Cultural Tours to Central and South America
Culture abounds in Latin America, from ancient civilizations to living indigenous villages and the modern cultures of major cities.
On cultural themed trips you can explore the ruins of Mayan civilizations, visit indigenous villages in the Amazon basin, discover ancient civilizations throughout Peru, witness the living Chilote culture found on the Chiloé Archipelago in Chile, and experience the vibrant contemporary life in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena, Lima, Buenos Aires.
Mayan civilizations are evidenced by the extensive list of ruins located throughout Central America from southern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula (Palenque, Chichen Itza, Tulum) to Guatemala (Tikal, Yaxha, Quirigua), Belize (Caracol, Xunantunich), Honduras (Copan).
Visit and interact with Garifuna people in small villages along the Caribbean coast of Honduras and Belize. The Garifuna have their own language, music and food. Along the Bay of Tela in Honduras you will find Garifuna communities, such as Miami, where you can spend the day with local families, learning their language and history.
In Panama you can stay with a local Kuna (or Guna) family on a private island.
Colombia’s rich historical past and modern present is evident throughout the country. The cities and cultural centers of Bogotá, Medellin, Cali and Cartagena are home to restaurants, dance clubs, theaters, museums; calendar events include film and music festivals, lively religious fiestas. Cartagena is the perfect combination of colonial history and modern Caribbean joie de vivre. Visit picturesque towns such as Villa de Leyva, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved colonial villages in South America. The old and historic center of Popayán is considered one of the most beautiful and best preserved in Colombia as well as in all of Latin America.
In Peru and Bolivia you will find pre-Colombian civilizations and modern-day Quechua and Aymara-speaking people. The Northern Kingdoms were home to the Moche Civilization and Chimú Empire. Important sites include Tucume, a vast Lambayeque-period archeological complex and Chan Chan, the capital city of the Chimú Empire. The Chachapoyas culture was centered at the fortress of Kuelap before being conquered by the Incas. The Inca Empire can be best appreciated in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Inca capital of Cusco and the citadel of Machu Picchu. Evidence of the pre-Colombian Tiwanaku Empire can be studied at the ruins of Tiwanaku in western Bolivia near the shores of Lake Titikaka.
The Chiloé Archipelago, isolated from the Chile mainland, has a unique architecture, language (Chilote), cuisine and folklore. Explore on a day trip or spend a few days while staying at a small hotel or seaside lodge.
In Brazil make time for a few days in Salvador, the capital of the State of Bahia and a center for Afro-Brazilian music and dance, religion, cuisine and local customs; all brought to Brazil from the West coast of Africa then mixed with Portuguese traditions and culture.
And, of course, contemporary life is a focal point in the cultural hubs of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro: restaurants, theaters, art galleries, markets, shopping, nightclubs, tango, samba, bossa nova…Carnival!
Curated Cultural Travel Experiences
The Guianas Experience Travel Package
The Guiana Shield is a 1.7 billion-year-old Precambrian geological formation in northeast South America and is one of the regions of highest biodiversity in the world. The Shield has 1400 vertebrate species and 1680 bird species. The Shield is overlain by the largest expanse of undisturbed tropical rain forest in the world. Join us as we explore Guyana and Suriname.
The Inca Essentials Peru Tour Package
Explore some of the most exciting destinations in the Lima area with this thrilling package! Begin your adventure in the breathtaking Sacred Valley, where lush landscapes and ancient wonders await.
The Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu by explora
explora Valle Sagrado was designed as a headquarters from which to explore a Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. All programs include accommodations, transfers, meals and beverages, and a selection of more than 30 explorations developed by the explora outdoor team.
Unique Chiapas – Jungles, Rivers, and Mayas Mexico Tour
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Chiapas, where ancient traditions, lush jungles, and vibrant cultures await you at every turn. This itinerary is designed to immerse you in the soul of southern Mexico—from the dramatic cliffs of Sumidero Canyon to the mystical ruins of Palenque, each day offers a new adventure, a deeper connection, and a fresh perspective.
Upscale Pantanal & Bonito Tour Package to Brazil
Get ready for an extraordinary journey into the heart of Brazil’s wild side. This unique itinerary takes you deep into the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, and the vibrant ecotourism hub of Bonito. Prepare to immerse yourself in a world teeming with wildlife, where every day promises a new adventure. From tracking elusive jaguars to snorkeling in rivers so clear they feel like a natural aquarium, this trip is designed for those who seek to connect with nature on an intimate and unforgettable level.
Wow Trip Argentina
First you'll spend 4 days in Buenos Aires, each day living and breathing a different part of the city and its environs: a walking tour of the Palermo neighborhoods, our exclusive 'Four Balconies of Buenos Aires' city tour, an Artist's tour, a culinary and wine tasting event, a day in San Isidro and the Parana River Delta, a day trip across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia in Uruguay, a Tango Dinner Show.
Yoga and Wellness Experience to Machu Picchu
A new 8-day Peru Yoga and Wellness Experience to Machu Picchu – a combination of exhilarating hikes, wellness workshops, and focused yoga practices – along with unique, meaningful cultural immersion and interaction with our Andean neighbors for a holistic journey like no other. The program will be led by Sandra Gallegos, the Yoga and Wellness Leader.
Scan this QR code to visit this page with your mobile device:
Active Bolivia – Top to Bottom Tour Package
From your arrival in La Paz, the high altiplano awaits. Fly to Uyuni and spend several days exploring the World’s largest salt flats. Here you will pass volcanoes and visit high-altitude lakes and the only places where you can spot three species of pink South American flamingo: the Chilean, Andean and rare James’s flamingos.
Andean Explorer Overnight Train – Spirit of the Water
Depart in the late morning from Cuzco and travel across the Altiplano towards Puno. Stop in the village of Raqchi, also known as the Temple of Viracocha because of its emblematic constructions and La Raya, the highest point on the Cusco-Puno route at 4,335 meters above sea level, the perfect place to see the beautiful snow-capped Andes and the many llamas and vicunas roaming.
Costa Rica Exploration Tour
This trip combines the Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloudforest nature pairing with Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast and one of the many beaches on the northern Pacific coast. Much of Tortuguero is jungle-covered lowland. There are no roads in Tortuguero National Park, called Costa Rica’s “little Amazon”; travel is by boat along a series of rivers and canals or by foot on forest paths.
Guyana in Living Color Travel Package
Guyana rewards curiosity. It’s a country that has managed to keep its wild heart intact—an expanse of rainforest, rivers, and savannahs that remains more lived-in than overrun. This journey traces its contrasts: the creole pulse of Georgetown’s markets, the ancient calm of the interior, and the thundering solitude of Kaieteur Falls.
