As temperatures drop and stress levels rise here at home, the thought of heading south for the holidays is starting to sound downright irresistible. But since I’m not the type to just book a week at a ho-hum resort — and I’m lucky enough to work with colleagues from all over the world — I reached out to my Latin American teammates at Vacasa for inspiration. They shared their personal tips on what to see, where to explore, and what to taste in three of our Central and South American destinations: Costa Rica, Belize, and Chile.
Costa Rica: Laid-Back Adventure
Lisle, our Country Manager for Costa Rica, emphasized that his adopted homeland truly offers something for everyone and offers a laid-back pace of life, completely different from most parts of the United States.
“Things move more slowly here,” Lisle told me. In Costa Rica, locals embrace tourism as a central pillar of their economy, so you’re likely to find yourself welcomed cheerfully wherever you go.
Lisle is based in Jacó, a beach town on the Pacific coast. A popular destination for North American tourists, Jacó is also the perfect Costa Rica home base — you can travel easily to the Arenal Volcano, national parks, and other attractions.
Costa Rica’s expansive rainforests make it a hiker’s paradise, with ziplining, surfing, snorkeling, fishing, and horseback riding presenting tempting alternatives. It’s an ideal place for an active vacation.
One of the best ways to experience Costa Rica is to check out a local festival or other special event. An occasion like the Zapote Festival in December, a rodeo-style fair held in a small town just north of San José, allows you to steep yourself in authentic Costa Rican culture.
Jacó itself boasts a laid-back nightlife and a diverse array of dining choices. Lisle recommended three local eateries in particular: Graffiti, Kaya, and Lemon Zest. When I asked for the local must-try dish, Lisle named chifrijo, a Costa Rican variant on the popular Latin American dish chicharrón. Chifrijo combines red beans, rice, and pico de gallo with rich fried pork. Café con leche - bold Costa Rican coffee served with scalded milk - is a breakfast staple for locals and visitors alike.
Lisle urges visitors to avoid resorts and all-inclusive vacations. Costa Rica is so safe and approachable that you’ll be just fine in local accommodations, whether that means a boutique hotel or a vacation rental.
However, Lisle did recommend against renting a car yourself, as many locations lack addresses, making navigation confusing. Instead, he says, rely on taxis — they’re ubiquitous and cheap. And whatever you do, don’t exchange your money at the airport - the exchange rates are much better elsewhere.
Belize: The Hidden Escape
If your goal to get away from it all, then Belize is your dream destination. Located on the eastern coast of Central America, Belize is sparsely populated, with a rich indigenous history and a sense of undiscovered marvels around every corner.
Our Country Manager for Belize, Rudy, told me that a visitor can experience world-class snorkeling, a hike through a rainforest, and a tour of a Mayan ruin all in the space of one day. In particular, Rudy recommended that visitors check out Barton Creek Cave, a geological gem with plenty of Mayan history that is only accessible by canoe.
Canoeing and kayaking are popular throughout Belize, as is cross-country biking. True enthusiasts can watch or participate in the Cross Country Cycling Classic, an amateur race held around Easter that covers more than 140 miles and attracts athletes from around the world.
Belize is home to one of the world’s largest coral reefs, the Belize Barrier Reef, which is also its most popular tourist attraction. Scuba diving and snorkeling are huge draws, and the reef plays a key role in Belize’s economy, which is largely driven by fishing and farming.
Belize’s cuisine blends elements of Mayan, African, Chinese, Indian, Latin American, and even Mennonite cooking to produce a uniquely cosmopolitan taste. Annual mango and lobster festivals underscore the centrality of these foods to the Belizean culture and cuisine, and give visitors a ripe opportunity to experience local life.
Chile: Cosmopolitan Culture
Craving warm weather, European-style shopping and museums, or a tour of celebrated vineyards? Head even farther south.
Pablo, Vacasa’s General Manager for South America, notes that Chile attracts visitors from throughout the continent (particularly Argentina, Brazil, and Peru) giving the country a cosmopolitan vibe.
This is especially true of Santiago, the capital of Chile and its foremost tourist destination. Santiago boasts a rich history and unforgettable architecture, and it plays host to the biggest concerts in South America. Be prepared to hear everything from Italian to German to Mandarin on the city’s narrow, winding streets.
Pablo recommends a trip to Cerro San Cristóbal, an urban park that is the second-highest point in Santiago. You can reach Cerro San Cristóbal by cable car to explore its chapel and sanctuary, including a 70-foot statue of the Virgin Mary, as well as local vendors selling distinctive souvenirs and Chilean snacks.
Pablo’s descriptions of Santiago actually reminded me a little bit of my adopted hometown of Portland, Oregon: A beautiful city with wonderful food and culture, but within easy reach of ocean beaches to the west and snow-capped mountains to the east.
Seaside resort towns like Reñaca and Viña del Mar (nicknamed “The Garden City”) are only 90 minutes from Santiago. And, of course, people from all over the world travel to Chile during the antipodal winter: ski slopes and chalet-style accommodations are only about an hour from downtown Santiago.
Chile also offers more rugged travel experiences, especially as you travel further south. Torres del Paine is a world-famous national park in Chile’s southern Patagonia region, full of lakes, rivers, glaciers, and mountains.
For a completely different outdoor experience, head north to San Pedro de Atacama. Located at nearly 8,000 feet, this arid high plateau features otherworldly desert landscapes, including one area called Valle de la Luna (“Valley of the Moon”). It’s one of the driest places on Earth, and home to the ruins of Chilean salt mines.
San Pedro de Atacama is also home to the internationally recognized R.P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum and the noted Llano de Chajnantor Observatory. It’s just one of many scientific observatories in Chile — which I was surprised to learn has been called the Astronomy Capital of the World!
What do Chileans nibble on between stargazing and ski trips? Pablo told me not to miss traditional empanadas, savory dumplings filled with cheese, seafood, or ground beef. There’s also pastel de choclo, a sweetcorn dish seasoned with basil.
While Chile is known for its wine—especially Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carmenère grapes — the locals’ favorite beverage is mote con huesillo, a nonalcoholic summer drink traditionally sold by street vendors. A sweet, clear nectar made from dried peaches cooked in sugar and cinnamon, mote con huesillo is such a distinctively Chilean drink that it inspired the expression, “Más chileno que el mote con huesillos” or “More Chilean than a mote con huesillos.”
My mouth is watering and my bags are packed. From the weather to the flavors to the local culture, these trips offer the kind of warmth I’m craving this holiday season.