Friends, travelers, countrymen, lend me your ear: It is time to crown the Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America in 2008. Each year the staff here at Viator compile a lists of the top-rated things to do in each of the regions we cover. Now it’s time to crown the 2008 winners, the top 25 things to do in Central & South America based on the actual travel choices made by thousands of travelers over on Viator.com.
Stay tuned, because this list is just the first of many top 25 lists (no kidding: we’re going list crazy again this year!) we are publishing as 2008 comes to a close. Stay tuned in the coming days for the Top 25 in Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, Australia-Pacific, USA & North America and the Middle East & Africa. And as always, we’ll start the new year with our annual “Top 50 Travel Destinations” list.
Rio de Janiero - Viator's #1 destination in Central & South America in 2008
Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America in 2008
We hear you asking, so Viator what were the big trends and surprises for Central & South America in 2008? Well the main trend we’ve spotted is a big jump in the popularity of shore excursions in Central & South America (mainly in Brazil) and continued growth in eco-friendly and outdoor tours: fishing, canopy tours, 4×4 safaris, hot springs treks - Viator travelers hit the outdoors in record numbers in 2008.
There’s also one thing that did not change between 2007 and 2008 - the continued popularity of both Argentina and Brazil. These two countries remain the most popular places to visit in Central & South America, among Viator travelers. One last note: in 2008 we welcomed two new South American destinations to Viator. Hola, Ecuador & Quito! Now, without further ado, Viator’s Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America for 2008:
25. Rio De Janeiro Half-Day Walking Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feel the history of Old Rio, visiting the Sao Bento Monastery, Nossa Senhora de Candelaria, Praca XV de Novembro square, and the Imperial Palace.
24. Manatee Swim & Reef Snorkel Cruise, Belize City, Belize
Jet across the crystal waters of the Caribbean by speedboat, to the manatee breeding grounds and continue on to a small remote island on Belize’s Great Barrier Reef.
23. Rio de Janeiro Full Day Tropical Islands Tour and Sepetiba Bay Cruise including Lunch, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Cruise the gorgeous waters of Sepetiba Bay on a schooner, enjoying luscious tropical fruit and marvel at the natural beauty, spot dolphins, kingfishers, parrots, turtles and stingrays.
#2 in 2008 - Platforma show in Rio de Janeiro
22. Colchagua Valley Wine Tour, Santiago, Chile
Wine lovers rejoice in the boutique vineyards of Chile, with your choice of different wineries and a visit to the historic Colchagua Museum.
21. Corcovado Mountain and Christ Redeemer Statue Half-Day Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Wake up to Rio, with a ride on the cog train through dense rain forest, to the peak of Corcovado Mountain, enjoy this incredible vantage point, then relax at the beach.
20. Cousino Macul Winery and Concha y Toro Winery, Santiago, Chile
Chile is an emerging producer of great wines, taste them for yourself in a visit to two of the oldest and most historic wineries in the country.
19. Penguin Sanctuary and Otway Sound, Punta Arenas, Chile
Get close-up and personal with the penguins! A 2km coastal walk to the Magellan Penguin sanctuary.
18. Four in One - Best of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
Highlights of Costa Rica in a day, including Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a cruise on Sarapiqui River and drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park.
17. Cave Tubing & Belize Rain Forest Tour, Belize City, Belize
Explore the jungles of Belize with a jungle hike, visit to the Maya Caves, and floating through an underground cave system on your own inner tube.
16. Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Day Trip, San Jose, Costa Rica
Thrill seekers and romantics will love this visit to the breathtaking Arenal Volcano, one of the most active in the Americas.
15. Soccer Match at Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Football lovers soak up the electric atmosphere of a Brazilian football match at Rio de Janeiro’s famous Maracana Stadium.
14. Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Enjoy an eco trek in the Tijuca Rain Forest, with an open jeep ride to experience the amazing wildlife of monkeys, birds and butterflies in the Atlantic Forest ecosystem.
13. Buenos Aires City Tour, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Discover the magic of Argentina’s capital city with a comprehensive tour of Buenos Aires.
12. Costa Rican Combo Buena Vista Hot Springs / Canopy Tour and Water Slide, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Take an exhilarating waterslide down a 1,300 foot (400 meter) slide in the countryside, relax with a mud rub at Buena Vista hot springs, and soar the jungle on a canopy tour.
11. Otavalo Marketplace, Quito, Ecuador
Experience the Otavalo handicraft market, cross the equatorial line at Guachala, and visit beautiful San Pablo lake at Mira Lago and Peguche village.
10. Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso, Santiago, Chile
A fantastic day on the coast, exploring the bohemian town of Valparaiso and Pablo Neruda museum in a leisurely trip along the coastal towns of Central Chile.
#1 tour in 2008? Corcovado & Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro
9. Tren de la Costa Rail Tour to Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Take a picturesque ride along the Rio de la Plata to visit the extraordinary Parana River ecological delta and luxurious homes and coastline of the Tigre area.
8. Chilean Folklore Show and Dinner, Santiago, Chile
Revel in the delectable Chilean cuisine with a three course meal and traditional folklore show.
7. Santiago City Tour, Santiago, Chile
Visit the neoclassical Moneda Palace, Parque Forestal and Santa Lucia Hill, finishing at Los Graneros del Alba handicraft village.
6. Argentinean Fiesta Gaucha Day Trip, Buenos Aires, Argentina
A relaxing day trip through the scenic pampas countryside to experience life on the ranch, with a traditional asado barbecue and the distinctive gaucho music and dance.
5. Opera Pampa Dinner and Show, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Brilliantly choreographed gaucho show, in a dynamic and entertaining introduction to Argentina’s history, feast on a typical gaucho barbecue and sample local wines.
4. Buenos Aires by Night - Tango Show, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Enjoy a superb performance of the tango, experiencing the emotion, magic and glamour of Argentina.
3. Helicopter Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A magnificent tour of the city by air, viewing the golden beaches, granite mountains, Maracana Stadium and Christ the Redeemer Statue.
2. Plataforma Samba Show, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Experience the glamor and colour of the samba, with a spectacular light show, exotic costumes and beautiful dancers.
1. Corcovado Mountain, Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain Day Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The best of Rio in one day, take a cog train journey through Tijuca Rain Forest to the top of Corcovado mountain and watch the sunset over Copacabana Beach from Sugar Loaf Mountain.
There you have it. Viator’s list of the Top 25 tours and things to do in Central & South America in 2008.
Stay tuned for more lists in the coming days, to help you plan your next trip across the globe. In the meantime, if your curious about the top things to do last year, in 2007, keep on reading…
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Viator’s Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America: 2007
25. Rio De Janeiro Half-Day Walking Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
24. Iguazu Falls Tour, Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
23. Rio de Janeiro Full Day Tropical Islands Tour and Sepetiba Bay Cruise including Lunch, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
22. Colchagua Valley Wine Tour, Santiago, Chile
21. Corcovado Mountain and Christ Redeemer Statue Half-Day Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
20. Cousino Macul Winery and Concha y Toro Winery, Santiago, Chile
19. Penguin Sanctuary and Otway Sound, Punta Arenas, Chile
18. Four in One - Best of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
17. Buenos Aires Half-Day Bike Tour, Buenos Aires, Argentina
16. Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Day Trip, San Jose, Costa Rica
15. Soccer Match at Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
14. Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
13. Buenos Aires City Tour, Buenos Aires, Argentina
12. Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso, Santiago, Chile
11. Costa Rican Combo Buena Vista Hot Springs / Canopy Tour and Water Slide, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
10. Panama Canal Transit - Ocean to Ocean, Panama City, Panama
9. Tren de la Costa Rail Tour to Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina
8. Chilean Folklore Show and Dinner, Santiago, Chile
7. Santiago City Tour, Santiago, Chile
6. Argentinean Fiesta Gaucha Day Trip, Buenos Aires, Argentina
5. Opera Pampa Dinner and Show, Buenos Aires, Argentina
4. Buenos Aires by Night - Tango Show, Buenos Aires, Argentina
3. Helicopter Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2. Plataforma Samba Show, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1. Corcovado Mountain, Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain Day Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Happy travels in 2009!
June 22nd, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Very interesting
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:11 am
The helicopter flight over Rio was definitely a high point (no pun intended) Good useful Blog. Thanks.
December 8th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Good list, agree that Brazil is the killer destination in the region. But I am surprised that Panama beat out Ecuador. Ecuador is far superior. Panama is over hyped.
December 15th, 2007 at 2:27 am
Oh, but you have to add a tour to watch the local football and see Boca Juniors play River Plate at Boca stadium. You have to go on a tour as the Boca Juniors supporters are a little ‘rough’ and the crowd goes so wild the whole stadium shakes - literally. It’s also tricky to buy tickets if you don’t speak Spanish, and even then it’s hard to find your seats - and even then, you don’t want to sit in the wrong seat! With a guide, you can get the whole rundown and history and he’ll show you where Maradona sits. Highly recommend local tour company Tangol. The guides are young locals, often university students, and the groups are small - we had a lot of fun!