Compass: Central and South America

“Travel, for me, is a little bit like being in love, because suddenly all your senses are at the setting marked “on.” Suddenly you’re alert to the secret patterns of the world.”
– Pico Yver
Explore what awaits you in Central and South America. Central America has a rich cultural heritage that is defined by the seven countries that sit within its borders: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. The swamp land that divides the Pan-American Highway between Panama and Colombia identifies the border for South America—a country with a rich biodiversity and natural heritage that includes Venezuela’s Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall; the largest river, the Amazon River; the largest rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest; the longest mountain range, the Andes; the highest single drop waterfall on Guyana, the Kaieteur Falls; and the driest non-polar place on earth, the Atacama Desert.
The Central and South America region is home to the most dynamic cities in the world like Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Caracas. The South America region offers so much to explore like the glacier laden mountains, the greatest rivers in the world, jungles, beaches, and an unimaginable amount of wildlife. In the Central America also, the travelers can make a huge list of things to see and do – villages, inland lakes, volcanoes, ocean side beaches, mountains, coffee plantations, and all kinds of wildlife. A whole new adventure awaits you in the Central and South America region.

Finding the Perfect Costa Rican Beach
By Eliza AmonCosta Rica has 300 beaches along nearly 800 miles of coastline so choosing the right one is challenging. Playa Espadrilla, a serene mile-long beach on the Pacific side of Costa Rica met my family’s antithetical needs, providing a perfect base for a weeklong vacation. Read more
Central and South America Family Travel
Patagonia’s Indigenous Communities: 5 Cultural Experiences to Discover on an Expedition
In Patagonia, a sub-region of Chile and Argentina, there are many exciting cultural experiences to discover. However, wherever you go, responsible travel is what you should strive for. It is important to understand how your actions impact your destination. Let’s dive into a list of the indigenous communities you can … Read more Read more
Central and South America Indigenous Social Responsibility
Moving to Costa Rica: A Guide for Expats
By Ryan HichensAhh, Costa Rica! If you’re moving to the lovely Central American country, let me be the first to say congratulations. You have a lot to look forward to. It’s not a coincidence that so many foreigners are packing their bags and relocating to Costa Rica. But before you commit, there … Read more Read more
Central and South America Insights Lifestyle
The Ecuadorian Amazon: Visiting with a Local
By Hana LaRockEver since I was a young girl, I’ve dreamed of visiting the Amazon Rainforest. Whether it was the nature shows on the Discovery Channel or birthday dinners spent at the Rainforest Café, an Amazon themed-restaurant, the animals, the sounds of the rain and seeing all the colors come together to … Read more Read more
Central and South America Off the Beaten Path
Ayahuasca Tourism: The Commercialization of Culture
By Jessica BarrettUsed by Indigenous tribes in the Amazon for medicinal purposes for centuries, it’s only in the last 50 years or so that Westerners have come to learn about ayahuasca Read more
Central and South America Off the Beaten Path Events & Festivals Social Responsibility
Brazil: A Country for Every Travel Budget
By Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esq.Brazil has a rich cultural heritage, countrywide celebrations, locally sourced scrumptious cuisine and natural attractions that attract millions of travelers every year. Read more
Central and South America Budget Travel Events & Festivals The Arts
Welcoming the Return of the Sun to Lake Titicaca
By Renee AlexanderOur winter welcome to Bolivia wasn’t exactly warm. For Americans, the visa requirements are extensive. Read more
Central and South America Religious Travel Events & Festivals
9 Reasons to Visit Colombia
By Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esq.Colombia is now a go-to destination in Latin America. While they face economic hardship and loss, the people of Colombia live life to the fullest. Majestic landscapes and views are waiting to get explored, and your next vacation will be everything you have dreamed it would be and more! Read more
Central and South America
The Falkland Island | A Birdwatcher’s Paradise
By Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esq.So let’s discover why the Falkland Islands are an excellent place to visit and how you can have a unique birdwatching experience. Read more
Central and South America United Kingdom Adventure Experiences
The Impact of Mankind on the Galapagos Islands
By Jennifer ZolloWhen people think of the Galapagos Islands, their minds are immediately filled with the enchanting voice of David Attenborough and vibrant images of tropical landscapes bursting with life. Read more
Central and South America Adventure Conservation
Chilean Tourism and the Indigenous Mapuche
By Leijia HanrahanThe regions of Biobío and Araucanía, which lie somewhere in the middle of the 2,653 miles that stretch from Chile’s top to bottom, are nevertheless known as “the south.” Read more
Central and South America Indigenous Social Responsibility
Bolivia’s Las Cholitas
By SJ ArmstrongThe cholita indigenous women from Bolivia’s countryside, are an indomitable symbol of resilience. In a country ravaged by colonial greed, ransacked resources, and periods of crippling poverty, the Bolivian people are no stranger to adversity. Read more
Central and South America Indigenous
Visiting Panama’s Embera People
By Chez ChesakOur wooden longboat plied the Chagres River deeper and deeper into the Panamanian rain forest. Soon the boatmen, one wearing a loincloth and the other a beaded skirt, were poling us through channels so narrow that it looked like the river had disappeared. Read more
Central and South America History Indigenous
Go With the Flow: Life Lessons From Backpacking to the Pandemic
By Natasha TuckerSome of you may ask why I chose Guatemala — especially if you’re like my parents whose idea of adventure is an all-inclusive trip to Cuba. Read more
Central and South America Backpacking & Camping Experiences
Pulperías: Where the gauchos gathered
By Ana Astri-O’ReillyImagine spending days, even weeks, in the vast plains with only your horse and your loyal dog for company. Herding cattle during the day, sipping mate next to the campfire at night. The need for human interaction will be met at the nearest pulpería, although near and far are relative terms in the … Read more Read more
Central and South America Adventure Off the Beaten Path Food & Drink