Tag: <span>Travel Guide</span>

Canada

Shambhala Travel Guide

Shambhala is tucked away in a picturesque valley on a farm surrounded by the Selkirk Mountain Range, about thirty minutes South from the small town of Nelson, BC. Stages can be discovered walking through the woods or floating down the river with the groovy sounds of the DJs or flashes of laser beams guiding you in the right direction.

Getting There

Shambhala by Air
If you are flying, the closest airport to fly into is the Castlegar Regional Airport (YCG), about half an hour northwest of the festival. Alternatively, the festival is about a four hour drive northwest of Kelowna International Airport (YLW), or a six hour drive southeast from Calgary International Airport (YYC).

 
Shambhala by Road
If you are driving, you will be entering Shambhala by a dirt road off Highway 3. There are a lot of winding, one lane mountain roads along the way so be alert for wild animals and fill up for gas before going into the festival. Salmo is the last town you will come across with gas stations, 6 kms away.

Rideshare is also an option for getting to the festival by road. Check out the Kootenay Rideshare board and the Facebook Shambhala rideshare group for possible lifts.

The Greyhound goes as far as Salmo, BC, which is still 6 kms outside of the festival.

Where to Stay

Shambhala is a camping music festival. There are very few restrictions as to where you are allowed to set up camp for the weekend and the Sunshine, Starlight and Meta Camp are all free areas. I recommend arriving early though as the areas closest to the festival grounds fill up fast.

If you do not need to camp with your car, you will be pointed to a parking spot from where you will haul your camping gear and festival glitter into your desired camp area for the weekend. Otherwise a car-camping decal must be bought. A decal can only be bought on-site and is sold on a first come first serve basis. Sunshine decals for a regular sized vehicle are $40, and $80 for an oversized vehicle. Starlight decals are $80 for a regular sized vehicle and $160 for an oversized vehicle.

Shambhalodging: Shambhalodging is the festival’s premium camping option, offering campsites for two in a wooded shaded area, with a reserved spot at the Shambhalodging parking.

Camp Clean Beats: Camp Clean Beats is the festival’s camping option for those who wish to have a clean and sober festival experience. Anyone entering this area must be sober. Spots go on a first come first serve basis, but the festival asks that you fill out the registration form in advance and email it to campcleanbeats@gmail.com.

Safe Spaces

Shambhala has become known as a festival with an incredibly progressive (and effective) harm reduction program. Different areas provide festival attendees with different services depending on what they need at that time.

The Sanctuary: Located by the medical tent, this is a calm area for attendees who are feeling overwhelmed at any point, for any reason. There are cushions to lie on, little tents to crawl into, tea and cookies available, colouring books and markers, and volunteers to speak with – if that’s what you want.

Photo by Ricardo Hubbs

Women’s Safe Space: This is an area in the festival similar to The Sanctuary, but it is accessible for women only. The volunteers there are all women and it aims to provide a spot for women to go if they are feeling vulnerable or uncomfortable at any point during the festival.

Outreach: Outreach are the volunteers that walk around the grounds, simply keeping an eye out for attendees. They make sure people are okay physically and, also educate attendees they come across for warning signs of a possible bad situation.

Consent is Sexy: While there aren’t really any written rules for Shambhala, there is a general understanding of respect for one another. You will see signs everywhere stating “consent is sexy” and this rule is absolutely followed, even down to asking permission to hug a stranger.

Education: Education seems to be a big part of the key to safety at Shambhala. ANKORS has a booth set up where attendees can go to test their drugs for the weekend. There is absolutely no judgment here and no requirement to hand in whatever it is you are testing. There is only encouragement to know what might be in the drugs, as well as to learn more about the different drugs circulating around and what harms they may have. There is also information about safe sex along with the necessary tools for safe sex (i.e. condoms).

Photo by Charlotte Dobre

NOTE: There has been plenty of debate surrounding a festival’s decision to provide attendees with professional drug testing. Providing attendees with the opportunity to test their drugs over the weekend is not the festival condoning the use of drugs. It is simply encouraging people to be safe and smart about what they decide to do during their time at a music festival.

For more information on ANKORS and safety at Shambhala see my chat with “Shambha-Mom” Britz Robins.

Food

Shambhala has a huge variety of delicious food options, although it can get quite expensive (as it is with most music festivals). From tacos to pad thai, to nachos to donuts, there is a good selection to satisfy your cravings. It is a little challenging finding vegetarian and vegan options, however there is one vendor that has a great non-meat soup and salad combo.

And don’t skip out on the donuts. Fried dough covered in sugar? You can’t go wrong with that for your late-night snack.

Beverages

Shambhala is a dry festival. There is no alcohol for sale at the festival and cars are searched upon entry for alcohol. This does not mean it’s lacking in refreshments. Virgin caesars and virgin margaritas can be purchased (the margaritas are quite tasty) and, Night Owl Coffee has some delicious options available from a local coffee shop in Nelson, BC, along with hot tea available to warm your bellies late at night.

My Advice

Arrive early! Even though there are no stages set up on the Wednesday night of the festival, consider buying the early arrival pass. With less people there, it gives you the opportunity to choose a better location for your camp site which can make the difference between a 10 minute walk and a 30 minute walk for an outfit change.

If this is your first Shambhala, make sure to hop on the Virgin Shambhala Train. A Shambassador wearing a conductors outfit will introduce you to the Shambhala rules, teach you firsthand about the number one family rule of “consent is sexy,” and take you on a fun dance tour through the festival, helping you to orient yourself with the different stages.

But hop off the train before it passes through the Fractal Forest. That is definitely a first-time experience you should save for night.

Be prepared for insane fluctuations in temperature. I cannot stress this enough. There is a reason you will see so many people in onesies, roaming around the grounds at night. Onesies are warm and you can layer them. While it can be hot enough to run around naked during the day, it can also get cold enough to see you’re breath at night.

That being said… Don’t be afraid to cool off in the river during the day! Not only is it a great spot to goof around and listen to music, but it is very refreshing in that hot summer sun.

Take advantage of the ANKORS booth. It’s a unique educational experience that is not readily available at most festivals.

Embrace the weird. You will see a lot of things that you are not used to seeing.

But don’t stare. That’s rude.

Don’t be afraid to dress up! People will spend months preparing their costumes for Shambhala so if you want to dress up you are in good company. But if that’s not your thing and you would rather run around in some very practical fleece, then that is okay too. Acceptance is a big theme at Shambhala.

Speaking of acceptance… Shambhafamily are a very big accepting group. Grant them the same courtesy and accept everyone for the side of themselves they are choosing to show at Shambhala that they cannot necessarily show in their daily lives.

Appreciate this acceptance. Appreciate where you are and who you are with. And learn to love yourself – there is an open-mindedness in this community that will help you with this.

Of course, leaving the beauty of Shambhala and returning back to reality will leave you in shambles. Bring some of your lessons and positive experiences from Shambhala back to the real world and maybe, we can make reality a better place.

Photo by Lindsay Donovan
Music Festivals

Further Future Travel Guide

Further Future takes place in the Valley of Fire, about an hour’s drive north of Las Vegas. Stages are popped down in the middle of the desert, with the festival being the only thing visible for as far as the eye can see, surrounded by the rocky Nevada canyons.

Getting There

Vegas Bound
If you are flying, the most convenient airport to fly into is the McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Nevada, which is about an hour south of the festival.  Alternatively, the festival is about a five hour drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX).

 
Beyond Vegas
Further Future takes place 50 miles north east of Las Vegas at the Moapa Indian River Reservation. The festival provides a shuttle bus option for festival-goers from McCarran Airport, the MGM Grand and the Oasis Gold Spike for $40.

If you are driving, Further Future provides driving directions from McCarran Airport. Remember to purchase a parking pass, available for $50, as all cars are required to have one to enter the grounds. Multiple entry and exit is allowed.

Where to Stay

If camping isn’t your thing, it will be easiest for you to stay at one of the Further Future partner hotels. Shuttle services run between the MGM Grand, the Oasis at Gold Spike, and the festival for $40. Festival-goers can make unlimited use of the shuttles. Shuttles run every 45 minutes starting at 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. when the shuttle service slows down to every 90 minutes.

Camping

I strongly recommend you experience Further Future in its entirety and camp on site. If this is your first time at an event like this, just follow my lead.

Tent Camping: Passes can be purchased for $95, which gives Futurists access to a 10′ by 12′ campsite, bathrooms, and free showers. Cars are not permitted into the camp grounds. You will need to purchase a parking pass for $50 if you choose to drive to the festival and camp in your own tent.

RV Camping: RV passes are available starting at $250 and allow festival-goers to bring an RV, trailer, or campervan into designated areas for the entirety of the festival. I recommend renting a JUCY RV for the weekend as this was a comfortable and convenient option available for Further Future. Passes with electrical hookups are also available.

Photo courtesy of SHIFTPODS
Photo courtesy of SHIFTPODS

Shiftpods: Further Future recommends purchasing a Shiftpod, which uses space-age technology fabric that reflects 95% of UVA and UVB light from the sun to keep you cool during the day and retain warmth at night. Dust-proof, water-proof, and wind-proof, Shiftpods are perfect to protect you from the harsh desert elements.Alpha Pods: Set up with reflective shade netting, flooring, two single air mattresses, two Further Future branded sleeping bags (yours to keep) and a solar light, these 9′ by 9′ Fest Pods will keep you safe and warm… And look super cool. Starting at $750, your Future home is already set up for you when you arrive.

Horizon Class: Air conditioned bell tents equipped with either two single beds or one queen bed to snuggle with your festy besty, these tents are pure comfort. Don’t worry about portable phone chargers, as the Horizon Class comes with power outlets and storage boxes… So go ahead and bring those hair straighteners and curling irons! Horizon Class starts at $1,650.

Voyager Trailer: A classic 28′ Airstream trailer, four adults can fit comfortably in three different available sleeping arrangements. Curated and serviced by a world-class boutique hospitality provider and including a 24-hour concierge, this boutique camping option will cost you a cool $5,000.

Lunar Palace: If you’re looking for pure, unabashed luxury, the Lunar Palace is for you. This 200 square foot, 9’ high, air conditioned, custom-made luxury dome is fully enclosed with wooden flooring and sleeps up to four people. Furnished with real beds, actual mattresses, nightstands, power outlets and a lockbox, the $7,500 ticket price ensures you live like royalty for the weekend. The best part? The Lunar Palace includes a clothing rack and full-length mirror so you will always look on point.

Habitas: If the above still isn’t enough, Further Future provides Habitas accommodation to give festival-goers the comforts of home and then some. This option starts at $1,800 per person and includes full-service hospitality, linen and towel service, in-suite amenities, one or two double beds, light, furniture, full body mirrors, hot showers, and a culinary experience 24/7 complemented with a beverage bar and tented tea lounge.

Camping Do’s and Dont’s

– You are permitted one 30-can case of beer and one five-litre box of wine OR one litre of liquor into the campground.
– You may sleep in your vehicle if you choose not to purchase a camping pass, but cannot set up any structures or items outside your vehicle. Remember, vehicles can get dangerously hot in the heat of the day.
– Do not bring glass bottles.
– Follow Further Future’s leave no trace policy.
– Free water refill stations are available.
– Charging lockers are available for $45
– Leave your drone at home.

The Moapa Band Of Paiute Indians

Further Future is hosted by the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, taking place on their Moapa River Reservation. The Paiute people believe that everything in the universe has a life force and practice meditation and perform special rituals to harness this force. It is believed that health, wartime victory, weather and fertility were attainable through it. As guests of the Paiute people, festival-goers are expected to respect their land and culture and uphold certain standards of conduct:- Treat their land as you would your own (use the provided bathroom facilities!)
– If you come across interesting artefacts like bones or arrowheads, leave them be.
– Sorry guys, no nudity allowed so come equipped with pasties.
– Don’t forget to thank your hosts as you leave.
– Keep the deep cultural significance of traditional Indian dress in mind when creating your outfits for the festival.
– Out of respect for your hosts, leave all Native American inspired headdresses and costumes at home. If you think it might be controversial, it probably is.

Food

The gastronomy of the festival is of such high caliber and deliciousness that it has it’s own lineup… And what a lineup to feast on. The food and beverage program for Further Future’s return to the Moapa River Indian Reservation featured some of gastronomy’s biggest names, including Frank Gorriceta of Nobu, Jason Neroni of The Rose, and Sam Marvin of Echo & Rig, who hosted pop-up dinners throughout the weekend. Festival attendees are also able to indulge in food offerings such as lobster pho, omakase sushi, locally-sourced produce, artisanal gelato, and numerous vegetarian and vegan options at the various food trucks in the festival grounds throughout the weekend.

Beverages

Complimenting this year’s food offerings, the festival also hosted rare Japanese whiskey tastings from Bar Gyu+, Oaxaca-made and Damiana-distilled Mescal selections, and Richie Hawtin’s own ENTER.Sake. Bartender takeovers also took place throughout the weekend with revered Las Vegas establishments Herbs & Rye and Velveteen Rabbit. Definitely get your hands on some of that surprisingly smokey tequila though.

My Advice

Link up your RFID to your credit card before going to the festival. Further Future is a cashless festival and does not accept cash anywhere on the grounds. It is also a cashless festival that doesn’t require you to constantly be topping up your wristband with funds… Your wristband essentially becomes your credit card for the weekend. So link that up!

Consider renting a JUCY RV for the weekend. The rental van comes fully equipped with everything you could possibly need to enjoy the festival comfortably: Two double beds (one in the cozy, top-bunk penthouse, and one that can be set up inside the van) to sleep four people; a sink with tap and drain, water tank and waste water tank; stove, fridge and cutting board; blinds and plenty of storage space. The company also provides renters with the option to purchase a bedding kit and camping chairs, so if you are flying into San Francisco, Los Angeles or Las Vegas for the festival this is definitely a convenient and comfortable option.

Don’t be afraid to take mid-day naps. There is constantly something going on at Further Future… Be it a Visionary Speaker, a yoga class, a nature walk, a sit-down dinner, a sunrise set or a sunset jam session. The festival has been curated to include some of the best of the best in the fields of technology, music, wellness and gastronomy, and trying to see and do everything can be exhausting…

But come to terms with not sleeping very much.

Take joy in knowing that everyone attending the festival is on some sort of spiritual journey, and that you are now a part of that journey. The grand majority of attendees are Burners and this make for a very unique and happy crowd.

Dress up! There are so many beautiful and whimsical outfits at Further Future, people choosing to express what they imagine for the future through their outfits. From moon boots to fur vests to glitter capes to astronauts, Further Future plays host to a very unique, judgment-free crowd so don’t be afraid to let your freak flag fly a little.

Take advantage of the IV drip. Available at the Ablyss Spa (and sometimes at the Robot Heart Stage) the IV can be a game changer to your festival experience.

Embrace your journey into the future. Reality will not be kind once you return from Further Future so embrace the experiences you are being graced with and appreciate the individuals who are going beyond Vegas with you into the future.

Music Festivals

Coachella Travel Guide

Coachella takes place every year on the Polo Fields in Indio, CA surrounded by mountains and palm trees. Music and art can be discovered while wandering around the desert plains under the hot, California sky or the setting pink sun.

Getting There

Coachella by Air
If you are flying, the closest airport to fly into is the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), about half an hour northwest of the festival. Alternatively, the festival is about a three hour drive southeast of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), or a two hour drive northeast from San Diego International Airport (SAN).

NOTE: I recommend flying into the San Diego International Airport. There is less traffic heading to the festival from San Diego than from Los Angeles and the drive is absolutely beautiful.

Coachella by Road

If you are driving, there are plenty of signs once you get to Palm Springs directing you to the festival and campgrounds entrance. That, combined with Google Maps, makes it very easy to find.

Full driving directions to the festival from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Arizona can be found here.

Carpooling is highly encouraged by Coachella and, decorating your car advertising your “carpoolchella,” can even win you VIP upgrades and passes for the future.

Coachella by Shuttle
Shuttle passes can be purchased to ensure your arrival by bus. There are also taxi and uber stands set up entering and exiting the festival.

Where to Stay

Camping: Camping passes can be purchased with your festival ticket for $85. Your location, from what I can tell, is based on luck. If you are camping, I would recommend bringing a shade tent of sorts as shelter from the hot sun midday will be crucial to you making it through the festival without sunstroke. Another fantastic option for camping at Coachella is to rent a JUCY RV. It provides an easy set-up and luxurious option while camping.

Glamping: Coachella offers two premium camping experiences with the Lake Eldorado and Safari Tents options. Lake Eldorado pricing starts at $2,400 and the Safari Tent experience costs upwards of $7,500.

Off-Site Accommodation: There are plenty of hotels and Airbnb’s to choose from within close proximity to the festival. Curadora is the festival’s official partner for hotel accommodations and provides options ranging from $60 to $500 per night. Book early though as these will fill up fast.

Off-site camping is also available at local parks. The parks’ distance from the festival grounds range from three miles to 75 miles at Joshua Tree National Park.

Good to Know Camping Info

On-site camping opens at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and closes at 10:00 a.m. on Monday each weekend.

No car exit is permitted between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

Camping is 18+

Friends arriving later can park separately at the Coachella parking lot and then come meet you at your campsite.

No glass bottles are permitted – I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people chugging a bottle of Fireball because they can’t bring it in.

Go here for a more detailed list of the Coachella camping rules.

Art

Art is a huge component of the festival and adds to the magic of it all. The art is different from year to year and appears to have a theme running throughout the grounds. The art is worth taking time to explore, whether it’s on your way into a show, or on your way out, your experiences with the pieces can change based on what time of day you are exploring them.

Do Lab: The Do Lab Stage began as an interactive art piece but grew in such popularity of the years that it now curates its own lineup, different depending on which weekend you attend. It is also one of the most fun stages and best parties at Coachella.

Food

The gastronomy of Coachella has become incredibly drool-wrothy of the years. From sit-down restaurants with renowned chefs and reservations required, to vendors boasting burgers, burritos, hot dogs and pizza, there is something available to satisfy whatever you are craving. Of course, the festival has fantastic vegetarian and vegan options, and plenty of fresh fruit to mow down on.

Don’t forget to get that juicy slice of watermelon and keep an eye out for the gourmet popsicle stand.

Beverages

Being an all-ages event, alcoholic beverages can only be purchased and consumed in the beer gardens. Keep this in mind if there is a show you do not want to miss. Coachella also now has a Craft Beer Garden with fantastic options for those interested in drinking something with a little bit more taste to it then Heineken.

For a refreshing, non-alcoholic option, try one of the lemonades that can be purchased at the different stands throughout the grounds. Water can also be purchased here for $2 per bottle.

Water refill stations can be found throughout the grounds. Give yourself extra time if you are choosing to refill your hydration pack as the lineups at the refill stations can be quite long.

My Advice

Find the Do Lab stage! Do Lab curates a fantastic lineup of up and comers and well established DJs, and the energy here is on a whole other level. From water fights to pyrotechnics, to dancers and acrobats, the Do Lab stage feels more like a house party on acid and you are guaranteed to have a fun time here. Keep an eye out for the surprise DJ announcements. 2016 saw surprise sets by Bob Moses, RÜfÜS DU SOL and Major Lazer, to name a few.

If you need a break from the sun and the heat, head over to the Yuma Tent. It’s an air-conditioned tent that also has a killer lineup of house music, cushions to chill out on and, that is where you will find the infamous disco shark.

But be careful because getting Yuma’d is a thing. You can lose complete and total sense of time in the Yuma tent.

Don’t be married to your schedule. Some of my favourite artists have been discovered going with the flow of things at Coachella.

The ferris wheel is much more magical at night. However the lineup is also much longer.

Coachella has become synonymous with fashion over the years, inspiring trends for the upcoming spring and summer season. Remember though, you are at a festival in the middle of the desert. Makeup sweats off quickly (even while you’re sitting around in the shade), and you are looking at walking and dancing for many hours throughout the day and night. Personally, I have found dresses and dust masks to be good to me.

If you are camping:
After six times attending Coachella, I still haven’t figured out their thought process behind filling up camping spots. That being said, I would still try and arrive early as that gives you an extra day in the campgrounds, meeting people and exploring the market area with all the different activities and games it has to offer.

Do the Silent Disco your first night camping. This took me four years to figure out.

Hydration is key. It’s better to bring in too much water than too little water.

Lower your EZ-Ups and shade tents before heading into the festival if there are high wind advisories. Weekend 2 of 2016 saw quite the disaster with EZ-Ups being whipped across the campgrounds, and tents being mangled by the high winds.

Remember: You are camping in a desert so as soon as that sun pops its bright head over the mountains, your tent will become a sauna and sleep will become near impossible. But it does get quite chilly at night.

Adventures

Five Favourite Moments from Coachella Weekend Two

My lungs are still hacking up dust from last weekend’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and the sadness of having had to leave the Polo Fields for another year is still very fresh in my mind. To help me get through this though, I have put together a list of my five favourite moments from last weekend’s festivities.

1. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

One of the best moments of Weekend Two was being a party to the energetic and interactive performance of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. When lead singer Alex Ebert pranced out on stage barefoot to begin the evening set, he did not stop dancing during the entire 50-minute performance. Straight from the get-go, Ebert set the tone for the evening, climbing the crowd barrier to wade deep into the Coachella crowds. Throughout the performance, fans could find Ebert singing in his soothing voice right above them, or dancing and hopping around the stage, mic in hand. At one point, he called out to the crowd, asking for someone to sing the next verse. One fan nervously accepted the challenge amongst the encouraging cheers of the surrounding fans. Later in the set, Ebert tossed out a compact video camera into the crowd, informing everyone to take a video of themselves dancing before tossing it on. For the next few minutes, a tiny green camera could be seen hurtling through the air from person, to person, to person. And what better way to end such an energetic, happy set than with stories from fans as the sun slowly set behind the mountains? With such amazing energy from Ebert and the band, and such good vibes from the crowd, along with beautifully happy music all taking place during the stunning Coachella sunsets, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros put on an unforgettable performance that still brings tears to my eyes (happy tears, of course).

2. Anderson .Paak and all his surprises

Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals started off their set with some funky jams, revving the crowd up with their energetic performance and inciting all the booty popping and hip swaying that comes with their tunes. With no expectations of any surprise performances, Anderson .Paak began to build the crowd’s excitement as he announced midway through his set that the thing to do at Coachella is to bring out surprise guests. Lo and behold, Kendrick Lamar came out to perform “Back Street Freestyle” on the small stage with Anderson .Paak. As if that surprise wasn’t enough for Anderson .Paak and hip hop fans alone, the crowd was blessed with a second surprise: a performance by legendary hip hop producer and N.W.A. member Dr. Dre. Although Dre and Kendrick had already performed with Ice Cube the night before on the main stage, this surprise was so unexpected the two hip hop artists ended up performing to a smaller crowd in the Mojave tent, providing fans lucky enough to be there with a more intimate, yet highly energetic performance. And yes… California does know how to party.

3. Finding the “Big Fish” stage

Do LaB proved once again as to why their stage is my favourite stage at Coachella. With a unique crowd that vibes off one another’s positive energy, and a different lineup from Weekend One to Weekend Two of talented DJs and up-and-comers, this stage is well-worth discovering and walking over to in The Terrace. While the stage never ceases to impress with it’s pyrotechnics, acrobatic dancers and bumping beats, this year’s joy came from the energy of the artist painting on the live art wall. Anticipation for Sunday night’s surprise guest was growing throughout the crowd during Kraddy’s (incredible) set, until finally Diplo’s face appeared behind the decks being set up to takeover the stage. As the crowd grew, hordes of young electronic fans piling into the Do LaB tent, Walshy Fire picked up a microphone, and Jillionaire and Diplo started revving up the crowd in the background. Major Lazer hit the decks and, the artist hit the wall… The artist painting the live art wall had so much energy, whipping his brush on the wall to paint beautiful blue strokes and effectively creating the story of Major Lazer at Do LaB with each flick of the brush. He jumped to the music, swinging his arms in beat and flinging paint on fans nearby, with a huge grin on his face. It looked like he was loving every minute of what he is doing and where he was doing it.

4. Getting lost in Black Coffee’s Yuma set

I got yuma’d. It’s a thing. Especially during Black Coffee’s two-hour set. The struggle with the sandstorms was real Friday, and Yuma provided shelter from the dust and the wind, along with an epic set by Black Coffee. As much as you may go into Yuma with the intention of leaving after 45 minutes to go catch another artist, the energy, lack of windows, and the beauty of the disco ball shark have the power to suck you in for three times as long. While coming out of Yuma after two-hours of non-stop dancing can be a bit of a shock to the system, doing so during Black Coffee’s set was well worth it and he quickly became one of my favourite new discoveries of the weekend.

5. Water fights in the campgrounds

Camping at Coachella is not for everyone, and it is definitely not for the faint of heart. High winds this year tore down the majority of campers’ EZ-Ups on the first day of the festival, leaving many people without the much sought-after and needed shade for the rest of the weekend. Broken down metal pieces could be seen scattered around the campgrounds, looking like very large, damaged spiders. But camping at a festival, you learn to roll with the punches and make the best of any situation. The wind did not stop all weekend and neither did the party and the fun and games. One of my favourite moments camping at Coachella Weekend Two came during a (somewhat) spontaneous water fight. Armed with beers, a kiddie pool, and water guns, new friends hosted a water fight that provided lots of fun in the sun on Sunday afternoon, along with relief from the intense heat, quite a few nip slips, and fond new memories.

Music Festivals

Mysteryland USA Travel Guide

Mysteryland USA is held on the historic grounds of Woodstock ’69 in Bethel, NY. The energy of hippies from another time can be felt as Nomads trek up the impossible hill to lose themselves in music, art and culture.

Getting there    Where to stay    Camping    Sustenance     A Little Advice

New York bound

If you are flying in, the closest airport to the festival is Stewart International Airport (SWF), which is located about an hour drive from the grounds in Newburgh, NY. LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) are also all within a 2.5 hour drive from the festival. Flying in to Newark will most likely provide you with the least expensive and quickest way of getting to Bethel as flights to Newark are significantly cheaper than flights to Stewart and you won’t have to deal with as much traffic getting out of the city as you would trying to get off the island flying into LaGuardia and JFK.

MLUSA also provides an airport pickup shuttle service for camping Nomads flying in to JFK, LaGuardia, Albany, and Grand Central Station. Rather than renting a car for the weekend, this economical and environmentally friendly option transports people to the camping grounds for $50 each way ($100 round-trip). More information on shuttles can be found here.

 

Mysteryland bound

If you are driving to MLUSA and planning on camping, the festival provides directions (coming soon) from the north. The directions accommodate Nomads driving from New York City, Scranton, Binghamton, and the I-84, providing the quickest and easiest route.

If you are driving to MLUSA but will not be camping, the festival provides directions (coming soon) from the north (from New York City, Scranton, Binghamton, and the I-84). A Kiss and Ride will also be accessible throughout the weekend, with shuttles available for campers who need to take their gear in to the Holy Grounds.

Where to Stay

Mysteryland’s hotel of choice, The Villa Roma Resort, is located within 10 miles of the festival. The resort provides a shuttle service to the festival throughout the weekend included in the travel package. Other accommodations can also be made within the area and AirBnB is always an option. If going the AirBnB route, search for “Bethel, NY” as the location you wish to stay. The local “Yellow Cab” runs full service throughout the weekend so if no one in your crew is driving you still have a way of getting to the festival.

Offsite camping spots can also be reserved with Landers River Camping however this does NOT include a festival pass for the weekend. The campsite is not within walking distance to Mysteryland but reservations here do include shuttle passes to the festival.

Camping

I strongly recommend you embrace the full Nomad experience by camping on the Holy Grounds. Not only do you get to spend more time on the Woodstock grounds, but camping here allows you to take part in the opening party filled with an extra day of music, and all the festivities that take place after the music ends for the day.

Jackie Lee for Mysteryland
Jackie Lee for Mysteryland

 

The Holy Ground: Welcome to the sacred grounds of Woodstock ’69 – where legends like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin played music to a sea of hippies that travelled great distances to experience three days of peace, love and music. ‘Holy Ground’ camping will have you set up within an easy walk from the festival grounds and grants you access to the pre-parties and all sorts of fun daytime activities. The campgrounds are tent-only and Nomads are required to park their car ($35 for a parking pass). While hoofing your stuff in to the grounds for the weekend can be tiring, try and gain strength from the memory of our hippie ancestors who walked for miles just to hear the music. Besides… It’s totally worth it.

Easy Tents: If you are arriving at the festival from a long ways away, Easy Tents is definitely something worth considering. It removes the hassle of having to haul (mostly all) of your camping gear across country with you. Easy Tents are already set up for you upon arrival and include a 2-person airbed and two sleeping bags. If you choose this option you will still be located on The Holy Ground and will be able to partake in the wicked pre-parties, after-dark festivities, and daytime activities. You even get to keep the beautiful tents as a memento of the festival.

Bird’s Nests: New this year, the Bird’s Nests glamping tents come fully furnished with either a 2-person queen bed with linens, 2 twin beds with linens, or 4 individual cots with pillows. Bird’s Nests give glampers the luxury of a private shower facility, lounge area, and bathrooms. Plus they’re super conveniently located.

Camping do’s and don’ts

– Mysteryland is a 19+ event but on-site camping is 21+. If you are under 21, you can camp at Lander’s River off-site.
– Each festival-going camper must have their own valid festival pass.
– There is NO re-entry between the parking lots and the campgrounds. Make as many trips as you need from your car to the camping entrance but do NOT enter The Holy Ground until you have everything you need from your car for the weekend.
– You can bring food and beverage into the campgrounds to sustain yourself for the weekend.
– Limit alcohol to 1 case of beer, 1 box of wine or 1L of liquor per person.
– However, DO NOT bring glass bottles or any type of glass. They will be confiscated upon your search into the campgrounds.
– Leave your weapons, drugs and drug paraphernalia at home.
– Don’t plan on grilling, hosting the neighbourhood BBQ or throwing a bonfire.
– Don’t plan on using anything flammable really (fireworks, candles, explosives…)
– Nothing motorized will get past the front entrance.
– Neither will your bicycle.
– Neither will your drone.
– Flags, flag poles, and totems are allowed but don’t bother with your promotional material.
– Sorry kids, leave you stuffed animals and pacifiers at home.
– Amplified sound systems should be left at home but feel free to bring a portable radio for some campsite jams.
– Showers will be available and are free with a Premium VIP ticket.
– Cellphone charger stations, water refill stations, bars and a fully stocked supermarket in case you forgot anything and everything in your excitement will be available on The Holy Ground.
– Lockers are available for rent in the venue and campground, each equipped with cell phone chargers and available 24/7.
– And definitely bring tarps, blankets, coolers, canopies, lawn chairs, sleeping bags and air mattresses, sunscreen and bugspray, cosmetics and deodorant, and camel bags.
– Good moods and positive vibes only!

Sustenance

Julian Cassady for Mysteryland
Julian Cassady for Mysteryland

The announcement of the food vendors attending Mysteryland is hotly awaited and is even rewarded with its own lineup announcement. The eclectic mix of food, from pizza and bbq, to burritos, coffee and ice cream, is considered by many to be some of the best that N.Y.C. has to offer. With The Smorgasburg Food Fest and Eats ‘n Beats, Nomads will have plenty of local grub to choose from… Expect it to cost you a pretty Birdie though as delicious, craft food at a festival can be pricey. Healthy vegan and gluten free options are available. More deets coming soon.

Wobbly-pops

Mysteryland makes it super easy for its Nomads to stay hydrated throughout the long weekend of dancing. Water refill stations are available throughout The Holy Ground and the festival grounds. Mysteryland also allows camel bags into the event… Just make sure they are empty upon arrival and be prepared for them to be thoroughly searched. Water bottles can also be bought throughout the festival if you forgot to bring your reusable bottle/ hydration pack.

The official beer of Mysteryland is Heineken and, of course it will put you back quite a bit of money at $10 USD for a tall can of regular or light. Craft beer is also available if Heineken is not your thing and a full-service bar can be found in the Label Tent and Speigeltent for those who prefer liquor.

A Little Advice

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS before putting on your wristband. Seriously people, if you mess that up you can kiss your perfect weekend goodbye. Any wristband that has been tampered with is voided. And don’t forget your wristbands at home! Kind of important…

Stop at Wal-Mart before driving into the campgrounds to stock up on ice, plenty of cases of bottled water and a ton of snacks so you can better spend your money once you’re on the grounds. Investing in a cart of some sort for the weekend is also a good idea. Hauling all of your camping gear and supplies from the parking spot to the entrance, to your camping spot is physically exhausting. And who wants to make more than one trip from the car anyways?

Grab maps of the campsite and festival grounds and acquaint yourself with your surroundings. When you’re in an urgent rush to make it to a certain show or when you need to pee at 3 a.m. in the dark you will thank us.

Julian Cassady for Mysteryland
Julian Cassady for Mysteryland

Re-entry in the festival grounds between the campsite is allowed. Re-entry into the festival for Nomads without some sort of Holy Ground camping is NOT allowed. Once you leave to return to your off-site accommodation you will not be allowed back into the festival.

Mysteryland is a cashless festival and runs on the currency of Birdie Bucks (BB). This allows the festival to provide Nomads with faster service as you simply tap your wristband to pay. It’s also fantastic because you don’t have to worry about carrying (and possibly losing) lots of cash. The exchange rate from USD to BB is pretty steep though. $20 USD will buy you 9 BB. Keep this in mind when you are purchasing food and beverages. Cash and credit can be used to top-up your wristband as well as at the Merchandise Booth. Some of the smaller vendors inside the festival only accept cash. I recommend topping up your BB before heading into the festival to avoid the hassle of having to top-up while on the grounds. If you do not use all of your BB, than you can apply for a refund for a fee of $5 that will be deducted from the remaining BB on your wristband.

It is possible to find your friends again if you’ve wandered off solo to check out the Speigeltent while they jam at The Boat. Come up with a meeting spot as soon as you get into the festival grounds (and aren’t too woozy yet so everyone remembers it.) A meeting spot with a set time can reunite you… And might be more reliable than your cell phone with the temperamental service in the festival grounds. Make sure you pick somewhere super unique and low-key though. I suggest things like a funny looking tree, a certain popsicle stand, or the second food vendor from the left. It’s very rare to find your friends at the most popular art installation when hundreds of others are attempting to do the same thing.

Mysteryland USA is in Upstate New York in June. Check the weather and pack accordingly. It has the potential to be hot and sunny, but can also be cold and rainy. The weather in this area at this time can be pretty unpredictable! The inaugural year saw rain and chilly nights making galoshes, raincoats and heavy sweaters for nighttime adventures important festival attire.

While the bugs in Bethel, NY aren’t bad this time of year, Nomads should be wary of ticks. Check one another for tick bites at the end of the night, or at least at the end of the festival.

Caribbean

Holy Ship! Travel Guide

Holy Ship! is held on the magical MSC Divina and sets sail from the Port of Miami. Stages are scattered across the ship, on various deck levels. Twerk your way up to the pool deck via the Disco Express for a little fun in the sun as the artists spin beats guiding the boat across the ocean, or saunter your way down a staircase made out of unicorn horns to find Fatboy Slim spinning a random act of smileyness in the main lobby.

Getting There    Where to Stay    Respect the Ship    Sustenance    A Litle Advice

Miami bound

If you are flying in, the closest airport to the Port is the Miami International Airport (MIA), which is about a 20 minute drive from where the ship sets sail. A cab from MIA to the Port costs a flat rate of $24 USD and shuttle busses to the Port of Miami can also be taken for a fare.

If you are interested in a cheaper flight alternative, look into flying in to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Although this airport is about half an hour away from the Port, the airport does provide a shuttle service to the Port for $30 USD. Flying into FLL can be significantly cheaper than flying into MIA and the money you save on flying into FLL instead of MIA will be well spent on Champagne on the ship.

 

Holy Ship! bound

If you are heading to Miami early, make sure to stay close to the Port the night before boarding the ship for the shortest ride (or walk if you so desire) to the Port.

Where to stay

You’re on a boat… Find your room and don’t fall overboard. Because this is home for the weekend.

holyship_shipIf you are coming in hot for the pre-party the night before the ship sets sail, staying at one of the recommended shipping hotels on the mainland is highly suggested. Filled with your fellow shipfam, these hotels are all (more or less) within walking distance from the club and a short ride over the bridge to the Port. The Holiday Inn Port of Miami-Downtown is a great option that will be filled with pineapples by the time you check out.

Respect the ship

Maybe it’s because Holy Ship! only has five rules to follow while on board, but a lot of epic, weird shit happens…

– Respect the ship
– Respect the artists
– Respect each other
– Respect the ocean
– Respect the staff

Sustenance

Two words: buffet.
HolyShip-Thump-Vice
The buffet is open 24-hours a day and is filled with anything and everything you could ever want to keep yourself going for three days with no sleep. Disgustingly delicious greasy pizza for those late night munchies, fresh fruits and vegetables for nutritional snacks, pancakes, waffles and eggs to eat while watching Destructo’s Sunrise Sermon.

Om nom nom.

There are also fancy restaurants you can make reservations at onboard. But realistically, there’s not much time for a nice sit-down meal.

Wobbly-pops

Tap water, coffee and tea are included in the price of your ticket. Everything else though will be charged to your room. This includes bottled water, soft drinks, juice and, of course, alcoholic beverages. The pricing onboard is fairly reasonable (and less expensive than a club in Miami!) but it will add up quickly.

A Little Advice

HolyShipEat raw garlic beforehand to avoid getting boat aids afterwards.

Rum runners.

Come to terms with not sleeping more than three hours a night. If you do manage to find some downtime, embrace it and don’t be afraid to rest for a little bit before powering up again.

No seriously… Raw garlic.

May the power of Gary be with you. #ingarywetrust

Good luck…

Music Festivals

Coachella Travel Guide

The Coachella Music and Arts Festival is held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. It’s in the middle of the desert, surrounded by palm trees sitting beneath the beautiful shadows of the Santa Rosa-San Jacinto Mountains.

Getting there     Where to stay     Camping     Sustenance    A Little Advice

California Bound

If you are flying in, the closest airport to the festival is Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), which is about a half hour drive from the grounds. However, flying in to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and driving the two and a half hours to the festival will save you money on that connecting flight to PSP.

Coachella also provides shuttle buses to and from the airport for festival-goers. Rather than renting a car for the weekend, this economical and environmentally friendly option transports people to the camping grounds (if camping) or to one of the nearby hotels for $80. Round-trip transportation from LAX can be purchased here.

COACHELLA-travelmap

Coachella Bound

If you are driving to Coachella, the festival provides directions from San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Arizona, and Las Vegas for the quickest and easiest route.

Coachella strongly recommends carpooling and created the carpoolchella initiative with the help of Global Inheritance back in 2007 to help preserve the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. Participating in this initiative opens up the possibility for you to win a variety of Coachella prizes including VIP tickets to the festival for life! So don’t be afraid to ask fellow festival-goers if they need a lift.

Where to stay

If you choose to stay in a hotel, the closest area of civilization to Coachella is Palm springs so you’ll have to book a hotel there and shuttle/cab/uber/hitch a ride to the grounds every day. Local shuttle passes are $50 and can be purchased in combination with a festival pass. A shuttle pass will give you unlimited transportation to and from the stop of your choosing. Shuttles run from 11 a.m. until one hour after the last artist performance of the night. If you are taking a taxi or uber to the festival, pickup and drop-off is near Avenue 49 and Monroe in lot 1C.

If you are driving to the festival every day from your hotel, airbnb, aunt’s house, Coachella does provide free parking at the grounds from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. It may be easier though to park in one of the side parking lots for $15-$40 and walk to the festival to avoid the traffic jam at the end of the night.

Camping

I strongly recommend you embrace the full Coachella experience and camp at the festival. For those of you inexperienced with Coachella camping… Don’t worry. It’s pretty simple.
COACHELLA-campgroundsmap

Car camping: A car camping pass is $85 and gives you a 10’x30′ spot that comfortably fits your car, a tent, and an area to entertain new friends for the entire weekend. Depending on where your camping spot is (first come first served), the festival gates are about a 15-25 minute walk. Only one car is permitted per spot and, if you and your crew have taken separate cars, you must enter the festival together to camp together.

Tent camping: If you are arriving to the festival via shuttle bus, taxi, uber, or carpool then the tent camping option is for you. Each spot is 10’x15′ and can be purchased with your festival ticket for $85. One overnight parking spot is provided with each tent camping ticket for you to leave your car if you did drive to the festival. Tent camping spots are in a grassy area beside car camping spots and are about the same distance to the festival gates.

Lake Eldorado camping: Set up surrounding Lake Eldorado (yes, an actual lake) a spot in one of the 2-person tee pees or 4-person tents starts at the price of $2,350 and increases from there. This option has extra perks and amenities (like private porto potties and flushable toilets), and has your home for the weekend ready to go for you by the time you arrive.

Safari tents: For the true glampers, Coachella’s safari tents are the ultimate in luxury. With air conditioning, private rest rooms and showers, breakfast, security and fully furnished “shakir style” tents that are set up for you by the time you have arrived, this option can be purchased at $7,000 for two people.

Camping do’s and don’ts

– Camping is 18+. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
– The campgrounds open Thursday at 9 a.m. and close Monday at noon. Do yourself a favour and arrive as early as possible to avoid lineups.
– Each festival-goer camping must have their own valid festival pass
– Bring as normal a tent as possible (no branding or logos)
– You can bring food and beverage into the campgrounds to sustain yourself for the weekend.
– However DO NOT bring glass bottles. Glass bottles will be confiscated upon your search into the campgrounds.
– Leave your weapons, drugs and drug paraphernalia at home
– On that note… leave little Fido at home too
– And those tiki torches you have lying around
– And the fireworks.
– Free showers will be available
– Cellphone charger stations and an internet cafe with wifi can be found on the campgrounds
– And in case you forgot anything in your excitement, the campground’s general store carries everything you need; from band-aids and batteries to condoms and toothbrushes. Shuttle buses can also be taken to the nearest Wal-Mart everyday.

Sustenance

COACHELLA-grub2Coachella has food trucks with every kind of food imaginable. There are food trucks, makeshift restaurants, bars to buy alcoholic drinks at and water stations everywhere. Whether you are vegetarian, celiac, vegan, or meatatarian, Coachella has got you covered and will have you salivating over all the delicious options. However here’s the deal… Food is expensive at festivals and Coachella is no exception. Be prepared to spend at least $20-$40 on food per day.

The fresh watermelon is my favorite Coachella snack. For five dollars, you get a quarter of a melon that will refresh you and keep you hydrated throughout the day.

For those camping, there’s a farmer’s market in the campgrounds where you can get a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit, smoothies and coconuts, and coffee and pastries. Definitely don’t neglect the breakfast burritos though as they will overwhelm your tastebuds while giving you the sustenance you need to party longer with less strain on your wallet.

Wobbly-pops

COACHELLA-boozeWater is $2 a bottle and you will probably end up with heat stroke if you are not hydrating throughout the day… Especially if you are spending the day at the festival raging under the beating sun. At $2 a bottle, Coachella provides festival-goers with a reasonable price for water however, free water refill stations are located throughout the grounds. The line-up can be super long at these though so make sure to budget time waiting if you are choosing this refreshingly free option.

The official beer of Coachella is Heineken so anticipate drinking at least a keg’s worth. A regular beer is $7 and a tall boy is $9. If beer is not your style, basic high balls can be purchased for about $12.

A Little Advice

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS before putting on your wristband. Seriously people, if you mess that up you can kiss your perfect weekend goodbye. Any wristband that has been tampered with is voided. And don’t forget your wristbands at home! Kind of important…

Stop at Wal-Mart before driving into the campgrounds to stock up on ice, plenty of cases of water and a ton of snacks so you don’t have to waste your money once you’re at the grounds. While I do love Cheetos, protein bars and dried fruit are wonderful snacks for the weekend that will help keep your energy levels high.

COACHELLA-astronaut-courtGrab maps of the campsite and festival grounds and acquaint yourself with your surroundings. When you’re in an urgent rush to make it to a certain show or when you need to pee at 3 a.m. in the dark you will thank us.

Re-entry in the festival grounds between the campsite is allowed. It’s probably a good idea to take breaks in between your favourite artists to go back to your campsite and load up on sustenance.

Carry lots of cash. Don’t bring all the cash you own into the festival every day and make sure you lock up your belongings when you leave your campsite but don’t bother with the ATMs. The service fees are through the roof and the lineups are a waste of time.

It is possible to find your friends again if you’ve wandered off solo to check out the mojave tent while they jam inside yuma. A meeting spot with a set time can reunite you… And might be more reliable then your cell phone with the temperamental service in the festival grounds. Make sure you pick somewhere super unique and low-key though, like the popsicle stand beside the sahara tent… And indulge in one while you’re there.

The Coachella Valley is in the desert… Yes it is scorching during the day. But it does also get pretty chilly at night. Bring sweatpants, sweaters, beanies and blankets for your nighttime adventures.

Go with the flow! We definitely understand the desire to see certain acts but sometimes missing an artist to go on an adventure with a newfound Coachella soulmate is worth it.

ULTRAUSA-courtney Music Festivals

Ultra Music Festival Miami Travel Guide

Ultra Music Festival Miami is held at Bayfront Park, smack dab in the middle of downtown Miami, Florida. The green space along Biscayne Boulevard provides a perfectly intimate setting for confetti to float over your heard and laser beams to light up the Miami night sky.

Getting there    Where to stay    Prohibited and okayed    Sustenance    A Little Advice

Miami bound

If you are flying in, the closest airport to the festival is the Miami International Airport (MIA), which is about a 15 minute drive from Bayfront Park and a 20 minute drive from South Beach. Depending on where you are staying, you are looking at spending about $20 – $40 USD on a cab. Many hotels do offer a free shuttle service between the hotel and the airport though, and public transportation is fairly easy to navigate.

If you are interested in a cheaper flight alternative, look into flying in to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Although this airport is a half hour drive away from Bayfront Park and 40 minutes away from South Beach, the airport does provide a shuttle service to South Beach for $21 USD. Plus the amount of money you can save on the ‘inconvenience’ of flying into FLL instead of MIA may just buy you a round of drinks at one of the clubs.

 

Ultra bound

If you are staying at one of the suggested hotels on the mainland, chances are you can easily two-step your way over to the festival.

Opted on an option in South Beach? While it may only be a 15 minute drive from the festival, hailing a cab will be very challenging so give yourself at least one hour to make your way over and get ready to ruffle your tutu a bit on the bus ride as it is sure to be loaded with fellow Ultranauts. The 103, 119 and 120 will all take you over to the mainland. We recommend taking the 119 from South Beach to the stop at the corner of NE 6th Street and then walking the five minutes to the festival entrance. The 103 will take you directly to Bayfront Park however it does take a bit of a scenic route. The 120 will take you to the bus terminal from where you will need to hop on the MMO light rail towards the park.

Mainland

For those wanting to stay on the mainland, Ultra provides a list of partner hotels for the weekend. The Aloft Miami Brickell is the most economical at $279/night and is only a 30 minute walk from the park. This one is a high in demand option and does sell out quickly. If you’re looking for a shorter walk to the grounds, the Viceroy Miami is a good option.  10442405_860831737313650_7543450660422429188_nRoom rates start at $349/night and this hotel is located a brisk 10 minute walk from the event. For the Ultranaut who wants to be as conveniently located to the festival as possible, the Holiday Inn Port of Miami-Downtown is literally situated across the street from Bayfront Park. Although this is one of the most expensive hotels on the list, with room rates starting at $439/night, it will only take you as long as a traffic light change to get to the festival.

An alternative to staying in one of the Miami hotels is renting an apartment for the weekend. Many Miami residents will rent out their homes to Ultranauts for the weekend at a fair price. This can be an ideal option if you’re going with a group of people as the apartments available tend to still be centrally located and less expensive than staying in a hotel. Look into this early though as these sell out fast!

South Beach

Want to stay in the party-oriented South Beach? Ultra provides a list of partner hotels for here as well. Although staying in South Beach means a longer trek to and from the festival (about a two hour walk to the festival across the bridge if you dare!), many of the official after parties take place in South Beach. The most economical Ultra hotel to stay at here is the Essex House Hotel. Room rates start at $299/night and includes free breakfast.

South Beach also has plenty of hostels to choose from. Although prices do increase at these accommodations for this weekend, staying in a South Beach hostel is the most economical route and is also allow a great way of meeting other Ultranauts. The Bikini Hostel and the Miami Hostel are a short walk from the beach, shops and nightlife, and closely located to the bus stop that will take you to the mainland. The Miami Hostel also provides free shuttles to the nightclubs. The DecoWalk Hostel is the perfect alternative for those wishing to stay closer to the beach and is within stumbling distance from all the nightlife.

Prohibited and Okayed

To ensure it’s return in 2015, Ultra Music Festival had to make some changes to its rules and regulations. The festival is now an 18+ event, has a clear bag policy, and prohibits climbing trees and poles to gain a better vantage point.

The following items are allowed into the festival
– Hydration packs that are not backpacks and are empty upon arrival… i.e. Camelbaks
– Fanny packs
– Cell phones, non-professional cameras, action cameras
– Sunglasses, hats and earplugsUMF-MiamiTimes-GeorgeMartinez
– Illuminated and/or glowing jewelry or costumes (laser beam pasties anyone?)
– Flags and banners without a hard pole
– Sealed packs of smokes
– Sealed tampons…

But you’re going to want to leave these out of your rave kit
– Illegal substances and paraphernalia
– Weapons and anything flammable
– Outside food and beverages, bottles, cans, flasks, coolers
– Professional cameras and recording equipment
– Backpacks and purses… Strict new rules regarding this
– Stuffed animals, face masks, pacifiers, glow sticks, whistles
– Poles, sticks, or totems… #nomoreselfiesticks
– Toys: balloons, frisbees, inflatable balls, laser pointing devices, water guns, spray bottles, instruments
– Opened packs of smokes or tampons…

Sustenance

Let’s be honest here… Ultra is not known for the food it provides to festival-goers. Little boutique, pop-up food stands that are characteristic of many other festivals don’t make much of an appearance under the laser beam filled Miami sky.

If you do get hungry at the festival though, you are looking at spending about $20 – $40 USD. The Bayside Marketplace however, is located next-door to the festival and provides quick and cheap options like Subway, or sit-down restaurant alternatives. Rather than spending $10 on a hot dog in the festival, you’re better off stopping in at the Marketplace beforehand and filling up on good grub there.

Wobbly-pops

Water is a steep $5 per bottle. Being surrounded by fellow Ultranauts under the hot Miami sun all day make it a hot commodity too. There are water refill stations located throughout the festival so if you don’t want to spend all your money on purchasing this necessity on the grounds, invest in a Camelbak.

The official beer at Ultra is Heineken so expect to drink a lot of it. A regular beer is $8. If you’re not a fan of Heineken, you can also purchase basic high balls for about $12.

A Little Advice

I first attended Ultra Music Festival in 2013. My advice here is based on personal experiences from then but (for the most part) remains pertinent to the festival as it is today.

There is no re-entry into the park! Once you have entered the festival, you are in for the day. Most of the headliners are scheduled to perform later in the evening so prepare your schedule for the day accordingly. I sacrificed seeing some of the earlier acts to ensure that I’d still have the energy to attend some of the later sets.

12380_10151559982804244_661601410_nThe Ultra Music Festival app is super useful. It provides a map for the festival, along with a full lineup. You can also customize the lineup for your likes and set up push notifications so that you will be made aware when Steve Aoki is hitting someone with cake in an hour.

Get to know the festival grounds before you get there. Bayfront Park is not the largest venue but it can still get confusing.

KEEP YOUR TICKETS IN A SAFE SPOT. You get the one ticket with three stubs for each day of the festival so do not lose that ticket. If you lose your ticket on the first day you most likely have ruined your chances of getting back into the festival for the rest of the weekend.

The party does not stop once the U stops changing colors… There are so many festival after parties to choose from. Many of which are located in South Beach so accommodation here might be more suitable.

Cabbing after the U has stopped changing colors? Good luck.

Don’t bother with the ATMs at the festival… The service fees and lineups are through the roof so try and plan your spending accordingly. And then bring an extra $30.

For accommodations, I decided to stay as close to the festival as possible at the Holiday Inn right across the street from Bayfront Park. Although I had to spend a couple extra dollars for this spot, the convenience of being a five minute walk from the festival, and not having to worry about how to get home at the end of the event, was pretty awesome. The hotel however only allows entrance to people who present their room key so try and hang on to that.

Ultra is an experience that every raver needs to experience at least once. I loved the experience being an Ultranaut for the weekend and wound up with some super awesome NSFW stories as well. However, from personal experience and research, I would approach the whole weekend completely different the second time around. Ticket prices for the festival are pretty steep. Instead of purchasing a $400+ ticket to Ultra, I would choose to buy tickets to some of the beach parties and after parties, picking and choosing which DJs I am most interested in seeing. Most of the DJs will host one of these parties throughout the weekend and the week leading up to the festival, providing a more intimate experience. While you wouldn’t be attending Ultra and doing Miami as an Ultranaut, you would still be getting an unreal experience and seeing sets being played by your favorite artists.

Miami is expensive. Enlarge your budget.