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South America

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Peru

Jungle Packing List – What to Pack for a Jungle Trip

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“Put on your rain jacket,” the Kiwi guy said.

I looked up at the blue sky, with no cloud in sight.

“It protects you against mosquitos,” he added. “Trust me; I’ve been here for a couple of days already.”

Have you ever ended up in the middle of nowhere and realised that you forgot to pack some essential items?

For me, one of the biggest appeals of staying in a jungle lodge in the middle of the Amazon was its remoteness. Far away from cities, traffic and big malls, I could enjoy nature. But it also meant I had to be extra careful when packing so I wouldn’t forget anything important.

You do not want to visit the jungle without insect repellent.…

Peru

What to Pack for Peru – Your Complete Peru Packing List

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Packing for Peru is complex. With three major climate zones and more microclimates than you could ever count, the country requires you to take clothing for many different scenarios.

You need to be prepared for the cold of the Andes, the humidity of the jungle and the desert coast in Lima. At the same time, you don’t want to take multiple suitcases that you will have to drag around the country.

We believe that packing light is possible, no matter where you go. Yes, that means that you can pack light even for a country like Peru. To help you, we have put together this Peru packing list. It will help you pack everything you need without taking too much.

Therefore, keep reading to find out exactly what to pack for Peru!…

Bolivia

Top 12 Traditional Food to Eat in Bolivia

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When talk comes to food in South America, people mention steaks and ceviche. Argentina is praised for its excellent beef and Peru for its huge variety of dishes. You might even know a few Brazilian or Columbian dishes. But have you ever heard of Bolivian food?

As I found out while visiting this Andean nation, Bolivia has a lot of delicious food to offer. From market stalls to fancy restaurants, you will never run out of possibilities to try yet another dish. I’ve put together my favourite ones below, so you know what to ask for.

Also, if you want to learn more about Bolivian food, I recommend joining a foodie tour. We went with Red Cap Tours in La Paz, which was lots of fun and also very tasty.…

Ecuador

Top 5 Things to Do in Guayaquil

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If you visit Ecuador, you will likely pass through Guayaquil. All flights to Galapagos leave from the Guayaquil airport. And if you arrive from Peru, it is a convenient stop to break up what would otherwise be an endless bus ride.

So if you have to come here anyway, why not turn this into a sightseeing stop?

With its colonial buildings, the Malecon, the hillside neighbourhoods and a mangrove island just off its coast, Ecuador’s biggest city is a great place for tourists. There are plenty of things to do in Guayaquil. If you are wondering what you shouldn’t miss, here are five of Guayaquil’s highlights:…

Ecuador

Galapagos Islands on a Budget – A Guide to Planning Your Galapagos Adventure

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The Galapagos Islands are known for being one of the most expensive destinations in the world.

If you google them, you will find beautiful cruise ships that take you around the archipelago for thousands and thousands of dollars. You will see luxury resorts and tours promising you the best experience – if only you pay enough. The islands have the reputation of being expensive, and it is possible to spend a small fortune coming here.

Yet, it is also possible to experience the beautiful nature and wildlife without blowing your budget. While the Galapagos Islands will never be the cheapest destination in the world, I have travelled here for less than 60$ a day. This budget included a double room with a private bathroom, two excursions and lots of awesome wildlife encounters that I wouldn’t want to miss.…

Ecuador

Top 5 Things to Do in Santa Cruz, Galapagos

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Most travellers who visit Galapagos end up on Santa Cruz sooner or later, and I was no exception. I came here twice – once voluntarily and once involuntarily.

My first involuntary stay, unavoidable due to all boat connections from San Cristobal to Isabela going via Santa Cruz, lasted only a couple of hours. I used that time to eat a giant cup of ice cream – a decision which I regretted later that afternoon when I took a boat to Isabela and desperately tried not to empty my stomach into the sea.

My second encounter with Santa Cruz Island was more fortunate. I stayed for three days, so I had a chance to properly get to know the island beyond the ice cream parlour.…

Ecuador

Top 7 Amazing Things to Do in Isabela Island, Galapagos

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If you asked me to choose a favourite island on Galapagos, I would have a hard time. I went to three of them, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz and Isabela, and loved all of them. Each was special in its own way. But if I absolutely had to decide, I think I would go for Isabela because it was just a bit more special than the others.

Isabela is the island of marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and pink flamingos. Here, you can find endless white beaches and a small town consisting of dirt roads. Sea lions resting in between the mangroves greeted us when we arrived.

Isabela is just perfect. And so you know how to spend your time here and make sure you don’t miss any of the highlights, here is what we recommend doing:…

Ecuador

Top 8 Fun Things to Do in San Cristobal, Galapagos

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San Cristobal island is a paradise. White beaches, warm weather and thousands of exotic animals. This island was our first stop in Galapagos, and it didn’t disappoint. Within two hours of arriving, I had seen more sea lions than I had expected to see during my whole stay in the archipelago.

In total, we had two and a half days on San Cristobal, and we would see many more sea lions during that time. Big ones, small ones, tiny babies drinking from their mothers, young ones frolicking in the water.

But San Cristobal is not just about sea lions. There is a lot more to discover. Keep reading to find out what to see and do on this island:…

Peru

Top 14 Delicious Fruit in Peru (and How to Eat Them)

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One of the things I love about travelling is eating foreign food. And there is nothing more fascinating than the amount of fruit and vegetables that exist in the world and that I have never heard of.

Peru is no exception when it comes to exotic fruits. On markets, I found huge piles of produce that I couldn’t name and that I didn’t even know how to eat. Peruvian fruit is as diverse as the country itself. If you are wondering about which fruit to eat and how to prepare it, don’t worry. I have put together this guide so you can identify the 15 most common fruits and know what to do with them.…

Peru

Visiting Caral on a Day Trip from Lima – A Guide for Independent Travellers

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Ever since I heard about Caral, I wondered why it isn’t more popular with travellers. The oldest ruins in the Americas, constructed at the same time as the first pyramids of Egypt. Who would not want to visit them? I was sure that going there would be easy and that I could spontaneously arrange a day trip from Lima, hopping on a bus with lots of other tourists.

Turned out I was wrong. Despite the significance of Caral, it was surprisingly hard to get there. I looked up tours but most of the companies only offered private trips and I wasn’t willing to pay a fortune. Surely, there had to be a better way?

There is! Caral can easily be visited independently as a day trip from Lima for a fraction of the price you would pay for a private tour.…

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