Latin America’s 10 largest countries

Take a breath of exoticism and warmth with this list of the top 10 Latin American countries to discover!

When you think of Latin America… you can already hear the sound of Brazilian maracas or smell the sweet aromas of Peruvian ceviches. You can even see the festival of colors unfolding before your eyes! This is Latin America! A colorful fusion of folk cultures and local traditions, breathtaking landscapes and spicy gastronomic aromas.

With a list of the 10 largest countries in Latin America, you’ll discover the singularities of the region, its multicultural dynamism and, ultimately, the beauty of an entire continent.

South America, Latin America, what’s the difference?

It’s important to distinguish between South America and Latin America. The former identifies only the terrestrial continent, geographically located in the southern hemisphere of the globe. The latter refers to countries whose official languages are derived from Latin.

So, South America doesn’t include Mexico, but Latin America does. That’s why we’ve included it in our list, quite simply.

1. Brazil

With a land area of more than 8.5 million square kilometers, Brazil immediately tops this list. It occupies almost half of the South American continent (47.3%)! If you want to visit Brazil in its entirety, you’ll need to set aside some time… Otherwise, you can opt for the must-sees, which will give you a good idea of the country’s richness.

Its capital, Brasília, often confused with Rio de Janeiro, is a compendium of local folklore, to be discovered without moderation. Salvador de Bahia is the former capital of Brazil, which has become very cultural. Yet it has retained all the charm of the Portuguese and African influences that built it. But Brazil is also about nature.

With the famous Amazon rainforest, the Costa Verde, the magnificent Iguazú Falls and the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, you’re in for a real treat!

2. Argentina

Argentina is one of the largest countries in Latin America, due to its sheer size… And this is one of the points you need to bear in mind when planning your trip: transport times. To reach two points, you may have to consider taking internal flights, as it would take too long by bus!

That said, these trips are always worthwhile. Argentina is a magnificent country, with its many and varied landscapes. First, discover the capital, Buenos Aires, ultra-vibrant and colorful, animated by a very European culture that has retained its charms. If you’re looking for Argentinean color, head for Cerro Hornocal, the mountain of fourteen colors.

Don’t miss the Iguazú Falls, shared by Argentina and Brazil, or the Perito Moreno glacier, a must-see in the south of the country.

3. Mexico

As the cradle of pre-Columbian civilizations, Mexico is a fascinating country with a fascinating history. As a geographical transition between the two Americas, it developed around the primary culture of the Mayan and Aztec peoples, whose vestiges you can easily discover in the four corners of the country.

Archaeological sites such as Palenque, Uxmal, Chichen Itza and Tulum are major tourist attractions. These fascinating relics, still in their original state, are sure to arouse your curiosity! Beyond these historical witnesses, Mexico is also a festival of colors and cultures.

There’s a breathtaking natural wealth here: the cenotes, the islands of Quintana Roo, the waterfalls of Água Azul or the terms of Hierve El Agua. In the capital, Mexico City, as Luis Mariano sings, « the sun sings » and « nothing holds us back ».

Indeed, you’ll be galvanized by the city’s powers and treasures.

4. Peru

A fascinating and mysterious country, the scene of many theories (factual and otherwise) about ancient civilizations, Peru is a marvellous land. Just thinking about it, we can already hear the jovial, passionate melodies of recorders. But there’s much more to Peru than what we sometimes think of: ponchos, Incas, Machu Picchu.

Of course, Machu Picchu is a Peruvian must-see that we warmly recommend. As are the colorful mountains of Vinikunka, Lake Titicaca and the characterful cities of Cuzco and Lima. But Peru’s varied landscapes offer many more sights not to be missed! They are sea and mountain, green valley and rocky plain, dense forest and arid desert.

For a trip to one of Latin America’s largest countries, Peru offers an impressive range of attractions.

5. Colombia

Located in the northwest of South America, on the shores of the South American isthmus, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Colombia is the stuff of dreams. The country exudes a warmth that is welcoming, exotic and, above all, colorful. Like Cartagena de Indias, a city on the Caribbean coast with multicolored houses and flower-filled streets. Its historic colonial center is sure to leave a lasting impression, so keep your eyes peeled!

The Colombian capital, Bogotá, is a highly cultural city with numerous museums and a large art collection. Beyond its urban centers, the country boasts an astonishing wealth of natural wonders. For example, the colorful Caño Cristales river, the glowing Tatacoa desert or the Unesco-listed Tierradentro park.

In another equally impressive register, don’t miss Zipaquira’s mystical and bewildering Salt Cathedral…

6. Bolivia

A landlocked country, Bolivia is nevertheless not short of beautiful landscapes. Straddling the Andes, the Amazon rainforest basin and the Atacama desert, it boasts a fabulous natural diversity. Its capital, La Paz, is perched at an altitude of 3,500 metres – if that gives you any idea of the country’s terrain!

One of the country’s landmarks is the Salar d’Uyuni, situated at an altitude of over 4,000 metres. A truly extraordinary spectacle… of salt flats! The Sajama and Torotoro parks are two of Bolivia’s must-see attractions, as they promise to be awe-inspiring… and they deliver!

The former is home to the volcano of the same name, Bolivia’s highest peak, while the latter boasts priceless geological and archaeological treasures (fossils and dinosaur footprints).

7. Venezuela

Venezuela is located in the northern part of South America. It’s also a region where nature has remained very dense, with Amazonian forests and jungles. There are many different types of landscape: seaside (Caribbean coast), plains crossed by the Orinoco River and its tributaries, and even a few peaks, the beginnings of the Andes Cordillera.

Venezuela has been attracting tourists for less time than its neighbors, due to its slower development. Its historical heritage is interesting, but it is also visited for its wealth of flora and fauna. Its long coastline offers numerous spots where scuba diving is a must-do, with a wide variety of seabeds. And don’t miss the Los Roques archipelago, the ideal spot for scuba diving!

On the land side, you’ll enjoy sumptuous landscapes and pure air in the national parks (especially on the Brazilian border).

8. Chile

With its long, slender shape, Chile is an extraordinarily varied country. Very long and narrow, it lies along the Andes and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Yet its coastal landscapes are varied, sometimes even extreme. Particularly in the south, at Punta Arenas and in the Alberto de Agostini National Park, where immense glaciers try to hold on to their place.

This part of Chile is very steep and unviable, but it’s a joy to visit. Don’t miss Torres del Paine Park, the city of Valparaiso and the Elqui Valley, close to the Chilean wine route. Chile is also the land of space observation, with its pure skies and very limited light pollution.

For example, discover Cerro Paranal, a mountain in the Atacama where an observation center can be visited (from which you’ll have magnificent views of the surrounding area).

9. Paraguay

The central country of South America, Paraguay is nestled between Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. A discreet nation, it is divided into two territories separated by the Río Paraguay river. To the west, the region is very natural, with dense subtropical forest, savannah swamps and meandering rivers. This is the Gran Chaco region.

To the east of the Río Paraguay is a more densely populated region, bordered by the capital: Asunción. A very old town (16th century), the capital today has a very discreet yet warm atmosphere. It’s an historical and modern cultural hub, but a dynamic one all the same. Finally, when visiting Paraguay, there’s another place you shouldn’t miss: the Laguna Blanca.

It’s aptly named: an immense lagoon, with white sandy beaches, in an almost lunar environment lacking in color! Breathtaking!

10. Ecuador

Last on our list of Latin America’s largest countries, Ecuador isn’t actually very big. We know it because it is crossed by the equatorial line, which divides the Earth into two hemispheres! A monument, Mitad del Mundo, embodies this particularity and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Indeed, who hasn’t dreamed of being in the middle of the world, close to latitude and longitude 0’0’0? Remarkably, this discovery was made by a French expedition. Otherwise, Ecuador is also full of natural and human wonders. For example, the northern capital, Quito, with its historic center, dynamic nightlife and lively nightlife.

For the natural aspect of your trip, Ecuador has some incredible national parks and reserves: Cotopaxi, Sangay, Yasuní. Finally, if you can, stop off at the Quilotoa lagoon, a huge crater lake accessible after a trek.

So, which of Latin America’s 10 largest countries will be your next destination?