Cusco
#7 in Best Places to Visit in Central and South America
Formerly the capital of the Inca Empire before it was invaded and occupied by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, Cusco, Peru, showcases a unique blend of Andean and Spanish cultures. In the Plaza de Armas (a large square in the historic downtown area that once represented the exact center of the Inca Empire), visitors will find two Spanish churches – Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesús and La Catedral. Cusco also features multiple museums that display various historical artifacts, including the Museo Inka and the Museo de Arte Precolombino.
Torres del Paine National Park
#8 in Best Places to Visit in Central and South America
Reaching this remote national park in Chilean Patagonia isn’t easy, but travelers say that beholding the ice fields of Grey Glacier and the soaring peaks of the Cuernos del Paine are more than worth the trip. And with 448,000-plus acres of diverse land to explore, visitors will find boredom near impossible. Some of Torres del Paine’s most popular trails include the challenging W Trek (a multiday feat past stunning lakes, mountains and glaciers) and the easier Mirador Las Torres hike. Before venturing into the wild, be sure to stock up on essentials in a nearby city like Puerto Natales.
