5 Best Latin American Countries To Visit In Retirement
If you’re like most retirees in the U.S. and Canada, you’ve set aside 5% to 10% of your annual budget to travel. International trips are a life-affirming way to spend your time as an older adult.
Yet, not all destinations are senior-friendly. In this guide, discover the best countries to tour when you’re over 60, even when you’re on a budget.
We’ll unpack what makes a nation a great vacation spot for senior citizens. Then, we’ll explore the destinations topping the list—and learn why so many are South of the border!
What Makes A Country Ideal For A Senior Adventure?
Travelling in your golden years is an incredible experience.Yet, considerations like safety and affordability are more important than ever. Before choosing a destination, take a few of these factors into account.
Experiential Variety
The best destinations offer a diverse range of attractions and activities to try your hand at. An ideal tour offers opportunities for varied experiences, including:
- Visiting natural wonders
- Observing or interacting with wildlife
- Guided tours of historical sites
- Immersive experiences
- Workshops in traditional or cultural arts
- Festivals & culinary events
- Music, dancing & nightlife
- Unique markets and boutiques
- Outdoor adventures
Choose a destination that offers a lot of options, and an itinerary that lets you enjoy your preferences at your pace.
Budget-Friendliness
Seek out affordable destinations with quality accommodations. Make sure to read the fine print to learn if a “great deal” actually includes a lot of hidden fees or surcharges.
Senior travelers often find the most affordable trips are all-inclusive tours where the expenses that add-up—transportation, meals, overnight stays—are already bundled into the price.
Comfortable Transportation & Lodging
It’s important that the mode of transportation seniors use, and the places you stay, are comfortable enough to give an older body real rest.
Skip cramped cabs and lumpy mattresses. Instead, consider features like privacy, noise levels, and customizability when choosing where to venture.
Safety
Safety is important regardless of age. However, travelers over 60 face an increased risk of frostbite, respiratory infections, and hypothermia on trips—particularly in cold climates. The risk of dehydration and heat stroke is also elevated for older adults.
The ideal destination makes it easy to mitigate all of these risks with available resources.
Why Are Central & South American Tours The Best Places To Go For A Senior Trip Out Of The Country?
Central American and South American countries have a lot to offer seniors traveling abroad. The diverse cultures, food, and wildlife in the region brings visitors a new experience with every step
The favorable exchange rate means a dollar can stretch farther than you might think, making higher-end accommodations an option—even on a budget. And, as increasingly popular travel destinations, many Latin American countries have a range of safe, comfortable options for transit, exploration, and medical care.
5 Best Latin American Senior Trip Ideas On A Budget
1. Colombia
Colombia is a near-perfect destination for traveling seniors. The tropical nation is home to some of the greatest coffee on Earth, internationally celebrated floral arts cultivated from the country’s unique botany, and preserved sites of great ancient and colonial eras alike.
The historic cities of Cartagena and Bogota are full of rich cultural experiences, and both are largely accessible to those using a wheelchair or walking at a leisurely pace—including sites like the sublime, subterranean Salt Cathedral.
There are diverse transportation options, including many opportunities to travel comfortably and in air conditioning. A tour of Colombia lets seniors see vibrant murals, eat delicious bandeja paisa, and stay at a luxury, 4-star beachfront hotel for the cost of a 2-star hotel in the states.
2. Guatemala
A trip to Guatemala is one of the most affordable adventures seniors could plan. A week at the Barceló Guatemala City hotel, a 5-star stay, usually costs less than $100 USD. Food is similarly budget-friendly, with generous portions of street food often offered for $1-$2, and sit-down meals priced between $5-$10.
While visiting Guatemala, seniors might enjoy swimming or kayaking in Lake Atitlan, one of the most pristine lakes in the world. Explore a volcanic Mayan archeological site, and experience the arts and textile cultures of the country’s native ethnic groups.
3. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a great country for a trip, particularly for seniors who love nature and wildlife. It’s one of the most biodiverse nations in the world. It’s home to awe-inspiring waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries for sloths and macaws, and the Arenal Volcano Rainforest Reserve.
Seniors with limited mobility shouldn’t worry when booking a trip to Costa Rica. Many of its most beautiful sites are accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or walkers. There’s even a wheelchair accessible route across the famous hanging bridges of Mistico Park.
Senior citizens are respected, often called “golden citizens,” and many places offer “ciudadanos de oro” or seniors discounts.
4. Panama
While all of our recommended destinations are on the affordable side, it’s worth noting Panama isn’t quite as budget-friendly as some of the other countries on our list.
Yet, it’s still a memorable country to tour in one’s golden years. Panama’s luxurious spas are globally renowned, and there’s nothing quite like spending a day boating on the Panama Canal. A traveler might also see monkeys in the rainforest treetops of Fort San Lorenzo National Park, enjoy unique beadwork and sculptures crafted by the native Embera people, and Kuna mola textile arts found nowhere else in the world.
5. Mexico
No matter your pace or preference, Mexico’s a destination that has it all.
Explore Mexico’s colonial cities, their historic architecture and traditions preserved as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Walk the Mayan sacbeob, the white salt roads still standing for two millennia, on an adventure through ancient civilizations.
Enjoy the scenic beaches, historic seaports, and ancient pyramids of the Riviera Maya, Yucatán’s Caribbean coast. Or, take a luxurious ride on El Chepe, a scenic railroad route highlighting natural wonders and traditional indigenous cultures.
No matter how you go, it’s an excellent option for seniors travelling abroad.
Join Unforgettable Tours For Seniors With Caravan
At Caravan, every aspect of our tours is hand-picked by our experts to build an extraordinary adventure.
On our Central American tours, experience eight days of tropical beauty, relics of ancient history, and culinary delights you won’t taste anywhere else—all at one affordable price.
Call us at 1-800-312-321-9800 to learn more. Or, call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826) to book your spot today.
