Hey, I'm Leo.
I was born in France but grew up in Melbourne, Australia. My love for travel started when I went on my first boys' trip to Vietnam after finishing school, and grew after travelling through Central America. After Covid, and a full 18 months' worth of full-time work, I decided to take off for 15 months to travel through Central and South America.
During my 15 months off, I gravitated towards trying to figure out how to complete hikes without a guide, get around using local transport, and eat at the local places I'd usually never find online. I felt that this way of travelling was more fulfilling and, for a moment, actually made me feel like I was living in a place rather than just passing through it as a tourist. This website is a collection of all the guides I wrote for people along the way, so you can do the same.
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01
Go self-guided when you can
If it's safe, legal and doesn't genuinely need a guide, I'd rather do it myself. Whether it's a hike, road trip or day trip, there's nothing better than figuring it out and completing it on your own.
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02
Follow the smoke
If there's a barbecue on the pavement, a handwritten menu, or a room full of locals, I'm asking for a table. The best meals are usually the simple ones you stumble across, not the ones you find on Google.
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03
Take the overnight bus
Choosing an overnight bus can save you money and force you to stop for a second instead of always being on the move. It's not always glamorous, but it stretches the budget and makes the journey part of the trip.
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04
Leave some gaps in the plan
I like knowing where I'm starting and roughly where I want to end up, but I don't need every day locked in. Some of the best parts of a trip happen when there's room to change direction.
Built for travellers,
not for clicks.
Do It Self Guided was built to be different from most travel websites. I did not want to create another site full of long, generic articles written mainly to rank on Google. Every guide is written from first-hand experience on routes I've done myself (or by people I trust), with the kind of specific detail that makes a real difference when you are planning what to do next.
- Clear, practical guides
- First-hand experience only
- Honest recommendations
- Straight answers on whether a tour is worth it
- Sponsored content or paid reviews
- Undisclosed affiliate links
- Generic tour package advice
- Filler written for Google rankings
Say hello.
One of the best parts of sharing these guides is hearing from people using them. I'd love to hear from you.
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Ask anything
Planning a route, unsure about a crossing or want a second opinion? Send it through and I'll do my best to help.
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Spot a mistake
Travel details change quickly. If you notice something out of date or unclear, please tell me and I can update it.
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Suggest a destination
Know somewhere that deserves a guide? I'm always keen to hear what should be on my list for the next trip.