The Best Beach and Island Tours in South and Central America
Hit the book button, close that laptop and pack your bags – these Culture Trip small-group adventures will give you the beach breaks and island retreats you’re badly craving, plus much, much more.
Load your luggage full of swimsuits and sun hats – it’s time to take a trip to the beaches and islands of Central and South America. Embraced by the Caribbean, Pacific and Atlantic, these destinations are all home to a diversity of culture and nature, with no two being the same. Seeking a shoreline to service your tan? We know just the place. These are the best beach and island tours in South and Central America.
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Surf’s up in Costa Rica’s Pacific coast town of Tamarindo. No need to bring a board or any skills to hang 10; this tiny surf town has everything you need to learn how to carve waves, pura vida style. If that’s a little too salty a suggestion for you, this Culture Trip experience will also send you puma-spotting high in the cloud forests and soaking in the volcanic hot springs of Arenal. After a hard day of play, a California massage at the spa will do your muscles well.
From US$2099
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
San Jose, Costa Rica
ENDS AT
Tamarindo, Provincia De Guanacaste
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
17
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
The Galápagos, Ecuador
This isn’t your typical South American island tour – this is a bucket-list trip to the Galápagos Islands that will introduce you to wildlife you won’t see anywhere else. Let giant tortoises show you how to enjoy island time at the slowest pace possible. Take notes from sea lions on how to properly frolic in the water. You’ll even follow birds along lava trails to find the best views of the Pacific – though seeing the Itabaca Channel from a stand-up paddleboard isn’t half bad, either.
From US$1869
Next available from 6th Jan 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
ENDS AT
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Rosario Islands, Colombia
It won’t take you long to find paradise on Colombia’s Caribbean coastline. This Culture Trip beach and island tour of South America’s gateway country will take you off the mainland and over to the crowd-free white sands of the Rosario Islands. We suggest diving in the water to admire the rich sea life; you’ll have plenty of time to tan when you reach the laid-back beach town of Palomino.
From US$1711
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cartagena, Colombia
ENDS AT
Santa Marta, Colombia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Placencia, Belize
Kick back and relax on this five-day trip to Belize. You’ll start in Placencia, where you can bask on the pristine beaches and palm-lined shore to your heart’s content – before heading out to the Belize Barrier Reef for an epic snorkelling experience. Next, take a boat tour down Monkey River, then head out for a trek through the rainforest. If you’re lucky, you might spot wildlife like a tapir or jaguar. Finish off the trip with a magical sunset cruise, enjoying one final activity in the Caribbean.
From US$1094
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Belize City, Belize
ENDS AT
Belize City, Belize
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Culture
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Experience the magic of South America’s two most famous beaches on our nine-day Brazilian adventure. After a couple of days in Sao Paulo you’ll get to enjoy the luscious countryside of Paraty Bay on a boat tour through the coastal region’s crystalline waters, including a barbecue stop at a secret spot. We end the trip with four days in Rio – plenty of time to play volleyball on Ipanema and chill on the Copacabana. The best bit? Your Rio hotel will be in walking distance of both.
From US$2099
Next available from 8th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Sao Paulo, Brazil
ENDS AT
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Maja Proescholdt and Gethin Morgan contributed additional reporting to this article.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
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Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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