The Strategic Pause Before the Sprint
We started this trip the way more people should: slowly.
Rather than jumping straight into airports and adrenaline, we spent the day in New Jersey easing into travel mode — a mall visit, a movie, unstructured wandering. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was intentional. This kind of buffer day matters when you’re about to stack multiple countries, climates, time zones, and long-haul flights back-to-back.
That calm turned out to be essential.
Just after Christmas, we were hit with the kind of curveball seasoned travelers know all too well: our Galápagos flights were altered in a way that completely broke the itinerary. Connections no longer worked, layovers became impossible, and after hours on the phone with airlines and Expedia, it became clear there was no clean fix. The Galápagos leg had to be canceled entirely.
It was frustrating, but it was also a reminder of something we’ve learned again and again: rigidity is the enemy of good travel. We regrouped, fought for refunds, and rebuilt the trip around what still worked.
Borderless Bros Tip:
If your itinerary includes islands, safaris, or remote regions, never stack tight international connections. Give yourself buffers — or be emotionally prepared to pivot.
Day 2 – December 28
Transition Day: From Planning to Execution
This day was about logistics and mental shift. Final errands, last-minute packing adjustments, itinerary reshuffling, and mentally preparing for long-haul travel. These days rarely make Instagram, but they determine how the trip unfolds.
We headed to JFK early in the evening, intentionally building in extra time to avoid stress. By 9:15 PM, we were at the gate — officially leaving behind routine and entering travel mode.
Day 3 – December 29
Quito: Altitude, History, and the Literal Middle of the World
Sleep on Avianca economy is a challenge. Non-reclining seats, no headrests, and limited legroom made rest minimal. By the time we landed in Quito, the fatigue was real — compounded by altitude.
🏨 Hotel Review: Hotel Inti Quito
Hotel Inti Quito was exactly what we needed for a short stay. Clean, quiet, and well-located, it felt like a calm landing pad after a rough flight. The rooms were comfortable, the beds supportive, and the staff welcoming without being intrusive.
What stood out most was how easy it made everything — access to Old Town, proximity to major routes, and a sense of safety and order.
Who it’s for:
Short stays Travelers prioritizing comfort and location over luxury Anyone arriving exhausted and needing a reset
After a short but critical nap, we headed out.
🌱 Lunch Review: Los Padmitos (Vegan & Vegetarian)
Los Padmitos delivered exactly what a first meal in Ecuador should: warmth, substance, and local flavor. We ordered multiple Ecuadorian-style plates adapted for vegans, including a breakfast-style dish and a saltado with vegan chorizo, plus a vegetable samosa.
The food felt homey and nourishing, not overly processed or gimmicky. Portions were generous, flavors balanced, and everything tasted freshly prepared.
Why it matters:
This is the kind of place that grounds you in a new country rather than easing you in with watered-down international food.
Exploring Quito’s Historic Old Town (UNESCO)
Quito’s Old Town is one of the most intact colonial centers in South America, and it feels like it. The scale is human, the streets are walkable, and history is layered everywhere.
Plaza Grande (Independence Square): Lively without being chaotic. Government buildings, locals gathering, street vendors — it felt like a living civic space, not a museum. Quito Metropolitan Cathedral: Heavy, imposing, and atmospheric. The kind of place that reminds you how deeply Catholicism shaped the region. Church of the Society of Jesus: One of the most jaw-dropping interiors we’ve seen anywhere. Every inch covered in gold leaf, intricate carvings, and visual overload in the best way. This alone justifies a visit to Quito. Calle La Ronda: Cobblestoned, charming, and best experienced earlier in the day. Artisan shops, cafés, and a slower pace that contrasts nicely with the rest of the city.
The Middle of the World
Standing on the equator is a simple moment, but a powerful one. The site itself is quick — you don’t need hours — but the symbolism lands. There’s something grounding about physically standing between hemispheres, even if only briefly.
Carolina Park
Carolina Park offered a completely different side of Quito. Less polished, more local, and very real. Joggers, families, street vendors, uneven patches — it’s not curated, but it’s alive.
Borderless Bros Take:
Not every place needs to be pretty to be worth seeing. This felt authentic.
🌱 Dinner Review: Prana Veggie (Uber Eats)
After a long day, we opted to eat in. Prana Veggie delivered hearty Ecuadorian vegan comfort food: mote pillo, sopa andina, and llapingacho.
The standout was the tofu soup — rich, warming, and deeply satisfying. Everything tasted intentional and filling without being heavy.
Airport Logistics
Quito airport deserves praise. From arrival to gate in under 25 minutes — security, passport control, everything moved quickly and efficiently.
Borderless Bros Tip:
Don’t overbuild buffer time here unless traveling during major holidays.
That night, we boarded our flight to Buenos Aires.
Day 4 – December 30
Buenos Aires: Architecture, Memory, and Walking the City
We landed early and headed straight to our hotel.
🏨 Hotel Review: The Dazzler By Wyndham (Recoleta Area)
This hotel was an excellent home base. Spacious rooms, comfortable beds, solid breakfast, and a location that allowed easy access to Recoleta, Palermo, and major transit routes.
It struck the perfect balance between central and calm — close to everything without feeling trapped in tourist chaos.
Who it’s for:
Travelers staying multiple nights People who plan to walk a lot Anyone who values sleep and space
Recoleta Cemetery
Recoleta Cemetery is haunting in the best way. The mausoleums are architectural statements — marble, statues, and narrow corridors that feel frozen in time.
Seeing Evita Perón’s grave added historical gravity, but the real impact came from wandering and absorbing the sheer density of stories packed into such a small space.
Puerto Madero & Puente de la Mujer
Puerto Madero felt modern and open, a sharp contrast to older neighborhoods. Walking across Puente de la Mujer was less about the bridge itself and more about perspective — water, skyline, and space to breathe.
Açaí Brazil
This stop was survival. Protein smoothies and coffee brought us back to life. Clean, functional, and exactly what was needed mid-day.
Casa Rosada & Plaza de Mayo
Standing beneath the Casa Rosada balcony was surreal. This is where history feels immediate, not distant. Plaza de Mayo buzzed with movement, tourists, locals, and layered narratives.
Palermo & Arcos District
Palermo delivered style, greenery, and breathing room. The Arcos District added shopping and architectural interest, while the surrounding streets felt lived-in and relaxed.
🌱 Dinner Review: Veganius
Veganius was dependable, comforting, and generous. Not experimental, but satisfying — the kind of place you’re glad exists when you just want a solid meal after a long walking day.
Day 5 – December 31
Art, Museums, and a Flexible New Year’s Eve
MALBA
MALBA is exceptional. Focused without being narrow, powerful without being overwhelming. Frida Kahlo’s work anchored the visit, but artists like Diego Rivera, Antonio Berni, Tarsila do Amaral, Xul Solar, and Botero added depth and regional context.
This museum rewards time and attention.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
A perfect backup plan. Spacious, quiet, and wide-ranging — European masters alongside Argentine greats. It felt contemplative and grounding.
Floralis Genérica
Seeing Floralis Genérica in person still impresses. The scale, the metallic finish, the way it interacts with the sky — it earns its reputation.
NYE at Puente de la Mujer & Niceto Club
Fireworks were modest. Crowds were intense. The real fun came later at Macho at Niceto Club — pop music, high energy, and a refreshing break from circuit-heavy scenes.
Day 6 – January 1
Reset Day in Buenos Aires
A slower day wandering Palermo Chico. Quiet streets, embassies, cafés, and space to breathe. These days matter — they let everything settle.
Day 7 – January 2
Buenos Aires → Bogotá → Cartagena
Smooth departure. The Bogotá transfer involved multiple steps but moved efficiently.
🏠 Airbnb Review: Cartagena Walled City
This Airbnb was a standout. Beautifully designed, immaculately clean, and perfectly located inside the walled city. Excellent AC, quiet nights, and walkability to everything.
Who it’s for:
Couples Short stays Travelers who want atmosphere without noise
🌱 Dinner Review: La Mulata
La Mulata delivered one of the best meals of the trip. The veggie wok and arroz wok were deeply flavorful, well-seasoned, and generous.
Verdict: A must in Cartagena.
Evening walks through Centro Histórico were warm, glowing, and alive.
Day 8 – January 3
Cartagena: Heat, History, and Spectacle
After rescheduling the Rosario Islands tour, we explored:
India Catalina Monument: A meaningful historical marker Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas: Sweeping views, intense heat, and a powerful reminder of Cartagena’s strategic importance
🌱 Lunch Review: Golekā (Bocagrande)
Açaí bowls and build-your-own burritos — clean, nourishing, and perfect in the heat.
Christmas Lights & Night Energy
Cartagena’s Christmas lights were some of the most impressive we’ve ever seen. Entire plazas transformed into glowing spectacles. The city felt celebratory, joyful, and alive.
🌱 Dinner Review: Bololó
Exceptional Caribbean-inspired vegan food. The cauliflower and falafel dishes were bold, creative, and deeply satisfying.
Dessert: Gelateria Tramonti
Vegan, sugar-free gelato that still delivered on flavor — a rare win.
Day 9 – January 4
Rosario Islands Tour
An eight-hour tour featuring beach stops, snorkeling with colorful fish, and refreshing water. The snorkeling was the highlight. Lunch was disappointing. Passing Pablo Escobar’s former mansion added a surreal historical note.
🌱 Dinner Review: Chingada
The burrito was solid. The tacos were forgettable. Not a must, but serviceable.
Day 10 – January 5
Departure Day
Early arrival at the airport, smooth departure despite regional concerns, and time to reflect on a fast, full, and deeply rewarding trip.
Final Borderless Bros Takeaway
This trip proved that speed doesn’t have to mean superficial.
With smart lodging, intentional pacing, good food, and flexibility, you can move fast and still connect deeply with a place.
If you want, next I can:
Create standalone city guides from this Extract hotel & food roundup posts Turn this into a series instead of one mega-article
Just tell me how far you want to take it.
