Category: Adventure

The fact that we’ve been travelling the world full-time since 2008 and this was our first visit to Australia is pretty crazy. Needless to say, we were excited to finally be here and to see what this iconic city has to offer!

Sydney is one of those cities that delivers immediately – iconic landmarks, world-class beaches, endless food options, and a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to enjoy.

Best Things To Do in Sydney

We spent 5 days in Sydney at the start of April, and I’m happy to say that the city lived up to the (high) expectations we had. In this post, I’ll share our favourite things to do in and around Sydney for first-time visitors.

1. Sydney Opera House

As soon as I saw the white “shells”, I had a huge grin on my face…we had finally made it to Sydney!

Ask anyone what to do in Sydney, and seeing the Opera House will be at the top of their list. This UNESCO-listed site has been featured in movies like The Fall Guy, Mission Impossible and the Great Gasby. It’s unique architecture makes it a very recognizable site.

There are a few ways to experience the Opera House. You can see it by land or by boat (more on that below), and you can (of course) go inside to see a show, or join a tour of the building.

Tickets to the Opera House book up fast! Click here to reserve your spot on a guided tour of the incredible building, and click here to reserve tickets for a very affordable performance by Opera Australia.

2. Walk Across the Harbour Bridge

For stunning views of the harbour and the Opera House, make your way across the Harbour Bridge by foot – either on the bridge, or on top of it…

This is something that I had no desire to do!

If you’re not afraid of heights, one of the coolest things to do in Sydney is the Bridge Climb across the Harbour Bridge. It’s a very safe, thrilling experience and we saw lots of people doing it while we were in Sydney. Click here to learn more and to book your spot!

If heights aren’t your thing, you can simply cross the bridge on foot on the eastern side. The western side of the bridge is reserved for cyclists.

See Also: Best Budget Campervan Routes in Australia

3. Go On a Dinner Cruise

A dinner cruise in Sydney is one of the most memorable ways to experience the city after dark. You’ll cruise past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge (both listed above), you’ll enjoy a multi-course meal or buffet, which is usually paired with drinks and live entertainment.

Seeing the skyline during the day is great, but watching it light up from the harbour at night is one of the most memorable things to do in Sydney.

There are lots of cruises to suit different styles, from classic dinner cruises to sleek glass-boat experiences with panoramic views. Some cruises offer live music, cabaret, or DJs, making the evening into more than just a meal.

Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a unique way to see the harbour, it’s one of Sydney’s most iconic nighttime experiences. Click here to search for a cruise and price that suits your style.

4. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Garden is one of the most beautiful and accessible green spaces in the city, sitting right on the edge of Sydney Harbour. It’s just a short walk from the CBD, which is where we were staying at YEHS Hotel, and right near the Sydney Opera House, making it an easy stop while exploring the city.

We walked through these beautiful gardens on our way to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair (more on that below).

The gardens cover a large area with a mix of manicured lawns, themed plant collections, and shaded walking paths – which is always nice during the hot days in Sydney! It’s a place where you can wander, lay out a picnic, or just take a break from the city without actually leaving it.

The gardens are free to enter and open every day, which makes them one of the top free things to do in Sydney. You’ll also find guided tours, cafes nearby, and seasonal events depending on when you visit.

Click here for details about the gardens, and click here for directions on Google Maps.

5. Sunset at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair

You’ve probably seen sunset photos of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House and are wondering where to get that perfect shot! Well, it’s here at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair.

The sandstone chair dates back to 1810 and was carved for Elizabeth Macquarie, the wife of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. She was known to sit here and take in the harbour views. These days, it’s one of the best photo spots in Sydney – especially at sunrise or sunset when the light hits the skyline just right.

We headed here at sunset and enjoyed epic views of the sun dipping behind the Harbour Bridge – plus, some huge battleships were docked here. Click here for the Google Maps link.

See Also: How to Get a Working Holiday Visa in Australia

6. Join a Walking Tour

Whenever we visit a new city or country, we always try to do a walking tour. It’s such a great way to get a lay of the land, learn about the history and culture, and of course, get some local restaurant and bar recommendations!

Some of the walking tours are free (tip based), while others are paid. We find the free ones to be pretty good, but you usually end up with a big group of people. Whereas the paid ones are more intimate and personalized.

In Sydney, you can join this free walking tour that’ll take you to many of the main sights in this article, including the Opera House, Royal Bontanic Garden, The Rocks, Parliament, and more.

If you’d rather go on a paid walking tour, this one includes everything listed above, is rated 5.0 and has more than 500 positive reviews.

Not only that, but the group tour is small (around 6 people), and you get a free craft beer or juice of your choice! Click here to learn more. You can reserve your spot now, and pay later (there’s also free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour).

7. Coastal Walk from Bondi to Coogee

This was a highlight of our trip to the city and is definitely one of the best day trips from Sydney. Bondi Beach has become pretty famous due to the reality TV show “Bondi Rescue” (I’ve been binge watching these guys on YouTube lately).

The beach here is one of the busiest in Australia, but conditions can be unpredictable and rough – always adhere to the advice of the lifeguards.

However, we weren’t there to hangout on Bondi Beach, we were there to do the beautiful coastal walkway from there all the way to Coogee!

The entire 6 km (3.7 mile) walk takes you through different towns, beaches, and coves. All while enjoying stunning views of the ocean along the way. I loved watching the surfers at Tamarama Beach!

I recommend starting the walk earlier in the day as it’s exposed the entire time. Bring a hat, a water bottle (there are fill points along the way), and wear proper footwear as well (having said that, Nick did this walk in his flip-flops!). This is one of the best things to do in Sydney for sure.

To get here, you’ll need to take the train to the Bondi Junction. Then, hop on Bus 333 at Stand A3 to Bondi Beach. Depending on what time of day you leave, and where you catch the train from, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour.

8. Eat Michelin Ramen

The food choices in Sydney are endless. No matter what type of cuisine you’re craving, you’ll find it here. For us, having already spent quite a bit of time in Australia (and eaten our fair share of pies and parmys), during our 5 days in Sydney, we went 100% Asian cuisines!

There were many standouts, but if you’re into ramen, Mensho Tokyo is set down a cool back alleyway and serves up some unique bowls of rich ramen soup.

The original branches in San Francisco and Tokyo are Michelin Recommended, but since there’s no such rating in Australia, technically the Sydney branch isn’t Michelin recommended – even though it claims to be.

Either way, it was very good. Nick went with the Signature Toripaitan which had just a touch of truffle flavour, and I chose the Classic Toripaitan and added a perfectly jammy egg to it. Click here for directions to Mensho Tokyo on Google Maps.

9. Take a Ferry to Manly

Of all the things to do in Sydney, a visit to the suberb of Manly was a standout for me! Bondi Beach gets all the hype, but in my opinion, Manly was the winner.

The wide, sweeping shoreline backed by rows of pine trees gives it a laid-back, postcard-perfect feel that’s hard to beat.

Getting there is half the experience, with the ferry ride across the harbour offering some of the best views in Sydney. Once you arrive, there’s a cute pedestrian-only walkway filled with shops, restaurants and bars, and a long waterfront promenade that runs along the beach.

The layout of Manly is great. We spent a few hours walking the pedestrian street, then along the beachside, and continued around the headland to Shelly Beach – which was perfectly calm and great for swimming.

If you’re into Thai food, check out the lunch special at Manly Thai Gourmet ($12 AUD!), grab a drink at the Boathouse, and finish off the day with a tasty gelato at Anita Gelato. Getting to Manly is easy on the Manly Fast Ferry from Circular Quay. Click here for current details.

10. Get a Bird’s Eye View in a Helicopter

Seeing Sydney by boat or on foot is great, sure…but seeing it from above would be truly next level!

We’ve taken scenic helicopter rides in a few other places (like Chicago and when we got engaged in France!), but unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to do it in Sydney.

Still, we saw lots of helicopters flying around (both for sightseeing and finding sharks) and the views they’d be seeing would be fantastic.

Check out this highly-rated, 20 minute flight over Sydney – it’s a great way to see all the sights in one go! This 5 star company allows you to reserve now, and pay later, and offers cancellation up to 2 days before the trip. Click here for more details.

11. See the Sydney Tower Eye

Another awesome way to see Sydney from above – and to get your bearings in the city – is the Sydney Tower Eye. Dominating the skyline, this landmark rises above the CBD and offers a completely different perspective on the city.

Take the elevator up to the observation deck (which is around 250 meters above the streets below), and you’ll be rewarded with incredible 360-degree views.

Floor-to-ceiling windows make it easy to take it all in, but if you’re after something a bit more memorable (or terrifying, depending on how you look at it!), the Skywalk lets you safely step outside onto a glass platform above the city. Click here to learn more about the Skywalk and reserve your tickets.

12. See Hyde Park & St. Mary’s Cathedral

Right in the heart of Sydney, Hyde Park is the city’s oldest public park and a perfect place to relax and wander around. This is exactly what we did after our flight landed in Sydney and we checked into our hotel.

With its wide pathways, towering fig trees, and open lawns, it’s a great place to take a quick break from the busy streets. You’ll also see St. Mary’s Cathedral from here – it’s hard to miss its tall Gothic towers. You can simply check it out from the park, or go inside to see the stained glass, high ceilings, and quiet interior. Click here to find Hyde Park on Google Maps.

13. Shop (or gawk) at Queen Victoria Building

Every time we stepped out of our hotel, we were greeted by this grand building – and it never got old! Built in the late 1800s, it was originally designed as a marketplace but today it’s an elegant shopping center right in the heart of the CBD.

What makes it special isn’t just the shopping, but the architecture. Inside, you’ll find towering ceilings, stained glass windows, intricate ironwork, and a series of grand domes that make it feel more like a cathedral than a mall.

The building stretches for an entire city block along George Street, and walking through it is an experience in itself. Click here to find the QVB on the map.

Click here for the best areas and accommodations in Sydney

14. Wander Around The Rocks

The Rocks is set right beneath the Harbour Bridge and is one of the most character-filled areas in Sydney. With its cobblestone laneways, historic sandstone buildings, and mix of cafés, shops, and bars, it’s a great place to wander around.

Our Aussie friends told us we must visit the oldest neighbourhood in Sydney. Unfortunately, the day we planned to go to The Rocks, we weren’t feeling well, so we only really saw one lane near the harbor!

This area is touristy of course, but for good reason. After exploring the streets, pop into Fortune of War, which is Sydney’s oldest pub! Click here to find The Rocks on Google Maps.

15. Learn to Surf

Australia and surfing go hand in hand, and you don’t have to go far from Sydney to find some good waves – for beginners or more advanced surfers.

When we did day trips to Manly and Bondi Beach, we saw lots of people enjoying the surf. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to learn from a professional. Check out this 2-hour lesson with a guide, it’s perfect if you’ve never surfed before, or if you want a bit of a refresher.

In Conclusion

Having 5 days in the city was a good amount of time, but we could’ve easily spent a week in Sydney! We really liked how the city was laid out and how easy it was to get around by metro, foot, and ferry. Whether you’re into beaches, culture, food, or craft beer, Sydney has something for everyone.

The post 15 BEST Things to Do in Sydney for First-Time Visitors appeared first on Goats On The Road.

Our trip to Cozumel is one we’re still thinking about! The first time I visited, I was just 16 years old on a cruise with my family. Needless to say, coming back years later as an adult, on a week-long trip with my partner, was a much different experience!

We spent a week in Cozumel and were pleasantly surprised at just how much we were able to see in a short period of time. Scuba diving, beach lounging, visiting ruins, road tripping, eating everything in sight… Cozumel has something for everyone.

You might just want to chill out on the beach, with a drink in hand, and I understand completely. But, after visiting here, I recommend you leave the beach behind and experience the many other things to do in Cozumel.

Cozumel is one of the top places to visit in Mexico, so give yourself some time here.

I highly recommend that you plan a minimum of 5 days to see all the things to do in Cozumel, you may even want to stay longer. With numerous incredible things to do in Mexico, make sure Cozumel is on your list. 

15 Best Things To Do in Cozumel

Here’s my list of our favourite things to do in Cozumel for adults that you don’t want to miss!

1. Visit Punta Sur Ecological Park

Punta Sur Eco Beach is the best beach on the Island, and a visit to this eco-park is a must! This isn’t a “Disneyland” type place, it’s a natural gem and the number one thing do to in Cozumel.

This area is located on the south of the island and covers an area of 2,500 acres. There’s an entrance fee ($25 USD for adults and $17 for children), but in my opinion, it’s worth it.

There are lots of things to do inside the park, here are a few of our top choices:

The Lighthouse

Within the Punta Sur Eco Park is the Celarain Lighthouse, which was constructed to warn sailors at night of the dangers of running aground off the southern coast of Cozumel. The Lighthouse is now part of a maritime museum.

For 360-degree views of the Island, you can climb the 133 steps to the top. On a clear day, you can even see the coast of Cuba, but unfortunately for us, that wasn’t the case. Entrance fees to the Punta Sur Eco Park include the Celerain Lighthouse.

Marshlands Boat Ride

A 40-minute tour of the Marshlands of Punta Sur Ecological Park is also available. They can’t guarantee that you will see any crocodiles on the day of the tour (we were lucky and saw a couple!), but you will see many species of birds, especially the roseate spoonbill. 

These short boat tours are currently departing at 1:00 and 2:00 pm. Confirm the times at the entrance to the park when you arrive.

Visit the Mayan Ruin

El Caracol ruin – also called Tumba del Caracol because of its small size – dates back to 1200-1500 AD. Caracol means “snail” in Spanish and the ruins were named this because of the snails that decorate the small dome on the top of the temple.

The structure was built as an early hurricane warning system for the Mayan people. The roof was constructed in a way that the strong breeze gave a humming noise alerting the Mayans of the impending danger.

2. Private Jeep Tour With Lunch and Snorkelling

One of the best activities to do in Cozumel is a private Jeep Tour with lunch and the opportunity to go snorkelling. The tour comes with your own private guide which means that he knows the best-secluded beaches to go snorkelling and swimming without the crowds.

The best part about this Cozumel excursion is that it’s completely customizable. Let your guide know ahead of time what you’re interested in seeing in Cozumel and he’ll put together an itinerary to suit your needs!

Apart from private transportation, snorkelling, tequila tasting, Mexican lunch, and a stop at a beach club are included in the trip. For more information click here.

3. Go Sailing

This is definitely one of the best things to do in Cozumel! There are many things to see around the island and hopping aboard a catamaran is the best way to do so.

You can either relax on board enjoying drinks and snacks, or you can snorkel the reef and check out the gorgeous sea life. When you’re snorkelling you’ll have the chance to spot some sea turtles, stingrays and maybe even a shark.

The waters around Cozumel are safe for swimming and snorkelling. Click here for an awesome catamaran trip to El Cielo and the Money Bar Beach – which is super affordable and includes all drinks (margaritas as well!), and food.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, are travelling with a group, or if you just want some luxury in your life, you’ll want to book this private catamaran trip which includes all food and drinks, snorkel equipment and more.

You can reserve now and pay later, which is always a good thing if you’re not 100% sure of travel plans. Plus, you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure. Learn more here.

4. Visit The Mayan Ruins

Did you know that there are Mayan ruins on Cozumel?! To be honest, we didn’t until our recent visit. 

Located on the northern part of Cozumel, tucked away in the undeveloped jungle, you’ll find the San Gervasio archaeological site (the pre-Hispanic name was Tantun Cuzamil). 

Sure, these ruins aren’t as large or impressive as Chichen Itza or Tulum ruins, but they are interesting in their own way. This is one of the more unusual things to do in Cozumel, and is a great day trip. 

We drove there in our rental car and then hired a guide at the site – who really brought the place to life. Two entrance fees need to be paid, but in total, it’s around $10. The cost of a guide (if you choose) is around $20 for a 1.5-hour tour. Click here for directions.

5. See the Cozumel Pearl Farm

A visit to the family-owned and operated Cozumel Pearl Farm is a unique excursion where you are taken by boat to a secluded beach on an uninhabited area of Cozumel.

The first part of the tour is a demonstration and explanation of pearl farming techniques. The second part of the tour takes you to the pearl hatchery itself.

At the hatchery, you can do some snorkelling to see how the pearls are grown while learning about the reef system and viewing the underwater life-size Virgen de Guadalupe statue.

The rest of your time is spent either swimming in the warm azure waters or lazing in one of the many hammocks, and of course, enjoying your lunch with drinks which are included. Click here to learn more.

6. Check out the Mayan Cacao Company

Just 15 minutes from downtown Cozumel is the Mayan Cacao Company. Who doesn’t love chocolate?!

One of the many things Mayans are known for is their production of chocolate from the beans of the cacao trees. After the fermenting, drying and roasting process, they ground the beans into a paste, added hot water and made the first hot chocolate drink.

The tour lasts for 70 minutes and you get to sample some chocolate as well. Click here to get you admission ticket.

If you’d rather have a more interactive experience, join this fun workshop! You’ll learn how to make a handmade chocolate bar with the authentic Mayan recipe…and, how to make a chocolate margarita (and drink it, of course). Both of these tickets are book now and pay later, with free cancellation as well.

⇒ See Also: 19 Fun Things To Do in Isla Mujeres – Mexico’s Island of Women

7. Visit the El Mirador

El Mirador is located on the east side of the Island of Cozumel, 30 minutes from downtown. Hire a moped, rent a car or take a private taxi to get here.

It’s a naturally beautiful spot where the sea has carved an arch in the rocks over the years. You can climb to the top for stunning views.

This is an excellent place to avoid crowds. If you’re looking to relax, a visit to El Mirador is one of the best things to do in Cozumel. Find it on the map, here.

☞ For other natural rock formations surrounded by water, don’t miss Lands End, one of the top things to do in Cabo San Lucas.

8. Swim and Snorkel at Playa Chen Rio

Cozumel has some of the best beaches in Mexico, and Playa Chen Rio is one you won’t want to miss. With its protected area and shallow water, this beach is suitable for all levels of swimmers and snorkellers.

As an added bonus, Playa Chen Rio is located on the east coast, which is less popular than those beaches that are located on the west coast – perfect if you want to get away from the crowds.

Enjoy a day of swimming and snorkelling, followed by lunch at one of the great restaurants on the beach here, such as El Pescador Marisqueria and Bar, or at the funky Coconuts bar.

Note: even though this beach is usually fine, always be cautious when swimming on the east coast of Cozumel. The water can be quite rough here and undertows are not uncommon. Always ask the locals before venturing in.

⇒ See Also: 21 Things To Do in Guadalajara You Don’t Want To Miss

9. Chill Out at a Beach Club

There are many beach clubs and bars located on the west coast. These beaches are calm and perfectly turquoise, while the beach bars and clubs are where you can hire kayaks, laze on sunbeds or enjoy the beach club.

Some of the clubs have entrance fees, such as Uvas Beach Club which is $20 including facilities, snorkel gear and kayak, while the Money Bar offers free chairs and umbrellas as long as you purchase something. 

I loved the Money Bar! I spent the day here a couple of times while Nick was out scuba diving. They gave me free snorkel gear, and umbrella and chair. The food and drinks were really good as well.

With Buccanos in the north, it’s $22 for the chairs and umbrella, but that amount is subtracted from your bill. One of the most popular beach clubs is Mr. Sanchos which has an all-inclusive day pass available. You can book your spot here.

☞ SEE ALSO: Manzanillo Colima – The Ultimate Travel Guide

10. Visit San Miguel, the Capital of Cozumel

Since San Miguel is located on the west coast, one of the best activities here is to walk the broad sidewalk along the seafront at sunset. We did this almost every night during our stay in Cozumel, and loved watching the area come to life as everyone came out to enjoy the cooler temps.

During the day when the cruise ships are in port, the sidewalk is very busy with cruise passengers, but outside of that time, it’s fairly quiet.

In the middle of San Miguel is the Zocalo (a central park), every Mexican city or town has a Zocalo. It’s a meeting place for locals or a spot to sit and just people-watch.

If you are in Cozumel on a Sunday evening head to the Zocalo at around 8:00 pm for many free events.

☞ In Mexico, you’ll find numerous seaside promenades with zocalos and free activities going on. Don’t miss wandering along the Malecon and seeing street performers, these are some of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta, La Paz and many other Mexican cities.

⇒ See Also: 21 Awesome Things To Do in Oaxaca City

11. Scuba Diving (one of the most popular things to do in Cozumel)

Scuba Diving along the Mesoamerican Reef is second to none. If you are an advanced scuba diver like Nick is, you have the option to dive at advanced sites in Cozumel like Maracaibo, Devil’s Throat, Cathedral or Barracuda.

Cozumel is known for its incredible snorkelling and scuba diving, so make sure you jump in the water during your trip!

We spent a week scuba diving in Cozumel and did a total of 12 dives with Scuba Tony, and I did some snorkelling with them as well. The captains and dive guides were all very professional and welcoming, and the dive boat and equipment were in great shape.

I’m pretty hardcore when it comes to water safety, and I felt totally at ease with Scuba Tony (both the crew and the boat itself).

You can either meet at their location in the marina or, if you’re staying in the south, the dive boat will pick you up directly from your hotel’s jetty – how cool is that?!

Whether you’re open water, advanced or just learning how to dive, you’ll be impressed with the underwater world. No matter your experience level, you’ll love spotting turtles, rays, eels, lobster, fish and of course, colourful coral.

Night diving is also popular and is a unique way to experience the critters – expect to spot octopus, sharks, eels and more. Diving in Cozumel is popular, for good reason. Learn more about Scuba Tony here.

⇒ See Also: 21 Top Things To Do in San Miguel de Allende

12. Eat Mexican Food

Mexican cuisine is our favourite. Eating street food is one of the best things to do in Mexico City, but if you’re not heading to the capital, you’ll still be spoiled for choice in Cozumel. 

Think burritos, tacos, tortas, ceviche, enchiladas, churros and of course drinks such as tequila, mezcal, margaritas and a chilled Corona with a slice of lime.

Some of our favourite Cozumel restaurants are:

• Guisados for fantastic tacos – Av Lic Benito Juárez 254, Centro
• Crazy King Burrito …for, you guessed it, burritos – Calle 4 Norte 5 in Centro San Miguel
• Mister Taco – Avenue Benito Juarez and 60th
• La Monina – tasty food with epic sunset views

13. Join a Food Tour

If you enjoy food tours as much as we do, Cozumel Chef Food Tour is the one for you. The tour takes you to several different restaurants where you enjoy a Mexican dish and a local drink.

The places you’ll visit are off the usual tourist path, meaning you’ll be eating like a local. Even vegetarians are well catered for during this tour.

This is one of the top Cozumel excursions if you enjoy authentic Mexican food. Make sure to come hungry! For more information and booking, click here.

⇒ See Also: 10 Things To See and Do in Guanajuato

14.  Deep-Sea Fishing

For deep sea fishing enthusiasts, Cozumel is the perfect location and one of the top companies (Beach Bum Cozumel) offers an awesome experience. Even if you’re not a hardcore fisherman, this is still one of the best things to do in Cozumel.

Nick did some deep sea fishing for sailfish during our trip to Manzanillo, but he didn’t get a chance in Cozumel.

Barracuda, mahi mahi and triggerfish are some of the local catch around Cozumel. You can catch tuna all year round, and from March to July white and blue marlin and sailfish are available. You can reserve the boat now, and pay later. For more information and charter bookings click here.

⇒ See Also: 21 Things To Do in Mazatlan, Mexico

15. Watch Sunset

At the end of the day, nothing beats a good sunset with a cocktail in hand. We recommend checking out Hemingway,  El Palomar Restaurant and Bar and La Monina on the west side of the island. These are all excellent places that we frequented during our trip to Cozumel.

If sitting at a restaurant isn’t your thing, you can always watch the sunset from the malecon, a jetty or the beach…the best free Cozumel activity for sure.

More Fun Cozumel Activities

There are so many more fun things to do in Cozumel, that I had to add some more to the list.

Go Sea Scootering

If you’ve never heard of a sea scooter, you need to have a look at this tour. Explore sunken ships and the beautiful Caribbean Sea, while an underwater scooter does all of the “swimming” for you. Afterwards, enjoy a market and a local Mexican lunch. Find out more about this fun day trip in Cozumel here.

Snorkelling at Night to Spot Octopus

After getting briefed by your guide, you’ll put on your snorkel gear, turn on your light and hit the sea. You won’t be going by boat, just simply walking into the water from the shore.

Join this highly rated, 4 hour+ snorkelling trip, and spot octopus, turtles, squid, and more in the wild. This is an experience you won’t forget and is one of the best things to do in Cozumel at night. Learn more here.

Join a Cooking Class

If you’re looking for things to do in Cozumel for foodies, check out this fun cooking experience. Start the trip by visiting a local market and learning about the typical foods of Mexico. Then, head to a family home and learn how to make authentic Mexican dishes…and of course, eat them! You’ll make dips, main dishes, snacks and drinks are included as well. Find out more here. 

Where is Cozumel?

The Island of Cozumel or “Isla Cozumel” as it’s known in Spanish is located 12 miles off the coast opposite Playa del Carmen in the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun, known as “Mexico’s top party destination” is 45 miles to the north of Cozumel.

We were staying in Playa del Carmen when we decided to head over to Cozumel – the quieter alternative to Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Actually, one of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen is to take a ferry across to tranquil Cozumel.

How to Get to Cozumel

If you’re coming from Playa del Carmen (like we were), the terminal is located downtown near the main square – click here for directions on Google Maps. In just 30 – 45 minutes, you’ll cross the sea and arrive in Cozumel. Click here for the Cozumel Ferry schedule, which includes costs. 

Ultramar Ferry runs on “odd” days, while the Winjet Ferry runs on “even” days of the week. The latest times can be found on their respective Facebook accounts. Having experienced both, I can say that the Ultramar ferry to Cozumel was nicer, faster and had more amenities on board.

While there are direct flights to Cozumel, most people will arrive at the Cancun airport. From there, you have a few options to get to the ferry terminal in Playa del Carmen (to take the boat over to Cozumel). 

You can either take the bus, hire a taxi, or opt for a private shuttle from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. This is the fastest, safest and most comfortable to get to the Cozumel ferry. Click here for details about airport transfers. 

Note: if you’re on a budget and don’t mind sharing, there is a quick, safe and easy $25 shuttle you can take from the Cancun airport to the ferry port in Playa del Carmen. Learn more here.

When is The Best Time to Visit Cozumel?

You can visit Mexico year-round, but the best time to visit Cozumel is during the months from March to June, before the hurricane season starts.

The hottest months are July and August which coincides with the hurricane season that lasts until November. Winter is Cozumel’s busiest period and it runs from December through to March.

We visited Cozumel at the end of April, into May, and had beautiful weather – and it was less crowded.

Where To Stay in Cozumel

Cozumel is a relatively small island, so you can stay pretty much anywhere and then just get around by car or golf cart. Having said that, for beach lovers, you’ll want to stay on the west coast as the east is rugged and windy.

If you plan to do a lot of diving, you might want to stay at a place that has its own pier. Here are a few of my recommendations for the best accommodation in Cozumel. For more, be sure to check out our Where To Stay in Cozumel Guide.

Stingray Villa: We spent 5 nights in this beautiful little 4-room boutique villa hotel that’s just a few short blocks from the sea. The rooms have cool painted interiors and all of them face towards a lovely and quiet shared pool. If this one is booked, or isn’t your style, another highly rated option is Villas El Encanto.

Landmark Resort: We stayed here the last time we were in Cozumel and loved it. In fact, we could see ourselves spending weeks or even months in this beautifully decorated, spacious apartment complex with sea views. Highly recommended. As a bonus, the Money Bar Beach Club and scuba diving pier was right here!

The Westin: A cool hotel on the north end of Cozumel that has its own private beach area, an outdoor pool, an onsite restaurant and some free amenities like snorkel gear.

Best Restaurants in Cozumel

Cozumel is a food-lovers paradise. We ate at lots of different local and international restaurants during our stay there. Of course, many menus feature seafood, but there are lots of other great dishes including Mexican cuisine, steaks, burgers and pasta.

Here are some of our favourite restaurants on the island of Cozumel.

Buccanos: We love this little restaurant/bar on the beach. There’s a beautiful sunset view, good food and tasty cocktails.

La Monina: One of our favourite little Mexican restaurants on the beach in Cozumel. Make sure you try the seafood here.

Lobster Shack: This was the first meal Nick ate on our last visit to Cozumel. These lobster rolls are the best we’ve had since our time in Nova Scotia.

Sereno Cozumel: Probably the best view from a restaurant on the island, Sereno also has great food and friendly service.

The Coffee Cozumel: An excellent cafe in Cozumel. The coffee is tasty and so are the breakfasts.

The Maple Bakehouse: Another great breakfast place.

Azul Madera: A more upscale spot with excellent food – get the surf and turf!

Cozumel Travel Itineraries

As I’ve said before, Cozumel is a small island so most people will either visit for a few days or a week. We spent a week and could’ve stayed longer! Below I’ve included some suggested itineraries for those time frames.

3 Days in Cozumel

On day one, wake up and head to The Coffee Cozumel for a morning brew and breakfast, then head to Punta Sur to spend the day spotting crocs, enjoying the view, and going for a swim. That’ll take most of the day, but you might have time to check out the Mayan Ruins in the afternoon before heading to a beach bar for sunset.

On day 2 start your day with a deliciously sweet breakfast at The Maple Bakehouse. Then you can either head out on a day trip snorkelling tour, or go for a couple of dives if you’re into diving.

If you make it back in time for lunch, hit up Sereno for some tasty tacos. Then spend the afternoon at a beach bar before going to El Mirador in the afternoon for sunset. End the day at Buccanos for a later afternoon cocktail and dinner.

On the last day, wake up and go to whichever place you liked more between The Maple Bakehouse and The Coffee Cozumel for some coffee and breakfast. Then either join a private jeep tour. This will take most of the day and include lunch, so in the afternoon when you’re done, consider visiting the Cacao Company.

Enjoy dinner at La Monina or head to the Lobster Shack for a quick roll, then head to El Palomar Restaurant and Bar for sunset cocktails and if you’re lucky, some live music.

One Week in Cozumel

For the first 3 days, do all of the activities from the 3-day Cozumel itinerary above. On day 4, go to a Beach Club for the day. Finish the day off with sunset in San Miguel and dinner at Azul Madera.

On day 5 wake up early and go deep-sea fishing. That will take most of the day and will include lunch, when you’re done, rest for a bit before heading out for dinner at any of the restaurants with a sunset view.

Day 6 can start with a coffee and a pastry at your hotel, before visiting San Miguel, the capital of Cozumel. For lunch, eat at local Mexican restaurants in the capital, before visiting the Cozumel Pearl Farm in the afternoon. At night head to Monkey Beach Club for some fun music and food.

On the last day, wake up and have a quick snack for breakfast before meeting for the Cozumel Chef Food Tour at 11am. This will bring you through lunch to the late afternoon. At this time, just head to a beach club and enjoy your last day on the sand, swimming and snorkelling. I recommend Sky Reef or Mr. Sanchos.

Cozumel Travel FAQs

Conclusion

Cozumel is a true island paradise. It’s laid back just like the locals and offers a quieter atmosphere than its coastal neighbours. We loved our trip to Cozumel – both above and below the water!

Cozumel is an island that will wake you up with sunrise on the eastern side, while just 10 miles across the island, you can enjoy a sundowner on the west coast. There are numerous fun things to do in Cozumel and we hope this list gave you some good ideas of where to start.

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After 3 weeks in Bali… it might’ve shaken everything we think about our lifestyle, work, and where we want to live.

For a bit of context, we left our home in Bulgaria around mid-January because we were tired of the cold.

I mean, Bulgaria is not cold at all compared to our home country of Canada… but there was a stretch of cold weather so we thought maybe we’d change things up a bit.

So we decided last minute to book a trip to Asia. We hadn’t been East since COVID… and we were really craving something different.

We booked our flights less than 2 weeks before flying out. We had to pack up our house, get in some last minute appointments, catch up on some work and we were off.

But what happened on this trip and the days leading up to it really surprised us.

From the minute we hit “book” on those flights… there was a welling inside of us. A feeling that we didn’t expect at all.

A feeling that maybe we forgot. And a feeling that might culminate in us changing our entire lives, surroundings, and business in the next few months.

Bali in particular seems to have some kind of power over us.

They say that this island is an “energy center”, and while I don’t know if that’s true… it does always seem to send ripples through our lives when we go there.

Before I get into that though, I want to share with you a little bit about the travels we did leading up to Bali.

It’s been a long time since us Goats have come on the blog just to share a travel update.

So let’s start with a good old fashion “travel blog post”. You know? Like back in the day?

The Reason For The Trip

Before we get into the trip, why did we even go?

It all started because some of our best friends, Vivien & Aaron (who we met while we were pet sitting in the Caribbean) were getting married in Australia.

At first it was just going to be a quick 2 week trip over to Aus for the wedding and festivities, then back to Bulgaria.

But as anyone who’s been to Australia knows… it’s not close. So we figured… why not make a trip out of it.

That 2 week wedding trip quickly turned into 3 months+ as we kept adding new countries and destinations to the itinerary.

We decided we’d fly into Hanoi first because there was a great flight from Bulgaria to Hanoi.

Then we’d go to Taiwan because it’s a new country for us and only a short flight from Hanoi.

Then Bali to visit some of our other best friends, Tom & Anna… then onwards to Aus for the wedding.

And because you can’t go all the way down under and NOT go to New Zealand… we added that on too (plus New Zealand has some of the best fly fishing in the world… so you better believe half our luggage is full of my fishing gear).

And that’s when the trip went from being just about the wedding… to something entirely different.

It was about shifting gears. Stepping away from our familiar rhythm in Bulgaria and trying out the digital nomad life again.

Leaving Bulgaria

We’ve loved our time in Bulgaria. To us, the country is just entering what we call “The Goldilocks Zone”.

There isn’t so much tourism that the magical places are ruined, and yet there is enough that there is a good amount of amenities and international diversity.

There are great restaurants, both local and foreign, there is a growing community of expats, there are beautiful places that are yet to be discovered, and some up-and-coming hotspots that are just starting to get on the tourists maps.

I love the mountains, the nature, and the incredible cuisine, which is a blend of Balkan, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern.

We have great Bulgarian friends and there is fantastic wine and fly fishing.

We also love it’s location. Right at the edge of Europe, Africa, and The Middle East, it’s surrounded by some of our favorite countries (like Greece and Turkey) as well as some we haven’t spent much time in yet like Romania and Serbia.

Plus it’s the perfect gateway to the rest of Europe.

In fact, it’s the location that’s kept us here for so long.

In the past 3 years that we’ve lived there, we’ve done plenty of trips.

In reality, we only really spend 6-8 months a year in Bulgaria.

The rest of the time we’ve been traveling around Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, or back to Canada.

But that’s basically been it. And those countries and regions are so “easy”.

They’re beautiful. They’re inspiring. They have the history, the food, the friendly people, the natural beauty.

But they don’t have that one thing that we’ve realized was missing from our lives since COVID.

Culture shock.

That feeling of being slightly uncomfortable, slightly disoriented… where the language sounds different, the rhythms of daily life don’t quite match what you’re used to, and even simple things force you to be present again.

It’s the kind of experience that wakes you up – not just as a traveler, but as a person… reminding you that there are places that just move to a different beat.

So when we hit “book” on those flights to Hanoi, Vietnam… we had this new surge of energy.

I was almost gitty about getting back to Asia.

It felt like we were back in 2008 about to embark on our first ever trip.

I guess because it had been so long, I just felt like this was going to be an entirely new type of travel for us – even though we’ve spent over 5 years total traveling and living around Asia.

We yearned for the sound of Asian languages, the hum of motorbikes on the street, the taste of foreign spices and fruits, the feeling of sitting on plastic chairs with a cold bottle of beer in hand, people watching on the busy streets.

This is what Asia is all about. We were finally going back. Finally going to where all our travels began. Our nomadic “home”.

Landing in Hanoi

We landed in Hanoi after a 24 hour total flight day. It was only supposed to be a 12 hour flight from Sofia, but when we landed in Istanbul at 1am for our planned 1.5 hour layover… we got some news.

Our next lag was delayed for 5 hours!

There was nothing we could do but sit in the lounge for the next six and a half hours and try to get some sleep.

We did manage to get some sleep, and actually even though the trip ended up taking a lot longer than expected, when we landed in Hanoi we were immediately charged with a new energy.

We arrived at night (which we always try to do to avoid jet lag) and so we checked into our Airbnb and went right to sleep.

The next morning we woke up early feeling refreshed and ready to check out the city.

Stepping out of our apartment building and onto the street, I couldn’t shake my goofy smile.

I was grinning ear to ear as we pushed through a sea of motorbikes to cross the road.

I was smiling as we got our first vietnamese coffee and when we sat on our child-sized plastic stools to eat some mysterious and delicious street food.

And I was beaming when we got lost down a tiny alley for the first time and watched as the locals sat behind tiny metal tables, slicing fresh fish and arranging piles of herbs and vegetables for the afternoon rush.

It just felt like it was everything I had been waiting for for the past couple of weeks since we booked the flights.

Have you ever gone somewhere, done something, or felt a moment hit you where you suddenly thought… why has it taken me this long to do this again?

That was us in Vietnam. What took us so long to get back to Asia?

What took us so long to make it to Northern Vietnam?

We actually travelled to Vietnam on our very first trip. Back in 2008. It was our second country on the trip.

But shortly after arriving in Vietnam, Dariece got Dengue (or some other strange sickness) that rendered her bed-ridden for 10 days with a crazy high fever and no way to keep in fluids.

That delayed our trip, which meant we only made it as far north as Hue before our visa ran out. We always said we’d return, but it took us 18 years to do it!

In fact, 18 years almost to the day. We looked back at Dariece’s journal entries from that 2008 trip (yes somehow she still has them) and we realized that we left Vietnam 18 years ago on almost the exact same day as we were landing in 2026.

Crazy how the universe has these ways of drawing us back to places and the timing at which those things seem to happen.

Sometimes it feels quite serendipitous.

Halong Bay

Aside from wandering around Hanoi, eating incredible food, and meeting cool people, we knew we wanted to visit Halong Bay while we were in Vietnam.

This bay is a natural wonder of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s famous for its limestone karsts jutting out from emerald-green waters, creating one of the most surreal seascapes in Southeast Asia.

Cruises, yachts, and “junk boats” all ferry tourists around the islands and stop for snorkeling, sunset gazing, and squid fishing.

We’ve never actually done a cruise together, so we thought this would be a good time to splash out.

We booked a luxury cruise in a beautiful suite that had a king sized bed, a deck overlooking the sea, and a huge bathroom with a free-standing bath tub.

It was lovely! It wasn’t cheap, especially for Vientam, but none of the nicer Halong Bay cruise boats really are.

We paid $250 for the night including transport to and from Hanoi, all food and tours, kayaking, etc.

You can book the same one Here on GetYourGuide.

The trip was amazing.

While we had suffered through some of the coldest days on recent record in Hanoi (5°C / 41°F) and plenty of cloudy days and rain… as soon as we got to the boat the sky parted and 20°C / 60°F became the daily highs.

We spent a lot of time just chilling in our room on the deck looking out at the view.

But when we peeled ourself away from there, we’d go up to the top levels for delicious meals that were served by onboard chefs, or we’d be out on a kayaking trip or doing morning Tai Chi on the top deck of the ship.

I definitely would recommend that ship we went with, or at least visiting Halong Bay if you’re ever in Vietnam.

We had heard that there was a bunch of trash in the water that really took away from the experience, but our ship actually spent a lot of time in Lan Ha Bay.

I’m not sure if that bay is cleaner, or we just got lucky with currents, but we didn’t see any garbage besides one or two rogue plastic bags floating by in the water.

Heading to Taiwan

After a week in Vietnam, eating fantastic food, exploring the city, drinking at rooftop bars, listening to live music and cruising Halong Bay, we were off to Taipei.

We’ve been wanting to visit Taipei for years. And it was exciting to finally get to go.

When we landed it marked my 82nd country and Dariece’s 83rd (she visited Dominican Republic with a girlfriend before we got together… I will catch up one day).

I have to say… were were both blown away by Taiwan.

Having lived in China for a year as English Teachers back in 2012-2013, we’ve always loved Chinese language, culture and … food.

Oh my god the food.

When we try to describe Chinese food to our friends and family who have never visited China, we always have to explain that Chinese food is nothing like the Americanized deep-fried cantonese fusion dishes that we get in the west.

It’s not all chow mein, sweet and sour pork, ginger beef, spring rolls and fortune cookies.

Although aside from the American invention of the latter, the other things can be found in variations in different parts of China… the real cuisine is so much more diverse and refined.

If you want to taste layers of bold flavors that light up your pallet, then you have to try real, authentic Chinese food.

Of course, because Taiwan has such a long history with China and Japan, there is an incredible meeting point of these two world class cuisines that makes for one of the most incredible food destinations on the planet.

Fusion comfort dishes like Taiwanese beef noodle soup (牛肉麵) are the star, but you’ll also find street food legends like xiao long bao (小籠包 – broth-filled soup dumplings), gua bao (割包 – Taiwanese pork belly burger), Taiwanese popcorn chicken (鹽酥雞), and scallion pancakes (蔥油餅), along with some more unusual local favourites like oyster omelette (蚵仔煎).

There are also plenty of homey classics like lu rou fan (滷肉飯 — braised minced pork on rice) and three cup chicken (三杯雞 – soy-glazed chicken traditionally cooked in a clay pot).

I honestly think I had the best meal of my life in Taiwan, or at least one of the best.

It was at this little hole in the wall restaurant known for it’s “award-winning beef noodle soup” and I ordered 3 dishes that blew me away.

The beef noodle soup, the ground pork wontons in a soy sesame glaze, and the congealed ducks blood (I know it sounds weird) were phenomenal.

If you’re in Taipei, don’t miss that restaurant.

Aside from hanging out in and around Taipei, we wanted to see a bit more of Taiwan so we booked a day trip on GetYourGuide that would take us to Shifen, Jiufen, and Yehliu.

The destinations were fantastic, but the tour itself was absolutely terrible.

Normally we love GetYourGuide tours but this one we definitely don’t recommend.

We thought it was going to be a small guided group tour. When we arrived it was a massive bus of 50 people with only one guide.

You know these types of tours. The stick with the teddy bear on the end, the microphone, the whole bit.

The guide spoke English the entire time, and even though we’ve lived in China for a year, so are familiar with the accent, it was impossible to understand 99% of what was said.

On top of that, he didn’t give us ANY information. He just repeated the same things over and over again about 10 times before each stop.

He would simply repeat the time we were arriving, when we would leave, where the bus would be, and where the bathrooms were. Over and over again. For an hour before every stop.

It was so bad it was comical.

I’ll link the tour so you don’t make the same mistake we did:

https://www.getyourguide.com/taipei-city-l190/yehliu-jiufen-shifen-guided-tour-from-taipei-t496437

But like I said, the stops were beautiful.

The stunning Shifen Waterfall surrounded by jungle clad hills, the town of Shifen with it’s Hanoi-like train street and Chinese lanterns, the mountainside old town of Juifen, and the beatiful rock formations of Yehliu.

I would definitely recommend checking this out on any trip to Taiwan, but just not on the above tour.

Taking public transport, a private driver, or even another GetYourGuide tour would be a much better option.

We really wanted to make it down to Taroko National Park as well but we just didn’t feel like we had time, plus some of the trails remain closed after a recent major earthquake.

South To Uluwatu, Bali

Every time we return to Bali we do it with a little bit of apprehension. Have our favorite spots been overdeveloped? How has this little island changed since our last visit?

And every time we we return, we’re slapped in the face with contradicting feelings.

On one hand, we see the overdevelopment.

We see the traffic getting worse.

We see them cutting down once lush jungles that were home to elephants and tigers, or paving once vibrant green rice terraces with spas, gyms, cafes, and villas.

Bali is such a magical place, even today. But it’s flame is slowly being snuffed by overtourism, overdevelopment and a lack of regulation.

This is what we saw as we drove south from the airport towards Uluwatu. A 9 kilometer drive took us an astonishing 2 hours and 15 minutes thanks to the insanely dense traffic.

But as we neared Uluwatu, a cliffside surfer town, the traffic thinned and we started to see the charm of the place.

I would say Uluwatu is nearing the end of it’s goldilocks phase.

Just a couple of years ago this town was an up-and-comer. A quieter oasis miles from the chaos of Changuu, Bali’s most recent tourism casualty.

But now Uluwatu, or ‘Ulu’ as its often called, is in full swing.

Every mile of coastline has new villas, strip malls, restaurants, and spas being built. You can’t go anywhere in the town without hearing the deafening roar of construction.

And yet, when dodge traffic and walk along the sidewalkless streets, you can still see the beauty of this place.

It has everything you need. Bars, restaurants, health, wellness, beauty… it’s modern Bali life at it’s finest.

And while it may only have a couple of years left, currently it’s probably the best place in South Bali to visit.

As digital nomads, what struck us about Uluwatu was the lifestyle for people like us.

Our friends, Tom and Anna just bought a stunning villa there, so were were thrilled the get to stay with them for a few nights.

Their location was down a quiet back street, and while there was still construction, it was far from the traffic of the main center of Uluwatu known as Bingin.

Their villa was beautiful, but what we were really inspired by was the lifestyle there.

Morning coffees and coworking followed by spas, cold plunges, saunas, the gym, a massage, a bit more work, sunset drinks and then dinner at one of the many delicious restaurants in town.

It was amazing. There was community, inspiration, health, beauty, the ocean… everything that someone needs to be happy.

And it really got us thinking about why we went into this life in the first place.

Yes we love Bulgaria, and we love our life there too.

We especially love our house – a large two story house at the foothills of the mountains with a nice car, a big back yard, and plenty of good hiking and fishing nearby.

But what it doesn’t have is the community. It doesn’t have the ammeneties. We can’t just go to a spa / gym with 3 different temperatures of cold plunge, a health resaurant, and a sauna.

We can’t join morning yoga classes on the ocean or do breathwork retreats surrounded by rice paddies.

On top of that, the Balinese people reminded us how great hospitality can make you feel welcome and even brighten your day sometimes.

The Balinese people, despite the obvious negative affects tourism has had on the island, still treat us like honoured guests.

They go out of the way to help us. They always greet us with a smile, and they’re genuinely interested in where we’re from, what we’re doing, why we’re in Bali and always… where we’re going next.

Bulgarian people are some of the coolest people I’ve met. Our friends, our neighbours, the people we know there, they’re just really great people… once you get to know them.

But the service industry in Bulgaria is still growing and there are plenty of times you will get really poor service when you’re out for dinner or lunch, and it’s not customary to greet people with a smile there, which can come off as “grumpy” to some visitors.

We definitely know better, but it was still amazing to feel the genuine kindness from strangers in Bali who would just wave at us as we walked by, or stop and talk to us for no reason.

These things all added up to make us really think about spending more time outside of Bulgaria in the coming years.

We don’t want to move away from Bulgaria, we still love it there, but we want to live more of a digital nomad life.

One where we go to Bali for a few months every year, and maybe we spend some time in different parts of Asia like Vietnam and Thailand.

We loved working from cafes, meeting up with other entrepreneurs, going for massages and just living the nomad life that’s really only available at that level in Asia.

Our 5 Night Staycation in Bali

Instead of staying in the busy South of Bali the entire time, we wanted to get up north where we were hoping to still catch some of Bali’s magic… and we were blown away.

Going north brought us right back to 2009, the first time we ever visited Bali, and we were so happy to see that the island has retained some pockets of its former glory.

Ubud

The first stop was Ubud. The location of the Indonesia part of Eat Pray Love (we watched that movie again from our villa there).

A LOT has changed in Ubud since that movie was shot, and since we visited a few years prior to its release.

The center of the village is now bumper to bumper traffic, honking horns, vehicle fumes, and zooming motorbikes snaking their way through the cars and large trucks.

But we did find a couple of nice back streets that still had some Ubud energy to them, although between the warungs were countless ramen, smashed avocado cafes, matcha shops, and gift stores.

All the things that us tourists apparently need to have anywhere we go.

But what really blew us away about Ubud was where we stayed. About 10 minutes north of the city by bike, our private pool villa was set on the edge of the rice paddies.

Owned by a local Balinese man who grew up in Ubud and then built the villa after spending 10 years working in hotels in the USA, this place was probably one of the nicest Airbnbs we’ve ever stayed at in our lives.

A perfect blend of Balinese architecture, modern touches, and nature, it was so beautiful that we didn’t want to leave.

The infinity pool looked over the rice paddies, there was a kingsized bed, a full kitchen, and an open air bathroom with a free standing tub, a massive mirror, and a shower that looked like it was coming out of a jungle wall.

But what made it so special was the view. Because it didn’t just overlook one rice field, like so many Ubud villas – it looked out over an vista of rice paddies and palm trees.

Because the owner of the villa also owned the land in front of it, the view of the rice terraces was expansive.

There was islands of jungle, then more rice, then some palm trees, then further off more rice, and Mount Agung in the distance.

It really felt like the Ubud we remembered. So we spent most of our time there, and little time in town, aside from visiting with our friends Jen & Stevo for lunch, who we taught English with in China many years ago.

Stepping Back in Time in Sideman

After Ubud, we headed to Sideman. This place is famous for its rice terraces. While Ubud is slowly filling its rice fields with cement to build villas and hotels, Sideman is what Ubud was 20 years ago.

The daily life here still revolves around farming.

There are of course villas and hotels popping up everywhere and yes, even here the sound of chainsaws, hammers, and metal grinders is hard to ignore… but it’s almost silenced by the beauty of the area.

I can’t even explain this place and the videos and photos really don’t do it justice.

It’s so serenely beautiful that every time we looked out of the window of our 2 level “barn” apartment, it felt like someone had turned on an Ai image of the landscape.

It just didn’t look real.

Mount Agung loomed dark beneath a blanket of clouds, while a winding river spilled from its foothills, carving through the deep valley below.

On either side of the rushing river, emerald hills rolled into the distance – broken only by the occasional palm or banana tree standing beside tiny bamboo-thatched farmer huts.

We spent hours walking through the rice fields which, because of the season of our visit, were actually planted with marigolds, corn, and peanuts between harvests.

It was absolute bliss. Walking through the uninterrupted fields of green we were given hope again that some of Bali’s magic has remained unchanged.

Sideman was like a time machine, transporting us right back to our backpacking days nearly 20 years ago when the Island of Bali was more jungle and rice terraces than it was strip malls and beach clubs.

Again we were talking about what it would be like to spend more time here. Maybe spending a few months in Uluwatu but taking more of these “staycations” to Ubud, Sideman, the deep jungle oasis of Munduk or the coastal calm of Candidassa.

Bali really does still have it all in so many ways.

Where do we go from here?

Geographically, after Bali we continue this 3 month adventure in Australia and then New Zealand, but beyond the map, this trip has left us with some bigger life questions we’re still trying to answer.

Do we want to keep living in Bulgaria for 6-8 months per year, or do we want to get back into a more digitally nomadic lifestyle.

Most of the members of our Remote Goats Community are building their businesses so that they can become digital nomads. That’s the ultimate goal for so many.

Have we been squandering it by living in one place so long?

Even though we’re over 40 now, there’s still a draw for that lifestyle. It’s always so exhilarating spending a few weeks or a few months in a place, and then moving on.

Getting to know a place. Having a group of friends. Being in an entrepreneurial hot spot. These are all things that we kind of miss living in Bulgaria.

Maybe we’re not fully ready to pack up and move yet, but what I do know is that this trip, and Bali in particular has planted a seed.

Something is growing inside of us and I think the Goats might be back on the road again soon.

We honestly aren’t sure yet… but what we do know is that this trip has been incredible so far, and we’re excited to see what the next few weeks has in store.

The post The Feeling We Forgot… Until This Trip Brought It Back appeared first on Goats On The Road.