A new podcast on Costa Rica concludes a series of five looking at Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Costa Rica. Ever wondered what you can do in a six-week tour of Latin America? Links are below.
Latin America: Costa Rica
This most recent podcast, released in late June, explores the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica including Nosara Beach; San Jose; the Poas volcano; and what it’s like driving around Costa Rica. I was in the country from 8-17 December 2025.
Colombia
In the light of the challenging political and security situation in Colombia in 2026, I’m pleased I visited in 2025. Or is it better now? Discuss. In a visit from 4-8 December 2025 I spent a couple of days each in former-drugs-hub-turned-regeneration-poster-child Medellin, and Cartagena, which was not only a Caribbean surprise, but also one of the hottest places I’ve ever visited. Incredible people, incredible country.
Ecuador
I went to Ecuador to see the Galapagos. I ended up discovering an extraordinary country. Climbing a tiny bit of a gigantic volcano, Cotopaxi, was a highlight; the capital, Quito, was a beautifully-preserved revelation. I’m now looking for an excuse to go back… I was here from 27 November to 4 December 2025.
Peru
Peru is a country familiar in our imaginations, from images of Machu Picchu, Cusco and the relics of the Sacred Valley. What I found, visiting from 20-27 November, was a wild assault on the senses, from food and drink (who really makes the best Pisco Sour?) to altitude, climate and archaeology. Another place to which I’d love to return.
Chile
From fruit-and-nut terror at Santiago Airport on my arrival in Latin America to glacier ice in my whisky in Patagonia, Chile offered a kaleidoscope of variety. I was cold nearly all the time, shivering in the chill winds of the fjords, snowfields and Ruta del Fin del Mundo, experiencing chilly nights in the Atacama Desert, and climbing the Osorno Volcano. But who can fail to feel a thrill crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, wandering geyser fields before the dawn, or passing between the jagged peaks of the Torres del Paine?
What to do next
Feel free to explore the shortcuts above. They lead to Spotify, but you can actually find my podcasts on Apple or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Subscriptions welcome! So far I’ve produced 75 podcasts on subjects from Russia/Ukraine to complete short stories and interviews. I’d love to hear your feedback on the content, or on what else you’d like me to talk about. A generic shortcut to all my podcasts is here.
For more travel writing, check out my travel and world wonders tags.
