Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
This ecofriendly pousada (guesthouse) is a little gem of comfort 3.5km east of Barreirinhas’ center. The sloping plot leads down past cozy chalets to a…
Must-see hotels in South America
Fernando de Noronha
In an historic 18th-century building, Noronha's first hostel is comfortable and homey but the main reason to stay here is the energetic owners, who go…
Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre's best boutique hotel is built off an exquisite 1937 mansion (housing the lobby, bar and restaurant) with a glass atrium connecting the 132…
São Paulo
This ultrarefined 60-room hotel behind an English red-brick facade evokes a bygone era of modernist glamour, with muted gray travertine marble set off…
Cuzco
Modern and fresh meets colonial in this playful design hotel adorned with painted rocking horses and market carts. Activity centers on an open stone…
The Lakes District
The impressive Refugio Cochamó is a fantastic gringo-Argentine, climber-run cabin with wood-fired showers, water straight from the Trinidad waterfall,…
Mendoza & the Central Andes
Perfectly coiffed adobe-style brick boutique inn with only 11 spacious, ubercomfortable rooms and equally high-quality service. A basement cellar is…
The Lakes District
The friendly Swiss-Chilean owners at this newly built eco-guesthouse will grab you in town to introduce you to their fairy-tale sleeps, the best and most…
Brazil
This excellent hostel has a friendly atmosphere and is set in a spacious house one short block from the beach. It's run by the charmingly helpful Marina…
Montañita
Adorned with murals and color-saturated walls, this uberfriendly hostel is good value, with simple rooms surrounding a small garden courtyard. Bathrooms…
Iquitos
This former mansion of the rubber baron Luis F Morey dates from 1910 and has been renovated to its former elegance, with 14 extravagantly large suites,…
Amazon Basin
Built in traditional style by the Matsiguenka tribespeople, this 19-room rustic lodge is the deepest into the reserved zone of any, on the other side of…
Rio de Janeiro
Top hostel honors go to this Greek-Brazilian-run gem in a colonial-style ’50s house tucked away in a Copacabana cranny. Four- to 10-bed dorms prevail…
Montevideo
Opened in 2014, this classy Italian-run boutique hotel has themed, antique-filled guest rooms decorated in honor of famous Uruguayans (artists, writers,…
Ceará
Run by a multilingual British economist turned bearded beachcomber, this relaxed guesthouse backs onto the river across the road from the beach and has…
Iguazú Falls & the Northeast
A favorite of weekending porteños, this offers smart, very well-kept riverside accommodations. The handsome downstairs spa/pool complex is included; there…
Along the Río Paraná
Santa Fe’s decaying waterfront has been smartened, and this creatively designed hotel is a centerpiece. Brilliantly converted from grain silos, it…
Jericoacoara
If you've outgrown the hostel party scene, the excellent dorms here are Jeri's best, but exist within the environment of a boutique pousada (guesthouse)…
Puerto Williams
Located near the end of the Dientes trek, this seafront lodge built by a young couple is steeped in Fuegian nature. The design is modern and sleek, with…
Puerto Ayora
Nestled in a shady mangrove cove, this charmingly designed red-adobe inn at the northern end of town feels like a secret hideaway. While the standard…
Huaraz
A midrange traveler's favorite, the Aurora makes a pleasant bookend to a trekking trip where you can wash the dust from your hair (with hot water) and…
Brazil
This cleverly designed modern pousada sits beside the road 1km back from Tabatinga beach (but doesn't suffer from traffic noise). The 12-lovely, clean…
Ceará
Nine rustic but luxurious wooden stilt chalets (some two-level) stand in a garden that slopes down to the west end of the beach. Villa Mango also has a…
Brazil
Verdegreen is the eco-conscious choice on the main beach strip, with solar-heated showers, reforested wood, half-flush toilets, and LED TVs and lighting…
Medellín
An industrial-chic hostel-hotel hybrid overlooking Parque La Presidenta, with polished concrete floors and wood features throughout. It offers comfortable…
Villa de Leyva
Natural light permeates all the nooks and crannies of this antique-packed, charismatic 1860 colonial home, one of Villa's most discerning choices. Rooms…
Montañita
The most charming guesthouse in town could have been plucked straight from a Greek island, with its stone brick walls and crisp white and blue accents…
Popayán
A Franciscan monastery turned hotel offering elegant but not particularly luxurious rooms set around a vast arcaded courtyard. It's an impressive building…
Lima
Follow the surfer riding the two-story wave up the curving staircase. Mere blocks from the water, this next-generation boutique hotel is elegant without…
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
A top-drawer hotel, without the stiff upper lips. Digs are in wood and stone bungalows dotted on an alluring property not far from the airport. Rooms are…
Cali & Southwest Colombia
Hands down the best choice for travelers in the area, La Fonda is a relaxing spot with comfortable modern rooms, mountain views and a huge garden divided…
Cartagena
One of Getsemaní's best midrange deals, this charming place is like an urban hacienda, with a large, rustic wooden courtyard hidden behind the walls of a…
Puerto Ayora
Power down and disconnect at this ecologically minded beachside retreat across the bay from Puerto Ayora. Lava gulls and herons hang out by the pool and…
Zona Cafetera
Located between Armenia and Pereira, this coffee, avocado and guava farm offers comfortable accommodations in a beautiful old white-and-red-trimmed…
El Calafate
Good value and centrally located, this friendly guesthouse is a top choice for travelers who value service. Much is due to the family owners, who look…
Quito
If you want modern, stylish and as far removed in feel from Quito's Centro Histórico as possible, Le Parc hotel is for you. 'Beyond stars' and with the…
Inland Patagonia
Ringed by sprawling Patagonian steppe, this luxury Relais & Châeaux property leaves the rustic life outside the double-glazed windows. Guests first see an…
Rio de Janeiro
Surrounded by lush vegetation, this hidden spot has attractive rooms with a rustic-chic allure. Some of the rooms are split-level and incorporate…
Inland Patagonia
Rustic yet ritzy, these raspy stone cabañas feature big, cozy beds, panoramic forest views and earthy motifs. Domos (yurts) offer an economical option…
Jericoacoara
Spacious rooms with gorgeous hardwood verandas and hammock chairs are set in tasteful exposed-brick bungalows, amid colorful grounds draped in lush…
