Latin America Small Group Tours
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10 best Latin America small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaLatin America travel expert at TourRadar
- 10 Days Andes and Pacific Coast Small Group Tour for Gay Travelers
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- Lima to Rio: Coast to Coast
- Full Day Mindo Cloudforest - Shared Group
- Full Day Otavalo Indigenous Market - Shared Group
- Full Day Cotopaxi exploration on Horseback riding - Shared Group
- Overland Latin America
Small groups of 8-12 travelers create intimate experiences at UNESCO sites like Quito's historic center. The limited size enables authentic cultural immersion, from traditional markets to exclusive cocktail workshops, while maintaining comfortable pacing across varied terrains.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos, Chimborazo Volcano, Cuenca, Guayaquil Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$3,523
LGBT+ friendly guides lead close-knit groups through Latin America. The intimate tour size allows for exclusive experiences like traditional cocktail classes in Quito and thorough visits to Ingapirca ruins. Cultural encounters flourish at Otavalo Market and Cuicocha Lagoon boat rides.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos, Chimborazo Volcano, Cuenca Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$3,705
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde, Puntarenas Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, French, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $3,930
15% Off- NZ$3,340You save $589
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero, Sarapiquí, Arenal, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Playa Tamarindo Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, French, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $7,564
15% Off- NZ$6,429You save $1,135
Travelers averaging 38 years old form close connections during spa treatments at Polylepis Lodge and aromatherapy sessions in Baños. Small groups receive personalized attention at Cotopaxi National Park's horseback adventures and El Angel Ecological Reserve's wellness activities.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, El Angel Ecological Reserve, Ibarra, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
15% Off- NZ$3,822
Lima to Rio: Coast to Coast
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing tour, I will keep great memories from it.”
Philippe, traveled in August
Designed for ages 20-35, groups of 12-16 travelers share Latin America's highlights together. Authentic experiences include preparing pachamanca in Nazca, sandboarding in Huacachina, and learning traditional weaving in Peru's Sacred Valley. Stays include G Adventures-supported community lodges.
Duration 51 days Destinations Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $12,119
20% Off- NZ$9,695You save $2,424
Moderate-intensity group tours allow close exploration of Latin America's cloud forests. Intimate groups ensure dedicated attention during hummingbird watching and zipline adventures, while bilingual guides share insights at Mindo's artisanal chocolate factory.
Duration 1 day Destinations Quito, Mindo Valley Age Range 10 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
20% Off- NZ$208
Small groups maximize time at each Latin American destination. The close setting provides focused attention at Quitsato Solar Clock and San Pablo Lake viewpoint. Bilingual guides facilitate cultural immersion throughout the approx. $80 full-day tour.
Duration 1 day Destinations Quito, Otavalo Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
20% Off- NZ$133
Full Day Cotopaxi exploration on Horseback riding - Shared Group
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Amazing experience in Cotopaxi! The wonderful time.”
Aissatou, traveled in August
Limited group sizes ensure individual attention during this Latin American adventure. Close settings foster cultural exchange during the 3-hour horseback ride, while guides share detailed insights about Cotopaxi's geological features.
Duration 1 day Destinations Quito, Cotopaxi National Park Age Range 12 to 75 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Responsible Travel South America From
20% Off- NZ$258
Overland Latin America
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“They were incredibly responsive and took the time to structure the perfect tour for me.”
Amir, traveled in October
Designed for ages 12+, small groups enable personal experiences throughout Latin America. Visit Cusco's historic streets, Machu Picchu's ruins, and cruise the Amazon with dedicated guides. Private transfers and bilingual expertise enhance cultural immersion.
Duration 45 days Destinations Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil Age Range 12 to 75 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Unu Raymi Expeditions From $32,317
10% Off- NZ$29,086You save $3,232
Reviews of Small Group tours to Latin America
- Lima to Rio: Coast to Coast
I recently completed a South America G Adventures tour, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! From start to finish, everything was well-organized, and our guides were exceptional. A special thank you to Eduardo, Fio, Facuu, and Augustina. Their knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for the region made every day an adventure. They went above and beyond to ensure we had a rich and immersive experience, from the breathtaking landscapes to the vibrant cultures we explored. I can't wait to go back in 2026 for another amazing journey! I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to discover the beauty of South America with an incredible team guiding you!
Amazing experience in Cotopaxi! Another huge thank you to Rafael for the wonderful time!
Full Day Cotopaxi exploration on Horseback riding - Shared Group
- Central American Highlights
Miguel, the tour guide on this trip, was excellent! Many years of experience in all of the countries you will visit and loads of local information to share. Explore offered the itinerary I was looking for, including Nicaragua and El Salvador. I took the north-to-south version of the trip. Guatemala was a surprise highlight for me. Antigua is a great place to start, very charming old city. I also loved Copan (really wonderful local guide there), Leon, Granada and San Juan. I didn’t really like the Costa Rica part, but that’s more personal preference. I think I would have liked other parts of CR (Monteverde, pacific coast) much more. You do get a fair bit of free time, so it helps to look ahead of time for things you want to see/do in places. Even with the optional activities for the free days, they take several hours but you still have time to explore or swim/lounge. Most dinners were group dinners, which others asked for. There are plenty of options though if you prefer to eat earlier or elsewhere. It takes a long time to serve 16 ppl. There are a couple longer travel days, and one really long day of 13H to get from Suchitoto to Leon. Pack your patience for that day. We used three different mini buses for the tour: one for Guatemala to Nicaragua border (very nice vehicle and wonderful driver), one for Nicaragua (vehicle not so great), and one for Costa Rica (very good vehicle and driver). Our group was 15, and the buses were smallish (only one empty seat) so several people get stuck each day with the two wheel well seats in the back or the cramped front seat. We rotated around to alleviate the hardship but bigger vehicles would be really nice. You’ll spend a lot of time driving. Mind the luggage limits! Hotels were mostly good, except in Granada (pool was really nice but mosquitoes in rooms despite being sprayed) and Cano Negro (I didn’t care for it, jungle garden and river means more bug bites for me, though none in rooms, but others thought setting was lovely). Pack good insect repellent!!!! More breakfasts were included than noted in trip details. They were simple but pretty good. There is a Tip Kitty of $50 USD, which I somehow missed in the pretrip notes but was grateful for. USD widely accepted but Miguel also helps to change money at borders if you have local left when switching countries. Border crossings went fine, again with Miguel’s assistance. On our trip, all border crossing fees came to about $30 USD total. Best to have smaller USD for this (e.g., you’ll pay $3-4 for Honduras three times, once for Copan, again on the way to Suchitoto because you cross back to Guatemala then back to Honduras before getting to El Sal., and finally when you transit across Honduras between Suchitoto to Leon). As the trip went on, most countries were asking about any recent travel to China. And when I left Costa Rica to fly to Panama (on my own, not part of tour), I needed to show my yellow fever card. So check entry requirements if you are adding on destinations. Overall pleased with the trip, happy with group (mostly from UK), and thought guide was exceptional. If you are comparing Central America tours, this one is super!!!
What our customers ask about Latin America Small Group Tours
What is the typical small group size for tours in Latin America?
Most Latin American tours operate with 8-16 travelers making it easier to explore places like Torres del Paine National Park and the Uyuni Salt Flats. The Adventure Torres del Paine & Ushuaia tour lets travelers get up close to sites like Paine Towers with plenty of time at each stop. Accommodations range from the comfortable Hotel Puerto San Julian in El Calafate to Hotel Francis Drake in Puerto Natales. Previous travelers often mention how the smaller size helps everyone bond and get a better feel for local life.
How does the intimate nature of small group travel enhance cultural experiences in Latin America?
Smaller groups can access authentic local experiences that larger tours simply can't manage. Travelers can stay at unique places like the Posadas Mayas Homestay in Guatemala or the Jukil Community Lodge in Bolivia. The limited size makes it possible to visit family restaurants and smaller hotels like Hotel Las Marianas in Cusco. Many guests get to join traditional activities such as weaving demonstrations at the Ccaccaccollo Community where they can chat with local families.
What type of accommodations can I expect on a small group tour in Latin America?
Accommodations vary from modern hotels to local lodges. The Torres del Paine & Ushuaia tour features stays at Hotel Puerto San Julian in El Calafate and Full Camp Las Torres in the national park. When visiting remote areas like the Uyuni Salt Flat groups often stay in basic but clean places like Quetena Chico. The smaller group size opens up options for more interesting local hotels that can't handle big tour buses.
How do small group tours handle transportation between destinations in Latin America?
Transportation methods mix private minivans for remote areas like Pucon with flights between major cities like Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Groups often stay at central locations like Hotel Francis Drake in Puerto Natales to cut down on travel time. The smaller size means more flexibility with transport options and less time spent on getting from place to place.
What advantages do small groups have when visiting major archaeological sites?
Groups of 12-15 people can move quickly through archaeological sites like Tikal and Machu Picchu while getting detailed information from guides. The smaller size makes it easier to visit during quieter hours and reach areas that bigger groups can't access. Visitors can hear their guide clearly and ask questions while exploring places like the Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu.
How far in advance should I book a small group tour to Latin America?
Book at least 6-8 months ahead especially for popular routes like the Inca Trail that need special permits. Tours to Patagonia and the Galapagos during peak season often fill up 8-12 months in advance. Since these small groups have limited spots early booking is key to getting preferred dates and accommodations.