Located in southeastern Florida's Miami-Dade County, Miami is a major city with plenty of surf, sun and fun. However, it has so much more to offer than endless beach parties and glittering strips of upmarket hotels. Miami is a complex and fascinating melting pot of Latin American, Caribbean, and Yankee cultures. From the spirited Cuban community of Little Havana to the glass, steel, and concrete jungle of downtown Miami and the grand homes, luxurious hotels, and glamorous locals of Miami Beach, this city offers an unrivaled multicultural experience. These cultural contrasts allow for a veritable smorgasbord of international culinary delights, a wide range of cultural attractions, and remarkably diverse art and nightlife scenes all against a backdrop of a glittering turquoise ocean and golden-sand beaches.
As the capital of Cuba, Havana is a remarkably vast, sprawling metropolis. The city’s compelling history is reflected in the astonishing diversity of its architecture, its multicultural inhabitants, and its exotic and eclectic cuisine. The Old Town remains a remarkably well-preserved colonial centre. It is characterised by an exquisite hotchpotch of architectural styles, of opulence and decay, socialism and capitalism, the past and the present. Imperial mansions have been converted into modern tenement buildings, government agencies find homes in eighteenth-century convents and the nostalgic classic American cars for which the city is known share Havana’s lively streets with the latest models of BMW and Mercedes. While the UNESCO-funded restoration programme has introduced a modicum of modernity into the city, Havana has managed to retain its wonderfully quirky cultural heritage, its unique character, and its undeniable charm.
Santo Domingo, spreading from the west bank of the Ozamo River to southern coast, is the capital of the Dominican Republic and one of the Caribbean's oldest cities. ‘La Capital’, as it is fondly known by locals, is centred around the Zona Colonial - the city’s cobblestoned historic core. Buildings dating back as far as the 1500s are interspersed with charming cafes, bars, and restaurants. It is here that visitors will find the city’s impressive display of colonial-era architecture including the first built cathedral in the New World, as well as the oldest surviving European fortress in the Western Hemisphere. The city's waterfront area is lapped by the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and attracts tourists with its luxurious casinos, palm-lined boulevards, and stately monuments. Don’t miss the Alcázar de Colón palace to see extraordinary medieval and Renaissance art.
Puerto Rico is a US territory in the Caribbean, composed of one main island (Puerto Rico) and a spattering of smaller satellite islands. It has been dubbed the ‘Island of Enchantment’ for good reason: its long stretches of white sand beach, lush rainforest scenery, eclectic culture and exotic ambience make it an irresistible travel destination. The island is relatively small, so it’s easy to travel around and see most of the outstanding attractions. These include the misty tropical jungles of El Yunque National Park, the pristine beaches and bioluminescent mangrove bays of Vieques, and the capital, San Juan, known for its sizzling nightlife - especially around the Isla Verde area, where seductive salsa beats continue into the early hours of the morning.
Trinidad is the busier of the two islands that comprise the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Bursting with unparalleled spirit and an astonishingly eclectic culture, the island is known for its annual Carnival celebrations and its vast, unspoiled areas of lush forest and marshland. This pristine wilderness supports some of the world’s best birdwatching, notably in the rainforest at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, and the Caroni Bird Sanctuary swamp. Don’t miss the chance to relax on the island’s magnificent beaches along the north coast, with peach sand, clean blue-green water, and the forest-covered Northern Range as a backdrop. Other noteworthy attractions include the spectacularly scenic Maracas Waterfalls and the Magnificent Seven, a row of early 20th-century Trini-Creole colonial mansions .
Situated in the Brazilian state of Para, the city of Belem serves as the capital of the state. It provides an excellent jumping-off point from which to explore Brazil's majestic Amazon River. This bustling metropolis is surrounded by wild tropical rainforest, is known for its historical charm, and features streets lined with mango trees. Visitors can look forward to exploring the Cidade Velha - the riverfront Old Town boasting perfectly preserved Colonial-era architecture; strolling through the Rodrigues Alves Wood Botanical Garden; and browsing the vibrant Ver-o-Peso Market. Other highlights include lush parks, fascinating museums, and restaurants serving delicious Indian cuisine.
The beachside city of Recife is one destination you don't want to simply pass through. Its abundant charms will appeal to anyone: from the carnival enthusiast and the sun worshipper to the foodie and the shopaholic. The city's southern side is a tourist hotspot along the famous Boa Viagem Beach – a wide bay of azure waters backed by a bustling promenade packed with restaurants, hotels and bars – and perfect for those seeking sun, fun and festivities. To sample some of the local culture, visitors can explore the atmospheric Old Town or take in a display of Capoeira Pernambuco – a traditional martial art. Nature lovers should head to the world-famous moisture-laden Pernambuco coastal forests or the Recife Brazil Ibirapuera Park, a perfect setting to relax and unwind.
A dynamic coastal neighbourhood synonymous with leisure, luxury and nightlife, Copacabana is characterised by million-dollar penthouses, stunning neoclassical buildings and tiny apartments set against a magnificent backdrop of jungle-clad mountains in Rio de Janeiro. From its humble origins as a small fishing village, the "Princess of the Sea" is now a leisure seeker's paradise, bursting with restaurants, nightclubs, bars and hotels, and emits a lively, effervescent energy, perfect for the social traveller. To learn its history, visit Forte de Copacabana, a fort and museum that traces the early days of the Portuguese colony through to the mid-19th century. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to The Eva Klabin Foundation (Casa Museu Eva Klabin), a historical home of famous art and antique collector Eva Klabin that houses over 1000 art pieces from all over the world. A visit to Copacabana is incomplete without the world-famous Copacabana Beach, a 4-kilometre stretch of golden sand dotted with brightly-coloured umbrellas, bars and a popular playground for watersports, football, volleyball, or simply lazing in the sun.
This magnificent waterfall marks the confluence of the Iguazu River in Argentina and the Parana River in Brazil, and the meeting of the two countries is marked by stone pillars rising from the water. It is said that the former first lady of America, Eleanor Roosevelt, exclaimed her ‘pity’ for her country’s Niagara Falls when she first encountered the beauty of Iguazu Falls. Roughly half the combined volume of both rivers thunders into the Devil’s Throat, a U-shaped cataract that delivers a torrential deluge of water into the wide basin below. Visitors can look forward to ample opportunities for excellent jet boat safaris, kayaking, hiking, biking, and more. Make sure to visit the extraordinary Iguassu Bird Park to see toucans and other brightly coloured exotic birds in their natural habitat.
Situated on Argentina’s stunning Rio de la Plata coast, Buenos Aires is a thriving portside capital defined by a rich history, vibrant culture, and strong European influence - thus nicknamed the Paris of South America. Countless museums covering a cornucopia of subjects; an active theatre culture; carnivorous buffets second to none; sensuous tango performances; a mosaic of architecture; and shops to fit all fancies – all these facets and more make up the seductive blend that is Buenos Aires. Some of the city’s highlights include the buzz of the La Bombonera Stadium; tango and milonga venues like the Bohemian La Catedral; and heritage architecture such as that at the Cementerio de la Recoleta, where visitors can wander through a ‘city’ of massive statues and marble mausoleums. Don’t miss the International Festival of Independent Cinema and the vibrant annual Pride Parade.
