Central & South America attractions

Also known as San Felipe, Panama City’s historic quarter is a glorious tangle of narrow alleys, colorful buildings, and flowers overflowing from window boxes. Full of activity and music, the appearance of the old city has stayed pretty similar over its life, even as its character continues to evolve alongside the larger city. Traditional shaved ice vendors hawk their wares outside boutique hotels, and the waterfront bustles with activity.

Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome (Sambadrome Marques de Sapucaí)—also known as Sambodromo or Passarela do Samba Darcy Ribeiro—was designed and built by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in 1984. Established to host the city’s enormous Carnival celebration every year, the stadium features a 2,300-foot (700-meter) runway and seats 90,000 spectators.

The gigantic Maracanã Stadium (Estádio do Maracanã) is one of the most iconic football (soccer) arenas in South America. The site holds the record for the largest attendance at a FIFA World Cup final, with almost 200,000 spectators watching Uruguay defeat Brazil in 1950. Since hosting the World Cup final again in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the stadium is now a historic site that still hosts football matches and events.

A cluster of tiny islands off the Peruvian coast, the Ballestas Islands (Islas Ballestas) are often touted as the Peruvian Galapagos, famed for their spectacular variety of birdlife and rugged coastline of soaring cliffs, rocky beaches, and remote sea caves. Wildlife you may spot here includes guano birds, Humboldt penguins, and sea lions, so plan plenty of time to visit if you’re a naturalist.

The swanky beachfront suburb of Miraflores is one of Lima’s most sought-after zip codes. Here you’ll find the city’s best restaurants, shops, and hotels, plus waterfront mansions and high-rise towers that boast panoramic views of the Pacific. Lovely parks and beaches dot the area, and you'll find the ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Columbian temple and ceremonial center dating back to the 5th century, here as well.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s smallest national parks, but the beauty of the area’s rocky coastal formations, verdant tropical forests, and diverse fauna make it one of the country’s most beloved attractions. Here, you can snorkel off coral reefs, hike through lush greenery, and listen to the songs of tropical birds and the calls of monkeys.

Deep turquoise water surrounds the archipelago of the Rosario Islands, and lively coral reefs swarm with sealife. This island group off the coast of Colombia is home to mangrove forests and underwater fields of seagrass, with white sandy beaches backed by bright green vegetation. Despite its proximity to Cartagena, you’ll feel like you’ve fully escaped the city with a trip to this biodiverse haven.

The palm-lined Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador) follows Panama Bay and then heads onto the Bridge of the Americas, which runs parallel to the entrance to the Panama Canal and leads to three small coastal islands. The 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) road includes popular paths for runners and cyclists and passes a number of sights.

Perched at the northern end of Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Ollantaytambo Ruins were once the administrative center of the Inca Empire. At this well-preserved and partly rebuilt archeological park, learn the secrets of Inca urban planning, admire the ceremonial temple, see masterful Inca stonework, and set off on the legendary Inca trail. In the adjacent town of the same name, the Ollantaytambo Heritage Trail guides you to more ancient wonders.

In a remote pocket of the Sacred Valley is an ancient agricultural laboratory. Encircled by terraces and a complex system of irrigation aqueducts, the site’s gigantic natural bowl-shaped hole was once filled with fertile soil, growing more than 250 vegetal species. Resembling an ancient Roman amphitheater, the concentric circles are not only a wonder of science but a vision of beauty.

Long popular with surfers who are in-the-know, Tamarindo Beach has evolved into one of Costa Rica’s most popular stretches of golden sand. And it’s no wonder why—the crescent-shaped beach is ridiculously beautiful, with just enough amenities to make it convenient to visit. Even if surfing isn’t your thing, a trip to Tamarindo is worth it for its gorgeous sunsets and unmatched access to the stunning Nicoya Peninsula.

After the iconic Machu Picchu, the enigmatic Nazca Lines are one of Peru’s most famous archaeological sites. The mysterious geoglyphs at the UNESCO World Heritage Site range from geometric shapes and swirls to a hummingbird and monkeys. Theories on their purpose include astronomical markers, irrigation canals, and alien messages—a mystery that has baffled archaeologists since their discovery in the early 20th century. Though they were found relatively recently, the etchings are estimated to date back thousands of years.

With its opulent architecture and fine acoustics, the Colon Theatre (Teatro Colón) ranks alongside Paris’ Opera Garnier and London’s Royal Opera House as one of the world’s most impressive theaters. It’s the premier venue for opera, ballet, and classical music in Buenos Aires, and stepping inside its hallowed auditorium means you’ll be walking in the footsteps of legends such as Igor Stravinsky, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Plácido Domingo.

Los Glaciares National Park protects Argentina’s wild Patagonian expanses of glaciers and mountain lakes. With an impressive 47 glaciers, the Andean ice cap is the largest outside Antarctica and Greenland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to several natural wonders, including the Perito Moreno Glacier and Mt. Fitz Roy.

Plaza Mayor, formerly Plaza de Armas, is the heart and birthplace of Lima. The crown jewel of the city, this UNESCO World Heritage–listed square is flanked by many important buildings, such as the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), Cathedral of Lima, City Hall (Palacio Municipal de Lima), and the Archbishop’s Palace (Palacio Arzobispal).

It may seem odd that one of the top attractions in Buenos Aires is a cemetery, but this is no ordinary graveyard. Recoleta Cemetery (Cementerio de Recoleta) is one of the world’s most famous resting places, a labyrinthine city of the dead with row after row of grandiose mausoleums and monuments. Crowds always gather at Eva Peron (Evita)’s grave, but you will also find the tombs of former Argentine presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and other national figures.

Home to the Casa Rosada—where Eva Peron famously stood on the balcony—and the Metropolitan Cathedral, Pope Francis’ former church, Plaza de Mayo is the historic and political heart of Buenos Aires. Named for the May 1810 revolution, the square’s centerpiece is the Pirámide de Mayo, an obelisk commemorating Argentina’s independence.

Part of the UNESCO–listed Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno is known as one of the most beautiful glaciers in the world. The third largest in Argentina, it’s one of South America's last advancing glaciers, and boasts an area that’s bigger than Buenos Aires. But facts aside, this section of the South Patagonian ice field is a vision of crackling celestial blue, especially when you witness gigantic chunks of ice crashing into the water below.

On the shores of the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, the 19th-century town of Guatapé is one of Colombia’s most photographed sites. And it’s easy to see why: The town’s brightly painted buildings and serene natural setting make for some stunning shots. However, the crowning glory of this quaint Colombian pueblo is Piedra del Peñol, a monolithic rock that towers 721 feet (220 meters) above sea level.

The largest and arguably most impressive of the four archaeological ruins on the outskirts of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman was built by the Incas from massive stones weighing up to 300 tons. A critical military site in the battle with the Spanish for the Inca empire in 1536, the ruins offer impressive views over the city below. Architecture and engineering buffs will be most impressed by the 3-tiered zigzag fortifications that exemplify innovative Inca engineering.

Puerto Madero, once a lackluster cargo port, is now one of Buenos Aires’ most fashionable districts, teeming with upmarket restaurants and glitzy nightclubs. Marooned from the mainland by the Rio de la Plata estuary, the largely pedestrianized island is celebrated for housing some of the city’s most architecturally stunning buildings.

The world-famous Panama Canal is a must-see for visitors to Panama City, but to fully appreciate it, head to the Miraflores Locks. The engineering marvel in action is a mesmerizing scene, with some 700 tons (635 tonnes) of machinery, reinforced against the mighty Pacific, and cargo-laden ships squeezing through with just inches to spare.

Maras, a remote Andean town deep in Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas, is a favorite of photography buffs and gourmands alike for its famous salt pans (Salinas de Maras). Fixed in geometric shapes on terraced hills, the surreal, photogenic pools were created by the Incas 2,000 years ago, and the mines are still harvested for their pink salt.

Palermo, Buenos Aires’ largest barrio, is one of the city’s most affluent and fashionable neighborhoods. Hemmed in by a green belt of parks and lakes, Palermo is where porteños (locals) come to eat, shop, and stroll. By day, cycle through the Palermo Woods and visit the MALBA Art Museum and the Evita Museum; by night, take your pick of cocktail bars, restaurants, and small nightclubs.

South America's most famous trek is an unforgettable way to reach the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The 4-day trek takes hikers past mountain passes, Inca ruins, and views of the snow-capped Andes. Arriving at the iconic archaeological site via the Inca Trail also means you’ll be one of the first to glimpse a stellar sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.

Bogotá’s main square is built on a grand scale, from a landmark statue of Simón Bolívar to the 16th-century La Catedral Primada. In between is a colorful crowd of vendors, travelers, and downtown workers. A starting point for exploring the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, the Plaza de Bolivar is a key stop for visitors to Bogotá.

With its brightly colored buildings, colonial landmarks, and bougainvillea-covered balconies, it's easy to see why Old Town Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the leafy Plaza de Bolivar, the striking Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj), and the Gold Museum (Museo de Oro), home to a glittering collection of gold and pottery of the Zenú people. It’s the ideal place to wander aimlessly within its 16th-century walls, as every corner brings a photo opportunity.

Few places in Buenos Aires are photographed as frequently as Caminito Street. The main artery of the waterfront La Boca neighborhood is a jumble of old buildings, brightly painted facades, and street-side market stalls, with hawkers, buskers, and tango dancers adding to the atmosphere.

Nicknamed the Garden City and located just an hour from Santiago, Viña del Mar is a charming seaside town famous for its flowers and its beach. Top attractions include the seafront Wulff Castle, the Flower Clock (Reloj de Flores), and Francisco Fonck Museum, the entrance of which is marked by a stone moai statue from Easter Island.

Close to the center of Rio de Janeiro, the cobbled district of Santa Teresa has long been a visitor favorite. Though it started out as an upper-class neighborhood, it has now become an artistic enclave that’s famous for its bohemian cafes and galleries.