Latin America boasts some of Earth's most breathtaking scenery. These road trips showcase vivid culture and landscapes, from surf breaks to jungle treks. Whether you crave mountains or beaches, there is an unforgettable journey waiting for you.

Carretera Austral, Chile

Winding through southern Chile, the Carretera Austral cuts a rugged path across more than 770 miles of untouched Patagonia. Towering peaks in the Andes cast long shadows over the road, while waterfalls crash down mere feet from the roads. In quiet hamlets like Puyuhuapi, you can soak in natural hot springs enveloped by emerald forests and mist.

Ruta 40, Argentina

Argentina’s Ruta 40 stretches more than 3,000 miles along the Andes. Driving this route, you’ll encounter desert plains, sun-soaked salt flats and canyons in impossible colors. As for the wildlife, guanacos often graze undisturbed and if you’re lucky, a condor might grace you with its presence from above.

Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

Start in Guanacaste’s golden beaches, drift south past surfing sanctuaries and sleepy fishing villages, then end deep in the greenery of the Osa Peninsula. Dirt roads snake into hidden coves, while Manuel Antonio’s jungles hum with sounds of monkeys and sloths from the treetops. By sundown, the sky blushes and the ocean swallows the sun whole—pure Pura Vida.

Yucatán Peninsula Loop, Mexico

A sun-soaked journey through Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is a great idea for a road trip. Begin in Mérida’s pastel streets bustling with music and tamale vendors, then follow backroads to Valladolid and it’s old town charm. Visit the Ancient stones at Chichén Itzá and seaside Tulum echo the power of the Mayan past. And because sustenance is important, roadside tacos and sweet marquesitas make the perfect meal for such an adventurous trip.

Valle de Guadalupe Wine Route, Mexico

Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe Wine Route in Baja California offers a delightfully unexpected blend of vineyard views and gourmet stops. The paved roads lead you past more than 100 wineries nestled among the cactus-dotted hills. You’ll also find boutique hotels, olive groves and farm-to-table restaurants. It’s easy to drive in a regular car, with most of the best stops along well-marked, easy-to-navigate roads.

Pan-American Highway, Peru

Peru’s section of the Pan-American Highway delivers a dose of ancient mystery and natural spectacle. Trace the coast to the eerie Nazca Lines — giant geoglyphs etched into the desert sands. Inland, Arequipa’s white volcanic stone architecture basks under the monstrous volcano El Misti’s watchful eye. Veer just a bit off course to peer into the colossal Colca Canyon where condors glide by on the energetic currents. Finally, roll into Cusco, where the echoes of Inca grandeur lead you toward Machu Picchu’s stone citadel in the clouds.

Transamazonian Highway, Brazil

Built in the 1970s, was quite an ambitious effort that resulted in a partially paved, 4,000 km route through the Amazon rainforest, and Brazilian states Ceará, Maranhão, Pará, Paraíba, Tocantins and Amazonas. While traveling this route, prepare to navigate washed-out bridges, river ferries and dense jungle where wildlife sightings are as common as sudden delays.

Yucatán Peninsula Loop, Mexico

A sun-soaked journey through Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is a great idea for a road trip. Begin in Mérida’s pastel streets bustling with music and tamale vendors, then follow backroads to Valladolid and it’s old town charm. Visit the Ancient stones at Chichén Itzá and seaside Tulum echo the power of the Mayan past. And because sustenance is important, roadside tacos and sweet marquesitas make the perfect meal for such an adventurous trip.

Pan-American Highway, Panama

The Pan-American Highway is the world’d longest road — from Alaska to Argentina it’s 30,000 km in total. Panama’s stretch is short but packed with contrasts. In shiny Panama City, skyscrapers pierce the clouds right beside crumbling colonial facades. A quick detour reveals the legendary Panama Canal, which is an engineering marvel. Climb to Boquete’s cool highlands for coffee farms hidden in cloud-covered forests. Push onward toward the Darién Gap’s lawless edge if you dare, where pavement ends and jungle swallows the road.