The October Culture Guide

Cartagena, Colombia

Visit: Within the Ciudad Amurallada, South America's best-preserved fortification, Museo del Oro Zenú occupies a beautifully restored colonial building, showcasing pre-Columbian artifacts, featuring more than 600 gold, silver, and ceramic objects from the Zenú civilization. 

Neighborhood to explore: Discover Getsemaní, where street art meets history. The modern bohemian flare of the area draws visitors to the murals, flower-filled balconies, and lively plazas. 

​​Visit: For history and architecture aficionados, the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas built in 1639 is a grand fortress in the city. In 1984, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering incredible Caribbean Sea views and a dose of Colombian history. 

Shop: Renowned Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz has built her reputation on vibrant patterns, dramatic ruffles, and striking silhouettes. Her Cartagena boutique offers both creative inspiration and some of the finest resort and ready -to wear in Colombia.

Make a reservation: Salon Tropical blends the freshness of the coast with Caribbean and Colombian influences. From their seafood rice to the Ahi Tuna ceviche, their array of dishes represent the very essence of  the tropics..  

We recommend: Hotel Capellán de Getsemaní mixes Spanish Colonial with contemporary French design. Clero, the hotel's restaurant, offers a fusion of Colombian, Caribbean, Creole, and Japanese cuisines.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Visit: Designed by Dominican architect José Miniño, the Museo de Arte Moderno houses a permanent collection that highlights the work of the island's leading artists, including Adriana Billini, Dario Surio, and Luis Desangles. Don't miss the newest installation at the museum's entrance: La Chaise Adult, by surrealist artist Iván Tovar.

Neighborhood to explore: Santo Domingo's Ciudad Colonial is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. Wander amongst stunning colonial architecture, visit landmarks like the Catedral Basílica de Santa María la Menor and the Museo del Ámbar and try some of the island's famous rum cocktails.

Place to experience: Even if you're not a cigar fan, The Arturo Fuente Cigar Club is a one-of-a-kind destination, offering guests an incredible cocktail selection, live music, and of course, the finest Arturo Fuente cigars. 

Make a reservation: Hidden within a tropical minimalist design, Buche Perico presents contemporary Dominican cuisine that reimagines traditional dishes with modern techniques and local ingredients. If it's your first time in Santo Domingo, be sure to order the Mofonguito. 

We recommend: Casas del XVI takes you back in time within Santo Domingo's UNESCO World Heritage site, Colonial City. This 16th-century hotel features beautiful Spanish-tile floors, palm-shaded courtyards, and is a short walk from Montesinos Beach.

Mexico City, Mexico

Visit: Museo Nacional de Antropología houses extensive pre-Hispanic artifacts, including the famous Sun Stone, alongside exhibits on living indigenous cultures. 

Neighborhood to explore: Polanco blends urban sophistication with lush greenery, where tree-lined streets frame elegant Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. This area invites exploration, from world-class shopping and the striking Museo Soumaya, to the peaceful grounds of Parque Lincoln.

Spend the afternoon: The Frida Kahlo Museum, known as La Casa Azul, holds one of the world's largest collections of the iconic Mexican artist's work. Visitors can explore Kahlo's birthplace and childhood home, where her art is displayed alongside personal belongings, clothing, and original rooms, all beautifully preserved to honor her legacy.

Make a reservation: Chef Lucho Martínez's intimate restaurant, Em, earned its first Michelin star this year for its  culinary celebration of Mexican ingredients. Perfect for pre-dinner cocktails or a full evening meal.

We recommend: Campos Polanco offers an intimate alternative to traditional hotels with just 12 suites in the Polanco neighborhood. 

Cusco, Peru

Visit: Begin at Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun and spiritual heart of the Inca Empire, where walls once gleamed with gold dedicated to Inti, the sun god. Then explore Sacsayhuamán, the imposing hilltop citadel that showcases Inca architectural mastery.

Spend the day: Perched high in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu stands as one of the world's most captivating archaeological treasures. This 15th-century Incan citadel draws millions of visitors each year who come to marvel at its masterful dry-stone walls and sweeping mountain panoramas. 

Neighborhood to explore: San Blas enchants with its artistic alleyways, thriving artisan workshops, and the renowned Twelve-Angled Stone. Visit the San Pedro Market for handicrafts and authentic cuisine, then end your day at the San Blas Viewpoint to catch the sunset. 

Make a reservation: Within the beautiful Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel, Mauka pays tribute to Peru's farmers and Andean landscapes. Chef Pía León reinterprets traditional Cusquenian flavors with a contemporary approach that honors Peruvian culinary heritage.

We recommend: Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, offers a rare convergence of luxury and serenity in the heart of Cusco.

Tulum, Mexico 

Visit: SFER IK Museion is an art center nestled in the Mayan jungle of Francisco Uh May, Mexico. Part of AZULIK UH MAY's 10-acre 'City of Arts,' the museum blends art, nature, and ancestral traditions through organic architecture that incorporates living trees and local wildlife into its design.

Beach to explore: Playa Santa Fe is a more tranquil beach, located just a 10-minute walk from the Tulum ruins.

Spend a day: Tulum has earned its place as one of Mexico's most popular archaeological destinations. The ruins sit dramatically atop seaside cliffs, offering breathtaking views of the turquoise Caribbean below. For those drawn to aquatic adventures, the region boasts more than a thousand cenotes, naturally occurring sinkholes that have become Tulum's signature attraction. 

Make a reservation: Casa Banana is an authentic Argentinian parrilla built around fire, smoke and wood, that has become one of Tulum's most celebrated restaurants, serving premium Argentine cuts and local seafood. 

We recommend: Thirty minutes north of Tulum, Hotel Esencia is Mexico's only Forbes Five-Star independent hotel, spanning 50 acres with 500 meters of pristine beachfront.