As we watch the Americas—including the Caribbean—dominate all the track & field sprints in the Olympics, let’s take a break to check out some luxury travel news for the region.

In Brazil’s biggest city, a much-needed subway expansion is finally in motion. They’ve got a long way to go to really ease congestion though. Their metro has 71 kms of track for 19 million people compared to 200 kms for Mexico City. Even Santiago’s is 40% bigger. A planned Line 4 extension will add five more stations though to the recently opened stops. Alas, not in time for the 2014 World Cup though. See the full article from the Economist here: Not yet fit for a metropolis.

Mexico tourism is on track to set a record this year for both the number of visitors and overall revenues, based on how the first six months went.

Luxury retail spending was down 26% in the second quarter of this year, after a smaller decline in the first quarter. Affluent households have previously been the bright spot during this recession, but while they still seem to be traveling, they’re not plunking down as much on handbags and watches.

Magazine publishers are crying the blues as well. As more readers and advertisers gravitate to digital, paper is suffering. “Vogue, Vanity Fair, Lucky and Allure all experienced double-digit declines for Condé Nast” says this article and most others were lucky to have “only” a single-digit decline for the first half of the year.

Argentina’s import restrictions are hitting the Buenos Aires luxury market hard. All the red tape and bureaucracy have led to permanent or months-long closures of stores from Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Cartier, and Ermenegildo Zegna. We can only imagine the effect this is having on hotels as well if they’re trying to import French toiletries or the latest electronics.

We don’t cover troubled Venezuela on Luxury Latin America, but congrats to fencer Rubin Limardo who won the country its first gold Olympics medal in 44 years.

As an editor of a luxury travel blog and webzine, I get inundated with “news” releases that none of you would care about in the slightest, so most go in the virtual trash bin. This week, however, a few items have come down the line that could either impact your future travels or enhance them while you’re there.

The big news this week was that Taca/Avianca officially joined the Star Alliance network of airlines. This is a huge deal for frequent fliers going to Latin America, both from a miles earning standpoint and a cashing in standpoint. Most road warriors consider the Star Alliance to be the best network of the three, in no small part because you can book the award tickets online, transparently. (As opposed to using AAdvantage miles for Lan flights, where you have to call a representative and pay $25 to get it done.) The Star Alliance includes United, Singapore Air, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and many more. Panama’s Copa is in there too, so you’re well-covered in the Americas. See the options at Taca.com.

This story came out two months ago, but I just saw it. Apparently a staggering 95% of Brazil’s tourism is domestic. I’m sure the reciprocal visa fee doesn’t help, but tales of poor value and high airfares probably has a lot to do with it as the booming economy led to a rapidly rising currency. The World Cup and Olympics should change that number a bit though.

Speaking of Brazil, as I’ve remarked in the newsletter before, Brazil is going to have a tough time accommodating visitors for the World Cup in 2014. Their cities are woefully underbuilt when it comes to hotels (especially high-end ones). I admire Kensington Tours‘ proactive move of offering World Cup Tours of Brazil that include tickets and a place to stay. See these links for their 8-day tour and their 9-day tour.

As of yesterday, one of Mexico’s most famous chefs took over food and bar operations at Hotel Matilda in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Chef Enrique Olvera, who launched to stardom running Pujol in Mexico City, has built a menu in his style and this is a huge leap forward for San Miguel.

There are some destinations in a country that few foreigners seem to know about, but mention the name to a local and it’s like a secret password. You’ll get a smile and a big dose of envy that you’ve gone or are about to go.

Our writer found that Fernando de Noronha is a prime example of that phenomenon, an island reserve way off the coast of Brazil. It’s exclusive, protected, and yes—expensive—but this former penal colony has kept its magical state as a result. Unspoiled coves, abundant wildlife, and stunning beaches aren’t about to get trampled. No plans for government-supported “master tourism plans” that involve a wall of condos and hotels.

All is not perfect, of course, and the fact that most tourists are domestic means that language can be an issue and some operations don’t meet international standards, as our contributor found on his scuba diving trip. Other aspects more than made up for that though. See the full story here in our Fernando de Noronha Brazil tour feature.

We’ve had our eye on Uxua in the Trancoso area of Brazil since it opened in 2009 and recently got one of our correspondents in there to check out the experience. It may be in an area once known more for backpackers and faded hippies, but since the owner is a Dutch fashion designer (the former creative director of Diesel), you can bet it’s going to go well beyond just thatch, bamboo, and bugs.

“Uxua Casa proves therapeutic for all the senses (not to mention the soul). Colors, textures, scents, and sounds all conspire to soothe. Drawing on Bahia’s wealth of organic materials and artisanal traditions, the hotel bears no traces of Das’ high fashion past. Nothing is design-y, even though everything – down to the elemental yet exquisite copper faucets and shower heads – has been artistically wrought in a manner that is both simple and striking.”

There are just 10 bungalows here, but with a prime location that really can’t be beat: the property is right on the central square but has a full-on jungle landscape. There’s a swimming pool lined with quartz crystals in the middle of it all and a beach club by the surf for chillin’ by the waves.

So while you get your luxury digs with all the gadgets, you don’t have to be reminded of where you are since you’re right in the action instead of in a secluded, hard-to-find spot in a remote area. “While many hotels succeed in helping you to escape from it all, Uxua Casa goes one essential step further by making you feel utterly at home in – and part of – your new environment.”

See our full review of Uxua Casa Hotel in Trancoso.

We’re heading into winter in the U.S., but beach season is kicking off in Brazil. Over the next couple weeks we’re adding some new luxury resorts in Brazil from our roving correspondent Michael Sommers. First up is a review of Txai Resort, a 40-bungalow nature retreat surrounded by around 1,400 acres of land.

This secluded getaway on a secluded beach embodies the casual elegance so prevalent in Brazil. While there are plenty of wealthy Brazilians in this rapidly growing economy, they tend to gravitate to places where they can let their hair down and put their toes in the sand. So these upscale beach shacks aren’t too doled-up, but they contain free Wi-Fi , iPod players, safes, mini-bars, and silent air conditioners. They’re designed to highlight what’s around though, with lots of windows and ample balcony space surrounding them.

Here’s what our writer, author of Moon Handbook Brazil, has to say about the experience:

“Aside from the beach, the two most compelling places to while away the daytime hours are in the plush beach chairs lining the gloriously blue, never-ending rectangle of a pool, with its adjoining bar (where lunch is served) and at the fabulously scenic Shamash Spa, which takes full advantage of its privileged hillside location. Even if you’re not up for a sauna, massage, reiki session, or yoga class, don the cotton robe laid out for you and head up to the heated pool, where 180-degree view of beach and rainforest will strike you as a Hollywood special effect rendering of paradise.”

See our full review of Txai Resort in Brazil.