For English speakers, Rick Steves is the go-to guide for exploring Europe. But, for Spanish speakers, Colombian Juan Diaz of PlanetaJuan is the must-watch YouTuber for traveling the globe.
In his hundreds of YouTube videos, that blend globetrotting with emotional storytelling, Diaz takes his viewers on a journey across countries while outlining the highs and lows of human experience.
With each travel video, he questions what it means to dream, to face challenges, and to embrace the beauty of everyday life. And, this month, the travel guru is traveling someplace new: to bookshelves everywhere.
Meet Juan Diaz, aka PlanetaJuan
From scaling volcanic peaks to sharing quiet reflections on mental health, Diaz’s online content is as thrilling as the destinations he visits. Now, with his debut book, “Inadaptados” (Misfits), Diaz says he’s crafted a relatable, uplifting narrative for those who may not consider themselves readers.
“Inadaptados tells stories of people who haven’t followed that script, and because they haven’t, they’re labeled as social misfits for doing things differently. It’s a word with a bad reputation, but for people like me, being a misfit has led to finding a purpose and even happiness,” Diaz explained in a recent interview.
So, who is Juan Diaz, and why should we know him now? As the world becomes increasingly globalized, his unique perspective bridges the gap between cultures, inspiring audiences to pursue their dreams—whether that means packing a bag for a faraway land or simply finding joy in the ordinary.
In an interview with Colombian outlet, KienyKe, Diaz opens up about his creative process, his connection with his audience, and his advice for aspiring creators. Meet the man behind the camera and the stories that have captivated millions, in his own words.
On Leaving His Job for YouTube
“For me, YouTube wasn’t a way to quit engineering and step into the unknown. It was about finding an activity that brought some color to my gray world. I needed creativity and a hobby. I tried different things, like playing guitar, but nothing clicked until a camera came into my life. I thought, ‘Making videos is cool,’ and I enjoyed uploading them to social media and interacting with people.
I loved the feedback on a video I made about a cat—that interaction made me happy. It was about creating audiovisual pieces I enjoyed. Little did I know that posting consistently, week after week, would turn it into something tangible, something that would eventually allow me to understand how to travel the world and quit my job.”
RELATED POST: Honoring Culture in The Old Barrio’s YouTube Channel
“When did I realize it was time to quit my job? Honestly, there wasn’t a specific moment. These seven years have been one continuous moment. I didn’t just go viral with one video and say, ‘I’m getting paid now, so I’ll quit.’ I was terrified of leaving my job.”
On Meeting People Around the World
“When I meet people on the street, I’ve had the opportunity to talk to several of them. A common factor is that they are very dream-driven individuals—not just people who want something different for their lives, who might want a change, or who want to go to a far-off place to experience migrating to a country, earning a degree from a university in another place, another language, another climate. But also people who dream, maybe not about migrating but about starting their own business.
“People who have somehow come out of depression, which I often talk about in my videos. These are people who’ve overcome that by finding a hobby, an activity, or a little change in their lives.”
On the Realities of Social Media
“Don’t get carried away by what you see on the screen or by Instagram photos of people on yachts, at sea, at parties. People usually post the final result—the beautiful moments. ‘I arrived in Croatia, and I’m in paradise.’ Yes, but how did they get there? Very few show that. So, don’t be seduced by the final result because many people fall into the trap of saying, “I want that,” but maybe they don’t want to do everything it took to get there, or they don’t even know what it took to get there.
“On social media, I also think a lot of mistakes or irresponsibilities happen when people don’t share what’s behind that pretty photo. That pretty photo is lovely, but it’s just a photo. Behind it, there’s a lot of work. So, don’t do this job because you want the pretty photo or because you’ve heard it pays money. In some cases, it does; in others, not so much. Focus on what you genuinely enjoy doing because if I gave my job to someone who thinks they’d like it for a week, they might end up hating it because it’s hard work. You’ll work a lot—hard.”
About the Most Difficult Part of the Job
“I wouldn’t say I dislike it, but it’s a challenge—the physical part. This work is physically demanding. Long flights, lengthy routes, climbing volcanoes, crossing borders, jungles, helicopter rides to lakes—it’s all physically and mentally challenging. You need the strength to keep going. It’s super rewarding because I enjoy it, but many times, during a trip, I think, “What I’d give for a day of playing video games under the covers, ordering food, and doing nothing.” But at 8 a.m., the bus comes to take me to another location.
So, that’s been a challenge, but it’s not something I dislike—it’s something that requires training and strength. That’s why I try to exercise and hit the gym to stay strong for these tasks.”
His Advice to Others
“I’m not a psychologist or psychiatrist, so don’t take this as professional advice, but, if you feel a little anxiety or restlessness, it’s for a reason. That feeling isn’t random; it’s a sign that there’s something in life you need to change. Figure out what that is and do it, because no one will do it for you.
“When you find that ‘something,’ you might realize those feelings fade away. I say this from personal experience. That’s why I emphasize this topic so much. Finding what I liked and was passionate about helped me overcome depression—something I struggled with for years. I used to think it was normal to feel like that. I listened to really depressing music, which I still do—but now for enjoyment, in a different context.
“The cure, in my case (and perhaps for others), was listening to that inner voice and understanding that change was needed. So, find it—it’s there. We all have a purpose in this world, and there’s something we all must enjoy doing. It’s just about finding it.”
