2016 is set to bring with it a host of new exciting travel options across Latin America, ideal for those looking to discover the vibrant cultures and thrilling activities on offer around the South American continent and beyond. Latin American travel specialists Last Frontiers have divulged their expert tips on next year's hotspots- from new direct flights from the UK making Peru and Costa Rica easier to access than ever before, to Baja California's rebirth post-hurricane Odile and two new exciting ways to experience Antarctica in Shackleton's Endurance Expedition's centenary year.

Jericoacoara, Brazil- Alternative Bohemian Brazil Beach Break in the Year of Rio 2016

Next year, all eyes are set to be on Brazil with the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games- with Rio itself set to be busier than ever. As such, Last Frontiers have created a fantastic alternative itinerary to the Rio hubbub, focussing on the under-the-radar Jericoacoara area in Ceará, Brazil. This town, in the most northern tip of Brazil, retains the rustic charm of the small fishing village it once was, coupled with a wonderfully chilled hippy vibe, kept unspoilt by its remoteness. Downtown, the streets are literally paved with sand and virgin beaches stretch on for miles. Included is a stay at Essenza Hotel in Jericoacoara,the newest addition to the 'Blue' group of hotels,offering sophisticated beachfront rooms, soothing spa and restaurants serving up delicious dishes inspired by the region.

Last Frontiers have launched a new 13 day Brazil itinerary, including the Amazon (Manaus), São Luis, the Lençois Maranhenses National Park and 4 nights in Jericoacoara from £3,970 per person. Price includes return flights from the UK, domestic flights, transfers and B&B accommodation based on two sharing. www.lastfrontiers.com/itineraries/brazil-family-adventure

San Agustin, Colombia- New Internal Flight Puts San Agustin in Easy Reach

The ancient town of San Agustin in Colombia's south is set to be made more accessible than ever before next year thanks to the recent launch (August 2015) of new internal Satena flights from Bogotá to Pitalito; previously only accessible via a lengthy 4 hour drive from the airport town of Popayán. Renowned for its ancient stone carvings, this mysterious landscape homes over 500 imposing stone statues sat amidst wild, spectacular terrain; the largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America. As a result, Last Frontiers have created a new itinerary incorporating the Satena flight, ideal for those looking to combine a stay in Colombia's buzzing capital Bogotá with visits to San Agustin, the coffee region, the Island of Providencia and Medellín; the City of Eternal Spring, thanks to its moderate climate.

Last Frontiers have launched a new 14 day itinerary for Colombia, combining Bogota, San Agustin, the Coffee region, the Island of Providencia and Medellin. Prices start at £3,330 per person based on 2 sharing, including B&B accommodation, private transfers, excursions throughout and all flights (international and domestic).  www.lastfrontiers.com/itineraries/cultural-colombia 

Antarctica- Two New Ways to Experience the White Continent in 2016

New 'Antarctica in a Day' Itinerary

Just popping to Antarctica for the day is now a reality, with Last Frontiers now promoting this new way for time-shy travellers to experience the White Continent in 2015. DAP airlines launched a new day-return flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island back in early 2014, mainly to service passengers joining and returning from Antarctic Cruises. However, Last Frontiers have realised that the flight timing fits in ideally to offer this as a day trip experience. It can be incorporated easily within any Chile itinerary, with around three nights needed in Punta Arenas to ensure good flying conditions for the flight to operate. Taking 2 ½ hours each way, the flight allows travellers to spend around 5 hours exploring Antarctica in the company of an expert guide, taking in Villa Las Estrellas (the first civilian settlement on the continent), Ardley Island's penguin colonies and the Collins glacier.

Last Frontiers offer a new 7 night Chile itinerary incorporating the Antarctica in a Day flight/ excursion from £6,353 per person. Price includes 4 nights in the bohemian Lastarria neighbourhood of Santiago and 3 nights in Punta Arenas based on 2 sharing on a B&B basis, transfers and all flights (including return from the UK and Punta Arenas- King George Island). www.lastfrontiers.com/articles/view/antarctica-in-a-day

Shackleton Anniversary Voyage

2016 marks the centenary of Shackleton's legendary Endurance rescue mission, with Last Frontiers offering intrepid explorers the chance to venture on a unique Shackleton Centenary Voyage in honour of the Endurance Expedition on board the newly-renovated Hebridean Sky. Departing from Buenos Aires in October 2016, the ship will take in the sites and wildlife of the Southern Ocean and Scotia Sea before arriving at Antarctica itself. Here, guests will visit the legendary Elephant Island where the Endurance beached, and will hear from a host of exciting guest speakers including explorer Seb Coulthard, who served as ship engineer in a 2013 replication of the voyage, before finishing with a trip through the famed Drake Passage.

22 day voyage (departing 30 October 2016) available from £12,510 per person based on two sharing a Porthole Suite, including all meals and excursions on board, three nights B&B accommodation in Buenos Aires (2 pre-voyage and 1 post-voyage), transfers and return international flights. www.lastfrontiers.com/antarctica/itineraries

New Direct BA Flights and Spate of New Hotels Makes Costa Rica More Attractive than Ever

Costa Rica is set to undergo somewhat of a travel revolution over the next year, with the launch of new direct British Airways flights from Gatwick- San José in May 2016 making its tropical rainforests and golden beaches easier to get to than ever before. In addition, the country has welcomed a host of new hotel openings over the past few months with more in the pipeline; including Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows, set to welcome guests in December 2015.Boasting a prime beach-side spot alongside Playa Carrillo in Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, Nammbú will offer simple yet sleek accommodation with an eco heart alongside the country's Pacific coast; the ideal base for exploring the peninsula's many unspoilt beaches.

Last Frontiers have launched a new Classic Costa Rica itinerary incorporating the new BA flights and a stay at Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows; with prices starting from £2,285pp for an 11 day trip, including all accommodation (B&B), transfers and return international flights, based on two sharing. www.lastfrontiers.com/itineraries/classic-costa-rica 

Mexico- Baja California Experiencing Rebirth Following Hurricane Odile

Beach-side favourite Los Cabos in the Baja California region of Mexico is now firmly on the road to recovery following Hurricane Odile's impact back in 2014, making it a travel hotspot next year. A host of new luxury hotels are due to open over the next 12 months, including JW Marriott Resort & Spa (November 2015), a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (2016) and Park Hyatt Los Cabos (2016). Last Frontiers offer a host of breaks to Los Cabos ideal for those in search of some beach-side R&R, as well as a new itinerary combining it with Copper Canyon; a breathtaking series of canyons in the heart of the Tarahumara Mountain range in Chihuahua's northeast corner.  Longer and deeper than the Grand Canyon itself, the canyons are a hiking and rock climbing paradise, with a visit to the fascinating ancient Tarahumara communities a must.

Last Frontiers have launched a new 14 day itinerary incorporating Baja California and Copper Canyon, priced from £4,200 per person based on 2 sharing, including accommodation, private transfers, excursions throughout and all flights (international and domestic). www.lastfrontiers.com/itineraries/western-mexico 

Peru- Direct British Airways Flight Launches and New Walking Trail through Lares Valley

Peru's world-renowned trails are set to be easier to reach than ever before from the UK thanks to new direct flights with British Airways from Gatwick to Lima, launching in May 2016. Last Frontiers are offering a new itinerary for 2016 combining the new flight with the recently-launched Mountain Lodges of Peru 'Lares Adventure to Machu Picchu'; a new for 2015 walking trail through Peru's Lares Valley, famous for its Quechua communities, strong weaving traditions and beautiful scenery. Far from your average trek, this new 7 day route focuses more on the rich cultures and vibrant people of the Lares Valley than the walking; visiting local communities and Inca ruins, traditional markets and discovering local delicacies and cooking techniques. Along the route, guests stay in comfortable lodges (with proper beds!), following a series of Inca trails each day through mountains, glaciers and high altitude lakes, before ending fittingly with a train ride to the world-famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.

Last Frontiers offer a 12 day itinerary to Peru from £3,375 per person, including the 7 day/6 night Mountain Lodges of Peru Lares Adventure and a visit to Machu Picchu, plus 3 nights in Cusco and 1 night in Lima. Price includes accommodation based on 2 sharing, all meals whilst on the Lares Adventure, entrance fees to all sights, and all flights (including international and domestic).  www.lastfrontiers.com/itineraries/walking-in-peru

For more information or to book any of the itineraries featured, please visit www.lastfrontiers.com or call 01296 653000.

ENDS 

For more information please contact Emma Harber or Fiona Reece of Fiona Reece Public Relations on 01242 806804 / emma@fionareece.com / fiona@fionareece.com