Travel Agent for South America

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Ryan Cowden, Travel Agent in Chicago, IL

Ryan Cowden

Chicago, IL Travel Agent
Super Agent

Ryan Cowden

Chicago, IL · 8 Years of Experience

Avid Nomad Travel, an independent agent with KHM Travel Group, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(48)
100% Recommended
Ryan helped us plan for a 10 day trip to Colombia where we visited three cities in September 2025. The thought of having to plan multiple... Read More >
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Areas of expertise

Destinations:

South America, Brazil, Colombia

Interests:

Solo Travel, Nature, Nightlife, LGBTQ+ Travel, Historical Sites

About Me

Discover South America
Discover South America

Brasil was my first foreign destination as an 18 year old, I fell in love with the country, people and exuberant energy.  I've been back at least 14 times, for as long as two months and as little as a long weekend.  There is always something new to discover, another natural wonder to visit, an architectural gem or art installation to be found. 

As one would expect in such a vast country, there are diverse climates perfect at whatever time of year you want to go.  I've explored remote beaches, dined in neighborhoods foreigners never visit and seen the "real" Brasil that few get to.  I'll help you to do the same.

In more recent years, I've been an aspiring digital nomad and winter snowbird in Bogotá, Colombia.  Since 2018 I've been getting to know this compact yet rugged country intimately.  It has come quite a long way since my first visit in 2010.  But to fully appreciate this beautiful country, you have to get out of Bogotá, Cartagena or Medellín. 

The small mountain towns all around Colombia are the heart and soul of this country.  Whether it is the colonial plazas or the colorful coffee region towns, no visit to Colombia is complete without visiting at least one.  If you love the outdoors and hiking, then you need to visit, and I can take care of it for you.

But there is so much worth seeing and visiting in South America.  Buenos Aires, the Atacama in Chile, the Galapagos, Patagonian fjords, the Amazon basin, the Pantanal, Iguaçu, Chilean wines and of course Machu Picchu are just a few of the highlights. 

Then there are the arts and culinary traditions of the bustling cities. Botero's distinctive and voluptuous sculptures and paintings, Niemeyer's futuristic mid-century modern architecture or massive outdoor botanical gardens and contemporary art museums.  Did anyone say Baroque architecture?  It may have started in Italy, but over 300 years, it became a quintessential style of historical towns and cities all across the continent.

Did I mention the nightlife and parties?  If partaking in the offerings of the destination in this way is important to you, I have this piece of advice: the nights often stretch well into the following morning, they will outlast you.  While Rio's Carnaval may be the most well known party, there are plenty of other festivals worth knowing.

Gay travelers to South America will find vibrant and open scenes across much of the continent.  The world's largest Pride parade is not in New York, San Francisco or Madrid, it is São Paulo.  Buenos Aires, Santiago, Bogotá and Medellín also have large and well organized communities that visitors will enjoy.

Any traveler looking or a more authentic experience will enjoy their time in Santiago, Bogotá, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Medellín or Recife.  They are just a few of the centers many travelers skip for more well known names but may find themselves wanting to extend their visit.  Each offers art, food, music, stunning landscapes or compelling stories worth getting to know..

Wherever you want to go, I will help you to travel in this spectacular continent and experience it in whatever way you hope to 

Additional Languages
Portuguese,
Spanish

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
48 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 48 reviews

A lot for 10 days and loved it!
Reviewed By Alex - Washington, DC | Traveled to Colombia | South America
Ryan helped us plan for a 10 day trip to Colombia where we visited three cities in September 2025. The thought of having to plan multiple flights, hotel stays, eateries AND tours felt daunting for us. I mean we could have done it, but we knew that Ryan has been there many times and so we wanted to take advantage of that experience. He was amazing with the hotel selections and tour experiences. I'm not sure I would have found those eclectic boutique hotels myself; it felt special. All the tour guides were smart, friendly, funny, helpful and a pleasure to tour with. We had one mix-up with a full day city tour, but Ryan was very helpful in resolving it - quick to reply to our messages and sort out alternative options. I think it's important to have someone who knows how to handle the bumpy parts of travel, too. We still made it to the tour, happily! I feel like I experienced a great vacation with Ryan's help. Thank you, thank you!
Ryan Cowden responded
"I'm so glad you loved your time in Colombia, it really is a great destination! Thanks again for getting in touch, I can't wait to see where you'll go next!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
The Perfect Trip to Italy
Reviewed By Dan - Columbus, OH | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Ryan and Avid Nomad Travel helped us plan a trip of a lifetime to Italy and Spain. Twice-postponed due to the pandemic, Ryan was extremely communicative throughout the process and even helped us make some last minute adjustments. The hotels, the tours, and the transfers we had were all spectacular and definitely not something we could have pieced together ourselves in such a perfect way. Thanks, Ryan!
Ryan Cowden responded
"Thanks Dan! Glad you were finally able to get there and enjoyed your time exploring! Looking forward to the next adventure!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Making Lifetime Memories
Reviewed By Kate - Columbus Ohio | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Ryan did an amazing job planning and assisting my family through our trip to Italy. He was able to plan an itinerary for my family to keep everyone happy, which is no small feat.

Not only was the planning a smooth process, Ryan made himself available throughout our trip to help when we encountered snafu’s, like our connecting flight being cancelled the morning we were to leave for our trip. Ryan was on the ball and had us re-routed in no time.

Thankfully once we arrived in Italy everything went off without a hitch. The directions were detailed and accurate and we were able to spend time together and make memories of a lifetime.
Ryan Cowden responded
"Thanks so much Kate! Glad everyone enjoyed their time in Italy, I'm looking forward to your next adventure!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Amazing Portugal
Reviewed By MegNRick - Pittsburgh, PA | Traveled to Portugal | Europe
We would highly recommend working with Ryan Cowden! Our trip to Portugal with our family of five was seamless and amazing. We had perfectly located accommodations and unique tours and experiences. It was easy and stress free to work with Ryan, who made sure to arrange our trip based on our needs. This won’t be our last trip working with Ryan!
Ryan Cowden responded
"Thanks again for the opportunity to plan a trip for all of you! I'm glad you enjoyed Portugal, it really is a wonderful destination, I'm looking forward to the next one already."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
An Unforgettable Trip Thanks to Avid Nomad Travel!
Reviewed By MelanieKidder - Malvern, OH | Traveled to France | Europe
From start to finish, my experience with Avid Nomad Travel was absolutely exceptional. I recently took a dream trip to Paris, Nice, and Barcelona, and I can honestly say it wouldn’t have been nearly as magical without their expert planning. From the very first consultation, he truly listened to what I was hoping for—my interests, my travel style, and even the pace I wanted for the trip. His attention to detail and clear communication throughout the entire process gave me complete peace of mind. ? The hotels were top-notch, located in vibrant, convenient neighborhoods that allowed me to explore with ease. Every tour was perfectly curated, blending iconic must-sees with hidden gems I never would’ve discovered on my own. His off-the-beaten-path recommendations added so much richness to the experience. One of my favorite parts? Everything was organized in an easy-to-use app—daily itineraries, tickets, confirmations—all in one place. No printing, no digging through emails. Just show up and enjoy. I would have been totally overwhelmed trying to plan this trip myself, but Avid Nomad Travel made it seamless, exciting, and stress-free. I honestly can’t say enough good things about working with them. If you’re dreaming of your next getaway, do yourself a favor and let Avid Nomad Travel make it a reality. You won’t regret it!
Ryan Cowden responded
"Thank you so much for the opportunity to plan such a special trip for you! I'm looking forward to where your next adventure takes you! "
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Photo Albums and Videos

Brazil
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Go dune buggy riding in Jericoacoara, Brasil
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