Things to Do in Central And South America

Located in Lima’s historical district, the Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas isn’t the largest church, but it’s one of the city’s most beloved buildings for the painting that lies inside. With its soaring façade and pastel exterior, the building contributes to the colonial feel that’s so prominent in this old part of town, and was built in 1771 after a major earthquake destroyed many of Lima’s original buildings. For all its external beauty, however, it’s the Cristo Moreno painting that has brought it to international fame. Painted by a freed, African slave in the middle of the 17th century, it has miraculously made it through devastating earthquakes and escaped completely unscathed. As the church is dedicated to Lord of Miracles—the patron saint of Lima—the painting’s survival is seen as a physical manifestation of miracles, and when it isn’t hanging behind the main altar, it’s the center of a festival where thousands of revelers parade through the streets of old town. You can visit the church independently, or as part of a half-day, guided tour that visits Lima’s sanctuaries.

One of the cleanest and best-maintained beaches on the island of Roatan, Sandy Bay Beach is just another beautiful escape waiting for discovery. Less busy than West End but still boasting a nice sampling of restaurants and houses, this beach is perfect for an escape with easy access to the rest of the island. A long strip of coastline punctuated by storefronts, Sandy Bay Beach not only offers the usual sleepy beach feel with dips in the aquamarine ocean, but also holds some secret hideaways, local taco shacks, and even the odd massage parlor. Great snorkeling is found 200 yards offshore.

Inaugurated on Oct. 2, 1580, 40 years after Arequipa was founded, the Santa Catalina Monastery (Monastery of St Catherine) has grown to become a city in itself. In fact, its design resembles the original city streets of Arequipa. especially given the white sillar structures the city is known for. The monastery is also made of ashlar, or petrified volcanic ash, coming from Volcan Chachani which overlooks Arequipa.

Visitors can explore the monastery independently or with a guide, wandering through narrow streets, ambient courtyards, peaceful plazas and ancient churches. Along with the historical churches and chapels, the cloisters are also especially noteworthy; the Main Cloister is the largest in the monastery and features both paintings and confessionals, while the Cloister of the Oranges includes three beautiful crosses residing among vibrant orange trees. You should also explore some of the streets, such as Cordova Street, which has a mix of old and new architecture; Sevilla Street, originally the gateway to the first church of St Catherine; and Plaza Zocodover, where nuns once congregated on Sundays to trade religious handicrafts.

Santa Domingo Plaza graces the southern edge of Quito’s Old Town and is easily missed by visitors. It’s an airy plaza, dominated by the imposing Santo Domingo Cathedral on its southeastern side. In the center of the square a statue of hero Antonio José de Sucre points towards Pichincha Volcano where he won the battle for Ecuador’s independence in 1822.

The Santo Domingo Cathedral dates back to 1581 and houses an impressive statue of the Virgen del Rosario in an ornately carved baroque-style chapel. If you visit the plaza at night, the cathedral’s domes look beautiful floodlit.

The Plaza comes alive on weekends when neighboring Quiteños converge on the square to watch the various acrobats, jugglers and magicians go through their routines.