The Llama Travel Blog

Some of the most beautiful places in the world are the most difficult to get to, and this is certainly case for the newest addition to Llama Travel's Costa Rica programme. Hidden away in the heart of Costa Rica’s lush jungle, accessible by white-water raft, Pacuare Lodge is a stunning eco-lodge sitting on the banks of Pacuare River. Pacuare has won notable awards over the years including the National Geographic Traveller’s world’s best lodges, Condé Nast World Savers, exemplary tourism practise by the World Tourism Organisation and first pilot programme for eco-design in Central America. Keep reading for everything you need to know about Pacuare Lodge, from the exhilerating journey and activities during your stay to the bountiful wildlife and luxury facilities.  

Chile is currently one of the fastest countries in the world to be vaccinating, with over 40% of the country’s population already having received their first jab. On April 12^th, the UK government is set to announce how international travel will restart, and with this in mind, we want to tell you why Chile should be high on your list for a post-lockdown getaway. To make the most of the warmer months in the southern hemisphere, our Chile holidays run from October to April, so you can plan to travel to Chile in late 2021 or 2022. From the moonlike landscapes of the Atacama to the lakes and mountains of Patagonia, keep reading to find out how you can discover Chile’s wide open spaces and nature at its best.

A Llama Travel favourite and one of the best lodges in Ecuador, Sacha Lodge is a haven for nature lovers, with a stunning setting in the heart of the Amazon Jungle. With fantastic conservation efforts and unique facilities including a rotating exploration crane, canopy walk and observation tower, the lodge promises an unforgettable stay in an area teeming with monkeys, sloths, caimans, turtles and prolific birdlife including vibrant macaws and toucans.

With incredible wildlife, lush rainforests and tropical beaches, Costa Rica is the perfect place to book for a post-pandemic retreat, brimming with green spaces and sustainable lodges where you can really get back to nature and appreciate the simple things in life. We’re excited to show you the new options we’ve introduced for those who want to take advantage of Costa Rica’s amazing biodiversity combined with its reputation for adventure, including a three-day extension to the multi-award-winning Pacuare Lodge. Nestled within 25,000 acres of pristine rainforest, the eco-lodge takes you away from civilisation with a fabulous gourmet restaurant, infinity pool, birdwatching and hiking trips, all included in the price.

Read this blog to find out eight of the new and existing activities that allow you to take a step back from the hectic fast-moving world and appreciate the natural paradise of Costa Rica. 

We know it's not possible to get away to a palm-fringed beach lapped by warm waters just yet, but for when it is, we've just launched a fabulous new holiday in tropical Yucatán in Mexico. Long stretches of Caribbean coastline and ancient Mayan ruins are the key ingredients to our brand new Magical Yucatán itinerary which takes you beyond the beaches where 99% of tourists stay. You can swim in cenotes around the 'Lagoon of Seven Colours', cook a show-stopping Mexican feast in Mérida, explore the ancient Mayan wonders of Uxmal, Tulum and Chichén Itzá and unwind on the sparkling white beaches of the Riviera Maya. You can also extend your holiday to swim with whale sharks and soak up the laidback vibe of the car-free paradise of Holbox Island.

Keep reading to find out seven highlights of our brand new Mexico holiday, which starts at £1,849 for 9 days including flights, accommodation, transfers and some excursions.

We know one of the most important parts of travelling is immersing yourself in the destination. This allows you to give back to the communities you visit, whether it's buying fruit from a market in Cusco or supporting a local artist in Rio de Janeiro. South American cities are fascinating, but they can often blur into one if you don't do them properly. With this in mind, we’ve reviewed our tours of cities and towns to see how we can give more of a flavour of the local culture. This means more walking tours and less getting in and out of vehicles. Plus, more visits to markets and neighbourhoods to experience the local colours, tastes and aromas, so that getting to know cities is more than just learning about church after church. Read this blog to find out the improvements we’ve made and the new tours we are offering, from trying local snacks on a walking tour of Cartagena to experiencing the excitement of Lucha Libre wrestling in Mexico City or learning how chocolate is made in Costa Rica.

Showcasing a varied landscape from the soaring Andes Mountains to the Amazon Rainforest and all the way to the coast, Peru has plenty more to offer than just Machu Picchu, full of archaeological wonders which bear testament to a history of vibrant civilisations and architectural mastery. Situated just outside of Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas contains everything from small local ruins to entire ancient cities with UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Elsewhere in the 1.2 million-square kilometre country, hundreds of other archaeological riches can be found. Keep reading to find out our top archaeological sites to visit.

Before I visited Colombia, I had heard very mixed things. People who hadn’t been regarded it as unsafe, and told me to be careful – this was backed up by documentaries and the general preconception that Colombia is dangerous. Meanwhile, friends and family members who had been there told me that it was one of the most amazing places they’ve ever visited, with beautiful scenery, top-notch food and some of the friendliest people they’d met in the world.  I took all this advice with a pinch of salt and as it turns out, of the ten countries I’ve visited in South America, I still regard Colombia as my absolute favourite. Here’s why.

Ecuador is often overlooked by its South American neighbours, and even the mainland of Ecuador is often skipped on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. This is part of its charm – the undiscovered feeling you get when you come across Inca ruins with hardly any tourists, or the indigenous tribes you meet in remote parts of the Amazon Rainforest, accessed only by a canoe. It’s one of the continent’s best kept secrets, and probably doesn’t even come in the top three of most people’s South American bucket lists.

We’ve kept this one simple. Our ultimate top seven picks from Latin America, because once this difficult period of our lives is over, there’s still a magnificent world waiting to be explored. Of course, travel shouldn’t be about ticking places off a list, for us it’s all about the different experiences you get – whether it’s that Peruvian lady who sold you some textiles in a tiny Andean village or that delicious steak you ate with your group on your final night in Argentina. But as clichéd as it might sound, many people are realising now more than ever that life’s too short, and the freedom of travel isn’t something we should take for granted. So if any of these beautiful destinations weren’t already on your list, they should be now!