A Guide to the Top Seven Natural Wonders of Latin America

There are hundreds of natural wonders around the world that would take a lifetime to see, so instead, focus on one corner of the world. Latin America is home to some of the most beautiful natural and manmade wonders of the world. From waterfalls to rainforests, to reefs and erupting volcanoes, Latin America has it all.

Here are my choices for the seven natural wonders of Latin America.

Ischigualasto, Argentina

Rock formations and dinosaur fossils are what put Ischigualasto on the map. The protected park holds the most important deposits of dinosaur bones paleontologists have found. Most importantly it is the only place in the world where scientists can study the complete transition from dinosaur to mammal, which took place in the Triassic period. For the visitor though, the rock formations that sit like well placed sculptures throughout the park are responsible for Ischigualasto's nickname- the Valley of the Moons.

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano is the most active volcano in Costa Rica, and the most magnificent in Latin America. The popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica, Arenal is just one part of the Arenal Volcano National Park which covers thirty thousand acres in all. If you are one of the lucky ones, you can see the top of the mountain during the day while out on a hike or riding horseback around Lake Arenal. Stick around at least one evening to watch the sky light up from the lava flowing out of the volcano's craters.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Sky below and above, that is what you will see reflected in the salt flats of Bolivia. Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flats, holding an estimated ten billion tons of salt in the Andes Mountains. The creation of the dried flats has left behind uniquely shaped salt piles that dot the landscape. Even when the flats are covered with water backpackers and bikers have been known to cross the landscape.

Belize Barrier Reef, Belize