Tag Free

Share The Article

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.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

↓ 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!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

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.

Share The Article

Oh boy! It appears at least one budget airline smells blood in the water as Southwest just put the kibosh on their long-standing policy of “bags fly free”.

One might think when that shocking domino fell, it would kickstart a trickle-down fee-economics effect, but so far, so good for travelers’ wallets.

Time will tell if Southwest loyalists will stick around, but one competitor has decided to fill the gap by putting their well-documented strict (and controversial) baggage policies behind them, allowing travelers to check bags for free…at least for the summer.

Frontier Airlines, who were recently under public scrutiny for admitting to Senate they were compensating gate agents to target passengers’ bag sizes, resulting in extra fees or denied boarding, have now turned a corner.

According to a press release, not only will Frontier be offering free checked bags, but a whole bunch of other freebies that just might lure travelers back in to trust their airline.

“At the end of the day, travelers just want to be valued”. “We’re bringing back the things people love about flying – free bags, free seat selection, and flexibility – without the extra fees. No games, just great value.”- Barry Biffle, CEO, Frontier Airlines

Frontier’s Summer Of Freebies

Who could’ve seen this coming? The most notoriously stringent budget airline in the States is showing some grace.

Of course, one has the right to question if it’s in good faith or simply a marketing ploy, given how surprising Southwest’s sudden shift in policies was last week.

Regardless, every Frontier traveler flying from today through August 18 has the chance to score some major freebies.

So, let’s break this down.

Free Economy Bundle:

Any avid budget traveler knows most airlines in this category have tiers to choose from, and that’s where most make the mistake of not reading the fine print.

For the time being, you won’t have to as all travelers will receive the perks of Frontier’s Economy Bundle:

• Free carry-on bag (in addition to ‘Personal Item’)
• Free seat selection
• Free flight changes

One Very Important Detail: Don’t Miss The Deadline

Again, every time you book a trip with a budget airline, reading the fine print is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your budget flight indeed remains a budget flight.

I’m not talking about going line by line through the never-ending Terms of Service, rather reading the details of the itemized charges before checking out and making you understand your baggage allowance.

In this case, with the new promotion, all travelers will need to book their summer trip by March 24 or else you’ll miss out on the deal.

How To Score A Free Checked Bag

Scoring a free checked bag is slightly more complicated than other aforementioned freebies. Those are available from today through August 18, but the free checked bag promotion has a shorter window.

Unfortunately, spring breakers won’t be able to pack their beer bongs, novelty hats, and inflatable flamingos without paying a very confusing checked bag fee (see here).

The free checked bag requires a promo code: FREEBAG. Easy enough, right?

This code is valid for all bookings between May 28, 2025 and August 18, 2025 and the same March 24 booking deadline applies.

In the terms of the promotion, Frontier states: “To receive promotional pricing, customer must enter promo code FREEBAG during new flight purchase made by 11:59pm Eastern time on March 24, 2025 for travel from May 28, 2025 through August 18, 2025. Limit one free Checked Bag per person, per direction, weight limit applies“.

It doesn’t appear Frontier is limiting travelers’ free bags to only domestic routes, and they actually fly to some really cool international places, such as Punta Cana, Puerto Vallarta, and most recently, Aruba and Honduras.

My Experience Flying Frontier

I’ve flown Frontier too many times to count, but also too many times I care to remember — and it’s not just the bag-policing.

I’m not here to trash the airline, but when their CEO releases quotes like “We’ve always had heart” after paying gate agents to target their own customers and “If travelers show us the love, we’ll make these perks permanent”, I don’t know about you, but it rubs me the wrong way as a passionate traveler and journalist.

Especially, when I just tried to fly Frontier March 16 from San Francisco to San Diego with what should’ve been a seamless hour-and-a-half long flight only to be delayed for about 3 hours and ultimately cancelled ‘due to weather’, yet somehow Frontier’s San Francisco – Los Angeles flight still managed to take off that same evening.

Funny how that works.

Frontier left us with no option for a direct route back to San Diego in the coming days. The only other option was to take a 15-hour journey with a long layover for what should have been an hour-and-a-half flight.

My girlfriend and I reluctantly decided to bite the bullet by overpaying for a rental car and drove overnight back home to San Diego that there’s less than a zero percent chance Frontier will reimburse.

These are the type of situations you can find yourself in by flying not just Frontier, but budget airlines in general.

Free checked bag or not, if your airline leaves you stranded, you’ll be forking over a lot more than the amount you saved.

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.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

↓ 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!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

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.

Share The Article

It’s a challenge in today’s world to find anything truly free, often inciting thoughts of “what’s the catch?” and rightfully so.

With taxes, sneaky fees, and “gotcha” tactics, travelers often have to hawk-eye anything deemed ‘free’.

But Thailand is ready to showcase a lesser-known beach destination. In turn, doing so for free. Best of all, there is no catch per se, rather select dates to hop aboard a scenic train ride to escape the city grind of Bangkok in favor of a lesser-known idyllic beach paradise.

As icons like Phuket and the surging island of Koh Samui have seen hordes of unsightly crowds flock to their shores, it’s time to give under-hyped Hua Hin a chance.

What better way than doing so at no cost?

Better yet, once you arrive, you’ll discover Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s cheapest beach destinations!

Free Ride Aside, Why Visit Hua Hin?

Hua Hin is located within Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province and is teeming with many of the same attractions that other major cities and beach hotspots behold.

The main difference is Hua Hin is largely off mainstream travelers’ radar, leaving a truly authentic destination waiting to be explored.

For example, it’s been reported Phuket is ‘wall to wall’ full of people as 2024’s most crowded destination, so who would want to have a bunch of fellow tourists cramping your space when you’re supposed to be enjoying one of the world’s most acclaimed paradises?

That’s where Hua Hin makes for a great alternative, and we all know 2025 is destined to be a year full of discovering lookalikes as many destinations deal with overtourism concerns.

In Hua Hin, you’re not sacrificing a lackluster experience. In fact, you’re only enhancing it. Here are 5 must-visit sites to check out:

• Hua Hin Beach – long stretches of soft sand and vivid blue waters; great for swimming, lounging, and various water sports
• Phraya Nakhon Cave – the ultimate expedition for nature lovers; boasts a royal pavilion inside that will make you feel immersed in an Indiana Jones film
• Cicada Market – a buzzing night market teeming with goodies ranging from piping hot street noodles to local artisan crafts
• Moonsoon Valley – wine country in Thailand? You bet!
• Huay Mongkol Temple – a towering temple surrounded by peaceful scenery; home to one of Thailand’s largest statues

Stay At Luxe Resorts & Beachside Guesthouses On The Cheap

In a world where dollar stores are now $1.25 stores, it’s safe to say supply and demand can be a real doozy on the wallet.

Finding hotels is no different, but Hua Hin offers great stays with nightly rates cheaper than your weekly coffee budget.

This spring, you can easily find resorts and beachside guesthouses for unbelievable prices.

How about Karoon Hut Guest House set beachside for just $21? Or leveling up at the chic Stardust Boutique Hotel for $29?

Still have some wiggle room? Okay, check out waterfront villas at The Yana Villas Hua Hin for just $88, or cash out your points at either Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa or Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa.

There’s truly something for everyone, from solo travelers with tight pockets to vacationers seeking to pamper themselves.

All Aboard! Welcome To The Vana Nava Express Train

If you find yourself in Bangkok but have had enough of pollution, crowded streets, and the world’s strangest ping-pong games, then it sounds like you’re in the market for a free ride to the beach.

The free train (#43) leaves for Hua Hin from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at 7:30am every Saturday and Sunday until March 30.

The full one-way journey takes approximately 3 hours, so you’ll arrive with plenty of time to enjoy the day beachside, market-hopping, or taking it easy at an aforementioned resort.

Along the ride, passengers are provided with free snacks, souvenirs, and even a towel as a keepsake.

Don’t worry; it’s not to cool down from the heat. The train is equipped with air conditioning.

How To Book Your Free Train Ride

According to Thaiger, these are the 3 steps to book your free train ride:

1. Visit the official train carrier website
2. Choose “General Customer”
3. Follow prompts

Keep in mind, booking is only open every Thursday from 7am to Friday at 3pm.

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!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

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.