Photo of the week: Street art in Rio
This month’s Local Mission is all about appreciating the art beyond gallery walls! Street art in Rio de Janeiro is more than meets the eye. It tells a story of the community, of the people. It provokes thought and dialogue. Since its decriminalization in 2009, street art has become ubiquitous...
Should you feel badly about taking a favela tour?
There are tours, and then there are tours. So-called “slum” tours (or, in Rio de Janeiro, favela tours) are a constant topic of debate in the tourism industry. Should they exist? Can they be done ethically and with sensitivity? Or do they exploit rather than support? There are two ways...
These South American cities are calling your name
Tourism in South America has grown a lot in recent years. The cities are safer, the economy is developing, and the infrastructure is growing. Events like World Cup last year have put the continent on the travel wish lists of anyone who is interested in history, nature, and, of course,...
Photo of the Week: The Baianas of Carnival
We’re sure all of Brazil is still sleeping it off. Carnival — one of the world’s biggest parties — was on last week and, in Rio de Janeiro, we celebrated right along with everyone, partying in the streets with locals and capturing moments like this one: a group of Baianas...
24 hours in: Tijuana
Okay, so you’ve got a mere 24 hours in Tijuana. How are you going to spend it? If you answered shots of tequila at the beach followed by a hangover, step aside, please — you’re in the wrong city. Leave the spring break shenanigans to those other resort towns, and...
The complete guide to: Rio de Janeiro travel
So you’re travelling to Rio de Janeiro — smart choice! This guide will give you everything you need to know about visiting Rio, from getting to and from the airport, to the best Brazilian movies you should see, to the cool local spots you should check out. Getting to and...
A street party guide to Rio Carnival
Mention the Rio de Janeiro Carnival to anyone and the first thing they’ll probably think of is a big parade — the big parade — with everyone dressed in colourful clothes (or not very much clothing at all) and a massive explosion of pure joy. And they’d be right. That’s...
The complete guide to: Cusco travel
So you’re travelling to Cusco — smart choice! Whether you’re here for a quick pre-Machu Picchu visit or staying longer to explore, this guide will give you everything you need to know about visiting Cusco, from getting to and from the airport, to the best Peruvian books you should read,...
24 hours in: Buenos Aires
There’s so much that’s great about Buenos Aires — the food, the wine, the art, the music, the dancing… pretty much everything about it is awesome. And while we could (and you should) spend plenty of days exploring the city streets, there is still lots to see on a short...
The complete guide to: Bogotá travel
So you’re travelling to Bogotá — smart choice! This guide will give you everything you need to know about Bogotá travel, from getting to and from the airport and around the city, to the best books to read before you go, to the cool local spots you should check out. Getting to and...