30 Secret Travel Spots You’ll Wish You Discovered Sooner

27. Jungle Ruins of Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

Hidden deep within Colombia’s dense Sierra Nevada jungle, Ciudad Perdida—or the "Lost City"—is one of the oldest and least-visited ruins in the Americas, predating Machu Picchu by centuries. Reaching this ancient city of stone terraces, staircases, and plazas requires a challenging multi-day trek, winding through rainforests, river crossings, and steep mountain paths. But the reward? A breathtaking archeological site wrapped in mist, where only a handful of visitors stand in silence, taking in the same view that Tayrona civilization did over 1,000 years ago. Unlike Peru’s famous ruins, Ciudad Perdida is still largely undiscovered, making it one of the most immersive, untouched historical sites in South America. If you love adventure, mystery, and off-the-beaten-path discoveries, this is the journey of a lifetime.