2020-2021 America Pandemic Adventures Filipino Solo Trip

living my dream as Solo Backpacker during Covid-19 Pandemic, the #newnormal of tourism
November 26, 2020 to June 19, 2021 (205 days)

"Live a life to inspire, live a life with sense of accomplishment, live a life you will remember" - Mang Andoy

Coronavirus has changed the way we travel, this pandemic has brought significant challenges to global travel industry. My Covid-19 travel adventure begun from the moment it was gradually spreading from Asia. My first pandemic journey (January to February 2020) was in Chile, Uruguay, United States and Philippines. Surprisingly, the itinerary I created on this trip was my first around the World, 360 degrees tour (circumnavigated the Earth from Middle East to America back to Asia). Then, while most of the countries worldwide was on the beginning of 1st wave, my second pandemic journey (September to October 2020) was in Philippines, United States, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Ukraine. Like most of other employees worldwide, I lost my beloved job also due to huge effect to aviation industry (business re-structuring). Even so, I am forever grateful and proud of my four years in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Finally, while the surge of the 1st wave continuous, my third pandemic journey (November 2020 to June 2021) was this Latin America trip. Based on this, I traveled to 23 countries across 4 continents with more than 25 sets of Covid-19 Test (mostly nasal swab PCR) ALL NEGATIVE RESULT.

Despite the challenge of #newnormal, I accomplished my itinerary beyond my expectation. I just finished seven months of solo backpacking to these wonderful countries of American Continent (Nov. 2020 to Jun. 2021) with Covid19 vaccine Sinopharm (Aug. 2020 in Abu Dhabi, UAE) and J&J  Janssen (May 2021 in Boston, US). Another proud bucket list achievement; having a Philippine passport on a tight budget, all first time visits traveled from United States down to South America, language barrier, currency exchange, changing airport/land border entry/exit requirements, sudden flight cancellations and of course, the pandemic protocol on tourism and transportation.

Some of my top accomplishment on this journey are Completed the World's Seven New Wonders, all-DIY budget solo hikes (World's youngest volcano, Central America highest peaks and some Ecuador's top mountain), visited every country's signature landmarks, elusive Ecuador visa application using my mobile phone only, pandemic travel techniques and having all negative result for more than 25 sets of Covid-19 PCR Nasal Swab Test.

205 days, 15 countries, 20 Covid19 Tests.

Traveled from Abu Dhabi to Mexico then Central America, South America, United States and Manila. 

MARAMING SALAMAT, MUCHAS GRACIAS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! 

MEXICO, BELIZE, GUATEMALA, EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS, NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA, PANAMA, COLOMBIA, BOLIVIA, PARAGUAY, PERU, ECUADOR, GUYANA AND UNITED STATES #opentheeconomy #newnormal #pandemictraveling #goodvibes #lakbay100 #mexico #belize #guatemala #elsalvador #honduras #nicaragua #costarica #panama #colombia #bolivia #paraguay #peru #ecuador #guyana #unitedstates #philippines #northamerica #centralamerica #southamerica #america #pinoytraveler #backpacking #bucketlist 

2020-2021 America Pandemic Adventures Filipino Solo Trip

Belize Mayan Pyramids of Altun Ha and Xunantunich

9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize December 27, 2020 to January 04, 2021

New Year's Eve in Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker

Day 02: Dec. 28, 2020 Mon / Belize City

0600H ETD Hotel; walk to Novelo Bus Terminal 

0800H ETD Belize City; bus to Coroazan 6

1000H ETA Lamanai (before Orange Walk);

Late arrival (tour is 0900H to 1430H at $125); Holiday today, public transportation is minimal

1130H ETD Lamanai; lunch 6; bus to Sandhill 3

1200H ETA Sandhill; car lift to Altun Ha 50; Altun Ha Archaeological Reserve 10

1430H ETA Sandhill; bus to City arrived late 2

1830H ETA Hotel; dinner 14

TOTAL: $91

Day 06: Jan. 01, 2021 Fri / Benque (New Year)

0630H ETD San Pedro; port fee 1; bread 2

0800H ETA Belize City; walk to Bus Terminal

0900H ETD Belize City 10

1230H ETA Benque; Mama Tina's Homestay 31; Lunch 6

Xunantunich Archaeological Reserve 10; dinner 10

TOTAL: $70 

Day 07: Jan. 02, 2021 Sat / Belize City

0730H ETD Benque 10

1030H ETA Belize City; Caribbean Hotel 57 USD; lunch 14; fridge magnet 4; Dinner 6

TOTAL: $34 + 57 USD

Belize Mayan Pyramids of Altun Ha and Xunantunich

New Year's Eve in Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker

9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize December 27, 2020 to January 04, 2021

Belize City and Placencia Walk Tour

Day 03: Dec. 29, 2020 Tue / Belize City

0700H Breakfast; Seaside walk

0900H ETD Hotel; walk to Belize City ferry; Look for Hostel / Covid19 PCR Test Clinics; lunch 6

1300H PCR TEST Matron in Roberts PolyClinic 100

1630H ETD Belize City; return ferry 56

1800H ETA San Pedro; Sandbar Hostel; Dinner 9; beer 5

TOTAL: $76

Day 04: Dec. 30, 2020 Wed / Caye Caulker

1000H ETD San Pedro; return ferry 36; breakfast 4

1030H ETA Caye Caulker; lunch 11; The Split; Caye Caulker Beach walk

1245H ETD Caye Caulker; port fee 1

1330H ETA San Pedro; dinner and beer 13

TOTAL: $65

Day 05: Dec. 31, 2020 Thu / Ambergris Caye

1130H Brunch 13

1700H Dinner 10; night snacks 22

TOTAL: $45

Day 06: Jan. 01, 2021 Fri / Benque (New Year)

0630H ETD San Pedro; port fee 1; bread 2

0800H ETA Belize City; walk to Bus Terminal

New Year's Eve in Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker

Belize City and Placencia Walk Tour

9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize December 27, 2020 to January 04, 2021

Pandemic Summer Solo Trip in Belize Summary and Itinerary

Day 01: Dec. 27, 2020 Sun / Cancun to Belize

Flight Ticket Cancun - Belize 352 USD (cc) 

Caribbean Hotel 2N 59 USD (cc)

Sandbar Beachfront Hostel 3N 51 USD (cc)

1200H ETD Downtown; ADO to Airport FBO Building 

1500H ETD Cancun UTC-0500H; flight 9N 6611

1545H ETA Belize City UTC-0600H; taxi 14

Money Exchange 238 USD = $476 (2.0); Caribbean Hotel; dinner 20

TOTAL: $34 + 462 USD (cc) 

Day 02: Dec. 28, 2020 Mon / Belize City

0600H ETD Hotel; walk to Novelo Bus Terminal 

0800H ETD Belize City; bus to Coroazan 6

1000H ETA Lamanai (before Orange Walk)

Late arrival (tour is 0900H to 1430H at $125); Holiday today, public transportation is minimal

1130H ETD Lamanai; lunch 6; bus to Sandhill 3

1200H ETA Sandhill; car lift to Altun Ha 50; Altun Ha Archaeological Reserve 10

1430H ETA Sandhill; bus to City arrived late 2

1830H ETA Hotel; dinner 14

TOTAL: $91

Day 08: Jan. 03, 2021 Sun / Placencia

0800H ETD Belize City 20

1215H ETA Placencia; Beachwalk; lunch 5

1445H ETD Placencia 20

1900H ETA Belize City; dinner 6

TOTAL: $51

Belize City and Placencia Walk Tour

9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize

40 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Central America

December 27, 2020 to January 04, 2021

My 115th country visited on my journey beyond #lakbay100, 93rd solo backpacking trip, 5th country in North America and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. Belize served also as the second country on my 2020-2021 America Pandemic Adventures Filipino Solo Trip, the new normal of traveling.

Belize, formerly the colony of British Honduras, is the only country in Central America without a coastline on the Pacific Ocean (only the Caribbean Sea to its east), and the only one in the region with English as its official language. With a long Caribbean coast, Belize is a culturally diverse and mixed race country with one foot in Latin America and the other in the Caribbean. There is the creole/ (Afro-European mixture) population as well as the native Maya people and the Mestizos that tend to live in the north and northwest of the country Spanish is often spoken. In the south east along the Caribbean coast live the Garifuna (Black Caribs) an Afro-Amerindian culture. World class attractions include exploring the lush jungles with exotic plants and animals, deep sea fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean sea with its attractive reefs, and visiting the Mayan ruins.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Belize

9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize

40 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Central America

2020-2021 America Pandemic Adventures Filipino Solo Trip

December 27, 2020 to February 04, 2021

Philippine passport holders are visa upon arrival with visa fee gratis for these 8 countries (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) if using a valid US B2 visa. Despite the strict entry immigration requirements and danger of Covid19 pandemic challenge, I visited them all successfully as a Filipino Solo Backpacker on budget DIY basis using Philippine passport only. 

Central America is the thin section of land that links the North American continent with the South American continent. Geographically part of North America, it is made up of seven small, mostly tropical countries that have much more in common with South America and Mexico than the more affluent north. Mexico is occasionally considered part of Central America due to the language and cultural heritage it shares with several of the countries in the region.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Central_America

40 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Central America