The Llama Travel Blog

As an emerging and growing tourist destination, the beautiful country of Colombia is sometimes overlooked on a South American bucket list, as travellers prioritise leading destinations such as Peru, Patagonia or Costa Rica. Until recent years, travelling to Colombia was not recommended and the country’s lingering negative reputation leaves tourists feeling cautious and apprehensive about choosing Colombia for their next adventure abroad.

In reality, many parts of Colombia have now been declared safe for travel, and although it is advisable to stick to the well-known tourist spots, visiting Colombia can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. In fact, travellers to South America often name Colombia as the highlight of their trip. So, what are the draws of this resilient nation, and why should it be on your travel list? Here are just a handful of the things that make Colombia so special…

Iguazú Falls is an impressive collection of over 270 waterfalls spanning almost three kilometres through lush forest on the border of Argentina and Brazil. With the possibility of visiting Iguazú from two countries, people often ask the question “but which side is better?” Fortunately, here at Llama Travel our tours include a visit to both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides of Iguazú so you do not have to choose between them – but what are the differences?

Embarking on an African safari but you’re not too sure what to pack for the trip? Whether you are taking a safari with us in Botswana, South Africa or Namibia, these are ten essential items to include on your packing list in order to have a comfortable experience. 

Whether it’s enjoyed whilst cruising along an Amazon tributary, driving through the spectacular ranges of the Andes Mountains or taking a luxury train ride past scenic lakes and colourful villages, South America is home to some of the most dramatic scenery on earth. Whilst most people only consider the main destinations (Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro, Lake Titicaca, the Salt Flats…), often the most exciting part is getting there.

Costa Rica, a tiny country in Central America, has become known across the world for its rich biodiversity and sustainability. In an area only two and a half times the size of Wales, you’ll find smoking volcanoes, verdant rainforests, stunning tropical beaches and beautiful cloud forests. There are activities to please everyone – from spotting monkeys and sloths in the lush jungle and soaring over the treetops in the cloud forest, to white-water rafting with a view of Arenal Volcano and watching baby turtles scurry across the sand in Tortuguero. Here are just ten of many reasons to visit this charming country. 

A holiday in southern Africa is sure to include some incredible wildlife experiences, with countless opportunities to encounter a large number of diverse species in a range of habitat types. From the long-necked kudu to the nimble klipspringer, the wide-eyed ostrich and the spotted cheetah, the biodiversity of southern Africa is impressive and a treasure trove for any wildlife enthusiast.

Here, we have chosen a selection of the greatest experiences in the region, all of which are featured on Llama Travel’s programme of small-group tours.

When you begin planning a trip to Chile, Patagonia may be the destination that springs to mind first, however heading to the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile offers equally picturesque but somewhat contrasting landscapes from the southern experience. Explore expansive desert landscapes, active geysers, diverse wildlife and unique rock formations here in the highest and driest desert on earth.

Renowned for its world-class textiles and artisan treasures, Latin America goes hand in hand with souvenir shopping. You’ll find markets of all shapes and sizes in most major cities, towns and even the most rural areas, serving as an important trading place for the locals. Piles of fruits and vegetables lining the pavements, vendors in traditional dress chanting their prices, craft stalls laiden with alpaca jumpers and colourful textiles, locals tucking into hearty soups and slow-roasted meats - these are all common sights throughout the continent. Instead of just passing through each place, by visiting a market you will be rewarded with a more authentic experience, knowing that you are helping with the development of a local community. With this in mind, we’ve put together a selection of some of our favourite markets in Latin America, plus some top tips.

One of the iconic images of Namibia is the huge rolling sand dunes found in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. They are some of the highest dunes in the world, and have developed over many millions of years. Visiting these characteristic orange dunes from the region of Sossusvlei was one of our Product Manager’s standout highlights from his trip to Namibia. Read on to find out about Scott’s experiences of climbing the aptly named ‘Big Daddy’ and exploring Deadvlei. 

One of our customers, Mr Kilner, visited Peru and Easter Island as part of a spectacular 19-night South American adventure with Llama Travel. Have a scroll through his photos to see some of the spectacular sights he explored including Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the mysterious volcanic island in the Pacific, almost 2,200 miles off the coast of Chile.