South America completely changed what I thought I enjoyed about travel. Before this trip, I chased packed itineraries and tried to maximize every day. Somewhere between colonial cities, glaciers, wine country, and mountain towns, I realized I enjoyed slowing down just as much as checking off landmarks. These guides are organized by country so you can explore each destination, compare regions, and find realistic itineraries based on my own experience.
🇨🇴 Colombia
Colombia surprised me with just how different each destination felt. Medellín, Guatapé, and Cartagena each offered a completely different experience, making it one of the easiest countries to build into a varied itinerary.
Medellín
Guatapé
- Why I Chose an Overnight Stay Near Guatapé Instead of a Day Trip from Medellín
- My Day Exploring Guatapé and El Peñón — and the Helicopter Ride I Didn’t Plan
Cartagena
🇵🇪 Peru (Publishing throughout Fall 2026)
Peru is much more than Machu Picchu. Across multiple trips, I’ve explored everything from the Sacred Valley and Cusco to Lima, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, and the Peruvian coast. These guides focus on balancing the country’s iconic highlights with places that deserve more attention.
Lima
(Future posts)
Cusco
- I’m So Glad We Let a Local Agency Handle Machu Picchu
- The Day Cusco Gave Us Back Time (Even When Our Flight Didn’t Go to Plan)
- Cusco Is Not Just a Base for Machu Picchu
Arequipa
(Future posts)
Puno & Lake Titicaca
(Future posts)
Paracas & Huacachina
(Future posts)