Minas Gerais
This raw stone church, built from local quartzite, is a prime example of São Thomé's rustic traditional architecture.
Must-see attractions in South America
Museo Pictórico Edmundo Martínez
Central Highlands
Housed in a stone-faced mansion, this small museum has occasional live music and rotating exhibits from local artists.
Coastal Patagonia
In a prefabricated 1890s metal-clad house shipped from England, this museum has good displays on early immigrant life.
Rio de Janeiro State
From park headquarters, a 500m trail descends to this natural pool in the Rio Campo Belo, a popular spot for swimming.
Montevideo
The 18th-century Palacio Estévez, on the south side of the Plaza Independencia, was the Government House until 1985.
La Paz
The small plaza in front of this modern mountain-shaped church is a main meeting point for residents of the Zona Sur.
Trujillo
The 1709 Casa de Mayorazgo de Facala mansion now houses Scotiabank, and is a great example of colonial architecture.
Montevideo
For great views out across the city, take the elevator to the top of Montevideo’s most dramatic modern skyscraper.
Paramaribo
The Palmentuin is a shady haven of tall royal palms, home to some tropical birds and a troop of capuchin monkeys.
Punta del Este
This calm river beach straddles the western (Río de la Plata) side of Punta del Este's long narrow peninsula.
Rio de Janeiro
The archway leading into Travessa do Comércio was once part of an old viaduct running between two buildings.
Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
Minas Gerais
Dating to 1775, this church is typical of the Brazilian rococo style with its gilded interior ornamentation.
Bariloche & the Lake District
At Cerro Campanario, the Aerosilla Campanario lifts passengers up to a panoramic view of Lago Nahuel Huapi.
Museo Iberoamericano de Artesanías
Córdoba
The Museo Iberoamericano de Artesanías houses displays of beautiful crafts from throughout South America.
Centro & the Mainland
The center of town is the inviting Praça XV de Novembro, with its shady walks and 100-year-old fig tree.
Bucaramanga
This twin-towered, pale-yellow, colonial-period church dominates the east side of Parque García Rovira.
Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology
Georgetown
A small museum in a breezy old building, with lots of Amerindian items from Guyana's indigenous peoples.
Lake Titicaca
A small museum by the tourist info center that's dedicated to the natural and human history of the lake.
Recife
A well-run cultural center in the historic center hosting rotating high-quality exhibitions and films.
Iquique
A grand old colonial building dating to 1876, the ex-customs house was ravaged by fire in early 2015.
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
You'll find this ahu with a solitary moai along the coastline, north of Hanga Roa.
Sur Chico
This urban Isla Teja park contains two historic homes opposite the main road from the park entrance.
Brasília
A good park not far from the city center is the Parque da Cidade, which has kiosks to grab a snack.
Trujillo
This noteworthy central church has twin towers and was built around the turn of the 17th century.
Guayaquil
This tiny church sits atop Cerro Santa Ana. It's worth climbing up here for the magnificent views.
Quito
This massive arch, built in the 18th century to give shelter to churchgoers, spans García Moreno.
Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Dolores
Viña Del Mar
Check out the cool iconography at Viña's oldest church, built and rebuilt between 1882 and 1912.
French Guiana
This small museum gives an interesting overview of Hmong culture, history, tools and handicrafts.
Lago Agrio
Regional museum hosting events and exhibitions with an emphasis on local and indigenous culture.
Villa de Leyva
Casa Quintero is a fully restored colonial mansion and gourmet food court just off Plaza Mayor.
Minas Gerais
This simple church was built in 1719 to honor the patron saint who was protector of the slaves.
Sucre
This 16th-century church with an imposing whitewashed facade was built by the Dominican order.
San Gil
A handsome 18th-century stone church, Catedral Santa Cruz is located on San Gil's main plaza.
Paraguay
The old seat of local government is a two-tiered wood-and-adobe building on the leafy plaza.
Central Highlands
This gorgeous double waterfall ('the bride's veil') is visible from the Baños to Puyo road.
Coastal Patagonia
Dating from 1906, the Colegio Camwy is considered the first secondary school in Patagonia.
Villa de Leyva
A fine restored colonial mansion just off the plaza that now contains a variety of shops.
French Vice-Consulate Building
Lençóis
At the 19th-century French vice-consulate building, diamond commerce was once negotiated.
Choquequirao
A residential area with inferior building quality where the lower classes may have lived.
Paramaribo
This is the biggest mosque in the Caribbean. The current building was completed in 1984.
