Saguaros usually begin to bloom during the second half of April. They produce large white flowers with bright yellow centers that bloom towards the tops of their stems and arms—the blooms peak by the end of May or sometimes as late as early June. Saguaros won’t be the only cactus species blooming during a spring park trip. The whole desert will be covered in brightly covered blooms. During your visit, you’ll be able to spot flowers like the bright yellow Prickly Pear, the orange Staghorn Cholla, the magenta Strawberry Hedgehog, and the bright pink Chain Fruit Cholla, amongst others. It’s the best time of year to experience the breathtaking Arizona desert in all of its glory, and there’s still plenty of time to plan an epic vacation this spring. 

Planning your trip

Saguaro National Park is divided into two sections surrounding the city of Tucson, Arizona. Tucson is a fantastic destination with mouthwatering authentic Mexican food and picturesque adobe houses. While you’re in town, make sure you stop by the iconic El Charro Cafe. In addition to being the oldest Mexican restaurant continuously run by the same family in the United States, El Charro is the birthplace of the chimichanga. When the restaurant’s founder, Tia Monica Flin, accidentally dropped a burrito in the deep fryer, she exclaimed, “Chimichanga!” and the tasty entree was born. 

There are plenty of lovely places to stay surrounding Tucson. For a romantic stay, visit the Adobe Rose Inn—a bed and breakfast in a historic adobe brick home dating back to the 1930s. There are six guest rooms with unique features like stained glass and a kiva fireplace, as well as a seasonal pool outside. 

If you’d prefer to get up close and personal with nature during your trip, the park has six designated backcountry campgrounds. You’ll have to hike 3.9-18 miles with your gear. They are not accessible by car. You’ll need to acquire a backcountry camping permit ahead of time, which you can apply for online at Recreation.gov.

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In addition to the excitement of sleeping somewhere wild, tourists are interested in experiences they might not be able to have at home. Farmstays, where you can enjoy goat yoga or help out in the garden as an alternative to a more traditional vacation, are an excellent example. Whether your goal is to get up close and personal in nature or snooze in an otherworldly ambiance on a visit to your favorite city, nearly 200,000 unique short-term rental properties exist on Airbnb. The trick is finding the perfect place to delight and inspire you. Luckily, popular online marketplaces for short-term rentals have picked up on the trend and have offered some user-friendly search features to help you book the perfect unique lodging during your next vacation. If you’re looking for the best ways to find exceptional rental options, we’ve got you covered with the best tips and tricks to finding weird and wonderful lodging around the world. 

How to score the coolest vacation rentals 

The best way to ensure you’ll find the coolest vacation digs is to be flexible with your dates and destinations. If you’re open to traveling anywhere, you’re guaranteed to find some incredible places to stay, and you might stumble upon your new favorite hidden-gem vacation spot. Amazing short-term rentals can be found worldwide; many fall outside your typical tourist hot spots, so be open to traveling off the beaten path. 

Unique rentals have become so popular that Airbnb added a new “flexible destinations” feature in 2021, allowing users to search for their desired accommodation type all over the world. To access this feature, click “destinations” and select “I’m flexible.” Discovering one-of-a-kind rentals is easier than ever with Airbnb Categories. There are more than 60 categories to choose from, including treehouses, caves, houseboats, and many more. Categories are now listed at the very top of the Airbnb home page, right below the search bar. Protip – Click on the “OMG!” category for some of the most thrilling options!

Vrbo has also realized the importance of showcasing unique rentals. To find a funky and fun place to stay on Vrbo, visit https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-ideas. On the top right of the page, click “Categories,” then select “Vacation Rentals” followed by “Unique” from the drop-down menu.

(Cover Image: Exclusive & Private Island Resort: Floral Island)

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Mazunte is one of the country’s Pueblo Magicos, or Magic Towns, identified by the Mexican government as having preserved cultural authenticity, history, and natural beauty. As soon as you arrive in Mazunte, you’ll see why it was chosen for this special designation – the town is magical indeed. It’s the perfect place to unplug from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with yourself while soaking up the sun and listening to the massive waves of the Pacific Ocean crash against the golden sand beaches. 

In addition to spending plenty of glorious days chilling out on the beautiful beaches, make sure that you take the easy 2.2-mile hike to Punta Cometa to watch an unforgettable sunset. Yogis of all levels will find plenty of great classes around town. Casa Om and Akasha Yoga, Dance, and Martial Arts are two of the best spots. In the evenings, wander the narrow streets where you can choose between various restaurants that will tempt even the pickiest foodies. You’ll find everything from authentic Mexican food to healthy vegan spots and romantic Italian restaurants where you can dine al fresco. 

Planning the perfect getaway

The easiest way to get to Mazunte is to fly into Puerto Escondido. Renting a car allows for the most freedom to explore the coastline, but parking in the town of Mazunte can be challenging due to the narrow streets. Rental cars in Puerto Escondido start at around $9 per day. Check ahead of time to see if your hotel offers parking. You can also take the public daily or hire a private taxi from the airport. 

Mazunte has some genuinely incredible accommodations, with options to fit every budget. If you’re backpacking and looking for affordable places to stay, there are several hostels in town with dorm rooms starting at just $10. On a budget of around $50 per night, you can find 3-star hotel rooms or private bungalows with amenities like pools, breakfast, and wifi. If you’re ready to splurge, $100-$200 will get you a private bungalow right on the beach where you can watch the ocean from your private balcony. 

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Adventurous travelers willing to journey off the beaten path will find unforgettable destinations throughout the expansive country. Las Pozas, a surrealist sculpture park nestled within the rainforest, is one of those places. Las Pozas is located in the region of Huasteca Potosina in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, known for its natural beauty. The hidden gem destination is ideal for art lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Visiting Las Pozas feels like wandering through a dream. Created by the renowned surrealist artist Edward James, it features massive concrete sculptures scattered amongst lush jungle gardens. In 2012, Las Pozas was named an Artistic Monument of the Nation, and it has since been regarded as the most important surrealist art exhibit in Mexico. The once-private compound opened to tourists in 1991, and you can explore the fanciful gardens, picturesque pools, waterfalls, and mind-bending architecture via a guided tour.

The making of a dreamscape

Edward James first arrived in Huasteca Potosina in the 1940s. By then, The British artist, millionaire, and poet was well-known as an eccentric patron of surrealist art. The beauty of the Sierra Madre jungle quickly captured his heart and imagination. He purchased around 100 acres to create Las Pozas, meaning “the pools,” where he would live and work for the next 40 years. 

Las Pozas was initially created to house Edward James’s exotic pets, including birds, snakes, ocelots, and his orchid collection. When the orchids died, he began the construction of his marvelous sculptures, including colorful cement flowers that wouldn’t succumb so easily to frost as his beloved orchids had. The imaginative project expanded to include 30 buildings with mysterious names like “The Cinematographer,” ” The Staircase to Heaven,” and “The House on Three Floors Which Will in Fact Have Five or Four or Six.”

Over the years, more than 150 people contributed to the creation of the garden. Construction on the site continued until Edward James passed away in 1984. Since then, the jungle has encroached upon the sculptures, leaving the impression of a dreamy lost civilization. 

Preparing for your trip

La Pozas is located about eight hours from Mexico City by car. There are plenty of accommodations in the nearby village of Xilitla, starting at about $50 per night. You can visit Las Pozas year-round. Reservations can be made online, and basic admission costs around $9 per adult.

Private tours with exclusive access are offered daily for groups of up to seven people for $140 to $190. Las Pozas is the perfect place to snap some incredible shots, and for about $360, photographers can book the garden for photoshoots. Access to sites off limits to the general public is available for an additional fee. 

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