Rio de Janeiro is the second major city of Brazil, second only to Sao Paolo. Several times during its history, it was the capital of Brazil, and it is commonly referred to as “The Marvelous City”. It is most famous internationally for its beautiful setting and its elaborate and large-scale Carnival festivals.

On January 20, 1502, Portuguese explorer Gaspar de Lemos discovered the area and gave it its name, which translates to “January River”. At that time, “river” was the general term for any large body of water. The first permanent European settlement was established in 1555 by French settlers, consisting of French Huguenots and Swiss Calvinists, but Portuguese settlers founded Rio de Janeiro at the foot of the Sugarloaf Mountain. By the end of the 1500s, the Portuguese crown acknowledged the village as a strategic location and aided in the build of fortresses. The city was historically threatened by French pirates and native raiders until the 18th century. For most of the 19th century, the city was the capital of the area, and from then until today, the city saw an expansion from its restricted historic downtown area to a thriving tourist Mecca.

Over six million people live in Rio de Janeiro, which takes up a space of 456 square miles, while the greater metropolitan area has over eleven million people. Rio de Janeiro has a tropical climate, which means that temperatures are generally warm throughout the year and rarely reach extremes. Cool breezes from the ocean moderate the temperature of the city.

As far as Brazilian culture goes, Rio de Janeiro is very important. The Brazilian urban music scene originated in Rio de Janeiro, a representation of the problems that the inhabitants of the city faced. Rio de Janeiro exists as a symbol of Brazilian culture and social structure, with a freedom of expression that covers many of the important topics in Brazilian life. Held forty days before Easter, the Carnival festivals held throughout the city attract many tourists and are iconic of the city’s culture.

Santiago, Chile is the capital of the country of Chile, at the center of a large metropolis located in the central valley of Chile. A boom in the economy of Santiago has made the capital into one of Latin America’s most modern metropolitan areas. With a population of about 6.5 million people in the metropolitan area of Santiago, many modern transportation systems are rising to suit the population.

A Spanish conquistador by the name of Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago on February 12, 1541, due to the moderate climate the area had to offer and the ease of defending the area. Ironically though, the city was destroyed 8 months later by native forces. In the early 19th century, Santiago remained a small town with a small amount of buildings. Later in the century, exports began to bring the country into prosperity, which promoted the capital city’s development. In the early 20th century, important landmarks were erected in celebrations of the independence from Spain. In the 1930s, Santiago took a turn as a more modern city, and flourished with population due to migrations from the north and south of Chile.

Santiago lies in the center of the Santiago Basin, which is a bowl-shaped valley consisting of large fertile plains surrounded by mountains and a few volcanoes. East of Santiago, there are the majestic Andes mountain chain, and the Chilean Coastal Range to the west. The Santiago Basin is part of the Intermediate Depression which is remarkably flat, and only interrupted with a few hills. The city has relatively hot dry summers and cold humid winters. There is snowfall in suburbs at higher altitudes, which possibly could spread through the city, but happens infrequently.

Tourists would enjoy the modern metropolitan area around Santiago, with dozens of shopping malls, impressive high-rise architecture, and the very modern transportation system which could easily take the tourists around the city comfortably. With an endless list of museums, theatres, symphonies, parks, ski resorts, amazing vineyards, sport venues, plazas, and squares, tourism in Santiago cannot possibly go wrong, and is a must for those who yearn for culture and history.

Buenos Aires is the capital and the largest city in Argentina, featuring some of the most important places in the entire country of Argentina. Originally named after a sanctuary in Sardinia, the city has grown today to be one of the most densely populated areas in Latin America.

Spain discovered the area in 1516 when a Spanish explorer reached the Rio de la Plata, the location of Buenos Aires. Although his expedition was cut short, Spanish settlement of the area began twenty years later as part of a Spanish expedition. A series of attacks by natives, though, left the area uninhabited until 1580, when the second, permanent settlement was created. Historically dependent on trade, Buenos Aires was regulated by the Spanish government, who controlled the amount of trade that the city could partake in. Over time, European immigration to the city began to shape it as something of a European outpost in South America, a phenomenon that persists today.

The city is bounded by the Rio de la Plata in the east and northeast. The Riachuelo and the Avenida General Paz, a highway, make up the rest of the boundaries. Located in the pampa region, which is the Spanish word for denoting the plains of South America, the region is relatively flat. Buenos Aires feature a humid subtropical climate, which means that the average temperature looms around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. During the Southern Hemisphere summer months of December, January, and February, many citizens of Buenos Aires head to cooler resorts on the Atlantic Coast to escape the heat.

Culturally, Buenos Aires is strongly influenced by European trends and styles. It is sometimes referred to as the Paris of South America because of this. A dialect of Spanish, reminiscent of a dialect spoken in Spain, is the prominent language in the city. Many European languages have grown into the local dialect, creating several unique terms and phrases. Architecture is reminiscent of that of Barcelona and Madrid, characterized by uniqueness in form and design. Tango music was born in Buenos Aires and has spread all over the world, but many will attest that the best dancers are those who are born and bred Argentineans.

While in Buenos Aires, you can enjoy outdoor activities, such as cycling, or cultural events, such as the opera. It’s also a terrific location for fine dining, shopping and dancing. The tango is very popular in Buenos Aires. Don’t be surprised if you see tango dancers performing on the streets.

Famous for its all-inclusive resorts and a historical tourism base, Riviera Maya is a popular tourism district for those who wish to experience the beauty that Mexico has to offer. Bordering the Caribbean coastline of Quintana Roo, Mexico, Riviera Maya has long been a dream vacation destination.

Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, the terrain is flat and rocky with low tropical jungles. Under the surface of the earth, some of the largest underwater cave systems in the world exist, and they are the only places to acquire potable water in the region. Crescent shaped beaches composed of white sand dot the coastline, broken up by rocky inlets. This is where groundwater lets out into the ocean.

The temperature hovers around 78 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the year. With a rainy season from May to November and a dry season that is especially dry in January and February, the time of year drastically affects the amount of tourism and the activities that are popular during that time. There are many tropical storm systems and hurricanes in the area, but they generally break before hitting Riviera Maya.

All-inclusive resorts attract many tourists, who come to enjoy the full-range of experiences, from luxurious accommodations to outdoors excursions and more. Water sports are especially popular, with snorkeling, jet skiing, and scuba diving some of the more popular activities. Horseback riding and jungle tours are also popular at the most-visited areas.

Smaller boutique hotels allow for exploration of the unique cultural area that Riviera Maya encloses, while higher-range luxury accommodations like charter yachts and villa rentals are becoming more and more popular among those who can afford it. The barrier reef, the second longest in the world, attracts plenty of people who want to see the exotic species of water creatures that inhabit the area.

Rio de Janeiro holds the title of best of Brazil when it comes to tourism. Why not? The beaches and unending samba beats get all the press. Rio has become the darling, not only of Brazil’s tourist industry, but also of all South America’s. Despite being bigger in size and population than New York, Sao Paulo is often relegated to its country’s second string when it comes to tourism. As Brazil grows economically, perhaps Sao Paulo will be “discovered” for what it is: a vibrant city with more going on than anywhere else in South America.

The biggest surprise that greets visitors to Sao Paulo is its diversity. This truly is a world city. Tourists might actually be frustrated by the fact that they are not immediately recognized as “gringos.” It is not uncommon for locals to speak to tourists in Portuguese because they mistake them for locals. Sao Paulo has significant populations of Japanese (the largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan), Arabic peoples, Koreans, and Europeans. Parts of the city have an Italian flare, while others have an afro-Brazilian atmosphere. All this combines for a jumble of culture, food, and life that is like nowhere else.

Like any big city, Sao Paulo can cause plenty of headaches. Getting around takes a bit of planning. Traffic is nothing short of hellish, but Sao Paulo is a city of neighborhoods, and once you get to where you are going, walking is easy. There is also an extensive subway and rail system. These can also get crowded during peak hours, but, in general, they are the most convenient way to get from A to B. Buses, usually staffed with speed loving drivers, reach every area of the city that does not have a rail station.

Sao Paulo is a great city full of diverse neighborhoods and uncommon experiences. No, it’s not Rio, but it is worth checking out.

The island of Cozumel in Mexico features a combination of Mexican and Caribbean culture, a vast variety of water sports, stunning nature reserves, and startlingly beautiful beaches. This has made it a popular location for family vacations, weddings, honeymoons, and getaways.

Situated atop the Mesoamerican Reef, Cozumel is composed of limestone rock and sandy soil. On either side of the island are white, sandy beaches, with huge waves on the eastern side and a calmer tide on the western. During the summertime, the temperature ranges from warm to hot, and winter temperatures remain fair unless a cold front moves through. If there are thunderstorms, they tend to only last for about an hour. Water temperature is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Both in the swampy jungles in the center of the island and around the island in the coral reefs, there exists a stunning amount of biodiversity. There are about 250 different species of fish in the water, as well as some of the most impressive sponge formations in the world. On the mainland, the variety of rare tropical birds is very visible.

Cozumel has a rich culture that is distinct from Mexican culture because of the influences of tourists and the presence of the ocean all around. Things like Carnival, the Easter week celebrations, and festivals dedicated to different saints make Cozumel its own cultural phenomenon.

There are many things to do in Cozumel. Some of these include:

- Diving

- Deep-Sea Fishing

- Snorkeling

- Kayaking

- Surfing

- Golf

- Spa

- Fine Dining

- Nature Excursions

If you are traveling to Cozumel, you have a variety of types of accommodations from which to choose. From huge all-inclusive resorts to small beachfront houses, you will certainly be able to find something that meets your expectations and price range. Several hotels offer packages that include the room, as well as a package of different activities and tours. To get the best deal, compare prices on the Internet as well as from a traditional travel agent.

Suriname, a small nation on South America’s Northeastern coast, has a unique history. It was founded by Dutch settlers and did not gain independence until 1975. Two decades of unrest followed, and it wasn’t until 1991 that stability came to the nation.

Despite a small population, Suriname is a very diverse land. It was a port of call for Javanese, Indian, and Chinese merchants and explorers. Some of these people stayed in Suriname. There is also a large population of African descent. Because of its history with the Netherlands, many people speak Dutch, although English is widely spoken as well.

Suriname is a great place to eat. The ethnic diversity makes for plenty of culinary choices. There is a glut of Chinese restaurants in Paramaribo (often shortened to Par-bo by locals), the capital city of Suriname. Indian cuisine is best represented by chicken roti and a variety of curries. Spicy Creole dishes are also easy to find, as are (*sigh*) imports like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Popeye’s Chicken.

The tropical fruits in Suriname are excellent. Though the country can sometimes be expensive, especially if you rely on a tourist company for your itinerary, the fruit is reasonably priced and the freshest the jungles have to offer. Tropical favorites abound and are often used to make shakes and deserts.

Most of the people of Suriname live along the coastline. There are some sites of interest along the coast. The Galibi Nature Reserve is famous for the sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs in the spring and summer.

The interior of the nation boasts some of the most pristine and untouched jungles on earth. Central Suriname Nature Reserve covers a vast stretch of land. There are rivers, primary rainforests, and grasslands. In the future, Suriname’s government hopes to explore the land for uses other than logging and farming. For now, it is an eco-tourists delight.

Suriname is not on the tourist track yet, but if you are looking for someplace unique, you can’t go wrong.