Have you ever felt a desire to discover yourself and your purpose on a deeper level?

While travel and the great outdoors shouldn’t be thought of as a cure-all, connecting with nature can have a profound effect on your mental state and help you see more clearly.

In this post — part of the Jessie on a Journey “Inspiring Travelers Series” — Caroline Van Hemert shares some incredible insight into why and how.

Caroline is a scientist, adventurer, and author of the new book The Sun is a Compass, which is based on her 4,000-mile human-powered expedition from Alaska to the Arctic coast.

With her husband Pat, she covered some of the most remote and rugged places remaining on earth by homemade rowboat, ski, foot, raft, and canoe. Sure, Caroline anticipated many of the tremendous physical challenges and dangers — among them, pursuit by bears, near starvation and biblical-sized swarms of mosquitos able to drain a caribou in minutes.

More surprising, though, were the doubts and re-evaluations that came with the journey — about her relationship, her career, motherhood and herself.

In this interview, Caroline will be sharing more about this experience, as well as about how others can also use travel, particularly nature travel, as a way to discover their sense of purpose.

Just a sampling of what you’ll learn after digging into this inspiring interview includes:

• What goes into planning an epic outdoor adventure
• The key to getting started with nature travel
• A hack for making your trip real so you don’t back out
• How to reap the transformational benefits of outdoor travel
• And more!

Plus, you’ll hear some epic and true adventure stories.

Ready for some serious outdoor travel inspiration? Read on.

Discover Yourself By Connecting With Nature [Video]

Prefer video?

Watch the extended Facebook Live version of the interview above!

By the way, I go live regularly with travelers who have inspiring stories and active travel adventures to share.

For instance, this woman used a Kilimanjaro trekking experience to heal after a divorce, while this female traveler went hiking on the Camino to mend herself after a physical accident left her without full mobility.

If you’d like to get updated on future Facebook Live events, click here to join my email list.

You’ll snag my #BeyondTheGuidebook newsletter — full of stories and ideas for having unique travel adventures — as well as updates on fun online and offline events for travelers.

Discover Your Purpose Through Nature Travel [Interview]

1. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. To start, can you give us a little introduction?

I’m a writer, wildlife biologist, and adventurer.

I live in Alaska and have two little boys (ages 3 and 5).

Most of my travels are in the backcountry —skiing, climbing, paddling, or backpacking.

We now make adventure a part of our family life [as you can see on Caroline’s website here].

2. People get inspired to make travel a large part of their life for many different reasons. For you, it was the idea that a day job might dim your passions. Can you share what was going through your mind at this time and how you reached your ultimate decision to leave to travel?

I had just finished my Ph.D. in biology feeling very disconnected from the natural world.

Instead of going directly to a career in research, I decided to shift gears and spend six months outdoors exploring the bounds of my own physical and mental limits.

Besides the professional doubts I was facing, several things in my personal life had also pushed me to make a change. My dad had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, my younger sister was pregnant, and Pat and I were considering starting a family.

Perhaps as a roundabout way to sort out the uncertainties we faced, we dreamed up a 4,000-mile human-powered adventure in the Alaskan and Canadian wilderness.

It felt like a time in our lives when it was now or never to do something on this scale.

Skiing on the Harding Icefield of Alaska

3. The trip you decided to embark on was a six-month, human-powered, 4,000-mile expedition from the Pacific Rainforest to the Arctic Coast with your husband, Pat, covering some extremely rugged and remote places by foot, raft, canoe, and even homemade rowboat! Quite a challenging trip. How did you decide on this trip?

We had always been drawn to outdoor adventure and had spent a decade skiing, climbing, and traveling together. However, we knew that we wanted to set out on the grandest adventure of our lives.

As we started dreaming up our trip, we worked within several parameters:

Human-powered, backcountry (off-road and off-trail), remote wilderness, and as big and ambitious as we could manage.

We shaped the specifics of our route by figuring out ways to link places we wanted to see to those that held special significance in our lives.

This ended up including:

• Rowing up the Inside Passage
• Crossing the Coast Mountains by ski
• Hiking and packrafting through the Yukon and Northwest Territories of Canada to the Arctic Ocean
• Traversing the Brooks Mountain Range of northern Alaska

4. What went into planning and preparing for such a remote and rugged adventure?

We spent almost a year preparing — while also working and, for me, finishing up my Ph.D.

To plan for such a long, remote journey, we needed everything organized in advance.

Some of our tasks included:

• Packing endless Ziploc bags of dried food
• Building rowboats
• Poring over maps
• Making detailed lists
• Weighing our equipment
• Researching route specifics
• Organizing food drops (mostly through the postal service)

We had to prepare about 1,000 pounds of food resupplies and gear needed to row, ski, packraft, canoe, and hike.

Because of the remote nature of the terrain we would be covering, it was critical that we didn’t overlook anything, and yet we planned to travel through many places that had little or no information available.

This meant we had to find a balance between being well-prepared and also eventually taking the leap to go — because if we waited until we felt completely ready, we would never leave.

Caroline sailing with her sons in Glacier Bay National Park

5. What were some of the challenges you faced on the expedition, both mentally and physically, and how did you overcome them?

We traveled about 20 miles per day on average and we were challenged every day by the physical demands of our route, whether via water or by land.

We transitioned between different modes of transportation, so we needed our bodies to be strong on many fronts, and also avoid accidents and injuries.

Our safety depended on good route choices — since we weren’t traveling on trails or previously established routes — as well as careful decision-making.

We were constantly negotiating the weather and other environmental conditions, including storms on the Pacific Coast, heavy rain and snow in the Arctic, and river crossings throughout the trip.

We also had to worry about bears and other wildlife encounters. Being stalked by a predatory black bear was one of the scariest parts of our trip.

The mental component of pushing our physical limits was probably similar to what other endurance athletes experience, though we did this over an extended period — daily for six months.

Each leg of the journey also presented its own challenges.

For example, on the Mackenzie Delta near the Arctic Ocean mosquitoes, while not the biggest physical hazard, affected everything we did, from eating to sleeping to paddling. In the Coast Mountains, avalanche hazards were a major danger to mitigate.

6. What were some of the most rewarding aspects of the expedition?

As a biologist, connecting with the natural world by living in it for six months was essential for rediscovering my own love of science.

The journey instilled a deep sense of wonder, which was what drew me to biology in the first place.

By living by the whims of weather and the environment, I also learned to embrace the uncertainty that is inherent to being human.

The partnership and shared sense of purpose were very rewarding to this experience with my husband, and we came to rely on each other fully.

“The Sun Is A Compass” book cover

7. While you expected some of the physical dangers, you hadn’t expected the doubts and reevaluations that entered your mind. What was it like unpacking and processing all of these things?

I had expected physical challenges along the way, but the specifics of these were unknown prior to leaving and constantly changing — by the day and sometimes by the minute.

In this sense, the physical experiences provided good training for thoughtful decision making while also coping with the surprises and scares that constantly arise, in adventure and in life.

The balance between letting go and pursuing our passions can be a tricky one — when to push hard, and when to pull back.

Given the constant barrage of information and input, it’s increasingly rare to be fully present in the moment.

Surviving in remote and rugged outdoor environments demands such presence and narrowing my focus to what was in front of me helped me to process many of the questions and doubts about what might come next in my life.

I did journal regularly, sometimes as a means to process my thoughts and feelings, but more often as a way to record my observations.

Writing my book, The Sun is a Compass, also helped me to make sense of the experiences and ideas from the trip.

8. For others who would like to have a similar journey, using nature to discover their sense of purpose as well as the benefits of outdoor adventure, what advice would you give in terms of choosing a trip?

I wouldn’t recommend setting out into the Alaskan wilderness to everyone in pursuit of connecting with the natural world.

However, finding something that challenges us — both physically and mentally — can certainly be a great mechanism for personal growth.

Starting small but dreaming big seems like a good way to hone in on one’s passions.

In particular, being outdoors is a sure way to discover both humility and grace, especially if we take the time to observe.

I often look to birds and other wildlife for inspiration — any endurance feat we can dream up as humans has been done ten times over by birds!

Caroline trail running in the Chugach Mountains outside of Anchorage

9. In terms of getting in the mindset for a major transformation through travel, how can someone mentally prepare to both face all of the thoughts that will come into their mind as well as use them to have a transformation (vs brushing them off)?

I don’t think mentally preparing for specific thoughts or experiences is nearly as important as embracing the idea of uncertainty — which is admittedly hard to do!

We can’t know in advance what aspects of a journey will move us, or what might happen along the way. It’s often terrifying to step out of our comfort zones and to take the leap of faith necessary when trying something new.

However, accepting the fact that being overwhelmed is a natural part of the process can make those feelings more manageable.

Often, the most important transformative moments come about only after everything has gone wrong.

10. What advice would you give to others who are considering hitting pause on their career or quitting their day job to travel, but are afraid to take the leap?

I’ve never regretting taking a trip, only not taking a trip.

Leaving is undoubtedly the hardest part!

I’ve found that the first step in “breaking free” comes about when I tell others about my plans.

It doesn’t have to be in detail, but simply articulating one’s intentions somehow makes it all seem more real.

Commitments to jobs, family, and community are not trivial factors, but often there is more support and encouragement than we might expect.

However, in the end, it’s important to keep in mind that certain sacrifices are necessary to pursue less conventional pursuits.

And, and least in my life, these have been well worth the rewards of new experiences and discoveries.

Have you ever used connecting with nature to discover yourself and your purpose?

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This article highlights two of the best places to stay in Bocas del Toro, including La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm on Isla Bastimentos, and CocoVivo Panama on Isla de San Cristóbal.

When planning a trip to Panama, one spot you’ll want to make sure is on your itinerary is the Bocas del Toro Province.

From Bocas Town — where you’ll fly into Bocas del Toro “Isla Colón” International Airport — you can take small boat taxis to nine main islands, not to mention hundreds, possibly thousands, of tinier land plots poking out of the water.

After a few nights partying and shopping in Bocas Town, you’ll want to visit two islands in particular:

Isla Bastimentos and Isla de San Cristóbal.

Both offer stunning scenery and the chance to immerse yourself in nature, especially if you stay at the following two Bocas del Toro hotels.

Panama Travel Video

Want to see what traveling Panama is really like?

My boyfriend, Andy, made a Panama travel guide video from our two-week trip, exploring Bocas del Toro, Boquete, El Valle, and Panama City.

Watch the fun above!

Where To Stay In Bocas del Toro: La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm

Approaching our Isla Bastimentos lodging, Andy and I know we’re in for a treat as soon as the doe-eyed pup — named Zorro — runs over to greet our boat.

The 20-minute boat ride from Bocas Town had been scenic; small islands and mangrove patches casting reflections on the mirror surface of the lagoon dotted with Bocas del Toro islands.

Little do I know that was just a visual appetizer; the precursor to stepping foot on the lush property of La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm.

As the skiff parks at the property’s private dock, we’re instructed to leave our luggage, as staff would be back to carry it up for us.

Usually I carry my own bags, though you’ll soon see why I eagerly agree at this particular Panama lodge.

As we walk to the main lodge to receive information on the property and welcome drinks — delicious jungle teas laced with lemongrass — wooden dock quickly transforms into dense forest dangling delicious produce, from pumpkins to jackfruit to bananas.

This main lodge sits at the base of a hill, and is where our group — two Americans (Andy and I), one woman from Belgium, a couple from the Caribbean and a family of four from England — will convene to eat our meals and plan our days.

It’s also where we can purchase handicrafts — like jewelry crafted from recycled tires —and natural insect repellents made by the indi­gen­ous Ngobe women who inhabit Isla Bastimentos.

This is one of numerous social good initiatives the La Loma resort partakes in.

In fact, one thing that is abundantly clear within just a few minutes of being at this incredible eco lodge in Panama:

La Loma is passionate about sustainability, particularly when it comes to the environment, with solar panels setup and a rainwater catchment system.

Moreover, they’re dedicated to empowering the local Bahia Honda com­munity families.

Through their efforts, incredible projects have been completed, like the building of a local preschool, the creation of a play­ground crafted from recycled materials and the implemtnation of an after­school sports and arts activ­it­ies club.

While sipping our welcome drinks, we flip through coffee table books sharing stories of the local people, plants and wildlife.

When it’s time, Ariel, our Panama jungle lodge host, has us follow him to our treehouse cabins — but not before giving a few playful words of warning:

“‘La loma’ means ‘the hill’. You’ll soon understand why.”

I’ll admit the hike up the steep path to our hillside lodge isn’t easy; though I’ll say it’s honestly worth it for the view — not to mention the chance to be completely enveloped in secluded nature.

Instead of being built onto the landscape, La Loma hired locals to embed cabins into the hillside using local wood and working by hand.

The best part about the cabin:

Three of the walls are missing, meaning that instead of television — there’s no WiFi here —we’d be watching birds glide over the waters of Bocas del Toro, the faint outline of the Cordillera de Talamanca range in the distance.

Actually, there’s way more than this within our jungle vista.

There’s no way I could name the hundreds of plants literally visible from our bed, elephant ear leaves brushing against our balcony; though I can tell you I’m able to see an adorable sloth from my outdoor shower.

#GiveMeAllTheSloths

After settling in to our rustic luxury lodge in Panama, Andy and I go on our first local adventure to explore this beautifully raw landscape:

A one-hour hike along La Loma’s challenging “red trail,” one of two hike options onsite.

This trek takes us through La Loma’s cacao trees — where beans are grown to make their signature Panama chocolate farm treats — past the chicken coop and up a steep hill.

Dancing with trees and maneuvering around tiny red frogs and leaf cutter ants, we remain quiet and allow the sounds of the jungle to wrap us like an exotic blanket.

We aren’t in Manhattan anymore, that’s for sure.

Passing creeks and bridges, scrambling up muddy paths, I’m truly at one with nature.

Afterward, it feels so good to peel off my sweaty clothes and wash off in the al fresco shower before dinner; my bare feet on stone ground with birds flying in to say hello.

By the time Andy and I make our way down to the main lodge for pre-dinner mojitos — made with Panamanian Abuelo rum — we’re ravenous from the calories burned.

Luckily, our evening meal is incredibly satisfying.

According to Ariel, about 60% of the ingredients in their homemade meals are grown onsite, from the pumpkin in the pumpkin soup to the coconut in the coconut rice underneath local blackjack fish.

For dessert, a decadent mound of chocolate cake laced with La Loma’s homegrown cacao allows us to truly savor the terroir of the island.

Oh, and I should mention La Loma Jungle Lodge is one of the top all inclusive hotels in Panama, with food, non-alcoholic drinks and a number of activities included at no extra charge.

That night, Andy and I take a bottle of sauvignon blanc up to our treehouse cabin to enjoy while listening to the whistles and chirps of the tree frogs and the gentle tapping of rain against the roof.

What’s funny is that when I’m trying to relax at home I play YouTube videos of “rain on a tin roof.” But at La Loma, I’m living it.

And while back in Manhattan it’s usually car horns and jackhammers that awaken me, the next morning our natural alarm is the howling of playful monkeys.

Opening the treehouse door at 7am, I’m greeted with a tray holding a thermos of coffee and homemade banana muffins outside on the porch; a pre-morning snack to the bountiful breakfast to come.

Down at the main cabin, my mug is refilled with more local java.

Sitting there, all of my senses are ignited through the mug warming my hands, the coffee aromas filling my nostrils and yellow-tailed pendula birds gliding from tree to tree and streaking the forest with their cheerful hues.

The resident cat, Minchi, lays next me at the table to lap up a patch of sun, while hummingbirds savor the nectar of the bright hibiscus flowers.

That’s when I realize just how hungry I am.

Not a problem, as there’s plenty of delicious local food to go around:

Fresh tropical fruits, homemade granola laced with cacao nibs, Panamanian fry bread and farm fresh scrambled eggs enhanced with a homemade pepper sauce.

The calories are needed, as the day brings a truly energetic Panama adventure:

Hiking 45 minutes from Red Frog Beach, one of the larger Panama resorts, to Polo Beach on the other side of the island.

While an extremely scenic walk — enhanced by the warm Caribbean Sea lapping up at our ankles — there are some sections where we must carefully maneuver over patches of jagged rock and thick fallen trees.

At times, the scenery is otherworldly, with jagged cliffside and lush uninhabited islands creating contrast to the idyllic scene.

At one point it begins to pour, though we wait it out in a small lean-to where a local man sleeps.

He waves to us and smiles as we run inside with our belongings, and I hand him a bag of maní (peanuts) from my packed lunch to thank him for helping us stay dry.

Within an hour, the showers have passed.

Before they’ve fully stopped, Andy and I run and dive into the warm Caribbean waters.

Usually I’m more of a land creature, but on this day you can’t get me out until the minute it’s time to go.

By the time we arrive back to La Loma it’s raining again, though this isn’t a bad thing. It only adds to the relaxing, WiFi-free ambiance.

In hammocks with glasses of wine, we again decide against talking or listening to music.

Instead, we let the rain, the rustling leaves and the wildlife lull us into a state of utter relaxation before dinner.

Speaking of evening meals, this one is filled with delights:

A pumpkin soup paired with taro for dipping, blackjack fish dressed in curry and a chocolate trifecta featuring a house-made truffle, cacao nib shortbread and hot chocolate spiked with local rum.

Afterward, we’re in for another treat; this one of the non-edible variety:

A night walk.

One of La Loma’s personalities we meet is Chappey, an energetic man in charge of everything from tending the plants to building the cabins to filleting the fish dinner.

He and Ariel guide us around the Panama rainforest resort property with flashlights, pointing out animals, insects and plants I undoubtedly would have never spotted on my own.

First there are the caimans, floating peacefully, or so it seems.

“This is when they hunt,” explains Ariel. “When a sloth comes down to go to the bathroom, they’ll get him.”

We also savor sugarcane from Chappey’s onsite home, cotton candy-like guanábana fruit and bitter green leaves.

Chappey points out enormous grasshoppers that look like aliens, giant spiders, tiny frogs, cacao pods and a plant that — if the juice gets on you — can blister your skin.

Not surprisingly, I learn Chappey’s grandmother was a bush doctor, which explains his clear devotion to nature and passion for plant knowledge.

Actually, when one woman arrives to the lodge with a sprained ankle, Chappey brings her a bowl of yuca shavings, places them on a towel and wraps it around her ankle as an antidote.

I seriously wish I could bring him to New York to help me forage in Central Park for remedies!

That night Andy and I go to bed early, tired from the day’s adventures, buzzed from the day’s cocktails and excited for the next morning to head out with a local named Roger, whose father discovered a giant bat cave within the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park.

Roger picks us up from La Loma in his skiff boat, and takes us on a tour of the local mangroves.

While mangrove wood used to be a popular choice for building houses, now the mangroves are protected.

It’s easy to see their importance, as we spot a number of wildlife species, from crabs to caimans to capuchin monkeys to — my favorite — a three-toed sloth so close we can clearly see her smiling face as she scratches her armpits.

The highlight though is donning giant rubber boots and hiking 25 minutes through the national park to the Nivida Bat Cave.

Before entering, Roger hands us helmets and head lamps.

“Look at the wall before you touch it. There may be giant spiders.”

And giant spiders there are…

…and bats, whizzing by our ears like flying NASCAR drivers.

A river flows through the cave, and I struggle to manage my footing on the invisible uneven ground in the dark space.

Wowever, as soon as I look up and see what looks like 101 bats smiling devilishly at me, I realize this will probably be the most unique of all the Panama vacation spots we visit.

Our group walks through the cave for about 20 minutes, the water getting higher and higher.

Finally, we stop at a large rock shelf.

“Leave everything here,” instructs Roger. “The water gets so deep that at points you’ll need to swim.”

I try really hard to not let my shoulders go underwater; desperately attempting to stay on my feet so I can use my hands to keep the spiders away.

In my mind, these spiders are like fish; expert swimmers with fins and gills who probably know how to hop out of the water and onto my body.

But as the chilly water inchs closer and closer to my hairline, and the bats continue to zoom by within millimeters of my ears, I lift my feet off the ground and just give in to the experience.

Finally we reach a dry patch, with a pool on the other side. Above the pool is a rocky outcropping you can climb to “cliff jump.”

“Just look out for the stalactites,” warns Roger. “You don’t want to hit your head.”

Obviously, Andy is the first one in. And the second. And the third.

I flinch, praying I won’t need to tell his parents that he cracked his head open in a Panamanian bat cave.

But each time, he pops up smiling.

It’s one of the most fun and unique adventures I’d had in a long time.

Back at La Loma, we end our stay in the perfect way — with another jungle farm-inspired meal.

On our plates:

Seasoned lentils served with fresh jungle-sourced salad and local cheese.

The final bite is bittersweet — literally — as Ariel brings us some guava shortbreads with La Loma’s signature chocolate.

This luxury jungle lodge truly immersed us in nature, and we’re really sad for our Bocas del Toro all inclusive stay to come to an end.

Luckily, we’re headed to another exciting Panana jungle lodge.

Bocas del Toro Eco Lodge: CocoVivo Panama

La Loma’s fearless Captain Kelly drops us off in Bocas Town, where we’re picked up by a local boat taxi driver named Choy.

Choy drives us about 25 minutes across the sparkling lagoon to our next Bocas del Toro destination:

Isla San Cristobal.

Like La Loma, CocoVivo focuses on sustainability and social good; though while La Loma offers an upscale experience, CocoVivo is a rustic eco resort that can accommodate a more budget-conscious crowd.

And, like La Loma, Carmen and Lazare — the couple who owns CocoVivo — have pets we can play with; specifically three loveable dogs named Captain, Osa and Nanoosh.

In terms of rooms, the property features five diverse cabins — all crafted with sustainability in mind — that sit along a lush stone path.

Solar panels provide electricity, so it’s vital to be mindful when charging gadgets and using the fan.

Moreover, collected rainwater comes out of their tap, though for drinking they import potable water from recyclable bottles.

Andy and I have the most secluded cabin at the very end of the path; a simple but clean wooden room constructured right into the mangroves.

Actually, while using our outdoor shower we watch crabs crawl up the mangrove roots, while our outdoor toilet — only for peeing — goes straight into the lagoon water.

At the end of our bed, two doors open onto a private hammock-adorned patio, offering gorgeous views of Volcan Baru — Panama’s highest point — and the mainland.

While having our room embedded into the landscape means we can only use biodigradable soaps, a breahttaking house on the hillside has a shared western toilet and indoor shower — not to mention a second floor yoga room offering the best Bocas del Toro views from the property.

Andy and I spend a lot of time in the hammock on our private waterfront deck, though that’s far from the only onsite experience offered at CocoVivo.

We have one full day at CocoVivo, spending most of it on their main dock.

Here, clear waters showcase healthy coral reefs and tropical fish.

We make use of the free snorkel gear, and also view the lagoon from above while swaying in the breeze on wooden swings from the edge of the dock.

At one point, Andy dares me to jump from the second floor diving board — a wooden plank from which you can plummet straight into the water without ever feeling the bottom.

I accept, gulping as I grip the wooden pole I must climb to reach the board; sticking my toes into small grooves to move up.

Standing over the lagoon with just a flimpsy plank beneath me makes my palms sweat; though once I’m flying through the air — and then crashing into the water — I’m all smiles.

What’s incredible about this water isn’t just the vibrant corals and the dolphins, but the fact that when it’s dark out it becomes bioluminescent.

Now, a few years ago I kayaked in the bioluminescent waters of Puerto Rico, which turn neon green to the touch; however, in this Bocas del Toro bioluminescent bay there’s more of a sparkler effect.

As in, when you touch the water, it looks like glitter is shooting out of your fingertips.

Our aquatic adventures are interspersed with exploring the onsite hiking trails to see Isla San Cristobal’s waterfalls, accompanied by all three of the resident pups.

Hiking and swimming work up an appetite, and by lunch Andy and I are ready to visit our soon-to-be favorite lunch place, Los Amigo’s Fried Chicken.

To get there, we grab the free-to-use paddleboards and head across the lagoon to the mainland to this open-air Bocas del Toro eatery, where only one thing is on the menu:

Fried chicken with fries and coleslaw.

For cocktails, a sparse bar crafts mixed well drinks. Sipping ginger ale and local rum, we sit outside and watch daily local life in Panama.

The thing with CocoVivo is it’s not just a hotel where you stay to yourself and never really know your hosts.

Instead, you’ll get to know Carmen and Lazare as you hangout on the dock and talk over meals and beverages.

Carmen and Lazaro do much of the cooking, with food ranging from just-caught-that-day barracuda to deliciously seasoned beef skewers served with homemade mayonnaise.

Both breakfast and lunch include multiple courses, like a smoothie and homemade granola with breakfast and an appetizer and dessert with dinner.

The food and the conversation are equally inspiring.

When searching for the best places to stay in Bocas del Toro, realize your options go well beyond a simple hotel room.

Whether you’re looking for a more upscale all-inclusive jungle accommodation like La Loma, or something more budget-friendly on the water at CocoVivo, you’ll get an immersive eco-friendly experience that allows you to truly unwind in paradise.

Bonus Bocas Del Toro Hotels

Looking for more Bocas del Toro accommodation?

Click here for a list of Bocas del Toro hotels!

Prefer self-contained stays? 

Click here to check out unique local rentals! 

You can also use the map below to search for local stays:

What are your favorite Bocas del Toro hotels?

Logistics:

Electronics Warning: MacBook Pro problems! Make sure to keep your electronics, namely your laptops, in a sealed bag, as high humidity in places like Bocas del Toro can ruin them.

Additionally, you can purchase a dry bag for when your gadgets are not in use, like this one.

Panama Transfers: Hello Panama is a top-rated company in Panama who do many of the popular transfers. We used them to go from Bocas Town to Boquete for $30.

Bocas Taxi Boat Recommendation: If you need a boat ride between Bocas Town and another Bocas island, contact Choy at +507 6711 8878.

La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm Loging & Rates: La Loma has four cabins, including three treetop cabins ($130/person/night) and one rock pool cabin ($120/person/night) that requires less of a climb to reach. There is a single person supplement of 50%. Their rates include lodging, three delicious meals each day, one pre-breakfast meal and certain tours. Their rates also include transfers to and from Bocas Town. Rooms have high-powered ceiling fans, insect repellent (spray and coils), and mosquito netting around the beds.

CocoVivo Rates: Rooms range from $55-$100 per night, depending which cabin you choose. There is Wi-Fi and room fans, though note they typically run out of electricity after dark (which is replenished during the day). Meals are an additional cost of $30 per person, per day, including a multi-course breakfast and multi-course dinner.

Booking CocoVivo: CocoVivo lists their rooms on Airbnb. If you’re a new Airbnb user, click here to create your account and receive $40 off your first booking!

Bocas del Toro Packing List: A few must-pack items when visiting Bocas del Toro include the following:

• A Vigilant personal safety alarm or safety whistle (I’m never without this!)
• Clever Travel Companion pickpocket-proof garments (I’m never without this!)
• Speakeasy Supply Co hidden-pocket scarves (I’m never without this!)
• A compact raincoat
• A waterproof backpack
• All-natural insect repellent 
• Re-useable eco-friendly water bottle
• ArcherOG biodegradable wipes

Bocas del Toro Tours: 

• Click here for a list of must-book Bocas del Toro tours
• Click here for a list of Panama tours throughout the country

Image via Island Routes Tours

A tropical paradise full of adventure, beauty and romance, Saint Lucia is a popular place for couples and honeymooners.

When you and your beau want some alone time, head to one of these secluded, lesser-known beaches for the ultimate romantic afternoon.

Anse La Voutte

Anse La Voutte (shown above) is a wide expanse of beach on the east coast of St Lucia. With it’s secluded and wild setting – with a large expanse of undeveloped property in the area –  it’s perfect for those who want some privacy.

The entrance to the beach is very difficult to find on your own, and a 4×4 is needed to get there due to the road conditions.

Most people go there for their first time as part of a group with a local that knows the way well. You can ask your hotel to help you arrange this.

Grande Anse St Lucia

One of the most secluded beaches on the island, Grande Anse St Lucia is located in the northeast. It’s known for its excellent turtle watching and romantic atmosphere, and is also a great place to curl up with a good book or to read some dreamy beach quotes for inspiration.

To get there, you’ll either enter through the village of Desbarras or travel six miles north of Dennery by boat.

Malgretoute Beach

Located in Soufriere, this semi-secluded beach is home to some of the clearest water on the island. Moreover, it’s perfect if you want to experience swimming under the iconic Pitons.

To get there, you can take a free shuttle which leaves three times per day from Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort. Your other option is to walk downhill for 20 minutes from Stonefield Estate Resort.

Anse Cochon Beach

Accessible only by boat or via Ti Kaye’s mile-long road, this beach is excellent for swimming, diving and snorkeling. Moorings are free, and boaters and swimmers can enjoy refreshments at Ti Kaye’s beach bar. Don’t worry about equipment, as you can rent it from the dive shop on the beach.

Interestingly, the basalt rocks you’ll see from the nearby volcano create a black sand, which mixes with Saint Lucia’s coral to give the beach an unusual silver-colored sand.

To get there, you’ll travel to Anse Cochon – located between the villages of Anse La Raye and Canaries fishing village – to Ti Kaye Village Resort & Spa. From Ti Kaye, visitors can walk 166 steps down to the beach.

Anse l’Ivrogne

Anse l’Ivrogne, called “Sevoigne” in the local Kweyol language, offers sweeping views and is a hotspot for scuba diving, with trumpet fish, triggerfish, octopus, trunkfish and other marine fauna. It also gets its scuba reputation from its nickname, the “Black Hole,” penned due to a steep drop of over 2,000 feet.

Adventurous locals also come here for snorkeling, horseback riding, checking out 18th century sugar plantation ruins and accessing the trailhead for Gros Piton hikes. The beach is lined with palm trees and is very picturesque.

To get there, head to The Pitons Heritage Site, located at the Southwest foot of the Gros Piton. You’ll need to hike about 15 minutes from the road, however, it is worth it.

Cas en Bas Beach

This secluded beach is located at the tip of Cap Estate and is visited by people wanting to kite surf, wind surf and kayak. No worries about gear, as there is a school located right on the beach where you can rent your equipment.

Because of its private atmosphere, it’s also a nice place to enjoy a romantic picnic. There’s also a restaurant on the beach if you want to enjoy some local delicacies.

Located on the Atlantic side of the island, the entrance is opposite to the Gros Islet town intersection.

Have you ever visited secret beaches in Saint Lucia?

Disclosure: My trip to Saint Lucia was sponsored by the Saint Lucia Tourism Board. I was not required to post about this trip and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.

Bonus Saint Lucia Travel Resources

BodyHoliday: An Amazing St. Lucia Wellness Retreat For Solo Travelers

How To Have An Amazing Solo Stay At Jade Mountain Resort In St. Lucia

Adventurous Couple’s Guide To Marisule, Castries & Rodney Bay In Saint Lucia

Adventurous Couple’s Guide To Soufriere, Saint Lucia

3 Romantic Saint Lucia Hotels That Aren’t Sandals

3 Best Luxury Caribbean Wellness Retreats & Resorts

Did you know it’s possible to help change the world through travel?

Often when people think of travel, their mind wanders to what they’ll get out of the trip experience.

Whether it’s self-discovery, personal growth or a broader perspective, we travelers want to make sure our money and time are spent in a way that benefits us.

Which makes total sense, because travel can change your life; however, if we allow our minds to wander beyond the ways a trip can add value to ourselves — and focus on the positive impact we can have on the places we visit — incredible things can happen.

For Passport Awareness Month (September), I’ve partnered with Hilton Hotels & Resorts to help spread the word about the benefits of getting your passport.

This an especially important topic because, according to The US Department of State, nearly 60% of Americans do not own a passport.

Why is this a big deal?

Well, obtaining a passport — and traveling the world — has many benefits.

Not only does your passport act as a form of identification, but traveling…

• Expands your mind and opens you up to new ideas
• Makes you a more tolerant person
• Helps you grow your relationship with yourself (especially if you travel solo!)
• Allows you to make wonderful memories
• Transforms you into a true global citizen, which Oxfam defines as being “someone who is aware of and understands the wider world – and their place in it”

And the first step to becoming a global citizen?

Getting your passport.

Psst! Don’t forget to pin this post for later!

An Easier Way To Obtain A Passport

Conrad Hilton — the founder of Hilton — believed travel had the power to break down cultural barriers and inspire the world.

This is why the brand has worked with the US Department of State since 2017 on their Hilton Passport Project.

Through the project, the brand hosts pop-up Passport Concierge Booths around the USA.

During these events, you can fill out your new passport application (or passport renewal application), get free passport photos taken, ask represenatives from the Department of State any questions you may have in person, and submit everything on-site.

Bonus:

When I attended their September Passport Concierge Booth in NYC, I was also able to get my makeup done by celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin — complimentary!

Make sure to follow Hilton on Instagram to stay informed about when the next Passport Project pop-up is, so you can save yourself the trip to the passport office.

On that note, let’s dive into how you can help change the world through travel once you get your passport.

By the way, if you’re not sure where to go once you get your passport I recommend taking my fun and free travel personality quiz, which offers unique trip suggestions based on your answers to 10 visual questions!

What Is Sustainable Tourism?

What we’ll be focusing on in this guide is a little something called sustainable tourism.

More than a buzzword, through this lens you use your trips as an opportunity to help the local community you’re visiting, as well as the environment.

Instead of simply going on vacation, you consider how to make a positive impact while traveling.

This might be through ethical volunteer work abroad, though this is far from the only way to travel sustainably.

Also note that not all volunteer trips are created equal, and you’ll want to spend time vetting any volunteer travel organizations before choosing one.

Additionally, this might mean booking through sustainable travel companies — a number of which are highlighted below — supporting local projects, shopping at small businesses and keeping sustainable travel tips in mind.

Yes, there are different ways to travel; but whether you’re a solo nomad, family traveler, jetsetter, budget backpacker or something else, realize that as global citizens we can change the world.

And by the way, if you’re not sure where to go next, I made this travel personality quiz that offers unique and sustainable trip suggestions tailored to your interests.

Positive Impact Tourism: Ethical Trips & Travel Tips

Ready to make sustainable travel your preferred way of exploring the world?

Add these impact trips and travel tips to your itinerary.

1. Book Local Tours With Visit.org

Visit.org — a certified B-Corp — focuses on impact travel experiences.

In fact, every tour they offer benefits a local organization, project or cause.

Their tours take place in cities around the world, and with each listing you’ll learn exactly how your dollars are helping the community.

For instance, in Lima you might do a workshop with Ayacucho artisans and hear their stories of being displaced due to domestic terrorism, with booking revenue assisting local infrastructure projects and heritage preservation efforts.

Or, in Cape Town, you could visit and support a rescued penguin preserve.

Search by destination or, if your travel itinerary is flexible, by cause, like education or women’s empowerment.

All the organizations they work with are rigorously vetted against a number of criteria.

For instance, tours must keep environmental sustainability in mind and can’t interact with particularly vulnerable populations.

Bonus:

Visit.org doesn’t take money from the organizations to get listed. Instead, they’re funded through a portion of your booking payment and through grants.

2. Go Local With Lokal

Lokal is another platform for booking conscious local experiences.

Their focus:

Putting dollars directly into the hands of locals and helping to protect local environments and  heritage.

Whether you want to work with animals, experience local community life, spend time in nature or get a first-hand account of community agriculture, you’ll find it in the form of single and multi-day excursions.

A few noteworthy additions to your travel itinerary:

• Take a peanut butter workshop in Guatemala to benefit peanut farmers near Volcan Agua
• Book a handicraft workshop in Jordan with the Iraq al Amir Association
• Go rafting in Mexico and visit local Mayan communities, archeological sites and waterfalls along the way

These tours offer prime examples of how fun and immersive sustainable tourism can be.

3. Pack Thoughtfully With Pack For A Purpose

Along with the usual travel essentials like a safety whistle, medications, and pickpocket-proof clothing, consider saving some room in your suitcase for needed supplies in the destination you’ll be visiting.

Not sure what supplies are needed?

That’s where Pack For A Purpose comes in.

Once on their website, you can search by destination or cause, such as health or animal welfare.

The beauty of their platform is it highlights the relevant projects and exactly what you can bring to be of service.

For instance, if you’re going to Indonesia, you might choose to support the Yayasan Rare Angon Giri Indrawati NGO, bringing school supplies, educational games, and new or gently used clothing.

4. Volunteer Ethically With Unearth The World

Here’s the deal:

Applying to volunteer overseas usually shouldn’t be as easy as booking a flight.

When you volunteer with Unearth The World, they work hard to pair you with the right NGOs so that your skills and passions match the project.

Here is a visual they created to clearly show what their volunteer application process looks like:

Some volunteer projects for travelers they offer include hut building in Zambia, coffee farming in Guatemala and food security in Nicaragua.

5. Donate Time Through Grassroots Volunteering

Another recommended volunteer travel platform is Grassroots Volunteering, started by one of my favorite ethical travel bloggers, Shannon O’Donnell.

Ms. O’Donnell goes to incredible lengths to ensure the projects listed are ethical.

Here’s an example:

If you’re heading to Cambodia, you might consider working with AboutAsia Schools. This organization is careful not to replace local teachers with “free” volunteers, but to train helpers to make a lasting impact on their pupils.

Or, if you’re visiting India, you might volunteer with Animal Aid.

This organization — which I’ve personally volunteered with — rescues thousands of injured animals annually.

Moreover, they work to educate the community on animal rights, and hire paid local workers alongside volunteers.

Bonus:

On the Grassroots Volunteering website you’ll also find a unique global list of small businesses supporting social good causes for you to frequent.

6. Book Travel Insurance With Conscious

You never want to leave home without travel insurance.

And if you’re interested in helping to change the world through travel, I recommend booking yours through World Nomads Footprints Network.

Here’s how it works:

• Choose a policy through World Nomads
• Choose a project
• Donate a small contribution

Just a few ways this program has left a positive impact on communities in need, at the time of writing, include:

• Raising almost $29,000 AUD toward educating disadvantaged youth in Australia
• Raising almost $28,000 AUD toward cleaning up litter in Nepal
• Raising almost $20,000 AUD toward protecting sharks and rays in Belize

7. Purchase Your Gear Using AmazonSmile

Most likely, you’ve bought something on Amazon in your life, whether it’s for an upcoming trip or something else.

But did you know you can turn your Amazon purchases into charitable contributions?

AmazonSmile works just like regular Amazon, with the added bonus that 0.5% of your spending goes to the charity of your choice, at no extra cost to you.

Neat feature:

When you’re logged in to AmazonSmile, you can click the “See Your Impact” link to track exactly how much you’ve raised for charity over time.

Bonus tip:

Your gear also includes your personal care essentials, so consider investing in zero waste beauty brands to minimize your impact at home and on the road.

8. Offset Your Footprint With CarbonFund

Truth:

Even when you travel with conscious, you leave a carbon footprint.

Along with making more thoughtful decisions on how you travel, you can use CarbonFund‘s platform to offset the greenhouse gases produced by your trip.

Their website has a handy calculator that lets you assess your footprint.

From there, you can “offset” by donating the calculated cost to the carbon reduction project of your choice.

9. Support Small Business Through Urban Adventures

Full disclosure:

I’ve been a local guide with Urban Adventures in NYC for about four years, though I’ve taken their tours around the world since before then.

What I love about their tours — which operate in 150+ cities around the world — is they focus on taking visitors beyond the typical tourist sites to really experience a place like a local.

And by going local, they support local.

One of Urban Adventures’ most exciting offerings is their In Focus Tours, described as “witnessing the most inspiring story you’ve ever heard in real life.”

These tours are created in partnership with local NGOs and social good organizations, and help bring local issues to life and support relief efforts.

One example is a souvenir-making workshop in Poland, that also supports the homeless.

Another is visiting Santiago, Chile to learn how street art helped to revitalize the San Miguel commune.

This way, visitors can learn how to truly help change the world through tourism.

Have other suggestions for how to help change the world with your passport?

***Are you a content creator focused on responsible tourism? Click here to apply to join the Impact Travel Alliance Media Network!

Enjoyed this post? Pin it for later!

Virginia National Wildlife Refuge. Photo courtesy of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

1. James River Park System

2. Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

Blue Ridge Mountains. Photo courtesy of Bob Mical.

3. Smith Mountain Lake State Park

4. Shenandoah National Park

5. Blue Ridge Mountains

What is your favorite eco-tourism location in Richmond? 

Warm bath crystals infused with Kangaroo Island’s pure Ligurian honey and kiln-dried Australian sea salt. Wild lavender milk bath with pulverized local lavender and essential oils. Hand-collected Bay Of Shoals mineral salts blended with rose otto.

I’m currently laying in a claw-footed bathtub, submerged in pure cocoa butter and sweet almond oil water. In my right hand is a glass of sparkling Chardonnay as I stare appreciatively out my floor-to-ceiling window at the dolphins jumping out of Hanson Bay. Sinking back deeper into the hot water, drenching myself in lemongrass and vanilla, I feel oddly in touch with nature even though I’m indoors.

I’m at Southern Ocean Lodge, an eco-friendly cliff top property located in South Australia’s Kangaroo Island that is one of the best places to visit in Australia.

And here’s why:

While they provide guests with over-the-top luxury, they also cater to ethical travelers with recycled materials in their design and locally-sourced ingredients in their restaurant and spa.

In terms of local culture, the philosophy of the accommodation matches perfectly. While Kangaroo Island is a remote, untouched island, Southern Ocean Lodge sits in a secluded corner of the island’s southwest pocket. This is why, even though I’m completely naked in front of transparent walls indulging in Australian wine and honey-inspired bath milk, I’m not worried about onlookers.

The clock reads 5pm. I down my last sip of wine, wrap myself in a plush robe and start primping for canapés and pre-dinner drinks. A tantalizing spread showcasing fried Oyster Cove Shellfish oysters, mini Southrock lamb burgers and Island Pure manchego croquettes sits on the bar, and I immediately dive into the platters.

“What do you recommend as a good red wine?” I ask Mr. John Hird, the property’s General Manager.

He gives me a knowing smile. “Why don’t we take a look in the wine cellar?”

I’m taken to a circular room with rows of neatly organized wines, all from South Australia. Labels like Johnston Pinot Noir, The Islander Cabernet-Shiraz-Viognier and Majella Shiraz surround me; however, in the end we settle on a bottle of 2010 Jim Barry ‘The Cover Drive” Cabernet Sauvignon from South Australia’s Coonawarra wine region. It’s a medium-bodied garnet-red wine with flavors of blackcurrant, sandalwood, liquorice and morello cherries.

My group sits down to dinner, a five course gourmet meal. The ingredients for each dish are sourced from artisanal local producers, and the menu changes daily based on what’s fresh and available. Highlights of their offerings include Island Beehive Ligurian honey, sustainably sourced seafoods like marron, abalone, lobster and oysters, ‘Rare Breeds’ pork, Island Pure sheep milk dairy, Southrock lamb, Fryars eggs and free-range chicken, Kangaroo Island saffron and the mineral-rich Bay of Shoals salt. It’s another instance of the property aligning with the local culture, and one I’m excited to explore.

To start, we are brought a crude of yellowtail king fish that’s enhanced with a wild fennel seed, local yogurt and seawater vinaigrette, followed by an Imman Valley chicken liver parfait featuring pickled celery, hazelnut and crumble, sweetened with Kangaroo Island fig syrup. By this point my tongue is alive from the intricate flavors, while my belly is beginning to get full from the abundance of wine and food; however, I can’t say no when a wild rosemary-crusted loin of open range venison marinated in mulled wine, roasted shallot and mushroom is placed before me. I eat every last bite, savoring the local flavors of the island.

Before dessert, a platter South Australian cheeses is put down on the table for the group to share. There’s a Paris Creek bio dynamic farm ‘Camembert,’ which is a creamy, surface-ripened white mold cheese made from cow’s milk. There’s also a Divine Dairy ‘ French Style Blue’ from the Adelaide Hills, a mild cow’s milk blue cheese with a sweet buttery flavor. A goat’s milk ‘Lemon Myrtle Chèvre’ from Woodside Cheese Wrights delivers a hint of citrus, toned down by the cheese’s freshness; however, for me the Hindmarsh Valley Dairy ‘Cabra al Vino’ steals the show. The formag is a goat’s milk cheese soaked in Victor Harbor Cabernet Sauvignon for five days, dried and then soaked again for 12 hours to give the buttery, slightly nutty cheese a reddish color and a slight peppery twist.

The meal ends with a stand-up tray of mini-ice cream cones — chocolate, vanilla and rosemary flavors — followed by a plate of fine chocolates and salted caramels. I switch to a dessert wine, a 2010 Hollick ‘The Nectar’ from the Coonawarra, which seems to be my wine region of choice for the night. Each sip of fruit and honey and every bite of chocolate is complimented by the twinkling of the stars through the translucent walls and the waves lapping up onto the beach. It’s luxury gone local at its finest.

Sinta welcoming me with a traditional welcoming ceremony.

By Jessie Festa. This post was originally published on Epicure & Culture.

“You are most welcome,” says Sinta, an Indian woman dressed in a teal housecoat and saree , as she performs a traditional Indian welcoming ceremony.

As camphor burns in a coconut husk, she places a dab of sandalwood dust on my forehead. Another woman appears with a garland of jasmine and places it around my neck, before another offers me a glass of lemon water.

I’m currently at Dewalokam, which means “paradise,” an organic farm and homestay property on the banks of Kannadipuzha in Kerala, India.

Sinta is one of the property managers along with her husband, Jose. From the grounds, I can clearly make out the peaks of the Western Ghats.

What’s even more prominent, though, is the 12 acres (5 hectares) — although surrounded by jungle it feels like much more — of Ayurveda herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables.

Dewalokam guestroom in the Kerala House.

History

The small farm was purchased in 1918 by Jose’s family.

His great grandfather — a businessman engaged in the export of spices — lost everything, but was able to purchase the patch of land Dewalokam now sits on by selling his wife’s gold ornaments.

Jose’s father began working on the farm in 1922 at the age of eight. He farmed on the land until he was 88, passing the tradition down to his son, Jose, and wife, Sinta.

Located in the heart of Kerala’s Spice Belt, fruits and spices naturally flourished on the property.

It wasn’t until 2003 when Jose’s eldest brother Fr. Paul Joseph began visiting often from Germany (where he was working at a hospital) with his friends that the idea to add on a guest house was born.

Petting the animals at Dewalokam.

Going Organic

Dewalokam is an organic farm, growing hundreds of spices and everything one could ever need in their kitchen or medicine cabinet:

Cinnamon, clove, allspice, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, curry leaves, campha, cinconia, lemongrass, frankincense, wrightia inctoria, sandalwood, nutmeg, pepper, chili, drumstick plant, coffee, star fruit, mango, pineapple, eggplant, gooseberries, jackfruit, long bean, cashews, cocoa and even their own beehives to make honey, which is served with breakfast each morning, and farm animals to make buffalo mozzarella, cow’s milk and farm fresh chicken eggs.

“We produce milk and honey, vegetables and fruits, and spices, fish and meat in the farm,” explains Jose. “We try to be sustainable in our farm activities.”

Sinta, Jose, Paul and Tara

Along with not using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, they also forgo tilling the soil, as this can cause erosion.

Additionally, they keep cattle for dairy and, from the fermentation of the cow dung use the resulting methane for cooking gas. The slurry coming from the gas plant is used as manure in the farm.

From the kitchen, organic waste is fed to chickens and goats and also used for composting.

And to heat the water, solar energy is used.

This sustainable ideology is what allows them to have such a high-quality spice garden and farm operation that is also an incredible India travel experience. 

Hints of these spices are everywhere, even in your room, where you’re greeted with a pitcher of sweet cardamom-spiced drinking water and the fresh scent of lemongrass from the natural cleaners.

Sinta cutting up a fresh pineapple on a tour of the spice gardens.

A Fragrant Spice Walk

A spice garden tour led by Sinta makes it clear just how large and lush the property is. It takes an hour and half just to go over the main ingredients grown, and I learn a lot about how the plants are used.

While black pepper improves digestion and antibacterial effects, cinchona treats malaria.

Then there’s allspice, which can essentially be used in place of any lacking spice. While ginger works to combat digestive issues and acts as an anti-inflammatory, cinnamon regulates blood sugar and is effective for menstrual cramps and infertility.

And for a powerful antioxidant and cancer-blocking agent. Not only are these natural ingredients curative, but they also enhance the spice-rich dishes India is known for.

Essentially, I’m walking through the world’s most delicious and fragrant medicine cabinet.

“Here, taste this,” Sinta says, cutting a piece of bark off a tree. I never knew you could eat bark before, but if she says so. “What is it?”

The taste seems familiar, although like many of the spices we’ve tasted today I can’t quite place it. I know I’ve had it…it reminds me of Christmas…it’s a little spicy…

“It’s cinnamon,” Sinta smiles, noticing my furrowed brow. “The thumb size branches of cinnamon trees are cut and the bark is peeled and dried. The bark rolls by itself when it is dried.”

It’s also interesting to see how white, black, green, yellow and red pepper all come from the same plant; it just depends what stage it’s in, whether you peel the skin or if you sun dry it.

As my boyfriend is diabetic, the insulin leaves also grab my attention. Apparently, if you eat one leaf a day for a year you’ll essentially be cured.

Chef skewering chicken before placing it in the tandoor.

Cooking In Culture

A cooking demonstration further introduces me to Kerala culture and its delicious dishes.

Chef Sudhish starts out by showing the group how to make a Vegetable Makri, which contains about 10+ spices: clove, star anise, cinnamon, turmeric, chili, cumin as well as cashew nuts, green chilies, onion, and garlic.

He fries these in vegetable oil along with fresh produce from their onsite garden.

We’re also shown how to make tandoori chicken, with bone-in chicken breasts coated in homemade buffalo yogurt, ginger, garlic paste, cumin, rock salt, and mustard oil before being placed on a giant skewer and stuck into the tandoor oven, set at 480 °C (900 °F).

Looking down the Kaliyar River.

Natural Immersion

Not only is Dewalokam rich in organically grown produce and aromatics, but also wildlife, namely birds.

A leisurely bamboo rafting trip up the Kaliyar River — enveloped by the Udiki Forest Reserve — immerses me in giant banana leaves and thick mangroves as well as the calls of the oriole, racket-tailed drongo, kingfisher, paradise flycatcher, and sunbird.

On this river, there are over 60 bird species, and it’s not uncommon to spot 40 or more in one day.

That night, dinner is enjoyed outside under the stars, where the very sounds heard on the river can be enjoyed over a local meal.

It is a feast of Indian flavors: the tandoor-roasted chicken, the spice-rich maki, a refreshing mint chutney, thin roti, flavorful basmati rice, and homemade buffalo yogurt as a condiment.

For dessert, sticky-sweet syrup gowns my taste buds as I bite into a gulab jamun, which tastes like a cinnamon-flavored cake ball drench with maple syrup.

At breakfast, the farm-fresh spice-enhanced foods continue with a plate of garden-picked fruits — banana, papaya, pineapple, and watermelon — a spicy masala omelet, toast paired with onsite-harvested honey and homemade pineapple jam, and a tall glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice.

At this point, I feel so healthy and spice fed that I probably won’t need to go to the doctor for at least a year.

Gulab Jamun. Photo courtesy of ukanda.

Becoming Family

Seeing how your food is made with your own eyes really gives you an appreciation and understanding of it.

When you see how it’s prepared and know where the ingredients come from, a dish like chicken tandoori goes from “Hey, this is tasty” to “Wow!

The locally grown cinnamon gives this a sweet yet spicy flavor while the buffalo yogurt from the very buffalo I pet this morning adds a certain creaminess to the texture.”

The intimacy of Dewalokam — which has eight guest rooms in the main building and three in the main house — helps me make friends quickly (a definite India solo travel perk!). It’s hard to think about saying goodbye, and I sip my OJ with a heavy heart.

Over morning yoga in the garden, rafting trips, dips in the river, waterfall hikes, and bird-watching excursions strangers become family.

And it’s not just with the other guests, but also with Sinta and Jose, as well as their children Tara and Paul, who are always around helping out and making the guests laugh. D

ewalokam isn’t a tourist attraction or a hotel, it’s a sustainable, delicious, and interactive experience.

Have you ever stayed on an organic farm in India?

Bonus Kerala, India Travel Guides

10 Reasons Why Kerala Should Be Your Next Trip

India Travel: Houseboating Through Kerala’s Backwaters

Cycling The “Scotland Of Asia” To An Organic Farm In India

Cycling India’s Cardamom Trail In Kerala

Ascending High Peaks & Hiking Through The World’s Highest Organic Tea Garden In Kerala, India

Why Kerala’s Silent Valley Is One Of The World’s Best National Parks

Cycling Kerala’s Culturally-Immersive Canal Route

But Kinley, my guide, has done this plenty of times, and I feel safe knowing I’m in good hands.

And when we start heading up a steep incline, leveling out on the rim of a massive valley full of trees and rolling hills, peaks shrouded in clouds so thick it looks like there was an explosion in the sky, it’s immediately clear that Phobjikha Valley, or as I like to call it the Valley of the Black-necked Crane, was worth the journey.

This place is unique in Bhutan for its endless flat fields of bamboo shrubs, mountains forming the rim of a waterless swimming pool for the local birds that dive and plunge into it from the sky.

Moreover, it’s home to the Black-necked Crane, one of the rarest species of crane in the world.

Honestly, if you’ll be traveling to Asia and can get over to Bhutan, you shouldn’t miss visiting the Phobjikha Valley. 

One quick tip before we dive into the experience:

Grab my free Ultimate Travel Planning Kit — which also includes a downloadable Google Map of my full Bhutan itinerary.

Add the map to your phone to have it ready to go for your trip!

Bhutan Is Unique

Before we get into this must-visit Bhutan destination, I’ve got a video for you: