Latin America has been beloved by our clients for many years, thanks to its vibrant charm and heady mix of nature, culture and adventure.
Here at Steppes Travel, we specialise in destinations and experiences a little more off the beaten path, offering experiential travel at its best.
Below you’ll find 5 experiences we’re really excited about for those who are curious about exploring Latin America:
1. Swim in the lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses
Found in northeastern Brazil, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is home to a shifting landscape of white sand dunes and seasonal freshwater lagoons. Between May and September, these shimmering aquamarine pools are at their fullest and the perfect place for a refreshing dip.
Base yourselves in Barreirinhas, the largest town in the surrounding region and a convenient gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses. Guided 4×4 tours are a popular way to explore the dune-filled terrain, or you can enjoy a boat ride along the mangrove-lined Rio Preguiças. Consider making time to also visit Atins, a small fishing village on the edge of the national park described by Vogue as a “tropical Eden”.
2. Live a day in the life of the gauchos
In Argentina, gauchos are an important part of the country’s national identity. These famed horsemen are celebrated during the Fiesta de la Tradición each November in San Antonio de Areco, a historic town dating back to the 18th century.
The week-long festival sees powerful Criollo horses and their riders in full traditional dress parade through the town, alongside breaking-in demonstrations, folk dancing, craft stalls, food stands and smoking grills.
San Antonio de Areco can be reached by private car from Buenos Aires in around two hours, though many visitors choose to stay overnight to savour the celebrations.
3. Track pumas in Patagonia
Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park is perhaps best known for its granite pillars, azure lakes and expansive ice fields. Yet it is also remarkable for its native wildlife population, which includes the graceful puma. Expert local guides offer small group tours at the times of day when these big cats are most active, usually around dawn or dusk. Many visitors opt to stay in camps or eco-lodges peripheral to the park, so as to have quick access for such excursions.
Even without a puma sighting, the scenery in the Torres del Paine is guaranteed nevertheless to leave a lasting impression. There is a real emphasis on conservation by the locals who live and work in the area, underscoring efforts to protect both the pumas and the wider ecosystem of the park.
4. Ash board down the Cerro Negro volcano
Thrillseekers should head to the slopes of Cerro Negro in Nicaragua, one of Latin America’s youngest and most active volcanoes. The hike to the top takes around one to two hours, depending on the fitness of your group. Once there, you don a protective suit and goggles before racing down the loose volcanic ash on a specially adapted board.
Most organised tours include transport to the volcano from the nearby city of León, a 45-minute drive away. After the adrenaline rush of the ash boarding, return to León for a more relaxed itinerary of exploring the colonial architecture and ruins of the medieval city.
5. Go on a whale watching safari
Baja California in Mexico is a whale watching paradise, with no other destination offering such a wide variety of whales in one place: fin, blue, humpback, orca, sperm, pilot and grey. Between January and April, thousands of grey whales come to calve in the bays of Magdalena and San Ignacio.
Boat tours to see these majestic creatures up close commonly launch from Loreto, La Paz or Los Cabos. Travellers often extend their visit by exploring the wider Sea of Cortez, where whale sharks, dolphins and sea lions dwell in the warmer waters.
Take a look at our Where to Go When guide for Latin America for expert advice on the best times to visit each destination. If you already know where and when you want to go, get in touch and let us plan your tailor made itinerary.
