Best Tours in Central and South America 2015
From Traveler Magazine's 2015 Tours of a Lifetime
Argentina: Click and Sip
Andean foothills studded with vineyards and colorful rock formations: Argentina’s northwest corner is a shutterbug’s dream. Bone up on photo skills—lighting, framing—with local photographer Ossian Lindholm. Along the way, sample wines made with the area’s Torrontes grapes. Ciclismo Classico: “Argentina Vision and Vine,” 9 days; $5,300; www.ciclismoclassico.com
Peru: High on the Andes
Stops at World Heritage sites Machu Picchu and Cusco pair with a pilgrimage to Quyllur Rit’i, a festival filled with music, trance dancing, and “spirits” in bear costumes. Aspiring Adventures: “Quyllur Rit’i Trip,” 14 days; $3,675; www.aspiringadventures.com
Belize: Diving to Make a Difference
Plunge into Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, a World Heritage site of exceptional biodiversity near Ambergris Caye, to monitor its population of invasive lionfish with a U.K.-based conservation group. Participants dive to collect data (advanced diving certification required), study lionfish by dissecting them, and learn all about reef ecology. Blue Ventures Expeditions: “Lionfish Dive,” 7 or 16 days; $943, $2,122; www.blueventures.org
Costa Rica: Teach While Touring
This teaching gig can span two weeks or 24. Lend a hand with lessons at a local school while brushing up on your español and living the pura vida near Manuel Antonio National Park, a preserve along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Global Vision International: “Volunteer With Children in Costa Rica,” 14 days; $1,790; www.gviusa.com
Colombia: Town and Country
Experience the remarkable variety of this nation’s natural landscapes while mountain biking from the high Andes to the tropics, stopping in such cultural gems as the colonial town of Barichara and an organic coffee hacienda near Bucaramanga. Colombia Adventure: “Bogotá to Santander Biking Adventure,” 6 days; $3,000; www.colombia-adventure.com
Brazil: Shore Thing
The overlooked northeast side of Brazil has it all, from the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, a World Heritage site, to colonial architecture in the city of São Luís de Maranhão. Includes a two-day trek in lagoon-filled Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Adventure Life: “Undiscovered Brazil,” 13 days; $3,275; www.adventure-life.com
Ecuador: Naturally Inclined
Single out birdcalls and spot monkeys and tropical frogs as local guides lead you in kayaks through Yasuni National Park, believed to be the most biodiverse place on Earth. Tofino Expeditions: “Amazon Kayaking Trip,” 9 days; $4,390; www.tofino.com
Contributing editor Margaret Loftus has reported and written “Tours of a Lifetime” for the past nine years.
See Europe tours >>
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest