The Best Caribbean Cruise for Country Counters

EAST CARIBBEAN

Updated as of October 2023:

There are eight countries in the eastern Caribbean that aren’t the easiest, logistics-wise. You can fly, but a single flight might cost $400+ with a strange layover, whereas a direct flight (if there even is one) would be fifteen minutes. Then you have to purchase hotels, plan enough time to do all your activities, etc. There is a ferry but they only go between certain islands. So, what’s the most cost-effective way to visit all of the Caribbean islands? A cruise!

What’s the best cruise line?

Before the pandemic, there was an MSC cruise that went to all eight, but currently there’s only one line that goes to six countries. But still, that’s a great deal — and it’s $400 per person! Transport between all the countries, accommodation, and food? It’s too good to pass up.

I went with Royal Caribbean, but unfortunately it doesn’t look like they’re offering the cruise anymore. I’ll go over the cruise I went on before giving suggestions for current cruises with similar itineraries, but if you’d rather jump to that section click here.

The Itinerary

• DAY 1: Barbados

• DAY 2: Tobago

• DAY 3: Trinidad

• DAY 4: Grenada

• DAY 5: St. Vincent & the Grenadines

• DAY 6: Dominica

• DAY 7: St. Lucia

• DAY 8: Barbados

Barbados

My family actually joined on this trip since it was my 30th birthday, so we got in a couple days before to explore Bridgetown before hopping on the cruise. My favorite activity was watching all the racehorses bathing in front of the hotel. Other points of interest were the George Washington House and St. Nicholas Abbey.

TOBAGO

A lot of people would argue that you don’t get to truly “experience the culture” hopping to each island for one day. But what I think is great about the cruise is just getting a little taste of each place and going back to the places you want to explore deeper. Tobago was one of those places where I felt that there just wasn’t a whole lot to do so I was glad I only spent a day here. The beach at Pigeon Point was beautiful, and I enjoyed getting to go on the glass bottom kayak.

Trinidad

Don’t get fooled into feeling like you need to book a tour or excursion for every stop. We got off the ship and found a driver to take us to all the points of the city — check out the Magnificent Seven, then head over the hills to Maracas Beach to try their famous bake ‘n’ shark. Doubles is also another popular food dish in Trinidad.

GRENADA

Welcome to the Spice Island! This was probably one of my favorite stops of the trip — check out the Underwater Sculpture Park (visibility isn’t great most days, so something to be wary of), Annandale Falls, and Fort Frederick for views of the entire island.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

We did a catamaran day tour, which was a great option since there isn’t a whole lot to do in the port of Kingstown. Most people suggest going to the actual Grenadines than St. Vincent so I loved this little trip! We visited Dark Falls and a Pirates of the Caribbean set before doing a catamaran ride to a black sand beach.

Dominica

Dominica was also another favorite stop of the trip and I wish I had another day to explore! It’s known as “the nature island,” so naturally we did a day hike to Boiling Lake. On All Trails it says about 6 miles but we clocked it at 8 miles. It took a good chunk of the day so we didn’t have much time to do anything else afterwards.

st. lucia

This was another island I wish I had an extra day in! We did another catamaran trip to the famous Pitons, which included a swim stop at Marigot Bay. I would’ve also loved doing the mud baths, but will save that for another time.

Alternative Cruises Currently Offered

As of October 2023, they are no longer offering the Royal Caribbean cruise to the six countries I mentioned, BUT there is an alternative that’s also a great option! Unfortunately they’re a bit pricier, but if you take transport, food, and accommodation into account they’re actually great alternatives.

MSC Cruises: Currently MSC offers two cruises that covers a few of the countries mentioned, but also territories. The countries it goes to are St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, and St. Lucia. This starts from $550 so it’s not a bad deal, but unfortunately it doesn’t go to all the eastern Caribbean countries.

Seabourn Cruise Line: On the other hand, Seabourn cruises to Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada. This covers six of the eight (only missing Trinidad & Tobago and Dominica), but is a little pricier and can probably compare to the cost of taking flights everywhere. The only upside is, everything is taken care of and is included in the cost.

Everything you need to know to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

TANZANIA

Mt. Kilimanjaro is a bucket list destination for everyone, and because it’s not a technical hike it’s probably one of the most common mountains to summit. As an avid hiker with very little mountaineering experience, I didn’t know what would be the best route to take or what I would need since there are so many options out there.

DO YOU NEED A GUIDE FOR MT. KILIMANJARO?

The short answer is, yes, you need to be accompanied on the mountain at all times due to national park regulations and permits. Plus, for safety reasons, it’s always best going with someone who knows the route. Your guide and team are also important in a successful summit.

There are so many companies online that offer this tour, so as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer I referred to a Peace Corps travel facebook group to see what Tanzania Peace Corps Volunteers recommended. PCVs always know how to find the best deals from local companies so that’s always my go-to. Nearly everyone recommended Barafu Tours, so I reached out. Sure enough, they were probably the most economically feasible out of everything I found online.

how did you pick which route for mt. kilimanjaro?

There are seven different routes you can take for Mt. Kilimanjaro:

1. RONGAI: Rongai is the true wilderness experience, but has a low success rate.

2. SHIRA: Shira is nearly identical to Lemosho, but Lemosho is usually recommended over Shira.

3. LEMOSHO: Lemosho is known to have the best views and is one of the longer routes, but it does have a high success rate due to having more time to acclimatize.

4. MACHAME: One of the more popular routes, Machame also has a high success rate.

5. UMBWE: Umbwe is a short, steep route with a low success rate. It’s also known to be the most difficult.

6. MWEKA: Mweka is only used for descents.

7. MARANGU: Marangu is another short route with a low success rate, but there is accommodation available.

I ended up doing the Marangu route because it offered 5-day treks (even though six days is recommended for acclimatization) since I couldn’t be away for that long. I felt that since I had a good amount of hiking experience along with a little bit of mountaineering sprinkled in, that I’d be able to handle it. Plus, I didn’t want to have to carry a lot of gear like a tent etc. It’s nice being able to pull up to little huts and have a toilet, even though it is pretty basic.

What to wear in the Middle East | Clothing Guide for Women

MIDDLE EAST CLOTHING GUIDE

As I am nearing finishing EVERY country in the Middle East, I thought it was time to put together a little guide on what to wear as a woman visiting each of these countries. Each country is unique; some countries you’ll find it’s more progressive and trendy, while some you’ll have to be fully covered. Whatever the case, here’s my top tips on what to wear in every country in the Middle East as a woman.

what are the differences between islamic veils?

Before extensively traveling in the Middle East, I honestly didn’t know much about the different types of Islamic veils; it’s important to provide a little background before getting into the clothing aspect. I truly believe that visiting these countries — no matter what your beliefs are — it’s important to respect a country’s culture.

A hijab is the most common type of Islamic veil that you’ll see to cover the hair and is normally used to describe a headscarf, but a hijab means much more than that — it encompasses one’s behavior, speech, and dress in accordance with Islam. Therefore, when you see me use the term “headscarf” it’s used to describe a non-Muslim woman covering her hair.

You’ll also see women using the “niqab,” or “full-faced veil,” but from my experience as a traveller you will not need to wear it unless you’re visiting mainland Yemen. Chadors are commonly found in Iran, and the only time you’ll have to wear one is visiting the mosques, where they’ll provide one at the entrance. Burqas are only found in Afghanistan and are not required as a tourist.

Now that we’ve gone over the different types of Islamic veils, let’s get into what to wear specifically in each country!

bahrain

Bahrain, a small island gulf state in the Middle East, offers a rich blend of history, culture, and stunning architecture. After doing a road trip in Saudi Arabia, I flew to Dammam and crossed the land border to Bahrain, my 94th country. In general the country is more progressive and has the Gulf State “glitz and glamor” vibe so feel free to wear whatever you’d like; with the “Sofia Richie” clothing trend I think that’s perfect for Bahrain — modest dresses that cover the shoulders or flowy clothing.

Iran

Iran is the only country with a mandatory law that women must cover their hair. You’ll see a lot of women trying to push that rule where it sits on the back of their head. The women in Iran are gorgeous and are super trendy — I would say the main thing is to wear something loosely-fitting that covers your behind. Pants, a tunic-long sleeve that covers your bum, and a headscarf. I wore skinny jeans, a blouse, a chiffon robe I bought in Uzbekistan, and a headscarf and that was perfect. Despite the mandatory headscarf rule, there is no need for an abaya.

Iraq

I’ve only been to Iraqi Kurdistan, not Iraq proper, but in general if you visit the north (i.e. Erbil) it’s also pretty progressive and women are stylish. Iraq proper is a little more on the conservative side so I’d pack more long flowy neutral-colored dresses. Even though it’s generally more progressive it’s still not a place you really want to stand out in. As for the north, winters get pretty chilly and as you can see, I wore skinny jeans, turtle neck, and combat boots. I also visited in the fall when it was hot and wore a flowy long-sleeve chiffon top. Headscarves are a must to pack for mosques.

Jordan

Jordan is a super-touristy country so you can wear whatever you’d like. I honestly wore shorts and a tank top the whole time and I felt fine. Since I was still pretty new to traveling around the Middle East (Jordan was my 63rd country) I didn’t think about it much, but knowing what I know now I’d probably go for something with the “Sofia Richie” vibe — a flowy dress or flowy linen pants with a tank top.

Kuwait

Even though Kuwait is a Gulf State country, I’d say it’s a little more on the conservative side. I think the “Sofia Richie” vibe with flowy linen pants and a tank top (not spaghetti strap) would be fine, but I felt most comfortable in this flowy dress I’m wearing above. It’s also nice to start incorporating light scarves into your Middle East wardrobe because you never know when you’ll be visiting a mosque and need to cover your hair real quick!

Lebanon

My 146th country, after visiting nearly every country in the Middle East it was so good to be in Lebanon! I was quite shocked that the local women wear pretty sexy cut-out dresses, shorts, tank tops — anything goes. So do as your heart desires! I just wore jeans and a tank top and not once did I get a single “look,” or felt uncomfortable. That was a great feeling to be in such a fashion-forward Middle Eastern country.

Oman

Oman is definitely half-half when it comes to wearing whatever you want versus dressing conservatively. Visiting cities like Muscat or Nizwa, flowy dresses and clothing is the way to go. The olive green dress shown in my Kuwait photo I actually had custom-made in Oman and it fits perfectly for every aspect! You’ll see them being sold all over the souqs for $8 and this is a great staple to buy for your Middle East wardrobe; they’ll tailor it on the spot for you. If you visit the wadis or islands — shorts and tank tops are okay since you’re out there and hiking but make sure you have a change of clothes if you head back to the city.

QATAR

Qatar was actually my first Gulf State country, my 45th country! It’s also another fashion-forward city so flowy linen pants with a tank top, flowy dresses, or even pants and a blouse would be fine. I don’t recommend shorts and a spaghetti strap tank but in general Qatar is pretty relaxed.

SAUDI ARABIA

When you normally think of Saudi, you picture all the women dressed in black abayas and niqabs but I was pretty surprised at how fashionable the women were and it was a little more relaxed than I was expecting. I would say bring a long flowy dress, but shop for all the fun abayas! For more info read my guide on Saudi Arabia, where I have map links of where to shop. You’ll see a lot of women wearing a long dress plus a fun cloak, like I’m wearing above. I’d also recommend purchasing a black abaya and headscarf if you want to visit places like Medina so you blend in a little more. Plus it comes in handy for other conservative countries like mainland Yemen or Afghanistan.

SYRIA

Syria is another fashion-forward country, but I’d place it on-par with Iraq in terms of what to wear — jeans, long sleeve top (I wore a flowy chiffon blouse because it was really hot instead of a turtle neck), and combat boots. I think it’s also good to bring closed-toe shoes in countries where you’ll be walking around historical sites a lot or places where you’ll see the country’s destructive past.

Turkey

I don’t really think of Turkey as totally part of the Middle East since Istanbul is technically in Europe, but regionally it’s part of the Middle East so I’ll add it. Turkey is another country where anything is fine, as you can see I wear jeans and a t-shirt! I wouldn’t wear shorts in Istanbul but it’s fine on coastal towns and beaches obviously. At mosques they have headscarves available for women to use while inside so you don’t have to worry about lugging one around while you’re sightseeing.

united arab emirates

The UAE is pretty much the “Las Vegas of the Middle East,” — since it’s such a huge transit hub, you’ll see all walks of life from all over the world! It gets crazy hot during the summers, or even late spring and early fall. Shorts and tank tops are fine so feel free to wear whatever you’d like. The only time I wore something other than my “normal clothes” was applying for a visa at the embassy of Afghanistan in Dubai.

Yemen

I’ve only visited Socotra Island, and since you’re so remote hiking and camping anything goes. I pretty much lived in my shorts, tank top, and bikini until we were stranded in the capital of Hadiboh. Then I found a dress to wear the rest of the time (it turned out to be pajamas but the lady didn’t tell us that when we bought them…). On the other hand, if you visit mainland Yemen that’s a whole different story and you must have a black abaya and niqab to blend in.

Best Itinerary for St. Kitts & Nevis

ST. KITTS & NEVIS

A twenty minute short flight from Antigua & Barbuda, I headed to my 120th country, St. Kitts & Nevis! I only visited two countries on this short trip because I was planning on doing a cruise to the other six islands in the eastern Caribbean in January 2023. Whether you’re doing a different cruise or looking for things to do, here is the best itinerary for St. Kitts & Nevis!

ROMNEY MANOR

Romney Manor dates back to the early 17th century when it was established as a sugar plantation. Once owned by the Earl of Romney, this sprawling estate played a significant role in the region's sugar industry, where it thrived for centuries. Today, it stands as a historical landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and showcasing the island's colonial legacy.

Timothy Hill overlook

This photo was actually taken with a drone of the area! But Timothy Hill overlook is probably the best area for views of the whole island.

BRIMSTONE HILL FORTRESS NATIONAL PARK

Brimstone Hill Fortress holds a wealth of historical significance, showcasing the architectural prowess of the British Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its strategic location made it a formidable stronghold during colonial times, protecting against invasions and guarding the valuable sugar plantations of St. Kitts.

Most Instagrammable Places in Antigua & Barbuda

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA

My last countries in North America were all in the eastern Caribbean, which aren’t the most easy countries to visit and are logistically pretty expensive. There are eight countries in the eastern Caribbean, and I happened to find a cruise that goes to six within a week’s time for $400. Sure, you might spend a day in each country, but you get a taste and can decide later which ones you want to go back to and spend more time in. Also, $400, which covers food, accommodation, and the transport is an amazing deal versus a single flight that would potentially cost the same amount. The only two countries that this cruise doesn’t cover is Antigua & Barbuda and St. Kitts & Nevis; so I decided to hop on a flight to visit these countries. Anyways, let’s get into the “most instagrammable spots” of Antigua & Barbuda!

Shirley Heights

This overlook in English Harbour is incredible for sunset. I actually stayed in this area the whole time I visited Antigua because of how beautiful the area is!

Pineapple beach club

These colorful huts can be found right along the beach of the Pineapple Beach Club! You can pay for a day pass to hang out for the day, and the beach is stunning.

Tyrell’s Catholic Church

This bright pink church is iconic on the island; I recommend going later in the day for the best lighting!

Telephone booth

Located on the beach in front of Siboney hotel, this is also a stunning beach to hang out at!

Everything you need to know about Venezuela

VENEZUELA

When it comes to South American destinations, Venezuela often tends to fly under the radar. However, this captivating country is bursting with breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warmhearted people. As my 118th and final country in South America, here’s everything you need to know about exploring Venezuela.

VISA

The visa is probably the most difficult aspect of trying to visit this country if you’re American or hold a non-European passport. I went on my Philippine passport, but I had an American friend that also applied at the embassy in Mexico City. You can read my fully detailed guide on obtaining a visa to Venezuela here.

Caracas

Nestled in a valley at the foot of the Avila Mountain, Caracas stands as a captivating showcase of dichotomies. As the bustling capital of Venezuela, it pulsates with the energy of a modern metropolis, juxtaposing soaring skyscrapers with colonial-era buildings that whisper tales of a bygone era. The city's rich cultural heritage is reflected in its vibrant plazas, where locals gather to socialize and indulge in the nation's beloved arepas. While Caracas boasts a cosmopolitan allure with its upscale malls and trendy nightlife, it also embraces the depths of nature. Caracas encapsulates the essence of Venezuela, captivating visitors with its enchanting contrasts and serving as a gateway to the country's diverse wonders.

We spent two nights in Caracas seeing all the sights of the city. We stayed at an incredible airbnb hosted by a wonderful family, who took us on a city tour, cooked wonderful meals, and drove us everywhere we needed to go. I highly recommend reaching out to Jean Paul on Whatsapp at +4407498778646. One of my favorite activities was watching sunset from the 360 Bar & Lounge, which had incredible views of the city.

Angel Falls

From Caracas, we flew to Canaima to see the world-famous Angel Falls, the tallest uninterrupted waterfall on the planet. Located in the remote Canaima National Park, the sight of water cascading from a staggering height of 979 meters is truly awe-inspiring. We stayed at Waku Lodge, which is the best place to stay in my opinion — it had the best value and the views from the hotel were incredible, with waterfalls cascading all around. All lodges will set you up with flights in the price.

The first day at Waku Lodge we did an afternoon excursion to Sapo Falls, which was really unique because you hike behind these incredible waterfalls. The rocks you walk on are mossy and extremely slippery, so I highly recommend wearing socks (yes, socks!) or crocs work great too (a lady was kind enough to lend me hers for the trek since she already had socks).

The second day was the journey to the falls — we had to wake up at 3:30 AM to get ready to take a boat ride up the Carrao River. The weather is deceiving, and even though during the daytime it’s extremely hot, the combination of the wind and rain during the boat ride will make you extremely cold. I can’t stress this enough — bring a quality rain jacket or at the very least, a rain poncho.

The third day you could opt to take a flight to the falls or a helicopter ride, but honestly I was exhausted and I didn’t want to spend any extra money outside of the package I paid so I took the time to hang out at the lodge and soak in the views. Having a day to just journal in a hammock right next to the falls was perfect; plus it’s nice to take advantage of a luxury hotel you paid good money for!

Morrocoy national park

Morrocoy National Park is home to a myriad of picturesque islands and islets, all surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters. One of the main attractions of Morrocoy National Park is its archipelago, home to more than 50 islands and islets. The archipelago offers a diversity of landscapes, from mangrove forests to sandy beaches and coral reefs.

After landing back in Caracas, our airbnb host (mentioned above) drove us all the way to Morrocoy National Park. There aren’t many places to stay so our host found an apartment for us to rent for a couple nights. We decided to explore the islands by boat, including Playa Mero and Cayo Sombrero, so we spent one full day boating all the beautiful islets around before making the return back to Caracas.

Everything you need to know about Eritrea

ERITREA

Eritrea is a small country located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Ethiopia to the south, Sudan to the west, and the Red Sea to the east. It gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a long and bloody civil war. The country's population is approximately six million people, and it is known for its diverse cultural heritage, ancient ruins, and stunning landscapes. Despite its natural beauty, Eritrea is one of the poorest nations in the world, and its people have suffered from decades of conflict and political instability. Despite these challenges, however, Eritrea has a rich history and culture and is a fascinating destination for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

VISA

The visa for Eritrea is notoriously one of the toughest to get. As an American, I sent my passport and all my documents to the embassy in Washington DC, but if you live in Europe, Berlin is probably the best embassy to obtain the visa. These are the following documents I sent to the embassy:

• Physical passport

• Visa application (Note: the photo you have to affix is insanely tiny, I had to go to a photo place and show them the application to make sure we got one that fix exactly within the parameters)

• Flight / Hotel / Itinerary / Employment letter (these aren't necessary according to the website, but I included them so there would be no reason to refuse my application)

• Last month's bank statement (proof of sufficient funds)

• $55 USD money order ($50 for visa, $5 for mail processing)

• Self-addressed express priority mail envelope (express isn't necessary but after waiting on your passport without any sign of life, you're gonna want it!)

I mailed everything off and didn't hear anything until 10 business days after they received it (about 3 weeks, they only work Mondays - Thursdays) when I got a rare call from the embassy to verify how many days I would be visiting Eritrea. They said they would be sending my passport back within the next day but it was sent the following week. In total it took about a month and the visa is valid for 3 months after approval. Note, they don't answer the phone or email if you try contacting them. Yes, it drove me crazy.

ENTRY TO ERITREA

All that was required upon boarding was the visa and vaccination card.

Once the plane lands in Asmara, you're taken to a waiting area to do a rapid test on arrival.

Immigration was friendly and took awhile to input all the info into the system but stamped my passport, no questions asked.

Right after immigration you'll see a currency exchange office on the left. As credit cards are not accepted and there are no ATMs, you should exchange money here. Rates are good anyways but you can always exchange more at your hotel. The office was pitch black when I arrived as it was 11 PM at night so I almost just passed it assuming it was closed. I saw someone tap on the window and the woman was sleeping on the couch inside

The taxi shouldn't cost more than 200 - 300 Nakfas (between $14 - 20 USD) to the main part of the city. The driver was trying to charge me 400 but I insisted on 300 max. If you want a taxi that's guaranteed 200 Nakfas, contact Medhanie in advance (Whatsapp +2917403639)

STAYING CONNECTED

Internet is extremely poor in Eritrea and you cannot access most sites just on wifi. I didn't get a sim card, but I used a VPN called "HA Tunnel Plus," which is what all the locals use. Be sure to download it before your trip; there's tons of different settings and options but the local internet cafe people are wizards and can configure your phone easily if you have trouble.

WHERE TO STAY?

I stayed at the Crystal Hotel and breakfast was included. One of my favorite aspects was it’s right off the main strip and was a great location to walk everywhere. They also had a guide they recommended (Medhanie, who I mentioned above) for $40 for a day, $70 for two days. Just ask the front desk or contact him via whatsapp if you're interested!

What to see in asmara

From a photography standpoint these were my favorite spots around Asmara:

• Cinema Impero

• Fiat Tagliero

• Local markets: personal favorite was the metal-working market. The women also make spices here

• Bowling alley

I wandered around for hours just taking photos of the beautiful architecture and exploring the little shops, seemingly frozen in time.

To visit the tank graveyard you have to get a permit from the Ministry of Tourism office -- bring your passport. To visit other sights outside of Asmara you must secure permits from this office as well, which must be secured more than a day in advance. One of the ladies that works the front desk of Crystal Hotel said she could arrange a driver to Massawa as a 1-day trip for $100 or two days for $200. I found this helpful as there isn't much info online, and the tours that offer it charge a crazy amount of money. You also have to go with a special taxi / driver so when I asked Medhanie if he could take me, he said he could not. I asked other people at the hotel along with locals how to do this, but it wasn't until my second to last day I finally got the right info -- by the time I tried to secure a permit, it was too late. So I hope this helps those that want to visit independently!

One thing to note, most places seem to close for lunch around 11:30 AM and re-open around 3 PM. Nap culture is a big thing.

where to eat in asmara

Here are a few of my favorite spots to eat in Asmara:

• Ghibabo Restaurant for traditional food, all-around favorite restaurant and beautiful atmosphere

• Spaghetti for the best Italian-Eritrean food

• Sweet Asmara Cafe is a cute cafe, mostly for the Italian art deco vibe. I'm big on coffee but that part unfortunately didn't impress, pastries were pretty good

• Cinema Roma had the best coffee -- their macchiatos & cappuccinos were my personal faves. Loved the retro cinema film decor; cinemas haven't played movies since covid, but ask to see the actual theater

Final thoughts

As soon as I started walking around the morning after I arrived, locals would approach me left and right and were incredibly friendly. I was invited to coffee many times, people wanted to accompany me and show me around. Even though I'd offer to pay and then insist, they would refuse.

Locals also invited me to clubs, as this seems like the "thing" to do in the evenings. I was apprehensive as a solo female traveler because I usually don't go out past sunset for safety reasons. Clubs seem to be more like restaurants with a calm, dimly-lit ambiance where you can have food, drinks, and coffee -- not like the typical rowdy dance clubs I usually think of

I usually find that African cities are chaotic, but Asmara was super calm and quiet. People just leave their bicycles on the street unchained because there's no crime, they say. I never got approached aggressively or got unwanted attention like what usually happens as a solo female traveler. Dress is relaxed and I wore my usual jeans and t-shirt. Overall I found it a great place to explore independently and as a solo female traveler, and definitely has become one of my new favorite destinations to date.

How to Obtain the Venezuela Visa in Mexico City

VENEZUELA VISA

If you’re American or some other nationality (in my case, the Philippines) that needs a visa for Venezuela, this blog post is for you! Venezuela is one of the most difficult visas to get, and since there’s little info out there on how to get the visa I wanted to create a guide on everything you need to know.

Why Mexico City?

Since there isn’t an embassy in the USA, Americans or residents of the US have to go to the embassy in Mexico City. Yes, there is an embassy in Ottawa, Canada, but I had an American friend who went there and couldn’t get it. My friend also attempted the embassy in Dominican Republic but they mostly just cater to Venezuelans in the DR, so I highly recommend playing it safe and obtaining it in Mexico City.

 

Visa Requirements

Before even going to the embassy, make sure you have all the requirements you need. This is a long trip to go to the embassy, and you’ll have to go two times for the visa, so make it count!

• Application Form

• Copy of passport

• Passport photo

• Itinerary

• Flight/Hotel

• Last month bank statement (have last 3 months just in case)

• Medical letter (approval from a doctor that you're healthy)

• House title/lease agreement

• Employment letter

First Trip to Mexico City: June 2022

Arrived right when they opened at 8 AM, told the man at the door that I was "solicitando una visa turista" and told to go to the back of the line, which is through the building into a parking garage with a lot of chairs lined up.

Eventually the man came and told me to wait in a shorter, different line for the front desk

Showed visa application and receptionist input the info, gave me a ticket and went to the 2nd floor

Waited until number was called, laid out all the documents and was told to go back to the lobby to pay. Make sure they give some sort of paper that says the price of the tourist visa ($30 USD) so you don't have to go back and forth. Side note, my American friend had to fill out an extra application form while I only had to do the one I found online.

Paid in the lobby with credit card, given receipt, went back to the 2nd floor and the receipt was stapled to the application. Was told it would be ready in 4-6 weeks and come back then. I asked for an email/phone number/contact but they said no and I'd just have to come back after the mentioned time period. Make sure you come back after the 6 weeks to make sure; Americans have 6-8 weeks processing time.

Second trip to mexico city: August 2022

I went back to Mexico City at the beginning of August and stopped by the embassy first thing in the morning. I left my passport, came back the next morning, and there was a VNZ visa in my passport! The visa is multiple entry, but 1 month validity (for Americans it’s multiple entry, 3 months validity). I flew Copa Airlines from PTY to Caracas, but my return flight I paid $150 via Venezolana Airlines.

A Complete Guide to crossing the Guyanas overland

THE GUYANAS

Often overlooked by so many other countries in South America, most tourists don’t even know this little region of the world exists. If you made it to this page, chances are you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path or unusual adventure.

How Do you decide whether to fly or go overland?

Overland journeys are often the best way to see a country; you’re usually taking public transport, navigating roads that tourists hardly tread, crossing borders that take hours on end and enduring obstacles that you wouldn’t have even imagined when you started planning the trip — but that’s what makes overland journeys so rewarding.

A lot of factors go into whether or not I’m going to fly or go overland:

How big are the distances between the countries?

How much is there to do in each country?

What kind of adventure am I chasing?

The Guyanas are so small that it’s fairly easy to take public transport or taxis over the borders, and there’s not a whole lot to see in each country (don’t get me wrong, they’re amazing, but just putting it into perspective and comparing it to, say, Brazil). Since I was also doing the Amazon ferry, I thought it would be perfect to continue overland and combine the two journeys. If you haven’t read my journey traveling by cargo ship from Manaus to Macapa, check it out here!

The Route

I’m starting the map at Macapá since technically that’s where we started overland, but I’ll begin this guide crossing the border from Brazil to French Guiana.

Saint Georges, French Guiana

The water taxi to Saint Georges is R$50 or €10 per person. It’s a beautiful boat ride across the water, but when you get to French Guiana you must ask the shuttle service to take you to Cayenne. The immigration office is close to the bridge (I’m not sure why they insist on the water taxi when it’s probably easier to walk across) so make sure you get stamped in. The shuttle will take you from the boat to immigration to Cayenne for €50 per person.

Cayenne, French Guiana

You can see nearly everything in a few hours in Cayenne and it’s pretty expensive (welcome to France), so I didn’t spend too much time there. Rather than going into the sights, I’ll continue with the logistics of the journey. If you want to read more about what to do in French Guiana, you can check it out here!

You can find a shared taxi to Kourou for €10, and you can ask if they can come back to take you all the way to the border as well since many drive the same route. The taxi to the border was €50, and the water taxi was €5. Immigration closes at 5:30 PM so make sure you arrive by then to get stamped out.

Suriname

To enter Suriname, you need to fill out a tourist card online beforehand and print out the QR code to be stamped. This is a new system instead of getting an e-visa. You also need to fill out an entry form upon arrival. After immigration, the shared taxi was €25 to Paramaribo.

Something to note, if someplace accepts credit card they usually only take Mastercard. Visa is apparently too expensive for the, otherwise cash is the best way to pay. There’s a good money exchange right before crossing the Jules W Bridge into Paramaribo; exchange rates are higher in the city.

From Paramaribo, I took a shared taxi towards the border for €50. It’s a four hour drive and there’s only one ferry that leaves at 11 AM each day so I stayed at the Residence Inn in Nieuw Nickerie (there’s not a whole lot of options). The next morning I went to the port at 7 AM to line up; they open the gates by 8 AM and check your passport, yellow fever card, and covid vaccination so it’s important to be there early. Ferry tickets are $15 USD.

I would’ve loved to go into the interior of Suriname, but unfortunately there was not enough time. If you’re looking for things to do in Paramaribo, Suriname check out my blog post here!

Guyana

Getting shared taxi drivers was like passing on the torch; it started in French Guiana and we would ask the driver, “do you have a friend that could take us from Point A to B?” and sure enough, there would be someone waiting at our next border crossing. We had one more taxi driver take us from the Guyana border to Georgetown, where I would fly out of to end the overland journey. Hotels were quite expensive if you look online; a friend of mine who lived in Georgetown recommended Rima Guesthouse. I couldn’t seem to get a hold of them over email or phone, so I just showed up and they had a room available. I paid $40 (cash only) for a private room with AC and bathroom, whereas everything else online was at least $100. Honestly it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing place I’ve stayed, but it was clean, the wifi was fast, and it was the cheapest option available.

As for things to do, I’ve created another blog post on the best things to do in Guyana including an in-depth guide on how to secure a spot on the famously sought-after Kaieteur Falls tour.

Everything you need to know about the Amazon Ferry from Manaus to Macapá

The Amazon River

Years ago, I don’t know exactly how I stumbled upon it, but I heard about a ferry that goes all the way down the Amazon River across Brazil. It’s a cargo ship that delivers goods and mail to little villages along the Amazon River that is otherwise inaccessible for the people living there. Locals will string up their hammock and pack in tightly on the cargo ship, and is used as transport all across the region. This ferry has been a bucket list adventure of mine for a long time, so I finally decided to go for it, combining it with an overland trip through the Guyanas.

Where to Start?

There are so many places you can start from! You can start from all the way in Peru, or even on the border of Tabatinga, Brazil — funny enough one of my good friends, Peter, decided to do this trip after seeing mine but started in Tabatinga and ended in Manaus. I’m linking his page here because it compliments my trip since I started in Manaus and ended in Macapá.

I included both Peter’s journey (blue) and mine (from the green marker to the red marker) in the map above, starting in Manaus all the way to Macapá. You have to change ferries in Santarém as there are no boats that go all the way to Macapá, but people most commonly take the boat to Belém. I went to Macapá since I was continuing north towards the Guyanas.

One thing to note is going downstream is much faster. So if you go upstream (Macapá to Santarém, for example) the same boat ride takes double the time — something to consider when choosing your route. Anyways, let’s get to the nitty gritty!

Manaus

I flew into Manaus, Brazil and spent the night in a hostel near the port (Local Hostel Manaus was a great spot close-by). At about 8 AM the next morning, I walked over to the port to find someone near the entrance selling tickets to Santarém for about $25 USD (they accept US dollars). Nearby I found a hammock in the local market with the cords for about $10. Make sure you stock up on snacks, water, and any other food just in case.

The boat leaves at noon, but come early to get a good hammock spot. The bottom floor seems to have the most air flow, and most people seemed to flock to the sides with AC. I picked a spot towards the middle and had an outlet next to me. It wasn’t too hot and there weren’t really any bugs so I honestly felt like I had a great spot.

The boat was called “Regional,” and the amenities vary per boat — there are bathrooms with showers, a bar on the second floor, and a cafeteria that serves food at certain hours of the day, and overall wasn’t too crowded so I felt like I lucked out.

They said it would take 36 hours but actually took 31 hours to arrive to Santarém. Upon arrival I immediately went to the ticket counter to find out when the next boat to Macapá would leave and they said there wouldn’t be another boat until Saturday evening at 6 PM (2 days later). I bought a ticket for R$220 ($40 USD) and stayed in a hotel nearby.

How much does it cost?

I explained a bit on the pricing above, but to be clear, I bought my tickets spontaneously and haggled a bit. There are “tours” and tickets you can buy online in advance, but they’re so much more expensive than buying them when you arrive. It made me a bit nervous to have a flight booked and fly all the way to Manaus not knowing if I’d get on this ferry or not, but just go early and take a leap of faith.

Santarém

I had a full extra day in Santarém so I took a taxi to Alter do Chão (R$150 or $30 USD). It’s really a lovely town if you have the time! You can take a canoe all the way across to Ihla de Amor for R$10 / $2 USD and hang out at the beach.

On the way back to Santarém I discovered there was a bus, so I took that back to make it to my 6 PM boat to Macapá. They said the bus leaves every hour, but it didn’t end up departing until an hour and a half later. I got off as close as I could to the DER port of Santarém; the boat to Macapá isn’t in the main terminal — you have to go around the side to board.

The Amazonas boat is smaller and much more crowded; this one I definitely recommend arriving a couple hours early to get your hammock spot. Extension cords with a power strip are also extremely helpful. The boat left at about 6 PM and was told we’d arrive the next night, but I think the total was actually about 36 hours. I really liked the scenery on this boat since it drops off goods to small villages on the Amazon.

Macapá

At about 3 AM we docked at Santana, the last stop before Macapá. I happened to be awake with all the commotion of people getting off the boat, and a local man approached me and asked, “Oiapoque?” which is the border town I was trying to get across to French Guiana. I replied in my hybrid Spanish / Portuguese, “yes, I was planning on going to Oiapoque from Macapá. Are you going right now?” He replied, “yes, right now. R$300 ($60 USD),” which was the price I had read was the same from Macapá. In a matter of a few minutes I threw everything into my bag and packed my hammock and we were off. It was perfect because I also read that transport from Macapá doesn’t leave til 8 AM. If you want to arrange transport, Souza’s whatsapp is: +559684180778 [updated October 2024].

The roads were great until around the town Carnot. I had read that the road was one of the worst, but honestly we were in a small Chevy Onix and made it fine. Bumpy with potholes, but I think overlanding from Djibouti to Somaliland or South Sudan still takes the cake for me in terms of bad roads. I still would probably not recommend taking the bus; my driver was highly skilled and I definitely recommend him if you need transport in this region!

When you arrive to Oiapoque, don’t forget to go to the immigration building to get stamped out, which is open from 8 AM - 8 PM. The drove to Oiapoque takes about 10 hours, so even if you arrive before they close you should stay the night to get stamped out the next morning since transport options dwindle later in the day and there’s not much on the Saint George side. Also, another item to note is that the immigration building is not located anywhere near the water taxi launch to Saint George, French Guiana.

Anyways, I hope this helps anyone trying to find info on the Brazilian Amazon ferry from Manaus to Macapá! If you’re interested in reading more about my overland journey all the way through the Guyanas to Georgetown, Guyana, check out the post here.