Central & South America attractions

With impressively straight and colorful lines, Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) is a kaleidoscope of red, ochre, white, and turquoise hues caused by minerals in the soil. Its recent surge in popularity isn’t because nobody knew about it—up until 2013, it was completely obscured by snow. Even though the walk isn’t steep, be prepared for a strenuous climb to the mountain viewpoint at 16,400 feet (5,000 meters), which will be worth it for spectacular views from all sides.

This world-class museum celebrates Panamanian biodiversity and natural history with engaging exhibits that blend science and art. Since its 2014 opening, the multicolor, Frank Gehry-designed building has also become an important symbol of Panama City. The museum’s exterior features a lush botanical garden of native plants.

Atacama Salt Flats (Salar de Atacama), a salt deposit–coated lake, lies amid the Atacama Desert plains, framed by distant Andes peaks. Stretching more than 40,000 square miles (100,000 square kilometers), it’s one of the largest salt flats and the largest lithium reserve in the world.

Perhaps the best-known town on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, Copacabana retains a laidback feel despite serving as a popular religious pilgrimage site and jumping-off point for exploration of the lake. Take a boat to Sun Island (Isla del Sol), climb El Calvario, or visit the 16th-century shrine at the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana.

Chile is celebrated for its wine. Many winery visits require long car rides from Santiago, but Cousino Macul makes it easy to immerse yourself in the winery experience without leaving the city. Founded in 1856, this family-run winery produces merlot, syrah, and cabernet sauvignon from estate-grown grapes.

Though better-known exports include coffee and salsa dancing, Colombia is actually the world's largest producer of emeralds. Located on the 23rd floor of the Avianca Building, Bogota’s International Emerald Museum (Museo Internacional de la Esmeralda) exhibits the history and processes of emerald mining in Colombia, and boasts 3,000 of the world’s finest emeralds.

If you’re looking for a Brazilian island getaway just a boat ride away from Salvador da Bahia, Frades Island (Ilha dos Frades) might be just the place. At the heart of the Bay of All Saints, the mostly undeveloped island is swathed in Atlantic Forest with great hiking opportunities. Trails aside, it’s the pristine, white-sand beaches along the south and east shores that really pull in the crowds.

The Nao Victoria Museum in Punta Arenas is home to full-scale replicas of world-famous ships, including Magellan’s Nao Victoria (the first ship to sail around the world), Shackleton’s James Caird lifeboat, and the HMS Beagle, which a young Darwin called home for five years. Replicas of antique weapons, sailing instruments, and important documents are also displayed.

Chinchero offers visitors one of the most rewarding market experiences in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Each Sunday, this traditional Andean town comes alive with local artisans selling their wares of handmade textiles, silver jewelry, pottery, and more. The town also features Inca ruins, authentic village houses, and a colonial church.

The grand, tree-lined Plaza Muñoz Gamero (also known as the Plaza de Armas) is a popular gathering place in Punta Arenas due to its historic atmosphere and close proximity to some of the city’s most important attractions. Surrounded by 19th-century baroque mansions, the plaza offers a glimpse into Punta Arenas during its heydey

Located in the heart of Cusco, the Inca Museum (Museo Inka) puts Peru’s numerous Inca ruins into context. The humble museum, which is built on an ancient Inca foundation, houses hundreds of artifacts that shed light on ancient Inca civilizations. In the outdoor courtyard, visitors can observe artists showcasing their weaving skills and purchase handcrafted souvenirs.

Perched on a hilltop just outside the village of Tilcara in Jujuy province, the Pucará de Tilcara is a pre-Inca fortification that affords views over the Humahuaca Ravine (Quebrada de Humahuaca). A National Monument and the only publicly accessible archaeological site within the Humahuaca Ravine, it’s estimated to date back to the 10th century AD.

Surrounded by pink sand dunes, sandstone cliffs, and a winding river, Canoa Quebrada is a laid-back beach town blessed with a stunning natural environment. While the town has grown with the times, it hasn’t lost that mystical feel that earned its reputation as a ‘hippie town’ in the 1970s.

One of San Salvador’s most important landmarks, the National Palace of El Salvador stands proud on Plaza Gerardo Barrios at the heart of the capital’s historic center. Bringing together neo-Gothic, neoclassical, and Renaissance architectural styles, the national monument was originally built in 1866 and reconstructed in the early 20th century.

Set in historic La Candelaria, this neoclassical palace is the official home and office of the President of Colombia. It's an impressive sight from the outside, with its mix of grand columns and fountain features, while the interiors house elegant furnishings and oil paintings, many created by famous artists.

The final resting place of South American liberator Simón Bolívar, the 17th-century Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is now a historical landmark, museum, gallery, and botanical garden containing over 200 works of contemporary South American art. See where Bolívar took his last breath, marvel over antique artefacts, wander the expansive gardens, and admire artworks from the countries that Bolívar liberated.

Throughout South America, you’ll probably encounter the name Simón Bolívar on an almost daily basis. Nicknamed “The Liberator,” he led the movement for many nations to gain their independence from Spain, but in between political battles, he’d return to his home in Bogota’s eastern hills. Today, the house is known as the Quinta de Bolívar Museum, and documents Bolívar’s fascinating life, while providing valuable insights into Colombia’s history.

Victoria Island (Isla Victoria)—the largest island in Nahuel Huapi lake—lies at the heart of the eponymous national park. The island is characterized by rugged coastline, volcanic black-sand beaches, and pine forest, and features a backdrop of snow-capped peaks; all of which make it one of the most picturesque spots in Argentina’s Lakelands.

Up the coast from Lima, the colonial seafront town of Callao is the capital’s principal cruise port, receiving thousands of annual visitors. With easy transport links to the center of Lima, most cruise travelers head straight into Lima, though Callao has worthwhile attractions and is a jumping off point to nearby islands.

Part of Huascaran National Park, the Llanganuco Lakes demand attention with their bold turquoise color. The twin lakes are backed by the snow-capped Cordillera Blanca mountain range, which encompasses Mt. Huascaran—Peru’s tallest mountain—which is visible from the lakes.

Due to its position near the imposing Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, it’s easy to overlook the small yet perfectly formed Church of the Society of Jesus (Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús). The church’s facade pays homage to the churrigueresque style typical of 16th-century Spanish churches, while its interior is dominated by an intricate altar smothered in gold leaf.

Unearthed in 1987, the Moche tomb of the Lord of Sipán stands as one of the great archaeological finds of the 20th century. On display at the Royal Tombs Museum of Sipán are the ancient artifacts and riches of the “King Tut of Peru,” including dazzling gold and silver and jeweled headdresses and armored plates.

Among Santiago's swankiest suburbs, Vitacura is home to luxury homes, high-end hotels and restaurants, and plenty of great shops. It’s across San Cristobal Hill (Cerro San Cristobal) from central Santiago and is home to Parque Bicentenario, which features walking paths, benches, and a dog park.

Selvatura Park is a popular nature-adventure park in the cloud forests of Costa Rica. Located just outside Monteverde, the park contains over 850 acres (344 hectares) of ecologically diverse forest. Attractions include zipline and suspension bridge tours, hummingbird and butterfly gardens, natural history walks, and reptile exhibitions.

Aptly nicknamed the “Land of Waterfalls,” Brazil’s Presidente Figueiredo municipality claims over 100 waterfalls, with Iracema Waterfall (Cachoeira de Iracema) chief among them. Tucked away in the Amazon rainforest, its cool, clear waters attract birds endemic to the area and offer a refreshing place to swim.

A crystalline lagoon just a short drive from Granada, Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural Laguna de Apoyo) is one of the most popular natural attractions in Nicaragua. Get away from the city for a few hours of kid-approved water sports, or hang out and relax all day in a lounge chair poised on the rim of this beautiful crater lake.

Perched on the stunning coast of Salvador, Forte de Santo Antonio da Barra is a historic sentinel overlooking the Atlantic. Home to the Nautical Museum of Bahia, the stories etched into the walls and cannons of this well-preserved fort make it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and travelers seeking a picturesque setting.

Hidden away in the mountains outside of Bogotá is La Chorrera, a slim cascade that tumbles 2,000 feet (590 meters into the jungle. This waterfall is Colombia’s tallest and among it’s most striking natural attractions.

In Argentina’s dry and rugged northwest, Cuesta del Obispo (Bishop’s Slope) is a winding unpaved road of multiple hairpin bends that offers a thrilling driving or mountain biking experience that is not for the faint of heart.

What do you do when you’re in rural Argentina? Feast on churrasco and enjoy a lively dance show, of course. Just across the Brazilian border in Foz do Iguaçu, the Rafain Churrascaria dinner show gives a flamboyant introduction to Central and South American music, dress, and dance, alongside an all-you-can-eat churrasco buffet.