Tourist Train Rides | Latin America

Familiarly known as El Tren del Fin del Mundo (The End of the World Train), this one-time prisoner transport line now steams into the Tierra del Fuego National Park and is acknowledged to be the world's southern-most operating railway. Highlights include onboard interpretive guides. Trains operate year-round. Selected features: onboard and station cafe/snack services, gift shop, online ticketing, wheelchair access.

A great day trip idea, this 9 mi/15 km route between Maipú and Delta enables railway excursions along an appealing riverside corridor just north of Buenos Aires. Highlights include unique destinations for shopping, dining and leisure activities. Trains operate year-round.

"The most amazing train in the world" scales the Andes, relying on a system of spans, tunnels, spirals and zig zags to reach La Polvorilla viaduct, at the dizzying altitude of 13,780 ft/ 4,200 m. The 15 hour round-trip covers 135 mi/217 km in each direction. Highlights include stopovers at La Polvorilla and the mountain town of Antonio de los Cobres; onboard tourism information guides. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: onboard breakfast/snack services, online ticketing, wheelchair access (advance notice required).

Among Patagonia's plateaus and valleys, the antique steam trains of La Trochita -- "the little narrow gauge" -- make a pair of round-trip excursions: Esquel to Nahuel Pan and, some 100 mi/160 km to the north, El Maiten to Thomae. Highlights include cultural programs; interpretive guides. Nahuel Pan trains operate year-round; Thomae trains, seasonally. Selected features: rail museums (Esquel, El Maiten and Nahuel Pan), station (El Maiten) and onboard (Nahuel Pan trains) cafe/snack services, train charters.

Visitors switch between two separate sky trams on a relay that brings them first from the Urca base station to the top of Morro de Urca (elev. 721 ft/220 m); and then on to the 1,299 ft/396 m high summit of Açúcar (Sugar Loaf ) itself. Highlights include panoramic 360° views; Parque de Lazer (shops, dining, recreation). Trains operate year-round. Selected features: station cafe/snack services, gift shop, wheelchair access (advance notice required).

The unique rack railway shuttles crowds 2.4 mi/3.8 km to the 2330 ft/710 m Corcovado summit: site of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) -- one of the "Seven New Wonders of the World." An engineering wonder in its own right, the train predates the statue by nearly 50 years. Highlights include panoramic views of the city. Trains operate seasonally year-round. Selected features: station cafe/snack services, train charters, gift shop, online ticketing, limited wheelchair access.

As of Spring 2010, service had been temporaily suspendedThe winegrowing region's famous train steams along a 26 mi/42 km route in sight of numerous Colcahgua Valley vineyards. Onboard, guests sample wines accompanied by small delicacies before detraining at Santa Cruz for lunch and vineyard tour. Coach transfer from Santiago available. Highlights include cultural programs; onboard interpretive guides. Trains operate year-round (most Saturdays). Selected features: onboard and station cafe snack services, gift shop, gift certificates, online ticketing, wheelchair access.

Rain forest aerial tram rides "fly" through the jungle canopy for a birds-eye view of tropical flora and fauna that makes them popular tourist attractions. Trains operate year-round. Selected features: cafe/snack bar, wheelchair access.

PCRC traces its pre-canal roots back a century-and-a-half. Today's 21st century railway stretches 47.6 miles, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, linking Panama's transcontinental "Tourism Corridor" in a bit more than an hour. Popular with business travelers and tourists alike, "Panarail" accommodates passengers in impeccably restored rolling stock including a vintage 1938 dome car. One trip is operated in each direction, Monday through Friday.