Central & South America attractions

Home to Costa Rica’s highest peak, Cerro Chirripó Grande, the rugged Chirripó National Park is an excellent introduction to the country’s diverse ecosystems. From tropical jungle with emerald green vegetation and waterfalls to cloud forest with giant oak trees shadowing ferns and bamboo, this national park is a lush refuge for hundreds of species of exotic birds and animals.

Shrouded by ancient Patagonian forest, Chorrillo del Salto is a 65-foot (20-meter) waterfall in El Chaltén, Argentina's trekking capital. While the town might be famous for its more challenging treks, the route to Chorrillo del Salto is a short and easy walk through native woodland past gentle streams.

While the mustard-yellow exterior of the 17th-century Catedral Metropolitana de Florianopolis is an attraction in itself, the religious structure is known for its collection of sacred art inside, too. One of its most famous pieces is the Flight of Egypt sculpture by Tyrolean artist Demetz Groeden, a hand-carved depiction of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.

Nestled between Viña del Mar’s Sol and Acapulco beaches, Vergara Pier (Muelle Vergara) was built at the end of the 19th century to accommodate the cargo boats unloading goods from ships in the port of Valparaíso. Long dormant, it has been renovated and transformed into a promenade and tourist attraction.

The Pastaza River rushes through Ecuador’s adventure capital of Baños de Agua Santa and is one of the best places to go white-water rafting in Latin America. It’s a tributary of the Amazon Basin surrounded by lush jungles and mountainous landscapes, which create the perfect combination of exhilaration and natural beauty.

Founded in 1653 on the site where Saint Mariana of Jesus lived and died, Carmen Alto Covent is one of the few Carmelite convents in the world open to visitors. Home to 20 nuns, Monasterio de Carmen has become an important pilgrimage place to honor the Ecuadorian saint and to view the religious art in the museum housed in the cloister.

The third-largest island in the Chiloé archipelago, Lemuy features rolling hills, dense forests, and rugged coastline that offer peaceful backdrops to off-the-beaten-path adventures. Whether you want to explore rural villages, admire historic churches, or simply chill out on the beach, Lemuy Island is well worth the trip.

Stroll down Calle La Calzada after dark to see why this street is the heart of Granada’s nightlife: live music blasts from bars, outdoor tables overflow with revelers, and artisans hawk their wares. During the day, the street is a main thoroughfare with shopping and dining venues in Spanish colonial buildings—it’s impossible to miss.

The Pasión River (Río La Pasión) and its tributaries cover nearly 2,000 square miles (5,180 square kilometers) in Guatemala, forming a diverse ecological zone and main transportation source. The river traces the ancient trade route that the Maya used; today visitors use it to access many Maya archeological sites that lie near its shores.

A family-owned winery known for its high-altitude wines, Bodega Domingo Hermanos is a destination for tasting the many flavors of Salta. Founded in the 1960s, this bodega offers tours of its production facilities and an introduction to the traditional winemaking methods in this corner of Argentina. Experiences range from tours and tastings to joining harvest activities (a seasonal offering).

A small park with a big view, Cerrito del Carmen is a popular lookout point over Guatemala City and the surrounding landscape. This hilltop site is also home to the colonial-era Cerrito del Carmen Church—one of the oldest churches in the city.

Jacare Beach (Praia do Jacaré) translates to “Alligator Beach,” but names can be deceiving. There are no alligators here, nor much of a beach. But what draws travelers to this spot on the Paraíba River (Paraíba do Norte), north of João Pessoa, is its stunning sunsets, which are usually accompanied by the sounds of a saxophone player.

The Fuegian Andes, which cross the entire Tierra Del Fuego Archipelago, are the southernmost chain of the Andes Mountains. Although rather small compared to other South American peaks, these mountains still look formidable as they rise straight out of the ocean to heights just over 8,200 feet (2,500 meters.

Inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Avenida La Reforma is a wide, shady boulevard through the heart of Guatemala City. Its park-like median is lined with fountains and statues celebrating important people from Guatemala’s history.

Itaipu Beach (Praia de Itaipu) was once a paradise for travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Rio de Janeiro. Unfortunately, pollution has made swimming conditions less than ideal and now the sandy strips of coast, although still picturesque, are often crowded. However, on a quiet day, Itaipu Beach still epitomizes the beauty of Brazilian beach life.

One of Chiloé’s 16 UNESCO-listed churches, the Church of San Francisco (Iglesia San Francisco de Castro) is a neo-Gothic gem designed by the Italian architect Eduardo Provasoli and built by local carpenters. Painted a sunny yellow with violet trim, the pleasing structure is a highlight of Castro’s Plaza de Armas.

Learn more about Ometepe’s rich cultural legacy at Museo El Ceibo, which boasts one of Nicaragua’s largest archaeological collections. View over 1,500 pre-Columbian artifacts, including pottery shards, tools, gold, and funeral urns—all unearthed from right underneath your feet on Ometepe. A second display spotlights Nicaragua’s economy, where you can learn how local currency evolved from cacao beans to the córdoba.

Designed to resemble the mission revival architecture seen throughout Central America, St. Peter the Apostle Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana San Pedro Apóstol) appears as if it’s one of San Pedro Sula's original Spanish Catholic churches; however, it actually wasn’t built until 1949. The cathedral earned Metropolitan status in 2023 via Pope Francis and continues to hold weekly mass services.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site at the foot of the Colombian Andes, Eje Cafetero (aka the Coffee Axis or Coffee Triangle) produces some of the finest coffee in the world. Comprising the departments of Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda, the region is also known for its unique hacienda-style architecture and friendly locals. Verdant, steep-sloped valleys make Eje Cafetero visually stunning as well.

One of Cali’s most impressive buildings, the National Palace (Palacio Nacional) demands attention from its perch at the head of Caicedo Plaza (Plaza de Cayzedo). Built in 1928, the 4-story palace’s neoclassical design was the work of Belgian architect Joseph Martens, and features an ornate, chalk-white façade capped with a slate-gray roof and dome.

With its red exterior and neo-Gothic style, Iglesia Yurrita is one of the most distinctive pieces of architecture in Guatemala City. The inside is every bit as ornate, incorporating stones from various regions of Guatemala and painted windows that are made to look like the sky.

Surrounded by the Atacama Desert, one of the most arid regions in the world, Humedal del Rio Lluta is a vitally important wetland. The Municipal Natural Reserve and federally-designated Natural Sanctuary is an important resource for about 130 bird species and a top destination for nature lovers.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls boast nature trails, streams, and views of the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica. After exploring orchid gardens and watching toucans flying overhead, you can enjoy an al fresco meal on the patio.

San Francisco de Chiu Chiu, better known as Chiu Chiu, is a small oasis town in the Atacama Desert, just north of Calama. This quiet little town offers a more peaceful escape compared to the traveler hot spot of San Pedro de Atacama and easy access to the desert and Upper Loa Andean mountain range.

Perched on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean, Fuerte San Antonio (San Antonio Fort) was built by the Spanish in the mid-18th century to defend Chiloé Island and its surrounding waters. Today, it’s a tourist attraction offering sweeping ocean views and a glimpse into Chilean history.

Stretching along the Caribbean coast north of Caracas, El Ávila National Park serves as a natural playground for city dwellers and has been preserved as a national park since 1958. Dominated by the Cordillera de la Costa mountain range, the park’s rugged mountains, dense forests and cloud forests harbor a huge variety of plant and animal species. Over 100 butterfly species and 500 bird species can be found in the park, including several endemic to Venezuela, as well as over 180 orchid varieties, among them Venezuela’s national flower, Cattleya Mossiae. The easiest way to visit El Ávila is by riding the Caracas cable car, which links the city with the villages atop El Ávila mountain and reaches a height of 2,135 meters (7,005 ft). From there, the best way to get around is to take a 4WD to villages like Galipán, or make the most of the vast network of hiking trails.

In Guatemala City, the sprawling IRTRA Mundo Petapa amusement park offers a diverse range of rides, attractions, and live entertainment options for every age group. From adrenaline-pumping roller coasters to family-friendly activities, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy.

The perfect spot for adventurous travelers visiting Puerto Rico, Laguna del Condado is a lagoon used for a variety of watersports—including kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. This popular coastal spot between Laguna Beach and San Juan also attracts manatees (often nicknamed “sea cows”) who feast on the abundant seagrass.

The Aquário Natural—or natural aquarium—is a freshwater paradise in the heart of the jungle where visitors can float through an underwater world full of rare and tropical fish and freshwater stingrays. One of Bonito’s ecotourism hotspots, visiting the Aquário Natural also includes a wildlife-spotting hike through savannas and jungle.

If you’re looking to inject some fun into your Punta del Este beach vacation, the Splash Aqua Park at Mansa Beach has you covered. This floating aquapark is a summer staple, featuring more than a dozen inflatable obstacles to challenge and entertain both kids and adults.