We were lucky to catch up with Andres And Sherry Osorio recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Andres and Sherry, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
We came up with Buena Vida Route as a combination of our cultures and the languages we speak. For one we are Latinos living in the United States that are very proud of our roots and always strive to show others a bit of who we are and where we come from. Our customs, our food and even our slang. Andres really liked the costarican phrase “pura vida” and in honor of Sherry background he thought it was the perfect combination between that frase and what we intend to do live a “good life” lifestyle and show the rest that it is possible even while on the road.
Andres and Sherry, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
We are Andrés and Sherry, content creators, entrepreneurs, and adventurers traveling through life with three adorable dogs—Crimini, Enoki and Ginger—in our 1991 Toyota motorhome. We specialize in creating travel content, restaurant reviews, and educational materials focused on RV living. We also own a small upholstery business where we combine creativity with craftsmanship to help clients bring new life to their furniture. Our passion is not just about travel—it’s about connection, storytelling, and inspiring others to live adventurously.
How We Got Started
Our journey began with a love for travel and the desire to experience life differently. After years in more conventional careers, we decided to hit the road full-time and explore places both familiar and new. As we traveled, we discovered there was an audience interested in our way of life and the lessons we were learning—whether that was figuring out how to organize a motorhome, traveling with pets, or discovering hidden restaurant gems.
It was a natural next step to start creating videos, courses, and content to share what we were learning. Over time, we’ve also honed our skills in marketing and collaborations, working with brands like Honey Dress Fried Chicken and developing campaigns for businesses like Ralphs Interiors. This journey has expanded into multiple projects, including a children’s book about Lexie, our white-and-black Shih Tzu, sharing her adventures as a rescue pup turned full-time traveler.
What We Offer
We offer several services and products through our various channels:
Travel Content: YouTube videos, reels, and blogs focused on RV adventures, hidden gems, national parks, and road trips with pets.
Restaurant Reviews: Highlighting unique dining experiences from a chef’s perspective (Sherry brings her culinary expertise to every review).
Courses on RV Living: Step-by-step guides on buying, registering, and organizing a motorhome in the U.S.
Upholstery Services: We transform old furniture into refreshed pieces, helping clients preserve cherished items while giving them a modern twist.
Social Media Marketing Campaigns: We help small businesses grow by creating engaging content and targeted ad campaigns.
Children’s Book: A heartwarming story for young readers about Lexie’s adventures, inspiring them to embrace new experiences and the joy of adoption.
What Sets Us Apart
What makes us unique is the heart we put into everything we do. Our travel content is personal, showing the ups and downs of life on the road with pets. We aim to inspire others to take the leap into a more adventurous lifestyle, even if it’s just for a weekend. Sherry’s culinary background adds depth to our food reviews, going beyond simple taste tests to share the stories behind the meals. Meanwhile, our upholstery work blends functionality with creativity, ensuring each piece reflects the client’s vision.
Additionally, we embrace a bilingual approach in our content, connecting with audiences in both English and Spanish. This not only reflects our diverse backgrounds but also allows us to reach a wider audience, inspiring and educating people across cultures.
What We Are Most Proud Of
One of our proudest achievements is seeing how our content has impacted others. Whether it’s helping someone buy their first RV, showing people how to travel with their pets comfortably, or promoting small businesses through our campaigns, we love knowing we’re making a difference. We’re also very proud of the community we’ve built—a group of fellow travelers, pet lovers, foodies, and dreamers.
Our children’s book is another project close to our hearts. It’s a culmination of the journey we’ve had with Lexie, and it reflects our belief in adoption, adventure, and embracing life’s surprises.
What We Want You to Know
If you’re following our journey, know that we’re here to share, inspire, and connect. Whether you’re curious about RV living, looking for the best restaurant recommendations, or simply need some furniture revamped, we’ve got you covered. We believe in making life an adventure—big or small—and we’re excited to share that journey with you.
Thank you for being part of our story. We hope our work inspires you to explore new places, try new things, and make every moment count.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Our journey to building an engaged social media audience has been both exciting and full of lessons. It started organically, driven by our passion for travel, food, and storytelling. We didn’t have a rigid strategy at first, but we quickly learned that authenticity, consistency, and connection were the keys to growth. Here’s the story of how we built our audience and some advice for anyone looking to grow their social media presence from the ground up.
How We Built Our Audience
Starting with Passion and a Niche:
We began by documenting our RV lifestyle and travels. Sharing our experiences—both good and bad—resonated with people looking for adventure or curious about motorhome living. Over time, we narrowed our focus to a few niches: travel with pets, RV tips, and restaurant reviews. This gave us a clearer identity and made it easier for people to connect with our content.
Engaging with Followers:
Early on, we realized that building an audience isn’t just about posting—it’s about engaging. We made it a point to respond to comments, answer DMs, and ask for opinions. This two-way interaction created a sense of community and encouraged people to return to our page regularly. We also do a LIVE on Instagram every Thursday which has really helped us create a strong community.
Collaborating with Brands and Other Creators:
Partnerships were essential to growing our reach. Collaborations with other travel creators and businesses like Honey Dress Fried Chicken gave us exposure to new audiences. We also ran campaigns for small businesses, which strengthened our reputation and built trust within niche communities.
Creating Bilingual Content:
Since we create in both English and Spanish, we were able to tap into diverse communities. This opened the door to connect with a broader audience and made our content accessible to more people. It also helped us stand out, as fewer creators in our niche cater to both languages equally.
Trial and Error:
Not every post or campaign was a hit. We experimented with different formats—reels, stories, carousels—and tracked what worked best. Some of our most popular posts have been the candid moments, like a reel about meeting a zebra on the road or a behind-the-scenes look at life in a small RV. Learning from analytics and being flexible were crucial steps.
Consistency with a Human Touch:
Posting regularly without losing our authentic voice kept us on our followers’ radar. But it wasn’t just about frequency—we always tried to make sure our posts added value, whether through humor, useful tips, or heartfelt stories. When we had setbacks, like adjusting to life with three dogs in a motorhome, we shared those too. That vulnerability allowed people to relate to us even more.
Advice for Those Just Starting to Build Their Social Media Presence
Start with Passion and Purpose:
Choose topics that you genuinely care about. Social media requires time and effort, and if you’re not passionate about what you’re sharing, it will show. Find a niche that aligns with your interests and provides value to others.
Be Consistent but Patient:
Growth takes time. Try to post regularly (3-5 times a week) but don’t expect overnight success. Focus on quality content and showing up consistently, even when growth feels slow. The magic happens when your audience knows they can rely on you to be there.
Engage, Don’t Just Broadcast:
Think of social media as a conversation, not just a platform to promote. Respond to comments, ask questions, and connect with other creators. The more you engage, the more your followers will feel part of your journey.
Tell Stories and Be Authentic:
People connect with stories, not perfection. Share your highs and lows—it’s okay to show your human side. This builds trust and encourages others to engage with you.
Experiment and Track What Works:
Try different types of content—photos, reels, carousels, polls—and see what resonates with your audience. Use analytics to identify trends and double down on what works. But don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t working.
Collaborate with Others:
Work with brands, businesses, or other creators to tap into new audiences. Even small collaborations can make a big difference. Look for partners with shared values to create authentic content that benefits both parties.
Find Your Unique Voice:
There’s a lot of content out there, but no one else can tell your story the way you do. Identify what sets you apart and lean into it. Whether it’s a unique skill, your personality, or a specific point of view—your uniqueness will attract the right audience.
Don’t Get Discouraged by Numbers:
Follower counts and likes don’t define your value. Focus on building relationships and providing value to the people who are there, even if it’s a small audience at first. Quality engagement matters more than big numbers.
Leverage Trends but Stay True to Your Brand:
Jump on trends when they align with your brand, but don’t force it. Your audience follows you for a reason—stick to your message and adapt trends in a way that feels authentic to you.
Have Fun!
Social media can be a powerful tool, but it should also be enjoyable. If you’re having fun creating, your audience will feel that energy and be drawn to it. Enjoy the process, celebrate small wins, and remember why you started.
Building an audience is a marathon, not a sprint. Our biggest lesson has been that authenticity and connection matter more than perfectly curated posts. Over time, the right people will find you—those who resonate with your message, your personality, and your journey. Keep going, stay true to yourself, and enjoy the ride. That’s when the magic happens.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The Blowout That Changed Everything
In July 2021, we embarked on a road trip up Highway 395 with Sherry’s brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, along with Lexie and the boys, who were still puppies at the time. Spirits were high as we cruised along, excited for the adventures ahead. But things took a sudden turn when one of our rear tires blew out on the highway. The damage was more than just a flat—the force of the blowout punched a hole in the floor, destroyed our propane heater, and tore apart plumbing connections to both the fridge and fresh water tank.
To make matters worse, we were stranded in Olancha, right at the western entrance of Death Valley National Park, with temperatures soaring above 100°F (38°C). It was hot, it was remote, and we quickly realized we were in for a real test of our patience, problem-solving skills, and perseverance.
When Things Fell Apart, We Came Together
Our first call was to AAA, hoping for a quick rescue. But to our dismay, they told us that no tow truck would be available for two days. With the oppressive heat and minimal resources, waiting around for help wasn’t an option—not for us, and especially not for the dogs. We started calling every tire shop and mechanic in the area, desperate to find someone who could get us back on the road.
Unfortunately, we learned a crucial lesson the hard way: dually RVs need two spare tires, not just one, which was all we had. As the hours dragged on, it felt like things were falling apart. But just when we were starting to lose hope, a small, local tire shop came through. The owner found two tires for us and, in an extraordinary act of kindness, drove out at 9 p.m. to change them on-site.
With new tires installed, we found a motel nearby to spend the night and rest. The next day, we realized the RV wouldn’t make it all the way back to Los Angeles on its own. We reached out to a friend, who drove out to rescue our family and the dogs, while Andrés and I slowly, cautiously navigated the motorhome back home—determined to bring it with us, no matter what.
Rebuilding from the Ground Up
Back in Los Angeles, we faced another major decision: The damage to La Chata (our beloved motorhome) was so extensive that the insurance company would likely have totaled it due to its age. Many people might have taken the payout and walked away, but not us. La Chata was more than just a vehicle—it represented freedom, adventure, and a way of life that we weren’t ready to give up. So, instead of letting her go, we made the bold decision to rebuild her from scratch.
It was no easy task. Over the course of a year and a half, we tore La Chata down to her bare bones, reimagined the entire interior, and rebuilt it piece by piece into something better, more modern, and more functional for our lifestyle. It was hard work, but it was also deeply satisfying—an act of love and dedication to something that had already given us so much.
The Lesson: Giving New Life, Not Giving Up
That blowout on Highway 395 could have been the end of La Chata’s story. We could have given in to the setback, let the insurance total her, and moved on. But instead, we chose resilience. We saw the potential for something new and gave her new life, turning what could have been a disaster into an opportunity for growth and transformation.
Now, every trip we take in La Chata feels even more meaningful. She’s no longer just an old RV—we built her with our own hands, and every mile she covers represents the strength, love, and perseverance that got us through one of the toughest challenges we’ve faced on the road. Every adventure since has felt like a victory, and she continues to take us on unforgettable journeys, with Lexie and the boys always by our side.
This story isn’t just about a blown tire—it’s about sticking with things when they get hard, finding creative solutions when the odds are against you, and giving new life to something when others might have given up. We hope it inspires others to stay resilient in their own journeys, whether on the road or in life. Because sometimes, the most meaningful adventures come after the biggest challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://buenavidaroute.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041858173983
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BuenaVidaRoute
Image Credits
We allow the use of our pictures. All taken by us.
Sherry Alfaro and Andres Osorio