6 months trip of a lifetime around Latin America

Summary
My girlfriend and I went on a 6month trip around Latin America (excluding Brazil). Started in the far South in the Tierra del Fuego in Argentina and, broadly, made our way up the west coast to the Yucatan Peninsular of Mexico. Best large scale trip I’ve done, and wanted to share the overall itinerary and tips here to hopefully help those who are considering something similar
A few high level points:
- Other than the flights there and the first hotel, there were only three things we booked in advance: the Inca Trail (which we knew we needed to for permits); plus for Patagonia a trip through Torres del Paine National Park and a ferry through the fjords (as we were going at peak season and only a couple of weeks after we landed). Everything else, we booked when in Latin America and, in our opinion, that is the best way to do it – gives you the freedom to relax in the places you find that you love and be super flexible to do what you want to do
- Total costs – my girlfriend and I went in our 30s, with no kids and on sabbaticals from work. We’re not poor, but certainly not mega wealthy. We didn’t stay in super expensive hotels (other than for the occasional splurge), flew economy and used a bit of common sense for timings of certain expensive items, but never held back on doing the things we wanted to do. Some examples of big ticket items: US$5k for a week diving in the remote Wolf & Darwin Islands in the Galapagos; US$1.2k for 4 days in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia; US$800 for a helicopter trip to see the El Mirador Mayan ruins in the Guatemalan jungle; US$700 for the Inca Trail. Total cost of the whole trip was US$34k each. This included all flights, transport, hotels, activities, food, drink, guides, screwing things up, credit card fees – the lot. Expensive, but so are most Experiences of a Lifetime
- It’s not about trying to “do everything” – in a place as large as Latin America, you couldn’t even if you tried – so don’t think of things as a big tick box exercise. Brazil, for example, we knew we couldn’t do justice whilst also trying to enjoy all the other amazing places we’d heard of, so left it for next time
- In the similar vain, make sure you give yourself big chunks of time to chill out. Not only to recharge the batteries, but also because most places are enjoyed when you spend time to soak up the feel for the place. There were some places . . . like Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Isla Mujeres in Mexico, Bocas del Toro in Panama . . . where I could have spent weeks there just because the general vibe of the place was so wonderful
- Safety – we weren’t robbed, but many people do either having a bag stolen or, unpleasantly, get robbed face to face. Other than a couple of cities, we generally felt super safe the places we went and tried to just apply common sense to reduce our risks
- Learn a bit of Spanish before you go – the app DuoLingo was great for getting us to a basic level that made a lot of difference. But also don’t be afraid to pull out google for simultaneous conversation translations to really be able to have a conversation with someone – some long trips became some of our highlights just from being able to properly talk with the driver / locals. I particularly remember a long taxi ride in Colombia where we went back and forward for 2 hours with the driver on everything from his home town to politics to football to his favourite movies to his family problems- never could have done that without Spanish or google. In a similar vein, and using the right level of common sense, don’t turn down an invite for drinks / dinner / house visit with locals. There are some truly unforgettable natural and cultural spots to see, but similarly an evening with a local family will be something likely to be just as unforgettable
- Whenever checking out a place or must-do-site, its easy to get templed / churched / ancient site / beached out. Always do a very basic bit of research to see if there is a more out of the ordinary way to experience it – by bike / drinking tour / kayaking / helicopter / whatever. Thats what we tried to do, and I hope it reflected in some of the cool stuff listed below
highlights

#1 Diving and exploring the blissful islands in the wildlife mecca of the Galapagos Islands. A truly unforgettable and unique experience

#2 Wine tasting through the various vineyards near Mendoza, at the foot of the tallest mountains in the Andes and as you cycle from one gorgeous spot to the next

#3 Taking a 4WD adventure trip from the Atacama Desert in Argentina to the world famous Bolivian Salt Flats and, despite all the hype, being blown away by just how fun it is to stomp around in the water taking silly photos

#4 Cycling the picture-perfect Chico Circuit of Bariloche and stopping off in the breweries as you go

#5 Hiking the 4 day Inca Trail through some of the world's most beautiful mountains and being rewarded at the end with a sunrise view of one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu

#6 Wandering the historic city streets of Havana, siping mojitos as you move from one music filled bar to the next and sampling food from restaurants that in any other city would be a highlight for their architecture alone

#7 Trekking the 4 days to find the inspiring "Lost City", nestled up in the Colombian jungle. A hot, tough, but rewarding experience

#8 Having the premier Mayan site, Tikal, to explore all to yourself - go when it's hammering down with rain for it to be empty when the rain stops

#9 Eating at the Mercado de Puerto in Montevideo - grab a seat at the bar, watch the grill sizzle, order a Malbec and enjoy some of the finest steaks in the world

#10 Lake Atitlan - quite possibly the most beautifully idyllic place in the world. Think Lake Como in Italy, but with volcanoes and indigenous villages dotting the side. Spend a few days just relaxing, or maybe a few weeks

#11 Seeing the wealth of famous Inca sites, jaw-dropping mountain scenery and picturesque Peruvian villages as you drive through the Sacred Valley in Peru

#12 Taking a helicopter trip into the heart of the Guatemalan jungle to visit the recently discovered pre-Classical ruins of El Mirador. A really wow-factor experience

#13 Relaxing in the fabulous hotels, such as Hotel Grey, as part of 3 days in the stunning Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia

#14 A boat trip through the white sand, clear turquoise waters of the Zapatillas Islands of Bocas del Torro in Panama

#15 Camping overnight in Corcovado National Park, searching for Tapirs, Monkeys and crocodiles in Costa Rica's premier wildlife experience

#16 Zip-lining through places as varied as the jungles of Costa Rica to the canyons of Peru

#17 Visiting the Tierra del Fuego, the End of the World in the far south of Argentina, and hiking to Lakes like Esmerelda, where no camera filter is needed

#18 Getting reservations for some of the world's best restaurants in the gastronomic capital of Lima

#19 Diving the otherworldly Cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsular - no wonder the Maya thought they were the entrances to the underworld

#20 Chilling out in Buenos Aires' uber cool neighbourhood of Palermo, where it seems every corner has a buzzing bar hidden behind the grafitti

#21 The cold, the dark, the altitude, the relentless uphill slog . . . the feeling of accomplishment as you summit Cotopaxi Volcano in Ecuador

#22 The bright greens of the Guatemalan jungle mixed in with the whites of the mountain clouds and the turquoise blues of the water make Semuc Champey of the most beautiful spots to visit

#23 Wandering through post-Classical Mayan ruins and enjoying the night show of one of the Wonders of the World at Chichen Itza

#24 Gawping at the sheer scale of the Perito Moreno Glacier as it carves chunks into Lake Argentina

#25 hiking for 3 days through luscious mountain valleys like something from a Lord of the Rings movie, stopping off in hostels to share stories with fellow travellers, passing by the local villages with their friendly smiles and bowler hats, and finishing off with the view looking over the Quilatoa Crater itself
Rough itinerary
We started this itinerary at the end of December, which meant we went through Patagonia in the summer; but also that we had to double back on ourselves from Central America back to Peru so we could enjoy the start of their hiking season in May. Obviously adaptable depending on your timings:
- Day 1-5 Buenos Aires. 5 days to get over the jet lag, explore the city and soak up the buzzing Palermo neighbourhood. For summaries of what we did and general travel tips see the following links 3 days checking out Buenos Aires and Cycling around Buenos Aires
- Day 6-11 Uruguay. See 4/5 days in Uruguay. Take a ferry for a Trip to Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires for 2 days to wander the narrow cobbled streets of Barrio Historico; then bus to Montevideo to enjoy the city and must must must sit by the bar of one of the grills when Eating in Mercardo de Puerto in Montevideo; option then to take a popular day trip for Sunning yourself in Punta del Este (although I’d suggest giving this a miss)
- Day 12-15 Tierra del Fuego. Fly down to Ushuaia, the furthest point south in the Americas for a Boat trip around the Beagle Channel in the Tierra del Fuego; a day of 4x4s around the Tierra del Fuego; and a day of perfect colours Hiking Lake Esmeralda in the Tierra del Fuego
- Day 16-24 Patagonia. First day fly to El Calafate to wander around this outdoor mecca; then go to see the Perito Moreno glacier from El Calafate as it spectacularly carves chunks into Lake Argentina; then 3 very civilised days in Torres del Paine National Park seeing the breathtaking scenery and with a stay in the Garden Domes either side of the trip; then if you fancy a full day there and back to see come King Penguins take the Day trip to see the King Penguins in Porvenir, from Punta Arenas (my girlfriend loved this, I would definitely give it a miss!). Full itinerary here for A week for the highlights of Patagonia
- Day 25-29 The Navimag Ferry. Taking the Navimag Ferry through the Patagonian Fjords. Start in Puerto Natales and finish in Puerto Montt
- Day 30-32 Bariloche. Take a day to take the bus from Puerto Monto to Bariloche, then Cycling and drinking craft beers around the Chico Circuit in Bariloche and just generally enjoying the beautiful scenery
- Day 33-36 Driving to Mendoza. Driving Argentina’s Seven Lakes drive from Villa la Angostura to San Martin de los Andes is a beautiful drive through the lakes. Driving from Bariloche to Mendoza is a long drive, but may be the simplest way to get there
- Day 36-39 Mendoza. Enjoy the wineries including Wine tasting and cycling around the vineyards of Mendoza. And give yourself a a couple of days to relax
- Day 40-42 Santiago. Fly from Bariloche to Santiago to enjoy the Markets, graveyards and stunning views in Santiago
- Day 43-46 The Atacama Desert. Fly from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama for Exploring the Lunar Valley and San Pedro de Atacama; including star gazing into the clearest skies in the world; and to acclimatise before heading up to the Alitplano
- Day 47-51. Bolivia. Taking a 4WD tour from San Pedro de Atacama to the Bolivian Salt Flats and to see The Bolivian Salt Flats in rainy season, and returning to San Pedro. Take a day at the end to chill out after the trip
- Day 52. Long day of flying through the night from San Pedro to Quito
- Day 53-60 Ecuador – A week for the best of Ecuador. Spend the night in Quito, but head straight out for 3 days / 2 nights hiking the Quilatoa Loop; then, now you’re properly acclimatised, take on the challenge of Climbing to the summit of Cotopaxi Volcano; and finish up with 2 days stopover in Quito.
- Day 61-73 The Galapagos Islands. A trip of a lifetime Scuba diving at Wolf and Darwin Islands in the Galapagos and Island hoping through the main Galapagos Islands
- Day 74 Flying from the Galapagos to Bogota, likely via Quito and Guayaquil
- Day 75-97 Colombia. Give yourself a couple of days for a Cycle trip and taking the cable car in Bogota; it’s then the best part of a day on a bus to Salento for4 days Walking the Valley de Cocora, visiting the humming birds and soaking up Salento; day bus trip to Medellin for a Couple of days in Medellin riding the cable cars and taking a day for the Guatape Lakes outside of Medellin; another day bus trip to Cartagena for 3 days Soaking up the Cartagena Old Town; then chilling out for 4 days in Tayrona National Park and staying in a bit of paradise nearby; finally finishing off with the unforgettable 4 days / 3 nights Hiking the Lost City Trek. Fly out on the final day from Cartagena to Panama City
- Day 98-123 Panama and Costa Rica. Fly from Panama City to Bocas del Torro for 5 days of chill out on the World class beaches in Bocas del Toro and A boat trip of the Zapatillas Islands which are about as close to island paradise as it gets; take a whole day to travel cross country and into Costa Rica’s Drake Bay; spend 2 days Zip-lining and night-time creepy crawly tours in Bahia Drake (near Corcovado National Park) before heading for the premier wildlife experience in the country of Camping in Corcovado National Park; drive up the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica for Bodyboarding at Uvita and splurging for 5 days in our favourite hotel on the whole trip of El Castillo; we then made an error by driving up to meet family in San Jose for a couple of days and Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park for 4 days (glad I met up with the family, but I’d give both of these places a miss); fly back to Panama for 4 days of Panama City and the Panama Canal
- Day 124 fly from Panama City to Lima
- Day 125-141 Peru – 2/3 weeks for the highlights of Peru. Spend 2 days in Lima – a weekend of world class restaurants, super cool neighbourhoods and rapid paragliding; take a day to fly to Cusco for A walk around some of the key Inca sites near Cusco; a day of Driving through the Sacred Valley; a chill out couple of days around Ollantaytambo before Hiking the 4 day / 3 night Inca Trail finishing up by seeing Machu Picchu; fly from Cusco to Arequipa and enjoy A couple of days in Arequipa before the 3 day trip for Hiking and zip-lining in the Colca Canyon
- Day 142 a full day of flying from Arequipa to Havana
- 143-149 Cuba –Going back in time for week in Cuba. 2 days for Nights out and soaking up Havana; 2 days Cycling around the Vinales area in Cuba; 2 days for Scuba diving at Maria le Gorda; and a day or so allocated for travelling, especially on returning from Maria le Gorda to Havana
- Day 150 flying from Havana to Guatemala City
- Day 151-162 Guatemala – Itinerary for 10 wonderful days in Guatemala. Make your way directly from Guatemala City to Soaking up Antigua climbing the neaby volcano for 2 days; then head for 3 days relaxing and diving by the beautiful Lake Atitlan – the most idyllically beautiful place of the trip; return back to Antigua to hire a car to drive into central Guatemala for Semuc Champey all to yourself for the morning and then drive across to the east for the premier Mayan ruins of Tikal; relax around Flores and take the Helicopter trip to El Mirador in the heart of the Guatemalan jungle
- Day 163 – boats and buses from Flores to Caye Caulker
- Day 164-166 Belize. 3 days Chilling, diving and drinking in Caye Caulker and Diving the Blue Hole
- Day 167-180 Mexico. 3 days in Tulum for Exploring the Mayan ruins of Tulum and the otherworldly and truly unforgettable Scuba diving the Cenotes of Tulum; head up the coast for Scuba diving in Cozumel for 2 days; then stay in Cancun for Nights out in Cancun (I was disappointed in this and would actually suggest staying clear of Cancun); head over for 2 days for Best way to see Chichen Itza from Cancun; return back towards Cancun to the tranquil island of Isla Mujeres for relaxing and thinking over the memories at the end of your 6 month trip!
Travel Tips
- Things it would have been great to do (in the areas we visited):
- Drive the 1240km / 770mile Carreterra Austral through the spine of Chile
- Hike through the El Chalten area in Argentina’s Patagonia
- Spend time in the area around Lake Tititcaca on the border with Peru and Bolivia
- See the mines and history of Potosi in Bolivia
- Spend some time in Argentina’s Pampas to see the vast cowboy country
- See the Nazca Lines from a small plane in Peru
- Diving with crocodiles near Laguna Bacalar in Mexico
- Exploring the rain forrest of Monteverde and climbing nearby Volcan Arenal in Costa Rica
- Whitewater rafting the Rio Futaleufu and hiking in Pumalin in central Chile
- Explore the old streets of Trinidad in Cuba
- Climb the 6,981m / 22,837ft of Aconcagua in Argentina, supposed to be a fantastic challenge whilst also not being technically restrictive
- Check out bohemian seaside area of Valparaiso in Chile
- Things we would probably have given a miss:
- Travelling to see the Penguins in Porvenir, Chile. A long way to go for not much to see!
- The beaches of Punta del Este in Uruguay. Like a cheap Mediterranean resort
- Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. Whilst there are some beautiful spots, the vast numbers of tourists in a small area makes it less enjoyable than seeing somewhere like Corcovado National Park to the south
- San Jose in Costa Rica. Nothing really worth seeing
- The nightlife in Cancun. Great hype but a bit of a disappointment based on the restrictive all inclusive hotel arrangements
- Taking the Navimag ferry through the Patagonian Fjords. We did enjoy this, but it is very weather dependant and probably driving a similar distance through the Carreterra Austral would have been better
- I’ve added in some top 10s of Latin America (top experiences and top Old Towns) in the Top 10 section of this site. Be sure to have a look
Experiences nearby

The below map shows experiences nearby with a colour that reflect the Overall Score of those experiences
Score Detail
Background - how many times have you asked someone what a travel experience was like and the response was "amazing" or "awesome"? That response is nice to know, but it makes it hard to differentiate that experience compared to others. That is exactly what these scores are trying to do - differentiate the experience by giving a score out of 10 based on 6 categories and then giving an overall experience score
This overall experience score is calculated by: take the highest of the "Culture" or "Nature" score (1-10) + "Fun factor" (1-10) + "Avoiding the crowds" (1-10) + highest of the "Unique" or "World Famous score" (1-10). Then convert into a score out of 100
Extra detail - the logic being that I find all of the 6 individual scores important, but I don't want to mark an experience down just because it doesn't cover both "Culture" and "Nature", or because it isn't both "World Famous" and "Unique". Take the examples of Safari in The Serengeti and walking through Rome - they both appeal at opposite ends of the nature / culture spectrum, and you can have a fantastic time without needing to appeal to both sides. So, their overall scores aren't penalized for their lack of one or the other, and I've done the same for "World Famous" vs "Unique". But . . . I do think that the "Fun factor" of an experience is important, irrelevant of other factors, and so is "Avoiding the Crowds" (or where there are crowds that add to the experience). So, both of these scores are standalone