Central and South America
Bogota, Colombia street photo by Tonya Fitzpatrick
“Travel, for me, is a little bit like being in love, because suddenly all your senses are at the setting marked “on.” Suddenly you’re alert to the secret patterns of the world.”
– Pico Yver
Explore what awaits you in Central and South America. Central America has a rich cultural heritage that is defined by the seven countries that sit within its borders: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. The swamp land that divides the Pan-American Highway between Panama and Colombia identifies the border for South America—a country with a rich biodiversity and natural heritage that includes Venezuela’s Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall; the largest river, the Amazon River; the largest rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest; the longest mountain range, the Andes; the highest single drop waterfall on Guyana, the Kaieteur Falls; and the driest non-polar place on earth, the Atacama Desert.
The Central and South America region is home to the most dynamic cities in the world like Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Caracas. The South America region offers so much to explore like the glacier laden mountains, the greatest rivers in the world, jungles, beaches, and an unimaginable amount of wildlife. In the Central America also, the travelers can make a huge list of things to see and do – villages, inland lakes, volcanoes, ocean side beaches, mountains, coffee plantations, and all kinds of wildlife. A whole new adventure awaits you in the Central and South America region.
It is a bright spring day in the bustling metropolis of Buenos Aires. The usual mix of cars, buses, taxis, and delivery vans comprise the heavy traffic. Just people going about their business along Avenida Bullrich. On one side of the road, elegant apartment buildings crowd behind the elevated train tracks. On the other side, behind the railings, a different story emerges. Here, soaring minarets dominate the skyline, and open space and silence abound.
Hear “Valparaíso” and you’ll think of street art, seafaring, and sore legs – those 45 hills aren’t to be trifled with. Beyond the city of Valparaíso, the natural beauty of Chile’s Fifth region has inspired such creatives as Violeta Parra and Pablo Neruda while captivating explorers.
Two hundred years of Argentinean creativity and talent cannot be easily summed up. However, visitors to Buenos Aires, a major Latin American cultural hub, can appreciate and learn about Argentinean art at some of the city’s art museums.
With 20.1 bookstores per 100,000 population, Buenos Aires is a haven for literature fans. People read on the subway, at cafes, and on park benches. And, despite the rise of digital formats, print books continue to be relevant and cherished. So, if you are planning to visit Buenos Aires and are a keen reader, you must visit these bookstores.
Iguazu Falls is the largest waterfall system in the world, made up of 275 cascades, drops, and falls. Standing at the edge of the Garganta del Diablo, which translates to the Devil’s Throat, a visit to Iguazu Falls truly feels as though you are perched on the edge of the world.
The cholita indigenous women from Bolivia’s countryside, are an indomitable symbol of resilience. In a country ravaged by colonial greed, ransacked resources, and periods of crippling poverty, the Bolivian people are no stranger to adversity.
The regions of Biobío and Araucanía, which lie somewhere in the middle of the 2,653 miles that stretch from Chile’s top to bottom, are nevertheless known as “the south.”
When people think of the Galapagos Islands, their minds are immediately filled with the enchanting voice of David Attenborough and vibrant images of tropical landscapes bursting with life.
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Colombia is now a go-to destination in Latin America. While they face economic hardship and loss, the people of Colombia live life to the fullest. Majestic landscapes and views are waiting to get explored, and your next vacation will be everything you have dreamed it would be and more!
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When people think of the lush landscapes and pristine beaches of Costa Rica, many imagine a destination suitable only for those with deep pockets. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Costa Rica is abundant with locations that are as budget-friendly as they are beautiful. Let's explore some of these affordable gems. Tortuguero National Park Found on the northern Caribbean coast, Tortuguero National Park, often referred to as the "Amazon of Costa Rica," is a magical maze of intricate waterways. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in its beauty is by hopping on a budget boat tour, allowing you to navigate through canals teeming with wildlife. From spotting playful monkeys and vibrant toucans to witnessing sea turtles nesting on the beaches between July and October, there's no shortage of natural wonders. When it comes to resting for the night, the park boasts a range of eco-lodges and [...]
Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve dreamed of visiting the Amazon Rainforest. Whether it was the nature shows on the Discovery Channel or birthday dinners spent at the Rainforest Café, an Amazon themed-restaurant, the animals, the sounds of the rain and seeing all the colors come together to form a unique ecosystem, fascinated me. I knew that it was a place I was meant to see and I’d go as soon as I was old enough.
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What does birdwatching mean to you? Is it the connection you feel to nature or the physical and mental benefits? Perhaps it’s simply the beauty of such amazing creatures. Watching how birds move, sing, and fly is a calming experience that people of all ages enjoy.
