Published 28th Jun. 2021
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Latin America is a region of many characters; football is practically a religion; the steak is the best in the world (and the only vegetarian item you're likely to find on the menu is a mojito) and the jeans are very, very tight. It's also a continent awash with colour - from bright woven textiles that hark back to indigenous populations to lush tropical flora and fauna. Travelling to Latin America means experiencing something of an optical assault by Planet Earth's very own mind-blowing colour wheel. And if that hasn't persuaded you, a dose of drool-worthy travel photography should do the trick...
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is divided into no less than 48 barrios (neighbourhoods), the most colourful of which is La Boca in the capital's southeastern corner. The area is best known for its brightly coloured houses, a tradition brought over by Italian immigrants who continued their custom of painting homes with the leftovers from painting their boats. These days La Boca is populated predominantly by artists and immigrants from other Latin American countries, lending La Boca an idiosyncratic feel and a penchant for playing by its own rules.
Guatemala
Modern Guatemalan culture sits at the crossroads between its indigenous Mayan roots, colonial tradition and modern Latin American influences. For a slice of authentic Guatemala head to Chichicastenango, a mountain village in the south, whose market attracts vendors from surrounding villages and visitors from around the globe. The market is a kaleidoscope of colour comprising woven textiles, wooden masks and fresh produce.
Belize
For any dive enthusiasts in the audience, Belize's Great Blue Hole is one to add to the bucket list (if you haven't already). The perfectly circular blue sinkhole is located 60 miles off the coast of Central Belize, in the Lighthouse Reef System, and is filled with countless species of marine life including angelfish, sponges, barracudas and different species of shark, as well as impressive coral formations and extraordinary stalactites.
Brightly-coloured crabs, blue-footed boobies, crimson and black flamingos, orange iguanas and myriad weird and wonderful marine creatures - we can only be talking about the Galapagos Archipelago. Historic isolation means the animals have no fear of man so, unlike pretty much anywhere else on the planet, you can get really up close and personal.
Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth, crammed with a greater variety of animals and plants than you can shake a stick at. Although we don't particularly advise that. Its key stats could boggle the best of brains: about 25% of Costa Rica is blanketed by national parks and it is home to 10,000 species of plant and tree, 580 species of bird and 205 species of mammal. All of which come in a multitude of sizes, shapes and colours.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Meet Jean-Francois Rial, CEO of Voyageurs du Monde – the French tour operator that’s been Original Travel’s parent company since 2017. A passionate advocate for sustainable travel, he’s been proposing ways for the industry to play its part in protecting the planet. Off the clock, he also runs an organic vegetable farm in France’s Orne region, proving that even CEOs can get their hands dirty. Intrigued by the people shaping the future of travel?
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Just stepped off the Shinkansen, explored the vibrant streets of Tokyo and had your fill of ramen? Then you’ll know Japan is dazzling, and a little hectic at times. That’s where temples come in – and with over 150,000 sacred sites across the country, you’ll see signs for otera (temple) and jinja (shrine), everywhere. Follow them and find peaceful pavilions, meet resident deer bowing for a biscuit or two and even tiptoe through ninja hideouts filled with secret rooms.
27th April 2026 - Japan Travel Inspiration
Introducing travel heroes: individuals who inspire us with their innovation, dedication and creativity within the travel industry. These are people who embody the Original Travel mission and values in their work and who deserve a moment in the spotlight. Developed from our Original Traveller feature, read on as we celebrate our favourite global champions of sustainability, cultural heritage and conservation.
20th April 2026 - Travel Inspiration
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