“There’s no better place to find yourself that sitting by a waterfall and listening to its music”

With so many waterfalls in the world, which one should you choose for your next adventure?

We have you covered with our four-part waterfalls around the world bucket list series.

In this first part, we’re focusing on incredible waterfalls in the Americas. With the help of our favorite travel influencers, they share their top 29 waterfalls in North America and South America, including what makes each of them special and how to get there.

You won’t regret the breathtaking natural landscapes of North America and South America and seeing the world-famous Niagara Falls to smaller, hidden gems falls.

Now let’s make a road trip to see these falls on an upcoming vacation!

If you need more inspiration, check out our other waterfall bucket list series: Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, Asia,  and Europe.

Map of the Best Waterfalls in North America and South America

Click on the image to see a larger map of the waterfalls in North America and South America. Credit: Map data: Google

*Disclosure: Yes, we have affiliate links in this post. If you click on them and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting us and let’s chase waterfalls!

Waterfalls in North America

Best Waterfalls in the United States

1. Havasu Falls, Arizona, USA

By Michelle, The Wandering Queen

Havasu Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the United States. The waterfall became famous because of the stark, baby blue water that comes in contrast with the orange, brown canyons surrounding it.

It’s located in Arizona in a hidden oasis of Havasupai Reservation. The reservation has four other waterfalls located on the reservation, but Havasu Falls is one of the most magical of all.

Getting to Havasu Falls is seen as a strenuous hike due to the 10+ miles (16+ kilometers) distance. The permit usually sells out within hours of going on sale, the reservation is not near any large cities, and you have to backpack your gear in all 10 miles.

If you can get through the hike, you’ll surely fall in love with Havasu Falls.

Havasu Falls in Arizona, United States. Photo credit: The Wandering Queen

Read More: UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Foodie Destinations to Visit – Tucson, Arizona

2. Burney Falls, California, USA

By Nina, Where in the World is Nina

Burney Falls is one of those places where your jaw just slacks and hits the floor. You’ve seen pictures, you’ve heard stories, but once you rock up to the waterfall and are face to face, it’s surreal.

Burney Falls is one of California’s most famous and most beautiful waterfalls without a shadow of a doubt. It rages over rocks and dribbles down its mossed sides which gives it a unique characteristic and adds to its beauty.

You’d think something so gorgeous would be hard to get to but it couldn’t be easier. The trail to get to Burney is easy and only about a mile round trip. You can walk right up to the rocks at the base and get misted in the face or take a backseat and enjoy it from the sidelines. It’s worth the visit.

Burney Falls in California, United States. Photo credit: Where in the World is Nina

3. McWay Falls, California, USA

By Raluca, Whisper Wanderlust

One of the most beautiful and spectacular waterfalls I’ve visited so far is McWay Falls, located on the Pacific Coast Highway in the US. Even if the fall is only 24 meters (79 feet) tall, it’s still impressive because it flows directly into the Pacific Ocean and the surroundings are gorgeous as well.

It’s very easy to get to it. All you have to do is pay attention to the markings on the road and stop at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park area. From there to the viewpoint, you’ll walk on a marked path.

Unfortunately, you can only reach the base of the waterfall by boat because climbing is forbidden.

McWay Falls in California, United States. Photo credit: Whisper Wanderlust

4. Vernal and Nevada Falls, California, USA

By Allison, She Dreams of Alpine

Both Vernal and Nevada Falls are located on one of the most popular hiking trails in Yosemite National Park, California, known as the Mist Trail.

The cost to see them is included in your entry pass into Yosemite National Park and a little bit of hiking effort on your part. Parking is available at the trailhead called The Trailhead and is near Curry Village (also known as Half Dome Village).

Hiking to the first waterfall, Vernal Falls, via the Mist Trail is a little under 2 miles (3 kilometers) round trip and is a relatively easy and short hike which makes it perfect for families or those who are looking for a short hike but with great Yosemite views. Once you reach a footbridge, you’ll be able to stop and peak up at Vernal Falls.

If you choose to continue on to the second waterfall, Nevada Falls, prepare yourself for an epic Stairmaster workout. If you’re up for the challenge though, it’s worth the workout. The views from the top are unmatched, and the hike to the Nevada Falls is one of the best hikes in Yosemite.

Nevada Falls in California, United States. Photo credit: She Dreams of Alpine

5. Hanakapiai Falls, Hawaii, USA

By Leah, An Adventure is Calling

Hanakapiai Falls (or Hanakapi’ai Falls) is a beautiful waterfall located on the island of Kaua’i in Hawaii. The waterfall is around 300 feet (91 meters) high and is arguably one of my most breathtaking features on the island.

Seeing Hanakapiai Falls requires a strenuous 8 miles (13 kilometers) round trip hike along the Kalalau Trail (via the Nā Pali Coast). Prepare for the hike with plenty of water, snacks, and hiking stick (optional, but helpful on the rough terrain). Hiking the trail is free, but you’ll need to arrive early (before 8am is suggested) to secure a parking spot.

Start at Ke’e Beach (a lovely beach for snorkeling!) and enjoy the amazing views of the coastline for the first 2 miles (3 kilometers). At that point, you’ll reach Hanakapiai Beach.

This secluded beach is lovely but not safe for swimming and has restrooms. Many travelers turn around here but continue hiking for another 2 miles to reach the falls. Reach a fork and head inland (get ready for a fun, jungle-like experience).

The trail is unmaintained but completely doable for experienced hikers. When you arrive, relax and enjoy the water.

Keep in mind that leptospirosis (lepto) is present in the freshwater on the island, so pay attention to warning signs and suggestions when enjoying the water. To return, head back the same way you came in. I highly recommend relaxing at Ke’e Beach after your long hike!

* Please check Kalalau Trail Facebook for updates on the trail.  

Hanakapiai Falls, Hawaii, United States. Photo credit: An Adventure is Calling

6. Manoa Falls, Hawaii, USA

By Michelle, Travel Fun Fam

The most popular hike on Oahu, by far, is Manoa Falls. It’s a short trail that is easy to manage no matter your level of hiking experience. The only difficulty is that it can get a little muddy making it slippery in some sections.

We recommend wearing proper closed-toed shoes for safety. The length is approximately 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) that takes around 30 minutes each way depending on your pace.

Once you arrive at the waterfall you’ll be tempted to swim, but unfortunately, it’s discouraged.

Manoa Falls is located in the Manoa neighborhood, a university and a residential area about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Waikiki. It won’t seem like you’re headed to a hike since you’ll be going through residences.

The good thing is that if you can’t find parking at the lot ($5 USD) you can always park in the residential streets. It’ll be a longer hike for you.

7. Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USA

By Constance, The Adventures of Panda Bear

Multnomah Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest, this is partially due to the fact that it’s located near Portland, Oregon. Needless to say, it’s the perfect day trip from Portland, especially if you’re only visiting Portland for a weekend.

The waterfall is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon and the second tallest year-round waterfall in the United States. You can see the waterfall from the lower viewing area at the base of Multnomah Falls or hike up to Benson Bridge for a closer look.

From Portland, drive approximately 30 to 40 minutes on Interstate-84 to Multnomah Falls, located between Corbett and Dodson within the Columbia River Gorge. Admission is free.

Don’t forget that some trails may not be open due to damages sustained in the Eagle Creek Fire of September 2017.

Reserve a day tour the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls.

Multnomah Falls in Oregon, United States. Photo credit: The Adventures of Panda Bear

8. Smith Falls, Nebraska, USA

By Theresa, The Local Tourist

Located in the Midwestern United States, Nebraska has a reputation of being a flat state with not much to see besides corn and endless horizons. However, there is more diversity to the landscape than one might expect.

In fact, near a town called Valentine is a 70 feet (23 meters) waterfall. Smith Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state.

The source is a small, spring-fed creek that plunges into a narrow canyon and flows into the Niobrara River. The canyon created by the falls is its own micro-environment featuring flora and fauna not found in other parts of the state.

To see the falls, you’ll pay a $10 entrance fee to Smith Falls State Park. It’s located in the north central part of the state, about four hours west of Sioux City, Iowa.

The drive itself is also a destination since it’s along the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway. That’s a stretch of 231 miles (372 kilometers) that follows the path of Doc Middleton, the Jesse and Frank James Gang and other brigands.

Smith Falls in Nebraska, United States. Photo credit: The Local Tourist

9. Kaaterskill Falls, New York, USA

By James, Travel Collecting

Kaaterskill Falls is a two-stage waterfall in the Catskills Mountains, about 2.5 hours north of New York City. The total height is 260 feet (79 meters). They’re so beautiful that they’ve been featured in several Hudson River School paintings.

It’s possible to hike to the falls in all seasons. At the end of summer, they can be pretty small, but in spring the water is flowing. In fall, although there may not be that much water, they’re surrounded by beautiful fall foliage. In winter, the path is icy and slippery and using crampons is highly recommended, but your efforts will be rewarded with a jaw-dropping frozen waterfall.

The upper stage of the falls is in front of an enormous natural amphitheater. People do walk along a narrow ledge near the top of the amphitheater to get behind the falls, but this is dangerous and not recommended. Viewing the amphitheater from below is dramatic enough. There is a small pool at the bottom of the top cascade where it’s possible to wade in summer.

There are two trailheads to the falls – from the bottom and from the top. As you drive into the Catskills from Saugerties along New York State Route 23A, you pass a waterfall directly off the road to the right before Tannersville. There is a small parking lot after and another one before this waterfall which is also the lower trailhead to the Kaaterskill Falls.

The walk from the parking area to the trailhead is right next to the road, so exercise caution! From the trailhead, it’s a short (0.5 miles/.80 kilometer) fairly steep hike up a clearly marked path. From the pool at the bottom of the top cascade, there is a path that continues around the side in the woods to the top of the falls.

You can access the top of the falls directly along a short, easy path from a second trailhead. To get to this trailhead, there is a turnoff after the parking lot.  This is the easiest access to the falls.

Frozen Kaaterskill Falls in Catskills Mountains, New York. Photo credit: Travel Collecting

10. Watkins Glen Waterfalls, New York, USA

By Margarita, DownshiftingPRO

What will surprise you the most is how you access this beautiful Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. It’s located in the middle of town, across the street from the Schuyler County Sheriff’s.

Once you enter, you’ll begin climbing over 800 steps and see more than one waterfall so take frequent breaks and take it in.

Although the access seems unusual, you’ll be delighted to see the waterfalls and deep canyon carved out by Glen Creek. Within two miles (3.2 kilometers), the glen’s stream descends 400 feet (123 meters) past 200 feet (61 meters) cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The Rainbow waterfalls are accessed by pathways and stairs.

Bring proper walking or hiking boots for comfort.

The cost to enter is $8 USD per vehicle with parking available across the street for an additional cost. The Gorge Trail is open from May – October.  Check out this short video of the Watkins Glen Waterfall.

Watkins Glen Waterfalls in New York, United States. Photo credit: DownshiftingPRO

Related: Magnificent Caves to See in Americas

11. Cummins Falls, Tennessee, USA

By Roslie, Coastlines to Skylines

If swimming and hiking in a scenic and rugged setting sounds like your ideal getaway, check out Cummins Falls State Park in Tennessee. Spanning 282 acres, on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River, the park has been a mainstay for both recreation-minded locals and visitors alike. It also boasts Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall, Cummins Falls, which rises a whopping 75 feet (23 meters) high.

While many people enjoy a day of swimming in the natural pools below, there are also plentiful hiking trails, picnic areas, and a breathtaking lookout area over the falls. This is a rare example of nature’s beauty at its finest.

How to Get There

From Interstate 40, take exit 280 to TN-56 North toward Gainesboro for 7.7 miles (12 kilometers). Turn right on TN-290 and continue 0.9 miles (1.5 kilometers). Turn left onto Cummins Mill Road and left onto Blackburn Fork Road until you reach the state park entrance.

If you’re traveling from Nashville, you can actually catch a Greyhound bus that runs to the park three times a day. The trip takes about an hour and 25 minutes.

Cummins Falls in Tennessee, United States. Photo credit: Coastlines to Skylines

Best Waterfalls in Canada

12. Niagara Falls, Between Canada and United States

By Ryan, Out With Ryan

Niagara Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to see in the world. Niagara Falls is unique because it borders both Canada and America and is famous for its beautiful blue-green water that creates hydroelectric power.

Fun fact: Niagara Falls is actually three waterfalls! There is the American Falls, the Canadian Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls that collectively called Niagara Falls.

You’ll want to visit the Canada side because the Canadian Falls are bigger than the American Falls! You can also get super up-close to it on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls as you stand at the top of the falls looking over.

Make sure you bring a poncho or rain jacket as mist will always come at you from different angles.

It’s free to see Niagara Falls, but you can also spend money on Maid of the Mist which is a boat cruise takes you down to the water to come face-to-face with the falls. Also, consider checking out Niagara Falls Wine Tasting on the Lake.

Niagara Falls can be reached by walking or taking public transit from the Niagara Fall bus terminal. You can also take a bus from Toronto with several daily services run by Greyhound and Megabus. Journey times without traffic should not exceed 2 hours and 30 minutes.  

If you want an easier way to explore Niagara Falls from Toronto, sign up for a day tour!

Niagara Falls is between Canada and the United States. Photo credit: Out With Ryan

13. Montmorency Falls, Quebec, Canada

By Sherrie, Epiphany to Travel

A 20-minute drive from Quebec City is a waterfall that you don’t hear about too often, however, it’s taller than Niagara Falls that is also located in Canada.

If you Google Map the directions, you’ll be led to the upper falls where you’ll need to pay for parking at approximately $11 USD.

You’re also able to purchase cable car ride that will bring you from upper falls to lower falls and back again for approximately $14 USD a person.

Located at the upper falls you’ll find the restaurant, Manoir Montmorency, where you can enjoy a meal.

It’s possible to cross the top of the falls on their suspension bridge. This isn’t for the faint of heart or anyone that has a fear of heights. Once across there is a walking path and stairs that lead down to the lower part of the falls.

Going down may not be too bad but coming back up is quite the exercise.

Montmorency Falls in Quebec, Canada. Photo credit: Epiphany to Travel

14. Shannon Falls, Vancouver, Canada

By Greta, Greta’s Travels

Shannon Falls in Canada is one of the most popular attractions on the Sea to Sky Highway that connects Vancouver to Whistler. It’s 335 meters (1,099 feet) high and British Columbia’s third tallest waterfall.

Shannon Falls is an hour drive from Vancouver, well-marked and easy to find with a big parking area off the main road and trail that leads up to the waterfall.

There is a wooden boardwalk all around the base of Shannon Falls, that then stretches into a network of short trails from which you can explore the area. There are also wooden picnic tables where you can comfortably sit and enjoy lunch with a view of this powerful waterfall.

It’s a very impressive waterfall and if you’re looking for the most beautiful waterfalls around the world, Shannon Falls should feature on your list.

Consider taking a day tour of Whistler area which includes the Shannon Falls.

Shannon Falls in Vancouver, Canada. Photo credit: Greta’s Travels

Best Waterfall in the Caribbean

15. Toraille Waterfall, St. Lucia

By Kristen, Yonderlust Ramblings

St. Lucia is no stranger to stunning natural wonders and the Toraille Waterfall is definitely one of its showstoppers.

What is unique about this waterfall is that you can actually immerse yourself in the inviting pool at its base and swim right up under its falls. At least once in your life, you have to experience what it feels like to be pelted by the down-pouring of a waterfall!

The Toraille Waterfall is open to the public and costs $3 USD a person to enter. There are bathrooms and changing facilities on-site so guests can change into appropriate swimwear for frolicking in the falls.

It’s possible to visit the Toraille Waterfall by booking a tour or by self-driving. If you go on your own, tour groups frequently include these falls as a stop along their itineraries.

The best time to visit is early in the morning or later in the afternoon if you want seclusion. The falls are located near the coastal town of Soufriere, on the island’s western coast.  

Toraille Waterfall in St. Lucia. Photo credit: Yonderlust Ramblings

Best Waterfalls in Central America

16. Rio Celeste Waterfalls, Costa Rica

By Sally, LuxuriousLifestyles.co

The Rio Celeste Waterfalls are stunning. The spectacular vivid blue color of the river and falls is something so unique I have never seen anything like it in the world. The locals say the river received its color from when God painted the sky blue and he dipped his brush into the water.

The complete round-trip hike in the National Park is 6 kilometers (4 miles) round trip. The falls are near the beginning followed by a large platform offering picturesque views of the forest and Tenorio Volcano. Continuing on the trail, we passed the thermal hot springs (entering the water isn’t allowed) and the blue lagoon.   

The drive from Liberia, Costa Rica to the waterfalls takes approximately 1.5 hours. The park is open daily from 8am to 4pm. However, people are not allowed entrance after 2pm. Parking costs $2 USD and entrance into the Tenorio Volcano National Park is $12 USD for adults and $5 USD for children.

Access to the park is limited to 1,200 people per day and only 400 at a time to help preserve the area.  

Rio Celeste Waterfall in Costa Rica. Photo credit: LuxuriousLifestyles.co

17. Llanos De Cortez Waterfall, Costa Rica

By Alan, More Passport Stamps

One of the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica, Llanos De Cortez is worthy of its status. It’s in a great location off one of the main highways that cuts through Costa Rica, so you can stop by when passing to or from the airport.

I visited on my way back from Playas Del Coco, Guanacaste. The falls are stunning, wide with many streams splashing through the greenery covered rocks.

The falls may be 5 minutes from a highway, but you wouldn’t know it when you’re there. The lush, thick forest surrounds you and you can easily get lost in nature when you combine this with the relaxing sounds of the falls.

The pool at the bottom of the falls is great for swimming, but take water shoes if you have them as it’s a little rocky.

To access the falls head South on Pan American Highway (Route 1) from Liberia, heading towards the town of Bagaces. Around 13 miles (21 kilometers) past Liberia, you’ll see a rusty old sign on your right with “WATERFALL” scrawled in pink letters. You have to be looking out for it to see it! Turn right here, it’s a dirt track rather than a road. A mile or so later you’ll need to turn right, this is signaled by a lady that is collecting for the local school.

The expected payment is 2000 Colones/CRC ($3.30 USD). Continue driving for a few hundred meters and you’ll arrive at a car park. The cost to park is another 2000 Colones/CRC. The falls are signposted from here and you’ll enjoy a 5-minute walk through some jungle on your way!

Llanos De Cortez Waterfall in Costa Rica. Photo credit: More Passport Stamps

18. La Cangreja Waterfall, Costa Rica

By Nina, Nina Near and Far

La Cangreja is a beautiful plunge waterfall found in Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Costa Rica. There is a bright blue lagoon at the bottom and lots of rocks where you can relax and have lunch while enjoying the sound of the waterfall.

Costa Rica is famous for its waterfalls, and one of the amazing things about La Cangreja is that it’s one of the least visited and least photographed.

If you want to visit this waterfall, you have a big day of hiking ahead of you. La Cangreja is your reward for a challenging 2 hours hike along the base of a volcano.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park is only 30 minutes outside of Liberia. Go North on the highway (Route 1) that goes through Liberia, and turn right on to a dirt road after Iglesia de Guadalupe. If you reach a medical center, you’ve gone too far. This drive is best done with a GPS! Continue on Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Note that the park is closed on Mondays.

There’s a $15 USD entry fee. To do the hike to La Cangreja, you have to start your hike before 12pm.

La Cangreja Waterfall in Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Costa Rica. Photo credit: Nina Near and Far

19. Rio Dulce Waterfall, Guatemala

By Dylan, Everywhereish

If you’re ever traveling through Central America, you’ll likely find yourself in the port town of Rio Dulce, Guatemala. And when you do, there will be one spot you definitely won’t want to miss: Rio Dulce’s one-of-a-kind hot waterfall.

Tucked into the woods of Finca Paraíso, hot springs roll down the hills to meet with the cool waters of a neighboring stream. The result: a truly spa-like experience.

On my visit here, my friends and I took turns letting the hot water massage our shoulders, its steam rising around us, before walking up the hill to find the hot spring itself—and its mineral-rich muds.

This may not be the tallest or most impressive waterfall out there, but it’s certainly an unforgettable one!

So, how do you get there? Plan to pay $30 quetzales/GTQ ($4 USD) to take a 45-minute colectivo ride out to El Estor.

From there, it’s a short walk into the woods to find the falls. Don’t worry, the trails are easily marked—and there’ll likely be an enterprising local ready to charge you a $5 quetzales/GTQ ($.65 USD) entrance fee.  

Rio Dulce Waterfall in Rio Dulce, Guatemala. Photo credit: Everywhereish

Read More: Take Cooking Classes Around the World

Waterfalls in South America

Best Waterfalls in South America

20. Chorillo del Salto, Argentina

By Or,  My Path In The World

The town of El Chalten in Argentina is a base for many incredible hikes, but most of them are quite long and difficult.

In case you want to take a much easier hike and see a gorgeous waterfall, Chorillo del Salto is the perfect option. The trail from El Chalten to this amazing 20 meters (66 feet) high waterfall only takes about 30 minutes to walk, and most of it passes through a beautiful, peaceful forest area.

Since most people focus on other hikes in El Chalten, the waterfall is a relatively non-touristy spot, which means that it doesn’t get overcrowded even during high-season.

Visiting Chorillo del Salto is free of charge.

How to Get There

The trail begins at the end of Avenida San Martin in El Chalten. You can also get to the waterfall by bicycle as the path splits into a walking trail and a bike trail.

Chorillo del Salto in El Chalten, Argentina. Photo credit: My Path in the World

21. Iguazu Falls, Between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay

By Warren, Sling Adventures

Iguazu Falls has to be near the top of all-time favorite waterfalls in the world.

Located on the border between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, Iguazu Falls is immense in size and the volume of caramel brown water crashing over its many cliffs creates a rampaging torrent within such a natural environment that has to be seen to be believed. An added unique, adrenaline-charged experience is to take the jet boat ride that actually goes directly into the deafening downpour of the San Martin Waterfall.

Despite being in a remote corner of three countries, access to Iguazu Falls is relatively easy. On the Argentinian side, the nearest airport less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the falls and is only a 2 hours flight from Buenos Aires.

It’s a $20 USD entry fee to Iguazu Falls National Park and another $30 USD for the very memorable jet boat ride.

Iguazu Falls. Photo credit: Sling Adventures

22. Salto del Claro, Chile

By Priyanka, On My Canvas

As my friend Alison and I started hiking to this tall waterfall which was a 4-5 hour hike away from our hostel, we realized the more we walked Google Maps showed Salto del Claro Waterfall further away. Don’t depend on Google to reach this place and you’re better off following our directions below.

Your efforts to reach this place is worth it as the waterfall is gorgeous. How often do you see a secluded waterfall in the middle of lush greenery?

Since the waterfall is hard to find, the first time you set your eyes upon the crystal clear water falling freely, you’ll feel that you are part of something majestic.

The waterfall is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) out of Pucon, Chile. You can either hike all way, bike, or take a collective and walk the rest of the way. Below are the directions via walking:

1. Start walking on O-Higgins street towards the roundabout. At the roundabout, you can go two ways — one road to Villarrica and the other goes straight. Walk straight and don’t take Villarrica.
2. After passing two gas stations, you’ll see the speed bump and take a right to Las Calabazas road.
3. When the road divides into two, stay left as the right side is private land.
4. Continue walking uphill for 30 minutes and ignore any private houses. After the uphill, you’ll find the road splitting – one goes straight and the other to the right. Go straight or you can even call it the “left.” Trees surround this part of the road.
5. Continue walking until you enter a green field. At the end, there is a fence that you have to climb. I didn’t encounter two fences in this field, but some people told me that they did. Don’t try and jump the barbed wire fence, but find another fence that is slightly right to the barbed wire one. See a tree marked with a white arrow from the fence you’re supposed to climb.
6. Follow the marked trees (some are difficult to see) and walk downhill to reach the falls.

Tip: Carry enough water. Bring snacks and a towel, and keep your phones charged as there are no shops or restaurants near the waterfall. If you’re lucky, you can hitchhike back to the town.  

Salto del Claro in Pucon, Chile. Photo credit: On My Canvas

Read More: Explore Santiago in One Day & Easter Island

23. La Chorrera Waterfall, Colombia

By Michaela, Well Balanced Adventures

La Chorrera is an under-explored waterfall about 1 hour outside out of Bogota, Colombia that also happens to be the tallest waterfall in Colombia.

La Chorrera is situated in a beautiful national park that is very well taken care of. The waterfall is quite hidden, so after going up and down hills and sets of stairs, the terrain opens up to show you a beautiful waterfall.

The hike in total takes about 2 hours round trip once you enter the national park, but there are some steep hills that can slow you down (especially if you’re not used to the altitude).

The cost to enter the park is about 12,000 COP ($4 USD).

Tip: Make sure to buy water at the entrance if you don’t have any – there aren’t options inside of the park.

How to Get There

1. Go to the Transoriente Bus Station in Bogota and ask for the next bus going towards La Chorrera (make sure the driver knows where to let you off).
2. Either walk ~ 1 hour from the drop-off location to the park entrance, or pay a few USD for a pick-up truck ride to the national park. There are normally plenty of locals who are willing to give a ride!
3. Take a tour to La Chorrera Waterfall.

La Chorrera Waterfall in Colombia. Photo credit: Well Balanced Adventures

24. La Ventiadora, Colombia

By Daniel, Layer Culture

If you’re backpacking in Colombia and looking for one of the less visited waterfalls don’t miss out on La Ventiadora in San Cipriano.

Already thinking of visiting Cali? Perfect, as this is the best opportunity to see it. I arrived here on Christmas day from Cali and there was not one soul in sight as I got revitalized by the warm, crystal clear water.

You too can easily take a day trip from Cali, you’ll need to enter the San Cipriano National Bio Reserve to get here.

Look for one of the local guides and expect to pay around 30,000 COP ($10 USD) for someone to take you because it would be almost impossible to find it without someone who already knows the location.

La Ventiadora in San Cipriano, Colombia. Photo credit: Layer Culture

25. Marinka Falls, Colombia

By Demi, Around the World with Her

It’s no secret that Colombia boasts some beautiful waterfalls. One of my favorites was Marinka Falls, a short hike away from the bohemian village of Minca.

With a small cafe on-site, you can relax with a beer or juice as you listen to the soothing sounds.

The cost of entrance is 5,000 COP ($1.60 USD). However, there is a toilet on-site and a huge net hammock that you can crawl onto and suspended over the water!

To get there, it’s around an hour walk from Minca. It can be hot and humid, so you’ll be happy to plunge into the freshwater of Marinka as soon as you arrive. Y

ou can also take a motorbike taxi there or back if you don’t have the energy for the walk. The moto taxis can be found anywhere in Minca and there is always one waiting at Marinka in case tourists want a ride back down.

Marinka Falls in Minca, Colombia. Photo credit: Around the World with Her

26. Peguche Waterfall, Ecuador

By Isabella, Boundless Roads

While I investigated on the things to do from Quito, I saw the name of Otavalo everywhere.

Travel agencies organize one-day trips, but I decided to explore more about the little town. I was excited to read that there is more to see besides its worldly popular market, the biggest in Latin America, and the reason why many visitors gather there at least for one day.

I decided to book 5 days in a hostel and check out more interesting sites in the surroundings. In fact, the town itself isn’t that pretty but it’s surrounded by amazing lakes, waterfalls, and mountains to hike.

Peguche Waterfall is about 45 minutes walk from the town center. The walk to the entrance isn’t particularly interesting, or you can get a taxi there for $2 USD. From the entrance to the waterfall, it’s a nice 15 minutes walk in the woods.

There is no entry fee and you can walk around the waterfall, explore the caves, or have something to eat in the refreshing nature.

If you aren’t fond of crowds, you should avoid weekends and festivities. I found it pretty safe as well.

Peguche Waterfall in Otavalo, Ecuador. Photo credit: Boundless Roads

27. Kaieteur Falls, Guyana

By Claudia, My Adventures Across The World

Kaieteur Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world. It’s located in the rainforest of Guyana, in South America, and it’s famous for being the widest, single drop waterfall in the world.

There are only two ways to get to Kaieteur Falls: a 5 days hike through the jungle of Guyana; or a day trip which includes a flight from Georgetown, Guyana’s capital, and a handful of other locations around the country.

The flight carries no more than 12 passengers, and since only one plane can stop on the airstrip at once, this means that the highest number of people there’ll be at the site can never be higher than that. In other words, visitors get to have the place to themselves.

The guided visit takes about 2 hours and it goes to 3 different viewpoints and includes a walk through the forest to appreciate some of the most unique flora and fauna of Guyana – the famous cock of the rock, Guyana’s colorful bird, lives here!

Whether you visit as part of a 5 days hike or on a day trip from Georgetown, access to Kaieteur Falls is expensive but it’s worth every penny.

Kaieteur Falls in Guyana. Photo credit: My Adventures Across The World

28. Fure and Huaruro Waterfalls, Peru

By Tereza, Czick on the Road

If you love waterfalls, hiking and remote places with little tourists, Fure and Huaruro Waterfalls in Colca Canyon, Peru is the place to be.

It’s only possible to get to this waterfalls by feet, and most probably you’ll be the only visitors there.

The first waterfall lies before a little village, Fure, where you can also find simple accommodation in small wooden cottages. To the second and bigger one Huaruro, you’ll have to hike for another hour, but the view will be definitely worth it, especially in the rainy season.

The starting point is a little town Cabanaconde in the heart of the Colca Canyon. The first option is to set on a 3 days trek leading through the canyon – the first day you hike to Llahuar, the second day to Fure, the third day back to Cabanaconde. Read more about the 3-days trek in Colca Canyon.

The second option is to take the bus from Cabanaconde to Llahuar, then hike to Fure (2-3 hours) see the waterfalls and either hike back to catch an afternoon bus to Cabanaconde or other villages in the canyon or spend the night in Llahuar lodge with hot springs.

Fure and Huaruro Waterfalls in Colca Canyon, Peru. Photo credit: Czick on the Road

29. Angel Falls, Venezuela

By Claire, Tales of a Backpacker

Angel Falls is the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world, and one of the most incredible places I’ve ever visited.

The journey there is an adventure in itself, as it includes a flight to the center of the Canaima National Park, then a journey of several hours in a motorized canoe along the river.

We spent the night in a camp by the river, then hiked the last hour to Angel Falls the following morning. The view from across the river was incredible, even though I visited when it was the dry season you could still see the power and wonder of the falls.

When we reached the bottom of Angel Falls, there is a pool at the bottom where you can swim. The water was cold but to say I swam in Angel Falls is an incredible achievement!   

Unfortunately, Angel Falls is in Venezuela, one of the most dangerous countries in the world, and not an easy destination to get to.

The only way to visit the falls is with an organized tour. Tours can be expensive as fewer people visit Venezuela now, and the currency fluctuations mean that prices change daily.

It’s hard to say how much a tour will cost but expect around $500 USD for the three-day excursion including transport and food and drink.  

Angel Falls in Venezuela. Photo credit: Tales of a Backpacker

Huge thank you to our travel influencers for contributing to this epic list! We encourage you to visit their blog and follow them on social media. If you love this post, please share it on your social media channels. Check out the other parts of the series – Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

Which waterfalls in North America and South America do you want to visit? Are there other waterfalls in the world on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments below.

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Featured photo credit (left to right): Luxurious Lifestyles, My Adventures Across the World, and Whisper Wanderlust

The post 29 Incredible Waterfalls In North America & South America For Your Bucket List appeared first on Life Of Doing.

We had one day in Santiago during our 10 days in Chile and it was a good introduction to see the country.

As the capital, you’ll experience Santiago’s large city vibe from the large crowds to the shopping centers with high-end department stores along with trying local Chilean restaurants and attractions. Some people may not enjoy Santiago as it doesn’t have the “hustle and bustle” such as Singapore or Sydney, Australia. It’s more relaxed, like San Jose, California. However, we had a wonderful stay in Santiago.

Due to our limited time, we’re sharing our one day itinerary in Santiago, including free things to do in this city. You’ll get a snapshot of the offerings available for a quick visit. Don’t forget to see the beautiful views of the snow-capped Andes Mountains wherever you’re in the city.

After your Santiago exploration, head to Valparaiso for 2 days, Concon for 1 day, or to Easter Island to extend your South America adventures. Read more about our adventures at these places by clicking on the links.

For our return trip to Chile, these places are on our list: San Pedro de Atacama, rent a motorhome to road trip throughout Chile and stop by Patagonia to hike at the Torres del Paine National Park.

Read More: Visit Marble Caves in Chile

*Disclosure: We have affiliate links in this post. If you click on them and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. Appreciate the support.

How to Get to Santiago?

Depending on your departure location, everyone will fly into Santiago de Chile Airport (airport code: SCL). The airport is easy to navigate through as signs are available in English.

Check out this list to determine if you need a visa to enter Chile. U.S citizens do not need to obtain a visa prior to arrival. 

Once you go through immigration, there are several ways to head to the Santiago downtown area.

1. Take a taxi to head to the downtown area of Santiago.

Taking a taxi will be an expensive option as the airport is about 16km from downtown.

2. Pre-book a one-way transfer to your hotel.

We know. After departing a flight, you want to head to the city as quickly as possible. Reserve this transfer option prior to your arrival.

3. Take a shuttle bus.

Go for the cheaper option by taking the Centropuerto or Turbus shuttle bus to go downtown and vice versa. We’re always seeking out affordable ways to travel through the city. Exit the Arrivals door and find the signs for the Centropuerto or Turbus. Each of the routes has several stops where you can continue on to take the metro to your destination. It’ll take around 45 minutes (or more depending on the traffic).

• Centropuerto stops at Metro Barrancas, Pajaritos, Las Rejas, San Alberto Hurtado, Universidad de Santiago, Estación Central, Unión Latinoamericana, República, and Los Héroes. Departs every 10 minutes from the airport from 6:00am to 11:30pm. Cost is 1,900 CLP ($2.40 USD) (one way) or 3,400 CLP ($4.30) (round trip) which you can pay at their kiosk outside of the bus. Cash only.
• Turbus stops at Pajaritos, Las Rejas, Universidad de Santiago, and Estación Central. Cost is the same as Centropuerto for 1,900 CLP ($2.40 USD) (one way) or 3,400 CLP ($4.30) (round trip) which you can pay at their kiosk outside of the bus. Cash only.

We took a one-way route with Centropuerto from the airport to downtown and took a Turbus from downtown to the airport. Both were very easy to use.

Tip: If you have a lot of luggage, you may not want to consider taking these routes as there isn’t enough room for luggage storage. Some knowledge of basic Spanish will be helpful.

How to Get Around in Santiago

Public transportation in Santiago is convenient and easy to use. Check out the options below.

1. Walk

One of the best ways to travel throughout Santiago is by walking. The entire city is walkable. You have more control over what you can see and can browse through various neighborhoods (ie: Bellavista). Plus, it’s healthy to walk.

2. Metro & Bus

We love using the Santiago Metro during our travels. The metro system is easy to use as the routes are in various colors. Plus the metro saves carbon emissions and is cheaper to use. We used it frequently during our day trip in Santiago.

If you’re staying in Santiago for a longer period of time, consider purchasing the Tarjeta bip! card. You can use the card for both the metro and the bus (Transantiago). Load funds to the card and tap the card prior to entering the station. It’s convenient to use so you don’t have to worry about buying tickets every time.

As with the buses, we didn’t use the Transantiago during our visit. To find routes, use the Red Metropolitan Mobility Network site to determine your starting and ending destinations and it will tell you which bus you can take.

3. Taxis & Rideshare

Taxis are available but will be more costly. Remember to either have a metered taxi (yellow and black taxis) or negotiate a flat fare prior to departure.

During your one day in Santiago, Chile, consider using the metered yellow and black taxis as your mode of transportation. Isn’t the view of the Andes mountain range amazing?!

If you like ride-hailing programs, Uber is available in Santiago, Chile. We read that it’s illegal in Santiago, but we didn’t have any issues with using it. Download the app for iOS or Android. We love the cashless transaction and knowing that we won’t get ripped off with the ride as foreigners.

Where to Stay in Santiago

There are so many places to stay in Santiago from hostels, guesthouses, to the hotels. We suggest staying close to the local attractions and nearby local transportation, such as the metro.

For cheaper options, consider these options:

• Gnomo Hostel in Bellavista area – What’s not to love about staying in a vibrant place close to bars and restaurants?! Continental breakfast provided for free. Check availability and reserve a room at the Gnomo Hostel.
• Ecohostel Chile in the in the historic city center – With friendly staff members and breakfast provided for free, consider staying here! Reserve a room at Ecohostel.

If you want to splurge, we recommend the Courtyard by Marriott. It’s in the Las Condes area so it’s not quite in the main downtown area. However, it’s a 10 minutes walk to the metro station (Manquehue station) where we can head to all of the attractions. We loved staying here even though breakfast was not provided in the room cost. Rooms had a nice view of the city and large size. During our visit, we loved receiving our gift – moai shaped chocolates. It was such a coincidence since our plan was heading to Easter Island the day after Santiago visit.  (Note: We used Marriott points to stay here.) Reserve a room at Courtyard here.

Check availability and reserve accommodations in Santiago here.

Free Things to Do in Santiago, Chile During Your One Day

What to do in Santiago? With one day in Santiago, you won’t be able to see everything. We narrowed down the top attractions to check out and the best part is that these are free things to do in Santiago!

1. Take a free walking tour.

We love taking free walking tours. It’s the chance to learn about historic places from locals, meet other tourists in a large group setting, and also view the Santiago attractions on foot. Everything is compacted into 3-4 hours. Although we didn’t get a chance to take the tour, here are some options for you to consider: Strawberry Tours or Free Tour Santiago. Don’t forget to pre-register ahead of time and give your guide a tip at the end of the tour for his/her service.

If you prefer a private tour group setting, reserve this one (extra fee required).

2. Hike the San Cristobal Hill.

A trip to Santiago is incomplete without seeing the iconic statue of Virgin Mary. The statue is located on San Cristobal Hill (Cerro San Cristóbal). This hill is the second highest peak in the city and is a part of the Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano). The park is over 1780 acres and has the Chilean National Zoo, a botanical garden, and a children’s park.

How did we get here? From the Courtyard hotel, we took the metro at Manquehue station and exited the Baquedano station (you can take either from the red or green line).

We walked about 20 minutes to reach the bottom of the hill and going through the University of San Cristóbal and Lover’s Locks on the bridge. It’s the same concept as in Paris where you write the names or a love message and secure it to a section of a bridge. Don’t have a lock? You can purchase one from a local vendor along the same bridge area.

Where have you places a love lock during your travels?

Once we reached the San Cristóbal area, there were three options to get to the top of the hill:

1. Take the funicular/cable car in the Barrio Bellavista area to the top of the San Cristóbal Hill. No walking necessary and with an additional fee.
2. Hike the dirt path, or
3. Walk along the paved road that cyclists, runners, and drivers used.

As you know, we’re into the active and adventurous route. We took option #2 and went along the dirt path for exercise and to view the city better. The dirt path was safe and wasn’t too muddy. Some areas were steep. Hiking shoes are not necessary but can be helpful. Don’t forget to bring these must-have hiking essentials with you.

It was a peaceful walk through forest areas and we had some great views of the city. It took around 40 minutes to reach the summit.

We made it to the summit at 880 meters (2,887 feet). After walking around the area to see the Virgin Mary statue we headed back down the dirt path. It was much smaller than expected so we didn’t spend as much time up there – around 10 minutes. There is a souvenir shop and a place to purchase refreshments at the top.

Here is the famous Virgin Mary statue at the summit of San Cristobal Hill.

3. Visit Barrio Bellavista for Street Art.

Located at the bottom of San Cristobal Hill is Barrio Bellavista. The area is known for bright and colorful street art/graffiti. We saw amazing street art in Valparaiso, and the ones in Bellavista were just as good. Most of the shops were closed at 10am and the area was quiet. Thus, it was peaceful to snap photos of street art. If you need a break from the street art, there are plenty of bars and restaurants along Pio Nono Street in the area.

Nearby Bellavista is Barrio Patronato, which is Santiago’s Koreatown. We passed by a local Korean church and some Korean restaurants.

4. Visit the historic areas of Santiago.

Plaza de Armas is the main square for the city and has historic buildings and architecture. It’s a lively place as people hang out there and also sells stuff. There were a lot of people in the area. Like any urban place, just be cautious for potential pickpocketers. In the same area are other historic buildings such as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, Central Post Office, Royal Court Palace, and museums. You can easily hang out on the outside of these places to admire the architecture or sit down on a bench to people-watch.

Photo credit: Simon via Pixabay

About 800 meters (.5 miles) from the Plaza de Armas is the La Moneda Palace (also known as the Presidential Palace) is where the President and cabinet ministers offices are located. It was a former mint from 1814 to 1929. You can’t go inside due to the heavy security officers in front of the building. The building itself looks nice, yet we didn’t stay long to look suspicious.

Photo credit by PatricioHurtado via Pixabay

5. Explore the Central Market.

The Central Market (Mercado Central) is a vibrant scene with the smell of seafood in the air. It’s a great place to wander around especially at the wet fish market to browse through the fresh seafood.

Hungry? You won’t be disappointed with the offerings at Central Market. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from. If you eat towards the middle of the restaurant, the prices are higher with the tourist prices. The best area for more local and affordable restaurants are on the outer edge of the market area.

One place that we would highly recommend is Tio Lucho. It was a small restaurant that serves a variety of seafood. The menu was in Spanish, so we picked two items – cold seafood soup (mariscos especiales) and seafood platter (jardines de marisco). We didn’t realize that the dishes had similar shellfish.

When the seafood platter came out, we glanced at each other and knew that we were in trouble. The seafood platter was HUGE and could feed four people. No wonder everyone around us stared at our meal. We typically don’t eat too much shellfish and this platter had a mound of shellfish and fried fish and empanadas to balance the meal.

The seafood was very fresh as the clams and scallops were still moving on our plate. Yet, we were scared for lives consuming this much raw shellfish in a foreign country and we luckily didn’t get food poisoned.

It was a delicious feast, although we were scarred from eating shellfish for almost a year after the experience!

Seafood galore when you’re eating at the Central Market

Other Places to Consider to Visit in Santiago

There is so much to do in the Santiago area. If we had more time to explore, we would love to see these places or visit these day trips from Santiago. 

1. Hike up Santa Lucia Hill (Cerro Santa Lucía).

It’s a small hill in the central park of Santiago and nearby the Plaza de Armas. We’re suckers for good views of the cities, and this is a recommended place to see Santiago. The height is lower than San Cristóbal Hill at 629 meters (2,063 feet).

2. Hike Cerro Manquehue.

As avid hikers, we would love to come back to Santiago to tackle the Cerro Manquehue. It’s a doable day hike with an elevation of 1700 meters (5577 feet). Plus, we can’t forget the stunning panoramic views of the area. Photos from other hikers show that the route is moderately challenging with some scrambling on rocks. It’s our type of adventure!

Our one day in Santiago, Chile is finished! Santiago is a great city to explore and has a little bit of everything from the historical aspects to exploring nature. We only scratched the surface with the local attractions here. We’ll definitely be back.

Have you been to Santiago, Chile? What interested you during our one day itinerary in Santiago? Where are some places we should visit during our next visit?

Love this post? Save it to your South America board on Pinterest!

Featured photo credit: diegograndi via Depositphotos.com

The post Santiago, Chile in One Day: Free and Exciting Things to Do appeared first on Life Of Doing.

Prior to our trip, we briefly discussed transportation and then forgot until we landed. Below was how our conversation went when procuring a vehicle for Easter Island.

Jackie: We should rent bicycles. We’ll get a good leg workout around the island. They are cheaper to rent than a car.

Justin: Let’s go with a scooter. It’s the same price as renting two bicycles and it is motorized.

Jackie: Do you know how to drive a scooter?

Justin: I have my motorcycle license. I also rode on a scooter in Taiwan.

Jackie: (Hesitates) Hmm…okay.

There were plenty of rental agencies in Hanga Roa from cars, scooters, bicycles, and ATVs. The bicycle rental was 10,000 CLP ($15 USD) per person per day, and the price of one scooter was a better deal for 20,000 CLP ($30 USD) per day. We received a discount as we rented for 4 days for 80,000 CLP ($120 USD).

After we signed the contract and picked out our helmets, we were ready to explore. Justin figured out how to use the scooter after a few practice rounds with acceleration and braking. I hopped on the scooter as a passenger and instantly did not like the feeling. It was my first time on the scooter. I’m surprised we didn’t crash into another car or another vehicle from leaving the rental place.

Our scooter during the trip

The Incident

The next day, the ride felt more comfortable. As long as the roads were flat and paved, we were free and had the winds in our hair. We visited the main attractions such as Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki, and ended the day visiting Vinapu. That is when everything went bad.

In order to leave Vinapu, we had to go up a muddy path. We went through one puddle and then our scooter skid through the second puddle. The speed was slow at less than 5 mph.

We weren’t sure what happened. Our scooter was on its side, yet still functional. We were muddy, Justin had scrapes on his arms and hands, and my hiking pants ripped and with a gash above the left knee.

Blood didn’t stop flowing. We scootered 15 minutes back to our Airbnb bungalow and washed up. Our gracious host brought us to the hospital where the doctor cleaned the wound and gave 5 stitches. It was my first time getting stitches! The doctor and nurses said that light walking was fine. Bandages were changed every two days for the remainder of the trip.

Something wasn’t right. My knee wasn’t getting better even with the antibiotics. I had an excruciating pain every morning when my elevated leg was brought down from the bed to the ground. It was like a sledgehammer hit my leg a million times. I cried and the pain went away after taking some painkillers. We had to end some of the days early due to the leg pain.

First time getting stitches

Knee two days after stitches

The Flights Back to Santiago and U.S

Keeping my left leg elevated was key. We didn’t have any issues on the flight from Easter Island to Santiago as the flight was under 5 hours.

The flight from Santiago to the U.S. had more issues. We had three American Airlines flights to go back home. The longest flight was from Santiago (SCL) to Dallas (DFW). We were in Business Class, so we had the seats that lie down flat. During take-off, my tegaderm type bandage from the hospital burst with fluids streaming down my leg. Luckily there wasn’t any blood that came out from the stitches. The flight attendant asked if we had a doctor’s note to fly on the airplane (which we didn’t), and almost turned the plane around. We didn’t want to go back to Santiago! We convinced the flight attendant that the leg needed to be elevated, stitches were fine, and we scheduled doctor’s appointments at home. The flight attendant was great with providing a soda crate to prop the leg, bags of ice, and also bandages from the first aid kit.

Once we landed in the two other cities for our connecting flight, we requested a wheelchair for less pressure on the leg.

Feeling good on the wheelchair

Hospital Visit and Overnight Stay

Once we were home, we went to our scheduled appointment for Minor Injuries department. The doctor saw my leg instantly and said that I needed to go to the Emergency Room. He refunded my co-pay and we headed straight to the ER.

The ER was a blur due to the long process. We saw a doctor to evaluate the situation, gave blood samples, waited in the waiting room for a few hours, was brought to a room in ER hours later, and then was in surgery four hours later past 9pm. I was under anesthetics as the doctors re-cleaned the wound, removed the excess fluids from the injury, and restitched the leg. I woke up groggy an hour later and saw Justin greet me.

I stayed in the hospital for four nights as the doctors wanted to confirm the correct antibiotics and medications with the blood culture. They said that I was lucky that the infection didn’t spread to the bones or the blood. I kept myself busy with working remotely (thank goodness for the hospital wifi!), sleeping, and eating.

The hospital food wasn’t as bad, and had a variety of vegetarian. I was pleased to choose my own meals each day (except for the breakfast post surgery). One of my favorite meals was the salmon with veggies. Yum!

Collecting extra fluids post surgery

Vegetarian enchilada with strawberries

Salmon with lentil soup, fruit, and melted ice cream

Walking around in my room for movement

Justin deserves the Husband of the Year award since he slept over on the pull out futon for four nights!  

Lots of rest, administering antibiotics to myself daily via a PICC line, care, and strengthening the knee area with physical therapy followed afterwards. It was challenging since I missed taking the fitness classes at work.

Positive Vibes

It’s been 6 months since the surgery and I’m stronger than ever. I am grateful that I am able to bend my knee, exercise and move around, ride my bike, and have full mobility. Life was challenging with hobbling around places.

My scar and bruise area is fading slowly. Whenever I exercise, the bruise area becomes a dark brown with the blood flow. We call it the “exercise o-meter.” What a memorable way to remember a trip!

Learning Opportunities

After the incident, we had several ah-ha moments:

• Rent a car. Cars get primary or secondary auto collision/damage coverage on credit cards. Scooters do not. A scooter part broke off during the crash and cost us $70 USD for the damages.
• Purchase travel insurance for medical treatment and medication coverage and other emergencies. We spent $30 USD on medication and $185 USD for the hospital visit in Easter Island, which could have been covered by insurance. It wasn’t a part of our budget for Easter Island, yet still cheaper than back in the US.
• Remember all the good and bad memories as they are great stories to share with others!

What are some of your travel accidents? Share in the comments below!

The post Scooter Accident: From Local Hospital to Emergency Room appeared first on Life Of Doing.

We highly suggest that you add this place to your South America travel bucket list due to its unique attractions to visit. One of the top experiences is to see the intriguing moai with your own eyes! 

We visited in July 2016 which is considered a “low season” so we didn’t encounter massive crowds at the sites. We stayed on the island for 7 nights/6 days and spent the time hiking, wandering, and eating. Some may feel that the timing is too long as the island is not large and you can see the major sites in 2 days. With the week, it was plenty of time for us to explore and see most of the main attractions on the island. We would have done more but had a scooter accident which required rest time.

If you didn’t see our last post on how to visit Easter Island on a budget, check out the post here.

Here is a suggested list of things to do on Easter Island:

1. Visit the moai and uncover some of their mysteriousness.

How did they arrive at their present location? How long did it take for them to get transported?

Moai are everywhere! Most have not been raised on the ahu, the stone platform, so you’ll see many lie flat on their backs or face down. There are plenty of opportunities to see the moai, whether they are at the main tourist spots or along the roads.

Ahu Khivi has 7 moai which are on the ahu. They are the only erect ones inland and face towards the ocean. All other moai are by the ocean and face inland. This was one of our first stops and has a beautiful view during the sunset.

Puna Pau is an awesome place to see where the pukao, the cylindrical red topknots, are made and worn by the moai. What do you think the pukao represent? Feather headdresses? Topknots dyed with red earth? Barkcloth turbans made of machute? You don’t see moai at the Puna Pau, but you get to see many topknots. It’s intriguing to think about how the pukao and the moai quarry were transported on the island since these two areas are far from each other.  

Pukao, the topknots

Rano Raraku is the epicenter where the moai were created. We call it the “moai factory”. There are two routes to take – if you take the right route, it leads you to the numerous moai and left route is a lake with a few moai overlooking the lake. Unfortunately, you can’t visit the moai up close in the lake area as a gate blocks off the section. You can easily spend a few hours here taking photos. Many moai are still in the ground or in the mountain itself waiting to get transported. The National Park admission ticket is required at this site. Highly recommended place.

Rano Raraku Moai Side

Justin and the tall moai

Rano Raraku Lake Side

Ahu Tongariki is nearby Rano Raraku. There is an impressive 15 moai on an ahu overseeing a village. Some petroglyphs in the village remain. Walk in the direction of the Rano Raraku and you’ll see a raised walking path to view the petroglyphs better. Not sure if the National Park ticket is required to see this site, but we showed the person who was selling gifts our ticket for access.

Ahu Nau Nau and Ahu Ature Huki are located in the Anakena Beach. Ahu Nau Nau has moai wearing pukao. Ahu Ature Huki is the first moai to be re-erected in modern times using ancient technologies as a challenge to see how long it could take to raise the statue.

Ahu Nau Nau

Ahu Te Pito Kura has the moai, Paro, which is one of the largest moai that has not yet been resurrected. We met one of the National Park workers who provided an overview of this area and how the large stone exhibits a lot of power and energy also known as mana. It is known as the “Earth’s Navel.” People used to be able to touch the stones though and they are now blocked off for preservation.

The Earth’s Navel. Feel the “mana”

Vinapu was closed when we visited. We snuck in for a few minutes to see the area. The area was underwhelming, but we enjoyed seeing the stones altogether and without any gaps. Be careful with the dirt path and deep puddles as our scooter skid in this area.

Ahu Vai Uri, Ahu Tahai, and Ahu Ko Te Riku are within walking distance from Hanga Roa. They are located past the cemetery. Ahu Ko Te Riku is unique with having white painted eyes and a topknot.

Tickets:

Don’t forget to purchase the tickets ahead of time. The most important part is to purchase the Rapa Nui National Park pass. Purchase them on arrival as it will be at the CONAF (National Forestry Corporation) office at the airport. Cost is 30,000 CLP or $60 USD. We paid in local CLP instead of USD as there was a better exchange rate to $45. You can use the pass once for the Orongo and Rano Raraku sites.

Buy your tickets here! Office is to the left when departing the plane.

2. Visit Orongo and Rano Kau

Need a break from the moai? Visit Orongo and Rano Kau. Be careful with the dirt road and the rolling path, especially when riding a bicycle or a scooter. At the time, they were maintaining/fixing the road.

Orongo is a ceremonial village area. There is an indoor visitor center where you can read more about the history. Show your National Park ticket to the representative, receive a map, and walk around the area. It was interesting to see the oval-shaped huts and the small entryway. I’m not sure how anyone could fit into the entryway. You would need to be a child size or tinier! Check out the petroglyphs of the birdman (human body with bird heads and beaks).

Rano Kau is a large volcanic crater. It doesn’t look like there has been much activity, thus, vegetation growing everywhere.

3. Spend time at the beaches.

We went to Anakena Beach to see the moai. The beach was far from Hanga Roa, about a 25-minute drive. The entrance to the beach has a tropical setting with lovely palm trees. The beach was pretty with the light beige sand. It wasn’t the cleanest beach we’ve been to since there were small amounts of litter. Check out the Ahu Nau Nau and Ahu Ature Huki which are nearby.

There are also smaller beaches in Hanga Roa to relax. Admire the sunset.

4. Explore the Caves

We read that there are many caves on Easter Island. You may consider hiring a tour guide to take you to hidden caves. We went to a few caves that were easily accessible by a vehicle.

Ana Kai Tanata is along the main road. You’ll need to walk down some stairs to arrive in the lower part of the cave. Enjoy the faded paintings and the ocean view.  

Ana Te Pahu is along the same road as Ahu Tongariki. Park your vehicle along the side of the road and walk into a side dirt path. We came across Ana Te Pahu which has an underground cave. Bring a flashlight or headlamp as the caves are low and dark. Wear hiking boots as the ground is wet.

5. Hang Out in Hanga Roa.

Hanga Roa is the main downtown area with various cafes, restaurants, drugstore (Cruz Verde), convenience stores, and souvenir shops. Purchase water at one of the convenience stores.

Try the fresh empanadas stuffed with cheese, meat and/or seafood. They are a cheaper snack option at 2000-2500 CLP (~$4 USD).

Consider purchasing baked goods on the island since everything is made fresh. Our Airbnb host recommended Panderia Mana for pastries, and they were delicious!   

Visit the Catholic church at the end of the main intersection if you would like to explore the architecture or attend on Sundays.

Stop by the post office to stamp the coveted moai in your passport or on postcards. Leave a small tip as a thank you. On a side note, we received comments on the unofficial passport stamp from various immigration officers.

The cemetery is an interesting place to visit. Pay your respects to those who passed away. The tombstones are different with moai, religious, and celebratory designs.

Things We Didn’t Get the Opportunity To Do:

• All day hike from Anakena Beach to Te Pau – Due to the scooter incident and leg injury, we didn’t have the chance to do this. We wanted to do the 6-7 hour hike where you see caves with petroglyphs, archeological sites, the vast ocean, etc. It’s a secluded hike as you may or may not see another group along the same trail. Vehicles are not allowed on the trail.
• Scuba diving or snorkeling – It was a bit cold to do these activities in July.
• See the traditional Polynesian dance and music evening show.

Other Logistics:

• Credit cards are accepted on the island. You may need to purchase a certain amount to qualify for the purchase.
• Transportation is a must for the island. Feel free to rent a car, scooter, ATV, or bicycle at any of the rental places in Hanga Roa. We didn’t see too many taxis around the island. The island has one gas station when you leave Hanga Roa. A customer service representative fills up the gas tank for you. There could be a long line depending on the time.
• Food and Water – Bring these with you when going on excursions. Once you leave Hanga Roa, there isn’t an option to purchase items.
• Hospital – The island has a hospital with emergency care, which we used. Facilities are fairly basic.

What would you like to see during your trip to Easter Island? Comment below!

The post Things To Do on Easter Island appeared first on Life Of Doing.

We visited Easter Island for 7 days/6 nights in the beginning of July. This time frame is considered a “low season” in Easter Island, so prices will fluctuate depending on the when you visit. Check out what we did below. All prices listed are in USD.

Flight

The flight to Easter Island is not the cheapest. There isn’t a direct flight to Easter Island from San Francisco (SFO), so we had two legs:

1. SFO to Santiago, Chile (SCL)
2. SCL to Easter Island (IPC)

It is very difficult to use award travel/mileage for the final leg (SCL > IPC) as LAN Airlines is the only airlines to Easter Island.

You could purchase tickets on the LAN Airlines Chile website for lower prices in local Chilean pesos. We purchased directly on LAN Airlines U.S. website. We used search aggregators such as Kayak and Google Flights to see how prices changed daily for a few weeks. The prices for the dates we wanted in July ranged from $450 to $700 per person.

We booked our Santiago to Easter Island flight 3 months in advance.

Cost per person: $450

Departed the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane

Accommodation

Hotel accommodations are limited on the island. Choices include camping, guesthouses, or fancy resorts.

Camping is the cheapest options at $15-$20 per night. We were tempted to camp, but didn’t want to bring sleeping bags, mats, and other camping gear. We also didn’t want to to rent gear. July is known to rain so sleeping on the soggy ground wasn’t appealing. Camping locations were not centrally located (about .50 to .80 miles away from the main downtown area.)

The fancy resorts were over $200 per night, not as centrally located, and way out of our budget. Alternative transportation is necessary for the resorts.

There were plenty of guesthouses and hostels available from $65-$100+ per night. We like to use Airbnb as much as possible and stayed at a lovely bungalow with a private bathroom that was five minutes away by walking to the main downtown area. Our Airbnb accommodation did not have a cooking area, but had a mini fridge and a kettle for tea or coffee.

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Cost per night for 2 people: $80 x 6 nights = $480 total

Cost per person per night: $40 x 6 nights = $240 total

Food

Many travelers recommend checking in a luggage with food and water from Santiago prior to coming to Easter Island. We spent one week in Santiago and Valparaiso, Chile prior to visiting Easter Island. Our travel philosophy is to not check in luggage due to the extra hassle and potentially getting lost. Though we did pack some snacks, we did not bring an extra luggage with us for food and water. Our Airbnb did not have cooking area, so we ate out for our meals.

Breakfast was pastries from a local bakery or granola bars. Lunch consisted of bars and snacks we brought from home – granola bars and mixed nuts. We splurged for dinner as it was our main meal. We had our share of cheaper food from $4 empanadas to more higher cost meals at $15-$25 per person.

Our favorite sandwich place was Club Sandwich where the sandwiches were the size of your face. We went here three times during our trip since it was a good value at $10 per sandwich – huge portions, fresh, delicious, and many locals ate here. Highly recommend the tuna and guacamole sandwich.

Simply delicious

Total cost of food for 2 people: $225

Daily cost for 2 people: $32

Daily cost per person: $16

Transportation

You can drive whatever you want on the island. We didn’t know how to hail taxis since due to our minimal Spanish knowledge. Plenty of cars (automatic and manual), scooters, ATV, and bicycles for rent along the main downtown area.

We thought about riding a bicycle for 10,000 CLP ($15 USD) per person per day. I wanted to ride to and from the tourist locations as the island wasn’t large and it was good exercise.

The price of one scooter was a better deal for 20,000 CLP ($30 USD) per day so we could share the scooter. We received a discount as we rented for 4 days for 80,000 CLP ($120 USD).

In hindsight, we should have rented a car due to a scooter accident. That story is for another post.

Total Cost: $120

Cost per day (4 days): $30

Cost per person (4 days): $15

Excursions

Our main goal was to hike around the island and explore the sites. If you’re short on time or want to learn more history, hire a tour guide to visit the main sights. We went the cheap route and leveraged ideas from the Easter Island section from Lonely Planet and the Rough Guides.

The most important part is to purchase the Rapa Nui National Park pass. Purchase them on arrival as it will be at the CONAF (National Forestry Corporation) office at the airport. Cost is 30,000 CLP or $60 USD. We paid in local CLP instead of USD as there was a better exchange rate to $45. You can use the pass once for the Orongo and Rano Raraku sites.

Cost per person: $45

Buy your tickets here! Office is to the left when departing the plane.

Final Summary of Total Cost Per Person for 7 Days/6 Nights

• Flight from SCL to IPC: $450
• Accommodation in Airbnb: $240
• Food: $112
• Transportation on Scooter: $60
• National Park Pass: $45 (if pay in CLP)

• Total Cost: $907

Have fun at this amazing place!

Do you have Easter Island on your bucket list? What excites you about visiting this place?

The post How to Travel to Easter Island on a Successful Budget appeared first on Life Of Doing.

How to Get There from Valparaíso, Chile

From Valparaíso, we walked to the main street along the pier and waterfront and took the 602 bus. One of the bus coordinators helped us with ensuring that we didn’t miss our bus. The ride was over 30 minutes where you pass through the beach cities, Viña del Mar and Renaca. The ride for 2 people cost 900 CLP (450 CLP ($.70 USD) per person) one way.

Exit the bus when you see the sand dunes on the left side and the Express Lider (Chile’s Walmart) shopping area on the right.

The Sandboarding Experience in Concón, Chile

We rented one simple wooden board for 1 hour for 1000 CLP ($1.60 USD) at the base of the dunes. You can also opt to rent for longer than 1 hour.  

Colorful boards for all sizes

Climbing to the top of the sand dunes required patience as our shoes sank in the sand. Plus, we had to use lots of leg and thigh muscles. We took turns and used the board as a trekking pole to dig into the sand.

We found our spot away from experienced sandboarders, waxed our board, and went down! Justin did an awesome job sandboarding down the hill on his first try. It took me a dozen attempts to go down in one run, constantly falling and eating sand along the way. With perseverance, I made it! What an accomplishment for the day!

Go Justin!

Wheee!

Sand vs. Jackie

Here is a short 30 second video:

Have you done sandboarding before? If so, let us know where in the comments below.

The post One Day in Concón, Chile for Sandboarding appeared first on Life Of Doing.

After landing in Santiago and still bleary eyed from traveling over 12+ hours with three flight legs, we traveled directly to Valparaíso by bus. The 1.5-hour bus ride flew by quickly as we fell asleep through most of the ride in the comfy chairs. On arrival, we walked 30 minutes from the bus station to our Airbnb apartment where we stayed for two full days and had a side trip to Concón for sandboarding. (New to Airbnb? Sign up today and get $40 off your first reservation.) We didn’t know how the microbus system worked and also wanted to save some money. Thank goodness for Google Project Fi which saved the day with Google Maps.

Check out how we spent 2 days in Valparaíso exploring this city. In addition, check out Dotted Globe’s post on best things to do in Valparaíso for more inspiration.

(*Disclosure: We have affiliate links in this post. If you click on it and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. There is no cost to you. Appreciate the support.)

How to Spend 2 Days in Valparaiso

Battle the Hills

Don’t forget your walking shoes as this is a walkable city. We walked around everywhere as all of the neighborhoods and cerros are up on hills. Taxis and buses are available as transportation.

One of the residential areas

Another fun alternative to get to the top (or bottom) of the hills is to take the funicular railways. It’s a great way to see the city from a different viewpoint and take break from walking. The funiculars are old and makes screeching noises during ride. The process is to pay a small fee at the entrance, ride the funicular, and go on with your day. We took the Ascensor Concepción funicular and paid 300 CLP ($.50 USD) per person for a 30 second ride. We tried to go up the Ascensor Polanco, but it was closed.

Going up! Taken with our GoPro.

View of the city and port. Taken with our GoPro.

Admire Street Art

The main reason to visit the city was to see the talented artists’ street art. It’s a photographers’ paradise with the visually stimulating artwork. We spent hours wandering around as each area had their own charm. Below are the areas we visited:

• Cerro Concepción and Alegre – This area is cleaner, more touristy, and has nicer houses and upscale restaurants.

There are several Ella y Pitr art around the city.

Riding a bicycle rocks!

• Bellavista – You’ll notice graffiti everywhere on the main entrance to the Bellavista area. The mosaic staircase brightens up the area. There is also a designated “outdoor museum” (Museo a Cielo Abierto) for more street art.

• Polanco – We walked 30+ minutes away from Bellavista to the Polanco neighborhood. In all of the guidebooks, it was noted that Polanco was known as  “sketchy” and to watch your belongings for theft. The street art were larger in scale as the walls were higher.

• Random locations

Garbage truck with style

Support the bicycle initiative!

Watch Out for Stray Dogs Everywhere

Stray dogs were on every corner along the main streets! They usually did their own thing whether it was wandering or cuddling with other buddies to stay warm. Watch where you step and cautiously avoid the doggy poop minefield.

Visit the Cemetery

Our Airbnb host suggested visiting the cemetery as it was unique to see. The cemetery was less than a 10-minute walk from our apartment. We arrived 10 minutes before closing and explored the area. Many of the tombstones were raised and had multiple family members listed on the headstone similar to New Orleans. It was good to browse around.

General Tips to Valparaíso

• Travel From Santiago to Valparaíso
  • From the Santiago airport, we went straight to the outside bus area for Pullman or Turbus bus. No reserved seating available. We took Turbus to arrive at Alameda Terminal bus station. Cost: 1700 CLP ($2.65 USD) per person
  • From Alameda Terminal bus station, we paid for another leg to Valparaíso with reserved seating. Ride was 1.5 hours long. Cost: 2700 CLP ($4.10 USD) per person. Credit card accepted for payment.
• Although Chile is one of the safest countries in South America to visit, watch out for your belongings and surroundings. Stay smart and do not flash cash or fancy jewelry. We had some looks from locals when we used our GoPro to take photos in a questionable area.
• Do some day trips to Viña del Mar or Concón. 
• Free walking tours are available in Valparaíso which start at Plaza Sotomayor. We planned to do the tour but went to the major sites in the morning. We saw a large group when we passed by the area.

Is this a type of place that you would like to visit? Where are other places that you recommend to see street art?

The post Spend 2 Awesome Days in Valparaíso, Chile appeared first on Life Of Doing.

Redeeming for award travel can sometimes lead to slightly longer travel time due to more layovers, but the journey is part of the fun. This gave us the opportunity to fly on different planes and see different airports.

The First Leg: San Francisco (SFO) to Charlotte (CLT) Airbus A321 (twin-jet)

• Class: First (no Business cabin available)
• Food: Yes
• Entertainment: No
• Flight Time: 5 hours

Seating in First class had 4 rows of seat in a 2-2 configuration. The seats were wide and comfortable, but the plane was dated. You could see remnants of US Airways logos around the plane. We had the opportunity to try some of American Airlines’s fine dining options for breakfast.

We tried the vegetarian quiche. Flavor was good; the crust was a bit soggy.

The Second Leg: Charlotte (CLT) to Dallas (DFW) Airbus A321 (twin-jet)

• Class: First (no Business cabin available)
• Food: Yes
• Entertainment: No
• Flight Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

This flight put us on the same type of plane as our last flight. This flight was shorter and the dining options a little bit better. They started us off with a bowl of warmed mixed nuts and beverages shortly after takeoff while we relaxed and enjoyed the view.

For lunch we had a classic southern treat: shrimp and grits. The shrimp and grits were tasty and reminded us of the time we spent in New Orleans 3 years ago.

After the meal, there was even a surprise dessert – a warm chocolate chip cookie!

What a way to send us off to our next flight

The Third Leg: Dallas (DFW) to Santiago (SCL) Boeing 777-200 (twin-jet)

• Class: Business
• Food: Yes
• Entertainment: Yes
• Flight Time: 9 hours 25 minutes

Finally we made it to the third and final flight to Chile (before heading to Easter Island of course). The plane was recently updated in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration. Rather than take the two middle seats to be right next to each other, Jackie took seat 7L and I took seat 7H so we could wave “Hi” to each other during the flight.

The seats were spacious and had the ability to lie flat accommodating those over 6’ tall. We are short and definitely appreciated the extra space.

Other amenities included:

• Cole Haan amenity kits
• AC power outlets and USB ports
• Bose Noise Cancelling headphones
• 16-inch touchscreen with in-seat remote giving access to over a hundred movies, tv shows, radio stations, and video games
• Wi-Fi (pay to use – we did not use this)
• A walk-up bar continuously stocked with various snacks and drinks

Being in Business class meant that you have a little bit of pampering. Drink options were plentiful and the menu had some good choices.

For dinner, we started with a flaky tomato tart with grilled artichoke heart and a mixed greens salad with sundried tomatoes and shaved parmesan. The tart was nice and flaky and the salad was fresh with a good amount of parmesan shavings.

For the main course, we had the blackened salmon with creole rice, broccolini, and roasted corn relish. The salmon was cooked pretty well considering limitations of reheating on a plane and had good flavor.

For dessert, we had the raspberry tart. It had good flavor and was warm, but had a soggy crust.

We heard the ice cream sundaes are good too. Definitely something for another flight since we didn’t have any room left in our stomachs to order a second dessert. The cabin lights dimmed following the meal service. Seeing that we don’t sleep too much on planes, we powered through 3-4 movies each before breakfast.

For breakfast, we had the fresh fruit bowl with granola and greek yogurt accompanied by a hot flaky biscuit. This was a good energizer before landing in Santiago.

We usually set a pretty low bar for American based airlines like AA, United, Delta, etc, and were impressed with the level of service, comfortable amenities, and quality of food from the American Airlines Business class product and would gladly fly it again.

Have you flown business class before? What is your favorite part about the experience?

The post Getting to Chile with Award Travel on AA and Plane Review – SFO to CLT, CLT to DFW, DFW to SCL appeared first on Life Of Doing.

When someone says, “Easter Island,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Some might not know where it is, others will state “large heads.” We wanted to find out for ourselves about the mysterious island and see the moai up close.

We had Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui in their native language) on our minds for a while. Back in 2013 we thought about some of the farthest to reach places we could think of and Easter Island came up. We revisited the idea in May 2015 while planning for a future Round the World adventure. When news of the American Airlines AAdvantage miles devaluation in March 2016, we decided it was time to pull the trigger. And a bonus: to get to Easter Island required passing through Santiago, Chile.

Due to Chile’s vastness, we focused our travels before and after Easter Island near Chile’s capital, Santiago.

We spent our 14 day trip (including travel time) in the following cities:

• Santiago – 2 days
• Valparaíso – 2.5 days
• Concón – 0.5 day
• Hanga Roa – Easter Island – 6 days

Details in the next post.

The post Why did we decide to go to Chile and Easter Island? appeared first on Life Of Doing.