Our planet is home to many incredibly beautiful places. 4.5 billion years have been enough time to produce marvellous natural wonders. Hidden beaches, clear blue lagoons, and colourful sea caves are just some of the few to name. Sadly, a vast majority of them have already been overrun by tourists. Fear not, for these are the hidden gems you must add to your off-the-beaten-path bucket list. Take a look at 7 incredible travel destinations in Latin America you probably never knew about!
1. Semuc Champey, Guatemala
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Hidden deep inside the lush rainforests of Guatemala is Semuc Champey meaning “where the river under the stones”. Although it’s fairly difficult to reach, once you make it there, the journey becomes worth it. Waiting for you is a series of step-like limestone bridges, under which the river flows.
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Semuc Champey is a perfectly natural pool having turquoise blue waters where you can swim to your heart’s content. Calm, crystal clear waters with the comforting sounds of the flowing river!
2. Marble Caves, Lake General Carrera, Chile
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The Marble Caves of Patagonia are a spectacular sight to behold. Found in Lake General Carrera, these caves are the result of thousands of years of waves washing up against the calcium carbonate structure.
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In fact, you can distinctly see the swirling pattern of the waves on the walls of the cave! This cave is a testament to the fact that sometimes the art made by nature can best human-made art.
3. Jericoacoara, Brazil
Jericoacoara is a small fishing village with a virgin beach and located on the east coast of Brazil. Jericoacoara is hidden from the mainstream tourists as of now and is the mecca of windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Jericoacoara is far removed from the hustle and bustle of a modern city life. It’ll remove your worries about traffic, deadlines, and the boredom of office and instead soothe you with shady palm fronds and gently swaying breezes. Head down here to relax on hammocks by the beach and catch a bit of sun and surf.
4. Las Lajas Sanctuary, Colombia
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Nestled among the mountains of southern Colombia is the the Las Lajas Sanctuary. It is not actually a sanctuary per se but an incredibly beautiful church built in the valley between two mountains.
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Located in the border close to Colombia and Ecuador, Las Lajas is an excellent example of the Gothic style architecture. Built inside the canyon of the Guáitara river, Las Lajas stands tall at 50 meters above the river. A bridge connects one mountain to the other. Visitors standing on the bridge can experience a calm breeze blowing across their face while taking in the stunning mountain scenery around them.
5. Iguazu Falls, Brazil-Argentina Border
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The Iguazu falls hugging the border between Brazil and Argentina is one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights! It is one of the largest waterfall systems in the world extending to nearly 3 km of cascading waters!
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Experiencing the waterfalls firsthand is a very visceral experience and will leave you mesmerized with the sheer power of nature. A moment which will live forever in your memory.
6. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
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The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park located in north-eastern Brazil is a huge area covering 1500 square km of sand dunes. Contrary to perception, the area receives plenty of rainfall per year yet supports almost no vegetation.
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The abundant rainfall causes a truly strange sight. The fresh water collects in the valleys between sand dunes. However, they are unable to seep down owing to the layer of impermeable rock. This results in blue, green freshwater “lagoons” in the middle of the desert like region making it a sight out of one’s wildest dreams! The best times to visit are between July and September when the lagoons reach to their full capacity.
7. Hidden Beach, Marieta Islands, Mexico
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The Marieta Islands are a group of small uninhabited islands off the coast of Mexico. Hidden there is the “Hidden Beach” or “Love Beach”, a truly stunning beach, hidden under the rocky crest of the island.
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Apparently, the Mexican government used these islands as target practice for their bombs in the early 1900s. This caused the rocks to cave in at many parts of the Island and thus this beach was formed. Head down to the beach with your loved for a once in a lifetime experience before other tourists get wind of this amazing place!
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Also Read: 12 Breathtaking places in Europe you have never heard of!
