Central & South America Travelers Recommend

From the jungle of the Amazon to the icy wonderland of Patagonia, South America's wild topography is full of adventures. Whether it's learning to tango in Buenos Aires, trekking to Machu Picchu or cruising around the Galapagos Islands, there's something for every type of traveler. And best of all, with the Southern Hemisphere moving into autumn and winter, travelers can take advantage of low-season perks such as favorable hotel and airfare prices, fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Now is also a great time to snag a bargain on tours and activities thanks to a huge range of discounts and special offers. There's never been a better time to book, whether you're heading to South America this summer or planning for a future trip. Not sure where to start? Here are just a few of the continent’s best bits to add to your itinerary.

A heady blend of Spanish and African traditions, the tango developed in the brothels and communal backstreets of Buenos Aires’ poorer port districts in the 1880s. As an art form, the tango reached a climax in the first decades of the 20th century when the language of the streets formed the poetic lyrics of tango. This blend of tragedy and passion was fused in the love songs of famed tango singer Carols Gardel. Today, the tango has UNESCO World Heritage status, part of the world's 'intangible cultural heritage.' The tango spread from Argentina to Uruguay and Europe, but Buenos Aires remains its traditional home. Tango shows and culture are a huge draw card for visitors to the city, culminating each year with the celebrations of Tango Day on December 11.

A popular destination for cruise ships, the coastal resort of Puerto Madryn offers a range of outdoor activities. Go hiking or horse riding along the coast; take a trip to the Punta Tombo Penguin Colony. The undeniable highlight of El Calafate is the neighboring Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier, one of Patagonia’s most iconic sights. One day hiking or boating trips to see the glacier are possible, but with more time you could also include a visit to the remote Upsala Glacier. As the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia is the last frontier before Antarctica and dubbed the ‘end of the world’ by many arctic cruise liners. Choose from exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Tierra del Fuego National Park; sailing or kayaking among the islands of the famous Beagle Channel; riding the evocatively named End of the World train line.

Whichever way you see it, San Jose offers plenty of excitement for the first time and returning visitor alike. Spend day one orienting yourself to the city. Sign up for a city tour to get an overview of the city’s top sightseeing spots and attractions. Grab lunch at one of the many quaint Tico eateries that dot the city and then head over to the private adventure park to ride the Aerial Tram Atlantic. San Jose is the gateway to Costa Rica’s many beaches, rainforests, national parks and volcanoes. Embark on a sailing expedition passing the dense jungles of the Tortuguero National Park and witness what is one of the few remaining nesting sites of the gigantic green turtle. Visit some of San Jose’s cultural heritage as captured in its museums and galleries. If you’re there for the night, be sure to join the party for the city has a very vibrant nightlife.

With five days of dazzling parades held at Rio’s iconic Sambadrome, street parties erupting all around the city and more than 500,000 visitors flying in from all around the globe, Rio de Janeiro is famous for hosting the world’s biggest, boldest and brightest carnival celebrations and there’s no experience quite like it. The highlight of carnival season is attending one of the spectacular night parades at the Sambadrome, which sees the city’s 14 top Samba Schools compete with ever-more impressive parades, featuring flamboyant samba dancers, glittering costumes and gigantic floats. Be sure to pre-book your carnival parade tickets, as they are sure to sell out, or opt for a five-night Rio de Janeiro Carnival package and discover the best of the city during the annual carnival. Even if you’re not in the city for the party season, you can get a taste of Rio’s legendary carnival celebrations all year-round, with a behind-the-scenes visit to the Cidade do Samba

Spend the day relaxing and getting to know El Calafate, capital of Argentina’s glacier country. As you take a stroll through the heart of town, next day, the soaring icy walls of Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park await. Take a guided walk along pathways to the glacier face, for breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains, then on the third day cross over into Chile for the day to spend time amongst the granite pillars, turquoise lakes and jagged peaks of Torres del Paine National Park.

It’s not just lava that pours from this living mountain. Arenal is famous for its hot springs, rich with healing minerals and often developed into fantastic wonderlands, most with remarkable volcano views. The most famous, and beautiful, is Tabacón, a steaming river that pours through fantastically landscaped environs. Less flush travelers could try wet-and-wild Baldí, with waterslides and a more festive feel; The Springs, built around landscaped cascades; or secluded Eco Termales, a quiet spot with five family-friendly pools. Budget travelers can ask about the free springs, but please beware of thieves, who’ll make off with absolutely anything left unguarded! No matter which termales you choose, cool off with a drink and some healthy Tico cuisine at one of the fine restaurants in the adorably touristy town of La Fortuna, at the base of the volcano.

The vast majority of travelers come to Iquitos because it is the jumping off point for Peru’s fine selection of Amazon lodges. These are scattered along the region’s rivers (not only the Amazon itself), amidst its villages, and throughout its protected areas, offering the opportunity to commune almost completely with nature. Most lodges are accessible only by boat, and some operators will take you to several different lodges over the course of a multiple-day tour. Visits are all-inclusive and include meals and side trips, such as day hikes, piranha fishing, visits to local villages and much more. While it’s usually best to make reservations online well in advance, you can usually find rooms after you arrive in Iquitos. Keep in mind, however, that tours promising you the earth and sky are working on commission; take what they say (particularly about competing lodges) with several grains of salt.

Buenos Aires is a huge, sprawling city, but most areas of interest are in the compact and foot-friendly downtown. The locals call themselves porteños, celebrating the fact that Buenos Aires is a port city, born on the banks of the Rio de la Plata. Elegant and stylish, with a good-sized dollop of European ambiance, you can feel the passion in this busy city where the culture, nightlife, food and drink come with an eminently affordable price tag. Greet the day in El Microcentro, the 19th century city center, where proud porteños parade along Avenida Florida. Follow your nose to the neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral, or join a walking tour for a central B.A. overview. See what opera or ballet is showing at the elaborately gilded Teatro Colon theater, pay your respects to Eva Peron at the Recoleta Cemetery, and see what’s shaking in the gelati-hued enclave of La Boca.

Get a feeling for this world’s-end city by visiting the Museo del Fin del Mundo and its exhibits of Patagonian wildlife. Bone up the history of the former penal settlement and thriving port by visiting the Maritime Museum. Cruise from Ushuaia to say hello to the strait's penguin rookery at Estancia Harberton, and visit the homestead and Akatushun research museum. For wonderful views of the channel, ride the chairlift to the Martial Glacier for panoramic vistas over Ushuaia and the islands. Short two-hour cruises pass islands inhabited by fur seals and the channel’s remote lighthouse. Pack a picnic and visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park for a day in the great outdoors, following remote walking trails past beaches, bays and forested valleys. Join a tour to go trekking and canoeing along the Lapataia River and Lake Roca.