The Best Places to Visit in South and Central America in Summer
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.
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 US$2099
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
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 US$1869
Next available from 6th Jan 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
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
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 US$1824
Next available from 1st Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cusco, Peru
ENDS AT
Arequipa, Peru
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
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 US$1459
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Quito, Ecuador
ENDS AT
Quito, Ecuador
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
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 cocktail in hand.
From US$2099
Next available from 8th Dec 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
Additional reporting by Gethin Morgan.
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.
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