Cusco is a stunning city with views as far as the eyes can see. The food there is the most exquisite in the world. You have to try Ceviche there and also try there famous pisco sour drink. I went during the spring time around March, and it was very brisk outside being at such high altitude. My biggest suggestion is to take the first couple days off and just relax. At least 5-7 days are optimal, since altitude sickness will come for you like the grime reaper. You can take the pills and coca leaves, but i opted out of those options for personal reasons. Of course Machu Picchu is the highlight for the majority, but for me it was Rainbow mountain. Make sure visibility and clear skies are present during your hike, especially if you want that perfect shot of the iconic mountain. Also another favorite was a Lake called Laguna Humantay. A difficult hike almost as exhausting as Rainbow Mountain, but equally astonishing views. Travelling while black was problem free. Most of all Latin American countries offer a wide variety of people who are more concerned with their national pride and identities rather than color.

If your looking for a fun filled adventure, look no further then this beautiful island called Bali. From stunning beaches, to exotic mountains hikes, Bali has it all to offer. There are dozens of options for affordable villa stays that can include your own private pool. Airbnb is a great place to start. If you are looking for a private pool, check the descriptions on Airbnb very carefully to see if the pool is being shared by other guests on the property. The food there is out of this world fresh. I didn't eat one thing that I didn't enjoy! Make sure you take advantage of the exotic fruit you can get here. Visiting temples here is a must. It's much more exciting then visiting a boring museum. You get to learn a lot about there culture and history with these types of visits. I much preferred Ubud instead of the more popular Kuta. Kuta is fun for a night out, but Ubud is very quaint, and has its own unique character. I suggest doing yoga on a beach at sunset. A very memorable moment that you'll never forget. Affordability is very doable here. Your money stretches a long way. Just don't get caught up with expensive Trip Advisor tours that you can do on your own, if you want to save a little cash. Traveling while black I had no problems what so ever. You don't get stares like you do in other countries. The locals will treat you with the up most respect, so be sure to respect them and there culture.

Something that most South American cities can't provide is Caribbean culture. Cartagena is a very vibrant city that is full of life. The one mistake I made was getting an Airbnb outside of the Walled City Getsamini. All the action is in the Walled city, and catching an uber from outside of that area can be quite the task. Cost of living was very minimal. You can eat at a really nice touristy restaurant for roughly around $10-15 per meal on the middle end of things. I would avoid most paid tours which can be the most expensive thing there in the city. Traveling while black is a non issue here in Cartagena. You will most likely blend in into the environment as long as you are being conservative with your dressing and appearance. I spent most of my nights here dancing the night away in Getsamini. Salsa is a great fun night activity and they have some world wide salsa clubs there. Although I loved the city, I much preferred Medellin Colombia since it filled my form of travel style more, with nature near by, and laid back vibes.