Americas Travel
The Americas have always been a big part of the Visit50 story.
My original goal wasn’t just to visit 50 countries before turning 50. I also wanted to visit all 50 U.S. states. I’ve always loved traveling around the United States, but as I traveled more internationally, I became increasingly excited by the opportunity to experience cultures that were completely different from my own.
That doesn’t mean I’ve lost my love for traveling closer to home. The Americas have an incredible variety of experiences, from the beaches and islands of the Caribbean and Central America to the mountains, national parks and wide-open landscapes of the United States and South America.
I’ve traveled the world but as a lifelong New Yorker, NYC is still my favorite city in the world.
I’ve hiked in Colorado, taken road trips up and down both coasts, explored the landscapes of Montana, enjoyed beaches in Florida and even my current home state of New Jersey, admired the mansions of Newport, experienced the culture and food of New Orleans, and explored some spectacular places throughout Central and South America.
And then there are the adventures.
One of the things I love most about travel is finding something that makes me think, “Wait…people actually do that?” and then deciding to try it anyway. That’s exactly what happened when I went volcano boarding in Nicaragua.
Other trips have been less about adrenaline and more about discovering places that aren’t necessarily on everyone’s itinerary. Bocas del Toro, Panama, became one of my favorites because of its beautiful beaches, rainforest-covered islands, affordable accommodations and the mix of locals and travelers I met along the way.
These are the kinds of experiences I want to share on Visit50: beautiful places, unexpected adventures, cultural encounters, great food, road trips and destinations that make me want to keep exploring.
I was scared. I almost backed out. Then I climbed an active volcano and rode a board down it.
Island hopping, beautiful beaches, affordable travel and some great encounters with fellow travelers and locals
One of the Southwest’s most spectacular views — and an unforgettable sunset for a photographer.
Central America
Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua
Volcano boarding is exactly the kind of experience Visit50 is about.
I’d never heard of the activity before my trip to Nicaragua, and when I learned that you could climb an active volcano and then slide down its black volcanic slopes on a wooden board, I was immediately intrigued.
It was also intimidating.
Visit50 is partly about getting outside your comfort zone — identifying something that scares you and doing it anyway. Volcano boarding put that idea to the test.
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Bocas del Toro was one of those places I’d barely heard of before visiting, and it quickly became one of my favorite destinations in the Americas.
I spent several days island hopping, visiting beautiful beaches, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking and exploring the islands. Playa Estrella was my favorite beach — surprisingly, it wasn’t the most famous beach in the area, but I thought it was the most beautiful.
I also loved the people I met. Staying in a hostel that looked more like a resort put me in contact with backpackers from around the world, while trips around the islands gave me opportunities to meet locals.
And like some of my favorite experiences in Southeast Asia, Bocas offered an impressive amount of travel experience without requiring a huge budget.
Bocas del Toro After Dark
Bocas has another side once the sun goes down. The islands have a surprisingly lively party scene, with travelers, locals and bars packed into a small Caribbean destination.
If you’re interested in what Bocas is like after dark, I’ve also written about my experience with the nightlife there.
North America
United States
The United States was a fundamental part of my original Visit50 goal: I wanted to visit all 50 states while also reaching 50 countries.
I’ve now visited 31 states, and there is still plenty more of the country I want to explore.
The variety is one of the things I love most. There are the dramatic landscapes of the Southwest, mountains and hiking in Colorado, enormous views in Montana, beaches in Florida and New Jersey, the landscapes and islands of Hawaii, road trips along both coasts, historic mansions in Newport, the culture of New Orleans and incredible food everywhere in between.
I’ll be adding more of these experiences to Visit50 as I continue exploring.
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Horseshoe Bend is one of those places that looks almost unreal in photographs — and seeing it in person doesn’t disappoint.
I visited around sunset, when the changing light transformed the landscape and the Colorado River below. It’s also a great example of the kind of American landscape that makes road trips through the Southwest so memorable.
More U.S. destinations are coming to Visit50, including additional Arizona adventures such as Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon.
The Caribbean
I’ve visited a number of destinations throughout the Caribbean, including Antigua & Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos, Barbados, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
The Caribbean is much more than beaches. Each island has its own personality, culture, food and landscapes, and I hope to add more of these experiences to Visit50 over time.
South America
South America is an area of the Americas I want to explore much more deeply.
I’ve traveled in Chile, including the fascinating destination of Easter Island, and future Visit50 stories will include destinations such as Machu Picchu in Peru and Cartagena in Colombia.
Easter Island
I’ve long been fascinated by Easter Island and its mysterious moai statues. My Visit50 article about Easter Island was originally contributed by a guest writer, rather than being based on my own visit.
Central America and Beyond
Central America is one of the regions where I have some of my favorite travel memories, particularly because of the combination of adventure, natural beauty, affordability and opportunities to meet other travelers and locals.
I’ve traveled in almost every country in Central America. I’ve been to Costa Rica (3x!), Belize, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and Guatemala.
More stories are coming, including Costa Rica and Tikal in Guatemala, with Belize also on my future list.
More Americas Travel Stories Coming
The Americas section of Visit50 is still growing.
I’ve visited far more places in the Americas than I’ve written about, so this is an area where you’ll see a lot more content over time — from U.S. road trips and national parks to Caribbean islands, Central American adventures and South American destinations.
For me, that’s part of what makes the Americas so exciting. I can travel thousands of miles from home and encounter a completely different culture, or take a road trip through the United States and discover a landscape, town or experience that feels completely new.
There is still a lot more to explore.