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About Me

Nicole L

Nicole L

Hiya! I'm a 35 year-old native Arizonan, who started traveling around the US and Mexico as a child, and haven't stopped. I've been to 23 countries in a wide range of travel styles, writing about my personal experiences and sharing travel guides and tips (including teaching abroad in Thailand), with a little history thrown in. Hope you enjoy!

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  • Family,  Mexico,  Travel

    Family Travel: Rocky Point, Mexico

    January 3, 2016 / No Comments

    THIS IS MY 100TH POST ON MAPLESS ADVENTURE. 100 POSTS. I honestly can’t believe I have posted on my blog 100 times in the last few years. I’ve been on so many mapless adventures and have experienced quite a few highs and lows over the last few years but I wouldn’t change any of it, so let’s get started on this next adventure… I know I’ve said this before, but living away from my family can be hard a lot of the times. One thing is for sure that I have an amazing family who is very willing to travel with me south of the border to our condo in…

    Read More
    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    My Parents Visit Lampang, Thailand

    June 16, 2020
    4 Days in Chiang Mai Header

    4 Days in Chiang Mai with the Parents

    June 23, 2020
    Parents in Laos

    Planning My Parents Trip to Thailand

    April 30, 2020
  • teotihuacan header
    Contiki,  Mexico,  Travel

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Visiting Teotihuacan

    June 8, 2014 / No Comments

    Updated June 2020Waking up in Mexico City was unlike any morning I’ve experienced. It was beyond noisy, but it didn’t matter. We had to be up and on the bus ready to go by 8 am for our tour of Mexico City and Teotihuacan. Getting on the bus this morning was a little different than other mornings. The group size increased by nearly 20 additional travelers. We tried as best we could, to gathered into the very back of the bus. We liked our original crew and struggled with combining new and old. But, we adjusted quickly to the change in group dynamic. National Palace Our morning started with driving…

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    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    Contiki Mexican Fiesta

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Cuernavaca

    April 23, 2014
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    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Cuernavaca to Acapulco

    April 28, 2014
    Scuba Diving Cancun Header

    Scuba Diving in Cancun- My No Regrets Day

    April 17, 2014
  • Contiki Mexico City Header
    Contiki,  Mexico,  Travel

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Mexico City

    June 7, 2014 / No Comments

    Updated June 2020Waking up in Taxco was quite magical. The view even better with the sun rise than it was at sunset. I cannot explain how beautiful this mountainside mining town is and pictures don’t quite show it justice. Ish gave us an early morning deadline to eat breakfast then get onto the bus and we all followed. We had another long day, full of adventures. Today’s journey had us driving from Taxco back into Mexico City with a few stops in between. Mexico City is the largest city I’ve ever been to, by this point in my traveled, so I was excited to head back in to explore. Xochimilco…

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    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Acapulco to Taxco

    May 13, 2014
    Contiki Mexican Fiesta

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Cuernavaca

    April 23, 2014
    Cancun Mexico

    I Made it to Cancun, Mexico

    April 2, 2014
  • Contiki Mexican Fiesta Taxco header
    Contiki,  Mexico,  Travel

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Acapulco to Taxco

    May 13, 2014 / No Comments

    Updated June 2020Goodbye Acapulco, beautiful beaches, and the ocean. Hello Taxco, the mountains, silver, and jewelry, and hello haunted hotel. We left Acapulco bright and early to head back inland to the small town of Taxco. Taxco is located on the side of a mountain in the state of Guerrero, southwest from Mexico City. Taxco, Puebla Magico At roughly 50 thousand people, the small town of Taxco is best known for its silver mines, jewelry, and its silverware industry. These, plus its colonial constructions and picturesque scenery, are the reasons why Taxco is another one Mexico’s Pueblo Magico towns. I couldn’t even begin to describe to you what I was thinking when I…

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    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    Jungle Maya Expedition

    April 15, 2014

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Day Trip in Acapulco

    April 30, 2014
    Scuba Diving Acapulco

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Scuba Diving in Acapulco

    May 1, 2014
  • Scuba Diving Acapulco
    Contiki,  Mexico,  Travel

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Scuba Diving in Acapulco

    May 1, 2014 / No Comments

    Updated June 2020Today was another full day in Acapulco. This time Contiki gave us the option of what water activity we wanted to do. This is day trip is an option excursion and includes three different options; kayaking, snorkeling or scuba diving. Since I won this trip because of my fear of the ocean, I decided it was only fitting that I scuba dove on this excursion. Originally, I was the only one who selected scuba diving as my excursion. It did kind of bum me out as I was hoping to experience diving in Acapulco with other friends. Thankfully, I learned regardless of the excursion, we were all together…

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    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Cuernavaca to Acapulco

    April 28, 2014
    Contiki Mexican Fiesta

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: From Mexico City to Puebla

    April 23, 2014
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    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Mexico City

    June 7, 2014
  • Contiki,  Mexico,  Travel

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Day Trip in Acapulco

    April 30, 2014 / No Comments

    (Updated June 2020) Staying awake partying at Paradise nightclub until almost 3am was probably not the smartest idea. I had a packed day filled outdoors and wildlife activities with a few other tour mates. This is an optional excursion from Contiki and wasn’t very popular. However after hearing what we would be doing, I immediately jumped in, along with Stef, Steph, and Aimee. Barra Vieja: Laguna de Tres Palos In the morning, following breakfast, the four of us girls got into an unmarked white van. It was strange at first, but our tour guide was in the driver’s seat so we weren’t too worried. His name was Roger Doger. I…

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    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: From Mexico City to Puebla

    April 23, 2014
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    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Mexico City

    June 7, 2014

    Becoming a Scuba Diver

    March 28, 2014
  • acapulco
    Contiki,  Mexico,  Travel

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Cuernavaca to Acapulco

    April 28, 2014 / No Comments

    (Updated June 2020)Waking up in the morning in Cuernavaca was much better than in Puebla. For starters, I was feeling a thousand times better and could actually manage to make it to breakfast. Plus, we were leaving the countryside of Mexico and heading westbound towards the beach destination of Acapulco. Acapulco is well known throughout the United States as a spring break destination. It’s not as popular as Puerto Vallarta or Cabo, but it still gets quite the spring break crowd. Regardless of popularity, I was excited to head from Cuernavaca to Acapulco for some beach time RnR. The Morning Journey The morning routine was a pretty typical one. Over…

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    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    April 23, 2014
    Cancun to Mexico City

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: From Cancun to Mexico City

    April 22, 2014
    Contiki Mexican Fiesta Taxco header

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Acapulco to Taxco

    May 13, 2014
  • Contiki Mexican Fiesta
    Contiki,  Mexico,  Travel

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Cuernavaca

    April 23, 2014 / No Comments

    (Updated June 2020)The start of the second morning wasn’t off to the best start. For starters, I woke up in the morning feeling like crap and slightly frustrated that I was getting sick 2 days into the tour. It wasn’t from alcohol as I know I didn’t drink that much the night before. I stuck to XX Amber and Negro Modelo, which are two of my favorite Mexican beers. Instead of breakfast, I tried getting a few more minutes of sleep along with taking a shower. Unfortunately, I still wasn’t feeling up to snuff. I barely managed to pack with enough time to walk down stairs and catch the bus.…

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    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Acapulco to Taxco

    May 13, 2014
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    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: Visiting Teotihuacan

    June 8, 2014
    Cancun to Mexico City

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: From Cancun to Mexico City

    April 22, 2014
  • Contiki Mexican Fiesta
    Contiki,  Mexico,  Travel

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: From Mexico City to Puebla

    April 23, 2014 / No Comments

    (Updated June 2020)It’s finally time to start my 9-day Mexican Fiesta adventure with Contiki. Before heading to Puebla, we’re taking a small tour around the massive Mexico City or Ciudad de Mexico. Contiki tours for Mexico are changing starting March 2021. Located in the heart of Mexico, this capital city isn’t part of any one of the 31 states. It is part of the Federal District, similar to Washington D.C. and it is the country’s largest city. In 2014, Mexico City was the 3rd largest metropolitan area (population included) in the world growing to nearly 22-24 million people during the work days. It’s hard to fathom until you experience it. The morning started…

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    March 28, 2014
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    April 28, 2014
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    Jungle Maya Expedition

    April 15, 2014
  • Cancun to Mexico City
    Contiki,  Mexico,  Travel

    Contiki Mexican Fiesta: From Cancun to Mexico City

    April 22, 2014 / No Comments

    (Updated June 2020)When I woke up the next day, I was still in complete shock from my #NoRegrets Day adventure in the open waters.Did I really just face my fear and concur it? Was yesterday just a dream? How did I get to be someone so lucky to live out a day like yesterday?I can remember laying in bed for a good solid 30 minutes reflecting back on the last 24 hours. I was thanking the Lord for not only the experience and chance of a lifetime, but for providing me the opportunity concur something that has held me back in the past. Acropora Palmata Restoration Program I knew the…

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    Scuba Diving in Cancun- My No Regrets Day

    April 17, 2014
12

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About Me

Nicole L

Nicole L

Hiya! I'm a 35 year-old native Arizonan, who started traveling around the US and Mexico as a child, and haven't stopped. I've been to 23 countries in a wide range of travel styles, writing about my personal experiences and sharing travel guides and tips (including teaching abroad in Thailand), with a little history thrown in. Hope you enjoy!

View Full Profile →

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No Map. No Plan. Just Life. | Stories, Guides and Tips from a Solo-Female Traveler exploring the world through Mapless Adventures

Nicole | Travel Blogger
Next little town along lake Atitlan included a lot Next little town along lake Atitlan included a lot of hammock life and cat life!
•••
#sanpedro #sanpedrodelalaguna #sanpedroguatemala #lakeatitlan #lakeatitlanguatemala #guatemalaadventures #travelguatemala #travellife #hammocklife #hostelsublime #guatemala #exploreguatemala #maplessadventures
Midday stroll from our hostel to the town center o Midday stroll from our hostel to the town center of Santa Cruz de la laguna. It was hot and sweaty and a massive hill but we sucked it up and ended at a really cute cafe with a view.
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#santacruzdelalaguna #lakeatitlan #guatemalaadventures #lakeatitlanguatemala #guatemala #traveladventures #travellife #traveling #lakelife #maplessadventures #middaystroll #exploreguatemala #travelguatemala
In order to move between the towns on Lake Atitlan In order to move between the towns on Lake Atitlan, you have to take boats. It’s GTQ 25, or roughly $4 USD. It’s truly a special lake and I can’t wait to spend two weeks living on the lake learning Spanish!
•••
#lakeatitlán #lakeatitlanguatemala #guatemalaadventures #guatemalatravels #guatemala #sanpedrodelalaguna #lagodeatitlán #boattravel #travellife #travelling #transportation #maplessadventures #traveladventures
Free Cerveza anyone? Made the move from the city t Free Cerveza anyone? Made the move from the city to the lake and boy oh boy is this lake stunning! Got dropped off directly at our hostel which is called Free Cerveza. They host family dinners every night and if you join you get two free hours of beer before dinner and usually includes some type of bar games like beer pong, trivia, bags, and more! It was a prefect and relaxing couple of days!
•••
#lakeatitlan #lakeatitlanguatemala #guatemala #guatemalaadventures #lakelife #travellife #traveling #freecerveza #freecervezahostel #santacruzdelalaguna #maplessadventures #traveladventures #traveler #summertimeadventures
The reality and aftermath of Volcán Acatenago hik The reality and aftermath of Volcán Acatenago hike. It’s roughly 3:30pm, I’ve eaten, showered, had a quick beer and now laying down to go to sleep. My body has officially shut down at this point and all I wanted/needed was this bed!
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#exhausted #travellife #realtravel #traveling #hikeacatenango #hostellife #hostelworld #traveladventures #maplessadventures
Waking up in pitch black with nothing but the near Waking up in pitch black with nothing but the nearly full moon shining at 3:45am to complete another 2.17miles with what felt like another 900+ feet of elevation gain ending at 13,045ft above sea level for sunrise is an experience unlike anything else.
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In the wise words of my dad: “It is better to be DFL then to DNF”
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If you don’t know what that mean, then I’ll explain. I WAS DEAD F***ING LAST in the group that made it to the summit with less than 5 minutes until sunrise! I made it at least though it wasn’t pretty and I honestly cannot move my legs (48 hours later)! WORTH IT THOUGH
•••
#acatenango #volcánacatenango #volcánacatenago🌋 #sunrise #sunrisehike #volcanosummit #hiking #guatemala #guatemalavolcano #guatemalaadventures #traveladventures #maplessadventures #travellife #traveling #traveler
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