The Roavi Blog
Stories from people who live there.
Travel tips, city guides, and local insights from the Roavi team.
974 articles
Travel Guides
Eastern Europe Travel Guide 2026: Prague, Budapest, Kraków
Eastern Europe offers everything Western Europe has — at half the price, with a quarter of the crowds.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Become a Local Friend
How to Make Money as a Local Guide in 2026 (Hosting, Not Guiding)
What the job actually is, who it suits, what it pays, and the parts that put people off — from the person who built the platform.
Oscar Garcia··4 min read
Food
Best Street Food in Latin America: A City-by-City Guide
The best food in Latin America isn't in restaurants — it's on the street. Here's what to eat and where.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Travel Trends
2026 Travel Trends: What Real Travelers Are Actually Doing
Forget the predictions. Here's what's actually happening in travel in 2026, based on real data.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Travel Trends
Dubai Trip Cancelled? 5 Destinations That Are Even Better
Your Dubai trip got cancelled. These five destinations offer everything Dubai promised — plus authenticity.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Travel Trends · Punta Cana
Punta Cana vs Dubai: Which One Is Actually the Better Trip?
Two places with nothing in common that compete for the same week off. Distance, cost and what is behind the hotel — the honest comparison.
Oscar Garcia··7 min read
City Guides
Things to Do in Athens Beyond the Acropolis
The Acropolis is just the beginning. Athens is a living, breathing city with world-class food and nightlife.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
Travel Tips
Best AI Travel Planners in 2026 (And Why You Still Need a Local Friend)
AI can plan your itinerary. But it can't tell you the restaurant that opened last week or the street to avoid tonight.
Oscar Garcia··2 min read
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 in 2026? A 10-Day Budget With Real Prices
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