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The most stunning place (but challenging) to drive will undoubtedly be Colombia. The country is dissected from North to South by 3 huge Andean mountain ranges that span an area equal to the entire country of Italy and cut by 2 top 100 longest rivers in the world creating canyons and valleys galore. There's also been a major overhaul of the highway system, Colombia has 8 of the top 10 longest tunnels in Latin America and growing. Due to the immensity of the topography though there are still many rural towns and villages that are out of the way of the main highway network but nearly all of Colombia's 52 100k+ cities are connected by decent roads.
English proficiency is low however and if you're not used to driving mountain roads i.e. Colorado or Alps it will be a challenge.
This is the relief of the road nertwork from extreme south-west to extreme north-east in metres above sea level...
WOW....!!!!!! I thought Puerto Rico's mountains were high.......!!!!!!
The tallest mountain in the Caribbean is Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic at over 3,000 m (over 10,000 feet).
Highest mountain in Jamaica is Blue Mountain Peak at over 2,200 m (over 7,200 feet). This shouldn't be confused as the second highest mountain in the Caribbean, that title belongs to Pico La Pelona in the Dominican Republic and is only 3 or 4 meters shorter than Pico Duarte which literally is its neighbor. I also think there are a few more peaks at Hispaniola that are higher than Jamaica's tallest mountain, including Pic La Selle which is the tallest mountain in Haiti at over 2,600 m (over 8,700 feet).
Highest mountain in Cuba is Pico Turquino at over 1,900 m (over 6,200 feet).
Tallest mountain in PR is Cerro de Punta at over 1,300 m (over 4,200 feet).
This is the scenery at one of the highest valleys in the Caribbean (Valle Nuevo in the middle of nowhere in Dominican Republic):
The redder it gets, the higher the elevation. Notice that in the Caribbean islands only on Hispaniola is the red colors really on display. In the USA itself a person needs to go to The Rocky Mountains to see anything higher than what exists on Hispaniola. The Appalachian Mountains that are in the northeast and somewhat inland of much of the southeast are too low to be rivals to mountain chains on that island.
This is the tallest mountain in the Caribbean with a cable car ride to its summit, Pico Isabel de Torres in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic at over 700 m (over 2,600 feet).
Ironically, the lowest point in the Caribbean is also in the Dominican Republic and is at over 40 m (over 150 feet) below sea level.
All 3 would be great and safe to drive around the country through rural areas alone?
Do your homework...the answer varies greatly. To say "rural areas" in general and then put it as off limits or fair game is painting with too broad a brush. The Coffee Triangle outside of three small cities is plenty rural, and you´re now free to explore all on your own with no worries to speak of-- same goes when you´re on coastal roads in the Caribbean between cities...you can´t say the same about many other rural spots in Colombia, particularly in a lot of border areas.
Do your homework...the answer varies greatly. To say "rural areas" in general and then put it as off limits or fair game is painting with too broad a brush. The Coffee Triangle outside of three small cities is plenty rural, and you´re now free to explore all on your own with no worries to speak of-- same goes when you´re on coastal roads in the Caribbean between cities...you can´t say the same about many other rural spots in Colombia, particularly in a lot of border areas.
I have no idea about Brazil. Is highway banditry a big thing? I haven´t a clue.
I'll just stay away from places where the safety situation changes month to month, thanks. I was curious about your reply because it seemed to imply that traveling alone in rural Mexico "would be great". Well I agree it would be great if it could be done safely. From what I have heard, it is not what I would call "safe".
Mexico's toll roads are very safe, although you will pay for that with really high tolls. The free roads and some parts of the cities, not as much. Still, the threat of drug violence you hear about on the news is far lower to you than the threat to your safety driving on the roads, and even more as a pedestrian. Way too much drunk driving and super aggressive driving on the roads. Of course the same applies to the other countries too.
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