The Best Places to Visit in South and Central America in Spring
From the cloud forests of Costa Rica to the Mayan ruins of Mexico, Central and South America make for thrilling spring escapes. Here is your guide to the very best of Culture Trip’s springtime itineraries.
Kayaking through the mangrove forests of Colombia; discovering the street food delights of Mexico City; snorkeling with sea lions around the Galápagos Islands – whatever your wish for a memorable spring vacation, South and Central America have it all. To fire your imagination, we’ve curated the best trips across South and Central America, catering to all kinds of travellers, from thrill-seekers and wildlife enthusiasts to beach lovers and culture vultures.
Costa Rica, for swimming in waterfalls and rafting through the rainforest
Looking to combine some exhilarating activities with ample time for rest and relaxation in an idyllic, tropical setting? Costa Rica is the place to go, and in spring, the weather is both reliably warm and mostly dry. White-water rafting down the Balsa River, trekking through the jungle of Arena National Park in search of jaguars and capuchin monkeys, and spotting sloths in the Monteverde Cloud Forest are just a few of the incredible experiences that await. You can do all of that on this eight-day trip, as well as swimming in waterfalls in La Fortuna, coffee tasting at the Doka Estate and learning to surf in Tamarindo.
Ecuador, for hiking around volcanoes, cycling and horse riding
Boasting a combination of rugged, volcanic landscapes, thick jungle and vibrant, high-altitude cities, Ecuador offers an enormous catalogue of adventures to enjoy. From hiking around the emerald green Quilotoa crater lake and the Laguna Limpiopungo in Cotopaxi National Park to cycling past gushing waterfalls between Baños and Puyo, it’s one of South America’s prime destinations for outdoor pursuits. This eight-day adventure features all of the above, as well as chocolate tasting and a cooking class in Quito, white-water rafting in the Amazon, and soaking in the Papallacta hot springs. As Ecuador lies on the equator, temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year; if you want to avoid the crowds of peak season, spring is a good time to visit – if you don’t mind the occasional rain shower, that is.
The Galápagos Islands, for viewing a vast array of wildlife
It’s impossible not to be enthralled by the sheer variety of wildlife and unspoiled nature on the Galápagos Islands – and with spring bringing the warmest temperatures of the year, it’s an ideal time for snorkelling and scuba diving. Galápagos giant tortoises, white-tipped reef sharks, eagle rays, Galápagos penguins and sea turtles are just a few of the extraordinary creatures you’re likely to come across, as well as an abundance of endemic bird species. This five-day trip is a fantastic way to see the best of the archipelago in a relatively short space of time. Go kayaking in the Itabaca Channel, sleep in a luxury safari tent in the Santa Cruz highlands, swim with sea lions at Punta Carola beach and head snorkeling or scuba diving at Kicker Rock – one of the best spots in the Galápagos for encountering marine wildlife.
Maja Proescholdt and Gethin Morgan contributed additional reporting to this article.