Latin America tours & holidays

Latin America encompasses Central and South America, including Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and the Caribbean Islands.

Whether or not you need a visa to travel to Latin America depends on the individual country you're visiting and the nationality of your passport.

Each country in Latin America has its own entry and visa requirements, so it's best to do your own research before you travel.

For example, nationals from the US, Australia, Canada, the UK and New Zealand don't need to obtain a visa before visiting most South American countries. Still, it's always wise to double-check well before your intended arrival.

Internet access in Latin America can vary from country to country and between different regions in that country.

Most hotel chains or other accommodation options in major cities will have wi-fi, so connecting to the Internet will be easy.

An international SIM card with a local provider is recommended if you'd rather have no restrictions (and no exorbitant data roaming fees). This still doesn't mean you're guaranteed access to the Internet, though, as the signal is often limited or unreliable in rural areas such as Argentina, Peru and Colombia.

The toilet facilities in Latin America differ depending on which country you're in and what region of that country you're in.

Most major cities have westernised toilet facilities in places such as restaurants and hotels, but the further from urban areas you are, the less likely you'll find these types of toilets, so set your expectations accordingly.

One thing to note is that you'll be asked not to flush toilet paper down the toilet. Plumbing systems in most Latin American countries aren't equipped to handle toilet paper. Instead, bathrooms usually have a small sanitation bin beside the toilet to dispose of toilet paper.

In most Latin American countries such as Belize, Guatemala, Brazil and Peru, drinking tap water isn't recommended.

This also means you should brush your teeth with bottled or filtered water, be mindful when showering, ask for drinks without ice in them and peel your fruit and vegetables before you eat them.

The two Latin American countries where tap water is generally considered safe to drink are Chile and Colombia; however, you might still get an upset stomach due to the different mineral content.

For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, bring a reusable water bottle that can be filled with filtered water. Your leader or hotel can tell you where to find filtered water.

The best time to visit Latin America is between December and April, when days are nice and dry with reasonably warm but comfortable temperatures. However, this time is also peak season, so expect large attractions to be crowded and accommodation prices to be increase.

If you want nice weather without all of the tourists, try travelling during a shoulder season (September - November or (April - May).

Tipping is generally expected by tourists in Latin America, with a gratuity of 10% being the average amount. Most restaurants will add a service charge to your bill, but it's also expected that you leave a 10% tip. However, it's more or less voluntary as some countries don't have a strong tipping culture.

The most used currency in Latin America is the peso, which is used in 7 countries; Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Uruguay.

What currency you'll need depends on where in Latin America you're going.

Some other currencies include the Brazilian Real (BRL), the Peruvian Sol (PEN), the Costa Rican Solon (CRC) and the Honduran Lempira (HNL). Some Latin American countries also accept United States Dollars (USD).

Cash is still widely used in Latin America and in some countries, is the preferred form of payment, so you should definitely have cash on you during your tour.

Your leader can tell you the closest and most reliable ATMs if you didn't change over money at the airport.

Discretion is advised for LGBTQIA+ travellers visiting Latin America.

Although some countries are more tolerant and accepting than others (Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is considered to be the gay capital of Latin America), public displays of affection between same-sex couples are still heavily frowned upon in some countries and countries such as Bolivia still have homosexuality laws in place. 

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex before you travel.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.