During the formative years of the nation, the grassy and fertile plains known as the pampas that extend for seven hundred miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains was a frontier region.

Located only two or three hours inland from the modern resort destinations at Cancun and the Mayan Riviera, Chichen Itza is one of the top tourist attractions in Mexico.

There is a tendency for people to assume that the island nations of the Caribbean are all the same. However, over the past two decades the Dominican Republic has become the region’s rising star.

While it lacks the majestic ruins and dramatic history of some of its neighbors, Costa Rica was one of the first countries in the Western Hemisphere to use its environmental resources to attract visitors seeking outdoor experiences.

Paradise Island and Nassau are both part of New Providence Island, one of 16 major islands which make up the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

The South American country of Uruguay is a place that many people have heard of but few people from the United States have visited.

Cuba is a land lost in time with an interesting history and a spirited people. Tens of thousands of Americans have visited this neighboring island of 10 million residents on organized tours or cruise ship excursions.

When the Mexican government first designated the area around Cancun as the site for the development of modern tourism resorts in the early 1970s, it seemed to be an unlikely destination.

Rio is a place that everyone has heard of, but few Americans have visited. Despite some social problems, the vibrant festivals, magnificent views and diverse culture of this city of 6 million make a trip to Rio a worthwhile adventure.