The New York Times compiled their annual list of 52 Places for jetsetters to visit for the optimum amount of beauty, experience and exploration -- and Latin American counties appeared throughout the list for 2014. Ecuador, Brazil, Belize, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic were named some of the premier destination spots in the world, though Cape Town, South Africa topped the list.

The beautiful Ecuador broke the top ten, appearing as No. 7 on the list. The wondrous nation has "mind-boggling" wildlife and it is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, boasting 16,000 species of birds, 4,000 varieties of orchids and one of the largest condor shelters in the world. Also, Tren Crucero, the recently refurbished luxury vintage train, launches from the historical city of Quito and travels through the Andes and the countryside before it reaches the hip city of Guayaquil.

Brazil came in at No. 14, particularly Fernando de Noronha, Brazil came in at No, 14, which is a 21-island "archipelago about 330 miles off of the coast off of one of the host cities, Recife." Major drawing points are the street parties, samba sessions and soccer tournaments. Noronha also has peach-sand beaches, 250-foot-high black cliffs, and Morro de Pico, the 1,059-foot-high volcanic peak.

Uruguay placed at No.25 with the glorious Uruguayan Riviera -- a stretch of Atlantic coast that exists between Argentina and Brazil. First-rate accommodations are presented in the form of Briasas, which is a cliff top 14-room inn; rolling pastures; undeveloped beach and roaring culture.

Featured at No. 37 was the Dominican Republic; specifically, the scenic port town of Barahona, a "gateway to the cactus-strewn region's riches." Hoyo de Pelempito's eight climate zones and Bahia de las Aguilas' astonishing beaches are some of the town's treasures. Another is the formerly abandoned Barcelo Bahoruco Beach Resort, which will partially open in 2014.

Belize earned spot No. 50 due to film director Francis Ford Coppola's Blancaneaux Lodge, the nation's pristine river, star-studded evenings, and upscale rustic hotels. One of those being Belcampo, an eco-lodge with a sustainable farm that will soon incorporate Mayan ruins, the lure of the rain forest and coral reefs.