Wild swimming is an exhilarating experience and over the past few years has very much become a craze of the moment. With this in mind, specialist tour operator Journey Latin America has handpicked their favourite weird and wonderful bathing experiences from across the continent.

A Turquoise Swim

Set in the heart of the jungle of the Chiapas state of Mexico, the turquoise blue of the Aqua Azul Waterfalls give a startling contrast to the surrounding fauna.  Cascading down a series of falls and rapids, eventually reaching the final wide shallow drop and a large crystal clear lagoon, they offer a stunning setting for a dip and a welcome escape from the steamy jungle temperatures.

Experience it: Journey Latin America’s Eagle Journeyhttp://www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Classic-Tours/Holiday-List/Aztecs-And-Mayas---Cultura-(1).aspx?subtab=overviewct&country=Mexico&page=  visits the Aqua Azul Waterfalls and costs from £3,128 per person including flights.

A Lost World Dip

The Chapada Diamantina National Park lies in the centre of the north eastern Brazilian state of Bahia. A world apart from the beach lined coast, the park’s landscape is a series of table-top mountains, weird and wonderful rock formations, and a system of quartzite caves with crystal clear lakes and underground rivers. The area offers wonderful trekking punctuated with deep blue pools and waterfalls, where you can take a refreshing dip.

Experience it: Journey Latin America’s Best of Bahia tailor-made holiday http://www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Tailor-Made/Holiday-List/Brazil/The-Best-of-Bahia.aspx  visits the Chapada Diamantina National Park and costs from £2,472 per person including flights.

A Polar Plunge

Antarctica is possibly the most unlikely place for wild swimming, but if invigoration is the name of the game, few experiences come close to the ‘Polar Plunge’ on the Ocean Diamond cruise. Depending on weather, a brave few either swim from the boat or off the beach from Whalers Bay at Deception Island into the ice-filled Antarctic waters.

Experience it: Cruises on board the Ocean Diamond http://www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Tailor-Made/Ships/Antarctica/Ocean-Diamond.aspx  start from £4,692 per person excluding flights.

Clear Water Swimming

Bonito, which lies just a few hours south of the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil’s Mato Grosso do Sul, offers a paradise for anyone who enjoys river swimming. Owing to the limestone content of the soil, the water of these rivers passes through a natural filter so impurities are deposited at the bottom of the river bed, making the rivers some of the clearest in the world. 

Experience it: Journey Latin America’s Trogon Journey http://www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Original-adventures/Holiday-List/Trogon.aspx?country=Brazil&type=0&month=11  visits Bonito and costs from £3,128 per person including flights.

 An Underground Swim

The Yucatán Peninsula in Eastern Mexico has over 3,000 ‘cenotes’ or water sinkholes formed from fresh underwater rivers. Caverns are formed where the water collects, creating stunning turquoise blue pools. Some of the best cenotes are situated near the village of Abala, where you can swim or snorkel through the warm waters surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites.

Experience it: Journey Latin America’s Mexican Empires of the Sun Family holiday <http://www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Tailor-Made/Holiday-List/Mexico/Ancient-Pyramids-and-Cenotes.aspx?country=Mexico&type=0&month=0&page=1> visits the famous cenotes and costs from £2610 per person based on a family of four.

 Rafe Stone, Product Manager comments ' Latin America is renowned for its beaches, many of which are wonderful for swimming, however it's the little known gems in the middle of the jungle or a dramatic leap into Antarctic waters that offer truly unique outdoor swimming experiences.

 
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Megan Parkinson - Megan.Parkinson@journeylatinamerica.co.uk