Juliet Ellwood
After graduating and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, she has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves.
With a degree in Anthropology and History, and a fascination for Latin America since childhood, it was a book featuring photos of the Nazca lines that finally inspired Juliet to first visit the region in 2003. That six-week overland tour through Peru, Bolivia and northern Chile was the trip that had her thoroughly hooked. Since then she has made several return visits, including a number of extended backpacking trips. Meanwhile, her career saw her working in universities in Oxford and London, a media company in the Netherlands and as an English teacher in the Czech Republic.
Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America, but has particularly extensive experience of Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food. Aside from Peru, other highlights have included El Chaltén, Argentina, where she danced the Chacarera with locals (a folk dance) into the small hours before an early start to trek to the base of Mount Fitz Roy. Guatemala is another favourite destination; Juliet has happy memories of studying Spanish in San Pedro La Laguna on the shores of Lake Atitlán, and camping beneath the summit of Tajumulco volcano, the highest point in Central America, in order to see the sunrise.
PersonAL favourites:
Favourite Place
Lima, Peru. My first glimpse of Latin America was a late-night taxi ride from Lima airport, and I felt straight away that this was a place unlike anywhere else. Lima isn’t necessarily as easy to love as other cities such as Rio or Buenos Aires, but it’s historic and hugely compelling, with passionate inhabitants and some of the best food in the world.
Favourite Excursion
The 3-day crossing in a four-wheel drive from Uyuni – with its blinding white salt flats, through high altitude desert (a breath-taking 5000m at its highest) past volcanoes, geysers and vividly coloured lakes – to San Pedro de Atacama is one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had and would highly recommend if you get the opportunity.
Wherever you go in Latin America there are so many unique sights and activities, it’s of course tempting to pack your holiday itinerary to make the most of it. But try and allow for a little unstructured time – wandering back streets, just soaking up the atmosphere and relaxing. Some of my most memorable travel experiences have come from the bits ‘inbetween’ the obvious attractions.
Everyone says pack light, and take layers, which I completely agree with. However I’d also recommend taking at least one smart outfit as when you’re heading out for dinner, it’s good to have something other than trekking gear and hiking boots to put on!
