Travel Documented Podcast

Discover how two major travel trends are combining to revolutionize budget travel in 2025. In this episode, we explore the explosive growth of solo travel and the booming pet sitting industry, and reveal how savvy travelers are using both to unlock authentic, affordable adventures around the world.We'll dive into why more people than ever are choosing to travel alone, what destinations are trending for solo explorers, and how house sitting can eliminate your biggest travel expense while connecting you with locals and adorable pets. From practical tips for getting started to real talk about the challenges, this episode gives you everything you need to know about this game-changing approach to travel.Whether you're dreaming of slow travel through Europe, looking to stretch your travel budget, or simply love the idea of exploring new cities with a furry companion by your side, this episode will show you how to make it happen.What You'll Learn:Why solo travel is having a major moment in 2025How pet sitting works and why it's perfect for independent travelersThe best platforms and strategies for finding house sitsTrending destinations for solo travelersHow to build a winning house sitter profileReal challenges and how to overcome themPractical steps to get started todayPerfect for digital nomads, budget travelers, pet lovers, and anyone ready to explore the world on their own terms.Visit our ⁠Website⁠: Traveldocumented.comConnect with Travel DocumentedOur Website: Find all our resources, articles, and more at ⁠⁠traveldocumented.com⁠⁠Travel with Trusted Housesitters: Use our sign-up link: ⁠⁠https://traveldocumented.com/trustedhousesitters/⁠⁠Explore Our Journey on YouTube: See our adventures and behind-the-scenes moments on the Travel Documented YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Travel.Documented/⁠⁠Listen & Subscribe: Make sure to subscribe to the Travel Documented Podcast on your favorite platform!All Our Links in One Place: Discover everything at our Linktree: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/traveldocumented⁠⁠Support Our Work: If you enjoy what we do, you can support us on Kofi: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/traveldocumented⁠⁠Get Notified! Sign up for updates on our upcoming book, anticipated late Fall 2025! Head to ⁠⁠https://traveldocumented.com/book-pre-launch-pet-sitting-unleashed-house-and-pet-sitting/⁠⁠We are available on all major podcast platforms. If you are enjoying our podcast, drop us a positive review on whichever platform you are listening on.

Are you tired of just dreaming about living abroad? Do you crave a deeper connection to new cultures and a life filled with authentic experiences? This episode of Travel Documented is for you.Join Samantha, an experienced international pet sitter and solo female traveler, as she shares invaluable insights from her own journey of making the leap abroad. After over two decades in Dallas, Texas, Samantha traded the familiar for nearly two years of immersive travel through Mexico, from Mexico City to Cancun, embracing local life every step of the way.This episode isn't a rigid "how-to guide." Instead, it's a candid conversation designed to spark your excitement and provide real, actionable clarity. Samantha talks about what it truly means to pursue a life abroad, especially as a single woman. She pulls back the curtain on the motivations that drive such a significant change, helping you "nail your why." You'll hear about the essential groundwork and how international pet sitting became her unique pathway to deep cultural immersion.In this episode, we're talking about:Discovering Your "Why": Understanding the core motivations for living abroad and embracing life transformation.Concrete Steps for Preparation: Practical insights into planning your move, simplifying your life, and navigating new environments.The Solo Female Traveler Perspective: Addressing specific considerations for women traveling alone and making the leap.International Pet Sitting: Samantha's authentic experiences and how it opens doors to cultural immersion and a nomadic lifestyle.Get ready to explore the exciting realities, common hurdles, and fundamental preparations for living abroad. Discover how to transform your dream into a tangible reality, all through the lens of genuine shared experiences and insightful conversation.Connect with Travel DocumentedOur Website: Find all our resources, articles, and more at ⁠traveldocumented.com⁠Travel with Trusted Housesitters: Use our sign-up link: ⁠https://traveldocumented.com/trustedhousesitters/⁠Explore Our Journey on YouTube: See our adventures and behind-the-scenes moments on the Travel Documented YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Travel.Documented/⁠Listen & Subscribe: Make sure to subscribe to the Travel Documented Podcast on your favorite platform!All Our Links in One Place: Discover everything at our Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/traveldocumented⁠Support Our Work: If you enjoy what we do, you can support us on Kofi: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/traveldocumented⁠Get Notified! Sign up for updates on our upcoming book, anticipated late Fall 2025! Head to ⁠https://traveldocumented.com/book-pre-launch-pet-sitting-unleashed-house-and-pet-sitting/⁠We are available on all major podcast platforms. If you are enjoying our podcast, drop us a positive review on whichever platform you are listening on.

In this episode of the Travel Documented Podcast, I take you with me on a real-time backpacking travel day as I leave the bohemian beach town of Sayulita and head south to the bustling coastal city of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This isn’t just a story about getting from Point A to Point B—it’s a raw, immersive glimpse into what it’s really like to travel solo through Mexico, navigating public transportation, Ubers, steep streets, appointments, and the ever-present pull to explore—even after dental work!🌿 Sayulita, nestled in the lush hills north of Puerto Vallarta, has long been one of my favorite beach towns in Mexico. Known for its chill surf vibes, creative expat scene, and cobblestone streets, it’s the perfect place to unplug and recharge. But when real life calls—like, say, a dentist appointment—it's time to make moves. This episode begins with me strapping on my backpack and hiking through the town’s winding roads to reach the Sayulita bus station.From there, I catch an Uber that takes me through scenic mountain roads and the small city of Bucerías, offering beautiful views and a slice of everyday life along the way. As we pass Vidanta—a well-known timeshare hotspot—I share some insight on what to expect if you're ever lured into a high-pressure sales pitch in Mexico.As we arrive in Puerto Vallarta, the vibe instantly shifts. The roads get busier, the traffic thicker, and the energy more intense. If Sayulita is where you go to relax, Puerto Vallarta is where you re-enter the pulse of city life. My driver drops me off at a hostel in a new neighborhood I haven’t stayed in before—one I specifically chose to explore and feature in a future episode.But before I can settle in, I have to make it to my dental appointment in Old Town (Zona Romántica). Between backpacking, bus rides, and a tight schedule, it’s a race against the clock. Spoiler: I make it! And if you’re curious about dental tourism in Mexico or are considering care abroad, I even share my experience and the name of the clinic I used:—highly recommended if you're in the Puerto Vallarta area.With my face slightly numb from a filling (don’t worry, I kept the camera steady), I still couldn’t resist walking through the city. I weave through PV’s bustling neighborhoods, pass vibrant restaurants and colorful shops, and soak in the warmth of the weather and the joy of street life. For solo travelers like me, there’s something magical about simply wandering with no specific destination—especially in a place like Puerto Vallarta.This episode is full of motion, from backpack straps to dentist chairs, and packed with insight into the rhythms of digital nomad life in Mexico. If you’ve ever wondered what a real, unfiltered day of solo travel looks like—including all the beautiful, hectic, mundane, and unexpected moments—this is the episode for you.🧳 Highlights in this episode:Saying goodbye to Sayulita after an extended stayUbering through the mountains of Nayarit and JaliscoFirst-hand advice on navigating Mexico’s roadways and small townsMy experience with dental care in Puerto VallartaExploring Old Town PV by foot—while still numbed upWhy wandering new neighborhoods is one of my favorite parts of travelEncouragement for solo female travelers, digital nomads, and expats📍Whether you're interested in long-term travel, Mexico travel tips, digital nomad life, or just love good storytelling from the road, this episode brings it all together—with honesty, humor, and a little dental work thrown in for good measure.

In this episode of the Travel Documented Podcast, Samantha returns to Sayulita, Mexico to uncover the heart and soul of this vibrant surf town—beyond the tourist path. From stumbling upon quiet co-working spaces and serene yoga studios to getting nearly run over in the middle of spontaneous street tacos and vendor shopping, this trip captures Sayulita in its chaotic, colorful glory.You’ll hear about her second hostel stay at Sisters Hostel, complete with a rooftop swing, nearby street vendors, and the thrill of discovering yet another paradise corner of the Pacific coast. Whether it's beetle cars, barefoot strolls through artisan alleys, or beach massages you'll never forget, Sayulita keeps surprising with its bohemian magic and electric energy.Perfect for digital nomads, solo travelers, or anyone dreaming of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, this episode dives into the pulse of Sayulita’s backstreets, vegan cafés, art scenes, and hidden gems you won’t find on the average travel blog.Watch the Full Version on Youtube Here - https://youtu.be/eHZs8EtI9V4 Drop us a comment, like and subscribe for more!

In this episode of the Travel Documented Podcast, we’re headed back to the wildly popular, wonderfully weird, and irresistibly relaxing beach town of Sayulita, Mexico—and this time, it’s personal.Samantha shares her second, longer stay in this Pacific coastal gem just north of Puerto Vallarta and opens up about why Sayulita stole a piece of her heart. From soft sand and sunny skies to beachside breakfasts and unexpected RV parks, she takes you through the town’s colorful, chaotic streets, introduces you to its relaxed-yet-lively energy, and offers travel insights from the solo female traveler lens.Sayulita is more than a surf town. It’s a creative hub for digital nomads, wellness seekers, and snowbirds alike. Whether you’re drawn to its yoga classes, street tacos, co-working spaces, tattoo studios, or the occasional wild golf cart ride down cobblestone streets, Sayulita invites you to slow down, explore freely, and rediscover yourself.You’ll hear:🏖️ Samantha’s thoughts on the evolving vibe of Sayulita🏕️ Details about a hidden RV park with no online presence (truly off-the-radar)🌅 Her travel tips for navigating the town, from buses to golf carts🧘‍♀️ Why Sayulita is perfect for solo travelers looking for something real, relaxing, and creatively rechargingSamantha also reflects on the deeper pull of this town—why it feels like a place where buried dreams start to bubble back to the surface. Whether you want to surf, heal, connect, or simply watch the sunset with beet-and-carrot juice in hand, this episode paints a vivid picture of what Sayulita is really like—beyond the tourist brochures.🎙️ Ready to see why Samantha calls Sayulita one of her favorite places in Mexico? Tune in now and let the journey begin.

🏝️ Lo De Marcos, Mexico: The Quiet Beach Town That Won Me Over Why I Think This Underrated Coastal Gem Won’t Stay a Secret Much LongerIn this episode of the Travel Documented Podcast, I take you along to Lo De Marcos, a quiet beach town tucked just north of Sayulita and San Pancho on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Located along the beautiful Riviera Nayarit, Lo De Marcos feels like the Mexico people talk about before tourism took over—a place where you can still walk on the beach without crowds, sip coffee in peace, and connect with the rhythms of a more authentic daily life.This is not a trendy tourist destination. There are no all-inclusives, no big resorts, and no polished excursions. Just slow mornings, friendly locals, fresh-caught seafood, and a stretch of sandy beach that feels like it belongs to you. It’s the kind of place that makes you question everything you thought you wanted in a getaway—and I think it’s only a matter of time before more people discover it.As a solo female traveler, I’ve seen my share of destinations across Mexico. But something about Lo De Marcos stayed with me. In this episode, I share what it’s really like to land in a place that feels untouched and maybe even a little magical.You'll hear about:My real-time reactions to arriving in Lo De MarcosWhy I think this area is poised for a shift—and what that means for travelersHow it compares to nearby, more tourist-heavy townsWhat makes it appealing to digital nomads, slow travelers, and those seeking simplicityThe vibe of the town, the layout, the food, the people.Whether you're craving a less touristy place to visit in Mexico, scouting for your next long-term stay, or just love exploring quieter corners of the world, this episode offers a look at a town that’s still flying under the radar—but not for long.🎙️ Plus, I share my predictions for Lo De Marcos and whether or not it can maintain its low-key charm in the years ahead.Come along as we explore the beauty, simplicity, and quiet transformation of Lo De Marcos—before the rest of the world catches on.Catch the Video Episode here: