BOGOTÁ - In Colombia, you soon learn that things aren’t always as they appear. Yes, in the land of magic realism you quickly discover that your perception of things differs significantly from reality.

RIVIERA NAYARIT, MEXICO - This magical Pacific Coast retreat continues to draw famous faces in search of sun and surf, beguiled by some of Mexico’s most visually stirring settings.

RIVERA NAYARIT, MEXICO - I’m having trouble catching my breath as I drag my body onto the white sand of Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) — a.k.a. Hidden Beach — one of the lovely Marieta Islands that lie just off this romantic Mexican resort town.

YASUNÌ NATIONAL PARK, ECUADOR - The Ecuadorian leafcutter ants are bustling along the highway at our feet, like Friday evening rush-hour traffic on a one-lane highway home.

SALTA, ARGENTINA - Flying from the stylish streets of Buenos Aires into Argentina’s northwest leads me to the provinces not on most traveller’s bucket list.

NAPO RIVER BASIN, ECUADOR - After three long hot hours paddling up the Napo River, the last hour of which was in small canoes manned by local villagers, Jiovanny Rivadeneira beams like a proud papa as his pride and joy comes into view.

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA - The words of Colombia’s most famous literary son, Gabriel Carcia Marquez, stir passion in the hearts and minds of all those who read his great works — just like his native land stirs the emotions of those who visit her.

VALLE DE BRAVO, MEXICO - Thundering rollers break from turquoise water onto an endless pristine beach of shimmering sand and massive dunes that seems to go on forever.

LA PLAYITA, MEXICO - The jagged mountains that sweep down to the Sea of Cortez here turn flamingo pink as the sun rises behind them and casts a glorious light over this small fishing village, which sits just outside the resort area of Los Cabos.

ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO - This magical Pacific Ocean fishing village was pretty much unknown until it was mentioned in a memorable scene in the film The Shawshank Redemption when Andy (Tim Robbins) tells fellow inmate Red (Morgan Freeman) where he’d go if he got out of prison.