Best 10 Places To Visit In Latin America - Updated 2024

best places to visit in latin america
Mwongeli
Mwongeli  
Updated
| 5 min read

Considered a modern commercial hub and a melting point of different fascinating cultures, Latin America is one of the most beautiful regions in the entire world, characterized by its vast territory of majestic peaks, scenic impenetrable jungles, and some of the world’s oldest civilizations. From vibrant cities with charming colonial towns to ravishing Carribean beaches with turquoise waters and smoky volcanoes with beautiful lakes, Latin America makes for a perfect destination to even the keenest adventure traveler. So, if you are planning to discover the marveling intrigues of this beautiful part of the continent, scroll down for a detailed listing of the best places to visit in Latin America, for a remarkable holiday.

1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Source: Pixabay

Located in Southern Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is one of South America’s most famous hubs of energy and entertainment. A beautiful urban jungle dotted with majestic mountain peaks, and a scenic coastline, a visit to this picturesque place not only reveals a fascinating mix of elating cultures but also a spectacular landscape surrounded by lush green forests, and a pristine sea. While Rio’s allure lies in its beautiful sceneries and monuments, it’s the exhilarating ambiance and bohemian vibe of its samba carnivals that most tourists find appealing. Home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, and the scenic beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, Rio is a ravishing city and an adventurer’s gateway.

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2. The Andes, Argentina

The Andes, Argentina
Source: Pixabay

Treat yourself to a new experience and feast your eyes on some of the world’s most breathtaking sceneries at the Andes Mountain Range in Argentina. Considered as the spine of Latin America, the Andes Mountain Range is a scenic wonderland of epic outdoor adventures offering travelers an idyllic atmosphere in a surreal natural environment where they can enjoy the quiet respite that nature provides. Endowed with a palpable sense of serenity and some of the highest peaks outside the Himalayas, this baffling natural phenomenon along the west coast of South America runs 4500mi (7,242km) north to south passing through Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina.

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3. Tulum, Mexico

Tulum, Mexico
Source: Pixabay

If you ask anyone where Tulum is, the first thing that comes to mind is the breathtaking turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, but surprisingly enough, that’s not all that this exquisite holiday destination offers. Once home to an advanced civilization of warriors, mathematicians, philosophers, and architects, Tulum is now a hotspot holiday destination thanks to its well-preserved ancient ruins of the mystique Mayan people. Famously known for its sheer quantity of amazing cenotes, from those that are popular among tourists to more secluded ones, Tulum is arguably a beach bum’s paradise oozing with not only fascinating cultures but also inspiring jaw-dropping surroundings.

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4. Montevideo, Uruguay

Eclectic architecture of Salvo Palace, Montevideo Uruguay
Source: Photo by user sergejf used under CC BY 2.0

Tucked in the picturesque north shore of the scenic Rio de la Pata estuary, Montevideo is the beautiful capital of Uruguay. A wonderful, eclectic place brimming with vibrant cultural lifestyles and fascinating traditions, this beautiful city covers 20km (13mi) east to west, featuring elating attractions like the iconic Palacio Slavo, which was once the continent’s tallest building, and Puerta de la Ciudadela (Gateway of the Citadel), which is one of the most alluring landmarks in South America. Visitors can also choose to stroll down the city’s inviting old town, which is home to most of Uruguay’s amusing nightlife scene.

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5. Bassin Blue, Haiti

Bassin Bleu, Haiti
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user HOPE Art used under CC BY 2.0

Perched on a scenic mountain in the pristine confines of the Sud-Est department of Haiti, just 12km (7.4mi) North of Jacmel, lies a breathtaking scenery that’s simply amazing and a beauty to behold – Bassin Bleu, a series of three natural pools with turquoise waters linked by cascading waterfalls making one of the world’s most ravishing swimming holes. Nestled in lush surroundings, this beautiful forest oasis comprises three gorgeous pools; Bassin Blue, Bassin Palmiste, and Bassin Clair, which is arguably the most adorable of the three. Suitable for swimming, these unique, mind-blowing picturesque pools are the perfect spot for a rejuvenating swim.

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6. Atacama Desert, Chile

Piedras Rojas, Atacama Desert, Chile
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Wescottm used under CC BY 4.0

If you consider yourself an outdoor buff looking to discover the marveling intrigues of South America, then visit the beautiful Atacama Desert and immerse yourself in the uplifting outdoor scenes of Chile. With an abundance of ecosystems, from the beautiful surroundings of the cooling oasis, often frequented by beautiful pink flamingoes, to the soothing warmth of the spurting geysers in amazing lunar landscaped fields, Atacama Desert is undeniably one of the most unaltered and uninhabited landforms in the entire world and it is popularly known for its beautiful sunset views that are reminiscent of a scene from an epic sci-fi film.

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7. Angel Falls, Venezuela

Salto_del_Angel-Canaima-Venezuela03
Source: Photo by user Diego Delso used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Pulsating with the spirit of adventure, Angel Falls in Venezuela is a beautiful natural paradise oozing with serenity and tranquility. A mighty waterfall nestled in the pristine confines of an epic jungle, Angel Falls is a recognized UNESCO world heritage site and one of the best places to visit in South America. Nestled in the heart of the scenic Guyana highlands, this natural marvel is so phenomenal that it has to be seen to be believed. Cascading from the top of a breathtaking pink-hued tepui, thousands of feet above the picturesque emerald-colored jungle, the best way to get to this awe-inspiring landform is either by air or canoes.

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8. Ecuador (from USD 1.0)

Feast your eyes on some of South America’s most breathtaking, lush, scenic landscapes in Ecuador. A blissful paradise straddling the equator, Ecuador is a fascinating country blessed with an abundant array of indigenous cultures and intriguing colonial architecture. Home to the verdurous Amazon forest, this beautiful charm features a plethora of exhilarating highlights for visitors to explore, one of these being the awe-inspiring Nariz Del Diablo (Devil’s Nose), which is a beautifully restored railway covering scenic routes amid the Andes Mountains. If you are feeling more adventurers, take an exciting excursion to the Chimborazo and Ingaprica Inca ruins and marvel at the astounding scenery.

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10-Day Ecuador Highlights

Duration: 10 days

28 reviews

9. Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Tayrona National Park Colombia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user David Shankbone used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Have a unique retreat with nature and take in some of Colombia’s most amazing sceneries at Tayrona National Park. Snuggled on the scenic foothills of the world’s highest coastal mountain range of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, this beautiful park covers 30km (19mi) of Colombia’s rugged coastline and features some of the country’s most beautiful white sandy beaches with turquoise waters and crystal clear lagoons surrounded by lush green tropical jungles with towering mangrove trees. This breathtaking park is made up of two ecosystems and it is home to over 60 mammal species, several exotic birds (including the gorgeous military macaw), and breathtaking corals.

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10. Peru

Get off the beaten tracks and discover some of Peru’s marveling wonders on this exciting tour. Alongside a knowledgeable guide, you will get a chance to tour the breadths and widths of some of the exciting regions, not only in Peru but also in the entire world. Hike the arduous hills of the Machu Picchu to its beautiful, jaw-dropping ruins and get to demystify the lingering conspiracy behind the enigmatic Nazca Lines and other captivating pre-Colombian geoglyphs etched in the pristine desert sands. You will also get to visit the breathtaking floating islands of Uros in the ravishing confines of Lake Titicaca, where you will get to learn more about the cultures and traditions of some of the most indigenous communities in Latin America.

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12-Day Best of Peru Tour from Lima

Duration: 12 days

7 reviews

Discover Latin America

Latin America is one of the most underrated regions in the continent, but it’s rich in hidden treasures. So, with this list detailing some of the best places to visit in Latin America, you’re spoilt for choice. And since they are all in South America, you can visit each one of them depending on how deep your pockets stretch.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Equipped with a diploma in tourism, Mwongeli Munuve is passionate about visiting new places to learn, interacting with the locals, trying out some of their specialties and collecting souvenirs. She...Read more

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