Things to Do in Central And South America

Though Tortuguero National Park is home to monkeys and caimans, it’s the multiple species of wild sea turtles that give this park its fame. Here on remote, Caribbean beaches completely devoid of development, clusters of Green and Hawksbill turtles will lay their eggs in the sand, as do Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles that move in the cover of darkness. For the chance to encounter turtles on shore, visit as part of a multi-day tour and head to the beaches at night, where you’ll scan the sand for turtle tracks using only the beam of a flashlight. Aside from the evening turtle sessions, highlights of visiting the National Park including boating the freshwater lagoons, where canals and networks of inland rivers provide a pristine habitat for over 300 species of birds. Even the town of Tortuguero is a literal sight in itself, where a tiny community of around 500 residents exists in a town that’s free of cars or roads to the outside world. Despite the degree of remoteness, however, Tortuguero National Park is one of the country’s most popular, and is possible to visit as a part of an all-day tour from San José.

Though it may seem counterintuitive, considering the harsh climate of this impossibly dry, high-altitude region, the Atacama Desert has hosted human settlement for thousands of years. The Tulor Village, as it is known, is one of the most tantalizing archaeological clues these mysterious early settlers left behind. 

Only about 10% of the village, a human-sized honeycomb of square and circular adobe structures, has been excavated. The city was occupied by 800BC, and at its peak had several hundred inhabitants. There are few artifacts on hand at the site, but photographers will find the enigmatic earthworks a tempting subject, particularly in the morning or late afternoon. 

Like the shores of Sono, Trindade Beach requires travelers take a bit of a hike before basking in the rays of South American sun. But visitors to this quiet haven 30 kilometers south of Paraty say the distinctly island vibe, reggae sounds, fresh fish and strong cocktails make this beach feel like a piece of paradise. A short 20-minute hike through thick forests, past Cachadaco Beach, ends at soft sand and warm clear waters. Be sure to venture to the nearby circle of boulders that hides a natural swimming pool perfect for a peaceful post-hike dip.

While it may be hard to pull away from Rio’s white sand beaches, there’s more to the vibrant Brazilian city than sand and Sugarloaf Mountain. One of those spots is Tiradentes Palace, a soaring, concrete, exquisite palace that’s named for “Tiradentes,” a Brazilian revolutionary who was jailed while fighting for the nation’s independence. While his cell once stood on the very ground where the palace stands today, when the palace was constructed in 1926, it not only adopted the hero’s name, but was also built with sculptures atop the dome that represent independence. When standing in front of the spectacular palace and admiring from the outside, gaze upwards at the concrete, Corinthian columns rising 40 feet in height. Inside, paintings by Brazilian Rodolfo Chambelland accompany displays recounting the building’s modern political history. The palace was where the National Congress gathered until 1960, and is used today by Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro. 

High on the Altiplano of Bolivia at over 13,000 feet, the ancient city of Tiwanaku sits like a frozen time capsule of Andean history. Not as famous and totally different than the neighboring ruins at Machu Picchu, Tiwanaku is a mysterious city lying windswept and haggard which has mystified scholars for multiple centuries.

The ruins are believed to be the ancient capital city of a Tiwanaku Empire which once stretched across Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and held over 100,000 inhabitants inside of its towering walls. Now this UNESCO World Heritage site is located about a 1.5-hour drive from the modern day capital city of La Paz and is reached by crossing the arid, frigid plains of the Bolivian highlands. Doable as a day trip from La Paz, the modern town of Tiwanaku also boasts modest accommodations for those wanting some extended exploration of the ruins. The reward for journeying to this remote part of the plains, however, is being able to wander among one of the most fascinating and mind-boggling sites in Latin America.

To the untrained eye, the ruins at Tiwanaku might be nothing more than some old stones set out in the dirt. To those who have been educated on the theories and history of the ancient Tiwanaku Empire, however, every turn in the ancient city unveils a new mystery for which scholars fail to find any answers. Given the high degree of knowledge needed to properly enjoy Tiwanaku, it’s recommended to visit either as part of a tour or hire a local and knowledgeable guide.

For example, many of the large stone slabs which are used in buildings such as the 50-foot-tall Akapana Pyramid, are not found anywhere else in the indigenous area. Furthermore, subterranean studies have shown that in areas such as Puma Punku there is evidence of underground, man-made structures which exist over six feet below the current surface of the Earth, a geological conundrum which confounds scholars as to how they could have gotten down there.

Undoubtedly one of the more magical - if not cold - spots in the surrounding La Paz area, traveling to Tiwanaku is a journey into a forgotten society for which more questions than answers tend to remain.