Top 10 destinations in Latin America
Latin America has something for everyone, whether you want history, culture, nightlife, adventure, nature or anything in between. Here are the top 10 Spanish-speaking destinations in Latin America.
1 Buenos Aires
In the Argentine capital every wish can be fulfilled. Whether you want to tango in the streets, party all night in the clubs, store all day or stand on the terraces of River Plate or Boca Juniors, Buenos Aires is truly a 24-hour city.
2 Angel Falls
Only because of their height the Angel Falls in Canaima National Park in Venezuela are already unique. At 907 meters high and with an uninterrupted drop of 807 meters, the world's highest waterfall rivals Niagara Falls 16 times over! There are a variety of ways to get to the falls – trekking on foot or in the cuiaras (canoes) – but probably the most spectacular is flying over the falls.
3 Galapagos Islands
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and explore the 22 Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador to admire the flora and fauna. Some call the islands the world's largest zoo, but remember, just look, don't touch!
4 Patagonia
Whether you prefer to relax in nature or get more active, Patagonia has much to offer. Chile's national parks, fjords, glaciers, mountains, and lakes can be experienced firsthand in your free time or during many adventure activities.
5 Machu Picchu
The most spectacular and popular tourist spot in Peru offers breathtaking views of the ancient ruined Inca city built in the sky overlooking the Urubamba River. Since Machu Picchu 2.400 meters above sea level, the somewhat arduous walk is not for the faint of heart. You will need to acclimatize due to altitude sickness. But the effort is definitely worth it.
This small city is located on the Pacific coast in Mexico and has a tropical climate, fantastic beaches and many cultural attractions. Puerto Vallarta, once the friendliest city in the world, is a popular destination for tourists from Mexico and the U.S.
7 Iguazú Waterfalls
Argentina and Brazil are separated by the Iguazu River, where the largest waterfalls in the world can be found. Larger than Niagara Falls and twice as wide, the 275 cascades that spread across 2 miles of the river in a horseshoe shape are among the most impressive natural wonders in the world. Tours and boat trips are available on the Argentine side of the waterfalls.
Revered by the Incas as the cradle of their civilization, Lake Titicaca, at 196 km, is the largest lake in South America. The water body is the remnant of an ancient inland sea and has freezing water due to its altitude and snow from the Andes Mountains. Discover the myths and legends that surround this sacred region and visit the Uros, who lived before the Incas, on their floating islands of reeds.
9 Easter Islands
Known as the navel of the world, Easter Island or Rapa Nui is the most isolated inhabited island on the planet, 3.200 km from Tahiti and Chile. Learn more about the Moai (statues made of volcanic stone), which are 5.5 meters high.Visit the ruins to see how the first Europeans saw this mysterious place.
Since 1533, Cartagena has been an important port in the Caribbean, alive with the sounds, smells and sights of trade. Regular raids by pirates prompted the defense of the city walls, which still stand today. Visitors today enjoy colonial history, modern nightlife and fantastic weather.