So you’ve decided that you want to go on a wildlife holiday in Latin America, but as you do more research, you realise that there are more options than you thought. Here we break down the main options, as well as the pros and cons of each.
As you probably know, the Amazon is a tropical rainforest covering a vast swathe of South America, reaching into Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Its claim to fame is that it is one of the most biodiverse regions on planet earth, home to a wide range of plants, which in turn contribute to an ecosystem which supports a huge number of birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians. As it is such a large rainforest, it makes sense that different regions of the Amazon support different plant and animal species.
The Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland area, and boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the world. Situated in southern Brazil, it also stretches into Paraguay and Bolivia, covering an area roughly the size of Portugal. Less well-known than the Amazon, the Pantanal delivers on the wildlife front despite its lack of street credentials.
Named after the turtles which lay their eggs on the black sand beaches of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, Tortuguero is part coastal reserve and part rainforest. Canals run through the jungle, providing a home to water-based creatures, while land-based animals find solace in and amongst the jungle foliage. The abundance of wildlife combined with the ease of travel in Costa Rica, make Tortuguero a favourite destination for wildlife holidays.
In a country renowned for its biodiversity and wildlife destinations, Corcovado National Park is arguably the best of a brilliant bunch. Much more remote than Tortuguero, the jungle here is pristine, the wildlife has been largely undisturbed - making it much less shy - and there are fewer tourists about giving it a more isolated and immersive feel.
For further information, feel free to give us a call and we can discuss in more detail any specific questions you may have.
See our Peru Amazon holidays here
See our Ecuador Amazon holidays here
See our Brazil Amazon holidays here
See our Brazil Pantanal holidays here
See our Costa Rica Tortuguero holidays here
See our Costa Rica Corcovado holidays here
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