South America Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips!

Looking for a quintessential adventure tour in Costa Rica, but short on time? Or perhaps you’d like to balance your next trip with a mix of land and sea exploration. No matter your travel plans, make sure to visit Manuel Antonio National Park. Lush tropical rainforests, picturesque beaches, mangroves, lagoons, and colorful reef make this destination an excellent bet to sample some of Costa Rica’s unique treasures.Though this park is the country’s smallest among the national parks of Costa Rica, it is packed with rich biodiversity and history. Wildlife is abundant and the vistas are grand. Definitely bring a camera to capture the blissful moments; with scenery this iconic, you might just find yourself making postcards! To help you discover the many gems hidden in this park, read this overview of sites, activities, and tips for visiting.

Can you imagine anything more adorable than an island filled with penguins? Isla Magdalena makes this heart-warming image a reality. Located in the Strait of Magellan, Isla Magdalena (or Magdalena Island in English) is the main part of the Penguins Natural Monument and sits on the Chilean side of Patagonia, on the boundaries of the Tierra del Fuego National Park.The penguins that live on this island have been luring in tourists for some time now. Hundreds of them are scattered in all directions and they have no fear of the humans that walk among them. The effect of this is that visitors can walk across the island whilst simultaneously taking in the views and getting up close and personal with some of the cutest creatures on earth.

What is the best way to combine a love for water, wildlife, and adventure? Diving, of course! Around the world, scuba diving and snorkeling are popular activities for travelers, and in Costa Rica, this is no exception. With pristine water and a diverse collection of reefs accessible from both of the country’s coasts, diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica offers awe-inspiring adventures into the aquatic world.

Region de Aysen (the Aysen Region) is an area of staggering natural beauty in the Patagonia region in the South of Chile. Virtually untouched by humanity and with very little by way of civilization, the Aysen Region is nothing but lakes, mountains and fjords as far as the eye can see. If you want scenery that will take your breath away on your trip to Chile, few places on earth can compete with the Region de Aysen. Here are 10 reasons why a trip to this region is unmissable.

For anyone short on time or concerned about their fitness levels but still hoping for a taste of trekking in Peru and a visit to the famed Machu Picchu, the short Huchuy Qosqo trek is the ideal solution. Most versions include two days of relatively easy trekking combined with a visit to Machu Picchu on the third day. While being short on days, the trek still allows for a glimpse of the Andes in a rarely visited part of the Sacred Valley that receives fewer visitors than many of the more popular trails.

For any hiker attempting the Inca Trail, one name inspires a sense of anxiety and foreboding above all, and that is the Dead Woman’s Pass, or Warmiwañusqa in Quechua. At 4,215 m above sea level, the pass has gained a fearsome reputation among trekkers. Everyone starting the Inca Trail is aware that day two will inevitably lead them up and over this infamous pass. Failure to cross the pass will mean being defeated by this classic Peru trek and a return to Cusco without reaching Machu Picchu.

The rain-forested canopies and the remarkable volcanic terrain of Costa Rica are amazing to behold, but these regions offer more than just paradisiacal tourist spots. From the cloud forest highlands down to the coastal towns, guests can revel in the country’s delicious cuisine that proudly displays its Caribbean and Latino roots. To satisfy your sense of taste, we bring you the best Costa Rican food you absolutely must try while on a trip to Costa Rica.

For decades, surf enthusiasts have been touring the best surf spots in Costa Rica in search of world-class waves. With a seemingly endless list of incredible beach destinations offering some of the best surfing in the world, you may need some help planning surf stops for your next Costa Rica tour. Here is our list of the best surf sites in Costa Rica, highlighting a variety of beach vibes and skill levels.

Discover a world where diverse ecosystems flourish. A place where wildlife preservation has become a way of life in a traditional Costa Rican village. Hidden on the remote coast of northeast Limón, Tortuguero National Park is such a place. Being one of the most visited national parks of Costa Rica, this oasis is dependent on a close relationship between the natural world, the local residents, and tourists. Local families invest in caring for the environment and its inhabitants, while sustainable tourism provides the primary economic resource for the village. Here, rare opportunities for outdoor adventuring and wildlife interaction abound as visitors explore the jungle, wetlands, and coastal terrain. So make sure to include it in your trip to Costa Rica as it is one of the many exciting things to indulge in as well as one of the best places to visit while in the country.

In Costa Rica, a "walk in the park" means putting your trekking shoes on and rediscovering one of the truest paradises in existence. Visions of green will fill your senses, thanks to the lush tropical fringe that extends from both ends of the country. Comprised of more than 25% of protected natural areas, this jungle escape is home to abundant biodiversity that can only be found in Central America.A Costa Rica tour promises nothing less than a colorful experience. It is the reflection of a strong Hispanic culture paired with the land’s thriving vegetation and amazing geography. Below are seven of the best national parks in Costa Rica (in no particular order) that will surely put you in awe of nature’s fertile gifts in this part of the world.

Featuring lush rainforests, active volcanoes, hot springs, and endless stretches of pristine beaches along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, a trip to Costa Rica offers an unparalleled experience. Traverse misty cloud forests in reserves like Monteverde, where vibrant wildlife, including sloths and tropical birds, await discovery. Delight in the flavors of locally-grown coffee and chocolate during plantation tours, or delve into the depths of adventure by exploring caves in Playa Cantanas. Be sure to sightsee iconic landmarks such as the Fortuna Waterfall. With its diverse natural landscapes and an array of activities, this compact Central American nation has rightfully claimed its place as the eco-tourism hub for tourists visiting Central America.Don’t want to miss out on the best that Costa Rica has to offer? Explore our carefully curated list of top things to do in Costa Rica, encompassing must-visit attractions and must-do activities. Moreover, we've included alternate destinations for each activity to ensure you don't miss out on any excitement.

Located in San Rafael Lagoon National Park and spanning a colossal 760km², the San Rafael Glacier is an impressive ice mass tucked away in the fjords of Chile’s Patagonia. One of the last remnants of Patagonia’s ice age, the glacier sees far fewer tourists than many of Chile’s other glaciers. This means that if you make the effort to visit the San Rafael Glacier on your Chile trip you may well have it all to yourself. Few things on earth will compare to the tranquillity and beauty of finding yourself alone on this incredible glacier.

There is a reason why Costa Rica welcomes over 2 million visitors each year and is a top pick from the best tropical vacation spots. The country is a playground for nature lovers and with some of the most inviting beaches in the world, travelers can easily plan a Costa Rica beach vacation. From black sand beaches and sleepy palms to roaring surf and nightlife, the best beaches in Costa Rica include diverse opportunities for enjoyment. With a seemingly endless landscape of beaches, it can be hard to choose where to travel. Here is a breakdown of the top beaches in Costa Rica in no particular order, to help you plan your Costa Rica trip. The map of Costa Rica shows the locations of the best beaches to visit in Costa Rica.

While the Perito Moreno Glacier might be the most famous of Argentinian Patagonia's glaciers, the Viedma Glacier holds the title of largest. The enormous glacier has an area of 977 km² and dominates the ice field of Southern Patagonia. But, the Viedma Glacier is not just something to look at — it is an interactive experience. Visitors to Patagonia can organize expeditions that will allow them to delve deep into the icy crevices of the glacier. It’s an exhilarating journey but one that will stay with you forever. Here is everything you need to know about the Viedma Glacier and how to get the most out of your visit.

With the greatest density of biodiversity in the world and a focus on environmental conservation, Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and enriching places to be. The focus this country puts on tourism further provides an unmatched landscape for travelers seeking outdoor adventures. From its dense rainforests to raging rivers and monumental volcanoes, it seems as though Costa Rica was built for adventure. There is nothing quite like Costa Rican adventure travel!Adventures in Costa Rica will take your breath away. Get the most out of your trip by considering these exciting activities while planning your adrenaline-filled Costa Rican tour.