Top Central & South America Day Trips

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.

Even though Rainbow Mountain isn't close to Cusco, it's still possible to visit in just one day on this guided tour. The day trip takes you to the spectacular summit of Rainbow Mountain with a guide leading the way so you don't get lost. Enhance the challenging trek with commentary and insights from your guide.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A ONCE IN A LIFETIME Day Trip from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina Oasis with Peru Hop, the MOST HIGHLY REVIEWED Company in Peru. Our Huge Luxury Buses are almost double the size of any other company offering this tour. We are the ONLY company offering Free High Speed Wi-Fi, which is hugely important for the long journey to and from Lima. Visit the Ballestas Islands in Paracas, Peru’s “Mini-Galápagos,” where sealions, penguins, and countless seabirds thrive in their natural habitat. Learn how Peruvian pisco is made during a visit to a vineyard and taste the different varieties of pisco, an authentic introduction to Peru’s national spirit. Experience the desert oasis of Huacachina, dune buggy and sandboarding with the best local company in Huacachina, all timed perfectly for a spectacular sunset toast in the desert. Onboard local Peruvian hosts who will share stories about life in Peru you won’t find in guidebooks. Don’t Be a Typical Tourist… Discover the Real Peru with Peru Hop!

Take a break from Panama City and head to the Caribbean coast of Panama, to the beautiful San Blas Islands. Traveling by boat, check out a shipwreck and natural swimming pool, and enjoy the tropical scenery and atmosphere. Your tour includes activities—kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and more—and round-trip road and boat transport, with hotel pickup and drop-off. Refuel with a tasty included lunch, too, such as fresh fish and rice.

Sail through the Caribbean and explore 5 incredible stops, including the Rosario Islands, Barú, and the legendary Cholón. Enjoy refreshing drinks, a delicious Caribbean lunch, and an energetic soundtrack featuring the best of Hip-Hop, Rap, Reggaeton & Electronic Beats as you cruise through some of the region’s most breathtaking scenery. Take in the crystal-clear waters and white-sand beaches that make Barú and the Rosario Islands must-visit destinations. Along the way, you’ll also pass the former mansion of Pablo Escobar and other iconic landmarks along Cartagena’s coastline. Your adventure ends at Cholón, Cartagena’s most famous party island, where boats, music, dancing, and vibrant Caribbean energy come together to create an unforgettable atmosphere. The fusion of international urban beats and the tropical island vibe makes this experience unlike any other island tour.

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.

Discover the natural beauty of the La Fortuna region on an action-packed full-day tour that is ideal for people who enjoy outdoors activities. Go on hikes through lush rain forest; visit a butterfly garden and Maleku Indian village; take a dip at La Fortuna waterfall; look for wildlife; and view the Arenal Volcano. Top off the day with a cocktail and a relaxing soak in a natural hot water river.

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.

Taking a day trip to Guatape has become one of the top things to do in Colombia, but not all tours are made equal. This premium option promises a smaller group than typical bus tours and includes a ride around Guatape Dam on a luxury boat, so you can escape the crowds on land and admire the natural landscapes from the water.

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.

Make the most of your time in Panama City on a tour that combines 3 experiences in one excursion. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, sloths, and more on a motorboat ride through the Panama Canal. Walk through the jungle and hang from the vines like Tarzan. You'll also get to sample traditional snacks, including empanadas and fresh pineapple. The tour operates in all weather conditions, with ponchos provided if it rains.

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.

Visit one of Peru's most popular places without the crowds on this well-planned day tour. Instead of visiting Rainbow Mountain in the morning, like other groups, visit in the afternoon after the crowds have left. With a small group, enjoy unobstructed views, provided walking sticks, and snacks, and learn about the landscape from your guide.

Visit the Maipo Valley for a day of exploring Chilean wine country on this small-group tour from Santiago. The area takes its name because it is surrounded by tributaries of the Maipo River, which make for perfect grape-growing conditions. Visit several family-owned wineries—each with their own specialties—and enjoy several tastings and a delicious lunch (own expense) along the way.