The Amateur Traveler talks to Michael Tieso about his recent trip to Bolivia. He was traveling from Argentina to Peru and at first Bolivia was just in the way, but he discovered [...]

Paucartambo is a small town a few hours from Cusco. It’s not well traveled except for one time a year when people come from all over Peru and abroad for the festival [...]

Travelers heading to Cusco, Peru are usually there for one main reason – to see the wonder that is Machu Picchu.  All travelers have their own way of seeing Machu Picchu.  Some [...]

I like to think I’m in fairly good shape. I exercise regularly and other than stove-top popcorn I’m pretty much a healthy eater. I wouldn’t call myself an avid trekker (because carrying [...]

Few tourists spend much time in Lima which is a real shame, especially for those interested in learning more about Peru’s long and fascinating history and culture. Lima is home to Peru’s [...]

There are two foods that are ubiquitous across the Peruvian Andes. One is potatoes and the other is corn. This isn’t the corn we’re used to back home. Peruvian corn, choclo, comes [...]

Ollantaytambo is a small town with a long name and an even longer list of hidden treasures awaiting the visitor who wishes to take a break on the crowded route to Machu [...]

With his second book “Socialist Dreams and Beauty Queens-A Couchsurfer’s Memoir of Venezuela” Jamie Maslin creates a dual Venezuelan history and politic lesson from which you can glean points in couchsurfing technique [...]

“We came for 2 days and ended up extending to 5,” (Jill and Naomi) and “We’re already booked to go to Chile otherwise we’d love to spend more time here.” (Dan and [...]

The Amateur Traveler talks to Jeff Jung from Career Break Secrets about a trip to Northwest Argentina that left an impression on this intrepid traveler. Jeff, an expat, who lives in Colombia, [...]