In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, few industries have fallen as far as the travel and hospitality industries. The technological advancement that made travel easier and affordable is now facing unprecedented uncertainty as each nation is enacting stringent travel regulations. The good news is that popular travel destinations are opening, and a good number of airlines, trains, and international travel systems are beginning to pick up in some regions.

So, how can travellers safely explore a world with a potentially deadly virus and friendly people who might infect you? Is it safe to get on an airplane? Is visiting a wildlife reserve possible while ensuring social distancing? Is it safe to use a public restroom while on a road trip? These are some of the common questions that most travellers ask, and here is what you should know.

Before you travel

Before you book your flight, consider the COVID-19 statistics at your preferred destination. If the region has a higher rate of spread of coronavirus infections, there is a higher chance you will get infected and probably spread the disease when you return home.

It’s also essential to get a comprehensive health check-up to find out if you are at a higher risk for severe illness due to coronavirus. According to health experts, anyone can get ill from the virus, but people with underlying health conditions and older adults are at a higher risk for the severe health impact of coronavirus infection.

Does your destination have restrictions or specific requirements for travellers? Keep in mind that some local governments and countries have varying requirements. Some countries may require travellers to self-quarantine for 14 days, wear masks, and get tested for COVID-19 before travelling. You must adhere to these requirements.

And of course, you must make sure you have a valid passport, enough financial resources, and keep up to date with visa changes. For example, if you’re planning a trip to Russia, you’ll want to make sure you get the right Russia e visa 2021 before booking your flight.

Consider various types of transport

Generally, travelling heightens your chances of getting infected with coronavirus and spreading this disease. Your chances of getting infected also depend on whether you and other people around you have taken the right measures recommended by health experts. Some of these measures include staying at least six feet away from other people, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and more.

Note that train stations, airports, and rest stops are places where travellers are more likely to get exposed to coronavirus in case one traveller is infected. Therefore, it’s important to stick to the travel guidelines set by the transportation authorities and healthcare system.

Think about accommodation

Generally, you are less likely to get infected with coronavirus while camping in the woods than staying in a busy big hotel in a busy city. This is because hotels, restaurants, and other similar spaces are all shared environment.

Some hotels have implemented stringent risk-reduction protocols. For example, staff and guests may be required to wear masks while in public areas, practice a higher level of hygiene, and more. Still, your best bet is to choose the accommodation option that will not expose you to a higher risk of infection.

Consider what you will be doing

All activities that place within six feet of another person you’re not travelling with are risky. Just focus on the things you can do while travelling that will allow you to keep a safe distance from other people. For example, camping, hiking, and even dining in a place that has implemented safety protocols can help you stay safe.

On the other hand, crowded spaces like concerts, museums, and other public events might be at a much higher risk of getting exposed to coronavirus. If you must visit such crowded spaces, it is important to keep your mask on to reduce the risk of infection transmission.

More tips to stay safe while traveling

Before you get out of your home, keep in mind that COVID-19 is a respiratory infection. Once you understand the different ways the virus can enter your body, it will be easier to stay safe. Therefore, it makes sense to check several high-profile health-related platforms such as official websites for WHO, CDC, Mayo Clinic, and HealthLine to learn more about coronavirus and how to stay safe. Other tips include;

• Practice good personal hygiene
• Wash your hands regularly or sanitize whenever necessary
• If you feel unwell, don’t travel
• Breathe easy while wearing a mask
• Get travel insurance
• Stay clear of travellers with a cold or cough

At times like this, it’s important to have a dedicated travel consultant who can shed light on relevant issues that are not clear to you. The last thing you want is to violate travel regulations or to expose yourself to higher chances of getting coronavirus.

Author Bio: Susan Noel is an experienced content writer. She is associated with many renowned travel blogs as a guest author where she shares her valuable travel tips with the audience.

The post How to Travel Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post How to Travel Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

From wine farms to nature reserves, fantastic restaurants with beautiful sights, this country is the full package. Here’s how to navigate your way through South African National Parks and all that has to offer.

Positioned on the Southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa attracts tourists for all sorts of reasons. Home to every distinct ecosystem and iconic nature reserves such as the Kruger National Park for those who want to see the “big five,” South Africa is understandably flooded with tourists almost all year-round.

Perhaps one of the most popular destinations in the Western Cape. Here you’ll find sandy beaches such as Clifton and Langebaan, Beautiful Winelands located around Stellenbosch and Paarl, hiking trails up Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, and lovely scenic drives up into The Garden Route.

So you’re probably wondering where, to begin with planning this trip? Well, if you are looking for the full South African experience, you need to book into a national park safari; and you have so many to choose from, so we visited, and this is what we found….

Kruger National Park – Lions Sands Game Reserve

Within Kruger National Park are five private game reserves, all offering the ultimate safari holiday. Stay at Lion Sands Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s most exclusive and luxurious escapes.

Lion Sands sits on the borders of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, giving you the best of both worlds.

Awarded the Conde Nast “Best resort in the world” title in 2019 – Lion Sands Game Reserve is luxury personified, so it’s easy to see why travellers return year on year.

Comprising five exclusive lodges along the Sabie River, each lodge has well-trained staff to look after you, and they make sure your escape is perfect. For convenience, fly into Skukuza airport, a private facility nearby and start your holiday without the long transfer.

Kgalagadi Reserve and National Park

Kgalagadi Reserve is number one for adventure breaks; set in a national park offering authentic accommodation and a choice of sunrise and sunset safaris.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park that houses the reserve consists of two national parks – Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Gemsbok National Park, the latter is in Botswana.

There are several accommodation options in the Kgalagadi Reserve but none more authentic and traditional than the Xaus Lodge.

This private reserve run by two San-Bushmen communities, the Mier and Khomani people is the only reserve where all meals, guided games drives and walks are included in your stay.

Are you looking for a back to basics authentic experience? The Xaus Lodge is a great choice.

But if that’s not enough adventure, and you have time on your hands, you should stay right at the foot of Table Mountain, you’ll be overwhelmed by the choice of five-star-rated hotels located right on the Waterfront.

Surrounding the waterfront are fabulous restaurants offering some of the best seafood dishes there are with amazing views right by the edge of the water.

Tips for South African Parks

So pack your bags and get ready for your exploration of South Africa with these tips…

Make sure you’re going at the right time.

South Africa is beautiful any time of year but prime tourist time is the summer months between December and March. During these months temperatures can reach 39 degrees. Perfect for beach-lovers or those who love hot weather in general. You rarely face a rainy day in the summertime, so you’re guaranteed a perfect holiday.

Make sure to plan your trip with enough time to do everything.

With so much to do, you want to make sure your itinerary is well-spread so that you have time to slow down and appreciate the country. Plan days for lazing by the pool or the beach so that you can feel well-rested for the next activity or dinner.

No matter the activity, you’re bound to have a lot of fun; enjoy good quality food and don’t stress about fitting in every experience because you might find yourself with a long list and not much time to tick everything off. You can always return to South Africa. No trip to South Africa will ever be the same with all the options available.

Immerse yourself in the culture

South Africa is famously known as the Rainbow Nation. This Rainbow Nation comes with countless cultures and flavors. The music, food and architecture will capture your heart and make you fall in love.

With food inspired by Malay-Afrikaans flavors, made with fresh ingredients, tastes that will make your taste buds tingle; and wine that comes from only the best grapes. You will never be able to look at food and drink in the same way again.

Music created by local artists and made with traditional Khoi or San instruments will open your ears to sounds you’ve never heard before. Dancing is in the blood so expect to take part.

Don’t forget to enjoy yourself!

With so much adventure and culture, you won’t be able to stop smiling all the way home. The people of South Africa will welcome you with open arms every time you choose to return and are guaranteed to make you dance and sing along with pure joy.

Soak up some sun and eat some good food and escape at the Cape of Good Hope!

The post Isolated National Park Escapes in South Africa first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post Isolated National Park Escapes in South Africa appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

Traveling to Brazil has become even easier than ever before. As of November 2017, the Brazilian Government started to implement an electronic visa application process for tourists who wish to travel to Brazil. This is great considering you no longer have to visit an embassy to get your visa. This visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days per visit making any trip to Brazil possible. The Brazil eVisa will be valid for 2 (two) years and will allow you to enter the country multiple times. However, applying can be a pain so I’m going to share the easiest and best way to get your Brazil eVisa.

How to get the Brazil eVisa

The Government of Brazil has appointed VFS to manage online visa applications. They charge a fee of $45 but they don’t make the process especially easy. To apply you will need:

– A color copy of your passport information page including your signature.
– A color passport photo.
– Your credit card

VFS is not especially user-friendly, and getting the right quality for your documents can be a major pain point. This is why I usually recommend travelers to use iVisa. They take the stress out of the application, and what’s best, they will refund your fees in the unlikely event of application visa refusal (something that VFS will not do). iVisa has years of experience in delivering visas to travelers from all around the world traveling to countries as diverse as China, Egypt and of course Brazil.

This eVisa will be delivered to you by email within 2-7 business days depending on the required speed you need. Once you have the PDF visa, It is also recommendable to print it, so have a printer ready. A couple of advantages by iVisa is that it has 24×7 chat support and they make it easy to apply from your phone, which is really important when it comes to taking valid photos for your application.

You should print your visa as soon as you receive it to have it ready when you travel. I recommend that you apply at least seven days before your arrival to Brazil to avoid any delays.

Apply here for your Brazil eVisa.

The post How to Get the New Brazil Evisa first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post How to Get the New Brazil Evisa appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

I’ve got a handful of articles on my blog about Goa. I still get a handful of emails a day from people saying they’ve read them all but want to know if there is anything else I can recommend. I usually just reply whatever random thing I’m thinking of right then. So, I am going to list here 50 things to do in Goa some of which I’ve probably said at some time before – but now they are all in one place!

While I have 50 fun things to do here, I have SO much more detailed advice in my ebook, Insider’s Guide to Goa. It’s 170 pages filled with the most up to date, comprehensive information about Goa plus it has all my secret places to go that I’ve found after living here almost five years. Click here to buy it now.

General Goa Travel Tips

• Safety Tips For Solo Female Travel in Goa, India
• BEST Places to Visit in Goa in 3 Days
• Best Place to Stay in Goa

50 Things to Do in Goa You Don’t Want to Miss

Classic Things to Do

1. Watch the sunset from Thalassa Restaurant.

This is the best sunset spot! It is Greek food and it’s a bit of a splurge for backpackers but so worth it.

2. Visit the Spice Plantation.

I don’t think the elephants in Goa are treated well and don’t think you should ride them. You can learn a lot on the Spice tour and you can have lunch there. There are two in Ponda.

3. Celebrate Holi in Goa.

It’s a lot of fun. You can see the local celebrations in Mapusa or you can go to Hilltop for a trance-type party.

4. Buy some spices and tea as souvenirs.

You’ll see them so much that it’s hard not to. They make great gifts. See what else to buy in my India souvenir guide.

5. Check out the old churches in “Old Goa“.

It’s best to do this the same day you do Panjim as taxis, like I mentioned, can be expensive. The churches don’t take long to see and usually in the heat you won’t want to stay long.

6. Try SUP (stand up paddle board) at Vaayu.

You can also rent surf boards from them or try kite surfing classes. Their cafe, Prana, serves up delicious breakfast burritos and they have chilled out music and art nights.

7. Enjoy the lounge chairs at Antares in Little Vagator Beach.

I can’t believe I’m telling this secret! It’s not a secret exactly, but no one seems to use these and they are great. You have to buy food and drink to stay there.

8. Take the long drive up to Keri Beach.

It means you’ll have an empty beach all to yourself.

9. Lastly, go to the “secret” beach.

I won’t name it here, but please check out my article and review for the hidden beach resort or you can skip and just use this link to book and see where this resort is ;)

10. You can go white water rafting with the Goa crew.

11. Let yourself have a foot massage on the beach.

They come around asking to massage and thread you… just let yourself be pampered! You can also buy sarongs and such. But be warned, you will get bothered after as you will seem like an ATM so you need to be firm. Say you want a massage but you don’t want to talk.

12. Take some classes at Tito’s Whitehouse or Artjuna.

You can do kickboxing, yoga, pilates, and more. Classes are affordable and fun. It’s a great way to meet people.

13. Get a photo of the cows on the beach…

…and make sure they don’t eat right off your plate!

14. Rent a scooter or a car if you need to save money.

Taxis here really add up and they don’t use a meter.

15. Hit up the carnival in Arambol.

Arambol is kind of the hippiest place in Goa although it wasn’t back in the day (Anjuna was). It’s a cool place to stay for some time, but personally, I like Ashwem and Vagator best.

16. In Arambol, check out the sweet water lake.

It’s just near the beach and is pretty cool to take a dip and some photos. Here’s a little guide to Arambol.

17. If you’re here in September, watch Dahi Handi festival in Mapusa.

18. Visit the Mapusa Market

In fact, if you’re only visiting Goa (and nowhere else in India) make a trip to Mapusa market just to see the “real India” as they say.

19. Go to Snips for a massage.

It’s much cheaper than back home and is fantastic. Their mani/pedis are not as good unless you take your own polish (in my opinion).

What & Where to Eat in Goa

20. Make sure you’re here on a Saturday for the Saturday Night Market.

It’s incredible and you can eat and drink there. The Market usually opens end of November through March. It’s in Arpora near the go-karts.

21. Eat the famous chicken at the Saturday Night Market.

It’s crazy good – I don’t know how someone can make chicken that good.

22. If you must stay in for dinner, order pizza from Roma in Chapora/Vagator.

There aren’t many delivery options in Goa.

23. Eat the tuna sandwich at Artjuna….

Not sure why, but it’s my favorite sandwich in Goa along with their iced tea.

24. Have a Goan curry at Starlight.

You can go for a Xacuti but know that it might be a little spicy. They usually make them less spicy for foreigners.

25. Chill out and have a juice at the famous Scarlet’s juice center in Chapora.

26. Have a big burger at Baba Au Rhum!

I love this french bakery in Anjuna. It’s the perfect place to have a chill lunch over the paddy fields. There is free WiFi if you need to check a few emails from home.

27. Eat at Anand Bar.

When friends visit they love this place and can never believe how cheap it is. It’s located near Bobby Bar and you can find it on Google maps. I go for the butter garlic prawns and the tandoori.

28. For traditional Goan Food…

Try Bhatti Village in Nerul or Mum’s Kitchen in Panjim.

29. Try “rava fry fish” and squeeze lime all over it.

You can get it pretty much anywhere in Goa and it’s a don’t miss.

30. Pineapple chicken salad at Villa Blanche.

It’s the bomb, so are their German sausages.

31. Taste a bite of South Goa at Gunpowder in Assagao.

Their veg curry and chili pork ribs are my go-to but the chicken curries are what most go for. Definitely get a couple greasy heavenly parathas!

32. Have a nice dinner at Go With the Flow near the Baga Bridge.

This is my favorite restaurant in Goa. It’s fine dining Brazilian… and the pork belly is SO GOOD. The steaks are great and the cocktails are the best.

33. Eat Goan sausage, street style corn on the cob, and sweet lime soda.

If you’re really branching out you can try the local liquor: cashew feni. It’s rough.

34. Take time for a long lunch at La Plage.

I always go for the prawns and saffron risotto. Their Bloody Mary’s are very unique with a bit of curry and are a huge local favorite.

Fun Places to Stay in Goa

35. Stay at Jamboree Creek!

If you want a cute jungle hut and swimming pool at decent prices, this is it. Jamboree is listed on Airbnb (use my referral code and get $25 off your booking if you haven’t signed up before.)

36. If you want to be in Anjuna, with a pool, party scene, and lots of people then look at Laguna Anjuna.

It’s got cool unique rooms and is better than a hostel. Click here to book.

37. If you want to splurge out in the North…

I love Shanti Morada. Click here to book!

38. For a “splurging out” stay in South Goa…

Go for the Alila Diwa in South. It’s my favorite 5 star hotel in all of Goa.

Where to Shop in Goa

39. You better be here on a Wednesday too!

The Wednesday Flea market is one of the most famous hippie markets in the world. It’s located on Anjuna beach and goes until sunset.

40. Buy an “India” scarf for the perfect souvenir from Fara.

They are hand drawn onto silk and focus on places and gods of India.

41. Make sure you negotiate with the vendors when you shop.

They really put the prices high on the beach. Most of the scarves and jewelry are bad quality so ask yourself if you really want it in the first place.

42. Explore the shopping in Panjim.

There are cute little Portuguese lanes and it’s an adventure going through them. Here’ s a little shopping guide.

43. For more shopping, hit up Alchemy in Ashwem.

Fara (from above) and Studio TIA opened up a shop together called Alchemy, and it’s located in Ashwem. You can see some of her outfits here and check out her shop on Etsy too!

44. Get some clothing tailored and make your own fun designs at great prices.

Here’s how to get clothing made in India.

Goa Nightlife

45. (Update 2020: Sadly Club Cabana’s is now closed!) Girls can drink for free at Club Cubana’s ladies night on Wednesdays.

It’s the night they are the most crowded I think.

46. Friday party night at Waters.

It could change but for now it’s the place people go on Fridays. It’s on Vagator Cliff and is pretty cool.

47. Hit up Fort Aguada Taj Hotel for drinks.

It is an amazing view over an old Fort and will give you that 5 star feel!

48. Definitely try a trance party at Hilltop or Curlies OR Shiva Valley OR 9 Bar…

My point is there are a lot and you really can’t miss them. Goa is so known for this way of life that you really should check out the scene. Check wug.com for the party dates and these posts for more night life:

• 10 Essential Tips for Goa Nightlife
• 7 Best Beaches in Goa for Nightlife
• Goa Nightlife: 5 Most Popular Party Places in Goa

For if You Stay in Goa for a While

49. Volunteer with the animals!

I wrote a few options here and once you see their struggles you might want to spend some time (or some money) on this cause.

50. If you’re here for long enough consider renting a house.

You can look on Airbnb or you can just stay in a guesthouse until you find somewhere to rent. Here’s a guide to renting in Goa.

The post 50 Things to Do in Goa (Original Post by Rachel from 2016) first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post 50 Things to Do in Goa (Original Post by Rachel from 2016) appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

I think I need to hire a writer to explain centuries-old Hampi, because I know I can’t do this place justice. It’s seriously one of the top places to visit in India and home to some incredible landmarks. I’ve been back TWICE, once with goMowgli and another with my parents. If you feel like skipping my awesome intro (you really shouldn’t), I have listed halfway down the page eight things to do in Hampi during your trip. There are actually so many things to do in Hampi that you’ll want to extend your time here!

It’s like walking on a movie set or as if you’ve teleported back in time. The GIANT boulders scattered around Hampi had me day-dreaming about dinosaurs jumping around on them while the palm trees swayed overhead. The mass quantity of intricate towering Hindu temples on barren sandy land had me envisioning Shiva wandering around having a smoke.

General India Travel Tips

Before I tell you all about Hampi, I want to make sure you know about my India Guide ebook which is literally everything you need to know about traveling in India safely and will make sure you see all the best “do not miss” places here on your budget, which can be under $20 a day if you wanted it to. Buy it here. Read more about the book and see reviews here.

What is Hampi?

Hampi is a UNESCO world heritage site in Karnataka, India, about 7 hours from Bangalore or 10 from Goa by overnight bus.

Getting to Hampi by flight: I do all my flight bookings these days on Kiwi. It is the BOMB and searches all the budget airlines plus gives you a free flight if you miss a connection!

Unlike Stonehenge, where the attraction is in a small area,  the entire town of Hampi is the attraction. Hampi is sort of in the middle of nowhere.

We chose to drive during the day instead of taking a bus so that we could see the jungle. If you’re not comfortable with either of those options, Viator offers a private 2-night tour from Bangalore.

Signs warned us not to pee on the side of the road, you know, in case a tiger gets us.

Places to Visit in Hampi

One can spend hours in the hot sun taking a rickshaw from temple to temple or hire a guide to tell you about each one. We saw a parrot hiding up in one of the temples.

You’ll walk through the mazes of boulders (the ruins of Vijayanagara) wondering how in the hell this all came to be (apparently volcanoes and erosion).

The hills and boulders surrounding Hampi made for a great hideout for Kings of India’s past. Many battles were fought here, and many important words from India’s rich history were written here.

It’s known to have once been the home of Lord Rama. You’ll see the Queen’s baths, Narasimha statue which is my favorite all carved from one stone, the chariot of the Vijaya Vittala temple, and, just a short walk up, the giant Hanuman statue.

In the center of town is the impressive 49-meter tall Virupaksha temple, the only temple to have its own elephant!

Hampi is said to be the Vanara Sena, or Kingdom of the Apes, which as Hindus believe, is where Lord Rama fought in the Ramayana.

please excuse the excessive mushy gooshey-ness… we’d only known each other a week at this point!

When you’re done on the Hampi Bazaar and Kamalapuram (two entry points) side of the river, where all the boulders, temples, markets, and other city life exists, retire to the other side of the Tungabhadra river to sleep in peace in Anegundi.

bus station and Bazar

8 Things to Do in Hampi!

1. Take the taxi boat across the river to the “hippie” side of Hampi, Anegundi.

This is so you can take part in drum circles, dread-lock making, and whatever other hippie nonsense. This way you’ll be on the side of the reservoir and be able to experience the quiet of Hampi.

2. Where to Stay in Hampi: A cottage on the rice fields.

We stayed at Shanthi Guesthouse which was 12,000 IDR for 3 nights, although I think we could have negotiated better had we not been fairly intoxicated the majority of the time. That price included breakfast and laundry and was in December at peak season (when rates are doubled). The cottages are along the rice paddies and you are GUARANTEED a badass view of the greatest sunset of all time from a swinging porch bed.

If you want another option for where to stay in Hampi, I have also stayed at Mowgli Guesthouse which is pretty identical and has similar reviews online. They have the same exact view from the rooms. I’ve noticed they now are both called “Vista rooms”, as well as many guesthouses in Hampi, so I guess some company has bought out a bunch of guesthouses?

The service wasn’t great. It’s the view that counts, so I don’t think it’ll matter. Hampi doesn’t have a lot to offer for accommodation so these are your best bet. If you want to stay in luxury in Hampi or to stay at an eco-resort, there are options for that too.

When my parents came, these were booked and nothing else looked appealing so we stayed 45 minutes away at the Hyatt, which was in a unique workers complex. Previously, I have also stayed out at the Sloth Bear Resort, which is part of a National Park and you can, as you might guess, see Sloth Bears on safaris.

3. Rent a bike and finally learn how to drive one!

Take a tour up the empty winding paths to the reservoir. No one will be around so you’ll have all the space you need to learn to drive. Take time to get off and photograph the locals, village life, and the fields. I might have driven the bike straight into a wall the very second I got in control of it. Woops.

4. Go cliff jumping, but watch the crocs!

There are signs up for possible crocodiles, but we never saw any and everyone there was swimming. Locals said there aren’t any in the lake, only the river. You’ll see a group of people laying out near the main cliff, and if it’s empty that day, ask a guide where people jump. The water isn’t clear, but people jump from this same place for years! It was HIGH and FUN! If it scares you, jump off the smaller bridge instead.

5. Bathe/Get blessed by an elephant

Of all the things to do in Hampi, this might be the best. Lakshmi gets her bath every morning; she is the temple elephant. You’ll have to wake up early, but your hotel will sort it out for you. You can see the old “elephant stables”, yes just like we use for horses, at the Lotus Hall Complex.

6. Enjoy views from Matanga Hill after all your temple sightseeing.

Be sure to hire a guide so you can learn! For example, the statue of Ganesh (who is my favorite god!) has a snake around his stomach. The guide/driver shared that it was to keep him from eating too much food! You’ll see lots of domestic tourists that are on a pilgrimage to Hampi, and they may want photos with you which is okay.

7. Enjoy a fresh coconut and sit in the grassy shade to relax at Lotus Mahal.

8. Hire a Karnataka boat and driver to take you out in the lake. Go for a swim!

The boats are traditional fishing boats for the state and are made from trees and tar. Maybe even buy the boat, like we did. I mean, who doesn’t need a small circular boat in Goa? Ben truly has used it for fishing. When I went out on it in Mandovi river it sunk a little.

Ben buying the boat

Hampi Travel Tips

• Can’t go to Hampi, if you can’t get into India. Yes, you do need a visa, even if you’re only here for a short time. It’s super easy, and you can get it right on iVisa.
• Don’t forget to get some travel insurance! Especially if you’re going to do some of the more adventurous activities. I always recommend World Nomads, and you can even easily get a quote on my sidebar or going here.
• Check out all the places to stay in Hampi here.
• For cheap domestic flights, compare on Kiwi.
• Don’t forget a copy of my India Guide.
• If you need a phone while in India and you can’t use SIM cards, try out Trabug.
• The bus stop is also a small market.
• Don’t forget to see both sides of the river.
• Don’t go in the hottest months (April and May) as sightseeing will be unbearable.
• If you want to stay on the same side of the river as I did, do not drive there, it’s a huge wrap around. Instead, take the taxi boat across.
• Don’t forget the taxi boat which takes 3 minutes ONLY goes across during the day until 5 PM and there is NO way to the other side after, except driving over an hour (yes, we had to do this). If it’s late at night you’re bound to get lost in the jungle as we did.

If you want to take a tour in and around Hampi these are the cheapest and best options I found with Viator, a brand I trust and have worked with in the past:

• Two nights in Hampi, coming from Bangalore. Bangalore is a hub for travelers in South Goa, so you could do this tour to get there and back then head onward.
• Hampi Walking Tour
• Bicycle Tour of Hampi
• Hampi Tour by Tuk Tuku

For more things to do in Hampi

• The Sloth Bear safari in more detail
• Aihole & Pattadakal side trips from Hampi (day trips)
• Badami caves side trip from Hampi (two hours, awesome place)

More Tips on Visiting India

• 100 India Travel Tips
• What to Wear in India (and the Dos and Don’ts of How to Dress)
• India Bucket List

What to Wear in Hampi

Pin for later!

The post Hampi: Jurassic Park and the Flintstones (Original Post by Rachel from 2014) first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post Hampi: Jurassic Park and the Flintstones (Original Post by Rachel from 2014) appeared first on Hippie In Heels.