In 2008, I decided to take a proper winter break to fulfill one of my dream trips — an 8 week journey of discovery through Central and South America. My adventure started with the “3D Image Capture & Applications” conference in San José, California, at the end of the month. After the conference, I took eight weeks off to explore. First, a couple of days in San Francisco, before flying to Mexico City on February 1 to reconnect with friends from previous stays in Mexico.
In Mexico City, I spent a few days soaking up the city’s vibrant energy, before heading to León for about a week—the city where I had lived for half a year back in 2005. After that, a weekend in Monterrey followed, before I flew down to the Yucatán Peninsula and Mexico’s stunning Caribbean coast. I spent a few days on Isla Mujeres, a beautiful island just off Cancún, known for its turquoise waters and relaxed vibe.
Next, I ventured south to Belize, a tiny country bursting with pristine beaches, before heading inland to explore the ancient Maya city of Tikal, nestled deep in the Guatemalan jungle. From there, I continued to Semuc Champey in Guatemala, which has beautiful nature and stunning natural freshwater pools. I also visited Antigua, Guatemala—a charming colonial city and one of the country’s most popular destinations. My last stop in Guatemala was the village of San Pedro La Laguna, which lies by the stunning Lake Atitlán.
The journey continued to Granada in Nicaragua, a picturesque and lively student town.
From Granada, I traveled to San José, Costa Rica, and then further down to the stunning Bocas del Toro archipelago off Panama’s coast. After a few days exploring these tropical islands, I flew to Panama City to visit the famous canal and experience life in the bustling capital.
For the final two weeks of my adventure, I explored Chile and Argentina. Highlights included Santiago, the port city of Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar in Chile, followed by Buenos Aires in Argentina. From Buenos Aires, I returned home on April 1 — with a touch of homesickness after an incredible journey!
Blog posts from my trip
Below you can find my blog posts from the various places I visited on my trip
