Things to Do in Central And South America

The Inca site of Qorikancha forms the foundations of the colonial church of Santo Domingo, creating an unusual combination of monolithic Inca and arched colonial architecture.

Qorikancha means ‘Golden Courtyard’, and in Inca times the temple walls were clad with 700 sheets of solid gold, proving a tempting lure for the conquistadors. The gold sheets and gold and silver statues are gone, melted down and recast by the Spanish, but the impressively hewn curved wall of basalt stonework remains.

The temple complex is thought to have been built by the first Inca emperor, Manco Capac, 100 years before the coming of the Spaniards. It was built as an observatory and religious temple to the sun, housing the mummified bodies of the Inca rulers.

When you enter the courtyard, imagine the octagonal front clad with solid gold, flanked by temples to the moon and the stars draped in solid silver.

The first 30 miles (50 km) of the road from Cafayate to Salta in northwestern Argentina has become a tourist destination in its own right, in large part due to the spectacular scenery of Quebrada de Las Conchas (Canyon of the Shells). The site comprises a series of red rock formations eroded into various shapes that have earned each their own nickname.

The high Andean starry nights, combined with the cold Atacama winds, can chill the unprepared tourist to the bone. Happily, however, these mountains are volcanic, and pour forth the planet's heat into a series of steaming pools, the Puritama Hot Springs.

The name "puritama" simply means "hot water" in an ancient, pre-Inca tongue, suggesting that these medicinal springs have been used for millennia. With high concentrations of relaxing lithium and minerals accorded all sorts of health benefits, they are guaranteed to mellow you out. Temperatures hover around 33°C (91°F), so they aren't ridiculously hot, making daytime visits a treat.

Though most pools have been left in a relatively natural state, there are changing rooms, eateries, campsites, trails, handicrafts vendors and other improvements all around.

Only two craters in the world are inhabited—and Pululahua is one of them. Essentially a fog-filled, fertile bowl set 9,000 feet in the sky, Pululahua is the only crater in the world that’s also actively farmed. Though the area rarely ever receives rain, the rolling fog provides ample moisture for raising fields full of crops. Most people who visit, however, only make it as far as the overlooks, which are dotted along the crater rim and offer sweeping views of the basin. Those with a little more time, however, and a healthy dose of adventure, can hike, bike, or horseback ride the trails to the crater floor. Once here, walk amongst a rural setting that feels like it’s frozen in time. Gone are the urban trappings of Quito and the incessant hum of cars, which are replaced by the sounds of smiling farmers who still work the ground by hand. Aside from the trails, farmers, and fog, Pululahua is famously known for its ecological wealth. The crater is a geobotanical reserve with over 2,000 species of plants, and was the first place in South America preserved as a National Park. It’s even possible to sleep in the crater in simple, traditional hostels, and even if you can only spend 30 minutes admiring the view from the rim, this spot the Inca dubbed “cloud of water” is a site you’ll never forget.

Because Punta del Este is known as the “Monaco of South America,” it would only make sense to visit the city’s famous Punta del Este Yacht Club. While a bit pricey, the restaurant here will really make you feel like you’re living the high life. Mix the classy ambiance and delicious food with a glass of pinot, a bit of jazz music and a multi-colored sunset, and you’ll truly be experiencing the best Punta del Este has to offer. The balcony offers great ocean views, and you can watch the many yachts and sailboats as they dock and set sail. The staff at the yacht club are very welcoming to visiting sailors, and several regattas, including the Rolex Cup, are hosted here throughout the year.

Punta Arenas is the largest and most commercially important city in Patagonian Chile. Located on the Strait of Magellan, it has long been a stop for European adventurers and traders and, as a result, is a true melting pot of cultures. In addition to being a port of call for South American cruises, this city of 100,000 is a departure point for expeditions to Antarctica.

How to Get to Punta Arenas
Cruise ships dock at either Arturo Prat or Mardones/Bahia Catalina Pier. If you arrive at Arturo Prat, the center of town is an easy 10- to 15-minute walk from the port or a short taxi ride. Coming from Bahia Catalina, a taxi is your best option and should cost $10-$15.

One Day in Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is easily walkable and you can see many of the main sights in a few hours – either on your own or with a guide. Your starting point should be the central plaza, Plaza Munoz Gamero, where you can pick up a map from the tourism kiosk. If the weather is good, you may also find locals selling their crafts in the plaza. Browse the stands and snap a few pictures of the statue of explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Then, pay a visit to two museums near the plaza: the 19th-century Palacio Sara Braun and the Museo Regional de Magellanes, which features interesting displays about the history of Punta Arenas.

Next, check out the municipal cemetery, located about nine blocks north of Plaza Munoz Gamero. Crypts and mausoleums belonging to English, Portuguese, Spanish, Croatian and other colonial settlers reflect the vast cultural diversity of the city. From there, make your way to the Nao Victoria Museum, a new interactive museum that includes a full-size replica of the ship that Ferdinand Magellan used to circumnavigate the globe.

Finally, spend some time wandering around the streets surrounding the main plaza, including Avenida Bories, the city’s main shopping street. Pick up an alpaca sweater, lapis lazuli (gemstones) or some wooden handicrafts before heading back to the port.

If you’re interested in visiting penguins, a half-day excursion will take you to Otway Sound, about an hour from Punta Arenas, while a slightly longer trip might head to Isla Magdalena in the middle of the Strait of Magellan. If you are looking for a more active adventure, you can book a guided kayak tour into the Strait.

Port Information
The official language is Spanish and very little English is spoken. The local currency is the Chilean peso, but US dollars, and even Euros, are widely accepted at tourist-oriented establishments. Credit cards are also commonly accepted and several ATM's are located around the city’s main plaza. The cruise terminal has restrooms and an internet café, but not much else.

Following the Rio Grande Valley through northern Argentina and all the way to Bolivia is the beautiful Quebrada de Humahuaca, a colorful, craggy gorge with walls striped in shades of pink, red, lavender and gray. The multi-hued landscape is so unique that it earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list, but its natural beauty isn't the only reason to visit.

Puerto Varas is popular as the smaller, less accessible port town just 15 minutes from Puerto Montt, overlooking beautiful Lago Llanquihue and the snowcapped peak of Osorno Volcano. 

The pretty city attracts active travelers with wonderful hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and fishing opportunities; you could arrange to scale that magnificent volcano if you have the time. But Puerto Varas is a cultural gem as well, with its wonderful German architecture exemplified by the red, wooden spires of the hilltop cathedral. The city is also well known for its German-accented cuisine, in particular the tasty kuechen, or cakes, just desserts after a busy day exploring the countryside.

Considered one of Argentina’s most postcard-worthy towns, Purmamarca lies in the province of Jujuy just north of Salta, beneath the shadows of the spectacular Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors). The area's collection of adobe houses and 17th-century Spanish colonial church are pretty in their own right, but the backdrop of jagged hills displaying layers of red, purple, yellow and orange makes for a particularly vivid sight in the early hours when the rising sun illuminates the natural tapestry.

On the south shore of Lake Lacár in San Martin de los Andes, Quila Quina exists as a fusion of holiday homes and culture. Here on this string of sandy beaches looking out at Lanin National Park, modern lakefront vacation homes combine with the Mapuche village of Curruhuinca for an Andean village like no other. On a sunny day, take the ferry from San Martin de los Andes to the happening Quila Quina port, where shops sell wooden, handmade crafts from native Mapuche residents. Hire a kayak or windsurf board and brave the chilly lake temps, or bask on one of the sandy beaches that dot the winding lakeshore. A number of short walks lead out from the village towards secluded beaches and coves, and you can even access some mineral springs just a short hike from the village. Before catching the ferry back to San Martin de los Andes, sit on the dock with some coffee or chocolate and watch as the sun fades gently behind the snow-capped Andean peaks.  

The Quechua are the indigenous people of the Andes, and their language is also called Quechua. The Inca used the Quechua language to unify their empire, fanning out from Cusco, where the language was also influenced by Aymara.

The word Quechua was used to describe an area of land that was suitable for growing maize, and it remains the ideal word to describe the fertile Sacred Valley.

Today the Quechua villages provide a window into the past, inhabited by the Inca descendants who have preserved the handicraft traditions of their forebears.

Visit a Quechua village like Pisac, Pisco or Chincheros on market day and you’ll get a real feel for daily life in these Andean mountain towns. Bartering and haggling are the norm, and the stalls are filled with colorful woven clothing, rugs, ceramics and toys.

To join in community life in a Quechua village, join a Sacred Valley Community Small Group Tour to Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Along the way you’ll visit a traditional Quechua village and have the chance to meet the locals and join in a community activity if you like - depending on the time of year, it could be fishing, farming, sport, cooking or teaching.

Sitting on a narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya, Puntarenas is a gateway to exploring the best of Costa Rica’s natural beauty and ecological diversity. It is also the country’s most important fishing port and a popular holiday destination for Costa Ricans.

How to Get to Puntarenas
If you are lucky, your ship will dock right in Puntarenas; other cruise ships may dock at Puerto Caldera, which is 20 minutes away from Puntarenas by taxi. In Puntarenas, you will arrive at the base of the Paseo de las Turistas, the main tourist drag.

One Day in Puntarenas
Without much to see in Puntarenas itself, you will most likely spend your day on an excursion. The Monteverde Cloud Forest, Poas Volcano National Park and the Carara National Park are all popular day trip destinations and possible activities include horseback riding or hiking through the rainforest, kayaking, whitewater rafting, birdwatching and ziplining.

If you are looking for a slightly more relaxing way to spend your day, you might try a visit to the town of Sarchi, about 40 minutes from Puntarenas. The drive itself is pleasant and the town offers a variety of unique souvenirs including colorful crafts and leather goods. Or, arrange an excursion to a local coffee plantation, where you can learn about the coffee-making process and sample some of Costa Rica’s best brews.

For those who opt to hang around town, you can stroll along the Paseo de las Turistas, a beachfront walkway that is bursting with shops, open air food counters and restaurants.

Port Information
Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica, but those in the tourist industry will likely speak and understand some English. The local currency is the Costa Rican colon, but most merchants and taxi drivers will accept US dollars, giving you change in colones.