South America Honeymoon

No matter which country may beckon you to South America, you can be sure that a vast array of unique experiences awaits! Whether it’s trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, catching a tango show in Buenos Aires, or tasting the best vintages from Chile’s wine country, a diverse honeymoon is guaranteed. And really, the possibilities are endless – how about scaling the glaciers of Patagonia, exploring the mysteries of Easter Island or enjoying the clubs of Rio by night followed by a lazy day on the beach? If you are looking for something different and are keen to expand your travel horizons during your honeymoon, South America delivers.

Reasons to choose South America: To experience a lesser-touristed, off-the-path honeymoon. For incredible natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Unique wine, food, nightlife and city experiences. For access to diverse cultures whose traditional ways of life have been well-preserved.

Reasons to go somewhere else: If you need five star accommodations during your entire trip or top-notch service in every location, you will find parts of South America not up to your standards. Internal logistics can be time consuming and may involve several flights or ground transfers. As with many developing countries, you must be prepared to see local people with a different standard of living from your own. If this or the possibility of petty crime in some places is disturbing, you should consider another destination. Other than in Brazil, traditional honeymoon beach experiences are difficult to find or non-existent. Language barriers are likely to be a factor to a certain degree.

To help determine which location(s) will fit best with your interests, consider the following areas:

Argentina is a great place to experience many aspects of South American culture. Upon arrival, bypass Buenos Aires for the moment in order to ease into your honeymoon in Mendoza, an important part of Argentina’s wine country. Spend a few days at Cavas Wine Lodge, one of the most luxurious options in the country, and you’ll be sure to start on a high note. Whether you’re visiting local wineries, dining in the area’s amazing restaurants or whitewater rafting in the Andean foothills, this part of the country is a great place to unwind and rejuvenate after your wedding!

From Mendoza, take a morning flight via Buenos Aires to your next adventure in El Calafate, gateway to the central part of Argentinean Patagonia and Glaciers National Park. You’ll enjoy a few days at Eolo, well-known for its breathtaking views of the Patagonian steppe and easy access to all the activities in the area. The focus now is on the great outdoors, where you’ll surely take a mini-trek on the Perito Moreno glacier!

The famous city of Buenos Aires is an ideal place to conclude, with its broad boulevards, sprawling parks, outstanding museums, world-class cuisine and spirited nightlife. The beautifully-designed yet comfortable Faena Hotel and Universe in the up and coming Puerto Madero district will be your city home as you explore its many neighborhoods. Make time for a tango performance (a must) and potentially a quick day trip across the river to nearby Colonia, Uruguay!

Logistics: Getting to Argentina is relatively easy from various locations in United States. Nonstop flights to Buenos Aires operate from Miami, Houston, New York and Atlanta (to name a few). Internal flights via BA take you to the other parts of the country such as Mendoza, Bariloche and further south into Patagonia. Argentina also now requires that US citizens pay a “reciprocity fee” upon entering the country. This one-time fee (US$131/person) is paid upon arrival and allows you to visit the country for ten years.

Weather: Temperature can vary depending on the time of year and location. Also remember that the seasons are opposite those in the northern hemisphere. Buenos Aires and wine country average in the low to mid 80s F (~27C) during the summer and the high 50s F (10-15C) during the winter, with higher temperatures as you move inland. To the south, average temperatures start to drop. Bariloche stays in the low 70s F (20-23C) during the summer and dips into the low 40s F (4-8C) in winter (but colder in the mountains for skiing). El Calafate (central Patagonia) will only reach the mid 60s F (18C) in summer and will drop into the 30s F (-1-3C) during winter. Ushuaia, in the Tierra del Fuego, will be colder still!

If the beach is not a honeymoon requirement, Chile could be an excellent choice. Upon your arrival from the US, connect via flight to the world-famous Atacama Desert and check into the incomparable Explora lodge, Hotel de Larache. Atacama is the highest and driest desert in the world, well-known for its lunar-like landscape. Choose from dozens of explorations, including horseback riding, bicycling, mountain climbing and scenic drives through the salt flats. Far from big city lights, you’ll be in awe of the romantic starry nights, and you’ll find some of the clearest skies in the world.

Continuing on, you’ll head out to remote Easter Island and Explora Atacama’s sister property, La Pousada de Mike Rapu. This is the place to get away from it all…literally. Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as it’s called by the indigenous population, is the most remote inhabited island in the world. Its cultural origins are still unknown which make the experience unique and mysterious. Even though you’ll feel away from it all, that doesn’t mean that you’ll be without things to do. Take a bike ride around the island, explore the ancient Moai statues or even go snorkeling! After a few days in this mythical destination, going back to reality may be welcome, but perhaps a bit difficult.

Spend your final day or two in Santiago, a cosmopolitan city with colonial history, a variety of interesting neighborhoods, and some terrific restaurants. The colonial-era buildings and the wide variety of museums are its main draws, but Santiago is also a good place to base yourselves for daytrips to the mountains and nearby wineries.

Logistics: Nonstop flights are available into Santiago from several cities in the US including Atlanta, Miami and Dallas just to name a few. Within Chile the national carrier LAN connects to all other points. Flights to Easter Island do not operate everyday so date flexibility is important. Like Argentina, Chile also has a ”reciprocity fee” for US citizens (US$131/person) and is paid at the airport upon arrival.

Weather: Santiago is generally mild from April to October with temperatures from the mid 50s F to high 60s F (14-16C). During the summer months (November to March) temperatures usually range from the high 70s to low 80s F (25-28C). In Patagonia, temperatures will be cooler year-round, only reaching the mid-upper 50s F (12-15C) from November to March, which is by far the best time to go. Temperatures in Atacama usually stay in the 60s and 70s F (18-22C) throughout the year. Weather on Easter Island usually ranges from the high 60s to mid 70s F (20-25C) year-round although there tends to be more precipitation from April through July

Most travelers associate Peru with the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, but as the third largest country in South America, its offerings are as diverse as the country is vast. Highlights include unforgettable natural beauty and a population that is kind, welcoming and culturally rich.

For first-time visitors to Peru, the southern part of the country is a good place upon which to focus your honeymoon, including Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. After arriving on your overnight flight to Lima, take a morning flight to Cuzco. Here you will spend a couple days acclimating to the altitude (11,000 feet / 3350 m) and exploring this charming and colorful mountain town.

From Cuzco, take a 3-hour ride on the Hiram Bingham luxury train to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend two days at one of the most important archeological destinations in the world, “The Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu. Your base will be the outstanding Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located within the citadel of ruins. After Machu Picchu, you’ll also have time to explore the surrounding villages, including the artisan markets and Incan architecture in the nearby Sacred Valley.

Your next stop, via flight or train, is Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake set in the highlands along the Peru/Bolivia border. Here you can relax and explore the tranquil environment or take advantage of one of the many active pursuits like kayaking, hiking, or visiting the floating islands that are home to the pre-Incan Uros tribe. Your home here will be Titilaka, an intimate and surprisingly comfortable refuge, set on a private peninsula overlooking the lake.

If you have additional time to explore Peru, visit the lush rainforests of the Amazon river basin, the mysterious Nazca Lines, the depths of Colca Canyon, or the colonial city of Lima.

Logistics: Nonstop flights are available into Lima from several US cities including Miami, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and New York. Internal flights will take you from Lima to the regional hubs of Cuzco and Puno in the south and Iquitos in the north.

Weather: Weather varies greatly depending on the region you plan to visit. Generally, winter (May through October) is the dry season and summer (November through April) is the rainy season. June to September is the best time to visit. In the highlands, including Machu Picchu, days are clear and sunny with highs 65-75°F (18-24°C) with potentially chilly nights. Temperatures in the jungle can reach 100°F (38°C) during this time, however rainfall is less frequent than in the summer.

As the 5^th largest country in the world, Brazil’s boundaries encompass a stunning variety of climates,

topographies, cultures and ecosystems. Eons of sandy coastline, lush Amazonian rainforests, interesting colonial towns, the impressive Iguaçu Falls, and the colorful, buzzing metropolis of Rio de Janeiro are just a few of the highlights you can expect when visiting this intriguing destination.

For your honeymoon, fly into Rio or Sao Paolo and connect directly to Bahia, the sun-drenched state to the north. Spend a few days relaxing in your private bungalow at Txai Resort, a romantic property set on a long, beautiful beach. If you feel like being active, try surfing, whitewater rafting or horseback riding. When you’re ready for some excitement, take a short flight to the colonial city of Salvador, Brazil’s former capital. The twisting cobblestone streets of the central Pelourihno district are lined with pastel mansions, stunning baroque churches, and colorful open-air markets. Spontaneous performances by local music clubs and street-corner demonstrations of capoeira dancing mean new discoveries await at every turn.

After Salvador, fly back to Rio de Janeiro for a few days to explore this vibrant city including its rugged hills and miles of sandy beaches. Music, nightlife, dining, shopping, museums, sights, rainforest – Rio captures your attention and your heart. Your nights will be spent at Rio’s most sophisticated address, the Fasano Hotel, located in the heart of the city’s famous Ipanema Beach district.

If time permits, there are other great beach spots in Brazil, including around Recife (in the north), Buzios (a 2-hour drive from Rio), and Florianopolis (south of Rio). If you want to get away from the coast for a bit, you can visit dramatic Iguaçu Falls, take a cruise on the Amazon, or head to the Pantanal, a swampy region filled with wildlife, for a safari-esque experience.

Logistics: Nonstop flights are available to Rio and Sao Paolo from Miami, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, and Houston, as well as from many cities in Europe. Rio and Sao Paolo serve as the hubs for all internal flights to beach destinations, the Amazon, and Iguaçu Falls, and the interior.

There are a few logistical issues to note when considering Brazil as a honeymoon destination. First, the tourist infrastructure isn't well developed (more limited range of accommodations options, flight delays common, etc). And due to its size, one must take a number of internal flights to get around. Americans need a visa, obtained in advance, to visit Brazil.

Weather: Within the country the climate varies considerably from region to region. In most of Brazil the summers (December-March) are quite hot. In places, temperatures can exceed 100F (38C) with high humidity. The beach destinations in the coastal northeast are warm year-round, often with a pleasant breeze coming off the ocean. Temperatures hover between 85-95F (29-35C). Rio has hot, humid summers and mild pleasant winters. As befits a rainforest, the Amazon is hot and humid year-round.

Interested in discovering these or additional out-of-the-ordinary South American experiences? If so, please feel free to contact us at 800.205.3314. Our Relationship Managers can help you sort through a multitude of destination and accommodations options in order to determine those that fit best with your interests and budget.