• Introduction
• United States & Canada
• Caribbean & Mexico
• Europe
• Central & South America
• Asia & Middle East
• Australia & Pacific
• Africa

Central & South America

21. BOGOTÁ
Bogotá is standing tall – and not just because its perch in the Andes makes it the third highest capital in South America. According to the U.S. State Department, “violence has decreased markedly” in Colombia’s urban centers – the best evidence of this is the revival of Bogotá’s oldest neighborhood, once-dangerous La Candelaria, a bohemian-flavored enclave that’s home to a maze of colonial streets, a stylish new cultural center, the gloriously restored Teatro de Cristóbal Colón, and candlelit bars buzzing with students until 3am.
 
Why Go In 2009: The U.S. dollar stretches far and wide in this inexpensive metropolis; even getting here is relatively cheap, especially with low-cost carrier JetBlue, which begins flying a new daily route to Bogotá via Orlando in January. Pay a bit more and you can go non-stop from New York’s JFK on Delta, which launched daily service in August. Go between December and March, when the weather is relatively drier (expect highs in the mid-60s throughout the year).

22. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Charles Darwin put this spectacular archipelago on the map back in 1835, when he came to study the region's 1,900 indigenous plant and animal species. Today, this isolated string of islands, which lies 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific, is still the preeminent wildlife watching spot in the world. People travel from all over to follow in Darwin's footsteps, stopping along the way to explore the active volcanoes, pristine beaches, and mesmerizing wildlife (everything from giant tortoises to blue-footed boobies to seals) that are still as captivating in the 21st century as they were in the 19th.

Why Go In 2009: This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his masterwork On the Origin of Species. A number of tour operators, including Explore (www.explore.co.uk), Gecko's Adventures (www.geckosadventures.com), Metropolitan Touring (www.metropolitan-touring.com), and Tauck (www.tauck.com) are offering special deals on cruises, tours, and island accommodations to commemorate Darwin's journey.

23. SALVADOR
Brazil's third-largest city, Salvador is often called the "soul of Brazil" for its colorful open-air markets, religious festivals, Afro-Brazilian cuisine, Samba and Reggae music, and friendly residents. Once a hub for the slave trade, the city exhibits strong cultural ties to Africa. Home to a number of museums, parks, architectural highlights, and golf courses, Salvador is also ideally situated along Todos os Santos Bay, perfect for working in some beach lounging, visiting "barracas" (beach bars), or surfing. Each year, the city’s massive Carnaval celebration rivals that of Rio’s, drawing some two million people to party in the streets for miles at what’s billed as "the world's largest festival.”

Why Go In 2009: If you’re looking for a fresh perspective on Brazil and/or have been priced out of Rio, Salvador is the perfect Brazilian-city-and-beach-vacation alternative. Rio’s Carnaval may get most of the worldwide acclaim, but Salvador’s version not only offers better overall value at lodging and restaurants, but one giant street party to remember – with celebrations along the beaches, music and dancing throughout the city, and a wild float-speckled main parade. What’s more, getting there is easier than ever, courtesy of American Airlines' new non-stop routes to Salvador via Miami. The city is also a port of call that's growing in popularity on great-value South American cruise itineraries from companies like Royal Caribbean and Crystal Cruises.