Other activities in South America
-
Joel Souza Ecoverde Tours
Top-notch company with 25 years of service and experienced guides. Working with local pousadas towards an ecofriendly approach, Joel Souza and his son Lauro can guide you in English, German, French, Portuguese or Spanish. You can also contact him at Pousada Ecoverde.
reviewed
-
A
Amigos
- Cuzco, Peru
- Activities › Other
A long-established non-profit school with an admirable public-service record.
reviewed
-
Pantanal Nature
A new agency run by Ailton Lara that has quickly built up a sterling reputation for its professional tours and expert guides. It also runs a Jaguar Camp near Porto Jofre with excellent success rates in seeing the animal in the dry season. The company has an office in Hotel Ramos.
reviewed
-
B
Samana Spa
- Cuzco, Peru
- Activities › Other
For some pampering or a post-trekking splurge, a blossoming number of spas offer massage services, one of them being the luxurious Samana Spa. Beware of cheap massages touted in the street; there are reports of massages getting much more, er, intimate than expected.
reviewed
-
Spanish in Rosario
The Spanish in Rosario offers enjoyable language programs. It can arrange family stays and volunteer work placements.
reviewed
-
C
VOS
Very welcoming language institute located just outside Recoleta.
reviewed
-
D
Casa do Caminho Language Centre
The Casa do Caminho Language Centre offers intensive group classes – three hours a day for five days for R$320, or 60 hours of class time over a month for R$820. Profits go toward the Casa do Caminho orphanages in Brazil.
reviewed
-
San Miguel del Bala
San Miguel del Bala is a glorious community ecolodge in its own patch of paradise right on Madidi’s doorstep, 40 minutes upstream by boat from Rurre. Accommodations are in cabins with mahogany wood floors, separate bathrooms and beds covered by silky mosquito nets. There are several guided walks, including a visit to the San Miguel community. This Tacana community consists of around 230 inhabitants who’ll be happy to show you their traditional agricultural methods or weaving and wood-carving. Guests can also chill in hammocks in the communal hut. What the guides lack in English, they make up for with their enthusiasm and knowledge. If you go for the three-days/two-nights…
reviewed
-
Ricardo’s Gran Sabana Extreme
Brother to Luís of Ciudad Bolívar’s Adrenaline Expeditions, Ricardo handles the Gran Sabana with great passion and knowledge, offering all manner of tours, with an emphasis on extreme sports.
reviewed
-
Adventure Climbing & Trekking of South America
Carlos Escobar is a UIAGM/UIAA certified international mountain guide (who climbed Mt Everest) and runs serious climbing expeditions to Illampu, Huayna Potosí and others.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Misahullí Tours
Carlos Lastra runs one- to four-day tours on the Upper Río Napo for $35 per day. He’s experienced and well respected. Located on the plaza.
reviewed
-
Sustainable Bolivia
Cochabamba-based nonprofit organization with a variety of volunteering programs, both short and long-term, through 22 local organizations.
reviewed
-
Easy Drop
For a structured weeklong surfing experience, including classes and accommodation, look into surf camp Easy Drop.
reviewed
-
Rio da Prata
Within a fazenda, 56km south of Bonito, the marvelous Rio da Prata program includes a short trek through rain forest and some great snorkeling. The latter involves a 3km swim downstream along the Rio Olha d’Agua, amazingly crystal clear and full of 55 species of fish; and Rio da Prata, a little foggier but still fantastic for viewing massive pacu and big, scary dourado fish. This place should be near the top of your list. The afternoon visit to Buraco das Araras (R$25), often tagged on, is forgettable, though.
reviewed
-
Reserva Tanimboca
At Reserva Tanimboca visitors can monkey around atop 35m-high trees, then slide 80m along zip-lines from one tree to another through the beautiful forest canopy (COP$60,000). Other activities include kayaking (COP$20,000) and nocturnal jungle hikes (COP$150,000). Or splurge for an overnight stay in a treehouse (single/double/triple COP$150,000/200,000/300,000).
reviewed
-
E
Gulliver
Well-regarded operator offering hiking, climbing, mountain-biking and horseback-riding trips in the Andes. Excellent prices, daily departures; does Cotopaxi, Ilinizas, Quilotoa and more. Most day trips cost $30 to $45 per person. Five- to seven-day Cotopaxi trips with acclimatization programs are based out of its Hostería PapaGayo and cost $360 to $450 and $500 respectively.
reviewed
-
Sayta
This estancia 40km from Salta runs excellent horseback-riding days, with optional asado (barbecue grill). It’s also a place you can stay to experience a taste of Argentine gaucho life. A half-day with/without lunch costs AR$170/125, and full-board accommodation for a night is AR$230 (with a day’s riding AR$345). Prices include transfers from Salta.
reviewed
-
Merazonia Foundation
For folks who have some time and a love of animals, the Merazonia Foundation, a refuge for injured rainforest animals just outside of Mera, offers volunteer opportunities with their projects rescuing and protecting birds, mammals and other creatures. They have facilities with composting toilets and hot showers.
reviewed
-
Brazil Trip Tour
The multilingual Brazil Trip Tour specializes in English-speaking surf lessons and ecological tours. It also arranges volunteer work in the community (English teachers are especially welcome) and 10- to 14-day ‘Cruz the Coast’ tours between Rio and Salvador.
reviewed
-
F
Osprey Expeditions
Small, personable, Venezuelan-owned agency attuned to a budget traveler’s perspective (but with offerings ranging the gamut). It can organize tours throughout Venezuela but it’s particularly strong on Los Roques, Canaima and the Orinoco Delta.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Jeri Moon
This is a good agency which organizes trips. Apart from buggy day trips you can also take buggy or 4WD trips as far west as Parnaíba and the Lençóis Maranhenses – easier though more expensive than public transport.
reviewed
-
Stay In Touch
For excellent one-hour, full-body massages ($25) and herbal facials ($20), make an appointment or drop in to Stay In Touch, owned by an Ecuadorian-American couple.
reviewed
-
G
Associação Centro de Capoeira Angola
A capoeira center in Catete with two-hour classes on weekdays (running from 4pm to 10pm Monday through Thursday and 6pm to 10pm on Friday).
reviewed
-
Otra Cosa
Otra Cosa, a Middle Eastern restaurant, organizes several volunteer projects in the area; see its website for more information.
reviewed
-
Ecomontes Tour
Offers day trips on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Trips include visits to a bizcocho (biscuit) factory in Cayambe and the Peguche Falls.
reviewed