Things to Do in Central And South America

At the confluence of two important Costa Rican ecosystems—the wet and wild Pacific Rainforest that characterizes the southern coast, and the dry tropical forest for which Guanacaste is known—this small, popular national park packs a lot of wildlife into a 5240-hectare (12,950-acre) package.

Most notably, Carara is home to one of Costa Rica’s last remaining populations of scarlet macaws, who you’ll likely see gossiping and preening in small groups throughout the park. The Rio Tarcoles, which forms the park’s northern border, is well known for its enormous population of huge crocodiles.

There are two short, 1km (.6mi) interpretive trails through the wilderness and waterfalls, perfect for families and less active travelers. A longer, 4.5km (2.7mi) trail follows the Rio Tarcoles and mangrove marshes, where both the crocodiles and scarlet macaws settle in for the evening.

There are scores of other animals in residence, hailing from both forest ecosystems straddled by Carara: sloths, peccaries, deer, monkeys, armadillos, and even big cats. Birders will appreciate the bounty most, with some 400 species easily spotted in this relatively small area.

Wild whitewater-rafting at its best surges along the Canon del Atuel, a gorge stretching from the Nihuil hydroelectric reservoir in Mendoza Province.

Kayakers, windsurfers, jetskiers, river-rafters, cyclists and all kinds of adventurers head to the canyon to take on the rapids and rugged landscapes, carved over the centuries by wind and water.

The river is bordered by steep cliffs, and natural rock sculptures formed by the elements have whimsical names like the Hanging Gardens, Monsters, Toad and Enchanted City.

A huge magnet for visitors, the Atuel region has a great range of hotels, country clubs and outdoor adventure facilities to choose from.

Follow Ruta Provincial 144 to the Nihuil reservoir for expansive valley views, or travel to the neighboring Valle Grande reservoir for more whitewater rafting on the River Atuel.

Plaza San Pedro Claver, in front of the museum, is itself a site to behold, studded with whimsical modern sculptures apparently made from spare parts. For more, enter the smallish Museum of Modern Art, housed in a 17th-century Royal Customs House. The pleasantly air-conditioned space is packed with pieces, with a special focus on Cartagena’s own Alejandro Obregon, one of Colombia’s most celebrated expressionist painters, and Enrique Grau, a sculptor known for his Afro-Caribbean and Amerindian influences.

Exhibits change frequently, and in addition to the rotating permanent collection, young artists from around the world are often invited to exhibit here. The museum also offers classes, workshops, and movie screenings; ask what’s on if you’re interested.

Anyone who is looking to make the most of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos cannot miss an opportunity to see the Canal del Amor, or the Love Channel. The complete natural adventure, Canal del Amor is not considered a visitor site, but has a spectacular turquoise channel bedded in between mountainous rock. At the channel you can also spot shore birds and reef sharks, or if you have the means, have a swim or go snorkeling, and explore its diverse and plentiful aqua-life and flora.

In the same afternoon, from here you will be able to explore the beautiful La Loberia island and of course, Port of Punta Estrada, where you can get to know the sea iguanas.

The coastal city of Cartagena is one of Columbia’s most-popular destinations. This fortress of a city was once the center of politics and economy. Today, remnants of this past draw visitors to its idyllic colonial streets, ornate cathedrals and beautiful beaches, making it a perfect destination for a day away from the ship.

How to Get to Cartagena

A free shuttle bus transports passengers from the dock to exit gates where it’s easy to find taxis to Old Cartagena, about 25 minutes away. Get dropped at the Convention Center, since it’s easy to find most sites from here.

One Day in Cartagena

It’s easy to spend a day wandering the streets of Old Cartagena, where the city’s rich history comes alive. Explore the underground tunnels of the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress or visit the unnerving Palacio de la Inquisicion, where ancient tools of torture are on display. Then wander the streets of El Centro and San Diego where quaint homes, local restaurants and bustling cafes line the streets. Local outfits offer tours through the “Best of Cartagena” but visitors can also easily go it alone.

There is a certain amount of irony surrounding the Bolivian street of Calle Jaen. Considered to be the best example of a colonial street in the capital city of La Paz, Calle Jaen two centuries ago served as a home to many of the revolutionaries who would help lead Bolivia out from the shackles of colonialism and onward towards Bolivian independence.

When strolling the narrow, cobble-stoned alley of modern day Calle Jaen, it’s humbling to think that some of the most influential figures in Bolivia’s tortured history once walked the same street and went to bed at night in the same colorful houses which stand here today.

One such revolutionary who once called Calle Jaen home, was Don Pedro Domingo Murillo, the renegade rabble-rouser who was ultimately hung in the square, now bearing his name. His former home is one of the Calle Jaen museums today and visitors are able to walk inside and explore period pieces left over from his days in the capital. Another revolutionary was Apollinar Jaen, the man for whom the street was ultimately named.

Though Jaen doesn’t have his own museum, three other Calle Jaen museums complement the Casa de Don Pedro Domingo Murillo to provide a unique view of Bolivian history and culture. At the Museo de Metales Preciosos Precolombinos (Museum of Precious Precolumbian Metals), various artifacts which date back to the days of the Inca and Aymara show the technology exhibited by peoples occupying these mountains for millennia. Also on Calle Jaen, the Museo de Litoral showcases a wide assortment of artifacts from the Spanish conquest which range from rifles, to maps to paintings of war scenes.

Finally, at the corner of Calle Jaen is the Museo Costumbrista which, as the largest of the four museums, displays a number of paintings and artwork which depict notable events in Bolivia’s history, such as the hanging of Murillo who lived just down the street. Access to all four Calle Jaen museums is available under the same ticket if purchased at Museo Costumbrista, and even though the street is short, there’s a lot to be learned in this narrow La Paz alleyway.