25 Beautiful Destinations in Latin America You Should Visit
We are in the midst of summer and you might still be figuring out where to take the fam for a vacation, where to head for a fun girls’ trip, or where to celebrate your love for a destination wedding or honeymoon
Photo: Unsplash/@willianjusten
We are in the midst of summer and you might still be figuring out where to take the fam for a vacation, where to head for a fun girls’ trip, or where to celebrate your love for a destination wedding or honeymoon. But where to go? You may be concerned that all of Latin America isn’t the safest to travel to, based on recent news reports, but that simply is not true! There are so many beautiful destinations to visit in Latin America, that are perfectly safe and totally worth seeing (of course that being said, you have to be smart and stay safe no matter where you travel in the world).
We want to deliver the news to you so that you can be informed and make great decisions, without having to spend hours down a rabbit hole aka the internet. And that includes choosing a rad place to travel to in Latin America, and why you should travel there. Without further ado, here are 25 Latin American destinations you should add to your travel list right now.
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Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
A beautiful place you should visit in Latin America is the Galapagos Islands, in Ecuador. You’ll see everything from their iconic flora and fauna, including Galapagos tortoises, Darwin’s finches, penguins, cat’s claw, Galapagos coffee, and more. The Galapagos is a perfect place to disconnect with the fast-paced tech-ridden life and reconnect with nature.
Learn more here.
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Havana, Cuba
If you want to embrace your inner Camila Cabello and get a good dose of beautiful old architecture, vintage cars, delicious food, and Latin music history, then you should book a trip to Havana, Cuba. Cuba is a trip most — if not all Latinxs — should aim to do in their lives. There is so much we enjoy of Cuban culture that comes from this island nation (salsa music, Cuban rum, Cuban cigars, and other amazing things).
Learn more here.
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Cuzco, Peru
Machu Picchu, the architectural marvel of the Incas, located in Peru, is on many travel bucket lists. It’s definitely worth the trip to the Cusco Region, where you can also check out the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, Qurikancha, and more historic sites and structures.
Learn more here.
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Hidalgo, Mexico
Hidalgo is a state in Mexico that is definitely worth visiting. There, you will find the archaeological site of Tula, the Museo de Mineria, hot water springs, the Balsatic Prisms, the town of Huichapan, colonial architecture, and the Monumental Clock. The state is made up of 84 municipalities, with Pachuca as its capital.
Learn more here.
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Cartagena, Colombia
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Located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Cartagena is a great South American city to travel to. There you can see its colorful Spanish colonial architecture, immerse yourself in Afro-Colombian culture and history in nearby Palenque, learn about Cartagena’s past, and lounge on the beach.
Learn more here.
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Salar de Ayuni, Potosí, Bolivia
Our next must-see destination in Latin America is very specific. It’s the Salar de Ayuni, in Potosí Bolivia, the world’s largest salt flats. You may have seen the incredibly stunning photos of visitors on Instagram, but it is truly a natural wonder of God that should be seen in person (at certain times, it looks like the line between the sky and the earth has blurred, making for some trippy visuals). And, you can stay nearby in these cool temporary luxury eco domes.
Learn more here.
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Panama City, Panama
Our next travel destination in Latin America takes us to Panama. The capital Panama City features its own historic Old Town, The Panama Canal, the Metropolitan Natural Park, and more. And it’s easy to take a short boat ride to several of the Central American country’s over 1400 islands, including the Pearl Islands, and the San Blas Islands.
Learn more here.
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
There are so many reasons to travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition to the worldwide-famous celebration of Carnaval, you have the Christ the Redeemer statue, the iconic beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, samba shows, and various tours including those of Jewish culture, architecture, the rainforest, and more.
Learn more here.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is one of the must-see cities in Latin America, a blend of Latinx, Indigenous, African, European, Middle Eastern, and Asian influences. Things and places you’ll want to check out include the iconic tango dancing, its nightlife, its food and wine, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Palermo rose garden, and more.
Learn more here.
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Ambergris Caye, Belize
If you want an escape to a beautiful island, then you should definitely check out Ambergris Caye in Belize. It is the Central American country’s largest island and a prime destination for scuba diving and snorkeling (at places like the Hol Chan Marine Reserve), beach lounging, seeing Mayan history firsthand (at the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site), and more.
Learn more here.
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Quepos, Costa Rica
In Quepos, Costa Rica, you can check out the gorgeous Manuel Antonio National Park, and stay at the cool Hotel Costa Verde. The unique locale is literally in the middle of nowhere, allowing the opportunity to reconnect with nature. Even cooler is the fact that the locale has a two-bedroom suite inside a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airplane fuselage.
Learn more here.
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Quito, Ecuador
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Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is another historic South American city you should add to your travel itinerary. It has plenty of breathtaking colonial architecture, which reflects the blend of Indigenous, Spanish, Flemish, Italian, and Moorish influences. Notable places to visit include the gorgeous gilded La Compania de Jesus church, the TeleferiQo (gondola lift which will lead you to views of several volcanoes), the equator itself (outside of Quito), and more.
Learn more here.
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San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
San Miguel de Allende is where many Americans go to retire and for good reason. The Mexican city, named Travel + Leisure‘s best city in the world (two years in a row!), has plenty of things to see. If you’re visiting, you’ll want to check out the Mercado de Artesanias, The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Moxi Restaurant, and more.
Learn more here.
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Salto, Uruguay
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Salto is a city located on the banks of the Rio Uruguay, in Uruguay. You can practice some serious self-care lounging in the hot springs, then check out historical sites such as the Larrañaga Theater, the Museum of Plastic Arts, and the port area.
Learn more here.
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Baños de Agua Santath, Ecuador
Latin America has some of the most breathtaking views of nature on the planet. Take some of those in from your large hotel room window or while soaking in the thermal baths at Ecuador’s Luna Runtun, Adventure SPA. Other things you can do at Baños is get adventurous with the Swing at the End of the World, visit the Virgin’s Basilica (made from volcanic rock), and see the wildlife at the Ecologico Zoo de San Martin.
Learn more here
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Asuncion, Paraguay
Our next must-see city in Latin America is Asuncion, in Paraguay. The nation’s capital, Asuncion has several things for the traveler to take in. You can see pottery, both ancient and contemporary, at the Museo del Barro, visit the Jardín Botánico (which is a little outside of the city), and learn about the area at the Centro Cultural Juan de Salazar.
Learn more here.
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San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a great place to travel and not only do you not need a passport to visit the tropical Caribbean nation, but it has so many amazing things to offer. You can snack on some tasty alcapurrias (delicious plantain or yucca and ground beef fritters) while strolling on the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, visit the San Juan National Historic Site, get a distillery tour at Bacardi, and more.
Learn more here
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Lima, Peru
If eating world-renowned food is an important part of your traveling experience, then you have to go to Lima, Peru. Peruvian food has been dominating the culinary world for years and is a delicious fusion of Japanese, African, Indigenous, Spanish, Chinese, and Moorish influences. After you’ve had your fill, you can check out several Lima attractions, including the Lima Plaza Mayor, the Gastronomy House, and the Museo Larco.
Learn more here.
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São Paulo, Brazil
Another Latin American destination to travel to is São Paulo, Brazil. There is so much to do in this city, the largest in South America. This includes visiting the Museu de Arte, strolling around Ibirapuera Park, and shopping on Avenida Paulista.
Learn more here.
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Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico
If you want to travel to a Latin American city that’s super connected to its Indigenous culture and history, then Oaxaca de Juárez is a must-visit destination. There, you will be surrounded by the most beautiful Oaxaca native crafts, food and drink such as mole and tejate, and several other examples of Indigenous identity.
Learn more here.
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Vieques, Puerto Rico
Another destination in Puerto Rico you should aim to visit is the island of Vieques. It is a relaxed place, where Paso Fino horses roam free, and the beaches are among the most beautiful in the world. At night, you can see the awe-inspiring Bioluminescent/Mosquito Bay, where the water literally glows in the dark (its the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world).
Learn more here.
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Huilo Huilo, Chile
What if we told you that there was a place where you could relive those childhood daydreams of magical places, princes and princesses, and fairies and gnomes? Hidden in the forest of southern Chile, in the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, Hotel La Montaña Magica looks right out of a fantastical fairytale. While you are in the area, you can also check out the equally-majestic waterfalls, flora, and fauna of the forest, the Petermann Artisanal Brewery, visit the hot springs and/or snow, and more.
Learn more here.
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Varadero, Cuba
Another place in Cuba worth visiting is Varadero. Located on Cuba’s Hicacos Peninsula, the beach resort is another destination where you go to relax and enjoy life. You can soak up the sunshine on the beach, grab a drink at the Beatles-themed bar, swim within Saturno Cave, explore among the flora and fauna in the Parque Ecológico Varahicacos, and more.
Learn more here.
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Mexico City, Mexico
The Palacio Nacional, the Templo Mayor Museum and the National Museum of Anthropology are only some of the attractions you can visit in Mexico City. The capital of Mexico has the largest population of any North American city, which is a bonus if you like traveling to notable, cool locales that are also super-rich in history and culture.
Learn more here.
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Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is another destination in Puerto Rico you should add to your list of must-see places in Latin America. Known as La Perla del Sur, it is the second-largest city in PR. Points of interest include the Parque de Bombas, Casa Armstrong-Poventud, The Museum of Puerto Rican Music, El Teatro de Ponce, and Castillo Serralles.
Learn more here.
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Bay Islands, Guanaja, Honduras
We’ve all imagined lounging in privacy on a deserted island. The Villa on Dunbar Rock in Honduras offers a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The dive resort and historic monument (it was used as a mooring for Blackbeard the pirate), sits atop a private cay, off of the main island of Guanaja.
Learn more here.
