Start Traveling Without Fear

I’m Mason. I traded a traditional post-university path to sell everything and backpack across Asia. That was over 13 years ago.

Today, with more than 130 countries of solo, adventure and moto travel experience, I teach people how to get the most out of their own time on the road either backpacking or on two wheels.

Whether you need practical advice for budget travel or you're planning an overland motorcycle trip, you are in the right place.

The Best Blog for Solo Travelers, Backpackers, Adventure Travelers, & Moto Travelers

Image

Motorcycle Travel Guides

Image

Favorite Travel Itineraries

Image

Solo Travel Guides

Latest Blog Posts

How Many Days in Chiapas? A 5-to-14-Day Road Trip Itinerary

How Many Days in Chiapas? A 5-to-14-Day Road Trip Itinerary

How many days in Chiapas? Seven is the sweet spot. Full day-by-day 7-day and 10-day road trip itineraries, plus how to get around, what to cut, and when to go. ...more

Mexico ,Travel-Itinerary

September 10, 202612 min read

Best Time to Visit Chiapas: Month-by-Month Weather, Waterfalls & Festivals

Best Time to Visit Chiapas: Month-by-Month Weather, Waterfalls & Festivals

The best time to visit Chiapas is November to April, the dry season, with November the sweet spot for turquoise waterfalls, green jungle, and lower prices. ...more

Mexico

September 10, 202611 min read

The Best Waterfalls in Chiapas: A Resident's Ranked Guide

The Best Waterfalls in Chiapas: A Resident's Ranked Guide

Chiapas waterfalls ranked by a resident: Agua Azul, Misol-Ha, El Chiflón and more, with fees, drive times, crowd levels, and when to actually go. ...more

Mexico

September 10, 202615 min read

Toniná Ruins: Chiapas' Tallest Pyramid (and Palenque's Old Rival)

Toniná Ruins: Chiapas' Tallest Pyramid (and Palenque's Old Rival)

How to visit the Toniná ruins near Ocosingo: the 71 m hillside acropolis, the colectivo from the market, the 2026 entry fee and hours, and why it beat Palenque. ...more

Mexico

September 10, 202610 min read

El Chiflón Waterfalls: How to Visit from Comitán (Cascada Velo de Novia)

El Chiflón Waterfalls: How to Visit from Comitán (Cascada Velo de Novia)

How to visit El Chiflón waterfalls from Comitán: colectivo directions, the ~80-peso entry, the two river-side entrances, and the hike to the 120 m Velo de Novia. ...more

Mexico

September 10, 202610 min read

How to Fly to Chiapas, Mexico: A 2026 Guide to Every Airport

How to Fly to Chiapas, Mexico: A 2026 Guide to Every Airport

A 2026 guide to Chiapas's three airports — which one to fly into for San Cristóbal, Palenque, or the Guatemala border. ...more

Mexico

September 08, 20269 min read

Is Chiapas Safe in 2026? An Honest, Current Assessment

Is Chiapas Safe in 2026? An Honest, Current Assessment

Is Chiapas safe in 2026? The US advisory is Level 3, but the San Cristóbal–Palenque tourist corridor is still traveled daily. An honest, sourced breakdown. ...more

Mexico

September 03, 202614 min read

The Lacandón Jungle: Visiting Lacanjá Chansayab

The Lacandón Jungle: Visiting Lacanjá Chansayab

How to visit Lacanjá Chansayab, a Lacandón Maya community in the Selva Lacandona: getting there from Palenque, cabañas, guided jungle hikes, and 2026 safety. ...more

Mexico

September 03, 202612 min read

Yaxchilán & Bonampak: Visiting the Usumacinta Jungle Ruins

Yaxchilán & Bonampak: Visiting the Usumacinta Jungle Ruins

Yaxchilán and Bonampak sit deep in the Usumacinta jungle near Guatemala. How to visit both by boat, tour vs DIY costs, the murals, and 2026 safety. ...more

Mexico

September 03, 202616 min read

The Best Destinations You Need to Travel to in 2026

El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza during sunset with the word Mexico in large white text across the center
Tikal Mayan ruins in the jungle during sunset with the word Guatemala in large white text across the center
Traditional Korean palace pavilion and pond surrounded by cherry blossoms with the words South Korea in large white text across the center
Lush green hills and tall wax palms of the Cocora Valley with the word Colombia in large white text across the center
Taipei 101 skyscraper and city skyline at sunset with the word Taiwan in large white text across the center
The Citadelle Laferriere mountaintop fortress surrounded by green mountains with the word Haiti in large white text across the center

Copyrights 2026 | Mason the Traveler™ | Affiliate Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Mexico Group Trips