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Things to Do in Central And South America

Choose from 1,039 Fun Things to Do in Central And South America

Passion for Boca Juniors Museum (Museo de la Pasión Boquense)

The Estadio Boca Juniors, locally known as La Bombonera, plays host to one of soccer’s greatest rivalries, that between porteño teams Boca Juniors and River Plate. The two floor Passion for Boca Juniors Museum (Museo de la Pasión Boquense) is housed within the stadium and chronicles the team’s history, dating back to their beginning as a modest neighborhood club in 1905.

A giant soccer ball-shaped auditorium houses a 360 degree theater screens footage from a match, while jerseys, photos, trophies and other team memorabilia from the last century are on display. For an extra fee, visitors can tour the stadium, which includes a visit to the locker room and Diego Maradona’s box.

Practical Info

Check the Boca Juniors schedule before heading to the museum, as it’s closed on game days.

Brandsen 805, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Open daily 10am-6pm

AR$140

From $ 19

Parque La Sabana

With its 175 acres of green space and network of forested walking trails, Parque La Sabana is San José’s version of New York’s Central Park. The large open lawns are perfect for Frisbee, soccer, or tossing a ball, and the walking trails and running tracks are where to work up a sweat. This site once housed the city’s airport until the 1940s, and today the former terminal building houses the Costa Rican Art Museum. Also within the leafy park is the country’s national stadium, where concerts and national soccer matches are held for up to 40,000 people. On most days, however, the park plays hosts to groups of locals all feeding the geese by the pond, or families simply enjoying a picnic beneath the shade of a tree. It’s a calming place to escape the crowds and the urban city bustle, and a comfortable perch for people watching and mingling with San José locals.

Practical Info

Parque La Sabana is located at the western end of upscale Paseo Colón. There is no admission fee or opening hours, although daytime hours are often safest and nights are best avoided.

Av. de Las Américas, San Jose, Costa Rica

From $ 50

Parque de las Iguanas

At the heart of Guayaquil’s colonial center, overlooked by the grand Cathedral of Guayaquil and centered on a monumental statue of Simon Bolivar, Seminar Park would be largely unnoteworthy, if it wasn’t for the sizable population of iguanas that inhabit the small park.

Aptly renamed the ‘Parque de las Iguanas’ (‘Iguana Park’), the fenced public park is home to hundreds of green iguanas, which range from palm-sized babies to giant dragon-like creatures the size of a small child. It’s an incongruous sight, with the friendly iguanas roaming freely throughout the park, clambering on the benches, climbing the trees and slinking through the grass.

Although many tourists ply the iguanas with bread or fruit, visitors are discouraged from feeding or playing with them – instead visit during the daily feeding times, when the park attendants bring in piles of vegetables for the giant lizards to feed on.

Practical Info

The Parque de las Iguanas is located in central Guayaquil.

Chile and 10 de Agosto, Guayaquil, Ecuador

From $ 60

Parque Tres de Febrero

Most people come to Palermo to enjoy the urban sights that Buenos Aires has to offer. There are several different sections, from mainstream to bohemian and from fashion and design to residential. And then there is Parque Tres de Febrero. This nearly 1,000-acre park is also referred to as the “Bosques del Palermo” (Palermo Woods).

The park has been in existence in a variety of forms since 1875, and over the years it has undergone additions including a zoo, a botanical garden and a rose garden, as well as the world’s largest Japanese garden outside of Japan. The park is popularly used by pedestrians and cyclists and is busiest on the weekends, when you can even take a boat ride in one of the artificial lakes. Visitors can spend a couple of hours walking among the trees and over the bridges that cross some of the lakes, or sitting in one of the gazebos to enjoy the tranquil park.

Parque Tres de Febrero contains many species of trees and plants from around Argentina (introduced and endemic), including eucalyptus, wide-buttressed ceibas and lavender-blooming jacarandas. Make sure to look up, as there are climbing vines and epiphytes, as well as up to 194 species of birds that have been seen here, including kingfishers and woodpeckers. In the summer the gardens also attract butterflies.

Practical Info

Poetry lovers will want to check out the Poet’s Garden, with busts of Argentine and other famous poets, including, of course, one of Argentina’s most famous writers, Jorge Luis Borges. The park is accessible via bus 10, 34 and 130.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

From $ 15

Parque Lage

Those who have already been enchanted by the Jardim Bôtanico, but are looking for a less popular venue, will find a tranquil paradise at Parque Lage. The small park at the foot of Corcovado Mountain was once the residence of the rich industrialist Enrique Large and his wife, the singer Gabriella Besanzoni. Surrounded by monkeys and birds hopping from branch to branch in the Atlantic rain forest, the park resembles an oasis and it is easy to see why the couple decided to settle down here. The mansion was built in the colonial style, but was later remodeled by Italian architect Mario Vodrelan and enclosed by a perfectly landscaped English-style garden. Today, the building hosts the Escola de Artes Visuais – the visual arts school – as well as a café, both of which are open to the public.

Behind the turquoise pool in the courtyard, the wooden benches of the café and the embellished facade, Christ the Redeemer rises into the sky and creates the perfect backdrop for a day away from busy Rio. Apart from the nice view of the Christ, the delightful pastries at the café and the occasional exhibition or event, the Parque Lage also offers nice walks through the lush landscape with lots of things to discover. Visitors can enjoy fish tanks holding a variety of Brazilian species, admire fountains, ponds, caves and a tower and find plenty of benches to sit and take in the scenery.

Practical Info

Parque Lage opens daily from 8am to 6pm and the admission is free. The public park can be found in the Jardim Bôtanico district along the Rua Jardim Bôtanico, where a number of busses make a stop.

R. Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Daily 8am-6pm

From $ 75

Pastoruri Glacier

There was once a time when Pastoturi Glacier was a massive river of ice, but today this glacier in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca is shrinking so quickly that the glacier’s retreat has become a site in itself. Located in Huascaran National Park, Pastoturi Glacier—despite its demise—continues to offer an exceptionally scenic way to visit the Andes, and has become a spot to view the effects of climate change in action. Shining blue and white against the craggy peaks, the glacier consumes about three square miles of pristine Peruvian countryside, and is one of the world’s most accessible glaciers you can reach by just driving a car.

To get an up close view, however, you’ll need to get out and walk, which can take about 30-45 minutes along a weaving walkway. Up here in the mountains it can seem the clouds are right at the tips of your fingers, and the gaping blue sky stretches out like a canvas that rests on the snowcapped peaks. In addition to visiting the glacier itself, tours from Huaraz also stop at sights like shimmering Lake Patococha, and scenic vistas that instantly help you feel the magic of these mountains.

Insider's Tip: Chew on coca leaves or coca candy to stave off altitude sickness.

Practical Info

Pastoturi Glacier is about 16,500 feet (5,000m) above sea level, so be sure to have spent a couple of days acclimatizing before making the trek to the glacier. Since snow and ice can occur in any season, be sure to pack gear for frigid conditions, as well as boots and a rain jacket.

Pastoturi Glacier, Huascaran National Park, Peru

From $ 22

Parque das Aves (Birds Park)

The most famous residents of Iguacu's humid subtropical forests—the parrots, toucans, lorikeets, flamingos and other brightly colored tropical birds—can be difficult for the casual traveler to spot in the rain forest. Since 1994, however, those of us without a birder's patience or cunning have been able to enjoy the airy aviaries of Birds Park, Latin America's largest.

Around 150 species enjoy spacious 26-foot (8-meter) enclosures in this heavily wooded, 12-acre (5-hectare) park, all thoughtfully designed by naturalists and the owners. It's a lovely stroll, and photographers will find ample opportunity for the perfect shot. Other denizens from around Brazil include caimans, anacondas, boa constrictors, marmosets and scores of gorgeous butterflies. Other biomes, such as the African savannah and Australian outback, are also displayed, housing ostriches, curassows and other exotics.

Practical Info

The Birds Park is conveniently located next to the national park entrance; visit the falls in the morning and Birds Park in the afternoon. Allow two hours to properly explore the park, longer if you plan to take photos. The site features wheelchair-accessible paths. Some guides speak English. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent and an umbrella if the forecast calls for rain.

Photo courtesy of Jorge Andrade via Wikimedia Commons

Foz Tropicana, Parque das Aves–Av Das Cataratas, km 17.1, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil

Open daily 8am - 5:30pm

US$15

From $ 12

Parque Lezama

While everyone else is walking around the antiques fair in San Telmo and picking up items that are too big to take home, head to Parque Lezama, a public park in the same district. The city of Buenos Aires was first founded here by Pedro de Mendoza (see his statue in the park) in 1536. In 1857 it was sold to Gregorio Lezama whose widow ultimately gave it to the municipality of Buenos Aires in 1894.

The park borders a part of what used to be the Rio de La Plata, before its course was redirected and the neighborhood of Puerto Madero was created. And while Buenos Aires is almost completely flat, this park, along with the Plaza Francia and Barrancas del Begrano are on a rise that sets them higher than the rest of the city. There are rustic paths for walking and biking and a few lookout points over where the river used to be.

Also in the park is the National Historical Museum of Argentina, established in 1897. It holds a collection of some 50,000 pieces, some of them dating back to when Argentina was a viceroyalty in the late 1700s and continuing until 1950.

Practical Info

This public park is located in the San Telmo district. If you want to see the construction that changed the course of the river, and at the same time, see a part of Buenos Aires that, quite frankly, doesn’t feel like Buenos Aires at all, check out Puerto Madero, the ultra modern strip with brand new buildings, for a nice post-walk lunch or dinner.

Paseo Colon, Buenos Aires 21330, Argentina

From $ 15

Paseo 21 de Mayo

So many of Central and South America’s major cities have winding promenades where locals gather for evening strolls and afternoon festivals. But few are as scenic as Paseo 21 de Mayo in Valparaiso.

This epic walkway climbs through the hills and provides impressive views of city skylines, as well as the colorful homes that make up Cerro Playa Ancha. Visitors can wander through tree-lined neighborhoods and well-kept gardens, relax in a cool covered gazebo or simply spend the day exploring one of the area’s most delightful (and inexpensive) highlights. Paseo 21 de Mayo is the perfect place to capture photos of the epic landscapes and enjoy an afternoon taste of local life.

Practical Info

Paseo 21 de Mayo is located in Cerro Playa Ancha, one of Valparaiso’s most picturesque neighborhoods. It is easily accessible from town and walkable.

Cerro Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Chile

From $ 18

Paseo Gervasoni

Travelers who want a taste of culture and local life will find what they seek on a stroll through the Paseo Gervasoni. This popular walking street winds through massive murals of colorful art depicting images of daily life, portraits of famous Chileans and abstract drawings as well. Visitors say it is an outdoor Mecca where travelers can soak up brilliant local artwork while they also soak up the sun.

Incredible views of the crystal blue bay provide the perfect opportunity to watch ships sail in and out of the bustling harbor and a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars offer outdoor seating that’s ideal for people-watching.

Practical Info

Paseo Gervasoni is part of the Cerro Concepcion neighborhood. It is located less than two hours from Santiago by bus and guided day tours are available at most hotels and hostels.

Valparaiso, Chile

From $ 18

Pateo do Collegio Church

This historic church is built on the exact spot where the famed city of Sao Paulo was founded. Constructed in 1554, Pateo do Collegio Chuch once served as a home, school and church for Jesuit priests. Today, the original structure includes a museum, café, library in addition to an operational church.

Visitors can explore the church’s seven halls that showcase sacred artifacts, indigenous art and a model of the city in its earliest state. Travelers should be sure to check out the famed Peace Bell—known by locals as Sino da Paz—which serves as a reminder of the need for peace, justice and empathy in Sao Paulo and across the world.

Practical Info

The church is located at Praca Pateo do Collegio, 2, Centro near the Se subway station. It is open Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. with classical music performances on the third Sunday of each month.

Tickets to the museum are available for R$5,00, and visitors can reserve guided tour spots Monday through Friday between 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Praca Pateo do Collegio, 2, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Open Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Museum: R$5,00

From $ 98

Parque de Las Esculturas

This peaceful park along the Mapocho River features several different types of sculpture, from representational to geometric and abstract, in natural materials such as stones, and also some of more distinctive pieces, such as a yellow cage-like structure, and a large metal cube made of parallel bars. The sculpture park is easily found by exiting the metro at Pedro de Valdivia and heading north, and you will recognize immediately that you are headed in the right direction as you cross over the Mapocho river on a bridge that is also dotted with sculptures. Alternatively, on your way out of Cerro San Cristobal, take a taxi or walk down to the Pedro de Valdivia side and walk a few peaceful blocks through the tony Pedro de Valdivia Norte neighborhood before entering the park.

The park is a quiet place for a picnic or to sit in the shade, and on clear days, there is a great view of the Andes to the east. A new administration building on the north side of the park can help you out if you have any questions, and just outside the park to the west is one of the city’s new Plazas Activas, a set of human powered, gym-like equipment if you want to get an outdoor workout in.

Practical Info

The park generally closes at dusk, but in January, the Providencia (the neighborhood the park is in) Jazz Festival is held there for a few nights. Didn’t get a ticket? Do what many other neighbors do, and pull up a chair or blanket outside. The acoustics are fine on either side of the fence.

Av. Santa Maria, Santiago 2201, Chile

From $ 38

Pedra Bonita

Many of the colorful hang gliders soaring over the city of Rio de Janeiro launch from the top of Pedra Bonita, a granite peak located within Tijuca National Park. From an elevation of 2,283 feet (696 meters), the views are stellar even for visitors who choose to forgo the hang gliding. Unlike some of Rio’s other peaks, Pedra Bonita has an easy trail to the top.

A mile-long (1.5-kilometer) trail climbs steadily toward the peak, and while there’s a significant elevation change along the way, there are steps on the steeper parts, so it’s no more difficult than climbing a staircase. Barra da Tijuca, Sugarloaf Mountain, Rocinha favela and Christ the Redeemer are all visible from the top.

Practical Info

Check the weather before heading out, as low cloud cover will almost completely obscure the views from the top.

Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 20531-590, Brazil

From $ 58

Parque Nacional Los Glaciares

Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (The Glaciers National Park) protects Argentina’s wild Patagonian expanses of icy glaciers and mountain lakes. With a massive 47 glaciers, the Andean ice cap is the largest outside Antarctica and Greenland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to several natural wonders, including Perito Moreno Glacier and Mount Fitz Roy.

The Basics

Parque Nacional Los Glaciares attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the world for its spectacular trekking, mountain climbing, and sport fishing. Most visitors come to see the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier, often on a day trip from El Calafate; other day-trip options include a trek to El Chaltén or guided horseback ride at Estancia Nibepo Aike. Those with more time can opt for a multi-day journey to some of the area’s other peaks and glaciers.

Things to Know Before You Go

Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is a must-visit for all first-time visitors to Patagonia.
Choose from among a wide variety of park activities, including boat rides, glacier treks, and horseback rides.
A full-day tour to the park from El Calafate typically lasts eight to 10 hours, depending on the option chosen; multi-day itineraries last anywhere from three to six days.
Remember to dress in warm layers, as conditions in the park can be chilly, even during summer.

How to Get There

The park’s main entrance lies 30 miles (49 kilometers) from El Calafate. While it’s possible to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier visitor center by driving, it’s more convenient to join a guided tour. Twice-daily buses take passengers from El Calafate to the glacier-lookout area.

When to Get There

Most travelers choose to explore Parque Nacional Los Glaciares during the Argentine summer, when the weather is at its warmest. Temperatures tend to run a bit cooler during the months of October, March, and April, but sparser crowds make for a more peaceful visit.

Other Glaciers in the National Park

While Perito Moreno is the most famous glacier in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, it’s not the only one—or even the largest. That distinction goes to the Upsala Glacier, South America’s largest, which is only accessible by boat from Punta Bandera. The Spegazzini Glacier boasts the biggest snout, with a wall measuring 440 feet (135 meters) tall.

Argentina

From $ 42

Paz Palace

Gaze up at the Paz Palace, and it’s easy to see why many consider Buenos Aires to be the Paris of South America. The mansion, designed to be the private residence of La Prensa founder Jose C. Paz, was built between 1902 and 1914 by French architect Louis Sortais. Paz died in Monaco in 1912, but while he never got to live in the palace he’d commissioned, his wife and children did.

When it was built, Paz Palace was the largest private residence in Buenos Aires, complete with 140 rooms and 40 bathrooms spread throughout its 129,000 square feet (12,000 square meters). All the construction materials and furnishings — marble, chandeliers, wood tiles and gold gilding — were imported from France.

Today, the palace serves as the headquarters of the Military Officers’ Association social club and also houses the National Museum of Armaments. English-language tours are offered weekly, allowing visitors to get a sense of just how opulent the palace was, as it still contains much of its original furnishings and fixtures.

Practical Info

The interior of the Paz Palace is accessible by guided tour only, so be sure to look up English tour times in advance and plan accordingly.

Av. Santa Fe 750, Buenos Aires C1059ABO, Argentina

From $ 37

Parque Forestal

Those looking to play and picnic in downtown Santiago always head to Parque Forestal. The park runs from an area near the Central Market up to Plaza Italia as a strip of greenery with walking paths, leafy trees, old-fashioned lamp posts, playgrounds and two of the city’s most important museums.

These are the Bellas Artes and the Museum of Contemporary Art, which stand back to back in the park near the metro Bellas Artes. The latter’s chunky Botero horse statue out front makes it easy to spot, while Bellas Artes faces the street José Miguel de La Barra.

Parque Forestal is popular among runners, walkers and families. On Sunday afternoons, street performers get together in the park to practice acrobatics and juggling, and once a month, there is an open-air flea market where anyone can register to sell household goods such as books and clothing. In the summer, the spots under the leafy platano oriental trees are the most coveted. The trees resemble American sycamores in appearance and provide the best shade for a leisurely afternoon.

The park continues eastward toward Providencia, passing the Fuente Alemana, a giant fountain that looks like a boat, and ending at Plaza Italia.

Practical Info

Most of the activity in Parque Forestal takes place near the two museums, easily accessible from the Bellas Artes metro. Visitors often take afternoon walks from the Central Market or Baquedano metro to the park.

Santiago, Chile

From $ 33

Pedra da Gavea

When Portuguese sailors entered Guanabara Bay in January 1502, they spotted Pedra da Gavea and thought its shape resembled a topsail of a ship, giving the now famous mountain its name. The granite peak rises 2,769 feet (844 meters) above sea level and plummets almost directly down toward the sea.

Under the administration of Tijuca National Park, Pedra da Gavea has a challenging but well-marked hiking trail to the top, where the views rival those from Sugarloaf and Corcovado. The entire hike takes about six hours to complete.

Practical Info

Guided hiking tours are a great way to trek Pedra da Gavea, as there is a short and steep ascent near the end of the trail that is easier with ropes and harnesses.

Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 22451-261, Brazil

From $ 74

Parque Explora

With its modernist façade, bright red roof and funky urban design, it’s clear from the outsetthat Parque Explora is a museum for the modern age. Fun, interactive and engaging for all ages, this is one of Colombia’s most popular science museums, with an incredible 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibitions.

The museum hosts over 300 interactive displays and activities, based around the themes of neuroscience, physics and communication, plus a 3D projection hall, a planetarium and an

impressive display of 22 animatronic dinosaurs. Another highlight is the indoor aquarium center, the largest freshwater aquarium in Latin America, where visitors can learn more about the Amazon region, spot over 400 different species of fish and see the world's most poisonous frog.

Practical Info

Parque Explora is located in the North zone of Medellín and is open Tues-Sun from 8.30am - 5.30pm, and Sat-Sun from 10am -6.30pm. Admission is COL$20,000.

Carrera 52 No. 73-75, Medellín, Colombia

Tues-Fri: 8.30am - 5.30pm; Sat-Sun: 10am - 6.30pm

COL$20,000 (Planetarium COL$12,000)

From $ 5

Parque Natural Metropolitano (Metropolitan National Park)

This amazingly accessible park claims to be Latin America's only municipal wildlife reserve, draped luxuriantly across 232 hectares (573 acres) in the city center. Though not exactly pristine (it was a key staging area the 1989 US invasion), it remains a remarkably well-preserved dry tropical forest, one of the world's most threatened biomes, walking distance from the modern city.

Though hikers never quite escape the drone of civilization, it's easy to forget when wandering 4km (2.5mi) of trails along the Curundo River and up Mirador Cerro Cedro (150m/492ft), the second highest spot in the city. Squirrel monkeys (mono titis), two- and three-toed sloths, coatis, green iguanas, toucans, and many other animals call the park home.

Practical Info

Any Albrook Station bus to the Gran Terminal can drop you at the Universidad de Panamá at Curundo, though taxis are more convenient.

The dry tropical forest is characterized by trees that shed their leaves from December to May, when it's easier to spot wildlife.

Avenida Juan Pablo II, between Avenida Ascanio Villalaz and Calle Amistad, Panamá City 0843-03129, Panama

Open 7am - 5pm daily

US$2

From $ 90

Parque de la Reserva

With 8 hectares of neo-classical gardens and pagodas, dotted with ornamental sculptures, Parque de la Reserva is a welcome pocket of greenery, located on the cusp of downtown Lima. Although the park was laid out in 1929 to commemorate the civilian armies of the War of the Pacific, it wasn’t until 2007 that it became a feature on tourist itineraries, opening its hugely popular Magic Water Circuit (Circuito Mágico del Agua).

The dazzling new installation features thirteen individual fountains, each with cybernetic or interactive qualities that perform an impressive light and water show, using state-of-the-art lighting effects, lasers and choreography to music. Currently holding the record for the world’s largest fountain complex in a public park, the Magic Water Circuit is a ticketed, self-guided attraction that has quickly garnered acclaim as one of the country’s most unique spectacles. Notable highlights include the Magic Fountain, the largest, reaching heights of over 80 meters; the Tunnel Fountain of Surprises, a 35-meter long walk-though tunnel of water; and the Fantasia Fountain, which forms the centerpiece of a mind-blowing music and picture show.

Santa Beatriz, Lima 15046, Peru

From $ 30