Latin America has no shortage of exceptional beaches. From secluded tropical paradises with sweeping golden sand to some of the most world’s most iconic beaches such as the Copacabana. Here we list five of our must-visit beaches, although with coastlines stretching across the Atlantic & Pacific oceans plus the Caribbean Sea, there are so many fantastic beach holiday destinations across this diverse continent… Jericoacoara, Brazil Getting here isn’t easy, but a journey where part of the route needs to be navigated by dune buggies must surely prick up the ears of the more adventurous traveller. Those who do make it to this beach in the northeast of Brazil are well rewarded with some of the continents most spectacular natural diversity. ‘Jeri’, as it is affectionally known as by the friendly locals, is much more than just a picturesque beach town, it is a national park, a mangrove swamp, a vast…
This post could also be called ‘the five must-see places in Latin America’ as they should be on every traveller’s wishlist not least because they offer up some of the most tremendous vistas in the region. Which of these stunning destinations will you be adding to your bucket list? The Atacama Desert – Chile The sheer size of the Atacama Desert, meteorologically the driest (hot) desert on earth, is astonishing. With miles and miles of salt flats extending in front of you, it’s not hard to believe that some areas of the Atacama have had no recorded instances of rainfall ever. If nothing else, this view will make you appreciate how vast the earth as a whole is – for some, it can be a life-changing experience. Christ the Redeemer – Brazil Arguably one of the most recognisable pieces of architecture in the world, the huge statue of Christ the…
Although we are unable to travel at the moment, it’s still possible to discover the joys of Latin America – from the comfort of your home! Each week we are giving you inspiration from a different destination in Latin America, sharing movies, music, books and recipes to pique your interest, and this weeks destination is the intense and seductive land of Argentina. From crackling glaciers to sun-scorched deserts, snow-capped mountains, emerald-green lakes and wildlife-rich wetlands, the spectacular variety of Argentina’s landscapes gives just a hint of the exhilarating variety of adventures that await in this wildly intoxicating country. Delve deeper into the wonders of Argentina with our favourite inspiring read, film, food and music below. Watch: El Hijo de la Novia (The Son of the Bride (2001) This comedy drama was released at the peak of the economic crisis in Argentina, and no doubt brought a much-needed lighthearted release! It follows the story of Rafael, a restaurant owner from…
A few weeks into my big trip, I arrived at Iguazu’s gateway. In the Misiones province of Northern Argentina, the town had a rustic feel. Puerto Iguazu was of simple décor, the streets lined with the basic amenities. A garage, a bakery, a pharmacy and shop, all hosted by friendly locals. With every hospitable greet and helping hand, I admired the Argentinian culture. “Did you go to the falls, tell me, what do you think!?” A passer-by exclaimed with a grin. “Not yet, manana!” I called back with delight, his enthusiasm had instilled my excitement. Following strict instructions from a fellow traveller, I would view the Brazilian side first. A quick transfer later and a ticket in hand, I wandered the border alone. Too far to touch but close enough to marvel, stood miles of falling water. It was an exhilarating sight. I was now eager to get much closer….
As a Continent of wonders, South America is the place where the most incredible adventures can happen. If you haven’t been to this exquisite part of the world yet, hold on tight because what we are about to reveal will start a new life addiction – Latin America! Here are 10 reasons why you will be love-struck: Number 10: Perito Moreno Glacier The Perito Moreno Glacier is in the Los Glaciares National Park, in southwest Santa Cruz, Argentina. It’s considered to be one of the most important Argentinian Patagonian attractions and with good reason. It is 30 km long and one of the 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes. Other than that, it’s just another wonder of the world, and one of the reasons why (after this post) you will be booking a flight to South America! You can learn more about the…
The Andes Mountains. The longest continual mountain range in the world, and neighbour to rainforests, deserts, glaciers and volcanoes, ancient civilisations and modern capital cities. It stretches across seven South American nations and offers visitors unrivalled landscapes, world-class trekking, award-winning vineyards, glistening salt flats, and a chance to experience true Andean culture. Covering an astonishing 3.371 million km², it can be overwhelming trying to narrow down a specific destination or area of the Andes to explore. So, we’ve put together a guide to the Andes, broken down into some of our favourite destinations. Where will you explore next? Where to go in the Andes? Peru Home to Machu Picchu, Peru has arguably the most popular and well-known tourist attraction in the Andes. Whether trekking the Inca Trail, or travelling by train from the stunning capital of Cusco, this is one destination you definitely won’t want to miss. While Machu Picchu…
I was lucky enough to take another fantastic trip to my favourite continent. This time I travelled 8314 miles from Heathrow to the ‘end of the world’, landing in Ushuaia, Argentina, to experience one of the much sought after Cruceros Australis Patagonian cruises. After a wonderfully hot and sunny two day stopover in Buenos Aires we made the journey down south to Tierra del Fuego, a large land mass split between Chile and Argentina. The view from the plane when we were coming in to land has to be up there with one of the most impressive I’ve ever experienced. The aeroplane gets so close to the tops of the snow-capped mountains you feel as though you could touch them. Stepping into Ushuaia airport is already a huge contrast to the large, bustling hub of Buenos Aires domestic airport; it almost feels cosy, being built out of wood and less…
For unique foodie experiences head to Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo On my last couple of visits to Buenos Aires my time was limited, so naturally I wanted every meal to count, I wanted it to be great, not just good. I talked to nearly every local I knew to get their restaurant recommendations and I found that on almost everyone’s list was a closed door restaurant. Although they are not a new phenomenon I noticed that there is still a buzz about town for the mysterious puerta cerrada, as it’s known in Argentina. After the economic crisis of 2001, these home-grown businesses became an entrepreneurial trend, and one that has spread to other cities such as the gastronomic hub of Sao Paulo. In my opinion these off-the-beaten-track culinary experiences offer more than the average restaurant. Firstly, the food is just like home cooking, made by passionate and friendly locals…
A surprise around every corner… When I was planning my first visit to Buenos Aires there were certain things that I was told to look out for; tango dancing in the streets, melt-in-the-mouth steaks, the polo, the leather goods.. I could go on! But something I never anticipated was the huge variety of creative architecture that has been used to build this unique South American metropolis. The main attractions dotted around the city centre are certainly impressive, such as the famous Casa Rosada or the historical Teatro Colón, but more of a surprise to me was the brilliant individuality of every suburban house that outlines the city and it is this that continues to inspire me on every visit. On the edge of the river basin, in the charming neighbourhood of San Isidro (where I was lucky enough to live) you will struggle to find any two houses the same….
It’s that time again! Who else is hungry? This week I will be teaching you about the good old South American empanada (and its closest relatives). The Lowdown In Argentina the empanada is a firm favourite for filling a rumbling belly, adults and kids alike. The typically savoury snack (if you need a visual, it resembles a small Cornish pasty) dates back centuries and was originally brought over from Galicia, Northwest Spain where it was invented as a portable lunch for workmen. I have to say that a visit to Argentina is not complete until you have tried a locally baked (or deep fried) empanada with any of the various fillings. The flavoursome pastries are most commonly stuffed with either ham and cheese, spinach and ricotta, minced beef or shredded chicken and accompanied by chopped onion and a mixture of spices. A plate of warm empanadas is ideal shared as…
