Gringo Trail: where travelers can find Jesus lizards

If you haven’t heard of it, here’s an unusual destination for travelers: “The Gringo Trail” — a somewhat undefined route starting in Mexico and heading south towards the tip of Argentina.
 

In the past, it was the province of budget backpackers and armchair archeologists but new travel developments have opened up the area to potentially many more visitors.
 

These include direct flights from budget airlines originating in the US, and the strength of the dollar in Latin America — at least compared to other places.
 

“The value may be what starts people looking at Latin America as a destination,” said Andy Alpine, Co-Publisher of Specialty Travel Index. “But what makes them return again and again are the warm climates and warmer hospitality, and the amazing breadth of experiences that can be found here.”
 

He said travelers who want the iconic can head for Macchu Picchu. For those looking for trendy and urban, there’s Rio. And for those looking for a jungle wildlife experience there is Costa Rica.
 

The later has long been the poster child for eco-tourism. It has beaches, volcanoes, and rain forests; howler, spider, and white-faced monkeys; sloth’s and coatis, caimans and crocodiles, green tortoises, green iguanas and lizards that walk on water.
 

Founded in 1980 by intrepid travelers C. Steen Hansen and Andy Alpine, Specialty Travel Index says it is the #1 source for adventure and special-interest vacations worldwide. It features tour and contact information for hundreds of tour operators around the world.
 

Some of their suggestions for visiting the Gringo Trail:
 

—Mare Australis, an expedition cruise ship that travels around the island of Tierra del Fuego, and through the legendary Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn. Three- and-four-night ship cruises allow travelers to walk among penguins and sea lions.
 

—Lake Titicaca, considered by the Incans to be the womb of the world, can be toured by hydrofoil operated by Crillon Tours. There are also ruins to uncover and guides to explain the lake’s mysteries.

—The 20-passenger yacht Eric gives cruisers an up-close look at sea lions and blue footed boobies in the Galapagos. Tara Tours also offers kayaking amidst sea turtles.
 

—Tour groups can tour Chilean wine country that also includes Argentina and Uruguay via South America Tours.
 

—The carnival in Rio de Janeiro is sometimes called one of the greatest shows on earth. Vacations arranges lodging, breakfast, city tours and tickets to the parade through Wildlife Vacations.
 

—Macchu Picchu is the well-known “Sacred Valley of the Incas,” and has been voted one of the new “Seven Wonder of the World.” Latin America Escapes takes adventuresome travelers on a four-day trek up the Incan Trail, which limits the numbers of hikers at any given time so travelers usually need a tour group to make the trip.
 

By David Wilkening