Central & South America

Travelers to Central and South America find a variety of countries with shores on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Caribbean with tropical beaches, rainforests, mountains, and wildlife. In Central America, Panama’s famed canal is a popular tourist attraction, and Costa Rica’s resorts and “pura vida” lifestyle attract vacationers. South America’s countries range from warm tropical locales in the north to the gateway to Antarctica in the south, with the Amazon River, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Ecuador’s Galapagos in the west.

Penguins on rocks in Antarctica
This 22-day Cruise Around South America and Antarctica Includes Whale and Penguin Sightings and a Visit to the Falkland Islands — for Less Than $2K a Person
Pool area at St Regis Bermuda
The Best Resorts in Bermuda
View of lighthouse in La Paloma city, drone point of view, Rocha department, Uruguay
This South American Country Was Just Named One of the Best Places to Retire for Weather, Cost of Living, and Safety
La Paz, Bolivia, aerial view flying over the dense, urban cityscape
This City Was Just Named the Least Walkable Destination in the World — but There's One Other Epic Way to Get Around
The exterior of the Galapagos Explorer yacht
This Luxury Travel Company Is Launching Its First Expedition Yacht to the Galápagos — and the 7-night Journey Includes Snorkeling, Hiking, and Birdwatching
The Oosterdam ship by Holland American Line sailing past Elephant Island in Antarctica
This Cruise Line Just Announced New 3-week Trips to South America and Antarctica — for as Low as $163 a Day
Quasar Expeditions Grace yacht, in the Galapagos
A Galápagos Cruise Challenges the Mind, Body, and Spirit — Here's Why I'm Glad I Took My 7-year-old Son
Exterior view of National Geographic Islander II
This New Superyacht Sailing the Galápagos Will Bring Just 48 Passengers to See Incredible Wildlife and Stunning Islands
View from a walkway on the Aqua Expeditions Aqua Mare cruise ship
3 New Ways to Explore South America by Water
Aqua Mare small cruise ship, luxury interiors
This Brand-new Superyacht Will Sail the Galápagos — and Bring You to Snorkel With Penguins
Colorful lobby of the Copacabana Palace
Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite City Hotels in Central and South America of 2023
Mountain side exterior of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Travel + Leisure Readers' 5 Favorite Resorts in South America of 2023
Palm trees and dock at a resort in Ambergris Caye, Belize
Travel + Leisure Readers' 5 Favorite Islands in Mexico and Central and South America of 2023
Monestario, Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco, Peru
Our Readers' Favorite City Hotels in Central and South America in 2022
Twilight over the plaza de armas in the heart of Cusco old town in Peru with the cathedral in the Andes.
Our Readers' Favorite Cities in Central and South America in 2022
Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Our Readers' Favorite Resorts in Central America in 2022
Exterior of Cavas Wine Lodge
Our Readers' Favorite Resorts in South America in 2022
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Our Readers' Favorite Islands in Mexico and Central and South America in 2022
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Ultimate Galápagos Islands Travel Guide
A row of colorful houses and palm trees in the Dominican Republic
12 Best Places to Retire Around the World
A beach in Managua in front of a volcano in Nicaragua
This Central American Country Is Home to Beautiful Beaches, Epic Surf, and a Rich Cultural History
Neil Patrick Harris and family on cruises expedition in Ecuador
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka on Their Epic Galapagos Trip — and Tips for Traveling With Kids
Outdoor yoga class at sunset
20 Best Yoga Retreats in Beautiful Destinations Around the World
Passengers on a raft from the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic new National Geographic Islander ll
This New Expedition Ship Feels More Like a Private Yacht — With Just 26 Suites
Hotel Fasano São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Hotels in Central and South America in 2021
Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Resort Hotels in Central America in 2021
Horseback riding on the beach in Uruguay; a dining table at Restaurante Garzón
Surf, Turf, and Plenty of Wine in Uruguay
Boat of tourists watching a flock of flamingos in the water
Snorkel With Playful Sea Lions, Swim on White-sand Beaches, and Go Hiking in the Galapagos With This Tour Company
Cusco, Peru
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Cities in Central and South America in 2020
Casa Gangotena
Our Readers' Favorite 10 City Hotels in Central and South America in 2020
A Galapagos sea lion on the beach with a cruise ship and turquoise ocean in the distance, Galapagos Island, Ecuador
Our Readers' Favorite 5 Islands in Mexico and Central and South America in 2020
St Catarina Arc and Volcan de Agua, Antigua, Guatemala
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Cities in Central and South America in 2021
Taormina town with Mount Etna on background
50 Best Honeymoon Destinations Around the World
Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paracas, Peru
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Resort Hotels in South America in 2021
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Our Readers' Favorite 5 Islands in Mexico and Central and South America in 2021
Coastal aerial image of Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Resort Hotels in Central America in 2020
Awasi Patagonia
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Resort Hotels in South America in 2020
Bogota, Colombia, South America
Our Readers' Favorite Cities in Central and South America in 2018
The Singular Patagonia Chile
Our Readers' Favorite Inns and Resorts in South America in 2016
Galapagos Island Cruise
The Best Galápagos Island Cruises
Sierra Baguales, Chile
12 of South America's Most Epic Hikes You've Never Heard of
Casa Rosada, office of the president of Argentina located on landmark historic Plaza de Mayo.
This Argentinian City Is Called the 'Paris of South America' but It's So Much More — How to Plan the Perfect Trip
World's Best Cities in Central America and South America
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Cities in Central and South America in 2019
Antigua Guatemala
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Cities in Mexico & Central & South America in 2017
Rosewood in San Miguel de Allende
Our Readers' Favorite in Mexico and Central and South America in 2016
View of the Nayara Springs resort and the Arenal Volcano, in Costa Rica
The Top 5 Resort Hotels in Central America in 2018
Exterior walkway of the Tierra Patagonia hotel
The Top 10 Resort Hotels in South America in 2018
Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort
Our Readers' Favorite Resorts in Central America in 2017
EcoCamp Patagonia
Our Readers' Favorite Resorts in South America in 2017
Isla Mujeres Mexico
Our Readers' Favorite Islands in Mexico & Central & South America in 2017
Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt
Our Readers' Favorite City Hotels in Central & South America in 2017
Nayara Springs Costa Rica
Our Readers' Favorite Resort Hotels in Central America in 2016
Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Our Readers' Favorite Islands in Mexico and Central and South America in 2018
Pool at the Hotel Casa San Agustin
Our Readers' Favorite 10 City Hotels in Central & South America in 2018
Galapagos Islands
Our Readers' Favorite Islands in Mexico and Central and South America in 2016
Casa Gangotena Quito Ecuador
Our Readers' Favorite City Hotels in Central and South America in 2016
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Our Readers' Favorite Hotels: Central America/South America
Galapagos Islands
Our Readers' Favorite 5 Islands in Mexico and Central and South America in 2019
Best Resorts in Central America, according to Travel + Leisure's World's Best Survey (pictured: Lapa Rios)
Our Readers' Favorite 5 Resort Hotels in Central America in 2019
TripAdvisor trips of a lifetime
Ecuador: 12 nights from $9,700 per person