Browsing: South & Central America

Stretching across the hillside and Caribbean coastal plain, alive and resilient as its founders in a distant earlier century intended it to be, the original historic city of Cartagena today reflects a past that leaves a memorable imprint on the traveler.  Approaching the outskirts of old Cartagena today from its outer perimeter that fronts the southern Caribbean, presenting a broad panorama of architecture and edifices.  This intricate urban landscape extends well beyond its protective outer …

Few destinations offer such a close connection to wildlife and the natural world as the Galápagos Islands. Located nearly 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador, this volcanic archipelago has long attracted travelers interested in nature, conservation, and the remarkable species that call the islands home. Giant tortoises roam the highlands, marine iguanas bask on lava rocks, and blue-footed boobies gather along rugged shorelines shaped by volcanic activity and ocean currents.

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There’s a road that runs for 770 miles down the centre of Chile, taking its travellers through forests, national parks, spectacular soaring mountains and turquoise lakes. It’s a route of legends and heroes, superhuman effort and isolation, and one of the most beautiful routes in the world. It’s also one of the few remaining trips that still deliver that rare sense of achievement when you actually accomplish it.

The Carretera Austral (southern highway) rolls through …

Costa Rica has plenty for the more leisure-focused traveler, with resorts and beaches galore. But another area of travel that Costa Rica absolutely shines is adventure. From canopy walks to meeting sloths, to ziplines and floating down rivers, traveling in this country can go wild. Particularly La Fortuna, with its volcanoes, rivers, and surrounding areas of dense jungle. Costa Rica, and La Fortuna especially, is a place where nature is foremost and can be embraced …

Exciting news – I’ve found a country I like so much that I’m planning to return time and time again.

After a wonderful week in Panama, I’m already itching to go back for more exploring. It’s got exactly what I’m looking for in a holiday, all in such a compact place that you can do everything almost instantly. If you want a beach, there are some tiny Caribbean islands with turquoise water and only a …

The engine of our little tuk-tuk is squealing with exhaustion as we judder up the final hill. Here, the ancient paving stones aren’t joined as neatly as they are in other streets, and we bounce over the gaps until we reach the hacienda where my friend is staying.

Tuk-tuks are mainly associated with Asian countries, but I’m on the other side of the world in Barichara, hailed as Colombia’s prettiest town. Its hills pose a …

This one looks delicious, I thought as I swirled the wine around in my glass and took an indelicately large slurp.

“Ah yes, a definite aroma of diesel and a lingering taste of salami. Is that normal for a Malbec?” I wondered as I eyed its odd neon hues.

“No,” my partner said, “but the sommelier did advise us not to try wine tasting on the pavement.”

We couldn’t resist, though. The tables outside …

Founded in 1533 by the Spanish, Cartagena is situated on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia and was Spain’s gateway to its new empire. Trading in gold, silver, tobacco, and, regrettably, enslaved people, the city boomed. These days, Cartagena draws tourists from all over the world, many of them arriving on cruise ships to explore the cobbled streets and colonial buildings of the colorful old city.

The historic streets of Cartagena’s old city are full …

There are two reasons why cable car rides are utterly irresistible.

Firstly, the engineering that enables a length of wire to haul a small metal cabin up steep mountains and across gaping valleys is intriguing. But more importantly, there’s the gorgeous view from the top, with a city or countryside sprawled out far below.

So when I had some free time in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, it was obvious how I’d spend it. Quito’s …

On a planet where over-tourism is spoiling the very place you’ve gone to visit, it’s a rare treat to be far from the crowds and close to nature. A place where only a handful of other humans are swimming with baby sharks in the bay, or you’re the only person stepping around a dozen iguanas sunbathing on the pier. Where you and your friends are standing only a few feet from some barking, frolicking sea …

From unforgettable hikes to exploring the Amazon Rainforest, here are five Peruvian attractions you need to consider in addition to world-renowned Machu Picchu.

If you’re heading to Peru, you won’t want to miss one of the new Wonders of the World–Machu Picchu. You’re sure to be amazed by the remnants of the ancient Incan citadel and ponder at how advanced civilization was for the 15th century. Yet, if you are at a loss as far …

The small village of Tortuguero is tucked away in the northeastern corner of Costa Rica, within a vast protected national park. It is one of the most important nesting sites for sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere. Each year, thousands of endangered green turtles arrive en masse to lay their eggs on the long, isolated stretches of beach. Here, you can witness one of nature’s most marvelous ancient reproductive rituals.

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