The expansive San Antonio Plaza, which overlooks the mountains of Medellín, was inaugurated in 1994 as a cultural center. The plaza was struck by tragedy the following year when a bomb detonated during a concert and killed innocent people. Today, the square functions as an important memorial to Medellín’s turbulent past.
The islands of Chiloé are filled with historical treasures, but the Museo de Arte Moderno Chiloé (MAM) offers an alternative view of cultural life in the archipelago. As Chiloé Island’s only contemporary art museum, its mission is to promote and preserve contemporary art by hosting rotating exhibitions of Chilean and international art and by supporting artists through residencies.
In Baños, a mountain town known for its exhilarating range of outdoor adventures, you can add to the fun at this amusement park. Drive around a go-kart track, shoot water at your friends and family from motorized boats in a lake, and enjoy the surrounding landscape.
One of the largest open-air museums in Brazil, Carambei Historical Park (Parque Historico de Carambei) explores the story of the Dutch people who immigrated to Brazil. Highlights include a recreation of Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands, a Memory Museum that explores Dutch history and culture, and some tranquil ponds and lakes to wander.
Ilha dos Aquarios is a venue with a difference; it’s an open-air nightclub and event space set on an island located between Porto Seguro and Arraial d'Ajuda. Ilha dos Aquarios is also home to five aquariums, which harbor sharks, stingrays, and 15 species of fish.
Connecting the cities of Barranquilla and Santa Marta, Parque Isla Salamanca features mangrove swamps, forests, and beaches on the estuary of the Magdalena River. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, thanks to the wealth of wildlife that calls it home: numerous bird species, leatherback and painted turtles, the crab-eating raccoon, and Mexican anteaters.
The tropical rainforest of Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Reserva Biosfera Río Plátano) stretches from mountain summits to the edge of the Caribbean Sea—the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest protected region in Honduras. Within the forest are petroglyphs, pre-Columbian sites, trails to hike, rivers to raft, and remote campsites with sweeping views of a landscape few travelers will ever experience.
Set amid unspoiled countryside, the Malanage Hot Springs are one of Indonesia’s most magical geothermal experiences. A cool river rushes over forest-girded rocks and joins with steaming hot water from a volcanically heated spring, creating a natural spa that’s warm in some spots, hot elsewhere, and even cool in places.
A sunshine-bright facade makes the 1916 Yellow House (Casa Amarilla) a cheerful landmark in San Jose’s Otoya neighborhood. Home to Costa Rica’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, the building is closed to the public but still merits a quick detour, especially since the Yellow House is strolling-distance away from a handful of other sites.
Boasting the title of Códoba’s highest peak, Cerro Champaquí towers above the province from its perch 9,153 feet (2,790 meters) above sea level. Whichever of the several ascent options you choose—each cater to different abilities and difficulty levels—you’re guaranteed to encounter granite formations, mayten forests, panoramic views of valleys and mountains, and a lagoon shrouded in ancient legend.
Zoológico de Barranquilla represents the diversity of Colombia’s wildlife through a wide range of animal enclosures. Along with seeing animals from other continents, such as tigers, elephants, and lions, you’ll encounter native Amazonian species such as tapirs, jaguars, and monkeys. The zoo is also dedicated to rehabilitation at its veterinary center.
Perched at one of the Ecuadorian town’s highest points, Mirador Las Antenas in Baños offers panoramic views of the lush Andean Highlands surrounding it. The area is also home to the famous Manos de Dios (Hands of God) Bridge—a bridge featuring two enormous hands as supports—a favorite spot for fun photos with fantastic views.
Feira do Largo da Alfandega is a market that brings together the best of Florianopolis’ produce and handicrafts in one place. It takes place several times a week and has vendors similar to those you’d find at a typical farmer’s market; sample everything from spicy sausages and sugarcane juice to fresh fish, exotic fruit, and classic Brazilian street food.
A cool highland region studded with megalithic villages, coffee and clove plantations, soaring volcanoes, geothermal hot springs, and fascinating tribal cultures, Ngada Regency sits at the heart of Flores island. Travelers generally base themselves in the capital, Bajawa, to visit Bena Traditional Village and soak in hot springs, but adventurers head further afield.
Just south of Salvador de Bahia, the rural villages and tranquil sandy beaches of Tinharé Island (Ilha de Tinharé) are an idyllic retreat from the city. Reachable only by boat, the small, car-free island is home to some of Bahia’s most beautiful beaches and spectacular snorkeling spots.
Set in a colonial farmhouse, Botucatu’s Coffee Museum showcases São Paulo state’s coffee trade from its 19th-century origins to its emergence as one of Brazil’s biggest exports. Exhibits include traditional machinery and original records, as well as various beans and brews, making this a must-see for any engineer or historian.
The Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB) is a leading art and cultural institution with multiple branches around the country. The location in Brasilia is housed in one of artist Oscar Niemeyer’s many modernist buildings, and behind its sweeping concrete facade, you’ll find art galleries, film and theater venues, and a café.
On the forested flanks of Mombacho volcano, high above the cobbled streets of the colonial city of Granada, the family-run Hacienda El Progreso is where Nicaraguan coffee was born. This coffee plantation and ecotourism hot spot is best known as a lead supplier for Nicaragua’s biggest coffee chain, Café las Flores.
If you want to escape Florianopolis’ more developed side, the stripped-back shores of Praia do Matadeiro are the place for you. Free of hotels and city noise, the pristine sand and crystal-clear waters of this locale are the ideal place to relax. The trees backing the beach provide some welcome shade.
Running for some 715 miles (1,150 kilometers) from its source in Salta, the Salado River (Rio Juramento) is famous for its Class III rapids, which offer a medium level of intensity that’s ideal for white-water rafting and kayaking.
The brainchild of founder Walter Miguel—who was inspired by his visit to Disney World Florida—Walter World is one of the largest theme parks in northern Brazil. With more than 20 rides and attractions, it’s a great choice for a family day out.
Home to more than 100 different plant species, Parque El Gallineral is the jewel in the crown of San Gil’s natural landscapes. It’s hugged by two arms of the Curití River, which makes it appear as an island and helps the mosses, kapok trees, and atmospheric curtains of foliage thrive.
Originally built by the Spanish in the 1740s as a fort to ward off pirates, today the Fortaleza La Polvora is a military museum and popular tourist stop in Granada. This sturdy medieval fortress consists of several lookout towers connected by stone walls with a huge arched main gate and the views from the tower make it worth the visit.
The opulent, European-style architecture of Palacio Portales pays testament to Bolivia’s mineral boom. The brainchild of tin baron Simón Patiño, this early 20th-century mansion is home to a sumptuous selection of imported treasures such as Italian tapestries, chandeliers, luxurious silks, rock crystal lamps, and marble from Tuscany. Plus, the gardens were inspired by the Palace of Versailles and designed by Japanese horticulturalists.
Toboggan down a water slide, float along the Lazy River, splash in Latin America’s biggest wave pool, or relax in a hot tub at Margarita Island Water Park (Parque el Agua Isla de Margarita). Adults and children alike will find plenty to enjoy at Venezuela’s first water park, which sits on a spectacular beachside location.
At the center of Chiclayo is the city’s main square, the Parque Principal (also known as Plaza de Armas). Spanning the compact area between the city’s double-domed neoclassical cathedral and the Republic-style city hall, this attractive green space buzzes with activity, music, and food vendors at all times of the day.
Though some call Bariloche "Argentina's Switzerland," the area stands on its own. Bellavista Hill translates to "beautiful view," and it delivers on that promise. The top-down view is a panorama of mountains, lakes, and little islands in the lakes that seem to form a jigsaw puzzle. Most summit Bellavista in two and four hours.
Renowned for its architectural fusion, the 17th-century Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Córdoba. Said to be the oldest church in the city, it is most notable for the shape of its vault, which was designed by its boat-builder architect to resemble an inverted ship’s hull.
There are few places outside Buenos Aires that capture the spirit of tango as well as Patio del Tango (Tango Patio) in Medellin, a restaurant and performance venue that thrums with the passionate energy of the Argentine dance. Medellin’s connection to tango is due largely to Carlos Gardel, arguably the most famous tango singer in history, who tragically died when a plane crashed in the city in 1935 and whose legacy is treasured here.
Overlooking Copacabana from the south, Horca del Inca is a hilltop archeological ruin from an astronomical observatory that predates Incan settlement in the area (despite its name, which translates as “Gallows of the Inca”). Only a few stone pillars remain among the ruins on the rocky hillside, once used to chart the winter solstice, but the views of the town from the site provide another reason to climb up.
