Central & South America attractions

Unforgiving winds, rugged coastline, and narrow passages made the Strait of Magellan one of the most deadly channels for early explorers of South America. Luckily, modern cruise ship technology means you can safely cross the 350-mile (560-kilometre) strait connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, for a scenic voyage past rocky fjords, forested islands, and glaciers that spill into the sea.

Directly south of Montevideo’s center, the neighborhood (or, “barrio”) of Barrio Sur is closely connected to its large Afro-Uruguayan community, who settled here after slavery was abolished. It is the home of the “Candombe,” the Uruguayan music and dance style that comes from African slaves and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage of humanity.

Perched on the edge of Copacabana Beach, the World War I–era Copacabana Fort provides a glimpse into Brazil's military past. Guests can see Krupp cannons, the Army History Museum, and centuries-old artillery displays. With its panoramic views and immersive exhibits, this often-overlooked attraction helps tell the story of the region.

Situated on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Cartagena Cruise Port welcomes 30 different cruise ship lines and features several attractions that reference the country’s natural resources—before exiting, pass through a replica emerald mine and an aviary with birds such as flamingoes, peacocks, and parrots.

At the southwestern tip of Nahuel Huapi Lake, surrounded by the snow-dusted peaks and evergreen valleys of the Andes, Puerto Blest is hidden away in one of the most remote corners of Argentina’s Lakelands. Reachable only by boat, the small port is the starting point for hikes to the Los Cántaros Lake and Waterfall.

Filled with crystal clear water that comes from volcanic springs, Ojo de Agua (Eye of Water in English) is a warm swimming pool on Ometepe Island in Nicaragua. The area is divided into two watering holes; one of the pools is 131 feet (40 meters) long, almost the length of an Olympic swimming pool.

Formed by two towering volcanoes rising out of the waters of Lake Nicaragua, Concepción and Maderas, Ometepe Island (Isla de Ometepe) is one of Nicaragua’s most popular tourist destinations. Visitors are drawn to the island’s colorful villages, abundant wildlife, dramatic scenery, and wide, sandy beaches. The island also has a rich ancient history and many archeological sites to explore.

Miles of pristine, gray sand draw travelers to Matapalo Beach (Playa Matapalo), which wraps the southern tip of Costa Rica’s remote Osa Peninsula. Its palm trees lean towards Pacific breakers, shading beachfront guest houses and bungalows that cater to surfers, backpackers, and visitors seeking the country’s quieter side.

Rays and nurse sharks greet boats in Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, a natural haven comprising 61 square miles (158 square kilometers) of thriving sea life—including portions of the Belize Barrier Reef. Since the reserve is just off the coast of Caye Caulker island, it’s a budget-friendly alternative to the more distant (and more popular) Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

One of Rio de Janeiro’s most popular markets, the Ipanema Farmers Market draws locals and visitors alike every Friday morning. Just a few blocks from the beach, with vendors specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables (as well as fish, meat, flowers, and other items), it’s a great place to browse, sample, and purchase snacks or ingredients.

With 19 acres (8 hectare ) of neo-classical gardens dotted with pagodas and sculptures, Parque de la Reserva is a welcome pocket of greenery, located in the Miraflores neighborhood of Lima. The parks’ star attraction is the Magic Water Circuit (Circuito Mágico del Agua), in which 13 interactive fountains are choreographed to classical and Peruvian music and lasers.

Located in the Tambopata National Reserve in the Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, Sandoval Lake (Lago Sandoval) is a beautiful body of water fringed by dense foliage. It's known for its biodiversity and features a huge variety of avian species and wildlife, while many come here with high hopes of spotting some of the giant otters that call the lake home.

Also known as the Church of the Sacred Heart, Iglesia de Los Capuchinos impresses with its dramatic mix of neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic architectural styles. It was selected as the First Official Wonder of Córdoba, thanks to the splendor of its facade, which is covered in sculptures and carvings that explore humanity’s relationship with God.

The Belize City Cruise Port connects the country’s Caribbean cayes with the mainland and the city’s urban center. Most visitors don’t linger here, with the majority of cruise ship passengers passing through on their way to inland attractions such as Mayan ruins. Belize City Cruise Port is also the main gateway for ferry traffic to islands like Ambergris Caye.

Located in the heart of Cartagena, Plaza Bocagrande is a one-stop shop for all your retail and entertainment needs. Once a fishing village, this sleek and sophisticated neighborhood is now home to the vast Plaza Bocagrande Centro Comercial shopping mall, perched on a peninsula that juts out into the Caribbean Sea.

Formed from a volcanic crater, Lake Coatepeque (Lago de Coatepeque) is famed for its vibrant color, which alternates from deep blue to clear turquoise. Visitors flock to the lake for its array of water sports, such as kayaking, boating and fishing, while the lakeside restaurants are a popular spot for anyone exploring the nearby Cerro Verde National Park.

Reach Mindo’s Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve and numerous waterfalls with ease, thanks to Mindo's Cable Car (Tarabita de Mindo), a cable car ride 492 feet (150 meters) above the rainforest. The ride crosses the Nambillo River canyon to take in panoramic views of the waterfalls and trees that harbor some of South America’s most biodiverse ecosystems. It also connects with several hiking trails.

Home to more than 2,000 animals including rare and endangered species, São Paulo Zoo (Zoológico de São Paulo is the largest zoo in Brazil. Observe a variety of mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates, including white Bengal tigers, rhinos, tamarins, and the Lear’s macaw.

Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity and wildlife, and the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center provides a helping hand to animals in need. The center rehabilitates and releases some wildlife, while providing a home for animals that can’t be released. Visitors can take guided tours or independently follow the 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) of trails through the lush outdoor park.

Lighthouse Reef is an incredible atoll (a coral island encircling a lagoon) in the Caribbean Sea that was made famous by legendary sea explorer Jacques Cousteau, who rightfully declared it one of the top 10 diving locations in the world. Follow in Cousteau's footsteps by diving into the Great Blue Hole, the underwater sinkhole in the center of the lagoon.

Comprising ancient glaciers, fjords, and icy islands, Laguna San Rafael National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve in the remote depths of Chilean Patagonia. The park's star attraction is the 30,000-year-old San Valentín glacier, which you can get close to on a Zodiac boat ride.

Presided over by the mighty Villarrica Volcano, Villarrica National Park is one of central Chile’s natural highlights. Waterfalls, caves, rivers, and forests comprise the pristine landscapes of this national park, which is also home to rare species such as pumas, red foxes, and mountain monkeys. The charming town of Pucón serves as the gateway.

Just outside of Salta, San Lorenzo is a mountain suburb that’s home to some of the region’s best hiking spots. In addition to serving as the gateway to the flora-rich Quebrada de San Lorenzo cloud forest, the town is home to an abundance of opulent villas and a couple of attractive colonial churches.

Even though it’s estimated to have formed more than 20 million years ago, the Canyon of the Lost (Cañón de los Perdidos) in Ica was only discovered in 2011, so it’s still one of southern Peru’s best-kept secrets. Erosion has created a rippled effect on the edges of the canyon and also carved out rock formations reminiscent of animals and objects.

So-called because of the majestic condors that frequently fly over it, the Mirador de los Cóndores is one of El Chaltén’s most popular lookout points. The natural balcony offers panoramic views of Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two of the hiking hot spot’s most impressive mountains, and Rio de las Vueltas valley.

Shrouded by native forest and backed by the snow-capped spikes of Mt. Fitz Roy, Laguna Capri is a lovely blue water lagoon in Argentine Patagonia. You can reach it via an easy trail that leads you through woodlands and reveals panoramic views of the De las Vueltas River valley.

Isla Pelicano is a tiny island in the remote San Blas archipelago of Panama. The uninhabited island attracts day-trippers looking for a peaceful, relaxing retreat. With no internet access and little cell service, Isla Pelicano gives off deserted island vibes—in a good way. Most travelers also make stops at other islands in the archipelago, like Isla Perro (Dog Island).

For a taste of rural life in Venezuela, a visit to the sleepy mountain village of Galipán offers a stark contrast to bustling Caracas, despite being just 15km north of the city. Perched on the mountainside at 1870 meters, Galipán is best reached by 4WD, either direct from the city or in combination with a ride on the Caracas cable car, and it’s a jaw-droppingly scenic drive, serving up magnificent views of the city below. Established by the first settlers from the Canary Islands, the village is now home to a small community of around 2,500 inhabitants and welcomes a steady stream of tourists from Caracas. Visitors can stroll the village streets and admire the church, school and central plaza, all built into the mountainside; tuck into regional specialties at a local restaurant; or browse the many roadside stalls, selling traditional handicrafts, fresh strawberries and cream, and homemade jams, juices and sweets.

Nicknamed the Marvelous City, Rio de Janeiro is a glittering, vibrant, and sexy city that's six million inhabitants strong. Its combination of dramatic landmarks, iconic urban beaches, and friendly people have made it one of the world’s most popular cities and a frequent port of call for cruises along the South American coast.

Often simply referred to as the Dinosaur Tracks, Cretaceous Park (Cal Orck’o) boasts quite the distinction when it comes to paleontology—it’s home to the largest collection of dinosaur footprints in the world. Here, you can marvel at the 65 million-year-old tracks of eight different dinosaurs. There’s also a museum that features fossils and life-sized models of the dinosaurs who once inhabited the region.