5 Reasons to fall in love with Latin America

1 – Iconic sights meet secret corners

From the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu to the Blue Hole atoll, the region is home to the icons you’ve dreamed of seeing in real life. Walk among fearless prehistoric-looking creatures in the Galapagos, gaze up at the granite towers of Patagonia, or wander the ruins of Tikal and Chichen Itza. These are the heavy-hitters for good reason — awe-inspiring and unforgettable.

Stray purposefully from the beaten track to discover the magic of lesser-known places. Trade Machu Picchu for Kuelap — an ancient fortress high in Peru’s north, surrounded by cloud forests, waterfalls and eerie cliffside sarcophagi. Swap Chichen Itza for Uxmal, where crowds are few but the ruins are just as mighty. In Guatemala, bypass the bustle of Tikal for the jungle-guarded site of Uaxactun.

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Looking for remote nature? Whale-watch on Colombia’s wild Pacific coast. Hike through the silent valleys of Chile’s Futaleufú. Birdwatch in Panama’s Coiba National Park. Or wander the remote island of Chiloé in southern Chile, where myths, fog, and sea shanties hang in the air. This is where Latin America whispers its secrets — if you’re paying attention.

2 – Extraordinary Scenery

Latin America’s landscapes come with a serious wow factor. Vast salt flats that dazzle like mirrors. Lava-scarred deserts that look like Martian film sets. Waterfalls hidden deep in lost valleys. And mountain ranges so dramatic you’ll feel you’re inside your screensaver.

Sure, you’ve heard of the Atacama Desert and Salar de Uyuni — the driest desert and the largest salt flats on Earth. But how about the Puna? Remote, rugged, and rarely mentioned, it’s a high-altitude wilderness where you can drive for hours without seeing another soul. No roads. No GPS. Just a surreal sea of colour and silence.

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Want more? Go north to Mexico’s Copper Canyon, wider and deeper than the Grand Canyon. Or east to Brazil’s Chapada Diamantina, where jungle-choked canyons give way to tabletop mountains. Or south to Patagonia, where granite peaks claw at the sky above glacial lakes. Wherever you are, the landscape makes you feel gloriously small.

3 – Flavours that fire up your soul

In Peru and Mexico, you’ll find Michelin stars and food stalls happily coexisting — both worthy, both unforgettable. Grab a pisco sour and a plate of zingy ceviche in Lima. Or explore Oaxaca’s complex cocoa ‘moles’ and smoky mezcals, where every bite is full of history.

In Brazil and Argentina, meat takes centre stage. Gaucho-style BBQs are a religion, empanadas a daily ritual. Bahia’s seafood stews, spiked with coconut milk and chilli, bring a splash of Caribbean soul. And vegetarians? Don’t worry. There’s plenty for you too.

4 – A cultural kaleidoscope

Latin America’s story is long, layered, and far from linear.

The Spanish and Portuguese influence is seen in the grand colonial centres and quaint cobbled mountain villages. But scratch the surface and a deeper history reveals itself — one still alive in the rhythms, rituals and everyday life of the people.

In Peru alone, more than 90 languages are spoken. In Belize, you’ll hear the drums of Garifuna culture, blending African, Amazonian and Caribbean influences. In Chile’s Rapa Nui — better known as Easter Island — Polynesian heritage reigns.

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Some places feel untouched. The tribes of the Amazon. The red-roofed villages of Bolivia’s Chiquitos missions. The misty hills of Minas Gerais. Others are buzzing with cosmopolitan flair — think Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Mexico City. Across the board, one thing is true: people matter. And in Latin America, you’re not just a visitor — you’re a welcome guest.

5 – Wildlife that thrills and surprises

Who says safari is only for Africa?

In Latin America, nature comes with a twist. There are jaguars in the Pantanal, pink dolphins in the Amazon, and giant otters in Guyana. Birders, bring your binoculars — the diversity is off the scale.

For raw wilderness, few places match Colombia’s Los Llanos or Argentina’s Iberá wetlands. Watch whales breach off the Valdés Peninsula, where elephant seals and penguins share the beach. Or jump into the Pacific in the Galápagos, where marine iguanas swim beside you and curious sea lions consider you the attraction.

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In Mexico, spot migrating whales and the mesmerising flutter of monarch butterflies. In Costa Rica, spy sloths draped in treetops like slow-moving ornaments. Every corner has its stars — some furry, some feathered, some scaly — and every encounter feels like a gift.