Latin America has a lot to offer and it is difficult to narrow down all that there is to see and do, but there are five Latin attractions that are especially popular. These popular attractions include Machu Picchu, Manuel Antonio Beach, Iguazu Waterfall, The Galapagos Islands and The Carnival de Rio.
Located in Peru is Machu Picchu where Inca Ruins can be explored, Machu Picchu is quite often referred to as “The Lost City of the Incas”. The Inca Trail runs through the Andes Mountains and is a four day hike which leads tourists into the ancient area of ruins. This adventure is not for anyone who is out of shape in any way. It involves hot days, cold nights and a lot of mental and physical stress and strain. Those in not such good shape need not worry as there are train journeys to the ruins available as well. There are train tours and an option to take part of the trip by bus. Once to the Inca Ruins there are tours available in order to explore the vision and history of the ancient ruins and take advantage of photograph opportunities. It is so wondrous that it is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Manuel Antonio Beach located in Costa Rica offers a variety of water sports and relaxing activities. If you want to simply relax in the sun the Manuel Antonio Beach is the place to do it. If you are feeling more adventurous, then you may choose to go snorkeling to spy some unique sea life. An exhilarating walk around the area can offer you glimpses of exotic birds native to the area, as well as an extremely large variety of migratory birds just passing through. The white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio are a sight to see in themselves, but the gorgeous flora and fauna backdrop makes Manuel Antonio Beach a breathtaking sight. Don’t get too distracted by the beauty, as there can be danger lurking as well with riptides that occur in the afternoon, making it best for visitors to leave Manuel Antonio Beach prior to 4:00 p.m.
The atmosphere of a rainforest’s flora and fauna is enough to captivate visitors to Latin America, but the Iguazu Waterfalls are the icing on this somewhat tropical jungle ecosystem. The reason they are such wonders is that they consist of literally hundreds of single waterfalls that scatter the length of two miles from Argentina to Brazil. These natural falls result from past volcanic activity, which is now replaced with rainbows and thunderous water pounding. There are opportunities to take boat tours to the mouth of the falls, or walk around the falls. The Iguazu Falls pearl is that of the biggest waterfall of the lot, The Devil’s Throat. Roaring down over two hundred thirty feet this particular falls is considered to be the most magnificent. A bird’s eye view of the spectacle can be achieved through a helicopter adventure.
Known for its giant tortoises, the Galapagos Islands is the place to see these turtles in their natural habit, rather than the zoo environment you have likely seen them in. These creatures are truly a sight, reach weights as heavy as six hundred fifty pounds and four feet long. Their life expectancy is that of one hundred fifty years. Although the turtles are a very popular attraction of the Galapagos Islands, there is much more to see and do. Activities such as exploring the many lagoons, snorkeling or swimming with sea lions are just a few of the fun activities that are unlike anywhere else. The Galapagos coral reefs should not be missed, as they are very well known for their unique beauty. Those vacationers that enjoy shopping and wish to pick up a few souvenirs and gifts should be sure to visit the many shops around Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The gorgeous foliage makes a simple walk a joy.
Latin America is well known for its exotic festivals and celebrations, but the Rio Carnival is at the top of the heap when it comes to carnivals anywhere. The Rio Carnival boasts of pulling in 500,000 foreign visitors every year during its four day celebration. The Rio Carnival occurs in February, which is typically the hottest time of year in the area. Not only is the Rio Carnival packed with fun, but it is an opportunity to learn about Brazil’s culture. Four straight days and nights are spent partying, dancing, singing and just having a great time. Different parades occur throughout Brazil and include Samba music and street bands that number in excess of three hundred. Floats in the parade carry two to twenty costumed individuals. A trip to Brazil during Carnival Rio time needs to be planned well in advance in order to arrange proper flight and sleeping accommodations. You can even arrange to be in a Samba parade.
