Central America & South America

A Closer Look With Collette

From cloud forests and ancient ruins to colorful cities and coastal villages, Central and South America reward travelers who are willing to look beyond the surface. Designed and led by local experts, Collette journeys celebrate the distinct character of each destination while handling the logistics behind the scenes. With more than 100 years of guided travel experience, we make it easy to explore throughout South and Central America with confidence.

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Our Small Group Explorations brochure makes it easy to find the journey that's right for you. Explore tour details and expert recommendations that help you choose between the region's most extraordinary experiences. The perfect Central & South America trip is just a page turn away.

Backed by a Century of Experience

We've been the leader in guided travel since 1918. That’s over 100 years building relationships and regional expertise that help travelers push beyond the expected and into the extraordinary with every trip. Discover South or Central America with the insight that only comes from careful logistical planning and a local’s deep understanding of their surroundings.

Beyond the Must-Sees

Machu Picchu and the Galápagos are bucket-list destinations for a reason. But some of the most memorable moments happen when you venture outside that checklist. That's why our tour designers and managers curate journeys that balance celebrated sights with surprising discoveries and local secrets, revealing a richer picture of every destination.

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Deeper Cultural Connection

Talk with an Argentinian gaucho about ranch life. Learn how to make ceviche from a Peruvian chef. Uncover weaving traditions passed down through generations. Foray into a world of encounters that are designed around connection and culture, not where your tour coach is supposed to stop next.

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Travel With Meaning

Travel is about more than seeing new places — it's about understanding the people who call them home. At Collette, we curate our tours to include responsible travel initiatives and Impact Moments that help support and protect the communities we visit. The result is a journey that leaves you with a broader perspective, not just beautiful views.

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Stay in the Experience

The places you stay should be part of the journey. Unwind in a lush jungle resort or sleep on a tatami mat in a traditional Japanese inn — every stay is selected to immerse you in the destination while providing the comfort and hospitality you expect.

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Time To Explore More

Meaningful travel takes time. With thoughtfully paced itineraries and multi-night stays, you'll have the opportunity to slow down, look closer, and experience each destination in greater depth. The result is a richer journey that's energizing rather than exhausting.

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Central & South America FAQs: Patagonia

What should I pack for Patagonia?

The weather is everchanging. Layers are key! Waterproof shoes and pants are a must, and don’t forget basics like gloves, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Read more packing tips here.

What is the weather like, exactly?

It’s unpredictable, and that’s part of what makes this destination perfect for the adventurous traveler! You can end up getting all four seasons in a single day. The biggest factor? The wind. Read more packing tips here.

What’s an expedition ship like?

Most days, there will be two excursions — one in the morning, one in the afternoon. You’ll wake up, have breakfast, and then get all your gear on, including a life vest, and head to the disembarkation area for your adventures that day. It’s worth noting that you’ll need to use stairs between levels of the ship to board and disembark, as there are no elevators.

The boat ride between ship and land aboard a Zodiac is typically about 10 minutes. Back on board, your daily evening briefings will get you ready for the next day’s experiences, and then it’s time to relax and enjoy educational talks and incredible dining each night.

The best part? All your off-ship excursions are with a naturalist guide because you’re exploring in the remotest part of the world.

Central & South America FAQs: Peru

How do I pack for Peru?

There will be a lot of walking, so broken-in, comfortable, preferably waterproof shoes are key. Peru’s warmest months are December through April, when the average daily temperature ranges between about 70ºF and 80ºF (21ºC and 27ºC) on the coast and about 54ºF and 75ºF (12ºC and 24ºC) in the more mountainous regions. But even in the cool season, the average daily high temp is about 69ºF (29ºC). So bring summer clothes — don’t forget a hat, swimsuit, rain jacket, and sunglasses, in addition to loose-fitting shorts, pants, and t-shirts.

Let’s talk about cash.

The currency in Peru is the nuevo sol (S/), divided into 100 céntimos. Coins are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 céntimos and bank notes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 soles.

Local currency is required for shops, taxis, and hotels. USD may not be accepted. It is recommended to have a supply of small denominations for convenience. Your personal bank card may work at the local ATM and would dispense local currency. Check with your bank before you leave.

Tell me about the boat on the Machu Picchu & Galapagos Wonders tour.

Staterooms are small, containing one or two beds with limited free space. Stateroom 1 has a queen-sized bed. Stateroom 2 has two twin-sized beds. Staterooms 3 and 4 each have a full-sized bed and a twin. All rooms have a private bathroom and shower.

We can’t guarantee which stateroom you’ll be booked in. If you are traveling solo, you may upgrade to the Upper Deck Category, located on the Sky Deck. This upgrade is only available for a single traveler. This stateroom has one full-sized bed.

Central & South America FAQs: Costa Rica

How do you pack for Costa Rica?

Despite having a dry and rainy season, there are parts of Costa Rica that are always subject to rain. Monteverde gets about 120 inches/305 centimeters of rain each year.

Our tours cover the country and include beaches, rainforests, and cities. Comfortable waterproof shoes, a light rain jacket, long pants, and shorts will all come in handy. Dressing in layers is always wise. Don’t forget your sunscreen, bug spray, and hats!

Let’s talk about cash.

The currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colon, however U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere we visit on our tour for purchases and tipping. Credit cards are also widely accepted. You can use your bank card at an ATM to get cash out in the local currency. When you shop with U.S. dollars, change will be given in Costa Rican colones in bills and coins according to the exchange rate.

What’s the zipline like?

On Costa Rica: A World of Nature:

The ziplining experience on Costa Rica World of Nature lasts approximately two-and-a-half hours, with the entire length of the zipline course reaching 2.7 miles. Travelers take a tram up to the top of the Arenal reserve where this experience takes place, then travel down ziplines back to the bottom. In total, there are seven zipline cables with distances varying from 100 to 2,460 feet in length, with a max height of 660 feet, which is above the tree line, allowing for stunning views of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding area.

On Tropical Costa Rica:

During the Canopy Adventure ziplining experience on Tropical Costa Rica, travelers will zip through the park on 13 cables of various lengths. There are 15 platforms over a distance of approximately 4 kilometres. The highest line is 590 feet above the ground, and the longest single cable is .62 miles long. There is a considerable amount of climbing and hiking between several platforms along the route, both at the start and between some platforms. The climbs are a mixture of paved steps and forest floor, all at an incline, and the entire activity takes place at an outdoor park approximately 4,000+ feet in altitude above sea level.