From Jaguars to Icebergs: The Top 10 Trips in Latin America

Yes, it’s full of big-ticket adventures—jungle treks, wildlife safaris, epic glacier hikes—but beyond the thrill, there’s also a slower, more intimate kind of luxury to be found. Think sipping a local wine under the stars after a day of exploring, pausing to watch the sun set over the Andes or being handed a warm towel after an awe-inspiring trip snorkelling with sea lions.

Latin America invites you to go deeper, it’s a place where adventure and indulgence coexist seamlessly. Here, Travel Writer Jordi Lippe-McGraw explores the top ten experiences in Latin America that are 100% bucket list-worthy.

1. Track Jaguars in Brazil's Pantanal

If spotting a jaguar in the wild is high on your list, the Pantanal is one of the best places in the world to do it. At Caiman Ecological Refuge—a working cattle ranch and conservation project rolled into one—you’ll get close to the wildlife, with expert guides leading the way.

Stay in relaxed, air-conditioned lodges, eat meals made with local ingredients, and head out on foot, by canoe, or in custom vehicles. Thanks to the flat, open terrain, it’s often easier to see wildlife here than in the Amazon. Expect anteaters, caiman, capybara, monkeys—and if you're lucky, that jaguar. For a more private experience, you can even book the property exclusively.

2. Sleep on the Uyuni Salt Flats in a Luxury Airstream

The Salar de Uyuni is like nowhere else on Earth—just a vast, white expanse of cracked salt stretching to the horizon. With a custom Airstream camper as your base, you get to experience it in total comfort and total isolation. Each Airstream comes with its own guide and chef. Days are spent exploring by 4x4, visiting small villages and volcanic islands. Nights are for stargazing, open-air dinners, and silence. You’ve got everything you need, from hot showers and electric blankets to a stocked mini bar—and no one else around.

3. Cruise the Galapagos Islands in Style

The Galapagos Islands deliver incredible wildlife encounters—marine iguanas, giant tortoises, penguins, and more—and a small-ship cruise is the best way to experience it all.

Scott Dunn cruises are set up to make the trip seamless. You’ll have naturalist guides, a flexible itinerary, and thoughtful details like heated towels after snorkelling. Ships are small enough to feel intimate, with options for couples and families alike. It’s active, comfortable, and completely unique.

4. Hike and Fly Through Remote Patagonia (Aysén, Chile)

This part of Patagonia—Chile’s Aysén region—gets far fewer visitors than Torres del Paine, but the scenery is just as dramatic. We’re talking glaciers, fjords, forests, and mountains, all in one place. You can hike, heli-tour, or just take in the views from a quiet eco-lodge. Getting here takes some effort, but that’s what keeps it special. If you want remote wilderness with no crowds, this is it.

5. Dine in Latin America’s Culinary Capitals

If you travel to eat, cities like Lima, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires should be on your radar. They’re home to some of the best restaurants in the world—and you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy them. Yes, you can go big with tasting menus at Central or Pujol. But you’ll also eat just as well in a corner cevichería or a Buenos Aires steakhouse packed with locals. Add market visits, cooking classes, and a few local food guides, and you’ve got a trip that’s as delicious as it is memorable.

6. Swim with Sea Lions in Baja California

For marine life, Baja California is hard to beat—and Isla Espiritu Santo is one of its highlights. This protected island is just off the coast of La Paz, with white beaches, clear water, and no shortage of wildlife. Snorkelling with sea lions is a favourite, but you’ll also see dolphins, rays, and (in season) whale sharks. Combine that with kayaking, birdwatching, and great local seafood, and it’s a perfect add-on to a trip through Baja.

7. Feel the Power of Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls straddles the border of Argentina and Brazil, and it’s a showstopper. You’ll hear it before you see it—then suddenly, hundreds of waterfalls roar into view.

There are trails on both sides, but taking the Great Adventure boat trip offers a uniquely exhilarating, albeit wet, way to experience the falls. After, dry off with a stay at the Belmond das Cataratas to access the falls before and after the crowds.

8. Cruise the Amazon in Comfort

Think the Amazon has to be roughing it? Not on board the Aqua Nera. This luxury ship has everything: air-conditioned suites, top-notch dining, and a team of naturalists to lead your daily explorations. You’ll spot wildlife, visit riverside villages, and paddle through quiet tributaries. Back on the boat, it’s all comfort—cocktails on deck, spa treatments, and panoramic jungle views.

9. Dive into Culture and History in Peru

Peru has it all: food, history, scenery, and many ways to combine them. Whether you’re trekking to Machu Picchu or cruising on Lake Titicaca, there’s always more to discover.

Most travellers start in Lima for the food, then move to Cusco and the Sacred Valley for history and high-altitude views. Add on the Amazon, Arequipa, or a rail trip through the Andes, and you’ve got a trip that blends iconic sights with lesser-known highlights.

10. Set Foot on the Seventh Continent: Antarctica

Yes, it’s a stretch from the rest of Latin America—but most Antarctic cruises leave from Ushuaia, Argentina, so it fits. And if you’re looking for a true bucket list trip, this one delivers.

You’ll see penguins, icebergs, and maybe even whales. Some trips include kayaking, helicopter landings, or submersible dives. But even from the deck, it’s unforgettable.