Jungles

In Central and South America, near mountain slopes, there are a lot of cloud forests. This specific variant of the well-known rainforest, as the name suggests, is regularly shrouded in mist. Warm air from a lower lying area collides with the steep mountain slope and rises. As it rises, the moisture in the air condenses into fine droplets: the mist. Due to the high humidity in the cloud forest, there is a fairly specific flora. For example, tree branches and trunks are usually well covered with mosses, ferns, bromeliads and orchids.

Monteverde located in the north of Costa Rica is known for its cloud forest. Several plant and animal species are found nowhere else in the world and its location at 1400 meters makes it pleasantly cool. Here you can make special hikes over the 'famous' hanging rope bridges. If this is not spectacular enough for you, you can safely whizz through the treetops hanging from long cables.

Just a two hour drive from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, you will find a special area where cloud forest occurs. This area is characterized by scientists as a so-called biodiversity hotspot. You will stay in the Mashpi lodge, in the middle of the cloud forest and you will not lack anything. During the day you become familiar with the unique flora and fauna under the guidance of expert guides. In the evenings you can relax and enjoy a world-class service.

A tropical rainforest is a forest located in the tropics, where it is relatively warm and humid, many plant and animal species live there. The rainforest is the most species-rich ecosystem in the world, and also the oldest.

Clasped between the Sierra Nevada and the Caribbean coast of Colombia is the Tayrona National Park situated. This is the habitat of many birds, mammals and numerous reptiles. Special is that the area of the mountains turns into the blue sea. Together this creates a lush vegetation. 

On the border between Argentina and Brazil are the waterfalls of Iguazu, a unique phenomenon. However, people often forget that there is more outside of these waterfalls. Iguazu Falls are part of the Mata Atlantica rainforest in the Misiones region. The Mata Atlantica rainforest is a unique ecosystem with a totally different flora and fauna than the better-known Amazon rainforest. 

The accommodation Awasi Iguazu let you discover more than just the waterfalls. The accommodation consists of 14 private villas, each with its own private guide and 4wd car. This allows you to determine the area at your own pace together with your guide. 

Did you know you can find rainforest in Chile? There is a temperate rainforest in this country. This is an area with a humid climate where a lot of rain falls. This of course ensures that there is a lot of vegetation that stays green all year round. The wet conditions often allow an exuberant underlayer of mosses, ferns and shrubs. 

The Lake District in Chile is an area of temperate rainforest. Impenetrable forests alternated with crystal clear lakes and deep blue lakes make this region a popular area among nature lovers. A unique accommodation to discover this region is Futangue lodge.

Further south in Chile lies the Aisén region. Douglas Tompkins, founder of clothing brands The North Face and Esprit, loved this region, just like us, and founded the Conservation Landtrust Organisation together with his wife. This was used to buy large areas of land to protect them as nature reserves. The first natural park that was created in this way was the Pumalin Park. You can visit this park during a unique journey across the Carretera Austral. View an inspirational itinerary with the Carretera Austral.