Central + South America
Vibrant, rich and astonishingly varied – yet this is a complex region, full of traps for the uninitiated.
In short, it’s impossible to plan a successful holiday in Latin America without in-depth knowledge: every country and every part of that country has little secrets, which only an insider can know or anticipate.
Our destination experts spend their working lives talking to people in this region and travelling throughout Latin America, as well as talking to clients on their return… we never stop learning and it’s all from direct, day-to-day involvement.
(We have also included Mexico in this 'region' even though it is strictly speaking in North America.)
where to go with c+l in the Americas
destination spotlight (four to consider)
peru
Best Visited: April - Oct
Having an iconic destination like Machu Picchu is sometimes a pity for Peru. Most visitors miss out on the incredible variety of the country. So fixed are guide books and mainstream travel companies on the well-trodden path that they do not make enough time for lesser known parts of the country. Peru was the first South American country which we developed in a unique c+l way, so we are always keen to show off every aspect. It sometimes means spending that bit longer in the country but those extra few days make all of the difference and c+l clients get to experience treks which others do not know, private access to museums, leisurely lunches in quirky locations, Amazon expeditions with world-class naturalist guides and the opportunity to pass the time of day rather than always following in the path of other tourists. Our guides and network of contacts makes pretty much anything possible for those who want to push the boundaries. And even in the tourist haunts, we can find a fresh angle and clever way to make the experience memorable and unique.
Mexico
best visited: dec - june
It is difficult to beat the wild stretches of Mexico's Pacific Coast for sheer beauty and the hotels along the Caribbean Mayan Riviera are world class. But these are far from the real Mexico. We can organise a beach holiday in Mexico as well as anyone (better actually as we only work with a small number of the very best hotels and private houses). But what really gets us excited is planning trips to the Copper Canyon, to the colonial cities North of Mexico or to the Mayan ruins and unspoilt towns in the interior of the Yucatan Peninsular or in Chiapas. Many clients will end up with a few days on the beach or will combine their holiday in Mexico with a visit to Guatemala or Belize. But a country with the size and variety of Mexico is able to keep the curious traveller well entertained for more months holiday than most people take in a decade.
brazil
best visited: nov - april
We love Brazil. Who could not? At any time of year there is something fabulous to do. And, because we have travelled extensively in pretty much every part of the country, we know how to get the best out of those areas which really deliver............and which areas to avoid. One of the most important considerations is to limit the amount of different regions visited. And, no crticism of Brazil,- quite the opposite- a country with the confidence and strength of identity of Brazil does not always cater for the international tourist. That is why our people on the ground and day to day contact with them is all the more important. It is a country where you need a finger on the pulse to make sure that it is a joy to feel the country's authenticity rather than to skirt by as an outsider or (even worse) stumble into the wrong place at the wrong time. Brazil should be a joy and not a hassle and we at c+l take price in our ability to make it just that.
costa rica
best visited: oct - june
One of the safest and most family-friendly destinations in the world, Costa Rica is Central America at its most accessible. It has largely avoided mass tourism and offers small lodges with access to unspoilt beaches and pristine natural parks. And for bird watchers and nature lovers it is up there in the top ten. We were a bit slow on the uptake at c+l about how great a destination it is and what good value it offers. But with repeated rave feedback particularly from families, the penny finally dropped. For those who want to fly between places there is a great network of scheduled charter flights but, cheaper and a great way to see the country, more and more families are choosing to drive themselves. Good quality vehicles and great, relatively empty roads mean that you can stay in three or four very different lodges in different parts of the country and still feel that you have had at the same time a holiday and an adventure.
