Some hotels become part of the adventure
When planning a holiday, it's often the destinations that come first. But sometimes the hotels in Latin America become the experience you'll remember most. Across this extraordinary continent, you'll find places to stay that are every bit as remarkable as the landscapes surrounding them, from glass capsules suspended above Peru's Sacred Valley to rainforest lodges reached only by white-water raft and hotels built from the world's largest salt flat.
Some holidays are remembered for incredible wildlife. Others for spectacular scenery, unforgettable food or fascinating cultures. Yet every now and then, it's the hotel itself that becomes the story you tell long after you've returned home.
Across Latin America you'll find accommodation that goes far beyond simply offering somewhere comfortable to sleep. Sleep inside a transparent capsule suspended hundreds of metres above Peru's Sacred Valley, wake up surrounded by Bolivia's endless white salt flats, arrive at a rainforest lodge in Costa Rica by white-water raft or spend the night inside a giant wooden tree rising from ancient Chilean forest.
These aren't unusual simply for the sake of it. Each has been designed around the destination itself, allowing travellers to experience some of the world's most remarkable landscapes in a completely different way.
At Latin Routes, we believe the best hotels in Latin America don't compete with their surroundings – they celebrate them. They immerse you in the destination, introduce you to its wildlife, culture and landscapes, and often become the story you ell long after you've returned home.
Here are nine of our favourite unique and quirky hotels in Latin America, each offering an unforgettable way to experience one of the continent's most spectacular destinations.
Why choose unique hotels in Latin America?
One of the reasons we love creating tailor-made holidays is that no two trips ever look the same.
Latin America is incredibly diverse. One day you could be exploring rainforest, the next crossing a salt flat, sailing around volcanic islands or hiking through the Andes. The accommodation reflects that diversity too.
Many of the most memorable hotels in Latin America have been inspired directly by their surroundings. Instead of imposing themselves on the landscape, they blend into it. Forest becomes architecture, deserts become design inspiration and wildlife becomes part of everyday life.
Choosing unusual accommodation also changes the pace of your holiday. Instead of returning to a standard hotel at the end of each day, your accommodation becomes another experience to enjoy. You wake up somewhere extraordinary, spend time appreciating the location and often discover that your hotel is every bit as memorable as the destination itself.
For travellers looking for something beyond traditional luxury, these unique hotels in Latin America offer experiences that simply can't be recreated anywhere else.
Pristine Luxury Camps, Argentina
Luxury camping beneath Argentina's endless skies
When travellers think of Argentina, Patagonia, Buenos Aires and Mendoza usually spring to mind first. Yet the country's north-west is home to some of South America's most spectacular scenery.
The journey through Salta and Jujuy reveals colourful mountains, winding Andean roads, traditional villages and finally Salinas Grandes, an immense salt flat stretching for miles beneath brilliant blue skies.
Most visitors stop for photographs before continuing their journey.
Pristine Luxury Camps allows you to stay.
Elegant geodesic domes sit directly beside the salt flats, combining luxury with complete immersion in the landscape. Panoramic windows frame uninterrupted views across the dazzling white expanse, while evenings bring spectacular sunsets followed by exceptionally clear star-filled skies.
Once the day visitors leave, complete silence settles across the salar.
It's this peaceful atmosphere that our Product team loves most. Rather than simply ticking off another landmark, guests have time to absorb the scale and beauty of one of Argentina's most remarkable landscapes.
Among the many unusual hotels in Latin America, few immerse travellers in their surroundings quite like Pristine Luxury Camps.
Luna Salada, Bolivia
Built from the landscape itself
Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
The world's largest salt flat changes dramatically throughout the year. During the dry season it appears as an endless white desert. Following seasonal rains it becomes one of the world's largest natural mirrors, reflecting clouds so perfectly that the horizon almost disappears.
Standing beside this remarkable landscape is Luna Salada.
Constructed largely from blocks of salt harvested from the salar itself, everything about the hotel reflects its surroundings. Walls, decorative features and much of the interior echo the landscape outside, creating one of the most distinctive hotels in Latin America.
Large panoramic windows ensure the salt flats remain the centre of attention throughout your stay.
Watching sunrise across the salar before enjoying breakfast overlooking one of South America's greatest natural wonders is an experience that's impossible to replicate anywhere else.
Nothofagus Hotel, Chile
Sleeping inside an ancient forest
Hidden within Chile's Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve stands what appears to be an enormous tree rising naturally from the forest floor.
Nothofagus Hotel is one of the most imaginative hotels in Latin America.
Its curved wooden exterior blends seamlessly into the surrounding temperate rainforest, creating architecture that feels completely at home amongst ancient trees, waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.
The reserve itself is every bit as fascinating as the hotel.
Walking trails lead through ancient forest, waterfalls tumble between volcanic rock formations and wildlife thrives throughout this protected landscape.
Our specialists often describe Nothofagus as one of the finest examples of architecture inspired by nature.
It simply couldn't exist anywhere else.
Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica
The adventure begins with your arrival
Some hotel transfers are forgettable.
Others become one of the highlights of the holiday.
Chelsea still laughs when she remembers arriving at Pacuare Lodge.
"It's the only hotel transfer I've ever done where getting there was just as exciting as the stay itself."Depending on river conditions, guests reach the lodge by white-water raft, travelling through one of Costa Rica's most beautiful rainforest rivers before emerging at the property hidden deep within the jungle.
Without roads or nearby development, the rainforest completely surrounds you.
Toucan calls echo through the canopy, butterflies drift between trees and monkeys frequently appear overhead.
Among the most adventurous hotels in Latin America, Pacuare Lodge remains one of our absolute favourites.
Nayara Tented Camp, Costa Rica
Safari-style luxury beneath Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica has become synonymous with wildlife, rainforest and sustainable tourism, but few places capture all three quite like the area surrounding Arenal Volcano.
Towering above lush tropical forest, Arenal provides one of the country's most dramatic backdrops. Days here can be spent walking hanging bridges through the canopy, relaxing in natural hot springs, searching for sloths and colourful toucans or exploring rainforest trails where every corner reveals something new.
Nayara Tented Camp takes inspiration from African safari lodges while remaining unmistakably Costa Rican. Spacious canvas tents are elevated amongst the trees, complete with private plunge pools, expansive decks and uninterrupted rainforest views.
The wildlife often comes to you. Sloths regularly sleep in the cecropia trees surrounding the accommodation, hummingbirds dart between tropical flowers and troops of monkeys are frequent visitors.
Julia describes it as 'sleeping in the rainforest without giving up any of the comforts you'd expect from a luxury hotel.'Among the most memorable hotels in Latin America, Nayara proves that luxury and nature work perfectly together.
Galápagos Safari Camp, Ecuador
Experience the Galápagos from a different perspective
For many travellers, a Galápagos adventure begins when they step aboard an expedition ship.
Galápagos Safari Camp offers something completely different.
Situated in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz Island, the property provides an opportunity to experience another side of the archipelago before or after your cruise. Rolling green hills replace volcanic coastlines, while giant tortoises wander freely through the surrounding countryside.
Luxury safari tents overlook the Pacific, combining comfort with a genuine sense of immersion in nature.
The relaxed atmosphere makes this one of the most distinctive hotels in Latin America, allowing guests to slow down and appreciate the islands beyond their famous wildlife excursions.
Rather than rushing between visitor sites, mornings begin with birdsong and spectacular views, while afternoons can be spent exploring lava tunnels, giant tortoise reserves and the quieter corners of Santa Cruz.
Our team often recommend adding a stay here before a cruise, allowing travellers to experience both the land and sea perspectives of the Galápagos.
It's an unforgettable way to begin one of the world's greatest wildlife journeys.
Camp Cecil, Mexico
Barefoot luxury on Espíritu Santo Island
Off the coast of Baja California Sur lies one of Mexico's most extraordinary protected landscapes.
Espíritu Santo Island feels wonderfully untouched. Accessible only by boat, this UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve is surrounded by turquoise water, dramatic volcanic cliffs and abundant marine life.
Rather than building permanent accommodation, Camp Cecil embraces the simplicity of luxury camping.
Beautifully appointed safari tents sit just metres from the shoreline, allowing guests to fall asleep listening to gentle waves before waking for sunrise over the Sea of Cortez.
Days revolve around nature.
Kayak through quiet coves, snorkel with playful sea lions, paddleboard across crystal-clear water or simply relax on beaches where you may not see another person for hours.
It's this connection with the environment that makes Camp Cecil one of the most distinctive hotels in Latin America.
Here, luxury isn't measured by grand buildings.
It's measured by the privilege of experiencing one of Mexico's most spectacular marine environments in complete tranquillity.
Skylodge Adventure Suites, Peru
Spend the night on the side of a mountain
There are hotels with incredible views.
Then there's Skylodge.
Suspended high above Peru's Sacred Valley, transparent sleeping capsules cling dramatically to sheer cliffs overlooking one of the country's most spectacular landscapes.
Reaching your room is part of the experience.
Guests either climb a via ferrata fixed to the mountainside or arrive by zip line before stepping inside one of the world's most unusual hotel rooms.
Far below, the Urubamba River winds through ancient Inca terraces and traditional Andean villages, while the mountains stretch endlessly towards the horizon.
Hannah describes Skylodge as 'one of those places people never stop talking about once they've been.'She's right.
It's impossible not to feel a sense of achievement as you sit watching sunset from your transparent room hundreds of metres above the valley floor.
Among all the adventurous hotels in Latin America, Skylodge is probably the one that generates the biggest reaction.
There really is nowhere quite like it.
Puqio, Peru
Luxury camping beside one of the world's deepest canyons
Colca Canyon is often overshadowed by Machu Picchu, yet it remains one of Peru's most rewarding landscapes.
Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in places, its dramatic scenery is home to traditional Andean communities and one of South America's most iconic birds – the majestic Andean condor.
Rather than constructing a conventional hotel, Puqio embraces expedition-style luxury.
Beautiful canvas tents sit quietly within the landscape, creating a feeling of exploration while offering exceptional comfort and thoughtful design.
The experience feels wonderfully authentic.
Wake early to watch condors soaring overhead, spend the day exploring remote villages and volcanic scenery before returning to a camp that feels completely at home within its surroundings.
Our specialists love how understated Puqio is.
Nothing distracts from the destination.
Instead, the accommodation enhances every moment of the journey, making it one of the most memorable hotels in Latin America for travellers seeking something genuinely different.
Discover more hotels in Latin America
Every hotel in this collection offers something different, but they all share one thing in common: they transform a holiday into something even more memorable.
This is the first in our Hotels in Latin America series, where we're showcasing the extraordinary places to stay that make travelling across the continent so rewarding. From wildlife lodges and historic haciendas to luxury retreats, family favourites and exceptional food and wine escapes, we'll be sharing more of our favourite hotels across Latin America in the coming weeks.
Whether you're looking for inspiration for your next adventure or simply love discovering remarkable places to stay, be sure to explore the rest of the series as it's published.
And if one of these unique hotels in Latin America has already inspired your next holiday, speak to one of our Travel Specialists. We'll create a truly individual itinerary featuring unforgettable destinations and equally unforgettable places to stay.
