I spent 10 months backpacking in Latin America last year, visiting 14 countries and over 75 cities. Out of all the cities I’ve visited these are my favorites, cities I would like to come back to and live in for a few months.

Antigua, Guatemala

I remember arriving in Antigua very early in the morning, after a long, overnight bus right from Flores, Guatemala. We were dropped off at the central park and it made a very good first impression on me. The city was very clean and beautiful. It’s a colonial-style, brightly-colored city with cobblestone streets and a view of a volcano. The weather was great when I was there as well. Someone told me that house owners in the city can’t just color their houses with whichever color they like to maintain its character.

It’s a good place to study Spanish as well, especially if you’re a complete beginner as you’ll find more English-speakers here than the rest of Guatemala as it’s a big tourist destination. I took one week of Spanish lessons here with Sevilla Spanish School, just across El Hostal hostel where I was staying. Check out the nearby Pacaya Vocano if you’re interested in climbing an active volcano.

Most of the things you’ll need will be near central park: banks, cafés, restaurants, bars, stores. There’s a local market area just walking distance from the center, where you can get things cheaper.

On the weekends, you’ll find street performers in the park It’s a good place to just chill, people watch, or read a book Just be ready for the kids asking you if you’d like to have your shoes shined even if you’re wearing flip-flops.

Medellin, Colombia

Colombia is one of my favorite countries in Latin America. I found Colombians to be really friendly people. I remember riding a bus from Cartagena to Medellin and the lady I was sitting next to told me that she’s looking to moving to Medellin with her fiancé. She asked me if I’ve ever been to Medellin before and know where to go and I honestly said I didn’t (I was going to figure it out when I get to the terminal). She told me that her fiancé lived there for a while and he could give me directions. She even gave me her phone number and told me to contact her if I ever needed anything or have any questions.

I only spent about 5 days in Medellin, but got to see a decent amount of the city. It’s a big city but easy to explore thanks to its efficient and affordable Metro train system (with a connected cable car system). There are many neighborhoods to choose from, from the very poor to the upscale. There’s a lot to see.

Another thing that I really like about Medellin is the climate: spring-like all year around. This is the main reason I want to come back and live here for a few months. I like to take a walk and explore during the day, but if it’s too hot or too cold outside I lose motivation to do so.

Medellin is also known for its beautiful women. For most single guys, this is enough reason to visit (ok, so maybe the climate is not the main reason I want to come back and live here).

Sucre, Bolivia

Sucre, also known as the “White City,” because of the many white colonial buildings in the city, is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to in Latin America. It has a very laid-back atmosphere, with a temperate climate due to its altitude. Both big pluses in my book.

While Bolivia is considered to be the most undeveloped/poorest country in Latin America, it actually wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Some of the roads could definitely use some improvement, but as far as cities go, you’ll find the same luxury as you would back home. If you’re looking for a nice, quiet place to live with most of the amenities you’ll find back home at a fraction of the cost, then Sucre is for you.

I was staying in a guesthouse here where my room actually looked more like a studio apartment, with a private bathroom, fridge, small kitchen, and a desk for about $6.50/night. It didn’t look that nice, but for the price I was paying it’s a very good value. You can get a dorm bed for around $3-5/night.

If you want to stay at a much nicer place with a very fast Internet connection, check out La Escondida Hostal. It’s a very modern hostel that actually looks more like a hotel for about $13/night including breakfast. Good comfy beds, LCD TV, and modern bathroom. I was getting about 12Mbps downstream using their Internet! This is really fast for Latin America. The only other place in Latin America where I’ve seen comparable or faster speed was in Chile, which is probably the most developed and stable country here.

A good meal would run you about $3-5. There are movie theaters in the city as well where you can see newly-released Hollywood films in English with Spanish subtitles for less than $3. Lots of cafés/restaurants/bars serving western food.

There seems to be something happening every week, like free concerts or some celebration. I kept seeing parades when I was there.

It’s also a popular city to learn Spanish because it’s cheap and Bolivians speak Spanish clearly. If you like chocolates, check outthe Sucre-based Para Ti Chocolates store.

Related Post: Living in Sucre, Bolivia

Buenos Aires, Argentina

It’s hard not to like the city of Buenos Aires. There’s something here for everyone:

Meat lover? Go to an asado for some of the best meat you’ll ever have.

Wine lover? Plenty of red wine here at low prices.

Want to learn Spanish? Plenty of schools to choose from.

Like to dance? Take a tango class or dance with a stranger at a milonga.

Want to see a concert, a show, or attend a festival? There’s something going on in the city every week.

Party animal? Go out every night and party until sunrise at one of the many boliches located all over the city.

Got a sweet tooth? Lots of ice cream shops and bakeries, try a chocolate covered alfajores.

Like to shop? Walk around the districts of Palermo and Recoleta or go to San Telmo on a Sunday for the street market.

Just want to relax, read a book, or do some work on your computer? There’s a nice park in Palermo and coffee shops with free Wi-Fi are everywhere. Lots of Starbucks.

Want an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a day or two? The city of Tigre is just a short train ride away.

Want to meet new people? Buenos Aires has a very active CouchSurfing community.

Single guy? Beautiful women everywhere you go. You won’t get bored.

Single girl? Simply make eye contact with an Argentine guy of your choosing in a bar and wait a few seconds.

Related Post: Living in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I think I drank and went out more in the 3 weeks I was in Brazil than the rest of my entire trip in Latin America. I’ve met some people who I got along very well with and we were going out and drinking almost every night. Drinking and partying are usually not my thing, but it’s hard to avoid them in Brazil. The Brazilians know how to have a good time.

I’ve had so fun in Rio de Janeiro that I will definitely come back here again at some point. A nice, big city with plenty to see and do, right on a long stretch of beach is pretty hard to beat. And let’s not forget about Brazilian women. The mix of different races produced some of the most beautiful and sexiest women I’ve ever seen. I don’t know what it is, but I just find Brazilian women very sexy. Go to Lapa on a Friday night and you’ll see what I mean.

After partying all night, we’d wake up pretty late just in time to not miss the included breakfast at our hostel and walk a couple of blocks to relax/nap at Ipanema beach. Here you’ll find many people in very good shape showing off their bodies: women wearing thongs and guys in speedos. Lots of people doing their exercises along the beach. You’ll also see people playing volleyball using any part of their body but their hands. Looks pretty hard.

Now, for other things to do and see, you have the favelas, the Sugar Loaf, and Christ the Redeemer. Nice views of the city from Sugar Loaf and Christ the Redeemer if the sky is clear.

The only thing I don’t like about Rio is the cost. More expensive than the US and I can see the prices only getting higher as the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics approach (and will probably keep going up even after those events are over).

I want to come back here for Carnaval. It will be very expensive but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Maybe I can even convince some of the people I’ve met there to have a reunion.