12 tips for backpacking Colombia

Delta Air Lines is adding 30 percent more capacity to Latin America and the Caribbean next winter with more flights to popular destinations from Costa Rica to San Juan.

Captivating Cartagena stands as one of Colombia's top tourist destinations owing to its unique style and culture, wrapped up in a disarmingly beautiful package of well-preserved historic architecture.

Inspired to live life more fully following the death of a friend, New Jersey native Tom Turcich, set himself a goal to see and experience the world on foot.

Inspired by age-old indigenous and European influences, Colombian cuisine reflects the incredible cultural and geographic diversity of the country with delectable regional specialities found in both the mountainous interior and along the coastal plains.

This coming August, all eyes will turn to the beaches and stadiums of Rio de Janeiro, where the 2016 Summer Olympics will be in full swing. The Games are expected to bring athletes and tourists from across the globe to Brazil, and now for Americans, a huge hurdle has been removed. In a move to stimulate the Brazilian economy, the Brazilian government announced that it will waive visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

It’s no secret that millennial travel is a huge trend, with many group tour operators offering special budget-conscious trips, or ones with age limits. REI is the latest to join game, with nine new tour offerings across four different geographical areas.

I'm no contender for summiting Everest, but I've done quite a bit of hiking in my day, both as a solo hiker and as part of guided group hikes.

No matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing prepares you for the wonderment of Machu Picchu. Abandoned a century after completion and forgotten for over three, the Lost City is now Peru’s crowning relic of the Inca Empire. Any Machu Picchu vacation starts with a good night’s sleep. Named for its thermal springs, Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo) is the location for the majority of hotels near Machu Picchu. Otherwise, it’s possible to take a day trip from the Sacred Valley either by hopping on the train at Ollantaytambo or booking a tour. Across both areas, these are the best Machu Picchu hotels for exploring the sacred city of the Incas and connecting with Peruvian culture.

Like a sprawling carpet of moss, the Amazon Rainforest stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the foothills of the Andes, creating a lush basin that still remains partially unexplored to this day. Cut by thin ropes of water flowing from the Amazon River, the forest stretches over land in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

The Galapagos Islands are about 1,000 km from continental Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. The archipelago comprises 127 islands, islets, and rocks. Its remote location has allowed many species to evolve in isolation from other parts of the world and is one of the most exciting places to visit if you are interested in fauna and flora. The biodiversity here has attracted brilliant minds of scientists such as Charles Darwin and Sir David Attenborough and is often considered so special that visiting would be out of the question. This is not the case. It is very expensive, to go, but you can stay on the Galapagos, and if you plan your trip in advance, you can find ways to keep costs at a minimum. One of the best ways to do this is to opt for an Airbnb Galapagos rental. Not only will you be able to live out a The Wild Thornberrys fantasy adventure, but you can cook at home and have a more comfortable, local experience. Here are some of the best Airbnb options on the islands for families, couples, and solo travelers.

Colombia is a great destination with lots to do and see, like learning salsa and exploring rivers. But it’s also a relaxing destination you can enjoy if you’re willing to get your hands — or, in this case, your whole body, dirty. Volcan de Totumo, located in Colombia, is an inactive volcano that has become a popular destination for travelers worldwide. Visitors come to experience the unique mud bath inside the volcano’s crater. This natural spa offers therapeutic benefits and an unforgettable experience that you won’t find anywhere else.