Traveling in Latin America is, when well planned and executed, an interesting and exciting experience. It should also, if your plans go well, be a smooth and efficient experience. And with these seven unique ways to get around some of the top Latin American cities, getting there is half the fun.
Panama Metro
Panama City, Panama
Central America’s first urban rail system is helping to alleviate some of the notorious traffic congestion in Panama‘s capital, and a second line is in the works (in terms of foreign visitors, the first line can be useful for travelers staying at hotels in El Cangrejo who are heading to the bus terminal and the gigantic Albrook Mall). Watch LatinFlyer’s video of the Panama City Metro — and if you’re hankering for the good old days, check out our report about the Diablo Rojo, Panama’s colorful and infamous buses.
••••••
DON’T MISS: Enjoy the Ride: 5 Great Car Rental Road Trips in Panama
••••••
Teleférico
La Paz, Bolivia
Opened in 2014, this sky-high cable car links the cities of La Paz and El Alto, providing scenic views and an impressive new transportation option in Bolivia‘s most populated area. It’s one of the newest and most interesting ways to see this fascinating destination.
••••••
DON’T MISS: Airport to Nowhere: A Look Inside the Old Quito Airport in Ecuador
••••••
TransMilenio
Bogota, Colombia
One of the highest-profile bus rapid transit systems in the Americas, the TransMilenio opened in 2000 and features modern buses operating in dedicated lanes (some of the buses get so crowded that some locals have nicknamed the service the “TransMuyLleno”). Colombia‘s capital transit system has been so successful that it’s been imitated in many other cities.
••••••
DON’T MISS: Make a Difference: How to do Volunteer Work on a Costa Rica Vacation
••••••
Santo Domingo Metro
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Vacationers don’t usually associate sunny Caribbean islands with shiny subway systems, but the Santo Domingo Metro, which opened in 2009, is a modern example of progress in the bustling capital of the Dominican Republic. Watch LatinFlyer’s video of the Santo Domingo Metro for an inside view.
••••••
DON’T MISS: How to Enjoy Theater in Latin America (Even if You Don’t Speak Spanish)
••••••
Ascensor Funicular
Valparaíso, Chile
The coastal city of Valparaíso, Chile once had as many as 26 funicular railways in service, allowing the city’s residents and visitors to travel between the neighborhoods on the lower coastlines and the higher districts on the hilltops. Most are now inactive, but a ride on one of the few surviving lines, which date to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is a scenic must for visitors.
••••••
DON’T MISS: Chile Travel Tips: How to Slow Down & Enjoy Santiago
••••••
Subterráneo de Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Known by locals as the Subte, the metro system in Buenos Aires, Argentina dates to 1913 and is the oldest in Latin America. It’s still a great way to get around the city — although we can hope that the system will expand and receive some upgrades in the coming years.
••••••
DON’T MISS: Argentina Travel Tips: The Best Places to See Tango in Buenos Aires
••••••
Bonde de Santa Teresa
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Like the famed cable cars of San Francisco, the Santa Teresa tram is a must for first-time visitors to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One of the world’s oldest street railway lines, the tram has run since 1877, linking downtown Rio de Janeiro with the mostly residential neighborhood of Santa Teresa, which has in recent years become popular with foreign visitors.