Top Central & South America Day Trips

Explore Belize’s coral reef the fun and eco-friendly way on this snorkeling tour of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve from Caye Caulker. Swim among stingrays, sea turtles, harmless nurse sharks, and even manatees with provided equipment, and enjoy a fresh lunch on board the boat. Guides capture memories of your adventures with underwater GoPro cameras, and you can feel good about your adventure knowing a portion of proceeds is donated to community projects.

Active, outdoor-loving travelers will enjoy the chance to hike to the top of a volcano without getting lost. The logistics will be taken care of so all you have to do is hike. The ascent of Ilamatepec takes about two hours, and the descent another two. Be amazed by the views at the top, including of the green crater lagoon. Relax over a leisurely lunch at Lake Coatepeque.

If you only have a day to spare, you can explore the highlights of Torres del Paine National Park on this full-day guided tour from Puerto Natales. Skip the hassle of arranging transport and get picked up directly from your hotel. Enjoy panoramic views across the park, beautiful lakes, and the distinctive granite peaks that give the park its name.

Experience an unforgettable day trip from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina, featuring a guided boat tour of the Ballestas Islands to see sea lions, penguins, and more in their natural habitat. Explore the stunning Huacachina Desert Oasis at your own pace, then enjoy an exhilarating dune buggy ride and sandboarding adventure, capped off with a breathtaking desert sunset. Travel in comfort with air-conditioned buses and bilingual guides, with optional local cuisine like ceviche and pisco sours to complete your journey.

With two sides and myriad sights to discover, knowing where to start your Iguazu sightseeing can be tough. This activity-packed tour of the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls includes rides on a boat, a truck, and a train through the subtropical rainforest—so you can admire the cascades from a variety of perspectives. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Puerto Iguazu are included for extra convenience.

The Volcano Combo Tour is an experience you won’t find anywhere else, a full day that brings together Costa Rica’s adventure, culture, and volcanic wonders in one unforgettable journey. Start your adventure with ziplining across the rainforest canopy, crossing hanging bridges, and sliding down a thrilling waterslide carved through the jungle. Then, enjoy a touch of tradition with a vibrant cultural show, and take in the breathtaking landscapes on a horseback ride through scenic trails. Recharge with a delicious buffet lunch offering options for every taste, before heading to the relaxing side of the volcano. Here, you’ll discover a beautiful waterfall, detox in a natural volcanic rock sauna, cover yourself in a healing volcanic mud bath, and soak in the soothing thermal hot springs. What makes this tour truly unique is the perfect balance it offers; the adrenaline of adventure, the richness of culture, and the serenity of volcanic wellness, all in one incredible day.

Experience the best of Roatan on this small-group guided tour, designed especially for cruise ship visitors. Your bilingual local guide will take you to the island's most iconic highlights, sharing the history, culture, and natural beauty of Honduras along the way. Your adventure begins at a panoramic viewpoint at the highest point of the island, where you'll take in breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. Guest will see the sloth, monkeys, macaws and many more animals in their natural habitat, a truly unforgettable experience for all ages. From there, explore a locally owned artisan chocolate factory where you'll learn how cacao is transformed into handcrafted chocolate, followed by a stop at a local rum company for tastings of premium Honduran rum and rum cakes. Your final stop is the stunning West Bay Beach — one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean — where you'll have time to swim, relax, and enjoy the crystal-clear turquoise waters before returning comfortably to port.

Combine three adventurous activities in a single tour: a hike to Arental Volcano, visit to the Hanging Bridges, and exploration of La Fortuna Waterfall. This full-day tour from La Fortuna, perfect for nature lovers, includes hiking and swimming amidst Costa Rica's beautiful natural scenery. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Explore the Atacama Desert’s extraordinary landscapes without the stress of navigating rugged roads by yourself. This full-day tour from San Pedro de Atacama takes you to several desert highlights, including red-hued scenery of Piedras Rojas and Salar de Aguas Calientes, as well as the shimmering Altiplanic Lagoons and flamingo-filled Laguna Chaxa.

Explore Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley, without the risk of getting lost, on this full-day group hike from Cusco. Enjoy an early start to get access to Rainbow Mountain before it gets busy. Choose to extend your experience to include a hike to Red Valley, which is typically quieter than the former location. Well-suited for travelers wanting to explore these natural attractions but with a guide to lead the way.

This Humantay Lake Full-Day Tour from Cusco is a great pick for travelers who want to see the lake but only have a day to spare. This full-day tour takes you to the lake through the Soraypampa Trek, which is a circular route that runs about 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometers). A guide knows the best spots to stop at to see wildlife and teaches you about the scared mountains surrounding the area, too.

Explore the cave of the crystal sepulcher on a full-day tour to Actun Tunichil Muknal from San Ignacio, and discover a spiritual site that was sacred to the ancient Maya. Learn about the traditions and rites that took place in the cave system and visit the crystallized remains of an ancient ceremonial victim as you hike deep into the cave with a professional guide. Swim through a spring-fed pool, and follow tunnels, passageways and yawning chambers lined with stalactites, stalagmites, ancient ceramics and stoneware.

Enjoy an afternoon and evening on the water from Tamarindo on a well-equipped catamaran cruise. Set sail from Tamarindo in the early afternoon, timed so you catch the sunset later on. Sit back and admire the views of the Guanacaste coast or get active using the included kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkel equipment. Includes lunch—with vegetarian options—and an open bar.

Costa Rica’s inland capital is far from the coast but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day on a white-sand tropical island from San Jose. This full-day guided tour to Tortuga Island simplifies your travel to this Pacific coast island, eliminating the need to stay overnight. After getting there in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, spend several hours at leisure on the beach swimming, snorkeling, and looking out for dolphins.

Experience the majestic icy expanse of the Perito Moreno Glacier on this full-day tour from El Calafate. Enjoy views of the peaks of Los Glaciares National Park with a professional guide, and take an optional boat ride on Lago Argentino for an up-close perspective on the fantastic formation. You might even witness the glacier’s signature movement and cracking sounds from detaching icebergs.

Swap the colorful streets of Cartagena for the crystal-clear waters of the Rosario Islands on this full-day island-hopping excursion that includes lunch. Stop at several must-see destinations and tailor your experience based on your style. Tour options include a party tour for adults only, a family-friendly excursion with snorkeling, and a VIP option on a more premium boat and exclusive destinations that also includes snorkeling. All island tour options provide access to beach beds and parasols.

Discover the natural beauty of the Andes Mountains with this full-day tour from Mendoza City. Get picked up at your hotel and admire scenery during the drive. Visit the Potrerillos Dam, see the geological monument at Puente del Inca, and take photographs at Aconcagua Park, surrounded by towering mountains. Finish the tour with a stop at Las Cuevas, the last town on the border with Chile.

Ditch the guidebooks and learn about Cartagena's Afro-Colombian heritage at the source on this group tour of San Basilio de Palenque. Relax in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup as you drive to the UNESCO-listed village. Participate in traditional dancing and drumming, and learn about local history as you visit a museum, traditional medicine house, and more.

Swap the bustle of Medellin for the lush mountains and floating islands of Guatapé on a day trip that takes care of transportation so that you don't have to worry about driving. Admire the scenery from two perspectives as you climb to the top of Piedra del Peñol and take a boat ride around the reservoir.

Escape Panama City on the newest and largest catamaran for a day of boating, swimming and dancing. During this 6-hour tour, you will swim on a beautiful virgin bay, visit the beach and the Island Village. Onboard the catamaran, enjoy sundecks, shaded areas, music, animation, morning snacks, lunch, and an open bar. This 6-hour tour is the perfect choice to avoid the afternoon tropical weather and have enough time for night plans.

Don’t just admire the Perito Moreno Glacier from a distance, discover the highlight of Los Glaciares National Park from three different perspectives during a trekking tour that reveals panoramic views of the landscapes. Hike at your own pace on the ice using provided equipment, sail along the glacier walls by boat, and visit several viewpoints of the glacier. Upgrade to include convenient pickup and drop-off in El Calafate.

Experience one of Costa Rica's most wild and unspoiled national parks on a full-day tour to Corcovado. A guided tour is the best way to access the rugged and remote terrain, and you'll get there on a scenic boat ride that hugs the coast of the Osa Peninsula. Once at the park, a wildlife guide knows all the best places to see tapirs, monkeys, peccaries, and other amazing animals in their natural habitat.

For travelers who have never been to Banos, it can be difficult figuring out how to plan your time. Take the stress out of your trip with this Banos Full-Day Tour from Quito that plans your activities for you with entrance fees included. Visit the small town of Machachi, Cotopaxi National Park, La Casa del Arbol, and Devil's Cauldron waterfall all with a guide who knows the ins and outs of the area.