Central and South America: Cities and Regions

Buenos Aires Fall into the seductive rhythm of Buenos Aires – often called the Paris of South America – and you’ll discover this flourishing Argentine capital’s distinctive identity. At once overwhelming and intimate, energetic and laid-back, beautiful and homely, Buenos Aires is a city in full, and a fantastic place to play tourist. See our Buenos Aires Travel Guide

Rio de Janeiro Its widely sought-after beach scene readily conjures references to Copacabana, the girl from Ipanema, and the itsy bitsy Brazilian Bikini, but there is more to Rio de Janeiro than its 23 swaths of golden sand. The city is also known for its vibrant Carnival celebrations, swaying samba beats, stunning architectural splendors, and great museums, not to mention its gourmet culinary scene. See our Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide

Lima The City of Kings – so-called because the city was founded on January 6th, or “The day of the Kings” in Christian tradition – is a cultural melting pot, mixing modern-day mega clothing stores, hotels, casinos, and a vibrant nightlife with authentic colonial architecture and worthwhile museums. See our Lima Travel Guide

Santiago Santiago may be Latin, but it feels European, both in its historic appeal and in its contemporary flair (and, in that most European way, in its charming and incongruous combination of both). Hints of the city’s 16th-century Spanish roots remain in mission-style buildings and grand, neoclassical churches. At the same time, shiny skyscrapers and a clean, efficient metro system reveal the city’s rapid economic growth. The opening of a glossy cultural center in 2006 marked the beginning of a newfound pride – a pride that has continued to evolve through the city’s burgeoning culinary, shopping, and nightlife scenes.

Galapagos (province of Ecuador) Active volcanoes, unspoiled beaches, giant tortoises, and the legacy of Charles Darwin – Galapagos, the preeminent wildlife watching spot in the world, is as diverse as it is isolated. You’ll find these rich islands, a province of Ecuador, lie 600 miles off the country’s coast. See our Galapagos Islands Travel Guide

Iguazu Falls Located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, the spectacular cataratas (waterfalls) del Iguazú are surrounded by subtropical jungle where jaguars roam and toucans soar. Named for the native Guaraní words meaning “big water,” these mighty falls easily stand up to legend with their sheer force, size, and beauty. See our Iguazú Falls Travel Guide

Machu Picchu The spectacularly well-preserved, mid-15th-century Incan city of Machu Picchu lay lost in the mountains and hidden behind a tall wall of grass until Yale archeologist Hiram Bingham introduced it to the world in 1911. Now, the dwellings, temples, and aqueducts are open to public exploration. Hike the Inca Trail or travel by train to walk in the footsteps of the mighty Inca rulers who, according to popular theory, called this settlement home.

Patagonia The daunting sheer granite pillars of legendary Torres del Paine National Park, quirky Magellanic penguins, and the San Rafael Glacier are among Chile’s must-see natural spectacles.

Easter Island Over 2000-miles off Chile’s coast, exotic maoi (stone-carved, coral-eyed statues) and bird-themed petroglyphs reveal some of this Polynesian island’s – called Rapa Nui by the locals – history.  See our Chile Travel Guide

Amazon The world’s largest rainforest holds a special place in the global imagination. Though several countries claim slivers of the Amazon basin, Brazil controls the lion’s share. Most visitors seek encounters with the region’s dazzling (and increasingly endangered) flora and fauna, but about 20 million people also inhabit the area, and cultural tourism offers a rich complement to ecotourism. See our Amazon Travel Guide

Argentina Home to tango, gauchos, and fútbol aficionados galore, Argentina rewards travelers to the Southern Cone with stunning scenery, sophisticated cities, and epicurean delights, all at surprising values. See our Argentina Travel Guide

Bolivia From the lofty Andes to sultry Amazon lowlands, landlocked Bolivia – often called “the Tibet of the Americas” – dazzles with striking landscapes, indigenous cultures, colonial cities, and sacred Inca sites. See our Bolivia Travel Guide

Brazil Boasting wonders as diverse as the Amazonian rainforest, Iguazu Falls, the beaches of Bahia, and sultry Rio, Brazil is both geographically stunning and culturally fascinating. This melting pot of European and African immigrants and indigenous South Americans is the birthplace of Bossa Nova, caipirinhas, and the samba, not to mention the world’s wildest Carnaval celebration. See our Brazil Travel Guide

Venezuela This biodiverse paradise at the top of South America is endowed with thundering waterfalls, a vast chunk of the Amazon, nearly 1,800 miles of Caribbean coastline, and snow-covered Andean peaks. See our Venezuela Travel Guide

Chile This skinny slice of South America will surprise the unsuspecting with its flourishing capital, quaint villages, and striking geographic extremes – deserts, rainforests, glacial peaks – full of natural beauty and outdoor adventure opportunities. See our Chile Travel Guide

Peru Peru owes most of its fame to the majestic Incan ruins of Machu Picchu and its gateway town of Cusco – the former Incan capital, though the riches of the Peruvian Amazon (especially near Iquitos) are a popular draw as well. The country is renowned for alpaca apparel (fiber as soft as cashmere yet warmer, lighter, and stronger than wool), ceramics, and handmade jewelry. See our Cusco Travel Guide

Uruguay The small and charming country of Uruguay has one of the lowest poverty rates and one of the highest literary rates in all of South America. Attractions include the European-style capital of Montevideo, the glamorous beach resort of Punta del Este and the historic town of Colonia del Sacramento.

Paraguay Landlocked Paraguay rarely receives as much attention of some of its other, more famous, Latin neighbors. Democratic since the early ‘90s, the country is still wracked by poverty and drugs. Its natural landscape – marshes, forests, desert, and the Chaco (the grassy plains of the west) – occasionally lure seasoned South American travelers.

Ecuador One of South America’s least visited countries, stunning Ecuador offers a unique glimpse into the continent’s indigenous cultures as well as an interesting varied terrain, which ranges from coastal plains and farmland to jungles and the Galapagos Islands.

Colombia Colombia has had a place on the world stage for many years – unfortunately, more for its political instability and drug trade than for its historic cities or scenic coastal plains and jungles. While drugs and civil strife remain an issue in remote sections of the jungle, towns like Cartagena with its UNESCO-recognized colonial architecture and beaches, tend to be safe for travelers.

Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana These small, often overlooked countries (none of which have well developed tourist infrastructures), have strong roots in non-Spanish-speaking Europe – Guyana was once a British outpost, Suriname a Dutch colony, and French Guiana remains an overseas department of France to this day. Lush tropical rain forest is a trademark of all three. Individually, Guyana is best known for its spectacular Kaieteur Falls, Suriname for its ethnic diversity, and French Guiana for its mountainous Highlands.

Guatemala Most visitors to Guatemala come for the remarkable Mayan architecture of Tikal, which dates as far back as 600 B.C. Crime and poverty keep all but the most intrepid travelers out of the rest of the country – a mishmash of forests, mountains, and tropical coastline.

Belize Formerly a British colony, this Central American country flaunts a Caribbean/Latin American vibe. Visitors come for wildlife-filled rainforests, Mayan ruins, and top-notch diving and fishing in the world’s second longest barrier reef. See our Belize Travel Guide

El Salvador Now that the 12-year civil war is over (it ended in 1992) and the eruption of the Santa Ana Volcano in 2005 are safely tucked away in the history books, it’s again possible to visit the small country of El Salvador. Come to experience its coffee plantations, volcanic mountains, the cloud forests of Montecristo National Park, and its Pacific beaches.

Honduras The mysterious, 250-acre Mayan city of Copán with its temples, sculptures, and over 1,000 striking hieroglyphs is the crowning gem of Honduras, a country marked by jungle forests, mountains, beaches, and, unfortunately, crime (the nation is one of the poorest in Central America). Outside of the major cities, basic public services are hard to come by.

Nicaragua Although poverty, corruption, and the danger of the occasional natural disaster (hurricane, volcanic eruption) remain, by and large Nicaragua – the largest of the Central American countries – is safe for travelers. In additional to being an affordable Latin getaway, the nation’s allure lies in its natural riches: bioluminescent bays, mangrove forests, coral reefs, volcanic peaks, beaches, and tropical jungles.

Costa Rica Appropriately enough for a country whose national mantra is pura vida (pure life), ecotourism is the major draw in Costa Rica. One of the most biodiverse countries on the planet – home to 6% of the world’s species –  this stable, safe, and still affordable Central American democracy boasts dense rainforests, tropical beaches, unique cultural attractions, fresh eats, and growing number of luxury resorts. See our Costa Rica Travel Guide

Panama Unblemished Caribbean islands, coffee plantations, coral reefs, and sun-drenched tropical forests teaming with wildlife make Panama an eco-lovers dream. Oh, and there's that Canal. See our Panama Travel Guide