South America Travel

Daniel Everett, then a Christian missionary, arrived among the Pirahã in 1977 - with his wife and three young children - intending to convert them. What he found was a language that defies all existing linguistic theories and reflects a way of life that evades contemporary understanding. The Pirahã have no counting system and no fixed terms for color. They have no concept of war or of personal property.

A sensational disappearance that made headlines around the world. A quest for truth that leads to death, madness or disappearance for those who seek to solve it. The Lost City of Z is a blockbuster adventure narrative about what lies beneath the impenetrable jungle canopy of the Amazon. After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, acclaimed New Yorker writer David Grann set out to find out what happened to the British explorer Percy Fawcett and his quest for the Lost City of Z.

Charles Darwin was just 22 when he went on his first voyage around the world in 1831. Darwin's father at first refused to allow his young son to go on the voyage. Fortunately, his father relented, and Darwin's journal is now considered by many to be the greatest scientific travel narrative ever written.

At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait, The River of Doubt is the true story of Theodore Roosevelt's harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth.

Hidden for centuries in the vast Peruvian jungle lies the ancient city of Machu Picchu. It is one of the finest examples of Incan architecture on the continent, preserved and unplundered by the Spanish when they invaded in the sixteenth century. It eluded the Spanish and although it has long been rediscovered, its essence is still shrouded in mystery.

For fans of The Lost City of Z, Walking the Amazon, and Turn Right at Machu Picchu comes naturalist and explorer Paul Rosolie’s extraordinary adventure in the uncharted tributaries of the Western Amazon - a tale of discovery that vividly captures the awe, beauty, and isolation of this endangered land and presents an impassioned call to save it.

Easter Island lies 3,700 km, or 2,299 from the nearest continent and is one of the most isolated places on the planet. Though it is so far removed from the rest of the world, Easter Island has more than its fair share of local history. Also commonly known as Rapa Nui, the island is probably most famous for the giant statues called Moai that populate the island, mainly near the shores. Mystery surrounds these enormous monoliths and they continue to baffle archaeologists trying to piece together the story of the Island.

The Andes Mountains are the world's longest mountain chain, linking most of the countries in South America. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author Kim MacQuarrie takes us on a historical journey through this unique region, bringing fresh insight and contemporary connections to such fabled characters as Charles Darwin, Pablo Escobar, Che Guevara, and many others.

In the heart of South America lies the Pantanal, the largest freshwater wetland system in the world. An area the size of France, most of the wetlands lie in the Mato Grosso region of Brazil. Often overshadowed by its more glamorous cousin The Amazon, the Pantanal actually has the greatest concentration of wildlife in the Americas. And environmentalists say it is in just as much ecological danger as any of the world’s rainforests.

Home to the giant tortoises that gave them their name, the Galapagos Islands lie one thousand kilometres off the coast of mainland Ecuador. The famous group of islands remained untouched by humanity for thousands of years, being only charted in the seventeenth century. Two hundred years later the stunning wildlife provided Charles Darwin with the perfect place to work on his theory of evolution. Darwin’s book ‘The Origin of the Species’ was partially inspired by his trip to the Galapagos.

Imagine more than a million litres of water dropping each second from cliffs up to 80 metres, or 262 feet, high. Such an image may seem like an impossibility, but such is the majesty of South America’s Iguazu Falls. More expansive than both the Niagara Falls in North America and the Victoria Falls in Africa, The Iguazu Falls is a network of more than 275 falls covering many acres.

A centre for indigenous Peruvians and Bolivians and the second largest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca is probably best known for its spiritual significance to the Incas. It is one of the highest navigable lakes in the world standing almost four thousand metres above sea level and the mysteries in its depths still draw thousands each year to the sacred site.

For "Darwin Year," a fresh-eyed and enchanting journey through South America in his footsteps. One snowy day in Ushuaia, Argentina, the self-proclaimed "southernmost city in the world," writer Eric Simons picked up a copy of Charles Darwin's The Voyage of the Beagle. Simons had just hiked the mountains overlooking Beagle Channel, and he found himself engrossed in Darwin's account.

Embark on a captivating journey through the diverse landscapes, rich culture, and vibrant history of Argentina with our comprehensive travel guide. From the bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the breathtaking vistas of Patagonia, this guide offers an immersive experience into the heart of South America's second largest country.

With travel tips and culture in our guidebooks written by a local, it is never too late to visit the ABC Islands. Greater Than a Tourist—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (The ABC Islands) by Author Myriah Ellison provides a personal perspective unveiling the unique local treasures of the islands, and the best ways to experience this corner of The Dutch Caribbean. Most travel books tell you how to travel like a tourist.

If you are planning your first visit to Costa Rica, this audiobook will be invaluable. It is filled with insider tips to give you a head start on your Costa Rica vacation so you will "know before you go". The information and explanations will save you time and confusion during your trip. You'll also learn Costa Rica Spanish words along the way.

Why take the shortest, most direct route through life, when you could choose the wiggliest, most mountainous one possible? Armed with a limited grasp of Spanish and determined to meet as many Lamas as possible, Anna and her friend Faye set off on a six-month journey along the spine of the largest mountain range in the world - the Andes. Beginning in the bustling city of La Paz, the duo pedal south - through dense jungle, across pristine white salt flats and past towering volcanoes, following the path of thundering glacial rivers to the snow-tipped peaks of Patagonia.

Years after losing his lower right leg in a motorcycle crash, Robert Kull traveled to a remote island in Patagonia's coastal wilderness with equipment and supplies to live alone for a year. He sought to explore the effects of deep solitude on the body and mind and to find the spiritual answers he'd been seeking all his life.

Belize has always been somewhat of an anomaly in Central America. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. The lack of a language barrier makes Belize easy for North Americans to adapt, live in, and do business successfully. Belize was originally a British colony, has no history of internal strife or war, is rarely affected by hurricanes, and offers a warm tropical climate.

Visiting Costa Rica on a budget is a dream come true! You can surf at the beautiful sandy beaches, hike amazing trails complete with waterfalls, and eat the best homemade food in the world. With its hospitable people, amazing ecotourism, and something new around every corner, Costa Rica is the perfect journey for the traveler on a budget. In my audiobook, Thrifty Traveler’s Guide to Costa Rica: A Perfect Journey for the Budget Traveler, I will show you how to have the vacation of your dreams while saving a buck or two.