Having spent the past 6 months travelling around Latin America we decided to throw together a top 10 list of the best experiences we had while on the road. Given that LatAm has so much to offer it was hard to whittle it down to just 10, so threw in an extra 5 for good measure. Here it goes:
15. Xochimilco
Mexico City, Mexico
A sunny day at Xochimilco is a must when visiting Mexico City. The Mexican version of Venice, it offers you the chance to float around some not so clean canals and have as much beer as you want. Just be extra careful not to go over the edge when hoping between boats in search of a good party.
Mexico City, Mexico
A sunny day at Xochimilco is a must when visiting Mexico City. The Mexican version of Venice, it offers you the chance to float around some not so clean canals and have as much beer as you want. Just be extra careful not to go over the edge when hoping between boats in search of a good party.
14. Sand boarding
Ica, Peru
Just 4 hours from Lima, Ica is a small town located beside Huacachina, where you can go sand boarding on the dunes in the area. Not only is the boarding itself good craic but the dune buggy ride across the sand is incredible and quite reasonably priced too.
Ica, Peru
Just 4 hours from Lima, Ica is a small town located beside Huacachina, where you can go sand boarding on the dunes in the area. Not only is the boarding itself good craic but the dune buggy ride across the sand is incredible and quite reasonably priced too.
13. Baños
Ecuador
Baños is the adventure capital of Ecuador. Here you can find anything for an adrenaline rush, bungee jumping for as little as $20 and various water activities such as rafting and canyoning. Here we went rafting, relaxed in the thermal pools and organised our whale watching trip a few days later. It is also the location of the world’s scariest swing.
Ecuador
Baños is the adventure capital of Ecuador. Here you can find anything for an adrenaline rush, bungee jumping for as little as $20 and various water activities such as rafting and canyoning. Here we went rafting, relaxed in the thermal pools and organised our whale watching trip a few days later. It is also the location of the world’s scariest swing.
12. Tayrona National Park Trek
Santa Marta, Colombia
Tayrona National Park is a beautiful secluded park located just an hour from Santa Marta. After an initial 3 hour trek through the forest you arrive on a deserted beach and walk until you reach one of the 2 camp sites. From there you can rent hammocks for the night. After an evening swim you just chill and watch the stars without a light in sight. In bed by 9!
Santa Marta, Colombia
Tayrona National Park is a beautiful secluded park located just an hour from Santa Marta. After an initial 3 hour trek through the forest you arrive on a deserted beach and walk until you reach one of the 2 camp sites. From there you can rent hammocks for the night. After an evening swim you just chill and watch the stars without a light in sight. In bed by 9!
11. Boca Juniors game
Buenos Aires, Argentina
We’ve all heard about the passion displayed by the infamous Boca Juniors fans, but to witness it first hand is truly a spectacle. Tickets can be hard to come by, but if you use one of the reputable travel agencies in the city you can get your hands on some from about $70. Make sure to wear the local colours!
Buenos Aires, Argentina
We’ve all heard about the passion displayed by the infamous Boca Juniors fans, but to witness it first hand is truly a spectacle. Tickets can be hard to come by, but if you use one of the reputable travel agencies in the city you can get your hands on some from about $70. Make sure to wear the local colours!
10. Ipanema Beach
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Saturday, Tower 9, Ipanema Beach. Words can’t do the place justice. 1000’s of people line the sand drinking and playing football until the sun goes down. Get a six pack in and enjoy the view…of the sea I mean.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Saturday, Tower 9, Ipanema Beach. Words can’t do the place justice. 1000’s of people line the sand drinking and playing football until the sun goes down. Get a six pack in and enjoy the view…of the sea I mean.
9. Christ The Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
One of the highlights of the South American leg of our trip, the big man sits high above Rio and offers amazing views of the city. Be sure to go up on a clear day as it can be cloudy some days limiting views. Be ready for swarms of crowds though and everyone trying to get their own cheesy arms open pic. We got lucky in terms of the weather and had a bird’s eye view of Rio and also had a few words with big JC himself!
8. Chichen Itza
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
The most famous landmark of the Mayan era, Chichen Itza is one of the 7 world wonders and it’s easy to see why. You can spend hours wandering around the enclosure and learn a thing or two from the guides about Mayan rituals. Just leg it before he asks for a tip.
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
The most famous landmark of the Mayan era, Chichen Itza is one of the 7 world wonders and it’s easy to see why. You can spend hours wandering around the enclosure and learn a thing or two from the guides about Mayan rituals. Just leg it before he asks for a tip.
7. Wine tasting and steak
Mendoza, Argentina
You always hear so many things about Argentinian wine and steak that you believe it all can’t be true…but believe us it is! We were never fans of the vino, but after 2 days tours in the Mendoza vineyards we were converted. When you arrive you can rent bikes and cycle around the town visiting vineyards and sampling their famous Malbec. Afterwards, once back in downtown Mendoza you can go for a local steak for as little as $7 which will be the best of your life.
Mendoza, Argentina
You always hear so many things about Argentinian wine and steak that you believe it all can’t be true…but believe us it is! We were never fans of the vino, but after 2 days tours in the Mendoza vineyards we were converted. When you arrive you can rent bikes and cycle around the town visiting vineyards and sampling their famous Malbec. Afterwards, once back in downtown Mendoza you can go for a local steak for as little as $7 which will be the best of your life.
6. Iguazzu Falls
Foz do Iguazu, Brazil
Please give yourself more than 40 minutes to see this amazing sight, something which we didn’t do. An unbelievably impressive waterfall, Iguazzu can be seen from both the Brazilian and Argentinian side, with both arguing theirs is better. Bring some waterproof clothes!
Foz do Iguazu, Brazil
Please give yourself more than 40 minutes to see this amazing sight, something which we didn’t do. An unbelievably impressive waterfall, Iguazzu can be seen from both the Brazilian and Argentinian side, with both arguing theirs is better. Bring some waterproof clothes!
5. Jungle Tour
Rurrenabaque, Bolivia
Catered for almost any tourist, i.e. Not too exerting, the jungle tour in Bolivia is a great experience and gets you up close to alligators, piranhas, pink dolphins and anacondas (if you’re lucky). The coffin like plane journey into the jungle is also an experience!
Rurrenabaque, Bolivia
Catered for almost any tourist, i.e. Not too exerting, the jungle tour in Bolivia is a great experience and gets you up close to alligators, piranhas, pink dolphins and anacondas (if you’re lucky). The coffin like plane journey into the jungle is also an experience!
4. Salt Flats
Uyuni, Bolivia
Like no other place on the world, the Salt flats left us a bit speechless. You can choose between a 1 day trip or a 3 day round trip. We went for the one day which is definitely advisable as you see it all and even get enough time to do some of those famous jumping photos.
3. Death Road
La Paz, Bolivia
One of the biggest adrenaline rushes of the trip so far. Not for the faint hearted or bad cyclists as you head down the most dangerous road in the world at whatever pace you like. Once we built a bit of confidence up we were 3 Stephen Roches bombing it down until the celebratory beer at the end. Some of the views along the way were unreal and dodging the oncoming traffic a constant challenge. If you can get by this cycling around town should be no bother!
La Paz, Bolivia
One of the biggest adrenaline rushes of the trip so far. Not for the faint hearted or bad cyclists as you head down the most dangerous road in the world at whatever pace you like. Once we built a bit of confidence up we were 3 Stephen Roches bombing it down until the celebratory beer at the end. Some of the views along the way were unreal and dodging the oncoming traffic a constant challenge. If you can get by this cycling around town should be no bother!
2. Volcano climbing
Pucon, Chile
Not advisable to do if you have had a few beers the night before…or maybe so if you like a challenge like us. The climb lasts about 6 hours and brought out the Cliff-hanger in all of us. As much a mental exercise as physical, the beer at the top was extra sweet. Once finished, you can slide all the way down for 1 hour which was unbelievable.
Pucon, Chile
Not advisable to do if you have had a few beers the night before…or maybe so if you like a challenge like us. The climb lasts about 6 hours and brought out the Cliff-hanger in all of us. As much a mental exercise as physical, the beer at the top was extra sweet. Once finished, you can slide all the way down for 1 hour which was unbelievable.
1. Machu Picchu Trek
Cusco, Peru
A pretty obvious choice here. Not much can compare with the 3 day trek. It included mountainous cycle, railroad trekking, zip-lining and relaxing in thermic pools before we even made it to Aguascalientes near Machu Picchu. Rising at 4am on the day of the ascent, the 1 hour trek up in the dark was tough and seriously sweaty but once there, the sight of the ancient sight was reward enough…and the ham sandwiches too. We spent about 7 hours roaming around the ruins before heading back down and back to Cusco. A must do for anyone in South America!
Cusco, Peru
A pretty obvious choice here. Not much can compare with the 3 day trek. It included mountainous cycle, railroad trekking, zip-lining and relaxing in thermic pools before we even made it to Aguascalientes near Machu Picchu. Rising at 4am on the day of the ascent, the 1 hour trek up in the dark was tough and seriously sweaty but once there, the sight of the ancient sight was reward enough…and the ham sandwiches too. We spent about 7 hours roaming around the ruins before heading back down and back to Cusco. A must do for anyone in South America!
Honorary mention:
Loki Mancora, Peru
Without doubt the best hostel we stayed in in South America. It’s a huge complex with a pool, bar and many sports activities. Not to mention it is located right beside the beach. The parties there were some of the best of our lives.
Loki Mancora, Peru
Without doubt the best hostel we stayed in in South America. It’s a huge complex with a pool, bar and many sports activities. Not to mention it is located right beside the beach. The parties there were some of the best of our lives.
