From small, farm-sourced restaurant menus to guesthouse stays, community tours and Afro-Puerto Rican cultural workshops, Puerto Rico is strengthening its sustainable tourism scene.

Beyond the major hotels and natural sights that have reopened since Hurricane Maria – is a significant shift in mindset wherein local experiences and cultural immersion are taking center stage, including a big push to preserve or create all that’s homegrown on la isla.

1. Food hop in Old San Juan

Sign up for a three-hour walk with Spoon Food Tours and get to know locals’ favorites for coffee, snacks and meals served at family-run businesses that continue to thrive in gentrified Old San Juan.

The morning kicks off at Cafe Don Ruiz – tucked inside the Cuartel de Ballaja, a former military barracks turned cultural center and shopping courtyard, across El Morro Fortress. Try the mallorca – a sweet and savory pastry stuffed with toasted ham and cheese, sprinkled with powdered sugar – and wash it down with a cup of single origin coffee harvested from the 19th-century Ruiz plantation 3,000 feet above sea level in the mountains of Yauco. While Hurricane Maria destroyed 70 percent of the plantation's crops, it has been replanting coffee trees.

Learn about the historical context of food in San Juan and elsewhere in Puerto Rico before and after Maria, as you sample iconic dishes like slow-roasted pork, served at a traditional ‘fonda’ – a family-owned restaurant where the owner can be seen behind the kitchen counter, cooking from her grandmother’s recipes. In season fresh fruit juices and desserts from a chinchorro or local snack bar are also part of this culinary deep dive.

2. Immerse in Afro-Puerto Rican culture in Loíza

The seaside town of Loíza in the Piñones region, a 20-minute drive east of San Juan, is known as the heart of Afro-Puerto Rican culture and the birthplace of bomba. Head straight to the Corporación Piñones Se Integra (COPI) non-profit organization’s community center, located at the entrance to town.

Its outdoor murals are hard to miss, featuring Afro-boricua women in colorful headwraps and voluminous dresses, while the interior shines with an open floor space and stage for year-round bomba dancing and drumming workshops. At the back, a lagoon-facing boardwalk attracts iguanas, hikers and bikers.

As COPI founder, sociologist and activist Maricruz Rivera Clemente explains to visitors, bomba isn’t just a folkloric dance – it's ancestral heritage, a form of spirituality and a language that unites Afro-Caribbean people.

When you sign up for a bomba workshop with COPI, rather than tour operators offering the activity elsewhere to attract tourists, it ensures you'll receive accurate information on the history of Loiza, as well as an understanding of the past and present socio-political struggles of marginalized Black Puerto Rican communities in Puerto Rico.

It also means your travel dollars directly benefit COPI’s cultural preservation work and its role as a support and educational system for current and future Afro-boricua generations in Piñones.

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After a historical introduction, it’s time for lunch. You could choose from any of the roadside kiosks lining Loiza’s main road, but a great pick is the seaside Mi Casita restaurant serving alcapurrias – deep-fried yucca-based fritters stuffed with meat – and sweet-plantain mofongo stuffed with fish, chicken or seafood.

Women will change into traditional skirts post-lunch for the bomba workshop, where you’ll learn the various rhythms and steps performed in response to live drummers. Drumming lessons are also available at COPI, as well as rental bikes to explore the boardwalk.

3. Join Local Guest’s community experiences

A women-led social enterprise and tour company, Local Guest offers immersive experiences around the island, headed by local groups and entrepreneurs. Founders Carmen Portela and Monica Perez’s aim is to decentralize mass tourism in Puerto Rico and direct visitors towards culture and nature-rich communities, in turn providing the areas with a sustainable income.

Unique experiences include caving in Morovis, taking a Taino pottery workshop or kayaking Puerto Rico’s longest river Rio La Plata. Local Guest also runs a non-profit arm, which matches small volunteer groups with a variety of established community-based organizations’ ongoing restoration projects for long-term impact.

4. Stay at an organic farm on Vieques

An encouraging departure from larger hotels eyeing the island post-Maria, the new Puerto Rican owned Finca Victoria is a two-and-a-half-acre botanical farm guesthouse tucked in the hills at the heart of the island.

A 10-minute drive to Vieques’ stunning beaches, this renovated, eco-conscious property oozes relaxation, from its natural pool-facing wooden communal house to its medicinal plant garden. Think complimentary yoga on the sundeck every morning plus local farm-sourced vegetarian breakfasts, while cottage suites boast king-size beds, outdoor showers, ready-to-go beach bags, organic made-in-Puerto Rico bath products and your own porch with a mini-organic garden growing herbs and fruits.

There’s a treehouse for the adventurous, plus a shop selling a collection of jewelry, beauty products and arts and crafts all made by Puerto Rican talent.

5. Explore Calle Loiza's farm-to-table dining scene

The island’s over 90% dependence on food exports became evident when Maria struck. Since then, a consciousness has taken root to collaborate with local farmers in growing or recovering crops and to source locally where possible. One of the most popular areas where this farm-to-table movement is visible is Calle Loiza in San Juan, where fresh dining options have popped up.

Grab breakfast at Tostado*, which features a menu that’s locally sourced and organic, from the sourdough bread to the goat cheese – an improbability as recently as five years ago. Over at CRU, serving a Caribbean-influenced menu, you’ll notice a list of ingredients and their matching farms listed daily on a board.

The Dreamcatcher hosts a four-course, locally sourced vegan dinner series every month – reserve your table ahead of time – and features rotating local chefs who whip up plates like fried rice with Asian orange sesame cauliflower while you watch.

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Nestled between Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is a compact country that you could fit into a two-week road trip. Contrasting with its small size is the country’s diverse culture, cuisine and landscapes that range from the rugged coast in the west to the mountainous inland and from the cool and lush north to the flat and sunny south. Ancient Roman, Celtic and Islamic influences have shaped the customs and language of this land that’s been officially a country for more than 870 years – one of the oldest in the world.

This list of the best things to do in Portugal caters to foodies, outdoorsy adventure seekers, culture and history buffs, and travelers who want to take it all in at once, hopping from one must-see to the next.

Listen to a live fado performance in Lisbon

Fado, a musical genre started in Portugal that’s on Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, envelops listeners in melancholic, sorrowful and heartfelt music. Slow, lingering songs are sung to the sound of guitarra Portuguesa (Portuguese guitar) and other string instruments.

To experience it for yourself, head to a casa de fado in Lisbon. Popular options include Parreirinha de Alfama or A Baiuca in Alfama and Adega Machado or Café Luso in Bairro Alto. Whichever you choose, all offer a chance to see a live performance, and some even pair the music with a traditional Portuguese dinner. For more range and diversity, visit Lisbon in late September to attend Santa Casa Alfama, the two-day music festival dedicated entirely to fado.

Indulge in conventual sweets

Egg yolks, sugar and occasionally almonds are the core ingredients of typical Portuguese pastries known as conventual sweets. Cloistered nuns and monks created these concoctions (hence the name "conventual") to use up extra egg yolks and newly imported sugar from Brazil in the 15th century, and they were initially for the monastery residents’ consumption. But in the 19th century when King José I ordered the dissolution of all religious orders, these sweet creations became their only source of income as convents and monasteries were forced to shut down.

Each region of Portugal has its traditional conventual sweet, with some local or seasonal ingredients thrown in the mix, such as beans in the pastel de feijão in Torres Vedras or the paper-thin, wafer-encased ovos moles in Aveiro. The Pastel de nata custard tarts are Lisbon’s most famous conventual sweet and the one that’s seen the most variations, including vegan alternatives.

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Celebrate Carnaval

For three days before Ash Wednesday, in February or early March, kids and grownups dress up in costumes and take part in Carnaval parades and celebrations that happen all over Portugal. Carnaval is often referred to locally as the Portuguese version of Halloween, and the first celebrations can be traced back to the 13th century when some of ancient Rome’s pagan festivities were appropriated by the Catholic Church. Nearly every town around Portugal hosts a Carnaval parade on Fat Tuesday (the last day of Carnaval), but some are more iconic than others.

Torres Vedras, Ovar and Loulé are home to the best Carnaval celebrations, and they mix local traditions with Brazilian-inspired samba parades. In Podence, a small village in Portugal’s northwest, Carnaval is celebrated differently from the rest of the country – here it’s a unique end-of-winter celebration that inherited the pagan traditions of former Celtic settlers and is part of Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Villagers take part in the Caretos (masked men) parade, and they cover their faces with handmade tin or leather masks depicting a demon-like figure and wear cow bells around their waists.

Surf the giant waves in Nazaré

The giant Atlantic waves that roll in during Nazaré ’s rough winters were no secret to local surfers and fishers, but when North American surfer Garrett McNamara established a new world record by riding a 78ft wave in 2011, the former fishing village on Portugal’s west coast jumped to international fame. Giant wave surfing has become one of Nazaré’s calling cards, and the view from the lighthouse of São Miguel Arcanjo Fort is one of the most photographed in town.

Party at Santos Populares

Traditional or popular saints’ festivities ( santos populares) happen all over Portugal in June, but St. Anthony’s in Lisbon (on June 13) and St. John’s in Porto (on June 24) are the best known. In these cities’ historical neighborhoods, locals hang colorful ribbons across the narrow cobblestoned streets and set up charcoal grills to cook sardines and pork steaks, preferably washed down with cold local beer or house wine. These festivals started as a way to honor the communities’ patron saints, but these days it’s the perfect excuse to meet local residents, share a meal and dance the night away.

Taste Portuguese wine

Portugal is home to the well-known wine regions of Alentejo (which produces bold and hearty reds) and Douro (the home of port), but you can find wineries and vineyards practically all over the country, including on the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. The region of Vinho Verde (meaning young wine) in Minho produces unique wine from indigenous grape varietals, making it the most authentically Portuguese wine of all. One of the best wineries in the region to taste these fresh, fruity, and floral wines (red or white) is Quinta da Aveleda.

Stay in a traditional schist village

Once located at the crossroads of important commercial routes, the mountain villages between Coimbra and Castelo Branco were practically deserted in the mid-20th century as locals migrated elsewhere in Europe. The dark schist stones used to build the houses were not only unique to the center of Portugal, but also became one of the region’s calling cards. To revive this piece of the country’s cultural and heritage legacy, the Aldeias do Xisto project was born, transforming 27 villages into rural tourism areas surrounded by rugged mountains, lakes and riverine beaches.

The black-stone houses’ traditional design was kept to honor and maintain the region’s cultural identity. Local experiences to have at these villages range from nature hikes and wellness retreats to traditional cuisine tastings and mingling with the resident villagers.

See prehistoric rock art at Vale do Côa

A Unesco World Heritage site since 1998, the prehistoric rock art site in Vale do Côa, together with nearby Siega Verde in Spain, is the most noteworthy Paleolithic art site in the Iberian Peninsula. Head to the Museu do Côa first before joining a guided tour of the archeological site and open-air rock art gallery, which includes more than 1000 rock engravings from the Paleolithic and Iron Age periods scattered around 80 identified sites.

Stargaze at Great Lake Alqueva

With cloudless skies most of the year and little light pollution, the human-made Great Lake Alqueva in Alentejo is one of Portugal's most perfect spots for stargazing. These extraordinary conditions made the lake the first official starlight tourism destination in the world, as certified by Spanish-based Fundación Starlight. Several local companies offer stargazing and nighttime tours of the lake, and budding astronomers can also visit the observatory. Pre-booking is required, although admission is free for kids under 8, with scheduled starry observations happening during the day or at night.

Road trip on Estrada Nacional 2

Connecting Chaves in the north to Faro in the south, the picturesque Estrada Nacional 2 is a 460-mile stretch of road that shows road-trippers the kind of Portugal they’d miss if they stuck to highways and freeways. Dubbed the "Portuguese Route 66," the secondary N2 road is seeing a touristic revival as locals are rediscovering Portugal’s longest road. Witness the change of scenery as you drive, from the twists and turns of the road as it cuts through the mountains in Portugal’s north and center to the almost-treeless plains of Alentejo and the golden sand beaches of the Algarve. Take time to stop to visit landmarks along the way or stay for a little longer in each town, experiencing community life and local cuisine. Be adventurous and see where the road takes you, or follow one of two pre-designed routes: one dedicated to castles and the other to museums.

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Think of Brazil and its huge swaths of tropical rainforests, wetlands, long stretches of savanna, plateaus and low mountains, you’d assume traveling around the world’s fifth-largest country would take a lifetime.

But you actually can cross Brazil’s patchwork of ecosystems and unique topography in a variety of relatively swift ways, including buses, carpooling and ride-hailing apps and – if you have the budget – airplanes.

Here are the best ways to get around Brazil.

Plane

Because of Brazil’s size – several of its states are larger than entire countries – flights across Brazil are handy and often necessary if you want to squeeze in multiple cities on a short trip. Depending on the distance covered, domestic air services are usually pricier – not to mention less sustainable – than traveling by bus, car or boat. But Brazil’s biggest flag carriers, GOL and LATAM, offer regular airline deals if you book in advance, and they tend to be flexible with flight changes. Smaller Brazilian budget airlines, including Azul, also operate in the country. All major cities have airports.

You can find deals for indirect flights in Brazil, but you might be able to snag a discounted direct flight if you use this local travel hack: wait until a weekend day to purchase your flight. The GOL South America Airpass or the LATAM’s South American Airpass are also available for non-South American citizens when you also buy an international flight with those airlines or their internal partners.

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Bus

For those with more time on their hands, buses are a popular, cheap and scenic way to get around Brazil, particularly between major cities and smaller towns. Ranging from the comum (conventional) to the more luxurious leito (overnight sleepers), Brazil’s bus services are extensive, serving most corners of the country.

Hundreds of private bus company websites sell tickets online; Águia Branca and ClickBus are among the most recommended companies. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from ticket offices at rodoviárias (stations mainly built on the city outskirts), as well as through agencies. ID cards must be shown both when buying tickets and when boarding the bus.

One of the best values for intercity trips in Brazil is Buser, which caters to thrifty locals and tourists. Book this service through its app at least a day in advance, and a trip from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo will cost you R$60 (around US$11), almost half the price of a traditional bus fare.

Bus services to metropolitan cities typically run at least twice a day from most major hubs, though timetables are often restricted to daytime routes for more remote villages. Keep your ears open for when your destination’s bus stop is called out. In small villages and rural towns, these can be anything from gas stations to the entrance of local bed and breakfasts.

Tip for taking a bus in Brazil: It’s common for schedules to change at the last minute. Make sure you arrive at least an hour and a half before departure or you risk waiting hours for the next service!

Boat

What water travel in Brazil often lacks in glamour and speed, it makes up for in adventure. Small private ferries and speedboats run by local transport companies like CCR Barcas and Biotur will shuttle you every 15 to 20 minutes to Brazil’s tropical islands from popular coastal cities across the country. It’s best to buy tickets directly from ticket offices at mainland ports, which tend to open at 9am.

Wooden riverboats and larger overnight ferries with hammocks brought onboard serve most of the Amazon. Ferry terminals, known as hidroviarias, link large riverside cities, notably Manaus, Santarém and Belém. While you’re mainly limited to river travel in the Amazon, there are a range of options to choose from. Travelers with extra cash can book a luxury cruise, which features pit stops at some of the Amazon’s most idyllic beaches and biodiverse patches of rainforest. For those on a tighter budget, one- or two-level boats and large three-level riverboats are the way to go. For the latter, tickets can be purchased online from private ferry companies such as Macamazon or directly from tour operators at the hidroviarias. Ferries tend to depart once a day, but allow plenty of flexibility because boats don’t always depart at the scheduled times.

One of the Amazon’s most spectacular riverside boat trips is to the heart-shaped island of Alter do Chão. Departing from either Manaus or Belém, passengers can view the famous “meeting of the waters” where the Rio Negro runs parallel to the sandy-colored Salimoes River before reaching Santarém. From here, it’s a short, rocky R$5 (less than US$1) bus ride or a quick ride-hailing service to the island.

Car

Getting behind the driver’s wheel in Brazil is not for the faint of heart. In Rio alone, thanks to a lack of clear signposts and a bounty of one-way lanes, navigating your way out of the city can be a challenge, and that’s before you’ve dealt with hectic highways, heart-racing driving standards and frequent potholes.

Private car rental is still an option for those looking for flexibility or if you’re traveling with heavy sports equipment, like surfboards or kiteboards. When renting a car, local Brazilian companies, including Unidas, Interlocadora and Localiza, offer the fairest rates, starting from R$145 a day (around US$27) for compact models. Insurance costs aren’t always included.

If you’re itching to travel long distances by car but want to avoid some of the safety hazards, you can also try the French carpooling and bus app, BlaBlaCar. On the app, you can book drivers heading to your destination who have spare seats. Prices are very reasonable: expect to pay a total of R$20 (less than US$4) for a one-hour trip.

Train

Because of its complex mountainous landscape, few passenger trains are available in Brazil, and when they are, they tend to be invariably slower and less efficient than buses. That said, if you’re looking for a memorable travel experience, train journeys in Brazil’s south and Minas Gerais are a sight to behold.

For a trip back in time, hop aboard the tourist train on the weekend from the charming town of Ouro Preto – a Unesco World Heritage site – to Mariana in the mining state of Minas Gerais and take in magical views of the rolling Brazilian countryside. Tickets can be purchased online from the Vale transport company.

Taxi and ride-hailing

Ride-hailing apps like Uber and 99 are the go-to in Brazil's major cities that have strong 4G infrastructure. Ride-hailing apps are less expensive than taxis that run on meters. Particularly in rural areas, taxis need to be booked by phone, and you can find local taxi numbers at bus stations, at your accommodations, or in a restaurant or bar.

Tip for using ride-hailing apps in Brazil: Bear in mind that requesting longer trips will reduce your chances of cancellations and delays. If you do take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter, or you risk paying inflated tourist prices.

Public transportation

Most Brazilian metropolitan cities – such as Rio, São Paulo and Belo Horizonte – usually have good transport networks that consist of metro systems, buses, vans and in some cases, trains. In sprawling cities like São Paulo, riding the metro system should come with a warning: it’s tough to navigate and has the the world’s most crowded transit lines. Still, it’s cheap, safe and often faster than having to confront São Paulo’s heavy traffic.

Before hopping on a bus or the metro, purchase a refillable Bilhete Único (R$4) smart card from any metro station booth or machine. The best way to find public transport routes and schedules is through Google Maps.

Accessible travel

In 2000, Brazil introduced a law that required public facilities be accessible for every person with a disability or reduced mobility, but not a lot has been done since then to make this a reality in Brazilian cities. However, ramps and elevators in shopping malls and at public transport stations, as well as wheelchair spaces on buses and metros, have become more common in recent years. But curb cuts, signs in Braille and phones for hearing-impaired individuals are rare, and they become practically nonexistent in remote villages and towns across the country. Most parking areas in Brazil have spaces for visitors with reduced mobility.

For more information, download Lonely Planet’s free Accessible Travel guide.

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Sprawling over more than 2000 sq miles and heaving with upwards of 15 million residents, Istanbul is massive – and often mired in traffic. But this megacity is also crisscrossed by a large array of reasonably well-integrated transport options.

Even better news for visitors is that most major sights, historic neighborhoods and other key attractions are located within a relatively compact central area of the city that’s navigable with a combination of walking and rides on the tram, metro or ferry, all of which are straightforward to use.

Tram, funicular and cable car

Of Istanbul’s four modern tram lines, the one likely of most use to visitors is the T1, which starts near the Kabataş ferry terminal and runs across the Galata Bridge and past the sights of Sultanahmet. There’s also a tram (T5) alongside the Golden Horn that stops in the colorful neighborhoods of Fener, Balat and Eyüp, and a tram (T3) that winds through the Kadıköy district on Istanbul’s Asian side. Two funicular lines, one between Karaköy and Tünel Square and the other between Kabataş and Taksim Square, connect the T1 tram with the pedestrianized shopping and entertainment area around İstiklal Caddesi, saving a steep uphill hike. From the Eyüp stop of the T1, a cable car goes up to the popular Pierre Loti café and viewing area.

Metro and Marmaray

Istanbul’s ever-expanding metro lines extend for more than 80 miles, connecting up new parts of the city as it grows. Most visitors probably won’t need to use any lines other than the M2 between Hacıosman and Yenikapı, which passes through the business and shopping districts around Levent, Taksim Square and Şişhane in Beyoğlu, and across the Golden Horn. A separate underground rail system, the Marmaray, connects with the metro at Yenikapı and goes under the Bosphorus in a tunnel to the Asian side.

Ferry

The stunning views make a ride on one of Istanbul’s ferries a tourist attraction in itself. Boats regularly cross the Bosphorus between Eminönü, Karaköy, Kabataş and Beşiktaş on the European side and Kadıköy and Üsküdar on the Asian side. Ferries also run approximately hourly along the Golden Horn, every couple of hours to the Princes’ Islands and more occasionally up and down the Bosphorus.

Dolmuş and minibus

True to its name, which means “filled” in Turkish, this type of shared transport only sets off once it is full of passengers. In Istanbul, a dolmuş is typically a yellow van with a few rows of seats that goes back and forth between two destinations. They can be handy for getting from Taksim Square to Beşiktaş, or over to Kadıköy once the ferries stop running late at night.

Minibuses usually ply longer routes and run on a set schedule. Both types of vehicles generally have a sign in the front window indicating their destination. Minibuses pick up and drop off at designated stops along the way, while dolmuş passengers tell the driver where they want to get out. Another important difference is that a dolmuş driver will only take cash, not an Istanbulkart or token, for the fare. If you’re on a dolmuş, don’t be surprised if the people sitting behind you hand you a few Turkish lira – you’re expected to pass it up to the driver for them, and pass any change back.

Bus

A web of bus lines covers the city, but it can be hard for visitors to figure out which one goes where they might need. A tunnel under Taksim Square and a parking lot in Eminönü near the ferry docks are two main central hubs for buses. And of course buses are subject to Istanbul’s notorious traffic. Six metrobus lines operate in their own highway lanes, but primarily serve farther-flung residential and business areas.

Taxi

Istanbul’s taxi drivers have a bad reputation for trying to pad fares, refusing to pick up passengers and other bad behavior, especially when it comes to foreign visitors. It’s best to get a cab from a stand or hotel, or by using an app like Uber or BiTaksi. Cab drivers have vociferously objected to Uber, which as a result only operates using regular yellow or turquoise taxis.

Car

Given Istanbul’s heavy traffic, aggressive drivers and perpetual construction, you’re better off not using a car to get around the city. If you do need a vehicle for an excursion farther afield, most major international rental agencies have offices around Taksim Square.

Bicycle and scooter

Bicycles are little-used as daily transportation in Istanbul, and given the lack of bike lanes and driver awareness of cyclists, it’s not recommended as a way of getting around. There are, however, pleasant places for a recreational ride, particularly alongside the Bosphorus and on the Marmara shoreline on both the European and Asian sides of the city. The app-based municipal bike rental system İSBİKE has stations along all those coasts. The Princes’ Islands are a popular spot to ride bikes too. Marti brand electric scooters are increasingly ubiquitous as well.

Istanbulkart (Istanbul Card)

A refillable Istanbulkart is usable on all forms of public transport and gives a 30% discount on fares, plus the convenience of not buying single tickets, making it worth the occasional hassle to procure one. The cards are sold from yellow and blue vending machines at many (but not all) metro and tram stops – look for the “Biletmatik” sign. One card costs 13TL, not including any credit. You can add credit at the same machines. There’s also a website and an app, but they may be hard to navigate for non-Turkish speakers.

Tip for using Istanbulkart: You can also use your Istanbulkart credit to pay the 1TL fee to use many city-run public toilets.

Accessible transportation in Istanbul

Istanbul poses challenges to travelers with disabilities. The metro, tram and ferry lines are all fairly accessible, but travelers may encounter unexpected steps, gaps or out-of-service elevators, among other impediments.

Transferring between two methods of transport is not always seamless either. Buses are often crowded, though some do have lifts and space for a wheelchair. Some sidewalks have tactile paving and audio crosswalk signals, but the city’s obstacle course of uneven pavement, throngs of pedestrians, poorly signed construction and street-side seating, vendors, advertising and storage can be tricky to navigate even for those without mobility issues.

Click here to download Lonely Planet's free Accessible Travel guide.

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Hi, I’m Dr. Jenny Yu, Healthline ’s Medical Expert and Lonely Planet Travel Health Expert. Welcome to my column, where each week I’ll share stories and insights, experiences and opportunities, and perspectives on how you can take the "well" traveled path in your journeys.

As a college student backpacking through Europe on a Eurail pass in the 1990s, I relied heavily on my Lonely Planet guide books. My favorite sections were the off-the-beaten-path recommendations for the small rural towns scattered along the train routes. I can still recall the sense of joy when I found the cafe tucked in a neighborhood alleyway or the boutique in a tiny town’s quaint main square.  The awe of discovery is certainly a human longing, made possible by adventurous travel.

Moving through life, as we go about building our family and career, that discovery evolves, or may be put on hold all together. Whatever stage of life you’re in, however, travel certainly satiates this longing.

Since those days of exploring as a young college student, I have developed a career in medicine with a focus on education, global health and health equity. I have continued to travel both for work and personal exploration. I travel with passion and purpose. These experiences help me in my perspective - that we are more common than we are different.

I’m delighted to be the health and travel expert for Lonely Planet through its sister company Healthline Media, where I’m on the Medical Affairs team ensuring all of our content is evidence-based and medically-validated. Our goal here is to provide health information to you  as we all navigate exploring in the age of a pandemic. This column, as a supplement to the Lonely Planet Health Hub, will hopefully serve to rekindle your desire to travel, while equipping you  with reliable health information.

It’s been a tough 18+ months to be still, in place. For me, a recent short trip to visit family and friends in Toronto from my home in Pittsburgh involved hours of navigating through a morass of not readily accessible information. It was difficult to learn what’s needed to cross a border and back. These challenges can be a deterrent to even the most seasoned traveler. We want to simplify this for you.

The rewards make navigating this challenge worth the effort and then some. Exploration, whether to a destination far and new, or just seeing your familiar neighborhood with a new lens and perspective, is an activity that is good for both our physical and mental wellbeing.

All the stillness from the past year-and-a-half has made me nostalgic for seeking something new in the world. I’m sure you feel the same. Let's do this together, while staying strong and healthy.

-- Dr. Jenny

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Following the news that Thailand and parts of Indonesia are reopening to tourists, Cambodia ’s government announced on Tuesday it would do the same under a phased reopening plan that will kick off at the end of November.

From November 30, fully vaccinated visitors can bypass quarantine if they stay within designated areas in Cambodia for five days before being permitted to travel elsewhere, as the country attempts to kickstart its tourism industry ahead of the peak New Year travel season. Areas open to travelers include Sihanoukville and Koh Kong, the Associated Press reports.

Read more: Thailand changes its entry rules again - allowing more tourists to visit without quarantine

This is the first step in a phased reopening strategy that would lead to other destinations opening in January, including Siem Reap province, gateway to the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat complex.

Read more: Alone in Angkor Wat: there is no queue, there are no people

To enter Cambodia, visitors must show proof of full vaccination, take a pre-departure COVID-19 test and undergo a rapid negative test on arrival. They must also take out health insurance against COVID-19, stick within their designated area for at least five days and undergo another test before being allowed to explore other parts of Cambodia, the toursim ministry said via AFP.

Cambodia was one of the rare coronavirus success stories. It had largely managed to keep the virus at bay last year, recording zero COVID 19-related deaths in 2020. But numbers spiked last February and as a result, the country's borders are still closed and most tourist-related activities are shuttered until the end of the year at the earliest.

But Cambodia is fighting the virus with an incredibly successful vaccination campaign. It's one of the most fully vaccinated countries in the world with 77% of the population fully vaccinated to date, according to Oxford's Our World in Data. On Tuesday, it recorded its lowest numbers of new infections since April.

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After more than a year of pandemic restrictions and lockdown, many of us are eager to get back to the activities we enjoyed pre-pandemic, including attending large, exciting events, such as music festivals and sporting events. So how can you have your fun and stay safe during a pandemic?

Although we are still navigating the pandemic, the world has made great strides since its start in March 2020. There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States, and 23 vaccines in total that have gained authorization around the world. Moreover, the scientific consensus seems to be that SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is here to stay, so we must gradually learn to live with it.

How, then, can you enjoy the fun of festivals, fairs, and sports events while making sure that your risk of infection is kept at a minimum?

Two health experts, David Cutler, MD, family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, and Rob Rohatsch, MD, Chief Medical Officer at digital health company Solv Health, share their top tips.

“We are in a time now where most lockdown restrictions have ended, people are returning to many usual pre-pandemic activities, but there are still 100,000–200,000 new documented [COVID-19] cases daily in the United States causing 1,000–2,000 daily deaths,” he notes.

“So what general principles should we each be following to stay safe from [COVID-19] as we return to travel and social gathering?” Here is the advice that he and Dr. Rohatsch offer.

Get vaccinated

Dr. Cutler advises that, while people must recognize that the risk of infection will always be there in the context of travel and large social gatherings, there are, nevertheless, ways of lowering the likelihood of getting ill.

The first and most important way of reducing the risk of infection with the new coronavirus is by getting vaccinated against it. All three of the vaccines currently authorized in the United States—Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson—are safe and effective.

“The most important action you can take now to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated,” Dr. Cutler emphasizes.

“Over 95% of people hospitalized with COVID-19 are not fully vaccinated,” he points out. “So when attending a large event, like a concert or sporting event, it would be important that you and others attending are vaccinated. And while there are many so-called ‘breakthrough’ infections of vaccinated people, those infections very rarely lead to serious illness.”

Being fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 significantly reduces the risk of infection and, should you nevertheless contract the virus, it will reduce the risk of severe disease.

Since vaccines are often the best safety measure, Dr. Rohatsch also suggests that you should try to “attend events that have vaccine and/or testing criteria in place.”

Wear a mask

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all those who are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or who are only partially vaccinated should wear masks in public indoor settings, as well as in public outdoors settings in areas with a high risk of infection.

They also recommend that fully vaccinated people should continue to wear a mask in public indoor settings, so as to minimize the risk of contracting or transmitting the highly infectious Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Dr. Cutler also subscribes to this preventive measure, and he also notes just how important it is to wear the mask correctly, so that it fully covers both the nose and the mouth.

Space matters

“Large events held outdoors are safer than those held indoors,” Dr. Cutler notes, so if possible, it may be better to choose events that favor outdoor spaces.

Dr. Rohatsch, too, emphasizes that outdoor spaces are generally a better bet for health than indoor spaces.

Both Dr. Cutler and Dr. Rohatsch further suggest that it is best to keep your distance from other event attendees who are not part of your own household. While the CDC recommend keeping a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) from others, Dr. Cutler notes that even keeping a shorter distance between yourself and other event-goers may help mitigate the risk.

“Whether it is 3 feet apart or 6 feet apart, the farther you stay from other people, the safer you will be,” he says.

Remember to wash and sanitize

“And don’t forget about washing your hands,” Dr. Cutler adds. “So if a large outdoor event requires vaccinations and masks, while providing for distancing and hygiene, you can feel a greater degree of safety than if any of those precautions are not in place.”

The CDC also advise washing your hands as often as possible with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60% if soap and clean water are unavailable.

Do not take unnecessary risks

There is also the question of what to keep in mind before planning to attend a large event, in the first place.

Both Dr. Cutler and Dr. Rohatsch are clear on this point: do not take unnecessary risks. Before planning to travel to or attend any in-person events, they say, the first thing to look out for is the incidence of new COVID-19 cases in the area where the event is taking place.

“Attending events in states or countries with fewer [COVID-19] cases will provide some level of relative safety,” Dr. Cutler explains. In the US you can check the CDC website that offers community transmission rates. In the other countries, you can check country-specific information.

However, he also cautions that “right now, the near 100% dominance of the highly transmissible Delta variant means almost any close contact can generate the risk of [SARS-CoV-2] infection,” which is an added reason to prioritize taking all possible precautions.

“Follow local and CDC guidelines applicable to the area and event” Dr. Rohatsch urges.

‘The final consideration is you’

While these tips for staying safe and healthy will help you plan your time with more confidence, Dr. Cutler emphasizes that “[t]he final consideration before attending a large event is you.”

Specifically, the expert advises readers to beware of health risk factors—such as chronic conditions—that could make them more vulnerable to infections.

“If you are at high risk for complications from [...] COVID-19 [...] — as defined by the CDC — you’d be better off staying home until cases decrease [in the area] and/or CDC recommendations change,” Dr. Rohatsch also advises.

Although we are all excited to reclaim our pre-pandemic lives and attend in person the events that make us happy, health should always come first.

“[A]llow yourself to ‘just say no’ to gatherings with other people when you don’t feel safe,” says Dr. Cutler. “This is the new normal in the post-COVID world.”

At the end of the day, he cautions, “if you can’t reduce the risk [of infection] to a comfortable level, you [should] avoid that activity.”

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI.

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Top safety tips for attending large events during the pandemic

Despite its vast distances and huge variety of landscapes, getting around in China is convenient and inexpensive. Sparkling bullet trains zip to all corners of the country, while buses connect smaller towns and villages. Air travel is also convenient and generally affordable from most major cities.

A combination of ridesharing and efficient metro systems will get you around Beijing, Shanghai and the larger metropolitan areas; you can also use a more traditionally Chinese mode of transport: two wheels. Here’s everything you need to know about getting around in China.

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Train

Train travel is far and away the best way to get around China, for comfort, convenience and sustainability. China has the world’s longest and most-used high-speed railway network (nearly 2300km/1429mi). In between, slower express, local and overnight trains connect many smaller towns.

Upgrades and expansions to the railway network continue apace, with thousands of kilometers of new track laid each year, making it possible to get almost anywhere you want by rail. High-speed trains are usually brand new and ridiculously efficient, with both business and regular class sections comfortable and clean.

However, it’s on the slower, more traditional trains that you’ll see the best of China’s train culture, and have the chance to meet locals, exchange snacks and learn something new as you trundle through the Chinese countryside.

5 epic train journeys to take in China

Chinese train numbers are generally prefixed by a letter corresponding to the type of train. G, D, and C trains are luxurious high-speed trains, while Z, T, K are varying express and fast trains. Unnumbered services are the very slowest, with lots of stops.

Non-high-speed trains have an array of seat and sleeper options, ranging from hard seats (the cheapest and least comfortable) to soft sleepers (a four-bed compartment equivalent to first class). Train tickets are sold one way only and can be purchased from Trip.com up to 30 days in advance. Tickets are collected with a passport at the station on the day of travel.

Tip for holiday train travel: If you plan to travel during one of China’s national holidays, especially Spring Festival, buy your tickets as far in advance as possible, as most sell out rapidly and services are extremely busy.

Bus

For more remote parts of China and small villages, long-distance buses are often the only option. Bus travel tends to be much cheaper than train or air tickets, and it's relatively comfortable, with vehicles ranging from express coaches to smaller minibuses and overnight sleeper buses.

Intercity services are often sleek and clean with toilets and snack offerings, while in remote areas, particularly in the far west of the country, you can still experience a bygone age of rattling minibuses careening from village to village.

China is leading the way in electrifying its bus fleets (a whopping 99% of all the electric buses in the world are in China), with around 500,000 electric buses in operation around the country, most of them in cities.

Tip for buying tickets: Most bus tickets can be purchased at ticket windows on the day of travel, but are harder to get during national holidays.

Air

China’s airline industry has grown rapidly over the past decade, and there are now more than 240 airports – one in almost every provincial capital and major city. The relative newness of China’s air industry means that most airports are correspondingly sleek, modern and easy to navigate.

Airports are often located some distance outside of the city center, usually connected by either a metro system or dedicated express bus services from the terminal. A growing number of budget airlines have also begun operation after China deregulated its airfares in 2018.

The 10 most futuristic airports in the world

China’s major domestic airlines include China Southern, China Eastern, Air China, Hainan Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines. Tickets can be booked online at Trip.com (Ctrip inside China) or eLong.net.

Car

Only those with a Chinese driver’s license are allowed to rent a car in China, which makes road trips off-limits to most international visitors. In more remote parts of China, particularly the far west, it is possible to hire a private car with a driver (and sometimes a tour guide) to visit areas that are difficult to reach otherwise. This can usually be booked through a local hotel, hostel or travel agency.

Public transportation in cities

Most of China’s largest cities and provincial capitals have excellent public transportation networks that usually include subways, city buses and bike-share systems, as well as tram, light rail or maglev in some places. Metros in China are generally shiny, new, clean and air-conditioned.

In the largest cities, like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, local top-up cards can be used on most methods of transport, including buses. Tickets and transport cards can be purchased from machines in most subway stations, and bilingual signage in English and Chinese is ubiquitous.

China has put a huge amount of investment into greening its public transportation networks. For example, in 2018, the city of Shenzhen completed a holistic conversion to electric transport, with 16,000 e-buses and 22,000 electric taxis.

Didi and taxis

Uber is not present in China, but the local answer to ride-sharing is the Didi Chuxing app. Didi functions in English and has support for international credit cards, as well as the WeChat app wallet for payment. Didi cars tend to be more comfortable than local taxis, and the app eliminates language barrier angst, making it the best choice for visitors.

However, you can still hail a taxi on the street in a bind – non-Chinese speakers should make sure to have their destination written down in Chinese (such as the business card of your hotel).

Bicycle

Bicycles have always been a traditional method of transport in China (see: the 2001 film Beijing Bicycle) and are still an excellent way of getting around within a city. The bike-sharing economy veritably started in China, and you’ll find heaps – sometimes literally – of colorful rental bikes on street corners.

Though extremely cheap and convenient, these can sometimes present difficulty for international tourists, as the apps do not always support English-language or international-payment methods.

The 10 best long-distance bike rides around the world

Bike touring and long-distance cycling are also possible in China and are increasingly popular among locals. Given the distances in China, many cyclists opt for combined trips by bike and rail. Make sure you come well-equipped with flat-tire kits and backpacking equipment and don’t expect to wild camp without preparing in advance  – you'll need the correct permits and permissions for tent camping. There are a few areas of China off-limits to international visitors, mainly in the far northwest, so long-distance cyclists must plan accordingly.

Boat

Travel by boat is increasingly rare in China, as the country has upgraded and added road and rail bridges in many areas. Some outlying islands – around Hong Kong, for example, or Putuoshan near Shanghai – are reachable by fast ferries. Tickets can generally be purchased at the terminal on the day of travel.

10 classic sailing adventures

There are several scenic boat trips around the country, including rafting the Li River near Guilin and canal tours of Suzhou. Multi-day cruises down the Yangzi River, through the magnificent Three Gorges, remain popular and range from luxury ships with all the frills to simple, local boats for a much cheaper price. Travelers should understand the significant environmental and cultural impacts that the Three Gorges Dam project has had on the local area and communities, though, and take those into consideration before booking a cruise.

Accessible transportation in China

By and large, China remains a challenging place for accessible travel, with limited options for wheelchair users. The biggest cities have received significant upgrades, particularly Beijing, thanks to the attention surrounding the city’s hosting of the 2008 and 2022 Paralympic Games. Metro systems are generally new and usually have level-access platforms and elevators or stairlifts inside.

Access from street level can often be more difficult, however, as not every entrance has a lift. Accessibility options are often very limited on rural transport and anywhere outside of major cities.

For free downloads, including a phrasebook and a general guide to online resources, visit Lonely Planet's Accessible Travel portal.

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It’s time for the perfect trip: you've researched the destination at length, purchased health insurance, and can't wait to hit the ground running. But once you're abroad, you need unexpected medical attention. What do you do?

Even the most well-prepared traveler can face challenges navigating foreign healthcare systems. Here's all the information you need to avoid a major setback and get on the road to recovery.

What should I prepare in advance?

There are three types of medical materials travelers should assemble before a trip: personal information, destination information, and a basic medical kit.

For personal information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises travelers to carry a card that lists their blood type, chronic illnesses, necessary medications, immunizations, and allergies⁠—preferably in English and their destination's local language. If you're treating a chronic condition and taking medicine, bring a doctor's note with the names of prescriptions, including a generic option, that may need refilling. Always bring your insurance card and have your insurer's contact information on hand should you need assistance with coverage. Make copies of important documents⁠—including your passport, and credit card⁠—and store them somewhere safe in case they get misplaced. If you're from the US, consider registering your trip in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which makes it easy for US officials to contact you with destination-specific safety alerts and offer emergency assistance.

Dr. Lin Chen, Director of the Travel Medicine Center at Mount Auburn Hospital and Associate Professor at Harvard University, also recommends discussing your travel itinerary, necessary vaccines, and potential health concerns with your primary care doctor. “If it’s a more complicated itinerary, or if you have more complicated medical issues, the doctor should refer you to a travel medicine specialist,” she says.

Next, gather important destination information like the location of nearby hospitals and clinics, and phone numbers for emergency services like ambulances and your country's local embassy. “If you go somewhere less frequently visited,” says Chen, “do a little research beforehand to figure out where you might go if you get sick.” If your destination is remote, it might be wise to sign up for medical evacuation insurance so you can get the help you need. There's a chance you’ll have limited phone or internet service while traveling, so write down this information and keep it somewhere safe.

Finally, Chen says travelers should “definitely pack a first aid kit.” This should include basics like bandaids, pain relievers, disinfectant, antibiotic ointment, hand sanitizer, insect repellent, backups of any necessary prescriptions, and medication for easily treatable ailments like allergic reactions and diarrhea. Depending on your location, you may also want to consider things like malaria pills and chlorine tablets to disinfect water. Trying to find proper over-the-counter medications in unfamiliar countries or foreign languages can be confusing and frustrating.

If I'm sick, can I just show up at a doctor's office or hospital?

No one will stop you from showing up at a medical facility while abroad, but there's no guarantee you'll get the help you need. Do a little leg work before your visit to save yourself a potential headache.

Start by contacting your travel insurance provider to see if and where you'll be covered. “It’s good to do your homework beforehand and expect that you’ll be paying out of pocket,” says Chen. Knowing the monetary assistance you'll receive will help you weigh your options accordingly.

Next, make sure you can communicate clearly with your doctor or hospital. If you're in a country where you don't speak the language, it's imperative to find an English-speaking healthcare provider. Search for approved medical providers on the local US Embassy and UK Government websites. Navigate under "US Citizens Services" or "UK help and services" to find the proper resources. You can also visit the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) for links to databases with travel medicine specialists and other important contacts. If you're staying at a hotel, the concierge can likely help you find a doctor or hospital.

It's also worth considering whether you need to see a doctor at all. In many countries, pharmacists have the authority to prescribe over-the-counter medications for ailments like sore throats, rashes, fevers, and upset stomachs. A quick visit to the pharmacy might not yield the results you need, but if it does, it'll save you a significant amount of time and money.

What do I do if I am experiencing COVID-19 symptoms?

Even vaccinated people can contract COVID-19, and it's essential to treat a possible infection seriously. Start by getting tested and self-isolating until you receive your results. For more answers about navigating the coronavirus while traveling, read this article by Lonely Planet.

READ MORE: What do you do if you get COVID-19 while you’re traveling?

How do I pay for health insurance abroad?

Most insurance companies require travelers to purchase their insurance policy before departure, but if you're already traveling, you still have options. A few companies, including World Nomads, let travelers buy plans while they're away from home⁠—though you may have to wait up to 36 hours for your benefits to kick in.

If you have travel health insurance, call your provider before any visits or procedures to see how payment works. Most plans require people to pay for medical expenses upfront and file a claim afterward. In some instances, the insurance company must arrange a procedure so you can get reimbursed. Filing claims can be complicated and time-consuming, so keep an organized paper trail of all your expenses. There's also the chance you'll need to meet a deductible or have a cap on the amount insurance will cover. Make sure you understand your policy so you can plan accordingly.

Read more: Will my health insurance cover getting COVID-19 while traveling in the US⁠⁠—or abroad?

What if my insurance doesn't cover what I need?

Medical travel insurance can be a tricky beast, and there's always a possibility your insurer will deny a request for coverage. If this happens, re-read your plan's fine print to see what's excluded. Then, you can either accept the decision or file an appeal. If your appeal is organized, thorough, and delivered in a timely fashion, there's a chance you can get reimbursed.

But insurance isn't the only way travelers can access affordable care. According to Health Care Insider, 780,000 Americans traveled abroad specifically for cheaper medical and dental procedures in 2019. Out-of-pocket costs for medical care vary worldwide; you may be surprised to find that care is cheaper abroad than at home.

If price is still an issue, discuss options with your medical provider. There might be alternative treatments or payment plans available to alleviate the financial burden. Still, you should be prepared to encounter unlikely expenses. Having an emergency credit card with a high limit on hand may offer peace of mind for pricey procedures or hospital stays.

According to research conducted by the Associated Press, private and public hospitals in 30 countries have detained patients for failing to pay their medical bills. Although this unacceptable practice is widely regarded as a human rights violation, it can still happen, so don’t assume a medical expense won’t arise while traveling. When it comes to dealing with healthcare, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub.

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