The Amazon
Tocantins' state legislature meets in this boxy yet lofty structure, with high brick and concrete spires holding up a latticework roof. It's interesting…
The Amazon
Tocantins' state legislature meets in this boxy yet lofty structure, with high brick and concrete spires holding up a latticework roof. It's interesting…
Museo Intercultural Trawupeyüm
Sur Chico
A sparse but informative museum of Mapuche culture housed in a modern interpretation of a mountain ruka, a traditional circular Mapuche dwelling oriented…
Arequipa
This small church in Yanahuara dates from 1750. The highly venerated Virgen de Chapi was moved here after the 2001 earthquake destroyed the church it was…
Recife
This 19th-century customs house has been converted into a glitzy shopping mall; it's worth dropping in for a coffee or a bite in its food court to check…
Bolivia
This much-photographed, five-meter tall rock in Desierto Siloli resembles a tree. Most tours stop here on the way to Laguna Colorada.
Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
The eclectic Museo Ritos Andinos has somewhat-random displays including a mummified child, an impressive number of deformed craniums and possibly an alien…
Puerto Williams
Near the entrance to the military quarters is a replica of the original bow of the ship that rescued Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition from…
Bahia
Louco is regarded as one of the masters of the African-inspired style of wood carving for which Cachoeira is famous. You can get a first hand look at his…
Recife
Praça da República contains a formal park with tall trees and a pretty fountain, and includes the Palácio do Campo das Princesas, seat of the Pernambuco…
Middle Chile
This three-story cultural center is housed in a gorgeous building that used to be the town's casino. Rotating art exhibits make a welcome break from beach…
Rio de Janeiro State
Enjoy great views of Petrópolis and the surrounding mountains from this 3.5m-tall Italian sculpture of the NS de Fátima Madonna, in the hills on the…
South Coast
Follow the sound of crashing waves to this blowhole located just one block west of the malecón. There's a tiny beach, plus a few restaurants with perfect…
Minas Gerais
On Mariana's central square, this church was severely damaged by fire in 1999, but still retains its original rococo chancel (the only element to have…
Santuario de la Virgen del Socorro
North Coast
This church above town is worth a visit. Built between 1535 and 1540, it is said to be the second-oldest church in Peru. There are sweeping views from the…
Rio de Janeiro State
This showy salmon-hued mansion was once home to Brazil's Princess Isabel, daughter of Emperor Pedro II and Empress Teresa Cristina. It can be viewed from…
Mendoza & the Central Andes
A kilometer north of the highway junction in Uspallata, a signed lateral leads to ruins and a museum at the Museo Las Bóvedas, a smelting site since pre…
Rio de Janeiro
Chronicling the history of the Brazilian navy from the 16th century to the present, this museum also has exhibitions of model warships, maps and…
Arequipa
It's worth a peek inside this casona (large house); the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA) is located within its 18th-century colonial halls and…
Igreja NS do Rosário dos Pretos
Minas Gerais
The half-built Igreja de NS do Rosário dos Pretos – started and financed by slaves but never finished – now stands as a memorial to the abolition of…
Belo Horizonte
This former dance hall on Pampulha's lakeshore, designed by Oscar Niemeyer with grounds by landscape architect Burle Marx, now holds all types of…
Bolivia
It’s worth checking out this facade of a convent, which is carved with ornate plant and bird motifs. It's located a couple of blocks southeast of Plaza 10…
Tigre & the Delta
At this popular market, vendors sell homewares, furniture, wicker baskets, souvenirs and knickknacks; there are restaurants, too. Weekends are busiest.
Quito
Housed in a former textile factory, this contemporary, well-designed museum has loads of interactive exhibits to keep toddlers to teenagers engaged. Last…
Isla de San Martín de Pajarales
Islas del Rosario
This tiny island is mainly visited because it's home to an aquarium and oceanarium where you can see captive dolphins, sharks and other sea creatures.
Lake Titicaca
A cave that, for locals, evokes images of its respective French and Portuguese namesakes. It attracts devotees from across the border in Peru,…
Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo
Bahia
The Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo has a gilded baroque altar, paneled ceilings and azulejos (handmade tiles imported from Portugal), and dates from…
Museo de Arte de la Casa de la Cultura
Central Highlands
Featuring an excellent collection of Ecuadorian oils and acrylics from the 18th through 21st centuries, this fun little museum takes just 10 minutes to…
Around Medellín
This mid-17th-century church, also known as La Chinca, fronts a lovely park complete with resident squirrels. It generally opens at around 7pm daily.
Montevideo
At the west end of the Plaza Independencia is the Puerta de la Ciudadela, a stone gateway that is one of the only remnants of the colonial citadel…
Bogotá
On the western side of the plaza, this French-style building is now home to the alcaldía (mayor's office). The building was erected between 1902 and 1905.
The Pampas & the Atlantic Coast
The French Classic Pasaje Dardo Rocha was once La Plata’s main railroad station and is now the city’s major cultural center, hosting performances and…
Colonia del Sacramento
This two-room museum displays glyptodon shells, bones and other locally excavated finds from the private collection of self-taught paleontologist Armando…
Puerto Natales
Worth a quick visit, this is a crash course in local history, with archaeological artifacts, a Yaghan canoe, Tehuelche bolas (throwing weapon) and…
Bucaramanga
Buca's colorful, well-organized central market is worth a stroll, especially for its 4th-floor food court with all manner of local eats and mountain…
Santa Catarina
Once among the island’s finest beaches, Praia dos Ingleses has suffered from its popularity. It’s now crowded with high-rise hotels and overpriced…
Huaraz & the Cordilleras
Caraz's cathedral, the Templo de Piedra, dominates the Plaza de Armas. Built in a monumental style in 1870s, it's one of the few old churches in the…
Sucre
This early-17th-century church has beautiful Moorish features inside. Mass is Monday to Saturday at 8am and 7:15pm; on Sundays there's an additional Mass…
Isla del Sol
This lighthouse on the tip of Kakayo-Queña Ridge is technically in an area tourists are allowed to visit, though access by land has been cut off by the…
Buenos Aires
The city’s oldest church, the Iglesia San Ignacio de Loyola (1734), was originally built in adobe in 1661 and has been rebuilt or remodeled several times…
Buenos Aires
This observatory offers one-hour telescopic stargazing sessions. Call or check the website before your visit, as observation hours change depending on the…