8-9 seven wonders 24/11/08 14:32 Page 9
2. PUNTA DEL ESTE, 5. TORTUGUERO
URUGUAY NATIONAL PARK,
This resort is often called South COSTA RICA
America’s St Tropez, and attracts the Costa Rica is gaining a reputation
continent’s rich and famous to frolic on for ecotourism – one of its hotspots
its beaches and spend at upmarket being Tortuguero national park,
hotels, shops and restaurants. It’s also known as the “Amazon of Costa
known for its vibrant nightlife with lots Rica” because of its rich
of bars and clubs. biodiversity.
There are 20 miles of pristine beaches The beach at Tortuguero
in the area. The resort is a 90-minute is surrounded by rainforest,
IMAGE: MINISTRY OF TOURISM ECUADOR WWW.ECUADOR.TRAVEL
drive from the Uruguayan capital of with a network of canals
Montevideo, on the Atlantic coast. and waterways to create an
While it is a pricey resort by Latin idyllic setting. It’s not just
American standards, it is not in the popular with tourists;
same bracket as similar upmarket endangered green sea turtles use the
hotspots in Europe and the US. beach for nesting between July and
www.lata.org October. Other wildlife includes more
than 300 species of bird, plus jaguars,
3. RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL ocelots, cougars, otters and manatees.
Rio de Janeiro is famed for its iconic www.tourism.co.cr
beaches such as Copacabana and
Ipanema. Both tourists and locals 6. AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE
flock to Copacabana to soak up the One of Belize’s claims to fame is the
year-round sun, dance some samba or second largest barrier reef in the world
take part in a game of futevolei (foot (after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef).
volleyball). Of course, such a famous There are numerous small islands
beach often becomes very crowded, dotted along this coral reef, including
particularly at New Year when more Ambergris Caye – said to have inspired
than two million revellers join in the Madonna’s 1980s hit La Isla Bonita.
celebrations. Nearby Ipanema beach has San Pedro is Ambergris Caye’s main
the reputation of being a little more town. Popular activities include scuba
sedate, but it’s far from dull. diving, snorkelling and fishing. The
www.braziltour.com region also has a Mayan history and
tourists can visit the ruins of Tikal in
4. ROSARIO ISLANDS, the rainforest as part of their holiday.
COLOMBIA www.latinamarketing.com 7.
Colombia is gaining a reputation as
one of Latin America’s up-and-coming 7. PLAYA DEL CARMEN,
destinations, particularly the historic MEXICO
city of Cartagena. Beaches are a major selling point for
6.
The Rosario Islands are close to the Mexico – one of the most attractive is
city and feature idyllic, uncrowded Playa del Carmen, located about 40
beaches, coral reefs and stylish new miles south of Cancun. It’s famed for its
hotels. They are reached by a 90-minute white sands, which resemble powdered
boat trip through the Bay of Cartagena. sugar, while the clear water has the
There’s good snorkelling and diving, temperature of a warm bath. Away from
deep-sea fishing is also available. the beach, nearby Fifth Avenue features
The area has been declared a natural boutique hotels, shops and restaurants.
national park to protect the coral It is also good for exploring the
reef and surrounding ecosystem of region’s Mayan ruins such as Tulum, an
mangroves and marine life. hour’s drive from Playa del Carmen.
www.proexport.com.co www.visitmexico.com
3. 4.
5.
9
TTG Knowledge LATIN AMERICA November 2008
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