Latin America is full of surprises. It has everything from glacier peaks to tropical reefs, and some of the most exclusive travel experiences you could dream of. Yet many luxury travelers still overlook it, thinking it’s not one of the luxury travel destinations worth considering.
Oh, how wrong they are! When done right, Latin America blends high-end comfort with authenticity, offering experiences that stay with you long after the bags are unpacked. These are the ones we keep coming back to.
Here are a few of our favorite VIP adventures across the region, ending with the one closest to our hearts: a stay at your own Costa Rica luxury vacation home.
ENJOY A PRIVATE CRUISE IN THE GALÁPAGOS
Sailing the Galápagos by private yacht charter is one of the most magical travel experiences you could ever have. These stunning volcanic islands are about 500 miles off the coast of Ecuador and inhabited by some of the world’s most unique wildlife. On a private yacht cruise, accompanied by a small crew and expert naturalists, you can island-hop in search of giant tortoises, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, albatross, iguanas and even the northernmost penguins on Earth.
We love how personal these cruises feel and the sheer choice of itinerary. Want to spend longer snorkeling with turtles? The captain adjusts the plan. Prefer sundowners on deck while the frigatebirds soar overhead? Done.
Yacht choices abound but if you can gather 15 of your dearest friends and family, then check out the Aqua Mare.
SLEEP IN A RESTORED HACIENDA IN PERU
High in Peru’s Andes, far from endless crowds of hiking tourists, you’ll find centuries-old haciendas turned into boutique countryside retreats. These estates are not only beautiful but also surrounded by glorious Andean wilderness. The stays are rustic chic, with stone fireplaces and antique furniture, but the stars of the show are the extras. From gourmet Andean dining to horse riding excursions through cloud forests, gems like Inkaterra have a way of transporting you back to Inca times…but with 21st century comforts. Close enough to the Machu Picchu action but remote and exclusive. Perfect.
When we travel here, we love lingering by the fire with a glass of local wine after a spa session, then heading out to explore villages, craft markets or hidden waterfalls. It’s a slow and beautiful journey that disconnects us from the rest of the world.
The Andes might not be the first place you envisage when you think about luxury travel destinations, yet we’ve found that the Peruvian highlands host some of the most charming stays in all of Latin America.
CRUISE THROUGH THE AMAZON IN STYLE
Everyone dreams of an immersive trip to the Amazon, yet not many realize how remote it is, and how it is full of pesky insects that seem to want a piece of you (literally) at every turn. The only real solution to this is a luxury riverboat cruise aboard high-end vessels like Delfin I. These stunning boats bring the Amazon to you and let you soak up the wilderness in sublime comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows make sure you never miss a toucan, dolphin, or sunset, and some vessels even include plunge pools, private balconies, and nightly wine pairings. We still talk about the night we spotted pink dolphins from the deck over dinner!
On board, your days are filled with guided wildlife excursions on smaller zodiac inflatables and visits to remote communities. Evenings are all about fine dining and stargazing. One tip, though: if you prefer to be on the water, mostly, then visit in high-water season. If you’d love some on-land hiking, then cruise in low-water season.
LUXURY LODGING IN THE ATACAMA DESERT
Chile’s Atacama Desert is one of the driest and most inhospitable places on Earth, and also one of the most spellbinding. Now, imagine diving into this otherworldly landscape but staying in an ultra-luxe lodge with all the trimmings? Yes, we thought so too!
While exquisite lodges like Explora Atacama offer a wealth of indulgences, the focus is very much on the destinations. Star gazing nights here are incredibly rewarding, as the Atacama is one of the best spots on Earth to see the night sky in all its glory. Yet, there’s also the spa, the private guides, excursions and food to die for. The best part is that a stay here is all inclusive (yes, the spa, restaurant, excursions, even entrance fees to national parks, all of it).
The rhythm of days here is so addictive: sunrise over flamingo-dotted lagoons, siestas by the pool, and evenings stargazing with a glass of Chilean syrah in hand. It’s a surreal place to vacation, but incredibly comfortable at the same time.
DIVE THE CENOTES OF THE YUCATÁN
Deep in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, hidden beneath the jungle, lie crystal-clear freshwater cenotes once considered sacred by the Maya. Exploring them with oxygen tanks on your back and a private dive guide at your side is unforgettable. You’ll glide through cathedral-like caverns where shafts of sunlight pierce the water and ancient stalactites frame every turn.
What makes this experience special is the serenity. No crowds, no rush, just the echo of water droplets and your own bubbles as you explore one of the world’s most unique underwater landscapes. When we visit, we always bring a picnic to enjoy afterwards, because you never want to rush away from a place like this. It’s peaceful, grounding, and a side of Mexico few people take time to see. Before choosing an operator, ensure you know all about cenote diving.
SPEND A DAY IN BUENOS AIRES BY INVITATION ONLY
Buenos Aires has a glamorous side most visitors never see. When we’re here, we love private tango shows in old mansions, hidden wine tastings with top sommeliers, and late-night dinners in chefs’ own homes.
It’s a city of secrets, and the best ones open only if you know who to ask. For top-notch private experiences in Argentina, see Jadaca Travel and Artisans of Leisure.
TRACK PUMAS IN THE WILDS OF PATAGONIA
If you love luxury travel, wilderness and wildlife in equal measure, head to Chile’s Torres del Paine for a private puma photography tour. taying in remote lodges and haciendas, you’ll take daily guided walks and driving excursions through vast steppe landscapes to see these big cats up close, sometimes within mere feet.
Between sightings, you’ll explore the park’s soaring peaks and turquoise lakes, and see a flurry of other animals like guanacos. It’s raw, remote, and unforgettable, and at the end of each day, you return to a luxury lodge for fine dining and exceptional wines. Various companies offer photo tours in Torres, so kickstart your research with PatagoniaPhoto and Cheesemans Ecology Safaris.
PRIVATE ISLAND ESCAPE IN COLOMBIA
Just off Cartagena’s coast, the Rosario Islands are home to a handful of fully private island resorts where you can book the entire islet for yourself. Arrive by private yacht or helicopter, then spend your days snorkeling over coral reefs, lounging by an infinity pool, or enjoying chef-prepared seafood under the palms. If barefoot luxury with total seclusion and white-glove service is your idea of a VIP experience, then this will definitely satisfy all your whims. See Colombia Collections and Two Travel Concierge for that once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll never forget.
SEE MEXICO’S PYRAMIDS FROM A HOT-AIR BALLOON
Just beyond Mexico City lie the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacán, part of an enormous archaeological complex that’s over 2,000 years old. At its peak, it was one of the world;s largest metropolitan centers, home to an estimated 200,000 people.
The most magical way to see this extraordinary site? From the air, of course!
A private hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán is a phenomenal way to explore the site, although the best time of day is sunrise to set that alarm early. You’ll lift off when it’s still dark and you’ll be silently gliding over the site as the first rays of sunlight touch the Pyramid of the Sun and the Avenue of the Dead. From above, the scale and design of this ancient city are absolutely breathtaking. After landing, enjoy a leisurely champagne toast and a breakfast before returning to the city.
STAY AT THE POINT: COSTA RICA’S HIDDEN GEM
We saved the most personal for last. In Guanacaste, Costa Rica, there is a private estate that offers a kind of luxury that’s difficult to find. The Point Luxury Villa is set at the meeting of two beaches near Tamarindo, where the Pacific sunsets put on a show every evening.
This Costa Rica luxury vacation home accommodates up to 17 guests in suites that open onto sweeping ocean views. It’s the ideal place for small destination weddings, group honeymoons, or family celebrations. The atmosphere is intimate, yet the service is worthy of a five-star resort.
“Every aspect of The Point is designed to deliver effortless luxury,” says our Concierge team. “We cater every stay to our guests and can arrange anything from catamaran charters to hidden waterfall picnics. Or nothing at all. Because sometimes, luxury is just space to breathe.”
READY TO EXPERIENCE LATIN AMERICA LIKE A VIP?
If you are looking for luxury travel destinations that combine beauty, authenticity, and pure indulgence, let The Point be your introduction to Costa Rica at its finest.
Contact The Point’s Concierge Today!
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