Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Pichardo.
Hi Danielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Par de Pasaje started with two best friends, Raquel Solís and Danielle Pichardo, who are obsessed with traveling — not just the trip itself, but also the planning, the research, and the excitement of discovering new destinations. At some point, our friends began asking us for the itineraries we put together and recommendations based on places we’d already visited.
One day, mid-convo, we looked at each other and said: “Wait… should we make this a real thing?” And that’s how the idea of the podcast was born — a space to share our experiences, stories, and all the little details that make each trip special such as the gastronomy, hidden gems and the best way to get there.
From there, we grew into a full-on travel consulting platform, where we also invite guests to share their perspectives, expand the conversation, and inspire others through their own journeys.
We started off just with audio, and now we’re on video too — adding YouTube to our original Spotify and Apple Podcasts channels. Since launching in September 2024, we’ve grown to over 2,000 Instagram followers and more than 4,000 podcast listeners — and we’re just getting started!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any project, it’s come with its own set of challenges. We’ve grown steadily — and honestly, pretty quickly — so we’ve had to learn and adapt along the way. From the basics like figuring out how to upload episodes, edit videos and reels, and create content for sponsors… all of it has been a learning curve.
Neither of us comes from a communications or media background, but our professional skills complement each other really well when it comes to planning, organizing, leading, and connecting with our audience — understanding what they want from us and how to deliver it.
At one point, a similar platform to ours popped up, and it challenged us to stay true to our identity and really lean into what makes us unique. It pushed us to protect our essence and stick to our value proposition without comparing ourselves or losing our vibe.
Another challenge? We manage everything remotely — Danielle lives in Orange County, California, and Raquel is in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. That means coordinating across time zones, balancing different schedules, and making sure everything flows smoothly despite the distance.
But if we had to name the biggest challenge so far? It’s constantly reinventing ourselves with each episode — keeping things fresh, fun, and meaningful for our listeners.
As you know, we’re big fans of Par de Pasaje’. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re travel consultants, specializing in creating personalized itineraries and promoting them through our podcast and social media platforms. We’re known for our fresh and fun approach — a space where our audience and clients feel comfortable connecting with any type of trip.
From super popular travel plans like a Disney family vacation or hopping on a cruise, to more niche and specific experiences like mini-trekking on Argentina glaciers — or whatever adventure they have in mind — we’ve got them covered.
We stay super connected to our audience, keeping the conversation going through social media where we share travel tips, destination recommendations, and helpful content that makes planning easier and more exciting.
What makes us the proudest is the response and engagement we’ve received. Our biggest goal is to see Par de Pasaje grow and reach even more people — that more followers get to know us and feel confident trusting us with their next travel plans.
Eventually, we’d love to launch our own custom tours, starting with routes from California to the Dominican Republic… and vice versa.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
We’ve been lucky to connect with guests who truly bring value to our audience — touching on not just light or fun topics, but also transformative travel experiences. We’ve explored themes like traveling for medical reasons, volunteer trips, meditation retreats, and spiritual journeys that inspire personal growth and spark real connection with our listeners.
Just recently, we had the amazing opportunity to record an episode with a pilot who happened to be in town the day we were filming — totally spontaneous and full of insight!
We also feel incredibly grateful that well-known brands believe in our project and support our mission. They recognize how sharing stories of global experiences and diverse cultures can contribute to something bigger — creating impact and inspiring transformation in the society we live in.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @par.de.pasaje
- Youtube: youtu.be/cjPd_XyhZ84
Image Credits
Photographs taken by Simon Espinal, his Instagram account is @simonespinal
