Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
What is Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain? Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain are two mountains on opposite sides of the Machu Picchu archeological site which are possible to hike to enjoy panoramic views from the top. Huayna Picchu is the tall peak you see in most photos of Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain is located at the opposite end of the site. Permits are required for each option and have to be booked in advance as spaces are limited. Our short guide below compares each option so you...
Photographing Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca in Peru is famous for being the highest navigable lake in the world, located at the dizzying heights of over 3800 metres above sea level. The lake is one of Peru's most popular destinations and is home to a variety of indigenous cultures. The Uros people are perhaps the most intriguing as they live actually on the lake on a network of floating islands made of the totora reeds that grow around the lake. The traditional boats the Uros people use to get around are also constructed using...
Gallo Pinto, Costa Rica’s national dish
What is Gallo Pinto? Gallo Pinto literally translates as ‘spotted rooster’ but is the name given to Costa Rica’s ubiquitous national dish of rice and beans. The name most likely originates from the speckled appearance of the black beans against the white rice. Gallo Pinto is traditionally a breakfast dish but can be eaten throughout the day or as a side dish. In Costa Rica there is a local saying that goes mas tico que el gallo pinto which literally translates as ‘more Costa Rican than spotted rooster’ (referring to the...
6 Best Luxury Hotels in Costa Rica
Las Catalinas by Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas is a brand new hotel from the team behind Casa Chameleon and their latest offering certainly does not disappoint! Las Catalinas is located on the Guanacaste Coast, north of Tamarindo in a new beach town called Las Catalinas. Currently it is the only hotel in the area and offers an authentic and secluded experience of Costa Rica. Even though it is slightly larger than Casa Chameleon at 21 villas apposed to 6, it still retains its private and secluded atmosphere along with fantastic service....
5 of Costa Rica’s most impressive animals
Bairds Tapir The Bairds Tapir is Central America’s largest land mammal growing up to six feet long and four feet tall. Resembling something between a rhino, an elephant and a pig, tapir are herbivores and generally quite shy. They are fantastic swimmers and most active in the morning and at dusk. Globally they are considered an endangered species, but there is a healthy population in Costa Rica.Where can I see them?The best place to see tapir is in Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsular where there has been a successful...
Top 6 Music Artists from Brazil
Brazil has produced some of the most famous, and in our opinion some of the best, music in Latin America. Perhaps the most recognisably Brazilian music is Samba which is most closely associated to Rio de Janeiro and the infamous carnival. Samba originally developed, however, in the northeastern state of Bahía and is heavily indebted to African rhythms and dance which arrived in Brazil as a result of the slave trade. The samba de roda is a celebratory dance performed in the northeast of Brazil traditionally after a Candomblé ceremony...
Our Ultimate Guide to Argentina’s Mendoza Wine Region
Mendoza is Argentina’s most famous and most important wine region, home to more than 1200 wineries (known as bodegas locally) and responsible for the vast majority of all wine produced in the country. Covering a large area, there are a surprising amount of micro-climates and different altitudes that result in a variety of wines. Although many grapes such as cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot do well it is of course Malbec that the region has become so famous for.The history wine in Mendoza is thought to date back to...
All you need to know about zip-lining in Costa Rica
One of the most thrilling experiences you can have in Costa Rica is flying through the air at speeds of up to 50mph along a steel cable across the tops of the trees. Zip-lining, commonly referred to throughout the country as a canopy tour, is one of the most popular adventure activities in Costa Rica. Here is everything you need to know about canopy tours in our quick guide. History of the Canopy Tour in Costa Rica Zip lines were first used in the seventies by scientists and biologists as a way...
Top 5 Unusual Peruvian Dishes
Peruvian food is world renown and it is certainly one of the most distinctive and unusual cuisines in Latin America. Peru has a varied and rich culinary tradition and it was the first place in the world where potatoes were cultivated around 8000 to 5000 BC. Potatoes were introduced to Europe from Peru after the Spanish conquest in the 16th Century and they quickly became a staple crop across Europe. Although potatoes are still an important part of Peru’s modern day cuisine there are many other interesting native ingredients that...
