Rio De Janeiro is full of life at night.

With a reputation as one of the world’s greatest party cities, it would be stating the obvious to say that nightlife in Rio de Janeiro is a lively affair. However, many visitors to the city are surprised to find that the city’s legendary party spirit can be hard to uncover.

Take a walk through Copacabana after dark, for example, and you could easily get the impression that nightlife in Rio is all about strip joints; while anyone taking the same nocturnal stroll through Ipanema could be forgiven for thinking that the city’s famous ‘nightlife’ is little more than a string of tastefully lit bar-restaurants where waiters serve expensive drinks and snacks to a restrained clientele.

Contrary to popular belief, Rio de Janeiro’s party scene does not leap out at you the moment you step off the plane. However, let there be no doubt about it – once you find out where to party, you won’t want to stop until the sun is rising and your feet can dance no more.

Pick Your Party Scene

Where to find the best nightlife in Rio depends on what you are looking for in a night out. To see supernaturally beautiful people swaying elegantly to Western music, you should head for spots such as Melt, in Leblon, and Nuth, in Barra da Tijuca. Be prepared to pay steep prices for entry and drinks for the privilege of rubbing shoulders with Rio de Janeiro’s beautiful elite.

If, on the other hand, you want to dance through the night with a hedonistic crowd of clubbers who don’t care if their hair and makeup are less than pristine at the end of the night, you need to head away from the beaches and to the downtown party district of Lapa.

If you want to hear samba, pagode and forro instead of North American pop, Lapa is the place to head for. Ditto if you want to dance to the down and dirty bass of Carioca Funk (a hip-hop/electro/Miami Bass hybrid that bears no resemblance to funk as we Westerners know it) or shake some hip hop moves.

In short, if you want to find the hedonistic heart of Rio, head to Lapa. This is where to find the city’s greatest concentration of bars and clubs, as well as a legendary Friday and Saturday night street party that sees thousands of locals and tourists converge by the Arcos da Lapa - a whitewashed former aqueduct that is an iconic image of bohemian Rio – to drink potent fruit cocktails bought from the many street sellers; exchange flirtatious glances (and possibly more) and make their way woozily through the throng while trying to decide whether to pay to enter a club and, if so, whether it should be one playing hip hop, electro, samba or a combination of all the above.

Dance All Night

To many people, Rio de Janeiro is synonymous with samba, and in Lapa there is no shortage of opportunity to hear the sultry sound of this most

Dance Club in Rio de Janeiro.

sensual of rhythms. Spots such as Carioca da Gema and Rio Scenarium feature live bands from Thursday through to Sunday, and hungry revellers can eat their fill at the in-house restaurants before working off those calories on the dance floor.

Be warned, however, that even if you consider yourself to be a king or queen of the dance floor, the locals will likely be able to show you a thing or two about how to dance. Rio moves to a constant musical beat, and the Cariocas (Rio natives) have been dancing for as long as they have been walking. But don’t let that put you off trying a few moves. Sink a couple of caipirinhas (Brazil’s national drink, the caipirinha is a dangerously drinkable concoction of sugar cane rum, crushed ice, lime and sugar) and lose yourself in the music. Even if you have two left feet, nobody will raise an eyebrow  - most Brazilians assume that foreigners can’t dance, so you will merely be confirming their suspicions. If the thought of showcasing your dance ‘skills’ against some of the best dancers on the planet doesn’t appeal even after a dozen caipirinhas, just sit back and take in the spectacle as the dancers expertly weave around the floor.

Samba aside, Rio de Janeiro is also famous for its gay nightlife scene, and gay visitors to the city will not be short of clubbing options. The more sedate gay scene is based around the strip of smart bars and restaurants that line Farme do Amoeda, close to the gay section of the beach in Ipanema, while clubs and bars advertising themselves as ‘GLS’ (Gays, Lesbians and Sympathisers) are to be found across the city. The most (in)famous of the city’s gay clubs are Le Boy and La Girl, both in Copacabana, and both feature an electro-heavy playlist and dancing until dawn.

Whatever your clubbing style, Rio de Janeiro has something to suit you – just don’t expect to find party central right next door to your hotel (and for anyone planning to sleep at least some of the time, this is very much a blessing in disguise).

-Lucy Bryson

Planning a Trip? Browse Viator’s Rio de Janeiro tours and things to do, Rio de Janeiro attractions, and Rio de Janeiro travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in Rio de Janeiro for a customized tour!

A Guide to Nightlife in Rio by Lucy Bryson from Viator Travel Blog

Editor’s Note: Viator is proud to introduce some of our new local experts. This network of licensed tour guides covers most every destination you can imagine, so check ‘em out the next time you’re looking for a private tour guide – or simply looking to explore a destination from a local’s perspective.

Meet Ricardo Calvo, one of Viator’s local experts in San Jose, Costa Rica (and a highly rated licensed tour guide you’ll find at Viator Private Tour Guides).

Meet Private Guide Ricardo Calva!

A tour guide with more than 20 years experience, Ricardo is the one to turn to if you need guidance while planning your San Jose trip or want a local to show you around! Fluent in Spanish and English, he is prepared to help many different kinds of travelers have an amazing time in Costa Rica.

Ricardo has suggested routes for visitors to Costa Rica, including the “Lonely South” for beaches, mountains, and forests; the “Pacific Nature Route” to see rivers, volcanoes, and wildlife; and the “Green Way”, which has action, nature, hiking, birds, and volcanoes.

He is also able to plan customized routes, for which he works one-on-one with travelers to create 100% personalized tours. For these, he will want to know details about your trip, such as what you want to see most in Costa Rica, how you like to travel, what kind of vehicle you would like to travel in, and how many people are in your group.

When he’s not guiding travelers, Ricardo spends his time birdwatching. He also offers birdwatching experiences around Costa Rica, and can advise the best places to go and where to find specific birds.

Want to find out more? Check out Ricardo’s Viator Private Tour Guide profile for more details of his private San Jose tours and further information on how to contact and book with Ricardo.

-Viator Travel Team

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s San Jose tours and things to do, San Jose attractions, and San Jose travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in San Jose for a customized tour!

Meet Private Guide Ricardo in San Jose, Costa Rica! by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

Editor’s Note: Viator is proud to introduce some of our new local experts. This network of licensed tour guides covers most every destination you can imagine, so check ‘em out the next time you’re looking for a private tour guide – or simply looking to explore a destination from a local’s perspective.

Meet Isabell Erdmann, one of Viator’s local experts in Rio de Janeiro (and a highly rated licensed tour guide you’ll find at Viator Private Tour Guides).

Meet Private Guide Isabell!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – a word synonymous with Carnaval and home to famous attractions such as Corcovado/Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana beach, as well as samba and bossa nova, capoeira and yes, the favelas or shantytowns populated by its poorer denizens.

With so much to see and do, where to begin? And how to see all sides of Rio while feeling safe? Book a private tour with guide, Isabell Erdmann, and see it all with someone who lives there and “gets it” – yet has the perspective of someone who came from another part of the world. She’ll show you why it’s an easy city to love!

Originally from Germany, Isabell also lived elsewhere in Europe before her interest in capoeira led her to Brazil, where she settled in 2005 and soon became a licensed tour guide. She specializes in showing visitors the “real” Rio that she fell in love with – favelas and all – buzzing with the energy and joy of the people, music, and culture that make Rio de Janeiro such a dynamic place to visit, or to live.

Isabell offers pre-set or customized tours based on your or your group’s interests – whether focusing on the historic city center and primary attractions, the culture of the favelas or hiking the great outdoors. There is plenty to do and see and a wealth of hidden gems that Isabell is excited to share with others.

Fluent in German, French and – of course – Portuguese, and offering transportation if needed, she is sure to prove invaluable as you discover Rio de Janeiro for yourself and decide for yourself what makes it so special!

Want to find out more? Check out Isabell’s Viator Private Tour Guide profile for more details of her private Rio tours and further information on how to contact and book with Isabell.

-Viator Travel Team

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Rio de Janeiro tours and things to do, Rio de Janeiro attractions, and Rio de Janeiro travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in Rio de Janeiro for a customized tour!

Meet Private Guide Isabell in Rio de Janeiro by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

Editor’s Note: This post is from Diana Edelman, a travel writer and PR professional. Her popular blog, d travels ’round, shares entertaining stories from her travels, along with travel tips and photos from all over the world. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook for travel stories, news and more.

The Alps hold a certain charm that is undeniable. People from all over the world flock to this region in Europe at the first sign of fresh powder, aching to drop their skis or snowboards into the fluffy white snow.

But, the Alps are just one of many spectacular areas in the world where the skiing is world-class and the mountains are magical.

Because of the two hemispheres and opposite seasons, it is possible to plan a skiing vacation any time of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, skiing normally runs from June through October; in the Northern, October or November (depending on weather) through late spring.

For people planning a ski or snowboard vacation in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months, Canada has got some of the best skiing in the world.

Banff, Lake Louise, Alberta

Located in Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are three ski areas – Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort and Lake Louise.

Sunshine Village, which opens in November and closes mid-May records an average of nearly 30 feet of snow a year. The resort has more than 3,300 skiable acres of mountain, 107 runs with names (and plenty more off-trail adventure opportunities), and a terrain park. Sunshine Village has an even split of beginner and advanced slopes – about 25 percent for each – and 50 percent intermediate.

Ski at Lake Louise! photo courtesy of jorr81 via Flickr

Mount Norquay, which celebrates its 86^th anniversary this season, was the first resort in the Canadian Rockies. Along the way, it has garnered recognition for being one of the best family ski resorts in Canada and also one of the best jumping and racing facilities. In addition to skiing and a terrain park, there is also the opportunity to go snow tubing and snow shoeing. The resort features more than 30 trails – with the largest number of trails designated for advanced skiers. Beginning in the new year, every second Thursday of the month, Norquay has been offering “Toonie Thursdays,” giving visitors passes for only $2.

Lake Louise is one of the largest ski resorts on the continent and offers 4,200 skiable acres over four mountain faces. With 139 trails and bowls, it’s a near even split between beginner and advanced runs. Around 45 percent of the trails are designated for intermediate skiers. Aside from skiing and snowboarding, visitors can enjoy dog sledding, ice skating and cross-country skiing.

For those who can’t decide between the three, there are options to “Ski Big 3” that include lift passes to all three, along with discounts or free rooms based on length of stay.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Everyone in the family can ski at Whistler! photo courtesy of Scott Hughes via Flickr

It wasn’t the host for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games for nothing. Whistler Blackcomb, located about two hours from Vancouver, features some of the best skiing in North America. First established in February 1966 with dreams of hosting the Olympics, Whistler has grown into its own, merging with Blackcomb in the late 90s to create one of the world’s biggest resorts. It was the first mountain to be recognized by an American ski magazine as the best outside of America, and today has gained a reputation for its challenging runs, including “Couloir Extreme,” one of the top 10 steep in-bounds in the world, according to Ski Magazine.

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

Opening for the 2012 season in June, Lake Wanaka features four parks, making the area the largest skiable terrain in Australasia. There is the family-focused Cardrona Alpine Resort, complete with an entire children’s facility to accommodate lessons and childcare. Known for its wide open trails, it breaks down to 25 percent beginners, 50 percent intermediate and 25 percent advanced runs.

Another option is Treble Cone, a challenging option for skiers and snowboarders. This mountain, which features a vertical drop of 2,312 feet, offers only 10 percent of the trails for beginners, and 45 percent for both intermediate and advanced visitors.

For those looking for skiing with less adrenaline but still a challenge, Snow Farm is New Zealand’s only cross-country resort, with more than 50 km of trails.

Finally, there is Snow Park, perfect for the free-style enthusiasts. It features a terrain park packed with challenges, plus a dedicated jump area. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there’s also sledding to pass the time.

Valle Nevado, Chile

Valle Nevado is great for advanced skiiers - photo courtesy of Brasileiro via Flickr

Selected by The New York Post as one of the best summer escapes in the world, Valle Nevado, near Santiago, Chile is one of the youngest in this bunch, having its first season in 1988. Valle Nevado has the largest skiable area in South America, with nearly 7,000 acres. Be warned: the trails here are challenging, and abundant. Only 10 percent of the trails are designated as beginners, with another 36 percent for intermediate skiers and 54 percent for the advanced athlete. In the off-season, there is hiking and biking to enjoy on the rough Andes terrain.

- Diana Edelman

Editor’s Note: This post is from Diana Edelman, a travel writer and PR professional. Her popular blog, d travels ’round, shares entertaining stories from her travels, along with travel tips and photos from all over the world. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook for travel stories, news and more.

Top Places to Ski Around the World by Diana Edelman from Viator Travel Blog

Bienvenidos (and Bem-vindo) to our Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America!

Editor’s Note: This post is part of the Viator Travel Awards, an annual awards competition where we let our travelers select the top things to do and see in each of the major regions we serve, as well as the top things to do in our most popular tour categories. The awards culminate in the Viator Top Travel Destinations and our annual list of the world’s most travel-inspiring attractions.

* * * * * *

Welcome to the 2011 Viator Travel Awards: Central and South America Edition! We’ve combined input from traveler reviews and photos, data from the millions of travelers who visit Viator.com each year, plus data on which tours generated the most bookings in 2011, in order to crown the Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America in 2011!

There is no mistaking the iconic beauty of the various landmarks, both natural and man-made of Central and South America. From the magical allure of Machu Picchu to the imposing majesty of Christ the Redeemer in Rio, there are simply things to do in Central & South America that you will not want to miss.

#25. Tour the Perito Moreno Glacier

Experience the natural beauty of Patagonia with a Full Day Tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Visit glacier streams, small lagoons, gullies, crevasses and see plenty of ice formations. You’ll also get an impressive view of the glacier’s 200 foot (60 meter) high ice walls.

#24. Visit Manuel Antonio National Park

Tour beaches and tropical forests at Manuel Antonio National Park

Go on a guided tour to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful parks on the Manuel Antonio National Park Day Trip from San Jose. From San Jose, you will drive along the scenic coastline, and then hike to the preserve. Once there, enjoy the beach or join a nature walk where you can spot monkeys, iguanas, birds and possibly even the three-toed sloth.

#23. Cruise on Guanabara Bay

Embark on a journey that will bring you one of the most gorgeous views of Rio de Janeiro with the Guanabara Bay Cruise with Optional Seafood Lunch. You will see the major sites from the waters, including Sugarloaf Mountain and the famous Christ the Redeemer, and also Flagstone Island, Santa Cruz Fortress and Rio- Niteroi Bridge.

#22. Take a Boat down the Panama Canal

The world famous Panama Canal doesn’t need an introduction, but surely deserves one. The construction of the canal was one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken and it is a marvel of the world. With the Panama Canal Partial Transit Sightseeing Cruise, you can see the Miraflores Locks, talk to engineering and history buffs and cruise down the canal itself.

#21. Tour Lima

Visit the historical sights of Lima on a Sightseeing Tour!

Not known as the City of Kings for nothing, Lima is chalk full of the history, cultural and wonderment of Peru you were looking for. Jump on the Lima City Sightseeing Tour and see the shrines and landscapes of the city between visiting the San Francisco Monastery, the Cathedral of Lima, and the Lima Historical Center.

#20. Watch a Traditional Chilean Show

Becoming immersed with the local people is the best way to truly experience civilization. With the Chilean Folklore Show and Dinner tour you get not just a three-course Chilean dinner, but you also participate in a cultural show displaying the distinct regions of Chile. It is an educational experience you are sure to love.

#19. Go on a Costa Rican Canopy Adventure

Zip through the Sarapiqui Canopy and see Costa Rica's unique wildlife!

Costa Rica has an amazing wildlife, and you should try your best to go see it. With the Sarapiqui Canopy and Rainforest Day Tour, zipline through the heart of the rainforest via a boat ride from the Sarapiqui River.

#18. Sightsee in Buenos Aires

Going to Buenos Aires is in itself an amazing opportunity to explore one South America’s proudest and influential cultures. Without a little help though, you may not get the chance to see and do all that you wanted. With the Buenos Aires City Sightseeing Tour, you will do it all–walk the streets of Recoleta and Palermo, explore Colon Theater and Mayo Square as well as San Telmo.

#17. Cruise through Sepetiba Bay

From Rio de Janerio, it is worth your while to cruise the beautiful Sepetiba Bay. Jump aboard a schooner with the Rio de Janeiro Full Day Tropical Islands Tour and Sepetiba Bay Cruise, and make sure to bring your towel since you’ll be enjoying a swim after looking for dolphins, turtles and sting rays.

#16. Take a Boat Trip to Tigre

Taking a boat ride on the Rio de la Plata River is definitely one way of living the high life in Argentina. With the Tigre Delta Day Trip from Buenos Aires you can do just that, and visit the amazing ecological area of the Parana River delta.

#15. See the Best of Costa Rica

If you don’t have a whole lot of time in Costa Rica, don’t worry; you can still see it all with the Combo Tour – Best of Costa Rica from San Jose. One just one day, you can see Poas Volcano, the La Paz Waterfalls, one of the world’s largest butterfly observatories, a wide array of wildlife, flora and fauna, not to mention munch on traditional foods.

#14. Experience a Brazilian Soccer Match

Watch a match in one of the best soccer cities in the world!

Brazil doesn’t just win World Cup after World Cup for nothing, they are soccer crazy. Only a growing craze in the US, soccer in Brazil is a time-honored tradition, and the mastery of the sport here is unparalleled in most other countries. Take the Rio de Janeiro Soccer Match and Stadium Tour and see it for yourself.

#13. Watch a Tango Show

Ever wanted to learn how to tango? Well, what better place to do it than in Buenos Aires?! With Viator’s Tango Show or Tango Show plus Dinner and Dance Lessons, you will see it or dance it the way you’ve always imagined. Don’t be shy, anybody can do it!

#12. Visit Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso

Tour wineries and get great views of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso on a day trip from Santiago

Head down to central Chile and travel through wine country on the Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso Day Trip from Santiago, or alternatively on the private tour, where you stop at the “garden city” and travel to the bohemian town of Valparaiso and the Pablo Neruda Museum.

#11. Tour Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica is one of the best places in South America to experience nature. When you take the Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Day Trip from San Jose, you can soak in the mineral pools and hot springs as well as enjoy the excitement of taking on the Arenal Volcano–truly a terrific combination.

#10. See Rio from a Helicopter

As if seeing Rio on the ground wasn’t beautiful enough, taking to the air brings it to a whole other level. The Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour offers you incredible views and some of the most spectacular photos you will ever take.

#9. Nazca Lines & Ballestas Islands

See the wildlife of the Ballestas Islands!

Taking the Nazca Lines Air Tour and Ballestas Islands Full-Day Trip from Lima puts you on the famous Ballestas Islands where you can not only take in the beautiful islands themselves, but see the birds, penguins and magnificent sea lions in all their glory. The aerial tour in a Cesna aircraft is just the cherry on top.

#8. Visit the Galapagos Islands

One of the greatest aspects of South America is that all of it cannot be seen on land. Take the Galapagos Islands Explorer Package from Santa Cruz Island and spend 4 or 5 days aboard a yacht while exploring the plant and animal life of six different islands.

#7. Discover Lima and Cusco

Of the things to see in South America, the many sights of Peru may take the cake for many. With the 7-Day Lima and Cusco Tour with Overnight at Machu Picchu, you get to see the uncontested beauty of some of South America’s best. From the famous landmarks of the cities, Inca ruins or an overnight at Machu Picchu, this week long journey is one you will not soon forget.

#6. Explore a Rain Forest

Tour the Tijuca Rain Forest from Rio

For those who are not acquainted with the tropical environment, visiting a rain forest seems only a distant dream. The Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep Tour from Rio de Janeiro, one of Viator’s best South America tours, makes it a reality!

#5. Hike the Inca Trail

Known for the famous pilgrimage many people take here, the Inca Trail is a trek that takes you through the Urubamba Valley towards the citadel of Machu Picchu. With Viator’s Inca Trail: 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu, you pass the ruins and breathtaking views of the Andean Mountain range.

#4. Tour the Argentinian Countryside

Enjoy a traditional meal and folkloric songs and dances in Argentina

With the Argentina Fiesta Gaucha Day Trip from Buenos Aires you can rest assured that a relaxing trip to an estancia, or ranch, is no waste of your limited time. Whether it is feasting on traditional barbeque, enjoying a horseback riding show or soaking in the famous Argentina countryside, you will get to see the full extent of beautiful Argentina.

#3. Enjoy a Samba Show

If you think you can go to Rio de Janeiro and not check out a Plataforma samba show, you have no idea what you’d be missing! A cultural and entertaining rhythmic tradition, choose the Plataforma Samba Show and dine on a delicious traditional Brazilian meal while enjoying a colorful and exotic 3-hour show.

#2. Day Trip to Machu Picchu

Visit the world-famous Incan ruins of Machu Picchu (and maybe even see the llamas and alpacas)

Finished in 1450, it did not take Machu Picchu long to define itself as one as one of the great wonders of the world. With the Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco, you get the chance to see the sacred city as it should be seen.

#1. Experience Rio’s Breathtaking Views

One of the most distinguishable landmarks in the world, get an up-close look at Christ Redeemer with the Corcovado Mountain, Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain Day Tour of beautiful Rio. Take a ride in a cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain or check out the Tijuca Rain Forest–in Rio, you just can’t lose.

Central & South America is a plentiful and plush region of culture, history and landmarks. To see it all would be a dream for any traveler, but for most of us, it is about finding what is most beautiful and meaningful and exploring that. Viator’s tours are dedicated to finding what is most alluring and bringing it to you through experienced and knowing eyes. We wish you safe journeys on your next trip!

We hope you enjoyed Viator’s list of the Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America in 2011. Stay tuned for more lists in the coming days, to help you plan your next trip across the globe. Let us know what you think, tell us about your own travel experiences, and most important of all – happy travels in 2012!

- Viator Travel Team

Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America: 2011 Viator Travel Awards by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

Editor’s Note: This post is from Diana Edelman, a travel writer and PR professional. Her popular blog, d travels ’round, shares entertaining stories from her travels, along with travel tips and photos from all over the world. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook for travel stories, news and more.

Just because most of America is in a deep freeze (or at least not shorts weather), doesn’t mean the rest of the world is experiencing the same. Thankfully, there are plenty of places enjoying summer whilst we pack on the layers and bundle up to face winter’s wrath.

During the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, many other places are enjoying some gorgeous weather, free from the rainy seasons, monsoons and sweltering heat, so now is the time to head to one of these exotic locales to enjoy some sun, blue skies and less clothes. A lot less clothes.

Thailand

Whether you’re in the mood for some city living in Bangkok or up north in Chiang Mai, or want to relax on the pristine beaches in the south, the weather is pure bliss from January through March. With average temps ranging from the high 70s to high 80s, the likelihood of having the perfect weather day is just about 100 percent.

Thailand is the perfect remedy for winter blues

Not sure where to go? For a true holiday, head to either the Andaman Coast or Gulf of Thailand. Both of these regions feature blue water, white sand and sunshine. The tourist hot spots are Phuket and Pattaya. If you don’t want to share your little spot on the sand with others, try the less popular (but equally beautiful) islands like Koh Samet, Phi Phi Island or Koh Chang.

Kenya

Another hot spot is Kenya this winter. Temps here average between 70s and 90s, with the hottest months being in February and March. While there are plenty of resorts to relax at, safaris are the name of the game. In fact, the beginning of the Wildebeest Migration runs from January through March where more than 500,000 new wildebeests are born.

Take time to visit the Maasai Mara National Reserve to see the “Big Five” on a safari – elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards – at the most famous wildlife safari area. There are plenty of ways to experience the wildlife in Kenya, whether you want to fly over in an airplane, drive, camp, go on a safari adventure, or enjoy a different perspective from a hot air balloon. And, when you are amply safari-ed out, head to some of the nomadic communities in the country to learn about culture and life in Kenya.

Brazil

Yes, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro happens to fall in one of the most perfect times of year for a visit to Brazil (Feb. 18-21). Temps during this time are mid-80s and lend themselves perfectly to days and nights spent dancing, drinking and enjoying the vibrant culture and celebrations. But, there’s more.

With 4,600-plus miles of coastline, Brazil is a great spot to unwind and enjoy the summer weather during our winter. Hang out at Fernando de Noronha, 350 miles off of the coast, for diving and snorkeling. Or, check out Salvador, a vibrant and colorful coastal town where you can surf and swim in addition to explore local culture.

Wear shorts and short sleeves this winter in Cambodia!

Cambodia

Like Thailand, Cambodia delights with temperatures in the 80s during this time of year. And, like Thailand, there is plenty to do. Head inland to Angkor Wat and check out the other-worldly temple, or learn about the country’s past with a visit to S-21 detention centre, a harsh reminder of the genocide that took place here.

There’s also the beaches, which are largely free from huge tourist enclaves. Dine on fresh fish and relish in the relatively untouched areas of the country’s three beach communities – Sihanoukville, Koh Kong and Kep – or head out to some islands for a private experience.

Maldives

This exotic and romantic country is the stuff dreams are made of. During the Northern Hemisphere’s winter is the best time to visit. In fact, in January, the air and water temperatures are nearly the same – both in the 80s. People visit this lush locale for relaxation and to unplug from the world.

And, it’s easy to do. There are more than 1,000 islands, many untouched, to explore. Plus, there is snorkeling and diving, which affords a glimpse into the colorful and whimsical underwater life of more than 1,000 species of fish. For adventurers, there is swimming and surfing (although most of the big waves come later in the year). When the beaches get old – if they ever do – head out to visit little fishing villages and visit the locals.

- Diana Edelman

Editor’s Note: This post is from Diana Edelman, a travel writer and PR professional. Her popular blog, d travels ’round, shares entertaining stories from her travels, along with travel tips and photos from all over the world. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook for travel stories, news and more.

5 Places to Travel in Winter by Diana Edelman from Viator Travel Blog

It has already been an unusually hot, dry summer in the Chilean Patagonia, where more than 500 wildfires have raged across the famed glacier-carved landscapes of granite and wildflowers. The worst is still burning in the Bio Bio region, known for its high rainfall, strong winds, and thick forests that are at the heart the region’s economy. This area is also home to spectacular Torres del Paine National Park.

The park was closed earlier this week as the blaze swept through the usually well-watered park and surrounding communities. Hundreds of people were evacuated from picturesque Patagonian timber towns like Quillón. So far, at least one person is dead and more than forty homes have been destroyed. Famed Hotel Salto Chico was almost devoured in the inferno, but thanks to international firefighting teams survived with little or no damage; it is expected to reopen in mid-January.

Helicopters fly over the town of Quillón - photo courtesy of The Guardian

About 80% of the Torres del Paine National Park reopened on Wednesday, so most tours will be unaffected; be sure to check for the latest updates.

Unfortunately for those planning to make the iconic five-day hike on the W circuit, some 31,000 acres around gorgeous Grey Lake have been charred, and 20% of the park will not be reopened in the near future.

President Sebastian Pinera blamed the “La Nina” weather pattern and “global warming” for the lack of rain and fires. (Though a fierce neoconservative on most points, Pinera has been inspired by Chile’s shrinking glaciers to become of a climate change warrior, spearheading innovative approaches to mitigating global warming.)

Bio Bio Governor Victor Lobos said it was suspicious that “eight of Arauco Forest fires started simultaneously Friday morning in different places.” Arson is suspected, and a 23-year-old backpacker from Israel has been taken into custody; the Israeli government, in response, has sent aid and equipment to Chile to combat the fires.

No matter what or who is behind the blaze, however, travelers should make a special effort to get up-to-date information before heading into the Chilean Patagonia, particularly Torres del Paine.

-Paige Penland

Travel Alert: Fires in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park by Paige Penland from Viator Travel Blog

Editor’s Note: Viator is proud to introduce some of our new local experts. This network of licensed tour guides covers most every destination you can imagine, so check ‘em out the next time you’re looking for a private tour guide – or simply looking to explore a destination from a local’s perspective.

Meet Private Guide Veronica Luzuriaga!

Meet Veronica Luzuriaga, one of Viator’s local experts in Quito, Ecuador (and a highly rated licensed tour guide you’ll find at Viator Private Tour Guides).

Traveling to Ecuador? Let Veronica be your guide! An experienced certified National Tour Guide and International Tour Leader, she has traveled all over Latin America and can help you with just about anything you would need.

Adventure-seeking travelers will have no problem finding fun things to do with Veronica; she loves rafting, canopying in the jungle, and staying active. Passionate about natural medicine, nature, and yoga, she even includes free yoga classes in her tours!

For those looking for cultural excursions, Veronica can set you up with an Ecuadorian cooking class and food market tour, and she can even tell you all about the Indigenous-Spanish  history of the region.

Here’s what one happy traveler has to say about Veronica:

From the time I first contacted Veronica about helping me, she was a very conscientious and attentive professional. Well before my arrival, she identified several appropriate itineraries, verified the appropriateness of lodging, and exerted an impressive effort to ensure that my first trip to her country would be fantastic. In person, she was very knowledgeable, articulate, and reliable. I will be visiting Ecuador again and working with her again.

Whether you want to go sightseeing in Quito, shopping in local markets, or try out an outdoor adventure, Veronica is a great resource!

Check out Veronica’s Viator Private Tour Guide profile for more details of her private Quito tours and further information on how to contact and book with Veronica.

-Viator Travel Team

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Quito tours and things to do, Quito attractions, and Quito travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in Quito for a customized tour!

Meet Private Tour Guide Veronica in Quito, Ecuador by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

Cancun is no stranger to hurricanes

As Hurricane Rina churns toward the Yucatán Coast, with Cancun in its sights for a Thursday afternoon touchdown, a familiar drama is playing out up and down the glittering Caribbean coastline. Alerts are out to some 45,000 tourists estimated to be staying in Cancun, Cozumel, and along the Riviera Maya, based on careful analysis of the storm, recommending evacuation for most resort areas, and requiring it in places deemed high-risk, in this case Isla Holbox.

Like clockwork, windows are being boarded up, generators checked, cruise ships diverted, Jet Skis secured, and airline tickets reshuffled at the packed Cancun Airport. Even the markets fluctuate predictably when a hurricane approaches; yesterday Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB, a Mexican airport operator, suffered a 2.4% drop in Mexico City markets on speculation of a Rina landfall.

Rina is the sixth major storm of the 2011 hurricane season, which typically runs from May through December, bookended by the rainiest months in the Yucatán microclimate. Though this year has been a thankfully slow for Mexico, Central America has been hit hard with deadly rains, and no one on the Caribbean Coast has been lulled into complacency. This is a hurricane-prone region, something that has been factored into Cancun’s development from the beginning.

Cancun is a planned city, and was chosen in the late 1960s for a tourism megaproject (some say by computer analysis) based on a number of variables—access to Mayan ruins, beautiful beaches, and drinking water; the projected expense of improving roads, building airports, and other infrastructure; and of course, the weather.

Hurricanes have been carefully documented in the region since the 1870s, so the Mexican government was well aware that hurricane-force winds affect Cancun approximately every 2.90 years, with a direct hit every 6.95 years. Thus, Mexico’s most famous resort has been designed with tropical storms in mind, and has survived several: Gilbert in 1988 and Wilma in 2005 were both direct hits, while Dean in 2007, and Gustav in 2008, were near misses. None could destroy Cancun.

While the Mexican and Quintana Roo governments are geared to mobilize before every storm, there are several precautions that savvy travelers can make to help. TripAdvisor offers excellent advice for travel during hurricane season, such as using your credit card (rather than debit card) to pay for your vacation, as it is more likely to refund expenses in the case of an evacuation. Click on the link for more.

Cancun Travel also offer advice, with links to sites where you can monitor Cancun weather, and register with your nation’s foreign ministry or state department. “If a hurricane strikes while you are travelling, the most important thing to do is stay calm,” they continue. “The hotels and authorities have tried and true plans for keeping you safe and dry during the storm.” They also suggest charging electronic gadgets, collecting documents, visiting the ATM, and grabbing some bottled water before the storm hits.

There’s no such thing as a safe hurricane, but preparation and mobilization help keep Cancun and the Caribbean Coast as safe as possible. Keep calm and carry on!

- Paige

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cancun tours and things to do, Cancun attractions, and Cancun travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Cancun for a customized tour!

Hurricane Rina Won’t Be Cancun’s Last by Paige Penland from Viator Travel Blog

Editor’s Note: Viator is proud to introduce some of our new local experts. This network of licensed tour guides covers most every destination you can imagine, so check ‘em out the next time you’re looking for a private tour guide – or simply looking to explore a destination from a local’s perspective.

Meet Guilherme, one of Viator’s local experts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (and a highly rated licensed tour guide you’ll find at Viator Private Tour Guides).

If you want to see Rio de Janeiro through the eyes of a local, look no further than Guilherme Lima. Born and raised in Rio, he knows all the best spots in the city, and he will also show you around Búzios, Petrópolis, Angra, and São Paulo!

Need someone to pick you up from your plane, bus, or boat? No problem – Guilherme will do that and more. To ensure that your Brazilian dream vacation comes true, he will work with you to plan an itinerary that fits your needs and wants. Touring with Guilherme also means that you won’t be waiting on other passengers – you will have your own private transportation!

Meet Private Tour Guide Guilherme

But don’t take our word for it!  Here are what a couple of his many happy customers have to say:

-    Outstanding service. He was prompt, courteous, friendly, flexible, and worked hard to make our touring experience a delight. His English is excellent and my wife and I both recommend Guilherme highly.

- Guilherme was great! He was very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw things that we probably would not have found without him. It was a great value for the money and we would definitely use him again. In fact we have family who will be in Rio later this month and will be recommending his services to them.

Whether you want help with transportation or an entire private tour itinerary, Guilherme will make sure that you have the best experience on your Rio de Janeiro trip!

Check out Guilherme’s Viator Private Tour Guide profile for more details of his private Rio de Janeiro, Brazil tours and further information on how to contact and book with Guilherme.

-Viator Travel Team

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Rio de Janeiro tours and things to do, Rio de Janeiro attractions, and Rio de Janeiro travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in Rio de Janeiro for a customized tour!

Meet Private Tour Guide Guilherme in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

How many tours take you past 1,000-pound sea creatures by boat in the morning and then flying above an ancient mystery in a small plane in the afternoon? A world away from Peru‘s iconic images of llamas and Inca ruins in the Andes are two very different attractions. One is a set of rocky islands teeming with wildlife, the other a mysterious set of lines and figures drawn on the ground – by people who never saw them from the air.

Lying three hours south of Lima, along a road hugging the Pacific coast, is the port town of Paracas. It was never much to look at and an earthquake centered in nearby Pisco a few years back didn’t help. There’s a seaside promenade and a beach, but people don’t come here to spend their days eating fish or to swim: a sign in front of my hotel had a stingray warning. I’ve definitely never seen that before.

A Squirming Mass of Photo Opps

Instead, our focus begins offshore: the Ballestas Islands.This area is often nicknamed “the poor man’s Galapagos” because instead of paying a few thousand dollars per person to look at animals for a week, you take a boat ride for a couple hours and find a wealth of wildlife. The prevailing animal form has wings – hundreds of thousands of wings. Some hillsides look like giant Chia pets, with gray and black hairs waving in the breeze on top of a barren rock surface.

Cruising past bird- and guano-covered rock outcroppings, Ballestas Islands, Peru (photo by Tim Leffel)

When the sea birds take to the air, there are so many they can block out the sun. There’s a whole industry based on what comes out of their backsides: the birds’ guano is harvested several times a year and deposited on nearby lands, making the desert bloom with asparagus and other crops.

Closeup shot from boat of sea lion colony at Ballestas Islands (photo by Tim Leffel)

One of the biggest draws here is near the water’s edge, however. Huge sea lion colonies fight over space on the rocks according to their own laws of hierarchy. The huge males generally have a whole harem around them, like bulbous Genghis Khans with a bevy of wives and concubines. The baby sea lions and Humboldt Penguins compete for the cuteness prize, both relatively unfazed by all the shutter clicks coming from the passing boats.

Natural and Man-Made Beauty

The scenery itself is impressive also, with dramatic cliffs rising up from a deep blue sea and arches formed by erosion over the ages. Where there are no birds resting, the surface glows orange in the sun. Otherwise, it has all turned white from the guano.

Between the deep blue water, orange-hued rock formations and wildlife, natural beauty abounds here (photo by Tim Leffel)

On the way back, we pass a taste of what’s to come further south: “The Candelabra.” It’s a design carved into the side of a mountain, which can be seen from 10 or 20 miles away. It’s deeper and different from the Nazca Lines drawings though, and may have been put up as recently as the 1800s. As with many buildings and carvings in Peru though, no one really has the answer.

Flying over a Mystery

Since 1927, when humans were first able to see southern Peru from the air, the Nazca Lines have been one of the world’s most intriguing mysteries. Drawn by people who could not see them in their finished form as we can, these giant pictures carved into the flat desert landscape around 300 B.C. seem to make no sense at all. The most outrageous theories insist they were done for aliens visiting Earth. Others say they were appeals to the gods controlling the weather. Perhaps, some propose, they were water source maps or had some relationship to the constellations.

Seeing the mysterious Nazca Lines from an airplane emphasizes how impressive an endeavor they were! (photo by Tim Leffel)

Regardless of the reason, they’re an amazing thing to behold. Most are on flat ground and obviously took a keen sense of design and engineering to pull off. There’s a giant monkey with a curling tail; a condor with wings stretched out 120 meters; a spider sits beside an enormous trapezoid; and a snake-necked bird points to the rising sun of the Summer Solstice. Long lines in the middle of nowhere could be mistaken for a modern runway.

Was this giant carving of a bird meant to be seen by the gods? No one knows. (photo by Tim Leffel)

I had always thought the lines were clumped together in one small area, but on our small single-engine airplane, it was sometimes a few minutes of flying between one figure and another. Looking down at the bleak, forbidding landscape, I gained even more respect for those scraping away the top layer of earth, inch by inch, to create these striking images.

About to disembark from our tour's single-engine plane - what a feeling, what views! (photo by Tim Leffel)

To see the carvings well, the plane curves and banks around each site, giving passengers on each side an opportunity to get a good look and try to take a photo through the plane window. That’s all well and good unless you have a sensitive stomach. Barf bags are in the seat back pocket and nobody on my flight had to use them, but those who expect trouble should take the right medication before the trip.

Sure, everyone who comes to Peru for the first time seems to head straight to Cusco and Machu Picchu, but if you have more than a night in Lima, take a side trip down to a land of nature and mystery.

- Tim Leffel

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Peru tours and activities, Peru attractions and Peru travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide for a customized tour of Peru!

Out-of-the-Ordinary Peru: Ballestas Islands and the Nazca Lines by Tim Leffel from Viator Travel Blog

We recently had a 24 Hour Giveaway on Twitter, asking our followers “Where the most beautiful waterfall in the world is?”. Some responses were expected, some were not. So, according to our Twitter followers, here are the Top 7 waterfalls around the world:

1. Iguazu Falls, Brazilian-Argentine border
Suggested by: @UnoderedRedial @tummun @MFazion @wanwest @baridsTravel @Dave1743 @shirlessdarren

Gareth Leonard (@Tourist2Townie) at Iguazu Falls

2. Niagara Falls, USA & Canada
Suggested by: @Tonycrumpmaster @itSameeracle @SRitt32

Niagara Falls, USA & Canada

3. Lower Calf Creek Falls, Utah
Suggested by: @LABurkeCO

Lower Calf Creek Falls, Utah- Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

4. Multnomah Falls, Oregon
Suggested by: @briadavi

Multnomah Falls - Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

5. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Suggested by: @ThisisCapetown

Viator Falls, Zimbabwe - Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia

6. Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia
Suggested by: @Fungarian

Blue Nile Falls, Ethipoia - Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

7. Powerscourt Waterfall, Wicklow, Ireland
Suggested by: @inspirationSays

Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland - Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

- Viator Travel Team

Planning a trip? Check out waterfalls all around the world: Hawaii Waterfalls, Jarabacoa Waterfalls and our Niagara Falls tours and activities.

Top 7 Waterfalls around the World (According to our Twitter Followers) by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

The Galapagos Islands earn their reputation as a must-do vacation destination. The sheer beauty of the volcanic islands and the turquoise waters of all shades are enough to greatly satisfy any traveler, but it’s the natural history, wild life and diversity of terrain from island to island within the archipelago that really make it a trip of a lifetime. Visiting the different islands – some thousands of years old, others that are still forming – one can see how Darwin was able to develop the theory of evolution based on the drastically varying landscapes of the different islands and the adaptation of the wild life from island to island.

Having lived in Quito this past year, I knew I couldn’t leave Ecuador without a trip to the Galapagos. As part of a final wrap-up of my time in the country, my mom came to visit and we visited the Galapagos. From mainland Ecuador, the flight is about an hour and a half (don’t forget your $100 cash per person for the National Park entrance fee). We flew into San Cristobal where we were able to visit the Interpretation Center and received a brief history of the islands (some good, juicy information surrounding the colonization of the islands!), and then met up with our boat tour.

Striking black lava field at Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island in the wondrous Galapagos

Cruising the Islands to See it All

Due to major conservation and protection efforts, there are two ways to visit the islands: guided boat cruise, or staying on Santa Cruz Island or San Cristobal and making day trips (also with a guide). My mom and I decided to go with a guided boat cruise, with a level 3, English-speaking, naturalist guide, which I highly recommend. Cruises range from 3 nights/4days to 10 nights/11 days, with the longer cruises taking you to more distant islands. We went on a boat with 16 passengers (plus crew), but some boats allow for 100+ passengers. If staying on the islands, Santa Cruz is the recommended island. I have friends who have spent time in the Galapagos doing research, and this seems to be the consensus among them.

To give you an idea of the diversity of wildlife in the Galapagos, during our 5 days across 6 islands, we saw: Black Iguanas, Flamingos, Pacific Sea Turtles, Golden Rays, Manta Rays, White Tipped Sharks, Blue Footed Boobies, Red Footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Frigate Birds, Sea Lions, Seals, Tortoises (including the famous Lonesome George!), Galapagos Penguins, and countless species of finches. Much to my dismay, I did not see the Hammerhead Shark that others in our group saw from the boat.

Spotting a Pacific Green Sea Turtle in the mangroves at Black Turtle Cove, Galapagos

On the boat tour, we would generally travel at night and be at bay during the day, visiting the islands and snorkeling. One of the days we got up early to visit the island of Bachas where we saw pink Flamingos in the wild. In the same bay were jet black, land-and-sea iguanas – they match the jet black lava, perfect camouflage. Following our bird/reptile watching, we headed down to the beach for snorkeling. In the afternoon we hopped in a dingy to visit the mangroves of Black Turtle Cove. On this excursion we saw White Tipped Sharks, Golden Rays, Boobies and Pacific Green Turtles (they used to be called Black Turtles, as the name of the cove suggests, but have since been renamed).

The Natural Wonders Never Cease

Having traveled over night, another morning we woke up to find ourselves in the large crater of Genovesa Island – most of the crater is submerged under the sea and so from the water one has a wonderful view of the sharp cliffs of the volcano sinking into the ocean. On Genovesa Island we had some of our most spectacular bird watching (all the Boobies, Frigate Birds, etc). It was the end of mating season, so the male Frigate Birds were still puffing up their red throat pouches to attract females and doing a lovely song-and-dance. After walking around the island, we snorkeled off the dingy along the steep cliffs. It was near here that other people on our tour (unfortunately in the other dingy!) saw a Hammerhead Shark. I’m a huge shark fanatic, so I was pretty disappointed to have missed it. When we were snorkeling later, I kept my eyes peeled to no avail.

'Winner' and 'loser' Frigate birds in their mating game, Genovesa Islands, Galapagos

My favorite day, in terms of island visits, was the day we spent in Sullivan Bay and Bartolome Island. We got up really early to ride the dingy to Bartolome to view Galapagos Penguins, the only equatorial penguins in the world. After breakfast we headed to Sullivan Bay where we walked across a black lava field less than 100 years old, before coming to the edge where we could see older lava that had since oxidized and is now reddish-orange with more plant life. It was spectacular, and made only more spectacular by our afternoon trip to the top of Bartolome Island where we could see the full expanse of the black lava field, in one direction going into the ocean and the other direction you could see the discreet border with the older lava.

View of deep blue Sullivan Bay from Bartolome Island

Only in the Galapagos

Our final day we visited the Darwin Center on Santa Cruz Island where we saw the famous tortoise, Lonesome George. He’s the last of his specific species and they can’t get him to breed, hence the “lonesome.” After the center we toured some around Santa Cruz, one of the older islands in the archipelago. In contrast to Sullivan Bay and Bartolome, one can really see the increases in vegetation over time from pioneering plants in the black lava to whole forests on Santa Cruz. It helps one to understand why animals on the different islands had to develop different qualities to survive in the distinct conditions. Good find, Darwin!

The famous tortoise "Lonesome George" at Darwin Research Station - last of his species!

Note to divers: The Galapagos are one of the premier dive spots in the world. When planning your trip, it is important to know that as part of recent conservation efforts, restrictions have been placed on diving. While in the past many of the regular cruises offered diving as an extra activity, there are now limitations in place that prohibit these dives. Diving must be done from a dive-specific cruise ship. There are only a few, and some websites for regular cruise tours are out of date and still mention the dive possibilities, so double check when booking. Or if you stay on the islands, there is a wide offering of PADI certified shops that can take you on day trips. Sadly, I did not have this information ahead of time and did not get to dive… another reason to go back some day!

- Anne Stiles Davis

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Galapagos tours and activities and Galapagos attractions to help get you started exploring this treasured natural wonder.

Much More than an Island Paradise: The Galapagos by Anne Stiles Davis from Viator Travel Blog

July 2011 is going to be amazing for two reasons. First of all, the month will have five full (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) weekends. This only happens once every 823 years. Secondly, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to, will be celebrating its 100-year re-discovery anniversary.

That’s right; it’s been 100 years since Machu Picchu was discovered by Hiram Bingham on July 24th, 1911. An entire century has passed since Machu Picchu was transformed from a Incan secret into one of the most visited places on Earth.

One of the natives (a llama!) enjoying the view

Machu Picchu was built in the mid-15th century, at the height of the Inca Empire, which lasted from 1438 until 1533. The Inca Empire, known in Quechua as Tawantinsuyu (“The Four Territories”), stretched from Columbia to Chile but its capital remained in Cusco, the closest city to Machu Picchu.

Cusco and its surroundings hold both mystery and magic. There are so many archeological wonders in the area, including Pisac, Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley, Sacsayhuaman and of course, Machu Picchu. I recommend staying there for at least four days, although you can find both weekend getaways and weeklong packages as well.

If you’ve decided to pay a little tribute to Machu Picchu and head to Peru for its 100-year re-discovery anniversary, here are a few things to expect. First of all, it’s the dry season in Peru that time of year. Dry and cold. At night, temperatures hover just above freezing; during the day, in the upper 60s (18 or 19 degrees Celsius). You probably won’t run into any rain, that’s a shame. The lush jungle and tropical Andean mountain range is greener and more alive after rainfall – giving you breathtaking views and allowing for great photo opportunities. The locals love the area after rainfall.

Though definitely showing its age, Machu Picchu's ruins are still breathtaking

This time of year (June, July, and August) is considered the high tourism season in Peru. Although the South American winter, it is the dry season and coincides with the North American and European summer vacation period. So expect crowds, bustling city squares and packed restaurants and bars.

There are over 100 reasons you should visit Peru (and 11 beautiful World Heritage Sites) and this country should definitely be on your bucket list. If you can’t make it down in July, that’s ok – Peru’s historic cities, stunning mountain ranges and mythical archeological sites will wait for you.

- Daniel Hackett

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cusco things to do, Cusco attractions, and Cusco recommendations.

Happy Anniversary, Machu Picchu by Daniel Hackett from Viator Travel Blog

Currently I’m living in Ecuador under the auspices of a Fulbright. A few months ago I was informed that the annual Andean Fulbright Conference was to be held in Bogotá, Colombia this year. I was super excited to get the news – a week in Bogotá! In the months leading up to my trip, several friends visited Colombia and each time they 1) got me more and more energized for the visit and 2) added something to my must-do list, “make sure you eat here…take time to fit this in…etc,” you get the point. While there was some “conference time” during my stay, we did get some time to tour around on our own and we had several group activities that gave us an opportunity to see different parts of the city.

We stayed in the historic part of town, or the Candelaria. This is a great part of town to stay in, as you can walk to countless museums, restaurants, and you are only a short ride from some of the city’s major attractions.

Photo walk through Candelaria

I’ll give you some of what I consider to be city highlights, and definitely worth the time:

1. Botero Museum- Painter and sculptor Fernando Botero, a national star, donated a significant collection to the museum in 2000. Botero’s famous for, what is best described as, his “portly” subjects, and they will put a smile on any visitor’s face. The museum is in an old colonial building with a beautiful central courtyard that offers views of Monserrate. Other permanent works in the museum come from artists such as Dalí, Picasso, Renoir, Chagall, Corot, and Miró. Entry is free and attached is the Casa de Moneda (Money House) featuring currencies from the colonies. I could easily have spent an entire afternoon wandering the museum.

2. Plaza de Bolívar (Bolivar Square)- This square is the center of it all in Bogotá, where all four of Colombia’s powers meet facing each other from each side of the square: the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch, Congress and the Catholic Church. When I was there the square was covered with shoes in perfect lines to commemorate land-mine victims from internal conflict of previous decades. Just around the corner from the square you will find the presidential palace.

Plaza Bolivar with shoe installation

3. Monserrate- To one side of the city are high ridges mountains overlooking the city. It’s stunning looking from the city to the mountains, but equally as stunning riding the Teleférico (Gondala) up to the Monserrate Sanctuary overlooking the city. Coming from Quito, where we have our own teleférico, I wasn’t certain I needed to make the trip to Monserrate, but once I saw it overlooking the city, I realized it was definitely worth the trip (the views in the two cities, Quito and Bogotá, are very different and the areas at the top distinct). Only from the top do you really get a sense of what a sprawling metropolis Bogotá really is.

4. Andres D.C.- If you talk to any local or resident of Bogotá they will tell you that your experience is not complete until you dine at Andres D.C. With five stories and a capacity for 2,000 guests, this spot has a unique, vibrant energy, and surprisingly good food given everything else that is going on in the restaurant. Actors and dancers wander the floors, entertaining guests and instigating spontaneous dance parties among clientele. Drawn into the live music and salsa dancing, at one point in the meal I turned to a friend and said, “I feel like a little kid who just wants to play, but I have to finish dinner first!” (The original restaurant, Andres Carne de Res, is just outside of Bogotá. Due to high demand the owners recently opened this branch in the city).

5. Gold Museum- The Gold Museum, just a few blocks from the historic center, is really well done and the interior of the building is a beautiful modern space.

6. Juan Valdez Cafe- So, yeah, Juan Valdez is now an international brand, but Colombia is the birthplace of this coffee marvel! Although Andean countries are major coffee bean growers, because much of the coffee is exported, it can be hard to get a good cup-o’-joe (…or espresso). You’ll be tired from your city exploration, take a load off at anyone of the Juan Valdez’s in the city. During happy hours you’ll find them packed with sharply dressed locals, many of them quite easy on the eyes…

7. Walking tour of Candelaria- The historic district holds a lot of history (ha!), and so a walking tour with a guide to share the stories is a great way to understand Bogotá. Walking the narrow streets you will come across the foundations of the original city, the homes of ex-viceroys from colonial times and squares where major events happened during independence.

8. Conference?- Oh wait… that was just my excuse to get to Bogotá! (I kid, it was great, but not a mandatory tourist activity)

The moral of this story is that I definitely plan to return to Colombia to spend more time in Bogotá and explore some other parts, including Cartagena (I hear it’s incredible too).

- Anne Davis

Planning a Trip? Browse Viator’s South America tours & activities, South America attractions, and South America travel recommendations.

Best of Bogotá by Anne Stiles Davis from Viator Travel Blog