It's safe to say we've got a never-ending case of wanderlust — so many places to see, so many oceans to swim in [1], so many Instagram photos to envy! We cannot wait longer, and neither should you, to make our way to Latin America, but not just the usual spots (Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Machu Picchu) [2]. We want to go beyond! Here we've rounded up a list of nontouristy locations to see across Latin and Central America. Get planning now!
Tijuana, Mexico
What to do: Visit the Playas de Tijuana, where you can eat seafood, go surfing, or watch a bullfight.
Where to eat: Telefónica Gastro Park [4] or Caesar's [5].
Where to stay: Hotel Palacio Azteca [6] or Hotel Lucerna [7].
Atacama Desert, Chile
What to do: Go sandboarding on its perfect dunes or for a dip in the saltwater lagoon.
Where to eat: Blancos [8] or Las Delicias de Carmen [9].
Where to stay: Awasi Atacama [10] or Tierra Boutique Hotel & Spa [11].
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
What to do: Take advantage of its famed surf scene or visit new arts complex Casa Wabi [12], founded by artist Bosco Sodi.
Where to eat: Almoraduz Cocina Mexicana de Autor [13] or Auakate [14].
Where to stay: Quinta Lilli Boutique House Hotel [15] or Villa Lilli Boutique House Hotel [16].
Placencia, Belize
What to do: Dive with whale sharks at the Belize Barrier Reef, or hike through the jungle at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first jaguar reserve.
Where to eat: Rumfish y Vino [17] or De'Tatch Seafood [18].
Where to stay: The Placencia Hotel [19] or Hamanasi Resort [20].
Pisco, Peru
What to do: Visit Tambo Colorado, a former Inca fort used to control river traffic above Pisco, or admire the variety of sea animals at Islas Ballestas.
Where to eat: As de Oros [21] or La Tia Fela [22].
Where to stay: Hotel La Casona [23] or Hotel Residencial San Jorge [24].
Guayaquil, Ecuador
What to do: Take a stroll along Malecón 2000, one of the biggest urban renewal projects in South America, complete with gardens, playgrounds, and river views.
Where to eat: Lo Nuestro [25] or Marrecife Marisqueria [26].
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Guayaquil [27] or Hotel Palace [28].
La Paz, Bolivia
What to do: Go on a mountain bike tour down the famed rocky Yungas Road, or go jungle rafting in the Amazon rainforest.
Where to eat: Gustu [29] or Manna Ser Sano [30].
Where to stay: Stannum Boutique Hotel [31] or Alcala Apart Hotel [32]
Montevideo, Uruguay
What to do: Walk along the 10-mile stretch that separates the city from the sea, or catch a show at Teatro Solís, the second-largest theater in South America
Where to eat: Jacinto [33] or Primuseum [34].
Where to stay: Alma Historica Boutique Hotel [35] or Cala Di Volpe Boutique Hotel [36]
Panama City, Panama
What to do: Take a walking tour of the Panama City Canal, or learn about the various species at Monkey Island.
Where to eat: Tántalo Kitchen [37] or Mi Ranchito [38].
Where to stay: Clarion Victoria Hotel [39] or Hotel Coral Suites [40].
Salta, Argentina
What to do: Visit the wine country to get a taste of Torrontés, the wine the region is famous for, or go on a safari tour to take in the region's salt flats and volcanoes.
Where to eat: Parilla La Tosca [41] or El Viejo Jack II [42].
Where to stay: Kkala Boutique Hotel [43] or Alejandro I Hotel [44].