After twenty years exploring and planning journeys across Latin America, there are certain pieces of advice we find ourselves giving time and again.
On a recent recce trip to northwest Argentina, we asked our team – founder, trip designers and concierges – for the tips they most often return to when helping travellers plan their adventures.
From when to book and what to pack, to why you should leave space in your itinerary and trust local recommendations, these are the things we think make all the difference – whether it’s your first trip to Latin America or your tenth.
Look beyond the headline destinations
“By all means visit Cartagena, but Colombia’s wild Pacific Coast is one of South America’s greatest treasures. A world away from Cancun, the little market town of Pátzcuaro remains one of my fondest discoveries in Mexico.
Visit Argentina’s Perito Moreno glacier, but the real magic lies 4-5hrs north on the windswept shores of Lago San Martin, a land of sheer granite, piping chimneys and condors.”
– Harry, PSA Founder
Travel slowly and don’t overfill your days
“Try not to pinball around, ticking off different places and resulting in you spending most of your time travelling. Allow for an extra night here or there to really get under the skin of the place.
Allow some downtime, be that for kicking back at your hotel; a self-guided walk to explore your surroundings; or time to potter around city streets at your own pace. Some of the best moments come when you slow down and take the time to absorb a place under your own steam.”
– Tilda, Travel Designer
Push yourself outside your comfort zone.
“Challenge yourself to go a little outside your comfort zone. An absolute highlight on a family trip to Colombia was a stay in a remote Amazon jungle lodge.
I was nervous about taking my 4 and 6 year old but watching them swim in the river and play football in a rainstorm with their new friends was magic. With the right team, and assurances, the world opens up.”
– Hattie, Director of the Americas
“Order the unfamiliar dish, or sign up for the slightly daunting expedition; chat to locals in bars and restaurants, and learn about indigenous histories. Often these will be the most rewarding experiences of the trip.”
– Tilda
“Some of the most memorable experiences happen when you travel solo – from an unexpected conversation with a stranger to the confidence that comes from navigating somewhere new entirely on your terms. Latin America is full of warm, welcoming people, and solo travellers often find it easy to connect with locals and fellow adventurers, so they are never alone for long.”
– Jess, Director of Travel
Seek out smaller, more characterful stays.
“I’m a sucker for a great hotel but my favourites are family-owned places, hosted by the owners. They ground you in a place and give you more insight into an area’s history and the people.
It’s all about the little details too. Sundowners offered in the afternoon. Lovely sheets. Lots of towels, and bathrobes for the hot tub. And a thoughtful parting gift. We were given cured meats to take home with us from a family farm stay.”
– Hattie
Travel in shoulder seasons
“You really don’t want to be jostling for space at a lookout spot or hearing English being spoken more than Spanish or Portuguese. Availability is better and it makes a trip feel all the more special when you feel like you’re the only one ‘discovering it’.”
– Hattie
Plan ahead.
“The best properties, guides and experiences tend to book out a year in advance, particularly in places like Patagonia, Antarctica, the Galapagos, or over Christmas or Easter. Fast movers can get cheaper flights and preferential rates.”
– Harry
“We suggest booking restaurants 2-4 weeks in advance when it comes to the big cities (Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Mexico City), at least for dinner.”
– Franco
“Leave with plenty of time whenever you have to catch a flight or boat ride, especially when self-driving. High traffic and natural occurrences, such as weather conditions blocking part of the road, are uncommon but can still take place unexpectedly.”
– Franco
Learn the language.
“Learn the lingo – even the smallest effort goes a long way.”
– Harry
“Get a head start on the local language before you head off. A few simple phrases in Spanish or Portuguese opens doors. Especially if travelling with kids, locals light up when they hear a child make the effort, and it gives them a sense of ownership over the adventure. Apps, flashcard games, or even just practising over the dinner table in the weeks before you go can build excitement for the trip.”
– Jess
Pack well.
“Prepare for adventure and full days outside. Bring what you need to spend most of the day in the wilderness, such as a backpack, plastic bags for your clothes, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, a cap, and above all, comfortable shoes. Have some local currency on hand – though most places accept credit cards, there are plenty of interesting small shops and street vendors that only take cash.”
– Franco, Head Concierge
“Pack the odd gift for children in remote or deprived areas. Colouring books, crayons and stickers go a long way.”
– Harry
“Packing smart and keeping things light helps ensure smoother transitions, particularly when journeys involve boats, light aircraft or remote areas. Packing versatile layers and practical essentials will make moving around easier and allow you to focus on the experience rather than your bags.”
– Emilse
Tell us what matters to you.
“Interests (and dislikes!); how you like to pace your day; style of accommodation; activity levels; accessibility and health conditions.. The more we know about you and your group, the better we can design the trip so that everyone enjoys themselves.”
– Tilda
“The earlier you share your questions, preferences and ideas, the better we can personalise your experience. There’s a whole team working behind the scenes, and knowing in advance which restaurants you’d like to try, whether you’re planning to stay in and would like a spa treatment, or if there’s a museum or exhibition you don’t want to miss, helps us secure reservations at your preferred times and ensures the best availability – particularly in high-demand destinations.”
– Emilse, Concierge
Trust local expertise.
“We’ve been doing this for a long time. There are few things we love more than introducing you to our favourite backstreet boteco in Rio; or hearing about the guide who produced the best ceviche of your lives from the yellowfin tuna you just landed.
A dusty three-day expedition with the gauchos in northwest Argentina, bringing cattle off the mountain to winter in the lowlands. A Chilean lakehouse like no other, where oxen carry luggage to the room, and the owner keeps a couple of helicopters on standby for expeditions into the Cochamó Valley. These are the experiences we live for, and never tire of sharing.”
– Harry
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