From the Amazon to Oaxaca – My Journey Through Latin America

By Evan Greenberg, Plugg Technologies Client Services Director

Travel has always meant more to me than just checking off destinations on a map. For me, it’s about the stories, the food, the people. The memories that leave a mark long after the trip is over.

I guess I got the travel bug early. My mom traveled a lot for work, and by the time I hit middle school, I’d already seen places like Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, and Greece. But Latin America? That’s where something clicked for me. 

Getting Lost in the Amazon

One of the craziest trips I’ve ever taken was through the Amazon in Venezuela. My family and I hit spots like Margarita Island, Caracas, and the legendary Angel Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in the world.

We slept in hammocks at remote campsites, rode long stretches in boats, and came face-to-face with monkeys, snakes, and even capybaras. At one point, there were jars of snakes at one of the jungle camps…and yeah, I was terrified. But I also felt alive in a way that only comes from getting way outside your comfort zone.

Work Meets Adventure

As I got older, I started mixing travel with work. I’ve worked remotely from places like Bogotá, Colombia, and found myself in towns like Puerto Maldonado, Peru, which is a dusty little border spot with dirt roads and guards posted outside restaurants.

When we landed there, my wife looked at me like I’d completely lost it. But that trip? One of the most unforgettable. Sloths, crocodiles, monkeys. It was a rush to be somewhere so unforgettable.

The Truth About “Dangerous” Places

I’ve spent time in places like Venezuela, Bolivia, and Colombia  – pretty much all the places that don’t always get the best reputation. But honestly? I’ve never felt unsafe. People are surprised when I say I loved Bogotá. It was affordable, the food was amazing, English was spoken in most places, and we had a great time.

Those trips changed the way I see the world  and people. When I’m on a call now with someone from Latin America, I often get to say, “Hey, I’ve been to your country,” or even, “I’ve been to your city.” That connection opens doors. It’s a way to find common ground before the conversation even starts.

Stay tuned –  in the next part, I’ll share some of my favorite food discoveries, a city that totally won me over, and the time I accidentally tricked my wife into eating llama.