Although less famous than its neighbor Copacabana Beach, Ipanema holds its own with quiet charm, and it does so without skimping on any of the white sands, blue waters, or local character that give Rio de Janeiro’s beaches their claim to fame.
The gigantic Maracanã Stadium (Estádio do Maracanã) is one of the most iconic football (soccer) arenas in South America. The site holds the record for the largest attendance at a FIFA World Cup final, with almost 200,000 spectators watching Uruguay defeat Brazil in 1950. Since hosting the World Cup final again in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the stadium is now a historic site that still hosts football matches and events.
Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome (Sambadrome Marques de Sapucaí)—also known as Sambodromo or Passarela do Samba Darcy Ribeiro—was designed and built by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in 1984. Established to host the city’s enormous Carnival celebration every year, the stadium features a 2,300-foot (700-meter) runway and seats 90,000 spectators.
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s smallest national parks, but the beauty of the area’s rocky coastal formations, verdant tropical forests, and diverse fauna make it one of the country’s most beloved attractions. Here, you can snorkel off coral reefs, hike through lush greenery, and listen to the songs of tropical birds and the calls of monkeys.
With its opulent architecture and fine acoustics, the Colon Theatre (Teatro Colón) ranks alongside Paris’ Opera Garnier and London’s Royal Opera House as one of the world’s most impressive theaters. It’s the premier venue for opera, ballet, and classical music in Buenos Aires, and stepping inside its hallowed auditorium means you’ll be walking in the footsteps of legends such as Igor Stravinsky, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Plácido Domingo.
While it may seem odd that one of Buenos Aires’ principal attractions is a cemetery, this is no ordinary graveyard. Recoleta Cemetery (Cementerio de Recoleta) is one of the world’s most exquisite necropolises—home to more than 6,400 tombs, mausoleums, and monuments laid out in formal tree-lined avenues, including the grave of Eva Perón (Evita).
Part of the UNESCO–listed Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno is known as one of the most beautiful glaciers in the world. The third largest in Argentina, it’s one of South America's last advancing glaciers, and boasts an area that’s bigger than Buenos Aires. But facts aside, this section of the South Patagonian ice field is a vision of crackling celestial blue, especially when you witness gigantic chunks of ice crashing into the water below.
Home to the Casa Rosada—where Eva Peron famously stood on the balcony—and the Metropolitan Cathedral, Pope Francis’ former church, Plaza de Mayo is the historic and political heart of Buenos Aires. Named for the May 1810 revolution, the square’s centerpiece is the Pirámide de Mayo, an obelisk commemorating Argentina’s independence.
A cluster of tiny islands off the Peruvian coast, the Ballestas Islands (Islas Ballestas) are often touted as the “Peruvian Galapagos,” famed for their spectacular variety of birdlife and rugged coastline of soaring cliffs, rocky beaches, and remote sea caves. Wildlife you can spot here includes guano birds, penguins, sea lions, and other marine birds, so leave plenty of time to visit if you’re a naturalist.
South America's most famous trek is an unforgettable way to reach the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The 4-day trek takes hikers past mountain passes, Inca ruins, and views of the snow-capped Andes. Arriving at the iconic archaeological site via the Inca Trail also means you’ll be one of the first to glimpse a stellar sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
Puerto Madero, once a lackluster cargo port, is now one of Buenos Aires’ most fashionable districts, teeming with upmarket restaurants and glitzy nightclubs. Marooned from the mainland by the Rio de la Plata estuary, the largely pedestrianized island is celebrated for housing some of the city’s most architecturally stunning buildings.
PaLos Glaciares National Park (Parque Nacional Los Glaciares) protects Argentina’s wild Patagonian expanses of icy glaciers and mountain lakes. With a massive 47 glaciers, the Andean ice cap is the largest outside Antarctica and Greenland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to several natural wonders, including Perito Moreno Glacier and Mount Fitz Roy.
The swanky beachfront suburb of Miraflores is one of Lima’s most sought-after zip codes. Here you’ll find the city’s best restaurants, shops, and hotels, plus waterfront mansions and high-rise towers that boast panoramic views of the Pacific. Lovely parks and beaches dot the area, and you'll find the ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Columbian temple and ceremonial center dating back to the 5th century, here as well.
Deep turquoise water surrounds the archipelago of the Rosario Islands, and lively coral reefs swarm with sealife. This island group off the coast of Colombia is home to mangrove forests and underwater fields of seagrass, with white sandy beaches backed by bright green vegetation. Despite its proximity to Cartagena, you’ll feel like you’ve fully escaped the city with a trip to this biodiverse haven.
The palm-lined Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador) follows Panama Bay and then heads onto the Bridge of the Americas, which runs parallel to the entrance to the Panama Canal and leads to three small coastal islands. The 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) road includes popular paths for runners and cyclists and passes a number of sights.
Long popular with surfers who are in-the-know, Tamarindo Beach has evolved into one of Costa Rica’s most popular stretches of golden sand. And it’s no wonder why—the crescent-shaped beach is ridiculously beautiful, with just enough amenities to make it convenient to visit. Even if surfing isn’t your thing, a trip to Tamarindo is worth it for its gorgeous sunsets and unmatched access to the stunning Nicoya Peninsula.
Few places in Buenos Aires are photographed as frequently as Caminito Street. The main artery of the waterfront La Boca neighborhood is a jumble of old buildings, brightly painted facades, and street-side market stalls, with hawkers, buskers, and tango dancers adding to the atmosphere.
Plaza Mayor, formerly Plaza de Armas, is the heart and birthplace of Lima. The crown jewel of the city, this UNESCO World Heritage–listed square is flanked by many important buildings, such as the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), Cathedral of Lima, City Hall (Palacio Municipal de Lima), and the Archbishop’s Palace (Palacio Arzobispal).
Perched at the northern end of Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Ollantaytambo Ruins were once the administrative center of the Inca Empire. At this well-preserved and partly rebuilt archeological park, learn the secrets of Inca urban planning, admire the ceremonial temple, see masterful Inca stonework, and set off on the legendary Inca trail. In the adjacent town of the same name, the Ollantaytambo Heritage Trail guides you to more ancient wonders.
In a remote pocket of the Sacred Valley is an ancient agricultural laboratory. Encircled by terraces and a complex system of irrigation aqueducts, the site’s gigantic natural bowl-shaped hole was once filled with fertile soil, growing more than 250 vegetal species. Resembling an ancient Roman amphitheater, the concentric circles are not only a wonder of science but a vision of beauty.
Buenos Aires’ largest barrio, the northeastern district of Palermo is one of the city’s most affluent and fashionable neighborhoods. Known for its beautiful parks, grand monuments, and art museums, Palermo is whereporteños (locals) come to eat, shop, and party, with a buzzing nightlife and some of the city’s top restaurants, bars, and cafés.
A string of 378 tiny islands dotted along Panama’s northwest coast, the autonomous territory of Guna Yala (often referred to as the San Blas Islands) offers a welcome change of pace from the mainland. This region provides everything you’d expect from a Caribbean paradise: coconut palms, white sand beaches, azure waters, and a complete absence of electricity, tourist resorts, and stress. The Indigenous Guna people have protected the islands for generations, and ensure that overtourism doesn’t cause harm to the environment.
In Bolivia’s Altiplano, Salar de Uyuni—a 4,086-square-mile (10,582-square-kilometer) stretch of land encrusted with thick etchings of salt—is the world’s largest salt flat. Salar de Uyuni is famed for its massive scale and mirror effect during the wet season, a feature that has led it to be named a natural wonder of the world.
After the iconic Machu Picchu, the enigmatic Nazca Lines are one of Peru’s most famous archaeological sites. The mysterious geoglyphs at the UNESCO World Heritage Site range from geometric shapes and swirls to a hummingbird and monkeys. Theories on their purpose include astronomical markers, irrigation canals, and alien messages—a mystery that has baffled archaeologists since their discovery in the early 20th century. Though they were found relatively recently, the etchings are estimated to date back thousands of years.
The clear, seemingly endless waters of Lake Atitlan are ringed by high volcanoes and picturesque towns, creating the perfect mix of drama and charm. The lake remains a central hub for the Maya nations in Guatemala; in addition to its cultural and spiritual significance, the fertile soil of the area supports a large agricultural industry, with locals trading squash, tomatoes, avocados, strawberries, and coffee at nearby markets.
The striking salmon-pink façade of Argentina’s presidential palace—the Casa Rosada (Pink House)—is one of the capital’s most iconic sights, presiding over the historic Plaza de Mayo square. Home of the Argentine President and government offices since 1862, it’s been the backdrop for some of Argentina’s most important political events.
On the shores of the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, the 19th-century town of Guatapé is one of Colombia’s most photographed sites. And it’s easy to see why: The town’s brightly painted buildings and serene natural setting make for some stunning shots. However, the crowning glory of this quaint Colombian pueblo is Piedra del Peñol, a monolithic rock that towers 721 feet (220 meters) above sea level.
With its brightly colored buildings, colonial landmarks, and bougainvillea-covered balconies, it's easy to see why Old Town Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the leafy Plaza de Bolivar, the striking Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj), and the Gold Museum (Museo de Oro), home to a glittering collection of gold and pottery of the Zenú people. It’s the ideal place to wander aimlessly within its 16th-century walls, as every corner brings a photo opportunity.
When travelers make their way to Argentina’s southernmost point, chances are they’re heading into Tierra del Fuego National Park. The country’s first coastal national park protects the Andean-Patagonian forest, a land of peat bogs, beech forests, glistening lakes, remote beaches, and snow-capped peaks ideal for outdoor adventures. When you arrive in this unspoiled part of Patagonia, it’s easy to see why the region is nicknamed the “End of the World.”
The dramatic centerpiece of the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas—the park that bridges the Palermo and Recoleta neighborhoods—is the Floralis Generica. This gigantic, 18-ton metallic flower sculpture has become one of Buenos Aires’ most instantly reboldcognizable landmarks.
