10 underrated destinations in America

Although it was once regarded as the coveted “New World”, the American continent is just so vast that it’s nearly impossible to lump all of its nations together in a single, uniform entity. From the Andes mountains to the Caribbean coast, from the Amazon jungle to remote Patagonia, this is an extremely diverse continent where the archaeological ruins of ancient empires coexist side-by-side with colonial cities, while some of the largest and most advanced metropolises on the planet lie not too far from idyllic islands, desert landscapes and sprawling slums.

As such, it’s no surprise that America remains so popular among tourists, as millions of visitors from other continents cross the Atlantic (or the Pacific) to visit iconic places such as New York, the Mayan Riviera, Rio de Janeiro, Machu Picchu, Buenos Aires or the Atacama Desert. As there are so many iconic spots, it’s only natural that some countries, regions, and cities – some of which rightfully labeled as hidden gems – get overlooked and overshadowed by their flashier, more commercial neighbors. Well, it’s precisely those places we want to focus on today, by showing you a list with 10 of the most underrated destinations in the Americas.

10 off the beaten path countries in America

[ez-toc]

Guatemala

Let’s kick things off with what is quite possibly the most underrated country in all of the Americas. Despite being far less popular than Mexico, in Guatemala one can find all the little things that helped make its neighbor such a tourist magnet: idyllic beaches, out-of-this-world ruins, picturesque colonial towns and breathtaking natural beauty. Furthermore, the country’s relatively small size makes it much easier to explore, and the indigenous Mayan culture is much more present in everyday life, as you can see it on people’s faces and in the traditional, colorful markets.

Besides the must-do hike up Acatenango and the visit to the charming city of Antigua, travelers heading to Guatemala should hike the trails around Xela, relax on the shores of Lake Atitlán, take in the stunning viewpoint at Semuc Champey, and explore Tikal, an archaeological Mayan site that many consider even more impressive than world wonder Chichén Itzá!

Ecuador

Aside from sharing the same name as the line that divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, most people know surprisingly little about the country of Ecuador. A pity, especially considering that the nation’s capital – Quito – is regarded as the most beautiful in the Americas! Just a short distance away, you can take a day trip to Otavalo, home to one of the best markets on the continent, or travel a bit farther to visit Cuenca, another pretty colonial city that’s usually a favorite among photographers.

On the other hand, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, located in the heart of the Andes, is a must-visit destination for those eager to see the country’s many volcanoes and explore Cotopaxi National Park. In fact, nature is Ecuador’s greatest asset when it comes to tourism, as the world-famous Galápagos Islands and their giant tortoises are by far the country’s best-known destination. On the other hand, not many people have heard about Ecuador’s share of the Amazon Rainforest. If you happen to visit this lush region, there’s no better base than Baños, known for its hot springs, pristine nature and vast array of activities geared towards adrenaline-junkies.

Bolivia

A country whose tourism and popularity have grown noticeably in recent years, phenomenal Bolivia is no longer the hidden gem it used to be just a few years ago. However, while many people are now familiar with the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni – one of the most surreal landscapes on the planet – there are still plenty of other places in this Andean country that remain under the radar for the vast majority of international visitors.

Beyond the capital of La Paz, a city with such a unique look and terrain that cable cars are the main form of public transport (it is the highest capital city in the world, after all), those visiting the country should venture out into the charming colonial city of Sucre, explore the historic mines of Potosi (once one of the richest cities on Earth), visit the Bolivian side of the famous Lake Titicaca, and – for the more adventurous – cycle down the infamous Death Road (Estrada de la Muerte).

Uruguay

Nestled between Brazil and Argentina, two geographical and tourist powerhouses in South America, it’s understandably easy to forget that Uruguay even exists in the first place. Yet, this is a destination full of potential, combining many of its neighbors’ strengths in a much smaller, safer and more digestible package. The capital, Montevideo, is a balanced destination, mixing small colonial neighborhoods, a lively and more imposing downtown area and a massive coastline where you can walk along the longest seafront promenade in the world.

As great as all of that may sound, the real fun begins once you leave the “big city”. Head east, and you’ll be able to enjoy some beach time in Piriapolis and Punta del Este, Uruguay’s main seaside resorts; head west, and you’ll arrive in Colonia del Sacramento, the most beautiful city in the country; and finally, you can head north and enter the heartlands of Uruguay, famous for their never-ending plains and rural estates where the Gaucho culture of cattle ranching still thrives. Long-story-short, this is a peaceful and developed country where you can do some sightseeing, hit the beach, enjoy some of the best beef in the world and drink industrial amounts of Yerba Mate!

Nicaragua

Heading back north to Central America, Nicaragua (along with its neighbors El Salvador and Honduras) is an excellent alternative to the overtourism and steep prices found in countries like Panama and especially Costa Rica. While the capital of Managua doesn’t have much to offer beyond serving as a base for visiting the spectacular Masaya Volcano, the best of Nicaragua lies elsewhere.

Starting on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, we recommend a visit to Granada, which, along with León, make up the two top tourist destinations in the country, known for their colonial architecture and historic churches. Plus, and since you’ll already be at the lake, don’t forget to stop at Ometepe Island, a nature reserve made up of two massive volcanoes connected by an isthmus made of lava. To cap things off on a high note after visiting volcanoes and colonial towns, there’s nothing better than relaxing on the beach in San Juan del Sur, famous for its waves and laid-back surf culture.

Venezuela

Probably the most controversial inclusion on this list, Venezuela may be facing a host of political, economic and social issues… but one can’t deny its raw tourism potential! Plus, as oil prices recovered over the last couple of years, the economy has seen some improvement, leading to a significant drop in crimes such as murders, thefts, robberies and kidnappings.

Be that as it may, let’s focus now on the tourism side of things. Beyond the sprawling and bustling capital of Caracas, Venezuela stands out for its incredible natural beauty, with the colossal Angel Falls ranking as the country’s number one tourist spot. Officially the tallest waterfalls in the world, the sheer scale and power of this natural wonder is something that must be witnessed in person to be believed. Other highlights include the Orinoco Delta and the mountains of Roraima. On the other hand, if you want to feel like you’ve set foot in a completely different country, head out to Margarita Island and the Los Roques Archipelago, known for their tropical flair and dreamy beaches.

El Salvador

Already mentioned earlier in the post, the nation of El Salvador is a microcosm that contains a little bit of everything that makes Central America a region with so much tourism potential. After all, the tiny country packs one of the most charming capitals in the region (San Salvador), impressive volcanoes (Santa Ana), quaint colonial towns (Ruta de las Flores), Mayan archaeological sites (Tazumal), great beaches for surfing (El Tunco) and majestic lakes (Suchitlán). A lot to see in such a small nation!

Equally important is the fact that this is now one of the safest countries in the Americas, a dramatic turnaround since Bukele came to power, as El Salvador had an absolutely atrocious homicide rate. Truth be told, the extremely violent and repressive (with no due process) way national authorities cleaned up the streets may be up for debate, but that is a discussion for another forums. From a purely practical and objective point of view, El Salvador is currently a very safe destination.

Saint Lucia

Many people tend to forget about it when looking at a map, focusing solely on the continent’s massive landmass, but the Caribbean is also officially a part of the Americas. While they all share paradise-like beaches and the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, not all of the 13 countries and 24 overseas territories enjoy the same level of popularity among tourists. While places like Cuba, the Bahamas or the Dominican Republic are packed with visitors year-round, other islands remain relatively untouched by mass tourism despite offering conditions just as good, if not better.

One of those places is the tiny nation of Saint Lucia, known for its beaches – of course – but above all for its national parks, fishing villages, coral reefs, mountain peaks and waterfalls, making it an ideal destination for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and wants to combine a few days of intense hiking and adrenaline-filled activities with some well-earned R&R by the sea. A natural gem, painted in many shades of blue and green!

Dominica

Another Caribbean island that often gets overlooked in favor of more popular destinations in the region, Dominica is yet another little slice of paradise that offers a lot to see and do in a small package. In fact, it’s no coincidence it has been nicknamed the “Nature Island of the Caribbean”, given its incredible variety of natural attractions that go from hot springs, mountains and lakes to rivers, volcanoes and even tropical rainforests.

Looking at specific places to include on your itinerary, you absolutely cannot miss the short hike to Trafalgar Falls, the Boiling Lake and Titou Gorge, all part of the gigantic Morne Trois Pitons National Park, which covers nearly all of the island’s inland territory. Plus, the park served as a shooting location for some scenes in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise! Along the coast, in addition to relaxing on volcanic black-sand beaches, there’s nothing better than grabbing your snorkel gear and heading to Champagne Reef to swim with the colorful fish!

Suriname

Finally, we wrap up our list with the obscure nation of Suriname, a country many people forget is even part of South America to begin with. Part of the Guianas, a historical and geographical region that was divided among five colonial powers over the centuries, Suriname is the Guianese land once held by the Dutch, although it stands today a sovereign and independent nation. As such, Suriname (like the other Guianas) is a truly off-the-beaten-path destination, likely to appeal only to the most adventurous travelers.

That said, those who venture here are in for a serious adventure! Beyond the capital of Paramaribo, the most interesting city in the entire Guianas, we recommend exploring the Central Suriname Nature Reserve (covering roughly 12% of the country’s territory), witnessing sea turtles nesting in Galibi and taking a dolphin-watching tour on the Commewijne River. If you have the time, you can even cross the border for a quick visit to French Guiana or the neighboring country of Guyana (an independent nation, formerly colonized by the British).

Follow us

Sign Up for deal alerts

E-mail address