The Best Places To Visit In South And Central America In Autumn

Swap the Northern Hemisphere’s fall season and head south for springtime in South and Central America. It’s bursting with culture and natural beauty at this time of year, and these small-group trips will show you exactly why.

When temperatures begin to drop and the days shorten north of the equator, the buds of spring start blooming in South and Central America. Whether you’re in it for endemic wildlife on the Galápagos Islands, palm-fringed beaches in Colombia or volcanic hot springs in Costa Rica, these are the places you should visit in autumn.

Spring Sale

Natural hot spring in the shadow of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, for cloud forest sloths and volcanic hot springs

Shoulder season in Costa Rica means lower costs and less crowds, so you can enjoy the natural bounties of this Central American paradise without bumping elbows with endless tourists. Our trip starts with a few days exploring Costa Rica’s volcanic region, from coffee grown on the land’s fertile grounds to the geothermal hot springs generated by Arenal volcano. Then we’ll head into the cloud forests of the uplands to spot sloths and learn how to cook authentic local cuisine. We’ll end up in the laid-back surf town of Tamarindo, where you can ride the Pacific waves and opt for a calming yoga session.

From US$2023

Next available from 11th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

San Jose, Costa Rica

ENDS AT

Tamarindo, Provincia De Guanacaste

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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A group of hikers walk along a wood-plank walkway through the dense Amazon rainforest at Sacha Lodge in Ecuador

Ecuador, for natural biodiversity in full springtime bloom

The wonder of Ecuador is its incredible array of landscapes – from Amazon to Andes – within such a small country. September in particular is an amazing time of year to visit and make the most of this rich biodiversity. Our eight-day trip starts and ends in charming Quito, where we’ll get stuck into an Ecuadorian cooking class before heading out horse-riding in Cotopaxi National Park, hiking around Quilotoa crater lake and cycling the stunning Baños Waterfall Route.

From US$2089

Next available from 27th Jul 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Quito, Ecuador

ENDS AT

Quito, Ecuador

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

This is an updated version of an article originally written by Louis Rabinowitz, with additional words from Maja Proescholdt.

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