I'm a Travel Advisor, and These Are My Favorite Hidden-gem Destinations in Latin America

"Often called Colombia's most beautiful town, Barichara is a living postcard of cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and crimson-tiled rooftops framed by mountain vistas. Its colonial charm is ideal for culture lovers and slow travelers-but Barichara also surprises the adventurous. Nestled in the country's north, the town sits at the gateway to the Chicamocha Canyon, one of the world's largest and most dramatic canyons."

"While most travelers flock to Torres del Paine National Park, those in the know venture further south to Patagonia National Park, which was pioneered by the conservationist couple Doug and Kris Tompkins. Located in Chile's sparsely populated Aysén region, this newly protected area is one of the most ambitious rewilding projects on Earth. Imagine herds of guanacos, native llama-like creatures, grazing below dramatic peaks; flocks of flamingos swimming across lagoons; and not another traveler in sight."

Latin America contains quieter, soulful destinations that reward travelers who stray from popular sites. Cobblestone Barichara in Colombia combines colonial charm with adventure opportunities at the gateway to Chicamocha Canyon, offering paragliding, white-water rafting, artisan crafts, and local coffee. Patagonia National Park in Chile exemplifies large-scale rewilding, with guanacos and flamingos across dramatic peaks and lagoons, providing solitude and expansive hikes that recalibrate a sense of scale and silence. The selection emphasizes culture, conservation, and unspoiled nature as pathways to distinctive, memorable experiences beyond mainstream attractions.

Read at Travel + Leisure