Favorite Places
Cerro Fitz Roy, Argentina
Cerro Fitz Roy is located near El Chalten, Argentina and features a number of hikes and camping options that are close to this hamlet village. A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, the basic hikes can be done as day trips from the village or overnights in basic campsites. This shot was taken at Laguna de Los Tres which features 3 glacial lagoons at an incredible viewpoint close to the base of the peaks. Dramatic and awe-inspiring, this is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
Cartagena, Colombia
The old city of Cartagena de Los Indias is a small yet fascinating look into the history of the Americas. Once a vibrant slave trading post and more recently a home of the infamous Pablo Escobar, this walled city has old school charm and some beautiful bastions to take in the surrounding Caribbean Sea.
Museo Del Oro, Bogota, Colombia
High quality museums are rare in South America but the presentation and quality of pieces (albeit most things are made of gold) is impeccable. History of metallurgy as well as cultural diffusion of styles are abundant in this solid museum. If you like shiny things… GO!
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Turtle Power… or should I say tortoise power. I’m not sure if my love for these creatures came from the Museum of Natural History or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Either way the Galapagos is a flora and fauna lover’s dream. Giant tortoises in bogs, armies of iguanas, sleepy sea lions, and lots of boobies are just the beginning of this place. Once you get underwater a whole universe unfolds before you. It’s worth it. Just make sure you spend enough time.
Parque Nacional Toro Toro, Bolivia
Pictures don’t do justice to the magnificence of this national park in Bolivia. After an overnight bus and arriving in a town where all the hotels were closed, we awoke to an incredible hike full of dinosaur footprints, a vast canyon (including a slot canyon), and a dripping waterfall. That was only the first day. Day 2 consisted of bouldering through a series of underground caves and seeing blind fish in underground pools. If only it were easier to reach.
Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Known as one of the highest navigable lakes in the world and a popular destination between Peru and Bolivia, Isla del Sol is the gem in the middle of a vibrant blue lake with ancient ruins and one really awesome hike. Trout is a popular item on the menu and should be consumed readily by any fish eater because it has to be local.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
When people think of Salar de Uyuni, they picture endless salt flats of stunningly bright whites. What you don’t hear about quite as much is the high altitude lagoons and volcanoes that are peerless marvels of the world. The colors will make you think its still the 60’s but what’s really getting you high is the altitude getting above 15,000 feet. Though the natural beauty is unforgettable, what’s even more crazy is that westerners bring their bikes and ride through these high altitude, micro dust particulate regions for weeks on end.
