Bienvenidos (and Bem-vindo) to our Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America!
Editor’s Note: This post is part of the Viator Travel Awards, an annual awards competition where we let our travelers select the top things to do and see in each of the major regions we serve, as well as the top things to do in our most popular tour categories. The awards culminate in the Viator Top Travel Destinations and our annual list of the world’s most travel-inspiring attractions.
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Welcome to the 2011 Viator Travel Awards: Central and South America Edition! We’ve combined input from traveler reviews and photos, data from the millions of travelers who visit Viator.com each year, plus data on which tours generated the most bookings in 2011, in order to crown the Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America in 2011!
There is no mistaking the iconic beauty of the various landmarks, both natural and man-made of Central and South America. From the magical allure of Machu Picchu to the imposing majesty of Christ the Redeemer in Rio, there are simply things to do in Central & South America that you will not want to miss.
#25. Tour the Perito Moreno Glacier
Experience the natural beauty of Patagonia with a Full Day Tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Visit glacier streams, small lagoons, gullies, crevasses and see plenty of ice formations. You’ll also get an impressive view of the glacier’s 200 foot (60 meter) high ice walls.
#24. Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
Tour beaches and tropical forests at Manuel Antonio National Park
Go on a guided tour to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful parks on the Manuel Antonio National Park Day Trip from San Jose. From San Jose, you will drive along the scenic coastline, and then hike to the preserve. Once there, enjoy the beach or join a nature walk where you can spot monkeys, iguanas, birds and possibly even the three-toed sloth.
#23. Cruise on Guanabara Bay
Embark on a journey that will bring you one of the most gorgeous views of Rio de Janeiro with the Guanabara Bay Cruise with Optional Seafood Lunch. You will see the major sites from the waters, including Sugarloaf Mountain and the famous Christ the Redeemer, and also Flagstone Island, Santa Cruz Fortress and Rio- Niteroi Bridge.
#22. Take a Boat down the Panama Canal
The world famous Panama Canal doesn’t need an introduction, but surely deserves one. The construction of the canal was one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken and it is a marvel of the world. With the Panama Canal Partial Transit Sightseeing Cruise, you can see the Miraflores Locks, talk to engineering and history buffs and cruise down the canal itself.
#21. Tour Lima
Visit the historical sights of Lima on a Sightseeing Tour!
Not known as the City of Kings for nothing, Lima is chalk full of the history, cultural and wonderment of Peru you were looking for. Jump on the Lima City Sightseeing Tour and see the shrines and landscapes of the city between visiting the San Francisco Monastery, the Cathedral of Lima, and the Lima Historical Center.
#20. Watch a Traditional Chilean Show
Becoming immersed with the local people is the best way to truly experience civilization. With the Chilean Folklore Show and Dinner tour you get not just a three-course Chilean dinner, but you also participate in a cultural show displaying the distinct regions of Chile. It is an educational experience you are sure to love.
#19. Go on a Costa Rican Canopy Adventure
Zip through the Sarapiqui Canopy and see Costa Rica's unique wildlife!
Costa Rica has an amazing wildlife, and you should try your best to go see it. With the Sarapiqui Canopy and Rainforest Day Tour, zipline through the heart of the rainforest via a boat ride from the Sarapiqui River.
#18. Sightsee in Buenos Aires
Going to Buenos Aires is in itself an amazing opportunity to explore one South America’s proudest and influential cultures. Without a little help though, you may not get the chance to see and do all that you wanted. With the Buenos Aires City Sightseeing Tour, you will do it all–walk the streets of Recoleta and Palermo, explore Colon Theater and Mayo Square as well as San Telmo.
#17. Cruise through Sepetiba Bay
From Rio de Janerio, it is worth your while to cruise the beautiful Sepetiba Bay. Jump aboard a schooner with the Rio de Janeiro Full Day Tropical Islands Tour and Sepetiba Bay Cruise, and make sure to bring your towel since you’ll be enjoying a swim after looking for dolphins, turtles and sting rays.
#16. Take a Boat Trip to Tigre
Taking a boat ride on the Rio de la Plata River is definitely one way of living the high life in Argentina. With the Tigre Delta Day Trip from Buenos Aires you can do just that, and visit the amazing ecological area of the Parana River delta.
#15. See the Best of Costa Rica
If you don’t have a whole lot of time in Costa Rica, don’t worry; you can still see it all with the Combo Tour – Best of Costa Rica from San Jose. One just one day, you can see Poas Volcano, the La Paz Waterfalls, one of the world’s largest butterfly observatories, a wide array of wildlife, flora and fauna, not to mention munch on traditional foods.
#14. Experience a Brazilian Soccer Match
Watch a match in one of the best soccer cities in the world!
Brazil doesn’t just win World Cup after World Cup for nothing, they are soccer crazy. Only a growing craze in the US, soccer in Brazil is a time-honored tradition, and the mastery of the sport here is unparalleled in most other countries. Take the Rio de Janeiro Soccer Match and Stadium Tour and see it for yourself.
#13. Watch a Tango Show
Ever wanted to learn how to tango? Well, what better place to do it than in Buenos Aires?! With Viator’s Tango Show or Tango Show plus Dinner and Dance Lessons, you will see it or dance it the way you’ve always imagined. Don’t be shy, anybody can do it!
#12. Visit Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso
Tour wineries and get great views of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso on a day trip from Santiago
Head down to central Chile and travel through wine country on the Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso Day Trip from Santiago, or alternatively on the private tour, where you stop at the “garden city” and travel to the bohemian town of Valparaiso and the Pablo Neruda Museum.
#11. Tour Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica is one of the best places in South America to experience nature. When you take the Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Day Trip from San Jose, you can soak in the mineral pools and hot springs as well as enjoy the excitement of taking on the Arenal Volcano–truly a terrific combination.
#10. See Rio from a Helicopter
As if seeing Rio on the ground wasn’t beautiful enough, taking to the air brings it to a whole other level. The Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour offers you incredible views and some of the most spectacular photos you will ever take.
#9. Nazca Lines & Ballestas Islands
See the wildlife of the Ballestas Islands!
Taking the Nazca Lines Air Tour and Ballestas Islands Full-Day Trip from Lima puts you on the famous Ballestas Islands where you can not only take in the beautiful islands themselves, but see the birds, penguins and magnificent sea lions in all their glory. The aerial tour in a Cesna aircraft is just the cherry on top.
#8. Visit the Galapagos Islands
One of the greatest aspects of South America is that all of it cannot be seen on land. Take the Galapagos Islands Explorer Package from Santa Cruz Island and spend 4 or 5 days aboard a yacht while exploring the plant and animal life of six different islands.
#7. Discover Lima and Cusco
Of the things to see in South America, the many sights of Peru may take the cake for many. With the 7-Day Lima and Cusco Tour with Overnight at Machu Picchu, you get to see the uncontested beauty of some of South America’s best. From the famous landmarks of the cities, Inca ruins or an overnight at Macchu Pichu, this week long journey is one you will not soon forget.
#6. Explore a Rain Forest
Tour the Tijuca Rain Forest from Rio
For those who are not acquainted with the tropical environment, visiting a rain forest seems only a distant dream. The Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep Tour from Rio de Janeiro, one of Viator’s best South America tours, makes it a reality!
#5. Hike the Inca Trail
Known for the famous pilgrimage many people take here, the Inca Trail is a trek that takes you through the Urubamba Valley towards the citadel of Machu Picchu. With Viator’s Inca Trail: 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu, you pass the ruins and breathtaking views of the Andean Mountain range.
#4. Tour the Argentinian Countryside
Enjoy a traditional meal and folkloric songs and dances in Argentina
With the Argentina Fiesta Gaucha Day Trip from Buenos Aires you can rest assured that a relaxing trip to an estancia, or ranch, is no waste of your limited time. Whether it is feasting on traditional barbeque, enjoying a horseback riding show or soaking in the famous Argentina countryside, you will get to see the full extent of beautiful Argentina.
#3. Enjoy a Samba Show
If you think you can go to Rio de Janeiro and not check out a Plataforma samba show, you have no idea what you’d be missing! A cultural and entertaining rhythmic tradition, choose the Plataforma Samba Show and dine on a delicious traditional Brazilian meal while enjoying a colorful and exotic 3-hour show.
#2. Day Trip to Machu Picchu
Visit the world-famous Incan ruins of Machu Picchu (and maybe even see the llamas and alpacas)
Finished in 1450, it did not take Machu Picchu long to define itself as one as one of the great wonders of the world. With the Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco, you get the chance to see the sacred city as it should be seen.
#1. Experience Rio’s Breathtaking Views
One of the most distinguishable landmarks in the world, get an up-close look at Christ Redeemer with the Corcovado Mountain, Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain Day Tour of beautiful Rio. Take a ride in a cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain or check out the Tijuca Rain Forest–in Rio, you just cant lose.
Central & South America is a plentiful and plush region of culture, history and landmarks. To see it all would be a dream for any traveler, but for most of us, it is about finding what is most beautiful and meaningful and exploring that. Viator’s tours are dedicated to finding what is most alluring and bringing it to you through experienced and knowing eyes. We wish you safe journeys on your next trip!
We hope you enjoyed Viator’s list of the Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America in 2011. Stay tuned for more lists in the coming days, to help you plan your next trip across the globe. Let us know what you think, tell us about your own travel experiences, and most important of all – happy travels in 2012!
January 16, 2012 at 4:49 PM
South America is incredible! I would recommend it to anyone. I planned to be in Argentina for 3 months and I’m now in my 15th. I would say though, check out as much local stuff as possible. The locals’ restaurants are much better than the tourist spots.
January 18, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Central america is becoming one of my favorite destination, in december we went to El Salvador, what a great trip, we visited the cascades, coffee plants, did the boggys and the canopy adventure. This was a lot more exciting than the DR. We’ve been to Panama and Honduras but our next destination will probably be Costa Rica then Perou.