South America Port Cities

Arica, Chile
Balmy beaches and late-night discos beckon pleasure-seekers to this Atacama Desert oasis. Inland there are tiny mountain villages with ruins of ancient cultures. And the area is home to many endemic animal species including vicuña, alpaca, nandu and wild chinchilla.

Belize City, Belize
Whether you're mesmerized by the Mayan ruins, astonished at the brilliantly colored world underwater, or awed by the striking beauty of pristine rainforests humming with exotic birds, howler monkeys and other wildlife, Belize is a land that enchants.

Coquimbo, Chile
Surrounded by the great Atacama Desert, the twin cities of Coquimbo and La Serena are popular seaside resorts. Precious rainfall provides sustenance for olive groves and attracts an array of wildlife, from the near-extinct giant Andean condor to mountain lions, llamas and falcons.

Iquique, Chile
Iquique got its start when potassium nitrate (saltpeter) was discovered in the Atacama Desert. Just outside town are the ghostly remains of Humberstone, once an important saltpeter refinery. Today, grand mansions of mineral barons contrast with modern buildings and miles of golden sand.

Lima, Peru
Founded in 1535 by the most ruthless of all conquistadors, Francisco Pizarro, Lima harbors a history fraught with conquest, trickery, piety and imperial grandeur. Today this colonial capital is our gateway to some of Peru's premier archaeological treasures.

Manta, Ecuador
The ancient port of Manta was founded by the Spaniards in 1535, but even before that, there was a thriving culture dating back to 500 A.D. Ecuador's second largest port is divided by an inlet; Manta on the west and Tarqui on the east. You can choose a sandy beach in either town. Or head for Montecrisiti, an important center for both panama hats and wicker.

Montevideo, Uruguay
This charming resort/capital sits on the northern shore of the wide River Plata, surrounded by extensive ranchland. The peaceful waterfront is lined with sandy beaches, and the charming Old Town is an open-air museum of 18th- and 19th-century colonial architecture.

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
Port Stanley is a capital in miniature, where the masts of old sailing ships stick up haphazardly out of the little harbor, and the government house is little more than a small Victorian home. Ramble through deserted streets and poke through the few shops to feel what it's like to live in this remote frontier town.

Puerto Chacabuco, Chile
The Chilean archipelago is a spectacular wilderness region of deeply cleft fjords, hanging glaciers and snow-covered Andean peaks. Here cascading waterfalls tumble over steep canyon walls, and hundreds of species of birds - including the near-extinct giant condor - flock to play and feed in the mist-shrouded islands.

Puerto Madryn, Argentina
The incredible array of wildlife including sea lions, elephant seals, penguins and whales has given this Patagonian area the name "Galapagos of the East Coast." Founded by Welsh immigrants, who came to homestead the vast Chubut Valley in the 1880's, Puerto Madryn still contains evocative reminders of its rich Celtic heritage.

Puerto Montt, Chile (Lake District)
Surrounded by fir-covered islands and bays with snowcapped mountains in the distance, Puerto Montt is Chile's yachting center and gateway to the stunning Lake District. On the shores of Lago Llanquihue, you'll see holiday homes that look like Swiss chalets. Visit Cascada de Los Novios and the jewel of the Lake District, Lago Todos Los Santos; Franklin Roosevelt called it the most beautiful lake in the world.

Punta Arenas, Chile (Lake District)
Squeezed on a narrow shelf between the towering Andes and the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is totally isolated from the rest of Chile. Once the busiest port in South America and the epicenter for Chile's sheep ranching, today Punta Arenas is a major marine center and supply base for Antarctic expeditions.

Salaverry (Trujillo), Peru
The elegant casonas, or mansions, which line the streets of Trujillo stand as a testament to this city's prosperous past. The warmth of its climate and its people makes this a wonderful respite for travelers.

Ushuaia, Argentina
The southernmost town in the world faces the Beagle Channel, where Charles Darwin encountered the now-extinct Yahgan Indians in 1832. In this desolate, wind-swept part of the world, the scenery and wildlife are awesome. Visit the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, where you'll find magnificent beech forests, towering mountains, bottomless bogs, crystal clear lakes and a plethora of wildlife including seals, walruses and giant seabirds.

Acapulco, Mexico
The energy in Acapulco is nonstop, 24 hours a day. Acapulco Bay is an adult playground filled with water-skiers in tanga swimsuits and darkly tanned, mirror-shaded studs on Waverunners. Golf and tennis are also played with intensity, but the real participant sport is the nightlife that has made this city famous for decades. When there was a definitive jet set, they came to Acapulco--filmed it, sang about it, wrote about it, and lived it. It is not hard to understand why: The view of Acapulco Bay, framed by mountains and beaches, is breathtaking day or night.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The hundreds of luxury hotel rooms along the Corridor north of Cabo San Lucas have transformed this formerly rustic and rowdy outpost. Although it retains boisterous nightlife, Cabo San Lucas is no longer the simple town Steinbeck wrote about. Once legendary for big-game fish, Cabo San Lucas now draws more people for its nearby world-class fairways and greens. This has become Mexico's most elite resort destination.

Travelers enjoy a growing roster of adventure-oriented activities, and the nightlife is as hot as the desert in July. A collection of popular restaurants and bars along Cabo's main street stay open and active until the morning's first fishing charters head out to sea. Despite the growth in diversions, Cabo remains more or less a one-stoplight town, with most everything located along the main strip.

Aside from fishing, sports available in Cabo San Lucas include surfing, whale-watching, kayaking and boat trips to Los Arcos or uninhabited beaches. All-inclusive daytime or sunset cruises are available on a variety of boats, including a restored pirate ship. Many of these trips include snorkeling; serious divers have great underwater venues to explore.

Sports and partying are Cabo's main attractions, but there are also a few cultural and historical points of interest. The stone Iglesia de San Lucas (Church of San Lucas) on Calle Cabo San Lucas (close to the main plaza) was established in 1730 by the Spanish missionary Nicolás Tamaral; a large bell in a stone archway commemorates the completion of the church in 1746. Buildings on the streets facing the main plaza are gradually being renovated to house restaurants and shops, and the picturesque neighborhood has the most Mexican ambiance in town.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta's seductive innocence captivates visitors, beckoning them to return - and to bring friends. Beyond the cobblestone streets, graceful cathedral, and welcoming atmosphere, Puerto Vallarta offers a wealth of natural beauty and manmade pleasures.

Ecotourism activities are gaining ground--from mountain biking the Sierra foothills to whale watching, ocean kayaking, or diving with giant mantas in Banderas Bay. Twenty-six miles of beaches extend from the center of town around the bay, many tucked in pristine coves and accessible only by boat. High in the Sierra Madre Mountains, the mystical Huichol Indians still live in relative isolation in an effort to protect their centuries-old culture from outside influences.

Its natural appeal aside, the town also offers sophisticated services, hotels of all classes and prices, over 250 restaurants, a sizzling nightlife, and enough shops and galleries to tempt even jaded consumers. Luxury hotels and shopping centers have sprung up to the north and south of the original town, allowing Vallarta to grow to a sizable city of 250,000 without sacrificing its considerable charms. Today, it boasts the services and infrastructure of a modern city as well as the authenticity of a colonial Mexican village.

Cool breezes flow down from the mountains along the Río Cuale, which runs through the center of town. The main waterfront street, or malecón, is graced with fanciful public sculptures and bordered by lively restaurants, shops, and bars. The malecón is a magnet for both residents and visitors, who stroll the broad walkway to take in an ocean breeze, a multihued sunset, or a moonlit, perfect wave. The surrounding mountains offer the equivalent of a continual, comforting embrace, adding to that sense of welcome that so many visitors feel as well.

Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Mexico
IIxtapa and Zihuatanejo are side-by-side beach resorts that share a common geography, but in character, they could not be more different. Ixtapa is a model of modern infrastructure, services, and luxury hotels, while Zihuatanejo--or Zihua, to the locals--is the quintessential Mexican beach village. For travelers, this offers an ideal contrast and the best of both worlds. Those looking for luxury should opt for Ixtapa and take advantage of well-appointed rooms in a pristine setting of great natural beauty. You can easily and quickly make the four-mile trip into Zihuatanejo for a sampling of the simple life of this pueblo by the sea. Those who prefer a more rustic retreat with real personality, however, tend to settle in Zihuatanejo. It is noted for its long-standing community of Swiss and Italian immigrants, and its legendary beach playboys. Those who enjoy Zihua seem to return year after year.

The area, with a backdrop of the Sierra Madre Mountains and a foreground of Pacific waters, provides a full range of activities and diversions. Scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, bay cruises to remote beaches, and golf are among the favorites. Nightlife in both towns borders on the subdued, but Ixtapa is the livelier.

This dual destination is the choice for the traveler looking for a little of everything, from resort-styled indulgence to unpretentious simplicity. These resorts are more welcoming to couples and adults than families, with a number of places off-limits to children under 16 - something of a rarity in Mexico.

This remarkable city combines the excitement and sophistication of New York with the panache of Paris. Wide and shady boulevards are lined with palatial mansions, boutiques and animated cafes. Colorful flower kiosks decorate almost every corner. And at night the streets are filled with the sensuous sounds of the tango.

From Valparaiso, you are ready to explore Santiago, Chile's beautiful colonial capital. Wander the many plazas brimming with flowers and soothing fountains. Climb the incredible spiral labyrinth to the top of Cerro Santa Lucia. Or visit the huge 16th-century St. Francis Church, which has survived many earthquakes.


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