Central & South America Travelers Recommend

It’s not just lava that pours from this living mountain. Arenal is famous for its hot springs, rich with healing minerals and often developed into fantastic wonderlands, most with remarkable volcano views. The most famous, and beautiful, is Tabacón, a steaming river that pours through fantastically landscaped environs. Less flush travelers could try wet-and-wild Baldí, with waterslides and a more festive feel; The Springs, built around landscaped cascades; or secluded Eco Termales, a quiet spot with five family-friendly pools. Budget travelers can ask about the free springs, but please beware of thieves, who’ll make off with absolutely anything left unguarded! No matter which termales you choose, cool off with a drink and some healthy Tico cuisine at one of the fine restaurants in the adorably touristy town of La Fortuna, at the base of the volcano.

Arenal National Park lies within the 790 square-mile Arenal Tilaran Conservation Area and is home to Arenal Volcano, the most active volcano in the country. The park is also known for its incredibly diverse wildlife. Most of Costa Rica’s 850 identified bird species can be spotted within the park’s borders, including the endangered and elusive quetzal. Hiking in Arenal National Park will get you the closest (legal) view of Arenal volcano. Hiking is only permitted on marked trails and due to safety concerns (this is an active volcano, after all), it is forbidden to hike near the crater at the top of Arenal volcano. The volcano is unpredictable and there is a strong possibility of death if you venture into restricted zones. The park offers four marked hiking trails that take you over old lava flows and through secondary rainforest and savanna.

Your first day in Rio is perhaps best spent getting oriented to the city. Get a bird’s eye helicopter view of the marvelous city guarded by giant granite rocks and vast blue oceans. Alternatively roam downtown on foot or bicycle and mingle with the charming locals while learning of the city’s fascinating lore and history. Follow this up with a delectable seafood lunch cruise that sails past the beaches of Niteroi. On day two, it’s time to hit the sun, sea and surf! Indulge yourself with a tropical islands cruise complete with an island lunch or set sail to the Angra dos Reis archipalego. Cruise around Guanabara Bay and glimpse the spectacular Sugar Loaf Mountain. If you prefer basking in the lazy beach culture of some of the world’s best beaches, Ipanema and Copacabana are as good as any. A holiday in Rio is incomplete without a tour of the famed trifecta of Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf which includes a ride through the Tijuca Rain forest.

From the jungle of the Amazon to the icy wonderland of Patagonia, South America's wild topography is full of adventures. Whether it's learning to tango in Buenos Aires, trekking to Machu Picchu or cruising around the Galapagos Islands, there's something for every type of traveler. And best of all, with the Southern Hemisphere moving into autumn and winter, travelers can take advantage of low-season perks such as favorable hotel and airfare prices, fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Now is also a great time to snag a bargain on tours and activities thanks to a huge range of discounts and special offers. There's never been a better time to book, whether you're heading to South America this summer or planning for a future trip. Not sure where to start? Here are just a few of the continent’s best bits to add to your itinerary.

With five days of dazzling parades held at Rio’s iconic Sambadrome, street parties erupting all around the city and more than 500,000 visitors flying in from all around the globe, Rio de Janeiro is famous for hosting the world’s biggest, boldest and brightest carnival celebrations and there’s no experience quite like it. The highlight of carnival season is attending one of the spectacular night parades at the Sambadrome, which sees the city’s 14 top Samba Schools compete with ever-more impressive parades, featuring flamboyant samba dancers, glittering costumes and gigantic floats. Be sure to pre-book your carnival parade tickets, as they are sure to sell out, or opt for a five-night Rio de Janeiro Carnival package and discover the best of the city during the annual carnival. Even if you’re not in the city for the party season, you can get a taste of Rio’s legendary carnival celebrations all year-round, with a behind-the-scenes visit to the Cidade do Samba

Cusco is Peru’s shopping hotspot for handicrafts, textiles, ceramics, art and jewelry, and the best place to shop for this booty is in the markets. There are several open-air and undercover shopping and market areas to browse, including several areas dedicated to Quechua handicrafts and textiles. To visit the workshops and showrooms of local craftspeople, head for Plaza San Blas. Traditional weavings and textiles are also displayed at the Center for Traditional Textiles. The Centro Artesenal Cusco is a good place to pick up souvenirs and alpaca wool handicrafts.

The main risk in Medellín,” you’ll be warned at every turn, “is that you won’t want to leave.” With its stunning setting amidst scenic mountains, fine dining and nightlife, glorious green spaces, and perfect climate characterized as “eternal spring,” its no wonder that this city of three million is fast becoming one of Colombia’s internationally coveted destinations. Once among the most violent cities in the world, Medellín has settled quite comfortably into an artsy sophistication that seems its birthright. Vibrant plazas, eclectic public art and ultra modern museums make this a truly marvelous city from the grungy downtown to the upscale Zona Rosa. Though Medellín is Colombia’s second-largest city, it has an outstanding mass transit system that includes light rail and cable cars, which means that nothing is far away. Take taxis at night, particularly in the city center.

Cusco is the central hub of the Sacred Valley, a magnet for lovers of Inca handicrafts and ruins, colonial charm and churches. Get to know Cusco and its famous markets from the ground up on a Cusco Markets and Ruins Small Group Tour. You’ll take a guided walk through busy San Pedro Market, joining locals shopping for dinner, then visit the impressive Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the source of much of the stone used to build Cusco. Cusco is known for its richly ornamented baroque churches, the most famous being the 1560s cathedral filled with colonial art and gold decoration on central Plaza de Armas. The oldest church in Cusco, the Iglesia de El Triunfo, is on the right of the cathedral. One of the most ornate of Cusco’s churches is Iglesia de La Compania, with its decorative baroque facade also on Plaza de Armas. Cusco is surrounded by the Quechua hill towns of the Sacred Valley, ideal for a day trip into the countryside of terraced fields.

Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica This four-star luxury eco-lodge is accessible via the Madre de Dios River using a motorized canoe. Elegant private cabanas, canopy walkways through the treetops and wooden footbridges over natural wetlands offer travelers an up-close look at Amazon Basin wildlife. Hacienda Concepcion Located 45 minutes from Puerto Maldonado by motorized canoe, this three-star accommodation is popular among jungle-trekking travelers. Scenic nature trails along secluded Lake Sandoval and wildlife viewing aboard traditional dugout canoes are just some of the relaxing options for visitors looking to get in touch with nature while staying in the lap of luxury. Posada Amazonas Kerosene lamps and flickering candles lend a rustic feel to this all-natural eco-lodge situated along the Tambopata National Reserve. Windowless verandas overlook the tropical rainforest and allow guests to catch a glimpse of wild monkeys and colorful birds.