The Best Places to Visit in Latin America in 2025

Guatemala’s tourism sector is growing quickly in the post-pandemic travel era, with airlines adding new routes to the country and millions of visitors expected to arrive this year. Even so, it’s still a relatively underexplored destination – which means you’ll find plenty of authentic experiences, uncrowded archaeological sites and opportunities for customised excursions.

Start in the charming city of Antigua with a bespoke tour of its historical sites, museums, restaurants and small businesses. Guatemala is renowned for its textiles, chocolate and coffee, and you can see first-hand how each of these artisanal products is made. We suggest staying at El Convento, an elegant hotel that reflects the colonial history of Antigua.

To witness a one-of-a-kind cultural event, plan your trip to coincide with All Saints’ Day on 1st November. This is when Guatemala’s Kite Festival takes place, with colourful kites filling the skies to honour deceased loved ones. If you’re more interested in ancient culture, don’t miss the archaeological sites of Iximche and Tikal, where you can even camp out amidst the ruins.

The magnificence of Brazil is no secret, with many travellers flocking to the cosmopolitan hubs of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. But while these cities, and the country’s gorgeous beaches, are certainly worth visiting, in 2025 we’ll also be exploring the lesser-known locations scattered throughout this massive country.

Many of our favourite destinations in Brazil strike a balance between protecting the incredible natural environment while also offering amazing experiences. In the country’s interior you’ll find one of the world’s largest wetland areas – the Pantanal – and the remote refuge of Casa Caiman. From this environmentally conscious hotel, set at the heart of a 53,000-hectare oasis, you can spot jaguars in the wild with the Onçafari conservation project.

Farther north, Cristalino Jungle Lodge is the perfect place to experience the wonders of the Amazon first-hand. It’s located within a huge forest reserve and relies on renewable building materials, natural ventilation systems, permaculture and solar panels to work in harmony with the natural environment.

Costa Rica consistently ranks on travellers’ ‘where to go’ lists, and for good reason. This compact country packs a mighty punch, with every inch teeming with lush greenery, abundant wildlife, and rich biodiversity.

For your 2025 trip, we recommend travelling during the green season (May to November). September and October see the heaviest rainfall, and although we advise to plan your trip outside of this period, the returning rains breathe new life into every corner of the country, with the greenery becoming especially vibrant. The Caribbean coast and the cloud forests in the central highlands are particularly enjoyable during this time, as is Tortuguero National Park, which experiences peak nesting season for many species, including sea turtles.

This is also an excellent time to explore Costa Rica’s adventure travel activities – zip lining and hiking through the rainforest of Arenal Volcano National Park are perfect for thrill–seeking families.

Chile’s sheer variety of landscapes astound. The desolate Atacama Desert, lush green undulating wine valleys, snow-capped volcanoes of the Lake District and windswept plains of Torres del Paine keep us coming back year after year. In 2025 we want to journey a little further, to places like Chiloé, Aisén or Navarino Island – where the rewards of longer trips mean exploring coastlines, islands, and national parks away from the crowds, and the chance to delve into the Indigenous culture of the Mapuche.

Our travel designer Charles has been on the ground exploring and we’ve been hearing wonderful things about Explora Patagonia National Park, an intimate and peaceful lodge. From here you can navigate some of the worlds most crystalline waters on the Cochrane River, mountain bike across the Patagonian steppe or attempt a high mountain ascent of Tamango or Oportus.

This is the year to make that once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galápagos Islands. We recommend booking a suite on a luxury vessel like the Endemic or the Elite. Both of these ships have been working hard on minimising their environmental impact by reducing fuel consumption, using biodegradable products and implementing purified water dispensers to reduce single-use plastics.

If you prefer to stay on land, Galápagos Safari Camp and Pikaia Lodge are also terrific options. Galápagos Safari Camp is renowned for its reforestation efforts, while Pikaia Lodge was the first carbon-neutral hotel to open in the Galápagos. Staying on land affords a little more flexibility and a more bespoke approach to your daily activities, which we find works brilliantly for families.

For those who want to delve a little deeper, island hopping is the perfect way to explore at your own pace. This allows you to really tailor a trip, choosing between your own areas of interest and slowing down to appreciate each island’s individual beauty. The islands are a year-round destination, so they can easily slot into your 2025 schedule no matter when you’re planning on travelling. That said, our wildlife expert Lily points out that if you want to see certain animals, the best time to visit the Galápagos varies accordingly.

Argentina is a treasure trove of new experiences, and even those who have visited many times will find something new to discover with each trip. Our travel designer, Lily, highly recommends exploring the Iberá Wetlands, recently celebrated for its successful jaguar reintroduction, as well as the stunning Altiplano in the northwest.

Further south, immerse yourself in the Lake District and the charming towns of Argentine Patagonia, such as Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes in Neuquén Province. The road between these picturesque spots takes you along the breathtaking Seven Lakes Route, which showcases the beautiful lakes alongside lush forests and two national parks.

While the captivating draw of Buenos Aires’ cosmopolitan sprawl continues to charm travellers year upon year, those in search of serenity and a little soul–seeking may wish to delve into the sparsely populated rural regions.

Over the past few years, Bolivia has been working hard to establish itself as a tourism destination on par with its popular neighbours. In 2025 you can reap the rewards of those efforts by experiencing lesser-known destinations and rugged adventures that highlight not only the country’s natural beauty, but also its distinctive cultural identity.

Bolivia is best known for the spectacular Salar de Uyuni, which can form either end of an adventurous journey between Bolivia and Chile (with stops at luxurious lodges along the way). Visit the salt flats during the rainy season from November to March to see the famous ‘mirror effect’ – and avoid the crowds that descend during the dry season. 

Although Uyuni is not to be missed, there’s much more to discover in Bolivia. The lofty city of La Paz is nothing short of magical – but smaller cities like Sucre, Cochabamba and Potosi are also packed with ancient history and cultural landmarks. Then there are the stunning caves and canyons of Torotoro National Park; the mystical Islands of the Moon and Sun in Lake Titicaca; and the ancient temples and pyramids of sites like Tiwanaku.

Bolivia borders both Peru and Chile, making it easy to combine with these classic destinations. That said, 2025 could be the perfect year to dedicate more time to exploring this country in depth, rather than just hitting the highlights. This will give you plenty of time to get to know Bolivia’s culture – not to mention its cuisine, from hearty soups to salteñas (crispy baked empanadas).

There are so many reasons to go to Colombia, from the lively cities of Bogotá and Medellín to the coastal paradises of Cartagena and Tayrona. In 2025, we’ll be recommending destinations that have seen the most positive change in the past few years, now with some of Latin America’s most exclusive accommodations and enriching experiences for travellers. For instance, the highland town of Barichara (now easily reachable via a new airport), the tropical grasslands of Los Llanos and the seaside village of Bahía Solano.

While Colombia’s larger cities offer all the usual urban attractions such as world-class restaurants and museums, these places provide the kind of peaceful escape that only small towns can offer. They also have a growing selection of boutique hotels like Casa Barichara, where you’ll feel right at home.

According to our travel designer Jen, Colombia is one of the best places in Latin America for an off-the-beaten-track honeymoon. You can escape to secluded beach villas, hilltop retreats and luxurious hotels in Bogotá or Cartagena for candle-lit dinners and rooftop sundowners. The variety of activities like horse riding, hiking, salsa classes, tuk tuk rides and hot air ballooning also make Colombia an exciting family destination (ideally with older children or teenagers).

Peru’s main appeal may be the legendary site of Machu Picchu and the nearby town of Cusco, but it’s also increasingly famous for its burgeoning culinary scene and wealth of cultural experiences. In 2025, new governmental efforts aim to expand the tourism infrastructure and reduce overtourism, promoting lesser-known archaeological sites and authentic cultural immersion.

Machu Picchu attracts millions of international visitors a year for a reason, and is well worth visiting – but there are so many other things to do in Peru. The Sacred Valley and Choquequirao have their own Inca ruins, while Trujillo and Chiclayo are charming cities to explore. And then there’s Lima: a bustling metropolis with a well-earned reputation as one of the best cities in Latin America for food.

Our travel designer David hails from Peru and has travelled extensively across the country. For places to stay, he recommends Sol y Luna in the Sacred Valley and the converted monastery of Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco.