Top Central & South America Day Trips - page 5

Get fast-tracked entry to the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and have time left over for a bit of sightseeing in the town of Zipaquira with this small-group tour from Bogota. You'll have plenty of time to explore the celebrated cathedral, with time left over to grab lunch or do some sightseeing in Zipaquira before returning to Bogota.

Visit the incredible ancient city of Tikal without having to rent a car on this day trip from San Ignacio. Once a powerful city center during the Mayan period, today Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws scores of visitors each year. Your professional guide takes you across the border into Tikal National Park in Guatemala and leads you on a fascinating tour of the archaeological complex.

The full day experience through the Sacred Valley of the Incas is a full day tour that visits all of the four main historical sites of the Sacred Valley in one day: Pisac, Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo. The first stop of the day is Pisac where you’ll visit the famous Pisac and get in contact with the local culture, and the Ruins of Pisac famous for the inca terraces and an ancient inca cemetery. Next stop is Moray, the Inca’s Agricultural Lab, famous for the circular terraces, and the amazing Maras Salt Mines with more than 3000 natural salt pools. After stop for lunch in Urubamba before heading to our final destination: Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is known as one of the last “living testaments” of the Incas in Peru because it was built upon Incan fundamentals and groundworks. The Incan irrigation system still works and water runs through stone canals on the sides of streets.

Discover Mendoza beyond the wineries on a high-altitude tour through the city's dramatic surrounding Andean landscapes. See key landmarks such as Puente Picheuta and the UNESCO-listed Puente del Inca, and take in views toward Mount Aconcagua. Along the way, learn about Inca heritage and General San Martín's historic crossing of the Andes.

Discover Costa Rica's enchanting Pacific rain forest from the air and water on this combo shore excursion from Puntarenas. Walk through the treetops on a series of hanging bridges at a private biological reserve, and then cruise down the Tarcoles River, home to a famous community of crocodiles. In between the eco adventures, enjoy time to shop and snack at a quaint replica of a Spanish colonial settlement.

Ideal for those who don't have the time to hike the Inca Trail or navigate public transport, this small-group tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu lets you see the lost city of the Incas in just one day. You'll get picked up from your Cusco accommodations then ride your choice of train to Aguas Calientes before a short bus ride to Machu Picchu, which you will explore with a guide.

Enjoy a private tour of Guatape from Medellin. Tour the colorful streets of this colonial town and climb the Rock of Peñol for stunning views of the surrounding area. Cross the reservoir on a boat tour and listen to commentary that delves deep into the history of the area. This tour includes breakfast, lunch, travel insurance, and transport.

Expand your awareness of Peruvian nature and culture on this guided tour to the Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve from Lima. Take a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands and then tour the Paracas National Reserve in the afternoon, which hosts one of the world's highest concentrations of seabirds.

Immerse yourself in the mountainous splendor of the Andes on an exhilarating full-day excursion to In Situ Vineyard from Santiago. With a professional guide, travel through spectacular scenery to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the Andes Mountains; capture photographs of the water’s iridescent turquoise surface and listen to poignant legends of Incan royalty. Ascend to the vertiginous altitude of Hotel Portillo ski resort; and absorb the verdant beauty of the vineyard before pleasuring your palate with wine samples.

Get picked up at your hotel in Cusco at 3:00am in order to get to see the most gorgeous views of the colors painted on the Rainbow Mountain of the Peruvian Andes. See the streams of color formed by sediment and the atmosphere of the area, and check out the local animals who live here, especially the South American camelid.

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.

Navigate Class III-IV rapids under the guidance of an expert during this white-water rafting course down the Pacuare River from San Jose. Paddle your way through one of Costa Rica's most picturesque river gorges, looking out for native wildlife between rapid runs, on an exciting day trip ideal for thrill seekers. Hotel pickup and drop-off, equipment, and lunch are all included, so you can focus on the thrills.

This sunset cruise includes snorkeling equipment for you to get out and enjoy the water, plus a premium top-shelf open bar and lunch. Basically, it has everything you need to guarantee a fun afternoon out on the water. End your tour with a picture-perfect sunset over the ocean. The cruise leaves from 2 locations, Tamarindo or Playas del Coco. Please be careful to select the correct option.

In a city surrounded by volcanoes, adventure is hard to resist. Indulge your sense of adventure on this tour around the outskirts of Antigua on an ATV, motorcycle, or scooter, which grants you access to parts of the countryside that traditional tour vehicles can't reach. Take your pick of a vehicle and choose to drive it yourself or ride in the back seat. You'll go far from the beaten path as you visit the mountains around the famous El Cerro de la Cruz, El Hato, the Hobbitenango eco-park inspired by "The Lord of the Rings," and San Juan del Obispo.

Enjoy this full-day tour of Otavalo Marketplace, the largest Indigenous market in Latin America. Departing Quito, you’ll travel to Otavalo Marketplace, to browse stalls for colorful, artisan souvenirs and delicious flavors. See, too, the famous equator monument and stop in Peguche to visit a waterfall and a local family to learn about local music.

Lace up your hiking boots to explore the beautiful nature around Medellin with a tour that handles all of the logistics for you. Join a small group for a hike through forests to several waterfalls and small streams. While you walk, your guide points out native fauna and flora, from orchids to ocelots to birds—it’s a great way to spend a day out of the city.

Explore the ancient Maya city of Caracol with a full-day tour from San Ignacio that includes the Río On pools and the Río Frio caves. Follow your guide through the vast archaeological site, stand in the field of the ball court, and take in sweeping views of the jungle from the peak of the sky temple pyramid. Follow the history of Caracol in the glyphs, stelae, and carvings throughout the site, and then finish your day swimming in natural pools and visiting a vast limestone cave system in Pine Ridge.

Design your own perfect day in La Fortuna on a customizable combo tour. Cross the rainforest canopy on hanging bridges, swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall, hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, and soak in geothermal hot springs. Take your pick of activities or do them all for a full day of fun and relaxation. Optional lunch add-ons provide a taste of authentic Costa Rican cuisine. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also included from added convenience.

Marvel over the mighty Iguazu Falls on this full-day tour of the Argentinean side, including round-trip transport from Puerto Iguazu. Follow three equally thrilling walking circuits, look out over the thundering Devil's Throat, feel the powerful spray of the water during a boat ride into the falls, and go off-road during a jungle truck ride. Entrance fees not included. Upgrade to travel in a small group.

Each side of Iguazu Falls offers something completely different, so it’s well worth admiring the world-famous waterfall from two perspectives. This seamless tour helps you visit both sides of the border in just one day, by including round-trip transportation and a guide to help you navigate the miles of boardwalks around the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With its illuminated salt sculptures, the subterranean Zipaquira Salt Cathedral is one of the most interesting attractions in Colombia, but getting there from Bogotá can be time-consuming if you don’t have a car. This small-group tour makes getting there a breeze, with round-trip transfers from your hotel and plenty of free time to explore the cathedral and its surrounding town.

Discover the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco. Join a small group of up to 10 and depart from Ollantaytambo by train to reach the base of the mountain. Then, head up to the UNESCO World Heritage Site for a guided tour and free time to explore the Inca ruins. Enjoy hotel pickup and return to Cusco by train to complete your day.

Spend a full day exploring the beauty of Isla Tortuga on this small-group tour from Jacó. First stop at the Tarcoles River to watch crocodiles from the bridge, then visit Negritos Island to see spider monkeys and dolphins. Enjoy a snorkeling tour at a secluded spot and end the day with a delicious local lunch with fruits.

Exploring southern Patagonia's mountainous landscapes in Torres del Paine is worthwhile, but tricky to do without your own vehicle. This full-day tour from Puerto Natales handles the logistics for you and takes you to the most stunning viewpoints throughout the park, from Laguna Amarga, a favorite habitat for flamingos, to lookouts over the mighty Grey Glacier and the entire mountain range.