Things to Do in Central And South America

The Salado River (Rio Juramento) flows some 715 miles (1,150 km) from its source in Salta Province to where it dumps into the Paraná in Santa Fe Province. The portion of the river that runs through Salta has become famous among outdoor adventurers for its rapids, perfect for rafting and kayaking.

San Antonio de los Cobres, 104 miles (168 km) west of Salta, got its start as a mining town, thanks to the copper-rich mountains that surround it. The mining industry has faded, and today, the town’s livelihood comes mainly from the tourist industry, as it’s a stop on the famous Tren a las Nubes (Train of the Clouds).

For those who don’t want to book their tour dates six months in advance for the Inca Trail (especially during high season from June through August, when permits sell out quickly), the Salkantay Trail is a great alternative. Not only is it easier to plan because you don’t need to book in advance, it’s more affordable, less touristy and is often said to have a more authentic feel than the classic Inca Trail. Salkantay is a remote and scenic trek located in the same region as the Inca Trail, and immerses you in a world of glaciers, villages, lakes, tropical valleys, mountains, jungle and more, with postcard-worthy views every step of the way.

Keep a lookout for the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, an impressive peak at 20,570 feet (6,270 meters). On the fourth day of the trek you come to the cloud forest-covered town of Aguas Calientes, named for its hot thermal baths which you can rest your tired muscles in.

Typically hikers spend the night in a hotel before taking an early morning train to Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highlight of the journey. After hiking the challenging Salkantay Trek for four days, you’ll really feel like you earned the right to be there. Keep in mind you’ll be trekking at high altitudes, so make sure to arrive in Cusco a few days early to acclimatize.

Don’t let the name fool you—Ruins Park, or Parque das Ruinas in Portuguese—isn’t just some abandoned relic of a bygone era. Well, the venue had been the mansion of a well-known Rio socialite, Laurinda Santos Lobo, whose early 20th-century balls were legendary. After her death in 1946, the house fell into disrepair, only to be salvaged by the city government in the 1990s and turned into this increasingly popular exhibition space and live music venue, complete with an al fresco café and one of the best views in the city.

Perched high atop one of the quieter hillsides of Santa Teresa, the restored complex features a beguiling mash-up of 19th- and 20th-century architecture, with an exposed brick façade and colonnaded veranda standing warmly next to Modernist metal and glass accents. During the summer, the outdoor concert series includes local jazz and samba bands, as well as children’s performances that add a decidedly familial air to an otherwise romantic ambiance. Be sure not to miss the marvelous weekend brunch served up with a stunning panorama of the marvelous city.

One of the most otherworldly sights to see in the Salta area is Salinas Grandes, a giant salt plain that seems to glisten in the sunlight and spread out as far as the eye can see. The flat expanse of almost blindingly white salt crust and the (usually) clear blue sky together create a vista similar to the more famous salt flats of Bolivia.

Lording over the heart of the city, the immense Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption—abbreviated to Catedral da Sé in reference to its status as the seat of the local Roman Catholic archbishop—almost seems out of place with its mid-century Modernist neighbors. In fact, the current neo-Gothic structure is the third incarnation of the cathedral, the first church having been established in 1589. Designed by German architect Maximilian Hehl in 1912, construction on the current church began the following year, only coming to full completion in 1967, a full 50 years after Hehl himself died and 13 years after the cathedral was inaugurated for São Paulo’s 400th anniversary in 1954.

One of the largest neo-Gothic structures in the world and certainly the largest in Brazil, the cathedral’s massive dimensions include a length of 364 feet, a 98-foot dome, and a height of 301 feet from ground level to the tip of the twin spires. The 12,000-pipe organ is among the largest in South America and the church houses a vast number of religious artworks, including colorful mosaics and stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes. With capacity for 8,000 parishioners, there is plenty of room for the devout and the curious.