Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, DR On New York Times' 52 Places to Visit in 2014

Latin America has featured prominently on the New York Times' annual list of top places to travel. Indeed, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Uruguay and Belize all featured on the paper's list of top destinations. While Cape Town, South Africa topped the list, Ecuador came in at a respectable No. 7. Described as "one of the most biodiverse countries in the world," Ecuador's natural beauty was the main draw card. A newly refurbished Tren Crucero takes travelers from Quito through the Andes and into Cotopaxi National Park.

Brazil garnered a mention at No. 14. While the World Cup will surely be the draw card to many travelers making the journey, it is something more picturesque that drew the New York Times' attention: Fernando de Noronha. This 21-island archipelago is "330 miles off the coast of one of the host cities, Recife. Here you’ll find 250-foot-high black cliffs muscling against peach-sand beaches, Portuguese hilltop forts and blue coves where humpbacks and spinner dolphins linger."

Uruguay came in at No. 25 for its pristine coastline that stretches between Argentina and Brazil: the area is "starting to attract serious international attention, bringing a sprinkling of first-rate accommodation -- like Brisas, a clifftop 14-room inn restored by an Argentine tech mogul -- without compromising the area’s natural charms: miles of undeveloped beach, rolling pastures and a culture where gaucho cowboys and fishermen with wooden boats aren’t just props."

The Dominican Republic also featured at No. 37, with the Times focusing on the little known town of Barahona as "the gateway to the cactus-strewn region’s riches, like the hauntingly beautiful Bahia de las Aguilas beach and the eight climate zones at the geological depression Hoyo de Pelempito, both blissfully devoid of people."

Finally, Belize came in at No. 50 for its natural splendor and eco-friendly accommodation options. With rain forests, Mayan ruins and excellent diving, Belize is a top spot for those seeking an amazing Caribbean experience.

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