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Give Back During Your Travels

Volunteer your time in South America

Volunteer opportunities in South America and elsewhere abroad are excellent opportunities to travel and give back to people who need your help. Oftentimes, organizations need volunteers for a few weeks, but you can sometimes find volunteer organizations that will take people to work for a couple a days. These shorter-term opportunities might be able to better fit the schedules of busy travelers who are passing through. Some opportunities require that you apply in advance, so you should apply for several different opportunities just in case you do not get the one that you want. If you choose not to participate in a volunteer opportunity, be sure to let the organizers know far in advance of your targeted participation date.

Teaching children is typically a skill that is in high demand. Sometimes the organizations need support in caring for children or staffing an office. Casa Hogar seeks volunteers in Peru for a minimum of a month to support children in its orphanage and to help with office work. For this and other volunteering opportunities, worker are expected to help for a certain amount of time. In this case, volunteers work for at least a month, and they work for about seven hours a day. Casa Hogar actually has a volunteer house, where 11 people can stay for about $20 per month, according to Casa Hogar. Volunteers can also opt to stay in a Peruvian home. When choosing volunteer options on Peru or in other areas of the world, ask for photos of your accommodations. You should also ask to speak with current or pervious volunteers, especially if you are out of the country. In my experience, it’s best to be able to see the place where you will be volunteering before you go, or at least meet face-to-face with the volunteer coordinator. Always have a back-up plan if you choose to visit an area for a volunteer trip.

Things to See and Do in Peru

Beautiful Fountains and a Place to Watch the Sunset

The Magic Water Circuit in Lima has over dozen fountains that are synchronized with music and visual images. At night you see the fountains move with the lights. Yes, you will see tourists at the water circuit, but a lot of the people who are native to Lima visit there, too. It’s a great place to mingle with the people of Lima and do a little people watching. Make sure that you plan ahead. Your children will likely want to get into the fountains designated for play, especially if the weather is hot and they see other children having fun. You’ll need to bring your own towels and some extra clothes and shoes. Their shoes will get wet. You probably won’t want your children to head back to the hotel while dripping wet. As far as when to go, you might prefer to visit at night to see the light show and experience the full impact of the show. The Magic Water Circuit is open Wednesday through Sundays it is located in the Reserve Park.

A Great Place to Watch the Sunset

On clear days, stop by the Larcoma Shopping Center where people gather to see the sunset from the open area. The shops themselves might be little pricey but the view of the sunset and ocean is priceless. Bring your camera with you to this mall. You don’t want to miss the photo opportunities. In addition to the upscale stores, the mall has a movie theater, a museum, bowling alley and a food court. There are bars and clubs for the adults. The shopping center is located on Avenida Malecon del la Reserva 610 in Lima.

Thinking About a Trip to the Amazon?

Here are some options for the less adventurous traveler

See the Amazon even if you are not necessarily the outdoor camping, type. You can take an Amazon riverboat tour to the area, and see the jungle without a strenuous hiking trip. Smaller boats can navigate through narrower pathways so that you can view the Amazon closer. The larger riverboats have some of the same amenities as a hotel. You can have drinks at the bar. Eat onboard in the dining area, and of course, you can sleep in an onboard cabin. Depending on the riverboat line that you choose, you might be able to explore areas beyond the edge of the Amazon. For the best chance of seeing wildlife during your journey, pay attention to the route for the trip. For example, the seven-day Amazon Wildlife Cruise that is run by Green Tracks takes visitors into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and if you desire, you can combine your cruise with a hiking expedition.

Exploration tours that provide lodging in the Amazon provide a place to sleep at night while you bird watch or hike during the day. The lodges might not have electricity or hot water, for that matter, so do not make assumptions. You should also not assume that the lodges do not have these amenities. Some could have electricity a swimming area, and other comforts. Night tours might be available, depending on the company. Make sure that the guides are knowledgeable about the area as well as safety practices. When selecting a tour, ask about the actions that will be taken if you or another person in your party becomes ill.

Things to do in Rio

When visiting Rio de Janeiro, you will find that there are a multitude of things to see and places to visit. You visit Ipanema Beach, or hike on Claudio Coutinho Trail. Do you love nature and the outdoors? If the answer is yes, visit Tijuca National Park.

Most people wouldn't think of visiting Rio without going to the beach. Try visiting Ipanema Beach. The beach is lined with shopping, restaurants and accommodations, and it is a great place to people watch. The beach gets fairly crowded on the weekends, but the environment is friendly and welcoming. Ipanema Beach is sometimes compared to Copacabana, which can be a bit more rowdier. For a beach that is a bit more energetic, definitely visit the Copacabana.

If you are hankering to get a little exercise, you can take a walk on the Claudio Coutinho Trail has fabulous views of the mountain and beaches. The trail winds between the Sugar Loaf Mountain and the sea below. Use the path for bird watching, too. You might even see a monkey during your journey. Jog on the path or take a walk at a leisurely pace. The path is clean and the area is one of the safer spots in Rio.

For a romantic meander through Rio, visit the Tijuca National Park. The park has a gorgeous waterfall, lush fauna and wildlife. The statue of Christ the Redeemer is located on a hill inside the park. Many people rent a jeep to tour the park, which is one of the most convenient methods for taking in the sights there. It is best to take a tour with a knowledgeable guide who fluently speaks your language, so you can ask questions along the way. Hiking tours are also available.

Carnival 2012 in Rio

Prepare for One of the Most Popular Parties in the World

Carnival is right around the corner. The opening ceremony is at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 17^th and the partying resumes on Saturday, February 18^th to February 21st. Of course, Brazil is already in party mode. Partygoers will see a street band at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Everyone should attempt to see the famous Parade of the Samba Schools in which participants wear brilliant, elaborate costumes and dance. There are several different Samba parades, but the Samba Schools in the Special Group are the shows that you must see if you are visiting South America for Carnival for the first time or you plan to visit in the near future.

This year, the shows are on Sunday, February 19^th and Monday, February 20^th. If you can make any of these shows, you are doing well, because they all include the pageantry that has made the Carnival in Brazil famous. Many people who simply can't get in to see the parade in the Rio Sambodromo exhibition center simply party in the streets as close as they can get to the center. The tickets are priced based on the view and the event. The Rio Convention and Visitor's Bureau advises that you purchase tickets from a travel agent long before the event. If you can't nab a ticket, though, it could be almost as fun to see the party taking place outside the center.

You can find parties almost everywhere, because the Carnival celebrates the urge to dance and party wherever you are. Try to find Cinelandia or Floriano Square which is the main public square for the celebration in Rio de Janeiro. The area is the headquarters for the traditional, organized party with an orchestra, live music and famous Brazilian singers. During this time of the year, everyone is in the mood to revel and party in Rio, so you should not expect to conduct business. Be ready to party if you visit during Carnival.

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