Planning a Latin American vacation? Check out Samantha Brown's Travel Guides for information on the hotels, restaurants and sights she visited while there.
Belize
Located along the Caribbean Sea, Belize is full of breathtaking things to explore, including 400 cayes along the coastline and the majestic Maya Mountains.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is an amazing place to visit, with a large variety of things to see and do. It boasts a colorful history, elegance and traditions that the people of Buenos Aires are very proud of.
Central Valley, Costa Rica
Located just south of San Jose, in the interior of Costa Rica, the Central Valley is known for its mild climate, lush plantations and rich, fertile soil - the latter a result of the area's two active volcanoes.
Coastal Chile
Coastal Chile has not been overdeveloped for tourists, so if you go at the right time of year, you can really feel like you're part of the community, enjoying long days of shopping, relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere.
Cusco, Peru
Situated in the Andes mountains, Cusco is considered one of the highest cities in the world. As the cradle of the Inca civilization, Cusco is known for its amazing archaeological ruins, including neighboring Machu Picchu.
Granada, Nicaragua
About an hour's drive from the capital, Managua, Granada is the oldest colonial city in Nicaragua and the entire Western Hemisphere.
Guadalajara, Mexico
Most tourists who travel to Guadalajara get an unsuspected surprise - Guadalajara is not a resort city. It's a place full of both modern and historic qualities that include monuments, tree-lined avenues and parks that date back to the 16th century.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
It's easy to understand why so many people visit the Guanacaste province. The city has some of the best beaches in Costa Rica, and that's not all it offers.
Honduras
Honduras is a vibrant country filled with pristine beaches, lush jungles, mountains, rivers and ancient ruins.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Peru is a mix of ancient cultures and rich new traditions. It's a colorful country, with a unique history and many stories to share. And, of course, its magical Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world!
Mexico City, Mexico
The capital of Mexico is all the buzz these days with is trendy restaurants, night-life and new hotels and apartments.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Home to about half the nation's population, Montevideo has a historical Old Town that dates to colonial times. The city is also surrounded by white sandy beaches.
Panama City, Panama
Yes, it's home to the legendary Panama Canal. However, Panama offers much more for visitors, including the Gamboa rainforest, beautiful beaches, a vibrant nightlife, restaurants and art.
Punta Arenas, Chile
Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, Punta Arenas was in the past a large port for trade.
Quito, Ecuador
A city nestled into a valley in the high Andes, Quito is one of the hottest destinations in Latin America.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Nicknamed the Marvelous City, Rio de Janeiro is known for dramatic views, famous Carnival celebrations, over 23 beautiful beaches, good food, joyful music and impressive architecture, among other attributes.
Santiago, Chile
With over 5 million people living in the largest city in Chile, it's not hard to find restaurants of every ethnic background, four-star hotels, museums, theaters, universities and much more here.
São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo is a city that can overwhelm the senses. Often compared with New York City, this vibrant metropolis houses over 10 million inhabitants, making it the largest city in South America.
Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, Mexico
Known for its breathtaking beaches, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is an interesting mix of old and new.