Central & South America attractions

Situated a few minutes’ walk from Petropolis’ Liberty Square, the Santos Dumont House Museum pays homage to the pioneering spirit of Alberto Santos Dumont, a Brazilian aviation legend. Every corner reflects the brilliance of Santos Dumont's legacy, from a model of the innovative 14-bis aircraft to the charming gardens surrounding the museum.

Purmamarca, in Jujuy Province, just north of Salta, is considered one of Argentina’s most beautiful villages. The town’s adobe houses and Spanish colonial church are all pretty in their own right, but the backdrop of the spectacular Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors ) makes the area particularly picturesque.

Cartagena’s Cathedral of San Pedro Claver (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver) immortalizes the life of Saint Pedro Claver, one of the first human rights pioneers in the Americas. The austere stone facade of the cathedral alludes to a peaceful interior, where visitors can pay their respects to the remains of the saint, which are visible through a gilded glass case.

São Paulo's most exclusive destination, the Jardins District, is really a combination of the neighborhoods Jardim Paulista, Jardim América, Jardim Europa, Jardim Paulistano, as well as parts of Cerqueira César that extend southwest of Avenida Paulista — the city's main avenue of skyscraper offices. Aptly for a district where the name translates to “gardens,” Jardins is famous for its green space, with many of its huge stucco villas and modern glass mansions surrounded by lawns and pools. Jardins is home to hundreds of ritzy bars and restaurants, including D.O.M — named the world’s 7th best restaurant by Michelin. Rua Augusta, in particular, is lined with luxury hotels and restaurants, and where Augusta meets Rua Oscar Freire you'll find the flagship stores of designers including Dior, Cavalli, and Marc Jacobs. In Jardins, you’ll also find a number of important São Paulo's museums including the São Paulo Museum of Image and Sound, the Ema Gordon Klabin Cultural Foundation, the Museum of the Brazilian House, and the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture.

One of the biggest tango shows in town, Señor Tango is a much glitzier affair than the more traditionalmilongas (dance halls) of Buenos Aires. It’s a sizzling show featuring dance routines and visual effects combining light, color, and sound. With dinner served beforehand, it also makes for a complete night out.

Believed to be the oldest building in Santiago, the San Francisco Church (Iglesia de San Francisco) dates back to when the city was first settled by Spaniards. Its construction began in the late 16th century, and unlike most buildings of its era, parts of the structure were able to withstand numerous earthquakes over the centuries.

A small, extinct volcano, Puna Pau is home to a quarry that provided all of the soft red scoria stone used to carve the ceremonial topknot (pukao) found atop of certain moai statues on Easter Island at the most important ceremonial sites (ahu). More than two dozen mostly finished pukao can still be found at the

With a variety of midrange and upscale international brands, Galerias Pacifico is one of Buenos Aires’ most atmospheric shopping centers. Inspired by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, the beaux arts building was constructed during the 1890s as the Argentinean headquarters of Le Bon Marché.

Casas del Bosque Vineyard is a well-known spot among Chilean enophiles in the Casablanca Valley wine region. They specialize in cool-climate varietals such as sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, riesling, and pinot noir and produce around 1.3 million bottles annually.

Home to around 190 different species of bird, the National Aviary of Colombia harbors diverse flora and more than 2,000 birds. The 17-acre (7-hectare) park categorises birds according to three Colombian ecosystems—tropical rainforest, coastal zone, and desert—and promises an enriching experience for wildlife lovers.

Sun Island (Isla del Sol) is the largest of the lake islands on Lake Titicaca, and with welcoming guest houses and hostels, travelers have many options to stay overnight to maximize the experience. With dramatically sculpted terrain, some 800 families live here amongst 180 pre-Columbian ruins, ancient hiking trails, and a small museum with fascinating artifacts.

With its towering spires, grand dome, and baroque details, La Candelaria Church (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria) stands out among more modern surroundings in central Rio de Janeiro. It was originally established by a group of Spanish settlers in 1609, and today, the Catholic church still holds mass and community gatherings.

The oldest city yet unearthed in the Americas, the Sacred City of Caral-Supe is among Peru’s most impressive archeological sites. This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site covers 148 acres (60 hectares) in the arid Supe Valley and was first inhabited between 2600 and 2000 BC. Today, the site is a popular day trip from Lima.

Though located in an accessible and touristic section of La Paz, the Witches’ Market lacks anything resembling a souvenir. Here, vendors sell exotic herbal remedies, amulet, candle, and the raw ingredients (such as myriad dried animals) for potions, spells, and traditional and spiritual rituals performed by the indigenous community of the Aymara people.

Tucked within Cajón del Maipo, a narrow river valley snaking its way up to the Andes just outside Santiago, lies Termas Valle de Colina. These mineral hot springs at the base of the San José Volcano comprise eight different milky blue pools set to different temperatures for comfortable (and supposedly restorative) soaking.

Holding more than 9 million volumes, Brazil’s National Library (Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil) is the largest of its kind in Latin America. Founded in 1810 and relocated to its current Greek Revival-style building in 1910, the library maintains an archive of the country’s most important publications, periodicals, photographs, films, and music.

In the heart of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, Lago Nordenskjold (Nordenskjold Lake) is famed for its unique milky turquoise color and magnificent waterfall, Salto Grande. Walking along the lake’s shore affords spectacular views of Valle Frances (French Valley) and the Paine Massif and the chance to spot wildlife such as condors and guanacos.

Situated on the Mapocho River in the Providencia neighborhood, Sculpture Park Museum is a grassy parkland featuring a variety of sculptures, many of which are quite large. It's a great spot to come for a picnic or a stroll, and its location at the base of San Cristobal Hill makes it a natural stop after taking in city views.

With its coast and mountain views, Glória Marina is a popular Rio de Janeiro waterfront destination. Nestled between the mountains of Sugar Loaf and Corcovado, the marina is an excellent place to take in the views while enjoying a meal alfresco at one of its restaurants. It’s also the departure point for cruises around the bay.

An easy day trip from San Pedro de Atacama, the Rainbow Valley (Valle del Arcoiris stands out for the vibrant colors of its reddish, beige, green, and white earth, the result of mineral deposits left over thousands of years and the wind that has carved interesting shapes, rocky spires, and small canyons into the valley.

Separating the country from neighboring Chile, the Andes Mountains are Argentina’s backbone. The chain stretches some 4,300 miles (7,000 kilometers, from Venezuela to the southern tip of Argentina, and encompasses the continent’s tallest peak—Mt. Aconcagua.

From its modern shape to its main altar placement, El Rosario Church was a controversial project in the 1960s, designed by Salvadoran architect and sculptor Rubén Martínez, under the supervision of Pope John XXIII. Featuring stained-glass windows that cast colorful hues down on the parishioners, this Catholic church is active throughout the week.

Dating back to 1925, the Chilean National Library (Biblioteca Nacional de Chile) is notable both for its massive collection of books and its gorgeous French neoclassical design. It's spread out over two floors and features beautiful marble interiors and elegant sculptures among the seemingly endless collection of tomes.

Deep within the Sierra Nevada, the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida is an indigenous archaeological site accessible only via a challenging multi-day trek through the surrounding jungle. Prepare to wade through waterfalls and climb more than 1,000 stone steps to reach the secluded ruins, where you’re rewarded with panoramic views.

With its Baroque pepper-pot belfry and an expansive convent, the Church of Santo Domingo is one of Lima’s most historic religious sites. Built in 1599, the impressive pink structure features a sumptuous neoclassical interior bathed in gold and turquoise, and an altar dedicated to Americas’ first black saint, San Martin de Porres.

Isla Lobos is a small island located off the coast of San Cristóbal, popular for snorkeling and diving. Taking its name from its thriving sea lion population, dozens of these beautiful creatures play in the water and laze along the beach and rugged rocks. Blue-footed boobies, Darwin finches, marine iguanas, brown pelicans, and frigate birds may also be spotted here.

The Rio–Niterói Bridge—also known officially as the President Costa e Silva Bridge—crosses the vast expanse of Guanabara Bay, connecting Rio de Janeiro to the town of Niterói (the previous capital of the federal state of Guanabara, which has since merged with the state of Rio). At roughly 8.26 miles (13.29 kilometers) long and 232 feet (70.7 meters) high at its peak, the Rio–Niterói Bridge remains one of Brazil's engineering marvels.

Renowned for its intricate façade, San Francisco Church (or, Basilica de San Francisco), is one of the best remaining examples of baroque-mestizo architecture in La Paz. The original 1548 structure had collapsed during a heavy snow, and so current church mostly dates to the mid-18th century, and part of the convent is now dedicated as a museum.

The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest—spanning roughly 2.7 million square miles (6.9 million square kilometers), nine different countries, and about 40 percent of South America. Its biodiversity is equally immense, with millions of plant and animal species, making it one of the planet’s vital organs. For travelers, wildlife lovers, and adventurers, there’s quite literally no place like it on earth.

Lake Nicaragua (also known as Lake Cocibolca) is Central America’s largest lake and an outdoor activity destination for locals and visitors alike. Nature lovers will enjoy bird watching from the shore, boating to the lake’s islands, or hiking the island’s volcanoes. Plus the cities around Lake Nicaragua offer many archeological sites, historic churches, and local markets to explore.