The plan is to make this the definitive guide to the best spots in Chiang Mai, Thailand.   I hope you find it useful.  Please leave any of your own tips in the comments section below.

This will be a long list and an ongoing project so please come back for updates.

​The man, the myth, the legend, Mr. Mustache Pad Thai.  He runs a small food cart that shows up all over Chiang Mai at random places.  We used to find him parked in front of the 7-11 on Nimman.  Sometimes he's in front of Maya.  Other times he's working a night market.  It just depends on the night.  If you're lucky enough to find him, order the pad thai wrapped in omelette!  I didn't even know you could get it done that way until I saw someone else order it.  He runs the cart by himself so late at night when there's a line, pull up a chair because you may need to wait awhile.  But it's well worth the wait as it's some of the best pad thai I've ever eaten!

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One of the best new travel apps is Uber.  All you have to do is download the app, link a credit card and you can skip the taxi line and get to anywhere you need to go without using cash.  If you haven't tried it yet, sign up using the following link to get $20 off your first ride!

By:  Joseph Le

Listen closely to the lyrics.  Try to absorb the culture by dancing all night long until your legs feel like jello and you're glistening with sweat.   Then you will start to get a sense of the pain and the pleasure, the love and the loss ever-present throughout Latin America that is expressed beautifully through salsa music.

Previously I posted a top 10 reggaeton list that was popular.  Some of you asked if I would do the same with salsa and so here it is.  I also added some great bachata songs at the end because I love that style of dance as well.  

Most international flights will arrive at Cancun airport.  Exit the airport and find the ADO bus counter.  ADO is one of the biggest companies with very safe air-conditioned buses.  You can pay by credit card at their stand.  Current price as of July 2017 is 178 MXN one way to Playa del Carmen.  The journey will take you about an hour and terminates at the ADO station in Playa on 5th and Benito Juarez. There's no need to book in advance.  Buses leave every half hour.

In Colombia, every time you purchase merchandise, goods and services there is a 16% value-added tax (IVA) included in the cost.

If you are a tourist, you can get this tax refunded to you at the airport before departing the country.  
Here is what you need to know:

After spending years on the road, my best recommendation would be to pack as light as possible.  The less you are carrying the more freedom you will have to efficiently get from one place to another.  Once you have pared down your gear to the essentials, use packing cubes to keep it all organized.  ​

By:  Joseph Le

(Updated 3/1/2018)
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There are 2 airports in Medellin, the Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, airport code EOH, and the José María Córdova International Airport, airport code MDE.  EOH is mainly used for regional and domestic flights and is really easy to get to.  Located right next to the South Terminal bus station, it's about 10 minutes from El Poblado.   Just hop in any taxi and it should cost you around $5,000 COP to or from Poblado.

The MDE international airport is a lot further away from the city center and more expensive to get to, so that is the focus of this post.  Most travelers arriving or departing on international flights will be utilizing this airport.  The MDE airport is also referred to as the Rio Negro airport due to it being in the municipality of Rio Negro.   All methods of getting to the airport listed below can simply be done in reverse if you are arriving and trying to get into Medellin. 

Method 1:  Taxi or "Gringo-style"

By:  Joseph Le

Previously I focused on my favorite restaurants in The Best of Medellin, Part 1 and Part 2.   In my final installment of "The Best of Medellin" series, I move away from food and reveal the rest of my favorite spots!

My favorite gym in Medellin is located at the Charlee Hotel in Parque LLeras.  It occupies 3 of their top floors and you can enjoy the stunning views over the Medellin valley while you work out.

I have been travelling around the world the last 6 years in search of the most beautiful and secluded beaches.  

I personally enjoy soft white sand beaches, cool tropical breezes and remoteness.  I want to feel like I am miles away from everything, both literally and figuratively.  

​Here are my secret, hidden spots.  Enjoy!

Often called the Maldives of Thailand, this island boasts warm crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling and diving.  A bit tough to get to but worth the journey.  Stay tuned for my travel guide for this island.

By:  Joseph Le

In my previous post, The Best of Medellin, Colombia - Part 1, I shared some of the restaurants in Medellin that I enjoy.  Today I continue the list, revealing a few more of my favorites in beautiful Medellin.

Great cuisine oftentimes has the ability to bring you back to a certain time and place.  When I have excellent Spanish food, it transports me back to my days living in Barcelona when I was spoiled by the amazing tapas bars, the deceivingly potent sangria and the best seafood paella in the world.   Fortunately you won't need to fly all the way to Barcelona to sample the cuisine because there's a slice of Spain right in the middle of Poblado called Tapas 10.

If you're not paying close attention, you'll walk right past this tiny place like I did many times.  Although it's known as a tapas restaurant, I go there for one reason only...their seafood paella!  Not only is it delicious but very reasonably priced as well.  The paella lunch special pictured below only costs around $10,000 COP.  Wash it down with a glass of their house sangria.

By:  Joseph Le

After living for over a year in Medellin, I was often asked where my favorite places were in town.  Well, I have a pretty long list of recommendations so I've decided to break it up over several posts.  The first couple posts will cover my favorite restaurants.  After that I'll get into nightlife and some other fun categories.  For today's list I'll start off with the basic staples...burgers, ribs, pizza, wings, etc.

So without further adieu, here are some my favorite restaurants in Medellin.  Agree, disagree, or have anything to add? Let me know in the comments section!

This is by far my favorite burger in town.  They also have a great selection of beers as well.  The restaurant is located in Envigado so it's a bit of a hike from Poblado but well worth the effort.

Insider's Tip:  If you're looking for something sweet with your burger, they have superb milkshakes.  My favorite's the vanilla.

Barbocoa Burger & Beer
Address:  Carrera 44A #30 Sur 23 - Envigado
Price range:  10,000 - 20,000 COP

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Note:  If you are short on time, just go ahead and click the link to get your $35 Airbnb travel credit!  

I love using Airbnb when I'm traveling because you feel more at home in a new place than if you were just to stay at a hotel.  I tend to stay in a place for longer periods of time now so having a place that is more of a home on the road makes traveling more enjoyable.  As you can see from the photos, Airbnb has a huge variety of different options for you to choose from.

Not only that, but if you have an extra room at your house or condo, you can also choose to host and make extra income on the side.  I have a few friends who do this and the extra income is helping to pay down their mortgage each month.

The small town of San Gil is known as Colombia's adventure sports capital.  Don't be fooled by it's small size though, there is plenty to do here including activities such as white water rafting, mountain biking, trekking and caving.  But even if you are not a big outdoor adventure sports fan, you can still spend a day walking the streets and enjoying the town's great restaurants followed by an afternoon (and evening) sipping wine in the town square.

This guide will show you how to get to Koh Samet, where to stay, where to eat and what to do on the beautiful island of Koh Samet, Thailand.​  Let's get started!

I recommend flying into U-Tapao - Pattaya (UTP) airport.  From here it's an easy 1 hour drive to the Ban Phe piers.