As winter approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, the skies are beginning to clear up here in South America. If you are thinking about temporarily abandoning the depressing cold for sunnier pastures, here are three ideal destinations you need to be considering.
Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Puerto Maldonado: The perfect place to begin your Amazon Tour.
The Amazon jungle found throughout South America is an incredibly dense and truly mysterious place. Peru holds the second largest portion of the Amazon after Brazil and Puerto Maldonado offers the main gateway into the southeastern region of the rainforest. Located deep in the heart of the lush Madre de Dios region, Puerto Maldonado is full of wild forests, sinuous rivers, and extensive lakes.
Puerto Maldonado is a growing Amazon city which holds records in biodiversity for its hundreds of species of anacondas, toucans, jaguars, and other exotic animals. The city thrives on ecotourism and has fantastic infrastructure allowing travelers to comfortably visit this pristine rainforest.
Puerto Maldonado is the ideal destination to explore the Tambopata National Reserve and Manú National Park, which are internationally renowned for their incredible biodiversity and a rainforest environment that is among the most biologically diverse in the entire world. Within the Tambopata National Reserve lies the beautiful and tranquil Sandoval Lake, where on occasion visitors have been able to spot parrots, macaws and giant otters.
Recife, Brazil
The historic city of Recife and its green-warm beaches.
The capital of the Pernambuco State, Recife is filled with year-round tropical weather, beautiful beaches, and a fascinating colonial past. Once Europe’s most lucrative Atlantic colony, Recife has undergone both Portuguese and Dutch rule, who tried to appropriate the region’s very lucrative sugar production.
Pernambuco is currently one of the fastest growing states in Brazil and this is vividly illustrated in the city known as the Veneza Brasileira or the “Venice of Brazil.” Recife offers travelers myriad canals and rivers from which to explore its vibrant culture and breathtaking white-sanded and warm-green beaches. The Boa Viagem beach is undoubtedly one of Brazil’s most famous urban beaches and the Porto de Galhinas is also notorious for its cool and clean waters.
A modern metropolis with a population of over 1.5 million, Recife has managed to retain its authenticity and charm, and continues to attract tourists onto its shores.
For a quieter escape from Recife, visit the historical city of Olinda, where you can wander winding cobblestone streets and admire the architectural gems of the town. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, Olinda has now established itself as a leading destination to celebrate Carnival.
Baños, Ecuador
The waterfalls of Baños, nothing quite like it.
Nestled between the Rio Pastaza and the Tungurahua volcano, Baños is a charming touristic city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador. The city is about a 3 hour drive from Quito and has become an incredibly popular tourist destination for travelers wanting to witness the cascading waterfalls. Baños means ‘baths of sacred water’ and never has a name been more appropriate to describe a city.
With over 60 waterfalls, Baños gives nature lovers and hikers a dream platform from which to explore. The scenic route of the waterfalls, La Ruta de las Cascadas, provides scenic views for over 20 waterfalls in the region including Agoyan, Puertas del Cielo, Manto de la Nova, Pailon del Diablo and Machay.
After a day of exploring the waterfalls, many travelers decide to soak in the famous natural thermal baths, which have made Baños famous. The open air Baños de la Virgen pools features a variety of baths all varying in temperature. The highest pool has by far the best view of the city.
It’s not too late to start planning a winter vacation to Puerto Maldonado, Recife or Baños. All three of these popular destinations offer travelers a truly unique experience, soask our Latin America for Less travel experts to help customize your trip.
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