Tag Bungalows

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Ever see those “free beer tomorrow” signs at your local watering hole? Well, that classic marketing trick to lure in customers just got outdone.

There’s a tiny Caribbean island serving complimentary brewskies (for real) and welcoming the public for the first time after initially requiring an invitation.

Let’s be real. At surface level, that sounds a little, shall we say…culty?

Don’t worry, though. You won’t end up on a Netflix documentary somewhere down the line questioning your life choices.

This place is the real deal and some of the first with the privilege to visit raved about it, describing the experience as ‘what dreams are made of’.

Corona Island, yes, that Corona, is a new retreat set offshore from Colombia and enticing travelers with free beer and waterfront bungalows to skip Punta Cana, The Bahamas, and even Colombia’s own Cartagena as their next Caribbean beach escape.

Corona Island: An Eco-Friendly Retreat With Posh Perks

No matter your beliefs on climate change and all the political talking points we’re surely all tired of hearing regurgitated on our screens, Corona Island’s focus is first and foremost sustainability — something we can all appreciate.

While beer might be a guilty pleasure, the guilt of less sustainable travel is absent here and the only world’s first and only island certified by Oceanic Global (a plastic-free designation).

Beer in plastic bottles would be a little weird anyway, right?

Powered by solar panels, the island still manages to house a restaurant, the Sunclub sunset deck, and 10 bungalows all made of local sustainable materials without sacrificing quality.

Reaching Corona Island

Paradise is a short ride away from one of Colombia’s most sought-after beach cities, Cartagena. But hey, isolated islands have a completely different appeal than the hustle and bustle of major cities.

Cartagena is the only gateway to reach Corona Island, so it’s a good thing this city is so well connected.

When booking online, guests can select from two different packages:

Option 1): A Day In Paradise

This package is essentially a curated day trip for those looking to add-on to their Cartagena adventures.

Option 2): Wake Up In Paradise

If you opt for a sleepover, there’s certainly few places more dreamy than a seaside bungalow, where you can wake up to the stunning azure waters of the Caribbean and fall asleep to the sounds of crashing waves.

In addition to round-trip speedboat transportation from Cartagena, guests can expect the following for both packages:

• A reserved beachside lounger ​
• Three-course lunch served à la carte
• Selections of Corona Extra & Corona Cero​ (as promised!)
• Kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding excursions

Corona Island’s Beachfront Bungalows

News is spreading fast about Corona Island’s opening, so you’ll want to book online ASAP to snag one of a limited number of bungalows.

For example, there are only 3 days in May still available as of this posting (May 26th – 28th), which costs about $609.

Oddly enough, the ‘King Bed’ bungalow is the same price as the ‘Twin Bed’ bungalow. Word to the wise.

With less than a dozen bungalows to choose from, there’s no time to let doubt creep in — just book this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Each bungalow offers private terrace overlooking the Caribbean, a jacuzzi, and even an outdoor shower to cleanse yourself of sandy crevices before a nice dinner at the on-site restaurant, offering a meticulously crafted menu of local flavors and fresh seafood catches.

While not included in a description, it appears each bungalow is equipped with mosquito nets too — a necessity here.

But that’s not the only life form you’ll witness here as there are wild macaws, titi monkeys (hey, I didn’t name them!), and most notably, a sea turtle nesting ground.

Once you walk outside your bungalow, it feels like you’re in another world. This biodiverse island offers an array of wildlife, exotic beaches seem like the edge of Earth, and limitless skies perfect for stargazing after taking in epic sunsets.

For an additional (undisclosed) cost, you can also add-on these experiences:

▪︎ Mangrove Reforestation
▪︎ Coral Reef Recovery (snorkeling)
▪︎ Spa

All rates include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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As the general hordes of holiday shoppers are in full force, we can surely all relate to avoiding crowds.

Whether it’s opting for Uber Eats, Amazon Prime, or traveling to places you didn’t know existed, the common denominator is all the same.

When it comes to Thailand, two places you want to avoid for these types of frustrations are definitely Phuket and Bangkok, albeit the latter is an urban sprawl, making it easier to find your inner Zen as needed.

Phuket, on the other hand, has been dealing with overtourism concerns, so that may be the last Thai beach paradise you’ll want to find yourself in to unwind.

The good news for you is there are many tranquil spots along Thailand’s mainland shores and numerous postcard-worthy islands.

Lonely Planet just highlighted a pair of such places – one on the mainland, along with a gorgeous island you may have never heard of.

Best of all, they’re both very affordable, virtually untouched, and studded with idyllic beachside bungalows up and down the pristine shores.

Ko Wai: Thailand’s Unspoiled Island Escape

The island life is appealing to all of us, and when it comes to Thailand, there seems to be a never-ending list of off-shore paradises from which to choose.

Lonely Planet showcased Ko Wai as one of the best alternatives to Thailand’s resort-lined beaches rather than embracing the unknown of unspoiled coastlines with traditional bungalows.

Before Thailand became a global icon where vacationers flock to the urban delights of Bangkok or the pristine beaches of numerous destinations, the latter looked a lot like Ko Wai.

Coming here now can be seen as a time capsule, especially as prices are still ridiculously low and landscapes virtually untouched.

Long-held local traditions are still in effect, so don’t expect to see billboard eyesores, mega cruise ships, or towering resorts.

Ko Wai perfectly sums up one of Thailand’s most popular types of travelers: those of us ballin’ on a budget!

Ranging anywhere from $15 to $45, check out Koh Wai Paradise, home to 30 thatched-roof bungalows or slightly cheaper Good Feeling Bungalows, where one recent visitor claimed it’s ‘Heaven on earth’.

Golden Beaches & Traditional Stays: Welcome To Bang Saphan Yai

Turns out Bangkok isn’t the only Thai getaway to go out with a ‘Bang’.

Bang Saphan Yai isn’t a place you’ll see highlighted in bold on the map like the country’s staples of Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok.

Small yet mighty in terms of untamed beauty, this quaint beach town is located in the trendy Prachuap Khiri Khan province, yet this side remains hush-hush for locals to enjoy.

Lonely Planet mentioned ‘sublime sunsets’ overpowering golden beaches lined with bamboo huts, and while bearing witness to the fiery skies is certainly a must, there’s a lot more to make your trip worthwhile.

One such way for an epic adventure is to take a $4 train from Bangkok to Hua Hin and make your way down by bus or train on 12Go.

The coastal views are a sight to behold and a far cry from beach crowds elsewhere, as this tranquil side of the country is a whole different vibe.

Upon arrival, there are ample beaches to scout for endless bliss in the sunshine, especially if bungalows are more your jam than ritzy resorts.

This is not to say that these traditional-style stays are run-down by any means, but don’t expect swim-up bars and silver platter room service.

And if you must visit an island, tour operators can make arrangements to visit lesser-known Ko Thalu. But, with idyllic huts, sensory overload markets, and snorkeling and kayaking the turquoise waters as options, there’s no harm in staying on the mainland.

Check out Sangjun On Beach Resort, which has $25 beachside bungalows with top reviews claiming, ‘Big balcony with a fantastic view of the ocean’ and ‘If you want absolute peace and quiet, this is the place for you’.

New Thailand Rule For U.S. Travelers

On the one hand, Thailand has done Americans a favor by extending their visa-free allowance to 2 months rather than the prior 30 days.

But now, there’s a new annoyance – dreaded forms!

That’s right; all Americans crossing into Thailand beginning in December have to fill out the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance, but the good news is there are no fees.

For deeper insight and peace of mind to ensure you dot your I’s and cross your T’s, check out our recent article covering the new entry rules and benefits.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

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Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.