Luisa Picard
Travel Designer
What fascinates me most about Latin America is the incredible diversity – from vibrant cities to impressive natural landscapes. I have been fortunate to travel extensively through Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina. My recommendations are based on personal experiences and precisely those moments that make a trip unforgettable.
For me, Latin America is first and foremost the music and the good mood of the people, a vibe that you won't find anywhere else – and on top of that, landscapes that deliver one wow moment after another.
On my bucket list
Peru
Peru is at the top of my list. I want to see the colorful salt terraces of Maras, walk through Machu Picchu, and spend a night in a glass capsule in the Sacred Valley. And I’d love to have a few llamas around, preferably many of them.
My next trip
Amazon Rainforest
Next, I feel drawn back to Brazil – this time right into the Amazon Rainforest. I can hardly wait to explore the jungle, experience the impressive wildlife, and with a bit of luck, discover colorful birds, sloths, and monkeys. However, at the very top of my wish list are the pink river dolphins. Seeing them in the wild would be an absolutely heartfelt moment for me.
About Luisa - How Latin America conquered my heart
It all started with Brazil, and immediately, in the very first second. My first morning in Rio: five o'clock, wide awake from jet lag, not a hint of tiredness, just this need to go out and finally start my journey. My accommodation was right on Copacabana with a view of Sugarloaf Mountain, and when I stepped outside at five in the morning, the streets were already full. People were playing soccer and volleyball on the beach, music was everywhere, everyone seemed to be in a good mood and engaging in sports, all set against this backdrop. This pure feeling of freedom grabbed me immediately.
Every time I am there again, I think to myself: You just can't 'finish' visiting these countries. There's always a new place, an unexpected encounter, or that one moment that stays in your memory. That’s exactly what makes Latin America so special for me: the people who instantly infect you with their energy, the music that somehow belongs everywhere, and these incredible landscapes that look different behind every corner. I have never found this mixture of joy in life and nature anywhere else so far.
Places that particularly fascinate me
Rio de Janeiro
Rio is an exciting, multifaceted city, and what impressed me most here was the atmosphere. At Copacabana, people danced, drummed, and sang live; it felt like there was never a moment without music. An Açaí bowl or a fresh Caipirinha in the sun, overlooking Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, is hard to top. My absolute highlight was a helicopter flight over the entire city, simply magical. The sunset up at Christ the Redeemer has stuck with me vividly.
Ubatuba
Between Rio and Sao Paulo lies Ubatuba, one of the most paradisiacal places I've ever seen. Turquoise sea surrounded by jungle, and small monkeys crossed my path repeatedly. After the eventful days in Rio, this was the perfect place for me to unwind and catch my breath. My highlight: surfing at sunset, in absolutely perfect waves.
Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu Falls are a whole different world. You think you've seen impressive things, and then you stand before these massive waterfalls, hear the sound of the water masses, and realize how small you actually are compared to nature. My highlight was a ride on a RIB boat straight into one of the waterfalls; the power and adrenaline is hard to put into words. I experienced the falls from both sides – from Argentina as well as from Brazil. Both perspectives are impressive: On the Brazilian side, you get incredibly close to the water and feel the power of the falls up close. The Argentine side, however, scores with great views and shows the waterfalls from a completely different perspective.
Dominican Republic
I primarily think of the Dominican Republic as a place for pure relaxation, fresh fruit, and incredibly hospitable people who give so much even with little. Some of my favorite spots include Hoyo Azul, with the bluest water I've ever seen, the National Park of the Three Eyes, and Saona Island. For a few days of complete idleness, the La Romana region is just right for me.
See where I've traveled
Iguazu Falls
The place that has impressed me the most so far! The sheer volume of water crashing down thunderously, the ride with the RIB boat straight into one of the falls, and this feeling of how small you actually are beside it. You simply never forget that.
Copacabana
My favorite place in Rio and for me the pure embodiment of Brazilian joie de vivre! The rough water with a view of Sugarloaf Mountain, the music that never seems to stop, and people dancing and playing soccer at five in the morning make Copacabana my personal place of longing in Brazil.
La Romana
My retreat in the Dominican Republic and for me the epitome of absolute idleness! The tranquil atmosphere, feet in the sand, and simply spending a few days without any agenda make La Romana a place I am always drawn to after eventful days.