custard

New Jersey Boardwalk Food - Italian Sausage, Shrimp & Cheesesteaks

New Jersey Boardwalk Food - Marathon Steak & Potato Company

New Jersey Boardwalk Food - NYC Pizza at 3 Brothers Pizza

New Jersey Boardwalk Food - Zeppoles & Funnel Cakes

New Jersey Boardwalk Food - Pizza, Zeppoles, Cheesesteaks, Italian Sausage & Fries

New Jersey Boardwalk Food - Funnel Cake

New Jersey Boardwalk Food - Kohr's Original Ice Cream & Custard Stand

New Jersey Boardwalk T-Shirt Shop

You may find it strange that we are highlighting a T-Shirt shop, but you now know that they are iconic at the New Jersey Boardwalk. Every year we went to the boardwalk we purchased a Jersey Shore T-Shirt. As a kid growing up in the 80′s it was the neon shirts that read, “Wildwood NJ.” Today you can find your typical Jersey slogans and New York and Philadelphia team shirts. Temporary tattoos and piercings are also very popular.

New Jersey Boardwalk T-Shirt Shop - The Shore Store

New Jersey Boardwalk T-Shirt Shop - New Jersey Slogans

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New Jersey Boardwalk T-Shirt Shop [The Shore Store

Get Your Tattoos and Piercings at the Jersey Shore

New Jersey Boardwalk T-Shirt Shop - New Jersey Slogans

MTV Jersey Shore Cast Sightings

These days you can’t talk about the Jersey Shore without a reference to the tremendously popular MTV reality show, “Jersey Shore.” While visiting Seaside Heights, New Jersey during Independence Day weekend we saw several members of the cast on the boardwalk. Hundreds would swarm the stars, taking pictures and video with cell phones. Security surrounded them, attempting to keep order between the fans and those that just wanted to enjoy a stroll on the boards.

MTV Jersey Shore House on top of The Shore Store

MTV Jersey Shore House Rooftop Deck on top of The Shore Store

MTV Jersey Shore House Rooftop Deck on top of The Shore Store

Security Struggles to Keep Perimeter Around MTV Jersey Shore Cast

Security Struggles to Keep Perimeter Around MTV Jersey Shore Cast Pauly D, Ronnie & Sami

MTV Jersey Shore Star Pauly D

MTV Jersey Shore Stars Pauly D, Ronnie & Sami

Snookie & Deena from Jersey Shore Walking on the Boardwalk

Snookie & Deena from Jersey Shore Walking on the Boardwalk

Security Struggles to Keep Perimeter Around MTV Jersey Shore Cast Stars

MTV Jersey Shore Hangout - Karma Night Club

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Seaside Heights, New Jersey Boardwalk and Beach Panorama

Seaside Heights is a resort community, with a beach, an amusement-oriented 2 mile plus boardwalk, and numerous clubs and bars, making it a popular destination. The town is also famous for being the location of the hit MTV show “Jersey Shore”. – Wikipedia

2 Backpackers - Photo of the Day: Jersey Shore Panorama 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Gamez Island in Gulf of Chiriquí National Park, Panama

2 Backpackers - Photo of the Day: Gamez Islands in Panama’s Pacific Coast 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

We visited Puerto Rico for 4 days and 3 nights in June and camped at Playa Flamenco on the Island of Culebra. We learned a good lesson during this trip. Avoid the tropics during the rainy season. This was a spontaneous trip, so we didn’t plan much. Not even enough to realize we weren’t going at the best time of year.

Culebra Island

The Island of Culebra has some of the most beautiful remote beaches in the world. With the mosquitos feasting on us at night and rains pouring our on tent, we still managed to experience 20 minutes of sunshine while camping on Playa Flamenco. We grabbed our camera and jumped in the water and began our Puerto Rico travel videos.

Watch fish swim underwater and catch our recommendation of the best restaurant on the island. Enjoy the show!

2 Backpackers - Culebra Island Puerto Rico – Travel Videos Clip 5 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

The Best Waterfront State Campground in the Florida Keys

The People of Key West, Florida

There are several large state campgrounds located in the Southern Florida Keys. This photo of the day was taken from Long Key State Park on Long Key, which is in Marathon, Florida. Some sites are off the water and cheaper, but you can’t beat this site for sunsets and sunrises at $40USD per night.

2 Backpackers - Photo of the Day: Camping in Long Key Florida 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

The adrenaline was high and the scenery was incredible during our jet ski tour in Miami Beach, Florida. Biscayne Bay, Port of Miami and Fisher Island were our stops in this short Travel Video from Jason and Aracely of 2Backpackers.com. Enjoy the show!

2 Backpackers - Jet Ski Tour of Miami – Short Clip 4 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

9 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in 30 pictures from Lasith Lansakara of Discovering Serendipity

1. Where the Elephants Roam

Sadly not as much anymore.  Over hunting during the British colonial period has left the Sri Lankan Asian Elephant endangered.  Recent conservation efforts attempt to rebuild the local elephant population and visitors have several opportunities to see and interact with these majestic animals.

National Parks like Wasgamuwa allow you to capture a glimpse of these animals in the wild, while conservation centers like the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, the worlds largest heard of captive elephants, give you a chance to get up close and personal.

2. Magnificent Remains from Ancient Times

Sri Lanka’s documented history dates back over 2,500 years to 543 BC when King Vijaya became Sri Lanka’s first monarch.  Remains of architectural wonders from ancient Sinhalese kingdoms are still present today.  Most notable are those of the 5th century rock fortress “Sigiriya” built in the shape of a crouching lion.

3. Rich Colonial Heritage

For over three centuries parts of Sri Lanka had remained under the rule of various colonial powers.  Beginning with the Portuguese in the 16th century, followed by the Dutch in the 17th and the British in the 18th and early 19th centuries, they have each left behind their legacy.  From the Dutch Fort in Galle to British architecture in Nuwara Eliya, remnants of Sri Lanka’s colonial past are found dotted across the country today.

4. Golden Sands and Sunny Beaches

As an island nation, Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Oceana.  A trip to Sri Lanka is not complete without surfing, body boarding or just laying under the sun on its golden beaches that have been a tourist mainstay for years.

5. Explore Nature and Wildlife

A fast growing destination for eco-tourism, Sri Lanka’s 22 national parks, including 2 marine, are home to several indigenous species of flora and fauna.  Trek through national parks in Horton Plains to see some scenic waterfalls and blossoming flowers or Wasgamuwa to spots deer or leopards.

6. Land of Buddha

Although a largely diverse population, nearly 70% of the country is Buddhist.  Since the introduction of Buddhism to the country by King Devanampiya Tissa of the 3rd century BC, it has been an integral part of the country’s culture.  A tour of the country is not complete without a visit to some of the ancient and modern, life sized Buddha statues and temples.

The Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is revered by Buddhists worldwide and is said to hold a relic of the Buddha’s left canine tooth.

7. Colorful People

The locals pride themselves on their Sri Lankan hospitality.  This is not just something you taste in the spicy curry dishes, but also in the beaming smiles.  During my travels I chatted with several locals, such as Laal the rock fisherman, who was happy to chat and share his life with me.  During your visit, I certainly recommend taking a little time to meet some of the people you pass by.

8. The Home of Tea

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest tea exporters with over 20% market share by volume.  “Ceylon Tea” is also one of the few commodities that command a premium, fetching about 50% more than competitors at auction markets.  Surprisingly however tea is not native to Sri Lanka and was a gift by British colonists such as the famed tea grower Sir James Lipton.  Today, Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka’s highlands is the world’s tea capital.

9. A Photographer’s Paradise

Be sure to pack your favorite camera during your visit – A combination of sunny, yet cloudy skies and lush green landscapes, truly makes Sri Lanka a photographer’s paradise!

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Filming a Sunset on Guatemala's Black Sand Monterrico Beach

2 Backpackers - Photo of the Day: Filming a Beach Sunset 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Canoa Beach on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast is the most underrated beach in Ecuador to Aracely and I. The wide flat sand beach stretches for miles with cliffs in the distance. Huts on the sand provide alcohol and music, while hostels on the street give backpackers a place to sleep and hang. Don’t miss this one!

Canoa Beach on Ecuador's Pacific Coast

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A Tiny San Blas Island Covered in Huts of the Kuna Tribe

During our sailing trip from Panama to Colombia, we spent 2 days exploring the San Blas islands in Panama’s Caribbean. The indigenous Kuna tribe inhabits the islands. Amazingly, they build huts such as these on the tiniest of islands. They navigate between each island in dugout canoes.

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Sailboat In San Blas Islands Panama

This was one of the boats near us during our visit to the island of Chichime in San Blas Islands, Panama during our sail trip from Panama to Colombia.

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Colombia Travel - Magnificent Looking Rock At Tayrona National Park Beach

We just can’t stop talking about beaches during Colombia travel.  This is another travel photo that shows you why.  There were many other amazing looking rocks just like this one all around the Tayrona beaches.  If you ever find yourself in Colombia, be sure to visit Tayrona National Park.  We highly endorse Colombia travel.

2 Backpackers - Travel Photo of the Day: Magnificent Rock At Tayrona National Park 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.