Things to Do in Central And South America

Among Bogota’s most popular and spectacular attractions, the Museo del Oro sparkles with more than 55,000 priceless archaeological and artistic treasures. Only a fraction can be displayed at any one time within the main edifice, itself a work of art, ensconced in elegantly and eloquently designed displays of Colombia’s dazzling bounty.

There are four floors of exhibits, signed in both Spanish and English, with audio guides available in a handful of other languages. From delicate filigree nose rings to carefully crafted containers for coca leaves to the famed “Muisca Raft,” depicting the legend of El Dorado, the “Golden Man,” these objects have been innovatively arranged to tell tales of pre-Colombian mining, manufacturing and metallurgy, as well as offer insight into the daily life, society, war and worship of these ancient Colombians.

The grand finale is the Offering Room, less an exhibit than light-and-sound show designed to recreate the experience of a shamanic religious ceremony, using tens of thousands of golden artifacts. The gift shop is also worth a wander as you exit the building.

Of course, all that glitters in Colombia is not gold, which is why you could consider crossing Santander Park to the Emerald Museum, actually a private collection of some 3000 Colombian emeralds. Views from the 23rd story of the Avianca Building are spectacular, but you must have picture ID to enter.

Begin in Botero Plaza, the statue studded central park that fronts Medellin’s most popular museum. The plump proportions of these enormous pieces by Colombia’s best beloved artist, Francisco Botero, are instantly recognizable, and attract snap happy parents posing their children all over the thickly proportioned works of art.

The entire top floor of the Museo de Antioquia is also dedicated to Botero, and includes some of his most controversial pieces, depicting bull fights in all their gore and glory, and the “Death of Pablo Escobar,” a well known painting that marks the end of an era that this city must someday come to terms with.

Other excellent exhibitions include a solid collection of modern art, by both international and Colombian masters. A gallery of Independence-era oils, surrounded by period pieces, includes one of the nation’s most famous paintings, Francisco Antonio Cano’s “Horizontes,” portraying settlers—new parents—setting of to conquer the Colombian frontier. A display of prints and advertisements from the same period are a testament to this nation’s reputation for business savvy.

The gift shop is outrageous, and a reasonably priced cafe overlooking Plaza Botero is one of the most pleasant spots in the city center for a coffee or adult beverage. The fancifully striped gothic masterpiece across the plaza, by the way, is the Palacio de Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, completed in 1937 thanks to the quirky genius of Belgian architect Agustin Goovaerts.

Established as a reserve in 1944, the over 100,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge is easily the most breathtaking scenery in all of the Cayo District, if not Belize. The Chiquibul Road will lead you through pine forests, waterfalls, cascading water pools over granite boulders and the Maya Mountains in the distance – it’s a sight to be seen. Touring the area can be done from San Ignacio by car, as there is no public transportation out this way. The road can get fairly difficult in the wet summer season and requires strong knowledge of the area as well as a good dose of patience. There are opportunities for stops showing the varied landscapes of the reserve, including at the Rio on Pools for a fresh water swim or exploring the limestone Rio Frio Cave.

Tours can be either relaxing, with swims and picnics, or bordering on extreme adventure – such as hiking to Thousand Foot Falls, Central America’s largest waterfall. Visits to the Belize’s highest Mayan structure, at the Caracol Archeological Reserve, also require passing through the Mountain Pine Ridge. There are also opportunities to spot the rich wildlife in this area, including tapirs and toucans, though jaguars only come out at night.

The Museo Afro-Brasileiro is one of the few museums of its type in Brazil exclusively dedicated to African cultural heritage and its influence on contemporary Brazilian culture.

The museum’s collection of African artifacts ranges from maps (depicting the original slave trade routes), masks, jewelry and clothing to musical instruments, traditional games and pottery.

The candomblé exhibit is particularly fascinating as it explains the roots, icons and rituals of this colorful religion. Don’t miss the impressive wooden tablets sculpted by noted Bahian artist Carybé that depict the candomblé orixás of Bahia with their weapons and liturgical animal. Make sure you ask for an English translation booklet at the entrance.

The Evita Museum (Museo Evita) is devoted to its namesake Eva Perón (affectionately nicknamed ‘Evita’), the subject of the world-famous stage and film musical of the same name and one of Argentina’s most polarizing historical figures. Beloved by the working class, yet scorned by the opposing parties, the legacy of Evita is still steeped in myth and controversy, but there’s no denying that the First Lady to president Juan Domingo Perón remains one of the most fascinating and recognizable Argentines of all time.

Finally opening its doors in 2002 on the 50th anniversary of Evita’s untimely death, the museum is now one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, dedicated to telling the story of Eva Peron and unveiling some of the mystery that shrouds her political history. A series of exhibits and displays chronicle the life of the First Lady from her childhood to her political career and many achievements. Striking the perfect balance between honoring her memory and presenting the facts, the museum is one of Buenos Aires’ most captivating, taking visitors on a journey into the heart and soul of Evita. Artifacts include a beautifully preserved selection of her clothing, personal effects, photographs, Peronist memorabilia and video footage. Most notable is her voter card, marked number 1 - indicative of her achievements in securing the vote for Argentine women in 1947. Whether you’re already a confirmed admirer or simply want to uncover the person behind the name, this small Palermo museum is a fitting tribute to Argentina’s most enigmatic public figure.

Housed on campus at the Universidad Francisco Marroquin, Popol Vuh Museum contains some of the most famous collections of pre-Columbian artifacts in the country. A private research institution, visitors to the museum have an opportunity here to learn about the history of Guatemala. The goal of the museum is to conserve, research and educate people about both the cultural and archaeological heritage of the country. It accomplishes this with its many exhibits within the property.

For starters, the museum contains one of the largest collections of Maya art in the world. Visitors to the museum can expect to see a varied collection within its small rooms, including stone sculptures, pottery and the Lord Bat sculpture. The museum is known for its ceramic collection, which is considered to be the best in Guatemala City, if not the country. Of special note are the collections of funeral urns, censers and ceramic whistles.

A small area within the museum is dedicated to colonial art and includes items like traditional clothing and more.

Sitting in the shadow of big brother and Rio de Janeiro icon, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Morro da Urca is just as important if only because the cable car trip up to Sugar Loaf includes a stop atop this turtle shell-shaped rock. Not to be outdone by its better-known neighbor, the 720-foot hill, a little more than half Sugar Loaf’s height of 1,300 feet, still offers spectacular panoramic views of Christ the Redeemer and Corcovado, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Guanabara Bay, downtown Rio, and Sugar Loaf itself (something you can’t see when you’re actually on it).

At the top of the Morro da Urca, the visitors’ center provides elevators for special needs guests, restrooms, and souvenir and food concessions. Hiking trails skirt the Morro, starting at Praia Vermelho, but one of the most exhilarating options available, if not exactly popular or cheap, is a helicopter ride around Sugar Loaf and over nearby Copacabana. Make sure to plan your visit on a cloudless day, or you might be squinting into the cumulus. Also, don’t forget the Morro’s namesake, the tiny and historic district of Urca, sits squeezed between the mountains and the bay, offering restaurants and bars with gorgeous views of the water and an intoxicating tropical ambiance.

Art lovers will find plenty to marvel over at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Argentina’s number one fine-arts museum, located in the Recoleta district. With 24 ground-floor galleries devoted to pre-20th century European art, the museum is a trove of classic works, dominated by famous names like Renoir, Monet, Gauguin, Cézanne and Picasso. Most impressive is the beautifully curated galleries of Argentine art, the largest collection in the world, including works by legendary artists like as Xul Solar, Edwardo Sívori, Lino Enea Spilimbergo, Raquel Forner, Cesáreo Bernaldo de Quirós and Benito Quinquela Martín, whose colorful depictions of the city’s La Boca port are some of the museum’s most evocative pieces.

The striking museum, designed by acclaimed local architect Alejandro Bustillo in 1933, also hosts a number of popular temporary exhibits, a small cinema and a display of pre-Columbian artifacts.

Gold and silver were highly prized and beautifully worked by the Inca. The precious materials were worked into symbolic and decorative pieces, but were never used as money.

The gold drew the attention of the Spanish and led to the empire’s downfall, but not all of the Inca gold was removed and melted down by the conquistadors. The privately owned and operated Mujica Gallo displays more than 8,000 gold, silver and gilt copper artifacts surviving from pre-Inca and Inca civilizations.

The collection also includes pottery, weapons and clothing but the golden figurines and gem-studded jewelry are the real highlight.

Work your way through the various rooms crammed with golden drinking vessels, gilt animals and birds, masks, armor, swords and pistols, and take home a replica souvenir from the gift shop.