Name: Javier Oliva

Age: 30 years old

Location: El Salvador

Occupation: Landscape Photographer

Hi Javier! Please give our readers a quick introduction about yourself?

Hi! To start with, let me tell me you I am really excited to get to share a little bit about my traveling experiences and tips with you! My name is Javier and I am landscape photographer from El Salvador, and of course a true traveling fanatic. I lived the past ten years in Buenos Aires, and I have been traveling quite constantly to countries around the world for the past years.

Where are you in the world currently?

I recently came back to my home country, El Salvador.  It is a beautiful small country in Central America with a lot more to offer than you might think. It has beautiful beaches, mountains, volcanoes, lakes and don’t even get me started on the people and food!

Boat in Greece

Where do you plan to get to this year?

I am traveling next week to Chile. I am so stoked! It is a one-month backpacking experience starting in the Atacama Desert and to the tip of the Patagonian South.

My next adventure will be later in the year, I will be traveling to Colorado, Oregon and Washington. I’ve seen photos and It’s definitely in my bucket list to experience the colors of the fall in the beautiful landscapes in those states.

What has been your all time favorite place?

This is a hard one! Needless to say all places I have visited have had something unique and beautiful offer If I have to pick a favorite I’d say the Argentinian Patagonia. I love it so much I have been there 5 times! Bariloche, El Bolson, El Chalten, are all beautiful picturesque towns with so much breathtaking natural beauty, you almost wont believe it, everywhere you look it’s like a new postcard.

Could you share us your all time favorite photo you have taken travelling?

Gorgeous sunset right! This has been one of my favorite photos lately, I took it this past January in Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California. Couldn’t have imagined a better sunset!

Sunset in Big Sur

What is your top backpacking tip

Doing your online research is important but you will be surprised what you can learn when talking to locals! Talk to them and I am sure they will give you tips that are probably not in the web.

Which thing should every backpacker carry with them?

Carry Maps! Both digitally and in paper! Although you will probably get lost a couple of times (and don’t get me wrong, it is also a part of growing as a traveler) , you also want to be able to see as much as you can when traveling, so be prepared!

Yoga Sunset in El Salvador

Do you have any words of advice or inspiration for anyone undecided about travelling?

DO IT! Traveling is a true investment in your self! Traveling experiences will make you grow and they will nurture you like nothing else. You will meet people with completely different perspectives on life, you will see things your eyes have never seen before, and come on, that’s what life is really about!

What has been your favorite food whilst away

GREEK FOOD! I visited Greece two years ago and my mouth just couldn’t believe it! I loved tzazikii sauce, I have reproduced it here at home and I put it on my meat al least once a week. The main dish Souvlakiis is definitely something I am eager to try again!

What has been your favorite activity whilst away?

I love trekking, and it’s always a big part of my trip! To mention some of my favorite, “Cerro Piltriquitron” , “El Chalten”, “El Cajon Azul” all three in the South of Argentina.

Sunset in Argentinian Patagonia

What quote do you try to live by?

“Long You Live and high you fly. And smiles you’ll give and tears you’ll cry. And all you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be”.  Pretty cool right? These are some words from the song “Breath” by Pink Floyd. I really love them because it talks about how everything we know and experience is what makes YOU, YOUR life and journey and traveling is precisely about this.

Where would you like to visit?

ICELAND! I am planning to visit next year! The landscapes I have contemplated in photos are just out of this world! The lava fields, glaciers, mountains, beaches and adventure opportunities, are just whole-heartedly captivating.

Javier on his bike in the mountains

Thank you for an amazing interview Javier – your photos are simply stunning, you have such a great gift and a very obvious passion for travel!

If you would like to see more of Javier please do follow his instagram: @jaoliva