Top Central & South America Day Trips - page 6

Escape metropolitan Medellin in favor of the colorful town of Guatape on a full-day tour. Upon arrival, ascend the 742 steps leading to the summit of the magnificent Peñol Rock for panoramic views. Then, explore the colorful streets of Guatape and the famous "zocalos" as well as an exclusive boat tour of the lake. Finally, interact with llamas in their natural environment at a local farm.

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.

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.

See the best of El Salvador without getting bogged down by logistics during this comprehensive trip. Explore the country’s numerous volcanoes, including the Izalco, Santa Ana, and Cerro Verde Volcanoes. Then, check out beautiful Lake Coatepeque before exploring the Mayan-era Joya de Ceren archaeological site and the Pre-Columbian city of San Andrés.

Snorkel among the vibrant coral gardens of the world’s second-largest barrier reef on a day trip from Belize City. Cruise across the cool blue Caribbean to a spot with shallow depths and clear waters, ideal for admiring colorful sea fans, finger coral, and sponges teeming with fish. At a second stop, dive into waters churning with throngs of (harmless) nurse sharks and sting rays, and then reward your bravery with rum punch and a beach break on the laid-back island of Caye Caulker.

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.

Head to the rainforest from Tamarindo on this private all-day excursion with a naturalist guide. Head to the impressive Rio Celeste waterfall and go tubing down the river, stopping along the way to swim. Feast on a local lunch and then return on a route to spot wildlife, including colored frogs, monkeys, and sloths. Plus, stop to admire the Tree of Peace, which is more than 400 years old.

Visit Peru's Supe Valley without the stress of planning logistics on this intimate small-group tour that includes admission tickets and the convenience of round-trip hotel transport. Going with a guide ensures you learn the function of unmarked ruins in Caral, the oldest center of civilization in the Americas, as well as visit a hidden gem beach town known for its views and seafood.

Join the Tamarindo beach and pool crawl every Sunday for an unforgettable afternoon of fun, starting with a pre-party at Crazy Monkey Tamarindo pool and bar. Explore hidden pools and beaches along Guanacaste’s coast, enjoy welcome drinks, happy hour specials, and party games, and end the day with a beach bonfire, sunset views, and dancing at Playa Potrero. This lively tour wraps up back in Tamarindo.

Explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano during this full-day trip. Enjoy a short hike into the Limpiopungo Valley before driving ever-higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4830-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge. If you’re feeling up for it, you’ll continue to the 16,500-foot (5,050-meter) Cotopaxi Glacier. This Cotopaxi day trip also includes national park fees, a guide, bottled water, round-trip hotel transport and an optional trip upgrade with lunch.

Spend some time outdoors in the mountains that surround Medellin. Alongside a private guide, gear up for your quad adventure and hit various off-road trails during this fun adventure. Pass through small farms and open fields, then end your tour with a typical lunch at a local trout farm.

Make the most of the journey from Santiago to San Antonio port on this full-day small-group tour. Explore the colorful houses and historic port of Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage site; enjoy wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley; and tuck into a delicious Chilean-style lunch (own expense) amid the vineyards.

Immerse yourself in the world of Colombian coffee on this small-group tour from Medellin. Get out of the city and take in the beauty of the surroundings; you can focus on enjoying it instead of worrying about driving and directions since all private transportation is included. Learn about the process of coffee-making at an organic coffee farm, from bean to cup, and taste some samples of different brews.

This tour takes you to all off the highlights in the la Fortuna area. In one well organized day go on a full day nature adventure. Our best, fully equiped bilingual guide, takes you in a comfortable vehicle to all diferent locations. Once hiking he tells you about the surrounding enviroment and uses his equipment to spot as many animals as possible.

Get out and explore the rainforest with this full-day excursion. You’ll see sloths in their natural habitat, take a hike up to hanging bridges high above the rainforest canopy, and wade under the beautiful Llanos de Cortez Waterfalls. Best of all, lunch, bottled water, and round-trip transportation from your Guanacaste hotel are included.

Charter Dock at 9:30 AM. Ask for boat SONATA. We depart at 10:00 AM — we cannot wait past 9:50 AM. Sonata is a magnificent 58ft cutter-rigged ketch, built in 1979 in Taipei, Taiwan, with a capacity of 26 guests. The Journey We'll motor upwind toward Bahía Concha in Tayrona National Park, passing at a distance by Taganga, Playa Grande, and Aguja Island. Once anchored, our auxiliary boat will shuttle you ashore — or simply swim in! At the Beach Snorkeling, SUP boarding, and sunbathing. On Board Lunch and one drink per person will be served approximately 1 hour after arrival. Return At 3:30 PM, everyone boards for the sail back (wind permitting). We arrive 4:30-5:00 pm Weather & Park Closures If maritime authorities restrict access to Tayrona, we'll visit nearby bays. No refund in this case. If all navigation is restricted: Full refund. Tayrona Park closes Feb 1–15 | Jun 1–15 | Oct 19–Nov 2. During these dates, we visit nearby bays instead NO OUTSIDE FOOD/DRINKS ALLOWED IN MARINA

Visit a wildlife sanctuary for the opportunity to see monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife native to the Honduran jungle but rare spot on the island of Roatan. Animal lovers can interact with sloths and have their photos taken with the adorable creatures. The adventure continues with an ATV tour that combines adrenaline and scenery, while learning about the surrounding culture and history from your guide.

Experience the thrill of hiking near an active volcano on a full-day trip from Guanacaste. Get an up-close view of Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano and the surrounding tropical landscape from a network of hanging bridges at Mistico Park. Rejuvenate after with a dip in volcanic hot springs and enjoy stellar views of the volcano. Round-trip hotel transport from Guanacaste, breakfast, and a Costa Rican lunch are included.

Take a deep dive into Argentina’s gaucho culture on this day tour to the town of San Antonio de Areco. Explore with a local who knows the intimate details of life on the Pampas. They’ll show you around town and take you to a nearby working ranch, where you can ride horses, feast on a traditional barbecue lunch, and watch equestrian demonstrations and dance performances.

Venture away from the bustling city of Bogotá and spend a day immersed in nature on this challenging full-day waterfall hike. Join your guide and a group of fellow travelers and head towards the jungle, stopping along the way to take in the unique Andean ecosystem. Upon reaching the park, begin the breathtaking ascent to Colombia's highest waterfall, La Chorrera. Sit down for a delicious lunch, accompanied by panoramic views, before heading back to Bogotá.

See the sunrise and enjoy exploring Tikal without the crowds on this early-morning small-group guided tour from Flores (admission not included). After arriving in the pre-dawn hours, you’ll climb a pyramid temple for sunrise and watch as the jungle comes to life around you. See coatimundi, howler monkeys, and tropical birds as you continue your explorations of the ancient Mayan city, learning the stories and secrets from your local guide as you go.

Swap the bustling city streets of San Salvador for a quieter interior of El Salvador on a small-group day trip that saves you the hassle of hiring a car or taking public transport—instead, you can sit back and relax as someone else drives. Get your adrenaline pumping on the bike zipline or rainbow slide at Cafe Albania, then head to the colonial town of Concepcion de Ataco to explore on your own. Cap off your day with a relaxing dip in the thermal waters of the Santa Teresa hot springs.

Explore Tikal, one of the most important Mayan sites in Central America, on this extensive all-day small-group tour. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, you'll learn about local history and the flora and fauna. Visiting Tikal at sunset allows you to explore the site with fewer tourists and cooler temperatures. Note that entrance fees are not included and must be paid separately.

Swap the beaches and bustle of Rio for a deep dive into the fascinating imperial history of Brazil on a small-group tour to Petrópolis from Rio de Janeiro. The summer residence of Brazil’s last emperor, Petrópolis is filled with historical treasures and this full-day tour allows you to check off the most-important landmarks,as well as a chocolate store and a 19th-century brewery.