Travel Tips
OBTAINING A VISA TO BOLIVIA
If you are a United States citizen traveling to Bolivia, you will need to secure a tourist visa prior to your departure. The Bolivian tourist visa is valid for 10 years, allowing you to enter the country for stays of up to 30 days. The application for this visa requires several documents, which must be… Read Full Post
New Brazil Electronic Visa (E-Visa)
As of January 25, 2018, Brazil has made it easier to obtain a Brazilian Tourist Visa, and has also sped up the process. Currently, Brazil has a reciprocal visa system. If you are arriving from a country that requires Brazilians to have a visa to travel to your country, then you are required to obtain… Read Full Post
A tale of two hikes – Argentine Patagonia (El Chaltén)
Tale 1 – Hiking to Laguna de Los Tres Waking up to the patter of rain, one might be tempted to stay in in bed. When in El Chaltén, however, a light rain is not a deterrent for the trekking enthusiasts. On a recent trip there, my wife and I found ourselves waking up to… Read Full Post
Restaurants of the Casablanca Wine Valley
Located only about a 1.5 hour drive from Chile’s capital Santiago, the Casablanca Wine Valley is a great place to eat. Here you can find excellent Chilean dishes expertly paired with wines produced by the local Casablanca vineyards. If you have a free day while in Santiago (or even a free afternoon), it is highly… Read Full Post
New Ecuador Entry Requirements (updated)
*UPDATE* As of July, 2018 the law requiring tourists to have proof of health insurance has been modified and is no longer required. Effective September 2017, the Ecuadorian government will now require all tourists to carry proof of health insurance that covers them during their stay in Ecuador. While the government has yet to issue… Read Full Post
Puerto Natales Airport starts receiving commercial flights
Previously, the journey to Torres del Paine or Puerto Natales included a flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas followed by a 3-4 hour drive. However, beginning on December 6th of this year, Puerto Natales Airport expanded their runway to allow the arrival of commercial flights. This means that you can now arrive to downtown Puerto… Read Full Post
Recommended Listening in South American Music
OK, big disclaimer: We’re not even going to be scratching the surface of the surface here. Latin America has an extraordinary history of musical output. Sometimes we just feel like we have to share some of it for those who might not be familiar. Here, in no particular order, is some great stuff from a… Read Full Post
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu the Vaya Way
Those of you who have traveled with Vaya before know that we like to put our own signature on classic South American destinations, elevating our travelers’ experiences wherever possible. In Chilean Patagonia, for example, most Vaya travelers trade what would be a five-hour van ride from Punta Arenas into Torres del Paine National Park for… Read Full Post
Cartagena, a must-see city
Throughout my life, I’ve had the good fortune of visiting many wonderful cities around the world. Few can match the vibrant atmosphere or history of Cartagena, Colombia. Perhaps the city’s wealth of history isn’t so surprising considering its prime location on the Caribbean coast, which invited settlers, pirates, and other colorful characters – but the… Read Full Post
End of the Argentina Reciprocity Fee for U.S. Travelers
As of March 24, 2016 the Argentine government will no longer charge a $160 reciprocity fee of U.S. passport holders who are visiting the country for less than 90 days. This fee, which was implemented in 2008, has been suspended until further notice as part of an effort to strengthen relations between Argentina and the… Read Full Post