6 places to hit the road in Latin America
Landscapes in Latin America transition from picture-perfect coastlines through coffee-planted hillsides and glacier-stippled terrain – and will have you clawing for your camera. With road conditions having improved dramatically over the past few decades, a self-drive holiday is one of the best ways to explore this sumptuous scenery at your own pace. Here are our six favourite countries for a self-drive adventure.
1: Mexico
Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula was the cradle of the Mayan civilisation, which first developed around 2000 BC and existed for an astounding 3,500 years. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that this country contains some of the most impressive relics of this society.
On Journey Latin America’s Self-Drive Mexico: Highlights of the Yucatán adventure, you can head inland from beach town Cancún to explore the grand pyramid complexes of the world-famous Mayan sites of Chichén Itzá and Uxmal. En route, you’ll pass along jungle-fringed roads and have the time to stop and appreciate some of Mexico’s other pleasures: opulent, Spanish-founded cities, seafood restaurants and glorious Caribbean beaches.
2: Chile
With some of the best roads in the region, Chile is the ideal choice for a self-drive holiday. Public transport can get you between A and B, but the real magic lies in heading off-grid into the country’s world-renowned national parks.
Widely considered Chile’s best road-trip destination is the Carretera Austral, a semi-paved highway that races between the Andes Mountains and the fjords of Patagonia. This is remote but still accessible terrain: hike through valleys where pumas roam, explore isolated settlements with cypress boardwalks rather than paved roads and hop onto boats to putter through glacial waters to reach pastel-hued marble caves.
Get off the beaten track in Chile with Journey Latin America
3: Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s reputation as the jewel of Central America’s crown isn’t exaggerated; this is a serious country for those seeking out natural splendour.
The roads in Costa Rica are generally well-maintained and the driving pace relaxed. Budget for plenty of time for photographs: you’ll want ample opportunity to absorb the cinematic scenery as you ride past perfectly symmetrical volcanoes or meander through orchid-rich jungle. On your Self-Drive Costa Rica: Coast-to-Coast Adventures trip with Journey Latin America, stop in national parks to seek out the resplendent quetzal hidden away in the cloud forest or just kick back on the country’s balmy beaches, where you might spy sea turtles laying their eggs.
4: Argentina
As the eighth largest country in the world, Argentina has plenty of drivable terrain to get your teeth into. The country’s most famous highway is Ruta 40, a behemoth of a road that travels 5,224 km from north to south. Don’t make any assumptions, however: this is no multi-lane motorway but a diminutive road that frequently dissolves into gravel.
But what you lack in paved surface you gain in scenery. The northern stretches of this fabled route pass through surreal Mars-like landscapes of rippling mountains in bold, mineral colours and cacti-dotted gorges. On Journey Latin America’s Self-Drive Argentina: Highlights of the Hidden North-West route, you’ll experience everything from Cafayate to canyons and everything in between. Recharge your batteries by stopping overnight at charming 18th-century haciendas encircled by vineyards.
5: Cuba
1950s American cars are as symbolic of modern Cuba as its pastel mansions in the capital, Old Havana. While a self-drive tour is unlikely to see you hopping into one of these iconic vehicles, your trip is guaranteed to be just as photogenic – especially with Journey Latin America’s Self-Drive Cuba: Best of the West. As the roads venture deep into the country through tobacco fields tilled by oxen, you might well wonder if you’ve been transported back to the past.
Remember to fill up on fuel at every opportunity to keep moving, you won’t want to miss the sights to be seen.
6: Colombia
Safety has increased considerably in Colombia in the past decade, with the peace accords in 2016 having opened up vast areas of the country that were effectively cordoned off to visitors. As a result, there’s never been a better time to hit the road here.
Coffee country is one of the easiest places to explore under your own steam. Watch as the rolling hillsides of this verdant region fold and rise before you stop at a family-run coffee finca to sample a quality cup of coffee. Keep your eyes trained on the forest when you can: this mega biodiverse country lays claim to the most bird species on the planet.
Buckle up for a road trip in Colombia with Journey Latin America
Can you keep a secret?
Fancy a truly unusual adventure? Volcano-studded Nicaragua is like Costa Rica – just without the crowds. A car gives you the freedom to head deep into this off-radar country, where you’ll find coffee plantations and cloud forests, plus grand cities whose architecture bears the legacy of the Spanish conquest.
Finish your trip at the coast. These scattered bays with picturesque fishing towns, surf breaks and emerald waters rival those up and down the Pacific. Wherever you go in Nicaragua, the pace is chilled; slow down and enjoy the ride.
Explore Nicaragua on a self-drive holiday with Journey Latin America
