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A view of the Christ the Redeemer statue with the city of Rio de Janeiro beyond, in Brazil, South America

South & Central America Holidays


south & central america
South & Central America holidays offer spectacular landscapes, fascinating cultures, and iconic sights. Whether you’re looking to embark on an epic adventure across a continent, enjoy a vibrant city break packed with local experiences, or come face to face with some of the world’s most exquisite wildlife, there truly is something for everyone.

On a South America holiday you’ll find an incredible array of unforgettable experiences. Discover ancient civilisations and dizzying heights at Peru’s Machu Picchu, or experience the pulse of Rio de Janeiro’s samba scene in Brazil. Gaze upon the awe-inspiring beauty of Argentina’s Iguazú Falls or follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin on an unforgettable cruise through the Galápagos Islands.

Central America is equally captivating. Costa Rica’s soaring volcanoes and mist-shrouded cloud forests are waiting to be uncovered. Marvel at spectacular Mayan ruins scattered across Guatemala before snorkelling Belize’s vibrant barrier reef, or simply choose to unwind on one of Mexico’s pristine beaches, surrounded by warm turquoise waters and swaying palm trees.

Trailfinders offer a range of South & Central America holidays and our expert travel consultants are a mine of information about what to do here. Whether you want to explore with an expert guide on a private tour, join a social small group tour or combine several countries on one of our multi centre holidays - they are the perfect people to ask.
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HOW TO GET AROUND SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA

With so many fascinating historical sites and incredible landscapes to discover, South & Central America is the perfect destination to be explored with an expert guide on a private touring holiday or with like-minded travellers on a sociable guided group tour.

Our multi centre holidays are also very popular and offer inspiring combinations of destinations. We also have carefully created family holidays, full of exciting experiences.

OUR HOLIDAYS TO SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA

Here’s a snapshot of some of our most popular South America holidays & Central America holidays. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination.
Costa Rica & Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey
Costa Rica & Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey
Private Tour
16 days / 15 nights

Experience the unique and abundant wildlife of Latin America as you explore captivating Costa Rica and embrace the magic of the Galápagos Islands.

Guide Price: €7,779 £6,829 pp

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Grand Tour of South America
Grand Tour of South America
Multi Centre Holiday
49 days / 48 nights

Experience the very best of this spectacularly diverse region on the ultimate holiday of a lifetime.

Guide Price: €20,779 £17,749 pp

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Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
Private Tour
14 days / 13 nights

Combining two fantastic cities with one of South America’s greatest natural wonders and time to relax on the coast, this is the perfect introduction to the wonderful destinations of Argentina and Brazil.

Guide Price: €3,599 £3,249 pp

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Icons of South America
Icons of South America
Private Tour
27 days / 26 nights

Explore some of the highlights of this fascinating continent on an unforgettable journey through Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

Guide Price: €13,249 £10,799 pp

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Southern Divide
Southern Divide
Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
21 days / 20 nights

For those looking to experience the history, culture, and wilderness of South America, this three-week adventure through Peru, Bolivia, and Chile is packed full of some of the continent’s most iconic and popular highlights.

Guide Price: €3272 £2932 pp

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Classic South America - HAL
Classic South America - HAL
Cruise Holiday
23 days / 22 nights

Combine all the delights of South America on this superb holiday.

Guide Price: €6,199 £5,349 pp

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View all our holidays in South & Central America

WHERE TO GO IN SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA

Each country in South & Central America boasts its own attractions and it’s no exaggeration to say each merits a holiday in its own right. Many countries would even take several holidays to truly discover all of the fascinating sights.

Click on the tiles below for more details on each South America holiday destination. Alternatively, if you are looking for some inspiration, give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants.
Peru
Peru
Peru was once the heart of the Inca Empire and today this wonderful destination is bursting with cultural, historical and natural treasures from the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu to the wild Amazon Rainforest.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small but captivating country which is wonderfully rich in flora and fauna and boasts a vast amount of breathtakingly beautiful scenery.
Chile
Chile
Stretching over 2,500 miles and sandwiched between the Andes Mountains and Pacific Ocean, Chile is a land of extremes. The dramatic landscape includes the world’s driest desert, impossibly blue lakes, snow-capped mountains and rolling vineyards. If you love the great outdoors then this is the country for you.
Argentina
Argentina
Vibrant, colourful and incredibly diverse, Argentina bursts with life from the colourful streets of vibrant Buenos Aires to the remote wilderness of Patagonia. This country of contrasts boasts red desert scenery, thundering waterfalls, immense glaciers, towering mountains and world-class vineyards.
Brazil
Brazil
For scale, spectacle and sheer exuberance, few countries can hold a candle to Brazil. With magnificent natural spectacles, vibrant cities and glorious beaches, a holiday to Brazil is unbeatable.
Colombia
Colombia
One of South America's best kept secrets, Colombia is a colourful, lush, musical, tropical, vibrant country surging to the top of the world’s must-visit lists. Guaranteed to captivate all who visit, Colombia is crying out to be explored.
Ecuador
Ecuador
A small country which packs a big punch with with active volcanoes, indigenous tribes, colourful markets, colonial architecture, misty cloud forests and thick rainforest.
Galápagos Islands
Galápagos Islands
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin with an unforgettable holiday to the Galápagos Islands. Set 600 miles off the mainland, a visit to this archipelago will undoubtedly be a very special and unforgettable experience.
Bolivia
Bolivia
Less famous than its illustrious neighbours Bolivia is one of the hidden gems of South America, boasting a stark beauty and some of the best preserved colonial cities in the Americas.
Uruguay
Uruguay
Although dwarfed by its more famous neighbours in terms of size and profile, Uruguay has much to offer the traveller who is looking to experience South America beyond the obvious icons. Take the time to get to know this fascinating country and you'll be rewarded with charming colonial architecture, rolling vineyards chic beach resorts and traditional rural life.
Panama
Panama
Panama may be most famous for the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal but there's far more to this tiny gem than man-made marvels alone. Untouched rainforests are home to a wonderful diversity of wildlife, the capital Panama City is a cosmopolitan mix of chic restaurants and gleaming high rises and the surrounding countryside offers an intoxicating mix of scenic highlands and idyllic empty beaches.
Mexico
Mexico
Mexico is a fascinating country with an ancient heritage and Latin flavour that is unique in the Caribbean. Mysterious Mayan sites and charming old colonial towns are testament to the country’s rich heritage, whilst wild and colourful festivals and a culture and cuisine all of its own are evidence of a vibrant and exciting present. With over 6000 miles of coastline to choose from you are bound to find a beach that suits you down to the ground.
Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is steeped in Mayan traditions and home to some of the most spectacular ruins in the region. This little country has outstanding natural beauty, from stunning lakes, picture-perfect volcanoes to pretty colonial cities.
Belize
Belize
The pretty little country of Belize is something of an anachronism with a British heritage and a distinctly Caribbean feel that sets it apart from its Latin American neighbours. For such a small country you can enjoy and incredible diversity of experiences on a holiday in Belize.  There are little visited Mayan ruins, national parks stuffed to the gills with birdlife and a Caribbean coastline dotted with idyllic islands and coral reefs. 
Guyana
Guyana
The only English speaking country in South America – a Guyana holiday is a haven for adventure and discovering the fascinating melting pot of Caribbean and Amerindian culture of its people is an experience in itself.

OUR RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA

We feature a great range of accommodation in South & Central America, with something to suit all budgets. Maybe you’re looking for a traditional hacienda in Colombia or a luxurious hotel overlooking Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro? Or perhaps it’s a cosy all-inclusive lodge in Patagonia or a family friendly villa in Costa Rica.

What you won’t find here are thousands of South & Central America hotels to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best places to stay and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience.
Patagonia Camp
Patagonia Camp
4 star

Torres Del Paine National Park

Nestled on a forested hillside about a 20 minute drive from the national park overlooking Lake Toro and facing the Paine Massif, these luxurious yurts offer a connection with nature without compromising on comfort.
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Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
4 star

Peruvian Amazon

This remote, comfortable lodge is situated in the heart of a large private ecological reserve and is home to over 540 bird species.
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Napo Wildlife Centre
Napo Wildlife Centre
3 star

Ecuadorian Amazon

Offering an authentic Amazon experience deep in the Ecuadorian jungle, this wonderful property is the only lodge set within the Yasuní National Park, one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions, and is owned by a local community.
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Nayara Tented Camp
Nayara Tented Camp
5 star

Arenal

Taking glamping in Costa Rica to a new level, these luxury safari-style tents are built on stilts amongst lush rainforest to offer unobstructed views of the Arenal Volcano and surrounding national park.
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Tierra Atacama
Tierra Atacama
5 star

San Pedro de Atacama

Designed by two renowned Chilean architects, this beautiful property is located on the outskirts of San Pedro de Atacama and enjoys stunning views of the Andean mountains and the Licancabur Volcano.
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Awasi Iguazú
Awasi Iguazú
5 star

Iguazu

Located a short drive from the Iguazú Falls, this stylish and luxurious jungle lodge is the perfect base for exploring the area.
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View all our hotels in South & Central America

WHAT TO DO IN SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA

As well as awe-inspiring sights, South & Central America is also home to unforgettable experiences. These provide an insight into the culture and a unique way to experience the areas natural splendour that sightseeing along simply can’t replace.

One day you might be dancing with the locals at a samba club in Brazil, the next getting drenched on a thrilling boat ride under Iguazu Falls. Experiences can be as adventurous as zip-lining through the jungle in Costa Rica or as refined as wine tasting on a Chilean vineyard.

Our collection of unmissable experiences will really help bring your South & Central America holiday to life.
Monteverde Forest at Dusk
Monteverde Forest at Dusk
3 hours
Departs: Monteverde

Experience the sights and sounds of the forest after dark, as creatures who are normally hidden ...

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Arequipa's Countryside & Alpaca Experience
Arequipa's Countryside & Alpaca Experience
4 hours
Departs: Arequipa

Explore Arequipa's stunning rural surroundings on this half day private tour. Head to Paucarpata to ...

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Andean Astronomy, Atacama Desert
Andean Astronomy, Atacama Desert
2 hours
Departs: Atacama Desert

With some of the clearest night skies on the planet, the Atacama Desert offers the ultimate ...

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Casablanca & San Antonio Vineyards
Casablanca & San Antonio Vineyards
8 hours
Departs: Monteverde

Whether you prefer full-bodied reds or crisp whites, you’re sure to find your ideal tipple amongst ...

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The Argentine Experience, Buenos Aires
The Argentine Experience, Buenos Aires
3 hours
Departs: Buenos Aires

This dining experience is a fantastic introduction to Argentine cuisine, wine and culture. Have a ...

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Private Corcovado & Sugarloaf Mountain Tour
Private Corcovado & Sugarloaf Mountain Tour
8 hours
Departs: Rio de Janeiro

Take a cable car to the top of the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain for panoramic views of Rio including ...

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View all our Unmissable Experiences in South & Central America

South & Central America Top Tips From Our Travel Experts

Tom Bonavia - expert
Tom Bonavia

Head to beautiful Patagonia. Fly to El Calafate and visit the spectacular Perito Moreno glacier; towering above the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino the colours are simply mesmerising, as is watching huge chunks of the glacier fracture off and crash into the water below. Take a boat trip and cruise along the glacier wall to get a close-up view of nature in action.


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