Nele Unger

About Nele - How Latin America conquered my heart

Some trips change you. My first encounter with Latin America was one of those - and I knew from the first moment that I would keep returning. What grabbed me immediately was not just the nature, even though it is breathtaking. It was the energy of the people, the warmth with which one meets a stranger, and the feeling that life here is celebrated in a different, more intense way.

My first longer stay took me to Costa Rica - and this country showed me what it means to truly arrive at a destination. I did not just travel there; I lived. Running through the rainforest early in the morning before the heat sets in. Sitting on the beach in the evening and watching the sun sink into the Pacific. In between, moments that left me speechless: a sloth looking at me from the branches. A hike through the Corcovado, where I felt for hours like the only person in the world. Costa Rica taught me to slow down and live in the moment.

Just a year later, I was drawn to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, and then on to Mexico. Three destinations that could hardly be more different - and yet they all share the same thing: the warmth of the people, who make you feel like you've always belonged. Latin America doesn't let you go. And I don't want to be let go either.

Places that particularly excite me

Costa Rica - Forever Pura Vida

For me, Costa Rica is the epitome of adventure and authenticity. Whoever has hiked through the Corcovado National Park - one of the most biodiverse rainforests on earth - understands why this country is so special. No beaten path, no sign, just forest, so dense and alive that you feel like nature is breathing around you.

But Costa Rica is more than rainforest. In Santa Teresa, I rode during sunset - through forests, over rivers, and finally on a deserted beach with the Pacific in front of me and this light that turns everything to gold. That is a moment I will never forget. Just as little as the hike to the Nauyaca waterfalls near Uvita, where I simply climbed up the waterfall and jumped down.

For those who prefer it a bit quieter, I recommend the hot springs at the foot of the Arenal volcano - an experience one should have earned after an active day outdoors. And off the coast of Uvita awaits a very special highlight: whale watching in the Ballena National Park, where humpback whales give birth to their young. One of the most emotional nature observations I have ever made.

Galápagos - Animal encounters

I knew before that the Galápagos Islands were something special. But what really overwhelmed me there was the sheer immediacy. You snorkel, and suddenly a sea lion swims next to you - curious, playful, completely unbothered by your presence. You walk along a path, and a giant tortoise calmly blocks your way. The animals here have no fear of humans, and that's what makes every encounter so incredibly close.

For me, the time on the Galápagos Islands ranks among the most extraordinary travel experiences ever.

Mexico - Between Maya culture and Caribbean blue

Mexico surprised me in a completely different way. After the authenticity of Costa Rica and the stillness of the Galápagos Islands, I was welcomed here by a country full of contrasts, full of color, full of history. Chichén Itzá impressed me like hardly any other archaeological heritage.

However, my absolute highlight on the Yucatán Peninsula were the cenotes: crystal-clear freshwater caves where one seems to swim in another world. And then there's the island of Holbox - no cars, white sand, turquoise water, and a slowness that reminds me of Costa Rica. By the way, the sunrises on the Caribbean coast there are the most beautiful I've ever seen. It's worth getting up early.