mattfromtexas's Profile
I'm a former investment banker, fisherman, and full-time backpacker. I love to travel because it lets me approach every moment with child-like wonder.
Travel Tips from Mattfromtexas
Belize
Caye Caulker »
Book Ahead If You Want to Stay at Tina's (Yuma's)
Sleeping >
Do It Yourself Fly Fishing for Bonefish on Caye Caulker
Activities >
Friendliest People on the Island are at Jeramiah's Guest House
Sleeping >
Rosa's Grill and Bar
Food >
San Ignacio »
ATM Caves is a Top Five Travel Experience
Sights >
Saturday Market in San Ignacio
Shopping >
Colombia
Cartagena »
The Street Ceviche Stands are Safe to Eat At
Food >
Medellin »
Great Pasta and Cheap Wine at Pasta con Amor
Food >
San Gil »
Get your Meat on a Stick from La Gorda
Food >
Splurge for the Professional Photos
Activities >
Costa Rica
General »
Go with Rios Tropicales for Safety and Professionalism
Activities >
Drake Bay »
Corcovado Adventure Tent Camp, Worth the Splurge
Sleeping >
Jaguar Spotting
Sights >
Jaco »
Rip Tides in Jaco
Dangers & Annoyances >
Manuel Antonio »
How to Spot a Rip Tide
Dangers & Annoyances >
El Salvador
General »
Don't Leave Without Trying Pupusas
Food >
Juayua »
Locally-Recommended Pupusa Joint
Food >
La Barra De Santiago »
Fresh Seafood at the End of the Peninsula
Food >
Turtle Hatching in La Barra
Activities >
Guatemala
General »
How to Avoid Paying a Bribe at Any Guatemalan Border
Border Crossings >
If you like pizzelles, you'll like bunuelos
Food >
Antigua »
Getting to Panajachel from Antigua
Transportation >
Guatemalan Textile and Handicrafts Warehouse in Antigua
Shopping >
Guatemala City »
Catch a Chicken Bus to Lake Atitlan from Guatemala City
Transportation >
Livingston »
24-Hour Party Hostel in Livingston
Sleeping >
Check out the Crocodile Pit
Sights >
How's the Beach in Livingston? What Beach?
Activities >
Save Money by Taking a Taxi to Siete Altares
Sights >
The Walk to Siete Altares is HORRIBLE - Take a Taxi or a Boat
Sights >
Panajachel »
Best Mexican Tacos in Panajachel
Food >
Booking Cheap and Reliable Transportation in Panajachel
Transportation >
Getting from Panajachel to Guatemala City by Chicken Bus
Transportation >
One of the coolest places in Pana
Food >
Shukos Chapines's hotdogs look good but they ain't
Food >
The Day Trip "Tour" to Volcan San Pedro from Panajachel is a Ripoff!
Activities >
This is a proper coffee shop.
Food >
You Have to Disinfect your Fruits and Vegetables from the Market
Dangers & Annoyances >
San Marcos »
Last Boat to Pana Leaves at 5pm
Transportation >
Where to cliff jump in San Marcos de Atitlan
Activities >
San Pedro La Laguna »
Do You Need a Guide to Hike Volcan San Pedro? Maybe...
Activities >
What You Need to Bring to Hike Volcan San Pedro
Activities >
Santa Cruz La Laguna »
Support Local CECAP Students in Santa Cruz
Responsible Tourism >
Santiago La Laguna »
Visit Maximon on Your Own - No Tour Guide Necessary
Sights >
Guyana
General »
Avoid the Line by Sprinting
Border Crossings >
Corriverton »
Exchanging Money
Border Crossings >
Honduras
General »
Baleadas
Food >
Copan Ruinas »
Best Chicken in Copan
Food >
Best Value Hotel in Copan Ruinas
Sleeping >
Hit the Copan Ruins in the Afternoon
Sights >
You can Walk to the Ruins
Sights >
La Ceiba »
La Ceiba Taxis Charge Per Person....Always
Transportation >
Tegucigalpa »
Bus Connections in Tegucigalpa
Transportation >
Utila »
Fishing the Laguna in Utila
Activities >
Wear Insect Repellent ALL DAY LONG
Dangers & Annoyances >
India
General »
Bring Something To Cover the Seats
Transportation >
Involuntary Vegetarianism
Food >
Hampi »
High Water means No Boats
Transportation >
Leopards Roaming at Night
Dangers & Annoyances >
Myanmar
Mandalay »
Arguably the Best Puppeteer in the World
Activities >
Getting to Mandalay Hill by Bus Plus Motorcycle
Sights >
Monk Chat at Mandalay Hill
Sights >
Public Buses are Easier than you Think
Transportation >
Riding a Side-Saddle Bicycle Rickshaw
Transportation >
Roaming the Night Bazaar
Shopping >
Nyaungshwe »
Nyaungshwe Market
Sights >
Nicaragua
General »
Courtesy Beer
Transportation >
How to Make the Perfect Macua Drink
Food >
El Guasaule »
Get a Photo with Your Pedicab Driver for Extra Security
Border Crossings >
Laguna De Apoyo »
Fishing in Lago (or Laguna) de Apoyo
Activities >
Hiking to the Best Lookout of the Lake
Activities >
Leon »
Chicken Bus from Leon to Guasaule
Transportation >
San Juan del Sur »
San Juan del Sur is a melting pot of surfers, expats, backpackers, luxury getawayers, and locals. The town itself is walkable and curves around a gorgeous, calm cove where sailboats, local fishing skiffs, and the occasional mega-yacht sway to the gentle swells of the Pacific ocean. It is the jumping off point for a half-dozen picturesque beaches, each offering their own activities and unique beauty. Surfing, fishing, turtle watching, drinking, and sunsets are all SJDS specialties. It is not a bad place to get stuck for a few days or months.
Surf Lessons for Cheap
Activities >
Panama
Bastimentos Town (Isla Bastimentos) »
Get Your Timing Right and Hit a Bocas Bound Hostel Full Moon Party
Nightlife & Entertainment >
Bocas Town (Isla Colon) »
Skip the Boat Tour Hawkers and Go with a Sailor
Activities >
Panama City »
A Real American Cheeseburger in Panama City
Food >
Cheap Plato Del Dia Plates
Food >
San Blas (Kuna Yala) »
Coconut Concussions
Dangers & Annoyances >
Fly Fishing for Permit in Kuna Yala
Activities >
Santa Catalina »
Take Cedron Herb to Avoid Mosquitos for Life!
General Advice >
Peru
Aguas Calientes »
Do Machu Picchu with a Guide
Sights >
The Hot Springs are at the Top of the Hill
Sights >
Cusco »
A Pissing Lamb in Your Arms
Dangers & Annoyances >
Portugal
Lisbon »
Cheap Counter-Service Restaurant - Casa Brasiliera
Food >
Ginjinha Liquor, A Portuguese Staple
Food >
Pub Crawls from Oasis Hostel
Nightlife & Entertainment >
Sintra for Castles and Palaces
Activities >
Sunset Beers at the Mirador
Nightlife & Entertainment >
Surfing at Ericeira
Activities >
The Santa Justa Lift is Pretty to Look at, but Do Not Ride It
Sights >
Walking Tour is Essential
Activities >
Porto »
Festa de Sao Joao do Porto (St. John Festival)
Festivals & Events >
No Photos in this Awesome Bookstore
Sights >
Port Wine Tasting Tour
Activities >
Porto Inferiority Complex with Lisbon
Dangers & Annoyances >
Pre-Drink with the Locals
Nightlife & Entertainment >
Saturday Handicraft Market
Shopping >
The “Heart” of the City
Sights >
Walk the 225 Steps to a Great View
Sights >
Thailand
Chiang Dao »
DIY Bike Tour of Chiang Dao's Hill Tribe Villages
Activities >
Chiang Mai »
Best Tuk Tuk Driver and Tour Guide in Chiang Mai
Transportation >
Make a Wish on a Paper Lantern
Activities >
Monk Chat at Wat Chedi Luang
Activities >
Saturday Night Market on Wualai Rd
Shopping >
Try All the Massages Offered
Activities >
Koh Tao »
Snorkel with Sharks
Activities >
Krabi »
Krabi's Saturday Night Market
Food >
Pak-Up Hostel
Sleeping >
Phi Phi »
Budget Accommodation in Phi Phi
Sleeping >
Tonsai »
United States
Bastrop, Texas »
Best Campsite on Lake Bastrop (South Shore Park)
Activities >
Marfa »
Camp Marfa at El Cosmico
Sleeping >
Museum of Electronic Wonders and Late Night Grilled Cheese
Food >
New Braunfels »
Check Upcoming Shows at Whitewater Ampitheater
Nightlife & Entertainment >