The Best Places to Visit for American Tourists

A once-in-a-lifetime experience for any American, visiting the Galapagos Islands will bring you up close and personal with the extraordinary biodiversity that influenced Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. An organized tour is the best way to get around the islands – and this express, five-day journey is led by Culture Trip’s Local Insider, who’ll show you the best parts as well as some lesser-known spots. Swim with sea lions, snorkel with sea turtles, hike along lava trails and spot giant Galapagos tortoises roaming in the wild on this bucket list adventure.

From the Amazon rainforest to the Andes mountains, Ecuador is brimming with natural wonders. When you’re not busy scaling a volcano or white water rafting, you’ll be admiring the colonial architecture and learning the secrets of Ecuadorian cuisine in the high-altitude capital, Quito. This eight-day adventure takes you through the heart of the country, where you’ll go horseback riding in Cotopaxi National Park, hike around the Quilotoa crater lake, cycle the Baños Waterfall Route and ride the Swing at the End of the World.