The Roavi Blog
Stories from people who live there.
Travel tips, city guides, and local insights from the Roavi team.
453 articles
Become a Local Friend
How to Make $2,000/Month as a Local Friend (Not a Tour Guide)
The math works out to 20 sessions per month at $25/hr. Here's the realistic playbook — and why you don't need a tour guide license.
Oscar Garcia··5 min read
Itineraries · Tokyo
5 Days in Tokyo: A Local's Itinerary (Not the Tourist One)
Skip the Shibuya-first jet-lag mistake. A neighborhood-by-neighborhood plan built by people who live in Tokyo.
Oscar Garcia··4 min read
Budget · Tokyo
How Much Does a Trip to Japan Cost? A 10-Day Budget
A 10-day Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka trip costs $1,750 budget, $3,100 mid-range, or $5,300 comfortable per person. Here's where every dollar goes.
Oscar Garcia··4 min read
Become a Local Friend
How Much Do Local Friends Actually Earn? A Realistic Breakdown
There's no single number — it depends on your city, your rate, and how often travelers reach out. Here's the honest math, not a promise.
Oscar Garcia··4 min read
Become a Local Friend
Side Hustles for People Who Love Travel: An Honest Comparison
Blogging, affiliate marketing, teaching online, hosting travelers — how these travel-adjacent side hustles actually compare on startup cost, time, and realistic pay.
Oscar Garcia··4 min read
City Guides · Santiago
Santiago, Dominican Republic: The Complete Guide (2026)
Everyone goes to Punta Cana or Santo Domingo. Santiago is the DR most tourists never see — and it's worth the detour.
Oscar Garcia··3 min read
Safety · Santiago
Is Santiago, Dominican Republic Safe for Tourists?
Santiago gets a fraction of the tourists Punta Cana and Santo Domingo do. Here's what that means for safety.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
City Guides · Santiago
The Best Things to Do in Santiago, Dominican Republic
Cigars, baseball, waterfalls, and the Dominican Republic's biggest Carnaval — Santiago's highlight reel.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Safety · Cali
Is Cali, Colombia Safe for Tourists in 2026?
Cali has a rougher reputation than Medellín or Bogotá. Here's the honest, current picture from people who live there.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Travel Tips
What Is a Local Friend? The New Way to Travel
Local friend travel is replacing tours and guidebooks. Here's what it is and how it works.
Oscar Garcia··6 min read
Nightlife
The Best Nightlife in Latin America: City by City Ranking
From salsa in Cali to tango in Buenos Aires — here's where to party in Latin America.
Oscar Garcia··1 min read
City Guides
Things to Do in Budapest: A Local's Guide
Ruin bars, thermal baths, the Danube at night — Budapest delivers more per dollar than almost any city in Europe.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read