Choose from 1,039 Fun Things to Do in Central And South America
ShowingFilter 281-300 of 1039 listings.
Garibaldi Pass (Paso Garibaldi)
Garibaldi Pass, located on Tierra del Fuego, is the only paved route across the Fuegian Andes. Surprisingly enough, it’s also the highest point on Argentina’s Ruta Nacional 3. The views from the summit are stunning; to the north, the massive Lago Fagnano stretches 98 km west, across the Magallanes-Fagnano Fault and into Chile, and to the south, the often-missed Lago Escondido reveals its picture-perfect location surrounded by mountains.
The mountain pass also marks an abrupt transition in Tierra Del Fuego’s Geography. To the north, the island is mostly rolling steppe and sprawling sheep farms are the only things that interrupt the large distances between settlements. Heading south, the road snakes its way through the Fuegian Andes for the final 60km into Ushuaia before descending to the Beagle Channel.
The pass was built in 1956 to connect the island’s two major cities: Rio Grande and Ushuaia and it comes with a touch of interesting history. Three days after the route opened, a USA-licensed Jeep became just the third vehicle to successfully drive between the two cities, completing what at the time was the first successful Alaska-Ushuaia road trip.
Practical Info
Garibaldi Pass is located between Rio Grande and Ushuaia, along the main Ruta 3 Highway. It is open year round; however, snow and ice frequently covers the road in the winter.
Address: Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
From $ 61
Guarujá
Nicknamed "The Pearl of the Atlantic," the Brazilian city of Guarujá hosts the closest stretch of beach to São Paulo, making it a wildly popular weekend destination among Paulistanos. A total of 23 beaches stretch across the city front. And being right in the heart of downtown, Pitangueiras is the most popular beach — it’s near Avenue Puglisi where there's a shopping mall, and local artisans sell their handicrafts at the nearby plaza on weekends and holidays.
Guarujá Enseada is another lively beach with tons of kiosks selling coconuts, beer, and snacks. Pernambuco is where the locals sun themselves, and every self-respecting surfer heads to Praia do Tombo. Another unique beach along the Guarujá oceanfront is Iporanga, which has its own waterfall and freshwater swimming pool.
Guarujá is famous for its buzzing nightlife. And for outdoorsy types, there's Guarujá Golf Club with its acclaimed golf course. For cyclists, a bike path stretches along the length of Enseada beach. Also by Enseada is Acqua Mundo Theme Park — home to the biggest aquarium in South America with over 700 species of fish. You can also visit the 16th-century Barra Grande Fortress, built to protect the local village against pirate attacks.
Practical Info
From Sao Paulo’s Jabaquara Bus Station (reached by metro) there are direct buses to Guarujá, and the journey takes around an hour and a half.
Address: Guarujá, Brazil
From $ 118
Hanga Piko
A short walk along the waterfront from Hanga Roa and overlooked by a lone moai, the sleepy harbor village of Hanga Piko is the main cargo port for Easter Island and the center of its small fishing industry. Most visitors come to Hanga Piko to enjoy a boat tour around the island, taking in coastal sights like the Tahai moai and the ceremonial village of Orongo before sailing around the offshore isles of Motu Iti, Motu Nui and Motu Kao Kao.
Back on dry land, Hanga Piko’s sole attraction is the weather-worn moai of Ahu Riata, but visit in the morning and you can watch the fishermen returning with their day’s catch, then pick up some fresh fish and seafood from the stalls along the quay.
Practical Info
Hanga Piko is located in Hanga Roa on the west coast of Easter Island.
Address: Hanga Roa, Chile
Admission: $60
From $ 63
Guayasamin Museum
What do they look like, the faces of Ecuador? It is a question that Oswaldo Guayasamin, one of South America’s most important artists, has tried to answer. He was not only a masterful artist, but also a collector and spent over 30 years transforming his former home in Quito into what is today known as the Guayasamin Museum. The art museum is a combination of Guayasamin’s private archaeological collection and his own works that he donated to the city of Quito shortly before his death.
It displays over 4,500 pre-Colombian artifacts, including ceramic bowls, fertility figurines and burial masks. You can find puzzling clay statues, 1,500-year-old depictions of shamans with mask-like features and braided hair, but also the facial features of humans across the Americas. He captured the people with boldness and they can now be admired in paintings, woodcuts and sculptures. The artist also liked to create more private portraits and often painted his friends and family. In fact, a whole room inside the museum is dedicated to his and all mothers. Close to the museum there is also La Capilla del Hombre, called Man’s Chapel. It is constructed similarly to an Incan temple and pays tribute to the human being and invites for quiet reflection and meditation. Inside, visitors can find murals and sculptures as well as messages about human rights, peace and solidarity.
Practical Info
The Guayasamin Museum can be found about 8 kilometers north of the historical center of Quito in the Bellavista neighborhood. The closest bus station is Bellavista, from where it’s still a bit of a walk to the museum. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm.
Address: E18- y Mariano Calvache, Quito, Ecuador
Hours: Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm.
Admission: Adults: $8,00
From $ 8
Grumari Beach
While the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema offer a lot to see and there is always something going on, sometimes visitors find themselves in need of a break from the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. Grumari Beach is one of those beaches that is still a real insider tip and since it can only be reached by car, it is not very well known by tourists. Here, you can enjoy peace and tranquility surrounded by rolling hills and deep green Atlantic rainforest. The powdery sand along the 3 kilometer long beach is a bit darker, which, combined with the wild landscape, creates a stunning backdrop for this day trip.
Just like the adjoining Prainha Beach, Grumari Beach is part of a nature reserve and still very off the beaten track. Accordingly, visitors are predominantly locals and the signs of mass tourism have not yet manifested. The bay is very clean and pristine and can often be found completely deserted during the week. Due to its status as an environmentally protected area, there are no people living in the immediate area, but the village of Guaratiba is located fairly close by. The locals there live mainly from fishing and accordingly, some of the best seafood restaurants in Rio can be found there.
Practical Info
Grumari Beach can be found about half an hour west of Rio’s city center. Busses only go as far as Prainha Beach and consequently, Grumari Beach is best reached by car. It is easiest to either rent a car for the day or arrange for a taxi to take you there and back. There are no facilities and amenities and it’s advised to bring plenty of food and drink.
Address: Brazil
From $ 76
Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Zenu)
Opened in 1982, Cartagena's Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Zenu) is dedicated to Colombia's indigenous Zenu people. Housed in a grand colonial building facing the Plaza Bolivar, the first room greets visitors with a pre-Hispanic golden jaguar and an ornate gold filigree butterfly. In fact, there are 538 gold pieces to see, as well as 61 carvings, including bone carvings, which you'll find in the next room — La Sociedad — dedicated to the body painting and textile traditions of the Zenú.
The final exhibit, La Epoca Hidráulico, profiles the Zenú people's hydraulic engineering feats. It's estimated that, up to 2,500 years ago, half a million hectares of Panzenu land was cultivated with the aid of a vast network of hand-excavated canals that ran up to 4km long and 10 meters wide, making them some of the largest man-made features in the Americas. Cartagena’s Gold Museum also has an onsite bookshop and auditorium.
Practical Info
The Gold Museum is on Carrera 4 in Centro. Info plaques are in French, Spanish, and English. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am-5pm (closed 1-2pm). On Sundays and holidays, it's open from 10am-4pm. Entrance is free.
Address: Carrera 4, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia, Colombia
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm (Closed 1pm-2pm), Sun & Holidays 10am-4pm
From $ 12
Gold Path (Caminho do Ouro)
This rugged trail in the hills of Minas Gerais, once served as a train route for mining supplies, African slaves and exporting gold. But after numerous pirate attacks on ships loaded with the precious medal headed for port in Rio de Janeiro, the trail fell out of use. Today, despite the fact most gold has already been mined, the Gold Path has become a popular destination for travelers looking to explore scenic mountains, thick forests and a bit of Paraty history. Enjoy a ride on the natural rockslide into cooling crystal waters after a hike through the hills, then head to scenic Toboga Falls before stopping at the nearby distillery where strong sips of locally made cachaca—a sugarcane rum—round out the day.
Practical Info
Parts of the 1200 kilometer paved road to the Gold Path are open to the public but accessible only on guided tours. Groups leave on this three-hour trip twice daily and can cost anywhere from US$35 to US$50 per person.
Address: Pousada Caminho do Ouro, Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From $ 58
Gardel Plaza
Carlos Gardel was a famous tango musician whose music and voice thrilled lovers of tango all over the world. In 1935, while touring Colombia, he was involved in a tragic airplane accident in Medellin that took his life. That event sparked the love of tango in Medellin, and to this day that love is kept alive.
One of the places it lives on is at the same airport where Gardel lost his life, the Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport. A plaza and sculpture were erected in 2003 to remember Gardel, his life and his works. The statue, made by artist Salvador Arango from the state of Antioquia, shows the elegantly dressed Gardel singing and playing the guitar while a couple dances tango behind him.
Tango events take place at this site during the year, and visitors come from around the world to appreciate the art of this beloved singer and musician.
Practical Info
The Olaya Herrera Airport is located at Carrera 52 # 14 A-82, Medellin. The best way to get to the airport is by taxi.
Address: Carrera 52 # 14 A-82, Medellin, Colombia
From $ 59
Guemes Gallery
Dazzling shoppers on Buenos Aires’ central Florida Street, the Guemes Gallery, or Galería Güemes, is one of the city’s finest gallerias, making headlines as the highest building in Argentina when it first opened in 1915. Designed by legendary Italian architect, Francesco Gianotti (the brains behind the landmark Confiteria del Molino building on Plaza Congresso), the domed atrium towers 87 meters over downtown Buenos Aires and still offers spectacular 360-degree panoramic views from its 14th floor observation deck.
A striking composition of Art Nouveau styles, the Gallery’s decadent interiors are a breathtaking college of ornamental archways, beautiful ironwork, sculpted granite walls and exquisite stained glass. The upper floor apartments are equally impressive, having hosted a smattering of famous names over the years, most notably writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, to whom a photography collection is devoted to on the 2nd level. The undisputed highlight is the grand Astor Piazzolla Theatre in the basement, one of the city’s most celebrated tango venues, where tango icon Carlos Gardel once performed and the nightly dinner shows remain a popular pastime among tourists.
A striking composition of Art Nouveau styles, the Gallery’s decadent interiors are a breathtaking college of ornamental archways, beautiful ironwork, sculpted granite walls and exquisite stained glass. The upper floor apartments are equally impressive, having hosted a smattering of famous names over the years, most notably writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, to whom a photography collection is devoted to on the 2nd level. The undisputed highlight is the grand Astor Piazzolla Theatre in the basement, one of the city’s most celebrated tango venues, where tango icon Carlos Gardel once performed and the nightly dinner shows remain a popular pastime among tourists.
Practical Info
Routes to take by transit: Subway: Line D, Line E, Line A, Line B, Line C.
Address: Florida 165, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hours: Open Mon-Fri 8am - 8pm, Saturdays 9am - 3pm. Closed Sundays and holidays.
From $ 37
Government House
Government House, also known as the House of Culture, is often called the most beautiful colonial building in Belize City. The stately mansion was built in 1812 for the purpose of housing the colonial government of British Honduras, but was later turned into a residence for the Queen’s representative in independent Belize, the Governor General. Today, it is a creative community center to show off one of the country’s most important historical and political landmarks and provide space for a variety of events. It hosts colorful art exhibitions, music festivals, concerts, galleries, an open air theatre and is often used as a backdrop for weddings and other social functions.
It was here where lavish celebrations for dignitaries and the Mosquito Kings were held and where the Union Jack was lowered and the Belize flag was raised in 1981 upon independence. Of course, the building has since undergone several renovations, but the colonial charm has never been lost. Visitors can still admire polished silverware once used in the banquets, rich mahogany, antique musical instruments and lots of period art and furniture. Outside in the grassy gardens, cannons flank the front doors and Baron Bliss’ tender, the Sea King, shows off the skills of Belizean shipwrights. The surrounding vegetation has also become a favorite for birders and many indigenous species as well as migratory birds can be observed.
Practical Info
Government House is located at the southern end of Regent Street in downtown Belize City and can be visited Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
Address: Regent Street, Belize City, Belize
From $ 125
General San Martin Park
Mendoza’s expansive General San Martin Park is a landscaped oasis in the formal European style in the city’s west.
With ornamental fountains and classical statues, a lake and monuments, the park was created in the 1890s following English and French landscaping traditions.
Grand entry gates lead to pathways winding through the park, passing 34 sculptures along the way. Boats play at regattas on the lake, and the rose garden is traced with walkways.
Take in views from atop Cerro de la Gloria with its statues to the Andean Army, and stroll past more than 300 species of exotic trees.
The park also has a zoo inside its 307-hectares (758 acres), home to lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes and monkeys.
With ornamental fountains and classical statues, a lake and monuments, the park was created in the 1890s following English and French landscaping traditions.
Grand entry gates lead to pathways winding through the park, passing 34 sculptures along the way. Boats play at regattas on the lake, and the rose garden is traced with walkways.
Take in views from atop Cerro de la Gloria with its statues to the Andean Army, and stroll past more than 300 species of exotic trees.
The park also has a zoo inside its 307-hectares (758 acres), home to lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes and monkeys.
Practical Info
General San Martin Park is 2km (1.5 miles) west of central Mendoza.
Address: Av Los Platanos, Mendoza, Argentina
Hours: Open daily 8am - 6pm, to 7pm in summer
From $ 16
Gorlero Avenue
Gorlero Avenue, or Avenida Gorlero, is the main street in the Punta del Este region of Uruguay. It was named after the first mayor of Maldonado, Juan Gorlero, and is the only street in the area that got its name from a person. All other streets are referenced by street number, while avenues are known by their order from 5000 on.
Here you will find a bulk of Punta del Este’s prime tourist businesses, including cafes, restaurants, bars, art galleries, cinemas and casinos. In addition, there are a number of banks and exchange houses. During the summer tourist season, Gorlero Avenue is noted for its numerous live performers and artisans. Look for the “living statues,” jugglers, photographers and various handicraft artists set up along the avenue.
The street was remodeled in 1998 to make it friendlier to pedestrian traffic, so today its sidewalks are wider and lighting and seating are ample.
Practical Info
Gorlero Street is about 10 blocks long and easily walkable. It starts at 31st Street and extends to 15th Street. If you are driving to the area, park on a lateral street and walk the entire stretch.
Address: Avenida Gorlero, Punta del Este, Uruguay
From $ 32
Hacienda Coloma
Wake up and smell the coffee farm with a visit to the Hacienda Coloma Coffee Plantation in Fusagasugá. Here, you can follow the world of Colombian-grown coffee from bean to cup with a professional grower as your guide. In addition to touring the colonial hacienda and its surroundings, you’ll learn about the planting, selecting, threshing, roasting and tasting process, with a cup of the plantation's latest roast included.
Given its location in the Colombian countryside just an hour and a half outside of Bogota, Hacienda Coloma makes for a great day trip from the city, with most visitors opting for a tour that includes a dedicated guide and lunch, plus round-trip transportation.
Practical Info
It’s difficult to reach Hacienda Coloma unless you have your own transport, so joining a tour that includes pick-up and drop-off from your Bogota hotel is recommended.
Did You Know? Before coffee beans can be roasted, they have to be stripped of their outer shells—twice—and turned every few hours as they dry, a process which takes several days.
Address: Avenida de las Palmas, Fusagasugá, Colombia
Hours: Daily
Admission: Varies
From $ 55
Grey Glacier
Located in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, Chile’s Grey Glacier flows south into Grey Lake, though warmer temperatures in recent summers have seen the glacier retreat somewhat. A boat trip to see the Grey Glacier up close is one of the most spectacular excursions on offer inside Torres del Paine National Park. Seeing this ancient ice up close brings out its spectrum of colors and unusual shapes, and the sounds of the ice breaking apart are unlike anything else on earth.
Another way to experience Grey Glacier is to take the strenuous day hike from Paine Grande which leads to a lookout point where huge icebergs can be seen floating on the surface of Grey Lake in front of the glacier. The Grey Glacier is one of a few within the national park that visitors can trek across the surface of. Unlike the other glaciers in the park, this glacier has an island of land dividing it in two.
Practical Info
Don’t forget your sunscreen. Even on cloudy days UV rays can reflect off the ice surface and cause sunburn.
Address: Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile, Chile
From $ 64
Gold Museum
More than 1600 pre-Columbian artifacts, including Costa Rica’s very first coin, handmade ceramics and a life-sized warrior, are housed in this museum that was opened in 1985. The museum’s collection displays indigenous works dating from 500 AD to 1500 AD, including traditional jewelry and culturally relevant pieces from other Latin American countries. Displays on the second floor explore the influence of these artifacts on the social and cultural development of the nation, as well as a history of Costa Rica’s currency. Signs in both Spanish and English easily guide guests through hallways filled with rich history.
Practical Info
The museum is located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura near Central Avenue and 5th Street. It’s open every day from 9:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. except some major holidays.
Address: Calle 5, San Jose, Costa Rica
Hours: Daily 9:15am-5pm
From $ 11
Guatap e (Pueblo de Zócalos)
Hidden among the mountains about 50 miles (80 km) from Medellin is the beautiful town of Guatapé. Founded in 1811, this town is now situated on the reservoir of a hydro-electric dam that was built in the late 1960s, when more than 7.5 square miles (2,000 hectares) were flooded to create the dam.
The incredible beauty of the reservoir and the views of the lush vegetation on the lake are unforgettable. Ferries on the lake take visitors to recreational areas on nearby islands and to see Pablo Escobar’s former mansion. The boardwalk by the water fills with vendors selling regional food and crafts.
The town is famous for zócalos, decorative tiles along the lower part of the facades of the buildings in the historic center. These tiles in bright colors and patterns are connected to life in the community, telling the history of the town and the beliefs of the people. Walk along the cobblestoned streets of the Calle Los Recuerdos, near the main square, and admire this glimpse into the life and history of the town.
Jutting out of the water on the lake is the more than 600-foot-tall (183-meter-tall) Peñol Rock (La Piedra del Peñol). A staircase built on one side crisscrosses over the rock, taking visitors the more than 600 steps to the top, where there are amazing views as well as eateries and gift shops. The lake is an excellent place for water sports like kayaking, and the adventurous can try the zipline over the lake. There are also biking and hiking activities.
Practical Info
This beautiful town and lake is about 1.5-hour drive from Medellin, making it easy to visit on a day trip. The charge to climb the rock is about $5.
Address: Guatapé, Colombia
From $ 30
Garrapatero Beach
One of Santa Cruz’s most peaceful and tranquil settings, the 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of sand that compose El Garrapatero Beach is a tropical paradise. It is about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) northeast of Puerto Ayora, and is well worth the trip. Surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees, the beach is home to an incredible array of birds, most notably, flamingos and mockingbirds. You can also find marine iguanas, shrimp, Galapagos penguins, oystercatchers, and patillos amongst the white sands and clear blue water. There’s also a freshwater lake nearby that is home to even more tropical animals, such as herons, grebes, and many of shore birds.
Enjoy the wonderful swimming and snorkeling opportunities, and take advantage of the lovely picnic area, complete with grills. If you find yourself wanting more of this beautiful beach, look into a campsite.
Enjoy the wonderful swimming and snorkeling opportunities, and take advantage of the lovely picnic area, complete with grills. If you find yourself wanting more of this beautiful beach, look into a campsite.
Practical Info
Sitting on the north side of Santa Cruz, El Garrapatero is most easily
accessed from Puetro Ayora. After a 30-minute taxi ride from the
city, a 15-minute walk (about 1 kilometer, or about 2/3 of a mile)
will get you from the parking area to the beach.
Address: Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
From $ 219
Gramado Zoo
Worthy of its reputation as one of South America’s best zoos, Gramado Zoo is an animal reserve with a difference. Specializing in species native to Brazil and with an emphasis on animal welfare, Gramado Zoo makes a welcome change for animal lovers, with spacious open living areas and most of the animals brought in as rescues.
More than 1,500 animals currently inhabit the zoo, including capuchin and howler monkeys, tapir, emus and crocodiles, and a 1.2km walkways links each section. Most impressive is the huge aviary, where birds like arraras, parrots and toucans fly freely, while more dangerous creatures like jaguars, leopards and snakes can be seen from behind armored glass screens. Finally, for an even more thrilling encounter, visitors can also choose a night tour and take a peek at the zoo’s nocturnal residents.
Practical Info
Gramado Zoo is located in Gramado, around 8km south of the city center and is open daily from 9am to 6.30pm. Admission fees are R$54 for adults and R$27 for children.
Address: 35 Sentido Taquara, Varzea Grande, Gramado, Brazil
Hours: Daily 9am - 6.30pm
Admission: Adult R$54, Child R$27
From $ 20
Gloria Marina
Gloria Marina, with its coastal views and epic mountain scenery, is one of Rio de Janeiro’s most popular waterfront destinations. Nestled between the Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountains, the marina offer visitors a picturesque place to take in live music performances, public and private boat parties and ship tours of the city. Visitors say the cuisine at nearby Barracuda Restaurant is some of the best in town (and so are the views!) but travelers agree it’s the reasonably priced diving certification classes and personalized sailing lessons that make Gloria Marina truly worth the trip.
Practical Info
The marina is located east of Sao Paulo in the Gloria neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro on the coast of the South Atlantic Ocean. It will be the site of the sailing event in the 2016 Summer Olympics. The marina is easily accessible from the Dumont Airport and travelers can reach Gloria via Avenida Infante Don Henrique.
Address: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, s/n - Glória, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil 20021-140, Brazil
From $ 100
Guanabara Bay
A vast oceanic inlet flanked by the looming peaks of Sugarloaf Mountain and Papagaio Peak and dotted with over 100 islands, Guanabara Bay provides a dramatic backdrop to the city of Rio de Janeiro. Measuring in at about 159 square miles (412 square kilometers), Guanabara is Brazil’s second largest bay, home to the cities of Niterói and São Gonçalo, the Port of Rio de Janeiro and Rio’s two airports. The iconic landscape has been immortalized on countless postcards.
Most visitors choose to explore the sights of Guanabara Bay with a boat cruise from Rio harbor, taking in highlights like the Rio neighborhoods of Botafogo, Flamengo and Urca, the beaches of Niterói and the fortresses of Sao Joao and Santa Cruz.
Practical Info
Guanabara Bay is located off the Atlantic Ocean, stretching inland from the city of Rio de Janeiro, and can be explored by boat from the city’s main port. The islands of Fundão and Governador and the city of Niteroi are also connected via road bridges to Rio de Janeiro, and passenger ferries regularly cross the bay to Niteroi and the Island of Paquetá.
Address: Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Hours: Daily
From $ 52