Top Central & South America Outdoor Activities - page 5

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 the trails of Manuel Antonio National Park on this guided tour. Observe numerous species of flora and fauna with a bilingual guide who shares information about the Costa Rican ecosystem and the area's historical, archaeological, and cultural environment. Enjoy time at one of the park’s beaches. A new early morning schedule offers a quieter visit when wildlife is more active.

Explore the otherworldly beauty of the Valle de la Luna, without the stress of navigating rugged desert roads alone, on a tour from San Pedro de Atacama. Admire dramatic rock formations, towering dunes, and mineral-colored landscapes while visiting highlights including Las Tres Marías, Duna Mayor, and Piedra del Coyote. End the day with a spectacular Atacama sunset accompanied by drinks and snacks.

Take a walk through the rainforest canopy on a tour of the hanging bridges surrounding Arenal Volcano. Many species of Costa Rican wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and frogs live up in the trees, so these suspended walkways give you a bird’s-eye perspective of Arenal’s amazing ecosystem. The mostly flat aerial hike is gentle enough for most ages and abilities, so the whole family can experience the wonder of the rainforest.

Travel along the Peñas Blancas River on this relaxed rafting tour. Along the way, spot a variety of flora and fauna such as sloths and monkeys in the surrounding forest that's located in the northern region of Costa Rica. Plus, visit a local farm where you’ll be able to learn about farming practices and enjoy a snack.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where you have the chance to spot the resplendent quetzal. Meet up with your guide on this small-group excursion and head through this tropical cloud forest, looking out for the multitudes of wildlife that inhabit the area using a provided spotting scope. The tour is offered in English and Spanish to accommodate more travelers.

Take a break from the city life of Cusco and spend time in the great outdoors on this horseback riding tour. Join a small group and mount your steed for a leisurely ride to the sacred Temple of the Moon. Learn about the celebrated rituals of the Incas and then head to Chacan Mountain, all known as the “Devil’s Balcony, for sweeping views of Cusco.

Peru’s Rainbow Mountain is usually explored on a challenging hike that reaches high altitudes. Skip the walking, as well as the crowds, and summit the mountain with ease aboard an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) during this small-group excursion. Spend more time taking in the beautiful scenery and local wildlife and less time being exhausted from the trek.

Known for its dramatic landscape at the foothills of the Andes, Puerto Montt is best explored outside the city limits. Visit three of the area's top attractions on this shore excursion from the port, including a stop at Petrohue Waterfall, the German city of Frutillar, and the City of Roses, all while taking in incredible views of the surrounding lakes, mountains, and volcano. This tour includes all entrance fees and transportation.

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).

Explore one of the most important mangrove ecosystems in Costa Rica on this fun kayak tour. Just offshore from the popular Manuel Antonio National Park are thousands of acres of protected forest, home to all kinds of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Your naturalist guide will tell you about the area’s biodiversity while you paddle peacefully in the shade of the mangroves.

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.

Set sail for the Rosario Islands with this group catamaran expedition from Cartagena. You will be able to anchor at Isla Grande and Isla Bela, where you will have the opportunity to jump into the water to practice snorkeling. Lunch and refreshments will also be served at no additional charge.

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.

Swap the bustle of Rio de Janeiro for the tropical beauty of Arraial do Cabo, known by locals as the Brazilian Caribbean, on a full-day tour that takes care of transfers, activities, meals, and guides so you don’t have to. Letting someone else drive allows you to sit back and soak up the scenery, while stops to swim in crystal-clear waters increase your chances of spotting wildlife.

See two iconic Rio de Janeiro landmarks from the water—Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf—on a sailing tour. Sail in Guanabara Bay or the open sea while you relax with a welcome drink and snacks. Enjoy stunning views and discover the magic of sailing from the captain who illuminates Rio’s history. This 3-hour boat tour has a maximum capacity of 20, so there'll be plenty of room onboard.

Peru’s Sacred Valley lies in the Andean Highlands—a landscape of rugged mountains, open plains, and soaring cliffs. Choose a morning or afternoon half-day safari, and tackle the rough ground by powerful all-terrain vehicle (ATV). With your guide to lead the way, reach historic sites including Moray and Maras with ease, and enjoy sweeping views across the Peruvian countryside. Entrance fees extra.

Most tours take visitors to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinincunca) on foot but on this small-group tour from Cusco you'll save time by driving up in an ATV. That means that you'll arrive earlier than most and beat the crowds—perfect for taking photos. Your tour includes hotel pickup and breakfast and lunch in the town of Japura.

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.

Check out the wildlife in the Manuel Antonio National Park on this small yet intimate tour. Your certified guide will take you through the park, pointing out animals you can see more clearly with your provided spotting scope. You can also take a beach break and go for a swim at the end, too.

Totumo Mud Volcano is a one-of-a-kind attraction home to mineral-infused mud that’s reputed to have healing properties. Avoid the hassle of public transport and the expense of taxis on a stress-free trip to the volcano, which includes snacks and convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. You’ll have ample time to soak in the mud bath and, opt for massage if you'd like.

Visit both sides of the Iguazu Falls, one of the Natural Wonders of the World, on this full-day group tour. Cross the border to Argentina and get up close to the mighty waters in the “Devil’s Throat” as well as the upper and lower circuits. Then head back to the Brazilian side, which is more untamed and features more wildlife such as friendly quatis and tropical birds.

Get a glimpse into local life in Rio de Janeiro during a favela tour that reveals a different side of the Marvelous City. In an intimate group limited to 12 travelers, you’ll explore two of the largest favelas in Rio, and benefit from the local insight of a guide as you learn more about living conditions in the city.

Travel to Torres del Paine in a rugged adventure truck, using an unpaved short cut to shave hours from your time in transit. That means more time in Torres del Paine National Park, where you’ll spend the morning hiking to viewpoints with spectacular perspectives on the mountain landscape. After a provided, picnic lunch, set out on a 2-hour hike to Lake Pehoé and Lake Nordenskjöld.