ABOUT
Off Path Travels is an adventure travel blog featuring outdoor activities and off the beaten path destinations to help you plan your next adventure.
- explore less-visited destinations and national parks in the western US and Mexico?
- find the best gear without hours of product comparisons?
- know exactly what you need to pack for each destination and outdoor activity?
- spend less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation?
- develop the skills for you need to explore the outdoors safely and responsibly?
- save more money for outdoor activities and trips?
- learn about vanlife and what you need to build your own camper van?
- in-depth travel guides to off-the-beaten-path destinations in the western US and Mexico
- honest reviews of our favorite travel and outdoor gear
- printable packing checklists tailored for each outdoor activity and location
- done-for-you detailed trip itineraries that avoid tourist traps
- outdoor activity tips for hiking, camping, snowboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and more
- expert financial advice for saving money when planning your trip and while traveling
- vanlife tips and camper van build essentials
Off Path Travels was born from our passion for helping others explore less-visited destinations and get outdoors.
We started off as Weekend Warriors based out of Colorado. Working full-time in cubicles and living for our weekend getaways.
We spent all of our time off researching the best outdoor gear, planning the ultimate adventures, and taking road trips to backpack, snowboard, camp, hike, kayak, snowshoe, and raft throughout Colorado.
Although we had minimal vacation time, we also managed to travel together to less-visited spots, like snorkeling with wild dolphins off Hawaii’s Big Island and exploring bat caves and cenotes (fresh water sinkholes) in Mexico.
When we got back each Monday, our coworkers wanted to know all about our weekend adventures.
“What’s the best campsite there?”
“Which hiking shoes do you use?”
“How do you pack for a multi-day backpacking trip?”
“Where in Mexico is that? I’ve only been to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun.”
We gave them all of our best outdoor tips, revealed our favorite camping spots, encouraged them to explore beyond the popular destinations, and described the ins and outs of our gear.
We quickly realized there’s a huge need for outdoor activity and travel advice from experts you can trust to do the thorough research and planning necessary to give you in-depth travel guides, detailed packing lists, and solid adventure travel tips.
You really do want to get outside and get off the beaten path! You just need someone that’s passionate about helping you step outside your comfort zone to do it.
And that someone is us, Kristina and Michael!
We started Off Path Travels in 2018 to share our best gear advice, outdoor activities tips, and off the beaten path destination guides with the world and now we have thousands of readers each month.
That means that each year, we’re helping hundreds of thousands of people, just like you, get out there and get off path!
Hola! We’re Kristina and Michael, the adventurous married couple and travel writers behind Off Path Travels.
Wondering where we are right now? Find out by following our Instagram stories.
Want to get in touch with us? Send us a message.
Our resident expert on beach destinations, snorkeling, planning trips, social media, designing the website, and day-dreaming about scuba diving.
Kristina is beach-loving southern Californian and fluent in English and Spanish; Mexican by blood and American by birth. She loves helping travelers explore authentic Mexico and immerse themselves in its culture.
Her first trip abroad (other than to Mexico) was a month-long trip to Japan when she was 10 years old. She’s been addicted to travel ever since and has spent many a sleepless night researching new destinations and building the perfect itinerary.
Kristina has a degree in Political Science and previously worked for a series of non-profits from environmental to educational before starting Off Path Travels.
Mountain destinations, camping, reading topography maps, building campfires, editing posts, doing taxes, and wishing he was snowboarding are just a few of the things Michael excels at.
He is a Colorado native with a lifelong passion for exploring the Rocky Mountains and enjoying nature responsibly.
Whether it’s buying the right outdoor gear, getting the camper van ready for a road trip, or charting out a backpacking adventure, Michael gets the research and prep work done to make everything go smoothly.
Michael is an ex suit-wearing financial advisor with a JD, turned man-bun-wearing van lifer with a travel blog.
“Thank you so much for all the information!
I had run across conflicting information from various sources – some of it several years old – and was beginning to think that I may need to cancel a visit to Bonampak and Yaxchilan. You’ve clarified everything – and provided extra background info as well! Your posts are in-depth, well-written, thorough, thoughtful, and extremely practical with invaluable tips. I loved reading your posts (Lagunas de Montebello, El Chiflon, Yaxchilan/Bonampak). The photography is beautiful!”
“Wanted to take a moment to say thanks for your great blog posts on the area around Comitán. We started traveling full time a few months ago and look at blog posts almost daily when planning and researching. You guys do a great job! Your posts are well written, give information which is super helpful and are enjoyable to read. Thanks for putting out such a great product and helping those of us who try to get off that beaten path a little more.”
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