Top Central & South America Outdoor Activities - page 8

Enjoy caffeine and adrenaline in one tour on this excursion from Antigua. The eclectic tour is sure to please a variety of travelers. Climb on board your personal ATV and head to a local plantation, where you discover the coffee making process from seed to mug. After a hot cup of the local beverage, ride up to Cerro de la Cruz, which offers a spectacular view of the city and surrounding mountains.

Take a break from the crowds and bustle of Santiago on a relaxing tour to Cajón del Maipo. Let someone else handle the driving and soak up Andes mountain views as you journey to the whimsical Casa Chocolate and stunning Vela de la Novia waterfall. Afterward, soak in the therapeutic pools of Termas Valle de Colina, then and unwind with a traditional 4-course barbecue paired with Chilean wines.

Chocolate lovers flock to this incredible tour from La Fortuna that includes the sweetest rainforest experience and unearths the hidden secretes of local chocolate production. Visit a farm where cocoa is grown, processed and produced. This hands-on experience lets travelers eat as much chocolate as they want while learning about history, culture and traditions of this popular Costa Rican sweet.

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.

Escape the city for a tour of the Tigre River Delta, including hotel pick-up and drop-off. Enjoy a cruise around the canals and islands of the idyllic Tigre Delta. During the tour, you'll also see the fruit market and the cathedral, and try some hand-made empanadas.

Ride through Tijuca National Park's rainforest in an open-top Jeep during this half-day trip from Rio. During guided eco-tour, hike through the forest to spot sloths, butterflies, monkeys, and birds. Enjoy panoramic views from Vista Chinesa (Chinese View) and marvel at the fact that this section of the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) is just 10 minutes outside the city limits. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Though renowned for its wildlife, spotting the Arenal and La Fortuna area's favorite animal residents can be notoriously tricky. Tour a number of locations where wildlife sightings are all but guaranteed on this Arenal wildlife tour—expect to see sloths, toucans, dart frogs, and more with the help of your guide. Tour includes use of spotting scope and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Take a short guided walk in the rain forest to look for sloths and experience Costa Rica’s diverse wildlife up close. Look for two- and three-toed sloths, a variety of birds, and other wildlife with the insights of a local guide who has a keen eye for spotting wildlife.

Experience the beauty of Jaco Beach from atop a horse during this small-group horseback riding tour. Led by friendly local guides, explore nature, rice plantations, unique trails, river crossings, and beach rides. Spot wildlife like monkeys and sloths while enjoying the ocean breeze. Upgrade to include activities like ziplining and ATV tours. This tour travels at a slow pace and is suitable for all skill levels

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.

Explore Lake Argentino and nearby caves, without worrying about logistics, on this exciting 4WD adventure. First, drive along the coast of the largest lake in Argentina, stopping to take in views of El Calafate and nearby Perito Moreno Glacier. Then, step back in time at the Walichu Caves, spotting ancient cave paintings. Cap off the tour with a delicious Argentinian meal overlooking the lake.

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.

Get a taste for Peru’s high-alpine scenery and ancient Inca customs during this full-day hike to Lake Humantay from Cusco. Ascend to this scenic body of water located at 13,779 feet (4,200 meters), learning about its sacred place in Inca mythology during your climb. An included buffet lunch back at base camp is an added bonus.

Venture deep inside an ancient cave system at Nohoc Chen Park on a cave kayaking adventure from Belize City. Old legends and an underground waterfall await inside a series of caverns that you explore by single or double kayak, wearing an LED headlamp to illuminate crystalline rock formations. Hike through the Belizean rain forest and paddle down open stretches of the Caves Branch River on this half-day tour in the heart of the Maya Mountains.

Visiting the Colca Canyon is a must for anyone who likes hiking and spending time in nature, but as with any natural hiking area, it’s safest to go with a guide and a group of fellow hikers. This overnight trekking package makes exploring this gorgeous area a breeze and is a great way to get a feel for the canyon without having to devote multiple days to exploring its depths.

Fly over Rio de Janeiro on this hang gliding or paragliding tour. You do not need experience. Receive a short training session before heading off the Pedra Bonita ramp, located within the Tijuca National Park. Enjoy a unique perspective of the city before landing on São Conrado beach. Flight duration depends on weather conditions.

Satisfy your appetite for adrenaline on a full-day tubing and zipline adventure from Belize City. Designed for travelers craving thrills, this experience takes you through a cave network replete with stalactites and stalagmites, and over the lush canopy of the rainforest. Float on underground rivers in a tube, conquer seven vertiginous ziplines, and enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off.

Perfect for those with a short time in Argentina, this private guided tour transports you from Buenos Aires to Iguazú National Park, where you can explore the falls from the Argentinian side, in a single day. This captivating experience also includes airfare and national park admission fees for a stress-free outing. Plus, your guide tells you all about the falls and its history, too.

Soar above the city of Rio de Janeiro aboard a hang glider during this thrilling adventure. Accompanied by a fully certified instructor, launch from the Tijuca National Park and glide over the lush, verdant Atlantic Forest. Take in views of some of Rio's most famous landmarks, such as Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Rocinha Favela, and the Christ the Redeemer Statue atop Corcovado Mountain. Touch down for a gentle landing on the white sands of Sao Conrado Beach.

With so many worthy day trip destinations outside Santiago, it can be daunting to pick just one. With this full-day tour you don’t have to. Visit two coastal cities, UNESCO-listed Valparaiso and Viña del Mar with plenty of time for wine tasting in Casablanca Valley and sea lion spotting along Reñaca Beach.

Exploring Medellin by bike means access to hidden back roads, quiet parks, and viewpoints, but local knowledge is essential for finding a safe and fun route through the city. Join a local guide for a Medellin bike tour that includes colorful neighborhoods, stops for drinks and snacks, and plenty of photo breaks along the way.

Sneak in a tropical island getaway during your Costa Rica vacation on this cruise from Jaco to Tortuga Island. Swim, snorkel, hike, drink, and dine on this all-inclusive tour, with the option to rent even more of your favorite water sports equipment like waverunners and paddleboards. Bookend your tour with a catamaran cruise across the beautiful Gulf of Nicoya.

Journey through the Panama Canal's Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks aboard the Pacific Queen. Depart Panama City, then board a boat for a trip through the canal's impressive locks. Entering through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks, observe the impressive feats of engineering that make this passage possible. Learn about the canal's construction and consistent maintenance through your guide's informative commentary. Cruise back to your departure point, admiring views of Panama City's skyline before disembarking in Gamboa.

Set sail and take in views of the Costa Rican coastline on this sunset tour. On board a catamaran, you’ll have the chance to spot local sealife such as whales, dolphins, turtles, rays, and seabirds. The tour also includes time to swim and snorkel or simply relax on the boat, plus a hearty lunch of BBQ chicken, black beans, and fresh fruit, and an open bar featuring premium drinks. On the sail back to Playas del Coco, you’ll catch sight of the sunset from the water.