Escape the crowds in Latin America at these 7 lesser-known areas
As the crowds flock to the well-worn destinations of Machu Picchu and Sugarloaf Mountain, Latin America has started to feel less like the secret escape it once was. But, with 20 diverse countries crammed full of natural and cultural attractions, it’s still easy to escape to unforgettable places with few other tourists. Here are the seven best.
1: Hidden Guianas
Most travellers can’t pinpoint the Guianas on a map, but these countries on the northeastern edge of South America are well worth finding.
In English-speaking Guyana, where 85 per cent of the country is tropical forest, wildlife watching is the draw: giant river otters, giant anteaters and harpy eagles are possible to spy. Heading east, former Dutch colony Suriname’s capital is UNESCO World Heritage listed for its unusual wooden architecture, while in French Guiana – bizarrely still a region of France – you might even watch a rocket being launched into space at the Guiana Space Centre, Europe’s spaceport.
Uncover the secrets of the Guianas with Journey Latin America
2: Patagonia National Park, Chile
Most visitors congregate on the renowned trails of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile’s southern Patagonia, but the little-known Patagonia National Park further north promises a much quieter way to appreciate these fabled landscapes.
Created in 2018, this national park protects mountain terrain cut deeply by valleys and cerulean lakes with plenty of hiking trails to weave and wander. It’s been at the heart of rewilding efforts and is now a key habitat for the rhea (a relative of the ostrich) and pumas. Get here with a self-drive adventure along Chile’s most remote highway, the Carretera Austral.
3: Nicaragua and El Salvador
Costa Rica might have put Central America on the map but its long-overlooked neighbours are now finding their feet. With its natural offering of lakes and volcanoes, as well as its ongoing development of infrastructure, Nicaragua and El Salvador are drawing attention.
Journey Latin America’s Undiscovered Nicaragua and El Salvador tour allows you to experience both without having to share their highlights with many others. Expect the aforementioned volcanoes, tropical rainforests, soft, sandy beaches with epic surf breaks, and a slew of restored Spanish cities.
Escape the crowds in Nicaragua and El Salvador with Journey Latin America
4: San Agustín, Colombia
Colombia might not be known for its archaeological sites, but the UNESCO World Heritage Park of San Agustín suggests it should. Venturing into the rugged terrain of Colombia’s interior, you’ll discover the largest group of megalithic sculptures in South America – which give Rapa Nui (Easter Island’s) moai a run for their money.
Archaeologists are baffled by who made these 600-or-so statues. However, their meticulously carved anthropomorphic and abstract faces, and the tombs over which they have presided since 100 AD, are fascinating, nonetheless. Visit them with on the Weaverbird: Spirit of Colombia small group tour with Journey Latin America.
Go off the beaten track in Colombia with Journey Latin America
5: Ayacucho, Peru
Most visitors make a beeline for Cusco but Peru’s cultural riches extend far beyond the former seat of the Inca Empire. Some 300km northwest, the city of Ayacucho is known for its 20,000-year-old history of human settlement and its boisterous religious festivities, the latter of which culminate during Carnaval.
Crafts are another significant part of this Andean city’s DNA. Spend an afternoon browsing the workshops that specialise in elaborate textiles and the more unusual retablos (wooden boxes containing religious scenes) made from potato mixed with plaster of Paris.
6: Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
The surreal sand dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park on Brazil’s northern coasts seem straight from the imagination of Salvador Dalí. When the rainy season begins, the rippled white sand of the dunes fills to create crystalline freshwater lagoons.
Covering an area as large as Hertfordshire, these dunes were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2024 and are unlikely to remain under the radar much longer. Visit between May and September for a dip in the lakes – you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another planet.
Explore Lençóis Maranhenses National Park with Journey Latin America
7: Uruguay
Sitting on the edge of the South Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay can be overlooked by those planning their Latin American escape – especially given its location between the sought-after destinations of Brazil and Argentina. Journey Latin America’s Signature Uruguay: Land of Vintage Charm holiday offers a coastal and countryside experience complete with wine tasting and culinary delights. From taking in the sunset from Punta del Este to wandering the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Colonia del Sacramento’s Historic Quarter, you’ll be able to immerse yourself at every stop along the way.
