The Roavi Blog
Stories from people who live there.
Travel tips, city guides, and local insights from the Roavi team.
1173 articles
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
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··3 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··3 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··3 min read