Central & South America attractions

One of several zoos in or near the Brazilian megalopolis of São Paulo, the Guarulhos Zoo (Zoológico de Guarulhos) offers a welcome dose of nature and wildlife amid the urban sprawl. Free for all to visit, this zoo and nature park focuses on Brazilian flora and fauna, and its conservation efforts help to protect native species.

Three hours driving from São Paulo, Thermas Water Park is one of Brazil’s most modern water parks and offers tons to do for kids and adults of any age. The main attraction is, of course, the pools and waterslides. The grounds are home to 11 pools, 10 waterslides and the adrenaline-pumping Free Fall slide, which drops over 30 feet (10 meters). A highlight is the warm pools, where heated swimming holes are set among an artificial white sand beach and several waterfalls and grottos. The children’s area features a massive shallow swimming pool, dotted with colorful animal decorations, toys and small waterslides. Beyond the aquatic attractions and wild slides of the park, Thermas also offers the pre-historic world, an exhibit of 30 massive dinosaur replicas, and smaller exhibits with replicas of marine life and insects. Visitors can also experience living animals at the Vô Bráulio Ranch, which is home to farm animals like horses, ostrich, rabbits and pheasants as well as some of Brazil’s tropical creatures like toucans, macaws and monkeys — many of which visitors are allowed to hold and touch.

In the heart of Curitiba, Santos Andrade Square (Praça Santos Andrade) is a central hub for transportation, culture, and just hanging out. Brazil's first university—the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR)—is right by the square, which means you're likely to run into students, as is the celebrated Guaira Theatre.

One of the best places to pick up gifts and souvenirs in the quiet town of Puerto Iguazú, a base for exploring the Iguazú Falls UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the Puerto Iguazú Arts and Crafts Market. The market specializes in traditional Guaraní crafts, including yerba mate bombillas, woven baskets, ceramics,aho-poi (embroidered linen), and jewelry.

The Mario Testino Museum in Lima is a powerful collection of contemporary art from its namesake, a fashion photography icon and celebrated native son. His portraits—of big names such as model Kate Moss and lesser-known works of indigenous Peruvians—are showcased in a 19th-century mansion in Lima’s bohemian district of Barranco. Also on display are works of up-and-coming Peruvian artists.

Chave-Mestra is an escape room experience that offers a variety of themed games and puzzles. Pick from a variety of thrilling, magical, or macabre themes, and spend part of an afternoon or evening solving riddles and puzzles that will allow you to escape a locked room.

In the heart of Santiago's O'Higgins Park, Fantasilandia is a sprawling amusement park filled with a wide range of rides, from kid-friendly mini trains to thrilling roller coasters geared toward older kids and adults. The park also has loads of carnival-style games where you can test your dexterity and win prizes.

Among Santiago’s most recognized buildings, La Parroquia San Vicente Ferrer was on Chile’s 2,000 peso banknote for over a decade. Construction on the church and the adjacent convent that now houses the handicraft market began in 1809, and the well-preserved complex retains much of its original Spanish charm to this day. It still draws parishioners and visitors alike with its whitewashed exteriors, though many people just stop for a quick photo before heading to Los Dominicos Handicraft Village next door.

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.

Home to South America´s longest ski run—which comes in at a whopping 8 miles (12 kilometers)—there’s much more to Termas de Chillan than hot springs. The resort offers a myriad of snow-centered activities, which include everything from dog sledding and skiing, alongside relaxing hot springs that prove perfect for travelers tired from a day of skiing.

Developed in the late 1970s as an off-price alternative to the sky-high rents along Avenida Paulista, Avenida Berrini (pronounced be-HEE-nee) houses a growing number of shopping and entertainment areas, including American-style malls Shopping Morumbi and Shopping Market Place, as well as the D&D Decoration and Design Center.

Baia Formosa (Beautiful Bay) is a quaint fishing village in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Norte state that boasts colorful architecture and excellent surfing. Discover the storybook views and healing waters of Coca Cola Lagoon (Lagoa da Coca-Cola), and travel to hidden beaches, lush Atlantic forests, and mangroves.

Plaza Independencia is San Miguel de Tucumán’s most important public square. It was named in celebration of Argentina’s declaration of independence, which took place at the Congress of Tucumán on July 9, 1816. Today, it remains a hub of activity and serves as a prime meeting point in the heart of downtown Tucumán.

Founded by Jesuit missionary Father Gustavo Le Paige, the R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum houses one of the region’s principal collections of pre-Colombian artifacts. With around 1,000 items on display, it provides insight into the history and cultural heritage of the Atacama Desert.

Situated in the heart of Guanacaste Province next to Rincon de La Vieja National Park, Vida Aventura Nature Park offers a heady mix of adventure in a large private reserve. Travelers can easily spend an entire day here ziplining, walking nature trails, riding horses—and then wind with mud bath treatment or dips in the hot springs.

Believed to be around 500 years old, Hyderabad’s Chilkur Balaji Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage spot dedicated to Sri Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu. It’s often busy with Hindu devotees, who come here to pray for success with visa applications. Travelers interested in Indian spirituality may enjoy visiting, even if their own visa applications have already been successful.

One of the first wineries in South America, dating from the 18th century, Navarro Correas is ingrained in Argentinian history and culture. Hosts to Polo Argentina, sponsors of the Argentinian Open, and boasting vibrant bottle labels designed by Argentinian artists, the winery exudes cool from every angle. Inside, you’ll find a wine room, reception room, art gallery, and two tasting rooms. Navarro Correas produces red and whites, though it’s particularly well-known for its sparkling wines—unusual in an area famed for Malbec.

An engaging, exciting indoor attraction, Chave-Mestra is an escape game in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre. Locked inside a themed room of your choice, you and your friends must solve puzzles and mysteries in order to free yourselves.

With its simple cream and white façade and unassuming central dome, the Malakoff Tower (Torre Malakoff) isn’t Recife’s most striking landmark, but it’s nonetheless an important historical monument. Built in the 19th century as an astronomic observatory and arsenal storage for the military, it’s now been converted into an exhibition space and public observatory.

Home to its own private beach and less than an hour from downtown Natal, Manoa Park is a one-stop-shop for family entertainment. From ziplining and beach volleyball to water slides and boat cruises, there’s something for all ages here.

The Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón (Church of Nercón) is one of the 16 Churches of Chiloé that are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as a Chilean National Monument. This church stands out for its unique features, which include a sculpture of St. Michael with a demon at his feet, carved from a single piece of wood.

Off the southern coast of Belize, Glover's Reef is a partially submerged atoll (a ring-shaped island encircling a lagoon) that’s part of the Belize Barrier Reef. Travelers explore the rich biodiversity by diving, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Situated away from busier diving hubs such as Ambergris Caye, Glover's Reef is the least visited of the atolls, making for ideal diving conditions

With its steep cobblestone lanes and brightly painted colonial buildings, the Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda (Centro Historico de Olinda) is one of Pernambuco’s most colorful neighborhoods. Preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s the city’s cultural epicenter and home to many of its most notable landmarks.

As the largest private butterfly park in Brazil, Borboletário Águias da Serra is home to thousands of butterflies that span 17 different species. The venue was designed to allow you to come into close contact with the butterflies, while also ensuring the protection of the winged insects.

Manatees graze turtle-grass beds and mangroves in this marine reserve near Belize City, which was established in 2002 to protect the threatened mammals. While it’s illegal to swim with manatees in Belize, tours of Swallow Caye offer the chance to see the animals in their natural environment. Boat trips to Swallow Caye are strictly regulated to ensure they don’t disturb or hurt the manatees.

The eclectic artworks of Montevideo-born artist Joaquim Torres-Garcia—Uruguay’s most prolific and influential modern artist—take center stage at the Torres García Museum (Museo Torres García). One of Montevideo’s most visited art museums, its vast collection features Garcia’s work, alongside temporary exhibitions from local contemporary artists.

Playa La Lisera (La Lisera Beach) is a tranquil oasis just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of downtown Arica. This crescent-shaped beach is known for its calm waters and soft golden sands, which makes it an ideal destination to spend a laid-back day amidst the natural beauty of northern Chile’s coastline.

Lake Steffen was named for geographer and explorer Hans Steffen, who was hired in the late 1800s to investigate the border dispute between Chile and Argentina. Covering an area of more than 1,450 acres (587 hectares), the glacial lake is a hidden gem fed by the Manso River and prized by fly fishers for its trout-filled waters.

Among Chile's youngest wine regions, the San Antonio Valley is growing in popularity and is particularly celebrated for its pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. This cool-weather region is blessed by crisp winds from the Pacific Ocean, which helps create the perfect conditions for grapes to ripen slowly.

The Museo de Antropología e Historia de San Pedro Sula opened in 1994, providing a space to reflect on how the different peoples of the Sula Valley have developed Honduran culture over the centuries. Its 26 rooms hold exhibits charting the history from Pre-Columbian times through the modern day, including a unique exhibit on Palestinian immigrants.