5. Santiago de Chile
Flanked by the snow-capped Andes, Chile’s peaceful and atmospheric capital provides a warm welcome to all visitors, making it a great place to kick off a trip. Officially declared the safest city in Latin America, it’s packed with friendly locals, vibrant culture, fascinating history and seriously delicious food.
Even better, the climate is Mediterranean, with practically no rainfall between November and March. Pull up a seat in a cobbled colonial plaza, sip a classic pisco sour and soak up the South American sunshine.