After crossing the border from Peru, Arica was my first stop in Chile. It's a mid-sized beach and desert city in the northern part of the country. I spent a couple of nights there, but honestly, I wouldn't have missed much if I had skipped it. The beach wasn't picturesque, and the city didn't contain … Continue reading Arica and Iquique
south america
Peru recap
Peru was the country on my South America itinerary that I was least excited about, but I was so wrong to have underestimated it. I fell in love with the country. It doesn't matter what kind of scenery or vibe you're looking for (lakes, mountains, beaches, rainforests, big cities, history, food)--you'll find it in Peru. … Continue reading Peru recap
Arequipa and Colca Canyon
Travel fatigue is a thing. It's the best problem to have--I mean, seriously, what kind of person gets tired of traveling? (Ungrateful people like me, that's who.) All the feels got to me in Arequipa, my last stop in Peru. This is going to be a "Woe is me, I get to travel" blog post. … Continue reading Arequipa and Colca Canyon
Huacachina and Nazca
After a couple of nights in Paracas, I continued heading south to Huacachina and Nazca. HUACACHINA Like Paracas, the desert oasis of Huacachina is a backpacker hotspot, partly due to its close proximity to Lima. Some operators in Lima offer a full-day tour to Paracas and Huacachina, but it's a lot to fit into one … Continue reading Huacachina and Nazca
Paracas
Paracas is only about 3.5 hours from Lima, so it's a popular stop for backpackers in Peru. Once in Paracas, many visitors opt for tours to Islas Ballestas, a group of islands teeming with birds and sea lions, and the national reserve. It's easy to fit both into one day, with a cruise to Islas … Continue reading Paracas