Island – Palakpahwa

The Ultimate Big Island Itinerary: 5 Days of Volcanoes, Black Sand, and Adventure

January 25, 2026 No Comments

If you’ve been following my travel blog for a while now, you know that my husband and I aren’t really the “sit by the pool with a Mai Tai” kind of couple. We love being outdoors, we love a good hike, we love National Parks and we’re usually trying to pack as much as humanly possible into every single day!

For our anniversary last year, we decided to skip the winter chill and headed to the Big Island in Hawaii in April. Our actual anniversary was in January, but we waited until April for that perfect weather window—and let me tell you, it was so worth the wait. Also, it is our annual ritual that we take an island trip every year on our anniversary because we both love islands so much!

The Big Island is unlike any other Hawaiian island. It’s huge, it’s raw, and it feels like you’re visiting four different planets in one week. Whether you want to walk through a literal lava tube or watch the sunset from a black sand beach, this place has it.

Before we jump into the actual 5-day itinerary for Big Island, I wanted to share a few important tips to help you plan your own “delayed” celebration or adventure trip!

How many days are enough for the Big Island?

Honestly? You could spend two weeks here and still not see it all. It’s called the “Big” Island for a reason! We did 5 days of heavy exploring, and while we saw a ton, I’d recommend at least 7 to 10 days if you want to actually slow down and breathe. But if you’re like us and don’t mind a bit of a “hustle” itinerary or don’t have that much time to spare, 5 days will give you a great highlight reel.

Best time to visit?

We went in April and it was perfect. January through March can be a bit rainier (especially on the Hilo side), so April offered that sweet spot of lush greenery without the constant downpours. We did get some light showers here and there, but nothing as major to disrupt our plans. Plus, you beat the massive summer crowds and save money!

What to pack?

Proper Hike Shoes: I cannot stress this enough. The volcanic rock is sharp and slippery. Don’t try to hike Pololu Valley in flip-flops!
Rain Jacket & Sweaters: Hilo is one of the wettest cities in the US, and the Volcano National Park gets cold at night. The weather on islands is usually unpredictable so be prepared for rain or cold and pack accordingly. Also, some spots on the island can get very windy through the day so carrying a light jacket will help.
Sunscreen & Sun Hats: There is very little shade on the lava fields.
Snorkeling Gear: If you have your own, bring it! The water is crystal clear.
Umbrellas: Because it can rain anytime, even if its a light shower, it will be good to carry an umbrella and if you’ll be renting a car and driving around, you can just store it in your car.

Where to stay?

We explored the West, East and South parts of the island so we moved around a bit. We started our trip with the Western part so we stayed in the Royal Kona Resort for the first half of our trip. Its a beautiful oceanfront property and we had a great experience overall. It is very reasonably priced so if you’re looking for a waterfront experience without making a dent in your pocket, check this resort out.

For the second half of our trip, we stayed on the east side of the island and rented an airbnb. However, you could also choose to stay in the Volcano Village which will give you a rustic village experience in the middle of a lush rainforest. It’s so tranquil and feels worlds away from the touristy resorts.

**How to get around (and do you really need a car?)**

Short answer: Yes, 100%. If you remember from my Banff post, I mentioned that having a car is the only way to get true flexibility, and that is even more true here. The Big Island is twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined! You’ll be driving through lava fields, rainforests, and mountain strips—often all in the same day.

Renting a Car: We went with a traditional rental company through Expedia and pre-booked our car before the trip, but Turo is also a huge thing here just like in Canada. We have had a great experience with Turo every time we’ve tried it so I would recommend that as well. If you want a specific “island vibe” Jeep or a 4WD (which you’ll need if you plan on going to the very top of Mauna Kea), Turo is a great option.
Do you need 4WD? For this specific itinerary, a standard SUV or even a sedan is fine. We rented a standard SUV and that worked just fine for us because most of the main spots we hit like Volcano National Park and the Hilo waterfalls are on well-paved roads. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to do some off-roading or head to certain remote beaches, 4WD is a lifesaver.
Public Transport: There is the Hele-On Bus, and it’s actually free right now! But, it’s mostly designed for locals commuting between Hilo and Kona. For a “packed” itinerary like ours where you’re hitting five different spots a day, the bus just won’t work. It would take you hours to get where a car takes you in 30 minutes.
Pro Tip on Gas: Gas is expensive on the island, and stations can be few and far between once you leave the main towns. Never let your tank get below a quarter, especially when you’re heading toward the South Point or the Chain of Craters Road—there are zero gas stations inside the National Park!

And now, let’s dive into the fun part – the itinerary!

DAY 1 – LANDING IN KONA

We landed around 7:00 PM at the Kona International Airport and kept it super simple. Since we knew we had a packed day the next day, we just stayed at a spot close to the airport to avoid driving too much.

Pro-tip: Pick up your rental car and grab some basic snacks/water tonight so you can hit the road early in the morning!

DAY 2 – KONA WEST & NORTH COAST ADVENTURE

This day was all about those dramatic Northern views of the island and some local vibes. You will need proper hike shoes for this day because it includes hikes and trails so make sure you prepare accordingly. Also, make sure to carry a light jacket as some viewpoints can get very windy. A hair scrunchy/rubber band would also be handy if you don’t want your hair getting messed up from the wind.

Here is a google map link that you can follow for this day.

Stop 1 – Lapakahi State Historical Park

This place was incredibly peaceful and offers some amazing views of the ocean but it was very windy. Its a partially restored coastal village that dates back over 600 years. It was so cool to walk among the ancient stone ruins and see exactly how the early Hawaiians lived and fished—it really gives you a deep respect for the land before you continue your drive.

Stop 2 – Pololu Valley Lookout

Next stop was the Polulu Valley Lookout. The views are stunning and its one of those places where the photos just don’t do it justice—the contrast between the deep green cliffs and the crashing blue surf is absolutely wild. Standing at the top gives you that “edge of the world” feeling, and it’s the perfect spot to just take a breath before you start the trek down to the black sand floor.

Below are some pictures from this lookout.

Stop 3 – Pololu Trail Hike

It’s a rocky 0.9-mile trail that takes less than 30 minutes. It leads to a spectacular black sand beach. It gets steep and slippery.

Stop 4 – Historic Hawi Town

After the hike, we explored Hawi for a bit for that old-school Hawaii charm. Its a colorful, quirky town that was once the heart of the sugar industry but now feels like a hub for local artists and cute boutiques. We loved walking past the bright storefronts, and honestly, the laid-back, ‘old Hawaii’ vibe here is exactly the kind of off-beat experience we look for on these trips.

We stopped and grabbed lunch at the Bamboo Restaurant and the food was delicious.

Stop 5 – Kuki’o Beach

On our way back to the resort, we made a stop at the Kuki’o Beach. It is basically tucked away behind a gated resort area but you can still go in. It’s a stunning stretch of white sand and lava rocks where we saw some of the biggest sea turtles just chilling on the shore. It’s much quieter than the main tourist beaches, making it the perfect ‘secret’ spot to just soak in the views for an hour. You can also hang out here if you want to catch a beautiful sunset. It was very windy here as well so be prepared.

Stop 6 – Kua Bay (Maniniʻowali Beach)

This was our last stop of the day and was truly “jaw-dropping” moment. Try to reach before 7:00 PM for the sunset. Bring a hat/umbrella because there is zero shade here!

We ended the night at Foster’s Kitchen. Highly recommend their Coconut Grove location!

DAY 3 – THE DEEP SOUTH & VOLCANO BOUND

We headed south today to see the most southern point of the entire US!

Pro tip: Make sure to pack lunch before heading out if you’re going to be following this itinerary as is. There are not many spots on the way so if you don’t want the stress of finding something last minute, go prepared.

Here is the link to the google map that we followed for this day.

Stop 1- Greenwell Farms

You can’t come to Kona and skip a coffee tour. We did the 10:00 AM tour and here’s the link we used to prebook our tour online. If you plan to do this one, plan to arrive 10 minutes early. I highly recommend this tour because it was a very insightful tour, specially for a coffee lover like me. Our tour guide walked us through the whole process of growing coffee beans and we also saw the plantations and got to walk around their massive property. They also had free coffee samples for us to taste, and we got back some coffee beans too.

Stop 2 – Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

This is a culturally significant place for the Hawaiian people and you can learn more about the ancient practices and rituals of the native Hawaiians here. Its often called the ‘Place of Refuge and its right on the water with these dramatic black lava flats and towering palm trees (as shown below in the pictures) which makes a beautiful scenery.

Stop 3 – Kalae (South Point)

This is where Polynesians first landed and this historical area is the southernmost point of the Hawaiian Islands and the second southernmost point in the United States.. The views of the Ka Lae cliffs are expansive and wild. We even saw ruins of an ancient temple.

Stop 4 – Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

Keep an eye out for sea turtles (see the third picture below)! The sand was jet black and so unreal.

Stop 5 – Volcano Village

Volcano Village is a rustic village in the middle of a lush rainforest and is famous for its beauty and tranquility. We drove through this village, grabbed dinner here and then checked into the airbnb on the eastern side of the island, close to the village.

DAY 4 – HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

This was the most awaited day for me from our entire trip because I was excited to see the Lava rocks and the craters.

Pack a sweater for today! The elevation makes it much cooler than the coast. Here is the google map link for this day.

Stop 1 – Kilauea Iki Crater

We did the short hike down into the crater. Its a 4 miles round trip with medium difficulty level and it truly feels like walking on another planet. If you only plan to do one hike through the entire trip, then this would be the one I’d recommend.

Tip to avoid crowds: Park at Devastation and do the 6-mile loop from Byron Ledge. The scenery includes panoramic views of Kīlauea caldera, Mauna Loa (on clear days), and native forest with tall tree ferns.. Also, start the hike as early as you can to beat the crowd.

Stop 2 – Thurston Lava Tube

A quick, 20-minute walk through a tree-fern forest leads you into an illuminated lava cave. It is an easily accessible and very interesting lava tube close to the Kīlauea Iki parking lot. You can park at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook which is connected to the lava tubes by a very scenic half-mile hike. This was our first time visiting a lava tube and it was insane!

Stop 3 – Mauna Loa Strip Road – Scenic drive to the Mauna Loa Lookout

The Mauna Loa Strip Road is an 11.2 mile (one way) road which takes you to the Mauna Loa lookout point at an elevation of 6,662 feet (2031 meters). So we took this scenic route and it rewarded us with these expansive, panoramic views of the Kīlauea caldera and the coast far below. The views of the landscape were gorgeous from the top so I highly recommend this drive but keep in mind that this is going to be a bit of a climb for your rental car so plan accordingly.

Stop 4 – Chain of Craters Road Scenic Drive

If you have the energy, drive all the way to the ocean where the road literally disappears under a sheet of lava.

Stop 5 – Night Viewing

We went to the Jaggar Museum parking lot (the museum is closed but the lot is open) and walked to the fence to see the glow of the lava lake. It’s a “once-in-a-lifetime” sight so I highly recommend doing it in the night.

DAY 5 – HILO TOWN AND RAINBOW FALLS

This day was all about exploring the town of Hilo on the eastern side of the island.

Stop 1: Breakfast at Ken’s Pancake House

A total island staple. This is a very famous spot for breakfast and their pancakes are to die for!

Stop 2 – Hilo Downtown

We spent the morning walking around the shops and enjoying the downtown vibe. If you’re up for a history lesson, try visiting the Tsunami museum. Or you could also visit the Hulihe’e Palace which is the summer home of the Hawaiian ali’i like King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani. Or you could try some more Kona coffee at the Kona Coffee And Tea Company or some chilled beer at the Kona Brewing Company. There’s plenty of places to eat and drink at in the downtown so you could spend a couple hours here and grab lunch before heading to the next stop.

Stop 3 – Rainbow Falls

A short hike to the top of the falls. If you go in the morning, you might actually see the rainbows in the mist! It is a massive 80-foot waterfall within Hilo town itself.

Stop 4 – Onomea Bay and Liliuokalani Park

One of my absolute favorite scenic detours was the Onomea Bay drive. We took the ‘4-mile scenic route’ off the main highway, and it honestly felt like driving through a tropical tunnel—everything was so incredibly green and lush. We got a bit of light rain on our way which made the greenery look even more beautiful. We also stopped to walk a bit on the Onomea Trail, which leads you down toward the bay, and the view of the turquoise water crashing against the jagged cliffs is just stunning. It’s the perfect spot to pull over, stretch your feet, and just stare at the ocean for a bit—definitely a ‘must-do’ if you’re exploring the Hilo side!

We ended the day with a beautiful Japanese-style garden right by the ocean called the Liliuokalani Park. Admission is free to I would highly recommend checking this place out.

DAY 6 – THE HAMAKUA COAST

This was our last day on the island so we decided to take the scenic route back to the airport through the East part of the island.

Here is the link to our google map for this day.

Stop 1 – Akaka Falls

An easy 0.4-mile loop trail through a lush rainforest leads you to a massive 442-foot waterfall, which is the most famous waterfall in the state of Hawaii. There is a parking cost of $10 and an entrance cost of $5 per person for non-resident visitors. The hike itself is beautiful because it takes you through the rainforest, the view of the falls is stunning and we also had some coconut water on our way back which was really refreshing.

Stop 2 – Hamakau Scenic Drive

The Hamakua Coast drive along Highway 19 is honestly one of the most beautiful stretches of road I’ve ever seen. It’s known as the ‘Heritage Corridor,’ and it takes you along the northeastern slopes of Mauna Kea, where you’re constantly surrounded by deep green gulches, towering sea cliffs, and waterfalls tucked away in every corner. We loved that it wasn’t just a straight highway—there are so many one-lane bridges and little pull-offs where you can see the ocean crashing against the rocky coast below. It feels worlds away from the dry, volcanic landscape of Kona, and it was the perfect way to spend our last morning soaking in the lush, tropical side of the island. Again, most look out points on this scenic drive were very windy so be prepared.

Stop 3 – Historic town of Honoka’a

We stopped in this historic town for lunch before the final leg of the drive. This town was once a bustling sugar plantation hub, and today the main street is lined with these charming, colorful wooden storefronts that house everything from antique shops to local boutiques. It has a much more rugged, authentic ‘cowboy’ (Paniolo) feel than the resort areas in Kona. If you have time, you could pop into the Honoka’a People’s Theater—it’s been around since 1930 and is such a cool piece of island history!

Stop 4 – Waipio Valley Lookout

Known as the “Valley of Kings”, its one of the most culturally significant spots for the native Hawaiians and a hotspot for the traditional cultivation of the locally prized “kalo” or taro crops. This lookout point offers some really stunning views of the valley.

Stop 5- Waikoloa Village

One last stop for a coffee before heading back to the Kona airport for our flight.

The Big Island really is a “choose your own adventure” kind of place. Whether you’re standing on the edge of a volcanic crater or driving through the lush tunnels of the Hamakua Coast, it’s impossible not to feel the raw energy of this island. It was the perfect way for us to celebrate our anniversary—even if it was a few months late! If you’re someone who loves being on the move and discovering those off-the-beaten-path gems, I hope this itinerary helps you plan a trip that’s just as memorable as ours was. Just remember to pack your hiking shoes, keep your gas tank full, and leave a little room for the unexpected magic that always seems to happen in Hawaii!

For itineraries on other islands in Hawaii such as Oahu, follow this link.

Mexico, Top Travel Destinations, Travel

A remarkable 5-day Mexico itinerary

June 19, 2023 4 Comments

Have you watched the series Narcos: Mexico on Netflix? Well, that’s how I got more familiar with this North American country and it certainly tainted my perception. Back then, I used to relate it with everything I saw in this series. Fast forward to the present day, I just can’t stop reminiscing about our recent vacation here.

My husband and I spent 5 days in Mexico in April of this year and just fell in love with this country. It’s enormous and endlessly captivating. If you really wanted to soak in the different things it has to offer, you could go for 1-2 weeks. Even that may not be enough depending on what you want to do. But we could only afford 5 days in Mexico, given our busy work schedules. But those 5 days were just so incredible that we didn’t realize how quickly it all got over.

Anyway, enough about that. Here’s our 5-day itinerary covering all the nitty-gritties to help you plan your travel. We split our trip between Cancun and Tulum and spent the first 3 days in Cancun.

Day 1: Reach Cancun and check in at the resort

The first question in my mind when planning the trip was where to stay. Having heard our friends’ experiences and read in a few blogs, we decided that staying in the hotel zone would be the safest and most convenient option. This is the safest zone in Cancun for tourists, plus it’s closer to all the nightclubs and flea markets that you’ll most likely end up visiting. So we stayed at the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Resort and man, oh man, we just loved it. The property is stunning and they have everything you can possibly imagine for a vacation. They have 3 outdoor pools, all big enough. There’s plenty of restaurants and cute cafes for food and alcohol. The beach has private access, and is just a few steps away from the resort. They have events every other evening for the hotel guests.

We stayed in an ocean front room and couldn’t have asked for anything better. Day 1 was all about relaxing in our resort and soaking in the incredible views of the bay. During the day, we indulged ourselves in food and drinks, followed by pool therapy and a nice evening walk around the beach. We hung out at the beach for sunset and it was just so surreal. On our first night in the resort, they had live music so we just stayed back and decided to enjoy the whole vibe.

Day 2: Day trip to Chichen Itza and Valladoid

This was one of the most awaited days of our trip, because who doesn’t want to check out a wonder of the world? There’s many ways of getting to Chichen Itza from Cancun. Easiest is renting a car and driving there on your own. That gives you the freedom and flexibility to follow your own plan. However, since it was our first time in Mexico and we didn’t know our way around, we decided to just go with a guided group tour.

The upside of taking a guided group tour is that you get to have fun with the group while exploring and learning the rich history of the place. Since the group tour also includes stops to other famous places on the route such as the Cenotes and the city of Valladolid, you get to cover a lot in one day. However, the downside is that it takes longer when picking up and dropping off everyone. An important tip – Make sure to check the itinerary and read the reviews. We booked ours through Viator and while there’s a lot of tour companies that you could book through this website, just be sure to check their ratings and go with a good one. We paid $118 for 2 people and our tour covered stops at the Cenote Maya Park and the town of Valladolid.

There’s a separate blog on my website that serves as a helpful guide to Chichen Itza. It includes tips on how to plan, what to carry and what to expect on the day of so be sure to give it a read.

I’d 100% recommend adding this to your itinerary because it’s completely worth it. We later also stopped at the Cenote, which is one of the most popular activities in Mexico. There’s so many Cenotes here and they have a very religious significance to them. We loved the Cenote where we stopped because the water was turquoise and so calm. I would definitely recommend adding this as well to your itinerary.

Final stop for the day was the cute town of Valladolid. We walked through the Main Square Parque Francisco Canton and were lucky enough to witness the traditional Mayan dancers showing off Jarana, a traditional dance in the Yucatan.

We then headed back to our resort as we had our reservation for Coco Bongo. This nightclub is, hands down, my best nightclub ever. You can make an online reservation ahead of time or just go in there and buy your tickets. It’s usually best to go between 9-9:30pm because they have shows that keep running between 9pm to 12am so you don’t want to miss them. Even if you’re not a party person, you should definitely make your way to this club because this is one experience you wouldn’t want to miss.

Day 3: Day trip to Cozumel Island and Playa del Carmen

Day 3 started early for us as we had a day trip booked to the beautiful island of Cozumel. There are many ways of getting to this island and we opted to go through the ferry. There’s two ferry companies – Ultramar and Winjet that run daily ferries from Playa del Carmen to this island. These ferries run every two hours so there’s many flexible time options to choose from. We booked through Ultramar and opted for first class seats. We booked the ferry for 10am since we also had to account for the time in getting from Cancun to Playa. We took a taxi from our resort in Cancun and reached Playa in about two hours to take the ferry from the ferry terminal.

It’s roughly a 30 minute ride from Playa terminal to the island, and is pretty smooth for the most part. But if you have sea sickness, then I’d recommend carrying medicine for motion sickness. Getting around the island is easy if you rent a car, bike or a scooter. We booked a scooter from a rental company at the ferry terminal at Playa and then picked it up at the island. They also provided a map so that made our navigation much easier.

We spent about 4-5 hours on this island and did a lot of driving around the island. There’s a lot of water sports like scuba diving, surfing and snorkeling that you could choose from if you decide to spend good time here. There’s many famous beach clubs here that provide rentals for water sports for an entry fee. We decided to skip the water sports and rather spend time exploring the island, shopping, spending time at the beaches and taking lots of pictures. Read my blog here to learn more about things to do, what to carry and how to plan your day trip to Cozumel.

On our way back from Cozumel, we decided to spend some time in Playa del Carmen before making our way back to our resort in Cancun. There’s a very lively area around the ferry terminal that you won’t be able to miss. We were lucky enough to catch a dance performance by some locals just by the famous Parque Fundadores. We then also walked around the area through the beautiful market. Quinta Avenida is also a must-see street in Playa del Carmen. It is a lively and colorful 5 km long pedestrian street, lined with stores, souvenirs, cafes and restaurants.

Day 4: Head to Tulum

After relaxing and enjoying our time in Cancun, we decided to spend the next two days in Tulum. Tulum has been on my list since the longest because of its vibe. It has so much to offer, whether it’s the coastal nature, or the jungle vibe, or the amazing food, or the rich nightlife. Oh, and not to mention, those beautiful boutique resorts that’ll transport you into a completely different world.

We left from Cancun in the morning after breakfast and reached Tulum in about two hours. We checked into our beautiful boutique resort called Naay and settled in. After a short rest, we then got ready and headed out to explore the town.

One important tip – If you’re wondering how to move around Tulum, then you might want to consider renting a bike, scooter or car. We rented a scooter instead of a car because I had read in some of the blogs that the tourist places in Tulum mostly have narrow roads so there’s high chances of being clogged up in traffic or having difficulty finding parking. And since most of the spots on our itinerary were within a 10-15 minute drive, we decided that a scooter would be our best bet.

The first stop we hit was the Mayan ruins. What was great about this place was its location i.e. right next to the beach. So after spending some time exploring the beautiful ruins, we also got to hang out at the beach for a bit. Keep in mind, though, that the weather is warm and there’s not much shade so make sure you’re prepared accordingly. Or try going in the evening, a little before sunset so that you can also catch a good sunset.

We then ended our day by spending time at the Tulum downtown. We drove through the beautiful street arts. One of the famous streets in Tulum to see street arts is Calle Sol Oriente. You can start from the far end of Sol Ote, where it meets the Coba road and then make your way down this street. After a quick drive through this street and soaking in all the beautiful art, we then made our way downtown. Let me warn you that Tulum downtown is not like the usual downtown, which you’d expect to be a bit more upscale. It’s definitely lively in terms of the crowd and nightlife, but it has a very local feel to it. We parked and explored the downtown on foot. We walked around 1-2 blocks and stopped at some local stores for shopping. We then grabbed a quick bite and made our way back to our resort.

Day 5: Explore Tulum beach strip

Our last day in Mexico was all about exploring the beach strip. We wanted to start our day with a nice breakfast with a view of the ocean so I made a booking at the Papaya Playa Project Beach Club. There’s many beautiful beach clubs to choose from and all boast incredible views. I chose this one because it had great reviews and I loved the whole vibe of this resort. We sat down here for a scrumptious breakfast and drinks.

The next part of our trip was more sightseeing and touristy stuff. So we made our way to the famous Ahau Tulum Sculpture Park. There’s a parking lot right across so you can safely park there while you’re here. This park has an entrance fee and that can get you access to one of the most Instagrammable spots here. After spending a while here and taking lots of pictures (yes, lots!!), we decided to take a stroll along the beach strip. On the way, we stopped at a few boutiques for some shopping and stumbled upon this really cute boutique called Isuju. This boutique has amazing collection of clothes and accessories so if you’re a fashion junkie like me, you’ll love it here. Here’s there instagram page to give you a sense of what I mean.

Anyway, after some walking and shopping, we got hungry and decided to stop at the Raw Love Cafe. I’d read so much about this cafe and their extensive plant-based menu that I just couldn’t miss this. And undoubtedly, they lived up to my expectations. Their menu had such unique items to choose from and everything we ordered was so delicious and fresh. I’d highly recommend making a stop here for a meal.

We then head back after lunch to get some rest. The warm weather didn’t really help so we wanted to escape the heat and instead spend some time in the pool of our resort. And thats exactly what we did. We headed out again in the evening, a little before the sunset for dinner and to explore the nightlife that I had heard about so much.

If its your first time in Tulum, my top 5 recommendations for restaurants/bars you need to try in Tulum are,

You don’t have to do all of them and you could choose depending on their menu, prices and the whole vibe. We tried Funky Geisha and loved their food and drinks. As I mentioned before, Tulum has a great nightlife scene and every club here is so full of life that you’ll just not want to end the night. So set aside one evening to just soak in the nightlife and have a fun night.

Just writing about all this brings back fond memories from this trip. So you can only imagine what it would have been like saying goodbye. However, I am glad to have ended this trip on such good note and glad to have brought back all the memories and experiences.

Hope you enjoyed this itinerary! Let me know in the comments below.

For some helpful travel guides to the famous tourist spots in Mexico, refer to the below links,

Travel Guide for Chichen Itza – Here
Travel Guide for Cozumel Island – Here
Mexico travel guide for first time travelers – Here

Mexico, Top Travel Destinations, Travel

A fun travel guide to Cozumel Island

June 16, 2023 3 Comments

We recently made a trip to Mexico to get away from the dull and gloomy weather in Atlanta and get a change of scenery. Like every trip, we prepared a full-fledged itinerary for this trip but didn’t realize that there’s this beautiful island tucked away from the city of Cancun that should have been on our list. It wasn’t until a friend of mine suggested adding this to our itinerary that I started looking up and planning a day trip to Cozumel island. And oh, how I would have regretted not having this be a part of our trip!

So first things first, where is this island? Cozumel island is about a 2-hour drive from Cancun city and is close to the town of Playa del Carmen in Mexico. This island is completely safe for tourists and has a great vibe. It’s a small yet power-packed island with tons of things to do.

Here’s a helpful travel guide for Cozumel island based on my personal experience on how to have the best time here,

Is it worth going to the Cozumel island?

Absolutely yes! Its a small island so you won’t need more than a few hours here so its definitely worth a day trip. There’s a range of activities to do here such as snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming etc. if you’re into water sports. Even if not, you can relax at a nice beach club or just stroll around the island to enjoy the beauty. Either way, you will have a great time here.

Is it worth going to the island?

Yes, its very safe on the island. Its a small island with not much crowd and there’s always police presence. Many people here are tourists so you won’t feel out of place or unsafe.

How to reach the island?

There’s multiple options to get here. Cozumel has its own airport in case you plan on taking a flight. However, a ferry is another great option if you’re living around the area. We spent most of our time in Cancun and decided to make a day trip to this island so we took a cab to Playa del Carmen, which is where you can catch the ferry from. It’s a two-hour drive from Cancun to Playa so if you’re going to be taking this route, plan accordingly to get there in time for your ferry.

How to get the ferry?

There’s mainly two ferry companies that operate from Playa to Cozumel – Winjet and Ultramar. Their schedules are flexible and they run every two hours so you can book according to your plan. Since we planned on making a day trip, we reserved a 10am ferry because that gave us enough time to reach the ferry terminal in Playa from Cancun. The pricing is also flexible and there’s more than one option to choose from. We wanted the best experience so we booked a first class ticket which gave us access to the best and most comfortable seats in the ferry. The entire ride is about 30 minutes.

How to get around the island?

Renting a car, scooter or bike is your best bet if you want to explore the island on your own terms. There’s a lot of tour companies that run group tours as well but if you want to do it at your own speed and according to your own plan, renting a vehicle is the best option. We rented the scooter from the ferry terminal at Playa. One important tip – There’s many renting companies at the ferry terminal in Playa so take your time to explore them all and get quotes from everyone before you settle for one. We made the mistake of going for the first rental company that approached us, only to find out later that there were other cheaper and better options we could have picked. Also, don’t forget to pick the map of the island from the rental company.

Can you bike on the island?

Yes, bicycle rentals are also available on the island through the day. But if you’re going in warm weather and are not used to biking much, I’d suggest not going with this option. That’s because it will be difficult to bicycle during the heat of the day and you can get exhausted easily.

What to carry?

If you’re planning to do water sports, then make sure to carry all the water equipment, water shoes, towel, beach mat etc. unless you plan to head to a beach club that rents out all this. Also carry sunglasses, hat, water bottles, sunscreen and bug spray because its usually quite hot during the day. Carry a scarf if you’re going to be renting a bike or scooter as it can be dusty and carry a rain jacket as the weather can be unpredictable. Also carry motion sickness medicine if you get sea sick easily. There’s plenty of food options on the island so you don’t have to worry about carrying food but you could carry light snacks.

How to pay on the island?

Carry cash in both pesos and dollars. Try to have more pesos to avoid overpaying due to exchange rates. Try to avoid using credit cards, unless in big hotels and restaurants. If you know you’re going to be shopping and eating at local places, carry as much pesos as possible.

What to do in Cozumel island?

There’s a lot of things to explore on this island and you can pick from the many options here. If you want to spend time doing water sports, then you can opt for scuba diving, surfing, snorkeling etc. There’s many beach clubs that offer snorkeling rentals and cabanas at an entry price. Buccanos is one of them so you could try hitting this beach club.

Best beaches and beach clubs to explore?

There’s many beach clubs to check out and all of them are great options. But two of my top recommendations will be – Mr. Sanchos Beach Club and Tortugas Beach Club. Both of these have amazing drinks and a great vibe. In terms of beaches, there’s many public beaches that you could try like Sunset Beach, Playa Palancar and Paradise Beach.

Other places to explore?

We started by just driving around the Cozumel island without a pin on the map because we really wanted to get a good feel of it. We did that for the first 30-60 minutes and trust me, it felt so good. Everything on this island is so beautiful so we just didn’t want to stop. Eventually, we made our way to the spots we had on our itinerary like the Benito Juarez Park and the art streets. We also stopped at the Cozumel sign as you can see below to get a picture. Apparently, this is one of the most Instagrammable spots on the island. Well, I can see why!

Whenever you plan a visit, remember that you’re on a vacation. So take it easy, sit back and relax at a nice beach club and sip on your cocktail. Have lots of fun and enjoy the Caribbean.

Hope this guide was helpful!

For other places to explore in Mexico, refer to the below links,

5-day Itinerary for Mexico – Here
Travel Guide for Chichen Itza – Here
Mexico travel guide for first time travelers – Here

Mexico, Travel

Mexico travel guide for first time visitors

May 12, 2023 5 Comments

When I think of Mexico, I imagine myself chilling by the pool and sipping Margarita in a dreamy resort. In fact, that’s one of the reasons why my husband and I planned our trip to Mexico in the first place. We wanted a relaxing and luxurious getaway and given that Mexico has so much of that to offer, we decided to give it a try. Having said that, we didn’t really spend our entire trip just chilling in our resort. We did plan a few day trips here and there so we did our best to read up and be prepared on all the important things to keep in mind before our trip. So, here I’ll share an important travel guide for Mexico.

Whether you’re going to be spending most of your time in your resort or you plan to take the off beaten paths, there’s a few things you always need to keep in mind when in this country. While google has a lot of helpful tips and you’ll find many blogs around this topic, I want to weigh in on all of that based on my personal experience. So let’s dive right in!

Is it safe to travel to Mexico?

A big question on my mind when I was planning this trip was if it’s safe to travel to Mexico. And now that I have been there, I can tell you confidently that it’s a completely safe place for tourists. Also, we were mostly in the hotel zone in Cancun which is the safest spot to be in. But we did do a few day trips around the city and felt absolutely safe for the most part. However, we did get a few tips from the locals on always being aware of our surroundings, not flashing our credit cards or cash in public, not engaging in any conversations with strangers until spoken to and not going off the beaten paths in the night. As long as you follow these tips, you should be totally safe.

Where to stay?

When in Cancun, prefer to book your resort in the hotel zone because like I said, that’s the safest place to be in. It is also closest to the nightclubs that I am sure you will plan on checking out. Also, plan on booking an all-inclusive resort to make the most of your experience. Believe me, it was a true retreat! Here’s the one we stayed in and I would totally recommend it.

How to travel around?

For your transit from airport to hotel and back, most resorts provide shuttles for free. However, we booked a private taxi because our resort was charging us an additional fee for an airport shuttle. And since the fare was similar for the shuttle and a private taxi, we chose to go with the private taxi option. Private taxis are a big mode of transport in and around Cancun so as long as you book with a company that has good ratings and reviews, you should be fine. But be sure to confirm the rates in advance to avoid being overcharged later.

What currency to use?

In terms of most accepted currencies, both USD and Pesos are widely accepted so you should be fine using USD. However, we did take Pesos with us as we had a few excursions planned where it was better to pay in cash, like Chichen Itza. Also, we didn’t want to use our credit card everywhere so we limited its use to only within our resort and good restaurants. For all local activities, we carried Pesos.

Should you book group tours or private tours?

One big mistake we made when booking our day trip to Chichen Itza was signing up for a big group tour. We thought it would be fun to travel in a group and would also be safer. However, since our group was around 15-20 people, it took longer than normal tours in picking up and dropping off everyone to their hotels. So, I would highly recommend you doing a private tour for all your day trips or going with a smaller group. But I’d definitely say that make sure you do a guided tour to get all the rich history of this country.

What to pack for Mexico?

We went in April so weather wise, it was super hot. The heat was scorching which made it harder for us to do outdoor activities. Having said that, Mexico is always hot from what I have heard so based on my experience, I would highly recommend you carrying your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and water bottle. Especially, when you know that you’re going to be out in the sun a lot. For more information on how to dress, what to pack, what not to pack etc., read my blog here.

Do you need a travel visa?

In terms of travel visa, you do not need to pre-apply for a visa as long as you have a valid passport that doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival date in Mexico. My husband and I are on H-1B visas and we currently reside in the United States. So for us, the process was fairly simple. We didn’t have to apply for the visa in advance and we just got it on arrival. The immigration process was also fairly smooth. Just make sure to keep your passport safe at all times because that’s going to be your key to in and out of the country.

Do you need a travel insurance?

I had read several articles about it when planning the trip and I found mixed reviews. So it’s not mandatory to have travel insurance when traveling to Mexico. But if you’re planning a longer trip and you think you’ll feel safer having insurance, then you can always get one. We were there for only 5 days so we didn’t feel the need for it.

Here’s a few more blogs to read through if you’re planning a trip to Mexico,

A detailed 5-day itinerary for Mexico – Here
Travel guide for Chichen Itza – Here
Travel guide for Cozumel island – Here

Hope you found this Mexico travel guide helpful!

Top Travel Destinations, Travel, United States

Oahu: Best 5-day itinerary on a budget

April 16, 2023 3 Comments

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Ahh – Hawaii!!! A place I fell in love with instantly and how could I not? It just mesmerized me with its beauty and brought a sense of serenity that no other place has offered so far.

Oahu is truly a paradise for all those that love adventure and nature. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, pristine beaches, hip streets and pineapples. I have visited three Hawaiian islands so far (Maui, Kauai and Oahu) and I have to say that Oahu is my favorite because it has so much to offer. This island is also home to Hawaii’s capital city, Honolulu.

Although we were here for 5 days, you could plan for longer because there’s just so much to do that I promise you won’t get bored. So here’s a curated Oahu itinerary for all those planning a getaway to this paradise soon. Also, you don’t have to follow this itinerary to the tee and you can always change around any of the days as you see fit. I will also try to do my best to link the costs associated with all these experiences to help you plan better.

An important question before we get into the itinerary is – How to get around the island? Because we had a lot planned and we wanted to cover all the key spots on the island in our 5-day trip, we rented a car for the entire length of our trip and driving around the island was fairly easy. The island is pretty spread out so I am sure you’d want an easy way to get around so having a rental car will be a lifesaver.

Now, here goes the itinerary and I hope you find it useful as you plan your trip.

Day 1: Pearl Harbor, Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden and Byodo-in temple

9:00 AM – Breakfast at Arvo Cafe || $40 for two people

We started our day with a yummy and fulfilling breakfast at the Arvo cafe. Their loaded avocado toast and Nutella toast are something you cannot miss and their coffees are delicious.

Arvo cafe in Oahu - Must add to your Oahu itinerary

11:00 AM – Pearl Harbor || Free entrance

We then made our way to Pearl Harbor, which is a symbolic tourist attraction on this island. There is no entrance fee to tour the garden and the museum but if you want to visit the Ford island then you need one. We did not book a tour guide and did a self guided tour but if you really want an organized and educational experience, then booking a tour is a good idea.

3:00 PM – Byodo-In Temple || $5 per person

We then stopped for lunch at Build Your Ramen and headed to The Byodo-In Temple. I have always been fascinated by Buddhist temples as I find a different sense of peace and calmness here. And since it was on our way to the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, we decided to stop here first because this temple closes at 4:30 pm on weekdays. So be sure to plan accordingly. As you enter this temple, you’ll see beautiful manicured gardens and a lovely pond in the center. The entry fee is only $5 per person so it’s worth a try.

Byodo-In temple should also be added to your Oahu itinerary

4:30 PM – Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden || Free entrance

Our final stop for the day was the famous Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. Our drive into the garden was magical, as we passed through lots of flora and fauna. It’s lush and huge. Also, makes a perfect spot for your Instagram pictures. There’s also a beautiful lake and a few lookout points to not miss.

8:00 PM – Dinner at Tane Vegan Izakaya || $50 for two people

We then headed back into the town and our dinner reservation was at Tane Vegan Izakaya. We chose this place not just because we’re vegetarian, but also because they have an extensive and a very unique vegan menu that you will absolutely not regret trying. I know, I know! You’re going to say who eats vegetarian food on a vacation when you have all the fresh and amazing seafood to try? Well, trust me and go here. You will thank me later!

Tane Vegan Izakaya has amazing vegan sushis and absolutely should be on your Oahu itinerary

Day 2: Diamond Head Hike and Waikiki Beach

If you ask me the best way to explore the natural landscape of a place, I’d say it’s hiking. And if the idea of climbing a Hawaiian volcanic crater sounds exciting to you, then you have to hike the Diamond Head Trail. Nothing will be able to beat the panoramic view of the island that you’ll get once you reach the summit so do me a favor and add this to your itinerary.

9:00 AM – Breakfast at Hau Tree || $60-$70 for two people

We started our day with breakfast at the Hau Tree restaurant. The reason I chose this place was because it was very close to the Diamond Head Trailhead and had amazing views of the ocean. The food was delicious and their service was fast. We tried the Spinach Benedict and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and both were great.

11:00 AM – Diamond Head Trail || $10 for parking inside the crater

We then went straight to the Diamond Head Trailhead and started our hike. The hike is a combination of rocky and uneven paths, narrow trails and tunnels. It can easily take up 2-3 hours but once you get to the top, the panoramic views of the island are breathtaking. Once we got back to the start of the trailhead after finishing our hike, we grabbed coconut water from a street vendor which was much needed after all that heat and sweat.

Diamond Head Trail - Another must add to your Oahu itinerary

3:00 PM – Lunch at Da Cove Health Bar and Cafe || $30-$40 for two people

We then took a pit stop for lunch at Da Cove Health Bar and Café to grab a healthy bite.

4:00 PM – Waikiki beach

Post lunch, we headed to the Waikiki beach to catch the sunset.

Day 3: Hanauma Bay, Makapu’u Tide Pools & Blowhole, Lanai Lookout and China Wall

8:00 AM – Breakfast at Eggs ‘n Things || $30-$40 for two people

Day 3 started with breakfast at Eggs ‘n Things where we tried the Acai Fresh Fruit Waffle and Veggie Omelet.

9:30 AM – Hanauma Bay || $25 per person

Our first stop from there was Hanauma Bay. An important tip for visiting Hanauma Bay is that you need to reserve your spot here as soon as the reservation opens for the day you’re planning to visit. This is because this place is a very famous tourist attraction so it gets booked pretty fast. One blog I read when I was planning this visit said that the tickets usually get sold out within the first 10-15 minutes of opening. The reservation slots open at 7AM local time so mark it on your calendar and set a reminder to not miss it. We booked it through here.

We snorkeled in the beautiful waters at the Bay and the experience was so surreal. Although we have experienced better marine life and coral reefs at other islands, this one was definitely worth an experience. An important thing to note if you’re planning to snorkel is that this place does not rent equipment so make sure you carry all your gear.

1:00 PM – Makapu’u Tide Pools & Blowhole || Free entrance

After spending around 3-4 hours here, we made our way to the Makapu’u Tide Pools & Blowhole. While we had a few spots marked on the way that we wanted to stop at, we didn’t restrict ourselves to just those few. There were many lookout points along the drive so we stopped at pretty much every point as we didn’t want to miss the stunning views that each point offered.

We also visited the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse, Halona Blowhole lookout and beach cove, Lanai lookout and China walls. If you don’t have that much time, you can just visit the Makapu’u Tide Pools & Blowhole and skip the Halona blowout as you will pretty much get the same experience.

7:00 PM – Dinner at Chef Chai || $80-$100 for two people

Finally, our day came to an end with a delicious meal at Chef Chai. One thing my husband and I loved about Oahu is that there’s plenty of great restaurants with extensive and unique menus for vegan and vegetarian food. So we mostly tried the vegan places every day for dinner and we loved them all.

Our dinner at Chef Chai - An amazing vegan place to add to your Oahu itinerary

Day 4: Kualoa Ranch, Kahuku Point, Shark’s cove and Old Town Haleiwa

9:00 AM – Kualoa Ranch ATV Tour || $150 per person

During our entire trip, this was the day I was looking forward to the most. Being a die-hard Jurassic fan, I was quite excited to witness the real location where this iconic movie series was filmed. We did what most tourists do, that is drive an ATV through the ranch. Ours was a 2-hour ATV Raptor experience and it took us through the scenic valleys. The ranch is vast and we drove through trails, mud and streams. We also stopped to see the bunkers and the cages that were used in the movie. I simply cannot explain in words how incredible the whole experience was. If you’re planning to visit this ranch, I would recommend driving an ATV as that’s the best experience you can get.

And an important tip when you plan this – Carry headscarves and sunglasses or you will end up getting dust all over your face and in your eyes. Read my blog on Hawaii outfit ideas to get some outfit inspiration.

2:00 PM – Kahuku Point and Shark’s Cove || Free entrance

By the time we got back, it was lunch time so we stopped at the nearby Kahuku farms and they had some decent lunch options. We then made our way to Kahuku point and Shark’s cove.

4:00 PM – Old Town of Haleiwa

Our last stop for the day was the beautiful and quaint Old Town of Haleiwa. This town had a very historic and laid back vibe, and the ambience was very country style. This town is pretty small and there’s just one street that you can actually check out. We leisurely strolled through the street and stopped at the Nalu health bar and café for some beet juice which was quite refreshing given the heat during the day.

8:00 PM – Dinner at TBD by Vikram Garg || $60-$80 for two people

Our final destination was dinner at TBD by Vikram Garg. This place has a fancy ambience and that makes it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner date. I was also amazed at their extensive menu. Their craft cocktails were so good and just the right level of alcohol. And the food menu was so intricate and everything was quite fresh. It was just the right way to end our exhausting and fun filled day.

Day 5: Polynesian Cultural Center

9:00 AM – Kualoa Ranch ATV Tour || $120 per person for islands access and Ha:Breath of Life show

We didn’t plan a whole lot for our last day on this island since we wanted to keep it light and not tire ourselves before the trip back home. So we started our day with the amazing Kona coffee because we loved it so much. We then made our way to the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn more about the history of the island and the culture. This place absolutely has to be on your Oahu itinerary. One important tip when planning a visit here is that try to go as early as you can. This cultural center is massive and it features 6 villages to explore so you will need plenty of time here.

I don’t think I can pick the best village because all of them were so unique in their own ways and had a lot of great cultural experiences to offer. Each village also hosts some of their cultural activities that you can take part in. So we spent a great deal of time exploring each village and interacting with the locals. We ended our day here with the incredible “Ha: Breath of Life” show. It’s one of the most popular shows and we had a great experience.

I hope this helped you plan your Oahu itinerary and gave you some more clarity on what you want to do. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Food Coma, Jamaica, Travel

5 Restaurant You Need To Try In Jamaica

April 15, 2023 1 Comment

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Would you believe me if I told you that exploring local food is the first thing on our minds when we’re traveling to a new destination? Of course you would because it’s true for most of us! Isn’t it?

Earlier this year, we went to Jamaica and having heard so much about the Jamaican food, I added a bunch of great restaurants to our itinerary to taste the local flavors. Whenever my husband and I travel, we always prefer to try the local cuisine as much as possible because getting introduced to the local culture and food is a big reason why we travel in the first place.

So, here’s my 5 favorite restaurants because they all offer good food, good views, great service and friendly staff.

Blue Mahoe restaurant || $80-$100 for two people

First of all, this restaurant is perfectly situated at the edge of the cliff, overlooking the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. And secondly, the food here is amazing. They usually take reservations so I would recommend booking ahead of time. We got here a little before sunset so that we could get the best of both views. We enjoyed the sunset with their delicious cocktails, before making our way to the main course.

Zest Restaurant || $100-$120 for two people

Like Blue Mahoe, this restaurant also overlooks the beautiful waters of the Caribbean Sea and Negril’s breathtaking coastline. Reservations are highly recommended. They have indoor as well as outdoor seating, and although we wanted to sit on the patio, it was so hot that we ended up sitting inside. Nonetheless, we got amazing views of the beach and the waters. Their menu is not very extensive but they have some great options to try such as Black Bean Hummus, West Indian Toasted Curry, The Cliff Club Burger and Warm Molten Lava Cake.

Miss Lily’s || $50-$100 for two people

Ah, this was the cutest and one of my favorite places to eat at! First off, the ambience of this place was so vibrant and cute. Secondly, this place is conveniently located on the Seven Mile Beach so if you’re planning to head to the beach, this can be a great pit stop to grab a quick bite. They have an extensive menu, and I ended up trying their beetroot juice which was so refreshing. The food was also delicious and their service was on point. The staff is super friendly and they guided us to the right place for finding out more about water sports and other excursions.

Pier 1 || $50-$100 for two people

Pier 1 in Montego Bay is the place to be if you want to party the way Jamaicans do. This place wasn’t a part of our itinerary initially but one of our friends recommended it so we decided to give it a shot and thank god we did! The location is perfect on the waterfront with a very scenic view overlooking the bay. They have an extensive cocktail menu with some great cocktail options that include their local Jamaican rum and their food was great too. The whole vibe of this place was amazing and it only kept getting better through the night as more people flocked in. The DJ played some great music and it very quickly escalated into a nightclub. Also, considering it was out first time in MoBay, we were a bit apprehensive about heading out in the night but this place felt really safe and comfortable.

Mystic Thai || $50-$100 for two people

As the name suggests, this place offers a great selection of Thai food and we tried their Tom Kha soup, Sriracha Tofu, Malaysian Curry and Vegetable Basil Fried Rice and everything was perfect. We went here for lunch after spending the first half of our day at the Mayfield Falls. So we were super hungry and devoured everything we ordered.

I have linked each of these restaurants in the blog so hope you found this article helpful! And hope you have a great time trying the local Jamaican food.

Jamaica, Top Travel Destinations, Travel

Our ultimate 5-day itinerary for Jamaica on a budget

April 12, 2023 1 Comment

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Beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise blue water, gigantic waterfalls, delicious food, vibrant culture and friendly locals – if that’s your idea of a perfect vacation then Jamaica has to be on your bucket list! And you’ve landed at just the right place to help you plan the best itinerary for Jamaica.

Our first trip of 2023 couldn’t have started on a better note. Every January, my husband and I do our anniversary trip and this year was no different. If I am being honest, I did have my reservations about Jamaica, but little did I know that I was in for a retreat. Now that I look back at our trip, I have to say that this tiny but mighty island has an immense lot to offer in terms of food, culture and natural beauty. You can literally spend weeks here and never get bored or run out of exciting things to do.

Before I jump into the itinerary, there’s a few important questions that would be helpful to answer.

How to get to Jamaica?

The most common ways of getting here are through air or sea, depending on where you’re coming from. If you’re going to be flying in, there are three international airports on the island,

Montego Bay – MBJ – Donald Sangster International
Kingston – KIN – Norman Manley International
Ocho Rios – OCJ – Ian Fleming International

Montego Bay is the largest and has the most flight options. And if you’ll be heading to Negril once you land, then Montego Bay will be the nearest airport.

How to get around the island?

This will depend on your itinerary and length of stay. If you’re going to be staying for 5 or more days and have multiple different places on your list, then renting a car would be a good idea. It will give you more flexibility. You may have heard of how aggressively people drive in Jamaica. But don’t let that scare you off because its not as bad as it sounds. As long as you follow the rules and drive responsibly, you should be fine.

What is the best time to visit?

Jamaica has a tropical climate so it naturally gets very hot and humid during the peak summer months. Between June and November, temperatures can really soar, making it difficult to visit. So, the best time to visit is between November through March. We went in mid January and the weather was great. It was warm but not uncomfortably hot.

What to pack?

Since you’re going to a tropical place, there’s certainly a few must haves that should be part of your packing list. Here’s a few of my recommendations,

**Neutrog ena Beach Defense Suncreen Spray**

**Evian Brumisateur® Natural Mineral Water Facial Spray**

How many days are enough for Jamaica?

This depends on a few factors such as where you’re flying in from, what your budget is like, what kind of activities you’re planning on etc.

If you’re flying in from North America, then you’re lucking to be saving some time in travel. And in that case, a week or less should work fine. We flew in from the US so we planned our trip for 5 days. I have to say, though, that in 5 days we were only able to cover the west part of the island i.e. Negril and Montego Bay. We were not able to cover the east side, including the capital city Kingston. So if you’re planning on covering that as well, then plan for a week or longer.

How much is a trip to Jamaica for 5 days?

Our total trip cost per person for a 5-day trip was around $2,000. Below is the breakdown of the average cost and please note that this is as of January 2022 so it could vary depending on when you plan to travel and where you’re traveling from. Because we flew in and out of Atlanta in the US, which is fairly closer to the island, our flights were cheaper. So keep that in mind when you read through this breakdown.

Flight from US to Jamaica – $300

Car rental for 5 days with insurance – $300

Resort in Negril for 3 nights – $1100

Airbnb in Montego Bay for 2 nights – $230

Food for 5 days – $400

Excursions – $200

We split our vacation between Negril and Montego Bay so I am sharing this 5-day Jamaica itinerary to help you get the most out of this Caribbean paradise. I’ll do my best to also share the costs of the different excursions to help you plan better.

Day 1: Explore the resort at Negril

We landed at the Montego Bay airport, picked up a rental car and drove 2-hours to reach Negril. We booked our car through Island Car Rentals and our experience with them was good. If this is your first time visiting Jamaica, then Negril has to be on your Jamaica itinerary.

One of the amazing things about Jamaica is its affordability. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort tucked away on the edge of the ocean, you have many options to choose from. We stayed at the Tensing Pen Resort in Negril and loved everything about the property. They have multiple different room types to choose from and we booked the Garden room.

Day 1 was all about exploring our beautiful resort. So, here are some things we did on the first day,

12:00 PM – Spa at the resort

After our long and leisurely breakfast at the resort with incredible views of the ocean, we decided to go to a spa at the resort.

2:00 PM – Lunch ($120 for two people)

We then had lunch at the Zest Restaurant which was a 5-minute drive from our resort. We ordered two cocktails, two appetizers and one entree and total cost was $120.

5:00 PM – Explored the Seven Mile Beach

After lunch, we hung out at the Seven Mile beach for a while and came back to our resort.

7:00 PM – Dinner at the resort ($80 for two people)

We relaxed by the pool in the evening and decided to have dinner at the resort. I have to say that I was really impressed by the food and the cocktails there. We had a traditional Jamaican meal at The Lodge Restaurant which included Vegetable Fritters, Fried Plantains, Pumpkin and Okra Stew, Jamaican Peas and Beans.

Jamaica itinerary - Tensing Pen Resort in Negril — Tensing Pen Resort

Day 2: Blue Hole Mineral Springs and Rick’s Cafe

9:00 AM – Breakfast at Miss Lily’s ($40 for two people)

Day 2 was quite adventurous and we started with a lovely breakfast by the beach at Miss Lily’s. I am so glad we tried this place out as they have such cute ambience, a perfect location and yummy food. Their beetroot juice was so fresh and just a perfect start to the day. We ordered two juices and two entrees and the total cost was only $40 which was pretty affordable.

Jamaica itinerary - Miss Lily's in Negril

11:00 AM – Head to Blue Hole Mineral Springs ($20 entrance fee per person + tip as you want)

After breakfast, we drove to the Blue Hole Mineral Springs. Since we had the rental car, we decided to drive on our own but if you’re not super comfortable driving around the island or are a bit skeptical about going alone I would highly recommend booking a tour. Honestly, it’s not a very smooth drive towards the last 30 minutes of the journey, and the roads get narrower and rockier. I would say the trip was worth it because we have never swum in a mineral water hole before and the water was beautiful.

It’s essentially a swimming hole which is 35 feet deep and there’s a rope swing that can get you down into the hole. If you don’t know how to swim or are scared like me, they also have ladders that can take you down into the hole. And the staff is super friendly and helpful. We realized that this place is still not very popular as there were not many tourists when we went, but if you have never been to a mineral springs before this needs to be on your Jamaica itinerary.

Jamaica itinerary - View of the Blue Hole Mineral Springs from the top — Blue Hole Mineral Springs view from the top

2:00 PM – Lunch at Rick’s Cafe ($60 for two people)

After our little adventure at the Blue hole springs, we made our way back to Negril and our first stop was the Rick’s Cafe. This cafe doesn’t need an introduction because it’s known for its cliff jumping antics so you’ll be able to see professional divers jumping from the edge of super tall cliffs. The cafe also hosts pool parties on some days so I would recommend checking the calendar of events on their website and planning accordingly.

Jamaica itinerary - View of the Rick's cafe from the Patio. This cafe has to be on your Jamaica itinerary — Rick’s Cafe view from the Patio

Cocktails at the Rick's Cafe. This cafe has to be on your Jamaica itinerary — Rick’s Cafe view from the Patio

7:00 PM – Dinner at Rockhouse Restaurant ($100 for two people)

After our stop at the Rick’s cafe, we made our way to dinner at the Rockhouse Restaurant. Not to mention, this place has a great atmosphere and is a good stop for catching the sunset while devouring their delicious food.

Day 3: Mayfield Falls and Montego Bay

9:00 AM – Mayfield Falls ($40 for a tour guide)

Next morning, we left early after breakfast for Montego Bay. We made a pit stop at Mayfield Falls which was a bit of a detour but we really wanted to check it out as we’d read some great reviews online. We got a tour guide who took us through the falls, narrated the history of the island and took some great pictures for us. This was our very first experience of walking through a waterfall and it was amazing. The entrance is free but you can pay the tour guide if you hire one. We paid around $40 as tip to our guide since he was really good and made our experience amazing. The entire experience took about 3-4 hours.

At the start of the Mayfield Falls. These falls have to be on your Jamaica itinerary. — At the beginning of the Mayfield Falls

1:00 PM – Head to Montego Bay ($230 for 2 nights in airbnb)

Since this part took almost half of our day, we were already a bit exhausted so we drove straight to our airbnb at Montego Bay, checked in and took some rest. I would highly recommend this airbnb to anyone who is looking for a budget stay in Montego Bay. This apartment is well situated in a gated community which is very clean and new. The apartment itself was stunning and very clean. We really loved staying here.

7:00 PM – Dinner and drinks at Pier 1 ($50 for two people)

In the evening, we headed out to Pier 1. As the name suggests, it’s a restaurant at the pier that has such a fun vibe. If you want to explore Jamaica’s nightlife, this is the place to be. We got here around 9pm, had dinner and then stayed back until 2am. The five reasons I’d recommend you to check this place out are its location, cocktail menu, crowd, music and safety. So I would highly suggest adding this as part of your Jamaica itinerary.

Day 4: Dunn’s River Falls and Luminous Lagoon Tour

10:00 AM – Dunn’s River Falls ($25 entrance fee per person)

Day 4 was all about exploring the beauty of Montego Bay. The two things we had planned for the day were Dunn’s River Falls and Luminous Lagoon Tour.

Since there are many cruise ship tours that stop at the Dunn’s River Falls, this place can get very crowded so it’s recommended to call ahead to ask when is the best time to visit.

These Falls are massive and they start at the beach, which is where people typically start climbing the falls from. They are tiered and there are two options for the path – the dry path along the side of the waterfall and the wet path which is what we took. The wet path was a great experience for us as it had several natural pool areas and some spots felt literally like we were in a jacuzzi. But the wet climb can be very slippery so I’d recommend wearing robust water shoes.

7:00 PM – Luminous Lagoon Tour ($25 per person)

After this incredible experience, we made a pit stop for lunch and then headed to our Luminous Lagoon tour which we booked through here. Jamaica’s luminous lagoon is one of the four in the world that provides an amazing bioluminescence experience. They say that it’s the largest and brightest in the world. We took a boat ride from the Glistening Waters Restaurant at around 7pm and it was a 20 minute ride to the lagoon. The boat is then stopped for a few minutes and you can get into the water and swim with the bioluminescent organisms for an experience of a lifetime.

Day 5: Hip Strip and Crafts Market

9:00 AM – Explore Hip Strip

Day 5 was our last day in this land of paradise and we spent it mostly at The Hip Strip. We did some shopping to take back some souvenirs and we also brought back the famous Blue Mountain Coffee. We also spent some time at the Montego Bay crafts market where you can find a lot of interesting handmade stuff.

3:00 PM – Flight back home

Saying goodbye to this beautiful island was quite hard after having spent so much great time here but it was sufficient to give me a hankering to return.

Hope you find this Jamaica itinerary helpful!

Here’s another post for my top 5 restaurant recommendations in Jamaica so don’t forget to check it out.