Tours of Latin America - Thomas Cook Tours

Scenery and wildlife

Covering a huge area of land, Latin America's scenery ranges from the tropical beaches of Cuba and the steaming jungle of the Amazon to the placid lakes of Patagonia and the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Hundreds of national parks teem with unique and exotic wildlife and if you're lucky you'll see alpaca, llama, flamingos, jaguars, toucans, monkeys, otters, whales and sea lions.

Way of life

Spanish is the official language of most Latin American countries, except Brazil where it's Portuguese. And although you'll hear little English, you won't mistake the genuine warmth of the people wherever you go. Roman Catholicism is strong throughout Latin America so you'll also see many beautiful churches and some gorgeous roadside shrines.

Money

US dollar traveller's cheques are the safest way to carry money and they can be readily changed in banks and hotels. You'll find credit cards are accepted in main cities, but cash is always handy for small purchases. For your security, we recommend you take extra care with cash, cheques and credit cards, using a safety deposit box wherever possible. For true peace of mind it may also be a good idea to leave your jewellery at home.

Cuisine

You'll eat some fantastic food in Latin America. Rice and beans are staples and many delicious dishes are made from them. Ceviche (fish marinated in lemon juice) is a widespread favourite, and you'll find excellent meat, seafood and abundant fresh fruit including coconuts, mangos, papayas and avocados.

Suitable clothing

All our tours involve some walking so you'll need light casual clothing and comfortable shoes. Since showers are common in rainforests, and mountain areas can be cold, bring a waterproof and a warm layer as well. Other essentials include a hat, insect repellent, a swimming costume and high-factor sunscreen as the sun is strong at high altitudes.

Shopping

Bright woven items, ceramics, metal work and wood carvings can all be bought cheaply at markets - but be prepared to haggle! In the elegant, cosmopolitan cities of Buenos Aires and Santiago, designer shopping is relatively cheap and in Cuba, you'll find the world's best rum and cigars.

Taxes

You'll need to pay departure taxes in cash so keep some aside. Rates may change without notice, but are currently: Peru - US$30 (international)/US$5 (domestic flights except Cusco which is US$10); Bolivia - US$25 (international)/US$2.50 (domestic); Brazil - US$2 (domestic); Costa Rica - US$26 (international); Ecuador - US$25 (international)/US$4 (domestic - Galapagos); Cuba - US$25 (international)/US$5 (domestic); Panama - USD$20 (international).

Chile

This long, skinny country stretches almost two thirds the entire length of South America, with the Andes running along one side and the Pacific coastline along the other. From the desert north to the glacial south, the landscape changes dramatically along the way. Chile is the most European in culture of all its neighbours but its vibrant indigenous traditions are still very strong. One of its most intriguing features is Easter Island, with those great carved statues whose origin no-one really knows. You'll find plenty of opportunity on our tours to sample Chile's world-class wine and some wonderful seafood and beef dishes.

Argentina

The land of the smouldering tango and the roaming gaucho cowboy, Argentina is full of romance. Even its scenery is romantic - in the south, the desolate windswept beauty of Patagonia, in the north, thick, damp jungle dissolving into arid steppes, and in the middle, the wide open plains of cattle country. With a deep connection to its gaucho heritage, you'll find beef holds pride of place in the nation's cuisine. But as well as this proud ranching tradition, Argentina also has a rich artistic culture influenced by its European settlers, making Buenos Aires, its capital, as sophisticated as Europe's most cosmopolitan cities.