My compass has always pointed toward elsewhere. At eighteen I shouldered a backpack and set off to Barcelona for intensive Spanish classes and immersed myself into the vibrant city. A year later, I was traveling in Costa Rica and Peru – three nomadic months that taught me that being a backpacker can feel more like home than any fixed address. Since then, Peru has called me back again and again.
University turned the spark into wildfire: one year abroad in Spain, Ireland, and Canada reshaped not just my passport, but my sense of belonging. And then came the Caminos de Santiago. Each kilometer revealed a new sense of who I am.
Whenever life gives me a window of opportunity, I travel – even if it’s just a day hike into the Swiss mountains. Forest trails and alpine air are my anchor; they’re where I reconnect, breathe deep, and feel most alive.
Why Macha Backpacker ?
“Macha” is Costa Rican slang for a blonde, a nickname locals gave me the moment I set foot on their pura vida beaches. The word clung to me like salt on sun‑dried skin and has journeyed across borders ever since. Now it marks every story I choose to share with you.
I’ve often been asked how I found the courage to travel alone, especially as a young woman. The truth is, courage didn’t arrive all at once—it grew with every plane I boarded, every conversation in a new country, every moment I navigated the unknown on my own.
Through this blog, I don’t just want to share my stories—I want to empower other women to write their own. Solo travel can be life-changing: it builds confidence, sparks self-discovery, and connects you to the world in ways you never imagined. If my path can light the way for someone else to take that first step, then every mile has been worth it.