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Climbing Cotopaxi

When it comes to memorable travel experiences in Latin America, climbing the nearly perfect conical shaped Cotopaxi Volcano really stands out. Around 60km from Quito, the volcano is centre-piece of Cotopaxi National Park, a paradise for adventure and nature lovers, and also the highest active volcano in the world.

It is a beautiful volcano and the sort you imagine when thinking volcanoes. But also a high one and a pretty tough one to climb! Although not technical, crampons and ice axes are required and from the refuge, which is used as a base camp, it takes around 6 hours of solid climbing to reach the summit at 5,987 metres.

Cotopaxi was also once worshiped by Ecuador’s ancient civilizations and the summit was considered to be where God resided. As the sun rose all around me, and having climbed for several hours with my path illuminated by a full moon, I felt the mountain gods had been truly kind and left me breathless (literallly!).

M/Y Letty

This superior first-class yacht accommodates no more than 20 guests and features three decks of spacious staterooms. There’s a dining room, well-stocked bar and conference area with a flat screen TV, library and panoramic picture windows. Or you can relax in a lounge chair on the sun deck, enjoying sea breezes and a sky full of stars.

Casa Opuntia

Located close to Playa de Oro beach, Casa Opuntia is one of the best options on San Cristobál. The hotel offers 13 cozy air-conditioned rooms, an open-air restaurant and private outdoor pool.

Floreana Lava Lodge

Built on the black lava sands at the ocean’s edge, this comfortable lodge offers 10 cabins and a common area where guest can relax and witness stunning sunsets. The lodge has kayaks, snorkel gear and stand up paddle boards for the more active.

Casa Natalia

Located in the historic centre of San Jose del Cabo, Casa Natalia is a chic boutique hotel with 19 rooms. The grounds are an oasis of palm trees and bougainvillea with cascading waterfalls and a heated outdoor swimming pool. The hotel has a restaurant on site and a beach club around five minutes from the hotel.

Cala Luna

Located on Langosta Beach, next to Tamarindo, Cala Luna is an eco-friendly and luxurious resort with a range of rooms and villas linked by paths that weave through the lush tropical setting. Facilities include a gourmet restaurant, lounge and the Shanka Spa.

Santo Tomás Hotel

This large, colonial style hotel in the centre of Chichicastenango is filled with colonial antiques and has lovely central gardens as well as a large restaurant and bar. Rooms are spacious and nicely decorated.

Panamonte Inn

Continuously open since 1914, this comfortable hotel offers 25 rooms with en-suite bathrooms and is an ideal base for exploring the Chiriqui Highlands. The hotel’s restaurant is particularly renowned for its gourmet cuisine while for the more active there are opportunities for birdwatching, river rafting, canopy tours and hiking and riding through the surrounding forest.

Punta Caracol

Located just off Isla Colón, and 20 minutes by boat from Bocas del Toro Airport, this incredible eco-lodge consists of just 9 exclusive hand crafted cabins on stilts built over the Caribbean Sea. With stunning views from the private verandas and terrace it is the perfect place to relax while for the more active canoeing, snorkelling and hiking is available.

Coral Lodge

A rustic and romantic eco-lodge on the mainland bordering the San Blas Archipelago, Coral Lodge has just six over water bungalows from where you can snorkel straight from your own private deck. Facilities include a dive centre, freshwater swimming pool, restaurant, spa and an over water snack bar.