Welcome to South America A vast continent, full of possibilities. From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the silvery-sand beaches of Bahia in Brazil, it’s a continent brimming with cultures, adventures, not to mention those landscapes. Explore with this South America travel guide.
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that one of my formative travel trips was to Rio when I was eighteen. In two short weeks, I fell in love with the beaches, the sights, the food… oh and the caipirinhas and samba.Â
You could say I’ve been hooked on South America ever since, returning countless times to what I have to admit is my favourite continent.
So now, It’s time to visit South America. Check out this South America travel guide to help you plan your trip.
Let’s get this straight. There is no best time to travel to South America. The sheer size and difference in climates and altitude means that the weather is always good somewhere in South America and dreadful somewhere else.Â
It’s not just about temperature either – a bad rainy season can put a real damper on your trip: they vary from country to country so you will need to check before you go.Â
Southern Hemisphere winter (June to August) is pretty much a no-go for large parts of Patagonia – by contrast it’s a great time to go to the north of Argentina (which can be unbearably hot in the summer), or to set off on the Inca Trail or around the Galapagos.Â
If you want to play it safe, spring and autumn – from March to May and September to November are good bets.Â
Venture out into the reaches of the world’s driest desert – the Atacama is home to some of the most mind-blowing landscapes you could ever hope to lay eyes on. Stay at Nayara Alto Atacama.Â
Bursting with its own brand of infectious energy, I dare you not to fall head over heels for Rio de Janeiro. Spend long days on the beaches, caipirinha in hand, then head to Lapa for some late-night fun. Book a stay at Le Relais de Marambaia.Â
Pretty much deserving of every superlative you can throw at it, Torres del Paine really is that spectacular. Hike the 4-day W Trek, or the longer O Trek if you have time, then bed down at Explora en Torres del Paine.Â
It took four trips to South America before I finally made it to Santiago. Gritty but charming, with the ever-present Andes towering in the background, it’s full of cool museums, street art and just a short hop from wine regions such as the Maipo and Casablanca Valleys. Stay at The Singular Santiago.
Packing for a South America trip can be difficult. On the one hand you want to go hiking in the mountains, on the other, sunning yourself on the beach and partying in the streets don’t sound like bad options either.Â
Ultimately, what you pack for South America will depend on the type of trip you are planning. Here are some general items you should make sure that you have…
The dreaded I word. Get it and hope that you don’t need it. I use AXA Travel Insurance.Â
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Picking the best places to visit in South America is tough – no doubt about it. But really, there are some places that you just shouldn’t miss. Here are the top places to visit in South America that made the cut.Â
Sure it’s arguably the biggest sight in South America, and the chances of you having it to yourself are a big fat zero, but seeing the sunrise over Machu Picchu is an experience to remember.
Read Next: Planning Your Trip to Machu Picchu Â
A South American city with a European vibe, whenever I think that I’ve seen most of what Buenos Aires has to offer, there’s always another surprise around the corner to reel me in for more.
Read Next: The Best Things to do in Buenos AiresÂ
Oh Rio, where do I start? With the eye-popping beaches? With the larger than life sights? The carnival? The parties? The samba. Wherever you start, it always ends with you wanting to extend your stay.
Read Next: Unmissable Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Get up, close and personal with the largest system of waterfalls in the world. The Brazilian side offers wide panoramas, while the Argentinean offers a chance to get close to the falls. Visit both.
Walk in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and explore these remote islands – along with the abundance of wildlife and striking natural sceneries for which they are famed. Hands up who wants to go to the Galapagos.
It might not be Bolivia’s capital but La Paz captures visitors’ attention with its heady mix of colonial buildings, ancient traditions and high-speed modernity – all at a breathtaking 3,500m above sea level.
Tierra del Fuego National Park – filled with forests, lakes and, of course, mountains galore is nature’s way of showing off her charms. The ultimate outdoor adventure playground. Prepare to be wowed – big time.
Visit in the rainy season, when a thin layer of water sits atop the flats and turns them into a giant mirror, or in the dry season when you’re dazzled by the unending gleaming white.
Read Next: The Best Time to Visit the Bolivia Salt FlatsÂ
So, you think you’ve seen it all.. And then you see Perito Moreno in El Calafate – a vast expanse of torturous peaks, gleaming white and blue – thundering as chunks break off and fall into the water. Worth the trip to Patagonia alone.
Expect 100 square miles of cloud forest with endless hiking trails meandering through the clouds. What’s more, you get to explore one of the highest concentrations of biodiversity in the world.
Cusco boasts an unrivalled combination of Incan and Colonial-era buildings and architecture. Spend time visiting Inca ruins such as Sachsayhuaman and, if you can time your visit to coincide with the ancient Inti Rayman festival, do.
​Read Next: Cusco: Travelling to Peru’s Ancient City
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, the largest in South America and sits at an altitude of over 3,800 metres. What does that mean for you? A lot of opportunities for exploration and adventure.
The largest rainforest on the planet. Sounds impressive right? Wait until you see it.Â
One of the most biodiverse regions on Earth and home to 10% of all known species, the Amazon is the place to go for wildlife-spotting and jungle adventures. Just don’t forget your mozzie spray. They’re pretty brutal.Â
Ask what the best countries to visit in South America are to 100 different people and I guarantee you will get 100 different answers. The real answer is there’s pretty much something to appeal to everyone, no matter what kind of traveller or adventurer you are. That’s why I love it so much.Â
Vast. If you only have one word to describe Argentina, that would be it. From the dramatic vistas of the Tierra del Fuego to arid beauty of the altiplano region, with almost everything else in between, Argentina is an assault on the senses.Â
Ride with the gauchos, feast on some of the best steak you’ll ever taste from an asado and hike in the Fitzroy range. You’re going to have a blast.Â
Landlocked Bolivia is a land of superlatives – the largest salt flat in the world (the Salar de Uyuni) and the highest capital in the world (La Paz), among them. Blistering hot days, freezing cold nights in the Altiplano.Â
Red lakes, green lakes, white lakes, The Amazon. You haven’t seen it until you’ve seen it in Bolivia.Â
Everything here is an adventure. Plan yours.Â
The biggest country in South America, Brazil is a destination that’s large in size and impact. Spend a night partying in the streets in Rio and you’ll see what I mean.Â
But it is much more than just crazy caipirinha-fuelled parties. One of the most diverse countries in the world, you can venture into the great unknown with jungle treks in the Amazon, get soaked trying to get up close and personal with Iguazu falls or just settle down onto one of Brazil’s absolutely incredible beaches.Â
Chile’s the long and skinny country perched on the southwest of the continent. But it’s got a lot more to offer you than its rather bizarre appearance on the map.Â
Driving around the Atacama in a campervan has to go down as one of the most ridiculously awesome experiences of my life. Where else can you stargaze at some of the clearest night skies in the world every night, then visit geysers, volcanoes and salt lakes by day?Â
Not to be outdone, the rest of the country won’t disappoint. Hike in the Torres del Paine National Park, indulge in the country’s first-rate wines, paraglide over the beach or party hard in underrated Santiago. It’s up to you.Â
For a long time Colombia had a bit of a reputation as mad, bad and dangerous to know thanks to the civil war and drug trade that plagued its history. These days though, it’s quite rightly emerged as one of the best places to visit in Latin America – not to mention one of the coolest too.Â
What’s so special? An enchanting mix of quaint colonial towns like Villa de Leyva, all out Caribbean charm in Cartagena and the laid-back cosmopolitan cool of Bogota go some way towards Colombia’s charm.Â
But that’s not all. Digital nomads have started flocking to Medellin, while backpackers revel in the pristine beaches along the Caribbean coast and on Colombia’s several picture-perfect islands.Â
Oh, and there’s cloud forest, salsa, an ancient lost city trek in the middle of the jungle and the Amazon. Not much then.Â
Offering travellers the chance to travel from beach to jungle in one day, Ecuador is a small country (well, by South American terms anyway) that packs a big punch.Â
Start your Ecuadorian adventure in Quito, the country’s capital. Tempting as it is to hare off into the wilds, spend some time in the city and it will reward you with a unique culture, beautiful architecture and a laid-back vibe that you can’t help but love.Â
Hikers will want to tackle the Quilotoa loop, one of South America’s great hikes around the lake of a now-extinct volcano, whilst nature lovers shouldn’t skip the awesome Oriente – Ecuador’s section of the Amazon.Â
You’ll meet a lot of people who have travelled to South America. People who’ve ventured as far as the Guianas? Not so much.Â
The Guianas are made up of English-speaking Guyana, Dutch-speaking Suriname and (I’ll leave you to guess the language of the last country) French Guiana.Â
Diverse and offbeat, all three have a relaxed atmosphere and a tropical climate. The beaches aren’t as incredible as you might think, but the rainforest really is – and is what most people venture here to explore.Â
Slowly gaining a reputation as South America’s not-so-hidden secret, Paraguay is one of the continent’s lesser-known wildlife hotspots.Â
Split into two by Rio Paraguay, there’s not much to see in the capital, Asuncion. Instead, head out into the dry wilderness of the Chaco or the pristine rainforests in the country’s east. While other travellers skip around Paraguay, you’re free to explore its remote beauty in peace and quiet.Â
People. Can we talk straight here? Peru is more than just Cusco and Machu Picchu.Â
On my first trip to Peru, I made the mistake of making a beeline for the country’s two biggest draws, blithely ignoring the country’s many, many other draws along the way. Don’t make the same mistake.Â
Lima might not make many lists of the best cities in South America, but that’s a shame. Filled with cool street art, absolutely awesome cevicherias and a spectacular coastal walk, you should spend at least a couple of days soaking up its charms.Â
The Amazon makes up almost two-thirds of Peru, so it should come as no surprise that Amazonian adventures are another big draw. Peru’s one of the easiest countries in South America to venture into the Amazon – but that doesn’t make it any less of an experience.Â
Of course, you have to swing by Machu Picchu – it’s one of the new wonders of the world after all and hands down one of the top places to visit in South America.Â
Sure the Inca Trail gets a lot of attention, but with the ever-rising cost and worries about sustainability, consider taking one of the alternative hikes – Salkantay is my favourite but Lares takes in a lot of the local culture.Â
Uruguay is the beautiful girl at the party you’re a little scared of speaking to but find out she’s a real darling when you do.Â
Glitzy Punta del Este is where South America comes to party during the summer months, while smaller Punta del Diablo is the place where hippy meets hip.Â
Cutesy Colonia de Sacramento is an easy day trip from Buenos Aires, but you should spend at least a night to get the most out of its somewhat sleepy appeal.Â
Move on to Montevideo – where fin-de-siecle architecture, chic eateries and liberal attitudes reign supreme.Â
Away from the towns, remote surfer beaches and gorgeous wine country (yes, they make wine, they just keep it for themselves) lure you into the same happy-go-lucky, cheerful attitude of the locals. And that is no bad thing.Â
In the northeast of South America, Venezuela is a stunner – one that most travellers don’t see thanks to high crime rates and security concerns. Let’s just say it’s sitting pretty low on the Global Peace Index right now. Â
It’s a shame: the country boasts a coastline with beaches that could have been plucked straight out of paradise, not to mention natural wonders like Angel Falls.Â
It’s probably worth noting that the FCO advises against all but essential travel to most of the country, and no travel at all to the section bordering Colombia. That’s warning enough for me – but the decision is yours.
10 Days
Rio de Janeiro – Paratay – Ilha Grande – Florianópolis – Foz do IguaçuÂ
Venture from lively Rio to sleepy Paratay and even sleepier Ilha Grande before spending some serious beach time at Florianopolis and rounding it off at Iguazu Falls.Â
Two WeeksÂ
Lima – Cusco – Machu Picchu – Lake Titicaca – Arequipa – Nazca – Ballestas Islands – LimaÂ
Stuff your eyes with cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the unexplained on this two-week adventure around Peru.Â
One Month
Quito – Cotopaxi – Quilotoa – Baños – Lima – Paracas – Huacachina – Cusco – Machu Picchu – La Paz – Amazon – Salar de Uyuni – La PazÂ
Yes, it’s a pretty well-established route, but The Gringo Trail is the tried and tested way to see the best of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia in one month.
Nicknamed the Poor Man’s Galapagos, The Ballestas Islands are a chance to see some of the region’s bird and sealife on an easy day trip from Paracas.Â
Argentina’s more southerly wine regions may hog the limelight, but Cafayate is an up-and-coming area whose unique terrains make for some very unique (in a good way) wines.Â
The world’s tropical wetland region should get more of a shout out than it does – sprawling across sections of Brazil, Peru and Paraguay, it’s perfect for a waterborne adventure.Â
The ultimate road trip down western Argentina on one of the longest highways in the world.Â
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