Puntarenas to Valparaiso

Puntarenas is the capital and largest city in the province Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and is one of the country’s most important tourist regions. Its coasts are decked with plenty of islands, inlets, beaches and beautiful natural treasures, many of which lie within protected zones, and it is also home to some of the country’s highest mountain peaks. Of great interest is a small ‘old town’ where the buildings are of both historical and architectural interest. Read more about Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Located on Costa Rica’s south Pacific coast near the border of Panama, the small port city of Golfito is a spectacular tropical hideaway situated across from the Osa Peninsula on the Golfo Dulce. It lies on a narrow strip of land along Golfito Bay and is backed against steep green hills covered with pristine rain forest. Once a major banana growing region, due to disease and worker unrest the company closed down. Read more about Golfito, Costa Rica

Cocos Island (Isla del Coco) is located 500 km SW of Costa Rica, in the Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos Islands lie a further 700 km to the SW of Cocos Island. It is an oceanic island of both volcanic and tectonic origin, one of the National Parks of Costa Rica, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more about Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Cocos Island (Isla del Coco) is located 500 km SW of Costa Rica, in the Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos Islands lie a further 700 km to the SW of Cocos Island. It is an oceanic island of both volcanic and tectonic origin, one of the National Parks of Costa Rica, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more about Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Lima, although a sprawling desert city, is the capital and largest city of Peru. The Historic centre of Lima is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, visit the Plaza Mayor with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Read more about Lima (Callao), Peru

Paracas (aka Parakas) is a small town on the coast in the Ica Region of Peru. Ica is known as an area of sand, sea, oases and valleys. It is the cradle of Peru's Creole culture, saints and medicine men, where the best pisco brandy is distilled and where religious fervour is strong in the worship of the Señor de Luren or the Yauca shrine. Read more about Paracas, Peru

The seaside resort city of Arica in the north of Chile lies just 18 km south of the border with Peru. Known as the City of Eternal Spring - as it is sunny virtually every day of the year - it is located on the coast of the driest desert in the world. It has a great beach where visitors can enjoy the sun and take a swim. Read more about Arica, Chile

Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, about 1,130 km north of Santiago. The last decade has seen a steady growth in the areas of construction, retail, hotel accommodations, population growth, and remarkable skyline development, mainly due to becoming a major mining centre. However, with its 20 km of beachfront and mild, dry climate it has also developed as a year-round beach resort. Read more about Antofagasta, Chile

Coquimbo is a port city and capital of the Elqui Province, located on the Pan-American Highway, in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. Tourism has recently started to develop, particularly as an access point for popular beach towns to the south, such as the fisherman’s cove of Guanaqueros, and Tongoy, with its famous 5km beach of white sand. Then there is La Serena, the capital of the region, with multiple attractions from architecture to beaches and shopping. Read more about Coquimbo, Chile

Santiago is the capital of Chile, 90 minutes drive from its port Valparaiso. Santiago has easy access both to ski slopes just 50 km to the Andes, and beaches 100 km to the Pacific. Chile's steady economic growth has transformed Santiago into one of Latin America's most modern metropolitan areas, with dozens of shopping centers and impressive high-rises. Read more about Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile