Source: Mario Carvajal/ProColombia
From Rio de Janeiro to Machu Picchu to the Galapagos Islands, Latin America is full of beautiful and exciting places to explore. However, this region of the world is also blessed by natural wonders that are not commonly known about. Get to know a few of the lesser-known attractions of this whimsical corner of the globe.
1. Cerro Negro, Nicaragua.
Source: Wikipedia as original source is unknown
With its last eruption in 1999 and an elevation of 728 meters, the Cerro Negro Volcano in Nicaragua is an excellent option for thrill seekers. One of the main tourist activities is hiking up the active volcano and then sand boarding back down accompanied by the beautiful view of the Cordillera de los Maríbios. The Cerro Negro Volcano is Latin America's youngest volcano and has proven to be a marvelous attraction due to its unique black sand as it contrasts with the lush landscape surrounding it. The nearest city to this tourist attraction is Nicaragua's second largest city, León. This city is full of awe-striking colonial architecture like that of the Basílica Catedral de la Asunción.
2. Semuc Champey, Guatemala.
Source: Laid Back Trip
Semuc Champey is a natural monument in Guatemala near the Q'eqchi' Maya town of Lanquín. It is hidden deep within the Alta Verapaz mountains, and although arriving to this remote region is another adventure onto itself, the beauty of this limestone paradise is other-worldly. There are arrays of natural pools in a terraced formation with crystalline water and tranquil waterfalls surrounding those who chose to bathe in them. The Lanquín region is also the perfect place for thrill seekers as there are a variety of white water rafting options tourists can enjoy.
3. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia.
Source: Sergio Pessolano_Getty Images_Flickr RF -
As you step onto the Uyuni Salt Flat in Bolivia, you step into another world. Seemingly a light snowfall, salt covers the ground as far as the eye can see creating a type of mirror reflecting its surroundings. The Uyuni Salt Flat is the world's largest Salt Flat, and it is the legacy of a prehistoric lake that dried up and left behind beautiful rock and salt formations. Tourists can enjoy the highly photogenic scenery as it looks like a thin layer of ice, without the cold or the slippery surface. It takes up around 10,000 square kilometers and is a popular breeding ground for flamingos given that a specific type of krill thrives in the salty conditions, giving the flamingos a great source of food. You may recognize these alien landscapes from the popular movie, Star Wars: The Last Jedi as the planet Crait. Its wonderful location even allows you a simple cross to Chile into the beautiful Atacama desert.
4. Caño Cristales, Colombia.
Source: Archivo / EL TIEMPO
Known as the river of five colors, Caño Cristales is a beautiful natural fenomenon in the Serrania de la Macarena province of Meta in Colombia. The wonderful array of colors that can be observed in these pools is a result of unique algae that grows on the rocks and river floor. Surrounded by the Amazon forest, going to Caño Cristales will not only offer the beautiful sights of the river, but also amazing amounts of fauna and flora. This small corner of the grand expanses of the Amazon is home to around 420 species of birds, 10 species of amphibians, 43 species of reptiles, and eight species of primates. Like seasonal cherry blossoms, the best time to visit Caño Cristales is from July to November, when the colorful algae bloom and paint the landscape with yellow, green, blue, black, and red tones.
5. San Blas Islands, Panama.
Source: Round the World in 30 Days
This list would most definitely not be complete with a hidden island paradise that takes into account the white sand Caribbean Islands. San Blas Islands is an archipelago consisting of around 365 small islands, all of which offer beautiful and tranquil beaches. They are also known for their rich ecotourism and wonderful sailing opportunities. El Porvenir is the archipelagos' capital, and one of the islands that is more easily accessible to tourists, however the islands of Carti Sugtupu, Cayos Limones, and Cayos Holandeses are well known due to their clear blue water. Another great aspect of these islands are tourist's ability to interact with the natives which have been able to preserve their culture despite their rapidly modernizing surroundings.
Written By: Carolina Mejia Rodriguez
Comments