There are few places on Earth like Guyana. With 90% of its natural beauty left untouched, this tiny country on South America’s northern coast is fast becoming one of the continents premier eco-tourism destinations as a growing number of adventurous travellers are drawn to its pristine rainforests and natural sensations. Here we look at five of Guyana’s most treasured sites. Kaieteur Falls Of course we begin with Guyana’s most famous highlight. Whilst images of Kaieteur Falls can certainly impress with its mesmerising beauty until you stand at its base it is impossible to fathom the ambience created when 30,000 gallons of water thunder down a 250-metre cliff. The sheer size of the falls and its audacious power create an almost unnerving sensation as you feel the electrifying mist and hear the unapologetic roar of the force of nature, set to a spectacular backdrop of the ancient jungle. Iwokrama Rainforest Guyana’s…
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…
Stretching over 2 million square miles, entering nine different countries and holding over half of the world’s rainforest, the Amazon is the largest and most biodiverse rainforest on the planet. Stretching from its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Peruvian, Colombian and Bolivian borders, the area is best explored via a cruise along the length of the Amazon River. This is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience, and will surely be the highlight of your holiday to Brazil. The Area The main gateway to the Amazon is the bustling city of Manaus. This is an ideal base for your exploration of the surrounding area, and a great place to start your trip and/or cruise. While this city is an experience in itself, the real treat lies deeper into the rainforest – either join one of the many Amazon River Cruises available or stay in a fantastic Eco Lodge…
Most holidays to Brazil begin and end in the country’s ‘marvellous city’ Rio de Janeiro. With a population of over 6 million and a unique topography spread across mountains, coastal beaches and hills – Rio can be challenging to navigate for first-timers. But, rest assured, most of our holidays to Brazil include a multi-day stop in the city, so we’ve put together a few things to do in Rio de Janeiro to help you make the most of your time in this vibrant city… 1. Visit Christ the Redeemer The Christ the Redeemer statue is a world-famous symbol of Rio de Janeiro. Overlooking the city from Corcovado Mountain’s 700-metre peak, this cultural icon has become a popular pilgrimage for almost two million visitors every year. How to get there: Most visitors choose to take the scenic tram up Corcovado; tickets can be purchased at the Corcovado tram station. Insider tip:…
Valparaiso is a beautiful, colourful city that will capture your heart. The best description for this bohemian port city came from the poet Pablo Neruda, who had a particularly beautiful view – “Valparaiso, how absurd you are… you haven’t combed your hair, you’ve never had time to get dressed, life has always surprised you.” There is indeed a certain chaotic beauty to Valparaiso, one that you will quickly discover on this journey through a few of the best things to see when in Valparaiso. La Sebastiana La Sebastiana was Pablo Neruda’s former residence and is now a house-museum that you can stop by when visiting Valparaiso. Getting there involves a lot of climbing but it is completely worth it, as you explore each floor of the house you’ll see why. – the most heart-stopping views of the harbour. Here you will also be able to see Neruda’s collection of ships…
The Pantanal in Brazil is the largest tropical wetlands in the world. Located right in the heart of South America it is home to an impressive variety of life, most notably the elusive and majestic jaguar, one of the main reasons to visit ‘Brazil’s best-kept secret’. As soon as you step foot in the Pantanal, it’s vast array of biodiversity is clear to see, spotting caiman, giant otters, iguana and capybara (a particular favourite!) just on a quick exploration of the surroundings. Over the next few days staying in the Pantanal, we enjoyed a variety of excursions, including a motorboat tour of the river, a night-time truck safari, a visit to Cuiabá Mirim (a riverside community) and horse riding. After our wildlife spotting, we were lucky enough to see some birds including heron, stork and great egrets. It really is natures paradise here. The Pantanal is often overshadowed by its…
Known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, Medellin offers way more than just good weather. The second biggest city in Colombia is a place where contrasting factors live harmoniously. You’ll experience the natural frenzy of a cosmopolitan city, just to have it fade away in minutes as you marvel at a skyline that reaches for the heavens. Museums are found throughout Medellin, and even though the city’s history may be a harsh one, the people are not; in fact, Medellin is home to some of the friendliest people you will have ever meet, not only in Colombia but in the entire world. Some say the bliss point is the perfect blend of salt and sweet; this city, you could say, is exactly that. So, with that in mind, there are an array of things to do in Medellin to suit every taste. Here we list our Top 10 Things to Do…
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 regions most-visited country, Peru. Home to ancient cultures, rich traditions, spectacular scenery, diverse wildlife, lively cities and some of the friendliest people in Latin America. Delve deeper into fascinating Peru with our favourite inspiring read, film, food and music below. Read: The Time of the Hero by Mario Vargas Llosa Mario Vargas Llosa is Peru’s most famous writer. Born in Arequipa in 1935, he’s one of the leading writers of his generation, known for the use of sophisticated literary techniques. Our favourite of his novels is his first book, The Time of the Hero. A story based on his own experiences in a military…
After a hop, skip and jump over the Atlantic, we touched down on the ‘Rich Coast’, excited to explore this wondrous country we’d heard so much about. We were greeted at the airport by our charming guide, who’s knowledge and expertise throughout the trip to Costa Rica, were invaluable. To get closer to our destination, we boarded a motorized canoe. Blasting through the waters of the Tortuguero River, the jungle whizzing past. Pachira Lodge was our base for the trip, although there are many great lodges in Costa Rica. The remoteness of the lodge allowed us to immerse ourselves in the natural surroundings. As we wandered around the grounds we stumbled across sloths, snakes and monkeys galore. Once upon the intricate and winding canal systems of the national park, we appreciated the sheer array of this tropical haven. The expert guides were incredibly talented at highlighting the camouflaged wildlife, without…
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 largest, and undoubtedly the most rhythmic, country in Latin America – Brazil. From vibrant and pulsating metropolises to wild rainforests, thundering waterfalls and tropical palm-fringed beaches, this is a country with so much to offer. Travel to Brazil with our favourite inspiring read, film, food and music below. Watch: Casa Grande (2014) Brazil’s film industry has produced a number of successful films over the years, and one of our favourite picks is Casa Grande, from 2014. This film by Felipe Barbosa is set in iconic Rio de Janeiro and is a coming-of-age tale about a privileged high-school student who is…
