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Things to Do in Central And South America

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Cotopaxi Volcano

The Cotopaxi Volcano, one of South America’s most famous peaks and Ecuador’s most active volcano, is perhaps the most recognizable landmark along Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped cone all the way from Quito, but a closer exploration requires a trip to Cotopaxi National Park.

The Basics

Cotopaxi, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, summits at 19,347 feet (5,897 meters), making it one of the world’s highest active volcanoes and one of the most popular climbing sites in South America.

While summiting the peak is a major draw, it’s also possible to enjoy the park and its volcano views on a less strenuous day trip from Quito. These tours might include a visit to the Cotopaxi Glacier, a short hike through Limpiopungo Valley, or even the chance to cycle down the volcano on a mountain bike.

Things to Know Before You Go

Cotopaxi Volcano is a must-visit for adventure travelers, outdoors enthusiasts, and photographers.
Dress in layers, as the temperature can vary widely within the national park.
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
Be sure to bring sun protection, water, and snacks; there are no shops or other major services within the park.

How to Get There

No public buses run to the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park, so the best way to get there is to drive or join a guided tour. Some buses do drop passengers off along the highway about a 30-minute drive from the national park parking area.

When to Get There

The best time to visit the volcano is during the dry season, from mid-July to early October. The peak looks its best in the light of the early morning or late evening, so consider staying overnight in the area.

Climbing Cotopaxi

Alexander von Humboldt was the first European to attempt to climb Cotopaxi in 1802, though he didn’t make it all the way to the top. Today, climbers come from around the world to reach the summit. The hike is only appropriate for serious hikers with experience trekking at high altitudes. If you’re planning to climb, spend a few days in Quito acclimatizing to the altitude first and consider enlisting the help of a climbing guide.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Varies

From $ 45

Costa Rican Art Museum (Museo de Arte Costarricense)

Explore the works of some of Costa Rica’s greatest artists from the colonial era through today at the Costa Rican Art Museum, including almost the entire body of work from prolific local artist Juan Manuel Sanchez. The museum is housed in the building that once served as the main terminal of San Jose’s original international airport and outside, toward where the tarmac once sat, is a lovely sculpture garden where visitors can walk around an enjoy the tropical weather. The museum often has chamber music concerts playing in the Golden Hall.

Practical Info

The Costa Rican Art Museum sits at the eastern end of La Sabana Park, so it’s a good idea to pair a trip to the museum with a walk through this peaceful park. The museum is free to visit and open every day except Mondays.

San Jose 10101, Costa Rica

Daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From $ 69

Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo)

With 14 cascades tumbling over 260 feet (80 meters) into a cloudy mist as they hit the frothing water below, Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo) is easily the star of Iguazu Falls. The tallest of Iguazu’s 275 waterfalls, Devil’s Throat is evenly split across the border of Argentina and Brazil, making it easy to visit no matter your starting point.

The Basics

Many tours visit both sides of Iguazu Falls so you can get the best of both vistas. The Argentinean side of Devil’s Throat offers better hiking options, including a catwalk that gets close enough for you to get soaked with spray, as well as a boat ride that takes you beneath the famous cascades. The Brazilian side boasts postcard-perfect views of the U-shaped falls: Ride an elevator to the top of a viewing platform for the best vista. Those interested in seeing Devil’s Throat from above can catch a helicopter ride on the Brazilian side (the Argentinean side does not support helicopters in the park). For a full-day adventure, look for tours that combine a trip to Devil’s Throat with other activities such as rafting trips and safaris.

Things to Know Before You Go

Brazilian vistas are open year-round.
Be sure to wear waterproof clothes, and pack your electronics and valuables in waterproof bags.
Plan to spend at least two days visiting Devil’s Throat and the rest of the falls, especially if you plan to see both sides.

How to Get There

In Argentina, Iguazu National Park is located 10 miles (17 kilometers) from Puerto Iguazu. Buses run from Puerto Iguazu to the park every half hour during park hours. If you're coming from Buenos Aires, take a 90-minute flight or a 24-hour bus ride. On the Brazilian side, the closest town to Iguassu (Iguaçu) National Park is Foz do Iguaçu. Catch a bus from town to the park for only a few dollars; buses and taxis also run directly from the airport. Foz do Iguaçu is a two-hour flight from Rio de Janeiro.

When to Get There

Devil’s Throat is accessible year-round. For the best weather and the smallest crowds, plan to go between July and October or February and April. The falls are at their most powerful during the rainy season, which can sometimes result in trail closures on the Argentinean side. Morning visits sometimes afford rainbows in the ever-present mist of Devil’s Throat.

Visa Requirements

Be sure to check the visa requirements for your country before crossing the Argentina-Brazil border.

RA 12, KM17 Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

Open daily 8am - 5pm

US$23

From $ 32

Cusco Cathedral (Catedral del Cuzco)

Cusco’s Cathedral of Santo Domingo is a colonial gem, boasting an altar of silver and a magnificently carved choir.

The building stands on the site of an Inca palace, and was built from stone blocks removed from the nearby Inca city of Sacsayhuaman by the triumphant conquistadors.

The elaborately decorated cathedral was built from 1559 to 1654 on the city’s main square, Plaza de Armas, and is filled with colonial artworks, artifacts and richly decorated chapels.

The most famous artwork is a Last Supper painting by Marcos Zapata featuring a meal of local guinea pig served with an Inca corn beverage.

The highly ornamental facade features two domes flanking the chapels and nave, built in a Gothic-Renaissance hybrid style.

Practical Info

Cusco’s La Catedral is on the central Plaza de Armas, flanked by two similarly ornate churches.

Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru

Varies

From $ 25

Cousino Macul

You might not expect a winery so close to the city of Santiago, but then, Santiago has been growing up towards the mountains in recent decades, so it’s not so much that Cousiño Macul was built in the city as that the city has grown all around it. Cousiño Macul is a peaceful oasis in the district of Peñalolén, at the foot of the mountains, which are seen in the background over the planted fields. The winery was founded in 1856 by Matías Cousiño, and is still owned and run by the same family.

From the tasteful treed entryway to the quiet store, it feels like there is a reverence for the product and process here. In late summer and early fall, you can try grapes straight off the vines, which depending on the exact week may be Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah. The tour of this winery includes a small exhibition area of winemaking tools used in the 19th century, including the apparatus used to hand place the cork in each individual bottle, which took great physical effort, as did moving the barrels around the winery, which was done with the use of a small train-like system.

The Cousiño Macul tour includes a walk through the cellars, and a view of the family’s private wine collection with sample wines from most years since they started. There are tastings throughout the course of the tour, which gives you a chance to savor each one in a different location, rather than tasting them all one after another, and of course, there is a souvenir glass.

Practical Info

The winery is best known internationally for its reds, but also produces a refreshing Sauvignon Gris, a rosé, made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, a variety of wine mainly known in California. This wine is served chilled, and, like the other wines on offer in the store, comes with a 10-20% discount over supermarket prices, and they are happy to box up the wine so it will make it home safely.

Calle Quilin 7100, Santiago, Chile

From $ 78

Diamante Eco Adventure Park

Costa Rica is known for its adventure — zip lining, surfing, horseback riding. Diamante Eco Adventure Park is a great place to partake, with the country’s longest dual ocean view zip line and a host of other activities. At nearly one mile long, the unique zip line allows for two people at once to soar effortlessly above the Costa Rican jungle with expansive views of the ocean.

With more than thirty activities on both land and sea, the eco adventure park has miles of walking and biking trails, a climbing wall, and a hanging bridge. The park is surrounded by tropical rainforest, where exotic birds, monkeys, snakes, and sloths reside and wildlife sightings are not uncommon. There are plenty of ways to explore the nature of the area, whether by ATV or by spending some time in the botanical garden or wildlife rescue center. In the nearby ocean, visitors can experience the warm waters by kayak, stand up paddle board, surfing, or snorkeling.

Practical Info

Diamante Eco Adventure Park is located just southwest of Playa del Coco in Guanacaste. The best way to get there is to head to the RIU Guanacaste/RIU Palace hotels on Playa Matapalo. The park is located beside the hotels. It costs $68 to do the zip line, and $88 for the zip line combined with other activities.

RIU Guanacaste Route, Costa Rica

Open daily 8:30am-5pm

No fee for entry, activity costs vary

From $ 42

Dedalo Market

If it isn’t a vacation until you go shopping, Dedalo Market in the Barranco district will make the visit official. Here at this bohemian, coastal plaza, visitors can find everything from designer jewelry to contemporary Peruvian art. The items you’ll find at Dedalo Market are different than you might find in Cuzco, and there isn’t as much Incan or “traditional” heritage at this finer, higher-end market. Instead, shelves are filled with colorful blown glass and handmade ceramic bowls, or elegant wood and stone carvings you’d use to decorate a home. Prices are fixed at most of the stores and the setting is modern and comfortable, so there isn’t the haggling or pressure to buy that accompanies goods on the street. To take a break from the souvenir hunt, relax at the small coffee shop on the plaza’s inside patio, or cross the street for a view of the coast and the smell of salt on the breeze. While the market itself isn’t excessively large or even traditionally Peruvian, it’s a trendy spot for that unique purchase that no one will have back at home.

Practical Info

The Dedalo Market is open Monday-Saturday from 10am-8pm. The market is located on Paseo Saenz Peña, and is a short drive from Miraflores and neighboring Chorillos districts.

Saenz Peña, Lima, Peru

From $ 60

Crystal Cave (Mountain Cow Cave)

Crystal Cave, also known as Mountain Cow Cave, is located within the Blue Hole National Park near Belmopan, Belize’s capital city. To get to Crystal Cave, you may have to start with a moderately challenging, 50-minute hike through lush rain forest and steep terrain. Depending on your entrance point, you then descend by rope for 15 feet to drop into the mouth of the cave.

Ancient Mayans believed this to be the domain of their gods, earning it the name of Xibalba. Mayans said this is the portal between the tangible human world and the invisible world of the gods. Sacred rituals and important ceremonies were once performed here, and visitors today will see remnants such as ceremonial bowls, pots, and even skeletal remains from sacrificial victims.

Crystal Cave is also full of natural wonders including unique rock formations, massive stalagmites and crystal clusters, a major attraction. The calcite formations cover the floors, walls, and ceiling of Crystal Cave. Some tours include the opportunity to explore Crystal Cave in the water, as you can embark on a refreshing cave tubing journey as you meander along the waters of Xibalba and through an impressive Gothic chamber with hidden pottery dating back to 300 AD.

Practical Info

Visitors to Crystal Cave should be in moderate physical health and able to withstand a lengthy hike over varying inclines. Crystal Cave may not be for travelers who have a fear of dark and tight passages. Bring bug spray, sunblock, and a change of dry clothes, as you may get wet.

Blue Hole National Park, Belmopan 5012, Belize

From $ 110

Devil's Door (Puerta del Diablo)

Located in Los Planes De Renderos, Puerto del Diablo, or Devil’s Door, is made up of two striking boulders that reach for the sky. Looking between them gives the viewer a panoramic vista over the sights of El Salvador all the way to the Pacific. Devil’s Door is one of El Salvador’s most popular rock-climbing sites, with dozens of established routes for all levels of climbers. For the best views, climb the rock stairs to the top, where you'll rewarded with sights like the red-tiled roofs of the indigenous town of Panchimalco, Lake Ilopango to the left, the double peaks of the San Vicente volcano straight ahead, and beyond it, the Pacific Ocean (if you bring binoculars).

Visitors to Devil’s Door can opt to take a canopy tour, go zip-lining, explore the nearby caves, or even rappel down the cliff’s face. A visit to Devil’s Door is an easy way to escape the city noise of San Salvador for a half day, as it’s only a short bus trip to and from El Salvador’s capital city.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the marketplace below Devil’s Door before you head to the top. Fueling up with freshly made pupusas is a great way to prepare for the ascent.

Practical Info

Devil’s Door is about a 45-minute bus ride from San Salvador’s history city center. The natural attraction has several different routes and offers beautiful views from every direction.

Panchimalco, San Salvador, El Salvador

From $ 49

Dique do Tororó (Tororo Dam)

In a city that’s filled with crowds of people, bustling commercial districts and an energy that can be described as nothing short of kinetic, the quiet out-of-the-way sidewalks of Dique do Tororo provide a welcome escape. Located near the south entrance of the stadium that housed the World Cup, Dique de Torro offers travelers city skyline views, easy access to some of Salvador’s most iconic African statues and plenty of historical information about the traditions of West African slaves. Plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars line the perimeter of this man-made lake, making this an ideal spot to grab a cold beer or tuck into a warm plate of traditional Brazilian cuisine. It’s possible to cross the lake by boat and travelers warn that while the place is relatively safe during daylight hours, it’s best to avoid Dique de Tororo at night.

Practical Info

Travelers warn that this scenic destination is also a hotbed for local crime. It’s best for visitors to be mindful of their surroundings and keep personal items out of plain site as much as possible to avoid issues.

Av. Pres. Costa e Silva, Nazaré, Salvador, BA, Brazil, Brazil

From $ 55

Death Road

There is no road in Bolivia with the official name of Death Road. It’s simply a nickname, and nicknames cannot just be given, they need to be earned. In the case of the Yungas Road leading from the capital city of La Paz to the rainforest outpost of Coroico, the road just happens to earn its grisly name an astounding 200 to 300 times per year.

One of the few roads to connect the Bolivian capital with the Yungas region of the country, this 43-mile stretch of open cliff has been deemed by many international organizations as the most dangerous road in the world. At many points along the journey the road is only 10 feet wide, and at virtually no point is there anything resembling a guardrail to protect against precipitous falls measured in the thousands of feet.

Given these inherent dangerous and obvious risks, what’s the only natural thing to do when visiting La Paz finding yourself only 35 miles from the Death Road? Strap on a helmet and go mountain biking of course!

Believe it or not, mountain biking on Death Road is one of the most popular tourist activities in all of Bolivia and one which takes riders from an oxygen-pinching height of 15,900 feet to the 5,000-foot rainforests of the town of Coroico. Despite the propensity for busloads of passengers to go headlong over the side of the road, biking down Death Road is actually one of the safer activities with regards to how many people actually do it. Tour operators working out of La Paz ensure that riders have fully-functioning safety equipment and professionally inspected bikes which can transport riders down Death Road safely and offer an unforgettable ride like any other.

While much of the hype surrounding Death Road is simply to say that you’ve done it, the views afforded from the mountain passes and the ability to ride behind towering waterfalls is an experience which ranks as one of the most extreme on the planet. If you know of anyone heading to La Paz, there’s a good chance you’ll find them out riding Death Road, with views of the Bolivian Altiplano stretched out like a canvas before them.

Yungas Road, La Paz, Bolivia

From $ 125

Crystal Palace

Petrópolis is as town that was originally founded upon royal opulence and wealth, and nothing says lavish, regal design than a building constructed of crystal. Today, the Crystal Palace is a large greenhouse that’s comprised mostly of glass, although the sparkly chandelier inside the building still has the crystal touch.

Built in France and transported here to the hills outside of Rio, the palace was initially offered as a gift from Count D’Eu to Princess Izabel. For years this venue was used to host the royalty’s extravagant balls, and there are still concerts and opera events that are held in the palace today. If staying in Petrópolis, check the schedule of events for the palace to experience one of the shows. Or, if visiting on a day trip from Rio de Janeiro, wander around the manicured grounds that line the historic greenhouse—imagining life as a Brazilian Princess in a palace with crystal walls.

Practical Info

There’s no admission fee to visit the Crystal Palace, which is located by Parca da Confluencia near the city center of Petrópolis.

Rua Alfredo Pacha, s/n, Petropolis, RJ, Brazil, Brazil

From $ 59

Curitiba Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico)

The Botanical Garden of Curitiba (Jardim Botânico de Curitiba), in the middle of the city, provides a tranquil respite for locals and visitors alike. Designed in the style of French royal gardens, the park’s crown jewel is the 4,844-square-foot (450-square-meter) art nouveau, metal and glass greenhouse that sits against the Curitiba skyline.

The Basics

Curitiba’s botanical garden is home to thousands of Brazilian tropical plant species, including rare flowers, as well as beautiful statues and fountains that you can explore for hours on end. Busy locals flock here as well to take a break from life on the lush green lawns.

The garden is a highlight of broader sightseeing tours of Curitiba that also take in key landmarks such as the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Museu Oscar Niemeyer), the Wire Opera House (Ópera de Arame), and Tangua Park (Parque Tanguá).

Things to Know Before You Go

The Botanical Gardens of Curitiba are a great place to sit and rejuvenate after a long day of sightseeing in the city.
Wear layers to the park, as the weather can change quickly.
The park is wheelchair accessible via the paved walkways throughout most of the premises.

How to Get There

The Jardim Botânico is easily accessible by foot from Curitiba’s city center. You can also take a number of city buses—including the tourist bus, Linha Turismo—to the garden. It is advised not to drive, as parking is very limited.

When to Get There

The best time to visit the Botanical Gardens is during the spring months of September, October, and November, when the plants and flowers are just starting to bloom. The summer months, while busier, are also beautiful for relaxing and picnicking on the plush lawns.

The Garden of Sensations

Since 2008, the Jardim Botânico de Curitiba has hosted an exhibit dubbed “The Garden of Sensations” in which visitors can experience vegetation with their senses. You can learn about 60 species of flora without your vision, by using smell and touch instead. It is one of the most popular exhibits of the gardens and intrigues guests of all ages.

Curitiba, PR 80210-390, Brazil

From $ 64

Crystal Beach

On the edge of Tayrona National Natural Park and the northern coast of Colombia, Crystal Beach is one of the most picturesque white sand beaches in South America. Its clear turquoise waters provide ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling. Many come to relax on the soft sand shaded by coconut palms or to eat fresh seafood caught right off the shore. It is also a great base for exploring the Tayrona National Park, one of Colombia’s most important protected ecological areas, for the day.

Marine life in the waters off Crystal Beach includes sea turtles, dolphins, and several species of fish. Even without spotting one these creatures, the coral and sponges of the reef provide colorful underwater scenes. The Caribbean reefs offshore also attract those seeking scuba diving and other water sports.

Practical Info

Crystal Beach can be accessed via a short bus and boat ride from Santa Marta.

Road to Cienaga - Tayrona Park, Santa Marta, Columbia, Colombia

From $ 48

Cotopaxi National Park

With sweeping plains, rocky mountain trails, and glassy lagoons, Ecuador’s largest and most-visited national park is a spectacular setting for an outdoor adventure. Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Cotopaxi National Park is most famous for the much-photographed Cotopaxi volcano, the highest active volcano in South America.

The Basics

Located an hour from Ecuador’s capital city of Quito, Cotopaxi National Park makes for an ideal day trip for those looking to take advantage of the region’s exceptional hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. A full-day tour typical includes a drive along the scenic Route of the Volcanoes, views of Cotopaxi Volcano and Limpiopungo Lake, and a choice of short hikes or downhill biking. An overnight Cotopaxi National Park tour affords more time for exploring or allows you to extend your trip to include the nearby Quilotoa Lagoon.

Things to Know Before You Go

There is an entrance fee to enter the national park.
The park is located at high altitude; if you’ve just arrived in Quito, it’s wise to spend a couple of days acclimatizing before hiking or biking.
Although there are plenty of walking trails in the national park, climbing the Cotopaxi Volcano is only suitable for experienced hikers.
There are several car parks in the national park, but access to many of the trails is by 4WD only.
The park has limited visitor facilities, so be sure to bring everything you need, including comfortable shoes, sun or rain protection, and plenty of water.

How to Get There

The Cotopaxi National Park is located 31 miles (53 kilometers) southeast of Quito, about an hour’s drivel. There are no public transport options for reaching the park; the easiest way to get there is to join a guided tour or arrange a private tour from Quito.

When to Get There

You can Cotopaxi year round; in fact, there is little variation in temperatures throughout the year. The most popular time for hiking and outdoor activities is during the dry months (July to September).

Climbing the Cotopaxi Volcano

Scaling the 19,000-foot (5,900-meter) high Cotopaxi Volcano is a bucket-list activity among hiking enthusiasts. With high altitude and technical sections that require crampons and ice axes, it’s a challenge suitable only for experienced hikers or climbers, and it’s recommended you hire a reputable guide. Most hikes (which last about five hours) set out late at night or early in the morning in order to summit in time to catch the sunrise.

Cotopaxi, Quito, Ecuador

Varies

From $ 45

Copacabana Fort

Situated on the south end of Copacabana Beach lies a piece of Brazilian military history, the Copacabana Fort. Built just before the First World War, the fort is strategically located on a thin strip of rock that juts into the ocean and was designed to protect Rio de Janeiro from attack. On the headland, there are two turrets that each hold two massive Krupp cannons, the largest being 305 mm, capable of firing a 980-pound (445-kg) shell up to over 14 miles (23 km) into the ocean.

The area houses the Museum of the History of the Military, which details the early days of Portuguese colonization, the Brazilian military’s involvement in international conflicts and the modernization of the Brazilian army in current day. There are also several centuries-old artillery items on display outside, including a six-foot (1.8-meter), 152.4 mm gun made in 1918 and a five-barrel quick-firing gun from 1876.

This area not only offers an interesting insight into Brazil’s military history, but also has a lovely, oceanfront avenue where visitors can stroll and take in panoramic views of Copacabana Beach. The famed Confeitaria Colombo, a traditional café and bakery located in the city center, also owns a quaint café located within the walls of the fort. Visitors can stop for breakfast, lunch or a snack and enjoy a peaceful view of the famous shoreline.

Practical Info

The Copacabana Fort is located at Plaza Coronel Eugênio Franco nº 1 in the Copacabana neighborhood. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the exterior area, shops and cafés are open the same days until 7:30 p.m. The entrance fee can only be paid in cash and costs R$6 for adults, R$3 for students and seniors over 60 (with ID), and free for seniors over 80 and children under 10. The fort is accessible from bus lines 121, 126, 127, 484 and 455 and from either the Cantagalo or General Osório metro stations.

Praça Coronel Eugênio Franco nº 1 - Posto 6, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 22070-020, Brazil

Tues-Sun 10am-6pm

R$ 6

From $ 7

Cusco Historic Center

Once the shimmering capital of the entire Inca Empire, Cusco is the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the ruins of Machu Picchu. Bearing its original Inca name, meaning “Navel of the Earth,” Cusco pulsates with a unique and magical energy rivaled by few other South American cities, most notably in its historic center.

The Basics

Begin a visit to the historic center—a UNESCO World Heritage SIte since 1983—at the Plaza de Armas, also known as Plaza Mayor. Festooned with fountains, this magnetic square is lined with gorgeous charming colonial buildings and churches that live alongside—and at times atop—ancient Inca walls and foundations.

There are many options for exploring Cusco’s historic center; private or group tours run day and night. Multi-day tours may incorporate visits to Lake Humantay, Machu Picchu, and other key attractions inside the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas. Cyclists may opt to explore Cusco as part of a multi-day mountain bike trek.

Things to Know Before You Go

Many attractions in the historic center have small entrance fees, which would be included if you are visiting as part of a larger tour.
Though the center is safe, it’s always recommended to be careful with your possessions and avoid wearing eye-catching jewelry and accessories.
Remember sun protection.
Because of the high altitude, be sure to stay hydrated and take it slow. Chewing on coca leaves or drinking coca tea helps alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness.

How to Get There

The historic center of Cusco is walkable from most hotels. If you’re staying farther away, book a tour that includes round-trip transportation, as public transit is scant.

When to Get There

As the center of life in Cusco, the historic center is popular with all travelers in the region, and it’s great any time of day. At night, the illuminated Plaza de Armas and its grand cathedral create one of the most enchanting sights in Peru.

Attention: Painting Buffs

Pay a visit to Santo Domingo Church, just off the main plaza, a colonial church built atop an Inca temple. Dedicated to the worship of the sun, the sacred structure was at one point flush with statues and altars made of solid gold. Though Spanish conquistadors violently looted the temple, much of the original site, with its masterful masonry, remains, and stands in stark contrast to the baroque church above.

Centro Historico, Cusco, Peru

From $ 36

Dino Park

Don’t look now, but it seems like dinosaurs are once again roaming the forests of Rincon de la Vieja. Here at the Dino World Dinosaur Park, watch a vicious Tyrannosaurus Rex as it prowls and growls through the rainforest, or stare in wonder at the towering height of a life-sized, long necked Brontosaurus. More than just stationery statues of dinosaurs, the creatures here at the Dino Park are moving, growling, full-sized replicas of dinosaurs that once roamed the continent, and offer a curiously real way to see how dinosaurs looked in the wild. Interestingly enough, Costa Rica was still underwater when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, though now it sports the only park of its kind in Latin America. Over two dozen different species of dinosaurs all lurk in the trees and the jungle, from quick and nimble velociraptors to lumbering three-horned triceratops. There’s also an educational component to all of the different dinosaurs, and guests will learn their diet, habitat, history, and era they lived in. As part of the popular Blue River Resort, the Dino Park also is nearby to spas, hot springs, mud baths, and swimming pools, and is set on the slopes of a lush volcano in the Guanacaste interior.

Practical Info

Food and drink are available at the park, and it’s best to bring bug spray, comfortable shoes, a bathing, sunscreen, and a rain jacket. The Dino Park is 3 miles from the main Blue River Resort, and four-wheel drive is recommended, but not essential for reaching the park. The Blue River Resort is about 90 minutes from the Liberia.

Rincon de la Vieja, Liberia, Costa Rica

9am-5pm daily

$25 for adults and $15 for children

From $ 125

Cultural Center of the Americas (Centro Cultural America)

The Cultural Center of the Americas is a building and organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting cultural events in Salta, Argentina. Events held here include concerts, art exhibits, educational workshops, and cultural, social and business groups. The building was designed by renowned architect and engineer Arturo Prins, and it was built in a French Neo-Baroque style in the early 1900s. Its original intent was to house the 20th of February Club, but the building was expropriated by Ricardo Durán, the governor of Salta at the time. It was a government building for about 40 years after that.

In 1987 the building underwent renovations and became the cultural center it is today. Artists from around the world come here to present their work in art shows, musicians perform here, political and economic conventions are held here, and many other organizations use the cultural center as an entertainment venue.

Practical Info

The Cultural Center of the Americas is located at Bartolomé Mitre 23.

Bartolomé Mitre 23, Salta, Argentina

From $ 20

Cuesta del Obispo (Bishop's Slope)

Cuesta del Obispo, or Bishop’s Slope, is a hill southwest of Salta, Argentina along the way to the village of Cachí. Its name derives from the 1600s when a bishop was traveling through the area. He was so mesmerized by the sky that he decided he had to stop and sleep under the stars that night. The locals started calling the hill the Slope Where the Bishop Slept, and eventually it was shortened to Bishop's Slope.

The hill is in the Calchaquí Valley, which was once much more populated, but the natives were conquered by the Incas who were later conquered by the Spaniards. The hill offers a perfect viewpoint over the Enchanted Valley. The slope itself is a long dirt road that leads up the hill and ends at La Piedra del Molino (the Millstone) at an elevation of nearly 11,000 feet above sea level.

Practical Info

Bishop's Slope is located approximately 64 miles southwest of Salta, Argentina. To get there, take routes 68 and 33, or join a tour of the region.

Argentina

From $ 36