Great idea for a thread!
Pick 5 Cities for a Tourists first vacaction in Latin America
If you are planning to come to Latin America these are the 5 destinations I would recommend so you have a truly Latin American culture experience:
1. Guadalajara - Mexicos second largest city condenses the countrys escence. Its historical and modern, traditional and evolving. Mexico has the second largest population in the region, and this city is a good window to discover its culture.
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2. Cartagena - This is one of the main cities in the Caribbean region and also in Colombia, therefore is a good place to start discovering two cultures within Latin American idiosyncrasy. Cartagena has a beautiful historical centre, which its legacy of colonial times and its also a booming city which represents Colombias economy today. The city is ethnically diverse (whats more Latin American than that) and is a good party town.
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3. Cusco - The old capital of the Inca Empire is a great place to discover the Andean culture, another slope of Latin American culture. In the citys architecture you can percieve the clash between two worlds: Inca and European. The city its also the gateway to Macchu Pichu, one of Latin Americas 3 out of 7 Wonders of the World.
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4. Rio de Janeiro - South America at its best. Rio is carnival, relax, party, beach, good food, nice people, good bodies, nice architecture, football, expanding economy, etc. But Rio is also social differences, poverty, rundown neighbourhoods and chaos. It represents Latin America in the good and the bad and its also home for another of the Worlds 7 Wonders.
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5. Buenos Aires - The most European face of Latin America. Buenos Aires was the New Europe but with Latin American winds. Its sophisticated, elegant, magestic. Porteños are extroverted and will not miss the chance to talk to you about politics, football or society. They are not always right, but at least youll make yourself an opinion about life in this corner of the World.
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If you are Latin American, you know Latin America or you are inform about this region, you are welcome to make your own recommendations for a first visit and explaining your choice (business, modernity, safety, culture, diversity, authenticity, entertainment, views, people, etc).
1. Guadalajara - Mexicos second largest city condenses the countrys escence. Its historical and modern, traditional and evolving. Mexico has the second largest population in the region, and this city is a good window to discover its culture.
2. Cartagena - This is one of the main cities in the Caribbean region and also in Colombia, therefore is a good place to start discovering two cultures within Latin American idiosyncrasy. Cartagena has a beautiful historical centre, which its legacy of colonial times and its also a booming city which represents Colombias economy today. The city is ethnically diverse (whats more Latin American than that) and is a good party town.
3. Cusco - The old capital of the Inca Empire is a great place to discover the Andean culture, another slope of Latin American culture. In the citys architecture you can percieve the clash between two worlds: Inca and European. The city its also the gateway to Macchu Pichu, one of Latin Americas 3 out of 7 Wonders of the World.
4. Rio de Janeiro - South America at its best. Rio is carnival, relax, party, beach, good food, nice people, good bodies, nice architecture, football, expanding economy, etc. But Rio is also social differences, poverty, rundown neighbourhoods and chaos. It represents Latin America in the good and the bad and its also home for another of the Worlds 7 Wonders.
5. Buenos Aires - The most European face of Latin America. Buenos Aires was the New Europe but with Latin American winds. Its sophisticated, elegant, magestic. Porteños are extroverted and will not miss the chance to talk to you about politics, football or society. They are not always right, but at least youll make yourself an opinion about life in this corner of the World.
If you are Latin American, you know Latin America or you are inform about this region, you are welcome to make your own recommendations for a first visit and explaining your choice (business, modernity, safety, culture, diversity, authenticity, entertainment, views, people, etc).
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If your first time in Latin America is business time, I would recommend this cities.
1. Santiago
The capital city of Chile is one of the most pro business cities in the region. Top in all of the compititiviness rankings, the city is home to various multinational companies headquarters in the region. The city also has a great climate for entrepreneurship, high penetration of credit, low interest rates and growing local businesses.
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2. Sao Paulo
The economic powerhouse of South America. Sao Paulos metropolitan areas GDP is over USD 450 billion. The city leads in manufacture, services and innovation, hosting the headquarters for almost every Brazilian mayor company.
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3. Monterrey
Mexicos richest city its the centre for business in the north of the country, benefiting itself from its proximity to Texas. The city has a strong manufacture industry and a growing service industry, as well as a growing financial centre.
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4. Lima
The fastest growing economy within Latin Americas major cities. Lima is the financial centre of Peru and is a leading city for microfinances in the region. Lima competitiviness benefits from its closenss to El Callao port, the largest in South American Pacific. Its also hub for two of the three largest airlines in South America.
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5. Medellin
Colombias business city together with Bogota. The citys inhabitants are reknown between Colombians as hard working and with an entrepreneur spirit. The city host headquarters for many of Colombians mayor companies.
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1. Santiago
The capital city of Chile is one of the most pro business cities in the region. Top in all of the compititiviness rankings, the city is home to various multinational companies headquarters in the region. The city also has a great climate for entrepreneurship, high penetration of credit, low interest rates and growing local businesses.
2. Sao Paulo
The economic powerhouse of South America. Sao Paulos metropolitan areas GDP is over USD 450 billion. The city leads in manufacture, services and innovation, hosting the headquarters for almost every Brazilian mayor company.
3. Monterrey
Mexicos richest city its the centre for business in the north of the country, benefiting itself from its proximity to Texas. The city has a strong manufacture industry and a growing service industry, as well as a growing financial centre.
4. Lima
The fastest growing economy within Latin Americas major cities. Lima is the financial centre of Peru and is a leading city for microfinances in the region. Lima competitiviness benefits from its closenss to El Callao port, the largest in South American Pacific. Its also hub for two of the three largest airlines in South America.
5. Medellin
Colombias business city together with Bogota. The citys inhabitants are reknown between Colombians as hard working and with an entrepreneur spirit. The city host headquarters for many of Colombians mayor companies.
1. Mexico City
2. Buenos Aires
3. Rio de Janeiro
4. Havana
5. Santiago
2. Buenos Aires
3. Rio de Janeiro
4. Havana
5. Santiago
If in your first visit to Latin America you decide to skip the big 7 and go for the smaller countries, I would recommend the next cities:
1. Quito, Ecuador
Quito is located in a green plateau, while its urban sprawl floods into the lower valley sorrounded by three volcanoes. The city has experimented dramatic changes in recent years and has become an attractive destination. Its historical centre is one of the best preserved in the region.
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2. Panama City
This city has been booming for the last decades and its skyscrapers are a proof of it. Panama City offers good shopping, closeness to beautiful beaches and natural reserves, a unique historic centre, a vivid multicultural society and the opportunity to see the World largest channel made by men. The line 1 of the citys metro has recently open.
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3. Montevideo, Uruguay
The little neighbour of Buenos Aires crossing the River Plate. This city has good meat, nice walkings near the sea, old majestic buildings, beautiful girls and an open society; the least religious in Latin America and one of the most progressives in the World.
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4. San Jose, Costa Rica
This city is the perfect starting point for a natural adventure into the jungle, mountains or beaches. The city itself is a peaceful urban centre with a consolidated middle class and lots of open spaces.
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5. Habana, Cuba
Before the Revolution Cuba was one of Latin Americas most prosperous states. Today, the buildings of that oppulent past remain us prooves of Habanas golden age. The city is also close to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean Sea. New airs blow over Habana, so hurry up before foreign investment starts flowing into the island and get to know the decadent beauty.
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1. Quito, Ecuador
Quito is located in a green plateau, while its urban sprawl floods into the lower valley sorrounded by three volcanoes. The city has experimented dramatic changes in recent years and has become an attractive destination. Its historical centre is one of the best preserved in the region.
2. Panama City
This city has been booming for the last decades and its skyscrapers are a proof of it. Panama City offers good shopping, closeness to beautiful beaches and natural reserves, a unique historic centre, a vivid multicultural society and the opportunity to see the World largest channel made by men. The line 1 of the citys metro has recently open.
3. Montevideo, Uruguay
The little neighbour of Buenos Aires crossing the River Plate. This city has good meat, nice walkings near the sea, old majestic buildings, beautiful girls and an open society; the least religious in Latin America and one of the most progressives in the World.
4. San Jose, Costa Rica
This city is the perfect starting point for a natural adventure into the jungle, mountains or beaches. The city itself is a peaceful urban centre with a consolidated middle class and lots of open spaces.
5. Habana, Cuba
Before the Revolution Cuba was one of Latin Americas most prosperous states. Today, the buildings of that oppulent past remain us prooves of Habanas golden age. The city is also close to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean Sea. New airs blow over Habana, so hurry up before foreign investment starts flowing into the island and get to know the decadent beauty.
Yes, ive also heard great things about Guatemala City and neighbouring Antigua. GC is the largest city in Central America.
Guatemala City
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Guatemala City
O Rio de Janeiro também é um importante polo financeiro e importante centro de negóciosda América Latina, mais importante do que Lima ou Medelin, acho que vc não deve saber disso. T anto é que é a cidade que mais recebe eventos internacionais de negócios na América Latina, junto com Buenos Aires. Ou melhor, esta era a posição em 2013, este ano já deve ter ultrapassado a capital argentina.If your first time in Latin America is business time, I would recommend this cities.
1. Santiago
The capital city of Chile is one of the most pro business cities in the region. Top in all of the compititiviness rankings, the city is home to various multinational companies headquarters in the region. The city also has a great climate for entrepreneurship, high penetration of credit, low interest rates and growing local businesses.
![]()
2. Sao Paulo
The economic powerhouse of South America. Sao Paulos metropolitan areas GDP is over USD 450 billion. The city leads in manufacture, services and innovation, hosting the headquarters for almost every Brazilian mayor company.
![]()
3. Monterrey
Mexicos richest city its the centre for business in the north of the country, benefiting itself from its proximity to Texas. The city has a strong manufacture industry and a growing service industry, as well as a growing financial centre.
![]()
4. Lima
The fastest growing economy within Latin Americas major cities. Lima is the financial centre of Peru and is a leading city for microfinances in the region. Lima competitiviness benefits from its closenss to El Callao port, the largest in South American Pacific. Its also hub for two of the three largest airlines in South America.
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5. Medellin
Colombias business city together with Bogota. The citys inhabitants are reknown between Colombians as hard working and with an entrepreneur spirit. The city host headquarters for many of Colombians mayor companies.
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O Rio também é sede de algumas das maiores empresas do continente, possui um movimentado sistema financeiro e está prestes a reabrir uma bolsa de valores. E a expectativa é que a cidade aumente bastante sua participação no cenário financeiro internacional, nos próximos anos.
^^ Marcus, I would recommend you to write it in English, even if sebvill understands you, it's an international forum. 
Cool. Thanks for noticing it. Actually there are many great cities for business in Latam. I could only choose 5 and I explained why for ME those would be my recommendations. I have no doubt though that Rio is a great place for business and money making but Im trying to include most countries and Brazil was already represented by Sampa. I invite you to make your own list. :cheers:
Bogota has the second largest Book Fair in Latam after Guadalajara. They also have the largest art festival in the region every four years. The city has numerous museums, theatres, public libraries, etc. I was there recently and could experience in first hand how artistic the city was. Many nice buildings too with artistic touches and lots of street art (professional and amateur).
Some pics of Bogota I took
Notice the metal heart
No one is forced to write in English, but as a matter of good sense and cordiality towards others forumers, it is highly recommended not to use one's own native language in international forums.
Actually English is required all over the forum except the local sections.
Indeed, you're so right. In fact that's exactly what I tried to express in the most polite way possible with "highly recommended".Actually English is required all over the forum except the local sections.
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