Our region is scattered with magnificent cities. But it's the UNESCO heritage sites in South America that hold some of the most fascinating secrets. Not only because of the deeply entrenched history of these places. Colonial architecture, baroque churches, and grand leafy plazas can indeed all be found here, but the beguiling beauty of South American UNESCO sites is found in their duality. The past exists in perfect harmony with the present. Whilst deep history is legible around almost every corner, so too is the life of the city’s more modern dwellers. Take Valparaíso in Chile. Once one of the continent's most important seaports – a place built on the promise of opportunity – it still retains its bohemian energy. A creative hub with more than 400 graffiti artists has turned Valparaiso into one of the world’s largest unofficial open-air museums of street art. And in Bolivia’s city of Sucre, its long-stretching heritage is complimented by a cosmopolitan feel thanks to the young crowd of intellectuals attending the university. Many historic buildings have been turned into high-end restaurants, bars, and art galleries which have helped to create a thriving culinary and cultural scene in one of South America’s lesser-visited UNESCO heritage sites. It’s precisely this fusion that makes South America’s UNESCO heritage sites some of the continent’s most precious pockets to roam, led of course by one of our expert guides. Often locals themselves, our in-country partners handpick charismatic guides who know everything about the region they call home, from hidden cafes off-the-beaten-track to the most authentic markets, where local weavers sell their traditional wares. Yet with the weighty status of a UNESCO heritage city comes crowds. The world’s leading stamp of history and heritage brings with it thousands of visitors eager to seek its secrets. But not here. Undiscovered
Our region is scattered with magnificent cities. But it’s the UNESCO heritage sites in South America that hold some of the most fascinating secrets. Not only because of the deeply entrenched history of these places. Colonial architecture, baroque churches, and grand leafy plazas can indeed all be found here, but…
At Aracari, we are big believers in the transformative power of travel, especially the kind that spans several months. So, when our friend Mirjam Peternek-McCartney – owner and founder of Lemongrass Marketing – consulted us for advice and guidance as she began planning a family sabbatical to South America, we were eager to help. Imparting our knowledge, contacts, and expertise, along with that of our trusted in-country partners – we have helped Mirjam in building the trip of a lifetime, as she spends from September to March ‘24 in our fascinating region with her family. A year in the making, this extraordinary journey has just begun as Mirjam, her husband, and her two sons touched down in Cartagena, Colombia. Found on the crystal-clear shores of the Caribbean, Cartagena has long been one of our favorite cities on the continent, and it proved the perfect first chapter in this South American adventure. Now, two weeks in, the Peternek-McCartneys are headed to Peru, where they’ll begin in Lima, connecting with many of our friends in the coastal capital, before continuing to the Sacred Valley, spending six weeks staying at a traditional villa – the ideal base from which to explore wonders like Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Amazon. After that and into November, the family sabbatical will cross to Bolivia, onto Chile, and into Argentina in the new year. With Aracari’s knowledge helping Mirjam to plot the route of her journey, we’ve very generously been granted access to follow their story, sharing their personal insights and experiences with our readers. Because alongside the inevitable spark of wanderlust, we believe documenting Mirjam’s trip will also reveal the secrets of a sabbatical – becoming a testament to how to transform the dream of a family long family travel into a reality. From their
At Aracari, we are big believers in the transformative power of travel, especially the kind that spans several months. So, when our friend Mirjam Peternek-McCartney – owner and founder of Lemongrass Marketing – consulted us for advice and guidance as she began planning a family sabbatical to South America, we…
At Aracari, we’re no strangers to National Parks in South America; our continent's most tumultuous and untouched places. We are endlessly well equipped, and our guides are locals who have often grown up in or alongside the native communities that inhabit these regions, but more than that – we know the power of the path less trodden. Routes mapped by villagers, not tour operators, tracing natural phenomena heard of in stories, not found on Chat GPT. Combine that with our connections to some of the most remote outposts of intimate hotels and lodges – and you soon see why we are the trusted trailblazers of national parks in South America. This newly published guide to National Parks in South America is our own. A precise mix of Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, and Chile – that won’t be found anywhere else. It is our expertise distilled, resulting in a one-of-a-kind directory – beyond obvious choices and tourist trails. A journey into the last true wildlands of South America; places that reawaken us to the magnitude of nature. Put your boots on, we’re walking. National Parks in South America: Our Top Six 1. Best for families: Esteros del Ibera National Park, Argentina Despite being the world’s second-largest freshwater wetlands, Argentina’s Esteros del Ibera remains relatively unknown to international visitors. A complete haven for wildlife enthusiasts, these vast wetlands – an area almost the size of Switzerland – are a sanctuary for rare wildlife and plants. Filled with floating islands of vegetation, you’ll spot capybaras, deers, river otters, and more than 350 species of birds - 40% of all the bird species found in Argentina - inhabiting an incredible network of dense grassland, lakes, and lagoons. There are also species reintroduction programmes operating in the National Park coordinated by the Rewilding Argentina
At Aracari, we’re no strangers to National Parks in South America; our continent’s most tumultuous and untouched places. We are endlessly well equipped, and our guides are locals who have often grown up in or alongside the native communities that inhabit these regions, but more than that – we know…
When news broke that Central Restaurant Peru has been awarded 1st place in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, we at Aracari were bowled over with pride. For almost three decades, we have delighted in connecting our guests with the flavors of Peru, a journey that began long before the country made its name on the culinary world stage. Over the years, we’ve witnessed Peru bloom from an untapped treasure to one of the most sought-after foodie tours in South America, - and indeed the planet. Being part of that story from the very start has meant that our connections to the country’s culinary connoisseurs extend from the most famous kitchens to the more hidden heroes. Farming, fishing, and harvesting the award-winning produce that lands on the plates of acclaimed dining destinations such as Central Restaurant, Maido, Kjolle, and Mayta. All of which, might we add - earned a coveted callout in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Making Peru’s coastal metropolis the city with the most mentions in the top 50 for 2023. Commemorating such a momentous milestone in Peru’s foodie evolution, of course, deserves more than our voice alone. And so, in this very special edition of our travel stories, we’ve leafed through our contacts to speak directly to our friends in the kitchens of Lima. People who have not only showcased the brilliance of Peruvian cuisine to our clients but who have themselves played a role in propelling Peru to the top of the foodie world stage. What do those who know Virgilio Martínez personally and professionally think of the accolade, and about why Peru – as a country – is such a deserving champion? And as you might imagine, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to ask each of these foodie gurus to share their ideal day
When news broke that Central Restaurant Peru has been awarded 1st place in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, we at Aracari were bowled over with pride. For almost three decades, we have delighted in connecting our guests with the flavors of Peru, a journey that began long before the…
How to spend 48 hours in Rio de Janeiro: a sun-soaked, sprawling metropolis tucked towards the far Western tip of the world’s fifth-largest country? Set against the backdrop of sloping tropical forests, dotted with boulder-like mountains, and endless stretches of white sand and shimmering Atlantic Ocean, Rio is no doubt one of Brazil’s most iconic destinations. Blend its sublime geography with a complex history, unmissable art and culture, and a sensational foodie scene, and you’ll soon see why Rio de Janeiro tops bucket lists globally. All bolstered by the fact that its domestic and international airports benefit some of the continent’s best flight connections, spanning from Brazil’s far-flung Islands, like those featured in our itinerary The Treasures of Brazil to Peru’s coastal capital, Lima. How to spend 48 hours in Rio De Janeiro We don’t need to tell you that Brazil’s high-energy, samba capital is way more than a layover destination, but when time is tight – a visit here requires a meticulous plan. A guide tailored for the astute traveler looking for how to spend 48 hours in Rio De Janeiro, designed with pinpoint accuracy to absorb Rio’s atmosphere like a local whilst also enjoying some of the city’s most talked about attractions. Welcome to your essential reading; for the curious Aracari traveler laying eyes, ears, and heart on the magic of Rio as part of a luxury South America vacation. Explore our Brazil Itineraries Friday AM: Soak up the history of central Rio Whilst arrival times vary according to flight schedules, Rio’s airports are some of Brazil’s busiest which makes landing into the city on the cusp of the weekend not only recommended but feasible too. For many of our clients, Rio De Janeiro features as part of a wider luxury South America vacation and so often they’ll
How to spend 48 hours in Rio de Janeiro: a sun-soaked, sprawling metropolis tucked towards the far Western tip of the world’s fifth-largest country? Set against the backdrop of sloping tropical forests, dotted with boulder-like mountains, and endless stretches of white sand and shimmering Atlantic Ocean, Rio is no doubt…
We live in an era of immediate answers. As little as a decade ago, the idea of heading away on a luxury South America vacation without several different kinds of literature would have been unthinkable. There’d be a book for key Spanish phrases – for example, then maps of sprawling cities, and guidebooks on everything from cuisine to cultural customs. It was much clearer back then to see how a travel expert would help you navigate such a wealth of information. But fast-forward to today, and technology has put the kind of travel knowledge once found only in minds and books at the fingertips of any internet-connected traveler seeking a luxury South America vacation. Take Google, it returns search results within tenths of seconds, combine that with the ever-advancing capabilities of AI tools such as Chat GPT – and quickly you can see how the expertise once hailed as sacred might feel readily available via just a few clicks. So, does expertise still count for as much as it once did when it comes to planning the perfect luxury vacation to South America? We certainly believe so, and turns out, the industry agrees. Because whilst the web helps you to build your brief and create a wishlist of places you might like to visit during a luxury vacation to South America, what we do is different. We take your research – however extensive or limited – and refine it. So that when we’ve finished, you’re left with a bespoke itinerary containing precisely how to visit those destinations authentically and in a way that means the most to you. Stamps of Approval for 2023: Aracari recognized by Conde Nast Traveler and Wendy Perrin Since 1996, receiving the stamp of approval from authoritative voices in the travel industry has always been a
We live in an era of immediate answers. As little as a decade ago, the idea of heading away on a luxury South America vacation without several different kinds of literature would have been unthinkable. There’d be a book for key Spanish phrases – for example, then maps of sprawling…
