Top Central & South America Day Trips

Rainbow Mountain may not be close to Cusco, but it's still possible to visit in just one day on this guided tour. This budget-friendly day trip option takes you to the spectacular summit of Rainbow Mountain on a full-day tour—a challenging trek enhanced by commentary from your guide.

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.

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.

See Antigua from above on this half-day mountain adventure. You’ll visit three scenic mountaintops for panoramic views of the colonial city, lush valleys, and nearby volcanoes. From El Cerro de la Cruz—Antigua’s most famous lookout point—to Hobbitenango, a Lord of the Rings–themed eco-park, you’ll explore a whimsical forest, play games, and scenic viewpoints before catching the sunset over the mountains. On the way back down, there’s an optional stop for food and drinks at a local restaurant on the side of the mountain.

Visit one of the most popular places in Peru without the crowds on this well-planned day tour. Instead of visiting Rainbow Mountain in the morning, like every other tour group, you'll visit in the afternoon, after the crowds have left. With a small, intimate group you can enjoy the views unobstructed, and learn about the amazing landscape from your knowledgeable guide.

Discover the vibrant charm of Guatapé on this day trip from Medellín. Explore its colorful streets and climb the 740 steps of Piedra del Peñol for panoramic views of the lake-dotted landscape. Enjoy a scenic boat ride past Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda La Manuela, visit a historic church in Marinilla, and stroll through the picturesque town of Zócalos. Please note: departure times may be adjusted slightly during holidays and high seasons.

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 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.

Mendoza is Argentina’s largest wine region and famous for its Malbec, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines. On this small-group tour, enjoy an intimate wine tasting experience as you explore local wineries and vineyards. Sample a variety of Argentine wines during expert-led wine tastings and indulge in a gourmet wine tasting lunch with five courses, each paired with fine wines.

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.

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.

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.

Take to the slopes and experience Guatemala’s most-visited volcano in a new way on this fun-filled adventure day. A great way for thrill-seekers to combine volcano hiking with ATV driving and sightseeing, this group tour includes the chance to drive through lush forests and lava fields as well as exploring local villages around the Pacaya Volcano (you do not enter the national park).

Peru’s Colca Canyon is one of the world’s deepest canyons and you can experience it for yourself on this tour from Arequipa. Join a small group and head to the rim of the canyon where you can spot Andean condors. You also make other stops including the pre-Incan terraces of Antawilke, the Yanque hot springs, and a national reserve to see alpacas and vicuñas. Hotel pickup is included for convenience.

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.

Immerse yourself in the culture and scenery of the Ballestas Islands, Paracas, and Huacachina Oasis on this full-day trip. Beat vacation planning overwhelm and leave the logistics and organization to your guide. Enjoy a comprehensive itinerary that includes a speedboat tour, a vineyard visit, a sandbuggy ride and dinner. Don't worry about getting sore feet, as you relax in an air-conditioned vehicle between stops.

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.

Discover one of Bolivia’s most extraordinary natural treasures—and enjoy a seamless sightseeing experience—on this full-day, small-group tour of the Uyuni Salt Flat. Traveling in a comfortable and convenient 4x4 vehicle, you’ll immerse yourself in the scenery, spot local wildlife, and learn all about the local salt-producing process. Then, admire the world’s largest salt flat—and have the particularly special chance to see the sun set over the scenery.

This sampler adventure tour from San Jose fits the best of Costa Rica's rivers and rainforests into one action-packed day. En route, go croc-spotting at a famous overlook on the Tarcoles River. Then head to the jungle adventure park where you can choose two activities from a list of thrilling options, including ziplining, horseback riding, surfing lessons, an ATV adventure, and a mountain bike tour.

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.