Walking Tours in South America
Enjoy the amigos effect on our Latin America tours
Zip-liners zooming through the rainforest canopy. Snorkelers facedown over coral gardens and schools of manta rays. Canoers coming ashore in a primitive jungle village. Travelers on our Central America tours are the luckiest species of traveler. Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and Guatemala are eco-experiences to the Nth degree – teeming nature with an abundance of super-fun activities. You’ll stay in luxury lodges, go on turtle safaris, boogie board in the Pacific, count butterflies, walk on lava flows and climb Mayan ruins.
(Did we mention the part about sipping a cocktail by the pool or getting a massage?) Thanks to our fulltime naturalist guides and an expert team of outfitters, all you have to do on any of our Latin America tours is go with the flow and have the time of your life.
Want to go a little further south?
Join us on one of our South America tours.
Here you’ll find that Machu Picchu is actually in a jungle. Travel by foot along the Inca Trail to the lost city, and you approach from above. No matter how many years it’s been on your bucket list, you will get the shivers the first time you see it. And if it’s the best-known place in Peru, it is far from the only amazing experience you’ll have on one of our South America trips. If you like your Andes spikier and more snow-capped, Chile is for you. Glaciers calve. Penguins mix with flamingos. Vineyards knit mild valleys into a neat green patchwork. In both countries, we’ll introduce you to local cultures from the Quechua descendants of the Incas to the gauchos of the pampas. Be sure to see our trips to the Galápagos as well; the editors of AFAR magazine named it the Best Wildlife Experience in the World.
You have friends in all the right places.
Choose one of our Central America trips and you’re just one degree of separation from the brother and sister team who make the best ceviche in Belize; and know the secret place to take you on the barrier reef to get the freshest of all ingredients. On our South America tours, you might as well be related to Andres, a Chilean who knows the most scenic footpath on the slopes of Osorno Volcano and friendliest gauchos in Patagonia. That toucan whisperer in Costa Rica? That’s Kenneth, a native tico, who knows more about the bird and animal life than anyone, and shares it all in the most engaging way.
We take huge pride in the fact that Classic Journeys Latin America tour guides are super-well-connected locals — friendly souls who will pull you right into their circles. They’re natives who grew up down the street, shop in the village market, and can call in favors from the artisans, shepherds and chefs you want to meet.
We have to smile when we see how some tour companies tout the ‘Latin America’ tour guides they fly in to, say, Peru from the U.S. and Canada. Our lead guide Marisol only has to step out of her door to join your group. She lives in the historic center of Cusco and, let’s just say, she knows her way around!
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Here
Which airlines fly to Latin America?
American Airlines, Delta, United, LATAM, Avianca, JetBlue, Spirit.
What are the seasons in Latin America?
It depends how close you are to the equator, but roughly:
- Latin America spring is September to November
- Latin America summer is November to February
- Latin America fall is February to June
- Latin America winter is June to August
What is the best time of year to visit Latin America?
Fall and winter for milder weather and quieter attractions, summer for sunshine and carnivals.
Activities & Adventures
What are the top activities in Latin America?
- Rainforest walks
- Walking in National Parks
- Snorkeling
- Exploring historic cities
- Cooking classes
- Visit coffee plantations
- Meet local tribes
What are the top experiences in Latin America?
- Walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Spot the ‘Big Five’ animals in the Galapagos
- Walk in Torres Del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
- Soak in rainforest hot springs in Costa Rica
- Go snorkeling in the Belize barrier reef
- See the Moai of Easter Island
- Take a boat ride on Lake Titicaca
- Take a river boat down the Amazon
What are the best landmarks / tourist attractions in Latin America?
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- The Moai, Easter Island
- Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
- Lake Titicaca, Peru
- The Amazon River
- Giant Tortoises, Galapagos
- Blue footed boobies, Galapagos
- Sacred Valley, Peru
- Barrier Reef, Belize
- Tikal, Guatemala
- Panama Canal, Panama
- Patagonia, Chile
Latin America
What is the food like in Latin America?
Food is a huge part of Latin American life. Look out for refreshing sea food ceviches, meat and seafood stews served with rice, fried plantains, empanadas, tamales and sugary sweet deserts. Latin American countries produce some of the best coffee in the world, Chile makes fabulous wines, and every country has an exotic signature cocktail!
What are the best foodie experiences in Latin America?
- Cooking with a chef in Cartagena, Colombia
- Visiting coffee plantations in Colombia, Costa Rica
- Wine-tasting in Chile’s Casablanca valley
- Fresh ceviche after a boat ride in the Galapagos
- Lunch with Rapa Nui natives on Easter Island
What are the best destinations in Latin America for wildlife?
The best wildlife experiences in Latin America can be found in:
What are the best destinations in Latin America in the winter?
Where can I meet tribes and natives in Latin America?
- Canoe to the village of the Embera tribe in Panama
- Spend time with Rapa Nui Natives on Easter Island
- Meet Quechuan people in Cusco, Peru
Where is the best place in Latin America for zip-lining?
You can zipline in these Latin American countries:
What are the best cities in Latin America?
Must-visit cities in Latin America include:
What is the best place for eco-travel in Latin America?
What are the best destinations in Latin America for history?
What are the best destinations in Latin America for beaches and coastline?
The most beautiful beaches and coastline in Latin America are found in:
What is the best destination in Latin America for snorkeling and diving?
The best countries for snorkeling and diving in Latin America include:
What are the best destinations in Latin America for National Parks and nature?
Which Latin American destinations are best for weddings or honeymoons?
