Lauren Caruso - Writer & Digital Strategist on Clocking Out in Puerto Escondido
Introducing Weekend With, our latest content series featuring interviews with fascinating women who love to travel. Discover how these bold personalities would spend a weekend away, from their destination of choice to their ideal travel companion. Come along for the ride as we explore unique perspectives on the art of traveling. Whether you're a seasoned solo traveler or simply curious about new destinations, Weekend With promises to deliver insightful and inspiring travel stories that will leave you yearning for your next vacation. Sit back and join us on this exciting journey.
Who is Lauren Caruso?
I’m a freelance writer, consultant, and digital strategist. I currently reside in Los Angeles, but I grew up on the East Coast. Though a lot of my current work focuses on brands, I’ve spent more than a decade of my career in women's media, with tenures at publications like Refinery29, Allure, and The Zoe Report. I consider myself fortunate as my work has taken me to Copenhagen and Paris for fashion weeks, Botswana to report on diamond mines, and the Cayman Islands to enjoy a cook-off between Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert.
Courtesy of Lauren Caruso
Where are you going and who with?
The first thing that comes to mind is the trip I'm planning with my partner and a few friends to Croatia and Italy in the fall. We're hoping to charter a boat and island hop in Croatia before making our way to the Amalfi coast for some Italian sun. Then to finish, we'll head up to Tuscany for a friend's wedding.
Solo traveler or travel partner?
I'm not a big solo traveler. I think it has something to do with spending more than a decade in NYC, where you're always surrounded by people but often alone. I also didn't grow up traveling at all; my family grew up on a modest and tight budget so the first time I left the country was when I was 24. I went to Istanbul and Greece with my friends and since then, I generally prefer to experience travel with my best friends or my partner.
What’s your travel style?
My travel style changes with every location. I just spent a relaxing week in Puerto Escondido, Mexico with my best friend where we mostly sat on our private beach all day and read books—but the last time I went to Mexico, we stopped in Mexico City for a few days and experienced every single must-try restaurant we could. I moved from NYC to LA two years ago so I don't yearn for the beach in the same way I used to, so the only thing that beats a slow week filled with surf and shine is one filled with Italian pasta.
Courtesy of Kakurega Omakase
Lauren’s Mexico Hit List
What I Like.
Logging off, soaking up the sun, and getting some much needed R&R.
What I Recommend.
Hotel Terrestre, Puerto Escondido 🛌
Kakurega Omakase, Puerto Escondido 🍣
La Punta, Puerto Escondido 🏄♀️
La Carrizalillo, Puerto Escondido 🏖
Piyoli, Puerto Escondido 🥗
Courtesy of Hotel Terrestre
Describe how travel affects your well-being in 5 words.
Empowering, mind-altering, relaxing, bond-forming.
Carry-on or check-in?
Part of my work is content creation, so unless I'm truly off the grid with no responsibilities, I generally check a bag.
Hotel or Airbnb?
Hotel! Airbnb's fees and policies are exploitative and encourage the worst parts of capitalism.
Courtesy of Lauren Caruso
Photo: Carrizalillo by Lorraine Mojica on Unsplash
Share a song, podcast or movie for the trip.
“La Canción” by Maye. It's not Italian, but it's the vibe.