Flashpacking in South America

Lima off the beaten path

Top 7 things to do in Lima off the beaten path

Have a little more time in Lima? Perfect! Besides being the world’s top culinary destination, Peru’s capital offers lots of cool places and activities off the beaten tourist path. Right by the Pacific Ocean, yet surrounded by the Sechura coastal desert and several archeological sites, Lima is a paradise for adventure junkies, foodies and history fans alike.

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Kapawi Ecolodge Ecuador

Kapawi Ecolodge – Ecotourism in Ecuador At Its Finest

Deep within the territory of the Achuar Indigenous Nation in the southeastern Amazon lies Kapawi Ecolodge. Entirely run and operated by the Achuar peoples, the project is a pioneer and brilliant example of Ecuador’s ecotourism enterprises. Kapawi has partnered with Reclaim Your Self, a premier yoga retreat company based in London. Together they joined forces and created a fantastic “Wellness Journey into the Heart of the World” – a truly transformational adventure. What are the lessons other ecotourism enterprises can learn from Kapawi?

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Best Galapagos Cruises

The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to the Best Galapagos Cruises (Updated 2022)

What are the best Galapagos cruises to explore one of the most iconic wildlife destinations on earth? During my time as a Galapagos travel consultant, I have worked with about a dozen Galapagos cruise operators, big and small, pricey and budget. While many travellers tend to focus on the cost, look and comfort of the yacht or catamaran, the cruise itinerary and type of vessel is just as important. This comprehensive Galapagos cruise guide will shed some light on the best cruises for every budget, trip length and itinerary.

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Lima Hostels

The Best Flashpacker Hostels in Lima

Lima is a fascinating South American metropole. Located right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Peru’s buzzing capital combines the modern with the traditional, the simple with the luxurious. The city has grown substantially in the past decade and offers unique accommodation for every traveler’s taste and budget in a variety of neighbourhoods.

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Quilotoa Crater

Ecuador’s Beautiful Avenue of the Volcanoes – Quito to Cuenca in 2 Weeks

Ecuador – This small but diverse country has it all, the depth of the Amazon, snow-capped volcanoes and azure blue lagoons in the Andes, beautiful colonial towns, the wild Pacific Coast and of course the magical Galapagos Islands. While the Galapagos are still the main destination for most travellers visiting the country, Ecuador mainland is just as spectacular. Especially the country’s Avenue of the Volcanoes from Quito to Cuenca is not to be missed on a trip to the Land of Eternal Spring!

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Quito in Three Days – The Best of Ecuador’s Andean Heart

Quito, South America’s oldest capital is truly the colonial pearl of the Andes. Nestled amid snowcapped volcanic peaks, the city’s stunning Old Town is a UNESCO World heritage site and filled with breath taking churches covered in gold and unique artefacts. Quito represents the starting point for the majority of travellers visiting Ecuador. Check out what’s not to be missed in this gorgeous city!

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Ceviche Lima Peru

Lima Culinary Guide – The Best Restaurants in Lima

Peru and Lima in particular is a must-visit for foodies. For the eighth consecutive year in 2019 Peru has been named best culinary destination in the world by the World Travel Awards. For anyone having visited the country before, this doesn’t come as a surprise – the ingredients, the preparation, the cooking, the food is simply out of this world. Lima is home to six out of the best 20 restaurants in Latin America, two of them made it into the world’s top ten. Besides the capital’s world renowned restaurants, the city hosts vibrant international food festivals and top notch culinary tours. Let’s dig in!

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Barichara Colombia

Barichara or Villa de Leyva? The Two Most Beautiful Colonial Towns in Colombia (Updated 2024)

Barichara or Villa de Leyva? This is the question I typed into google before flying to Colombia. I had just under three weeks time to explore the country and wanted to see as much as possible. Both places are colonial towns northeast of Bogota, but Barichara is considerably further away. Looking through photos and descriptions they seem quite similar but having been to both they are actually quite different from each other. I’m going to spill the beans straight away – I liked Barichara more than Villa de Leyva. But there are also pretty good reasons to skip Barichara and only visit VdL instead.

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The Best Flashpacker Hostels in Bogota

Looking for accommodation in Bogota that’s cozy, stylish, conveniently located, budget-friendly and social at the same time? Having recently returned from Colombia’s capital, I have compiled a list below with the city’s best boutique hotels and hostels!

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