Travel guides, itineraries, and experiences across South America, including cities, landscapes, and cultural highlights.
Most people treat Cusco as a stop on the way to Machu Picchu—a place to land, adjust to the altitude, sleep for a night or two, and leave again for the main event. But after visiting twice, once in 2019 and again in 2025, Cusco has become one of the most memorable destinations in Peru…
If you’re just joining my Cusco series, I recommend starting with I’m So Glad We Let a Local Agency Handle Machu Picchu, where I explain why we decided to let a local operator handle the logistics. This article picks up from there with an unexpected flight delay that ended up changing our time in Cusco…
Planning a trip to Cusco? This post is part of my Cusco series, where I share why we chose a local agency for Machu Picchu, how an unexpected flight delay changed our itinerary, and why Cusco deserves more than a quick stop before the Inca citadel. Planning Machu Picchu looks simple at first. Until you…
From the historic city walls to the colorful streets and local markets, Cartagena blended history, Caribbean culture, and vibrant neighborhoods into the perfect final stop of my South America journey. Previously, I shared my day exploring El Peñón and Guatapé, including an unforgettable helicopter ride over the reservoir. This time, we’re trading mountains for the…
Colombia may have been my final stop in South America, but Ecuador ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the journey. Before reading about Medellín, take a look at Where to Go in Ecuador: The Best Regions for Your Trip. I’m always excited for every country I get to visit, but I think…