Deep within Iceland’s central highlands, Kerlingarfjöll is a group of small geothermically active and rust-colored mountains capped with snow. Here’s how to organize your own self-drive adventure.
Kerlingarfjöll is a lesser-known day-hiking experience not too far away from Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route. It was one of my favorite stops in Iceland!
If you want to get off the beaten path a bit and extend your Golden Circle trip with something more adventurous, this strange geothermal area is the perfect place to stop for a half-day hiking trip (and maybe spend the night).
Surrounded by rocky green peaks and Iceland’s Tuya volcano system, Kerlingarfjoll itself stands out with red & orange hues. Hiking these colorful rhyolite hills will expose you to hot springs, geysers, steam vents, and boiling mud pots.
In this travel guide you’ll learn tips for visiting this unique and photogenic spot.
Exploring Kerlingarfjöll Geothermal Area
Hiking the Strange Volcanic Formations
Exploring Hveradalir Geothermal Area
Some of the summits in Kerlingarfjoll are covered in snow year-round, like Fannborg and Snækollur. In fact, at one time there was a ski-lift, but as global temperatures warmed they removed it due to lack of snow.
I spent about 4 hours hiking around and photographing the Hveradalir geothermal area of Kerlingarfjoll after camping out in their campground the night before.
Walking through thick steam clouds pouring from fumaroles, and hiking up its muddy orange slopes, I felt like an astronaut exploring another planet!
More visitors showed up later in the day, but I initially had it all to myself.
Travel Photography from Iceland
Kerlingarfjöll Hiking Trails
Kerlingarfjoll is crisscrossed with different marked and unmarked hiking trails. You can spend a few hours, or a few days trekking through this wild Icelandic landscape.
Hringbrautin Ring Route – This is a full 3-day trek that takes you to every nook & cranny of Kerlingarfjoll. With two mountain huts along the way, there’s no need to pack a tent.
Austurfjoll Peaks – A tough 5-6 hour hike over all the highest mountains in Kerlingarfjoll, including the highest called Snaekollur at 1,428m.
Hveradalir Walk – The standard 2-3 hour walk through the geothermal area of Hveradalir. Steam vents and hot springs, with optional hikes up a few mountains.
Walking Into the Geothermal Steam
Can You Spot Me?
Boiling Mud Pots
Myth Of The Troll Woman
The mountains of Kerlingarfjöll were once considered a refuge for outlaws and trolls. The weather here is notoriously bad — it can be very cloudy and windy.
The whole place is basically a big volcanic caldera, created by eruptions from a time when there were still glaciers of ice above it.
Icelandic legends tell the tale of Kerling, an old hag troll woman who was the daughter of the fire giant Surtur.
One day she didn’t make it home in time before the sunrise and was turned to stone by sunlight. If you look carefully, might spot her 30-meter tall stone pillar…
Driving Iceland’s F-Roads
Getting To Kerlingarfjöll
Because it’s located in the highlands, Kerlingarfjoll can only be reached by driving on Iceland’s notorious “F-Roads”. The F-Roads are essentially rough jeep trails that weave through the remote center of the country.
These gravel tracks aren’t really maintained and close down for the winter in late September or early October (after the first snow) until June. So hiking Kerlingarfjoll is a summer adventure.
Some F-Roads are more hardcore than others, requiring you to drive through rivers with no bridges. Luckily F-35 Kjölur, the road to reach Kerlingarfjoll, isn’t too difficult.
A 4X4 vehicle is required for all mountain roads in Iceland though, 2WD rental cars are not insured here because conditions are extreme (snow, ice, mud, sand, rivers, etc.)
From Gullfoss Waterfall the drive up F-35 to Kerlingarfjöll takes 2-3 hours, depending on how rugged your vehicle is. The road can get very rough in some spots. It’s also possible to get here from the town of Blönduós in the North.
Iceland’s highlands are no joke, and you need to be prepared with food, water, a full tank of gas, and warm clothing should you break down.
If you decide to add Kerlingarfjöll to the typical Golden Circle stops, you’ll need to spend the night there and drive back the next day. There’s no way you could do all of it and get back to Reykjavik the same day.
Kerlingarfjoll Mountain Resort & Camping
Where To Stay At Kerlingarfjöll
Kerlingarfjoll has a small resort with 20 double rooms and 10 smaller individual cabins and A-frames that you can rent out for the night.
This backcountry lodge has hot showers available (on a timer), bathrooms, a small shop, and a restaurant. There’s also a campground here, which is what I did. It costs 2000 ISK ($16 USD) per person to camp with your own tent.
From the cabins, you can follow a path beside the river leading to a nice little hot spring pool that’s safe to swim in. It takes about 30 minutes to get there on foot.
There’s also a remote backpacker hostel further up F-35 called Gíslaskáli Kjölur.
The Land of Trolls & Elves
Kerlingarfjoll Travel Tips
Icelandic names can be confusing. Kerlingarfjöll is the mountain range, while Hveradalir is the actual geothermal area.
To reach the red hills and steam vents of Hveradalir, you can either hike from Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Resort (1.5 hours), or if you have a 4X4 vehicle, drive up a steep dirt road to save time.
Fill your gas tank before entering the highlands. There’s one gas pump at Kerlingarfjöll but it isn’t always working.
There are a few public buses that stop out here, the 610 and 610a, but you’d need to spend the night and take another bus back the next day.
The hiking trails can be very muddy, or even covered in snow depending on the time of year. Proper hiking boots are recommended.
The area is very sensitive to foot-traffic, so please stay on marked trails to avoid destroying the delicate landscape.
While many people travel Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, far less venture up into the rugged highlands. But as you can see, there’s a good reason why its worth the effort involved! ★
The vibrant capital city of Havana, Cuba has long been inaccessible to American travelers, but thankfully this is no longer the case. Here are some of my favorite things to do in the City of Columns!
In recent years, Cuba has seen major changes and opened its doors to visitors. More and more American’s are now visiting Cuba than ever before, and tourism has been on the rise — for good reason!
Only an hour away from Miami by plane, Havana is a majestic blend of old and new, vintage cars and colorful, often crumbling infrastructure; its energy pulses with a vibrant mix of Spanish colonial architecture, booming nightlife and kitschy art galleries.
For a small city, Havana seems to have an endless list of things to do catering to every kind of traveler. Maybe you’re a cigar aficionado or simply looking for some R&R, Havana has something to offer everyone.
Best Things To Do In Havana
After spending some time in the capital city during my road trip around Cuba, I wanted to put together a comprehensive travel guide to Havana that would help you plan your own journey.
This is part of what makes Havana unique and what captivated me in particular — the sense that there is always something more to uncover around every corner.
Whether it’s a sultry salsa performance or hidden bar tucked away behind the narrow streets of a colorful neighborhood — you’ll never get bored of things to do!
Visit El Morro Castle
Cuba’s Pirate Protection
El Morro Castle, otherwise known as “Castillo del Morro”, is a great starting point once you arrive in Havana. It’s situated on top of a rocky promontory at the entrance of Havana’s bay—it can’t be missed! It’s a massive fort with an equally impressive history.
The castle was built starting in 1590 to protect Havana against military attacks, and also served as a watch post to keep an eye out for enemies (like pirates!). It is composed of 3 bastions linked by curtain walls, casemented barracks and also houses cisterns, a chapel, officer’s quarters, a wine cellar, stables, and dungeons.
Today, Morro Castle is used as a museum and can be visited for a small fee. Its fantastic views make it a great first stop, a short taxi ride from the city center.
Explore Old Havana On Foot
Local Neighborhoods in Havana Vieja
As both the city center and the municipality with the second highest population density in Havana, Havana Vieja is quite possibly the most beautiful area of the city and a must-see if you’re visiting. Many buildings have fallen into ruin, but many starting to get restored.
The area is a colorful labyrinth of narrow streets, lively local neighborhoods, courtyards, forts, monuments, and churches that make up the pulsating heart of Havana. While you should definitely enjoy yourself strolling around the old city, just beware of jineteros, local hustlers trying to make a buck off you.
Tropicana Nightclub Show
Havana’s Most Famous Nightlife
Known as one of the hottest cabaret shows in the world, the Tropicana Nightclub Show is a world-famous spectacle set in a lush, tropical open-air venue that bursts with colorful lights, glitter, and glam. Salsa-charged and sensual, it’s a must-do activity during any trip to Havana Cuba.
Performers’ gaudy, feathered costumes are spectacles in and of themselves, but it’s the show as a whole that leaves you floored. Tickets are a bit pricey -— roughly $85 USD per person -— but include a welcome drink and cigar. We had a great night there!
Tour Havana By Classic Car
Tour Havana by Classic Car
When you think of things to do in Havana, chances are rolling down the street in a colorful, vintage convertible with the top down is a top contender. There are plenty of options for vintage car tours in Havana, and most operate like a regular taxi.
For pre-planned tours, there is usually a flat-fee (about 40 – 50 CUC per hour) that the driver communicates up front. But if you’re feeling spontaneous, you can easily hail a vintage car to go anywhere in the city. Make sure to stop in some photogenic locations to get those Instagram photos!
Stroll Along “El Malecon” Boardwalk
Stroll Along the Seaside on El Malecon
If you want an intimate glimpse at life in Havana, walk El Malecon. Translated as “the pier”, El Malecon is a restored seafront walkway situated along the city’s north coastline and provides lovely views of Havana’s iconic architecture.
It’s also the unofficial symbol of the city, and often can be seen on postcards and in films. El Malecon is a destination in and of itself, so food and music is abundant all along the pier.
And if you visit during late July or early August, El Malecon comes alive with one of the biggest festivals in Cuba —- the Havana Carnival.
Enjoy Cuban Cigars At Hotel Nacional
Cigars & Rum at Havana’s Famous Hotel Nacional
Cuba has elevated cigar smoking to an art form. For that reason, you can pretty much find a good cigar anywhere in Havana—but if you’re looking for the best spot to light up and take in the classy, glamorous, atmosphere that this city evokes, look no further than Hotel Nacional.
Hotel Nacional is not only the most famous hotel in Havana -— it’s also home to one of the city’s best cigar shops called La Casa del Habano. Or you can enjoy your cigar in the hotel’s backyard and bar, relaxing amidst ocean views, palm trees, and even peacocks strolling by!
Visit Hemingway’s Watering Holes
Have a Drink at El Floridita Bar
Ernest Hemingway lived outside Havana for twenty years, and naturally got much of the inspiration for his novels from the city—more specifically, from its bars. El Floridita, Dos Hermanos and La Bodeguita del Medio were Hemingway’s favorite bars when he lived there, and today they can be visited just like any other bar.
Watch out though, as a few of them have turned into tourist traps. La Bodeguita was my favorite Hemingway-approved watering hole and still retains much of the subdued, authentic atmosphere you’d expect Hemingway probably loved. They have live salsa music, and also make a mean mojito, which never hurts.
Try A Cuban Pizza!
Typical Cuban Pizza in Havana
Sure, everyone knows they should eat a Cuban sandwich while in Cuba. But did you know these famous sandwiches were actually created in Florida? Instead, why not order a classic Cuban pizza while visiting Havana!
What makes Cuban pizza special is the “sofrito” — essentially a holy mix of onion, garlic, and bell pepper sautéed in olive oil with tomato and spices. In Havana, crappy pizza is everywhere, and the good stuff is a bit trickier to find.
For starters, I recommend heading to 5 Esquinas Trattoria on Cuarteles Avenue. Their pizza is baked in a wood oven, and the spot is a prime location for people-watching. Another tasty spot is Bella Ciao, which has a reputation for the freshest pizza (and pasta!) in Havana.
Hit The Beaches Nearby
Packed Weekend at Playa Santa Maria
Cuba’s proximity to the equator means that it’s always beach season in Havana. The island’s entire coastline is pretty much a white sand, turquoise-watered dream, so it’s hard to go wrong with picking a beach.
If you’re looking for a party atmosphere, head to Santa María del Mar, the biggest and most well-known beach in Havana. The downside to this one, though, is the crowds. But if you’re visiting in the autumn or winter you should be ok.
If you’re looking for a quieter beach day that isn’t as popular with tourists, try Playa Boca Ciega.
How About Some Rum In A Box?
Horrible Cheap Rum in a Box…
Wander the streets of Havana for a night on the town, and you’ll soon learn all about “rum in a box”. Known as the juice box for big kids, this rotgut rum is sold in individual packs. You’ll see locals partying with their box of Tumbao or Planchao.
It’s cheap as hell, pretty disgusting, and will leave you with a painful headache the next morning if you drink too much of it. But if you want to make some new friends, rip a fresh box open with your teeth and pass it around!
Visit The Capitol Building
Havana’s Capitol Building
El Capitolio, or Cuba’s Capitol Building, was built in 1929 and based off of the US Capitol in Washington DC. It has been closed to the public for the last 8 years for a big restoration project — but just recently re-opened.
Previously used as the Ministry of Science & Technology, the newly renovated structure is now the seat of Cuba’s national assembly, where they selected a new president last April. Visitors can tour the Capitol in groups of 15 from Tuesday to Sunday each week.
Dance To Some Cuban Music
Live Cuban Salsa Music
Salsa is everywhere in Havana—in bars, restaurants, even impromptu dances along sidewalks are a regular occurrence. We hit the bars & clubs a few different times to check out live music, one of my favorites was a bar called Kilometro Zero.
But if you want to take your salsa admiration one step further, sign up for a lesson. Casa del Son is Havana’s biggest and best dance school, offering locals and visitors classes in just about every type of traditional Cuban dance.
Watch Cannons Blast Off!
Fort San Carlos Cannon Ceremony
Ever since the 18th-century, a cannon has been fired in Havana every evening at 9pm at the Fortaleza San Carlos de la Cabaña (Fort of St Charles). Back then, Havana was divided in two and Cuba’s Spanish rulers would fire the cannon to inform the Habaneros to take shelter against pirate attacks.
Today, the nightly event is still quite a spectacle, equipped with a drum roll and artillery cadets lining the fort dressed in colonial uniforms. The event is free, always on time, and onlookers are encouraged! This is one of the lesser-known things to do in Havana.
Stay Hydrated With Guarapo
Cuban Sugar Cane Juice
What is guarapo, you ask? It’s raw sugar cane juice that’s been extracted from palm-tree sap, and also the most delicious drink you can find in Cuba. The cheapest, too. It’s usually mixed with lime and ice and can be found pretty much in every bar, restaurant, or street side bodega.
You can also try it as an alcoholic beverage (usually mixed with rum). Guarapo is on of the best drinks to try in Havana, and a consistently fantastic spot to get your cane-juice drink on is Arsenal Street, right in front of the train station.
Viñales Tobacco Fields Road Trip
Visit the Tobacco Farms of Vinales
After a few days in Havana, no one would blame you for wanting to escape the city for a day to find something else to do, and the town of Viñales should fix you right up. It’s a small village tucked away in the middle of green fields, tobacco plantations and rock formations.
About a 2-3 hour drive from Havana, Viñales makes for a great day trip, although I do recommend spending at least one night there to get the full sense of the town.
There are buses leaving daily from Havana to Viñales, or you can rent a classic car like we did. Viñales is known for its tobacco farms and limestone hills. Horseback riding is a popular way to enjoy the lush scenery and country atmosphere.
Visit Cámera Obscura
View from the Gómez Vila Building
You can get a brilliant 360-degree panoramic view of Old Havana from the top floor of the Gómez Vila building in Plaza Vieja, the tallest building in Old Havana. It’s got the only “Camera Oscura” in all of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The camera projects real-time images of the city at 30X magnification through just a peephole onto a dark screen. Havana’s Cámera Obscura costs only 2 CUC to visit, and even the view from the roof is totally worth it.
Trip Out In Fusterlandia
Fusterlandia Art Installation
Cuba’s rich artistic tradition is alive and well in part thanks to artist Jose Fuster, who has built a mosaic tile wonderland called Fusterlandia in the fishing village of Jaimanitas, just 20 minutes outside of Havana.
Fusterlandia is unique in that it isn’t its own site-specific artwork, but rather crafted into the neighborhood. Residents have actually allowed Fuster to decorate their homes and turn them into colorful, eye-popping gems.
There is a gallery you can visit between 9:30am and 4:00pm, Wednesday to Sunday. If you don’t make it to the gallery, you can always just drive through the neighborhood to get a feel of things.
Eat At A Local Paladar
Where to Eat in Havana
If you only stick to government-run restaurants frequented by tourists, you’ll miss out on Cuba’s true flavor. So make sure to stop into a paladar (locally-run restaurant) for an authentic Cuban food experience.
Good Cuban food is a delicious fusion of African and Spanish food, and very much resembles a lot of the food you can find throughout the Caribbean — rich, dense, and heavy on the spices.
One great paladar I recommend is called San Cristóbal, located in the bottom floor of an early 20th-century mansion. Make sure you try the traditional ropa vieja. Shredded, stewed beef with vegetables!
Explore Havana’s Green Forest
Explore Havana’s Forest
El Bosque De La Habana (the Lungs of Havana) is a swamp-like forest home to the Almendares River and is a popular spot for locals to get away from the city center and breathe some fresh air. It’s a recreational area for Habaneros with playgrounds and an amphitheater for concerts.
Many of Havana’s classic car tours pass through the park. The 300-year-old banyan trees are covered in green vines, and it’s a very cool place to visit. You might see locals practicing Santeria in the river, a Caribbean religion where members sacrifice animals.
Plaza De La Revolución
Giant Che Guevara Mural at Revolution Square
The largest public square in Cuba, and one of the largest in the world, Plaza de la Revolucion is where Cuba’s most important government offices are located. The Ministerio del Interior boasts a massive mural of Cuba’s revolutionary hero Che Guevara.
The square is a bit out of the way from the heart of the capital, so most tourists get there via one of the classic car taxis that you can rent from Old Havana. Driving by this famous mural was one of my favorite things to do in the city.
Pop By Hemingway’s Old House
Earnest Hemingway’s House in Havana
Just outside of Havana you’ll find Finca Vigía, the former colonial home of Earnest Hemingway. It’s where he wrote some of his most famous novels like: For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. You can’t go inside the house itself, but you can look through the windows.
There’s a museum there open from 10am to 4pm Monday through Saturday and 9am to 1pm on Sundays. It’s a bit of a haul to get out there from Havana, so only do this if you have some extra time. Visit early in the morning to avoid the bus tour crowds.
Hotel Kempinski Rooftop Pool
This beautiful panoramic pool terrace and bar at Havana’s Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski has awesome views of the Havana Vieja area, including the recently refurbished Capitol Building.
This new infinity rooftop pool (and the luxury hotel) is an example of things to come as Cuba prepares for increased tourism. Unfortunately, Americans aren’t technically allowed to book this hotel, as it’s owned by the Cuban government.
Fabrica De Arte Cubano
The Cuban Art Factory
The Cuban Art Factory was founded by famous Afro-Cuban musician X-Alfonso, and is one of Havana’s hippest spots to soak in modern Cuban culture. It’s a mix between a nightclub, gallery, and performance center that promotes local Cuban artists, writers, photographers, and filmmakers.
Open from Thursday to Sunday, this giant factory building is often packed by 11pm, and is the perfect place to start your wild night on the town in Havana. Each room is different — some with live bands, others full of art. You’ll have a wonderful experience no matter what you’re in to.
The Revolution Museum
Plane from Cuban Revolution
Formerly the Presidential Palace, Havana’s Revolution Museum depicts the time period before, during, and right after the Cuban Revolution. You can still find bullet holes in the central staircase from a failed assassination attempt of President Fulgencio Batista.
Out back you’ll find some old military vehicles, tanks used during the Bay of Pigs operation, airplanes, and the yacht used to ferry Castro from Mexico to Cuba to start the revolution in the first place.
Climb La Guarida’s Staircase
Old-School Romantic Staircase
Probably’s Havana’s most famous Paladar, La Guarida Restaurant sits at the top floor of an old dilapidated-looking building, complete with a beautiful grand staircase. Traveling celebrities often stop in to eat here.
It’s usually difficult to book a table, and the meal prices aren’t cheap either. But you’re really paying for the interesting atmosphere & history. It kinda feels like you’re staring into your own international spy movie from the 50’s! Pretty cool.
Getting To (and Around) Havana
Despite the recent easing of Cuba’s travel laws, some restrictions are still in place for Americans. Technically you can only visit if you fall into one of 12 special categories.
However there are some ways around the rules, and it’s totally possible to visit as a tourist if you follow a few completely legal “loopholes”.
Airlines that serve Cuba directly from the US now include: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Jet Blue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines.
Once you’re on the ground, local taxis are everywhere. There are the classic car versions, which are kinda expensive (negotiate first), or the local shared taxis, which only cost 0.50 CUC per person (but you need to know their set route or speak Spanish).
Best Time To Visit Havana
Havana is sunny year-round, so you really can’t go wrong in terms of choosing a time of year to visit. But be wary of the force of the Cuban sun! For those with light skin, like me, take extra precautions from sunburn.
The autumn can be lovely but visiting might be risky because of hurricane season. A happy medium is to visit sometime in the winter (November-March), as it’s both warm enough to enjoy the beaches but not hot enough to make you wish you were back in your air-conditioned hotel.
During the winter, the crowds have lessened and you can experience a more authentic Havana. Plus, I’ve heard New Year’s Eve in the capital is an unforgettable spectacle!
Where To Stay In Havana
The most authentic places to stay in Havana are called Casa Particulares, which are guest rooms in Cuban family homes that you can find by simply asking around.
Typically, these rooms run from 10 to 30 CUC per night, but be sure to add a bit to that cost if you want homemade breakfast included.
If you need a proper hotel in Havana, Hotel Saratoga, Hotel Nacional de Cuba, and Hotel Florida are good ones.
Travel Tips for Havana Cuba
Useful Travel Tips For Havana
If you want to save some money, and don’t have to go too far, trying hiring a bicycle taxi or a “coco taxi” scooter for a fun ride.
Don’t spend all your time in Havana! There is so much more to Cuba than the capital city. Check out Vinales, Trinidad, and Varadero if you have the time.
Bring a filtered water bottle, as bottled water can sometimes be difficult to find outside of major cities.
Even if you normally prefer hotels, I recommend spending at least one night in a casas particular with locals to see what it’s like.
Learn some basic Spanish words! While some English is common in Havana, attempting to speak Spanish will give you more opportunities to interact with people.
Looking to make some extra money this year? Check out my detailed guide to unconventional side hustles for earning extra income from home. Even if you’re already working a full-time job…
Nine years ago I quit my job to travel the world.
This was a crazy idea at the time, but it eventually turned into the best decision of my life, and these days I run a successful travel blog that earns 6-figures a year.
I wasn’t some rich-kid though, and before I could leave for that year-long backpacking trip around the world, I first learned how to make extra money online while working a day job so I could afford my travel adventures.
Maybe you already have a day job. Or you’re a college student. Or a stay-at-home parent.
You’re interested in a “side-hustle” to make extra cash in 2019 for travel, to open a small business, become a writer, or whatever your dream happens to be.
Well, keep reading then! This post is for you.
For the past year, I’ve been researching all kinds of crazy ways to make extra money on the side, and you won’t believe what’s working for some people these days!
More and more of us are learning how to make money online or from home — new technologies and opportunities make it easier than ever before.
Best Ways To Earn Extra Money
How did I earn extra money to travel all those years ago? Well, aside from learning how to save money properly, I also wrote and sold a series of ebooks about topics I was knowledgeable in — nightlife and photography.
Ebooks are basically digital how-to guides that people can download in PDF format. Don’t worry, I’ll go into more detail later in this article.
Selling ebooks is just one way to earn extra money, and it’s not for everyone.
Because we all have unique skills, passions, and abilities, below you’ll find many different ways to make extra money on the side, along with helpful resources to get you started with each one.
You’ll be saving up for that dream vacation in no time!
Creative Ways To Make Money
Rent Your Car to Tourists
1. Rent Your Car Out
Ah, the sharing economy. Always coming up with new ways for regular people to earn some extra money. If you own a car, you can make some easy cash by renting it out through an app called Turo.com. Don’t worry, every car gets a $1 million insurance policy, plus they pre-screen drivers, so your car will be in good hands.
How much money can you make? It depends on the car, where it’s located, and how much you decide to charge. This guy makes over $1000 per month, per car (he has a fleet now). To earn good money, don’t rent out the same car you use to get around every day. Only have one car? Maybe rent it out and switch to public transportation!
Every small business needs a bookkeeper. I’ve got one. Basically, they organize and track income and expenses, so a business owner can spend time on the things they’re good at — running the business. And you don’t need to be a professional accountant in order to become a bookkeeper either!
Competent bookkeepers can handle multiple clients, and make a good side income for themselves while working from home, as almost all financial information can be tracked online these days. With only 3-4 clients, a part-time (10 hours per week) bookkeeper can make an extra $10,000 a year. Being good with numbers helps!
This guy records videos of himself dressed as Jesus, praising whatever you want him to. Your company. Your song. Anything! And he’s making bank… charging at least $10 with over 10,000 sales so far. I’m not saying you should copy him, just get creative!
Now I know what you’re thinking. But this is a totally legitimate way to work-from-home! Sure, it’s a bit oddball, but that’s what makes it great. People will pay you to do the strangest things over on the website Fiverr.
Renting electric scooters has become big business in cities like San Diego, Los Angeles, Austin, Paris, and Nashville. Companies like Bird & Lime hire regular people to pick them up and recharge overnight in their homes, dropping the scooters off on the street the next morning.
The reward for finding and charging each scooter is between $5-$20, and it’s like a fun GPS scavenger hunt, playing to win against other “bird hunters” or “lime juicers”. If you have a truck or van, and can grab 10 each night, that’s an extra $50-$100+ per day!
I’m sure by now you’ve heard of the online marketplace AirBnb.com, which allows regular people to rent out their homes or spare rooms to traveling guests. I’ve been using it for years to find good cheap accommodation on my trips around the world.
Well, all those people I’m renting from are making extra income by renting out their apartments. Some have turned it into a regular side business, buying up properties in order to rent them out to tourists. If you have your own place, you can do the same.
Are you a good cook? I’m not, except that one time I took an Italian cooking class! Have you ever thought about training others to cook? You could earn extra income teaching kids, retirees, or clueless husbands like me how to put together a healthy meal.
Back in 2012 Jan Pinnington was teaching her kids how to cook. Word got around, and other parents brought their kids, paying for her time. She saw an opportunity, moved her classes to a local community center and started a successful business.
This one is for you grammar fanatics! Proofreading entails going over each word of someone else’s writing — correcting it for punctuation, formatting, and any other errors that may occur. My mom is my proofreader (thanks Mom!).
Proofreading court transcripts is in especially high demand, as it allows court reporters to focus on what they’re good at, typing fast during legal proceedings. By hiring others to proofread, these reporters can book more gigs, and make more money.
Before she started a blog, Caitlin Pyle was earning $43k a year working 20-30 hour weeks as a freelance proofreader. But you can work as much or as little as you want to.
You’d be surprised how many people are looking for a professional tutor. For example, foreign students trying to improve their English. Or high-school kids that need help with college exams like the SAT or ACT. Or even the traditional homework tutor.
Businessmen in Hong Kong and the Middle East pay up to $25 an hour for someone to talk to them in English, helping them improve their skills. All you need is a wifi connection and Skype for this type of remote job, allowing you to work from anywhere in the world.
Ok, I might be a bit biased here. Blogging is how I’ve been making a living for the past 9 years. It gives me the freedom to travel and work on my computer from anywhere.
If you want to share your knowledge with the world, and maybe entertain people, there’s no better way than starting a blog (and make some extra income).
Maybe your passion is travel, food, fashion, home-improvement, hiking, fitness — blogging allows you to turn your hobby into an online business.
How do you make money from a blog?
Selling advertising space
Promoting affiliate products and earning commissions
Selling your own products and courses
Launchpad for book deals and speaking gigs
Starting a blog is easy, but turning your blog into a successful business takes time.
As someone who’s learned how to build a successful blog from scratch, I’ve put together a free guide to help get you started:
English is the default international language of business around the world, and because of this, foreigners often start learning it at a young age.
Because the demand for learning English is so high, particularly in China, some companies have popped up offering English language tutoring services online. One of the most popular is called VIPKID.
Basically, you can get paid to teach basic English language classes to Chinese kids through a webcam. For just 90 minutes a day, it’s possible to earn over $500 per month.
You do need a Bachelor’s degree and some basic teaching/tutoring experience.
Before I quit my job to travel the world, I built a small online business selling ebooks. I had one about nightclub photography and one about event promoting, two topics I was experienced with.
Basically, packaging knowledge into a useful handbook, and selling it online in a digital format. Either as a PDF, or maybe on the Amazon Marketplace. Writing the ebook is only the first step though, you also have to learn how to promote it using advertising, content marketing, blogging, social media, etc.
Do you enjoy writing? Freelance writers and copywriters make money crafting text for others, and if you’re good, you can earn a decent income on the side. I’ve written for online publications like the Travel Channel and Weather.com in the past.
Freelance writing can pay $0.10 – $1 per word, or $50 – $1000 per article. You not only need to be a good writer, but you should also know how to craft a proper pitch. Here’s a huge list of companies that hire freelance writers.
If you haven’t noticed, online video has exploded in the last few years. YouTube alone is the 2nd biggest site on the internet. Facebook is #3, with their own huge video platform.
Video creators know that to get their uploads noticed, transcribing the audio into text helps. I do it with my YouTube videos. Many people also watch videos with the sound off, so captions become very important.
If you’re a fast typer, you can make extra money typing out what people are saying in these videos through a few companies that specialize in providing this service. The pay is around $10 an hour.
Are you a grade school or high school teacher? If you are, thank you for your service! Maybe you’ver already heard about TeachersPayTeachers.com. If not, this site lets you sell your amazing lesson plans to other teachers around the country.
Created by a New York City public school teacher who saw his class performed best when he mixed in unique lesson plans & ideas from other teachers with his own, the site offers full curriculums, assignments, and videos for sale to fellow teachers, tutors, and homeschoolers.
As the world becomes increasingly connected online, more and more tasks can be accomplished without meeting face-to-face. This has opened up a whole new job demand for “virtual assistants”, or online personal assistants who help business owners with mundane work they can’t do themselves.
What kinds of work? Data entry. Social media management. Formatting. Editing. Online research. Email management. Graphic design. Booking travel. The list is endless! My own VA, Jess, makes my life easier by allowing me to focus on what I do best. Virtual assistants can earn between $10 – $30 an hour.
If you are an expert on a particular topic, there’s probably an audience out there willing to pay for your knowledge. I already mentioned turning your skills into an ebook, but there’s another, more lucrative way to teach some topics. Selling an online course.
I’m a huge fan of courses and tutorials, and I’ve learned so much about online business and photography with their help. While there’s a lot of free information on the internet these days, having someone organize all the best of it into an easy-to-follow format (with video!) is often worth the investment.
Are you fluent in another language? Online translation is one of the best careers for working from home. You can work as little or as much as you want, earning extra money translating websites, books, presentations, and more from your computer.
My friend Alexandra earns up to six-figures as a freelance translator from English to Spanish, allowing her the freedom to travel while she works. To make good money you need to build up some experience first though.
Do you have any favorite YouTubers you like to watch? Millions of people tune into YouTube each day to be entertained or to learn something new. And there’s lots of money to be made.
Making money with YouTube isn’t “get rich quick” though, it takes time & practice. I have my own YouTube channel about adventure travel. If you’re passionate about a certain topic, (video games, travel, cooking, science, parenting, sports, etc) and can put together creative videos, you may have a chance to earn money on YouTube.
What do consultants do? They share their knowledge with others, in exchange for a fee. It’s that simple. I used to do some travel consulting, charging $75 an hour for a Skype call to help strangers plan their next trip.
But you can become a consultant for all sorts of topics. Online dating is a big one. Life coaches. Financial advice. What are you really good at? There may be a market for your knowledge and advice!
As a working professional, like a doctor, lawyer, or car mechanic, you can get paid to answer people’s questions on JustAnswer.com.
Social Media Influencer Side Gig
20. Become A Social Media Influencer
Making money on Instagram? Sure it happens! I work on social media “influencer” projects from time to time. Now, I don’t want to mislead you. It can take years to build a following large enough to make this possible. But maybe you already have a large social following, and aren’t monetizing it yet?
Companies pay influencers to be the face of their brand, promoting certain products or even destinations. It may start with free stuff, but over time can lead to making thousands of dollars per post on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and blogs.
Getting paid to take care of other people’s cute dogs & cats? Sign me up! As a cat owner myself, we’ve actually hired many pet sitters when we need to travel for work, and can’t bring Poofy (but sometimes we do). We often use the pet sitting app Rover.
At an average of $16 per 30 minute visit, that’s about $32 an hour to hang out with pets. There are other sites too, like Wag (for dog walking) and Trusted House Sitters where you actually house-sit for people, in exotic foreign countries if you want to, in exchange for taking care of their pets.
Are you one of those people who loves putting together IKEA type furniture? Well, this one’s for you! There’s a lot of lazy people who buy furniture or appliances on Amazon.com, but don’t want to put it together when it arrives. Wall mount TVs. Bed frames. Dressers.
Amazon charges an extra fee for “assembly” and farms the work to independent contractors nearby. Like you! A typical build takes about an hour. Earning $2000 – $6000 a month is possible, and you can set your schedule to only work evenings or weekends if you have a day job.
A business license and business insurance are needed to get started, and depending on your state, those might cost a few hundred dollars.
Do love your hometown or city, and want to show others the best parts of it? There’s a market for local tour guides in different tourist hot-spots around the world. One of the coolest ways to do this is by offering free walking tours… wait, but how do you make money if they’re free?! TIPS.
As a GuRuWalk city guide, you take people on free walks around the city, and if they enjoy it, you collect (and keep) any tips afterward. Let’s say you have 10 guests, and they each tip $5 after an hour-long tour. That’s $50 an hour! Or, you can try offering unique travel experience through AirBnB Experiences.
Are you passionate about photography? Why not try to make a living shooting portraits, weddings, or stock photography for some spare cash on the side. You’ll need to build up your portfolio first, but once you have a solid one, you can start applying to freelance photography sites to sell your work.
There’s even a market for travel photographers to help tourists get the perfect Instagram photo. Basically, if someone is traveling to Miami (or any town) for vacation, and you live nearby, they can hire you to be their personal travel photographer for a few hours.
Now anyone can become a taxi driver! Uber and Lyft are the leading rideshare companies and have changed local transportation forever. Working for them as a driver can help you make some extra money on nights and weekends, even if you already have a day job.
To drive for them, you need to be at least 21 years old, have a few years of driving experience under your belt, and own your own decent 4-door car (it can’t be a beater). Many drivers I’ve met work for both companies at the same time.
Got a knack for odd jobs around the house? Platforms like TaskRabbit connect you to people who are in need of a hero and are willing to pay you to help them get through their everyday to-dos.
From cleaning and moving to deliveries and home improvements, it offers a win-win solution for everyone. All you have to do to get started is register online, attend an info session in your city and start tasking! You can set your own hours and rate of pay.
I’ve hired people through TaskRabbit many times, and have always been happy with the results. The system is very easy to use too.
If you’ve got ‘the eye’ for art, why not sell your artwork online. You can ship your creations (paintings, custom furniture, knitting patterns, etc.), or simply emailing a digital copy to your customers if you’re not in the position to manage the postage.
Tools like Etsy give you access to customers around the world (33 million customers to be exact). They also provide their sellers with powerful marketing tools to help you grow your following and online income.
Never heard of Amazon Flex? It’s a delivery platform that allows you to be your own boss, set your own schedule and make between $18-$25 per hour!
Once you’ve registered online, you let them know which times work best for you, then you head off to pick up your packages. As soon as you’ve scanned it, the app will show you where to deliver it and suggest directions for the quickest route.
Want to see how much you’ve made at the end of the day? In true Amazon style, it couldn’t be easier to monitor your earnings through their app.
Instead of driving people around, what about bringing them food? There’s been an explosion in the popularity of restaurant takeout delivery apps like UberEats and GrubHub.com, and these companies are all hiring drivers.
Obviously you need your own car, but it doesn’t have to be as nice as if you were shuttling people around.
This won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy teaching, it could be the perfect side hustle for you. Substitute teachers are required in many schools across the country to carry out a class for teachers who are absent for a day or extended periods of time.
Depending on the school district, you may be required to obtain a certification or complete training courses in order to become a substitute teacher. However sometimes all you need is a high school diploma.
To apply for a sub position, you can call on the phone or visit your local school district’s website and look for specific instructions.
31. Pick Up Parking Lot Trash
Sounds crazy, right? Meet Brian Winch, who turned $200 into a $650,000 a year business picking up other people’s trash in business parking lots. The great thing about this small business idea is that you don’t have to quit your day job to get started.
Basically, you offer to clean up litter around commercial properties. You don’t need expensive equipment, just a broom and a litter collection tool. You don’t need a college degree. You’d work with property management companies, retail stores, offices, and warehouses.
Ok, these next few options don’t pay a lot, maybe a few hundred dollars a month. But they’re easy and fast ways to earn extra cash. They really don’t require any experience to get started either.
Earn Extra Money Donating Plasma
32. Donate Blood Plasma
Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid that holds your blood cells in suspension. It’s the key ingredient for medical products that treat many life-threatening conditions. Unlike donating blood, you are actually paid for plasma donations, because it’s used by big pharmaceutical companies.
You can donate plasma up to twice per week, earning up to $400 a month. The process takes about 90 minutes. There are a couple of risks though. If the large needle used bursts your vein, it can turn your whole arm black & blue for a while. And if you donate a lot, it can leave a small permanent scar.
Market research companies are paid to collect data on consumer interests and spending habits, so big brands can learn how to improve their marketing efforts. They do this research using online questionnaires, and they’re always on the lookout for new survey participants.
Basically, you can make an extra $100 per month filling out surveys on your phone sitting in your underwear if you want to. Granted, the money isn’t amazing (because answering mindless questions is pretty easy). But if you’re looking for a simple way to earn extra money, participating in surveys while you surf Netflix doesn’t get any easier.
If you have a body, you’re good to go! By joining a clinical trial, not only will you be paid for your time and support, but you will also be helping medical, surgical or behavioral research studies, which are hugely beneficial for researchers who are trying to find out if a new treatment or drug etc, is safe and effective for use.
Although the payment rates change from trial to trial, you will be reaping in the good karma at the same time. Clinical trials pay between $50-$300 per day, and it depends on the length of the time required as well as the procedures performed.
Website owners, like me, want to know what regular readers think about the site. How they use it, move through the menus, what they look at, if they’re confused about anything, etc. We’ll pay for that information because it’s useful for creating a better user experience, and leads to more readers.
More readers results in more money. So there are some companies out there that arrange this testing for website owners, by hiring regular people to visit the websites and report on their experience. You can earn around $8-$10 for 15 minutes of your time. Some sites require a webcam and microphone.
If you’re lucky enough to have a thick head of hair on your head, this might just be your creative solution to earn more money! Your payment will depend on the length, thickness and colour of your locks, but nonetheless, it’s certainly a quick and easy way to make a buck.
It’s not exactly a consistent flow of income, but it could give your bank balance a nice boost every now and again, with most people earning a couple of hundred dollars each time. You can get a rough estimate of how much your luscious locks are worth here.
37. Grocery Shopping For Others
For those of you that get excited when you see an empty fridge and know that it’s time to do the food shopping all over again, this one’s for you. You could be earning extra income by simply doing other peoples food shopping with InstaCart.
Choose between their Full-time Shopper or In-store Shopper positions, giving you complete flexibility, you don’t even need a car to sign up. You can work during the hours that are best for you, but if you are available during peak times, you can really maximize your earnings.
38. “Wrap” Your Car With Advertisements
It doesn’t get much easier than this. No skills or brain power needed, as long as you have four wheels that get you from A to B, you could be making money while you drive.
Companies such as Wrapify are always on the hunt for drivers who will wrap their cars in certain locations for brand campaigns. According to Carvertise, you could be earning between $300-$1200 per campaign, simply by doing what you already do every day.
Ready To Earn Some Extra Money This Year?
In a world where income from our traditional jobs is not keeping up with inflation and cost of living expenses, everyone’s looking for ways to make extra money on the side from home or online.
I know what it’s like living paycheck to paycheck! I was there once too — but I managed to break free of that cycle with help from a side-hustle that allowed me to make (and save!) some extra money on top of my day job.
I hope you learned of a few new options available for you to do the same. ★
