These 4 underrated Latin American cities have no crowds and feel like summer

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With winter just around the corner, more and more travelers have their shovels and defrosters ready for the approaching cold front.

But there are many more places to go than simply settling for a busy resort south of the border.

Our entire team of experts here at Travel Off Path know what it’s like to wake up at the crack of dawn and reserve poolside loungers, and we don’t believe this is the best way to enjoy your holiday.

There are dozens of Latin American getaways outside busy Mexico, with sun-drenched coasts and vibrant urban sprawl packed with cultural delights.

We have limited them to our top 4 favorites this winterwhere the sky is clear, blue and radiant with vitamin D, and you won’t encounter any ugly tourist crowds on your way.

With a mix of legendary streets and beautiful coastline, no cooler than 80 degreesThese four underrated cities never got the memo that summer was ending.

4) Belo Horizonte: this Concrete Jungle combines history with epic food

You know Rio and São Paulo, but do you also know the culinary capital of Brazil?

In Belo Horizonte there seem to be family-run eateries or made-to-order acai bowls on every corner, but your favorite place has to be: Mercado Centrala place where I have personally spent hours shopping with many caipirinha breaks in between.

If you’re not familiar, caipirinhas are Brazil’s premier cocktail, made from cachaça, fresh lime, sugar and ice.

They are the perfect refreshing drink to cool down, and as crazy as it sounds, you will still encounter warm days here in winter.

Belo Horizonte is an endless sea of ​​skyscrapers where it is almost impossible to find a bad meal (or drink).

Even famous world traveler and chef Anthony Bourdain loved this city, with the fast-growing metropolis one Parts unknown episode, which showcases Brazilian cuisine and surpasses Fogo de Chão.

But enough about food: if there is one destination you absolutely must visit, it is Ouro Preto nearby.

This safe, UNESCO-listed 17th century city is a colonial masterpiece etched in time – the kind of place many tourists overlook in favor of more pizzazz in Rio.

3) Leon: the most underrated city in Central America

Considering that the country’s government is notoriously strict and the capital is nothing short of a snoozefest, Nicaragua can be a strange place to visit for first-time visitors to Latin America.

But hey, we have no control over where they built their main airport. Most travelers fly to Managua, the aforementioned capital, but are disappointed when that is their base (hence why many tourists choose Granada).

What is missed between Granada and the beautiful south coast is the vibrant cultural city of Leon.

If travelers were to give this beautiful city a shake of colonial streetscapes, whitewashed cathedrals and unforgettable volcanic excursions, it would certainly lighten up some Granada foot traffic.

Leon boasts affordability, safety and off-the-beaten-path appeal for tourists looking for new experiences along the same, same routes. Besides, it is true just 90 minutes from Managua airport (MGA).

It’s also a great gateway to lesser-known seaside resorts, such as the Thatched Village Poneloya.

In other words: leave your winter coat at home. Enjoy both urban delights and natural beauty in beautiful T-shirt weather.

2) Santa Marta: Colombia’s trendy holiday destination

Is Cartagena old news? Not exactly.

However, Santa Marta is certainly Colombia’s trendiest destination as tourists continue to venture east.

Unfortunately, Santa Marta is the end of the line before it goes into no-go territory (ahem, Venezuela).

But don’t worry: Santa Marta is no less safe than any other Colombian hotspot, despite being next to a neighboring country that’s consistently on the wrong side of the news.

More holidaymakers are choosing Santa Marta due to its growing reputation as a budget-friendly coastal destination with fewer crowds than the more notable Cartagena.

Not to mention, Santa Marta offers beautiful, storied streets as the city just celebrated its 500th anniversary.

Between a timeless cityscape and vibrant Caribbean coasts with towering hotels, Santa Marta can feel like a mini ‘Cartagena’ with more authentic experiences because it hasn’t hit everyone’s radar yet.

In fact, Santa Marta has just now reached ‘trendy’ status and has not yet welcomed a direct American flight, so it is best to fly to nearby Barranquilla via Spirit of America.

1) Panama City: so much more than a stopover

We recently crowned Panama City our top Latin American metropolis since Mexico City continues to reel from chaotic anti-tourism protests.

Panama City is a beautiful city that ticks all the boxes, including being welcoming to every type of tourist, whether you’re looking for more affordable healthcare in a booming medical sector, an expat retreating from the 9-to-5 grind, honeymooners, digital nomads, foodies, you name it…

It’s not that tourism is a problem in Panama City – it is friendly of tourism. Panama would like to show the world that it offers much more than FDA alternative treatments and affordable expat havens.

I loved my trip to Panama this year and was surprised by how diverse not only Panama City was, but even deeper into what felt like uncharted territory on the lesser known Caribbean side.

It doesn’t matter if you are a history buff and ready to fall in love with the legendary facades of Casco Viejo or an outdoor enthusiast ready to immerse themselves in nature excursions, Panama City is what the doctor ordered for winter sun, any way you slice it.

Their flagship airline, Copa Airlines, considers itself the gateway to the world and even offers free stops.

Best of all, Copa flies to every destination on this list, so there’s no excuse not to spend time exploring one of 2026’s must-visit destinations.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.