Argentina
When 25 May
Where Visit Buenos Aires and the Plaza de Mayo to join the throng outside the Casa Rosada (casarosada.gov.ar) and catch parades, live music and alfresco dancing. Check out the exhibits at the new Cultural Centre (proyectoccb.com.ar), which opens for the bicentenary or catch a show at the opulent Teatro Colón opera house (teatrocolon.org.ar), which reopens for the big day. Stay The stately Alvear Palace Hotel (alvearpalace.com, from £200). Contact argentina.travel.
Brazil
When The big party comes in 2022, but Independence Day on 7 September this year makes for a great warm-up for the main event.
Where Rio de Janerio and the beach, of course. On national holidays most Cariocas head to the beaches at Copacabana and Ipanema. Catch the celebration parades in the historic part of Rio. Stay The Copacabana Palace remains the coolest address in Rio (copacabanapalace.com, doubles from £335). Contact embratur.gov.br.
Mexico
When 16 September
Where Mexico City. The celebration lineup includes the Short Shorts Film Festival (shortshortsfilmfestival mexico.com) and the Route 2010 project (bicentenario.gob.mx), comprising three independence trails across Mexico to highlight historical events at key sites.
Stay Journey Latin America (journeylatinamerica.co.uk) has a 13-day, tailor-made itinerary to Mexico City, the Copper Canyon, Chihuahua and La Paz in Baja California (from £3,096pp, including flights and accommodation at the W Hotel Mexico City). Contact visitmexico.com.
Chile
When 18-19 September
Where Santiago — for two days of celebrations. The first day is given over to street parties or ‘fondas’ and traditional cueca dancing close to Santiago Cathedral. The second day brings the pomp of military parades best seen from O’Higgins Park. Stay The W Hotel Santiago (whotels.com) — its glitzy rooftop bar looks out over Santiago (from £182). Contact thisischile.cl.
