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After traveling throughout Central America and South America, we have experienced our share of unique cultural norms in Latin America, one of which includes putting home speakers on your car and advertising loudly through the streets. This wasn’t an occasional site, it was a frequent site, often advertising for events, radio stations or products, and also for politicians. We see this in some parts of Miami too, which is not too strange considering Miami is primarily Latin. I’ll have to get some video of that to share. To see more unique cultural norms from Latin America, check out their tricked out custom chicken buses!

In this travel video clip #6, we share some creative advertising methods used in Latin America.

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We celebrate fun Ecuador traditions on New Year’s Eve in this HD travel video from 2 Backpackers, Jason and Aracely Castellani, while visiting Chone, Ecuador during the Holidays.  In travel video episode #19, we join Aracely’s family in her hometown of Chone to experience the chaos that is New Year’s Eve in Ecuador. Enjoy the show!

Ecuador Travel - Año Viejo / Saying Goodbye to the Old Year

Año Viejo / Old Year

Ecuador traditions are wild on New Year’s Eve. More attention is given to saying goodbye to the old year instead of celebrating the new year. Ecuadorians build life-size dummies or dolls that typically represent negativity in the Old Year. Considerable effort is sometimes invested in building your doll, or you can buy them off the streets. Some will build wire frames, stuff them with fireworks and cover them with paper and plaster before finally painting them. Others build stuffed dummies and purchase a famous head or mask to complete their person.

In addition to the traditional aspect of burning a hated figure such as a politician, today’s Ecuadorians also burn characters such as Bart Simpson and Michael Jackson for fun.

• Ecuador Travel – Top Things To Do in Quito
• Ecuador Travel – More to Ecuador than Galapagos Islands
• Ecuador Travel – Otavalo Market
• Ecuador Travel – Discover Chone, My Hometown

Ecuador Travel - Fireworks during New Year

Fireworks, Dancing and Food in Ecuador

The burning of the dolls is the most unique New Year’s Eve tradition, but not the only one. Bonfires of dummies and dolls litter the streets while fireworks and music fill the air until daybreak. As is the case with any Latin holiday, Ecuadorians will dance the night away, only stopping to eat dinner after midnight.

Ecuador Travel - Young Boys Dressed as Widows on New Year

During the day most will parade their creations, the dolls and dummies, around town for everyone to appreciate before the midnight burning. Also, during the day, young boys will dress up as widows (made widows from the burning dolls) dancing in the streets for passing cars as they beg for money. Be careful on the highways, where they hold ropes across the street forcing cars to stop and acknowledge them.

If you looking for a unique, chaotic, loud, but fun experience, travel to Ecuador for New Year’s Eve.

A Special Thanks to Chone, Ecuador

We want to specifically thank Aracely’s family in Chone, Ecuador for hosting us during the Holidays and sharing their Ecuador traditions and homes with us. Being away from home during Christmas and New Year’s Eve when traveling around the world can be depressing, but having met new family made it a unique experience we will never forget. Thank you.

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An incredible display of Christmas lights / Los Alumbrados Medellín in this HD travel video from 2 Backpackers, Jason and Aracely Castellani, while visiting Medellín, Colombia during the Holidays.  In travel video episode #18, we brave the splashing fountains of water and follow our Couchsurfing friend, Claudia, to the Rio Medellín for some holiday season fun. Enjoy the show!

Colombia Travel - Christmas Lights in Medellín, Colombia

Consider Colombia Travel

Colombia was one of our favorite countries to visit during our travel in South America and we highly recommend it. If your still contemplating, read “Why Travel to Colombia“.

Colombia Travel - Christmas Lights in Medellín, Colombia

Christmas in Medellín Colombia

We arrived to Medellín in December, just before departing to Ecuador to spend the holidays with family. To our surprise Medellín has a lot to offer during the holiday season. Lights, lights and more lights!

The Christmas light display is heavily concentrated at the Rio Medellín near Puente de Guayaquil. At this location, tourists and locals flock to grab festival food, view artistic light displays and most importantly, jump around the colorful water fountains. The maze of water displays is incredible. Although crowded, everyone seems to take turns in an orderly fashion. Aracely was brave enough to crowd under one of the mushroom-like fountains.

• Colombia Travel – Beaches of Tayrona National Park
• Colombia Travel – Discover Cartagena
• Colombia Travel – Mud Bath in Volcano Totumo
• Colomiba Travel – Discover Salento

Colombia Travel - Christmas Lights in Medellín, Colombia

A Local Tour Guide

We were lucky to have met Claudia at a Couchsurfing gathering a few nights before and she offered to take us to the Christmas lights display down at the river. Claudia introduced us to salt and lime beer, basically a margarita beer, sweet popcorn, Aguardiente and some sweets that resembled taffy, but was made from cow bones. Very interesting and tasted quite good.

Colombia Travel - Pueblito Paisa in Medellín, Colombia

We know a lot of travel bloggers that are still living in Medellín, Colombia, and it’s doubtful they will be bored this time of season. The Christmas lights are usually on display from December to January.

With ten land border crossings under our belt, it’s time to share travel tips about our experience with land border crossings.  Our first land border crossing was from Guatemalato El Salvador and it involved a boat ride, two bus rides and a walk across a long bridge separating the borders.  We admittedly were nervous.  It was in a less developed country and we had heard frightening stories.  Ten countries later and we have yet to have an incident.  So what should you know when crossing a land border?

Travel Tips - Land Border Crossing Items

1. Know the Exchange Rate

In Central America, currency exchange is very informal at the land borders.  There are men standing around with a wad of cash on hand waving a calculator.  The calculator is to calculate but also to imply that you should trust them.  Don’t be fooled.  Make sure that you know the fair exchange rate, know how much you need to exchange and how much you should receive.  The good thing about this is that there is room to negotiate.  Make sure that you do, but remember that this is how they earn a living so you should allow them a small commission.  In South America, currency exchange practices are more formal and conducted in banks and money exchange kiosks with no room for negotiations.  It’s a good practice to still be aware of the exchange rate so you can at least note how much money you’ve lost in the exchange and be sure to remember to document that in your expenses.

Looking for a Preparing to Travel To-Do List?

2. Have Passports and Documents Accessible

Have your passport and tourist card easily accessible and not stored away deep in your bag.  This may be obvious but it will help you expedite the process and possibly avoid stalling a bus inspection.  Also remember to store you immunization records with your passport.

3. Familiarize yourself with the Land Border Crossing Area

Do your research on the specific location of your border crossing.  Become familiar with the town or streets you will be traveling on, where your destination is and how you will get there.  Lonely Planet Guides and other travelers can be good sources of information. Border crossings can get very confusing in less developed countries and you should know where you are at all times.  Some borders are more isolated and dangerous than others.  If you know that to expect you can be more in control of the situation.

Travel Tips - Land Border Crossing: Ecuador to Peru

4. Know Immigration Fees and Visas ahead of time

Depending on what country you are from and what passport you hold certain fees and documents may be required.  Visas can sometimes be purchased at the immigration center, but research the requirements.  In South America, US citizens are required to purchase visas for Brazil and Bolivia, both of which require you to pay in either US cash or the local currency.  Some countries also require entrance or departing fees.  Have enough cash on hand to cover any border fees and visa costs.  When flying into a country, different fees may apply.  Visit the US Department of State website for detailed information on specific countries.

5. Plan your Transportation to and from Border

If you are crossing the border with a bus company in a developed country they will most likely arrange and assist you with the entire process, but don’t expect the same in developing countries such as those in Central America.  In South America it is part of the service the bus company provides.  If you are crossing from Guatemala to Honduras on a local school (chicken) bus you will likely be crossing the border on foot or cycle rickshaws.  Know how far it is to the other side and how long before you can pick up another bus.  You may have to hire a shuttle bus, taxi or local school bus.  At customs, expect to be approached by many taxi drivers offering you a ride.  Take your time to make a decision, don’t be afraid to tell them to give you some space and back off while you organize your things and thoughts.   Include transportation in your research of the border crossing.

Travel Tips - Land Border Crossing: Ecuador to Colombia

6. Avoid Offers From Non-Official Border Police

In Central America, where the process is less organized, sometimes common people will pass out custom forms to you while you are in line.  It’s not out of kindness; they will charge you.  Do not accept these forms which are usually outdated anyway.  Some other strange fees may arise.  Research what you should be paying for in advance.

Travel Tips - Land Border Crossing: Peru to Bolivia

7. Staying Safe at Land Borders

Border crossings in Central America and parts of South America can be sketchy.  Take precautions with your possessions.  Do not store things of importance in your pockets or walk around filming and snapping photos with your expensive camera.  Customs officers usually won’t like it and robbers will spot you.  Look confident, don’t pull out a map, and always spot customs or law officers.  Greet the officer and ask them questions on how to get to your destination and anything you should know about crossing the border. You may get some valuable safety information.  When possible, don’t cross a border alone find another traveler on the bus and cross with them.  Traveling with someone is always safer.

If you have additional travel tips or experiences please share them with us in the comments section.

Brazil attracts a lot of tourists each year for a lot of different reasons. With the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympic games, Rio de Janeiro is likely only going to grow in tourism popularity. But, in South America’s third largest city, how will you find things to do in Rio de Janeiro? Here are some travel tips for some of the tourist things to do in Rio.

Rio de Janeiro by Eduardo Pelosi, on Flickr

Brazilian beaches in Rio de Janeiro

With almost 80 kilometers of beach along the southern coast, Rio de Janeiro has plenty of beaches worth visiting. The most famous, however, is Copacabana. With three kilometers of pristine, white sand, Copacabana is the place to see and be seen in Rio. Whether you decide on staying in a Rio de Janeiro apartment on the beach, or one further inland, it’s never hard to find sand (or sun) in Rio.

Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro by JorgeBRAZIL, on Flickr

The other famous beach in Rio de Janeiro is Ipanema. This stretch of sand has a little less of the glitz and glamour of Copacabana, with the same amount of interesting people. Long known for its alternative culture, Ipanema is the place of inspiration for the international hit song “The Girl from Ipanema.”

Mike Vondran, Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil January 3 2009.

Tijuca Rainforest National Park

Plan a day trip to the Tijuca Rainforest located within Rio’s city limits when the sun and sand get to be too much. Tijuca Rainforest is the world’s largest urban forest and can be a welcome break from the consumer culture in Rio de Janeiro. After visiting boulevards full of shopping centers and beachside luxury apartments, it helps to get some fresh air in nature. It helps that the Tijuca National Park is free! Consider renting a bicycle to enjoy the many cycle paths that run through the forest.

Floresta de Tijuca by rbrands, on Flickr

Christ the Redeemer

Well, a visit to Rio just wouldn’t be the same without a photo of the Christ the Redeemer statue on top of Corcovado Mountain. The Art Deco sculpture was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007 and continues to attract attention and visitors from around the world. Poland recently unveiled a similarly massive sculpture of Jesus Christ to rival Rio’s.

Christ the Redeemer by Barkaw, on Flickr

Sugarloaf Mountain

So you hiked Corcovado Mountain to see the Christ the Redeemer statue, you’ve cycled through the rainforest and you relaxed on the beach? What’s next for your visit to Rio but some rock climbing! Sugarloaf’s monolithic formation of granite and quartz makes it a prime location for rock-climbing. Though if you’re not up for the challenge, there are plenty of ways to watch from a distance—including a cable car up to the top.

Sugarloaf Mountain by idnas71, on Flickr

Torres del Paine from behind the Towers

Patagonia travel triggers visions and feelings of extreme adventure for trekkers around the world.  You’ve seen the pictures on-line and you’ve heard stories about the unpredictable weather, vast glaciers, snow capped Andes mountains and the dramatic reward of hiking in Patagonia.  Are you ready to hike one of the most renowned treks in the world?  Torres del Paine National Park will satisfy that adventure craving.  We share our experience hiking in Patagonia through the Torres del Paine circuit in southern Chile.

A Guide for Hiking in Patagonia

This is a lot of useful information for hiking Torres del Paine, so we have broken up the guide into a series of posts. Be sure to check them all out.

When to Go

In Patagonia, the weather is extremely unpredictable and for most of the year unbearable to hike due to high winds, below freezing temperatures and ice.  The park remains open all year, but unless you are an experienced adventurer with ice hiking skills, you will most likely want to hike in the Summer (Nov-Mar).

High winds blow Aracely's jacket over her head while hiking Torres del Paine

Summer (Nov-Mar) is the peak season for trekking in Torres del Paine National Park, which creates over crowded campsites and trails. It’s warmest in the Summer, averaging 11ºC/ 52ºF, but the Patagonia weather still remains unpredictable with possibilities of rain, snow and high winds, which can disrupt your most anticipated trip to Torres del Paine. Low hanging clouds around the towers and dense fog can also hide the great Patagonia views of amazing landscapes and the three towers.

We arrived to Torres del Paine in mid-March when the crowds had dissipated and the weather is supposedly most stable. I admit, we got very lucky with the weather. Our trek began with 2 days of cold rain and below freezing nights. As the days progressed, the weather improved with sunny warm days and clear skies. As we descended the towers at the end of our 9-day full circuit trek, the clouds moved in, the winds picked up and the rain began. We highly encourage that you pick the time of year carefully.

Torres del Paine Towers at Sunrise

What To Bring

Since we were traveling for a full year when we planned our Patagonia hike, we didn’t have tents, sleeping bags or a camping stove.  We rented all of our equipment from Glacier de la Patagonia in Puerto Natales. They have good quality equipment all from the same manufacturer, Doite. If you are flying down to Patagonia specifically for hiking, bring your own gear from home. The quality of your gear will most likely be better and you will be saving money. Make sure your tent can withstand Patagonia winds and rain.

Hiking over the John Garner Pass on the backside of the full circuit

Sleeping bag

This is Patagonia, it is cold. We opted for the -10 degree Celsius by Doite and we still felt cold on a few nights.

Sleeping Pad

The ground is hard and cold, don’t skimp on the sleeping pad. The ones we rented weren’t very thick. Consider renting 2 if they appear thin and worn.

Tent

We rented a Himalaya Doite Tent which was the smaller one of the two that Glacier de la Patagonia offered.  Another afterthought, we should have opted for the larger tent for more comfort and little additional weight.

Warming food in the rain by our Doite tent in Torres del Paine

Cooking Stove and Pots

Keep it light. One pot and one spoon is enough for 1 person. Be sure to have a multipurpose knife. You can’t fly with the fuel needed to light your stove, but there are many places here to buy them.

Making Tea while Hiking Torres del Paine in Patagonia

Food

This was our biggest mistake. We didn’t bring enough and therefore had to buy some along the way which was very expensive. Even with end of season discounts, the food prices were jacked up.

Water is available from streams in Torres del Paine National Park

Several of the campsites have items to sell such as camping food, snacks, wine and beer. You will be hiking 6-8 hours daily and our bodies require fuel. Identify ways to keep the food weight to a minimum, but make sure you’re getting enough calories and replenishing your energy sources. You can drink water from small streams that cascade down the mountains.

The Best Lunch Picnic in Torres del Paine Patagonia

Clothing

Dress warm and avoid the cotton underwear and shirt. You will be sweating a lot and with few showers those cottons clothes will quickly stink. It will be freezing at night and either freezing during the day, or sunny and clear skies. Just focus on layers instead of big thick jackets that take up too much room. Layers are always recommended for easy taking off and putting on of clothes. Boots are absolutely necessary. We hiked on rocks, through mud and in snow at times. Pack a wind and rain breaker and hats and gloves.

Hiking Torres del Paine National Park in Chile

Other Gear

Walking sticks are optional, but we decided to rent them. I felt as though it was a good decision, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. Bring head lamps or torches, and rope for hanging wet clothes and food in the woods. If you don’t hang your food or secure it incredibly well, mice will get into it. Also bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a map of the park and toilet paper! In the winter the gear completely changes and I am not an expert in in extreme conditions, sorry.

Reading the Maps for Torres del Paine Patagonia

How to Get There

You can fly there, bus it or take the adventurous Navimag vessel through southern Chile’s islands.

The office at the entrance to Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia

You can access Torres del Paine National Park from the gateway town of Puerto Natales. Puerto Natales provides hostels, hotels, restaurants, shopping and anything else you might need for your trek. If you plan to go during high season, be sure to book your hostel ahead of time.

Flights arrive to Punta Arenas, usually with a stopover in Puerto Montt, which lies on the Straights of Magellan. From Punta Arenas you will bus it 3 hours north to Puerto Natales.

You can bus it from Santiago, Chile, but it’s a very long 3100 km trip. If you are visiting Puerto Montt you can also fly to Punta Arenas or bus it to Puerto Natales.

In order to arrive at the entrance of Torres del Paine, catch a bus early in the morning from Puerto Natales. It’s 115 kilometers away and gates open at 8:30am

More Torres del Paine Hiking information to come!

Heron Bird Flying on Beach in Colombia

In Tayrona National Park, an hour outside Santa Marta, Colombia, Jason and I were hiking to Cabo Beach. We both had camera in hand capturing all the beauty of these beaches during our Colombia travel.  I spotted a heron at the back of the beach near the woods.  I got my camera ready to take a picture. It started to fly and I just followed it with my lens and snapped. I didn’t even think about what setting I was on.  Sometimes you get very, very lucky, and this time I did.

Colombia Travel: Fortress of San Felipe de Barajas in Cartagena Colombia

During the seventeenth century, the Spanish paid for prominent European military engineers to build the fortresses which are today Cartagena’s most significant identifying features. Engineering works took well over 208 years and ended with some eleven kilometers of walls surrounding the city, including the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas shown below. In 1984, Cartagena’s colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Read more from Colombia travel.

Sailing to Colombia from Panama was one of the more exciting things we did while traveling in Central and South America. Leading up to that decision, we had a difficult time finding information on the Internet about specific boats and their captains. On the hostel sites that do book these trips, they only list the skipper and boat with no feedback from their passengers.

A Guide for Backpackers Sailing to Colombia

We have built a resource page on our site dedicated to information regarding booking a sailboat from Colombia to Panama or Panama to Colombia. The Sailing to Colombia or Panama resource provides an account of our experience sailing with Captain Dave and his 32 foot Tango from Puerto Lindo to Cartagena, via the San Blas Islands.

We can provide ample feedback on The Tango sailboat, but we can’t on the dozen other boats that sail between Colombia and Panama. These sailboat trips focus on serving the need that backpackers have to travel between Central and South America on a backpacker’s budget. I ask that you please contribute to the Sailing to Colombia or Panama resource in order to compile feedback from actual experiences sailing with specific captains on specific boats.

Please help build our database to provide backpackers with more information when sailing to Colombia or Panama.

Visit Sailing to Colombia or Panama now!

During our Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu we encountered some of the most beautiful flora we have seen during all our travels in South America. Many of the flowers are orchids, since Peru has thousands of species of them.

Plants and Flowers of Machu Picchu

I did my best to look up all the flora from Peru in Google Images, but many times I just couldn’t find the name, and on a few occasions, I couldn’t even find a similar picture. So if you have some flower friends or better Google skills, have at it! Enjoy the plant and flower pictures from Peru.

Best viewed by clicking on an individual photo and advancing with the right arrow key on your keyboard.

Lupinus mutabilis is a species of lupin grown in the Andes for its edible bean. Vernacular names include tarwi, tarhui, chocho, altramuz, Andean lupin, South American lupin, or pearl lupin.

View photos from our Salkantay Hike to Machu Picchu.

Lupinus mutabilis is a species of lupin grown in the Andes for its edible bean. Vernacular names include tarwi, tarhui, chocho, altramuz, Andean lupin, South American lupin, or pearl lupin.

Cypripedium is a genus of 47 species of lady

Common names include slipper orchid, lady

Flowers of Peru - Another Yellow Lady Slipper

Flowers of Peru - Is this a Daisy?

Flowers of Peru - Need help naming this one.

Plants of Peru - Definitely has saw leafs that could hurt.

Flora surrounding Machu Picchu

Flowers of Peru - Need help naming this one. I found pictures of the flower, but not any names beyond Orange Flower

Flowers of Peru - Need help naming this one.

Oncidium is a genus that contains about 330 species of orchids from the subtribe Oncidiinae of the orchid family. Often called Dancing Ladies Orchid

Oncidium is a genus that contains about 330 species of orchids from the subtribe Oncidiinae of the orchid family. Often called Dancing Ladies Orchid

Flowers of Peru - Need help naming this one.

Flowers of Peru - Need help naming this one.

Flowers of Peru - Looks like a type of succulent to me.

Epiphytes - plants that grow on another in a non-parasitic relationship and gets its nutrients from water, dust particles, and the air.

Zantedeschia aethiopica (common names Lily of the Nile, Calla lily, Easter lily, and Arum lily)

Easter Lily with a Bumblebee inside.

Another Easter lily, but with a very colorful bug in it.

Flowers of Peru - This one is very unique with red fuzzy balls. Both plants in the image are the same. I have no idea what it is and couldn

Flowers of Peru - Same as the one from above.

Flowers of Peru - A group of yellow flowers

The pteridophytes are vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that produce neither flowers nor seeds, and are hence called vascular cryptogams. Instead, they reproduce and disperse only via spores. Pteridophytes include horsetails, ferns, and club mosses.

A type of pteridophyte, probably a fern. Pteridophytes don't produce flowers or seeds.

A Fern

Flowers of Peru - Daisy like flowers

Flowers of Peru - Daisy like flowers with Butterfly

Plants and a Waterfall on railroad near Machu Picchu

Plants and a Waterfall on railroad near Machu Picchu

Plants and a Waterfall on railroad near Machu Picchu

Flowers of Peru - Couldn

Flowers of Peru - Railroad to Machu Picchu

Plants of Peru - Types of plants and trees surrounding a house below Machu Picchu

Plants of Peru - Types of plants and trees below Machu Picchu

Plants around a small Waterfall

Plants around a small Waterfall

Trapped Smog Over Santiago, Chile

Santiago Chile is the captial and largest city in Chile. Located in the center of the vast country, it’s also known for it’s smog.

Thermal inversion (a meteorological phenomenon whereby a stable layer of warm air holds down colder air close to the ground) causes high levels of smog and air pollution to be trapped and concentrate within the Central Valley during winter months. In the 1990s air pollution fell by about one-third, but there has been little progress since 2000. – Wikipedia

Hummingbird from Salento, Colombia

The beautiful glowing green hummingbird was seen flying around bird feeders in near Salento, Colombia during our hike through Valle de Cocora. Read more about Colombia Travel.

Basilica de Quito

Top List of Things To Do in Quito, Ecuador

Potosi Bolivia Panorama

Read more… Ethics of Tourism: Mines of Potosi Bolivia

Peter and Dalene of Hecktic Travels share facts of the preconceived notion that Colombia travel means good coffee.

Colombia Travel & Colombia Coffee

Good coffee is synonymous with Colombia and for that reason, we couldn’t wait for our turn at Colombia travel. We visualized Juan Valdez walking casually beside his donkey, an amiable smile on his face as he tips his hat to the camera. Yes Juan! Lead us to all your caffeine-laced goodness!

After six months of traipsing around South America, and umpteen hundred cups of bad instant coffee later, we were on her doorstep and ready to indulge in the best java that this hemisphere has to offer.

Or, so we thought. After our first night’s stay across the southern border in the small city of Pasto, we awoke to yet another container of Nescafe instant coffee waiting with my breakfast. How could this be? Juan, where are you? Why are we not being handed a cup of the good stuff at every turn?

Turns out, we had to go looking for it. And not just to the local street stands that sell it, as that coffee was also highly disappointing. The local preference for preparation is to make it very weak and have it chock full of sugar (they call it “tinto”). For our prime coffee fix we had to go to the mountainous region in central Colombia known as Zona Cafetera, the prime growing grounds of the some of the world’s best coffee beans.

Salento & Manizales

We made two stops in the region and did two different finca (coffee plantation) tours. While the small town setting of Salento provided for some excellent hiking and impressive scenery, our tour outside the bustling university city of Manizales offered the best caffeine-induced experience!

• Why Travel to Colombia?
• Colombia Travel – Beaches of Tayrona National Park
• Colombia Travel – Discover Cartagena
• Colombia Travel – Mud Bath in Volcano Totumo
• Colombia Travel – Discover Salento

Zona Cafetera

Zona Cafetera is a prime growing location for the Arabica bean which provides the richest and most full bodied coffee.

The growing fields always amazed us as they climbed up steep hills – We couldn’t imagine being the people that had to tend to them or hand pick them during harvest season.

Some coffee beans fresh from the fields! As part of the tour, we did our own “quality assurance” by picking out the best beans that would become our very own espresso!

We watched as the beans were roasted and put straight into the espresso machine. This was, without a doubt, the very tastiest shot of caffeine we had ever had!

Oh, and by the way, we did find Juan. He now has his own chain of coffee shops – think Starbucks for Colombia but to a much smaller scale.

The most popular multi-day tour available for visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats is driving a 4×4 between Tupiza and Uyuni, Bolivia.  This photo essay will take you through our 4-day tour beginning in Southwest Bolivia and ending with a sunrise over the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flats in the world.

Tupiza to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia Tour: Day 1

We booked our tour through Tupiza Tours, the oldest, highly recommended agency out of Tupiza. Tours from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile and La Paz, Bolivia are also availabe.  With our fuel, food, and backpacks secured on top of the Toyota Land Cruisers, we began our tour.

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 Tour Vehicles

Tupiza, Bolivia

Leaving Tupiza, Bolivia in our 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser

Lunch on a Llama Farm, Day 1 of our Tupiza to Salar de Uyuni Tour

All meals are served everyday by a personal cook that accompanies the tour group. They will meet vegetarian needs.

Driving Through Adobe Villages in the Bolivia Highlands

Be conscious of Bolivia’s indigenous and their absolute desire to not have their pictures taken.

In the Direction Where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Were Allegedly Killed

Bolivia's Highlands

Tupiza to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia Tour: Day 2

We continue to climb in altitude reaching Bolivia’s unique and varying highlands.  The majority of these tours is spent driving in the 4×4 vehicles.  Consider yourself lucky if you drive with people you get along with.  Each night we arrived to our destination just before dark, so the schedule is tight.  Remember you are in the highlands and night time can be extremely cold.  All accommodations will provide the bare minimum with no amenities.

Early Morning at the San Antonio Ruins

Laguna Morejon in Bolivia

The View of Bolivia's Mountains from our Tour Vehicle

Rock Formations in Bolivia's Highlands

Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna, Potosi Department, Bolivia

Getting Muddy in our 4x4 at Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna

Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna, Potosi Department, Bolivia

Laguna Kollpa in Bolivia

Laguna Kollpa in Bolivia

Salar de Chalviri in Bolivia

Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs) Near the Salar de Chalviri in Bolivia

A hot spring in the middle of the Bolivia highlands was an incredible surprise. Bring your bathing suit and hop in the hot water and enjoy one of the best bath views in the world.  During day 2 the varying landscapes are exposed.  Strange deserts, salt flats, snow capped mountains, unique rock formations and geothermal fields.

Desierto de Dali / Dali Desert in Bolivia

Mountains Near Desierto de Dali / Dali Desert in Bolivia

Laguna Verde and Volcano Licancabur

If the weather cooperates, a blue sky can make the scenery captivating.  We were lucky to have cloud formations that resembled alien spaceships.

Bolivia Mountains and Cool Cloud Formations

Sol de Manana Geysers / Geothermal Field in Bolivia

Smell the humid air of the Sol de Manana Geysers. Get as close as possible without gagging or falling into the steaming pits.

Sol de Manana Geysers / Geothermal Field

Bolivia Mountains and Cool Cloud Formations

Bolivia Desert and Cool Cloud Formations

Tupiza to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia Tour: Day 3

During day 3 of the tour we became immune to the excitement surrounding colorful lagoons. After getting out of the truck for 6 different lakes, you can get a little bored, especially if it’s windy and cool out. Our weather was not ideal for glowing lake pictures.  Expect a few vehicle breakdowns during your off-road tour.  We experienced 2 flat tires and a failed fuel pump, which the tour guides were able to fix, evidence of their mechanical skills.

Laguna Colorada in Bolivia's Altiplano

Flamingos in the Laguna Colorada in Bolivia's Altiplano

Flamingos in the Laguna Colorada in Bolivia's Altiplano

Reflections in Laguna Colorada in Bolivia's Altiplano

Arbol de Piedra en Desierto de Siloli / Rock Tree in the Siloli Desert

Rock Formations in the Siloli Desert / Desierto de Siloli

Driving Across the Siloli Desert / Desierto de Siloli

Laguna Ramaditas, Potosi Department, Bolivia

Flamingos in Laguna Ramaditas, Potosi Department, Bolivia

Volcanic Rock Formations in the Desert

Train Tracks Over Salar de Chiguana

Driving Over the Salar de Chiguana in Bolivia

Just as the sun was setting over the Salar de Uyuni, we arrive to our Salt accommodations.  It was a hostel made completely of salt, including the furniture.

Salt Hotel / Hostel on the Salar de Uyuni

Salt Hotel / Hostel on the Salar de Uyuni

Tupiza to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia Tour: Day 4

We awoke before sunrise and drove out to the center of the Uyuni Salt flats for the first time to enjoy the spectacular Uyuni de Salar sunrise.  This is a sunrise like nothing else you have seen before.

Sunrise on the Bolivia Salt Flats

Sunrise on the Bolivia Salt Flats

Fun Perspective Photos on Salar de Uyuni

Much of the time on the salt flats is spent taking fun pictures. Each guide will have their own creative poses for you to try. The all white background of the salt flats provide the unique opportunity to take photos that create illusions, or fool the human eye.

All tours eventually make a stop on the unique Incahuasi Island. This island is easily identified as a reef and you can climb up through the ancient cacti for incredible panoramic views of the salt flats. We ate our last lunch here.

Incahuasi Island / Cactus Island in the center of Salar de Uyuni

At the end of the tour, just like the end of a ride at an amusement park, we are courted through an area where salt souvenirs are being sold.

Salar de Uyuni Souvenir Shopping

Iguazu Falls is nestled between the Northeast corner of Argentina and Southwest Brazil.  People often say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but no photo or Photo Essay (even one from yours truly) can do this magical place justice. These waterfalls must be experienced.

Waterfall Views

National Park Iguazu, Argentina has many walkways that take you into an enhanced journey of beautiful waterfall views.  The Argentina side of the falls is much more tourist friendly, providing incredible views and trails for miles.

Get Wet!

You can get yourself very wet on this famous walkway.  They sell ponchos just before the lookout deck.  If the waterfalls are low, you can get close without getting drenched.  It all depends on the season.

Largest Waterfalls in the World

Iguacu or Iguazu Falls are one of the largest waterfalls in the world.  It all depends on how you measure that.  The waterfall system consists of 275 falls along 2.7 kilometers (1.7 mi) of the Iguazu River. Some of the individual falls are up to 82 meters (269 ft) in height, though the majority are about 64 meters (210 ft).

For those who don’t mind getting soaked or pounded by the force of water rushing down from one of the “weaker” waterfalls, there are boat tours that take you up close and personal to the water action.

The Roar of Devil’s Throat Waterfall

The star of the show is “Devil’s Throat” a U-shaped, 82-meter-high, 150-meter-wide and 700-meter-long waterfall. At National Park Iguazu, Argentina you have back stage VIP access. Get your ears ready to hear The Devil scream.

Depending on the time of year you visit the waterfalls, the water level and volume can change dramatically.  We have visited both the Brazil and Argentina side during different seasons and have seen varying results.

Colombia Travel - Plaza Cisneros in Medellin

Learn more about Colombia travel, is it for you?

In the travel photo, we share Plaza Cisneros, which is located in central Medellin. It is a jungle of light posts 24 meters in height; there are 300 reflection mirrors (7 per each tower) and 170 grounded lights. These elements are mixed with bamboo and water fountains. It is considered an artificial jungle around bright space.

Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia and has a population of 2.4 million.