The Llama Travel Blog

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.

Since having our movements limited over the last year, many of us have discovered a newfound appreciation for walking, cycling and anything that lets us enjoy the great outdoors. But we know that many of you are itching to get beyond your local area. That's why we've compiled a range of new active adventures for you to start planning, so that you have something to look forward to when it's finally time to shake off the post-lockdown cobwebs.

From horse riding in Patagonia and kayaking in the Chilean Lake District, to white-water rafting in Costa Rica or trekking the classic Inca Trail, our activities allow you to discover the jaw-dropping scenery of Latin America and Africa from a whole new perspective. Keep reading to be inspired by 11 outdoor adventures in Latin America and Africa. 

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.

Although none of us could have predicted how 2020 would pan out, one of the silver linings for Llama Travel has been the time we've been able to dedicate to improving our holidays. We’ve just added a fantastic range of active excursions. So, for those who want to try something more adventurous when on holiday, this is possible. But for those who prefer taking things at a more relaxed pace, you can still do that. It’s your choice.

Scroll down for some of the new activities we now offer, from kayaking on Lake Titicaca, to horse riding in Patagonia and white-water rafting in Costa Rica. And if you fancy delving deeper into the local culture, we’ve added options so you can now make an authentic Pisco Sour cocktail in Lima’s oldest hotel, experience Rio de Janeiro like a local or cook up a three-course feast in Mexico.

Welcome 2021 and farewell 2020. It’s been… interesting.

I know that I am no different to many others in that the end of 2020 has brought about a period of reflection on the difficult circumstances of Covid-19, and plans for how things will be different in 2021. I am focusing on the positives of the past year, and would like to share these with you, along with what we can do in the coming year to make Llama Travel a better company, regardless of general circumstances. 

Although the current covid situation is still ongoing, the positive vaccine news, and the opening up of borders in Latin America and Africa, means that we can all start looking to the future with a bit more hope, and maybe start thinking again about plans that have been put on hold. It’s fantastic to see many countries and sites in Latin America and Africa reopening, and the UK government has just added Chile, Namibia and Uruguay to the safe travel corridor list. Tourism is a vital part of these economies and we feel a great responsibility to help them get back on their feet. 

Over the last few months, we’ve been busy working behind the scenes on exciting new destinations to pin on the Llama Travel map. In July 2019, we introduced a whole new continent, Africa. Using our expertise and the same combination of high quality, excellent value and small group flexible tours that we offer in Latin America, our Africa holidays have a mix of amazing wildlife, culture, activities and scenery, paired with authentic lodges and great cuisine. Until now, we’ve only offered trips to Southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Victoria Falls.

We’re excited to announce that our next country is located in East Africa, sitting on the equator and offering everything from game-filled national parks and picturesque mountain scenery to palm-fringed white sandy beaches. Here’s what our Product Manager, Scott, saw during his time in Kenya - all the photos in this blog are his own. 

Over the last few months, many of us have seen more of the four walls of our homes than we ever thought we would. We’ve patiently been making the most of our gardens and local nature spots, itching for a change of scenery and a new place to explore without being confined. If this resonates with you, scroll through our top twelve experiences where you can feel free and in awe of the natural world.

These past few months have been a surreal blur but we are seeing green shoots in many of the destinations we sell. There are lots of good things going on in Latin America and Africa - read on to find out about borders reopening, wildlife thriving, ancient ruin discoveries and more. Sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this blog to recieve regular offers and updates on our destinations.