In one of South America’s most enigmatic corners, ancient crocodiles, anthropomorphic birds, and two-headed dieties keep court in misty forests. Archeologists have found some 600 of these volcanic rock statues buried in a string of mounds near the town of San Agustín in southern Colombia. Once unearthed, these myserious artworks, carved between the first and eighth centuries A.D., can rise as high as 14 feet.
This is the largest group of religious, megalithic sculptures in South America, akin to an Andean Easter Island. Yet, until recently, thanks to the nation’s long history of armed conflict, very few tourists ventured here to the eastern slopes of the Colombian Massif to visit them.
But new hotels, improved roads, and peace-fueled prosperity have all spurred a spike in tourism to this area. “Twenty years ago, we had about 30 lodging options here; now, there are more than 100,” says Jorge Peña of Ivantours Colombia, a tour company based in Huila, the Colombian department (like a state) where the statues are located.
“Day by day, a lot more people are coming,” he says. “The sites really make the imagination fly—you feel like you’ve just opened a storybook.” Here’s how to see the enigmatic statues, plus how to explore the biodiverse, beautiful countryside around them.
Surprisingly little is known about the people who created these burial mounds, who are alternatively called the Cultura del Alto Magdalena (Upper Magdalena Culture) or the Pueblo Escultor (Sculptor People). “The big mystery is why these sculptors disappeared [in the ninth century],” explains archeologist Hernán Ordoñez, who grew up in San Agustín. “Did something happen to the climate? Were there volcanic eruptions? Was it contact—or conflict—with other pre-Hispanic cultures? So far, it’s not clear.”
What we do know is that the megalithic sculptures were artistic manifestations “made with the intention of almost ideological dominance,” says Ordoñez. They were meant to transcend life—perhaps acting as protectors of the living—and include iconographic features making them resemble reptiles, felines, monkeys, and other creatures native to the area. Most of the figures were carved in sitting positions and included embedded messages offering clues about ancient shamanic practices.
The first scientific excavations took place here in the 1910s, though 17th-century tomb raiders had already plundered many sites for golden funerary artifacts. The archeological parks date to 1931; they were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. (See the remote Inca ruins in Peru that rival Machu Picchu.)
Though large-scale scientific excavations mostly took place between the 1960s and 1990s, newer studies, conducted by the Colombian Institute of
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While all living animals require sustenance to fuel their bodies, the relationship between humanity and food is far more complex than simply a means of survival. A wealth of iconic films, television series, and songs have been created to pay homage to dishes all across the globe, and beyond the world of media, each individual culture across the planet is intimately familiar with the concept of “comfort food.” From Louisiana’s jambalaya to Colombia’s ajiaco to South Korea’s tteokbokki, these storied dishes highlight the deep solace that humans can find through a simple meal—and in the modern era, Silent Chef showcases this storied relationship at its most visually stunning.
After damage from heavy rains prompted its closure to travelers in April 2022, northern Peru’s Llaqta de Kuélap ruins—one of the largest ancient monuments in the Americas—has reopened to visitors, with limits in place.
Renowned across the globe for its stunning architecture and vibrant nightlife, New Orleans serves as one of the most unique travel destinations in all of the Lower 48—and as an added bonus, this storied city offers one of the most dazzling dining scenes in all of the Americas. Muffulettas, pralines, and po' boys are just a few of the iconic dishes with strong ties to The Big Easy, and for those wishing to explore the magic of New Orleans in culinary form, there’s a wealth of both iconic and under-the-radar venues to explore.
There are ways to find lesser-traveled trekking routes to reach magnificent Machu Picchu. Here, our Peru expert Luke Waterson, who has contributed to four editions (and running) of the Lonely Planet Peru guide recommends a few.
Even if you have status on every airline under the sun, jet lag is no joke. Whenever I find myself embracing my inner zombie too much, I do two things: hike and hydrate. Both activities instantly wake me up. It doesn’t matter where I am—and as a travel writer, I go through countries like a golden retriever goes through tennis balls—this is my modus operandi. Walk, water, repeat. That said, I don’t carry cumbersome water bottles that leak or constantly need refilling. Whether I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail or exploring Incan ruins in the Andes, the Camelbak M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack is always on my back.
The evening’s victors encompassed Jamaica, triumphing over formidable competition to secure the accolade of the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination.’ Additionally, Jamaica clinched the titles of the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board.’
Spanning from the tangled depths of the Darién Gap to the frigid reaches of southern Patagonia, South America offers a spectacular array of stunning natural landscapes to explore—and as an added bonus, the continent is no stranger to luxury accommodations either. While polished resorts can be found from northern Colombia to the southern tip of Argentina, South America’s resident Relais & Châteaux properties offer a glimpse into the rich culinary culture of each destination, with no shortage of incredible outdoor adventure and wellness experiences to explore along the way.
Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month is on its way to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida with brand new characters, marvelous musical performances and delectable dining delights to be discovered throughout the resort from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2023.
The finest travel brands from across the Caribbean and the Americas have been unveiled at a glittering Gala Ceremony in Saint Lucia. The industry elite travelled from across the region to the paradise island for the World Travel Awards (WTA) Caribbean & The America’s Gala Ceremony 2023 to find out who amongst them had been crowned best of the best.
Twelve minutes. That’s all the time it took for the board of directors of Avianca, the second largest airline in Latin America, to set the fate of the carrier and begin a series of sweeping changes to the airline industry in the region.