Choose from 1,039 Fun Things to Do in Central And South America
ShowingFilter 161-180 of 1039 listings.
Children's Museum (Museo de los Ninos)
The Costa Rica Children’s Museum is an interactive fun experience for all the family.
Housed in a gaily painted toytown castle, that’s actually a historic old military prison, the museum’s hands-on exhibits range across all manner of topics.
Kids will love the 40 exhibits exploring outer space, old-fashioned fun on the farm, history, music, science and ecology and everyday life in Cost Rica.
The Costa Rica Children’s Museum is housed in a striking red and yellow fort on Calle 4, above Avenida 9, a little north of downtown San Jose.
Address: Calle 4, San Jose 10101, Costa Rica
Hours: Open daily
From $ 7
Church of Our Lady of Candelaria
With its towering spires, grand dome, and baroque details, Church of Our Lady of Candelaria (Igreja de Candelária) stands out among more modern surroundings in central Rio de Janeiro. It was originally established by a group of Spanish settlers in 1609, and today, the Catholic church still holds mass and community gatherings.
The Basics
Set in downtown Rio, Candelaria Church is difficult to miss. Spend an hour or so admiring the frescoed walls, stained glass, and muraled dome on your own, or visit with a guided tour to learn about the church’s legendary origins and complex architectural history, which includes elements of neo-Renaissance, baroque, and art nouveau design. The church is known for its small chapel and Latin cross design. Most historical Rio and architecture-themed walking tours include a stop here, often in combination with other essential Rio de Janeiro attractions such as Pedro Ernesto Palace (City Hall), the National Museum of Fine Arts (Museu Nacional de Belas Artes), and the Imperial Palace. Bike tours are also an option, allowing visitors to see more of Rio in less time.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Visitors are advised to follow common courtesy in dress and noise when inside the active church.
- The church is a must-see for history buffs.
- Plan to spend about an hour if visiting on your own.
- Private tours let you combine a visit to Candelaria Church with some of Rio's natural attractions, such as Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, and Ipanema.
How to Get There
Candelaria Church is centrally located in downtown Rio, with easy access from all over the city. Take light rail to Candelaria, the bus down Avenida Presidente Vargas, or the metro to Estação Uruguaiana.
When to Get There
The church is open from 7:30am to 4pm, but you view its magnificent exterior any time of day. Nighttime visitors will see the church lit up.
Candelaria Massacre History
The church gained infamy in 1993 when eight children who were living on the street were killed by police (with many more injured), an event known as the Candelaria Massacre. This incident brought worldwide attention to the issue of police brutality in Brazil and catalyzed change.
Address: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From $ 40
Chaxa Lagoon
Chaxa Lagoon (Laguna Chaxa) often serves as an introduction to the salt flat for visitors. The ground here is crusted with an inedible salt, and in the morning, a pinkish light comes over the horizon as the sun rises. While the crystalline ground is fascinating and curious, the wild flamingos in the area often turn heads.
And the presence of flamingos should be no surprise, as the Chaxa Lagoon is one of the easiest entry points to Chile’s National Flamingo Reserve and a great place for photographers with good reflexes (and zoom, as the birds often keep their distance).
As the pinkish light dissipates and the air warms up, packs of the birds take flight over the lake. Three different species often reside here: theChilean, Andean and James' flamingos. A variety of other birds can be seen here as well, including the Andean avocet, the puna plover and a type of sandpiper, a small bird with a long beak that feeds on small organisms in the mineral-rich water. The birds are most active at sunrise and sunset.
Practical Info
The Chaxa Lagoon is located about 30 miles from San Pedro de Atacama. Birds are usually found here in the early morning, although sunsets are also spectacular.
Address: Chile
From $ 47
Chincheros Indian Market
The colorful Sunday market in the traditional Andean town of Chincheros attracts stallholders and browsers from near and far. Known as the 'birthplace of the rainbow,' Chincheros has the full range of photogenic attractions: Inca ruins, Andean village houses, an elaborate colonial church built on Inca foundations, and, of course, the lively weekly market.
Visit to buy vegetables from the local traders and Andean handicrafts from the Quechua stallholders. The handwoven textiles are a particular highlight and a proudly preserved Inca tradition. The highlanders trade their woven crafts for the fruit and vegetables grown at lower altitudes. Travelers will also find jewelry, pottery, toys, rugs and musical pipes for sale at the market.
Practical Info
Chincheros is between Cusco and Urubamba, a several hours’ drive west of Machu Picchu. You can catch a bus to Chincheros from Cusco, or join a guided tour.
Address: Chinchero, Peru
Hours: Sundays
From $ 99
Cidade do Samba (Samba City)
Every February and early March, the world’s largest party takes place on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sure—Carnaval is celebrated in ports and cities all around the globe, but none have the flare, color, or passion of the massive festival in Rio. At the Cidade do Samba in the city’s port district, visitors will find that the Carnaval sprit isn’t just for a week—but actually lasts the entire year inside enormous, float-filled warehouses. Sometimes known as “Samba City,” this colorful complex is where 14 of the city’s top samba schools all plan, prepare, and prep their floats for the festive February event.
When taking a tour of Samba City, watch as costumes and next year’s floats are all sewn and patched together. No photos or videos are allowed—lest you leak their surprise—but samba lessons are often included as part of the upbeat tour. On Thursday evenings, the entire complex erupts in a type of mini celebration, where costumes are donned, music is played, and a micro-version of Carnaval takes place right there on site.
Practical Info
Tours are offered from Wednesday-Sunday, with the evening performance taking place on Thursdays at approximately pm. Admission to Cidade do Sambo is approximately $10 for the regular tour, and approximately $40 for the evening show full of costumes, music, and dancing.
Address: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Hours: Tours Wed-Sun
Admission: $10 day tour, $40 evening show
From $ 62
Chichicastenango
Although Chichicastenango is not located in Guatemala City – it’s a two-plus hour drive – it is well worth a visit.
This indigenous town is known for its market, which is held on Thursdays and Sundays. The largest market in Central America, here vendors sell colorful items like handmade pottery, medicinal plants, traditional incense, cal for preparing tortillas, machetes, flowers, food and more. People can also purchase traditional clothing, masks and other items that pay homage to the area’s culture.
Aside from the market, there are historical sites to explore, too. Next to the market is a 400-year-old church, Santo Tomas, which is built atop a pre-Columbian temple platform. There is also the Cofradia of Pascual Abaj, an ancient carved stone where Maya priests perform rituals.
This indigenous town is known for its market, which is held on Thursdays and Sundays. The largest market in Central America, here vendors sell colorful items like handmade pottery, medicinal plants, traditional incense, cal for preparing tortillas, machetes, flowers, food and more. People can also purchase traditional clothing, masks and other items that pay homage to the area’s culture.
Aside from the market, there are historical sites to explore, too. Next to the market is a 400-year-old church, Santo Tomas, which is built atop a pre-Columbian temple platform. There is also the Cofradia of Pascual Abaj, an ancient carved stone where Maya priests perform rituals.
Practical Info
The town is located nearby Lake Atitlán, making it a perfect stopping point en route to the lake or back to Guatemala City.
Address: Guatemala
From $ 62
Chirripo National Park
Cerro Chirripo, Coast Rica’s highest point, is just one of the attractions that draws wilderness adventurers to what some consider the nation’s wildest park. The 11-mile hike up a steep mountain pass can prove a challenging climb for even the most experienced trekkers. Two permanent shelters along the way mean hikers can leave their tents at home, but travelers will still need to carry plenty of food and water for the demanding trail. Though the pass can be difficult, the views from the top—including the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea—are truly amazing.
For less-fit travelers and those in search of more leisurely strolls, the forests of Chirripo National Park offer plenty of opportunity to explore the unique flora and fauna indigenous to Costa Rica. Its scenic passes, lush pastures and minimal elevation gains are accessible for the entire family.
For less-fit travelers and those in search of more leisurely strolls, the forests of Chirripo National Park offer plenty of opportunity to explore the unique flora and fauna indigenous to Costa Rica. Its scenic passes, lush pastures and minimal elevation gains are accessible for the entire family.
Practical Info
The high season is from December to April, but the rainforest is at its greenest between May and November. Maps and visitor guides are available for free in the park. Visitors must pay $7 to enter and an extra $3 to stay overnight. Chirripo is accessible by bus from San Isidro and leaves daily at 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Address: Chirripó National Park, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica
Admission: Entrance: $7; Overnight: $3
From $ 85
Chorrillos
For years, Miraflores has been Lima’s district for tourists, expats, and visitors, but lately the neighboring Chorillos district is starting to flex its charm. Heavily razed by Chilean soldiers in a 19th century war, and then completely leveled in 1940 by a devastating coastal earthquake, this coastal district has risen once again into one of the capital’s best zones. Located just south of Miraflores, Chorillos offers visitors everything from beaches to views looking over the city. Sprawl on the sands of La Herradura and watch surfers play in the waves, or stroll the nearby malecón boardwalk that lines the beach at Agua Dulce. The Chorillos beaches are popular in summer—and can be packed on sunny weekends—and there are even wetlands on the far end of the district that house hundreds of species of birds. Late in the day, make the drive (or steep hike) up the hill at Morro Solar, where not only will you find a planetarium and a statue of Christ the Redeemer, but also a panoramic view that offers the best sunsets in Lima.
Practical Info
The Chorillos District is 15 minutes from Miraflores and about an hour south of the airport. By public transportation, the Metropolitano Bus has various stops in Chorillos, or you can also take a taxi from Miraflores in order to save some time.
Address: Lima, Peru
From $ 37
ChocoMuseo Barranco
There are few places more perfect for chocolate lovers than the ChocoMuseo in Barranco. Travelers can tour the chocolate factory and watch expert artisans craft dark, milk and white chocolate delights by hand, or participate in one of the museum’s unique workshops that grant visitors an opportunity to create rich chocolate truffles or transform cocoa beans to bars under the direction of master chocolatiers. A world-class café offers up chocolate-themed pastries, desserts and beverages, and a well-stocked chocolate shop is lined with shelves of locally sourced treats. Interested travelers can even tour nearby cocoa plantations and learn how local farmers grow and harvest these prized beans to provide pastry chefs and cooks with one of the world’s most coveted ingredients. A visit to ChocoMuseo Barranco is the perfect way for chocolate lovers to spend an afternoon experiencing the wonder of this rich and delicious delicacy with all of their senses.
Practical Info
The museum and shop are located a half block from the central square in Barranco. It is open daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and workshops take place at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day.
Address: Av. Almte. Miguel Grau 264, Barranco 15063, Peru
Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and workshops take place at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day.
From $ 15
ChocoMuseo Miraflores
There are few places more perfect for chocolate lovers than the ChocoMuseo in Miraflores. Travelers can tour the chocolate factory and watch expert artisans craft dark, milk and white chocolate delights by hand, or participate in one of the museum’s unique workshops that grant visitors an opportunity to create rich chocolate truffles or transform cocoa beans to bars under the direction of master chocolatiers. A world-class café offers up chocolate-themed pastries, desserts and beverages, and a well-stocked chocolate shop is lined with shelves of locally sourced treats. Interested travelers can even tour nearby cocoa plantations and learn how local farmers grow and harvest these prized beans to provide pastry chefs and cooks with one of the world’s most coveted ingredients. A visit to ChocoMuseo Miraflores is the perfect way for chocolate lovers to spend an afternoon experiencing the wonder of this rich and delicious delicacy with all of their senses.
Practical Info
The museum is located three blocks from the central square on Calle Berlin 375 in Miarflores. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Address: Calle Berlin 375, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
From $ 15
Chivay
Travelers heading to Peru’s spectacular Colca Canyon will almost certainly spend some time in the town of Chivay, 100 miles (60 kilometers) outside of Arequipa. As the first main tourist town in the valley, Chivay has many hotels, hostels, restaurants and shops selling high-quality Alpaca wool handicrafts. At the center of the city sits Plaza de Armas, a charming little plaza housing Our Lady of Assumption church and a market at its corner selling a little bit of everything (including lots of cheap and tasty eats).
A few minutes outside of Arequipa, the Termas La Calera (La Calera Hot Springs) have a series of indoor and outdoor heated pools perfect for a soak after a day of sightseeing, as well as lockers and showers for post-soak refreshment.
Practical Info
Getting to the Colca Valley takes about 3.5 hours by public bus.
Address: Chivay, Peru
From $ 223
Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art
Perhaps Chile's most important museum is the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino - or Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, displaying 4,500 years of American history on a very human scale.
Housed in the former Royal Customs Palace, one of the city's finest neoclassical buildings, the museum displays thousands of pieces donated by architect and collector Sergio Larraín García-Moreno. Aesthetics were obviously as important to the philanthropist as each piece's historical importance, thus these exhibits really pack a punch.
The cultures of the Andes are represented by some of the finest pieces, but the collection also features artifacts from what is now Mexico, Central America, and the Amazon basin. All are well signed in English and Spanish, offering insight into the hemisphere's human history as a whole.
Practical Info
The Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is located in the heart of downtown Santiago, a bit more than a block southwest of the Plaza de Armas. Several bus lines depart from nearby, or take the L5 metro (green line) to the Plaza de Armas station.
Groups can request free, guided tours in Spanish or English by emailing the museum one month in advance. The museum's audiovisual library, which includes a noted indigenous music archive, is open to th e public. Only museum members can borrow items, however.
Address: Calle Bandera 361, Santiago de Chile, Chile
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Admission: Ch$3,000
From $ 11
Chiloe Island
Chiloe Island, also known as Isla Grande de Chiloé, is one of 30 islands that make up the Chiloe archipelago in the Lakes Region of southern Chile. It is the first island you see when you cross the Chacao Channel by ferry. The island is well known for its palafitos, which are colorful wooden houses on stilts along the water's edge. There are also more than 150 iconic wooden churches from the 18th and 19th centuries, and 16 of them are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Chiloe archipelago remained isolated from the rest of Chile until nearby Puerto Montt was founded in the mid-19th century. As a result, the area has a distinct culture that includes mythology based on witchcraft. You'll also find unique cuisine on the islands that is different from other parts of the country.
Aside from learning about the culture, visitors also come to Chiloe Island to explore the landscape. The island has rolling hills and farmland to the north and dense forest in the south. Animal sightings are a popular attraction as well. Visitors sometimes see Chilote foxes, humpback whales, and hundreds of species of birds. Tantauco Park, in the southern part of the island, has a large network of hiking trails where visitors can be closer to nature.
Practical Info
From Puerto Montt, you can reach Chiloe Island by taking a bus that crosses the Chacao Channel by ferry to Castro. Castro is about 4 hours from Puerto Montt.
Address: Chiloé Island, Los Lagos Region, Chilie, Chile
From $ 74
Chorro el Macho Waterfall
One of the best attractions in Anton’s Valley (Valle de Antón) is the Chorro el Macho waterfall. This 280-foot (85-meter) waterfall is just a short way north of the town of La Mesa and is one of the most beautiful areas of the valley.
A pleasant half-hour walk through the rain forest on well-marked paths leads you to the waterfall. At the foot sits a large natural pool, and walking paths run through the area for exploration, with suspension bridges running over the river.
For the adventurous, there are also zip lines through the treetops that provide breathtaking aerial views of the Chorro el Macho waterfall. If visiting with a guide, they can point out local animals, birds and butterflies, as well as various points of interest. The falls are most spectacular in the wet season.
Practical Info
The falls are located less than two hours from Panama City, and bus routes run between the city and Anton’s Valley. The site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission costs $3.50.
Address: Chorro el Macho Waterfall, Valle de Antón, Panama City, Panama
Hours: Daily
Admission: Admission is $3.50
From $ 125
Channel of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza)
Not nearly as foreboding as it sounds, the Channel of Las Hope (Ultima Esperanza) is in fact a calm inlet stretching from Eberhard Fjord to Monte Balmaceda. In 1557, Spanish explorer Juan Ladrillero gave the channel its ominous name when he believed navigating it was his last opportunity to reach the Strait of Magellan, though he was met with a dead end.
Boat expeditions up the channel offer stellar views of Balmaceda Mountain and the Serrano Glacier — accessible via a short hike — where visitors walk on the surface of the glacier, visit ice caves or kayak amid ice bergs on Serrano Glacier Lake. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot cormorants, sea lions, dolphins and a variety of shore birds nesting along the banks of the channel.
Practical Info
Boat trips through the Channel of Last Hope depart from the Puerto Natales dock in the mornings.
Address: Puerto Natales, Southern Patagonia, Chile, Chile
From $ 230
ChocoMuseo Antigua
Ancient Mayans were the first to begin using cocoa beans in culinary preparations, and today, Guatemala is one of the countries most associated with chocolate production. At the chocolate museum in Antigua, visitors learn about the history of chocolate and the chocolate production process in a hands-on, kid-friendly setting.
During the ChocoMuseo’s three-times-daily Beans-to-Bar Workshop, a guide walks attendees through the entire chocolate-making process, from harvest and roasting to tempering and molding. Along the way, guests get to prepare cocoa tea, Mayan hot chocolate and European hot chocolate, as well as a box of their own handmade chocolates to bring home. The museum also offers a truffle workshop and a full day tour with a visit to a working cocoa plantation.
Practical Info
ChocoMuseo Antigua is located about a block away from Plaza Mayor.
Address: 4a Calle Oriente #14, Antigua, Guatemala
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-6:30pm; Fri-Sat 10am-7:30pm; Sun 10am-6:30pm
From $ 150
ChocoMuseo Cusco
Cusco’s ChocoMuseo allows travelers to immerse themselves in everything cacao. The interactive museum covers the history of cocoa beans in Peru as well as the chocolate-making process, from bean to the chocolate bar.
In partnership with local Peruvian farmers, the ChocoMuseo produces organic, high-quality chocolate with its guests, who get the opportunity to create their own handmade treats with custom ingredients in the workshop. From roasting the cocoa beans and removing the husk to grinding the cocoa nibs on a metate, chocolate lovers can eat their creations on the spot or save them to indulge in later. Specialized workshop tours also include hot chocolate tastings.
Practical Info
The ChocoMuseo is centrally located just two blocks from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. Many tours include transport to and from Cusco hotels. The museum features its own chocolate shop, plus a cafe that serves brownies, fondues and Mayan-style hot chocolate.
Did You Know? It’s estimated that the cocoa bean has been cultivated in South America for three millennia.
Address: Calle Garcilaso 210, Cusco, Peru
Hours: 9am–7pm
Admission: Varies
From $ 25
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
Built by slaves in the early 1700s, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is one of Paraty’s most historic—and most visited—religious sites. The ornate wooden altars, gilded in gold, provide a stark contrast to the whitewashed walls of the central church. A brilliant chandelier base secured in the rounded ceiling is just part of what makes a visit to Our Lady of the Rosary unique. Travelers will likely find this homage to the slaves who worked tirelessly on its construction an important landmark in Paraty’s rich social, religious and cultural history.
Practical Info
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is located in the historic city center of Paraty in Rio de Janeiro, northwest of the bay. Admission is R$3 per person.
Address: Centro Historico, Paraty, RJ, Brazil, Brazil
Admission: R$3
From $ 121
Choquequirao
Sometimes referred to as “the other Machu Picchu”, Choquequirao is an Incan ruin in the mountains outside of Cuzco. Unlike Machu Picchu, however, Choquequirao sees only a handful of visitors due to the difficult two-day hike.
That could potentially change, however, as plans are in the works to shorten the access to a 15-minute ride on a tram. Many believe that this will greatly-reduce the sense of tranquility which is found at the outpost, although others argue it will open the ruin for a greater amount of visitors. Like Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is an Incan city with ornately-carved terraces and structures, and historians believe that this city in the clouds was once the retreat of royalty. Only about a third of the site has been completely excavated, however, and much of the city continues to remain hidden within the cloudy, sweaty jungle.
Historically, there is much more to Choquequirao than simply another city of the Inca. It’s believed by historians that this was the final outpost of warriors who laid siege on the Spanish at Cuzco, who upon staging a revolt to take the capital retreated back into the mountains. For the next 400 years, the city remained largely forgotten and isolated in the cloud forest until excavations began in 1970.
While only the hardiest of trekkers can currently visit the city, enduring the trek to Choquequirao is more than worth the effort. It’s a quiet, mysterious, and forgotten escape where you stroll through a ruin located away from crowds. It’s fascinating window into an ancient culture, and for the time being, it’s a sliver of history and a corner of Peru which you can largely have all to yourself.
Practical Info
Choquequirao is located 100km from Cusco, and it is accessible via a 2-day hike from the town of Cachora. Guides can be arranged in Cusco, and the overall trip length is typically 3-4 days.
Address: Santa Teresa, Cusco, Peru
From $ 417
Charles Darwin Research Station
A must-see while in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, the biological research station known as the Charles Darwin Research Station is a great way to take in some interesting facts about the environment of the Galapagos many take for granted while relaxing on the beach and having a pina colada. On display, the center has available information on local conservation, habitats, and other interesting relevant statistics.
Certainly the station's most impressive attraction is the tortoise breeding center, where you can see tortoises of all shapes and sizes, including the famous Lonesome George, at 90+ years old, and the last remaining member of the Pinta Island subspecies. Access to the tortoises is quite open and visitors can feel free to walk amongst them as well enjoy a last-minute photo-op.
Certainly the station's most impressive attraction is the tortoise breeding center, where you can see tortoises of all shapes and sizes, including the famous Lonesome George, at 90+ years old, and the last remaining member of the Pinta Island subspecies. Access to the tortoises is quite open and visitors can feel free to walk amongst them as well enjoy a last-minute photo-op.
Practical Info
Visitation to the Charles Darwin Research Station is included in the $100
National Park entrance fee even though many tour packages will often
include it as a part of the package. Access to the center is a mere 30
minute stroll from the from the beautiful Puerto Ayora town center.
After enjoying some fresh calamari and a cocktail, simply take stroll
along Avenue Charles Darwin until it ends…and that’s it!
Address: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
Admission: Included in Galapagos National Park fee
From $ 4,195