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.

Cusco is the central hub of the Sacred Valley, a magnet for lovers of Inca handicrafts and ruins, colonial charm and churches. Get to know Cusco and its famous markets from the ground up on a Cusco Markets and Ruins Small Group Tour. You’ll take a guided walk through busy San Pedro Market, joining locals shopping for dinner, then visit the impressive Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the source of much of the stone used to build Cusco. Cusco is known for its richly ornamented baroque churches, the most famous being the 1560s cathedral filled with colonial art and gold decoration on central Plaza de Armas. The oldest church in Cusco, the Iglesia de El Triunfo, is on the right of the cathedral. One of the most ornate of Cusco’s churches is Iglesia de La Compania, with its decorative baroque facade also on Plaza de Armas. Cusco is surrounded by the Quechua hill towns of the Sacred Valley, ideal for a day trip into the countryside of terraced fields.

Begin your day on Amador Causeway, with magnificent city views. Next, immerse yourself in Panama's frenetic downtown, where the world's wares are on endless display. You can step back from this globalized future with a visit to the quiet ruins of Panamá Viejo, or recently revitalized colonial old town of Casco Viejo. After taking in a museum or city beach, dance the night away.While the dream tour is a ten-hour, full-transit cruise along the full length of the Canal, other options include half-transit trips and even shorter jaunts to one of the islands scattered across Lake Gatún. Panama City is close to some of the most easily accessible tropical forests in the Americas, beginning with Parque Natural Metropolitano, which even shoestring travelers can enjoy. More adventurous visitors could head north to the protected rainforests of Soberania National Park and Barro Colorado, both perfect for a day trip.

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.

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.

Your first day in Rio is perhaps best spent getting oriented to the city. Get a bird’s eye helicopter view of the marvelous city guarded by giant granite rocks and vast blue oceans. Alternatively roam downtown on foot or bicycle and mingle with the charming locals while learning of the city’s fascinating lore and history. Follow this up with a delectable seafood lunch cruise that sails past the beaches of Niteroi. On day two, it’s time to hit the sun, sea and surf! Indulge yourself with a tropical islands cruise complete with an island lunch or set sail to the Angra dos Reis archipalego. Cruise around Guanabara Bay and glimpse the spectacular Sugar Loaf Mountain. If you prefer basking in the lazy beach culture of some of the world’s best beaches, Ipanema and Copacabana are as good as any. A holiday in Rio is incomplete without a tour of the famed trifecta of Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf which includes a ride through the Tijuca Rain forest.

Arenal National Park lies within the 790 square-mile Arenal Tilaran Conservation Area and is home to Arenal Volcano, the most active volcano in the country. The park is also known for its incredibly diverse wildlife. Most of Costa Rica’s 850 identified bird species can be spotted within the park’s borders, including the endangered and elusive quetzal. Hiking in Arenal National Park will get you the closest (legal) view of Arenal volcano. Hiking is only permitted on marked trails and due to safety concerns (this is an active volcano, after all), it is forbidden to hike near the crater at the top of Arenal volcano. The volcano is unpredictable and there is a strong possibility of death if you venture into restricted zones. The park offers four marked hiking trails that take you over old lava flows and through secondary rainforest and savanna.

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.