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Best luxury destinations in South America

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Punta del Este
Glamour, Beaches and Endless Sunsets
7.4
The resort has been called the Hamptons of South America. It grew into a retreat for the Latin and North American jet set. The coast splits into calm Mansa beaches and fierce Brava beaches. Casapueblo, a complex styled after Santorini, is a popular landmark on the peninsula.
Highlights:
  • 🦭 Explore Punta del Este Marina and watch sea lions
  • 🏖️ Relax on calm waters at Playa Mansa beach
  • 🖐️ Take photos at iconic Los Dedos sculpture on Playa Brava
Rio de Janeiro
The heartbeat of Brazil's coast
8.1
The Copacabana Palace opened on 13 August 1923 and faces Copacabana Beach along Avenida Atlântica. It has 243 rooms, including 127 suites. Guests have included Walt Disney, Marlene Dietrich and Princess Diana. LVMH acquired its parent Belmond in 2018. The hotel has been voted the best in South America several times.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the iconic sands of Copacabana Beach
  • ✝️ Stand before Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain
  • 🚠 Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for breathtaking views
Cartagena
Walled city of Caribbean color
7.2
Small boutique hotels cluster inside the Walled City, a UNESCO site since 1984. The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, completed in 1654, is a 20 minute walk from downtown. The Rosario Islands lie about 12 miles offshore with a large coral reef. Most are reachable in an hour or less.
Highlights:
  • 🍉 Photograph the vibrant Palenqueras fruit vendors
  • 🛡️ Explore Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress
  • 🏰 Walk the historic Walled City and soak in colors
Patagonia
Untamed Beauty at the End of the World
8.3
Estancia Cristina lies inside Los Glaciares National Park, a two hour catamaran ride across Lake Argentino. It has 20 rooms in four ranch cottages. Eolo Hotel offers 17 rooms on a 10,000 acre estancia near El Calafate. Aguas Arriba on Lago del Desierto has five suites reachable only by boat.
Highlights:
  • 🐧 Explore the diverse wildlife on Peninsula Valdés
  • ❄️ Witness the massive Perito Moreno Glacier up close
  • 🥾 Hike the legendary trails of Torres del Paine National Park
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
8.5
About 85 yachts and ships offer overnight cruises among the islands. Visitors are limited to 116 designated sites and travel in small guided groups. Ecuador declared about 97.5 percent of the land a national park in 1959. UNESCO listed the archipelago in 1978. Giant tortoises and marine iguanas live nowhere else on Earth.
Highlights:
  • 🦩 Walk among blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island
  • 🐢 Spot giant tortoises roaming freely in the highlands
  • 🐢 Snorkel with sea lions and turtles at Isla Lobos
Mendoza
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
7.2
The Vines Resort and Spa covers 1,500 acres in the Uco Valley. Its restaurant Siete Fuegos is run by chef Francis Mallmann. Cavas Wine Lodge offers 18 rooms on a 55 acre vineyard with Andes views to the west. Casa de Uco occupies an estate of about 790 acres.
Highlights:
  • 🍇 Join a tasting at a traditional Mendoza bodega
  • 🏔️ Drive along the scenic Route of the Andes to Aconcagua
  • 🍷 Tour vineyards and sample Malbec in the heart of wine country
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