Dinogo Readers' Top 10 Cities in Central and South America for 2024

Central and South American cities are brimming with cuisine, entertainment, and historical significance. This year, Dinogo readers discovered numerous reasons to revisit these vibrant locations. In our 2024 'World’s Best Awards' survey, they selected their favorite 10 cities in Central and South America for transformative travel experiences.

Voting Process Explained

For our World's Best Awards survey each year, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences worldwide — providing insights on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. In 2024, over 186,000 T+L readers participated in the survey, casting more than 700,000 votes across over 8,700 properties (including hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Cities were specifically evaluated based on the following criteria:

Attractions/Sights
Cultural Experiences
Culinary Delights
Hospitality
Retail
Affordability

Participants could rate each aspect as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final ratings reflect the average of these evaluations.

Highlights from Readers

Cuzco, Peru, continues to hold the title of the top city this year, maintaining its position from the previous year. Antigua Guatemala, known for its stunning Baroque architecture and surrounded by volcanoes, has climbed to the No. 2 position from No. 7 last year. Panama City, Panama, makes its debut at No. 10, pushing São Paulo off the list. Rio de Janeiro remains Brazil’s only representative, while Mendoza, Argentina, at No. 9, impressed T+L surveyors with its excellent wines. Colombia's Cartagena and Bogotá continue to secure the No. 7 and No. 8 spots, respectively, with one reader describing Cartagena as a “melting pot of Caribbean, African, and Latin cultures.” Quito, Ecuador (No. 3), Lima, Peru (No. 4, up from No. 9), and Buenos Aires, Argentina (No. 5, unchanged from last year) also receive high praise. For insights into individual rankings and the reasons behind readers selecting Cuzco as the best city in Central and South America for the World’s Best Awards, keep reading.

The Champion

Cuzco, Peru

The twin towers and dome of the historic Iglesia de la Compania rise above the red rooftops of Cusco in Peru. This church, dating back to 1571, is built on the ruins of an ancient Inca Palace.

JeremyRichards/Getty Images

Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, this city has been a long-time favorite among T+L readers, and it’s easy to understand why. Cuzco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where visitors can explore ancient Incan temples, savor local dishes like cuy al horno (roast guinea pig), and find a central base for visiting Machu Picchu. One reader remarked, “This incredible city has all the best things you can imagine.” Praising its beauty, rich history, and unique food and nightlife, readers have described Cuzco as a “stunning city.” As one reader summarized, Cuzco is an “extraordinary destination to experience the vibrant history of Peru.”