From North to South, the dream list of a traveler

From North to South, the dream list of a traveler

How many trips would you need to get to know the best places in Latin America?

I believe that one life will not be enough to make all the trips of my dreams. Every landscape, every culture, every story entices me, gave me enough reasons to want to make the route of my dreams.

And since time is gold and comfort is a very pleasant blessing, my dream has no restrictions. Yes, I would travel by private jet.

The diversity of nature in Latin America is impressive: glaciers, beaches, mountains, valleys, plains, deserts. I already imagine myself preparing my suitcases; fitting in my winter clothes and my comfortable beach shoes.

In this article I want to present my dreams list about the Top Latin America destinations. I will travel from north to south.

I will go from airport to airport, I will travel by land, rivers or seas, to the places and witness first-hand the best we have and the best we are in this diverse Latin America.

CANCUN, México

I started my tour in the city or snake nest. It is not a jungle place, it is its shadow that meanders at a certain time of the year, according to its ancestors.

I make a light start in this destination, attracted by its certification as an international tourist site.

My first contact, when getting off the Jet, was at the Cancun International Airport. The traffic was impressive.

I felt that it was a busier airport than the one in Mexico City. But here, everything tastes like beach and sand.

The climate is exceptional, with an average annual temperature of 25 ° C that gives you the freedom to walk in light clothes on the beaches, the privileged hotel zone, the harbours and populated centers.

I was surprised by the extensive coastal line. Ask a local and he replies that he goes around the municipality. I am about to walk but among so many natural beauties – and human – I am distracted, lose my step, and move forward.

In addition to the beautiful beaches, among the tourist attractions, there is an extensive commercial area blending with monuments and sculptures. The well-known Caribbean fantasy fountain stops me to contemplate it.

My passion for knowing the origin takes me to the Monument of the History of Mexico and the monument to San Martí.

CITY OF MEXICO, Mexico

I return to Mexico City, but this time to enjoy in a detailed manner. The city has more than 20 million inhabitants, considering the Metropolitan Zone of the Valley of Mexico. It is the most populated city of the American continent.

The majority of the actual population is mestizo. It has the largest Amerindian population in Mexico and the Americas. I recognize their faces and imagine their stories.

Mexico has thousands of stories to tell the tourists. There are 34 sites declared by UNESCO Patrimonies of Humanity. It is the second city with the largest number of museums in the world (151).

The city is located in the Valley of Mexico at 2,200 m.s. And the climate is kind.

The geography, which is not dull, certainly is diverse. The landscape includes mounts range, volcanoes, lakes and valleys.

Something that catches my attention about this congested city is the extraordinary way in which prehispanic, colonial and modern architecture and culture had mixed in time. Many of its colonial buildings were established on Mayan architectural wonders.

Before visiting Mexico, I read that it has been named the World Design Capital in 2018, being the first city in America with this title and the eighth city in the world.

Mexico City receives an annual average of 13 million visitors. It is the first tourist destination for foreign visitors within Latin America. I was one more of the lot.

SAN PEDRO, Bélice

there was not much I found on the web before traveling to Belice. I learned that it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Central America. It’s the beautiful island that inspired Madonna, Patrick Leonard and Bruce Gaitsch. That anecdotal detail convinced me that I should be there.

The look from the jet made me fall in love. Its crystal clear waters and white sand make this destination a heavenly place.

I stayed in an inn facing the sea. Small golf-style cars took us on sandy streets to our destination.

I enjoyed its shopping areas. Small entrepreneurs who manufacture leather goods and other handicrafts are the guarantee that you will not leave empty-handed.

If you get to visit Belice, do not stop living the diving experience. The beauties that you will find in its marine fauna will be your reward.

We took a boat ride, paddled and enjoyed the sunsets. We understand why they call it a tourist magnet.

the population speaks English and Spanish and it is estimated at about 11,000 inhabitants.

CANAL DE PANAMÁ, Panamá

Visiting the Panama Canal in 2019, the same year when Panama celebrates 500 years of its foundation, was undoubtedly an unforgettable experience.

The Panama Canal is a route of maritime penetration that connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. It crosses the isthmus of Panama, the narrowest sector of Central America.

The Canal is considered one of the greatest engineering works of the twentieth century. I was impressed by the logic of its operation and, at the same time, the ingenuity shown in its artificial excuses and lakes.

Life changed for the whole world with the construction. The natural passages used before the construction, between the Atlantic and the Pacific, was located in the Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn, in Chile.

To visit the Canal is to get to know an impressive intercontinental commercial industry, point of economic expansion in many regions of the world. More than 190 countries have commercial activity on this site. More than 120 nationalities participated in the construction of the Panama Canal between 1904 and 1949.

The experience that everyone is looking for is to wait at the Miraflores locks, to see the right moment when the boats are elevated to coincide with the level of the Pacific or the Atlantic.

In Gamboa Rain Forest I had the opportunity to take a boat and walk along the canal, contemplating the exuberant nature that surrounds it. In small islands located inside the lake, there are species of trees of great height, you can contemplate the diversity of birds and monkeys.

Many travellers stop in Panama and take advantage of a few hours to enjoy this show of engineering. Visit their moles, the Church of Carmen and taste the exquisite Panamanian Mixed Ceviche dressed with cilantro, are two experiences that I recommend.

GRANADA, Nicaragua

My route continued to meet what they call the most beautiful city in Nicaragua, known as the Paris of South America. It is reported as one of the most visited places in America.

This city was founded in the sixteenth century and is very well preserved. A colonial and colourful city that you should know.

The Central Park is the place where the Cathedral of Granada is located. The most impressive infrastructure in the city. I was struck by the high number of churches.

One of the many pleasures I enjoyed was tasting a cocoa drink in the Chocomuseo. There I had to prepare my own drink. I learned very interesting tips about the fascinating culture of cocoa and I gave myself the best alternative to quench my thirst.

Named by the Spaniards Lake Cocibolca, it stands out due to the great extension as a sweet sea. This lake is surrounded by more than 300 islands grouped under the name of Isletas de Granada.

There, the Mombacho Volcano is located, with a biodiversity not yet explored in places that constitute virgin reserves.

The patron saint and equestrian festivities of the city, a parade of riders on horseback, held in honour of the Virgin of La Asunción, patron saint of the Xalteva indigenous people. In it be performed the popular parties as the equestrian. Because of my passion for equines, I promised to return for those dates.

I was surprisingly pleased walking by the tourist attractions, with the history told by the guides and the colonial architecture. Some places of interest that could be recommended are the San Francisco Museum, the Colón Park, the Plaza de la Independencia, the Obelisk, the Harbor Master’s Office and the Cathedral, among others.

LOS ROQUES, Venezuela

I had this destination on my agenda for a long time. In Granada, I took advantage of my staying and got into a private flight to Caracas. Then, I travelled to my destination in a very safe aircraft with very small dimensions.

It is an archipelago with more than 40 islands or cays, located north of the Venezuelan capital. Upon arrival, after a gracious reception from the hotel employees, I enjoyed the delights of the sea and spent my first night reserving energies.

The sunrise is refreshing. After a generous breakfast I set out to follow the guide’s recommendations: take a micro tour of the keys. Perfect places to snorkel and, if you’re lucky, to spot sea turtles.

For your day at the beach, you can enjoy the preparation service of a chiller with everything you need to relish the experience to the fullest.

The beauty of this destination is formidable. My guide told me that Los Roques is located between the Las Aves Archipelago and the Isla de la Orchila. It is the largest marine park in Latin America and has the largest coral archipelago in Latin America. The right place to be at some point in life.

The population, formed by some 1,800 inhabitants, is fundamentally from the Island of Margarita, Venezuela; Another destination that I have on my list.

Things to do…

Los Roques has an extensive and surprising corals reef, an abundant and diverse marine fauna conformed by crustaceans, molluscs, corals, urchins, dolphins, whales, manta rays and turtles.

A dream destination for diverse recreational activities. I could see tourists from many places enjoying different attractions: kayak, sailing, boating, windsurfing, or scuba diving.

If you come, do not leave your sneakers, you will need them on your walk to get to the lighthouse, from where you can have a 360 ° view of the Gran Roque.

The sand is spectacularly whitish and the water transparent. The pelicans give the final visual touches. With the exuberance of the Caribbean sky, Los Roques is a paradisiacal destination.

CANAIMA, Venezuela

I left the Roques ecstatic, truly relaxed. It has been a long journey but Los Roques renew you.

At the Maiquetía Airport, near the city of Caracas, I took another private flight to the city of Puerto Ordaz with the intention of returning to visit Canaima.

In a previous article, I shared my experience in Canaima. A natural monument that pays homage to the origin of the world.

Canaima is a National Park – in Bolivar´s state, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1994. More than 30,000 km2 accredit it as one of the largest park in the world.

The copious rivers and the striking Tepuyes make you flow in the energy of life, at its best. Nearly 60% of the territory are Tepuyes, rock formations with steep, almost vertical cliffs that contain large waterfalls.

From one of these Tepuyes drops the highest waterfall in the world: El Salto Angel.

I stayed in a hotel embedded in a leafy and very green nature. Flowers of many species, colours and fragrances abounded in the open spaces of the hotel.

The rooms had all the necessary services for maximum comfort. The views of waterfalls and Tepuyes that could be seen from the restaurant already made it worth the long trip.

On this trip I met Salto del Sapo. It was a short trip, but I did not miss the opportunity to take a ride on a boat called curiara. From there we approach at overwhelming distances to the beautiful and powerful waterfalls that give an account of the fluvial richness of this ancestral space.

MACHU PICCHU, Santuario Histórico Peruano

The Inca country is a spiritual experience. Some tourist information sites catalogue it as an “obsession destination”. The history of the Inca culture is written in its relief.

The Machu Picchu experience and Canaima, connected me deeply with or spiritually. It was my first trip to Machu Picchu. Definitely, it is an energy centre.

The night of my arrival, I went to a presentation of traditional groups in the renowned Cenro Qosqo native in the town of Cusco. I got the impression of recognizing the stories, narrated after the instrumental music.

The next morning, we went on the tour to Machu Piccu, located at 2,430 meters above sea level. It shows the ruins of an ancient Inca town, the construction dates back to the 15th century.

No matter it was 25 ° C less than in Canaima, as soon as I found myself facing the ruins of Machu Picchu, I could perceive a similar energy. I felt that time had stopped.

Referred to as a masterpiece of engineering, also, it has been described from the mystery. in 2007, It was declared as one of the nine wonders of the modern world in a global survey, conducted via the Internet.

The guides that go with you on the tour, share interesting details about the Inca culture.

If you did not consider, within your plans, to visit the path of the Inca, I advise you to put it down on your agenda.  Might be possible that in the future we meet there.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina

From the spiritual experience lived in Machu Piccu, I took another private flight to the city that saw the birth of tango.

I stayed in a downtown hotel. I wanted to have the possibility of being close to the most emblematic attractions.

The city is beautiful; it has a European feel with a New York touch. Streets and avenues are very spacious and very well decorated.

The weather was deliciously warm. The first morning, I decided to get up early, had some delicious empanadas and started walking.

I was impressed by the architecture. I took advantage of the subway routes to get to know more places. The city has buildings of great historical value and tunnels of the colonial era.

As always, I asked about the story. They told me that the city was located in an old area of ​​rivers and lakes that were eventually channeled or refilled to prevent damage to the population.

Among the tourist attractions, I highlight the historic center of the city. Plaza de Mayo is a must-visit point. I lost track of time in the Recoleta neighbourhood.

Another attraction that really impressed me was the large number of cultural centers, theaters. The movement of artists really shows up on almost every corner

I could not say goodbye in any other way to Buenos Aires, so, last night I went to a tango show that left me wanting to return for more. On my next trip I promise to take tango classes. This city that ended my long North-South journey in the mega-Latin America.

Varied climates, diverse landscapes, unique cultures, lived experiences that in this brief period would not have been possible if I had not taken the option of traveling on private flights and jets.