Latin America has limitless holiday possibilities and a destination to suit every client’s need – there’s so much to see and do that quite often once someone has visited, they will want to visit time and time again
The Latin American Travel Association (Lata) has shared the ultimate travel bucket list of nine Latin American destinations to help you spark interest in and attract first-time visitors to this incredible continent.
Four fifths of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (the second largest barrier reef on Earth after The Great Barrier Reef) is located just off Belize’s beautiful coastline. The idyllic cayes are the perfect place to stay – visitors can indulge in snorkelling and scuba diving by day, and relax in a spectacular setting at night. Why not suggest trips to Belize with Journey Latin America?
No trip to Nicaragua would be complete without visiting Central America’s largest lake, Lake Nicaragua. There are a number of ways to witness the lake’s beauty, such as from the colonial city of Granada, which is on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Visitors can take a short boat ride out to some of the beautiful islets to see and stay in unique hotels and lodges. From here, suggest clients take a solo kayak out to explore. Ometepe is the largest island on the lake and home to the Maderas volcano. There’s the option for visitors to stay on the islands, allowing them to have adventures on the volcano’s steep slopes and visit the nearby coffee plantation. You can recommend trips to Nicaragua with Explore Worldwide.
The central highlands of Costa Rica are awash with magical cloud forest. With 100% humidity levels, the area is constantly covered in a mystical cloud. There are six different areas of cloud forest in the highlands, with Monteverde, Bajos del Toro and San Ramon as the must-visit sites. The forest is brimming with colourful birds, butterflies and incredible flora, including countless species of orchid. Why not recommend trips to Costa Rica with Latin Routes?
No bucket list would be complete without Machu Picchu. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Inca city of Machu Picchu never disappoints! Accessed either by train or a three-day hike from Cusco, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting Peru. Ensure you book an expert guide for your clients to ensure the site’s incredible history is really brought to life. Book trips to Peru with Intrepid Travel.
Patagonia is a bucket-list essential for anyone who loves spectacular scenery and the great outdoors. You’ll often find that clients aren’t 100% sure where Patagonia actually is. The truth is that it spans both Argentina and Chile and it won’t be possible to see all of Patagonia in one trip. Chilean Patagonia is home to the famous Torres del Paine, perfect for hiking at low altitude in striking grasslands, surrounded by imposing granite peaks that give the region its name. Further north, the somewhat undiscovered Aysen region lends itself perfectly to a self-drive itinerary, where travellers can visit fjords and lakes.
Over in Argentinian Patagonia, clients will find impressive destinations for anyone wanting to visit glaciers. The Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate is out of this world, and ice climbing and mountain treks can be organised in El Chalten, further north. In addition, Argentinian Patagonia also includes the city of Ushuaia (the gateway to Antarctica), the bleakly beautiful Bahia Bustamante coastline and of course the Pampas, where you can stay on traditional ranches. Book trips to Patagonia with Pura Aventura.
There are few more iconic images than that of the Christ the Redeemer statue, perched on Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest national park, overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro. The beauty of Rio is not only found in its incredible beaches, but also the surrounding mountainous topography, which allows visitors to see the city from every angle. A trip up to the Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ is an unforgettable experience. They can then take a trip to the equally famous Sugar Loaf Mountain and ride a cable car to the top. Make sure you arrange a late afternoon tour for your clients, so they can experience the sun setting while the city lights come on, giving them the spectacular vista of Rio by night too. You can book a trip to Rio de Janeiro with Cox and Kings.
Straddling the Argentinian and Brazilian border, Iguassu Falls is, in fact, a chain of hundreds of waterfalls spanning nearly two miles. Seeing the falls from both sides of the boarder is highly recommended. The Brazilian side allows visitors to view Iguassu Falls in its entirety and take the best pictures, while the Argentinian side allows them to get up close and personal while walking across the top of the falls to the Devil’s Throat, the largest of the waterfalls. You can also take a boat into the falls, but warn your clients, they will get wet! You can book a trip to Iguassu falls with Exsus.
Those who have followed the recent BBC series Race Across the World will have seen Sam and Jo visit Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. A truly other-worldly experience, the salt flats in Bolivia are like nowhere else on Earth. The dried-up prehistoric lake spans some 4,086 square miles – the largest salt flat in the world! Isla Incahuasi, an island in the middle of the flat, is covered in cacti and a striking contrast to the surrounding snowy white panorama. If your customers visit in the wet season – November to March – the flats turn into a reflective surface, seamlessly blending the ground with the sky and creating an even more magical experience. You can book a trip to Bolivia for your clients with Audley Travel.
From blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises to sea lions and sharks, there is so much to see on the Galapagos Islands – it’s a wildlife lover’s paradise! There are no natural predators in the Galapagos, so the animals have little or no fear of humans. This means that adolescent seals and sea turtles swim around visitors as they snorkel, which promises to be an unforgettable experience. Bird-watching enthusiasts will also be in their element with hundred of endemic species to spot, including the Espanola mockingbird and Galapagos waved albatross. Recommend a holiday to the Galapagos with Exodus.
To learn more about Latin America, visit the Lata OTT Academy.
You can also win wine, chocolate and coffee with Lata.
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