The latest insights, reviews and travel stories from locally-based Peru travel agency Aracari, the destination specialists in luxury travel Peru, Bolivia and Galapagos.
From fleeting festivals to rare natural wonders, five Aracari trips are defined by timing. Some of the very best journeys ask for time — to plan, to imagine, and ultimately, to get right. These trips tend to be once-in-a-lifetime. Not because they’re out of reach, but because they hinge on something irreplaceable: timing. A fleeting season. A natural spectacle. A cultural moment that can’t be rushed or replicated. South America, in particular, holds space for these journeys. And at Aracari, they’re among the most rewarding to plan. From the pulse of Carnival in Rio to the slow-motion courtship of the waved albatross in the Galápagos, to the brief Antarctic summer before the continent disappears into polar night — these are experiences that can’t be booked last-minute. They require foresight, deep local knowledge, and the will to wait. In this guide, we spotlight five journeys that take a year to get just right — and remind us why they’re worth it. 1. Patagonia: A Journey Best Made in the Quiet Patagonia isn’t a single destination. It’s a vast, cinematic sweep of terrain, shared by Chile and Argentina, where granite peaks puncture the sky, winds whip across glacial lakes, and the scale of nature feels almost mythical. Planning a journey here means navigating enormous distances, unpredictable weather, and an increasingly coveted handful of extraordinary places to stay. For Aracari travelers, the sweet spot lies in Patagonia’s shoulder season: October–November or March–April. These months bring crisp light, fewer crowds, and landscapes still touched by snow or tinged with autumn gold. The weather may still be wild, but that’s part of the beauty. This is a region that’s never truly tame — and shouldn’t be approached as such. Getting Patagonia right requires time and precision. Routes must be carefully sequenced — to connect
From fleeting festivals to rare natural wonders, five Aracari trips are defined by timing. Some of the very best journeys ask for time — to plan, to imagine, and ultimately, to get right. These trips tend to be once-in-a-lifetime. Not because they’re out of reach, but because they hinge on…
Few places capture the feeling of escape quite like Brazil's best beach hotels. With over 7,000 kilometers of coastline, the country's beaches are wild, expansive, and cinematic in scale — shaped by Afro-Brazilian spirit, Portuguese colonial legacy, and the unruly beauty of the Atlantic. This isn’t the Brazil of carnival clichés; it’s barefoot, quieter, and more understated. For travelers seeking rest alongside discovery, Brazil’s coast offers a kind of stillness that doesn’t mean doing less — it means noticing more. A morning swim before breakfast, the sound of palms in the wind, or a quiet dinner beneath the stars — the luxury here is in the unhurried pace and the rare sense of place that lingers long after you’ve returned home. Where to Find the Best Beach Hotels in Brazil It’s along the northeastern coast that Brazil’s beach story becomes most vivid. Bahia, with its rich Candomblé traditions and villages like Trancoso, blends cultural depth with natural calm. Neighboring states like Alagoas and the tiny yet dazzling Piauí offer coral reefs, coconut groves, and stays that feel more like private homes than hotels. In this guide, we share five of Brazil’s best beach hotels — not simply places to stay, but destinations in themselves. Each one chosen for its ability to distill a true sense of place, to complement rather than compete with its setting, and to offer our travelers that rare balance between design, stillness, and soul. At Aracari, we design bespoke journeys across Brazil — from the lush interiors of the Amazon to the colonial streets of Paraty, and onward to the coast. These beach stays are never stand-alone; they’re part of a wider journey that threads together Brazil’s remarkable diversity with precision and care. PARU Boutique Hotel — Coastal Quiet in Brazil’s Northeast Along a lesser-travelled
Few places capture the feeling of escape quite like Brazil’s best beach hotels. With over 7,000 kilometers of coastline, the country’s beaches are wild, expansive, and cinematic in scale — shaped by Afro-Brazilian spirit, Portuguese colonial legacy, and the unruly beauty of the Atlantic. This isn’t the Brazil of carnival…
There are few experiences on earth that capture the imagination quite Peruvian Amazon cruises. In a realm of extraordinary biodiversity, pulsing with life and mystery, this vast green expanse is often thought of as a destination for the boldest adventurers. But with the right partners and the right vessel, the Amazon can be anything you need it to be — a haven of discovery for young minds, a place of comfort and camaraderie for seasoned travelers, or an unforgettable backdrop for life’s milestone moments. Recently, two of Aracari’s own embarked on Peruvian Amazon cruises aboard Delfin, our long-standing luxury cruise partner. Juanjo, our Product and Experience Manager, set off with his young son, age seven, while our founder and CEO Marisol returned to the region for a voyage with close friends. Their experiences—vastly different, equally profound—serve as a testament to the diversity and adaptability of Amazon cruising when carefully curated. Where the Rainforest Becomes Water: Navigating Peru’s Amazon To understand the magic of Peruvian Amazon cruises, one must first understand the place itself. The Peruvian Amazon is a vast and remote region, home to one of the most intact tracts of rainforest on Earth. Cruises like those offered aboard Delfin navigate the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, a 20,800-square-kilometer protected area known as the “forest of mirrors” for its glasslike blackwater rivers that reflect the towering canopy above. During high-water season (November to May), the jungle transforms—the forest floods, waterways swell, and boats glide silently between the trees, revealing a world that feels secret and sacred. This is a place where nature reigns in its purest form. Sloths dangle in the treetops, toucans flash across the sky, and pink river dolphins crest quietly through the dark water. Remote riverine communities live in harmony with the jungle, offering glimpses into lifeways
There are few experiences on earth that capture the imagination quite Peruvian Amazon cruises. In a realm of extraordinary biodiversity, pulsing with life and mystery, this vast green expanse is often thought of as a destination for the boldest adventurers. But with the right partners and the right vessel, the…
There has always been something undeniably magnetic about La Paz—a city perched high in the Bolivian Andes. At 3,650 meters above sea level, the world’s highest capital defines its own kind of destination. There’s a tilting strangeness to it—traditional Andean dress side by side with the buzz of a 21st-century Latin American capital. That contrast has always defined La Paz, a city we’ve explored for over thirty years. But as Marisol and Juanjo discovered on their recent trip, the city’s striking duality now feels more refined. It’s elevated and sophisticated, yet still grounded in its original soul. Once known for its raw charm, La Paz has quietly emerged as a hub of culinary genius, cultural happenings, and boutique hospitality. It's captured international attention too, recently recognized by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the best places to visit in 2025, in part due to its food scene. The city is alive with market traditions, avant-garde chefs, and a newfound culinary confidence that is redefining Bolivian gastronomy. When we first curated journeys here, it attracted the hardiest travelers, willing to brave the city’s dizzying altitude. But now, as Marisol puts it, the city has truly "come of age." Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Access What makes La Paz truly exceptional isn’t just the extraordinary experiences—it's the extraordinary people behind them. This 48-hour guide is more than just things to do. It’s about the brilliant spirits shaping the city from within. That’s the true value of Aracari: our insider network, offering access no AI ever could. Incredible gallerists like the Ugalde family, who open their private collection to those in the know. Culinary visionaries like Marsia Taha, recently crowned Latin America's Best Female Chef 2024. And, of course, Andrea and Dante—our newly-introduced friends in the city—well-traveled locals who already feel like old companions. Then there's
There has always been something undeniably magnetic about La Paz—a city perched high in the Bolivian Andes. At 3,650 meters above sea level, the world’s highest capital defines its own kind of destination. There’s a tilting strangeness to it—traditional Andean dress side by side with the buzz of a 21st-century…
Assembling our hotlist of South America’s most captivating destinations for 2025 is no small undertaking. It’s a labor of love—one that demands countless hours, thousands of miles, and an unwavering commitment to discovery. To recommend a place is to have truly lived it: to have felt the pull of its magic, to have been stirred by its beauty. Only then can we share it with you, confident that it will leave you equally spellbound. So as we step into the year ahead, we invite you to let this list be your compass. A guide to where to go in South America in 2025. Where to go in South America: Ten of the best destinations and experiences for 2025 Our hotlist is an amalgamation of experiences our team has encountered over the past three months—a tightly packed travel window that this year stretched more distance than ever before. From the culinary explosion in La Paz, Bolivia, to newly opened boutique boltholes in Cusco and Arequipa, two cities we have long adored, to the colonial charm of Cuenca in Ecuador, the ethereal expanse of the Salar de Uyuni, a photographer’s paradise; and a pair of ultra-exclusive villas perched on protected islands along Colombia’s turquoise Caribbean coast. It might just be our best hotlist yet. Welcome to the best destinations in South America for 2025—Aracari style. 1. La Paz, Bolivia: A Culinary and Cultural Explosion Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, has quietly risen to prominence in recent years, cementing itself as a top result for where to go in South America in 2025. Perched high in the Andes, this vibrant city is a cultural mosaic where traditional Andean dress mingles seamlessly with a burgeoning food and creative scene. “La Paz offers a trove of exceptional dining experiences,” says Juanjo, Aracari’s Head of Product
Assembling our hotlist of South America’s most captivating destinations for 2025 is no small undertaking. It’s a labor of love—one that demands countless hours, thousands of miles, and an unwavering commitment to discovery. To recommend a place is to have truly lived it: to have felt the pull of its…
Across thousands of kilometers, amidst the most raw and unyielding wildernesses of this enormous country, you will find some of the best estancias in Argentina —remote retreats that are far more than just places to stay, but rather iconic symbols of Argentine identity. Unique sanctuaries, providing a portal into the past, and at the same time, poignant reminders of traditions still alive today and being preserved for the future. In the bitter-blowing beauty of Patagonia, a warm fire roars indoors, and a steaming tub bubbles under unpolluted skies. In the wide-open Pampas, where gauchos gallop across vast plains flanked by the Andes, dinner awaits. Argentine steaks licked by open flames, paired with award-winning crimson red. In the fertile valleys close to the colonial city of Salta, a sprawling family-owned manor, surrounded by lush gardens, verandas, and peaceful courtyards, beckons you inside after long days exploring the forest. In a country that stretches almost half the continent, from its most southernly icy tip, to the north - close to the border with Bolivia - you'll find those scenes in the most strikingly beautiful lands. Remoteness begets reward of course but brings with it travel times that make a stay at an estancia an essential part of a wider exploration of Argentina rather than a single destination trip. Thankfully, that’s where we come in. Our bespoke adventures span from Buenos Aires to Mendoza to Patagonia – pinpointing some of the best estancias in Argentina – but first, a word on their far-reaching history. The History of Estancias in Argentina The story of Argentina’s estancias is woven into the very fabric of the country’s history, tracing back to the early days of Spanish rule. These vast estates, originally granted to the settlers, stretched across the Pampas and beyond, becoming the backbone of the
Across thousands of kilometers, amidst the most raw and unyielding wildernesses of this enormous country, you will find some of the best estancias in Argentina —remote retreats that are far more than just places to stay, but rather iconic symbols of Argentine identity. Unique sanctuaries, providing a portal into the…
