The World’s 100 Best Archaeological Sites & Ruins · 2026
The Best Archaeological Sites & Ruins in Latin America
7 of the 100 sites in The World’s 100 Best Archaeological Sites & Ruins 2026 are in Latin America, in 5 countries. The highest placed is Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes, Peru, at number 3 in the world. Tikal in Flores, Guatemala (number 7) and Serra da Capivara in São Raimundo Nonato, Brazil (number 21) follow.
Peru
Machu Picchu is third on the list. Ollantaytambo lies in the Sacred Valley on the way to it. The Nazca Lines on the south coast are seen from a small plane or from viewing towers.
Central America, Brazil and Chile
Tikal in Guatemala and Copán in Honduras are Maya cities. Serra da Capivara in the Brazilian state of Piauí is a park of rock shelters with prehistoric paintings. Rapa Nui, Easter Island, belongs to Chile and is visited for its moai.
Sites
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N° 3
Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes, Peru
Ancient city
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N° 7
Tikal
Flores, Guatemala
Ancient city -
N° 21
Serra da Capivara
São Raimundo Nonato, Brazil
Rock-cut site -
N° 41
Copán
Copán Ruinas, Honduras
Ancient city -
N° 46
Nazca Lines
Nazca, Peru
Ruin -
N° 49
Rapa Nui
Hanga Roa, Chile
Megalithic site -
N° 71
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo, Peru
Ancient city