World of travel
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19.01.18 10:38
Old houses of cheerful colors climbing up the obstinate hills, powerful Catholic cathedrals, welcoming harbors with shimmering turquoise waves, narrow streets, which open balconies of buildings, densely entwined with tropical flowers. All of these are the cities of Latin America that preserve the memory of the colonial past and make generous concessions to the present and the future (in the form of skyscrapers winking at the sun with panoramic windows). Do you think this top will be headed by contrasting Rio de Janeiro or Argentine dandy Buenos Aires? But no. We'll show you 10 other Latin American cities to see "live".
From the valley of the Incas to the mausoleum of the great navigator: the most picturesque cities in Latin America
Brazilian Salvador: Up and Down by Passenger Elevator
In Brazil's third largest city, Salvador, you can enjoy an outlandish mix of African, European and indigenous Latin American cultures. It is home to some of the finest examples of colonial architecture in the Americas, with beautiful beaches nearby. In the old downtown areas of Salvador, you will find a collection of pastel-colored buildings dating back to the time when the Portuguese fortified their borders - now the ancient quarters are protected by UNESCO. This is the Upper Town, where, in addition to architectural monuments, there are many important institutions (some of them are also located in historical buildings), museums and temples. In the Lower Town, you will experience a unique shopping experience by going down to the concentration of shopping centers on an unusual form of transport - a passenger lift (Lacerda lift).
Lima: artifacts of pre-Columbian civilizations and gastronomic wonders
Lima is the capital of Peru and very interesting city - was once the richest in Latin America, a reflection of that era can be found in the main square, Plaza Mayor. The treasures of ancient pre-Columbian civilizations, displayed at the National Museum and the Larco Museum, are one of the main motivations for tourists. And here's another great "bait": the gastronomic wonders that famous chefs create in Lima (for example, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and Gaston Acurio). The historical center of Lima is called the City of Kings, it enchants with colonial architecture, the modern Miraflores district attracts sun seekers and inveterate fashionistas, but Barranco is considered a bohemian haven.
Cusco: Gateway to Machu Picchu
Speaking of Peru, one cannot forget the country's main attraction, the sacred valley of Machu Picchu, the most impressive and well-preserved Inca ruins, a testament to the stunning pre-Columbian era. This means that in our list of cities in Latin America, we will not do without Cuzco, it is not for nothing that it has long been nicknamed "The Gateway to Machu Picchu." Despite the fact that Cusco is often overcrowded with tourists, it has managed to save its face. Therefore, before setting out on a mountain hike through the Inca Sites, marvel at the Baroque and Renaissance fortresses, temples, mansions and palaces, starting from Plaza de Armas (the heart of Cusco and its central square). In recent years, this city has managed to get out of the shadow of Lima and become the pearl of the country, because everything in it - from the former Temple of the Sun to the delicious Andean cuisine - is very popular with travelers.
Colombian Cartagena: a charmer with a special charm
It was here that Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner), the heroine of the cult adventure comedy Romance with a Stone, was heading, but she mixed up the buses and ended up in an impenetrable jungle. Cartagena is a colorful Colombian city that attracts more tourists than the capital of the country, Bogota. And for good reason! It is a charming city with an ancient promenade protected by fortresses, photogenic cobbled alleys and colorful squares. All this makes Cartagena (full name - Cartagena de Indias) one of the most romantic cities in Latin America. It was named after the Spanish Cartagena, magnificent old city (St. Peter's Church, University, Inquisition Palace, Main Square, Cathedral) is full of colonial charm and protected by UNESCO.
Santiago: futuristic dandy set against the Chilean mountains
The Chilean capital Santiago seems to be a much more modern city - a kind of futuristic dandy - compared to other members of our top. It is a thriving metropolis with a beautiful background (snowy mountain peaks), trendy galleries and prominent skyscrapers (thanks to the economic boom of the last decade). However, there are vineyards, colonial mansions, neoclassicism, and what kind of cuisine is there in Santiago! The cozy restaurants serve world-class cuisine and excellent local wine. Exquisite boutiques will satisfy any "seasoned" shopaholic. Located in the Maipo Valley, framed by the stunning Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Santiago has withstood invasions, earthquakes, and dictatorships, which does not prevent it from being one of the most popular cities in Latin America.
Valparaiso: colorful houses scattered along the slopes
Compared to Santiago, popular among tourists, another pearl of Chile - Valparaiso - fades slightly, but in vain. Valparaiso is a very beautiful port city that is easily accessible from the capital (about two hours drive). Bright multi-colored houses, surrealistically scattered along the slopes of the hill, are the hallmark of Valparaiso. Many of the historic buildings have been renovated to become trendy restaurants and comfortable boutique hotels. There are several bohemian quarters in the city, where 19th century mansions have been perfectly preserved. Due to the fact that the streets of Valparaiso fit between steep cliffs, indented coastline and hills, there are full of stairs, pedestrian narrow streets, if you feel sorry for your feet, then you can use the funiculars.
Asuncion: Paraguayan jewel
The beginning of the next city in Latin America was laid by the traveler, conquistador from Spain Juan de Salazar, who moored here in 1537. Asuncion is now the capital of Paraguay, filled with sights that are best explored while walking through the ancient center. The city is home to about half a million people, so no fuss and traffic jams! Buildings of the XVI-XVIII centuries, cathedrals and churches erected by the Jesuits and even the Orthodox Church of the Intercession Holy Mother of Godbuilt by Russian engineers in the 1920s are waiting for you. But, of course, the most majestic is the National Cathedral, which takes on a completely different, some otherworldly look, in the twilight with a good lighting. The city can be reached by car, plane or boat. Every July, a fair is held in the Paraguayan capital, where local food products, vegetables, fruits are presented, national melodies sound - a very colorful festival!
The Uruguayan capital Montevideo: Art Deco Art Nouveau, Baroque
In one of the last episodes of the series "Black List" (now in its 5th season), the most wanted FBI criminal Raymond Reddington (James Spader) recommended the interlocutor (in trouble) to escape to Montevideo. And what, the concierge of the underworld, rolling billions of dollars, will not advise bad! The capital of Uruguay remains underestimated: wishing to visit the cities of Latin America, people choose the more "promoted" Rio or Buenos Aires. However, Montevideo is an outstanding metropolis, a major industrial port (which does not prevent the city from having more than 14 miles of luxurious beaches), a historic center, carefully restored with Art Deco or Art Nouveau houses and Baroque cathedral 1726 year. There is even a bronze copy of Michelangelo's "David" in the city. Montevideo (translation of the name - "view from the hill") emerged as a fortress at the entrance to the Bay of La Plata: the Spaniards defended themselves from smugglers. Modern Montevideo has monuments and theaters, museums and skyscrapers, as well as the Centenario stadium, which hosted the FIFA World Cup (it used to accommodate 120 thousand people, after reconstruction there were 80 thousand seats left).
Santo Domingo: Residence of the Viceroy and Columbus Lighthouse
Probably, there is no other such city in Latin America (yes, perhaps, there is no such city on Earth either), in which there is so much associated with the name of Christopher Columbus, as Santo Domingo (the capital Dominican Republic). This jewel of the country, nestled in the south of Haiti, was discovered in 1496 by Christopher Columbus's brother Bartolomeo and named (by him) New Isabella. True, in 1502 the city was named in honor of St. Dominic. Santo Domingo - the oldest extant settlementsfounded by Europeans in the Americas. Its buildings are a real excursion into the history of urban planning: Arabic style, Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance. The Rosario chapel dates back to the end of the 15th century, the Alcazar castle (residence of the viceroys) was commissioned by Christopher Columbus's son Diego in 1514. Until 1922, the remains of Columbus himself were housed in the old cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor. Nowadays, for the great navigator, they have erected (in the image and likeness of the Indian pyramids) a grandiose structure - the Columbus Lighthouse. It was opened in 1992, its construction required more than $ 70 million. In the mausoleum of the Lighthouse, the remains of the discoverer (at least what is considered his ashes) are placed, which are guarded by a constant guard of honor of the guards. The historic center (the so-called Colonial City) of Santa Domingo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ecuadorian Loja and Podocarpus National Park
To round out the list of Latin American cities to visit, we want a kind of "dark horse". You may not have heard of this small town with a population of 130 thousand. This is Loja (Ecuador), occupying the southern part of the Cordillera Real mountain range, located not far from Peru (180 km to the border). The ancient city is distinguished by interesting architecture and decoration, there are stunning churches and squares, museums and botanical gardens with 800 species of plants.
But the main advantage of Loha is different: there is an amazing national park Podocarpus. The biological diversity of the park is amazing, because it is the intersection of four ecological zones: the Pacific, Amazon, Southern Andes and Northern Andes.
The park has many hiking trails, a fantastic landscape with hills and waterfalls, 560 species of birds and 68 species of mammals live here, including many endemics.
This corner of the planet, which is called Latin America, is extraordinary and mysterious. It is washed by two oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific. It includes 46 states with their own local traditions and customs. All these countries have a lot in common, however, each of them is individual and special. For quite a long time, most of these countries were colonies of Portugal and Spain. This left its mark, in particular, for many countries, Portuguese and Spanish remained the state language.
In the northern part of Latin America is the beautiful huge country of Mexico. This country faces the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean, the Gulfs of Mexico and California. Most of the country is mountainous. There are many volcanoes that attract seasoned travelers. In Mexico, sultry deserts and vibrant rainforests are amazingly combined. The country's climate allows for the growth of cacti. But it also allows you to idly relax on the beaches of Mexico. Therefore, multi-colored umbrellas are a common sight for city beaches.
Besides beach holiday in this country you can go on a hike in search of antiquities. Mexico is home to the most famous ancient Mayan pyramids. And also the sacred cities of this tribe are located here.
The country's culture was influenced by Spain. But the United States also had an impact, since the United States is Mexico's northern neighbor. This influence led to the mixing of cultures.
The capital of Mexico - the megalopolis Mexico City is one of the most major cities the world. It has a lot of interesting entertainment for vacationers. A visit to the underwater parks of the famous Shel-Ha, Garrafon, Contoy, Chankanab delights. It will also be interesting to get acquainted with the lagoons and Crocotown crocodile park. Fans of fun nightlife should visit Acapulco. In this city restaurants, clubs, casinos, bars are open all night. During the day you can jump with a parachute, go rock climbing, diving, surfing.
As for the national dress, Mexico has always been associated with sombreros - huge wide-brimmed hats. However, today these hats are sold as souvenirs, and Mexicans are practically not found in them. Local cuisine is worth noting. No other cuisine in the world has such a quantity of hot spices. Therefore, you should be careful when tasting.
Brazil is becoming the second most popular country in Latin America. This is the birthplace of a fiery dance - samba. The nature of Brazil is also of interest. Part of the country is located in the Amazon Valley, and part is on the Guiana Plateau. Therefore, in one part of Brazil it is always hot, while in another, ideal conditions for tropical vegetation are created. The impassable forests of the Amazon remain unexplored to this day. They attract with their mystery and unknown. On the east coast of the country is the world famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, it is installed on the Corcovado mountain.
The most hospitable country in the region is Cuba. Cuba is called hospitable because there are no dangerous animals on the island, and there is no exhausting heat. In addition, Cuban rum and Cuban cigars are famous all over the world.
The most unusual country in the region is Chile. The beauty of this country has inspired many great masters. Gourmets also come here to taste delicious local wine.
Other regions are also popular. Interesting tours allow you to get acquainted with Uruguay, the Bahamas, Argentina, Jamaica, Haiti and other fabulous countries of Latin America.
Similar articles:Chichen Itza was once the most powerful city of the Yucatan Peninsula. According to one version, it was built in the 5-6th century, and in the 10th century it was captured by the Toltec tribe, later turning it into the capital of their state. At the end of the 12th century, Chichen Itza was captured by other city-states, and soon fell into disrepair.
Most famous monuments are located in the so-called "new zone", the one where the buildings of the Toltecs are located. White roads paved with limestone lead from building to building. Opposite the main entrance rises the famous El Castillo pyramid, dedicated to Kukulkan, one of the Mayan supreme deities, who was depicted as a feathered serpent.
4 stairs with 91 steps lead to the central platform of the pyramid. The total is 364 steps, which together with the central platform symbolize 365 calendar days. On the days of the equinox, light falls on the steps of one of the stairs in such a way that you can see the image of a "creeping" snake on it - this spectacle attracts thousands of tourists every year. If you go down the stairs under the pyramid, you can see a more ancient temple with a throne in the form of a red jaguar.
Chichen Itza is also famous for its ball courts, such as Huego de Pelota, the largest court ever built by the Maya. On the walls around the site there are many scenes with participants in the games, some of which are depicted decapitated.
Christ the Redeemer statue, Brazil
One of the most famous monuments in the world - Christ "embracing Rio de Janeiro" - stands on the very high summit city, Mount Corcovado. The idea to erect a monument to Jesus on a picturesque mountain in honor of the centenary of Brazil's independence appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, but the construction was completed only in 1931.
Leads to Corcovade railway, the oldest in Brazil, it is 50 years older than the monument - it was through it that massive blocks were subsequently delivered to the mountain for the construction of the statue. Today, only bright red tourist trains run along this road, taking guests to the foot of the statue. Then tourists and pilgrims have to overcome the last leg of the journey - on the escalator or along the winding staircase, which was nicknamed Karakol ("Snail").
Inside the marble pedestal, there is a small chapel in honor of the patroness of Brazil, Virgin Mary Aparecida. In the evening, the statue is illuminated by several hundred floodlights and is visible from anywhere in the city.
Machu Picchu, Peru
The ancient city of the Incas is located in an inaccessible place among the Peruvian mountains. It is believed that Machu Picchu was built by the supreme Inca Pachacutek in the middle of the 15th century, but after a century the city was abandoned for unclear reasons. In 1911 it was opened, and since then it has been constantly surrounded by hypotheses, legends, speculations. You can get to Machu Picchu by train or bus, as well as on foot, following the original "Inca path".
There are more than 200 buildings on the territory of Machu Picchu - palaces, temples, residential buildings. All buildings are built of carefully fitted stones, without any bonding material! On the slopes of the mountain, the Incas also built imposing stepped terraces on which crops were grown.
The cult site of Machu Picchu is the Temple of the Three Windows, through which the rays of the sun fall on the sacred square, where the sacrifices of the lamas were performed. Another famous landmark of the city is Intihuatana, the stone of the sun. This is a huge monolith on a triangular platform, which, according to one version, served as a sundial, according to another - a place for rituals and festivities dedicated to Inti, the sun god.
Zipaquira Salt Temple, Colombia
The salt temple is entirely carved into a salt rock near the Colombian town of Zipaquira. For many centuries, salt mines were developed here, and now, at a depth of 200 meters, a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Rosary, the patroness of miners, and many other premises have been built.
It is believed that about 90 years ago, miners placed the image of the Mother of God in one of their mines, and then built an altar in the middle of 4 tunnels. However, the temple itself is quite young - the first religious building appeared here in the middle of the 20th century, and the modern premises were opened in 1995.
To get to the temple, you need to walk through the tunnel past 14 small chapels that remind of the suffering of Christ. After the chapels, guests get to numerous passages, balconies and labyrinths of mines, as well as to the dome, from where a view of a huge cross opens. Going further, you can see the exposition of objects made of salt and stone.
Every Sunday in the temple there are masses, and sometimes live music concerts, and in the neighboring caves there is a cinema, souvenir shops and even an underground cafeteria. More recently, the temple has been equipped with a modern lighting system, thanks to which all the salt vaults and statues are illuminated in different colors.
Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Titicaca is not only one of the largest, highest and deepest lakes in the world. According to the legend of the Incas, it was from Lake Titicaca that the god Viracocha came out and created the sun, moon and stars, and then made the first people out of stone - Manco Capac and Mama Okllo. Thus, Titicaca is the birthplace of all Incas, the place where their souls return after death.
About 10 years ago, an ancient temple was discovered at the bottom of the lake, the age of which, according to various versions, is from 1000 to 1500 years. There are 41 islands throughout the lake that are also considered sacred. The largest and most revered of them is the island of the sun - the abode of the Inca sun god Inti. The island is home to the famous Chinaka labyrinth and the "fountain of youth", to which 206 stone steps lead - the steps of the Inca.
Moon Island, in turn, is considered the home of the goddess Mama Kilia. During the time of the Incas, the so-called "maidens of the sun" lived here - women who lived in seclusion and held ceremonies in honor of the sun god.
Latin America has some of the most impressive, enchanting and geographically diverse landscapes on the planet. Beaches, deserts, waterfalls, archaeological wonders, nature reserves - the list is endless. Where do you start? It's time to explore the most beautiful places Latin America.
This is one of the most famous and iconic sites in this country. It is located high in the Andes. Machu Picchu is a fortress built around the middle of the 15th century and abandoned after the invasion of the Spanish conquistadors in the early 16th century. Its ruins were rediscovered when American explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon them in 1911.
Today, Machu Picchu can be easily reached by train, although the more adventurous traveler will choose the famous Inca Trail. The over 80 km trek from Cusco at an altitude of almost 4200 m is not an exercise for the faint of heart. The reward at the end of the journey is a breathtaking view of the beautiful Inca ruins.
It is one of the most precious natural wonders in Latin America. Surrounded by tropical jungle, the magnificent Iguazu River Falls are the border between Argentina and Brazil. The total width is 2.5 km. In total, Iguazu includes about 275 small waterfalls, and the height of the highest reaches 64 m.Other facts:
- Iguazu is wider than Niagara Falls 2 times.
- Water consumption averages 1,756 m 3 per second.
- The Devil's Throat is the highlight of the Iguazu Falls. This is a narrow abyss 80 m high and 150 m long. There are 14 beautiful waterfalls here.
Better to visit the Argentinean side. Not only are there two-thirds of the waterfalls, but the location allows you to get very close to them.
You can enjoy the amazing view of Iguazu by climbing the paths or by hiring a boat that will take you directly under the water jets.
It is unlikely that there are such extensive and mysterious places... Easter Island is one of the most remote in the world, located more than 3,500 kilometers off the coast of Chile. But it's worth visiting for its beautiful scenery and Polynesian culture.
The most famous attraction on Easter Island is the Moai statues scattered around the island. And here you can also see volcanic craters, transparent lakes, serene sandy beaches.
This is a truly stunning slice of southern Patagonia. Torres del Paine is 2,420 km². Its most recognizable landmark is its 3 granite peaks, the teeth of which rest against the sky. Torres del Paine offers impressive waterfalls, pristine lakes and verdant forests.
At the beautiful Lake Gray, adventurous travelers can go kayaking among the icebergs. Nature lovers may be lucky enough to spot guanacos, puma and Andean condors.
This is the driest region on the entire planet - in some particularly arid areas, precipitation has never been recorded. It would seem, what could be interesting in a huge desert? For example, the green waters of the Laguna Verde salt lake near the Argentine border look stunning. The sculpture "Hand of the Desert" will appeal to all lovers of whimsical art. There are 2 large observatories here and thanks to high altitude and the lack of cloud cover, the Atacama Desert is also a great place to observe the starry sky.
Unsurprisingly, these locations inspired Charles Darwin to develop the theory of evolution. Other facts about the Galapagos Islands:
- It is an archipelago of large and small volcanic islands. It is located in the eastern part The Pacific, about 1000 km south of the South American mainland.
- The isolation and absence of large predators make the local wildlife truly unique. It is home to many rare species - giant turtles, seals, sea iguanas, Darwin's finches, non-flying cormorants.
- The Galapagos Islands are the point where three ocean currents meet - Humboldt, South Equatorial and Panama. The result is a variable climate and incredibly beautiful seascapes.
They are renowned for their stunning biodiversity and will appeal to all wildlife lovers.
Located in the Guayana highlands in the western part of the Canaima National Park. Recognized as the tallest in the world, Angel Falls is a stunning sight. It is not easy to get to it - it is located in dense forest thickets. But locals help you reach the foot of this amazing waterfall. Another option is a helicopter ride.
During the rainy season, Angel becomes two different waterfalls. At this time, splashes are felt even from a distance of 1 km. During dry periods, water evaporates without ever reaching the ground.
He seems to be laughing in response to the threat of global warming and is actually growing. The Perito Moreno Glacier is almost 5 km long and rises 61 m above Lake Argonino. Located in Los Glaciares National Park, this area of \u200b\u200bunspoiled nature is protected by UNESCO. In the spring and summer (from November to early March for residents of the northern hemisphere), visitors from the sites watch parts of the glacier collapse. In winter, daredevils make hikes along the snow-white spurs of Perito Moreno.
It is the world's largest wet salt marsh and one of the most beautiful landscapes South America... During the rainy season, a layer of water covers its surface and creates a mirror effect. At first glance, you can't even understand where the earth ends and the sky begins.
Not far from the town of Uyuni there is a railway cemetery filled with rusty masses of old trains. They were once used to transport minerals that the region is rich in. Closer to the center of Salar de Uyuni is Isla Incahuasi, a rocky outpost with giant cacti and hiking trails.
The most beautiful places in Latin America are not limited to this list. This is just a fraction of the splendor to be found on the continent. The Amazon River, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Big Blue Hole - you can list for a very long time. Much better to go on a journey!
Many dream of a trip to Latin America, but few manage to do it! For the lucky ones who belong to the "we'll be there soon" category, and for those who just surf the Internet, see below the most beautiful natural attractions in Latin America and.
Amazon rainforest
These forests cover 5.5 million square kilometers in seven countries in Latin America. It is the largest and richest tropical ecosystem in the world in terms of biodiversity. Most of the forests are found in Brazil (60%), Peru (13%) and Colombia (10%).
This nature reserve thrives on the stream of the Amazon River and its tributaries, which starts from the Andes mountains in Peru and runs 6437 km to Atlantic Ocean on the northeast coast of Brazil.
Each country has many natural attractions to admire: thousands of flora and fauna can be found in over 50 national parks, nature reserves or the largest freshwater island chain, the Anavillanas archipelago in Brazil.
The world's largest dried salt lake in Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni is the largest dry lake located in the southwestern part of the country. It covers an area of \u200b\u200b10,500 square kilometers and was created as a result of various transformations of a prehistoric lake that existed in the highlands of Bolivia. It is known for its large volumes of salt deposits, and contains the largest lithium reserves in the world, hidden deep beneath salt marshes.
Perito Moreno in Patagonia
Anyone lucky enough to visit the southern tip of Latin America should not miss the opportunity to see the glaciers of Patagonia up close. Patagonia is a region that covers 670,000 square kilometers south of the Chile-Argentina border. Perito Moreno is the largest glacier in National park Glacier is in western Argentina, and includes 13 glaciers that end in two large lakes.
Besides being the largest, it is also the most active glacier, as it moves almost two meters a day. According to research, this is one of the few glaciers on the planet that does not seem to be affected by the effects of climate change.
Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina
It is one of the most magical natural wonders in the world and attractions in Latin America, consisting of 275 waterfalls. Iguazu Falls included world heritage UNESCO. Like Perito Moreno, Iguazu is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
Paleontological Park Paleorrota in Brazil
