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7 Best Places to See Wildlife in Latin America, According to a Travel Expert

Latin America is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream, home to many diverse ecosystems teeming with unique flora and fauna. Here are some of the best places to go wildlife spotting in the region.

The Pantanal, Brazil

A jaguar emerges in Pantanal, Brazil.

Stone RF/Getty Images


The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland. Although it’s less well-known than other areas in South America, it’s one of the continent’s best wildlife viewing locations. Through a guided safari, visitors can spot jaguars, capybaras, giant otters, caimans, and an abundance of bird species. The best time to spot the region’s iconic and rare jaguars is during the dry season, from June to October.

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands offer the chance to see many species, such as these sea lions on Espanola Island.

Guenter Guni/Getty Images


These volcanic islands are world-famous for their diverse wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and penguins. It’s one of the most pristine ecosystems on earth, with 97 percent of the land designated as a protected park, offering unparalleled opportunities for up-close wildlife encounters, both on land and underwater.

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

A crowned woodnymph hummingbird enjoys the flowers in Corcovado National Park, on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.

Manuel ROMARIS/Getty Images


This peninsula is one of the most biologically rich regions on the planet. Located in the far southwest of Costa Rica, it’s home to the primary rain forest of Corcovado National Park and the waters of the Golfo Dulce. This is a truly remote wilderness and a great place to spot rare mammals such as white-faced capuchins, margays, ocelots, and tapirs, an animal related to the rhinoceros species.

Iberá Wetlands, Argentina

Capybaras in the Ibéra wetlands region of Argentina.

Tom Parker


Argentina’s Iberá Wetlands are a vast network of marshes, lagoons, and waterways that provide habitat for capybaras, caimans, marsh deer, and more than 350 species of birds. Jaguars have been reintroduced here as part of a groundbreaking conservation effort involving conservation NGOs, government agencies, ecotourism hotels, and local communities. The aim of the project is to restore biodiversity, rebalance the region’s ecosystem, and create a sustainable environment for life to thrive.

Península Valdés, Argentina 

A Southern Wright Whale breaches in Peninsula Valdes, Argentina.

Juan MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images


Here, the spotlight is on marine life. You can see southern right whales, sea lions, orcas, Magellanic penguins, and elephant seals, among other species. The orcas are renowned for their remarkable hunting technique, often beaching themselves to attack sea lion pups in the shallow water.

Patagonia National Park, Chile

Travelers in the Patagonia region of Chile may spot wildlife like the guanaco, a camelid similar to a llama.

Dieter Meyrl/Getty Images


This national park in southern Chile was established in 2018, and encompasses diverse landscapes, including mountains, forests, grasslands, rivers, and wetlands. It’s home to a wide variety of wildlife, including guanacos, condors, and Andean deer. Visitors also get to observe pumas in their natural habitat.

Tambopata National Reserve, Peru 

Macaws flying over Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve.

Christian Declercq/Getty Images


Located in the Peruvian Amazon, Tambopata is a remarkable natural area with high levels of species. The reserve is an important site for scientific research and conservation efforts, as well as ecotourism. Visitors can explore the rain forest on guided treks or canoe trips led by naturalists who provide insights into the area’s ecology and help macaws, monkeys, giant river otters, caimans, and other species.

Lily Bunker is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List, and specializes in wildlife travel, especially to Antarctica and South America. You can create an itinerary that fits your needs with Bunker by contacting her at lily@jacadatravel.com.

Author

  • Nathaniel Morgan

    Nathaniel, often known as Nate, is an adventurer at heart with a deep love for traveling. His sun-kissed skin, unruly curly hair, and a smile that never fades, tell stories of the countless sunrises he has seen around the world. He has a knack for immersing himself in different cultures and is always on the lookout for off-the-beaten-path experiences. His backpack is always ready, and his camera is his most prized possession.

Written by
Nathaniel Morgan

Nathaniel, often known as Nate, is an adventurer at heart with a deep love for traveling. His sun-kissed skin, unruly curly hair, and a smile that never fades, tell stories of the countless sunrises he has seen around the world. He has a knack for immersing himself in different cultures and is always on the lookout for off-the-beaten-path experiences. His backpack is always ready, and his camera is his most prized possession.

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