Explore the Best Cities in Latin America to Visit

Cities in Latin America captivate with culture, history, and energy. Discover the best cities in South America to visit—Buenos Aires, Rio, and beyond. From colonial charm to vibrant nightlife, explore top destinations and uncover the true spirit of Latin America through its most iconic cities.

Last updated: 23.05.2025

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Where Passion Takes the Lead

Often called the nicest city in Latin America, Buenos Aires balances sophistication with soul. This city pulses with life—tango notes drifting from milongas, the scent of grilled meats from steakhouses, the sharp clack of heels on cobbled San Telmo streets. It’s a place that embraces contradiction: grand European architecture stands alongside vibrant street murals, while traditional cafés sit steps from avant-garde galleries.

Don’t miss a stroll in Palermo’s leafy parks or a late dinner where the wine flows as freely as the conversation. For travellers seeking both energy and elegance, Buenos Aires ranks among the best cities in South America to start your journey. Our Wonders of Argentina tour offers an unforgettable experience, combining Buenos Aires with stunning destinations like El Calafate, Ushuaia, and Iguazu Falls.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A Symphony of Nature and Culture

Few cities are as visually iconic as Rio. With the Christ the Redeemer statue gazing over golden beaches and lush peaks, Rio de Janeiro is a celebration of contrasts. Urban life here flows right into nature—locals surf at sunrise, hike forested trails, and dance until dawn under the stars. But there’s more to this city than its postcard-perfect views. In Lapa, samba spills from every doorway. In Santa Teresa, colonial mansions now house artists’ studios.

If you’re seeking one of the best cities to visit in South America, look no further than Rio. Its spirit is infectious, its beauty unmatched, and its charm enduring. For an incredible journey combining vibrant cities and natural wonders, our Treasures of Two Capitals tour includes Rio, Buenos Aires, and the breathtaking Iguazu Falls.

Cartagena, Colombia: Romance on the Caribbean Coast

Behind the coral-stone walls of Cartagena’s old town lies a city that feels both suspended in time and joyfully alive. Horse-drawn carriages clip along flower-draped streets. Colonial balconies burst with bougainvillea. Afro-Caribbean rhythms echo from plazas, inviting passersby to stop, listen, and dance. You might sip fresh coconut water while gazing out over the sea, dine on ceviche in a restored mansion, or explore the ramparts where centuries of history linger in the salty breeze.

Cartagena is a treasure trove of sensory experiences. For travellers drawn to warmth—in both climate and hospitality—Cartagena is one of the best cities in Latin America for romance, culture, and coastal charm. To experience Colombia’s vibrant diversity, our Best of Colombia tour combines Bogotá, Eje Cafetero, Medellín, and Cartagena de Indias for a rich, unforgettable journey.

Mexico City, Mexico: Where Ancient Meets Avant-Garde

Vibrant and immense, Mexico City is a metropolis of many moods. One moment, you’re walking through ancient Aztec ruins in the shadow of the Templo Mayor. The next, you're sipping espresso in a minimalist café in the Roma district. This is a city where every layer of history is still visible—and still lived. Museums here rival the best in the world. The food scene—from street tacos to Michelin-star tasting menus—is a journey unto itself. Art spills out of Frida Kahlo’s Blue House and into the murals of Diego Rivera.

For those craving both intellectual depth and everyday delight, this city delivers. Mexico City isn’t just one of the best cities to visit in South America (and Latin America at large)—it’s also a reminder that cities can be both ancient and astonishingly current.

Lima, Peru: Flavours of the Pacific

Lima may be Peru’s capital, but its essence lies in the sensory. Here, cuisine takes center stage—Nikkei, criolla, and Andean influences blend in ways that feel utterly modern. The city has emerged as a gastronomic powerhouse, drawing travellers not just to Machu Picchu, but also to its restaurants, street markets, and coastal cevicherías. In the historic centre, baroque churches rise beside colonial mansions, all humming with local life.

Lima doesn’t shout. It invites. And for those looking to understand Peru beyond the Andes, it’s one of the best cities in Latin America to explore. Our Grand Discovery of Peru tour offers an immersive experience that includes Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco, revealing the heart of this incredible country.

Walk along the clifftop promenade in Miraflores, where paragliders dot the sky and surfers ride Pacific waves far below.

Montevideo, Uruguay: Serenity with a Soul

Often overshadowed by its larger neighbours, Montevideo is Latin America’s best-kept secret. This seaside capital moves to its own mellow rhythm. Locals stroll the Rambla with thermos and mate in hand. Tango plays softly from open windows. The air smells faintly of sea and asado.

In Ciudad Vieja, colonial façades meet contemporary design. The Mercado del Puerto offers a crash course in Uruguayan cuisine and conviviality. And for those who value authenticity over flash, Montevideo offers a genuine connection to place. Among the best cities in South America to relax, reflect, and recharge, Montevideo is quietly extraordinary.

Santiago, Chile: Urban Grace Beneath the Andes

Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Santiago is a city of clean lines, cultural riches, and constant reinvention. It's not just Chile’s capital—it’s its pulse. Museums like the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino preserve indigenous heritage, while neighbourhoods like Bellavista burst with colour, poetry, and performance. What sets Santiago apart is how livable it feels.

Vineyards lie just beyond the skyline. Ski resorts are a short drive away. And within the city, parks and open spaces abound. For those looking to explore beyond the city, our Grand Patagonian Discovery tour includes Santiago, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, and Puerto Varas, showcasing the breathtaking diversity of Chilean Patagonia.

When asked what is the most luxurious city in Latin America, Santiago often makes the list—not for extravagance, but for its understated elegance, high quality of life, and seamless blend of nature and urban comfort.

From the passion of Buenos Aires to the calm of Montevideo, the cities in Latin America offer more than just sights—they offer soul. They are places where music, history, flavour, and community shape daily life. Whether you’re drawn to the luxury of Santiago, the magic of Cartagena, or the colour of Rio, each city tells its own compelling story.

Choosing the best cities to visit in South America means choosing how you want to feel: inspired, energised, nourished, or transformed. Whichever path you take, these destinations promise experiences that linger long after the journey ends.