excellent luxury hotels. On the Pacific Coast one finds numerous numerous resorts, but the best beaches and calmest waters are found on the Maya Riviera, where there’s a number of upmarket, chic resorts to choose from. The beaches are wonderful, and in addition there’s some stunning ancient Aztec ruins at nearby Chitzen Itza.
http://www.bigtravelweb.com/mexico_maya_riveria.htm
The San Blas Islands of Panama are a unique travel experience. Populated by Kuna Indians, the region is a semi autonomously governed zone. Until recently, the only form of currency here was the coconut! The indigenous Kuna Indians are a welcoming and fascinating group of people to meet, and strongly try to preserve their traditional way of life. The white sand beaches and turquiose seas of the San Blas Islands are completely devoid of development, and it’s easy to suggest that these are some of Latin America’s most beautiful islands.

One of the most romantic colonial cities in South America is undoubtedly Cartagena, in Colombia. Cartagena is well away from Colombia’s trouble spots, and has long been a safe city for visitors. Many cruise ships now make a regular port of call – and visitors are enthralled by the cobbled streets and beautiful plazas and monuments dating from the colonial times. While the cities beaches are rather unclean and hectic, the nearby Rosario Islands offer a perfect, relaxing, beach retreat.

Peru’s Nazca Lines date back to 900 BC it is believed. These incredible lines are of images etched into the desert – from the air it’s best to spot the various sketchings. Images are found of various animals, including dogs, monkeys and spiders. It’s all shrouded in mystery, and no-one really knows how the sketches got there.

Brazil’s beaches are some of the finest in South America. There’s dozens of beautiful resorts, each with it’s own unique attractions. The Lencois National Park, just East of Sao Luiz, offer some of the most scenic and undeveloped beaches in all Brazil – there’s huge empty beaches backed by shimmering sand dunes that run for about 250 km. If you prefer a more amenities, there’s also a host of chic resorts throughout Brazil – Pipa, Itacare, Ilha Grande, and Fernando de Noronha are just a few options.

Argentina’s Patagonia region (also known as the Lake District region) is a beautiful land of lakes, rivers and mountains. This area is an outdoor lovers dream, with excellent hiking, rafting, horseback riding and other outdoor activities available. The region is huge, and highly varied: Bariloche is popular for fishing and hiking; El Calafate offers some beautiful landscapes and stunning glacial National Parks; and the Valdes Peninsula is a great region for spotting animals such as seals, penguins, and whales.

Latin America has something for all tastes - visit!

By Chris Hardyman
www.buzzle.com