The Llama Travel Blog

Ecuador is often overlooked by its South American neighbours, and even the mainland of Ecuador is often skipped on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. This is part of its charm – the undiscovered feeling you get when you come across Inca ruins with hardly any tourists, or the indigenous tribes you meet in remote parts of the Amazon Rainforest, accessed only by a canoe. It’s one of the continent’s best kept secrets, and probably doesn’t even come in the top three of most people’s South American bucket lists.

A couple of weeks ago we gave you our top picks for Latin America, so this week it’s Africa’s turn. If you’re counting down the days until you can next get on a plane and witness amazing wildlife spectacles on a classic safari, uncover South Africa's moving history, explore Namibia's vast rugged landscapes and feel the spray of one of the Wonders of the World in Zimbabwe, keep reading for some ideas on where to go in Africa next year.

Before I visited Colombia, I had heard very mixed things. People who hadn’t been regarded it as unsafe, and told me to be careful – this was backed up by documentaries and the general preconception that Colombia is dangerous. Meanwhile, friends and family members who had been there told me that it was one of the most amazing places they’ve ever visited, with beautiful scenery, top-notch food and some of the friendliest people they’d met in the world.  I took all this advice with a pinch of salt and as it turns out, of the ten countries I’ve visited in South America, I still regard Colombia as my absolute favourite. Here’s why.

As we sit tight and wait eagerly for a time when we can travel once again, there are plenty of ways to keep our minds occupied. Whether you’d like to learn more about an African country you’ve already visited, increase your knowledge in preparation for a future holiday or simply interested in finding out more about Africa, let us open your eyes to the world of African literature and film.

We’ve kept this one simple. Our ultimate top seven picks from Latin America, because once this difficult period of our lives is over, there’s still a magnificent world waiting to be explored. Of course, travel shouldn’t be about ticking places off a list, for us it’s all about the different experiences you get – whether it’s that Peruvian lady who sold you some textiles in a tiny Andean village or that delicious steak you ate with your group on your final night in Argentina. But as clichéd as it might sound, many people are realising now more than ever that life’s too short, and the freedom of travel isn’t something we should take for granted. So if any of these beautiful destinations weren’t already on your list, they should be now!

For a bit of light-hearted fun and distraction from everything that’s currently going on in the world, we've created a special Llama Travel quiz so you can test your knowledge of Latin America. There are five rounds (photos, anagrams, multiple choice, flags and food) with seven questions each and you'll find the answers at the bottom - no cheating though! Let us know your score (out of 35) on the Llama Travel Facebook page. ¡Buena suerte!

As the world comes to a standstill and we all wait patiently for a time when we can visit our favourite places once more, there are still many reasons to be cheerful. If you want a break from all the negative news and a reason to put a smile on your face, scroll through our blog to find out some good news from many of our destinations in Latin America and Africa including Peru, Galapagos, Zimbabwe and South Africa. 

"Travel makes us wiser and more sensitive. It allows us to be free. This pandemic will fade away, but your bucket list will not."

- José Koechlin, Founder of Inkaterra

Sandwiched between the United States and the start of the Northern Triangle/Central America lies Mexico, a wonderfully rich and proud country that boasts some incredible destinations and features that any traveller wishing to explore Latin America should be keen to indulge in. This blog will highlight the main attractions of this adventurous and beautiful country which can all be experienced on our holidays to Mexico.

Latin American food has become increasingly popular in the rest of the world, including the UK, in recent years. For many people, trying new cuisine is an essential part of travel. Just because you can't go to Latin America right now, it doesn't mean you can't get some inspiration for the future, or recreate fond memories of past trips. Now that many of us have got more time on our hands, it's a great time to get a taste of Latin America by creating some of these classic dishes in your kitchen. You can find recipes for all of them online. 

The Classic Inca Trail is a popular bucket list item for millions of people worldwide. But for those who want to visit Machu Picchu without the commitment of having to hike for four days to get there, there are many excellent alternatives to the Inca Trail. One of these is the Short Inca Trail, which follows the same network of trails as the Classic, and the final part of the two walks is the same. The difference is that you only have one full day of walking, you get to stay in a comfortable hotel rather than camping, and you still have a full day to explore the Machu Picchu ruins.