The Rio Times

Cozy Rainy Evenings in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro On rainy days, Casa Nossa Lounge in Santa Teresa leans into its charm: warm lighting, Christmas decorations, and a sheltered terrace where people linger over wine while the cobblestone streets outside glisten in the drizzle. Set in an old house on Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, near Largo do Guimarães, the restaurant blends Santa Teresa’s bohemian hillside atmosphere with a welcoming, pet‑friendly space that guests praise for its attentive service and intimate feel. (By casanossalounge)

Tatón Dunes, Catamarca – Argentina’s “Other Planet” In the far west of Catamarca, the Tatón Dunes form a sea of white sand that many describe as the highest dunes on Earth, with the Federico Kirbus dune rising more than 1,200 meters from base to crest at around 2,845 meters above sea level. From the air they look like something out of Dune or Arrakis: endless ridges shaped by the wind, “sand glaciers” flowing down from the hills and a desert that changes color with the light, reminding travelers that Argentina really does contain almost every landscape imaginable.

Plaza del Congreso and Argentina’s Grand Dome Plaza del Congreso stretches out as a green forecourt that announces the grandeur of the Palace of the Argentine National Congress, aligning lawns, fountains and monuments directly with the building’s monumental façade. From here, the bronze‑plated dome dominates the skyline, making the square one of Buenos Aires’ most imposing urban stages and a place locals proudly call the heart of their city and country.

A Normal Day at Arpex, Rio de Janeiro A “normal” day at Arpex, the carioca nickname for Arpoador, means waves rolling in between Copacabana and Ipanema while surfers, swimmers and beachgoers share a short strip of sand backed by the famous Pedra do Arpoador rock. From this rocky lookout, people watch the coastline curve toward the Dois Irmãos mountain and linger for the end‑of‑day ritual, when the sun sinks into the sea and applause breaks out—a daily scene that makes many locals call this spot their backyard and the place they miss most when far from Rio.