Latin America tips

Discover new ideas for the travel year

From Paddington-inspired Peru to wallet-friendly Argentina, Central and South American specialists Journey Latin America will help make this your year of adventure

Finding that next big trip is the enduring conundrum. Every year, countries across the globe serve up fresh new experiences, but they can be hard to track down. That’s where Journey Latin America come in. With nearly 40 years of experience sending delighted travellers around South and Central America, the specialist tour operator knows plenty of places across the continent that have something to shout about. So here’s what they say should be on your wishlist…

Peru

The release of Paddington 2 had us fall in love with Michael Bond’s creation all over again. With a new Paddington Bear book celebrating its hero’s 60th anniversary hitting shelves in 2018, it seems only right to visit the country and the native ursines that inspired it all. The cloud forests of northern Peru are a playground for the spectacled bear, though it wouldn’t be right visiting Peru without also taking in any of the pre-columbian culture of Cusco or the iconic Machu Picchu.

Ecuador

The country’s capital, Quito, marks 40 years of UNESCO protection in 2018, so mark this anniversary with a road trip as a lap of honour. Plus, Journey Latin America is the only UK tour operator offering a self-drive Ecuador adventure, exploring the Andes’ back roads and giving you access to its colonial cities and wild landscape under your own steam.

Argentina

Wallets rejoice! Low-cost flights landed in Buenos Aires for the first time this year, throwing Argentina into a friendlier price bracket. This lets you focus on the good stuff, from gracing the capital’s tango bars and spying glacial sights in Patagonia, to sipping Malbec in Mendoza or feeling the spray of the Iguazú Falls on your face.

Chile

It’s a big year for Chile: 2018 marks the country’s 200th anniversary of its independence. Help them see in the year in style by soaking up all that makes it great. Gaze up at the stars piercing the famously dark sky of the Atacama Desert, hike primeval forests and mountain peaks in Torres del Paine National Park and sate your palate in the country’s wine region.

Colombia

Since 2016’s historic peace agreement, much of previously off-limits Colombia opened up to visitors. Head to Unesco-listed Cartagena for cool Caribbean charm or the smart parks and plazas of Medellín, while the coffee region of Armenia offers plantation visits, so you can get a glimpse into the production of the country’s favourite drink.

But wherever you choose to travel, Journey Latin America will be on hand to help. With their award-winning tailor-made service sending their travellers to – and across – the entire continent, they’re guaranteed to make your next journey an unforgettable one.