South America Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips!

As the capital city and home to the country’s main international airport, San Jose is often the starting and ending point for a visit to Costa Rica. That said, once travelers have discovered the charm of the historic city centre, many of the best sites are still to be found in the wider region, so it’s well worth exploring further afield. If you are planning to stay a few days in San Jose, here’s our pick of the 11 best day trips from San Jose in Costa Rica.

One of the Costa Rica’s best-loved protected areas is Arenal Volcano National Park. It’s home to the mighty cones of two dormant but still venting volcanoes, crystal-clear lakes, and thundering waterfalls, all amid a lush jungle. To get there, you’ll first need to make the journey from the cultural wonders of Costa Rica’s capital San Jose, to La Fortuna, the small town gateway to the Arenal Volcano National Park.

Encompassing the most southern regions of Chile and Argentina, Patagonia’s wild and rugged landscape was made for the intrepid traveler. Because of its sheer size of 418,429 sq. km, planning a Patagonia trip takes some careful consideration, attention to detail, and a realistic perspective on how much you can accomplish in a certain amount of time.In this article we’ll explore the highlights of both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, how to travel between the two countries to experience as much of the region as possible, and all the nitty-gritty details in between.

Colourful, vibrant and cosmopolitan, the bustling capital of San Jose is one of the main arrival points for visitors on a tour to Costa Rica and a highlight of many people’s visit. Whether spending time exploring the city or simply passing through on your way to one of the country’s stunning beaches or national parks, a good night’s sleep is vital for getting the most from your trip. To help you on your way, here’s our pick of some of the very best hotels in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has long been a feature on many travelers’ bucket lists. Famed for its towering volcanoes, stunning beaches, and dense forests, there is no denying that this relatively small corner of South America is a nature lover's paradise. It’s only recently, that Costa Rica has gained fame as a hot location for adventure tourism. A trip to Costa Rica provides endless opportunities for visitors to combine exploration and culture with adrenaline. Ever-popular treetop walks through dense forest canopies — often cloaked in the mist — present a unique opportunity to tap into this new-found need-for-speed. After all, why hike through the jungle when you can strap yourself into a harness, clip onto a steel cable and go hurtling through the forest? Here are our top picks for where to go ziplining in Costa Rica.

When you think about eco-friendly traveling the first things that come to mind are probably things like going camping or choosing to use your bike to travel across the country, but eco-friendly traveling is so much broader and includes so many smaller yet still “green” activities that are all a part of what it means to be an eco-friendly traveler. While some people take green travel to the extreme, no matter what decisions you make during your travels, as long as you try your best to be more environmentally conscious, you’re doing your part. The best and easiest phrase to remember when traveling is to leave no trace. This concept means to leave nothing behind but footprints, no matter where you go.

From sunning yourself on the alluring Caribbean and Pacific coasts, trekking through the central American jungle in search of exotic native wildlife, or paddling some of the best whitewater in the world, there’s a Costa Rica trip for everyone. With such a long list of heavenly attractions, including national parks that take up a quarter of the country’s entire area, sapphire blue seas, gently smoking volcanoes, and tropical beaches, it’s little wonder that this area of central America was nicknamed the ‘rich coast’. Whether you’ve got just a few days or are lucky enough to have a couple of weeks, with the best Costa Rica itinerary will be sure to fit in the full gamut of experiences!

With a coastline on two oceans, the Central American nation of Costa Rica is known for its phenomenal beaches, of which one of the finest is Playa Hermosa. Meaning ‘beautiful beach’ in Spanish, Playa Hermosa is aptly named. Edged with shade-giving trees, and situated between two forested mountains, its off-white sands are rarely as crowded as nearby beaches such as Playa Conchal, making it the perfect place to seek out a combination of undisturbed tranquility and beachside activities as different as sailing and wildlife spotting.

Regarded by many as the jewel of Central America, Costa Rica is a bucket-list destination that is guaranteed to deliver. From towering volcanoes and vast rainforests to pristine beaches with excellent surf, this relatively small country has it all. Want to dive right in, but not sure where to start? Here is our guide to the 10 best places to visit in Costa Rica.

Long gone are the days when the Sarapiqui River in Costa Rica was one of the country’s most important transport routes, connecting the farms and plantations of the interior lowlands with the outside world. Still a fascinating area for anyone interested in agriculture, the Sarapiqui river valley has also managed to reinvent itself as Costa Rica’s ultimate destination for those wanting to try white water rafting. But if that isn’t enough to tempt you to visit Sarapiqui, then the nearby areas of protected land such as Braulio Carrillo National Park offers some of the Central American nation’s finest wildlife viewing opportunities too.

Playa Conchal in Costa Rica ranks as one of the country’s finest beaches. Named after the millions of shells that are washed up with the high tide and gradually ground down by wave action to form the beach, it is a beautiful stretch of crystalline sand with turquoise shallows to one side and tall shade-giving palms turning to forest on the other. Further out, the Pacific’s deeper waters turn a stunning green color, and are a well-known snorkeling and fishing hotspot.

The world is full of beautiful places that most of us don’t even know about. From breathtaking waterfalls and jaw-dropping natural wonders to mysterious lost cities and quaint landmarks, you’re never short on things to see or do.Shortlisting the 10 most beautiful places in the world is certainly not easy, and visiting all those beautiful places that this planet has to offer could take a lifetime, possibly more. However, we’ve shortlisted a few attractions that should always be close to the top of your bucket list, for each destination is an experience to be savored, a moment you’re sure to cherish throughout your life.

Imagine laying on the sand with miles and miles of soft ground ahead of you and waves crashing at your feet, doesn't that sound amazing? Colombia, a country split between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, is blessed with some of the best beaches you'll ever visit.With a coastline spanning well over 3,200 km, Colombia's seaside is known for its remarkable beauty, biodiversity and culture. There's a beach for everyone — from paradise islands to local favorites and hidden gems along the way. Here are the 10 best beaches in Colombia for your next adventure!

So, you’ve set your eyes on traveling to Peru, and now all that’s left to do is decide which of its hotels will be the starting point for exploring this immense South American treasure trove. Thanks to the rapid expansion of tourism industry that has occurred in recent decades, boutique hotels in Peru these days are a rich and vibrant affair, designed to suit every stripe of traveler.Regardless of whether you’re looking to explore the paths of the ancient Incas, chill on the pristine beaches of northern Peru or get lost in the busy streets of Lima, you won’t be left short of gorgeous, well-equipped boutique lodgings that you can call your home away from home. From opulent colonial mansions and secluded natural gems to ultra-modern metropolitan spots, here is a curated list some of the finest boutique hotels in Peru, in no particular order.

While Colombia may not have always been a popular tourist destination, the country has been attracting more and more visitors over the years particular after the 1990s. The country offers some incredible excursions and tour options - from coffee tasting and cycling routes to sprawling beaches and captivating museums.You could so much time exploring Colombia and all it has to offer, and it can be hard to figure out what to pack into a single short trip. To help you make the most of your time in this beautiful, diverse country, here are 12 things you can do on a short trip to Colombia.