Planning a trip to South or Central America in the summer? Give tango dancing a whirl, trace ancient ruins and spot endemic wildlife on these small-group trips.
With rainforests, mountains, lakes, beaches and pulsating cities in abundance, South and Central America are worth visiting at any time of year – but there are advantages to visiting in summer. In the Galápagos Islands, the cooler, drier weather means wildlife is particularly abundant, while in Peru, summer is the prime window of opportunity for hiking on clear, sunny days. On these adventures – bookable with Culture Trip – you can travel to those destinations and many others in South and Central America, for a hassle-free summer vacation.
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Costa Rica, for volcanic hot springs and laid-back surf towns
While the steamy, rainy tropical summers here may not be optimal for travel, we love Costa Rica in the off-peak summer months because you get to see the country’s natural splendour without the crowds, at it’s luscious, overgrown best. From sipping volcanic coffee and soaking in hot springs in the shadow of Arenal volcano, to spotting sloths and jumping in waterfalls on rainforest walks, our trip offers the full Costa Rica experience. We’ll even end up on the coastal surf town of Tamarindo, where you can take a yoga session or even try riding a few choppy Pacific waves.
From £1634
Next available from 11th Nov 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
San Jose, Costa Rica
ENDS AT
Tamarindo, Provincia De Guanacaste
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
17
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
The Galápagos Islands, to spot endemic wildlife
Animals take centre stage on the Galápagos Islands – one of the most biodiverse destinations in the world – and your wildlife-spotting chances are maximized by visiting in the summer months. Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolution was inspired by his findings on the islands, on this five-day adventure with Culture Trip. You can sleep in a safari-style tent among giant tortoises in El Chato nature reserve, snorkel with sea turtles at Kicker Rock and swim with sea lions at Punta Carola beach. If you head to the uninhabited island of South Plaza, you might be lucky enough to spot the Galápagos hybrid iguana while hiking through cactus forests – it’s the only place on earth where this species exists.
From £1719
Next available from 6th Jan 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
ENDS AT
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
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Peru, for Inca ruins, vibrant cities and mountain lakes
With idyllic beaches, remote mountain villages, tranquil lakes and cities brimming with beautifully preserved architectural gems, Peru is one of the most captivating countries to visit in South America. Ever wanted to see one of the seven wonders of the world? Well, Peru is home to the mysterious citadel of Machu Picchu, which you’ll get the chance to visit on this nine-day adventure. Enjoy a guided tour around the Inca ruins, learn about the rural Peruvian way of life on a tour of the Sacred Valley and stand-up paddleboard on the serene Piuray Lagoon. You’ll also get a Peruvian cooking masterclass in Cusco and go picantería-hopping in Arequipa.
From £1559
Next available from 3rd Nov 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cusco, Peru
ENDS AT
Arequipa, Peru
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
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Ecuador, for hiking, whitewater rafting and chocolate tasting
Sitting directly on the equator, Ecuador is a nation of glacier-capped volcanoes, majestic waterfalls and thick jungle. There aren’t distinct seasons through the year, but the climate varies significantly by altitude. Here you’ll see some of the most impressive architecture in South America – particularly in Quito, where this TRIPS by Culture Trip adventure begins. You’ll explore the capital’s major landmarks and attend an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass before hiking and horse riding in Cotopaxi National Park, which is dominated by the 5,897m (19,347ft) Cotopaxi volcano. Hike around the emerald green Quilotoa crater lake, cycle the Baños Waterfall Route and go whitewater rafting in the Amazon rainforest, before wrapping up your trip with a soak in hot springs in Papallacta.
From £1247
Next available from 9th Sep 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Quito, Ecuador
ENDS AT
Quito, Ecuador
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
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Brazil, for golden beaches and stunning sunset views
The bustling streets of Sao Paulo and Rio, plus the famous beaches of Ipanema and the Copacabana, can get a little bit oversubscribed in Brazil’s peaks months from December to March, so we find the summer months to be a joy on the country’s coast. The weather is still pretty delightful, making it the perfect time to join our nine-day Brazilian bonanza, starting in Sao Paulo and ending in Rio, with a few days detouring in the gorgeous coastal region of Paraty, home to one of Brazil’s most beautiful old towns. End your trip making the most of the slightly calmer-than-usual beaches of Rio, before heading to local people’s favourite sunset spot to watch the sun go down over one of the world’s most iconic city skylines, caipirinha co*cktail in hand.
From £1784
Next available from 24th Nov 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Sao Paulo, Brazil
ENDS AT
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
View Trip Chat To Us
Additional reporting by Gethin Morgan.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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