Best Latin American Adventure Destinations

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

What to do: Go hang gliding on a tandem flight led by the team of international master champion Konrad Heilmann. Take a cable car or helicopter ride up Sugar Loaf Mountain, the highest point above sea level in Rio de Janeiro, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

Where to stay: Hotel Fasano

1 / 8

Cusco, Peru

Image Source: Flickr user cedarnomad

What to do: Take a train from Poroy to Aguas Calientes to hike to the famed Machu Picchu ruins. If you're feeling extra adventurous, sign up to climb even higher to Mount Huayna Picchu. Take a 4x4 quadbike tour through the key attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Where to stay: Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

2 / 8

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Image Source: Flickr user kansasphoto

What to do: Go on a zip-lining tour over 11 waterfalls at Adventure Park Costa Rica. Go on a two-tank dive at Tortuga Island, where you'll see eels, turtles, and sharks, among other tropical wildlife.

Where to stay: Hacienda AltaGracia

3 / 8

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Image Source: Flickr user zongfu

What to do: Go on a four-wheel buggy excursion along the sandy beaches and Punta Cana countryside. Parasail above the Punta Cana and Bávaro coastline.

Where to stay: Iberostar Grand Bávaro

4 / 8

Chiapas, Mexico

Image Source: Flickr user trako

What to do: Go rappelling (aka descending on a vertical drop on a rock face, using a rope) down La Sima de las Cotorras, a large sinkhole in the tropical forests of the Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve. Go on a combination Lacandon Jungle tour to fit in both archaeological sites and a river rafting excursion.

Where to stay: Hotel Guayaba Inn

5 / 8

Belize City, Belize

Image Source: Flickr user theterramarproject

What to do: Go cave tubing for seven miles in Belize City's Caves Branch River and float away into time as you learn about Mayan history. Take a helicopter over the Blue Hole, the world's largest ocean sink hole.

Where to stay: Chateau Caribbean Hotel

6 / 8

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Image Source: Flickr user iancarvell

What to do: Go on an underwater swim with the islands' signature sea lion pups. Go on a snorkeling tour at Los Túneles, where lava formations have produced a tunnel habitat for many native species.

Where to stay: Hotel Albemarle

7 / 8

Mendoza, Argentina

Image Source: Flickr user ryangreenberg

What to do: Go for some of the country's best whitewater rafting after the snow from the Andes Mountains has melted into the Mendoza River. Bike tour through Mendoza wine country, one of South America's most famous wine regions.

Where to stay: Hotel Villaggio Boutique

8 / 8