Central & South America attractions

In the heart of the historic part of Curitiba, Garibaldi Square is a great place to get your bearings or take a break between sightseeing visits. The square also has a "flower clock," a fully functional, 26-foot (8-meter) timepiece made of shrubs and flowers, complete with fiberglass hands.

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.

The Villarrica Volcanic Caves, sometimes called the House of Devil, snake hundreds of yards into the side of the Villarrica Volcano, Chile’s most active volcano. Take a trek into the caves, which are the hardened remains of historic lava flows, and enjoy the mountaintop scenery.

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.

This elegant example of neo-Gothic architecture-- easily Brazil's finest-- might seem more at home in Medieval France than the rainforests of the New World. The graceful symphony of peaked arches and delicately rendered towers, built between 1928 and 1932, overlook Getúlio Vargas Square in Santa Cruz do Sul.

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.

Located near Santiago de Cali, the Phoenix Air Museum (Museo Aereo Fenix) is the only civil aviation and railroad museum in Colombia. In addition to more than 25 full-sized aircraft, several locomotives, engines, and vintage cars, the museum also houses a large collection of scale models, including aircrafts, airports, and railways.

Located in the foothills of the Serra do Mar mountains—and within easy day tripping distance of Curitiba—Aguas Claras Water Park is one of the region’s largest water parks. The family-friendly destination has an attraction for travelers of all ages; highlights include high-speed water slides, wave pools, a boating lake, and a zipline course.

The most recent addition to the gigantic São Paulo Zoo—Brazil’s largest—offers animal lovers a safari-inspired experience right in the heart of the city. More than 380 animals roam through the different habitat zones, with animals ranging from tigers to monkeys.

Teleférico Serra Negra is an open-air chairlift that takes you to the summit of Pico do Fonesca de Serra Negra peak. The single-seat chairs take you 4,600 feet (1,400 meters) to the statue of Christ the Redeemer and offer panoramic views of Serra Negra along the way.

A wonder of nature tucked into the city, Dunas Park (Parque das Dunas) is a lush and leafy place to explore or to simply relax among trees and plants native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Golden sand dunes stretch into clear ocean, and trails through the natural environment are ideal for trekking, and they attract active travelers.

Home to the renowned Atlético Paranaense soccer team, Arena da Baixada—also known as Estádio Atlético Paranaense—is located in Curitiba, the state capital of Paraná. The first football match was played here in 1914, making this stadium an important part of Brazil’s world-renowned football legacy.

A family-friendly destination that’s both entertaining and educational, the Aquamundo Aquarium is one of the biggest in Chile, with more than 1,000 species of reptiles, birds, and fish. Exhibits often showcase local sea creatures, such as the poisonous Easter Island balloon fish and the Central Coast red shark.

The Rio do Peixe, or Peixe River, is a wildlife lover’s dream. Set in the heart of the lush rainforest of Brazil’s central region, there are dense canopies of trees, trails that follow fast-moving rivers, and waterfalls that rain down into crystal clear pools full of colorful fish. After all, Peixe’s name literally means “river of fish.”

Within the city limits of Rio de Janeiro, Marapendi Natural Park offers 380 acres (155 hectares) of peaceful escape from the bustling city. Its lush landscapes, diverse wildlife, and well-preserved ecosystems make it a guaranteed hit for anyone looking to connect with the natural beauty of Brazil.

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.

Mundo Aventura Theme Park (Parque Mundo Aventura) boasts more than 30 rides and attractions, which range from extreme thrill rides to family-friendly roller coasters and log flumes. In classic carnival style, the park has sideshows and traditional fairground rides. For younger children, there’s a ballpark, petting zoo, and several playgrounds.

The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) is one of the oldest educational institutions in Brazil. The school occupies an entire block of Curitiba’s town center on one end of Santos Andrade Square (Praça Santos Andrade). Originally a private institution that began in the early 1900s, it became a federal, tuition-free university in 1950. It’s also home to two museums.

Housed inside a bright yellow castle, the Children’s Museum (Museo de los Niños) in San Jose, Costa Rica, is designed to delight little ones. With interactive displays across 40 rooms, children (and the adults accompanying them) can learn about the human body, plants and animals, space exploration, and much more.

Balneario Municipal is a surprisingly easy-to-reach natural swimming hole deep in Brazil's rainforest. The Balneario Real is a collection of natural pools and waterfalls. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, thanks to its abundance of family activities, including zip lines and barbecue spots.

Of all the magical islands on Lake Titicaca, privately-owned Suasi Island offers luxury-seekers a stay in a sumptuously-appointed ecolodge amongst the island’s stunning vistas, rocky outcroppings, and cascading bougainvillea. Still quite remote, this tiny (106 acres, 43 hectares) island relies on simple rustic pleasures and renewable energy sources.

The once unassuming fishing village of José Ignacio, nestled near Punta del Este, has transformed into a fashionable destination, capturing the attention of affluent jet-setters. The St. Tropez of Latin America offers a serene, refined atmosphere, while retaining its small-town charm with yoga studios, cocktail bars, and surf beaches.

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).

Dutch colonists built the historic fort of Nossa Senhora de Assuncao in the 17th century, but it was only kept by them for five years until it was captured and taken over by the Portuguese. It was then renamed after the patron saint of Fortaleza. Now an imposing example of Dutch architecture and a public museum, the fortress is dedicated to exhibits detailing the lives of local war heroes and notable persons.

Just 30 minutes from downtown Sao Paulo, Wet 'n’ Wild is one of Brazil’s largest water parks. With more than 25 slides, pools, and activities, the park has plenty to appeal to kids and adults; attractions range from super-fast water slides to a lazy-river cruise.

Ceará Tourism Center used to be Fortaleza’s jailhouse, but where criminals once languished, there are now art displays and local crafts exhibited within the walls of this fortified building. There are stalls throughout where you can buy pieces and chat to the artists who made them. It's an ideal place to learn about local art.

Set on the edge of Lake Petén Itzá (Lago Petén Itzá, this small zoo houses a collection of native Guatemalan animals, including ocelots, pumas, jaguars, and spider monkeys. Forested trails weave past the enclosures, which are spread across two islands connected by a bridge. Its shoreside position affords stunning views of the lake.

A cultural legacy from one of Brazil’s elite families, the Moreira Salles Institute(Instituto Moreira Salles) is a modernist mansion set in the jungle, the former home of the Moreira Salles family. It has been transformed into a museum and educational space, celebrating Brazilian culture and arts. The Institute focuses on four artistic areas: photography, music, literature and iconography. The main focus is on photography, with rotating exhibits featuring the works of top visual artists from Brazil and worldwide. Exhibits range from old, historic photos, to contemporary photo-essays to abstract photography. They also scheduled screenings of films and documentaries from around the world. The structure is a perfect example of 1950s modernism in South America, with an angular design and some geometric patterns. Semi-open air rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows incorporate the natural beauty of the property, set on the border of the Tijuca National Forest. In the surrounding garden, tall trees tower up toward the sky and paths weave among the tropical, green garden. Streams, fountains, and a pond surrounded by a modern mosaic design also add to the property’s serene, modern design.

Stretching across the Cauca River in Antioquia, this 984-foot (300-meter) suspension bridge—built in 1895—was once the longest suspension bridge in South America and the third-longest such structure in the world. While it's no longer breaking any records, it continues to provide an essential link between Olaya and Santa Fe de Antioquia.

Visit the home of the city of Fortaleza—the Museum of Ceara is housed within the former Legislative Assembly and represents Brazil’s culture and history in the region of Ceara. Here, you can learn about the indigenous cultures of the people of Brazil and the history of Portuguese colonization up until the city’s present day.