Things to Do in Central And South America

The gigantic Maracana Stadium (Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho) is one of the most iconic soccer temples in South America, built to open the 1950 World Cup. The site holds the record for the largest attendance at a World Cup Final thanks to the 199,854 paying spectators who crammed into the stadium in 1950 and also hosted the FIFA World Cup Final again in 2014 and the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. Officially known as Mário Filho Stadium but called Maracana after the small river that runs alongside it, the arena is now a historical site dedicated to its former use as a world-class arena and event venue.

More than just a mountainous outpost, there is a certain allure about Lake Titicaca which has given the area nearly mythical status among travelers. In addition to being known as the highest navigable lake in the world (it does, after all, sit at an elevation of 12,500 feet), arguments could be made that Lake Titicaca is also among the world's most scenic. Rung by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes for most parts of the year, standing and watching the sun set from Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) is an experience akin to standing on top of the world.

When exploring Isla del Sol, a rocky island which sits just offshore of the port town of Copacabana, the hardest part of the journey is climbing the stone stairways in the thin and brisk mountain air. There are no motorized vehicles or roadways on Isla del Sol. It's the type of place where you could easily see a traditionally dressed Aymara woman driving home her two llamas while you're stopped on the side of the trail catching your breath.

Other Bolivian islands within the lake include Isla de La Luna (Island of the Moon) and the island of Suriqui. Though these are lesser visited than the postcard-perfect Isla del Sol, it isn't to say that they aren't equally worth a visit. Like the neighboring Islas de Uros in Peru (better known as "The Floating Islands"), the people of Suriqui still practice the ancient craft of constructing boats made out of reeds in order to navigate the cool, 53-degree lake waters.

The scenery, altitude and islands aside, what gives Lake Titicaca its undeniable magic is the strong sense of indigenous culture so firmly rooted around this lake in the sky. It's a part of South America where Spanish is still a second language for Quechua or Aymara speaking villagers, technology is less prominent than in other parts of the country and the soaring vistas stretching to the Altiplano make it easy to imagine Lake Titicaca existing now as it always has been.

Medellin, birthplace of Botero, loves modern art. And though the tiny original museum (which still hosts some exhibits) was nice, in 2009 the city decided to remodel the fashionably industrial Talleres Robledo Steel Mill in Ciudad del Rio, near the posh Poblado District, as the new and improved home of the Medellin Museum of Modern Art.

The cement-floored structure offers significantly more space to show off the museum's growing collection, and also holds a small cinema and event space. The new building, however, will soon be augmented by an annex, designed to resemble a challenging game of Jenga. The gift shop is inspired and surprisingly affordable.

Morro Branco's red colored cliffs are an easy day trip from Fortaleza. While looking strikingly red from a distance (particularly when contrasted with the surrounding white dunes), when explored up close, you can see that the sand cliffs have a number of pink, cream and beige colored hues that together form their distinctive overall color.

The area can be explored via a warren of tracks that flow, maze-like, between the cliffs. Local guides are on hand at the Morro Branco village, to steer you through and point out the most interesting sections. You can also arrange buggy rides along the beach here or walk to the lighthouse.

Morro Branco craftsmen fill small bottles with the sand of varying tones to create a quite unique souvenir. You can buy the colored sand bottles along the beach and in the village.

Built around 1730, this large ancestral house is an excellent well-preserved example of baroque-mestizo architecture. The name of the house has nothing to do with ethics, but instead derives from the ancient mulberry ("moras") tree in the central courtyard. Visitors will enter through a white sillar arch adorned with precisely detailed carvings of figures and symbols. For instance, one of the them is a coat of arms made of smaller carvings including a puma, bird, castle and two crossed keys, held up by two angels, while a crown floats above.

Inside, you'll find sculptures, furniture, embellishments and artwork, including pieces from the Cusco School of Painting, one of the most important in American Art. Immersing yourself in this world will make you feel like a wealthy Peruvian during the 16th century. Out back, you can stroll through a small but well-manicured garden that is nice for taking pictures. There is also a small museum focused on Peruvian banknotes, as well as a map collection charting South American development.

The Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Guatemala City, is the main church of Guatemala City. Located in the heart of town, the main portion of it was built between 1782 and 1815. About 50 years later, the towers were finished. The impressive baroque/neo-classical building with a blue dome is earthquake proof "“ it's withstood numerous quakes (it was damaged by two earthquakes and repaired).

Inside there is a collection of work which was originally from the Cathedral of Antigua Guatemalan. In addition, the altars are preserved and feature images of saints and other work from the Cathedral of Antigua Guatemala as well.

Be sure to take a moment and pay respect to the tragic recent history of the country at the 12 pillars, located in front of the cathedral. These pillars were resurrected to pay tribute to the murders and disappearance of thousands of people during the civil war from 1960s through 1996.