Resort vacations have been a staple in Latin American tourism for nearly a century. The charms are obvious — relaxation in a beautiful setting, luxurious accommodations, and a worry-free experience.
But many visitors come away from the resort experience lacking something. A week spent by the pool at a beach resort, no matter how exceptional, isn’t what many more seasoned travelers want from their valuable vacation hours. There is definitely value at these resorts -- comprehensive service, fine dining, exceeding comfort -- but there is an increasing trend of travelers looking for these same benefits elsewhere.
Many travelers are searching for an alternative, for vacations where they can enjoy an exceptionally crafted trip abroad filled with cultural experiences, interesting variety, and riveting stories to tell their friends when they get home.
Thankfully, nowadays there are Latin American vacation options that equal the classic resort in terms of luxury, but come with a bit more soul. We compiled some of the best examples to help you start looking:
Patagonia is among the most rugged and beautiful places on earth. Encompassing more than four-hundred thousand square miles across Argentina and Chile, the area boasts some of the most brilliantly preserved and unblemished natural landscapes you can hope to find. Places like Torres del Paine National Park in Chile are home to glaciers and peaks, icy cool lakes and streams, and a host of wildlife you won’t encounter anywhere else — pumas, black neck swans, south Andean deer, and more.
Traditionally, the huasos of the Pampas lived a rough lifestyle tending horses of the Andean highlands of Chile, and many visitors follow their lead by trekking into this wild wonderland with tents and backpacks. However, there are also a number of luxury hotels in Patagonia that offer daytime excursions into the landscape while still letting guests live in comfort and style. The views alone make this a worthwhile destination.
We can’t talk about Andean adventure without stopping in Peru. Home to ancient ruins and thriving millennia-old indigenous cultures, Peru is known for it’s beautiful destination vacations. Perhaps the most famous example in Peru is Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the new world and a world heritage site. Millions of visitors hike nearly eight thousand feet in elevation every year to visit the site, but there is a great deal more to see as well.
Many travelers don’t realize that Peru is a massive country larger than France and almost twice the size of Texas, and one way travelers can get the full Peruvian experience in comfort is on a luxury train.
Riders on trains like the Andean Explorer receive boutique hotel-caliber amenities, including alpaca wool bedding and other artisan accents and furnishings. They also get a taste of local Peruvian cuisine made with fresh farm-to-train ingredients and paired with exquisite, world class wines — all with a remarkable natural landscape as a backdrop.
For all travelers, especially those traveling with family, younger children, or personal physical limitations, luxury train travel unlocks Peru, opening up the country’s centuries of history and unmatched natural beauty.
Las Catalinas, located along the Pacific coastline of Costa Rica, is a new urbanist beach town, complete with a number of restaurants, a pair of hotels, a local gourmet market, numerous shops, and is surrounded on one side by a pair of beaches and the other by miles of trails through tropical dry forest. A slightly different angle to Costa Rican luxury travel, Las Catalinas has the natural feel of a living town, unique and diverse options for food and adventure, and excellent lodging and amenities.
Situated between the coastline and beautiful untouched tropical forest, the whole town is a walkable urbanist escape, a car-free environment built for sociability, community, and a naturally active lifestyle. Location here is just about perfect -- Las Catalinas is a short distance from pretty much any Costa Rican vacation activity, from surfing to tropical forest hikes and wildlife tours to snorkeling adventures.
And after a long day out exploring, Las Catalinas visitors come home to a vibrant community with casually elegant restaurants, a spa, and a delightful evening atmosphere to ensure the ideal blend of adventure and relaxation.
Home to the world’s longest river and its most diverse ecosystem, the Amazon Basin extends across most of South America’s northern half. Known as the lungs of the earth, this region is home to an incredible array of unique species, including toucans, river dolphins, anacondas, poison dart frogs, kinkajous, and many, many, many more.
One traditional way to explore the Amazon is by boat, but for travelers who want a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the river, there are luxury river craft available that put you face to face with this natural world without sacrificing comfort.
One example are the Peralta Pantanal river cruises, where guests get a panoramic view of their surroundings from the comfort of a private cabin. Each guest space features luxury fixtures and amenities, and all meals are chef-prepared using local ingredients, a special meal that can only be enjoyed right there on the river.
The second largest country in South America, Argentina is a cultural destination with bustling metropolitan areas and remarkable natural wonders. Buenos Aires, for example, is home to the eclectic European-South American hybrid architecture and the rich culture that gave the tango dancing, malbec, and Jorges Luis Borges to the world.
A luxury guided tour through Argentina gives visitors a taste of the culture and history of the region, finding the right balance between the urban and agrarian. Along the way, guests can sample fine regional wines, eat world-famous beef, and visit Iguazu Falls, a multi-tier canyon of majestic falls that’s considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
It’s a brilliant way to enjoy what Argentina has to offer, balancing a memorable and adventurous vacation with all of the luxuries you can expect from a resort vacation.
For travelers looking for an alternative to the usual luxury resort, these options offer a thoughtfully considered vacation, one that provides just as many lifetime memories and meaningful experiences as it does brilliant service and top class amenities. So if you’re traveling to Latin America soon and looking for an option that’s exciting, out of the box, and of exceptional quality, this list is a great place to start.