Dangling Over the Edge - Swing at the End of the World

Hiking up a mountain in Baños, Ecuador, you might come upon a treehouse and a swing that's unlike anything you'll find in the 'burbs. The treehouse, Casa Del Arbol, is a seismic monitoring station and the swing is a crude contraption hanging on a tree branch -- that flies you over the edge of a canyon, more than 8,500 feet above sea level. At the risk of sounding like your mother, make sure you hold on tight!

Montaña Mágica Lodge

So you say your last hotel wasn't decorated with enough whimsy for you. Well, next time you're in the Los Rios region of Chile, look into booking a room at the Montaña Mágica Lodge, where you must cross a rickety wooden rope bridge to get to your guestroom situated in a natural stone spire, covered with jungle foliage.

And while the exterior may seem a little rustic, the hotel provides many luxurious amenities, including a hot tub made from a carved out tree trunk and a mini-golf course that utilizes real obstacles such as the forest itself to get in the way of your colorful little ball. I know. Where's the Hobbit bellhop? This place needs to hire a Hobbit bellhop.

My Side of the Mountain - Skylodge

Peru is well known for its crazy elevations and gorgeous views. But did you know that you can experience these two things from a transparent capsule dangling off the side of a cliff? Well, of course you can.

Nature Viva's Skylodge is a group of three pods suspended 1,200 feet up on a cliff face in Peru's Sacred Valley. You can choose one of three fun ways to access your room: by climbing an insanely tall ladder, embarking on a treacherous hike, or flying across a series of ziplines. The hotel's website mentions that "safety is ensured by having the exit portal located in the upper part of the craft." So there you have it - should the cables holding up your capsule snap, an escape hatch will somehow prevent you from dying a distinctly terrifying death. Or, you could just stay at the Days Inn in town.

It's Not Bad for You If You Live in It - Palacio de Sal

I'm a member of Team Salt. Don't get me wrong - I love me some sweet, too, but salt is what keeps me going through the day. It looks like the people who run Palacio de Sal in Bolivia have somehow gotten wind of my vices and decided to exploit them - by building the world's only salt hotel, on the banks of the world's largest salt flat. The walls of the hotel are made entirely of salt, as are the ceilings and the furniture. The guest rooms are shaped like igloos, only they're made from salt blocks. I know. Let the licking commence!

Actually, there's a strict policy against licking at this hotel, as the point of it is to provide a therapeutic atmosphere, not a delicious one. Which is kind of like saying, "Here's a kettle-cooked potato chip ... now RELAX IN IT." I guess I'll have to settle for the meals prepared by the hotel's dining room, which specializes in dishes made with sugar. Nah, I'm kidding. It's salt.

Got Vertigo? - Rock of Guatapé

Elevators are for wusses. Real vacationers climb stairs. At least that's what the tourism board of Antioquia, Colombia, is banking on. The town's Rock of Guatapé, a 10-million ton, 200-meter tall rock is its biggest (snicker) attraction, and those who wish to reach the top must climb up 649 steps. It's 649 steps with an awesome view, but still 649 steps. Maybe stretch a little first.

Lucky for you, there are vendors at the summit selling snacks and beers. Because the wisest thing to do before descending a massive outdoor stairwell is to throw back a few bottles of South American alcohol. I think I'll put off my visit until they decide to construct a revolving restaurant at the top. And maybe one of those motorized chairs that go up and down the handrail.

Snowboarding? Yawn - Volcano Surfing

If you love to snowboard and frequently fantasize about outrunning a stream of hot lava, volcano surfing is the sport for you. Near León in Nicaragua, you can hike to the top of a volcano called Cerro Negro, take in the view, then ride all the way down on a piece of plywood.

There’s a chance you may wipe out during your run, in which case, you’ll come up looking like a sheepish chimney sweep. Better yet, since Cerro Negro is an active volcano, you may ACTUALLY GET WIPED OUT. I know. Where do you sign up? My recommendation is to get out there before someone decides to come in and build a ski lodge that sells those overpriced (yet admittedly delicious) chili bread bowls.

Water, Water Everywhere - San Alfonso del Mar Pool

The ocean is overrated, am I right, people? All the waves and sand - it's all so annoyingly natural. That's why I'm dying to swim at the pool at the San Alfonso del Mar hotel in Algarrobo, Chile, which is the size of an ocean, but refreshingly man-made. The world's largest pool takes up 20 acres of space, is filled with seawater, and costs $2 million a year to maintain.

Best of all, the pool is located right next to the ocean, so you can make fun of all the poor saps you see splashing in the Pacific. They THINK they're having a good time. Now if only the San Alfonso del Mar would add a wave machine and import some sand...