With global air travel today, we are able to span countries and even continents in mere hours. While this makes exploring far reaches of the globe simple, by crossing multiple time zones so quickly our circadian rhythm (your internal clock) can end up out of sync with the schedule of your destination. It’s this internal mismatch that can result in jet lag. You can help reduce or avoid jet lag by following our tips below. Is there jet lag when you fly to South America? Yes absolutely, but it also depends on where you are traveling from. We make global journeys quite often. Usually to South America! Here are some practical tips from our expert travel consultants for preventing jet lag so that you can make the most of your next trip to South America!

1. How to Avoid Jet Lag Before You Leave for South America

• Understand that jet lag is the result of a sensory mismatch between our circadian rhythm and the sensory input (light). Typically, jet lag is more pronounced when traveling east than traveling west. This makes South America a really great destination from North American as travelers experience less jet lag compared with destinations such as Europe or Asia.
• Naturally, the more time zones we cross, the greater the effects of jet lag typically are. Minimize this difference by beginning to adjust your eating and sleeping schedules to your destination before you leave.
• Pick flights onboard new generation aircraft like the Boeing 787 or Airbus 350 which have higher cabin humidity than traditional airliners and have high-tech cabin lighting. Both of these features are designed to keep you feeling great during and after your flights.

2. How to Avoid Jet Lag During Your Journey to South America

• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and nourish your body with healthy natural and wholesome foods.
• Keep your blood flowing by stretching and walking about during your flights when the seatbelt sign is off and during layovers.
• Use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to reduce environmental noise and stay relaxed.

3. How to Avoid Jet Lag Upon Arrival at Your Destination

• Adapt to the local schedule right away. Eating and sleeping on the local schedule of your destination will get you adapted to the new time zone as quickly as possible.
• While it can be tempting to start exploring the destination immediately, take a few minutes to take a shower and freshen up. Additionally, taking a 20-minute power nap before you start exploring is a great way to recharge.
• Get as much light as possible. Getting out and taking a walk around your destination is a great way to get to know the area and take in more natural light which will help you get adapted to the new time zone.

4. Plan Your Next Trip in a Similar Time Zone as Yours

• Are you in North America? South America is only a few hours of time difference from you. Your body, mind, and your internal clock will not have to adjust as much.
• Somewhere else? Follow our tips above. South America has Wonderful Destinations for everyone and we want to help you maximize your adventure tour there.

5. Plan Your Trip with an Expert Travel Consultant!

• Leverage the expertise of a travel consultant from SouthAmerica.travel. We will handle all the details and share our experiences. We’ve designed custom trips for thousands of travelers from around the world exploring South America and know all the logistics and the best ways to visit South America. This enables you to travel stress-free and focus on enjoying your next South America adventure!

While jet lag affects each of us differently, by keeping these simple tips in mind when preparing for your trip to South America you can minimize the effects of jet lag and make the most of your time exploring South America!

What is Chile Famous For?

Have you ever wondered what Chile is famous for? Get ready to start taking notes because there’s a lot to be said about this beautiful country. From its incredibly diverse landscapes, world-renowned wine & beer, to its amazing culture of art, history, famous Chileans, and food, Chile is known for having a little bit of everything. In this article, we will explore all of this and more! From 10 facts about Chile to facts about Chile’s culture, this list truly has it all. Follow along with us now as we explore just What Chile is Famous For.

Let’s go!

#1: Diverse Landscapes of Chilean Patagonia

#2: Exquisite Wine & Beer

Travel Tip: For an entirely new experience, taste test bio-dynamic wines at Emiliana Vineyards. Emiliana Vineyards specializes in organically grown and eco-friendly wines. In fact, the company is so passionate and dedicated to organic winemaking that they became the first ever winery in South America to create a biodynamic wine. This winery is in the Casablanca Valley, which is just an hour outside of Santiago, making it a day-trip you cannot ignore. The most popular varieties to try here are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Happy Tasting!

#3: The Mysterious Easter Island

Travel Tip: Consider visiting Easter Island in February. Tapati, a traditional festival, occurs in February, where local teams compete in challenges to test their ability in time-honored Easter Island skills. It makes for quite the spectacle!

#4: Vibrant Street Art

Travel Tip: Chilean Nobel-Prize winning poet, Pablo Neruda, lived and adored Valparaiso. Many tourists come to Valparaíso to visit his eccentric house, La Sebastiana, which preserves his presence in the city.

#5: The World’s Largest Swimming Pool

But wait!

You don’t want to miss the best part!

There are still 5 more AMAZING things on our list of What is Chile Famous For?

#6: The Tallest Building in South America

#7: Street Food & Seafood!

Travel Tip: Caleta Portales translates to “fishermen village or cove”, and is where the fishermen bring the fish into the city. Stop by and pick up the local specialty Reinata (pomfret), Merluza (hake), Salmon, Jaiba (crab), Macha (clams) or Ostiones (scallops). While on a guided city tour, stop by some local eateries for some street food novelties. Nibble on savory sopaipillas (fried pastry), Chilean empanadas, completo hot dogs, candied peanuts, crates of candy and chips, and more!

#8: Futbol (Soccer for the American)

#9: An emerging Microbrewery scene

Here are a couple of popular microbreweries:

• Szot Microbrewery: a small brewery with a wealth of recognition, receiving medals at the Australian International Beer Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
• Cerveceria Kuntsman: what was once a garage brewery has now become a steady business that produces one of Chile’s favorite craft beers. Choose from traditional amber ales to dark bitter beers.

• Kross Cerveceria: two engineers joined forces and created Kross, not far from Santiago. In 2011, this brewery racked up seven medals at the International Beer Challenge in England.

• Cerveza Austral: located down south in Punta Arenas, Austral gains attention and satisfies many with its recipe of German flavors and glacial water.

For a pub full of local Chilean beers, check out the Black Rock Pub in Providencia. The owners are keen to give you recommendations on which variety of beer to try.

#10: Skiing in the summer

Did you love learning all about What Chile is Famous For? Stay up-to-date with all the latest South American News by visiting our blog!

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Learn all about Inhotim Art Museum with this Photo Guide

Hidden deep in the Brazilian jungle, a few hours from Belo Horizonte, lies the museum of Inhotim. It would be a great add on to your Brazil tour. Set on a sprawling 5000-acre complex in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Inhotim is truly one of the art world’s best-kept secrets. Featuring world-famous contemporary artists and sculptures such as Chris Burden, Matt Barney, and Yayoi Kusama, Inhotim blends perfectly the concept of an open-air Brazilian sculpture park with a world-class botanical garden.

Not to mention the best part, which is multiple state-of-the-art museums featuring the world’s best Brazilian contemporary artists, as well as artists from all around the world. So here you have it, our Inhotim Museum Photo Guide. Having just visited Inhotim in October 2017, today, we are going to explore Inhotim in this one-of-a-kind Inhotim Museum Photo Guide. We will also briefly cover how to get to Inhotim and the best hotels near Inhotim.

Ready? Let the Inhotim Museum Photo Guide begin!

How to Get to Inhotim

There are a few ways to get to Inhotim. The most direct way popular way would be to fly into Tancredo Neves/Confins International Airport. With direct flights from popular US airlines like American Airlines, flying into this airport is a breeze. After arriving at Belo Horizonte Airport, you are approximately 2 hours away from the Inhotim Museum. The road to Inhotim once you leave Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, becomes very bumpy.

That being said, don’t miss the amazing views out the window as your cruise through jungle forests, villages, and along cobblestone streets. I personally highly recommend a private transfer from the airport in Belo Horizonte to Inhotim because makes this will allow you to get to Inhotim right when it opens. We also highly recommend that you visit Inhotim on a private tour. SouthAmerica.travel offers Inhotim tours that can easily be combined with popular destinations like Belo Horizonte, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon Rainforest, and more.

Inhotim Hours & Admission

Inhotim is open to following hours:

Tuesday – Friday: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Saturday, Sunday, Holidays: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Inhotim is CLOSED on Mondays

Inhotim costs $44 Brazilian reais to get into. This roughly translates to $14 USD per person.

However, the museum is FREE every Wednesdays. It is a great idea if you are traveling with a guide to plan your visit on Wednesday to save some extra money.

What hotels to stay in near the Inhotim Museum

I always recommend to all of our travelers at SouthAmerica.travel to stay in Belo Horizonte or Ouro Preto rather than spending the night at a hotel near Inhotim. The museum recently announced they are building a group of luxury resorts and hotels surrounding the small community around Inhotim. However, these are years out and it is best to rest in Ouro Preto or Belo Horizonte and make a day trip to Inhotim instead. This will allow you to have many more food options and ensure that you have a safe and comfortable night stay.

In Ouro Preto, we highly recommend the Hotel Solar do Rosário. This absolutely gorgeous hotel is located right in the heart of picturesque Ouro Preto. From here, you can easily arrange a private transfer in the morning that allows you to experience a full day at Inhotim. This hotel is perfect for rest and relaxation or for flipping your Inhotim Museum photos from your day of exploring.

In Belo Horizonte, we highly recommend the Othon Palace Hotel. This beautiful high-rise hotel is conveniently located right near the Centro Market of Belo Horizonte. Featuring a rooftop pool and a gorgeous view of the city, it doesn’t get better than this in Belo Horizonte. The perfect spot to stay on your visit to Inhotim.

Liked following along on this Inhotim Museum Photo Guide?

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In this multi-part blog series, SouthAmerica.travel Clients, Penelope and Raphael, recount their experience exploring the various regions of Colombia on their SouthAmerica.travel Tour put together by Travel Expert, Jason Mayo. Follow along on their adventures in Medellin, in the 4th part of this multi-part blog series. Part 1: Penelope and Raphael Explore Bogotá Part 2: Penelope and Raphael Explore Villa de Leyva Part 3: Penelope and Raphael Explore Colombia’s Coffee Region

Part 4: The City of Medellin, Post-Pablo

Medellin (pronounced may-day-jean by the locals) was long known as the murder capital of the world. Located in the Andes and built in a valley with steep hillside slums the name Medellin comes with preset expectations. Made famous by the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar (my son even had a pet scorpion named after him) depicted in Narcos, and even Entourage, Vince Chase’s fictional blockbuster bomb titled Medellin. All portrayed a city of crime and brutality. Though I have to say, there is definitely a new spirit of hope in this city. We were picked up by our tour guide, Santiago, who drove us to the Art Hotel Boutique which I envisioned with Van Gogh gallery sunflower walls and impressionistic splashes of color. However, their idea of art was a bit more modern, specifically industrial chic – a contemporary gray look with mostly brick, mortar, cement, concrete floors and bars (not the drinking kind), think prison. Not exactly our style. But we did enjoy the rooftop restaurant which gave us a panoramic view of the city and the cosmopolitan neighborhood. That night we ventured out and made it about one block when the skies unleashed torrents, buckets, wheelbarrows of rain, punctuated by thunder and lightning. Paralyzed at first, our umbrellas were crushed under the weight of the water; we splashed our way into a funky Cuban restaurant close by for dinner. Read more: The 5 Best Things to See in Medellin

Distrito Trece in Medellin, Colombia

The next morning Santiago and our driver picked us up and our first stop was Distrito Trece (District 13) which sits on a steep hillside. It was once the city’s bloodiest epicenter.  An innovative mayor, Sergio Fajardo connected District 13’s rival gang neighborhoods with escalators. There are over 28 stories of them. He poured money into education, arts and libraries. We saw colorful murals of hope lining the walls and youngsters taking martial art classes while we were there. One woman told us about how men, whose mothers thought they had been killed in the war, returned home rejoicing with a communal Christmas dinner. I like Raphael’s description, “Seeing District 13 where Pablo Escobar was killed where there had been so many deaths was particularly moving. The State and the community have been working to increase communications between the old factions in the neighborhoods by building walking bridges in between them and including an extensive escalator system, allowing easier access to the city for the poorest of the poor. They have also increased community activities like special free classes including; karate, other sports, supervised trips for kids and families into the city, easier access to schools and public services. One thing I liked was that they invited local and other famous artists to work on murals throughout the community that recognize the previous history of pain and alienation and yet expresses the new hope and reconciliation with the State and community at large, really very good work.”

Santa Domingo in Medellin, Colombia

Another hillside neighborhood where no one dared to enter not even the police was Santa Domingo. Santo Domingo is now connected with cable cars which we traveled on. Santiago informally interviewed our fellow cable car riders. One young woman, almost giddy with joy, commented on the transformation. She literally was bubbling with happiness. The other older woman more seriously echoed the younger woman’s positive attitude. An older couple got on and talked about how they had never left their Santa Domingo neighborhood until the cable cars were constructed. Connecting the barrios (neighborhoods) has resulted in very much needed human connection. We spent some time exploring the other forms of transportation – trolleys, trains and trams. Throughout the city tour, Santiago often stopped to buy us a new fruit to try. One was a called guama. It looks like a giant elongated stiff green bean. When opened there are seeds the size of walnuts covered with soft white fluff. That is the part you are supposed to eat, a less intense cotton candy flavor. I misunderstood and ate the whole seed. It tasted like coconut to me. When I saw Raphael discarding his seeds, I asked Santiago about it. When he found out I had eaten the entire seed, he blanched and asked several vendors if I would be safe. They shrugged and said, “The animals eat them.” Good enough for animals, good enough for me. View more: Colombia Tours

Botero’s Plaza of Sculptures in Medellin, Colombia

Santiago left us at the Botero’s Plaza of Sculptures in the center of downtown. Fernando Botero is a famous Colombian artist who I thought was European because I saw so many of his paintings in Italy. His signature style is exaggerated, voluminous, “fat” people which seem like it would get tiresome, but because his pictures are based on interesting aspects of society, it doesn’t. At the same plaza is Museo de Antioquia or as many call it Botero’s Museum since his works dominates this museum. Often provocative, a lot of his paintings revolve around the seedy underbelly of life. Still living, Botero resides most of the year in Europe but travels to Colombia for one month a year. Born in Medellin, he depicted the drug-fueled violence of his city during Escobar’s reign. One of his most famous paintings is “The Death of Pablo.” It’s somehow fitting that this Medellin artist captures the oversized, larger than life Pablo is seen here dominating this rooftop, his power at last extinguished. We were eating lunch at the museum’s cafe when Raphael noticed a disturbance outside in the plaza. A female vendor with a stick or a bat was chasing a man, perhaps a thief. Crowds were gathering, and within five minutes several policemen had arrived. Within two minutes the police had peacefully resolved the conflict without escalating the danger. Raphael went outside to praise their handling of what could have been a small riot. He said the policeman replied that “We are trained to first place ourselves in the shoes of the people.” An interesting concept. Read more: Top 5 Best Street Art City Tours in South America 

Excursion to La Piedra de Guatapé in Antioquia, Colombia

Santiago picked us up the next morning for a drive to the countryside. Along the way, we stopped at a mirador or lookout to see the spectacular geography of this magnificent valley with red-necked vultures swooping by. One of our first stops was to La Piedra de Guatape or Rock of Guatape. Almost ludicrous, a gigantic rock sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. Zigzagging up, the 700 plus steps lead to the top where there was a small restaurant and folk art store. We saw one man whose job was to lug plastic water bottles and other supplies up to the restaurant which he said he did 20 times a day. Raphael opted to watch me and Santiago climb to the top of the massive rock. Gasping at the altitude and the views of green turquoise rivers and waterways below, I loved this Doctor Zeus monstrosity of a rock. I was able to fully appreciate the aqua green waters when we went for a boat ride through the curlicued waterways with summer estates lining the shores including a burned-out shell of a mansion that once belonged to Pablo Escobar complete with a tunnel that popped out a few acres away for getaways. Wow! Such a peaceful setting with such a disturbing history. We lunched at a local Hindu restaurant that also served typical Colombian dishes. We ordered Bandeja Paisa which had red beans, pork, rice, ground meat, chicharron, fried egg, chorizo, arepa, avocado, and plantain. Did I mention that the traditional Colombian dishes contain everything but the kitchen sink? A quick exploration of Guatape, this is an alarmingly colorful town with crafty, artistic side panels called zocalos lining the buildings.  Back to the Art Hotel and our last evening in Medellin. On our way out, we stopped at the lookout and saw the glorious view one more time – photo taken by Santiago. Leaving Medellin, I reflected on the sheer exuberance of the newfound optimism of the people of this city. It’s as if the mayor had run on a platform of “Make Medellin great again” and really created dynamic changes for all. Imagine!

Stay Tuned For Penelope And Raphael’s Next Stop In Colombia…

Follow along on this multi-part series. The next stop is Cartagena and Santa Marta.

Be sure to visit Penelope’s Odyssey’s where Penelope share’s even more stories from her adventures!

Part 3: Colombia’s Coffee Region 

In part 3 of this multi-part blog series, SouthAmerica.travel Clients Penelope and Raphael recount their experience exploring the various regions of Colombia on their SouthAmerica.travel Tour put together by Travel Expert, Jason Mayo. Read on for their adventures throughout Bogotá’s Coffee Region in Part 3 of their multi-part blog series. 

Part 1: Penelope and Raphael Explore Bogotá

Part 2: Penelope and Raphael Explore Villa de Leyva

Arriving in Pereira – Colombia’s Coffee Region

We headed to the Bogotá airport for a quick one hour flight to Pereira, located in the foothills of the Andes in the coffee producing region of Colombia. It was evening when we arrived, but it was clear our boutique Hotel Sazaqua was special. Tranquil, secluded, and beautifully tasteful with wood carvings and folk art, we were immediately overjoyed. Breakfasts begin with, again, the amazing fruit, like acid-free pineapple and colorful varieties of guava and passion fruit. The night before we had seen a couple escorted down to an outdoor covered room. We asked what they were doing and they said they had just had a fruit tasting – I really wished I’d crashed that tasting. While breakfasting on the patio looking out to the lush gardens, the staff had set up a bird feeding station.  Colombia has over 1900 species of birds, almost 20% of the world’s total. We witnessed at least 20 brilliantly hued species flitting and fluttering, it was the perfect morning entertainment.  More about Colombia’s Coffee Region: Colombia Travel Guide

Tour to the Cocora Valley 

Our excursion that day was to the remote Cocora Valley, deep in the heart of the coffee producing region. Our guide Cristian, ready with a quip for every occasion, also had a degree in botany – perfect for this jaunt. Along the way, we passed thousands of coffee trees and shrubs laden with yellow and red coffee berries. Also, Palma de Ceras dotted the horizon the official national tree, one of the tallest palms in the world. Interestingly the wax of the trunk was used to make candles in the 1800s. Because it is now endangered, that practice is outlawed. We actually planted a new Cera Palm as part of our tour to help with replenishing the species. Lush and green as the emerald isle of Ireland, the velvety foliage is soul comforting. A hearty hike and a fresh trout lunch in the country and a stop at Salento, a small Andean town, with a perfectly brewed Cappuccino. Colombian coffee is considered to be well balanced and not over roasted (they consider Starbucks coffee to be burned). Back to our euphoria-producing hotel for one more evening and one more bird friendly breakfast. View our: Colombia Gourmet Tours 

Stay Tuned For Penelope And Raphael’s Next Stop In Colombia…

Follow along on this multi-part series. Next stop is Bogotá’s flowery Medellin.

In part 2 of this multi-part blog series, SouthAmerica.travel Clients Penelope and Raphael recount their experience exploring the various regions of Colombia on their SouthAmerica.travel Tour put together by Travel Expert, Jason Mayo. Read on for their adventures from Bogota to Villa de Leyva in the second part of this detailed 5-part series.  

Part 1: Penelope and Raphael Explore Bogota

Part 3: Penelope and Raphael Explore Colombia’s Coffee Region

Travel Testimonial Part 2 Villa de Leyva

The next morning we were picked up by Magda (our local tour guide) for our tour of Bogota’s countryside. The first stop was Zipaquira, a salt mine with an underground Catholic cathedral. It’s even open for weddings although a gigantic cavern would not be my first choice for a romantic setting. Complete with multiple tunnels, Stations of the Cross, a dome, three naves and an eerie magnificent cross that looks like marble, but in a clever optical illusion, it’s actually hollow, reflecting the salt granite surface behind it. All created by miners and artists out of love. See more >> Colombia Train Tour Bogota to Zipaquira

Excursion to Villa de Leyva

Leaving the dark, spooky, and oddly spiritual tunnels, we continued to Villa de Leyva, a 400-year-old colonial town with cobblestone streets, all white houses (required) with colorful balconies and purple skies. We had a wonderful fresh trout dinner in the town square watching the sunset melt into indigo skies— quite breathtaking. Our quirky boutique hotel, Posada de San Antonio was super chic and arty with original artwork on the walls and many crafty treasures on every possible surface. See more >> Recommended Hotels in Villa de Leyva Off the next morning to a dinosaur museum with sea serpent fossils. This area had once been covered with oceans, so their fossils are all gigantic underwater creatures resembling monster crocodiles. Next stop the St. Anselmo Monastery, now a museum. Funny story, our guide, Magda, had been exclaiming and swooning over the succulents in this drier area, rare in Bogota. Succulents being a dime a dozen where we come from, we were not so impressed. I told her how a little tug on a smaller plant would pull it out by the roots and she could replant it in a small pot. She considered coming back another time because the gardener was right there. We were seated in the car when Magda threw open the car door and flung the newly excavated plant onto the floor, gunned the motor and sped off as if we were bank robbers making a getaway.  We teased her about robbing the plant right in front of the monastery. She named the plant Anselmo. Her light laughter dispelled any guilt we might have had. 

Stay Tuned For Penelope And Raphael’s Next Stop In Colombia…

Follow along in this multi-part series. Next stop is Bogotá’s delicious, caffeine-infused Coffee Region. Find out what activities Penelope and Raphael embarked on, what type of espresso became their favorite and more!

Penelope and Raphael Explore Bogotá, Colombia

In this multi-part travel testimonial, SouthAmerica.travel Clients, Penelope and Raphael, recount their experience exploring the various regions of Colombia on their SouthAmerica.travel Tour put together by Travel Expert, Jason Mayo. Follow along on their adventures in Bogotá in this first part of their multi-part blog series. Part 2: Penelope and Raphael Explore Villa de Leyva Part 3: Penelope and Raphael Explore Colombia’s Coffee Region

Part 1: Bogotá, Colombia

“How do I love thee, Colombia Let me count the ways.”

Visiting Colombia was my son Nick’s idea. He’d gone to Cartagena for a Triathlon and stayed in the colonial walled city. He told us it would be perfect for us—charming, cultural, historical and the Caribbean Sea to boot. It seemed a long way to go for just Cartagena, so I found a travel agency, SouthAmerica.travel.  Travel Consultant, Jason Mayo planned an awesome itinerary of the entire country for my husband Raphael and me.

Colombia has long been known for its reputation as being dangerous. Pablo Escobar’s horrific reign and the FARC revolutionary army’s penchant for kidnapping tourists eliminated Colombia as a tourist destination. I am happy to report Colombia has turned a corner. The President recently received a Nobel Peace Prize for brokering a wave of peace with FARC and the mayor of Medellín has innovatively added escalators and cable cars to connect the once isolated crime ridden areas to the rest of the city. Everywhere we went we saw new infrastructure constructed: bridges, tunnels, airports, etc. The citizens are proud and optimistic and seem almost giddy with hope. See more >> Discover the Best Things to do in Bogota, Colombia

Arriving in Bogotá

We flew directly from LAX to Bogotá on the Colombian airline Avianca. The flight was only 6 hours and 15 minutes. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a white cardboard sign with Penelope Ruth Bernal printed on it. (Good thing they included the Ruth). So cool to be picked up from the airport! Our driver dropped us off at L’Opera, a colonial hotel with beautiful, original yellow tile and pastel stone walls in La Candelaria district, one of the most ancient areas in Bogotá. Once we arrived, we ordered Ajiaco, one of their traditional dishes. It’s a chicken soup with three kinds of potatoes, rice, a large slice of avocado (their avocados are ginormous) and half of a corn cob. Starches anyone? Most of their traditional dishes are everything but the kitchen sink. Breakfast was always included and was simply scrumptious due to the great variety and quantity of fruit. There were several kinds of passion fruit, guavas, papaya and pineapple (sweet without a hint of acid). New fruit like pitahaya, a deep yellow with iguana-like swirled pointy hard protuberances outside and soft gray pudding pulp inside with black seeds was included. Smooth and yummy! All the fruit was sweet and illuminating to the tongue.

Local Guide in Bogotá

Our local guide Magda, picked us up promptly at 9:00 am. Like all of our guides, Magda was bilingual, speaking English to us. The Colombian Spanish accent is considered to be one of the clearest and most neutral accents in the world of Spanish. Both Raphael and I speak Spanish and soon realized this was an awesome opportunity to get semi-private lessons in Spanish, so we spoke Spanish the majority of the time.  We spoke the best Spanish we could and welcomed the assistance of our guides. Through our conversations, we learned all about Magda she was married and childless by choice, a situation evidently becoming more common in Colombia. At times, Magda would comment enthusiastically on the many tourists she saw — she said five years ago there were almost none. See more >> Bogota: 10 Things Locals Want You to Know

Day Tour in Bogotá

Bogotá’s weather was misty, rainy and cool being at 8,660 feet above sea level, located on a plateau in the Andes. After viewing the local plazas and statues mostly of Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Colombia, our next stop was El Museo de Oro (Gold). The Spanish arrived in 1509, bedazzled by the golden lifestyle of the indigenous people which led to the search for El Dorado and the slaughter of the tribes.  The delicacy and the artistry of the beautiful jewelry and ornaments were stunning. I so preferred these soft golden adornments to the ornate Baroque gold of the European cathedrals. Next, Monserrate, the mountain top in the center of the city, reached by cable car or funicular at 10,000 feet overlooking the entire metropolis. The most spectacular way to view this vibrant city. Rafa managed to breathe most of the way but welcomed the stop at a charming Antique house for food. After a lunch of local baked goods, we returned to our hotel. That night we met with Robert Drake, an expat musician living with his Colombian girlfriend in Bogotá. We walked to a restaurant in La Candelaria, Gato Gris (Gray Cat) with many levels and rooms — almost Escher-like and we enjoyed our first of several Pisco Sours and a yummy Colombian meal! See more >> Bogota Tours

Stay tuned for Penelope and Raphael’s next stop in Colombia…

Follow along on this multi-part travel testimonial. The next stop is Colombia’s countryside. Find out what activities Penelope and Raphael embarked on, which quirky posada’s they stayed at and more! You can continue this journey by checking out the next entries in this series:

• Part 2: Penelope and Raphael Explore Villa de Leyva
• Part 3: Penelope and Raphael Explore Colombia’s Coffee Region

And be sure to visit Penelope’s Odyssey’s where Penelope share’s even more stories from her adventures.

In this final entry, SouthAmerica.travel Clients Penelope and Raphael recount their experience exploring the various regions of Colombia on their SouthAmerica.travel Tour put together by Travel Expert, Jason Mayo. Read on for their adventures throughout Cartagena and Santa Marta in the final part of this detailed 5-part series.

Part 1: Penelope and Raphael Explore Bogotá

Part 2: Penelope and Raphael Explore Villa de Leyva

Part 3: Penelope and Raphael Explore Colombia’s Coffee Region

Part 4: Penelope and Raphael Explore Medellin, Post-Pablo

Part 5: Cartagena & Santa Marta 

Arrival in Cartagena

Flying into Cartagena, we were again greeted with the Penelope Ruth sign. Dramatically different weather, this is a Caribbean coastal city with the humidity and heat we hadn’t felt before. Our Hotel Bantu, a lovely boutique charmer, was located in the middle of the most colonial and historical part of the city. The rest is more modern and similar to Miami. Outside the walled city, the rocky coastline is rugged and designed for running. The walled city is huge and like a labyrinth with many similar plazas which means you can get as lost here as in Venice, Italy. Read more: Top 5 Things to See in Cartagena, Colombia

Exploring Fort Castillo de Felipe

Julio, our guide, picked us up and took us to Fort Castillo de Felipe, probably the best-engineered fort I’ve ever seen. Built-in the 1500s, it is probably the reason the people in Colombia don’t speak English. It’s on a 130-foot high hill strategically towering over the city. In 1741 the English Navy with 23,000 men and 2,000 cannons, was defeated by 3,000 Spanish troops. To add insult to injury, there is a plaque brought with the British to the battle that celebrates the English victory over Spain. That’s how certain they were, that they would be victorious. One more insult to that injury, the victorious Spanish commander Don Blas had one leg, one arm, and one eye. So because of the victory, Colombians speak Spanish instead of English. Julio has been a tour guide for 40 years and had many stories. He described the complex labyrinth of tunnels in the fort, some for sleeping and some for hiding and attacking the enemy. One tunnel goes under the water surrounding the fort to the walled city. Our guide was the last to have to cross underground from this tunnel, without light to the old town. Water began seeping from the walls and at one point he was waist-deep in water. He still has nightmares 40 yrs later. He had to do it as a final test as a guide. It was approximately 250 yards, he attempted to give up but was forced back. It took him 2 1/2 hrs to cross, in utter darkness. 

San Pedro de Majagua

Julio, Mr. Cartagena, was incredibly enthusiastic. and he had this verbal style where he seemed blown away by our insights and comments saying “YESSS!” and “EXXXCELENT” nodding exuberantly all the while, making us feel like the top of the class. The next day we were picked up and escorted to the docks for a speedboat trip to an island San Pedro de Majagua About 45 minutes away. Now we felt like we were in the Caribbean with the white powder sand and turquoise aqua water. We signed up for the snorkeling boat and were taken out to a reef which still had coral along with rainbow-colored fish and warm water. Back to the island for a fresh fish dinner with coconut rice (our favorite!). Coconut rice is a staple here at Cartagena. One speedboat ride later and we were back in Cartagena. Our last night was at a restaurant built into a smaller fort with a view of the water with several boats stopping to let off passengers. In the morning, we leisurely breakfasted with the hotel’s resident toucan who deservedly won a prize for “The Best Beak Ever” (I awarded it.) We strolled the colonial city and for our last Cartagena hurrah ate at La Cevicheria. Nick and I share a love for ceviche, raw fresh fish cured in citrus juices–a little different than sushi because the citrus juice has a chemical reaction of “cooking” the fish. This was one of the best! View more: Cartagena Tours 

Santa Marta

We were picked up at 3:00 PM. We were on way to our last destination, Santa Marta. Santa Marta is a 4-hour drive north from Cartagena, along with the Caribbean Sea. It is the oldest city in Colombia founded in 1525. On the way, we passed a highway sign you don’t often see. Hard to see, but that is an anteater drawing on the sign. We got to the Decameron Hotel after dark, so the beach view was muted. This is an all-inclusive hotel, so all food and drinks were included. Interestingly, 95% of the guests were Colombian with families. We were picked up bright and early by our guide Angie, Young and cute, she was a cheerleader for Santa Marta. Santa Marta is going through many new improvements including an international airport, several hotels, and is being geared up to be less crowded than Cartagena. Our destination, however, was Tayrona National Park, a jungle paradise with sandy beaches and rugged hikes. We took a strenuous hike for  2 ½ hours to an outdoor “restaurant” shack overlooking a remote sandy beach. Read more: Recommended Hotels in Santa Marta

Adventures in Tayrona National Park

Because Raphael’s knee had been recently operated on, he was reluctant to make the trek back and found out he could rent a horse. That turned out to be an excellent idea and was a fun ride, while we have ridden horses before, we had never been on a horse traversing steep inclines, rocks, narrow passages and precipices over jungle streams, so kudos to the horses! One interesting thing: there is an indigenous group called Los Kogus living in the deep reaches of the park. Their civilization goes back to Pre-Colombia. They remain closed off from civilization and do not speak Spanish. We did see a few who were selling trinkets to the tourists. Back to the hotel, for a luscious dip in the blue Caribbean Sea, one last sunset, and the next morning we were off. Back to Encinitas. Read more: Top 5 National Parks in Colombia Have you enjoyed reading about Penelope and Raphael’s adventures in Colombia? Are you ready to start making your own Travel Diary? Call us today! Our Expert Travel Consultants are happy to help you customize your dream vacation to Colombia. Before you know it, you’ll be sharing with us your own Travel Testimonial, about your time exploring South America. Be sure to visit Penelope’s Odyssey’s where Penelope share’s even more stories from her adventures.

Get Inspired to Travel from Expert Jon Hillstead’s

Brazil Travel Video!

Click play on this Brazil travel video and transport to Brazil through the eyes of our Travel Consultant Jon Hillstead! Feel the rhythm of Brazil’s African soul in Salvador da Bahia and discover the beauty that is Chapada Diamantina National Park.

After living in Brazil for 6 months, Jon went on the Diamonds & Hiking in Chapada Diamantina Tour, which features two of Brazil’s most popular destinations, Salvador da Bahia and Chapada Diamantina National Park. Tag along on his tour to Salvador, as he takes us through the colorful and lively streets.

Then, dive underwater and snorkel underneath the cave-encompassed lagoons; the crystal clear water provides an excellent look at the marine life below. Finally, follow his footsteps as he hikes the steep mountains of Chapada Diamantina National Park.

Brazil Travel Video Highlights

Chapada Diamantina & Lençóis – Jon’s favorite part of the trip was seeing how diverse Chapada Diamantina National Park was. His favorite activities in the park include hiking, swimming, and snorkeling inside the caves. At night, he experienced the lively streets of Lençóis, where there was nothing but good vibes and delicious restaurants.

Read more about Jon’s experience in Chapada Diamantina  – he was captivated by the African influence in Salvador both with the livelihood of the city and the incredible food.  A highlight for Jon was relaxing on the shores of Morro de Sao Paulo; this was the perfect ending to his trip. From the beautiful blue waters and white sandy beaches, and the laid-back atmosphere, this part of the trip suddenly became the cherry on top.

Cinematography Tips

• Filmed with the GoPro Hero 4 Silver
• Accessories: Helmet strap and Tripod 3-Way Arm.
• Edited with iMovie

Are you ready to venture to Brazil? Contact us or visit us online at www.SouthAmerica.travel and check out some of our favorite Brazil Tours.

Mato Grosso Jungle

Are you dreaming about visiting the wildlife wonders of Brazil?  Follow our Mato Grosso Jungle Guide for the best wildlife adventure. When talking about Brazil, people typically imagine beautiful beaches and Carnival, but there’s so much more to Brazil. If you want to see cascading waterfalls, crystal clear waters with rainbow-colored fish, and extreme wildlife biodiversity, and the famous Mato Gross plateau, the Mato Grosso state is the place for you.

The Mato Grosso Jungle is an expansive area that includes the Amazon and the wetlands. It is one of the best places to see nature in South America. With the capital, Cuiabá, situated at the intersection of three of the richest ecosystems in the world: the Amazon Rainforest, the Cerrado, and the Pantanal, you can seamlessly combine these three destinations into one customized Brazilian journey.

Getting to Mato Grosso 

Where is the Mato Grosso Jungle? Almost all the Brazilian airports offer daily flights to Cuiabá, specifically in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Flights from Rio and São Paulo are about 1.5-hours making these cities the perfect starting points for your Brazilian trip of a lifetime.

The Southern Amazon Rainforest

You can access the rainforest via a road trip from Cuiabá. However, due to the massive size of the region and lack of accommodations in the Mato Grosso, the best way to enjoy this ecosystem is to fly directly to Alta Floresta. From there, we recommend staying at the Cristalino Lodge. This lodge offers all sorts of activities including jungle hikes, wildlife observation hikes, bird watching, and boat trips.

There are so many activities to choose from in the Amazon, that we advise you to spend at least three days just visiting the Rainforest. There isn’t one best time to visit the Rainforest for this is a place where it is warm year-round, so please don’t forget your sunblock, your insect repellent, and your sense of adventure!

Visiting Cerrado in Matto Grosso

The Cerrado region of Mato Grosso is a place of exquisite waterfalls and the most spectacular crystal clear waters you’ll ever see. It is the perfect destination for those who enjoy nature and outdoor activities. Here, go snorkeling, hiking, bike riding, bird watching, and fishing. There are over 1,500 species of living creatures registered.

Some highlights in the Cerrado region include Chapada dos Guimarães and Nobres. One spectacular sight to see is the sunset! Make sure you spend enough time to relax and admire the breathtaking sunset while visiting. We recommend spending at least two days in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso.  If you’d like an extended stay to discover the region fully, allow 4 – 5 days.  You can travel to the Cerrado region at any time of the year because the climate is excellent from January until December with very few interruptions due to bad weather.

Visiting the Pantanal in Mato Grosso

There is nothing in the world like the Pantanal. The locals say there are four different Pantanals that you can experience, each one changing based on the time of the year you visit. If your objective is to see as much wildlife as possible, the preferred time to visit would be from June to September, when the waters are at the lowest and natural pools from where the fish flock and the birds gather to eat.

This time also offers the best opportunity to see yacares, tapirs, macaws, anteaters, capybaras, marsh deer, iguanas, anaconda, and the biggest feline of South America: the Pantanal Jaguar (Onça Pintada). Even if your trip is scheduled for another time of the year, you can still appreciate most of the wildlife species: some easier than others, of course. For example, with a single 2-hour road trip from Cuiabá to Araras Lodge or Piuval Resort, you can take advantage of several activities they offer. Those include boat trips, horseback riding, night safaris, fishing, and bike riding.

To make sure to see the Pantanal Jaguar, go a little further down the Transpantaneira road. This is about a 5-hour road trip from Cuiabá to Porto Jofre Resort. One of the best activities the resort offers is a boat trip to a naturally formed beach along two merging rivers. This is where Jaguars sit and relax, enjoying a nice sunbath. Just the journey deeper into the Pantanal offers plenty of options to see wildlife.

It’s an amazing experience and one that any wildlife enthusiast should include on their bucket list. I recommend a six-day trip through the region: spend two days snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Nobres, and another two days hiking to see magnificent waterfalls in Chapada dos Guimarães and the last two days in the Pantanal. There are several options for hotels. Find ranch-like lodges and charming resorts. If you’re not sure, just ask our sales consultant which option is best for you. 

Contact us about the Mato Grosso and the Pantanal

Contact us today and let our Travel Consultants plan the perfect tour through Mato Grosso in Brazil. Or take a look at some of our recommended Brazil Tours.