South America

Drink some Peruvian coffee

Kick-start your day with a few shots of the finest Peruvian coffee. Much of Peru’s coffee comes from certified organic farmers and is known for its vanilla-toned sweetness and nutty, aromatic flavor . If you are feeling adventurous, try one of Lima’s traditional herb-infused drinks such as emoliente. The water is boiled with grains, herbs, and sugar, or with the addition of maca, a traditional root from the high Andes.

Discover the fascinating history of Lima

Learn about the Peruvian capital’s history starting at Lima’s main square, Plaza Mayor (or Plaza de Armas), a thirty-minute drive from Miraflores. This UNESCO World Heritage site is surrounded by other heritage buildings, including the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral of Lima . From there, explore the city center’s pedestrian-only Jirón de la Unión and find your way to the Museum of Inquisition and Congress, which tells the bloody — and torturous — history of the Spanish Inquisition.

Wildlife

Though fairly small, Costa Rica is home to half a million different species — one in every twenty-five types of plants, insects, and animals in the world! As you might expect, this variety ensures that there's weird and wonderful wildlife in Costa Rica. Don’t be surprised if you come across cute capuchin monkeys, brightly colored frogs, and noisy toucans.

In the country’s nature reserves, you can try to spot an ocelot. Although very rarely seen in the wild, this big-pawed wild cat is definitely one of Costa Rica’s highlights. Ocelots can be found at wildlife sanctuaries like the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park. If you like more curious-looking creatures, there are tapirs and three-toed sloths.