Colombia
Parque Tayrona, Santa Marta
Reached by boat from nearby Taganga, or a two-mile hike through thick jungle, Tayrona national park is the Colombian Caribbean in its wild, untamed state, all blue sea crashing on to golden sands, interspersed with immense, weathered boulders. Tents can be rented at some of the beaches, and there are deluxe “ecohabs” for the flushest flashpackers. But hammocks are best for catching a breeze, strung between the trees or in the elevated shelter at Cabo San Juan. There are treacherous currents at some Tayrona beaches, particularly Arrecifes, where swimming is prohibited. Bring as much food and water as you can carry – it’s costly inside the park.
• Park entry £12, hammock from £4, tent pitch £4.50, rented tent £15 a night, parquesnacionales.gov.co
Brazil
Pousada Aldeia, Boipeba, Bahia
This is one of the prettiest pousadas on the gorgeous island of Boipeba, part of a small archipelago south of Salvador that also includes the island of Tinharé. Just off the main street, Pousada Aldeia is set out like a leafy little village (aldeia), with treetop walkways linking the two-storey chalets – an atmosphere further fuelled by friendly, chatty breakfasts led by the owner, Ricardo. The rustic, comfy rooms all have aircon, and there’s an easy-access room for guests with limited mobility. No-car Boipeba is reached via a long boat ride through mangrove swamps, home to the shellfish that make the island a seafood-lover’s paradise, with glorious crabs, lobsters and more.
• Doubles from £37 B&B, +55 75 3653 6288, pousadaaldeia.com.br
Pousada Canto Bravo, Ilhabela, São Paulo state
Rustic and comfy, this island pousada is reached by boat, weather permitting, or a 12km hike through the national park, with the chance for refreshing waterfall dips along the way. Arriving at Praia do Bonete, one of Ilhabela’s remotest and loveliest beaches, makes the trek worthwhile, as do Canto Bravo’s breezy rooms, all en suite and many with private terraces and stunning sea views. Decor is rustic, with driftwood-style furniture and lashings of colourful chita – Brazilian printed calico. The far-flung guesthouse makes do with limited electricity from a generator, Copious candlelight is all part of the atmosphere – as are the vicious little blackflies (borrachudos), Ilhabela’s itchy trouble in paradise. Bring strong repellant, and observe the local fishermen’s favoured evening footwear: flip-flops worn over thick sports socks.
• Doubles from £39 B&B, pousadacantobravo.com.br
Peru
Maloka Sandoval Lodge - Tambopata national park
One of the most affordable options inside this sumptuously untouched Amazonian nature reserve, Maloka is within spitting distance of exquisite, mirrorlike Lake Sandoval, a 45-minute boat ride up the tawny Madre de Dios river from Puerto Maldonado. The lodge’s private rooms are all en suite with veranda. Meals are simple but tasty, and though there are fans in the rooms, there’s limited electricity. Such piffling details are more than made up for by dead-of-night canoe trips under the Milky Way, and excursions to see giant river otters, butterflies, alligators and capybaras, and maybe even a howler monkey, stalking the treetops in slow motion.
• Doubles from £16 with full-board and some excursions, sandovallakelodge.com
Bolivia
El Cafetal, Coroico
Soak up the stunning panorama of the subtropical Yungas region, where the high Andes transition into South America’s vast eastern forests, from the terrace of this simple, French-owned guesthouse. The accommodation is basic and serviceable – go for an en suite room close to the pretty pool – but you will spend little time in your room, thanks to a profusion of terraces, hammocks and a lush garden thrumming with bird and plant life.
• Doubles from £14, +591 719 33979, elcafetal.coroico.info
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