A country famous for its biodiversity, colonial architecture, the legendary Galapagos Islands, Amazonian rainforests, and bustling markets in the breathtaking heights of the Andes, Ecuador is a diverse and exotic destination that's generally regarded as a “microcosm” of Latin America.

In Quechua, Peru means the “land of abundance,” which is exactly what you'll discover in this diverse and scenic country. This character-filled nation is famous for the “lost city of the Incas”: Machu Picchu, the citadel perched in the Peruvian Andes in mist-shrouded forests.

Thanks in part to Bolivia's harsh mountain landscapes and thick Amazonian jungles, Spanish conquest and large-scale European immigration were impeded, meaning the country has suffered few changes as indigenous peoples have managed to hold onto many of their traditions.

Comically thin and excessively long, Chile stretches from the bellybutton of South America down to its big toe. Extending more than 2,600 miles (4,200 km), the country spans from the driest desert on earth to vast arctic glacial fields at the “End of the World.”

The great white continent is one of the last true wilderness areas. Traveling to the earth's most extreme landmass ... you 'll hardly feel like you're on the same planet.

Argentina... The very name evokes images of sensuous tango, thick juicy steaks, gauchos, fine Malbec wine, Maradona and Messi. Though these classics alone make for a formidable wanderlust cocktail, there’s much more to this nation of boundless diversity.

Brazil captivates us with its natural beauty, its outgoing people, and its intoxicating mix of European, African and indigenous influences. The country enjoys more than 5,000 miles of coastline, as well as diverse landscapes filled with the most authentic places.

After living in the shadow of its flamboyant neighbors for centuries, Latin America’s most diminutive country has finally come into the spotlight for international travelers.

If there was ever a country that suffered a case of seriously bad press, it's Colombia. However, its old image is giving way to the magical realism of a nation that's ideal for sampling coffee, learning salsa and swimming with dolphins. Now’s the time to discover a country that's not yet been overrun by "gringos," which makes it feel like you're crossing into one of the last frontiers of travel.