30+ countries visited · most of them solo

Maps open up
when you travel solo.

I'm Mariel. At 19 I boarded a plane alone, with the excitement of someone about to start something big, and since then I've visited more than 30 countries. Here I tell you how to choose a destination, what it really costs and how to take care of yourself on the road, so you stop waiting for someone else to say yes.

Mariel Cárdenas in front of the Trevi Fountain, Rome
Mariel Cárdenas in front of the Taj Mahal, India

My story

From Lima to the world, one country at a time

It all started at 19, with a sentence written in a notebook: visit 30 countries before turning 30. It sounded impossible from where I was standing. Today I've visited more than 30 countries, most of them solo.

I have a degree in marketing and spent five years in the corporate world: I joined as an intern and left leading a digital channel at a telecommunications company. Meanwhile, I kept traveling. I never put my life on hold waiting for the perfect moment; I learned to make room for it in my calendar and in my budget.

I've learned to arrive alone in cities I didn't know, to eat at a table for one without feeling that someone is missing and to figure things out when nothing goes as planned. That's the part of the trip nobody gives back to you: confidence.

This space exists so you stop waiting for company, permission or the perfect moment. Here you'll find tested destinations, real budgets, safety tips and the full stories, fears included.

Today I combine both: my craft in digital marketing and my personal archive of 30+ countries, most of them visited solo. On TikTok I document that journey in my series “30 countries before turning 30”.

Watch the series on TikTok →

Today

Three paths, one person

Free tool

Count the days to your next trip

Pick the date of your trip, concert or birthday and see how much is left. I show you what is worth doing at each stage.

Create my countdown
0
days until your trip
00hours
00min
00sec

Travel map

Some of the places I've visited

Every photo is a different country. Most of them, traveling solo.

Stories

What I learned along the way

Services

Plan your next trip with me

Available

Travel maps

The real Google My Maps map I built for each destination, day by day, with the exact places I visited. To take with you without relying on hotel Wi-Fi.

See the maps →
Available

1:1 travel consulting

A call with me to build your custom itinerary: destination, real budget, safety and that first step that scares you more than the rest.

Book your consulting →

Shop

The maps I used myself can now be yours

The real map I built in Google My Maps for each destination, day by day, with the exact places I visited. Open it on your phone and follow my route, without losing hours researching.

For brands

Why collaborate with me

01

Digital marketing background

Marketing degree with a digital specialization: I understand your brand from the strategic side, not just the creative one.

02

Authentic travel content

30+ countries documented firsthand, with a close and consistent voice on Instagram and TikTok.

03

A community with purpose

I'm building a space for women who want to travel solo for the first time: an audience with real intent, not just reach.

Let's talk

Shall we collaborate?

For brands, collaborations or any inquiry, write to me directly. I answer myself.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask me the most

See all questions

What is marielcbec.com?

It's my personal space: my story traveling solo through more than 30 countries, the real maps I build for each destination and content for anyone who wants to dare to travel without company.

What are the travel maps you sell?

They're the real maps I built in Google My Maps for each destination, day by day, with the exact places I visited, plus a downloadable PDF with the same itinerary.

How do I receive the map after buying?

The purchase is processed through Payhip and you get immediate access to the PDF and the map link, usually within minutes.

Do you make custom maps?

Yes. If your destination isn't in the shop, I build a tailor-made map based on your own travel criteria. You'll find it as "Custom map" in the shop.

Do you offer travel consulting besides the maps?

Yes, I also do 1:1 travel consulting by video call, to build your itinerary, your real budget and cover safety topics before you travel.

Do you collaborate with brands?

Yes. I work with brands looking for authentic travel content. Write to hola@marielcbec.com and we'll talk.