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Five Active Holiday Ideas

Five Active Holiday Ideas in Latin America

Experience the breathtaking landscapes of Latin America up close by immersing yourself in the great outdoors. From lush jungles and towering mountains to stunning glaciers, rivers, and seas, this region offers some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or someone who prefers a more relaxed pace, there’s an activity for everyone. Here’s a closer look at some unforgettable outdoor experiences:

1. Cycling Adventures

Why not explore iconic destinations like Rio de Janeiro on two wheels? Begin your day cycling through the lush rainforest, then pedal your way to the famous Copacabana Beach. Finish your ride with a stunning view of Sugarloaf Mountain. For those seeking a more challenging adventure, you can embark on a 7-day cycling tour from the mystical Lake Titicaca, through the Peruvian Andes, all the way to the legendary Machu Picchu.

Argentina Eurotur Puerto Madryn Chubut, Puerto Piramides, Mountainbike
Argentina: Explore Puerto Madryn and the rugged landscapes of Chubut by mountain bike.
Bolivia: Cycle through the enchanting landscapes of Sun Island, where ancient Inca ruins meet breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca.
Argentina Buenos Aires Courtesy of the Buenos Aires Tourism Board Bike tour La Boca
Argentina : Pedal your way through the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires.
Chile: Cycle through the arid beauty of San Pedro de Atacama.

2. Kayaking Escapades

Paddle through some of the world’s most jaw-dropping coastlines and waterways. Kayak among the towering cliffs and rocky shores of Baja California, Mexico, and catch a glimpse of migrating humpback whales. Or, venture to Chile’s Lake District and its fjords, where crystal-clear waters and majestic scenery will leave you speechless.

Antarctica: create an unforgettable kayaking adventure in the world’s most remote wilderness.
Chile: River Kayaking in Northern Patagonia – Vira Vira
Ecuador Galapagos Neotropic Hiking and kayaking La Soledad Isla Lobos
Ecuador: Explore the untouched beauty of the Galapagos Islands by kayak.
Argentina: Enjoy a unique experience kayaking in Puerto Madryn0


3. Horseback Riding Through Iconic Landscapes

If you love the idea of horseback riding, Latin America offers some extraordinary trails. Ride through the rolling plains and wildflower meadows of Argentina’s Sierras on a week-long adventure. For a truly unique experience, saddle up and take the rugged route along the Andes to Machu Picchu — an unforgettable way to reach this ancient wonder!

Argentina Patagonia Horse riding Inprotur
Argentina: Ride through Patagonia’s wild and pristine landscapes.
Chile: Patagonia – Explore the rugged terrains of Tagua Tagua and beyond.
Peru Mountain Lodges Salkantay horseback riding Contours Travel
Peru: Salkantay Trek – Ride the ancient trails leading to Machu Picchu.
Brazil Pantanal Peralta Cruise Horse riding
Brazil: Ride throught the unique Pantanal


4. Hot Air Ballooning for a Bird’s Eye View

For those who prefer a more relaxed yet exhilarating way to take in the landscape, hot-air ballooning offers an unmatched perspective of nature. Soar over Chile’s Atacama Desert and take in the stark beauty of its lunar-like landscape, with its vast valleys and striking rock formations.

Hot air balloon over Teotihuacan pyramids view of main street Mexico City Canva Sectur Contours Travel
Mexico: Teotihuacan – Float above the ancient pyramids and expansive plains.
Colombia: Gliding over the coffee region
Chile: San Pedro de Atacama – Soar over the otherworldly terrain of the Atacama Desert.

5. Hiking Through Latin America’s Stunning Trails

    If you prefer to explore on foot, Latin America is home to some of the most scenic and diverse hiking trails in the world. From the high-altitude treks of the Andes to the tropical jungles of Central America, there’s a hike for every level of adventurer. Here are a few standout hikes to consider:

    Hikers relaxing during the Guatemala Trek
    Guatemala: Hikers relaxing during the Guatemala Trek.
    Hikers during the Lares Trek
    Peru: Hikers during the Lares Trek.
    Hikers in the Avenue of the Volcanoes in Ecuador
    Ecuador: Hikers in the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
    Hikers exploring the stunning Patagonian landscape with mountains, and forest.
    Argentina: Hikers exploring the stunning Patagonian landscape in El Chalten.

    Need More Ideas? If you’re looking for more inspiration or want a custom itinerary that’s tailored to your specific interests, give us a call! We’d love to craft the perfect adventure for you, ensuring you experience Latin America like never before.

    Tags :
    active holidays, Argentina, bike tours, Chile, Contours Travel, cycling, hiking, Horseback rides, Hot air balloon destinations, Hot air balloon in South America, kayaking, Latin America, Patagonia, Peru, South America, Travel to South America, we know Latin America by heart
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    TESTIMONIALS

    Ben & Ping; Nov 2024

     5/5
    Thank you for creating such a wonderful itinerary for us. All our flights, transfers, and tours were well-spaced and seamlessly organized, which was incredibly helpful given the language barrier! Additionally, the hotels you selected were all located in beautiful and convenient areas—perfect for first-time travellers to South America like us....
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    Libby & Dari; Oct 2024

     5/5
    Well we are finally back at home and over our jet lag. I wanted to write to say thank you so very much for all your help during our recent trip. It was probably one of the most stressful things that has happened to me over all my years of...

    Alycia Burke (Hawthorn Travel & Cruise); Jul 2024

     5/5
    Hi Hanna, Thanks so much, your attention to detail and documentation is fantastic. I just love dealing with you and your company, I just wish had more South American bookings.

    Grainne & Anthony; Mar 2024

     5/5
    We have arrived back from our travels around Chile, Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia and I wanted to firstly say a big THANK YOU to you for your wonderful booking and organising skills. The whole month was very well coordinated, and every detail seems to have been covered. I hope you...
    Chile

    Stuart; Apr 2024

     5/5
    I did however want to take the opportunity to thank you both for such a wonderful trip. Some would say a “trip for the ages” and well they might. The effort, work, organization and the outcome were fantastic and the trip special to say the least. So, a special thank...
    Patagonia Torres del Paine Chile

    Andrea; Agent Fam Trip, Mar 2024

     5/5
    I can’t believe that one minute I was exploring glaciers and tangoing in Buenos Aires to all of sudden wiping smooshed avocado off walls and doing in a mound of never ending laundry now that I am back home! I just want to sincerely thank you for having me on...
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    Barry, Sharon, Ray, Marilyn & Mark; Mar 2024

     5/5
    We have fallen in love with Cuba! The travel has been everything we could have hoped for. Our guides have all been incredible, so passionate and knowledgeable. We ended up going down the beach last night for dinner and a swim with our guide. It was spectacular!. Again, we can’t...

    Carol & Graeme; Apr 2024

     5/5
    Just back from a fabulous 4-week holiday in Ecuador where, thanks to Heather’s comprehensive itinerary, we learnt that this country is much, much more than the Galápagos Islands. We paddled jungle waterways in the Amazon basin, saw spectacular birdlife in the Andean cloud forests, got a shower or two from...
    Patagonia Torres del Paine Chile

    Milton & Barbara; Mar 2024

     5/5
    Heather planned our 45 day itinerary around our priorities for places and activities to experience. Everything, from the logistics, accommodation, guides and schedule was so well organised. Punctuality, safety, and friendliness were foremost considerations and everything occurred efficiently and seamlessly. It is so wonderful and stress free, to be met...
    Argentina Salta Northwest Cafayate Inprotur

    Janet, Sep 2023

     5/5
    Yes, a fabulous trip! I have been straight back to work (unfortunately) but had on my list to get in touch with you to let you know that the arrangements went superbly. No problem at all with flights, transfers, hotels or tours – everything went very smoothly and on time,...
    Contours Travel Lake Atitlan Guatemala

    Barb & Ian; Feb 2023

     5/5
    It was a fantastic tour and a marvellous experience. Thank you for putting it all together for us and for providing the pre-departure and ongoing support. We were very impressed with the incredibly smooth co-ordination, pickups and punctuality of all the drivers and guides. The initial hiccup with our late...
    Bolivia Uyuni Salt Flat Proturs Contours Travel

    Hayden & Kate; Oct 2022

     5/5
    Just arrived back into the country and wanted to thank you for arranging the trip – it worked out very well and the activities you arranged were perfect. The speed of the trip, places we visited and the quality of the guiding was great. Bolivia was by far our favourite...
    Contours Travel Brochures Cover - South America Travel Specialist

    Jan (Travel Agent), January 2023

     5/5
    Christmas wishes to you all … and for an even better 2023 because you are such an awesome company! I just want to say “thank you” for all the help that you and your staff have given me over the years in looking after my clients. You are truly special...
    Chile Tierra Atacama sunset excursion Contours Travel

    Joe, February 2023

     5/5
    Thanks again for the high quality service Contours Travel provided in constructing my itinerary including flights, accommodation, transfers, and on the ground the tours, the guides, the communication and attention to details.

    Simon, Suzie & Family; Jan 2023

     5/5
    We had a truly fantastic time, and I’ve got to say, the organisation from your end was absolutely flawless. The service you delivered was exceptional, and felt like great value too. You’re right that Atacama was a stand-out. Awesome hotel, with great activities. Overall, we had a wonderful mix of...

    Catherine & Family; Oct 2022

     5/5
    Everthing has been perfect so far. Transfers and flights worked like clockwork…the guides have all been great…Our favourites were Freddy (on the) Salt Flats… Freddy spoke so highly of you. Don’t want to come back to reality! Thanks so much for your sensational organisation skills.

    Ruth; April 2022

     5/5
    Thanks to all at Contours for a wonderful trip to Brazil and Buenos Aires. The hotels were all wonderful, activities suggested were informative and fun and the transfers went well. There were problems with airlines changing things and suddenly requiring forms to be filled in on-line which proved impossible but...

    Brian & Adelaida; April 2022

     5/5
    Our Galapagos adventure was wonderful! All the islands we explored with its abundant wildlife and plants are unique and amazing. We had a great time and all went well. Thank you so much for all the effort you have put into this Ben, for your patience and professionalism (10/10).  All...
    Costa Rica Manuel Antonio

    Megan, Travel Agent; June 2022

     5/5
    Thanks Ted & Ben. You guys have been absolutely amazing and I cant thank you enough for all your amazing help putting this together for my clients.  You have been a dream to deal with and I look forward to any other clients needing to head over that way.
    travellers

    Neal & Yvonne; April 2022

     5/5
    You did an awesome job with the itinerary and we have been having a wonderful time. Everything has been going to plan and the Colombian Journeys guides and drivers have been excellent.  Even talked them into an unscheduled visit to the gold museum this afternoon. We loved our cooking class...
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    Tara & Paul; April 2022

     5/5
    What an adventure…. From dizzying heights, ancient adventures, walking amongst the clouds and the canopies of the jungle, loop tee loops in a quasi red bull air race above the Nazca lines and ripping down sand dunes in a dune buggy, this had a bit of everything! We have some...
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    Marina & Anthony; Nov 2021

     5/5
    Wow what a trip!! After 2 years of not leaving Sydney, it was surreal to be exploring another country like Mexico, let alone jumping on an aeroplane. Anthony and I kept pinching ourselves that we were travelling again. We want to thank the team at Contours and Travel Associates for...

    Chelsea and Gemma, 2021

     5/5
    Thank you for all the work you put into our itinerary (and answering all our dumb questions!). It was so nice working with you as you quickly understood us and what we like/don’t like. You seemed to just know what we would love to do and see without even meeting...

    Megan, Travel Agent 2020

     5/5
    From my conversations while my clients were away they have been blown away with the service they have been receiving from all the ground staff.  As a Travel Agent I have never seen such amazing service myself where you have all gone over and above what is required.  I have...

    Maria & Domenic, Peru, 2020

     5/5
    Dear Contours Travel staff, We really want to formally show our appreciation for all your services, care and concerns during our recent (short) trip to South America. It was thanks to your capable staff (Heather, in particular), that we were able to safely return home to Melbourne from Peru. The...
    Contours Travel Customers Fionna and Ray Fishing in Patagonia

    Fiona & Ray, Argentina and Chile 2020

     5/5
    Ray and I would like to formally acknowledge the support and service that Brett provided during our recent holiday to Argentina and Chile that was disrupted by the COVID 19 pandemic. Brett made himself available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and demonstrated outstanding professionalism and true compassion...

    Janelle, Travel Agent 2020

     5/5
    I recently booked an amazing 8-week multi-country itinerary for 2 of my clients. What they wanted was a little off the grid and Heather from Contours did a fabulous job. She ticked all the boxes making sure their needs were met and answer any questions before they arose. Which for...

    Bridget, Peru 2019

     5/5
    Hi Contours! It didn’t take too long to recover because we had such a wonderful & relaxing trip that we arrived home really feeling refreshed. The trip was wonderful, and we all agreed that there were many highlights. We would like you to know how impressed we were with all...

    Pat & Mary, Antarctica 2019

     5/5
    The trip was fantastic! Thank you and it was wonderful to see such a beautiful and pristine environment, in the presence of a great bunch of people young and old from many different countries.  The ship was basic but most welcoming and the staff all incredible. Unfortunately, we were late...

    Brett & Elvira, Cuba and Mexico 2019

     5/5
    our trip was excellent and in particular, I must commend the performance of the representatives of Latin America Travel from the time we landed in Havana to when we departed Mexico City. Their greeting representatives, guides and drivers, were without exception, highly efficient, very communicative, knowledgeable and punctual. The quality...

    Jo & Noel, Chile 2019

     5/5
    A well rounded holiday experience in Chile! We have arrived in Valparaiso, we love it. All going well. Valparaiso is a delight. The locals have been fantastic in telling us where to be at certain times during the day.

    Rose, Ecuador 2019

     5/5
    It was my second time visiting Ecuador and the Galapagos which was lucky and it was just as wonderful as the first time!   I absolutely loved the hotel in Quito the Casa Gangotena, great location, amazing service and inclusions. Monica our tour guide was lovely, very kind and accommodating....
    Alex Lee walking in the beach

    Alex Lee, Ecuador 2019

     5/5
    Hi Contours Travel, It was very hard to decide which photos to send from this trip, so I have just sent all of my favourites!! My top three photos if I have to choose… ‘Mashpi Lodge’ – relaxing in the lounge area and taking in the amazing views of the...
    Activities horse back ride Patagonia Torres del Paine Chile Tierra Patagonia CHT5457

    Margi, Patagonia & Atacama 2019

     5/5
    “We had a great time on the trip! We LOVED Patagonia and Atacama. The Tierra Patagonia was amazing. We had the same guide for the four days we were there and he was fantastic. The National Park was gorgeous- I could look at those mountains forever – and the kids...

    Tanya, Costa Rica and Mexico 2019

     5/5
    Hi Heather,   I haven’t had an opportunity to thank you as yet, to say how much I appreciated all your help on the Christies booking to Costa Rica and Mexico. THANK YOU! The Lonely Planet guide was a very special touch and they loved it ? Thank you so...

    Debbie & Kevin, Ecuador 2019

     5/5
    Heather, thank you for a marvellous trip. I thought you might like feedback on the various elements of our trip. Hotel Buenos Aires – Club Frances was very good and we thought it was much better than CasaSur Art Hotel which we stayed at last time. Club Frances is on...
    Street view of Antigua with arch at the end

    Judy & Ron, Guatemala. March, 2019.

     5/5
    Hi Heather, Just to let you know we absolutely loved Casa Palopo on Lake Atitlan… a very special oasis, beautifully located and run- fabulous room, view, food… Also here in Antigua, el Convento, has been an amazing experience- small, intimate, relaxing, gr8 food. Each location’s accommodation has been perfection, interesting...

    Penny & Andrew, Chile and Argentina 2019

     5/5
    Heather, Heather, Heather, All we can say now we are back in the deep north of Queensland is WOW!!! Thought we should drop you a line about our trip of a lifetime….which you designed :) There was not one part of the trip that was not amazing. EVERYTHING was amazing...
    Lady selling textiles in Antigua Guatemala Contours Travel

    Suzanne & Bruce, Central America 2018

     5/5
    Hi Heather, Our trip was just fabulous. Thank you so much for all the attention to detail. We loved it all. Too hard to give a favourite really. Panama was a great experience. I think the time we spent there was adequate and we even managed to organise a few...

    Bob & Tina, Brazil 2019

     5/5
    Ben, We would like to thank you for the work and attention to detail you put into our recent trip to South America. The trip went like clockwork with everything following the itinerary you set out. Your ability to foresee problems is to be commended and shows that you know...

    Karen & Wayne, Patagonia 2018

     5/5
    We had a truly wonderful time, you just can’t imagine. All the scheduled connections and tours in Patagonia worked out beautifully, accommodations were comfortable and the food everywhere was great. All-inclusive at Las Torres with excursions was so convenient and the staff & guides were all so friendly. Karen &...

    The Martin family, Ecuador 2018

     5/5
    Hi Ben We had the most amazing time. Our jaws were on the ground practically every day. Muyuna was great. We loved the schedule of activities and the food and accommodation were both terrific. We saw and did everything. New Year’s Eve in Quito was the most dangerous New Years...
    Panoramic view of the Gran Plaza in Tikal, featuring the impressive Temple I and surrounding structures.

    Rod & Vicki, Mexico & Guatemala 2018

     5/5
    Hola Ben, You work with fantastic people. Each and everyone has been so nice, helpful and totally lovely, eg. yesterday our computer would not play DVD’s. The gentleman at the inn downloaded a new program and woohoo, DVDs played. Our border crossing went very well. Our guide made sure all was...
    Contours Travel Tren Crucero

    Jill, Ecuador 2018

     5/5
    Hi Heather, Thanks for your speedy response.  We loved the Devil’s Cauldron yesterday and the walk down over the suspension bridges to the falls.  The vegetation and the waterfalls were fabulous. Today we really enjoyed the Devil’s Nose train trip.  Tomorrow we’re having a quieter day and are spending the...
    Alpacas grazing in a field in the Andes Mountains.

    Erika, Peru 2018

     5/5
    Hi Brett, Thought you’d like to know that I just had Erika in from the Alpaca group and she said they had a ball, and that it was one of the best trips they had done.  They will be going again in another 3-4 years. Thanks Kind Regards Gini
    Mexico oaxaca guelaguetza ladies Mexico SECTUR Contours Travel

    Carolyn, Travel Agent. November, 2018.

     5/5
    Hi Brett, They came in last week.  I can only tell you they loved everything and every minute. So thank you! Carolyn,
    A hiker looking at the Paine Massif in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.

    Johna, Chile. November, 2018.

     5/5
    Hi Ben, My trip was spectacular! I had such a wonderful time. The process was seamless end to end (aside from being put on standby to Puerto Natales), and my tour guide made sure all was well on my end throughout the hike. Thanks for all your help in putting...

    Heather, South America. November, 2018.

     5/5
    Ben, well we went to Cafe Toroni on your suggestion. Beautiful! Noticed as we walked into the cafe they had photos of past dignitaries who have frequented the place. Again the flight into El Calafate was special being we were on the right side of the plane to see that...
    Contours Travel customer is happy at Iguasu Falls

    Bob, Brazil. November, 2018.

     5/5
    YOU HAVE DONE VERY WELL. Cheers, Bob Photo says it all!
    Peru Colca Canyon Alpacas Contours Travel

    Dinah, Peru. October, 2018.

     5/5
    Hi Rod This is just a quick note to thank you for planning my trip. Your itinerary was perfectly paced for me and very well tailored to my interests. The hotels were very good, the guides were excellent, I had a fantastic time and I’d love to be able to...
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