I’m standing on the brink—the very brink—of the volcano’s crater. Below me, in the carbon-rich lake, dark patches streak the green waters, which glisten with minerals. A lone sheep grazes nearby, impervious to the keening wind. Overhead, smokelike clouds, moving in off the late-afternoon peaks. Tranquil it might be, but that crater never lets you […]
(Editors Note: This is the first post in a new series on great figures of Latin American history. It presents men and women whose destinies were forged in the lands charted by Columbus, and who ended up playing key roles in the still-unfolding drama of “the other America.”) The Humboldt Current. Humboldt’s penguin. Humboldt Peak. […]
Of the 17 species of penguin that occur worldwide, seven can be seen in South America. Their breeding grounds range from the Galapagos Islands along the equator to the Pacific coasts of Peru and Chile and further on down to the continent’s frigid southernmost tip… Galápagos Islands, Ecuador When people think of wildlife in South […]
It’s Holy Week in Quito, and that means Alberto Alava is looking serious. The dark, mustachioed chef has his cap tilted back, concentrating intently on his work. That work includes peeling a multitude of different grains (including fava beans and chochos, a thick-skinned legume typical of the Andes), soaking strips of salt cod in milk, […]
“Ten years ago nobody dared to buy a house around here. And now look. It’s full of people every night.” Miguel Mafla is gesticulating with his keys as he talks. At 73, the white-haired proprietor of one of Quito’s best-loved restaurants is vigorous and effusive, his conversation becoming especially animated when he talks about La […]
A line of weaver women works steadily, tugging with their beaters at multicolored tapestries that slowly blossom from their backstrap looms. Hatmakers iron the brims of their creations with hot stones, leaving a silky-smooth nap. In the streets, hawkers cry out alongside rows of umbrella-covered stalls, advertising their wares. All is a vibrant jumble of […]
Equal in size to Colorado, Ecuador is a country that packs a punch. Comprised of four regions, Ecuador offers everything from high rise hotels to remote jungle cabanas. Originally, I had planned on a mere three weeks in this beautiful country; however, I found myself crossing the border to Peru with just 48 hours to […]
In a special place within the Pacific Ocean, sea lions dive off black rock promontories. Giant turtles mate in open waters and mother whales skim the surface with their young calves in tow. The Galapagos Islands teem with wildlife. They sing with bird calls and explode with technicolor sunsets. Many visitors plan and save for […]
The Galapagos Islands is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. With a diversity of plant and wildlife, each island has something unique to offer. Travelers looking for the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation will find it all in one place on Isabela Island. Covering an area of more than 4,600 square kilometers […]
Latin America is one of the best places to hike, so much so that the problem is picking one out of the many possible treks that are available. Here are five of the most popular, each in a different country, to help you in your choice. You can´t go wrong with any one of them but each […]
LAN’s BIG DEAL Mid-Year Sale offers big savings on LAN flights to South America. Fly round-trip to Ecuador for $499, Peru for $599, Chile for $829, and Argentina for $899 when you book by June 18, 2012. Prices are based on departures from Miami, and for travel between September 1 and November 30, 2012.
Welcoming thousands of tourists per day in its modest airport, Quito is Ecuador’s major launch point for tours of the country. Many visitors headed to the Galapagos Islands will spend at least a night in the city, but Quito’s Old and New Towns are great spots for dining and sightseeing which could keep visitors well […]
LAN Airlines (now know as Latam Airlines Group) recently announced that starting April 16, 2012 they will offer daily Miami to Quito nonstop flights. The existing nonstop Miami to Guayaquil flights will be discontinued. LAN also updated the connections between Quito and Guayaquil, to make it easier to connect to the existing daily nonstop Guayaquil to JFK […]
