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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
These are the best Latin American cities to use your points and miles
Kyle Olsen is the former points and miles reporter at TPG. He specializes in maximizing points and miles, elite status and credit cards so readers travel more comfortably and at a lower cost.
Rachel Craft is a travel writer at TPG. She's excited about introducing more people to the world of points & miles and helping fellow travel newbies make the most of their points.
also contributed to this story
September 27, 2026 • 11 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
The article spotlights five Latin American cities—La Paz, San Jose, Panama City, Mexico City and Lima—that are especially accessible using points and miles.
Each destination offers unique cultural, culinary and natural attractions, from Bolivia's Andean landscapes to Mexico City's vibrant neighborhoods and Lima's coastal cuisine.
Travelers can find solid award flight options and a range of points-friendly hotels in each city, with some properties offering strong redemption value per TPG's valuations as of September 2026.
Fall is highlighted as an ideal time to visit, with favorable weather and fewer crowds, making it a great season to explore these destinations.
What to consider
Award flight availability and redemption rates vary by city and loyalty program, with some requiring connections or higher taxes and fees.
Hotel options include both global chains and boutique properties, with some offering extra perks or savings when booked through select travel portals.
Some transfer bonuses and hotel credits are time-limited, so travelers should check current offers and eligibility before booking.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed guidance on booking award flights and hotels, plus specific tips for maximizing points value in each featured city.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we're highlighting some of Latin America's most points-friendly cities. Whether you're dreaming of powder-soft beaches or lush rainforests, world-class dining or vibrant culture, this list has you covered — and we'll show you how to get there on a budget with the help of points and miles.
Bolivia is often described as “The Heart of South America”— partly due to its geographic location in the center of the continent, partly because it has the highest percentage of Indigenous people in the Americas.
La Paz — where neighborhoods, streets and sky trams climb the steep slopes of the Andes — appears almost as an organic outgrowth of the mountains. Millions of twinkling lights from La Paz’s mountainside communities render the skyline hypnotically beautiful at night, when the Andean air is crisp and clear. Besides its historic architecture, terrific museums and dynamic nightlife, La Paz is the ideal launching pad for exploring natural wonders like the salt desert of Salar de Uyuni and Lake Titicaca.
Getting there
There are no direct flights from the U.S. to La Paz's El Alto International Airport (LPB), but you can often find solid deals with a quick connection in Bogota.
Avianca LifeMiles offers economy tickets from New York for just under 27,000 miles and $34 each way.
LIFEMILES
Or you can book the same flight with Air Canada Aeroplan for 30,000 points and around $57 in taxes and fees. Plus, you can save 15% on your redemption with a cobranded credit card, bringing the cost down to 25,500 Aeroplan points.
One of the few points options is Met Hotel La Paz, which is bookable through World of Hyatt thanks to the program's partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith. Rates start at $131 or 13,750 Hyatt points per night.
Alternatively, consider booking a boutique property through a credit card portal to save money and earn bonus points. This Capital One card offers an annual $300 travel credit, and a popular Chase card recently increased its hotel credit to $100 per year.
The Teatro Nacional in downtown San Jose, Costa Rica. ROLF SCHULTEN/ULLSTEIN BILD/GETTY IMAGES
Many refer to Costa Rica as “Latin America for beginners” due to its high levels of English proficiency, use of the dollar and modernized infrastructure.
Even better, in 1949, Costa Rica amended its constitution to abolish the military, instead earmarking those funds for conservation. The world should be grateful for this monumental decision, as the nation offers some of the richest biodiversity and most stunning ecology on Earth. There are cloud forests high in volcanic mountains, coastal mangrove forests teeming with marine life and countless species found nowhere else on the planet.
San Jose is an ideal home base for exploring some of the country's natural wonders, being in close proximity to superb national parks like Manuel Antonio and Irazu Volcano. But the city itself is worth exploring for a few days — especially for the coffee lovers among us.
Getting there
Delta Air Lines offers daily nonstop service from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. Award rates start at 53,500 SkyMiles and $93 round-trip in economy — or only 45,400 miles with Delta's TakeOff15 perk.
The latter is affiliated with the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program, so eligible cardholders can score extra perks by booking through the Amex travel portal.
Panama City
GUALBERTO BECERRA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Multiple TPG staffers rave about the capital of Panama — and not just because it uses the U.S. dollar, making it particularly convenient for American travelers.
Nestled along the country's Pacific Coast, Panama City offers an enthralling mix of modern skyscrapers and centuries-old Spanish colonial architecture, all within easy reach of white-sand beaches and wildlife-filled rainforests. Cap a long day of exploring with a dinner of local seafood and samples of the country's famous rum at one of Panama City's many rooftop bars or "chivas parranderas" (party buses).
Getting there
Air France-KLM Flying Blue offers direct flights from the U.S. to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) on Copa Airlines for an absolute steal. Rates start at 10,500 miles from Washington, D.C., 11,500 miles from New York City, and 12,000 miles from Chicago. A business-class seat will set you back roughly 10,000 miles more.
AIR FRANCE
Even better, Flying Blue is a 1:1 transfer partner of all the major credit card rewards currencies, so just about any traveler can access this deal.
Hotel La Compania Casco Antiguo, touted as a "living museum" in one of Panama City's oldest neighborhoods, gets rave reviews and offers standout value for your World of Hyatt points. You can book a stay from around $260 or 15,000 points per night.
For a relaxing spa retreat a little outside the hustle and bustle of the city, consider the hotel's sister property.
If you collect IHG One Rewards points, InterContinental Miramar Panama is a good option. It offers a Panamanian dinner and traditional folkloric ballet show. Nightly rates start at $228 or 46,000 IHG points.
Mexico City
A cooking class at Tamales Madre restaurant in Mexico City. XIMENA CERON
You could spend several lifetimes exploring Mexico City, the largest city in the Americas. CDMX, as the city is frequently abbreviated, offers a little of everything: Michelin-starred restaurants, spectacular art museums and nightlife that easily holds its own against any city in the world.
Most visitors to favor Roma Norte, a neighborhood of youthful energy, narrow streets and hole-in-the-wall bars. La Condesa — the leafy abode of Mexico City’s well-to-do and home to many of the city’s best eateries — is also a popular spot. One of the greatest perks of visiting Mexico City is the ability to eat in temples of fine dining and pay a fraction of the price of comparable restaurants in New York City, San Francisco or Europe.
Getting there
American Airlines offers direct flights to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) from its Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) hub. You can book a one-way ticket for as few as 9,500 AAdvantage miles in economy or 20,000 miles in business class, plus $63, with wide-open availability over the coming year.
Connecting flights from other major cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago start at just 10,000 miles each way.
AMERICAN AIRLINES
While AAdvantage charges 10,000 miles each way from Miami to MEX, you'll pay only 7,500 points and $84 on the same direct flight through Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards (a transfer partner of Bilt). Direct flights from other cities start at just 12,500 Atmos points each way plus taxes and fees.
ALASKA AIRLINES
Where to stay in Mexico City
Given Mexico City’s importance as a commerce hub in Latin America, it should come as no surprise that the city boasts plenty of enviable points hotels, including some exciting new ones.
Park Hyatt Mexico City Polanco is now accepting reservations for stays from April 1, 2027, onward. Rates start around $930 or 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night, so you can get well over TPG's September 2026 valuation of 1.65 cents per point here.
An aerial view of the town of Miraflores, its cliff and the Costa Verde highway in Lima, Peru. CHRISTIAN VINCES/SHUTTERSTOCK
Whether you’re a history buff interested in the Inca Empire, a gourmand searching for the world's best ceviche or an adrenaline junkie looking for high-octane sports, Peru should be at the top of your list of dream destinations. Lima, with its Incan art and history museums, fabulous dining and nearby beaches, promises to keep visitors captivated for days.
Moreover, the Peruvian capital is the ideal launching point for exploring the Andes, Machu Picchu and Peru’s Pacific coast — as well as the Peruvian Amazon, one of TPG's top places to go in 2026.
Getting there
United runs daily nonstop service between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM). Award rates start at 30,000 MileagePlus miles plus $20 each way in economy — a solid deal for a nearly seven-hour flight.
The Category 2 Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima sits on sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the city's upscale San Isidro neighborhood, where you can see both Incan ruins and boutique restaurants in the same stroll. Basic rooms start around $180 per night, or as few as 6,000 World of Hyatt points per night in the off season based on the program's award chart.
If you want to pamper yourself in Lima, look no further than Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel. Since it's part of Chase's The Edit, eligible cardholders can save money and get elitelike perks at this luxurious oceanview property. It's also part of Points Boost, so you can maximize the value of your Ultimate Rewards points here.
As you can see, Latin America has a huge variety to offer travelers, and it's easy to reach — especially if you leverage points and miles.
During the fall months, the places on this list typically have pleasant temperatures, while prices and crowds tend to be on the lower side. That makes fall a perfect time to honor Hispanic Heritage Month by experiencing the rich Hispanic and Indigenous influences in these destinations.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
