Things to Do in Central And South America

Santiago's Club Hipico (Club Hípico de Santiago) is the most exclusive of Santiago's race tracks. Dating back to 1870, it's the oldest racetrack in country and home to South America's oldest stakes race — the Clásico El Ensayo, making it the best place to see thoroughbred horse racing while in the Chilean capital. 

One of the country's three main tracks (the other two are Hipodromo Chile and Valparaiso Sporting Club), Club Hipico is known for its formal gardens, fountains, ponds, and views out to the Andes.

Located just west of Parque O'Higgins, race days are long by international standards, and there are usually around 18 races per card. With an arena that can hold over 30,000 people, live concerts also take place at Club Hipico.

If you’re interested in tasting some of the best wines Chile has to offer, you’ll want to spend some time in the Colchagua Valley. Nearly two dozen area wineries are open to the public in what has become the country’s most prominent wine region, where the dry climate, plentiful sunshine and loamy soil create ideal conditions for producing red—Cabernet Savignon, Carmenere and Merlot for the most part. 

 

The town of Santa Cruz sits at the heart of the region and is the most popular jumping off spot for wine tours in the surrounding valley. Such tours come in a variety of forms, like bike rides through a vineyard or a ride on the Santa Cruz Wine Train. 

 

The valley isn’t just about wine, however. The second symbol of the area is the huaso, or Chilean cowboy, and the culture surrounding them. A great way to enjoy the scenery of the valley is from the saddle of a horse, stopping for lunch in an old-fashioned hacienda.

The Community Baboon Sanctuary is dedicated to protecting and preserving Belize's black howler monkey population. The 18-square-mile (29-square-kilometer) reserve in the jungle contains about 1,500 monkeys, as well as anteaters, armadillos, iguanas, turtles, deer, and more than 200 different species of birds.

 

The Basics

Sanctuary visitors, including tour groups and independent travelers, are given tours where guides identify the wildlife and vegetation, and explain the local culture. The on-site visitors' center and natural history museum also provide information about the environment, conservation efforts, and the monkeys themselves. Visitors can follow trails through the forest or take canoe rides on the river to spot black howler monkeys (locally called baboons) and other animals.

 

Things to Know Before You Go

The entrance fee includes a guided nature walk; most third-party tours cover the fee.

The sanctuary recommends bringing water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Several tour options are offered, including a night hike, bird tour, and a river canoe tour.

 

The Community Baboon Sanctuary is located off Boom-Hattieville Road, about 17 miles (27 kilometers) from the village of Hattieville. There are two major buses serving the Belize River Valley area: the McFadzean and Sons Bus leaves from Amara Avenue in Belize City, and the Russells Bus leaves from Euphrates Avenue. Many ours from Belize City include round-trip transportation.

 

The sanctuary is open Monday to Sunday, from 8am to 5pm. The best time to visit Belize is between late November and mid-April, during the country’s dry season. This is also peak season, so expect to encounter more tourists while enjoying the most pleasant weather.

 

The nearby Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best bird-watching spots in Central America. It’s home to native and migratory birds, as well as the elusive Jabiru stork. The sanctuary’s wetlands are filled with a diverse mix of plants and animals that you can discover by boat or on foot.

Long the go-to postcard image of rural Colombia, the Cocora Valley is an enchanting spot, characterized by its lush rolling hills, mist-capped mountains and tall, slender palm trees.  Smuggled away in the foothills of the mighty Andes and at the heart of the UNESCO-listed coffee region, the serene valley makes a worthy detour from nearby Salento, if only to admire the startling views.

The best way to explore the Cocora Valley is by hiking or horseback riding and a marked circular trail runs around the valley, affording magnificent views along the way. Hiking the entire loop takes around 5-6 hours and it’s an adventurous route, passing muddy streams, rope bridges and rocky trails, with some steep sections. Along the way, lookout points offer great views of the valley’s iconic ‘Palmas de Cera’ trees – the world’s highest wax palms that grow up to 60-meters in height – while the hilltop cloud forests harbor a huge variety of tropical birds and butterflies.

Located in Rio’s central financial district, Cinelandia is the common name for an attractive Parisian-style square officially named Praça Floriano Peixoto. During the early years of the twentieth century, Rio’s city center was remodeled to make the city more trendy and livable. An eighteenth century convent was torn down to make way for the public plaza, and by the mid twentieth century, Cinelandia was home to a municipal theater, national library and school of fine arts.

In the location of the former convent, several buildings went up that housed some of Rio’s best cinemas, lending the area its modern nickname of Cinelandia, or Cinema Land. While most of the theaters have since closed, the area remains a vibrant district thanks to its cultural attractions and diverse dining options.

Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Copacabana Beach evokes images of white-sand shores, sun-kissed volleyball players, tourists sipping agua de coco out of bright green coconuts, and bikini-clad revelers partying long into the night. And for the most part, that’s pretty accurate. Add in a touch of local carioca (Rio residents) flavor and a splash of the obscure, and it becomes obvious how thousands of people easily spend entire days (and nights) wholly entertained on the world’s most famous beach.

Copacabana’s roughly 2.2-mile (4-km) stretch along Brazil's Atlantic coast is divided into seven informal sections, or postos. Although visitors are free to wander wherever they please on the beach, those looking for a particular vibe may want to get a lay of the land: Postos two through six draw the largest crowds thanks to landmarks such as Copacabana Palace, and posto seven is the best surf spot from dawn till dusk—thanks, in part, to a floodlight. Stretch your legs with a stroll along the boardwalk and Avenida Atlantica or a jaunt to the many beachfront shops, or incorporate Copacabana Beach into a full Rio de Janeiro tour for a quick look at the city’s top sights. Guided tours often combine trips to Copacabana with visits to nearby sites such as the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf, and downtown Rio.

The easiest way to get to and from Copacabana Beach is in a yellow taxi, which is also an economical option. There are three metro stations a few blocks north of the beach, and numerous city buses stop in the vicinity. Myriad city tours, both group and private, also stop on Copacabana’s sands.

The beach is open and crowded year-round, but plan your visit during Rio’s warm season—December to March—to enjoy the water. Weekends are busier than weekdays, and Sunday is a popular time to visit because part of Avenida Atlantica is closed to cars. Keep your eye out for various volleyball, soccer, and other sporting events taking place on the beach throughout the year.

Volleyball nets, soccer courts, and other sports equipment facilitate physical activity all along the beachfront. Copacabana’s sands are also popular training grounds for those practicing capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music with Angolan tradition for a graceful, fluid, and powerful form of movement.

At the Santos Coffee Museum visitors experience the world’s favorite caffeinated-beverage through history and of course, taste. The Coffee Museum is housed in what used to be the Coffee Stock Exchange, where Brazilian coffee was weighed and traded before being sent through the Santos Port and overseas. 

The Coffee Stock Exchange closed in the 1960s and fell into disrepair, but after decades of restoration efforts, in 2005 the beautiful colonial building re-opened as the Coffee Museum. The building’s architecture is a highlight of a visit to the museum. High ceilings with stained-glass skylights lie above ornately designed marble floors on the Exchange’s main trading room. The museum’s exhibition rooms explain the historical and cultural significance of coffee in Brazil, and worldwide, through photos, paintings, antique coffee-farming tools and more. 

Brazil has a strong coffee culture – not only is Brazil the largest coffee producer in the world, but it is also is the second largest consumer of coffee. This is easy to see in every day life throughout the country, where a cafezinho (a little coffee), is customary in the mornings, after meals, and practically any time you want a pick-me-up. After touring the museum, be sure to try a cup of delicious Brazilian-grown coffee in the museum café for yourself!

Located in the Centro Historico (Zona 1) district of Guatemala City, the Plaza de la Constitución, or Constitution Plaza, is considered the best place to kick off a tour of Guatemala City.

A number of important sites are located around and the Parque Central, as locals refer to it, which follows the standard colonial urban-planning scheme found in the New World. The plaza's concrete “park” is always bustling with activity, especially on public holidays and Sundays. Constitution Plaza is also surrounded by important structures like the National Plaza of Culture, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the underground Central Market, the Portal of Commerce and Centenarian Park. The National Library and Periodicals Library and General Archive of Central America are found here too.

Near the Parque Central is the pedestrian-only area of Paseo Sexta Avenida (Sixth Avenue Passage), a beloved shopping and entertainment area that is a great introduction to Guatemalan culture and habits. 

One of Florianopolis’ coolest towns is located just over the hill from the downtown area. Conceicao Lagoon (Lagoa da Conceição) is the Island of Magic’s hip district, and boasts a collection of trendy bars and restaurants nestled around the large lagoon. The area is also known for its jungle trekking, sand dunes, and many nearby beaches.

Lagoa da Conceição is centered right in the middle of the island of Florianopolis, making it a strategic area for locals and travelers to gather. There are also a number of outdoor activities in the lagoon and nearby beaches. Drive along Avenida das Rendeiras, on the edge of the lagoon, to find stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals as well as windsurfing and kitesurfing schools. Head toward Praia da Joaquina and Praia Mole for some of the best surfing on the island as well as surfing schools and rental shops.

Many tours to explore the island’s beaches—Mozambique, Canasvieiras, Jurerê, and Ingleses in the north, or Campeche, Pântano do Sul, Armação, and Matadeiro in the south—leave from the lagoon. Day tours of the island typically pass through Conceicao Lagoon to highlight one of the city’s most popular areas.

 

Public transportation is quite limited on the island, but you can take the Trans-Sol bus from the downtown area of Florianopolis to the TILAG bus terminal in Lagoa da Conceição. If you have a rental car, drive over Lagoon Hill to reach the neighborhood’s center. For a convenient, hassle-free way to reach the lagoon, taxis are also readily available on the island.

Lagoa da Conceição is one of the island’s best places to catch a sunset, either on the lagoon or one of the nearby beaches, such as Joaquina. Try to arrive at the lagoon outside of rush hour (8am to 10am and 5pm to 8pm) to avoid getting stuck in traffic. The island triples in population during the summer, so skip December, January, and February, if possible. 

For those looking for a relaxing night out, Lagoa da Conceição is the place to be. Grab a bite to eat at one of the numerous restaurants in the area dishing up everything from sushi to Brazilian barbecue to food-truck meals. Quench your thirst at any number of bars or botecos while listening to music ranging from sarantejo (Brazilian country music) to international hits.

This massive stone-and-brick structure—built originally as a prison—houses Colombia’s first museum, founded in 1823. The imposing structure is now home to more than 20,000 objects that represent the Colombian experience, displayed in revolving exhibits that fill 17 permanent galleries where there were once only cells.

An excellent exhibit of aesthetically and archaeologically important pre-Colombian artifacts, tells the story of ancient Colombia. But it is the Spanish Colonial collection, featuring everyday objects and impressive works of art, which really dazzles. Oil paintings, beautifully constructed furniture, religious icons and other well-preserved pieces offer insight into a bygone era.

An immense art gallery features the most famous works of Colombian artists past and present, with an emphasis on the experimental and modern. An impressive Afro-Caribbean collection illuminates the culture of Colombia’s coasts. Special exhibitions, musical performances, videos, seminars and other events take place regularly.

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. Reopened after extensive renovations in 2010, the Colon Theatre is the premier venue for opera, ballet, and classical music in Buenos Aires.

 

The regal façade of the Colon Theatre makes a popular photo stop on sightseeing tours of Buenos Aires, but visitors can also admire the lavish interiors on a guided theater tour. Tours take in all the highlights, including the Golden Hall, the Gallery of Busts, and the Main Foyer. Attending a performance at the luxurious, 7-story, 2,500-seat theater is an even more memorable experience.

 

 

The Colon Theatre is on the corner of Cerrito and Tucuman in downtown Buenos Aires. The closest subway (subte) station is Tribunales (Line D).

Head to the Colon Theatre in the evening to watch a performance; the striking building is most magnificent after dark, when it’s dramatically illuminated. Free performances are held monthly, usually on a Saturday or Sunday at 11am.

 

The theater took more than 20 years and three architects to complete, before opening its doors in 1908. It has hosted some of the world’s greatest conductors, opera singers, and ballet dancers. Artists who have appeared include Igor Stravinsky, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Plácido Domingo. The theater is also famed for its set and costume workshops, as well as the Instituto Superior de Arte, where dancers Julio Bocca and Maximiliano Guerra trained.

Travelers in search of picturesque beaches, iconic balnearios and extraordinary nightlife will find the ultimate tropical trifecta in the coastal commune of Concon. Home to three of the nation’s top beaches—Playa Negra, Amarilla and Boca, Concon has plenty of options for holiday visitors on a quest for sun and sand. 

In addition to idyllic views of the Pacific, travelers will find towering modern buildings alongside old-school concrete apartments lining the streets of Concon. Expansive public gardens, rundown fishing docks and quiet local villages add character and charm to this popular destination. Visitors looking to dance the night away—even long after the sun goes down—can head to Avenida Renaca and Los Pellines—two of the commune’s most lively neighborhoods.

Even though it’s less than a mile long, the elevated boardwalk at Cinco Ceibas Rainforest Reserve can take an hour to complete. Here, at Central America’s longest boardwalk, endangered, swooping green macaws can often be spotted in the treetops, and rows of marching leaf-cutter ants parade along vine-covered trunks. Every few steps are worth a stop to marvel at the forest around you—which stretches for over 2,700 acres of pristine Costa Rican countryside. The elevated forest boardwalk aside, Cinco Ceibas Rainforest Reserve is a bright light of conservation in the midst of natural destruction. Here in the province of Sarapiquí to the north of San José, a global demand for Costa Rican pineapples has led to deforestation. Tirelessly working to conserve what they can, Cinco Ceibas set out on a mission to plant half a million trees—including a grove of towering teak that’s been growing for 20 years. Today the teak grove forms the backdrop for eco-tours on horseback, and many of the park’s facilities and buildings were sourced using park-grown materials. Hear the efforts towards conservation while kayaking the Rio Cuarto, a leisurely, slow-moving mountain stream where monkeys, macaws, and red-eyed tree frogs flit across banks and bushes. Best of all, is that despite the park’s remote location and distance from San José, guests are greeted with comfortable facilities and impeccable customer service. It’s the park’s hope, that through education and tourism, that much like the stoic Ceiba trees that have stood for 500 years, the sustainable, natural, conservation practices will help the area keep its forests for at least 500 more.

Copacabana is a tourist spot and the main town on the shore of Lake Titicaca. It’s recognized for its famous Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, where the Virgin of Copacabana is housed. A relatively small town, Copacabana sits between Mount Calvario and Mount Niño Calvario, near La Paz. It’s sometimes referred to as “Copa,” and despite being popular with tourists, it maintains its small town charm. 

The name is from the Aymara phrase kota kawana, which means "view of the lake." Despite Rio’s claim, this is the original Copacabana, which lent its name to the famous Brazilian beach. Do not miss seeing the Copacabana Cathedral, as Our Lady of Copacabana is the patron saint of Bolivia. The statue inside is believed to hold healing powers and was originally carved with cactus.

Hike 30 minutes up the hill of Cerro Calvario to get a bird’s-eye view of town from the north end of the beach; just remember the altitude and note that you may need to pace yourself. If you are hungry, try out Copacabana’s local specialty: trucha, salmon fished from Lake Titicaca. 

Open since 1883 and ranking among South America’s largest wine producers, Concha y Toro Winery is one of Chile’s most famous winemakers. The winery has vineyards all over the country and produces a huge variety of wines, including the world-renowned Don Melchor cabernet sauvignon. Its Pirque winery is a favorite Maipo Valley destination for oenophiles.

 

In addition to its award-winning cabernet sauvignon, Concha y Toro is well known for its other reds—syrah, merlot, malbec, pinot noir—as well as chardonnay and rosé wines. Guided tours of the winery allow wine lovers to stroll through the vineyards and Grape Variety Garden, visit the wine cellars, and enjoy an expert-led wine tasting. Wines are paired with cheeses and tapas at the on-site wine bar, and the well-stocked shop has wines at all price points. 

Most visitors arrive from Santiago, and many day trips combine a visit to Concha y Toro with a drive through the Maipo Valley vineyards, a stop at the El Yeso Lagoon, or wine tasting at other regional wineries such as Undurraga, Santa Rita, or Cousiño Macul. 

The Concha y Toro winery is located in Chile’s Maipo Valley, close to the village of Pirque, about a 45-minute drive south of Santiago. The closest train station is Las Mercedes station, which has direct connections to Santiago. Outside the station’s Concha y Toro Oriente exit, minibuses run the short distance to the winery every 30 minutes.

Winery tours are possible all year, but advance bookings are highly recommended. The annual harvest typically runs from the end of March to May, and it’s a popular time to visit, thanks to the cooler weather and autumn leaves adding a touch of color to the landscape. 

Less than an hour’s drive from Santiago, the Maipo Valley is one of Chile’s most renowned wine-growing regions. Sheltered by the Andes Mountains to the west and with a warm, dry climate, the area has an ideal terroir for wine growing. The Maipo Valley is famous for its French-style wines, most notably its fruity cabernet sauvignons, but there are also some fine syrah, carménère, and merlot wines, as well as a growing selection of chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Along with Concha y Toro, other top wineries in the region include Santa Rita, Santa Carolina, and Undurraga.

Housed in the former San Juan de Dias Hospital (a stunning sixteenth century building and UNESCO World Heritage site), the City Museum of Quito (Museo de la Ciudad) tells the story of the city from its beginnings as an indigenous trading post through the rise of an Incan capital and the arrival of the conquistadors through to the nineteenth century. This history is laid out through a series of dioramas and models of traditional indigenous and colonial homes.

Another permanent exhibit highlights the history of the hospital, with a number of personal possessions of one of the hospital’s doctors on display. Signs throughout tell of how the various rooms were originally used. Getting to see the building itself is well worth the entrance fee.

Plunging 13,650 feet (4,160 meters) down, Peru’s Colca Canyon is officially one of the world’s deepest canyons—with a breadth of activities to match. Visitors opt to visit this off-the-beaten-track attraction for its opportunities for adventure in a stunning natural environment, its large population of Andean condors, and its pre-Inca historical sites.

Most Colca Canyon tours start in Arequipa, which doubles as a basecamp for 3-day treks through the Andes Mountains (be sure to go with a guide for safety reasons) and for overnight horseback riding or bus tours to the canyon. Upon arrival at the Andean valley, a plethora of options for tours and outdoor activities await: Hike to overlooks such as La Cruz del Condor, bike through the Colca Valley, or kayak or raft down the Colca River.

No matter what sights and activities you choose, guided tours are generally the easiest and most convenient way to travel, as most provide round-trip transportation from Arequipa. But if you’re seeking an independent sightseeing experience, you can book a bus transfer from Arequipa with stops at scenic viewpoints and attractions along the way.

The closest city to Colca Canyon is Arequipa, roughly 100 miles (161 kilometers) southeast. From there you can book a bus or shuttle directly to the canyon, or take public transportation to Chivay or Cabanaconde on either end of the canyon. Chivay is the more popular choice, as it is home to relaxing hot springs. If you have the time and energy, you can make the 3-day hike. You can also reach the canyon via Cusco, though it is a longer journey.

May through September is the driest time of the year in Peru, and therefore it’s the best for hiking and other outdoor activities. December through February is the low season, which promises fewer crowds.

Historical attractions—such as pre-Hispanic settlements, the pre-Inca Chimpa fortress, and the caves of Mollepunko above Callalli, where 6,000-year-old rock art shows the domestication of the alpaca—are plentiful in the canyon. Andean Condors are another draw as some of the world’s largest flying birds, with bodies up to four feet (1.2 meters) tall and wingspans of up to 10.5 feet (3.2 meters). Because of their size, they live in windy areas that can help them get off the ground.