The Rio Times

Salto El Calzoncillo, A Hidden Giant in Southern Chile Salto El Calzoncillo is a dramatic waterfall on the north shore of Lake Rupanco, in Chile’s Los Lagos Region, where a narrow stream plunges hundreds of meters from forested cliffs into a deep gorge, giving it the reputation of being one of the highest cascades in the country. Reached by boat or demanding trails from the Santa Elvira sector, it sits in a still‑wild landscape of native forest and cold, clear lake water, making it a peaceful escape from city noise and a powerful reminder of why Rupanco is called a “jewel of the south.”

Colombia's Cañón del Guape, A Short but Spectacular Season in Meta Cañón del Guape, in Colombia’s Meta department near towns like Uribe and Mesetas, is a narrow river gorge where emerald water flows between dark rock walls, shafts of light cut through the jungle above and tubing or swimming feels like drifting through a hidden cave. Because the river level is only safe for this kind of adventure in the dry season, visits are limited to a few weeks or months each year—typically between January and early March—so outfitters cap daily spots and recommend booking ahead if you want to experience this fleeting, high‑adrenaline paradise.

Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil’s Oasis of Dunes and Lagoons Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, in Maranhão, is a surreal landscape of white sand dunes dotted with turquoise freshwater lagoons formed by seasonal rains, often accessed from gateways like Barreirinhas and especially Santo Amaro for spots such as Lagoa das Emendadas and Lagoa Betânia. The rain‑fed lagoons are calm, sandy‑bottomed and considered safe for swimming, with the best conditions typically between May and September when they are full and crystal clear, turning this “Brazilian oasis” into one of the country’s most unforgettable places to dive into warm, transparent waterLençóis Maranhenses, Brazil’s Oasis of Dunes and Lagoons Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, in Maranhão, is a surreal landscape of white sand dunes dotted with turquoise freshwater lagoons formed by seasonal rains, often accessed from gateways like Barreirinhas and especially Santo Amaro for spots such as Lagoa das Emendadas and Lagoa Betânia. The rain‑fed lagoons are calm, sandy‑bottomed and considered safe for swimming, with the best conditions typically between May and September when they are full and crystal clear, turning this “Brazilian oasis” into one of the country’s most unforgettable places to dive into warm, transparent water