PanAmerican Releases Signature Series to Belize and Guatemala

PanAmerican Travel Services has released two additional "pre-planned" itineraries to its Signature Line of travel packages to South and Central America. Both 8D/7N itineraries are focused on introducing the highlights of the respective countries to travelers. Belize includes
For detailed day-by-day itineraries you can click here; Belize and Guatemala. Or, you can find them on our homepage at www.panam-tours.com. And if you would like to speak to an agent directly, please call 800-364-4359 or e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com.

Jicaro Island Ecolodge - Nicaragua's Newest Eco-Luxury Resort

If an intimate retreat on a private island sounds appealing, where you can feel good about relaxing in a resort that takes sustainability seriously and matches it with the details and level of hospitality expected from a luxury property, let us introduce you to the Jicaro Island Ecolodge.

A short boat ride from the colonial town of Granada, Jicaro Island Ecolodge is set in Lake Nicaragua, the largest fresh water lake in Central America. Limited to no more than 20 guests, nine two story private casitas have been hand crafted using indigenous wood, with windowed walls that open up to the lake breezes, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

For those who can bear to leave the island, a signature tour includes a short boat ride across the lake to the foot of the Mombacho Volcano where guests can hike up to hidden hot springs, explore petroglyphs and the Mombacho cloud forests.

For rates and availability or to put together a customized leisure itinerary to Nicaragua, please e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com or call us at 800-364-4359.

Algodon Mansion - New Buenos Aires Boutique Hotel

Located in the heart of Recoleta, Buenos Aires' embassy and luxury hotel district, the Algodon Mansion is now open and accepting reservations. The landmark 1912 building is fashioned in French Classical design and has been impeccably restored, yet re-imagined with inspired contemporary elegance and sophistication.
Attended by 24-hour butlers, suites overlook a shaded residential street as well as exquisite six-story interior lightwell that features a cascading waterfall descending to the lobby. The property also features a full service restaurant, library, spa, and rooftop swimming pool. They also have a sister property in Mendoza for those want an upscale wine country experience.
For more information on this hotel and other boutique hotels in Buenos Aires, e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com or call 800-364-4359.

Explora Adventure & Wine

Chile features some of the most beautiful countrysides anywhere in the world and some really great wines. Explora has teamed up with their sister company CV Family Estates and is offering an exclusive wine program at Casa Porta Estate called explora + Wine Program. The program allows explora travelers to discover the beauty of the traditional country life at the quaint Casa Porta, less than an hour from Santiago, immersed in the beauty of the Alto Cachapoal Valley.
The private and secluded colonial-style house was built in 1875 and features six exclusively-furnished guest rooms, a living room with A/V equipment, a dining room, meeting room, chapel, kitchen, and sophisticated enological facilities, such as an underground cellar, barrel room, wine bar, and tasting room.
Progams include transfers to/from the Santiago Airport, accommodations, open bar, tour, and wine tasting. When you book 3 explora properties, you receive a complimentary 2-night stay at Casa Porta. And when you book 2 explora properties you receive a complimentary 1-night stay at Casa Porta.
For booking details and pricing call 800-364-4359 or e-mail info@panam-tours.com. You can also check-in at our website; www.panam-tours.com.

Mountain Lodges of Peru - The Lesser Known Inca Trail

Mountain Lodges of Peru just released rates for 2010 and there are lots of incentives for early bookings. If you book before December 31, 2009, you will obtain special rates from now until April 15, 2010 (note that the lodges are closed in January and February).

For fixed departures, the second guest sharing a room pays only $1500.00, and the third guest $1000.00, as well as no charge for single supplement (if available). And special group departures will receive a 20% discount on published rates.

Mountain Lodges of Peru takes guests on an ancient trail called the "Salkantay Route", going from lodge to lodge in the Cordillera Vilcabamba, a spectacular Andean mountain range which cradles the famed Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Within Mountain Lodges of Peru's lodge system, the crown jewel is the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort, located in the high Andean Valley of Soraypampa at 12,705 feet above sea level. The 6N/7D program is all inclusive from Cuzco (some restrictions apply).

For a detailed day-by-day itinerary and to check availability, call 800-364-4359 or email us at info@panam-tours.com

Apartment Rentals in Buenos Aires

PanAmerican Travel Services now has access to a number of apartments in Buenos Aires that are available for rent. Apartments offer a safe and affordable alternative to families who don't want to split up between hotel rooms. And many of the apartments offer breakfast and a concierge desk similar to a hotel.
For more information on rates, locations, and availability, please call us at 800-364-4359 or e-mail info@panam-tours.com.

Wine Harvest of Chile - 2010

It is not often that we market set packages to our clients, but we felt like this one was worth a try. Experience the best of Chilean wine country with this 7-night package that includes the following; 3-nights in Santiago, 2-nights in the Colchagua Valley, 2-nights in Vina del Mar, daily breakfast, all transfers and daily tours with English speaking guides, entrance fees to all sights, and wine during all meals (specified in the day-by-day itinerary). Prices starting at $2785.00 per person based on double occupancy.
The tour begins on Thursday, March 11, 2010, and ends on Thursday, March 18, 2010, and could easily be combined with a pre or post tour to others regions of Chile.
For a complete day-by-day itinerary e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com or call 800-364-4359. The tour can also be quoted on a private basis if needed.

Tcherassi Hotel + Spa - Cartagena, Colombia

The latest project of well-known fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi, The Tcherassi Hotel + Spa was recently opened in the beautiful city of Cartangena. The luxury boutique hotel is housed in a 250-year old mansion and offers seven large guestrooms and suites, all featuring vaulted ceilings, wood floors, and private balconies.
Services include a full service spa, the soon to be opened Vera Restaurant, a private lounge for guests and a rooftop pool.
For more information on this hotel and customized packages to Colombia, please call 800-364-4359 or e-mail info@panam-tours.com

Las Terrazas Resort & Residences - Ambergris Caye, Belize

Breathe the calmness of a Caribbean dawn, feel the crystal clear bluish tones of a peaceful and inviting sea. And that is just the beginning! At Las Terrazas nature renders the perfect atmosphere for rest, adventure, fun, and romance.

The residences of this exclusive community on the beaches of Ambergris Caye were carefully designed as an ensemble of interior spaces in harmony with nature. The property offers several designs ranging from one-bedroom to magnificent three-bedroom residences with lush gardens and panoramic oceanfront views. Each unit features full kitchens, 42-inch flatscreen TV's, I-Pod docking stations with surround sound, high speed internet access, VIP concierge, 70-foot infinity lap pool, largest private beach on the island, fitness room, 5-star PADI dive shop, expert guides, and spa services.

For more information on this property, to check availability, and to plan your perfect Belize vacation package, please call 800-364-4359 or e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com.

2010 Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and/or Salvador

PanAmerican Travel Services has access to 7N/8D packages during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro/Paraty and 5N/6D during Carnival in Salvador.

RIO DE JANEIRO / PARATY
Considered by most to the be the most popular Carnival in the world, Rio provides an explosion of color, music, and joy that will remain in your memory forever.
Packages starting at $1979.00 per person in 3-star accommodations. Package includes 7-nights accommodations w/daily breakfast, roundtrip transfers to/from airport and between Rio and Paraty, all tours and parade tickets to the Sambadromo. Land package starts on February 13th and does not include international airfare.

SALVADOR
Instead of the parade of Samba Schools with the wonderful fantasies that most people know, carnival in Salvador happens "behind the Trio Eletrico" and it completely different than the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
Packages starting at $1670.00 per person in 3-star accommodations. Package includes 5-nights accommodations w/daily breakfast, roundtrip transfers to/from airport, all tours, 2 abadas (t-shirts) for blocos (Eva and Claudia Leite) and 1 abada for camarote (Nana Banana). Land package starts on February 12th and does not include international airfare.

For complete day-by-day itineraries please e-mail info@panam-tours.com or call 800-364-4359.

EcoCamp Patagonia - Torres del Paine National Park

The Patagonia EcoCamp offers the perfect compromise between hotel accommodation and camping. Located in Torres del Paine National Park, the property has large dome-shaped tents where you can stand up straight and lie down on a real bed and eat good food in our dining tent. You avoid the ardours and discomfort of traditional camping while remaining in closer contact with the environment and in harmony with nature. Daily expeditions and tours include English speaking guides and they do everyting possible to make your trekking experience, your wildlife tour, your photography safari - be what it may - a special and unforgettable experience where you will be able to relax from the pressures of everyday life and genuinely recreate yourself surrounded by the wonders of Patagonian natural beauty.
It is also important to note that The Patagonia EcoCamp became the first hospitality company in Chile to receive the prestigious ISO14001 Environmental Management System certification from a third party certifier -Societe Generale de Surveillance, SGS-Switzerland-. ISO 14001 certification is a rigorous and very complicated process and is the result of multi-faceted environmental initiatives.
For more information on this unqiue Patagonia experience please call 800-364-4359 or e-mail info@panam-tours.com.

Aqua Expeditions - Cruise the Amazon in Style

Fransceso Galli Zugaro, CEO of Aqua Expeditions had long dreamed of bringing a new level of luxury to Amazon River Cruising. With the launch of the M/V Aqua, his dream became a reality. During your journey, you will find yourself in a shipboard environment of utmost luxury, surrounded by one of the remote, least visited areas on the planet.
Only a handful of world travelers have visited the remote Pacaya Samiria Reserve, the farthest point on the journey. It is a world of birds in neon-brilliant colors, playful pink dolphins, lively monkeys, graceful hawks, caimans, and millions of butterflies. The vessel features 12 air conditioned, over sized guest suites that feature en suite sitting areas and outward facing panoramic windows. With room for 24 guests, 21 staff members, and an award winning chef, this is truly the most comfortable way to experience the Amazon.
To check availability and pricing, email us at info@panam-tours.com or call 800-364-4359.

Cruise the Galapagos in Style!

Join the President of PanAmerican Travel Services, Carlos Fida, and The Getaway Guru, Larry Gelwix on a 1-week tour to Quito and The Galapagos Islands. The tour includes 2-nights in Quito and a 4-night/5-day Galapagos Cruise on the Estrella del Mar Yacht.

Click here to see a complete day-by-day itinerary.

For more information call 800-364-4359 or e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com

Dakar Rally 2010 in Argentina!

PanAmerican Travel Services has access to a limited number of spaces on a 5N/6D package that begins and ends in Mendoza, Argentina. It includes 3-nights lodging at the selected hotel in Mendoza in a standard double room with breakfast, 1-night camping, 1-night at Lodge Algodón Estate, 2 lunches with drinks included, 1 box lunch with drinks included, 2 dinners with drinks included, a city tour of Mendoza, full day wine tasting tour of Lujan de Cuyo or Maipú, VIP 4x4 High Mountain tour, horse riding or trekking at the estancia, snacks and drinks on all transfers, bilingual guide with specialized outdoor activity training and first aid training, exclusive Watch Point for the Rally, entrance to the Official Dakar Rally Camp in San Rafael, and transfers.

For pricing and information on availability, please call us at 800-364-4359 or e-mail info@panam-tours.com.

Torres del Paine National Park

I just returned from a trip to the Chilean Patagonia. While I was there the group did a full day tour to Lago Grey and the Grey Glacier. It was simply stunning. Fortunately, you can only hear the wind in the video. I also spent time at the Patagonia EcoCamp and Hosteria Las Torres. Check out the video:

For more information on customized itineraries to Patagonia and the rest of Chile and Argentina, call 800-364-4359 or e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com.

Rio de Janeiro Wins Bid for 2016 Summer Olympics!

Congratulations to the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for securing the bid for The 2016 Summer Olympic Games. First the World Cup, now the Summer Olympics, what's next? Let the party begin!
You can watch their promotional video on YouTube; very well done. We look forward to what will be a very special time for the country of Brazil and South America in general.
We will be working closely with our contacts in Rio to promote what will surely be a VERY busy time in Rio.

Peru's Sacred Valley featured in The New York Times

On September 13th, The New York Times featured an article on Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas, also known as the Urubamba Valley and home to the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo. This area is located between Cuzco and Machu Picchu and is a real gem of a stop. With a variety of restaurants, a wide range of hotels, and beautiful Inca Ruins, it offers yet another amazing stop in this fascinating country.
For more ingformation on this area and other great stops in Peru, please contact us at info@panam-tours.com or call 800-364-4359. We can craft a customized tour to Peru that will meet all of your expectations.

Just Returned from Fernando de Noronha!

I just returned from a site inspection trip to Fernando de Noronha! In short, it was simply amazing. Think Hawaii without 98% of the hotels and tourists.

If you would like more information on some of the best beaches, snorkeling, and scuba diving in South America, e-mail me at bsteele@panam-tours.com or call 800-364-4359. I will also put details in the October edition of our Newsletter. If you are not on the list to receive the Newsletter, go to http://www.panam-tours.com/ and enter your e-mail address. And check out the video. It is just a teaser of what you will see on this beautiful island. You won't believe the crowds at this place (wink, wink).

Lan Airlines Non-Stop Routing Returns!

Lan Airlines nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Santiago starts on December 14, 2009 and continues to fly every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday until the end of March 2010.

Call PanAmerican Travel Services at 800-364-4359 or e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com for pricing and itineraries.

Panama & Brazil's Newest All-inclusive Resorts

Scheduled to open this month, Breezes Panama Resort & Spa is the first Super-Inclusive Resort in Central America and the first one on the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. It is located in the area of Santa Clara, also known as the "dry arc" for its comfortably dry climate.

And scheduled to open in 2010, Buzios, Brazil is located 105 miles northeast of Rio de Janeiro and worlds away from everyday life. It will feature one of Latin America's largest swimming pools, fantastic beaches, and elegant accommodations.

For more information visit http://www.breezes.com/ or call us at 800-364-4359 or e-mail info@panam-tours.com.

Hip New Hotels in Peru!

Located just outside the coastal town of Paracas, the 124-room Doubletree Guest Suites by Hilton offers a luxurious, resort-like experience amid windswept dunes, lush lagoons, and a breathtaking bay.
A 90-minute drive from Cuzco is the expansive new Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness. Offering 100 rooms, 15-suites, and a well preserved colonial church and home, this is a great option for groups.
And not as new, but still relatively unknown, The Casa Cartagena adds a luxurious modern flare to this colonial gem of a city. It offers 16 massive suites, one of the cities best restaurants, and top of the line service.
Contact us at 800-364-4359 or e-mail info@panam-tours.com for special wholesale rates at these properties and any other services you might need in Peru.

Three Eco-luxury Costa Rican Resorts Recognized by Fodor’s

San Jose, Costa Rica, August 3, 2009 - Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn (www.fincarosablanca.com) , Lapa Rios Rainforest Eco-Lodge (www.laparios.com) and the recently opened Arenas Del Mar Nature & Beach Resort (www.arenasdelmar.com) have all been named a “Fodor’s Choice” property, recognizing these three eco-luxury resorts as leaders in their field for service, quality and value.

Peru and Argentina Make Travel + Leisure Magazine's "It List"

Peru and Argentina made an appearance on Travel + Leisure Magazine's 2009 "It-List". Inkaterra's La Casona (Cuzco) is a remodeled 16th-century colonial building that sits on the Plaza Las Nazarenas. It features handwoven bedding, and large marble baths that are furnished with nearby min and heliotrope scented amenities. Prices start around $720.00 a night based on double occupancy.
Also making an appearance are Las Casitas del Colca, the first upscale resort in Peru's dramatic Colca Canyon. There are 20 Casitas in all spread on 60 acres of property, each one measuring 290 square feet with a private plunge pools. Condor-spotting and a massage with plant-infused oils under giant eucalyptus trees are just a few of the activities that might make up your day. Prices start at $523.00 per person, all-inclusive.
And finally, the Hotel Legado Mitico, located in Salta, a city that has quietly become one of Argentina's top cities for tourism, just behind Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Located on a commercial corner near the main square, each of the 11 rooms is named for a notable person and dressed accordingly with art from that region. Prices starting at just $170.00 per night.

For more information on these properties and suggestions on how to build them in to an itinerary, please call us at 800-364-4359 or e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com.

Great Video from Peru!!

In March PanAmerican Travel Services escorted a group of graduate students to Peru. They performed service projects in a small town called Huilloq, located just outside the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and conquered the famous Inca Trail. Check out the from the trip! Many thanks to Andrew Taylor, the PanAmerican agent who traveled with the group and put together the video.



For more information on student travel to South and Central America call us at 800-364-4359.

Ecuador Featured In The Wall Street Journal

There is a great travel article in The Wall Street Journal about Ecuador. It is very informative with some great recommendations on restaurants and hotels. PanAmerican has access to wholesale rates at all of the hotels mentioned in the article.

Buenos Aires Hotels

PanAmerican Travel Services has new hotel contracts in Buenos Aires, Argentina!! 4-Star properties starting at $115.00 per night based on double occupancy (includes taxes and buffet breakfast).

Call 800-364-4359 or e-mail info@panam-tours.com for more information.

No more plastic bottles in Machu Picchu

A municipal by-law bans plastic bottles from Machu Picchu

In order to avoid negative environmental impacts on Machu Picchu, the Municipality of Machu Picchu has ratified a by-law banning plastic bottles from the monument. Visitors to Machu Picchu may carry water in personal containers, canteens or glass bottles. This by-law will take effect on the 13th of August 2009.

Discounted Galapagos Cruise!!

PanAmerican Travel Services has access to $1000.00 per person discounts on select Galapagos Cruise departures:

October 03-10, 17-24

November 07-14, 28-05

December 12-19

There are only a limited number of cabins per cruise that are available at the disounted rate. E-mail us at info@panam-tours.com for more information.

New Peru Hotels - The Sacred Valley of the Incas

Two hotels recently opened their doors in The Sacred Valley of the Incas. Located between Cuzco and Machu Picchu on the banks of the Urubamba River, the Sacred Valley is an ideal overnight on the way to/from the awe inspiring Citadel of the Incas. It is home to the ruins of Ollantaytambo and the famous Pisac Indian Market.
The Rio Sagrado Hotel has 18 suites and 2 villas, with upscale amenities like heated bathroom floors and an excellent restaurant. It would be considered a "boutique" option compared to the 100 rooms, 15 suite Aranwa, which features a 2500 square meter spa that has 7 treatment rooms and 3 pools.

No Reservations in Chile - Premiering Monday, July 13th

Season 5 of the No Reservations series begins on Monday, July 13th and Anthony Bourdain wastes no time getting down to South America. Travel with Anthony to Chile where he samples the amazing cuisine in Santiago, Valparaiso, and the Puerto Montt. Click on the link above for a list of the restaurants where he dined.

Lan Airlines Announces Summer Sale!

Take advantage of Lan Airlines new and exciting fares to Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, and Uruguay this summer. Buy your tickets before August 17th and travel any time until December 31st. Offers are based on availability and are based on departures from Lan gateways; Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City. Certain restrictions apply. Get the details at http://www.lan.com/ or go to http://tinyurl.com/n8erl4.

Marriott to Open First Hotel in Colombia

The first Hotel Marriott in Colombia has scheduled it's inauguration on August 15th, 2009. The hotel is located in The Bogotá Corporate Center on the west end of the capital city. Additionally, a JW Marriott is under construction on the north side of the Bogota and is slated to be opened in May 2010.

Delta Starts New Flights to Brazil

Delta Airlines started flying non-stop from Los Angeles to Sao Paulo, Brazil. They currently have 3 flights a week. It has been sometime since an American carrier has operated that route. Very exciting news for people on the West Coast.

Sacred City of Caral (Peru), Added to UNESCO's World Heritage List

The Sacred City of Caral in Peru, the oldest centre of civilization in the Americas, was recently added to UNESCO's World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee, during the 33rd session of the Committee, held in Sevilla, Spain.

This 5000-year-old, 626-hectare, archaeological site of the Sacred City of Caral , is situated on a dry desert terrace overlooking the green valley of the Supe River, 180 Kms. north of Lima. It dates back to the Late Archaic Period of the Central Andes and is the oldest centre of civilization in the Americas and of the first in the world, together with Mesopotamia, India, China and Egypt. Exceptionally well-preserved, the site is impressive in terms of it's design and the complexity of its architecture, especially its monumental stone and earthen platform mounts and sunken circular courts.

For more information on this site please call us at 800-364-4359 or e-mail us at info@panam-tours.com. Our agents would be more than happy to construct a customized itinerary that includes your favorites.

Travel to Cartagena, Colombia

There is a great article in the Miami Herald about Cartagena, Colombia, http://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/latin-america/story/1101185.html.

Colombia continues to get a lot of press in the travel industry. PanAmerican Travel Services has operated many tours to Cartagena and our clients are always impressed with the beauty of the city and the quality of the tourism infrastructure.

For more information on customized travel to Cartagena, call us at 800-364-4359 or send us an e-mail at info@panam-tours.com.

Kids Fly Free within Costa Rica on Nature Air

Our good friends at Nature Air are encouraging families to continue traveling to Costa Rica by offering a "Kids Fly Free" through the summer.

“With the struggling economy we felt it was time to help our loyal customers keep some cash in their pockets, “ said Alexi Huntley Khajavi, NatureAir Commercial Director. “At NatureAir we want to bring families closer together and understand that families vacationing in Costa Rica is an unforgettable experience.”


Alexi is a good friend and understands the U.S. travel market very well. Kudos to him and his team for keeping Costa Rica affordable.


Until August 30, 2009 Nature Air is opening up its skies for children up to 11 years old to all destinations NatureAir flies in Costa Rica with the purchase of two adult round trip tickets.


NatureAir is the world’s first certified carbon neutral airline, and the fastest growing regional airline in Central America. Since its inception in 2000, NatureAir has grown from flying 18,000 passengers annually to more than 140,000 in 2008. NatureAir is the only twin-engine airline in Costa Rica with both scheduled and chartered flights, and offers 74 daily flights to 17 destinations in Costa Rica, and Panama.

Peru Hotel Promotions!

Lately we have been emphasizing the number of promotions that we receive from our friends in South America. Well, we just received another one.

Founded nearly 30-years ago, Libertador Hotels has been providing top notch service in top notch properties throughout Peru. And as part of its recent strategic alliance with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, it is safe to say we can look forward to brand new properties during the next two years.

The Sacred Valley, located between Cuzco and Machu Picchu, will see the opening of the first Luxury Collection hotel in Peru, currently under construction. Cuzco's Libertador Hotel, the flagship of the group, will also form part of the Luxury Collection once its renovation is completed. Lima will be the location for South America's first Westin Hotel. South of Lima, on the beautiful coastline of Paracas, the first Peruvian luxury resort & spa is also under construction.

And for the remainder of 2009, if you stay 4-nights in the Hotel Libertador Palacio del Inka in Cuzco, you will receive 1 free night at any other Hotel Libertador including the Sacred Valley, Lima, Paracas, Puno, Arequipa, and Trujillo. However, it cannot be combined with Promotional Rates or other discounts.

For reservations or to check availability and pricing, call us at 800-364-4359 or send an e-mail to info@panam-tours.com

Peru Amazon - La Ceiba Top Lodge

I had the best possible experience in the Amazon at the Ceiba Top Lodge. AMAZING AMAZON !

The excursions are excellent and the places they go are unique. I have never seen anything like this before.

Here are some photos.. The Amazon Queen is the boat they use to transport passengers from the pier in Iquitos to the Ceiba Top. It is a memorable experience.

The rooms are very, very spacious and have air conditioning and the pool is super nice.

One of the things that my group enjoyed was a visit to a local school located a short boat ride. People could be encouraged in taking some school items for the school as well as some candy. My group had two visits to schools and they have listed both visits as a great highlight. Passengers love to mingle with locals, especially children. The children sang for us and we sang back in English for them. It was not only touching but a memorable experience.

- Carlos L. Fida