UNESCO Sites in Argentina

Los Glaciares National Park

Argentina has 8 World Heritage treasures, including the spectacular Los Glaciares National Park. Los Glaciares is a glacier playground, with the Perito Moreno Glacier next to Lake Argentino being the main attraction. You can fly into El Calafate, then take a tour of the Perito Moreno Glacier and go ice trekking across its formidable ice field. For nature lovers, avid hikers, and those who just want to see shards of glaciers crashing into icy cold waters, Los Glaciares is heaven.

Iguazu National Park

Iguazu National Park is not just a giant waterfall. Although Iguazu Falls is an enormous set of waterfalls that straddles the border between Brazil and Argentina, the Iguazu National Park is an expansive subtropical rainforest encompassing the falls on the Argentina side and is worth at least a full day of exploring. If you fly into Iguazu during your Brazil vacation, make sure to give yourself enough time to hike the nature trails, take the ecological train, and take a boat ride to get up close and personal with the falls.

UNESCO Sites in Peru

Machu Picchu

Peru boasts 11 UNESCO sites in South America, including the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, and the historic center of Lima. One of the most breathtaking sights on the UNESCO World Heritage list is the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
 
Built by the Incas, this city in the sky demonstrates the power and skill of the Inca Empire. At 2430 meters above sea level, and hidden well in the dense cloud forest of central Peru, Machu Picchu went unnoticed to all but a few farmers until the early 20th century. Even today, with the convenience of daily flights in and out of Cusco and daily trains between Cusco and Machu Picchu, it’s best to make a week of it. Take your time and plan your Machu Picchu vacation well, because it’s an unforgettable experience.

Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines etched onto the desert floor in southwest Peru are another World Heritage site, and for a good reason. These giant geoglyphs cover 450 square kilometers of the desert floor, and their vast sizes and shapes are only truly appreciated from an airplane. The Nazca Lines went unnoticed until planes flew over in the early 20th century. The purpose and meaning of the Nazca Lines continue to perplex scholars. Take a Nazca Lines overflight during your Peru vacation to see the monkey, spider, hummingbird, and other fascinating geoglyphs that have survived the centuries.

Lima

The historic center of Lima is another Peruvian treasure. The capital of Peru has undergone rapid urbanization and political instability in the past fifty years, but UNESCO and the Peruvian government have sought to preserve the colonial architecture of Lima’s historic center. Lima was the Spanish conquistador Pizarro’s capital, and its historic center bears a strong resemblance to Spanish cities. The Plaza de Armas is surrounded by the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Church of Santo Domingo and the Convent of San Francisco are nearby. 16th-19th-century architectural marvels are visible during a Lima city tour.

UNESCO Sites in Brazil

Salvador da Bahia

Brazil claims 18 World Heritage sites in South America, including historic center of Salvador de Bahia. Salvador de Bahia, located on the coast of Brazil north of Rio de Janeiro but south of Recife, was the original capital of Brazil. As such, it became a melting pot early on as Europeans, Africans, and Native American cultures blended in the 16th to 18th centuries.
 
European high-class imports are still seen in the Renaissance-style architecture and typical 16th-century city planning in the historic center. Salvador de Bahia is also known for its rich African culture, which you can taste and see in food, music, dance, and costume typical of the region.

Pantanal Wetlands & the Amazon

Brazil’s Pantanal Conservation Complex may not be as well-known as Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, but the Pantanal is a breathtaking stretch of wetlands – the world’s largest – and is arguably better for wildlife spotting. The Cuiaba River feeds a vast network of plains, which is a sanctuary to 80 species of mammals, 650 species of birds, 50 species of reptiles, and 400 species of fish.