The Roavi Blog
Stories from people who live there.
Travel tips, city guides, and local insights from the Roavi team.
974 articles
Travel Tips
Shoulder Season Travel: Why the Best Trips Happen Off-Peak
The secret that experienced travelers know: the best time to visit is when everyone else doesn't.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Become a Local Friend
How Much Do Local Guides Actually Make? By City
Everyone advertises '$50-100/hour!' The honest picture is more nuanced — here's what realistically drives earnings city by city.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Travel Trends
Why the Ambassador Economy Is the Next Big Thing in Tourism
Regular people earning money by connecting travelers with locals. Meet the ambassador economy.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Travel Tips
Summer 2026 Travel: Where to Go When Everyone Else Is Going Everywhere
Summer 2026 will be the busiest travel season ever. Here's how to avoid the crowds and still have an incredible trip.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Food
Best Food Cities in Europe 2026
From Michelin stars to market stalls — these European cities deliver the best eating experiences on the continent.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Nightlife
Best Nightlife Cities in the World 2026: Ranked
From Buenos Aires to Berlin to Bangkok — these cities don't sleep.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Safety · Santo Domingo
Is It Safe to Drink the Water in the Dominican Republic?
A Dominican's honest 2026 guide to drinking water in the DR: what locals actually do, where it's safe, and how to avoid the one mistake tourists keep making.
Oscar Garcia··8 min read
Safety · Santo Domingo
Solo Female Travel in Dominican Republic: An Honest 2026 Guide
A 2026 solo female travel guide to the Dominican Republic — written with input from Dominican women and solo travelers who've actually done it. Safety, neighborhoods, what to expect.
Oscar Garcia··11 min read
Safety · Punta Cana
Tourist Traps in Punta Cana: A 2026 Local's Guide to Avoiding Them
Every common tourist trap in Punta Cana for 2026 — from the e-ticket scam to beach vendors to timeshare pitches. Written by a Dominican local who's seen it all.
Oscar Garcia··9 min read
Travel Tips · Santo Domingo
Do They Speak English in the Dominican Republic? (2026 Honest Guide)
A Dominican's honest 2026 answer on English in the DR — where it's common, where it isn't, and exactly how much Spanish you need for your trip.
Oscar Garcia··7 min read
Travel Tips
Tipping in Latin America: A 2026 Country-by-Country Guide
Exactly how much to tip in every Latin American country in 2026 — restaurants, taxis, hotels, tour guides. From a traveler who's done the whole region.
Oscar Garcia··8 min read
Travel Guides · Punta Cana
Best Beaches in the Dominican Republic That Tourists Never Find
Sixteen hundred kilometres of coastline, and most visitors see one beach: the one in front of the resort. Here is the rest of it.
Oscar Garcia··6 min read