Latin America offers many beautiful attractions for visitors. Here are five of the hottest adventure spots that you should definitely add to you bucket list.
Corcovado National Park SunsetThis national park is located in southwestern Costa Rica on the Osa Peninsula. This park is one of Costa Rica’s most remote, and also largest at 164 square miles. This area was deemed a national park in 1975, as a way to protect the landscape and wildlife from gold mining and logging that was taking place on the land illegally. Today, the park is largely untouched due to the inaccessibility of many parts, and is home to some of nature’s most extraordinary creatures and plant life.
One of the biggest attractions for the Corcovado National Park is its extreme biodiversity. We’re talking about 13 different eco-systems, all present within this one park. This diversity creates a home for many species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Some of the local wildlife includes eagles, frogs, squirrel monkeys, pumas and sea turtles.
The park is open to the public, but you must be accompanied by a professional guide. There is also a small entrance fee for the park. You can plan a day trip to the park, or you can plan to stay overnight. You’ll want to head to Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay, as these towns serve as the main entries into the park. While visiting, plan to do a lot of hiking, and take a lot of pictures of all the incredible wildlife you’ll see.
A Galapagos Tortoise perfectly adapted to its environment... Amazing!2. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands lie in the Pacific Ocean, and are comprised of main islands, small islands and islets. They are a part of Ecuador, and these volcanic islands span both the northern and southern hemispheres, as they cross the equator. The islands were discovered accidentally in 1535, and first appeared in an almanac in 1570. A map of the islands was made in 1684. The islands became property of Ecuador in 1832, and its official language is Spanish.
One of the biggest attractions of the Galapagos Islands is its endemic wildlife. This wildlife is so intriguing that it was studied as part of Darwin’s research. The islands are a popular spot for historians and researchers to visit. It is also a great spot for adventure travelers. The islands offer many land and water activities, from kayaking to diving to hiking and visiting lava tubes.
The islands do have travel restrictions for flights, so you have to adhere to flight schedules for your planning. You will likely need to plan to stay overnight at least once when you visit the islands. You can use the airports at Guayaquil or Quito for your travel to the islands. You can book a boat tour for your travels instead, or if you have access to a private yacht you can port for an extended period of time.
Beautiful view of hills in Monteverde7 Days / 6 Nights
Starting at $779 per person
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is located in the Alajuela and Puntarenas provinces. It is located along a mountain range called Cordillera de Tilarán. The cloud forest is known for being one of the most breathtaking and bio diverse places on the planet. The 26,000 acres of the reserve were founded in 1972, and today is one of the most visited places in Costa Rica.
The expansive flora and fauna within the reserve is a big draw for scientists and tourists alike. The vast treetops are home to over 500 species of birds, and the forest floor is home to the golden toad – not know to live anywhere else in the world. When visiting, be sure to straddle the Continental Divide so that you’ll be on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides at one time. The reserve has a well-maintained network of trails that are perfect for an exploratory hike, and zip lines for those that want an off-the-ground view of the forest.
You can travel to the reserve by bus from Monteverde or Santa Elena. There is a small lodge that can accommodate visitors.
Peruvian Amazon - A beautiful calm river in the Jungle4. Peruvian Amazon
The Peruvian Amazon is largely untouched, and just bursting with amazing wildlife and larger-than-life trees. This area is the second largest area of the Amazon, behind the Brazilian region. This region is so remote that there are still tribes in existence that haven’t been in contact with outside civilization. Despite this, the Peruvian Amazon is a popular and easy-to-get-to adventure travel spot.
Travel to this area is sure to please, with a rugged and rigorous trip through the jungle and all its natural beauty. During your exploration, you’re sure to cross paths with monkeys, insects and tarantulas. Known for its biodiversity, the jungle boosts a vast number of bird and mammal species. Traveling to the jungle will require many legs. You’ll go from mainland to Lima, where you’ll connect to Puerto Maldonado. From there you should meet a guide to take you to the river.
The breathtaking Machu Picchu with nearby mountain ranges in the background5. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is a set of Inca ruins located in Peru. The area was built in 1450 for the then-emperor, but was abandoned near a century later. Today, Machu Picchu is a favorite spot for tourists, and much of the estate has been reconstructed since its modern day discovery in 1911. The area is remote, but is said to invoke feelings of magic and beauty. The Incan retreat blends with the hillside and creates a village that ebbs and flows with the natural landscape. A trip to these ruins is a must for those visiting Peru.
Getting to Machu Picchu can be an adventure in itself. Visitors can head to the ruins by foot, by bus, or by teaming up with a tour operator that offers an adventure trek that includes biking, hiking, rafting and zip lining.
