20 Spectacular National Parks in South America
South America is home to 300 national parks, all beautiful and breathtakingly unique. To help you decide which of these you want to visit first, we’ve compiled a list of our favourites
Animals
20 Amazing South American Animals
South America is full of majestic, dangerous and outright bonkers animals. Here are some of our favourites! How many have you seen?!
Swimming with Sea Lions at Palomino Island, Peru
Swimming with sea lions at Palomino Island in Peru is a great activity for backpackers. It is cheaper than a trip to the Galapagos and promises unforgettable memories. Here is everything you need to know about this unforgettable activity close to Lima!
Step Off the Gringo Trail at Lomas de Arena, Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Lomas de Arena is the ultimate backpacker destination. Located just outside of Bolivia’s most commercial city Santa Cruz de la Sierra, this off the beaten track gem offers wildlife spotting opportunities, hiking and sandboarding!
Why a Trip to Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands is Worth Every Cent!
There were two classes of backpackers I met whilst travelling through Ecuador – those who agreed the Galapagos Islands were the highlight of their South America trip, and those who lamented they weren’t going because it was out of their budget… but “one day” they’d get there. Whilst it is true that a trip to Galapagos is bound to burst your budget bubble, I can with complete confidence tell any traveller – do it anyway. You know those “life-changing” travel destinations forcefully touted? Galapagos is it…
Wild Times with Balu: Volunteering at ‘Inti Wara Yassi’ Wildlife Preserve in Bolivia
For more than 20 years, Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY) has been working to provide a safe and healthy environment for rescued animals while educating the Bolivian public to respect wildlife and the environment. Traveller Andrew Marston describes the month he spent walking through the jungle with hisy furry new friend Balu, a beautiful Andean Spectacled Bear that is highly endangered…
Volunteering at an Animal Orphanage in Iquitos, Peru: Saving the Red Faced Uakari
It’s kind of a surreal experience the first time a baby Red Faced Uakari monkey drops out of a tree onto your head. Due to hunting and habitat destruction this species is among the rarest primates in South America. Corey Callahan describes an incredible experience working as a conservation volunteer at Pilpintuwasi Animal Orphanage in Padre Cocha, Iquitos, Peru…