This month our partners look ahead to the Pantanal's 2027 jaguar season, welcome the New Year under the Atacama's clear skies and open the door to a new Caribbean destination. Here's what's new across Latin America.
Brazil – with Gondwana Brasil
Pantanal 2027: plan ahead for jaguar season
In the Pantanal, timing matters. From July to August, when jaguar sightings peak, many of the region's most sought-after lodges are booked 12 to 24 months in advance. Small properties, limited rooms and specialised teams make availability particularly tight during this period.
After securing key spots for the 2026 high season, Gondwana has now opened its 2027 allocations for independent travellers and small families, with confirmed partnerships across both the northern and southern Pantanal.
For anyone dreaming of an exclusive Pantanal experience, planning ahead can make all the difference.
Chile – with Turavion
New Year's Eve under the Atacama sky
Welcome the New Year under one of the clearest skies on Earth with a special open-air celebration in the heart of the Atacama Desert. The evening includes a three-course dinner featuring local flavours, cocktail and wine pairings, a guided stargazing experience, and a festive midnight celebration with party favours and cold fireworks.
Spaces are limited, so booking early is highly recommended.
Arriving in Chile and travelling on to Easter Island
Turavion is welcoming the new season with fresh ideas: in recent months its team has been exploring hotels, joining fam trips across Chile and trying selected excursions first-hand. Their practical guide for travellers covers:
Arrival procedures at Santiago Airport
Important reminders about SAG customs and import rules
Practical guidance for onward travel to Easter Island
Colombia – with The Colombian Trip
The colour and spirit of the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos
Pasto, Colombia | 2–7 January 2027
Every January, the city of Pasto in southern Colombia comes alive for the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos, a spectacular celebration of colour, music, art and tradition.
Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009, the carnival has its roots in the ancestral traditions of the Pastos and Quillacingas peoples, who celebrated the generosity of Mother Earth and the harvest.
Today, centuries of indigenous, Spanish and African influences come together in a unique celebration of identity and community. The Day of the Blacks on 5 January celebrates fraternity, while the Day of the Whites on 6 January brings people together in a joyful celebration of harmony.
For travellers, it is a chance to experience Colombia beyond its well-known highlights: a vibrant local tradition where history, creativity, music and community fill the streets of Pasto.
A stay with local character. In Pasto, The Colombian Trip recommends Hotel V1501, a boutique hotel inspired by the region's identity. Named after the geological code of the Galeras Volcano, its contemporary design draws on Nariño's culture and history.
Costa Rica – with Horizontes
San Vito: southern Costa Rica, off the beaten path
Discover San Vito de Coto Brus, an emerging destination in southern Costa Rica where lush mountain landscapes, exceptional birdlife, Italian heritage and welcoming rural communities come together. Far from the traditional tourist routes, San Vito offers authentic encounters, peaceful nature and a deeper connection with Costa Rica's living culture.
"San Vito invites travellers to slow down, look closer, and experience a side of Costa Rica that remains beautifully undiscovered." – Horizontes Nature Experiences
Dominican Republic – with FFV
A new Caribbean destination
FFV is bringing the Dominican Republic into its portfolio, together with Inspiring Destination. More than a new addition to the map, it opens the door to a Caribbean experience of many layers: vibrant, varied and full of character.
With FFV, the Dominican Republic is not a country of one postcard. Its journeys run from the beaches of Punta Cana to the mountain landscapes of Jarabacoa and Constanza, and from the colonial streets of Santo Domingo to the mangroves of Samaná and the striking scenery of Los Haitises National Park, weaving together nature, heritage, local flavours and meaningful encounters.
Ecuador – with Adventure Journeys
In the footsteps of giants: wildlife in the Galápagos
The Galápagos Islands offer wildlife encounters unlike anywhere else, and few moments compare with walking among giant tortoises in their native habitat.
Across the islands, guided hikes lead through highlands, forests and volcanic landscapes home to giant tortoises, often just a few steps away. But the tortoises are only part of the story. Depending on the island and itinerary, travellers may meet blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, sea lions, frigatebirds, penguins and an extraordinary variety of endemic species, on land and in the water.
Each island has its own character, and expert local guides help travellers understand the ecosystems and conservation efforts that make the archipelago so exceptional. A hike beside a giant tortoise is more than a wildlife sighting: it's one every traveller will remember.
Thinking about Latin America? Our partners design every journey with their own teams on the ground. Get in touch and tell us what you'd like to experience.