Latin America's Top Destinations To Visit In Winter

With Europe gripped by snow and temperatures plummeting across North America, this is a great time to start planning your escape. Here’s our rundown of the best places in Latin America to break out of the winter blues.

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Yelapa, Mexico

The sleepy fishing village of Yelapa boasts the kind of beach that you only see in adverts: with powdery white sand and clear azure water. The charming village is also virtually untouched by tourism and can only be reached by a thirty minute boat-ride from the nearby city of Puerto Vallarta.

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CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

The best place to stay is Hotel Lagunita, which offers simple beachside cabins and a swimming pool. Tuck into a seafood meal at the Marlin Restaurant and keep an eye out for the “pie-ladies,” who walk the beach with plastic boxes filled with delicious dessert pies.

Hotel Lagunita, Barcina 3 La Playa, Yelapa, Jalisco, Mexico +52 01 322 209 5056

Marlin Restaurant, Yelapa, Jalisco, Mexico

Quepos, Costa Rica

Park

This small, nondescript town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast earns its place on this list because it is a gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, a breathtaking destination that contains unblemished beaches, a deep rainforest and coral reefs. The park houses an incredible range of wildlife including white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths and iguanas. The reserve also boasts four impressive beaches and some gorgeous hiking trails. The dry season running from December to March is the peak time to visit.
Manuel Antonio National Park, Puntarenas Province, Cantón de Aguirre, Costa Rica +506 2777 5185

Playa Maracas, Quepos | © F Delventhal / Flickr

Cartagena, Colombia

Described by the late Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes as the “most beautiful city in the Caribbean,” Cartagena blends bright architecture and picturesque cobbled streets with a carnival atmosphere. The city is bursting with life and you’ll find street performers and music on practically every street. History buffs will also find plenty to love in the city, including the iconic cathedral and San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the vast pyramid-shaped fortress that overlooks the Caribbean Sea.

About an hour’s boat ride from the city you’ll find the Rosario Islands, which are blessed with picture-perfect beaches and deep turquoise waters.

San Felipe de Barajas Castle, Cra. 17, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia +57 5 6646946

Cartagena | © Jack Zalium / Flickr

Salinas, Ecuador

Jutting out into the Pacific, the resort city of Salinas is the westernmost city on mainland Ecuador and has established itself as one of the country’s major tourist hubs. Salinas has two long stretches of beach, which are lined by the lengthy, elegant pier. The resort also has excellent nightlife in the high season between December and April.

La Chocolatera is the furthest point in the city (and the country) and offers panoramic views of the surrounding ocean. Converging currents lift the sandy bottom of the sea and give it a distinctively brown hue, hence the name. La Loberia is a nearby nature preserve that sea lions use as a refuge. If you’re planning a trip later in the year, migratory humpback whales pass Salinas during the months of June and September.

La Chocolatera, Salinas, Ecuador +593 9824603

La Loberia, Salinas, Ecuador

Ilha Grande, Brazil

Less than 90 minutes by slow boat from mainland Brazil, Ilha Grande is an island paradise blessed with gorgeous beaches, a verdant forest and breathtaking hiking trails. You won’t find any roads or private cars on the island and with patchy internet coverage, the island is the perfect destination for a digital detox. The lack of development is linked to the island’s unusual history – Ilha Grande was once used as a leper colony and later as a maximum-security prison.

The Lopes Mendes Beach on the southeastern shore is one of Brazil’s most beautiful. Abraão is the island’s biggest village and boasts an elegant 19th-century church. The island now has a number of hotels, with Paraíso Azul Retiro being the most luxurious.

Lopes Mendes Beach, Angra dos Reis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Paraíso Azul Retiro, Freguesia de Santana, Ilha Grande, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil +55 24 99831-0050

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

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!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.