Three wonders of Latin America: a bridge, a cathedral and a swing over a volcano
The bridge over the river in the Andes was built not by humans, but by a hot spring. Latin America has a knack for surprising you with places that nature and faith created without blueprints. You can see three of these wonders on your own, with no tour or guide.
The Inca Bridge in Argentina sits at about 2,730 m above sea level (as of 09/2026, official Mendoza tourism office website). The Swing at the End of the World in Ecuador hangs at 2,660 m (as of 09/2026, official Tungurahua tourism office page). Third on the list is Las Lajas Cathedral in Colombia. These points are separated by thousands of kilometers and three countries.
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Three wonders of Latin America
💡 In short:
- Inca Bridge: a natural arch over the Las Cuevas River, viewable only from an observation platform.
- Las Lajas Cathedral: neo-Gothic architecture in the Guaitara River canyon, free entry, open from 6 AM to 7 PM.
- Swing at the End of the World: a swing over a cliff near the Tungurahua volcano, entry $1 per person (as of 09/2026, official Columpio del fin del mundo page).
- Prices, opening hours, and access: 09/2026, verified on the Mendoza tourism office website and the Las Lajas shrine page.
Wonder | Country | What it is | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
Inca Bridge | Argentina | natural arch over a river | viewing from an observation platform |
Las Lajas Cathedral | Colombia | neo-Gothic church over a canyon | free |
Swing at the End of the World | Ecuador | swing over a cliff near a volcano | $1 (as of 09/2026) |
1. Inca Bridge in Argentina
© Danskubr (enwp) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Danskubr (enwp), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5), Wikimedia CommonsThe Inca Bridge (Puente del Inca) spans the Las Cuevas River, a tributary of the Mendoza, right next to National Route 7. It is not an Inca construction but a natural arch: it was formed by mineral salts from hot springs that flow here at about 34 °C (as of 09/2026, official Mendoza tourism office website). The rock is streaked with yellow, ochre, and white bands, so the bridge is visible from far away.
The site is part of the Inca Road system (Qhapaq Ñan), which UNESCO recognized as World Heritage. Nearby lie the ruins of an old thermal center, and a kilometer away is a cemetery for climbers who died on Aconcagua. You will not be allowed onto the bridge itself: access was closed due to landslides, so the only way to see the wonder is from a single observation platform.
- How to get there: an Andesmar bus runs from the Mendoza bus terminal; by car you take Route 7 for about 190 km (as of 09/2026, Mendoza tourism office website).
- Altitude: about 2,730 m, this is high mountain terrain. Bring water and take your time.
- The catch: you can't go onto the bridge itself, only the view from the lookout is accessible.
- Hotels: Hotels in Mendoza on Trip.com, and you go to the bridge as a day trip.
2. Las Lajas cathedral in Colombia
© Diego Delso · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsLas Lajas Cathedral doesn't stand on a plaza, but in the canyon of the Guáitara River, 7 km southeast of the city of Ipiales in southern Colombia (as of 09/2026, Las Lajas shrine website). The neo-Gothic church was built from 1916 to 1949. From the base to the top of the main dome it's about 100 m, and the building stretches 27 m long and 15 m wide. A bridge 50 m above the river leads to it.
Pilgrims come here from all over Colombia and Ecuador. According to tradition, the image of the Virgin Mary appeared on the rock back in the 18th century, and the first person healed was a deaf-mute girl. The walls near the entrance are covered with thanksgiving plaques from parishioners. The church now holds the status of a minor basilica.
- How to get there: buses and taxis will take you from Ipiales to the church; the road runs along the Pan-American Highway.
- Hours: daily from 6 to 19, admission is free (as of 09/2026, Las Lajas shrine website).
- Who it's for / Not for: for those who love architecture and quiet; on mass days it's crowded here.
- The catch: on September 16, the feast of Virgen de Las Lajas, thousands of pilgrims flock here and the bridges are packed.
- Hotels: Hotels in Ipiales on Trip.com, the cathedral is 7 km along a straight road.
3. Swing at the end of the world in Ecuador
© Rinaldo Wurglitsch from Vienna, Austria · CC BYPhoto: Rinaldo Wurglitsch from Vienna, Austria, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe Swing at the End of the World hangs from a tree at the edge of a cliff in the village of Runtún, about 45 minutes from Baños de Agua Santa (as of 09/2026, official Tungurahua tourism office page). You sit on the board, push off, and fly over the slope, with the Tungurahua volcano smoking right across from you. The spot sits at 2,660 m above sea level.
The structure is simple: a board on two cables, tied to the trunk. Nearby there's a treehouse tower, and from here you get the best view of the crater. The walk down to the cliff takes a minute, and the ride itself lasts only seconds.
The volcano isn't always visible: the weather in the Andes is changeable. So come in the first half of the day and keep a second day in reserve.
- Getting there: from Baños, a taxi or local bus will take you up the road to Runtún; the route climbs uphill.
- Entrance: $1 per person, camping spots are paid separately (as of 09/2026, official page of the Tungurahua tourism office).
- Hotels: Hotels in Baños on Trip.com, 45 minutes from the swing by mountain road.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
Can you walk across the Inca Bridge?
No. The Inca Bridge is called a natural arch, and access to it is closed due to landslides and rock erosion. You can only see the wonder from the single viewing platform by Route 7. The restriction has been in place for a long time, so walking across the bridge is not possible in any weather (as of 09/2026, Mendoza tourism office website).
How much does it cost to enter Las Lajas Cathedral?
Entry to the cathedral is free. Caretakers open it daily from 6 to 19. You will only pay for transportation: from Ipiales to the cathedral you go by bus or taxi. On September 16, during the feast of Virgen de Las Lajas, it is especially crowded here (as of 09/2026, Las Lajas shrine website).
How much does it cost to enter the swing at the end of the world?
Entry to the complex near the village of Runtún costs $1 per person (as of 09/2026, official page of the Tungurahua tourism office). There is a separate fee for a camping spot if you stay overnight.
How do you get to these places without a car?
To the Inca Bridge from Mendoza, Andesmar intercity buses run. In Colombia, a bus or taxi from Ipiales will take you to the cathedral. In Ecuador, taxis and local buses from Baños go up to the swing. It is doable without a car, but on Route 7 there are fewer departures (as of 09/2026, Mendoza tourism office website).
Where to stay near these wonders?
It is most convenient to base yourself in three cities: Mendoza for the Inca Bridge, Ipiales for Las Lajas Cathedral, and Baños de Agua Santa for the swing. All three are called tourist hubs with hotels for any budget. From Mendoza to the Inca Bridge is about 190 km, roughly a 3-hour drive.
In short: what to book
Latin America does not fit into one vacation. Pick a wonder based on your interests and time.
- If you have three days in Argentina: a hotel in Mendoza and a day trip to the Inca Bridge.
- If you are on the Colombia-Ecuador border: a night in Ipiales and Las Lajas Cathedral in the morning.
- If you want a volcano and adrenaline: two days in Baños and the swing at the end of the world.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.