Nestled amidst the snow-kissed peaks, churning rivers, and awe-inspiring vistas lies the enchanting town of Big Sky, Montana — a lovely escape from the crowds that promises unforgettable winter escapades.
The town of Big Sky in winter is recognized for its prime skiing, and in summer, it’s known for being a haven for fly fishing enthusiasts. Plus, it’s well-loved for being a portal to the wonders of Yellowstone.
But that’s not all it offers — Big Sky, Montana also harbors other delightful experiences that are sure to captivate you!
⌛ Planning your Big Sky trip in a hurry? Here are my quick picks.
From delicious meals served on a snowy mountain-side and shopping in the Town Center to riding the slopes at Big Sky Resort and snowshoeing in the forest, Big Sky in winter has something for everyone to enjoy.
Things to Do in Big Sky in Winter
Hike to a frozen waterfall.
One of the most popular waterfall hikes in Big Sky transforms into a dazzling frozen wall of ice once the cold weather moves in.
The Ousel Falls Trailhead is minutes from the Big Sky Town Center and offers ample parking spaces.
From the parking area, follow the trail down toward the river.
In the wintertime, the snow can become packed down and slick, so shoe spikes (crampons) are a great idea to keep you from slipping and sliding down the trail!
The trail is 1.6 miles round trip and offers scenic views of the South and West Forks of the Gallatin River.
With only 400 ft of elevation gain, this trail is perfect for families and folks who are new to hiking!
Before the waterfall, you will pass tall cliffs that often support gorgeous ice caves.
Warning: Crossing the river to the caves is extremely dangerous, and staying on the maintained trail is encouraged!
Once you arrive at Ousel Falls, there is a picnic area and a couple of different viewpoints to observe the frozen falls from.
It’s not uncommon to spot ice climbers making their way up the ice and guides leading new climbers on their first outing.
If you’re interested in getting on the ice with a professional guide, Montana Alpine Guidescan take you out for a safe and exhilarating day of climbing!
Go shopping in the town center.
The shopping scene in Big Sky’s Town Center grows larger every year! B
egin your tour of the downtown stores in the Town Center Plaza and make your way down Town Center Ave. toward Fire Pit Park.
Along the way you’ll find a few shops great for shopping and escaping the cold! Here are a few of my favorites.
Sky Boutique
Shop Sky Boutique’s exquisite hand-selected apparel, fine jewelry, and accessories!
Need help putting a stylish outfit together for a night out in Big Sky? Look no further than Sky Boutique!
The Black Diamond Store
Head to Big Sky Resort (or the ski resorts in nearby Jackson Hole) in style!
The Black Diamond Store has everything from professional ski gear to comfortable everyday apparel.
East Slope Outdoors
Remember your trip to Big Sky with a commemorative T!
East Slope Outdoors has a wide selection of graphic shirts everyone will love as well as ski apparel to keep you warm on the slopes.
Montana Supply
You can always find the latest mountain town apparel and accessories at Montana Supply!
It’s also the perfect place to find a thoughtful gift for a loved one or a special something for yourself.
Rhinestone Cowgirl
From western style hats to funky cowgirl boots, Rhinestone Cowgirl is the perfect place to explore true Montana fashion.
If you’re looking for western apparel for men, Antlers Clothing Co, in Fire Pit Park, is your next stop!
Snowshoe or cross-country ski on Big Sky’s trails.
The Big Sky Community Organization looks after Big Sky’s love of outdoor recreation and open space with trails and parks that all are welcome to enjoy!
A few trails you might enjoy on cross country skis or snowshoes are:
South Fork Loop
The easy 1-mile South Fork Loop is groomed in the wintertime and is a perfect place for beginners to learn on snowshoes and cross country skis.
The trail weaves through the forest and hugs the South Fork of the Gallatin River for soothing sounds of rushing water.
Uplands and Hummocks Trails
Just past the South Fork Loop Trailhead, there is a small parking area for the Uplands and Hummocks Trails.
Due to some steep hills, both of these trails care challenging on cross country skis, but they are great for a moderately challenging snowshoe outing.
The Uplands Loop travels up above the Big Sky Town Center for picturesque views of Lone Peak and the Madison Range.
The trail travels through the forest for about 2 miles before looping back to the parking area.
If you’re looking to add a little more mileage, continue onto the Hummocks Trail, which is 3 miles round trip with a couple of scenic viewpoints to stop at along the way.
Have a marvelous dinner experience.
A dinner experience in Big Sky reaches way beyond live music and dancing!
During the winter, a few venues host intimate and fun events that are perfect for romantic evenings or special occasions.
Reservations are required for both of these listed things, so plan ahead if visiting Big Sky in winter and you want to do one (or both!).
Montana Dinner Yurt
Meet your chariots, two big red snowcats named Rosie and Ginger.
Climb aboard while choosing to ride on the open deck up top or inside the cab.
Blankets are provided, but guests are encouraged to wear warm winter clothing!
Your snowcat will then bring you up the mountain at Big Sky Resort to a secluded yurt for the Montana Dinner Yurt experience, where you will spend the evening.
Greeted by live music and friendly staff, you will be seated family-style around the cozy dining room!
In addition to outstanding food and a soothing atmosphere, the Montana Dinner Yurt offers sledding and a bonfire.
When your bellies are full, you’ll head back down the mountain on the snowcats with your new friends and memories to last a lifetime.
Sleigh Ride Dinner at Lone Mountain Ranch
By horse-drawn sleigh, dinner guests are transported to a rustic cabin, which is illuminated by an oil lantern.
The magical ride takes you through the snowy forest under the big Montana night sky!
At the dinner cabin, live music and a western atmosphere set the tone for your family-style prime rib feast.
With a rich history and as an icon of Big Sky for over 100 years, Lone Mountain Ranch is a destination within a destination.
Locals and visitors alike enjoy coming to Lone Mountain Ranch to dine at Horn and Cantle, sip signature cocktails at The Saloon, and explore the beautifully groomed trails on cross country skis or snowshoes.
Spend a day at Big Sky Resort – even if you’re not a skier!
A winter trip to Big Sky isn’t complete without spending a day at Big Sky Resort for snow sports!
Boasting endless terrain for skiing and riding, Big Sky Resort is on every powder hound’s bucket list.
There are trails from beginner level to expert, with plenty of open space to learn and explore.
Ski the trails from The Tram or the famous high-speed Ramcharger 8, which seats eight passengers comfortably with a protective face shield and luxurious heated seats!
For the non-skiers visiting Big Sky Resort, there are lots of activities to choose from even if snow sports aren’t your thing.
The adventurous type might enjoy a snowy zip line excursion, while the puzzle whizzes will love the resort’s challenging escape rooms.
If you need a day to relax and unwind, book a soothing massage at Solace Spa.
After the last lift, skiers and non-skiers reunite for après-ski vibes in the Mountain Village.
Fuel up after a fun-filled day at one of the many dining options at Vista Hall, and then pop into Westward Social for a craft cocktail and live music!
If you’d prefer to head off-mountain for refreshments, Copper, inside the Wilson Hotel, has a phenomenal happy hour which runs from 4 PM to 6 PM daily!
Go ice skating in town
When the sun goes down, the lights come on over the Big Sky Town Center’s Skating Rink.
Locals and visitors lace up their skates and glide around the glistening ice.
A romantic activity paired well with a hot to-go drink or a fun night out with the family, the skating rink welcomes all to join during open skate hours!
Traveling without ice skates? That’s not a problem!
Ice skates are available for rent at East Slope Outdoors for a small fee.
Go for a snowmobile in Gallatin National Forest.
While you’re visiting Big Sky country in the wintertime, you have to get out and ride the powder on a snowmobile!
Big Sky is nestled right inside Gallatin National Forest, which offers an exciting variety of terrain to explore on sleds!
Guided tours aren’t just for first-timers!
Booking a snowmobile trip with a professional guide not only keeps you safe on the rugged mountain terrain.
It also allows you to experience the absolute best trails – that are often lesser-known.
Canyon Adventures, an outfitter in Big Sky, is famous for its witty and knowledgeable guides.
If you’d like to schedule a trip or rent snowmobiles, do so well in advance of your visit to assure availability.
Studios have their own kitchenettes, which can help you save on costs associated with dining out, and they’re very cozy, with touches like indoor fireplaces and cozy couches.
An elegantly updated Marriott classic, the Residence Inn in Big Sky is a great choice for those traveling on a mid-range budget.
From its modern public areas with comfy furniture and wood-accents to its minimalist updated rooms, it’s a perfect place to stay in the heart of Big Town’s village center.
The lovely 5-star Montage Big Sky is an excellent choice for those seeking a luxury winter escape.
From their lobby with soaring ceilings and an enormous floor-to-ceiling panoramic view of the mountains, to its spa-quality bathrooms in each room, to its literal world-class spa in the hotel itself, there’s no shortage of good things to say about this hotel — and its 9.8 review attests to that.
Emily is a freelance travel and outdoor recreation writer from Big Sky, Montana. Her adventurous spirit has led her to the high peaks of the Sierras and the largest wilderness areas in the lower 48. When she’s not writing, Emily can be found backpacking, road tripping to outdoor destinations, climbing, or rowing whitewater.
As the snow blankets Jackson Hole each winter, people from around the world start to arrive, eager to delve into its renowned skiing and snowboarding.
Long a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, as well as a beloved home base for people visiting Grand Teton or Yellowstone in winter, Jackson Hole in winter has fun in store for everyone – even non-skiers!
⌛ Planning your winter Jackson Hole trip in a hurry? Here are my quick picks.
Want your own set of wheels while in Jackson? Book your rental car here
Be it immersing oneself gliding down the well-manicured ski trails of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, snowmobiling through glistening landscapes, or embarking on magical sleigh rides, Jackson Hole has some winter fun for all.
For those considering a winter trip to Jackson Hole, there’s a ton of delightful activities awaiting.
However, before diving in, here are some crucial pointers to keep in mind for your winter visit!
Winter in Jackson Hole FAQs
When is the best month to visit Jackson Hole in winter?
The optimal time to visit Jackson Hole is in January or February, that brief lull between the Christmas buzz and before the influx of snowbirds and families on spring break.
That said, I know, for many Americans juggling limited vacation days, timing is as crucial as budget when planning a winter trip, especially if you’re a parent who is limited by the school calendar.
Those from the East Coast, who typically have both a mid-winter and a spring break (something I learned while teaching in NYC, as growing up in California, I only expected a spring break), might find the mid-winter break in February to have better prices.
During this period, Jackson Hole is less congested and prices are better than at other high-volume times like the Christmas and New Years holidays.
Is it possible to ski in Jackson in December?
Historically, Jackson boasts an 82% open rate by Christmas Day… which means it’s not quite a sure thing.
There’s a 1 in 5 chance if you plan to ski in Jackson Hole in December that it might not go your way.
If you do plan a Jackson trip in December, be sure to line up alternate activities that will keep you fulfilled and happy in case there isn’t enough snowfall for the season to open.
Given the steeper terrain of Jackson’s ski terrain, the mountain resort needs more snow than other ski resorts with gentler slopes.
If skiing is the main reason for your Jackson winter trip, schedule your ski trip for a later date, like February or March, when enough snow is virtually a certainty.
Is skiing in Jackson Hole expensive?
Yup, unfortunately, Jackson Hole does come with a hefty price tag.
As of 2023, according to the On The Snow, the ski lift costs $191 USD for an adult full-day ticket and $153 USD for a half-day ticket (4 hours).
Kid’s lift tickets — for those aged 5 to 12 — are $115 USD for a whole day or $92 USD for a half-day. Junior lift tickets — for those aged 13 to 18 — are $173 USD or $138 USD respectively.
A week pass offers a slight discount, priced at $1,136 USD for an adult ticket, $684 USD for kids, and $1,023 USD for juniors.
Winter accommodations in Jackson are also on the higher side due to the demand.
Do Jackson and Jackson Hole refer to the same place?
Not exactly, but there is overlap.
Jackson is the largest town within the Jackson Hole area.
Jackson Hole is the region that encompasses the valley that houses several towns, including Jackson.
This valley also includes Teton Village, which is the central skiing hub, and other quaint towns like Moose, Wilson, and Moran Junction.
Best Things to Do in Jackson Hole in Winter
Snowmobile in paradise!
Each winter, Jackson Hole is blessed with several feet of snow, making it a popular destination for snowmobiling!
The area boasts a wide variation in terrain along with hundreds of trail miles to explore.
If you’ve never been snowmobiling in Jackson Hole before or are completely new to the sport, scheduling a trip with a local guide is highly encouraged and easy to do!
There are many outfitters to choose from, and with an area expert in the lead, you can be sure you’re traveling through the scenic landscape safely.
Not sure which snowmobiling tour to go with?
I suggest going with this 5-star-rated tour, which runs full-day tours of their ranch and other beautiful backcountry areas you’d never get a chance to see in winter on foot!
I’ve gone dog-sledding several times, in Norway and Sweden, but I’ve still yet to go in Jackson — however, it is on my list!
Dog sledding is an extremely fun activity for both the humans and the dogs involved.
The huskies are quite literally born to run, and every single time I’ve gone dog-sledding (three times now!) I’ve been impressed by the dog’s enthusiasm, energy, and absolute adoration for what they do.
This dog-sledding tour has the option of being driven by musher, where you get to sit down and relax in it, or you can learn to self-drive, which is what I recommend!
This is when you help out your team of pups by helping them steer the sled, control the brakes, and assist on running up any uphill portions so that the dogs aren’t the only ones doing the work.
It’s actually quite a workout and it’s a ton of fun!
The dogs are well-loved and taken care of by the ranch, so it’s a great way to experience the landscapes around Jackson in a unique way.
Take a magical sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge
Get ready to dash through the snow on a horse-drawn sleigh! You’ll want to bundle up for this sleigh ride adventure.
The full-day tour takes visitors on a sleigh ride in the National Elk Refuge, just outside of Grand Teton National Park, for a wildlife tour you’ll never forget.
In the company of a professional guide and experienced naturalist, you will be taken across the refuge to get a closer look at the elk that winter there.
This astonishing refuge is home to the largest migratory elk herd in North America — but it’s also visited by several other species.
Going through this snowy landscape with a team of horses, you’ll also have picturesque views of the Tetons in the background besides all the elk!
The sleigh rides operate between mid-December and early-April.
Advanced reservations are highly encouraged – especially during the holiday season!
Your tour will also provide transportation to the trailhead, which is 24 miles south of Jackson, WY.
From the trailhead, you’ll follow your guide deep into the Bridger-Teton National Forest, sprinting though through a wintery wonderland at top speeds before reaching the steamy hot springs.
This wilderness hot tub usually measures 105 °F — perfect for warming up after a day of cold wind whipping your face.
The snowmobile excursion to Granite Hot Springs is about 20-miles of riding round trip and takes a half-day.
Bring your own towels and bathing suits and let your guides do the rest!
Do a full-day snowmobile adventure in Grand Teton National Park.
Embark on a thrilling and breathtaking snowmobile tour of the pristine Grand Teton National Park for a fun Jackson winter escape.
The 5-hour expedition promises ample opportunity for adventure, with approximately 3 hours dedicated to snowmobiling.
This ensures that guests not only experience the thrill of gliding through snow-covered landscapes but also have time for breaks, photos, and a delightful packed lunch amidst nature.
For those wondering about the logistics, the tour has it all sorted. A convenient hotel pickup and drop-off service ensures a hassle-free start and finish to your adventure.
You’ll be warm, too: you’ll be provided with high-quality snow gear, including insulated pants, a cozy jacket, snug gloves, and a safety helmet.
As you journey deeper into the heart of Grand Teton National Park, take a pause to savor a packed lunch and hot chocolate in the company of unparalleled panoramic views.
One of the tour’s highlights is the potential wildlife encounters.
The snow-covered Tetons are a sanctuary for a variety of wild animals during the colder months, including elk, buffalo, and moose!
Do a full-day adventure into Yellowstone National Park.
One thing not many people know is that Yellowstone is completely closed to car traffic in winter, so snowmobile is one of the only ways to visit the national park in winter.
Luckily, there are a handful of guided tours leaving from Jackson that make this a doable day trip, despite the distance.
Beginning early in the morning, your tour guide (I suggest Brushbuck Tours) will shuttle you to the trailhead.
There, you’ll begin your snowmobile journey through Yellowstone’s pristine landscape.
While riding past the mountain vistas, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.
This national park adventure offers the opportunity to see bison, elk, deer, moose, and even wolves!
Begin your tour of the downtown stores at the Antler Arch, which also makes an excellent photo backdrop!
From here, you can easily walk to any of these fun downtown stores:
Jackson Hole Resort Store: This is the perfect store for branded souvenirs and endless browsing!
Teton Toys: Find fun holiday gifts for the little ones in your life or a classic board game to bring back to your Airbnb.
Lee’s Tees: Rep your winter trip to Jackson, WY with a shirt designed by a local artist. Lee’s Tees has a wide selection of graphic shirts everyone will love.
Jackson Hole Jewelry Co.: Fall in love with handcrafted jewelry for yourself or as a gift for a special someone.
Stio: Here, you can find stylish clothing for recreation or everyday wear. Stio has timeless items that are rugged enough to stand up to the challenges of outdoor adventure!
Snap a photo at the lit-up Antler Arch
The Antler Arch is a popular photo spot in Jackson Hole no matter what the time of year.
There’s no denying it gets even more festive in winter, when blue-tinted fairy lights adorn the snow-dusted antlers and make for the ultimate Jackson Hole Instagram stop.
Taking a photo here is pratically a rite of passage on every Jackson winter trip!
Explore Jackson’s art displays, museums, and galleries
Interested in exploring Jackson’s diverse art scene?
There are over 10 galleries within walking distance of Jackson Town Square, and even more spread throughout the town.
Among all of these galleries, Jackson is also home to the well-known National Museum of Wildlife Art.
With over 5,000 pieces of art representing wildlife from around the world, there’s so much to discover at the National Museum of Wildlife Art!
In addition to a world-renowned art collection, including work from artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, John James Audubon, and Henri Rousseau, the National Museum of Wildlife Art offers guided tours with professional docents.
It also has a breathtaking location overlooking the National Elk Refuge, a museum store, dining on location at the Palate Restaurant, and a 3/4-mile trail to view beautiful bronze sculptures.
Also, be on the lookout for Jackson’s many public art displays, including the 4,000-pound sculpture of a bronco rider that welcomes all arriving in the Cowboy State from the Jackson Hole Airport!
Go sledding or tubing at Snow King
Who said sledding was just for kids?
In Jackson Hole, anyone with a need for speed is encouraged to try out the tubing at Snow King Resort!
Located right in the town of Jackson, Snow King has a specially designed lift with groomed lanes just for tubing!
You can buy a Big King pass which allows you to do all the activities for a full day.
Visit the Ice Castle in Teton Village
If you are traveling with young kids, they’ll love the Ice Castle in Teton Village, in the Village Commons area.
It’s located right next to a small hill, which is perfect for sledding and snowplay.
The castle is made from snow and ice and has kiddos playing around it all hours of the day.
There’s also a skating rink here and the ice castles get lit up at night to make it a great place to spend an evening with the family.
Visit Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for skiing or snowboarding
If you love to ski or snowboard, a visit to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is probably already high on your list of must-do activities.
After all, this powder paradise has exciting terrain for all experience levels and ages to shred!
I’m not a skier or a snowboarder, but the official Jackson Hole tourism website is a treasure trove of research!
Ride “Big Red” to 10,450 feet.
There are even fun winter activities for non-skiers to experience resort-life!
Anyone wishing to take in the alpine views at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on foot should make time to ride the Aerial Tram (aka Big Red) to 10,450 ft.
There are even waffles waiting for you at the top!
After your 9 minute ride up the mountain, pop into Corbet’s Cabin for one of their world-famous waffles! They pair perfectly with the mountain scenery.
Enjoy an après-ski scene for all
Whether you’re coming from a powder day at the resort or an afternoon roaming downtown shops, après ski begins at 3PM!
For folks coming off the slopes, the Mangy Moose is widely-known for their après fun among visitors and locals alike. Cold beer, signature drinks, and filling nachos are only a few of the restaurant’s top attractions.
Grab a table after a long day of skiing or riding and listen to some live music as you recount the day’s excitement.
Downtown Jackson has an après scene of its own, and a local favorite is the Million Dollar Cowboy. You may recognize this bar’s famous saddle stools!
If you’re looking for some après-ski fun in town, pop into this lively watering hole for western ambiance, music, mouthwatering steak, and a refreshing beverage!
Enjoy the delicious Jackson Hole dining scene
Foodies, this one is for you! Jackson Hole is the heart of the west but home to cuisines from all over the world.
If your breakfast, lunch, and dinner were from all the best restaurants in Jackson, the lineup would look like this:
Breakfast: Delicious espresso drinks and gourmet French bakery items come together at Persephone Bakery.
Take something to go or dine in. There’s something everyone will love here from light and sweet to filling and savory!
Lunch: Every town has its signature burger place, and in Jackson, it’s Liberty Burger.
Reasonably priced with a wide selection of local brews on tap, there’s no wonder why Liberty Burger is a local favorite! Try your first bison burger with onion rings on the side. They even have great veggie burgers!
Dinner: For dinner, pass around a variety of European-style small plates at Bin22.
Make reservations in advance or arrive early because this is one of the most popular dinner restaurants in Jackson Hole! Sip on hand-selected wines and indulge in the best flavors your palate has ever tasted.
Dessert: If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll want to stop by Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream. Their all-natural ice cream made with 100% organic cream is to die for.
For those out there that don’t like ice cream, Moo’s also has a wide selection of baked goods, truffles, and even offers house-blend coffee!
Hit up the local breweries.
Jackson has a great brewery scene that you absolutely should check out while you’re there!
Roadhouse & Brewing Company is a favorite stop on the Wyoming Beer Trail. The brewery started as homebrewers and they’ve kept true to their roots, focusing on small-batch beers inspired by the landscapes around them.
Snake River Brewing is another local favorite, which also offers tours of their brewery — just e-mail them to set up a tour.
StillWest Brewery & Grill also operates in town and always has several beers which are standard (a kolsch, an APA, a red ale, a pilsner, and a porter) and 3+ seasonal offerings.
Jackson Winter Weather
Here are the breakdowns for winter temperatures and weather conditions in Jackson in winter, and what to expect on a month-by-month basis from November through March.
November: Average high of 40° F and an average low of 17° F, with 6 days of rain/snow
December: Average high of 28° F and an average low of 7° F, with 8 days of snow.
January: Average high of 28° F and an average low of 5° F, with 8 days of snow.
February: Average high of 33° F and an average low of 9° F, with 6 days of snow.
March: Average high of 42° F and an average low of 18° F, with 10 days of snow/rain.
Where to Stay in Jackson in Winter
Best Overall: Wyoming Inn
The chic yet laid-back Wyoming Inn at Jackson Hole is my personal pick for where to stay in Jackson, WY! This charming hotel is super cozy and is designed with Western-style decor.
The inn’s lobby comes with a roaring fireplace, is toned with warm colors with lots of wood elements, and has an overall rustic design that gives you serious cabin vibes with modern hotel amenities.
The Inn also has its own designated fitness center complete with fancy Peloton equipment, a big hot tub to soak sore muscles in, and complimentary tea, hot chocolate, and cookies by the fireplace! There’s also a great on-site restaurant for nights when you’re too tired to properly hit the town.
If you’re traveling Jackson on a budget, look to the beautiful The Elk Country Inn. It’s highly rated by fellow travelers and affordable (well, by Jackson standards) for cost-conscious travelers.
It’s located just 4 blocks from Town Square in central Jackson, and the rooms are modern, spacious, and clean.
I’ll admit, the ambiance is a bit generic/standard hotel, and it doesn’t quite have the cool hipster points that a place like Wyoming Inn has, but it’s warm, comfortable, and well-appointed with all you need.
There’s also an indoor swimming pool and a lobby fireplace: two big wins considering its budget-friendly price tag.
This hotel is as luxurious as it gets in Jackson Hole, located in Teton Village just about a mile from Grand Teton National Park. It’s perfect for people who plan on skiing while in Jackson because it’s basically a ski-in, ski-out hotel.
There are a variety of room types, all with a gorgeous fireplace and cooking area, so you can find everything from queen studios to bi-level two-bedroom suites. While none are particularly budget-friendly, you can find the best size and style to suit your needs.
In terms of luxury amenities, there is a phenomenal on-site restaurant, a chic bar area with a great apres-ski scene, with indoor and outdoor hot tubs.
There’s also an indoor heated pool, a massage and spa center, and a gorgeous outdoor heated pool that’s lit up beautifully at night for after-dark dips under the Wyoming stars!
Emily is a freelance travel and outdoor recreation writer from Big Sky, Montana. Her adventurous spirit has led her to the high peaks of the Sierras and the largest wilderness areas in the lower 48. When she’s not writing, Emily can be found backpacking, road tripping to outdoor destinations, climbing, or rowing whitewater.
One of the most memorable places I’ve ever visited in my 60-something countries of travel was my trip to Abisko in the winter of 2016.
It was before I was even blogging, but visiting Swedish Lapland in winter all covered in snow still remains one of the top travel highlights of the last decade or so I’ve been traveling.
While I’m sure Abisko, Sweden is a lovely place to visit at any time of year, it truly shines in winter.
I visited in mid-February and found the weather to be perfect!
The days were finally getting long enough to ensure plenty of sunshine hours (okay, like six or seven).
But more importantly, the nights were early and dark enough that I got to see the Northern lights dancing overhead literally every night!
The Most Magical Things to Do in Abisko in Winter
Take advantage of the “Blue Hole” and go Northern lights spotting.
The thing about seeing the Northern lights is that often, even though the lights will be roaring overhead, the clouds overhead can get in the way.
The geomagnetic activity that creates the bands of the aurora is way above where you’ll usually see clouds settle.
What that means for you is that if there are lots of clouds on the night you’re attempting to see the Northern lights, you’re unlikely to have much success.
While many people choose to go to Norway or Iceland in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights, the fact that most of these countries’ popular destinations are coastal doesn’t do you any favors.
Coastal climates such as Tromso are more temperamental with more frequent cloud cover in winter, decreasing your chances of seeing the Northern lights.
Abisko, on the other hand, has a microclimate that’s been blessed with clearer weather than other places in the Arctic.
Why’s that? It’s all thanks to the so-called “Blue Hole” effect, caused by the effect that the massive Lake Torneträsk and its surrounding mountains have on the weather of the region.
As a result, Northern lights spotting is one of the top things to do in Abisko in winter!
The statistics say that if you stay in Abisko for three nights, you have an 80% chance of seeing the Northern lights in Abisko (my full guide to seeing them is here!)
Anecdotally, I stayed for three nights and saw them every night of my stay to some degree or another, the most spectacular show on my final night.
In contrast, I spent 7 days in Tromso and saw the Northern lights only twice in the city itself.
The exact physics behind this meteorological phenomenon is a mystery to me, but all I can say is that the odds proved in my favor.
In fact, on that trip, had to take a pricy Northern lights tour from Tromso to see even a fraction of the spectacle I saw in Abisko — and we went all the way to Finland to achieve that!
Even with Abisko’s relatively high odds, I struggled to see the Northern lights on my first two nights despite there being plenty of solar activity.
Had I gone on a guided excursion for the Northern lights in Abisko, I undoubtedly would have had a different experience those first two nights and gotten to see more.
The great thing about doing a Northern lights tour is that your guides will do their best to find (relatively) cloud-free skies.
They’ll study the aurora’s strength as well as the weather in order to take you to places where you can see the lights the best and ideally have some beautiful compositions for your photos.
This Northern lights photography tour is slightly more expensive than other options, since it’s photography-focused and includes high-quality camera rentals.
You are given a high-quality camera with all the settings dialed in for you plus a sturdy tripod to use (all you have to bring camera-wise is your own memory card, or buy one off them).
Of course, if you have your own photography gear, you can use that instead.
The tours are restricted to 8 people per group, so you’ll want to save your spot in advance.
However, since this tour come with a lot of inclusions, it does come at a steeper cost.
If budget is a concern, I recommend this similarNorthern lights chasing tour which lasts for 4 hours and takes you to various places where you can get stellar compositions for your photos.
However, keep in mind that this does not include any photography equipment.
If you don’t have a DSLR or mirrorless camera plus tripod setup capable of setting up long exposure photos, it’s not the ideal tour for you.
For those who haven’t had the chance yet, dog-sledding is so much more interesting, involved, and difficult than you’d imagine.
I think I pictured a leisurely ride through the snow… but I opted for the drive-your-own-dogsled option where you had to man your sled, steer, brake, and help your dogs up hills in the snow.
It was one hell of a workout and an incredibly thrilling day out. Working as a team with your dogs, looking out on the vast Arctic landscape, was truly a life-changing experience and the best money I spent on my Sweden trip.
Especially since it came with a side of husky pup cuddles (obviously there won’t always be puppies, but we got lucky when we visited!)
While I’m generally quite wary of animal activities in tourism, this is one I can make an exception for.
These huskies have been domesticated for exactly this kind of life for thousands of years: it’s literally what they were born to do.
The dogs live in great conditions and are given tons of love and rest time in between sled rides, as well as dedicated days off.
Their individual personalities are known and respected; for example, the staff knows exactly which dogs to pair up based on their personalities.
They also know what order to place the dogsled teams in, as some teams prefer to be leaders and some have their own rivalries!
As for the huskies, they truly seem to love what they do. They actually get so excited as they’re being harnessed up that they start howling in anticipation!
Keep in mind that driving your own dogsled is way more difficult than it looks and requires a good deal of physical strength.
Because of that, it’s not really suitable for kids – on this tour, you have to be 16 or older to drive your own sled – or people with limited mobility or injuries.
But if you can handle it, this is my #1 thing to do in Abisko!
I recommend booking it online in advance because as far as I know, they’re the only husky sledding tour operator in Abisko.
If you’re traveling with kids or people with limited mobility, a better option is to sit back and enjoy dog-sledding led by a musher.
With this option, you’re the ones getting driven through the snow by a team of huskies while a musher drives the sled.
Personally, I think getting to drive your own sled is a lot more fun (though a lot more work), but this isn’t a half-bad option if you can’t man your own sled.
Plus, it’s the only option for those with young kids, as the self-drive tour is 16+ where this tour is perfect for those traveling with kids aged 5 and up.
Chase (frozen) waterfalls in Abisko National Park.
Fun fact: Abisko National Park was one of the first national parks in all of Europe – and when you visit for yourself, you’ll see why.
It’s a truly breathtaking place and in winter Abisko National Park becomes utterly magical under a dusting of snow.
But what’s most impressive are the impressive waterfalls you’ll find just a short but snowy hike from STF Abisko Turiststation (the front desk staff there can help draw you a map).
It took us about 15-minutes trudging through Abisko’s winter wonderland to come across these beautiful waterfalls, and boy was it worth the cold!
Take it up a notch and go ice climbing up the waterfalls!
If you’re feeling exceptionally brave, we saw people ice climbing up the waterfalls, using a modified top-rope style set-up with pickaxes and crampons.
Back when I saw this when I visited, that elicited a big old nope from me — it’s not something I thought I’d ever want to do.
Many years later, now that I love rock climbing, it’s on my bucket list to return and try ice climbing!
Of course, unless you’re an experienced ice climber (who is?), this is something you’d want to do with an expert, certified tour guide.
This 3-hour tour introduces you to all the basics of ice climbing, to learn what it takes to climb a vertical call of ice and how it differs from standard rock climbing.
Of course, you’ll be given all the necessary gear: alpine boots, crampons, a harness, ice axes, a helmet, etc.
Just bring your own warm clothing and any food and drinks you might need during your climb!
One thing I’ve been trying to do more as part of being a responsible traveler is to educate myself about the indigenous people of the lands I’m visiting.
The Sámi people are the indigenous people of the Sápmi regionwhich encompasses northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola peninsula in Russia.
The Sámi have stewarded the land in these regions for at least 2,000 years.
They’ve preserved their traditions, language, and culture despite the harsh Arctic climates and attempts to force assimilation through political and “educational” means.
Despite the division of their ancestral lands into four distinct modern-day nations, Sámi culture is alive and well, and there are ways you can experience it if visiting Abisko in winter!
Go on a reindeer tour with a Sámi guide.
Reindeer have historically held an important role in Sámi life and industry.
Historically, the Sámi would hunt reindeer, but that’s changed, and since the 1500s the Sámi began herding reindeer and domesticating them in a manner similar to cattle.
While this is still part of the Sámi economy, the focus of reindeer herding has shifted in recent years towards tourism rather than animal agriculture.
Visits to Sámi villages often include visiting reindeer farms and getting a chance to feed reindeer and learn more about Sámi history.
This Sámi reindeer tour is the one I would recommend as it is facilitated by Lights over Lapland, which enjoys a great reputation in the region.
The 7-hour tour consists of a visit to the open-air museum called Márkanbáiki or also Nutti Sámi Siida, located in the town of Jukkasjärvi, about an hour away.
The tour includes roundtrip transportation, meeting and feeding the reindeer, learning about Sámi culture from an English-speaking Sámi tour guide, and lunch in a traditional Arctic lavvo.
A word of warning: your lunch may include reindeer – get in touch with them if you have dietary restrictions!
One of the most famous places in Sweden, a visit to the famous ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi is likely one of the top things to do on your Abisko itinerary.
I love visiting ice hotels — I’ve visited the Tromso Ice Domes and adored it — although I’ve never gotten the chance to stay the night in one.
Getting there from Abisko can be a bit of a pain, as it’s closer to Kiruna than Abisko.
There is no direct public transportation to the ICEHOTEL from Abisko, so you would have to transit via Kiruna, and I’m not even sure how you’d do that.
Visiting the hotel for the day independently will cost you 375 SEK (~$35 USD) plus all your transportation costs from Abisko to Kiruna by train, then to Jukkasjärvi by bus, then back to Kiruna and then taking the train to Abisko again – easily another $35 USD.
That’s not without counting the significant headache of the limited public transportation up north, as I found out from my disastrous experience trying to navigate Kiruna’s public transportation…
… oh, about that, I ended up with me dragging myself and my backpack through a snowdrift while running to the train station so I didn’t miss the only train of the day… but I digress.
The ICEHOTEL is an incredible feat of engineering, which mashes up a hotel with an art exhibition — all of this 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle.
Incredibly, in 2016 they created a whole new hotel: a permanent structure with ice rooms that you can even visit (and stay in!) in the summer month, called ICEHOTEL 365.
Before you go worrying about the carbon footprint of such an undertaking — it’s completely cooled by solar panels so it’s eco-friendly!
While temperature is not a concern if you’re visiting Abisko in winter, it’s pretty amazing to think that this structure still exists in the summer when temperatures can reach 17° C or 63° F.
Keep in mind that the winter ICEHOTEL is constructed at the start of winter each year, so if you visit before the middle of December, it’s not likely to be finished.
It takes a team of 40 artists each year several weeks – not to mention months of planning – to create the ICEHOTEL completely from scratch each year, which is truly incredible.
If the seasonal ICEHOTEL not yet open, however, you can check out the ICEHOTEL 365 which is open all year round.
This structure has luxury suites you can stay in, and if no one is in the rooms you can take a peek inside.
Even better, it also has an ice bar serving up chilled champagne (what else?) to curious visitors and day-trippers, and there’s also an ice gallery you can visit no matter the time of year.
The day tour consists of a guided tour of the art suites, ice bar, and ice church – yes, you can actually get married here! – plus leisure time to explore the hotel, take photos, or even dine or drink there (not included)
Kiruna is an easy day trip from Abisko, or if you fly into Kiruna in the morning you can explore the city before your afternoon train to Abisko.
Kiruna is a mining town, and herein lies the curiosity of this city: it’s actually in the process of being moved two miles away from its current center.
There is a giant crack in the earth progressing towards Kiruna at a slow but steady rate, at which point, at some time in the future, will swallow up Kiruna as it currently exists.
The town is in the process of slowly being moved bit by bit – annoyingly, the first bit to move was the train station, which is why it’s so inconveniently far out of town.
Taking a taxi or hitching a ride into town is recommended in winter, as the path into town is basically a highway and is extremely icy – we were lucky that when we tried to walk it, a local picked us up and gave us a ride in.
There’s actually quite a lot to see in this charming Arctic city, so let me break down a few of my favorite sights.
First, you can’t miss the wooden church of Kiruna – one of the largest wooden structures in all of Sweden!
The church is unique for having a Gothic Revival style with an Art Nouveau interior and is more than 100 years old. (It, too, will eventually be deconstructed and moved two miles away).
The town center is quite cute, and there’s lots of great shopping to be had for a town of its size. I really loved popping into the local design shop, Kvadrat, which had great mugs, textiles, text art, and other unique souvenirs.
Don’t miss a buffet lunch at SPiS Mat & Dryck, which offers a fantastic spread for an affordable price. There’s a wide variety of salads, soups, and cold and hot dishes, plus all you can drink coffee!
Unfortunately, it can be hard to DIY a day trip to Kiruna from Abisko, since the first train of the day leaves Abisko Östra at 12:30 PM and arrives in Kiruna at 1:30 PM. That would be fine… if the final train didn’t leave at 2:49 PM!
Since the station isn’t that close to the center you would barely have any time in the city.
Therefore, it’s best to visit either on your way in or out of Kiruna airport (we did it after arriving on a morning flight and taking the 2:49 PM train to Abisko).
Alternately, as a day trip, you can book a shared shuttle that stops in Kiruna’s town center from Abisko on the way in and then take the train back to Abisko at the end of your day trip.
Take a day trip to Norway
This is not as ambitious of an undertaking as it sounds, as Narvik, Norway is just two hours away by train.
It’s quite possible to do this trip independently, but you will have limited time in Narvik if you do.
The trains aren’t exactly set up for day-trippers, so the first train leaves at 11 AM and arrives just before 1 PM, but you’d have to leave on the last train of the day at 3:15 PM.
Still, you can do a day trip independently for less than $16 USD roundtrip for two hours of exploring Narvik, which may be worth it.
When I went to Abisko in winter 2016, while I was itching to scratch Norway off my map, ultimately I felt like it wasn’t worth it to spend 4 hours in transit to spend 2 hours in Narvik, just to say I’ve been to Norway (I finally went in 2020 and Tromso in winter was so epic!)
In the end, I didn’t do the trip – but I didn’t know that there was a guided day tour option that gave you more time in Narvik.
On this comfortable shuttle tour, you’ll get to see a wide variety of Arctic landscapes, including the second deepest lake in Sweden at Lake Torneträsk, frozen waterfalls, stunning Norwegian mountains like Björnfell, and the fjord beaches of Narvik.
It also includes lunch (not a minimal expense when we’re talking Norway prices) and a visit to the Narvik War Museum, which explores battles the Norwegian Army faced during WWII.
Where to Stay in Abisko
Abisko is a rustic village of 85 people, and therefore, there’s not a ton in the way of guesthouse and hotel options.
Most of the places to stay veer towards the budget end of the spectrum, with a number of hostels and affordable guesthouses, as well as one traditional mountain lodge.
You can spend anywhere from around $35 USD for a bunk in a dorm to around $250 for a cabin sleeping 4-6 people.
Budget
The owners of the dog sledding tour included above, Abisko Hostel & Huskies is a fantastic place to stay in Abisko if you are traveling on a budget.
This is actually where I had booked to stay in Abisko in 2016; unfortunately, the hostel ended up having an unforeseen issue and wasn’t able to host me, so it rebooked me at STF Turiststation (below), a more expensive place, in a better room at no extra cost to me.
That sort of above and beyond mentality was really encouraging, and while I didn’t get to see their facilities firsthand, I loved the dog-sledding tour I did with them.
With seriously affordable dorms and doubles and perks like a free sauna and shared kitchen, I can definitely recommend this hostel to budget and/or solo travelers in Sweden!
I personally stayed at STF Turiststation and can highly recommend it – it was literally the best hostel I’ve ever stayed at, hands down, with not one but two incredible kitchens, a free sauna, and an incredible restaurant.
The breakfast and lunch buffets offer a great value in pricy Sweden, and while the dinner is definitely more expensive, it’s also incredibly delicious and well worth shelling out for on a special occasion.
Plus, you’re literally in Abisko National Park, just a 10-minute walk from the lake or frozen waterfalls: how much better can a location get?
When planning any trip, especially a winter trip, be sure not to forget about travel insurance!
I use SafetyWing and its Nomad Insurance to insure all of my trips for its affordable rates and comprehensive coverage for all my travel needs.
For a trip as expensive as traveling to Sweden (and the unpredictability of Arctic winter weather), it’s especially important for me to have coverage.
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance provides both travel insurance (coverage for trip delays, cancellations, interruptions — the likelihood of which increases in winter) and travel medical insurance (coverage for things like accidents, illnesses including Covid, etc. — also more likely in winter!).
Coverage is really affordable — for me, it costs roughly $11 USD for a week of coverage outside of the U.S., with a policy max of $250,000 after a deductible of $250. Not bad!
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
I think I found the most relaxing island in the Caribbean.
An island where day drinking is the local sport, and aspirations of sitting in an inner tube while working your way through a bucket of beer are considered 100% valid.
An island where locals chastize you for walking too fast, where the smoky smell of pimento wood being burned for jerk chicken permeates the air, where golf carts have right of way.
⌛Planning your trip to Caye Caulker at the last minute?
Here are my quick picks on what to do & where to stay!
Yes, Caye Caulker, you can stop blushing — I’m talking about you.
If you want to know what my favorite things to do in Caye Caulker are, keep reading!
Though, to be honest, “doing nothing” is a perfectly respectable answer on this island.
Top Things to Do in Caye Caulker
If you go to Caye Caulker with a strict, itemized checklist, you’re doing it wrong.
While there aren’t that many things to do in Caye Caulker per se, the days still manage to slink by a little too easily.
Caye Caulker is a place that’s easy to get sucked into… and you should let it.
You’ll rise as your room gets warm in the morning sun, eat breakfast with a beach view, amble along the colorful buildings, and sunbathe — all before the nightly ritual of watching the sun sink into the sea.
Yup, that’s a grind I can get behind.
That said, you’re reading this post for a reason: you want to know the best activities in Caye Caulker.
And I’m here to serve! Just treat it as a suggestion, not a checklist.
Meet nurse sharks and rays at Shark Ray Alley.
Among the myriad of thrilling things to do Caye Caulker offers, snorkeling alongside sharks and rays at Shark Ray Alley is undoubtedly a standout!
To partake, you’ll need to book a day tour, because direct reef access from the shore isn’t possible.
The waters around Caye Caulker remain shallow for quite a distance, thus you need a boat to reach prime snorkeling spots like Shark Ray Alley.
Shark Ray Alley has evolved into a hotspot where numerous snorkeling outfits from Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye gather to feed sharks and rays, offering tourists an unparalleled underwater experience.
However, the debate around “chumming” (baiting the waters) to attract these marine creatures remains controversial.
One expert, Mar Alliance, supports the practice, saying that it fosters a better understanding between humans and marine life.
It helps to break down fears and promoting shark conservation — a very important thing, as sharks are apex predators essential to the health of the ocean.
On the flip side, some argue that chumming might condition sharks to rely on human-provided food, which can be problematic.
In my opinion after doing research, the science hasn’t borne this out to be true, as most sharks do enjoy the food but still continue their other natural behaviors at all other hours of the day.
So, what about safety? Well, the sharks frequenting Shark Ray Alley are nurse sharks, well known for their placid nature, often nicknamed ‘sea puppies’.
Incidents involving nurse shark bites are extremely rare and have never been fatal.
From personal experience, the true risk here? You might get hooked on the exhilaration of swimming with sharks!
I’ve embarked on this tour every Belize visit and even dived with far-more-fear-inducing bull sharks in Fiji.
But rest assured, the nurse sharks in Belize are entirely benign and nothing short of enchanting, and the rays are just as sweet.
Almost all snorkeling tours will include a stop at Shark Ray Alley — I recommend this one, which also includes the next thing to do in Caye Caulker: try to meet the manatees!
I mean, manatees are truly the elephants of the sea. Freaking adorable.
Please note: never touch animals in the wild, even if they seem docile and gentle. You can do serious damage.
Give them a comfortable distance – at least 5 meters if not more – and observe quietly and respectfully so that others in the future can also enjoy the presence of these gentle sea giants.
Spend the day in the sun at Sip N Dip
But really: how to while away your days in lovely Caye Caulker? Make your way to my favorite beach bar, Sip N Dip.
Where else can you sit on a swing in the Caribbean sea, relax in a hammock over the water, or just chill in an inner tube with a bucket of beer floating alongside you?
Located just before The Split on the north end of the island, day drinking at the Sip N Dip is my number one can’t-miss thing to do in Caye Caulker.
Happy hour is from 3 to 5 PM and offers specials on rum punch, Cuba libres, and other house drinks — get two for $7 BZD ($3.50 US).
The food actually isn’t bad, either!
Drink a local Belikin.
Belikin is the beer of choice in Belize, and it goes down so easily that they often sell it by the bucket!
At Sip N Dip, a bucket of beer will set you back $25-30 BZD ($12.50-15 USD since the Belize dollar is pegged at a 2-to-1 exchange rate with the dollar) for 6 beers — one of the best deals on the island!
Many other places on the island offer similar deals on buckets of Belikins, although of course, you could just get one… why get one when you can get a bucket?
Go on a sunset tiki cruise.
Since Caye Caulker is such a popular backpacker and party island, perhaps it’s not surprising that one of the top Caye Caulker activities is a sunset booze cruise.
This affordably priced sunset tour includes alcoholic drinks and a 1.5-hour cruise around Caye Caulker, with the chance to see dolphins, manatees, and turtles.
You’ll also definitely get to see all the mangroves around Caye Caulker and the unique birdlife that calls this ecosystem home.
Visit the sweet animals at the Caye Caulker Animal Shelter
Another one of my favorite things to do in Caye Caulker is visit the lovely dogs at the Caye Caulker Animal Shelter!
This non-profit animal shelter cares for dogs and cats in need of homes. They welcome visitors to come by and love on the animals.
With these faces, how could you walk on by?
Meet the local dogs.
If you’re a dog lover, you’ll love Caye Caulker.
Because it’s a small island with no cars, many people allow their dogs to hang out on the island during the day, running about and making friends.
Most aren’t strays – they’re well-behaved, well-loved pets who get to call the streets of the island their playground.
Needless to say, I was in heaven!
Join the Sunday Funday nonsense.
It’s become a institution in lots of Central American backpacker hotspots: a weekly boozy day party.
Bocas del Toro has Filthy Fridays, San Juan del Sur has Sunday Funday, and Caye Caulker has its own spin on Sunday Funday with their signature 5-hour beach parties once a week.
Starting at Bella’s Backpackers, one of the top hostels on the island, their backyard becomes an all-out boozefest (think: unlimited rum punch) with lots of games to play to get to know your fellow travelers better.
Beer pong, giant jenga, beach volleyball, water balloon toss, cornhole: there’s all sorts of fun games that will only get more amusing the more rum punch you consume.
But better yet, in the evening you all get on board a sunset cruise, where you can continue the fun and partying.
After you’ve finished, you can keep the party going at one of the island’s late night hot spots… or get yourself to bed, because you’re probably tuckered out after 5 hours of partying in the sun.
Belize is home to the second-largest reef system after the Great Barrier Reef, the Meso-American Barrier Reef (of which Belize’s section is called the Belize Barrier Reef)!
So if you’re a lover of marine life, take full advantage of Caye Caulker’s amazing location and make sure you don’t miss snorkeling while on Caye Caulker.
Look for a tour that includes Hol Chan Marine Reserve — it’s where the best snorkeling in Caye Caulker is.
If you’re scuba-certified while you visit Caye Caulker, you simply must do a dive to get an even more up-close-and-personal look at the stunning reefs.
The best-rated dive shop on the island is Scuba Sensation, on Playa Asuncion (near Lazy Lizard, Sip N Dip, etc.)
They offers tours of the Caye Caulker marine reserve area for $110 USD for a two-tank dive and $150 USD if you want to dive in the Esmeralda area closer to San Pedro.
They also offer dives further afield in epic places like the Turneffe Atoll ($195 USD) or Spanish Bay ($185 USD). I’ve heard Turneffe Atoll has some of Belize’s best diving!
And if you love night dives like I do, you can add on an individual one-tank night dive for $85 USD.
It’s pricier than places like Cozumel, Utila, and Roatan, but it’s still worth it if you like to dive and will be in Caye Caulker!
… or deep dive at the Great Blue Hole.
Requiring a full day and an advanced open water certification, diving the Blue Hole is a huge bucket list item that you can tick off while in Caye Caulker!
It requires an early wake-up call (earlier than most dives!) — 5:15 AM, you have to meet for check in. By 6 AM, the boat departs for an epic day out on a 3-tank dive.
Don’t worry — breakfast and lunch will be provided, as well as fruits and water for surface interval snacking.
It takes about a 2-3 hour boat ride to get to the Great Blue Hole, so that’s part of why you leave so early. But it’s worth the long haul!
This dive is a 3-tank dive that starts with the deepest dive at the Great Blue Hole, where you’ll dive for about 30 minutes, reaching a maximum depth of 130 feet or 40 meters!
Nitrogen narcosis is a definite possibility at this depth, so be sure you have done a deep dive before and know what to expect (basically, feeling drunk or euphoric)
On your way down, it’s more about the incredible scenery of this massive sinkhole, with stalactite-like formations visible in caverns of the sinkhole and scroll corals on the wall.
This isn’t so much about reef life, though along the way, you’ll see Caribbean reef sharks around 60 feet deep. Hammerhead sightings are possible, but very rare.
As a deep dive, you’ll need to be very aware of your buoyancy control and very familiar with a dive computer (preferably using your own, so you’re familiar with how it works).
While equipment rentals are provided in the cost of the excursion, it’s really better to have your own computer (here are my suggestions) here.
The tour also includes two more stops, which will prove more epic in terms of sea life than the Blue Hole: Half Moon Caye Wall (a 45-50 minute dive) and the Long Caye Aquarium dive (another 45-50 minute dive).
On the latter two dives, expect to see enormous groupers, reef sharks aplenty, eels, all sorts of colorful tropical fish, and maybe even hammerheads if you’re lucky.
This tour is definitely pricy, at $340 per person for a full-day 3 tank dive, but given the travel time required and how bucket-list-worthy the Blue Hole is amongst divers, it’s worth it for the serious divers amongst us.
Do sunset yoga.
I’ll readily admit that I was never stayed sober long enough on Caye Caulker to make it to sunset yoga.
However, if you’re more responsible than me, Namaste Yoga (formerly RandOM Yoga) offers donation-based sunset yoga classes.
You can take these classes on the roof of Namaste Café with a great sunset view and ocean breeze!
Rent a stand-up paddleboard
Caye Caulker is a small island and it’s easy to stand-up paddleboard around it in just a few hours.
There are several places on the island that rent stand-up paddleboards and also kayaks.
It’s one of the best things to do in Caye Caulker because the water is super flat and glassy, making it easier than normal.
You don’t need to circle the whole island, either — it can be fun to just go along the island’s east side and up to the Split, and then check out a bit of the other side of the island that you normally aren’t on.
Rent a kayak at sunset.
You can easily grab a kayak rental at Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill and go out for a few hours.
A double kayak is $45 USD for two hours ($35 for a single kayak).
Two hours is just enough time to paddle out before sunset and check out the Split and the other side of what used to be Caye Caulker.
Then, paddle out into the sea to enjoy watching the sun sink into the ocean horizon, and paddle back before it gets dark!
Enjoy a photo walk through colorful Caye Caulker.
With streets made of sand and brilliantly-colored houses in all shades of the rainbow, a walk through Caye Caulker is almost an activity in and of itself.
One of the coolest things to see in Caye Caulker are all the houses built on stilts — helpful on a low-lying island where hurricanes and tropical storms have increasingly been passing through.
This is also a fun way to flex your photography skills and get some different photos that aren’t just you at a beach bar.
Eat delicious jerk chicken.
On Caye Caulker, you’ll see — and smell — barbecues going all day and night long. You can’t go wrong with the island’s most popular dish – jerk chicken!
A plate of jerk chicken will set you back about $15-20 BZD ($7.50-10 US) in a restaurant.
Plus, it usually will come with your choice of sides and anywhere from one to three glasses of rum punch included!
Quality across the board was about the same everywhere, so no place really sticks out – just order the jerk chicken and you can’t go wrong!
On the street, a takeaway portion of jerk chicken and coconut rice will cost you about $10 BZD, or $5 US.
My favorite street stall was located on the north side just before Sip N Dip.
Try other delicious food on Caye Caulker.
Had a little too much jerk chicken for your taste?
For seafood, try the grilled lobsters or shrimp skewers at Chef Kareem’s UnBelizeable Lunch [not open for dinner].
There is also delicious Chinese food on the island thanks to the influence of Chinese immigrants who run many of the local shops and grocery stores.
My favorite was a small little shop in a turquoise-painted bungalow, Yummy Yummy.
The chow mein was delicious, only about $7 BZD ($3.50 US), and big enough for two!
For pasta, try Pasta Per Caso Anna & Armando for a change of pace with some delicious Italian food.
Dig into a Belizean breakfast.
My favorite Belize breakfast is fry jacks – fried dough pockets stuffed with your choice of filling. My favorite was meat, cheese, and egg.
Get them at Errolyns House of Fry Jacks for a mere $2.50 BZD each!
If you prefer a more traditional breakfast, or you’re really missing bagels, Ice ‘N Beans is another one of my favorite places on Caye Caulker for breakfast.
Grab a (rum-filled) coconut.
One of the most ubiquitous things you’ll hear when walking through Caye Caulker — besides locals admonishing you to ‘go slow’ — is people selling coconuts, fresh or spiked!
With coconuts for $5 BZD / $2.50 USD (more for a spiked version with rum — strong rum!), you can’t help but stop a few times for a fresh coconut.
Are you really on a Caribbean island if you don’t?
Sip on a swing at Margarita Mike’s
I’ve already rhapsodized about Sip N Dip. Another place I loved for day drinking was Margarita Mike’s.
What can I say? I love a good bar swing! And also day drinking. Go figure.
Of course, they’re known for their frozen margaritas, which are strong and delicious. You can also get a bucket of Belikins here.
Chill at the Split.
I loved spending my days at the “The Split” – the northern tip of Caye Caulker.
Apparently, Caye Caulker used to be one island until a hurricane hit in 1961, breaking the island in two.
The channel that divides them now is called “The Split” and, absent any white sand beaches, is Caye Caulker’s unofficial watering hole.
The Lazy Lizard is often cited as a favorite, but when I went it was under construction — which killed its beachy vibe.
Still, a day at the Split is never spent poorly. I mean: look at those blue, blue waters!
Unwind with a peaceful day at Ix’Chel Day Spa.
If you’re looking to take the relaxation on Caye Caulker a step further, head to Ix’Chel Day Spa for some massages.
100% Belizean-owned and operated, this local shop run by two sisters offers great massages for excellent prices.
Deep tissue massages are only $35 USD for 30 minutes or $60 USD for an hour.
They also offer aromatherapy massages, reflexology, Swedish massages, and all sorts of treatments like facials, scrubs, and mani-pedis.
On a budget? They offer a lower-priced option of relaxation massages ($25 USD for 30 minutes or $50 USD for an hour).
Take in the sunset on the beach.
When comparing Caye Caulker vs. Ambergris Caye, one big advantage that Caye Caulker has is just how easy it is to see the sunset.
There are many great spots to take in the sunset on the island’s west side, which is easily accessible since the island is super narrow.
The best areas for sunset views are around Dee N D’s Waterside Grill and Wish Willy Bar & Grill.
You can get the sunset at either of these places, or you can just walk a few more blocks and enjoy it for free on the beach, BYOB (Bring Your Own Belikin) style!
Drink after hours at The Sports Bar or the Reggae Bar.
If you’re somehow managed to make it to sunset without getting drunk… congrats!
You now have two options: The Sports Bar and The Reggae Bar. Though neither of those are their real names.
Basically everyone on the island goes to The Sports Bar (Barrier Reef Sports Bar) first and then Reggae Bar (I & I) if they’re still standing.
Take a day trip to San Pedro.
If you want to visit a larger island for a day, head to San Pedro, the main city on Ambergris Caye.
This gorgeous island will feel like a shock to the system after the ‘go slow’ vibes of Caye Caulker, but it’s a great option if you’re feeling stir-crazy and want some new restaurant and bar options (my favorite is Palapa Bar).
In terms of activities, there’s not too much that San Pedro has that Caye Caulker doesn’t, except for a chocolate factory/boutique and a few more shops.
That said, it’s still a fun change of pace, so I do recommend visiting if you have sufficient time on Caye Caulker and don’t plan to spend any overnights on San Pedro.
Where to Stay in Caye Caulker
You won’t find luxury resorts here — Caye Caulker is stubbornly down to earth, especially compared with its more upscale cousin, Ambergris Caye, which has its share of luxury boutique hotels.
What Caye Caulker lacks in resorts it makes up for in cheap and cheerful guesthouses. If you’re traveling in a group of two, it often is about as cheap as staying in a hostel.
Budget: Caye Caulker is one of the most budget-friendly places in Belize! People on a tight budget will want to pick one of the island’s hostels or small guesthouses.
I recommend the excellently-rated Go Slow Guesthouse, which is a colorful, friendly hostel located in the heart of Caye Caulker not far from the main road.
There are fan rooms for a cheap price or AC rooms for a slightly higher cost. It’s got a friendly vibe that’s also perfect for solo travelers.
Mid-range: If you want the privacy of your own cabana without paying an insane price, Colinda Cabanasis an excellent mid-range choice. Stay in a joyful yellow and turquoise cabana just a minute walk from the sea!
Free bike and kayak rental, free coffee in the mornings, and other perks will help you feel welcomed and at ease here in Caye Caulker.
Luxury: While San Pedro definitely has more luxury options than Caye Caulker, you can still enjoy a bit of luxury on this more budget-conscious island. The nicest hotel in town is Weezie’s Oceanfront Hotel.
With spacious studios and one-bedroom cottages, a lovely pool, friendly staff, and balconies with amazing sweeping Caribbean views, you’ll never want to check out of paradise.
The other option, San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi, is a touch more expensive but has more options (schedule here) at $21 USD one way or $37 roundtrip.
The priciest but fastest option is by taking a flight with Maya Island Air (check flights here), for $84 between Belize City Airport and $71 on the way back ($155 USD roundtrip).
There are only 3 flights per day, so it’s not always the most convenient, but if it lines up with your flight well, it can save you some time, and the flight is gorgeous (I have done it to neighboring San Pedro twice!)
How do you get to Belize City?
If you’re flying into Belize… that solves that! It’s the only international airport in the country.
If you’re traveling from other parts of Central America, you can get to Belize City easily via chicken bus from San Ignacio, Belize ($8 BZD/$4 USD) or Chetumal, Mexico (180 pesos/$10 USD).
If coming from the bus station, I recommend taking a taxi, not walking. The bus station is in a dodgy neighborhood of Belize City, and I wouldn’t want to walk through it with all my belongings on me!
Water taxis from Chetumal, Mexico are available every other day, but they are a little — over $50 USD one way.
You can also take private shuttles from within Belize or to neighboring Guatemala or Mexico if you prefer to travel in a little more comfort, but I love Belize’s chicken buses.
The fun reggae music and people-watching opportunities make the hundreds of stops you’ll make along the way less painful somehow!
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Deep in the Belizean jungle close to the border with Guatemala is the beautiful small town of San Ignacio, a town that stole my heart almost right away.
A major jumping off point for exploring Belize’s tropical jungle interior, San Ignacio is rather small but still has several interesting things to do in town, including its very own Mayan ruins.
People always ask me if it’s worth it to head to San Ignacio and I always say yes — loudly!
A visit to San Ignacio is the perfect counterpoint to relaxing on the beaches of San PedroorCaye Caulker.
Mixing it up by going for adventure and culture in San Ignacio is a great way to round out the beachy part of a Belize itinerary.
This guide focuses on things to do in San Ignacio town, as well as popular day trips from San Ignacio in the Cayo district and beyond.
Since San Ignacio is so small, it’s often treated more as a jumping off point for various day trips instead of having a ton to do in the town itself.
That said, we’ll cover a few activities in town and then explore some of the fun day trips you can do from San Ignacio!
This post was last updated on September 23, 2023.
13Best Things to Do in San Ignacio, Belize
Marvel at the wonder of Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave).
Of all the San Ignacio activities you could possibly choose from, this is my absolute favorite. In my mind, a trip to Belize without visiting ATM Cave just isn’t a Belize trip at all.
The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (called the ATM Cave for short) is an incredible cave system that you can only traverse with a licensed guide in a small group.
Permits and cave access to tourists are strictly limited in order to keep these caves preserved for future generations, as some parts of the cave were damaged in the past by tourists, unfortunately.
But this is not an activity for the faint of heart!
Taking an ATM Cave tourinvolves using a headlamp as your only light source, swimming through the cave, squeezing through some narrow parts of the cave system, and climbing up into the main cave atrium.
While I loved visiting the ATM Cave so much, if you have severe claustrophobia, this is not the San Ignacio excursion for you! The cave is dark and narrow in some places.
Inside the cave, you’ll find ancient pottery fragments as well as skulls and skeletons.
These are the remains of human sacrifices that the ancient Maya people left in the cave. The cave was considered part of the Mayan underworld, where people could connect to the gods who ruled over death.
Archaeologists believe this was done to appease their gods as their civilization faced challenges such as drought and fighting between rival groups.
Whatever the reasons, it’s certainly an adventurous and interesting — if macabre — thing to do in San Ignacio region!
Another fantastic place to visit near San Ignacio on a day trip is the Caracol Ruins archaeological site.
These are the largest Mayan ruins in Belize, and they are relatively under-visited compared to many other ruins in Central America.
The ruins of Caracol are beautiful and impressive, and one of the coolest things is that you can climb the pyramids there, unlike many pyramids in Mexico which have closed off the climbing to tourists.
From the top of the largest pyramid in the Caracol complex, you can even look over the border into Guatemala!
A trip to Caracol is easily paired with some incredible nature as well. On a guided tour to Caracol, you can visit the Rio Frio Cave and check out either the Rio-On Pools or the Big Rock Falls — all in a single day.
Trust me — you’ll relish a dunk in the water after spending the morning and early afternoon visiting the ruins in the hot Belizean sun!
The ancient Maya site of Cahal Pech is about 10 square miles and includes nearly three dozen buildings, the largest of all being about 80 feet tall!
It is believed by archaeologists to be one of the oldest Mayan settlements in Belize, and that the people who settled Cahal Pech likely came from Guatemala, perhaps around the Tikal area.
The Maya Ruins of Cahal Pech are a must-do while visiting San Ignacio!
Plus, it pairs well with a visit to Xunantunich, another Mayan site, since the two ruins are only about 6 miles apart.
If you want some additional info, you can hire a local guide to give you a private tour at both ruins.
Honestly, a guided tour including pick-up and drop-off is not necessary here, as the ruin site is within walking distance of town!
Check out Belize’s “other blue hole” at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park.
Belize is known for its Great Blue Hole of course… but it also has a lesser-known inland blue hole, located at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park!
This tour of the Blue Hole is combined with Crystal Cave, a beautiful limestone cave system. The cave system is only accessible through a rainforest hike which ends at the entrance to the cave, so it feels very remote and magical.
The tour involves spelunking through the cave to discover all the beautiful geographic features of the cave, as well as artifacts from Mayan ceremonies that number some thousands of years old — including pottery, fire pits, and even human remains!
One of the coolest parts of this tour is visiting ‘Wonderland’, a room in the cave system that is completely covered in sparkling crystals, for which the cave gets its name!
After exploring the cave system, you’ll have a chance to swim in the beautiful Blue Hole to cool off and feel refreshed before heading back to San Ignacio in the evening.
Located in the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, this conservation project is one of the most popular things to do in San Ignacio when it comes to eco activities.
This program has been running since 1996, and it focuses on ensuring the ongoing survival of the green iguana.
This threatened species is vital to the ecosystem in Belize’s jungles and rivers.
While visiting, you’ll learn about their conservation efforts and the life cycle of the iguana, from egg to hatching to releasing!
And of course, you’ll get the chance to meet a local iguana friend!
Take a day trip over the border into Guatemala to visit Tikal.
If you’re looking for a full-day excursion from San Ignacio that will also get you a new stamp in your passport, be sure to save a day for a day trip to Tikal from San Ignacio!
This is one day trip for which I strongly suggest a tour. Navigating a border crossing by car is an experience many travelers have not have had before, and if there are language barriers it can be intimidating.
Personally, I have done the border crossing solo when traveling from Belize to Guatemala (en route to Flores, Lake Atitlan, and other great places in Guatemala), but I am an experienced solo traveler fluent in Spanish.
I’ve also spent several months in Central America and feel super comfortable traveling around. If you don’t have that sort of experience, booking a Tikal tour from San Ignacio is a much better idea.
The trip to Tikal takes about 2-2.5 hours by car, with some time for the border crossing, which your guide will help you navigate.
Tikal is located in a beautiful national park, and so you’ll see wildlife everywhere you look: everything from monkeys to iguanas and more.
Tikal is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it’s perhaps better-known as being a filming location for Star Wars!
This guided tour of Tikal includes all the main sightseeing of the ruins complex. With over 3,000 structures in the Tikal area, having a guide to help you narrow down the key things to see is really helpful.
You’ll get to see temples, ball courts, plazas, palaces, and pyramids — the largest of which is over 200 feet!
Once you arrive at Barton Creek Cave, you’ll be able to explore it by canoeing through it!
This is a great way to experience the caves in a peaceful way while learning about the history of this ancient Maya site — as well as Mayan traditions, rituals, and ceremonies — from a knowledgeable local guide.
The Mayan archaeological site of Xunantunich is located a short distance from San Ignacio Town, practically on the Guatemalan border.
Xunantunich enjoys a beautiful location on a ridge, looking over the scenic Mopan River.
Its name means “Maiden of the Rock” in the Mayan language, but this is a modern name; the original name is unknown. Supposedly, this name comes from the ghost of a woman who haunts it!
Xunantunich was an ancient city, which takes up about one square mile. Its best-known feature is the 130-foot-tall pyramid called “El Castillo”.
This is the second tallest Mayan structure in Belize, after the temple pyramid at Caracol.
If you want to book a guided tour,this tour is highly ratedand you can customize it to meet your interests.
You can add on either cave tubing, river tubing, or horseback riding for a full-day tour, or just visit Xunantunich for a half-day trip.
Belmopan is the capital of Belize and it’s an easy day trip from San Ignacio.
For a capital city, Belmopan is rather small — the tiniest capital city in the Americas by population, in fact, with a population of under 20,000 people!
Belmopan is a good gateway to outdoor adventure, as you’ll find Guanacaste National Park right within the city.
This national park has some hiking trails and the beautiful Belize River runs right through the heart of it.
Belmopan is also close to other places you might want to visit: Ayala’s Natural Pool, St. Herman’s Cave, St. Herman’s Blue Hole, etc.
You can drive to Belmopan easily via rental car or take any of the buses heading towards Belize City, all of which will stop in Belmopan.
Spend the day cave tubing and/or ziplining.
Cave tubing in Belize is a popular outdoor activity to do from San Ignacio, and there is no shortage of tours offering it!
Cave tubing is basically what it sounds like: floating on a river through caves in an inner tube!
You’ll have to hike to the cave systems before hopping in your tube, but the hike to the river and caves in the Caribbean heat is what makes the dip into the waters so refreshing!
For people who want to pair cave tubing with something a little more adventurous, add a zipline experience!
Alternately, you can opt to take guided tours that include transportation and do day trips led by expert guides.
Personally, I’ve never rented a car in Belize, since I’m either on the islands or choose to take guided tours, as I like the insight you get from a licensed tour guide.
I learn more about the history and the culture this way, as your professional guide has to have a fairly encyclopedic knowledge of the history to be a guide in Belize!
It’s also a lot less stressful, especially for me as I often travel solo, since they handle pick up, drop off, and often a meal as well.
I tend to book my tours in Belize via Get Your Guide whenever possible, because they offer the best cancellation policy if my plans change (free cancellation within 24 hours of the tour!).
However, if you are traveling as a family or in a large group, you might find that renting a car is better suited for your needs.
If you are renting a car, I suggest picking up your car at Belize City International Airport for the best price.
I use and love Discover Carswhenever I’m traveling outside of the United States.
It’s a testament to how green Belize is that you barely have to leave the city of San Ignacio to feel like you’re in your own personal jungle paradise!
There are lush trees planted everywhere and an infinity-style pool overlooking the river valley below. The Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech are located right nearby the eco-resort, a couple of blocks away!
San Ignacio Resort Hotel is an award-winning resort located within a 17-acre private estate, right in the heart of San Ignacio town proper — perfect if you don’t have a car rental during your time in Belize.
For those just looking to relax, there is also a gorgeous pool with plenty of loungers to relax around, a luxe spa, and a tennis court.
This resort also supports the Green Iguana Conservation Project and has won awards for its participation in helping support Belize’s wildlife.
If you are after a once-in-a-lifetime stay in an eco-lodge in Belize… look no further.
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is a next-tier incredible resort that’s known for its beautiful natural surroundings.
The rooms are incredibly airy and spacious, with high-ceilinged thatch roofing and thoughtful details like beautiful textiles and local flowers.
Outside your bungalow, you’ll find countless trees and plant life surrounding you and wake up to the sounds of birds and monkeys in the jungle.
Located on the Macal River, Chaa Creek offers activities like canoeing and kayaking down the river.
You can also go for a swim in their infinity pool, try some “jungle cuisine” in their dining room made from local organic produce, or admire the butterflies at their butterfly exhibit.
Mosquito repellent: San Ignacio has a tropical climate with mosquitos year-round, particularly in the rainy season. Protect yourself with mosquito repellent. As a backup, I carry around a few mosquito repellent wipes with me in my purse in case I forget to apply spray before leaving or that I can apply after swimming.
Bug bite aftercare: It’s also inevitable that you won’t be able to get away totally scot-free in terms of bug bites, so bring some after-bite relief too. This is hard to find in Belize, so definitely bring it from home!
Full-size travel towel: Many of these San Ignacio day trips involve water — cave tubing, kayaking, swimming, waterfalls, etc. You’ll definitely want to bring a small, foldable, quick-dry towel on any day tour with water activities. This travel towel is full-size but compact, and it dries super quickly even in Belize’s humid climate.
A guidebook: I use travel blogs a lot when I’m on the road but I also love having a guidebook to give me more specific, thoroughly researched information. Lonely Planet is my go-to guidebook and the newest Belize guidebook was updated in 2022.
Reef-safe sunscreen: Reef-safe sunscreen isn’t just for reefs! The chemicals in sunscreen are bad for every natural ecosystem, like caves and swimming holes. When I know I’ll be in any natural body of water, I use a reef-safe sunscreen like Sea 2 Stream, which adheres to the highest eco-friendly standards.
GoPro: If you go cave tubing or ziplining, you’re going to want a way to capture all of that action! The Go Pro Hero 11 is the newest, best option in the action camera landscape. Be sure to consider whether you want GoPro accessories like a chest harness or head mount.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Iconic of Puglia, charming Alberobello seems ripped out of the pages of a storybook.
With ancient olive trees on the rolling hills, the landscape is the perfect backdrop for the town’s unique draw: the stone, white-washed trulli dwellings that make this town a UNESCO site.
So what exactly are trulli? These historic and enchanting limestone dwellings are known for white-washed walls and their conical stone roofs, often adorned with symbols.
The origins of these iconic structures are steeped in legend, with tales of tax evasion and the cunning of local residents adding to their mystique — though that’s likely more fiction than fact.
According to them, this taking-off putting-back task would be almost impossible for the residents of the trulli – particularly for elderly people.
To have their roof off and them back on again would be such a hard work that they would very likely rather pay taxes.
While supposedly, the roofs were made of assembled stones so they could be removed quickly to not be taxed as a dwelling, in reality, this would be awfully difficult to achieve.
More likely, the peasants who lived and farmed there built these structures to abide by restrictive rules against permanent dwellings, such as not using mortar to assemble a house.
Whatever the reason for these enchanting buildings, you can’t deny that as you wander through the narrow, winding streets of Alberobello, you feel transported to another era.
Each trullo tells a story of tradition, endurance, and architectural marvel — but together, they form a beautiful town marked by clusters of trulli interspersed with cozy piazzas and local shops, perfect places to pop by for a morning espresso or stroll by on an evening passeggiata.
For those who want to fully immerse themselves in the Alberobello experience, the magic doesn’t need to end once the sun goes down!
A handful of these charming dwellings have been thoughtfully converted into trulli hotels in Alberobello, one of the most unique ways to spend a night in Italy (another being Matera’s charming cave hotels).
Modernized for the comfort of their guests, these boutique hotels still retain their rustic charm. It’s a place where you can touch, feel, and live within the walls of history!
So, after marveling at the quaint beauty of Alberobello by day, make your fairytale complete by nestling into a trullo hotel by night.
The Best Trulli Hotels in Alberobello
Real-Life Fairy Tale: Le Alcove-Luxury Hotel nei Trulli – View Property Here
Located smack-dab in the center of Alberobello and filled with contemporary comforts, this hotel is a traveler’s dream come true.
Your first step in crafting your real-life fantasy vacation is choosing from one of the five traditional Trulli huts Le Alcove offers.
Each independent dwelling pays homage to an ancient profession through its unique architectural shape, furniture, and decor.
Options include the Weaver, the Knight, the Storyteller (Il Cantastorie), the Dreamer (Il Sognatore),and the Poet (Il Poeta).
No matter which you select, you’re in for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Plus, imagine the sweetheart points you’ll score if you surprise your loved one by booking the room that reminds you of them the most!
Of course, all the rooms pamper you with modern comforts.
Underfloor heating and cooling will regulate you no matter the time of year without marring the beauty of the stone.
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, comfortable beds, and elegant toiletries in your en-suite bath!
Depending on which room you choose, you may even also have access to your own private spa bath.
Waking up to admire the swirling patterns of the beautiful stones on your ceiling is its own brand of Zen you’ll have to experience to believe!
All guests can enjoy a tasty continental breakfast to fuel the day’s excursions, and the hotel’s hot tub to unwind before bed.
From its soothing neutral color palette with just enough color accents to charm the eye, we think that this small and intimate getaway is the perfect Alberobello trulli hotel experience.
It certainly lives up to the motto on its website, truly giving you the chance to “live your fairy tale.”
This one-bedroom hideaway is a trullo vacation home with all the fixings!
Greet each day with continental and Italian breakfast options, including local specialties, fresh pastries, and juice.
You can even take breakfast to-go to get a head start on the day’s adventures! That is, if your plans even take you into town in the first place.
The trullo itself is so attractive that you may wish to enjoy the day by curling up with a good book in the living room or trying your hand at making Italian fare in the fully-equipped kitchenette.
Since vacation is all about unwinding, this accommodation has a serious advantage over other dwellings, in that it comes with its very own private spa.
When you see the blue waters of the circular hot tub swirl beneath the stone before the stunning, mandala-shaped illuminated wall art, you’ll wonder how you fell into this magical paradise.
Enjoy a snooze on the lounge chairs and admire the hanging plants before drying off and returning to the “normal world” to continue your stay.
Children aren’t allowed at this Alberobello trulli hotel, which makes it ideal for a couples’ stay.
Even if you find it difficult to leave your work or your littles, I think that the beauty of this place, with its attention to even the tiniest of details and gorgeous wood/industrial accents, will help you unplug in no time!
It’s inspired by the ancient arts of falconry and hospitality and has plenty of ways for you to have personal experiences with each.
The resort seeks to offer a healing space where each guest can unite their heart, mind, and senses with the natural world, and I think they more than succeed in that mission.
Not only can you visit resident birds of prey (under the expert supervision of your host), but you can also go on hunting expeditions with hawks or paragliding with eagles.
The resort also houses a macaw, parrot, Galapagos tortoises, donkeys, and horses, all of which are a great hit with kids (who are welcome to stay!).
Even the rooms themselves will help you connect with our fine feathered friends.
Each room is named after a different type of falcon and offers a uniquely inspired ambiance.
Lest we give you the impression that La Corte Dell’Astore is a down-to-nature experience, let us assure you that it’s absolutely a full-fledged resort.
The architecture and interior decor are plush, elegant, and deliberately minimalist, creating an ultimate luxury experience.
You’ll be treated to creature comforts such as free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, gardens, and even a hot tub.
The outdoor pool, precisely manicured courtyard, outdoor fireplace, bar service, and lavish breakfast buffet of sweet and savory delicacies will make you feel like you’re royalty throughout your stay.
If nothing screams “vacation” more to you than relaxing by the pool, Il Gabellota Resort is the best trulli hotel in Alberobello for you.
This resort offers a rounded pool and beautiful sun deck, with plenty of lounge chairs and a stone and wood awning. Just wait until you see it lit up at night!
Stone is a featured design element throughout the property, not just in your trullo.
During the day, you can walk the ground’s stone paths from within the safety of traditional dry stone walls.
Il Gabellota will nourish your soul with the peace of the countryside pouring out from its greenery, picnic areas, marble floors, and ancient olive trees.
While Alberobello is UNESCO World Heritage Site, don’t worry – the luxury here is very much modern!
Relax and unwind in your air-conditioned trullo, complete with a TV and mini-bar.
Call ahead to ask which rooms have private patios, kitchenettes, and floral gardens, or just come and let the amenities in your room be a pleasant surprise!
To take your trip to the next level of comfort, book a massage treatment (or two or three) at the spa.
This resort is only for adults, so you’ll likely enjoy a side of peace along with your complimentary breakfast.
If you like staying at destinations with uniquely shaped rooms, you won’t want to miss a stay at La Mandorla.
Each room in this adults-only resort is a one-of-a-kind architectural wonder, complete with alcoves, vaulted stone ceilings, and illuminated shelves cut into the rock itself.
The rooms are the ultimate in luxury as well, from their fireplaces, underfloor heating, air-conditioning, and — you guessed it — hot tubs!
The rooms even have beauty stations with lighted mirrors, so you’ll feel as celebrity-level glamorous as you prepare for the day ahead.
Each accommodation has a seating area, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a walk-in shower perfect for a long, luxe morning routine.
A dining area and kitchen are also included, so you can even practice your culinary skills once you recover from the delicious a la carte breakfast offered each morning.
During the day, you can visit the spa, gardens, or on-site coffee shop. Relaxing with a good book on the outdoor furniture is an absolute must.
When you want a luxurious trulli stay in Alberobello, La Mandorla is a clear stand-out.
Despite its name, Tipico Resort is anything but typical.
You’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon a little town of your very own as you enjoy the trulli and stone buildings emblematic of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The trullo or stone building you stay in will be updated, no cave man living here!
All the rooms feature air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and stone walls and floors.
You’ll want to plan some time to take pictures of everything in your accommodation: this place is all about the details!
From elegant textures, tiling, unique wall art, and distinctive decor, each room has its own unique character and presence in the resort.
Outside the rooms, you can enjoy a convenience store, hair/beauty salon, outdoor areas, and winding streets that you can walk or bike down while heading to the breakfast room.
Regardless of the size of your family or travel party, Tipico is an excellent place for an Italian getaway.
Here’s another beautiful trullo hotel that is its own individual unit for perfect privacy.
This vacation home, Monte Adamello, is a two-bedroom townhome that is a big hit with couples.
The home is situated in a great location outside of Alberobello and is beautifully decorated.
Its homey and colorful furniture, textiles, and accents transform it into a real-life dream!
You’ll also enjoy a variety of amenities during your stay.
These include a full and queen bed, air-conditioning, a fully-stocked kitchen with tea and coffee maker, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a walk-in shower, a bathtub, and even chocolate!
All of this is accessible from your private entrance and comes with daily housecleaning.
Luna, who runs Monte Adamello, is an Airbnb Superhost who provides an excellent stay for guests.
Whether you need packed lunches, grocery deliveries, or have special dietary restrictions for your meals, Luna can make it happen!
If you’re looking for private accommodation for a family or small group trip, Monte Adamello may be your perfect place.
When the typical Alberobello trulli resort isn’t enough to satisfy your itch for a truly special travel experience, Masseria Rosa Trulli Relais is there for you.
This converted 19th-century farmhouse is a mere 1.2 miles from Alberobello and offers both stone cottages and the traditional trulli.
What makes it unique is its decor and pool area!
The neutral-colored furniture and crisp and curved lines in the rooms form a hybrid of what you’d expect in a trullo and what you’d expect perhaps in a sunny beach house.
The stonework around the pool (complete with hydromassage!) and gardens look like something from either a summer or desert resort magazine.
Yet these juxtapositions of style elements only add to the resort’s tastefulness.
Far from a destination that can’t seem to make up its mind, Masseria Rosa is a place of intentional, blended exoticism.
All accommodations come with a private bathroom and LCD TV. Some come with a kitchenette.
All rooms also have access to everything you’ll need for an extraordinarily relaxing and healthful stay.
Imagine walking through well-kept gardens surrounded by stone walls, groves of centuries-old olive trees, orchards, and vegetable gardens.
Perhaps you’ll enjoy the sun from the comfort of the panoramic patio or one of the stone gazebos by the pool.
They also have a great spa including a Turkish bath, hydromassage, relaxation and herbal tea corner.
Regardless of how you spend your time here, you’ll leave Masseria Rosa with more balance in your body, mind, and spirit.
If you’re into tiny houses, hobbit holes, and cozy spaces, Trullo Giardino Fiorito is a perfect little gem just for you!
From its tile shower, pleasing lawn, and miniature archways leading to the kitchen and sitting area, this studio accommodation is the perfect place to unwind.
It is also highly Instagrammable, so be sure to snap a few pics!
When you’re not out adventuring in Alberobello, you can kick back and relax in front of the flat-screen TV or cook a meal in the fully equipped kitchen.
You’ll likely want to eat outside on your private patio if the weather is nice!
Since the sofa converts into a bed, you can also bring 1-2 other guests with you.
And, each morning, all of you can enjoy buffet breakfast options, including fresh pastries and juice,
When it comes to memorable bed and breakfasts, Trullo Giardino Fiorito is sure to please.
Owners Stella and Christophe have done an excellent job designing a most enchanting getaway location!
It was Stella’s longtime dream to own and run a Alberobello trullo resort, and you can feel her care and passion radiating throughout the place as soon as you enter the doors of Le Dieci Porte.
The decor is minimalistic, yet very tasteful and intentional to give guests a relaxing experience.
While each room is unique and cozy, each comes with free Wi-Fi, a private bathroom, comfortable linens, fully equipped kitchens (including a dishwasher!), and a washing machine.
Of course, you can also enjoy the À la carte and Italian breakfast options with fresh, local offerings if you prefer, and we think you will!
Of all the resorts on this list, we think this one has the best outdoor spaces!
A tantalizing, grassy lawn frames a beautiful outdoor pool, beckoning you to take off your shoes and go for a swim.
A sun terrace, outdoor fireplace, and patios will make you want to linger and mingle with other guests after your exciting day at the spa, Alberobello, or the comfort of your trullo.
If you’re on a trip with your whole family or are planning a more extended stay in the region, Le Deici Porte is a place to make your own.
I think Chiancole Trulli is the place for you if you want an amazing Alberobello trulli hotel stay with pictures to match.
While all of the accommodations on this list are beautiful, this one will pop the most on your social media feeds, thanks to its crisp lines and tasteful decorative accents.
For instance, the outdoor garden lounge area is a wonderfully balanced series of rectangles: an L-shaped stone bench (topped with comfy cushions) that makes perfect symmetrical shots!
The vacation home has beautiful tilework, stone arches, and carefully chosen accent furniture.
You may have trouble sleeping on your first night, not because of being in a strange bed (the beds have signature Simmons brand mattresses, after all), but because the interior is so lovely!
When you wake up, you can take breakfast in your room or on the patio.
The accommodation has free Wi-Fi, a cable flat-screen TV, comfy bathrobes, and a working kitchen.
With two bedrooms housing a full and queen bed, it can accommodate up to 4 guests at a time.
You can take breakfast in your room or outside on the patio — either view is beautiful!
A structure of five cones, Chiancole Trulli allows you to have the best of everything all to yourself (which makes it all the easier to take as long as you need to capture the perfect shot for your feeds!)
Most Calming: Trullo Essenza-Trulli Antì Charme & Relax – View Property Here
Do you need to completely unplug from your everyday life, catch up on some meditation sessions, or forge a deeper connection with your partner in an undistracted space?
This 5-star Superhost Airbnb accommodation consists of 4 cones designed with relaxation and spaciousness in mind.
If you need alone time, the two bedrooms can afford you privacy, or you can go and meditate outside under the covered patio and outdoor seating area!
The entire place has a fresh and airy feel from its palette of tans and whites.
Gorgeous yet subtle accents of wall hangings, pottery, and wood appear tastefully on the walls.
The furnishings are modern and rustic, and the beds look like pillowy clouds.
Clean-cut lines blend everything together with such cozy comfort that the setting will become the background of your consciousness and allow you to reconnect with yourself and those you’re traveling with.
In addition, you’ll get an exceptional breakfast, a fully-equipped kitchen, flat-screen TV, and your very own patio and sun deck.
You’ll also receive daily housekeeping services and can select from various massage and spa options for an additional charge.
Couples especially like this location, although your dog can come along as the third wheel upon request!
You can’t beat Trullo Essenza-Trulli Anti Charme and Relax when you need some calm in whatever form you wish to enjoy.
Although technically speaking, two entities can’t both be best, we simply had to include a second “Best Pool” title in this set, since our first choice is adults-only.
Like Il Gabellota Resort, I Trulli Del Nonno Michele’s pool has rounded edges, an expansive deck, plenty of lounge chairs, and an awning.
It’s just stunning, and as if that weren’t enough, it also has an added structure: an impressive rock feature that frames the waters!
Since I Trulli Del Nonno Michele’s pool looks just as good lit up at night, the difference between the two properties boils down to personal preference for the accommodations and whether or not you plan to bring the kiddos.
That’s right, children are welcome at I Trulli Del Nonno Michele!
I Trulli Del Nonno Michele’s Trulli range in size from studio to two-bedroom apartments, which means there’ll be something for every size party.
The Trulli feature stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and alcove rooms. All accommodations have air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a kitchenette, a seating area, and an LCD TV.
A self-service breakfast and BBQ facilities are provided with each stay.
In addition to the pool, there is a spa, plenty of common areas and terraces for enjoying the outdoors, and even a fenced playground.
While Il Gabellota Resort is probably the place to go if you want a great pool and adult privacy, we wouldn’t rule out I Trulli Del Nonno Michele for couples’ visit either, as it is a gorgeous bed and breakfast.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Azure waters, rugged coastline, candy-colored houses in every color of the rainbow: the Cinque Terre, Italian for ‘five lands’, of the Italian Riviera are too beautiful to be true.
Connected by hiking trails and train, these five villages are part of the protected lands of Cinque Terre National Park, and they collectively became a UNESCO site in 1997 for their history and striking beauty.
With dazzling views from its many hiking trails, postcard-perfect fishing villages you can admire from so many angles, and delicious Ligurian cuisine (trofie al pesto, anyone?), you can’t really go wrong no matter where you land when deciding where to stay in Cinque Terre.
Honestly, these five villages are so close that the trail can be walked in a single, yet ambitious day — that is, if the trail is fully open, which it often isn’t due to mudslides and renovations — check the trail opening status before planning anything!
Plus, the train connecting the villages is lightning-fast and frequent, which means you don’t need to stay in different villages to experience the Cinque Terre — you can just pick one home base for your entire Cinque Terre itinerary.
I’ve lived in Italy for over 15 years and traveled all across the country, but the Cinque Terre remains one of my favorite destinations in the entire country.
In this article, I’ll tell you all about the five scenic villages and what makes each of them unique, to help you decide where to stay in Cinque Terre.
Best For Bars & Restaurants: Riomaggiore
The southernmost of the Cinque Terre, this charming village is just 10 minutes by train from La Spezia, making it a great choice for where to stay in the Cinque Terre.
One perfect reason to stay here? It’s a great starting point for those who want to complete the entire Cinque Terre hike in one day (and then take the train back home to eat dinner and rest!).
Plus, it’s a lively place to spend the night, with lots of bars and restaurants up for consideration.
Although it may not have a super-thriving nightlife scene, Riomaggiore is one of the few villages where you can still enjoy a cocktail at night, compared to some of the sleepier Cinque Terre villages.
Aside from strolling around the picturesque village searching for scenic views, you can visit the medieval Riomaggiore Castle and the Church of San Giovanni Battista of Riomaggiore, both sitting on the hillside to provide scenic views of the village.
If you’re up for a short hike, perhaps the most stunning view is the one from the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero on the southern side of the village. As a bonus, the hike provides gorgeous coastal views all along the way too.
As for dining options, you’ll be practically spoiled for choice. Have a light meal on the lovely terrace of Bar e Vini a Pié de Ma or enjoy the fried fish at Il Pescato Cucinato.
If you’re up for that evening drink I mentioned earlier, head to Old School Cocktails & Food or choose a wine from the vast selection at Ghemé.
A wonderful coastal walkway, Via dell’Amore, connects Riomaggiore to Manarola. Unfortunately, the walkway has been closed for many years but is scheduled to reopen in 2024.
Until then, you can walk to the village of Manarola along Via Beccara, a hiking trail a bit farther uphill.
This detour is challenging but the views are gorgeous, so it’s well worth the extra effort!
For a great option in Riomaggiore, The Sunset Line has delightful rooms and apartments overlooking the sea, a short walk from Riomaggiore Castle and the center of the village.
If you want to wake up and look out over the beautiful sea view, enjoy your morning coffee on the terrace, and relax in the hot tub, this is the perfect place to stay in Cinque Terre for you!
In my opinion, Manarola is one of the prettiest towns of the Cinque Terre, along with Vernazza.
The Manarola Overlook Viewpoint provides the perfect postcard (or let’s be real in the 21st century, Instagram!) picture of the colorful village built on the cliffs.
The village is the second smallest of the Cinque Terre, with just 353 inhabitants at the most recent count. Nevertheless, it’s among the most popular, especially during the summer.
If you plan on visiting Manarola in the peak season and want to spend the night in town, book your accommodation well in advance to avoid missing out.
Since it’s one of the smallest villages on the coast, Manarola doesn’t have much in the way of notable attractions.
The best thing to do is to wander around the narrow alleyways, the typically Ligurian caruggi, and enjoy the charming views, including the street with the charming Chiesa di San Lorenzo.
Before the Cinque Terre became a major tourist attraction, Manarola used to be a quiet fishing village.
Historically, the town was often a target of pirate incursions, so it featured several defensive buildings.
Today, you can only make out the remains of the castle at the base of a private building sitting at the edge of the cliff.
If you want to enjoy a light lunch or an aperitivo with a stunning view over the gorgeous village, check out Nessun Dorma, right next to the Manarola Overlook Viewpoint.
Another great spot for lunch or dinner with a view is Trattoria dal Billy.
Manarola is also famous for hosting the world’s largest nativity scene, recreated yearly on the hill just outside town.
The figures of the nativity scene (presepe in Italian) are made out of thousands of lights arranged to cover the entire hill, creating a magical atmosphere.
If you’re visiting in winter, you can check it out from the 8th of December until late January.
If you can afford to splurge on accommodation, the suites in this refurbished medieval tower at La Torretta make for an unforgettable place to stay in the Cinque Terre!
Along with the comfortable rooms and stunning terraces with panoramic views, you can enjoy all kinds of little luxuries.
We’re talking everything from a hot tub to a delightful daily breakfast and a tasty aperitivo — not a bad way to spend your Italy vacation!
Corniglia is the only village of the Cinque Terre sitting at the top of the hill rather than on the coast.
Corniglia’s location alone means fewer visitors choose to stay here, since most travelers prefer the coastal locations.
If you’re looking for a more local feel with fewer crowds, Corniglia is the perfect place to stay in Cinque Terre!
The quaint village is ideal for pleasant walks, hikes, and slowing down while enjoying the beautiful coastal views.
As an extra perk, Corniglia is right in the middle of the Cinque Terre, making it an ideal base for day trips to the other villages.
Corniglia is also a great option if you’re traveling on a budget.
While you may not find quite as many accommodations and restaurants, they do tend to be cheaper, and they’re just as lovely and delicious as the fancier spots!
For an affordable and cozy place to eat a traditional local meal, try A Cantina da Mananan.
For a sweet treat, try the gelato at Alberto Gelateria or look out for the small stall selling lemon-flavored granita.
Corniglia sits perched on the hillside, which means you get some truly wonderful vantage points to admire the coastal view.
Head over to the viewing area near Bar Terza Terra or check out the view from Scalinata Lardarina, a zig-zagging staircase leading down to the train station.
From Corniglia, you can also hike along spectacular trails to Manarola or Vernazza.
The Sentiero Azzurro leading to Vernazza is challenging but rewards you with sweeping coastal views unlike any others.
The hike takes roughly an hour and a half and is worth every step!
This accommodation in Corniglia is another lovely option if you want to stay in the center of the village and enjoy beautiful views.
All rooms at Arbanella come with a beautiful view of the sea, while some also have delightful little balconies to relax while enjoying your morning coffee.
Yes, just because you’re not directly on the coast doesn’t mean you can’t have a view of the sea!
Vernazza may be the most characteristic and picturesque village of the Cinque Terre.
As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy — not just the Cinque Terre or even Liguria, but the entire country!
If you visit the Cinque Terre, you absolutely have to spend some time in this colorful fishing village — and it may just make the perfect place to spend the night, too.
The picture-perfect village is perfect for a romantic getaway, with gorgeous hotels and guesthouses overlooking the beautiful coastline and the charming little port.
Fair warning: since it’s among the most popular of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza gets more crowded.
As you could probably guess, this also leads to higher prices for accommodation and dining, so budget accordingly!
On the plus side, Vernazza has more things to do.
As with all the villages on the Ligurian Riviera, the best thing to do is to stroll around the picturesque alleys looking for vantage points offering gorgeous panoramic views.
The Church of St. Margaret of Antioch and the San Francesco Convent offer beautiful views over the port of Vernazza and the little sea cliff topped by colorful houses.
At the top of the promontory, you can visit the ruins of the Doria Tower, a 10th-century castle with a tall, round tower looking over the little village.
Vernazza has a rocky beach to the south where you can relax and swim in the crystalline waters.
Right by the little port, you’ll also find a little strip of sand but expect this spot to be very crowded – if you want a spot to relax, you’ll have to get there early.
If you want to hit the hiking trails, walk the Sentiero Azzuro to Corniglia or the slightly longer Sentiero Monterosso to Vernazza.
As for dining options, you have a dizzying array of restaurants and wine bars to choose from.
Try the fresh seafood at Il Gattaccio, grab a takeaway from Pippo a Vernazza, or enjoy a delicious traditional meal at Il Pirata delle 5 Terre.
If you like Italian wine, Cantina Cheo offers wine tours and tastings.
If you want to stay in a quainter location, away from the bustling harbor area, I Limoni di Vernazza is a great choice.
The guesthouse is in a lovely, peaceful location close to the train station but within a short distance from the harbor area.
The place has spacious, comfortable rooms, but remember what I said earlier about this town’s popularity, and make sure to book well ahead of your trip!
Monterosso al Mare is the largest and northernmost village of the Cinque Terre, nestled within a small gulf.
To the west, the town is protected by a promontory with hiking trails and panoramic coastal views.
Monterosso al Mare is connected to the closest village, Vernazza, via the scenic hiking trail Sentiero Monterosso – Vernazza.
The village is the closest to Genoa, just over an hour to the north. However, the easiest way to reach Monterosso via public transport is from either Levanto or La Spezia, since the train ride only takes about 20 minutes.
As the largest of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare has the advantage of providing more accommodation options, which are also cheaper compared to the other villages.
Even better, this is the only village with a proper sand beach, Spiaggia di Fegina, making it ideal for summer holidays.
Monterosso al Mare may not have the charm of the smaller villages, but it’s still a gorgeous place on the Ligurian Riviera.
The main landmarks in the town are the Convent of the Capuchin Friars and the 14th-century church S. Giovanni Battista with its striped Gothic façade.
Like all the villages of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare is also built on the hillside, but it’s less steep, which makes it more accessible for people with reduced mobility.
The town is ideal for families with children, given the beaches, parks, and great variety of restaurants and accommodations for travelers of all ages.
For a traditional Ligurian meal, head to San Martino Gastronomia.
If you’re looking for a beautiful venue with gorgeous sea views, try Ristorante L’Ancora della Tortuga.
Lastly, don’t forget to try the tasty gelato at Gelateria La Scogliera.
The charming Hotel Souvenir is in a perfect location close to the main beach of Monterosso al Mare and many restaurants and bars.
The rooms are modern and cozy, and some have a balcony overlooking the gorgeous views.
The property also has a delightful garden and offers a tasty breakfast, all for a very affordable nightly price — though again, Monterosso fills up quickly, especially budget-friendly places, so book ahead!
Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.
Well, I’ve done it; I’ve found the most beautiful place in all of the Caribbean.
No, not one of the St.’s where the paparazzi are always snapping photos of celebrities.
Nor the Bahamas where Instagrammers snap pics of themselves with swimming pigs or swarming nurse sharks
Nor even Richard Branson’s private island (think my invite may have gotten lost in the mail…).
It’s one that you likely may not even heard of until recently: Little Corn Island, a tiny island of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants and a handful of travelers.
Technically, it’s part of Nicaragua but feels a world away in the middle of the Caribbean Sea.
This little island represents a huge turning point in my life.
It’s the place where I learned to dive, and the catalyst for eventually dedicating as much of my life as possible to being underwater.
I fell in love with this island, not just for all the things to do in Little Corn, but also for how lovely it is to do nothing at all there.
What is Visiting Little Corn Island Like?
Going to Little Corn Island is like visiting a place from a bygone era, where WiFi is not a given and stars still twinkle brightly in the sky, undimmed by any competition.
There are no cars on the entire island of Little Corn, making your inevitable return to Big Corn to fly back home (or take the ferry) a bit jarring.
The majority of the island has no electricity between the hours of 6 AM and 1 PM, unless someone is using a generator.
I’m chronic night owl, yet when my electric-powered fan began turning itself off promptly at 6 AM in the morning, I found myself rising before 7 each morning as the room would grow stuffy.
I’d get the earliest start to my day that I’ve ever been able to force myself to.
Yes, the Corn Islands did the impossible. It made me, temporarily, a morning person.
That said, Nicaragua’s Corn Islands are developed just enough to make your life comfortable.
After I’d wake up at 7, I’d usually stroll up the beach road up to my favorite café on the island, Café Desideri (which, incidentally, has the best WiFi on the island).
I’d grab a coffee and some of the best French toast of my life as I’d get up to date on the slowly-loading news and watch the island come to life around me.
Other times, the WiFi would go out completely, and I’d be forced to listen to the rhythms of the waves, to feel the coldness of my beer, or to turn to a fellow traveler and strike up a chat.
What to Budget for Little Corn Island
The water of the beaches of Little Corn easily rival that of its Caribbean peers, but you won’t be paying inflated cruise-ship-island prices.
I did Little Corn both the budget way and the bougie way.
For the budget part of my stay, I stayed in a private double room with a shared bathroom at Three Brothers Guesthouse on Little Corn for a mere $12 a night, just a two-minute walk from the water and a five-minute walk from restaurants.
It was, without a doubt, the best deal I’ve ever gotten on accommodations.
I feasted on juicy lobster tails for $8 a plate; I ate fish caught that morning prepared in a mild curry for $6; I drank 2-for-1 cocktails for a few bucks apiece; I dove under the sea for $35 a tank.
Note: I visited Little Corn Island pre-Covid, so inflation has since happened — expect the prices listed above to be about 5-10% higher.
I finished the trip with a few nights at Yemaya Reefs, a stunning boutique hotel on the other side of the island.
At around $200 per night, plus meals, it’s not exactly a cheap place to stay, but for a true resort experience, it’s absolutely worth the cost.
(Plus, they have an all-hours generator, and the first truly hot shower I had had in my entire five weeks in Nicaragua
While the Corn Islands are more expensive than mainland Nicaragua, it’s still cheaper by a long shot than Costa Rica (the $100 per tank I paid to dive in Caño Island says it all!) or other Caribbean islands I’ve been to, even other budget friendly places like Roatán and Utila.
But bring more cash than you think you need, as there’s no ATM on Little Corn, and the panga ride over is literally vomit-inducing (sorry, person who was sitting next to me).
How to Get to Little Corn Island
As you may have surmised, getting to the Corn Islands from Nicaragua’s mainland is not the easiest endeavor.
Getting there without flying is a literally days-long odyssey of its own, but even the flight plus panga ride from Big Corn is hellish.
While you can’t avoid the boat ride from Big Corn, flying will eliminate most of the headache – for a cost.
I called La Costeña rather than order the tickets online so that I could book an open return ticket, and I ended up saving $30 over had I booked it online.
Millennial and thus phonephobic as I am, I still highly recommend calling rather than booking online and going for an open return.
That way, you can just call the day before or two days before in order to secure your spot on the return ticket.
Trust me – you will stay longer than you think if you have any power to.
Things to Do in Little Corn, Nicaragua
Admire the stunning beaches and waters.
However many shades of blue you think an ocean can be, multiply it by a factor of 10 and you’re close to approximating the beauty of the water in the Corn Islands.
One of the best beaches is near Yemaya, which is about a 30 or 40-minute walk from the dock and main town.
But it’s well worth it for the gorgeous beach which you’ll share with only a few hotel guests and a handful of in-the-know backpacker types and locals.
Yes, you don’t need to be a guest to visit the beach here!
This beach is nicknamed Otto Beach, and it’s close to Fry Fish Bar.
There’s also an even more hidden beach, called Floo Beach, which requires a longer hike along the waterfront but is absolutely worth the walk.
In the main town, the nicest beach is near Little Corn Beach And Bungalow.
On the east side of the island, Cocal Beach is where most people gather, and it’s a good sunrise spot.
Wander around the car-free island.
Little Corn is a small island with no cars, which for me is most of the charm!
Most of the guesthouses are businesses are on the west side of the island, where the panga dock is.
Getting off the port with your back to the sea, you’ll have a few hostels and guesthouses to your left: Green House Hostel, Three Brothers Guesthouse, Sunshine Hotel, and Las Palmeras, to name a few.
There aren’t many restaurants or businesses down this way.
To the right, you’ll find the majority of the restaurants, cafés, dive and gear rental shops, mini stores, etc.
There are a few hotels this way (Lobster Inn and Hotel Los Delfines). That’s basically it for the west side of the island – and this is the populated side!
On the East Side, you’ll find a handful of humble beach bars as well as Casa Iguana, Elsa’s Spot, Grace’s Cool Spot, and Little Corn Bungalows, and a few others.
There aren’t many restaurants on this side, but Elsa’s and Grace’s will cook for you although neither is really a “restaurant” per se.
Enjoy the diving — or get certified!
There is world-class diving all around Little Corn just a short boat ride away.
I got my open water certification with Dolphin Dive and can highly recommend them.
As of 2023, prices cost $360 for your Open Water Certification (3 days), $300 for your Advanced Open Water Certification (2 days), or your OWC/AOW combo for $600 (5 days).
I got 5% off thanks to staying with Three Brothers, so let them know your guesthouse and see if they offer a discount.
If you already have your dive certification, diving is dirt cheap! You can get 5 fun dives for a mere $170, 10 fun dives for $320, or buy individual dives for $40 a tank.
Go snorkeling off Otto Beach.
For those on a budget, you can snorkel off the beach with rental equipment (when I visited, snorkel equipment cost $5 per day on the west side, though I recommend having your own).
I don’t know if there’s much to see on the west side, as when I dove I always took a boat out.
However, I do know that if you walk to the north side, there is some epic snorkeling near Yemaya (Otto Beach).
If you walk to Otto Beach and face the ocean, the best snorkeling is in front of the cabanas located furthest to the right.
You can also take a snorkeling tour where they will take you on a boat to the best snorkeling spots for about $25-40 for a day trip.
Just arrange it with someone on the main beach road — Little Corn is not the kind of place where you need to pre-arrange your plans (except your accommodations).
Take a boat trip to the Pearl Cays.
As small as Little Corn is, you can always bet that there’s a smaller island nearby, and they’ll sell you tours for it!
Back when I visited, it was roughly $70 for a day trip per person, you can have a local take you to the untouched Pearl Cays. I’m sure it’s a little more now, but I’d bet it’s still under $100.
I blew my limited budget on diving and devouring lobster while I was on Little Corn, so unfortunately I didn’t go… but this is certainly something I’d do when I return to the Corn Islands!
Go stand-up paddle-boarding.
For $5 per hour, you can rent a stand-up paddleboard on the west side, which is good because this is the calmer side.
Trust me — I tried stand-up paddle boarding for the first time ever on the windy North side and never even got off my knees…
… and even then, I nearly lost my prescription sunglasses.
Enjoy some yoga with a view.
When I visited Little Corn, there were twice daily drop-in classes (9 AM and 5 PM) at Funk Yoga overlooking the beautiful bay for $8 per class.
I can’t confirm whether or not this still exists — on an island like Little Corn, it’s hard to tell from afar is if something is a pandemic casualty or if they just have no digital footprint.
There were a few other yoga spots, and I’m sure new ones have taken their place, so let me know if you’ve been recently and can confirm any!
Yemaya Reefs had their own yoga studio too, so if you stay there, you can practice!
Enjoy some delicious seafood at a bargain price
If you’re after cheap seafood, there are two places that should grab your attention: Rosa’s Place and Rest El Bosque.
These two spots are located right next to each other on the jungly path that leads towards Cocal Beach and the east side of the island, past the main stretch of town.
When I was there, you couldget a delicious three course lobster meal for a mere $8 USD… my friend who went in 2023 said it was more like $10 now. Still not a bad deal!
More budget-minded travelers can opt for the fresh fish, which is just as delicious though slightly less extravagant, for a mere $5 USD… probably a few bucks more now.
Note that Rosa’s is closed on Sundays! I slightly preferred Rosa’s, but both are delicious.
Also, if you want to try the island’s signature dish, ron don (a coconut milk based soup with all different kinds of seafood and yucca), you’ll need to order it in advance.
Enjoy bougie lobster tacos on the beach.
If you’re feeling flush, the best lobster on the island is without a doubt the lobster tacos offered at Yemaya’s beach bar.
For $5 apiece, they’re not cheap, but they may just be the most delicious food you’ll ever put in your mouth.
Their fish tacos are really delicious as well and go for $4 apiece, which is well worth it if you’re spending the day on Otto Beach.
There’s also Fry Fish Bar now in the Otto Beach area, but I haven’t tried it out.
Have a delicious breakfast.
For breakfast on a budget, I recommend Rosa’s Place or RestEl Bosque, again, and also The Sunset Shack.
You can get a complete breakfast including coffee at all of these places for around 100 cordobas, or $3 USD.
If you want to have a fancier breakfast, try Café Desideri, where breakfast options go for around $6 USD, or try Tranquilo’s excellent breakfast, starting at $4 USD.
Note that Tranquilo’s (true to their name) doesn’t open until 9:30 am, so they’re not a great option for an early, pre-dive breakfast.
Café Desideri also has, without a doubt, the best wifi and the best coffee on the island.
Also, their Vietnamese iced coffee for $3 USD made me unreasonably happy.
Enjoy happy hour on the beach.
Of the places on the west side, Café Desideri, Tranquilo Café, and The Beach Bar are the most common spots for happy hour and sunset drinks.
They have happy hours ranging from 4 to 7 (each slightly different), typically offering 2-for-1 rum drinks and 40 cordoba beers (around $1).
There are also smaller beach bars on the east side of the island (like the bar at Turned Turtle) if you’re staying on that side and don’t fancy a drunken stumble through the jungle on your way home.
The piña coladas at Turned Turtle are supposed to be legendary!
Have a night out at Reggae Bar.
Reggae Bar aka Las Aguilas is the designated “late night” bar on Little Corn (a story that every small Caribbean backpacker-focused island, like Caye Caulker, seems to share).
Though to be totally honest, in true grandma fashion, I never stayed up late enough to figure that out firsthand!
In my defense, I was tired from diving and waking up before 7 AM each morning when the fan would shut off.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Nestled in the beautiful region of Provence, Arles quickly entrances visitors with its timeless charm.
The combination of Roman history, delicious cuisine provençale and an endless love for the arts is an exquisite mix found nowhere else.
With a myriad of experiences to offer, and a stunning landscape on the edge of the Camargue, Arles offers something to explore for every traveler.
Of course, the legacy of Arles is forever entwined with the legacy of Vincent van Gogh.
The renowned Dutch painter spent a significant portion of his life in the southern town, where he created some of his most iconic and influential works.
His time in Arles was marked by a period of intense artistic productivity and personal turmoil.
Inspired by the vibrant colors and picturesque landscapes of Provence, he found solace from his troubled life in Arles, which forever remained his muse.
A simple walk through the winding streets and colorful passages could very well ignite your own creative spirit.
As you wander through the narrow streets, a feast of visual delights unfolds before your eyes and it’s easy to see the magic that drew van Gogh to this gorgeous place.
Each house in the city boasts its own unique character, proudly displaying a palette of soft pastel details.
The shutters, painted in hues of lavender, sky blue, and sunshine yellow, all add a unique charm to the historic architecture of Arles.
If you’re visiting during the summer, make sure to attend Les Rencontres d’Arles, the city’s renowned festival dedicated to photography and visual arts.
Many exhibitions are held in historic venues, reflecting the fascinating fusion of art and history that makes Arles so unique.
The Best Things to Do in Arles
Explore Arles’ exquisite amphitheatre.
Step back in time and discover Arles’ captivating history, the roots of which date back over 2,000 years.
Begin your explorations at the magnificent Amphitheatre, a UNESCO World Heritage site as well as one of the town’s most iconic landmarks.
Inspired by the grandeur of Rome’s Colosseum, the French amphitheater in Arles was constructed just a decade after its Roman counterpart.
Ever since the Roman Empire succumbed to the tides of history in the 5th century, the amphitheater has undergone constant transformation, reminding the Arlésiens that nothing is forever.
Admire more ruins at the Roman Theatre.
Continue your historical journey by visiting the ancient Roman Theatre, Théâtre Antique d’Arles, another testament to Arles’ Roman past.
Construction on this historical treasure was overseen by the Emperor Augustus.
While the remnants of this once-majestic theater may appear modest today, the enduring presence of these ruins serves as a humbling reminder of the passage of time.
Don’t forget to explore the Cryptoporticus, a subterranean gallery beneath the Forum Square offering a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of ancient Arles.
See through the eyes of Vincent van Gogh at the Place du Forum.
Immerse yourself in the world of Vincent van Gogh, an artist who found boundless inspiration within the enchanting town of Arles.
As you wander around the winding streets of this picturesque destination, you’ll soon discover scenes that have sparked the imaginations of countless artists throughout history.
Take some time to admire the Place du Forum, forever immortalized in Van Gogh’s renowned masterpiece, Café Terrace at Night.
Step into the painting’s vibrant realm as you soak in the same charm and allure that once inspired the master himself.
The square is lined by cafésand restaurants – perfect to wind down and take it all in.
Visit the Van Gogh Foundation.
If you’re interested in Van Gogh’s creative process and would like to delve deeper into his artistic genius, a visit to the Van Gogh Foundation is an absolute must.
This art center, established to honor his life and works, offers a captivating journey through the painter’s masterpieces.
Here, you can explore the interactive exhibits and engage with multimedia presentations that provide invaluable insight into Van Gogh’s profound artistic genius as well as his troubled mind.
The fundamental principle of the Foundation intertwines the works of the Dutch master with those of contemporary artists, creating a thought-provoking dialogue between past and present.
Learn more art history at Espace Van Gogh.
Van Gogh’s legacy resonates from every corner of your artistic journey through Arles, with Espace Van Gogh being another must-visit.
Arles’s former hospital, built in the 16th and 17th century, rose to fame when it hosted the troubled artist after a psychotic episode.
While this period brought forth a multitude of paintings, it is also synonymous with his descent into depression.
To honor the painter’s genius and legacy, the Espaceis now a cultural hub and important meeting point for contemporary artists.
It’s also been giving an uplifting renovation, with a beautiful central garden with bright colors and flowers, honoring van Gogh.
Time your visit to make the most of Arles’s cultural experiences.
Arles is a city brimming with cultural vitality, which truly comes alive during the summer months.
Les Rencontres d’Arles, an internationally acclaimed photography festival, is an annual extravaganza captivating photographers, artists, and enthusiasts from every corner of the globe.
Throughout the month of July, Arles is graced with a variety of exhibitions, workshops, and lectures that pay homage to the remarkable art of photography.
This is a must-visit for anyone fascinated by photography, and a prestigious award is presented to a young talent every year by the House of Dior.
If you’re looking for an authentic and exciting (though admittedly not PETA-approved) experience, plan your visit to coincide with the Feria d’Arles, an exuberant bullfighting festival that goes on in the city in both April and September.
Between the tense atmosphere of the bullfights, the parade of horses marking the abrivado and bandido ceremonies (arrivals and departures of the bulls), the parades that paint the streets with vibrant colors, and the echoes of traditional melodies that infuse the air with fervor, this festival is not for the faint-hearted.
It is, however, a once in a lifetime opportunity to bear witness to the profound passion that the people of Arles hold for their cultural heritage.
You can actually preorder the bull arriving from the arena at the butcher shop in the Roquette neighborhood!
The classic dish including bull is called Gardiane de Taureau.
The Camargue AOC bull, raised locally, is marinated with onions, thyme, bay leaves, orange peels, and sometimes fennel and celery. It is then covered in red wine and a touch of vinegar.
After a night of marinating in the refrigerator, the gardiane is cooked in a large pot or cocotte, allowing everyone to add their favorite ingredients.
A few lardons are added to enrich the flavors, and the dish is served alongside Camargue red rice, creating a perfect culinary combination.
Indulge in Arles’ other culinary delights.
In Arles, you’ll taste the very essence of the Mediterranean, where dishes are crafted with an artful blend of fresh herbs, velvety olive oil, and sun-kissed flavors.
As you explore the gastronomic landscape of Arles, be sure to experience the vibrant Saturday market at the Place du Forum, a lively weekly ritual.
For something savory, seek out the best tapenade, a savory spread made from olives, capers, and anchovies.
Alternately, sink your teeth into socca, a savory chickpea pancake that has a crisp exterior and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center.
And, whatever you do, don’t pass up the opportunity to savor the iconic ratatouille, a vibrant medley of seasonal vegetables simmered to perfection, all bursting with the true essence of La Provence.
On the corner of Rue des Porcelets, Maison Geninis the neighborhood butcher, famous for an authentic Arles saucisson, unchanged in its traditional recipe for over three centuries.
This culinary delight is meticulously crafted from pork, small lardons, a hint of garlic, and red wine.
L’Epicerie du Cloîtreis another treasure trove for all the foodies amongst you.
While the restaurant serves delicious tapas on a small shaded square, you’ll also find a grocery corner selling vinegar, sauces, spices… as well as artisanal tins of food!
Explore Arles’ great bistro scene.
For a truly unforgettable dining experience, venture into the heart of Arles and discover its charming bistroswhere the chefs effortlessly rival any northern Michelin-starred restaurant.
Jardin des Artsis a great lunch spot while Le Gibolin serves hearty local dishes with a gastronomic twist.
Inariis the en vogue lunch/dinner spot for a sophisticated ambiance and gastronomic experience curated by Céline Pham.
For a Michelin culinary extravaganza, La Chassagnetteis the place to be.
Le Galoubetis a favorite amongst artists and muses alike.
Café Factory République is a great hang-out place for a coffee or a drink. At Mangelire, you can find your new favorite book while you get your caffeine fix.
Whether you choose a traditional bouillabaisse or succumb to a delicate lavender-infused dessert, Arles will delight either way!
Get inspired at LUMA.
LUMA Arles serves as a vibrant hub for artists, intellectuals, and creative minds from around the world, fostering collaboration, experimentation, and dialogue.
The inception of LUMA Arles can be attributed to the vision and support of Swiss art collector and philanthropist, Maja Hoffmann.
With a genuine commitment to nurturing creativity and cultural innovation, Hoffmann transformed an expansive industrial site in Arles into a dynamic cultural campus.
Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry (originally from California, Gehry also designed the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris), the LUMA Arles complex stands as an architectural marvel.
Gehry’s design work here harmoniously blends the industrial heritage of the site with his signature organic and sculptural forms.
The centerpiece of the complex is the striking 56-meter-high Silo Tower, a cylindrical structure that has been transformed into exhibition spaces, housing an array of contemporary artworks.
The LUMA tower is conceived as a fusion emerging from both the city’s Roman heritage and a distinctive futuristic style.
This towering, twisting edifice, adorned with 11,000 gleaming metal panels, is reminiscent of fish scales and perfectly embodies the fluidity and aquatic forms that characterize Gehry’s designs.
Shop your way through Arles.
If you want to get a little chic shopping done, Arles is your place!
One option is Moustique, a concept store curated by Brigitte Benkemoun and Sylvie Demaiziere and a must-see destination.
Celebrating the region’s local craftsmanship, the store sells delicate fabrics, pottery, hats, colognes, soaps and decorative art.
Book lovers will want to stop at Actes Sud, the book shop in Arles.
Aside from its extensive collection of French and foreign literature, Actes Sud has some beautiful rare editions and also hosts lectures and a variety of events.
For the scent-obsessed, La Parfumerie Arlésienneis a treasure trove of scents, candles, colognes and delicate perfumes.
Continuing on the fragrance theme, La Maison Fragonnard, originally founded in 1926 in Grasse, just recently opened a boutique hotel in Arles!
The shop features a curated selection of the brand’s scents, candles, decorative items and clothes, while the upstairs of the chic townhouse has been converted into a guesthouse.
If you love treating yourself to some natural skincare, head over toBoutique Alyscamps Cosmétiques.
Founded by Julie Faivre-Duboz, a former pharmacist and doctor, the boutique specializes in delightful natural products created from local ingredients like olive oil and sunflowers.
Catch an exhibition at Musée Réattu.
Housed in a former 15th-century priory, the Réattu Museum showcases a diverse collection of artworks spanning different periods and styles, with a particular focus on contemporary art and photography.
The museum takes its name from painter Jacques Réattu (1760-1833), who was born in Arles.
Réattu produced mostly neoclassical paintings. He started his work in honor of King Louis XVI before adhering to the ideals of the French Revolution.
After a 20-year hiatus in his career, the artist rediscovered inspiration again in his later years, producing several masterpieces exhibited at the museum today.
The museum hosts a dynamic, ever-changing series of temporary exhibitions.
Admire the scenery and wild horses of Camargue.
Arles is the gateway to one of France’s most beautifully unique regions: the Camargue.
Prepare to be mesmerized as you witness the otherwordly landscapes and encounter the magnificent wild horses that roam freely in this unique protected space.
The contrast of white and pink salt flats against the deep blue of the sky and creates a breathtaking spectacle on this terrain dotted with salt pans, marshes, and lagoons.
Camargue is particularly known for its white horses which you can observe in their natural habitat, grazing peacefully or galloping across the marshes, a symbol of the untamed spirit of the Camargue.
Keep your eyes peeled for vibrant flamingos wading through the shallow waters, and a myriad of other bird species that thrive in this unique ecosystem!
The Camargue — a beloved bird sanctuary — preserves rare species through their remarkable ecological conservation work.
Anna is 20-something writer from France, currently living on the beautiful island of Bali. After earning a degree from Sorbonne Université in Paris, she spent a few years working in fashion before embarking on what was supposed to be a 1-year trip through Europe, North Africa and Asia — which ultimately turned into moving to Bali. Aside from traveling and writing, her passions include surfing, film photography, drinking unhealthy amounts of coffee, and reading through the night.