Caribbean Colombia: Santa Marta, Cartagena, Rincón del Mar, Necoclí and Capurganá

This article has been updated on June 6, 2021.

As the title suggests, rather than covering the entire 1600 km (995 miles) of the Colombian Caribbean coast, we’re going to talk about five+ locations only. Some of them are rather popular (Santa Marta and Cartagena), others are perhaps a bit less visited (Rincón del Mar and Necoclí) and one of them is located on the edge of a dangerous jungle of Darién Gap (Capurganá). By the end of this post, you should have a decent knowledge about places to see, possible activities, safety and transport in and around those beautiful locations in Caribbean Colombia.

Santa Marta

Established in 1525, Santa Marta is an old colonial town. In fact, it is among the oldest surviving cities in South America and the oldest one in Colombia. Santa Marta has been destroyed by pirates several times in the past, but at present, the local authorities are doing a good job revitalising its historical centre. Santa Marta grew into a modern city while keeping a degree of its importance as a port town. Other than that, its 1/2 million inhabitants mostly make their living in trade, fishing, agriculture (mainly bananas, coffee, cocoa and cassava) and tourism.

Things to do in Santa Marta

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As mentioned above, Santa Marta is a popular tourist destination, perhaps mostly for its surrounding natural attractions, which we’ll get to later. As for the city itself, there are also a few rewarding activities to check out. Whether it is strolling its pretty and colourful historical centre or the shoreline promenade with sculptures of the indigenous Tayrona tribe people Paseo Bastidas and enjoying the services of the plenty of stylish cafés and restaurants that serve great fresh seafood and numerous beverages.

Except for the historical centre, the city also boasts of modern parts, such as El Rodadero, a resort-like suburb with several flashy hotels and private clubs and Sea Aquarium and Museum. FYI, this is also a location to experience a proper Caribbean beach party in the area. Further south of El Rodadero, there are also plenty of pretty beaches, such as Playa Blanca, where you can enjoy the Caribbean settings in a less busy environment.

If you are interested in art and local history or if you just want to take a break from the party and beaches, you could consider checking out La Quinta San Pedro Alejandrino, located further inland. This 17th-century estate is an art museum and a former house of Simón Bolívar, a South American independence hero and former president of the country. Another option is a bit tourist-trappy The Museo del Oro Tairona, with multiple galleries displaying indigenous artefacts.

Things to do nearby Santa Marta

As I’ve mentioned above, although it’s a charming city with undeniable character, Santa Marta is on the tourism map mainly because it’s a local travel hub to reach the popular attractions in close proximity to the city. Except for the gorgeous Caribbean coast, the Magdalena Department boasts of the presence of the majestic and somewhat mystical Sierra Nevada mountain range and that is a perfect combination to pick and combine tourist activities.

Taganga

Just next door, over the hill from Santa Marta, there’s a small village of Taganga, a popular backpacker spot with amazing scuba diving and other water sports opportunities. Taganga and its surrounding bays, such as Playa Grande are truly beautiful. When it comes to the village itself, let’s just say that it is just yet another small party town and it comes with everything those usually come with, just like in Peru’s Máncora, Ecuador’s Montañita or in any small party town on the globe for that matter.

Tayrona National Park

If you’re not so much into the party scene or if you’d like to take a little break, and mainly if you are into stunning nature, right next door to Taganga, only 30km away from Santa Marta, there’s one of the ultimate highlights of the region, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (website). We’re talking about an amazingly beautiful 150km² park that comes with some of the most spectacular sandy beaches in the world, 900m peaks and the unique biodiversity of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Minca and El Dorado Reserve

Minca is a small friendly mountain town, located 650 metres above sea level, that boasts some spectacular panoramic views of hills and the Caribbean coast. In case you liked the views, nature and general tranquil atmosphere around Minca, you can push a little further up the hill to reach El Dorado Reserve, a location that is also very popular with birdwatchers.

Ciudad Perdida AKA Lost City

Although trekking to the “new Machu Picchu” significantly gained popularity in recent years, these ancient ruins, which actually predate Machu Picchu by more than half millennia, are still regarded as less crowded and therefore a more cool alternative to its Peruvian counterpart. Please note that the site is only accessible by a 3-6 days long 44km trek, which is known to be rather challenging. If this is something that got your attention, please make sure to check out the popular multi-day trek to the Lost City here.

Other natural attractions in the area

If you are into nature, it might be also worth considering checking out the tours around Colombia’s highest peak, Pico Cristóbal Colón (5 730m / 18 799ft). Because of the fact that the peak is located in the sacred region of the Sierra Nevada, which is still home to indigenous communities, the only way to experience the stunning tropical forests, glaciers and alpine lakes is to book a tour with a licensed company.

In case you were into off-the-beaten-path locations as well as endemic animal and plant species, waterfalls, natural pools and a bit of hiking, then check out a tiny village located about an hour’s drive from Santa Marta, Paso Del Mango.

Go out and events in Santa Marta

Santa Marta is a culturally vibrant city with plenty of Salsa music and a lot of dancing 🙂 Furthermore, there are some seasonal cultural and sports events such as the Festival of the Sea in July, or the National and International Queen of the Sea. Theatre lovers would definitely appreciate the multicultural Caribbean Theatre Festival that brings performers and visitors from all around the world every September.

Being a popular tourist destination located on the Caribbean coast, Santa Marta naturally comes with a rich nightlife scene. Whether it’s the above-mentioned beach parties in El Rodadero or the city centre, with Parque de los Novios sticking out in particular, there are plenty of options to have a few cold drinks on a hot night. As pointed out above, the neighbouring Taganga also boasts of a rich party scene that is popular with backpackers.

Although partying in the city is relatively safe, please bear in mind not to be entirely careless, when it comes to your safety. Make sure that you know whom you accept your drinks from, also try taking taxis to your hotel, and do not wander into empty alleys by yourself and so on. The same applies to Taganga, where some robbery incidents were reported further up the town.

Get around Santa Marta

Rather than running classic meters, taxis in Santa Marta work on fixed prices. A single ride around the city is set at a maximum of 8000,- COP. The long-distance bus terminal is quite far away from the city centre. To get there, you can catch a bus or colectivo that says UCC Transporte, from Carrera 1 by the beach.

Please note that in order to get to the nearby locations, you do not have to go to the main bus terminal. For Taganga, take a cheap minibus from Carrera 5 (pay the driver) or a taxi for about 12 000-15 000,- COP. Tayrona National Park could be reached by public buses from Santa Marta‘s market on Calle 11 in the centre. Minca is also accessible from the same market by taking a colectivo.

Cartagena

Founded in 1533, Cartagena has managed to outgrow its older sister Santa Marta in its importance as a strategic port as well as a cultural hotspot. During the colonial era, it was a key port for exporting various minerals like silver or platinum as well as agricultural goods such as coffee, tobacco or sugar to Europe. At the same time, in the opposite direction, many ships were bringing enslaved Africans into the region, which significantly reshaped the ethnic mix of the region over the centuries. Because of the fact that the city had a strong defence system against pirate attacks, Cartagena has managed to preserve its pretty historical centre.

Presently, Cartagena is the capital of the Bolívar Province. The city could be divided into three main parts: the picturesque walled colonial city (Ciudad Amurallada), which boasts of many restaurants and hotels; a long strip of modern hotels facing the beach (Bocagrande); and a few residential quarters. The population of over a million people makes Cartagena the fifth-largest city in Colombia. Except for tourism, the major economic activities include the port as well as the petrochemical industry.

Things to do in Cartagena

When it comes to tourism, Cartagena is the most visited city in the whole country. This fact is reflected in all aspects of the tourism experience, from both, good and bad perspectives of the visitor experience. On one hand, the city offers a tremendous amount of services, ranging across all price and quality levels. At the same time, there’s an adequate amount of SCAM that any major tourist destination comes with, not to mention the fact that the city is rather expensive, in comparison to any other Caribbean destination in Colombia.

I am personally not entirely crazy about such destinations because I’m not that keen on overcrowding and places that have managed to transform their character from something beautiful into a tourist trap. But to be objective, I must say that if you are able to ignore all the mass-tourism-related noise, Cartagena is truly a beautiful city and there are plenty of spots to admire and enjoy. After all, in 1984, it’s become the first location in Colombia to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A lot of that beauty is o whether it is inside the old city walls. Personally, in such picturesque places, I always go for random strolls and see where it takes me. You will most likely enter the Ciudad Amurallada through a monumental stone gateway in the city wall with Clock Tower (La Torre de Reloj) that opens to Plaza de los Coches (see above).

Then, you’ll have numerous picturesque streets and mini-parks/squares ahead of you. For me personally, the most notable and atmospheric of them all was Plaza de Santo Domingo with some live entertainment and plenty of gorgeous terraces to chill and enjoy the vibe. I’d say, that the 16th-century church and museum Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver is also worth your attention. When it comes to attractions outside the city walls, there is the impressive fortress San Felipe Castle.

Museum-wise, you could check out the “obligatory” Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Zenu) to admire some local historical artefacts; if you want to know a bit more about chocolate, then there is the Choco Museo; and to learn about local history and a bit about the inquisition check out Palacio de la Inquisición. Art lovers could consider checking out Museo de Arte Moderno Cartagena or wander into what I’ve considered a hidden gem, a gallery Casa Museo de Arte y Cultura.

Things to do nearby Cartagena

Not having the Sierra Nevada mountain range in its close proximity, Cartagena is a bit limited when it comes to inland attractions nearby the city. Some people however like to take a day tour to visit the Totumo Mud Volcano for a swim that is halfway between Cartagena and the largest city in the Colombian Caribbean Barranquilla. If we however look in the opposite direction, we could catch some Caribbean island vibes at Islas del Rosario, which is a stunning protected archipelago reachable in about an hour by a speedboat from Cartagena.

Go out and events in Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the top cultural destinations in the country as well as in the wider region. The city holds multiple annual festivals, such as the Cartagena Film Festival, the Classical Musical Festival of Cartagena, the literature Hay Festival and so on. There are also plenty of street artists and various outdoor musical events happening in the city practically all the time.

Nightlife-wise, the city is also well-prepared for the influx of visitors willing to spend their money on drinks. Whether you head to Ciudad Amurallada, the flashy/beachy Bocagrande, you’ll find plenty of beautiful spots to sip on your drinks and enjoy your view. For a more hipster vibe, head to Gatsemani, which comes with a rather vibrant and spicy party scene and everything related to it from the geographical as well as the cliché cultural point of view.

Get around Cartagena

The old town, Gatsemani, as well as Bocagrande, are both pretty much walkable. However, to reach some other attractions, like for example San Felipe fort, you will need to take a bus or a taxi. I haven’t worked out the bus journeys but your hotel receptionist might be able to help you with that. Otherwise, you could take a taxi or try Uber. In case you wanted a touristy experience, check out the Chariots. You can just flag them down in the street or approach them when they’re waiting at the Plaza Bolivar.

A tip: Same as in Santa Marta, Cartagena‘s taxis are running on “fixed” prices. Those prices are however not so fixed. So in order to prevent unpleasant surprises, make sure that you negotiate your fare before getting in the taxi.

Rincón del Mar

Part of me doesn’t even want to talk about this place with anyone to keep it as unknown as possible. But Rincón del Mar is not exactly some sort of a secret location nobody knows about, it’s just a bit out of the way from the so-called Gringo Trail. Speaking for myself, I must say that this place has captured my heart pretty much instantly not only because it was exactly the peaceful and quiet kinda place I was desperate to find after visiting the rather hectic Santa Marta and Cartagena, but also because it is an authentic as well as a picturesque place with very very friendly locals.

Located in an area previously held by paramilitaries, the whole western Caribbean coastal Colombia is now slowly opening to tourism. There was only one hostel just a few years ago but things are changing fast. However, you can still enjoy the slow vibe while relaxing in the settings, feeling as if you’re inside the cliché postcard from the rural Caribbean.

Things to do in and around Rincón del Mar

In practical terms, we’re talking about a small fisherman’s village with few hostels and local restaurants offering fresh fish and the beach. No resorts, no touts – well that’s not entirely true because the locals would offer you to purchase the still-living lobster they’ve just caught – but more or less it’s as real as it can get. I really hope that it will remain that way as long as possible.

Except for chilling out and wandering on the coast, there aren’t that many activities to do in the area. That is if you stay on the mainland because you can opt to head out to the small and rather unknown San Bernardo Islands, an archipelago-turned aquatic conservation spot with a large coral reef and vibrant marine life, only 30+ minutes away by boats from the village.

On all but one of the small islands, expect crystal clear waters, secluded beaches, obviously superb snorkelling, and obligatory palm trees. And then there is the opposite extreme, Santa Cruz del Islote which is, by the way, the most densely populated island on earth. Read more about this island here in The Guardian, in case you were interested.

Necoclí

We’re now in the Gulf of Urabá, right in that bottom left corner of the Caribbean seas. In my opinion, the small-ish town of Necoclí (pop 70 000) as a travellers’ location is rather underrated and it deserves more than being just a stopover on the way from or to Panama for those who found the $500 for the sailing trip through the San Blas islands rather expensive. I personally regret the fact that I’ve secured my transportation to Capurganá straight away because I would have happily stayed in Necoclí a wee bit longer to soak up the atmosphere and friendly attitude of the locals I’ve encountered.

Except for the Caribbean set with nice beaches and decent bar and restaurant options, the area offers numerous trekking options and activities in the area surrounding Necoclí. The most popular of them all appear to be swimming in the mud of Volcán de Lodo (not to be mistaken by the above-mentioned Volcán de Lodo near Cartagena) but IMHO it’s only because not that many people took strolls along the coast around the town.

Capurganá

Located only a short 30-minute boat ride from the Panamian border on the edges of a rather hostile jungle of Darién Gap, Capurganá is a true outpost town. Its population of around 3000 people is surrounded by the lush tropical jungle of the Baudo mountains from one side and the Caribbean from the other. From the tourism point of view, we’re therefore talking about a perfect place for people loving nature and seek tranquillity.

The whole region suffered a lot during the height of the Colombian Civil War and the related power struggle for decades. With the 2016 Peace deal, the Civil War-related trouble eased considerably but this is still a region where tons of narcotics and thousands of people are being smuggled through the hostile jungle to Panama and then further north.

So while it is now safe for tourists to visit the town, which would have been unspeakable just a few decades ago, when it comes to the locals, the situation in the region will remain far from ideal unless some major policy changes will take place but I guess that it’s a subject for a different debate. In case you were interested in that subject, I’ve written a separate piece about the dark side of Darién Gap.

Things to do in and around Capurganá

There are several treks of light-to-moderate difficulty you can do around Capurganá. Heading south from town, after about a 90-minute easy walk, you should reach the picturesque bay of El Aguacate. Heading in the opposite direction (north), you can do a popular and very satisfying, although a bit more hilly/sweaty 90-minute walk to the next bay with a small settlement of Sazpurro. With a little detour, you can also check out a small waterfall La Diana or head across the border to the picturesque La Miel in Panama (bring your passport though).

If you wanted to get a more proper taste of Darién Gap‘s nature, you can also head inland to hit El Cielo waterfall. You should be able to do this in 90 minutes one way, but it is not easy to find it alone. I’m told that it might be a good idea to do this mini trek with a local guide, for which you can ask around in town. Furthermore, there are also various options for longer treks in the area but due to the various security issues, those are definitely recommended to do with the local guides.

Practical tips: The cell phone services, Internet and things like that still do work (although in a very limited way) but when it comes to for example ATMs, I’d advise you to bring cash here. Also, if you’re heading to Panama, you’ll need your passport stamped. Make sure that you talk to the local police and arrange when would that be possible. These people work on a Caribbean clock and you do not want to get caught up in legal trouble at the Panamanian border without an exit stamp from Colombia…

Safety

Safety is, of course, a rather broad subject, especially if we’re covering several locations. To make it very simple, I’d just say that if you stay in the tourist areas and use the normal precautions of not flushing your valuables around, you should be safe in all of the 5+ locations mentioned in this article. Of course, in bigger cities, especially in Cartagena, you will still be exposed to scams and various con artists as well as pickpockets. Santa Marta‘s historical centre might appear a bit rough around the edges at night.

If you’re into partying, you’d be opening the door to other potential dangers, because the beverages, and possibly also other toxins of local origin you might consume, might affect your guards. Furthermore, the party scene in tourist hotspots could often get rather predatory. So watch your back, keep your valuables in your hotel and try to be in bigger groups.

As I’ve mentioned above, for instance, Taganga, which is infamous for young backpackers partying very hard has reported some robberies of intoxicated young people returning to their hostels from the beach party. Do not wander into dark alleys and take taxis back to your hotels. If you’re planning to visit some of the non-touristic areas of towns or perhaps some distant secluded beaches, please ask at your hotel to make sure it’s a good idea.

When to visit

Caribbean Colombia could be an all-year-round destination for those who aren’t too sensitive to rain. If that is not your case, the dry season, December to April, and shoulder seasons aren’t that bad either. But as I’ve said, a bit of rain in the Caribbean is not that bad, it could actually be rather refreshing 😉

Some sort of conclusion

For an active traveller, the best place of these all is undeniably Santa Marta, with numerous super-stunning outdoor activities available in the nearby region. If you want to chill and have a proper rest from the “civilisation”, then consider visiting Rincón del Mar, or perhaps even Necoclí or Capurganá, where you can enrich your chilling with some beautiful nature and trekking activities.

As for Cartagena, well, let’s just say that its beauty is undeniable, I’d even say that it would make the list of the top 10 prettiest colonial towns in the Americas. No wonder they call it La Perla del Caribe. I just personally haven’t found it that special. For me, it was too busy and due to the mass-tourism-related factors, it lacked authenticity. And it was expensive as hell. However, if you are into city tourism and don’t mind overcrowding, then it might just as well be your place to enjoy 🙂

Useful and interesting links

• Santa Marta: Colombia Travel‘s (official Colombian tourism site) page on Santa Marta with plenty of information
• Tayrona National Park official website with plenty of useful info
• Minca: Wikitravel’s page on Minca
• El Dorado Reserve: American Bird Conservancy page on El Dorado Reserve
• Lost City trekking company website with useful info
• Cartagena: UNESCO website that describes the historical value of the Ciudad Amurallada
• Islas del Rosario: official website for the archipelago with a lot of info
• Santa Cruz del Islote: The Guardian‘s photo essay by Charlie Cordero about the world’s most densely populated island nearby Rincón del Mar
• Necoclí: Tom Heyden writes about the town for Colombia Reports
• Capurganá: The City Paper Bogotá‘s article on the town

Dark stuff

• The Dark Side of Darién Gap: hidden reality of thousands of migrants as well as the lives of the locals in the area nearby Capurganá could be found here
• 52 years of Solitude: The longest Civil War in the world explained. Who was fighting whom, for what reasons and who still fights and other information could be found here
• Taganga, Israeli Mafia and Child Trafficking: I’ve heard a terrible story about the Israeli mafia operating a horrible child trafficking establishment in Taganga Bay. I only got interested in looking into that, because I found it unbelievable that someone was powerful enough to establish a foreign criminal ring on Colombian soil, thinking that the country has had enough hard criminal characters to be able to succeed here in such tough competition, so the politics surrounding these people must have been really hardcore. I even suspected that some antisemitism might be involved in this rumour so I’ve looked it up. It wasn’t about antisemitism, it was a true horror story ): In case you were interested, you can read all about it here, in The Times of Israel. If you’ll get to Taganga, you will not be able to miss the fortress-like building where the establishment was based in the past. Echoes of the dark side of humanity ):

How to get there

• Medellín to Santa Marta: I took a 70minute / €34 flight. The bus journey is estimated to be 16+ hrs. Taxi from the airport to the city cost me 30000,-COP (€8.40)
• Santa Marta to Taganga: taxi @ 15000,-COP (€4.20) or a bus @ 1600,-COP (€0.45)
• Santa Marta to Cartagena: 5-7hrs bus drive to Cartagena‘s bus terminal @ 30000,-COP (€8.40), then an 18000,-COP (€5.10) taxi to the city centre or TransCaribe bus X104 for 2500,- COP, plus 1000 for the bus card
• Cartagena to Rincón del Mar: 2,5hrs bus ride to San Onofre @ 20000,-COP (€5,70); tuk tuk from San Onofre to Rincón del Mar @ 20000,-COP or mototaxi @ 12000,-COP
• Rincón del Mar to Necoclí: mototaxi to San Onofre @ 12000,-COP (€3.40); 2,5hrs bus ride from San Onofre to Montería @ 29000,-COP (€8.10); 3hrs bus/van from Montería to Necoclí @ 30000,-COP (€8.40)
• Necoclí to Capurganá: boat/ferry @ 85000,-COP/ €24 (75k for ticket + luggage extra weight + port tax). FYI, except for Necoclí, another town to get across the Gulf of Urabá to Capurganá is Turbo. Due to the fact that it is infamous for child trafficking, human trafficking and all sort of other dark activities, I advise you to take the boat from Necoclí.
• Capurganá to Panama City: there’s a 30-minute (also bumpy) boat ride in even rougher waters to the nearest Panamian settlement Puerto Obaldía. It’s 35000,-CLP + 2000,-tax. You can then catch a 12-seater flight ($100) from there to Panama City or take boat/s north, for which you can approach the local fishermen to take you up the Caribbean coast…

Stay

Santa Marta as well as Cartagena offer a wide range of accommodation options. When it comes to all other destinations, it might be worth checking out whether there is a local festival or an annual celebration of a kind because the options are more limited.

• Santa Marta: I’ve stayed in Hotel Granate. It was OK. Nothing special. Clean and the cheapest private room in town I could find. No A/C though. Central location.
• Taganga: I was looking for a place a bit outside of the party area to get an option of no-party in case I didn’t feel like it because by the beach it was one loud horrible reggaeton hell so I’ve picked Hostal Las Terrazas, run by a friendly local gentleman. It was the cheapest private room in the whole village and the house’s terrace had a truly good view. The small swimming pool was also OK. The downside was a 5-7 minute walk to the beach through the local area of the town though. If there are more of you – I’d take it. For a solo person, it was a bit too far away from everything and everyone
• Cartagena: I’ve stayed in Iguana House Hostal. It’s an OK place to sleep. Given the price, I wasn’t disappointed but if there was another option (at the time it was the cheapest private room in the Gatsemani area), I’d try elsewhere. One shower for like a million people and a rather comedy-like useless-ish duo of young local dudes who “cared” for the place during the night
• Rincón del Mar: I’ve stayed in a brilliant Hostel Beach House with super friendly owners and attentive staff. The place is located right on the beach and if you stay in the largest dorm, you’ll be pretty much in a semi-open space under the roof, falling asleep with the sound of the ocean. The only bad thing was that the mosquito nets were a bit too small for someone taller than 180cm. Make sure to get the single beds located nearer to the ocean. Otherwise, the place is a well-oiled machine
• Necoclí: I’ve stayed in La Mariapolis and I loved it all the way. Definitely recommended, if you’re a liberal person. There was a very friendly owner, a bar with good coffee and even better views, lots of colours around as well as cuddly dogs and cats
• Capurganá: First few nights I stayed in a place called Hilltop Capurgana. It was not bad, except it was like a 15-20 mins walk to the village through the semi-jungle. Then I moved to La Bohemia, a place that’s well-praised in its reviews. Be aware that it is a nice hostel but it’s more or less for non-conformists only. It’s friendly and it has good vibes but everything is wobbly and it looks like if you’ve displaced one nail, the whole place would fold down like a house of cards. But if you’re a hippie, you’ll love it.

Other possible destinations to consider in the area

San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina

Located about 775 km (480 miles) north of the Colombian coast and 220 km (140 miles) east of Nicaragua, there’s the most northern Colombian Department of San Andrés and Providencia. Yes, we’re talking about a rather isolated archipelago that consists of two bigger islands that are 90km apart and some smaller islands and islets. Scenic, friendly, not-resorty and very very Caribbean 🙂 Read more about San Andrés and Providencia on Wikitravel‘s page here, respectively here.

Bogotá and Medellín

The two largest Colombian cities. Each is unique in its own way and yet both are very Colombian. In case you were interested in knowing about things to do, safety, transport, hoods to stay and so on, here is a comparison piece about the two rivalling cities Bogotá and/or Medellín.

Latin American locations covered on Quaint Planet

Santiago de Chile ► Valparaíso ► Santiago de Chile ►Punta Arenas – Ushuaia – Punta Arenas ► Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine – Puerto Natales ► El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier, Arg) ► El Chaltén (Los Glaciares National Park) ► Chile Chico (Ch) – Puerto Rio Tranquillo (Marble Caves) ► Coyhaique – Puyuhuapi – (Carretera Austral) ► Puerto Chacabuco – Quellón/Castro ► Puerto Varas – San Carlos de Bariloche (Arg) ► Buenos Aires ► Colonia (Ur) ► Montevideo ► Punta del Diablo – Cabo Polonio ► Montevideo ► Salto ► Concordia (Arg) ► Puerto Iguazú (Iguazú Falls) ► Salta ► San Salvador de Jujuy ► Tilcara ► San Pedro de Atacama (Ch) ► Uyuni Salt Flats Tour (Bol) ► Uyuni ► Sucre – La Paz (Death Road Tour) ► Copacabana (Lake Titicaca) – Isla del Sol – Copacabana ► Cusco (Per) ► Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) ► Cusco ► Lima ► Máncora – Montañita (Ecu) ► Puerto López ► Quito ► Ipiales (Col) – Pasto ► Tatacoa Desert ► Bogotá ► Medellín ► Villa de Lleyva ► Santa Marta – Cartagena – Rincón del Mar Necoclí ► Capurganá ► Puerto Obaldía (Pan) ► Panama City ► Las Lajas ► Cerro Punta ► David ► Bocas del Torro ► San José (Costa Rica) ► San Juan del Sur (Nic) – Ometepe ► Granada ► Managua – El Rama – Bluefields – Corn Islans ► Léon ► El Tunco (El Salvador) ► La Antigua Guatemala – Lake Atitlán ► Lanquín (Semuc Champey) – Flores (Tikal) ► Belize City ► Bacalar – Tulum – Playa del Carmen – Mérida – Valladolid – Cancún ✈️ .

Featured image by Oscar G. Barreto, photo from Unsplash