Best cozy town destinations in South America
Best cozy town destinations in South America
Highland valley settlements and traditional lakeside communities in South America
A colonial town in Colombia, built around one of South America's largest colonial-era plazas, has preserved its whitewashed architecture remarkably well, while a small mountain town in Argentina offers a completely different, mountain-framed version of small-town charm further south.
The destinations on this list range from colonial towns with centuries of largely unchanged architecture to small mountain towns built specifically around access to nearby trekking. Both reward staying more than a single night.
Visiting outside weekend day-trip crowds matters considerably at the most popular colonial towns, given their popularity with visitors from nearby capitals. Staying overnight in a restored colonial guesthouse adds considerably to the atmosphere. Dressing comfortably for cobblestone streets also matters considerably in these older town centres. Most plazas stay lively well into the evening.
Lists by region
City in Brazil
Ouro Preto
Historic gold‑mining town with baroque charm
In the mountains of Minas Gerais the town grew rich after gold turned up near Rio das Velhas in 1695. It was the state capital from 1720 until 1897. UNESCO listed it in 1980 for baroque architecture. Gold-decorated churches with works by Aleijadinho draw visitors. About 75,000 people live in the municipality.
City in Brazil
Gramado
Brazil’s Alpine Escape in the South
Settlers arrived in 1875 and German immigrants followed about five years later, then Italians. The town became an official city on 15 December 1954. About 40,000 residents live in the mountains at 2,790 feet. Dozens of artisanal chocolate shops operate across town and Natal Luz is described as Brazil's largest Christmas festival.
City in Uruguay
Colonia del Sacramento
Timeless Streets on the Río de la Plata
Irregular Portuguese streets wind through the Barrio Histórico, a 40 acre UNESCO site listed in 1995. Portugal founded the post in 1680 and Spain and Portugal contested it through the 18th century. The lighthouse and Calle de los Suspiros are landmarks. Ferries cross the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires in about 1.5 hours.
Village in Argentina
Purmamarca
Rainbow Hills and Andean Traditions
At 7,625 feet this village is about 2,300 feet higher than Denver. The Hill of the Seven Colors faces the town. UNESCO named the Quebrada de Humahuaca valley a World Heritage Site in 2003. Artisans sell crafts at the main plaza market. A church with adobe walls dates to 1648.
Town in Colombia
Guatape
Colorful Streets and Lakeside Views
Colourful tiled murals called zócalos wrap building facades and earn the town its nickname Pueblo de Zócalos. The nearby rock face rises over 650 feet. The climb has more than 700 steps. The town lies 49 miles from Medellín at 6,200 feet beside a reservoir.
Town in Chile
Pucon
Volcano Views and Adventure Bliss
The name Pucón comes from Mapudungun, the Mapuche language. Villarrica volcano lies about 11 miles south and has erupted more than 82 times since 1558. Climbs depend on weather and volcanic activity. Hot springs such as Huife and Los Pozones are nearby. Trancura River rapids range from Level III to Level V.
Village in Colombia
Barichara
Colombia's most beautiful colonial gem
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception rests on 10 carved monolithic columns, each about 16 feet high. Streets, houses and temples are built from yellow stone. Colombia declared the historic centre a national monument in 1978. The colourful buildings inspired settings in the film Encanto.
Town in Argentina
Villa la Angostura
Patagonia's Hidden Gem
Founded on 15 May 1932, the town lies on the northwest shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake. Los Arrayanes National Park protects a forest of myrtle trees nearby. Cerro Bayo ski resort offers skiing between 4,900 and 5,800 feet. Villa La Angostura lies about halfway between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes.
Town in Brazil
Paraty
Colonial Charm and Tropical Beauty
Around full moons high tides flood the cobblestone historic centre for a short time. Merchants lay out small bridges for pedestrians. The town exported gold from Minas Gerais along a Gold Trail of roughly 745 miles. UNESCO inscribed Paraty and Ilha Grande in 2019 for culture and biodiversity.
Town in Colombia
Villa de Leyva
Timeless Cobblestones and Andean Skies
The Plaza Mayor covers about 3.5 acres of cobblestones and is called the largest square in Colombia. Founded in 1572, the town became a national monument in 1954. Nearby fossils include a near-complete Monquirasaurus nicknamed El Fósil. Bogotá is about three hours away by road.
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