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.
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.
In the heart of Rio de Janeiro, at the foothills of Corcovado, lies Paineiras Road (Estrada das Paineiras), a vital 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) pathway to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Whether by foot, bike, or car, travelers ascending this winding road through the Tijuca National Park yields rewarding panoramic vistas of the city below.
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.
Considered Guaramiranga’s star attraction, Parque das Trilhas is a natural reserve set amid 282 acres (114 hectares) of Atlantic Forest. A network of hiking trails, a swimming lake, and activities that range from ziplining to kayaking make it one of Fortaleza’s most popular day trip destinations.
Just off the coast of Punta del Este, at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, Lobos Island (Isla de Lobos) is home to one of the largest colonies of southern sea lions in the world—an estimated 200,000 inhabit its rocky shores. A protected nature reserve, the island can only be visited by guided tour.
Nature lovers in search of some of Chile's most prized birds love the natural wonder of Tres Puentes Wetland (Humedal Tres Puentes). More than 60 species of birds—including the Chiloé wigeon, white-tufted grebe, and the bubblegum-pink Chilean flamingo—reside in this unexpected gem located on the northern outskirts of Punta Arenas.
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.
Dating back to the late 18th century, Largo da Alfandega (Customs Square) is packed full of historical architecture and cultural gems. Since its conception, the square has been a meeting point for commerce and socializing. It boasts neoclassical buildings, water features, vendors selling snacks and artisan goods, and the popular Municipal Public Market, where you can feast on Brazilian street food.
Home to more than 100 animals from 70 different species, Brusque Zoo Botanical Park (Parque Zoobotanico de Brusque) is a family-friendly attraction that gives you the chance to spot a number of endangered species, many of which have been rescued from illegal trafficking or mistreatment.
Situated on Santa Catarina Island, just outside the Brazilian city of Florianópolis, Aqua Show Park offers an entertaining day out for all ages. The outdoor water park complex covers 7.4 acres (30,000 square meters), is surrounded by native forest, and offers a variety of pools, rides, and games.
The gateway through which immigrants historically entered São Paulo, the central Bom Retiro neighborhood today represents the city at its most eclectic. Originally home to Jewish and Arabic communities—and now boasting a vibrant Koreatown—the area is a great place for cultural (and culinary) discovery. It’s also home to several major museums, cultural venues, historic buildings, green spaces, and shopping streets.
Surrounded by sand dunes and lush greenery, Lagoa de Jacumã serves as both a scenic body of water and an adventure playground. Along with swimming in its clear waters, you can enjoy an aerial view of it as you soar over the surface on a zipline that ends with a plunge into the lagoon.
The yellow-painted façade of Iglesia San José, with its simple cross and trio of church bells, stands at the heart of Cachi on Plaza 9 de Julio. The adobe church dates back to the late 18th century and is a national monument renowned for its cardon wood ceiling and richly decorated altar, the work of local artisans.
Providing respite from the bustle of Armenia, Parque de la Vida (Park of Life) is one of the city’s prettiest green spaces. At 20 acres (8 hectares), it’s Armenia’s largest park and offers a wealth of hiking trails that wind through manicured gardens, wild forests, man-made lakes, tiered waterfalls, bamboo bridges, and a stream.
A well-heeled suburb of San José, Escazú often draws comparisons to Beverly Hills, with sprawling mansions and hotels dotted around the hills. Though there is little in the way of traditional tourist attractions here, there are lots of draws, including upscale malls, chic boutiques and restaurants, and views of the Central Valley.
Bridging the gap between Plaza Italia and the sprawling Tres de Febrero Park, Buenos Aires Eco-Park forms a stretch of Palermo’s green lung. Once an urban zoo dating back to the late 19th century, the park has undergone an eco-friendly makeover, transforming into an enclosure-free eco-park with lush gardens, interactive exhibitions, and free-roaming animals.
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.
Cartagena has its own beach, but venture farther afield to the Rosario Islands (Corales Islas del Rosario) for some snorkeling, scuba diving—or complete relaxation. Isla del Encanto provides a tranquil escape from modern life. The private island is home to a resort hotel where visitors can spend the day by the pool or on a beach lapped by the Caribbean.
Situated in a vast but lovely neoclassical structure dating back to 1933, the Mercado Municipal de Sao Paulo—known colloquially as the Mercadão—houses hundreds of stalls selling fresh fish, exotic fruits, and every other edible delectable you can imagine.
While rainforests usually conjure images of high humidity and tropical temperatures, Parque Aiken del Sur is one of one of the world’s coldest jungles. This protected reserve features more than 617 acres (250 hectares) of walking trails, which lead you through dense forests to rivers and waterfalls, which flow with water from melted glaciers.
At the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Nabusimake—the spiritual home of the Arhuaco people—is a secluded indigenous village which few outsiders get to experience. Known for virgin landscapes and wattle-and-daub homes, this sacred settlement is mostly closed off to the outside world.
This warm and welcoming Garifuna community is perched on the edge of a gorgeous white-sand beach, where wooden fishing boats rest under woven palm-frond awnings. Listen for the sounds of the Afro-Indigenous Garifuna language on its mostly quiet streets, or sample local culinary specialties such as fish fresh from the sea, coconut bread, and machuca (savory green plantain soup).
Home to around 100 bats from 8 different native species, the enclosed Bat Jungle replicates the conditions of a cloud forest at night. While bats can be difficult to observe in the wild, this exhibit lets you see bats eating, interacting, and caring for their young. A tour gives visitors further insight into these mysterious nocturnal creatures.
Home to one of the only penguin rookeries in continental Argentina, Penguin Island (Isla Yecapasela) is a rocky islet in the Beagle Channel off the coast of Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica. While the waters of this Patagonian region are notoriously challenging to navigate, the bumpy ride is well worth it for the wildlife-watching opportunities—it’s home to thousands of Magellanic penguins, alongside Gentoo penguins and rock cormorants.
Inspired by the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that stands watch over Rio de Janeiro, Serra Negra’s own Christ the Redeemer statue sits atop the Pico de Fonseca hill, affording views over the city below.
Whether you want to get your adrenaline pumping on a high-speed water slide, cool off beneath an artificial waterfall, or fly through the air on a giant swing, Cascaneia Water Park (Parque Aquático Cascanéia)—Catarina’s largest water park—has something to suit the whole family.
Surrounded by the lush greenery of the UNESCO-listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, Recuca (El Recorrido por la Cultura Cafetera) gives you a glimpse into the daily workings of a traditional Colombian finca (farm). Staff wear traditional white outfits, reveal the journey of coffee from bean to cup, and give you the chance to sample the world-famous Colombian brew.
Mayan archaeological site Aguateca sits atop a hill along the coast of the Petexbatún Lagoon in Guatemala’s Peten department. Hastily abandoned after an attack around 830AD, the city has a ghost town ambiance reminiscent of Pompei. Penned in by a defensive wall are some 700 structures including royal and elite residences and a grand plaza.
