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South American Adventures for Two!

By Molly Kendrick February 10, 2015
It's important for couples to go on trips that will make them remember what they love about each other. For your next vacation, get a babysitter and focus on having fun with your partner, instead of only choosing activities that work for your kids. While you're abroad, make it your goal to try something that neither of you has done before. An adrenaline rush or two will make your time together all the more memorable.

South America has some of the most easily accessible natural wonders in the world. Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru all have stunning sights and adventurous activities. The vacation destinations we've picked combine adventure, scenery, and excitement that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

And since it's just the two of you, you don't have to be as budget-conscious as you would with the kids along for the trip. Splurge on a swanky, downtown hotel, or find a romantic, secluded B&B in the countryside.

Costa Rica - Whitewater Rafting and Rappelling

In Costa Rica, you can conveniently fit in a number of adventurous activities during your stay. It's easy to find instructors and tours for any of these activities. These are adventures that will elevate your adrenaline and make you feel like you've made a full departure from the daily grind.

Arenal is a popular Costa Rican destination for outdoor activities. This part of Costa Rica has an unparalleled amount of biodiversity. You’ll see exotic plants and animals in their natural habitat, an environment that changes dramatically depending on the elevation.

While you're in Arenal, visit the dormant volcano at Cerro Chato. It's a challenging hike, but well worth the effort. At the summit, you'll arrive at a lake in the crater. This lake is bright blue, and surrounded by the Costa Rican rainforest.

If you've ever been rock climbing, you know that the most exciting part of the experience is the rappel down the rock face. Rappelling in Arenal allows you to see waterfalls up close, as you rappel down a luminous cascade that flows over the side of a cliff.

Arenal also has an abundance of hot springs. Hot springs are heated by the same geothermal energy that simmers inside the dormant volcano. At Paradise Hot Springs, you can go back and forth between hot and cold springs. Los Perdidos Springs has a bar next to the pool, and boasts waters that are full of restorative minerals. Ease into one of these pools after a long day of hiking, for a romantic dip in nature’s Jacuzzi.

Guatemala - Lake Atitlán and the Maya

Guatemala's Lake Atitlán is renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. In spite of its growing popularity, there are still places that allow for quiet contemplation all along its shore. You can visit the bustling lakeshore villages of San Pedro La Laguna or Panajachel for a taste of local culture. Dormant volcanoes surround the lake, so you have a selection of hikes that can give you the best possible view of the water. The village of San Pedro sits on the side of the San Pedro Volcano, one of the most popular spots for a hike. This can be a tricky area to navigate, so be sure to hire a guide before you go. 



Guatemala also has some of the best preserved Mayan ruins in the world. The Mayan site of Tikal is located in the middle of Tikal National Park. You can book one-day or multi-day tours of this stunningly intact ruin. While hiking through the surrounding jungle, you'll have the opportunity to see exotic species of birds, including the resplendent quetzal, which is the colorful national bird of Guatemala.

Peru - Backpacking to Machu Picchu

Peru has some of the oldest and most mysterious ruins on the planet. Machu Picchu is the most famous, but there's much more to the Inca than this one complex. You'll get a better idea of the scope of the Inca kingdom by hiking through their territory, on either the Salkantay Trail or the classic Inca Trail. Once you arrive at Machu Picchu, you'll have seen a stunning swath of their kingdom.

Both of these hikes end with a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the iconic city of the Inca. No matter which hike you choose, plan to spend a few days in Cusco beforehand to get used to the elevation - Machu Picchu is 7,972 feet (2,430 m) above sea level. Even for couples that stay active, these hikes can be grueling if you haven't yet adjusted to the thin, mountain air.



Much of the Inca Trail still has stone pavement that the Inca built. Take the Salkantay route if you're looking for a route with fewer fellow hikers. The Salkantay trip takes about 5 days, but you can do the Inca Trail as either a 2-day or 5-day backpacking excursion.

In order to take one of these trips, you must go with an official guide. To keep the trails well maintained, the government only allows a certain number of people on the trail at a time. With a guide, you'll usually also get someone to cook your meals, and have porters to help carry necessities.

The Inca Trail brings you through the heart of the Inca's territory. You'll hike past agricultural terraces, military forts, and enjoy some of the most breathtaking views in all of Peru. Warmi Wañusa is the trail's highest point, and is 13,800 feet (4,200 m) above sea level.

If you take the Salkantay route, you'll get to pause at the ceremonial center of Tarawasi, a complex of low walls that form interesting shapes. The highest point on Salkantay, El Paso, is also 13,800 feet (4,200 m) above sea level.

Molly Kendrick is a part-time traveler and freelance writer for Anywhere Travel. Anywhere can help you discover destinations in Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, and Guatemala, and will create your customized travel plan for free.