Article updated: 9/19/2018 with the addition of the new GoData monthly plan!
If you’ve never heard of the Skyroam portable hotspot device before, you’re about to hear everything there is to know about this powerful little device. After one use, I questioned how I ever travelled before without it. I love mine and am absolutely obsessed with it, it never leaves my side! So for me, it is 110% worth it. But is it worth it for YOU? That’s the question. I’ll get to that later after I tell you all about this incredibly handy little device!
Skyroam Portable Hotspot Device
In a Nutshell
The Skyroam is a portable hotspot device that allows you to stay connected to wifi all around the world.
It works in 100+ countries (and counting) and gives you unlimited and secure wifi for 24-hour periods.
The NEW Skyroam SOLIS
Skyroam recently launched the new faster SOLIS which features 4G LTE wifi, as well as a 6000 mAh built-in power bank so you can simultaneously charge your device while you’re on the go.
The new SOLIS along with me in Croatia
Yet the biggest upgrade I noticed was the 16+ hour battery life, a HUGE upgrade from the previous Skyroam model. I have recently used the new Solis in Greece, Cyprus, and Croatia. I was out and about all day and by the end of the day, I still had at least 50% battery. I never had to worry about charging it.
Note: I noticed that using the charging bank to charge my phone really ate up the battery life of the Solis, so keep that in mind! It definitely will not last 16+ hours if you’re constantly charging your gear.
*Scroll to the bottom of this article for buying/rental options. And use “CRAZYTRAVELISTA” at checkout for 10% off!
What Countries Does the Skyroam Work in? I’m Glad You Asked!
The Americas
Argentina, Aruba,Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saipan, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela
Australia, Christmas Island, Fiji, Guam, New Zealand
Africa
Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia
Asia
Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan
Middle East
Israel, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates
So How the Heck Does the Skyroam Work?
Does it really matter, it’s awesome. Just kidding, I’ll explain. The Skyroam connects to the best local wifi signal. It basically allows you to access local date, internationally!
Exploring the Bay of Islands in New Zealand with my Skyroam. I was able to provide live updates to Snapchat while on the go!
It’s SO simple. All you do is turn on the device and hit “start” and BAM, wifi works. Plus, it’s so compact and light you can just slip it in your pocket and take it with you wherever you go.
The bottom line: the Skyroam portable hotspot device is the most convenient way to access wifi when abroad. Period. There is no monthly contract. You pay for what you use, whenever you want to use it.
Some Other Awesome Features of the Skyroam:
Your phone doesn’t need to be unlocked to use it! For all those AT&T iPhone users, this is a Godsend.
You will no longer have to deal with SIM cards, contracts, or roaming/overage charges.
You can connect up to 5 devices: yep, you heard that right! You can hook up 5 devices to the Skyroam and enjoy unlimited international wifi. However, it’s important to note that once you hit the 500MB mark, the service slows down a little. So I wouldn’t connect more than 2-3 devices unless you want super slow service.
Use your Skyroam on road trips to access Google Maps! You have no idea how convenient it was to use this device during my New Zealand road trip. It was a life saver!
Always use a secure network! Skyroam uses an encrypted connection to keep your data safe and secure while using wifi. (In case you didn’t ever think about it…when you use local wifi in cafes, hotels, restaurants, these networks are not secure and you may be exposed to hackers).
The Skyroam Portable Hotspot Device is especially useful and cost effective when traveling through many different countries in a short amount of time.When you cross borders, the pass does NOT reset and once it connects to the local service it’s good to go!
Using Google Maps through my Skyroam service saved my life during my New Zealand road trip!
I tested this traveling through the Baltics by bus. I thought maybe the day pass would reset and I would have to use another one once I crossed the border, but this was not the case at all! There was a short transition period of less than 20 minutes and then it picked up the local service of the new country after crossing the border. So easy!
Purchase Options:
Rent vs buy
Rent: you can rent the hotspot and pay $9.95 per day for shorter trips (or if you do not travel often).
Buy: you could buy the hotspot for $149.99 and then pay $9 for each day pass (which I highly recommend). On the days you don’t use it, you don’t pay!
Oh, and recently they have introduced Skyroam vending machines in San Francisco airport! How cool. You can also purchase the Skyroam in various airports throughout. Two popular airport stores selling the Skyroam include InMotion and Brookstone. To search for a resale stores near you, you can click here.
Daily passes: you pay for a daily pass and this gets you unlimited global data for a 24-hr period. So simple!
Monthly passes: you can now rent Skyroam monthly for $99 a month! It’s perfect for those longer trips, especially when going to multiple countries!
(NEW): GoData monthly plan, starting at $9 per month, including 1GB of global 4G LTE WIFI. When you need more, just add more for $9 per extra GB. No contract required! (tip: if you use a LOT of data, the $99 monthly pass may be a better option for you)
You can purchase the daily passes anytime at a.skyroam.com.
If you travel even occasionally I would highly recommend buying the device and taking it with you on all trips in case of emergencies. It will come in handy sooner or later and you will be happy to have a backup when necessary (more on that below).
Is the Skyroam Portable Hotspot Device worth it?
Ok, so let’s get down to it. Let me provide a few different scenarios, which will help you decide if it’s worth it for YOU.
Scenario 1: you’re going to Europe for one week and hitting up 3 different countries.
Is the Skyroam worth it? Hell yes.
Here’s why: getting a local SIM card for 3 different countries will not be very cost effective. It will also be a pain in the a** to waste time in each county finding a reliable SIM.
Example: I was just traveling through the Baltics and spend 2 days in 3 countries. I used the Skyroam with ease and even as I was crossing over the borders(as I just mentioned above).
Scenario 2-You’re going to Portugal for a month.
Is the Skyroam worth it? No
Here’s why: it would definitely be more cost effective to pick up a local SIM and use that for the duration of your trip. Unless your phone is not unlocked (see below).
Scenario 3: you’re going to Colombia for 5 days and your phone is NOT unlocked.
Is the Skyroam worth it? Yep
Here’s why: most carriers charge a sh*t ton for international data. Since you will only be there 5 days, use your Skyroam!
Scenario 4: You are traveling to Europe for one month, hitting up 4 different countries, and decide you will purchase a SIM card in each country.
Ok, that still sounds more cost efficient, so you don’t need a Skyroam, right?
Yes and no. My advice is to bring your Skyroam anyway, for emergencies.
Let me explain: let’s say for instance you land in a small airport in Croatia in the evening, all the kiosks are closed (or there is no place at the airport that sells SIM cards), there is no airport wifi, and you need to make it to your Airbnb. The easiest solution? Activate a day pass on your Skyroam to help navigate your way. Then the next day, go ahead and purchase that SIM. This scenario happened to me in New Zealand recently and it was a life saver to be able to cut on my Skyroam and use it to order an Uber. (The airport wifi wasn’t working..something that happens from time to time even if they have wifi!)
Scenario 5: you and a friend are traveling to Iceland for 4 days.
Is the Skyroam worth it? Yuppp.
Here’s why: remember that part above where you can connect up to 5 devices?Yep. So you and a friend could split the costs and both use the Skyroam! But, I honestly would not connect more than 2-3 devices on this because it tends to slow it down a lot. But using 2 phones is perfectly okay and would make it super convenient for your trip!
Scenario 6: You are traveling around Europe for 6 weeks and hitting up 10 countries.
Is the Skyroam worth it? Fo sho!
Now with the new monthly subscription, it makes it easier and way cheaper for those longer trips where you will be crossing through multiple countries. For $99 per month, you can have unlimited wifi in all countries without having to change a SIM card or anything. This is especially helpful when your phone in NOT unlocked.
→A quick note on Battery life: I read somewhere that the battery on the Skyroam lasts up to 9 hours, but it lasts me about 6 hours. I guess it depends on how much you use it (I use mine a lot). I always carry my awesome dual power bank by Jackery so it’s not a problem. I recharge several devices on this each day while travelling, and the power never runs out.
Crazy Travelista’s Overall Impressions:
I have personally used it on 5 continents and 27 countries so far including: Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Croatia, Norway,Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Italy, Jordan, Qatar, England, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Thailand, Colombia, USA, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
How did I live without you before?
I have been extremely impressed with the quality of service, speed, and convenience of always having the option to have wifi wherever I go. I have no idea how on earth I ever traveled without it before. It’s light, compact, reliable and the most convenient way to access wifi abroad!
So is it worth it? In some instances it is not, as I highlighted above. But overall, the Skyroam is definitely worth it and something every traveler should own! I have a feeling this is going to revolutionize the way we travel and always being able to share our travels is really awesome. Kudos, Skyroam. Kudos.
To rent/buy, you can check out the Skyroam websitehere.
*FOR 10% OFF YOUR PURCHASE, YOU CAN USE THE CODE “CRAZYTRAVELISTA” AT CHECKOUT! ♥
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a super small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no extra cost to you. I am a brand ambassador for Skyroam and absolutely love it! I wouldn’t recommend something I didn’t truly love!
I used to be the world’s worst packer, basically trying to fit my whole life into my suitcase for a one week trip. Oh how the times have changed. I have learned to simplify to the max and now ONLY travel with a carry-on, even on 1-2 month trips. It’s not easy (and it’s not for everyone, I get it), but I seem to have worked out a method using some key travel gear to help me to travel light.
The last thing I want to do is struggle with huge bags dragging over cobblestone streets in Europe or dirt roads in Africa. Oh, and those hefty checked bag fees for budget airlines? #Fuggedaboutit #aintnobodygottimeforthat
Below are the only bags I take with me on my travels: a small backpack and a spinner carry-on. (Oh, and my pillow). That’s it! There’s a lot of shit in there, trust me…♥
Light Packer Essential Travel Gear
(P.S. Click on the product photos for more info)
Sony Alpha 6000 Mirrorless Camera: I made the switch from my huge DSLR and I wouldn’t go back. It’s light, compact, and takes amazing photos!
Sony 10-18mm Wide Angle Zoom Lens: this wide angle lens is the key to landscape shots. It basically takes a panoramic photo. I use this lens more than the original factory lens and am super happy with it. It’s not cheap, but super worth it if you want to get those special outdoor nature shots. Honestly, I would purchase the Sony alpha 6000 camera body only and save up for this lens to go with it.
Both shot with my wide-angle lens. Look how much of the landscape fits in the frame!
E Bags Packing Cubes: the biggest life changer to keep me packing light! This is my biggest travel gear obsession and I have NO idea how I traveled without them before.
Eagle Creek Compression Packing Cubes: These are my new editions to my packing gear and I’m obsessed. Once you pack them full, you can zip then down further to compress the cubes. You have no idea how much stuff you can fit in these cubes, it’s amazing!
Skyroam Mobile Hotspot Device: How did I travel without this before? This mini hotspot is portable and gives you access to wifi wherever you are, and works in 100+ countries. Skyroam saved my life during my recent road trip through New Zealand, allowing me access to my Google maps for navigation. The way it works: you can either rent or buy the hotspot device, and then you buy 24 hour day passes. This gives you unlimited wifi for 24 hours, no need to worry about using all your data. ♥
♥You can get 10% OFF by using the code: CRAZYTRAVELISTA♥
The many times my Skyroam came in handy in New Zealand!
DJI Mavic Pro Drone: I mean, who doesn’t want a drone? It’s the hottest new tech gadget for 2017! It’s not cheap, but it’s totally worth it. If you’re going to get a drone, this one is the best for transporting as its SUPER compact (the size of a water bottle basically) and pretty light. This fits in my backpack which I have outline below, along with ALL my other gadgets including the drone remote, camera, extra lenses, GoPro’s, tripod, and more!
Anker Portable Charger: this helps me recharge my iPhone several times a day when I travel. It also has dual ports so you can also charge your camera or other electronics simultaneously. I couldn’t travel with it.
GoPro Hero 11 Black: I am a proud GoPro ambassador and obsessed with GoPro selfie pics if you didn’t notice! The Gopro cameras are the best for action and underwater shots, and of course for taking those selfies when you’re traveling solo. It’s super small, compact, and easy to travel with. Plus it’s so much fun to use! 🙂
These were both shot with my GoPro. Notice how GoPro’s signature fish-eye lens gets everything in?
The first shot is a completely unedited underwater shot I took recently in the Galapagos. Look how clear it is!
Joby GorillaPod Tripod: This little bendable tripod is awesome. You can bend and mold it to fit around small things/objects wherever you may be. I mostly use it with my GoPro to wrap around the branch of a tree or a railing (as I did in the pic below). This allows me to go hands-free and get photos of myself when I’m traveling alone. It’s super lightweight and small so it easily fits in my little travel backpack with all my other gear.
Laptop/Accessory Backpack: This is the best travel backpack ever! I literally fit ALL my tech & camera gear in here, including my MacBook Air, camera, extra wide angle lens, GoPro, all GoPro accessories, selfie stick, travel tripod, all my cords, chargers, converters, extra SD cards, and even my new Mavic Pro drone with remote and charger! Not only does it fit all my cool gadgets, it’s super thin and when it’s on my back, even budget airlines skip weighing it because it looks so small. Little do they know that it weighs more than my actual suitcase. Oh, and the best part? It has a pouch on the back that slides onto your suitcase handle so you don’t even have to carry it. #score
External Hard Drive: This super lightweight external hard drive is perfect for backing up all my thousands of photos I take each trip. I’ve had mine for about 6 years now and it’s nowhere near full. The 2TB of memory will last you quite a long time!
Hanging Toiletry Bag: I can’t tell you how helpful this little toiletry bag is, especially when staying at an Airbnb and I have to share a bathroom. I throw all my face creams, face wash, soap, etc in here and hang it up on a hook and have everything easily accessible.
Moldable silicon earplugs: I am the world’s lightest sleeper so ear plugs are a MUST, especially with those thin walls in Europe and Africa. These are the best ones I’ve found and they block out a lot of noise. The key is to only use them for 2-3 days and then get some fresh ones so they suction to your ears.
GoToob Non-leak Silicone 3oz. Travel Tubes: these are by far the BEST travel size bottles out there, period. I’ve tried so many, believe me. I used to buy the 3-pack of travel size tubes at Target on every trip, but they would leak every damn time. Not to mention the bottles would warp and I would have to buy a new set for each trip. I’ve had these GoToob bottles for 3 years and they have never once leaked or broken. They are SO worth it!
X-Shot Selfie Stick (I use w/ my GoPro): I’ve used this selfie stick for the past 2 years and I love it! It’s not bulky like most other selfie sticks and it’s super lightweight and folds up small. And it’s NOT flimsy. I use it daily on my travels.
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a super small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I have used before on my own and that I truly love 🙂
When it comes to travel, I’m always looking for convenient accessories/gear to make my life easier. I also travel on mostly budget airlines so I need to make sure everything is small and compact.
For all you ladies out there, packing a little bit of makeup is key and most of you wouldn’t leave home without it. I remember the one time my dad saw me without makeup and told me I looked “sick”. Yaaaaa, like I said, I would never leave home without it! Thanks a lot dad! Anywayz…
As a travel blogger, we are often offered free travel gear/accessories. However, I’m extremely picky and tell the company I can try it out and IF I love it I would be happy to provide a review. If you notice, I don’t have any reviews of travel gear on my blog as of yet. Not one. Like I said, I’m extremely picky and I would only promote something I realllllly love.
Well, I found something I am completely obsessed with: the Kusshi Makeup travel bags. Here are 4 reasons why (trust me, they are all you need).
1. They’re Washable. I repeat, they’re WASHABLE!
Where have you been all my life? Seriously. I am always spilling makeup inside my bag and it becomes super messy. When I’ve had enough, I eventually throw it away and start with a new one. Repeating that cycle is getting old (and expensive).
The makeup bag folds down if its not full so you can pack it down into a tiny carry-on suitcase!
With the Kusshi makeup travel bags, you just toss them in your washer on low temperature and voila! You have a shiny new makeup bag! No need to scrub yourself and no need to buy a new one! It also retains its shape after the wash (I’ve already washed mine a few times and it held up perfectly). Just make sure you line dry and DO NOT use the dryer.
Note: for the leather bags, there is an insert that you unzip to wash, you DO NOT put the leather bags in the washer or it will get ruined 100%. (See photo below where the red part of the bag is the part that unzips and you put into the washer. It’s basically the inside liner).
2. Zips Down on Both Sides So You Can See All Your Sh*t!
With zips on both side, you can zip them down and it basically flattens down and opens up so you can EASILY see and access all your makeup. It’s so nice to not have to stick your hand in a tiny makeup bag and have to shuffle around trying to find everything. I might love this feature even more than the fact that it’s washable!
3. Separate Brush Holder Case
It’s really nice to have the brushes separate from all your other makeup to keep them clean and also to protect the bristles.
The really cool part is that you can “unsnap” your brush pouch and place it into the little clutch or snap it into your makeup bag if you want everything all in the same place. I love having options! There is also a little pouch where you can keep your jewelry.
4. A Bonus Cute Little Clutch!
The brush holder also double as a stylish little clutch for that random night out on the town. Not having to pack another purse into a tiny suitcase will save some stress for sure.
I’m using the red leather clutch above in Croatia and the blue fabric clutch below in Morocco.
Bottle Protectors
Kusshi now offers neoprene zip-up covers to protect your bottles during travel! These bottle protectors are so useful and now I don’t have to worry about my tiny glass bottles breaking or my hair serum spilling all over everything else (which has happened a few times before). I took these on my last few trips and had no accidents! I absolutely love them and think they are an essential item I will always take with me on all my trips.
Choices, choices: Sizes and Leather vs Fabric
Kusshi makeup travel bags come in leather or fabric in a few different colors. I originally chose to go with the fabrics on both since I knew they would compress down better and weight a few ounces less! The crazy light packer in me haha. 🙂
I’ve had the fabric ones for a few years now and I can honestly say I absolutely love them! When I received the Signature makeup bag, I was initially a little worried because it was bigger than my regular travel makeup bag. But then I noticed you can fold it down if it’s not full and fit it into little spaces in your suitcase, which worked out perfectly.
The leather Everyday bag and the leather Clutch Cover
I have since added a few of the leather makeup bags to my collection and I love them even more! The quality is so nice and I know they will last even longer than the fabric ones.
I would highly recommend these makeup travel bags for the avid traveler, but also for every day use! Anything that makes your life easier is a winner in my book!
Makeup Bag Sizes
Everyday (5” h x 7 ½” w x 3 ¼” d): great for a short trip and if you don’t wear tons of makeup.
Signature (6” h x 11 ½” w x 5” d): the perfect size to store all your makeup while you travel or on a daily basis.
Vacationer (7” h x 13” w x 5 ¾” d): the biggest makeup bag that’s great if you want to bring a lot of makeup as well as beauty products all in one bag.
Quality vs Price
I want to make it clear that these travel makeup bags are considered “high-end” makeup bags. But you are paying for the top-notch quality which is super durable and will last you through years of wear and tear. I am not big on spending much money on material things, but I am a firm believer in splurging on “staple items” you will be using everyday and that will need to last longer than a few months/years. So yes, I think these makeup bags are an awesome investment and I would not hesitate to recommend these to anyone.
Where to get the Kusshi Makeup Bag
You can purchase these bags directly on their website. Make sure to choose the color and fabric of each bag!
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a very small commission if you purchase this product through this link, at no extra cost to you. This small commission helps keep this website up and running. Many thanks for that 🙂
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