Ports of Call - South America

From the glittering beaches of Rio to the waddling penguins of the Falkland Islands, South America can seem like another world. And the best way to see it is on one of our cruises. Ride horseback on the beach in Uruguay, or sail from the Atlantic to the Pacific around the tip of Cape Horn. Explore a part of the world you only imagined.

Acapulco, Mexico

Acapulco was first settled in 1550 and for many years was a major Mexican shipping port. Attracted to its perfect sunsets, clear waters and many white-sand beaches, visitors began flocking to Acapulco in the 1920s.

Arica, Chile

Arica, the "City of Eternal Spring," is one of northern Chile's up and coming resort destinations. Located at the edge of the Atacama Desert, its year-round sunshine and crisp, breezy air are perfect for water sports of all kinds, and its lush city gardens, fed by the Rio Lluta, make a beautiful setting for shopping and nightlife.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Famous as the home of Evita Peron, Buenos Aires is more European than South American in feel. Cobbled streets, charming cafés and cosmopolitan restaurants all give it a unique flair befitting the resilient people who live here. Through good times and hard, Buenos Aires has remained the political, economic and cultural heart of Argentina.

Buzios, Brazil

Once home to pirates and slave-traders, Buzios is a beach-lined peninsula jutting out into the sea. Made famous by Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s, today its beautiful beaches are frequented by the rich and famous. It's the perfect place to play all day in the sand and surf, then play all night in the clubs and bars.

Cabo Frio, Brazil

Cabo Frio got its name - "Cold Cape" - from the low temperature of the sea water there. A unique submarine current brings cold water up from the South Pole to the coast nearby. But the cold water is more than compensated for by the beautiful scenery in this unique beach resort. The beaches have fine white sand shaped into striking dunes.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Once referred to as the "millionaire's sandbox," Cabo San Lucas is Mexico's jewel resort at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula. Its remote location and unspoiled beauty make this a seaside paradise.

Cape Horn, Chile

Located at the southernmost tip of South America, at the very end of the Andes Mountains chain, Cape Horn's rugged and majestic region features a diverse and fascinating ecosystem. Often referred to as "the far end of the earth," this beautiful, untamed Antarctic strait connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Chilean Fjords

With its almost 1,000 miles of islands, channels and fjords, the Chilean Fjords are comparable in size to the expansive fjord coastline of Norway. This incredibly beautiful part of the country is a magnificent collection of lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, dense forests and thermal springs.

Easter Island, Chile

If you're looking to get away from it all, this is with out a doubt THE place. Easter Island, or Rapa Nuii as the locals call it, is around 2000 miles away from civilization - and about as laid-back as you can get. (The speed limit is a lazy 12mph.)

Huatulco, Mexico

Once a haven for pirates and weary sailors traveling from the Far East, today Huatulco (pronounced wah-tool-co) is a relatively undiscovered port of call. Located on the Pacific Coast in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, it's one of the first destinations in the western hemisphere to focus on eco-tourism and the protection of natural resources.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Borne out of a volcanic eruption over 100 million years ago, Iguazú Falls is one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in all of South America, if not the world. To put it into perspective in terms of the sheer grandeur of the place, Iguazú is taller and four times wider than Niagara Falls.

Ilha Grande, Brazil

If you've spent your life searching for paradise, you'll find it in Ihla Grande. The former inhabitants who made this paradise a home have long abandoned their posts. There has been little colonization since, which has helped to maintain Ilha Grande's charming appeal, sparkling waters, lush rainforests and natural beauty.

Ilhabela, Brazil

The green, mountainous island of Ilhabela has always held itself slightly apart from the mainland of Brazil. Discovered in 1502 by Américo Vespúcio, the island has served as an outpost against foreign navies, pirates, slavery and smugglers. Later attempts at taming the island for coffee production failed.

Ilheus, Brazil

Tucked in a hidden bay in southern Bahia sits the colonial seaport of Ilhéus. This charming harbor town has been made famous by the acclaimed author Jorge Amado - it's the setting for the novelist's well-read story Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon. Fall under the spell of the city's history, beauty and intrigue on paper and in person.

Imbituba, Brazil

Aside from being a lot of fun to say, Imbituba is a Brazilian port town that draws visitors from all over the world. Located in the southern state of Santa Catarina, it has long been a hot spot for surfing, sailing, fishing and all kinds of other water sports. But one attraction unique to this coastal village is its right whales.

La Serena (Coquimbo), Chile

Founded in 1543, La Serena ("The Serene One") is Chile's second-oldest city. Blessed with a climate similar to that of the Mediterranean, you'll enjoy miles of sun-drenched, white-sand beaches. La Serena's surrounding mountain area is said to have the clearest skies on the face of the earth.

Lima, (Callao) Peru

Lima - Peru's capital - is the country's cultural hotspot. A bustling, rapidly growing city with a richly layered past, Lima is home to fascinating museums, an enticing array of restaurants and attractive shopping districts.

Los Angeles, California

It's an exciting semitropical city of palm trees, swimming pools, television studios and aerospace factories. Los Angeles is one of the world's most exciting cities and the movie-making capital of the world. Wherever you visit, from ritzy Beverly Hills to the wondrous Hollywood Bowl, you'll have an unforgettable stay.

Manta, Ecuador

Manta, one of Ecuador's major coastal resort towns, is named for the ancient Manta culture. The Mantas were famous for their pottery and their navigational skills, and you can still see traditional balsa sailing rafts in the waters off the coast.

Montevideo, Uruguay

Uruguay's capital city and one of the Americas' most important seaports, Montevideo draws travelers from all over the world. Narrow streets and varied architectural styles ranging from colonial to Art Deco reveal this vibrant city's strong Spanish, Portuguese, French and British influences.

Paraty, Brazil

Situated on Brazil's southeastern coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, this 17th-century port town is a beautifully preserved antique with rich and varied history to match.

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

Located far off the southern tip of South America, the capital of the Falkland Islands is a tiny, charmingly-British town set in a beautiful wilderness. In Stanley, you'll find pubs, British "bobbies," well-kept gardens, tea time, red mailboxes and the Union Jack flying. All around Stanley are the open moors, white sand beaches and sea-cliffs locals call "camp,".

Portobelo, Brazil

Once just a small fishing village, Porto Belo was recently rediscovered by vacationing Brazilians drawn by the fabulous beaches here. The town itself is still quaint, but the surrounding waterfront communities are becoming larger and are the main reason to come. The beaches are beautiful and the surf is lukewarm year-round.

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

Teeming with primitive rainforests, coffee plantations and a ginormous gathering of colorful creatures, Costa Rica is eco-fabulous and this tiny port town is your ticket in. Trek through forests over-flowing with wild fig trees and howler monkeys. Grab a long-board and learn to surf in the warm waters of the Central Pacific.

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

This pretty seaside town in the Patagonian province of Chubut is your gateway to an exotic and exciting Eden of wonder. From here you can venture to the Península Valdés, the world-famous wildlife sanctuary, and Punta Tombo, home to the world's biggest colony of Magellanic penguins.

Puerto Montt, Chile

Founded by German colonists in 1853, Puerto Montt is one of southern Chile's most important cities. Located at the very end of the Pan American highway, it is the transport hub of the region and the gateway to the magical, mystical land of fjords, canals and snow-capped volcanoes and the enchantment of southern Chile.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

This once-sleepy fishing village became a popular resort after The Night of the Iguana was filmed here in 1964. Nestled on the 28-mile curve of Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta has steadfastly held on to its character. Red tile roofs and rows of balconies, spilling over with colorful bougainvillea, still line its cobblestone streets.

Punta Arenas, Chile

Overlooking the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is the southernmost city on Earth. Situated astride one of the world's historic trade routes, Punta Arenas features a great mix of cultures and Chilean history. It's also the region's gateway to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.

Punta Del Este, Uruguay

This former jet-setter's paradise is in the midst of a renaissance and it's easy to see why. Sure there are the stylish streets with designer shops and discos where you can dance till dawn, but the real draw to this decadent peninsula are its beaches.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Tiny Puntarenas, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, is situated between the volcanic beaches of the Golfo de Nicoya and some of the country's highest mountain peaks. Within a half-hour's drive from the port, tropical jungles give up their secrets to the casual observer.

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Rio is famous for its wild beaches and outrageous Carnival celebrations. But this energetic city offers so much more. It lies between the sea and several fertile green mountains, including Pão d'Açucar (Sugarloaf) Mountain, and Corcovado, home to the famous art-deco statue of Christ the Redeemer.

Salvador De Bahia, Brazil

Northeastern Brazil, where Salvador de Bahia lies, developed as an important center for sugarcane production. You can see the enormous wealth that came from the crop reflected in the grand mansions and gold-lined churches in Pelourinho.

San Diego, California

San Diego is California's "first city," with roots dating back to 1796. San Diego's beautiful harbor is a lovely place to stroll and explore. Historic Seaport Village, along the Embarcadero, is filled with fascinating shops and galleries. But if you wish to explore further, San Diego offers a world of excitement.

Santiago, Chile

Chile's capital city and financial epicenter is a modern metropolis for sure, but you won't have to go far to be reminded that Mother Nature is a major shareholder. In fact, all you have to do is glance east for an amazing view of the Andes.

Sao Paulo (Santos), Brazil

Home to 17 million people and spanning over 3,000 square miles, São Paulo is the third-largest city in the world. The warm climate and red clay soil surrounding the city are perfect for growing coffee. And with the arrival of the railway in 1867, large-scale cultivation took hold.

Strait of Magellan

Considered by knowledgeable travelers as one of the most breathtaking waterways in the world, the Strait of Magellan is arguably the most important natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Ushuaia, Argentina

No other place on the planet will make you feel like a modern-day explorer quite like Ushuaia will. After all, how often do you travel to the end of the earth? This southernmost city in the world is located on the border of the Beagle Canal and offers wild and diverse terrain made up of mountains, sea, glaciers and subantarctic forests.

Valparaiso, Chile

Known as "The Jewel of the Pacific," Valparaíso is one of South America's most charming, historic and picturesque ports. Declared a World Heritage Site in 2003, Valparaíso is a pleasant blend of historical interest, natural beauty and unique architecture - particularly its mix of 19th-century houses.

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