Latest news with #pagos
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Underrated' hidden paradise of natural wonders that's perfect for explorers
Ecuador in South America is a country steeped in culture, rich in history and bursting with natural beauty - yet it doesn't see many tourists. Here's why it should be on your list Fancy a getaway to an under-the-radar destination? Though bursting with cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, the South American gem of Ecuador tends to slip under the tourist radar but truly deserves a spot on your bucket list. In 2023, Ecuador welcomed just shy of 1.5 million wanderers to its shores. In comparison, with a whopping 125 million holidaymakers flocking to Spain in the same timeframe, Ecuador certainly isn't topping the charts as a travellers' favourite. Yet, adventure gurus from Adventure Life have dished out all the insider info on why you should be writing Ecuador into your next adventure itinerary, reports the Express. Things to do "The archipelago consists of 19 islands and numerous smaller islets, each offering a unique glimpse into nature's unparalleled creativity, as this unique ecosystem hosts a variety of species not found anywhere else in the world." The Galápagos Islands promise remarkable encounters with the animal kingdom - snorkel alongside playful sea lions or watch in awe as giant Galápagos tortoises roam their native turf. Curious explorers can join expert-guided excursions, delving into the mysteries of the islands and their extraordinary residents. A volcanic past has sculpted the islands into an extraordinary geological tapestry, from Sullivan Bay's black lava flows to Bartolomé Island's spatter cones – the terrain is as diverse as its furred and feathered inhabitants. Rainforest The Ecuadorian Amazon, a treasure trove of biodiversity, offers guided tours through its lush greenery where visitors can marvel at exotic orchids, ancient towering trees, and an array of wildlife including vibrant macaws and the elusive jaguar. Tourists have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of the Amazon's inhabitants, learning about their use of rainforest resources, traditional cuisine, and age-old ceremonies. For the more adventurous souls, there are options to kayak along serene rivers, trek jungle paths, or zip-line across the rainforest canopy. Nature Nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike can ascend the formidable Cotopaxi volcano, one of the planet's highest active volcanoes, or traverse the Quilotoa Loop with its breathtaking volcanic crater lake. Adventure Life highlights the cultural vibrancy of the Andes, especially during the many festivals that dot the calendar. "The Andes are also alive with cultural richness, evident in the numerous festivals that fill the calendar. One of the most vibrant is the Inti Raymi, or Festival of the Sun, which celebrates the Inca sun god and marks the winter solstice with music, dancing, and ritual ceremonies," they say. A trip to the Andes wouldn't be complete without delving into its market towns. Otavalo boasts one of South America's largest and most renowned indigenous markets, brimming with handcrafted textiles, jewellery, traditional musical instruments, and artwork. History "You can explore significant architectural landmarks such as the ornate La Compañía de Jesús, which is adorned with gold leaf interiors, and the imposing San Francisco Church, which houses masterpieces of the Quito School of Art." Quito's vibrant culinary scene is another highlight, offering everything from upscale restaurants that showcase local staples like Andean potatoes and exotic Amazonian fruits to street vendors serving up traditional empanadas and hornado. The capital's proximity to nature is best experienced at the nearby TelefériQo. The cable car provides stunning views over the city and ascends towards hiking paths on the Pichincha Volcano's slopes. "Ecuador seamlessly blends a rich history, unparalleled natural beauty, and vibrant cultural expressions into a journey that feels both timeless and essential," according to Adventure Life. "For those looking to explore beyond the familiar, Ecuador presents an unmatched choice of activities and scenery in which to immerse yourself."
Finextra
30-06-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Tapi buys Mastercard's Arcus assets for Mexico push
Argentinian payments processor tapi has acquired the utility payments and cash handling operations of Mastercard's Mexican business Arcus. 0 Tapi says it has bought Arcus's utility payments, mobile top-ups, gift cards, and cash in/out operations as part of its strategy to expand its presence in Mexico. Last year, the startup raised $22 million in funding to bankroll its push into Mexico, with CEO Tomas Mindlin saying at the time that the country is "very important for us". The deal also boosts tapi's offering to the banks, fintechs, merchants, and service companies it works with in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. 'Integrating Arcus' cash and utility payment capabilities into the tapi ecosystem represents a turning point in our journey as a company," says Mindlin. Mastercard, which bought Arcus in 2021, will maintain the brand and its capabilities to enable payment processing, settlement, and reconciliation through Mexico's Interbank Electronic Payment System.
Bloomberg
27-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Argentine Fintech tapi Buys Mastercard Unit in Mexico Expansion
Argentine payments services startup tapi has acquired the bill payment and cash-handling operations of Mastercard's Arcus in Mexico, part of a bid to double-down on Latin America's second-largest economy. Tapi, whose founders are Argentine but has its largest operations in Mexico, works with banks and fintechs to process recurring payments, cash transactions, and other payments through a single integration. It also processes payments for companies such as Mercado Pago, DollarApp and Stori.
Finextra
22-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Worldpay takes on domestic acquiring in Colombia
Worldpay, a global industry leader in payments technology and solutions, is continuing its expansion into the Latin American market with new domestic acquiring capabilities in Colombia. 0 This expansion further adds to its geographical reach in the region, where it already supports some of the largest merchants across Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. 'Our vision to unleash the potential of every business means breaking down barriers for global merchants while enabling access to the rest of the world for local players, which is why extending our presence in countries like Colombia is a key focus for us,' said Gabriel de Montessus, group president of global enterprise at Worldpay. 'Colombia has one of the fastest growing e-commerce markets in Latin America. It presents significant opportunities for local businesses to expand, as well as for international brands to serve Colombian consumers. Worldpay is bringing key solutions to Colombia including its advanced e-commerce payments technology, multi-layered fraud protection, 3D secure and secure customer authentication, authorization, clearing and settlement, dispute management and data insights. The company's presence in the market will benefit Colombian-based merchants looking to operate internationally with access to Worldpay's extensive global payment network. Montessus continued, 'Our ambition is to be the payments partner these businesses need in order to power their growth, supporting them by coupling our global reach and revenue-enhancing solutions with the industry leading global and local expertise, tailored to our merchants' needs.' In addition to bringing global payments expertise to the country, Worldpay has a local team in Colombia to support regional businesses as well as global businesses with presence in Colombia. Local Worldpay payments experts will help businesses develop tailored payments strategies informed by data insights and regional understanding of payments preferences, opening access to Colombia's e-commerce and digital wallet growth. Worldpay's expansion into Colombia follows its recent expansion in the Mexico and is part of the company's strategic plan to enhance the global reach of its domestic merchant acquiring presence and capabilities. As a leading payments services provider, Worldpay now powers payments and local processing in 69 markets globally with domestic acquiring capabilities, giving in-country and international businesses a host of advanced technology to deliver experiences consumers expect at checkout.
FF News
21-05-2025
- Business
- FF News
Worldpay Continues Expansion into Latin America with Domestic Acquiring in Colombia
Worldpay, a global industry leader in payments technology and solutions, is continuing its expansion into the Latin American market with new domestic acquiring capabilities in Colombia. This expansion further adds to its geographical reach in the region, where it already supports some of the largest merchants across Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. 'Our vision to unleash the potential of every business means breaking down barriers for global merchants while enabling access to the rest of the world for local players, which is why extending our presence in countries like Colombia is a key focus for us,' said Gabriel de Montessus, group president of global enterprise at Worldpay. 'Colombia has one of the fastest growing e-commerce markets in Latin America. It presents significant opportunities for local businesses to expand, as well as for international brands to serve Colombian consumers. Worldpay is bringing key solutions to Colombia including its advanced e-commerce payments technology, multi-layered fraud protection, 3D secure and secure customer authentication, authorization, clearing and settlement, dispute management and data insights. The company's presence in the market will benefit Colombian-based merchants looking to operate internationally with access to Worldpay's extensive global payment network. Montessus continued, 'Our ambition is to be the payments partner these businesses need in order to power their growth, supporting them by coupling our global reach and revenue-enhancing solutions with the industry leading global and local expertise, tailored to our merchants' needs.' In addition to bringing global payments expertise to the country, Worldpay has a local team in Colombia to support regional businesses as well as global businesses with presence in Colombia. Local Worldpay payments experts will help businesses develop tailored payments strategies informed by data insights and regional understanding of payments preferences, opening access to Colombia's e-commerce and digital wallet growth. Worldpay's expansion into Colombia follows its recent expansion in the Mexico and is part of the company's strategic plan to enhance the global reach of its domestic merchant acquiring presence and capabilities. As a leading payments services provider, Worldpay now powers payments and local processing in 69 markets globally with domestic acquiring capabilities, giving in-country and international businesses a host of advanced technology to deliver experiences consumers expect at checkout. Companies In This Post Worldpay
