In 2019 the last prison island in the Americas closed down. Islas Marías was home to some of Mexico’s most feared criminals, and political prisoners, but was shuttered following reports of terrible conditions.

In 2022 Mexico’s navy began allowing tourists to visit the archipelago, showing visitors cells, parrots, graveyards, beaches, and explaining the islands’ dark past.

I took a long ferry ride for a weekend on Islas Marías.

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Writing, recording, narration: Jamie Fullerton

Sound editing: Samira Tazari

Music: Olguita Acuña

Podcast artwork: Nini Giunàshvili

You can buy Islas Marías weekend tours from the islands’ official website, Visitaislasmarias.com.

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Fuego Volcano in Guatemala is one of the most active volcanos in Central America, sometimes erupting multiple times an hour.

The eruptions have proved deadly for people living in the shadow of the volcano, but hiking Fuego has become popular with adventurous tourists. Locals have signed up serve them as volcano guides, risking their lives for better income.

I joined an overnight hike on Fuego, when the volcano was at its most active.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube.

Writing, recording, narration: Jamie Fullerton

Sound editing: Samira Tazari

Music: Olguita Acuña

Podcast artwork: Nini Giunàshvili

To book a Fuego Volcano hike tour from Antigua with the company I went with, see V-hiking.tours.

This episode uses snippets from the following news reports, under fair usage rules:

CBC News: Eruption of Guatemala's Fuego volcano killing dozens

NBC News: Guatemala Volcano Eruption: At Least 62 Killed, Many Missing

TRT World Now: Guatemalans recall terror of Fuego volcano eruption

NBC News: Dramatic immigration raid jars a small town

Associated Press: ICE Agents Raid Meat Packing Plant

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Every new year in Boruca, a remote Costa Rican village, Indigenous villagers wear garish masks and bull costumes for rituals commemorating their ancestors’ battle against Spanish colonisers.

Today Indigenous Borucan culture is still under threat, and over time the rituals have come to represent Borucans’ modern independent spirit.

I travelled to Boruca to witness Danza de los Diablitos: the Dance of the Little Devils.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube.

Writing, recording, narration: Jamie Fullerton

Sound editing: Samira Tazari

Music: Olguita Acuña

Podcast artwork: Nini Giunàshvili

Danza de los Diablitos takes place from December 30 to January 2 each year.

To visit Boruca see www.borucacostarica.org or email borucacostarica@gmail.com.

A daily bus runs from the town of Buenos Aires to Boruca, from the Terminal Gafeso bus stop. Check with bus stop staff for current departure times.

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