Top 10 best off beat destinations in Central And South America
By: Patricia

By Monica Irauzqui

Ouro Preto and Congonhas, Brazil

Ouro Preto Brazil Photo By carlosoliveirareis

Escape the beaches and wild jungles of Brazil and retreat to the mountain town of Ouro Preto, historically rich in gems and gold. Ouro Preto was a wealthy 18th century colonial mining town that today is abundant in culture and history. While walking the cobble stone streets that wind amongst Baroque-styled buildings, it’s easy to become seduced by the city’s ancient charm. The beautifully preserved buildings loom with the air of the Renaissance and have acclaimed the city a World Heritage Site. The town’s rich history also encompasses an era of slavery from the town’s mining days. Ouro Preto has a large university scene and a youthful population making it an exciting place to celebrate Brazil’s large festival Carnival.

C class="username">Bycarlosoliveirareis

Congonhas is best seen on the way to Ouro Preto. Truly ‘off the beaten path’ Congonhas is a 2-3 hour detour from the city and not offered on Yampu’s regular itineraries; it must be requested. The eloquently small town is filled with inspiring stories, one of which is housed within the Bom Jesus Church. Decorated inside the Church are sculptures by Aleijadinho, the son of a black slave. Aleijadinho lost his hands after contracting leprosy and began sculpting his work with a chisel and hammer strapped to his arms making his work truly consequential. Another story is of a Portuguese immigrant named Feliciano Mendes who believed he was cured by Jesus de Montosinhos. Upon his cure he was so relieved that he built a church in Jesus de Montosinhos’s honor. Annually, on September 14th the anniversary of his cure, people come to visit the Church and pray for a cure of their own. The inside of the Church is alluringly decorated with the compassionate letters from those wishing for their own benediction.

Villa de Leyva, Colombia

Photo By jeromesutter

Villa de Leyva is a small colonial town so well-preserved that it feels lost in another time. The village boasts Andalucia architecture complete with small alleys and cobblestone streets. Within the town are several attractions including the Cathedral, the house of Antonio Narnio, the house of Antonio Ricuarte, the Colonial Art Museum, and the House of Congress. Due to its rich history and intense beauty Colombia declared Villa d Leyva a national monument in the 1950’s. To this day the colonial town remains a Colombian treasure and is commonly a weekend getaway for those retreating to a slower place and a temperate climate.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Photo By whl.travel

The archipelago of Fernando de Noronha jets far into the Atlantic Ocean 225 miles off the coast of Brazil. The main island is sparsely populated and tourism has become the primary source of income for the dispersed locals. The crystal blue waters and rich marine life make this archipelago a heavenly escape for snorkeling and diving, the island’s main attractions. Diving off the archipelago into the Atlantic swimmers can expect to find 230 species of fish, 15 varieties of coral, and 5 types of sharks. The diving is best at Ilha rata, Ilha do Morro de Fora, Enseada da Rasureata, and Ponta da Sapata. In contrast, snorkeling is preferable in large shallow pools of water at low tide. The best locations include: Baia dos Porcos, Ponta das Caracas, Baia do Sueste, and Atalaia.

Photo Bywhl.travel

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo is a laid back beach town on the southeastern shores of Costa Rica that capitalizes on the effortless pleasures of the Caribbean lifestyle. The surrounding beaches Playa Negra, Punta Uva, and Play Chiquita, have beautiful contrasts of bright white sand and brilliant blue waters.

Photo By evandoty

Puerto Viejo is a popular surfing destination in Costa Rica with the area’s largest waves locally named the Salsa Brava. Apart from the many popular marine sports available, Puerto Viejo is also within close distance to the Jaguar Rescue Center. The center is dedicated to the rehabilitation of mistreated, injured, orphaned, and confiscated animals that after rehabilitation are released into their native habitats within protected areas in Costa Rica. The Jaguar Rescue Center is a popular destination where visitors can interact with several different animals including the Costa Rican native howler monkey.

Photo By allan.rojas

Granada, Nicaragua

Granada is the oldest colonial city in the western hemisphere and has an intriguingly turbulent past. Previously the jewel of Central America, Granada was the point of exchange for gold and other minerals mined throughout the Spanish Empire during Colonial times.

Photo By NickDungeness

Granada’s history expands to include political movements, devastating fires, and pirates. Currently Granada is a conservatively prosperous city due to its increase in tourism and consequential property development including hotels and restaurants. Granada’s vibrant city captures the opulence of the old Spanish Empire with charming colonial buildings painted in light pastel colors. The city’s picturesque colonial style is built up around the city’s main square the Parque Central, the heart of Granada. Surrounding the Parque Central are various historical landmarks and buildings such as the Cathedral, as well as horse drawn carriages. Nearby Granada is the Nicaragua’s first park, Volcan Masaya National Park established in 1979. The park has scenic trails and roads that travel through the impressive landscape composed of two large volcanoes and five deep craters. Also close by is Laguna de Apoyo, a popular local watering hole that teems constantly with wildlife. At the Laguna de Apoyo are opportunities for visitors to kayak the waters.

Photo By dalbera

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Santa Teresa is truly an emerging destination with tourists just recently beginning to arrive during the early 1990’s. Like most small costal villages in Central America, Santa Teresa’s main industry is fishing; the second two are cattle ranching and logging.

Photo By nguyenduong

The remote village offers several delicious restaurants run by globally trained Chefs settling in Santa Teresa from other countries. The village has a smaller population of hotels; some include luxury accommodations that adhere to the town’s relaxed atmosphere. The town sits upon off-white colored beaches with the tropical jungle in the backdrop. While currently untouched by mainstream tourism, the village is gradually becoming a popular surfing destination due to ideal conditions year round.

Photo Bynguyenduong

Arica, Chile and Parque Nacional Lauca

Located in the northernmost tip of Chile at the boarder of Peru is the city of Arica. Commonly referred to as the “city of eternal spring”, Arica’s main attraction is its gorgeous temperate climate. The temperature here rests persistently between 70 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and is sunny and dry year round. The areas surrounding Arica have supported human life for several thousand years and as a result the region boasts several ancient points of interest including Pukara de Copaquilla a fortress built in the 12th century to protect the agricultural settlement. Also nearby are ancient rock drawings of llamas and other herding animals at Poconchile in the Lluta Valley.

Photo By mdverde

Approximately two hours from Arica far outside the city lights resting high in the mountains is the Parque Nacional Lauca. Chile’s park Lauca is well known for its breathtaking scenery that includes Lago Chungará, one of the world’s highest lakes, and several pristine snowcapped volcanoes that rise tall throughout the park’s 75,000 acres. Lauca Nacional Park, a World Biosphere Reserve, is home to a large variety of plant and animal wildlife. It is recommended that visitors stay in the surrounding region for a few days at a time to adjust to the extreme altitude and fully absorb the region’s beautiful landscape and abundant wildlife.

Photo By fveronesi1

Colca Canyon, Peru

Colca Canyon in Peru is the world’s second deepest canyon with an average distance of 100 kilometers between the high mountain peaks and the Colca River below. The canyon rests in the southern end of Peru in the Colca Region, originally conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. This natural Peruvian wonder is filled with pre-Colombian towns and agricultural sites that still support farming and human life. The town of Chivay is the largest town in the canyon and hugely popular due to La Calera, the soothing natural hot springs.

Photo By Milqito

The Canyon is territory to many birds including: the giant Calibri (the largest member of the hummingbird family), the Andean Goose, the Chilean Flamingo, and the mountain Caracara. Also indigenous to the canyon is the Andean Condor. Increasingly dwindling in population, the Andean Condor is commonly seen at the Cruz del Condor, a popular tourist attraction. The Cruz del Condor is a pass in the canyon with rising thermals as the air warms that supports the elegant flights of the Andean Condor.

Photo By whl.travel

The impressive landscape allows for several outdoor activities including: hiking, rafting, and mountain biking. However, due to the drastic elevation changes, visitors are advised to allow time to acclimate and be aware of the changing altitude.

Salta, Argentina

Photo By Patricil

Resting in the foothills of the Andes in the northwest region of Argentina is the country’s 8th largest metropolitan city Salta. Originally founded in 1582 by Spanish conquistador Hernado de Lerma, Salta has a large Spanish influence. The city is adorned with dramatic Spanish colonial buildings from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Atop San Bernardo Hill, resting just on the outskirts of Salta, there are impressive views of the sprawling metropolitan throughout the surrounding valley. Salta has a lively night scene with clubs, trendy restaurants, pubs, and an array of live music.

Photo By devittj

One of the largest appeals of Salta is its infamous wine regions. The temperate climate and high altitude create prime conditions for growing grapes and producing wine. The region is most known for the production of the Torrontes grape, a varietal white wine grape that produces fresh and aromatic white wines. The Salta wine region also produces chardonnays, cabernet sauvignons, and Argentina’s famous Malbecs. Highlighting the wines, the town has a Salta Wine Tour that visits 20 regional vineyards that offers tastings, demonstrations, and even allowing visitors to help crush the grapes.

Photo By Micah & Erin

Another Salta highlight is El Tren a las Nubes, or the Train in the Clouds. This train, now purely touristic, travels on the third highest railway in the world at 4,220 meters above sea level. At this height the train crosses through the clouds as it zigzags up the Andes Mountain range. Recently refurbished and reopened in 2008, the impressive views from the train make the ride a must-do excursion when visiting Salta.

Easter Island, Chile

Photo By Jim Nix / Nomadic Pursuits

Literally the most remote place on earth, Easter Island lies, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3,600 kilometers (2,237 miles) straight out from the Chilean coastline. Easter Island is an island which still holds a very special mystery and magic. The natives some of whom can still be seen wearing very little clothes instead their bodies painted with mud, called it Rapa Nui, literally meaning the Navel of the World.

Photo By John Gulliver

It was re-discovered by the Dutch on Easter Sunday 1722 and thus to this day it is usually referred to as Easter Island. But this island holds an intrigue far greater than one might imagine, from the 5000 horses that roam wild on the island, to local culture that sticks fast to its origin, to the many mysteries and legends which surround the Moai. The whole Island is a national park and the locals are proud to protect the park. If you choose to visit Easter Island it is best to leave the lap tops and cell phones behind and embrace the most remote spot in the world.

About the blogger:

Monica Irauzqui is the Vice President for a fabulous Latin America Tour Company calledYampu Tours (formerly known as Yampu). It was created by a Peruvian man and an American woman who, after exploring this beautiful continent together, decided to share the treasures they discovered with the rest of the world.

Learn more about this incredible company here

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