South America left me absolutely speechless. The first time I stood at the edge of Angel Falls in Venezuela, watching the world’s highest waterfall thunder down nearly a kilometer into the jungle below, I literally forgot how to speak. And when I caught my first glimpse of Machu Picchu through the morning mist, with those ancient stone walls glowing in the sunrise, I had to sit down to take it all in.
After exploring this incredible continent, I’ve discovered some of the most beautiful places in South America that feel almost too amazing to be real. From watching pink dolphins swim through the flooded Amazon rainforest to see the Milky Way reflect in Bolivia’s salt flats; this continent just operates on a different level. Here are 12 places that will completely blow your mind!
Best Things to Do in South America
Visiting South America? Spend the day exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru, trek through the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia, Argentina and Chile, or wander the colorful streets of Cartagena, Colombia. Stroll through vibrant markets for shopping and dining, embark on an unforgettable adventure, or marvel at the otherworldly beauty of Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. Whether you’re into history, outdoor adventures, or cultural charm, South America has plenty to offer!
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
- 📍 Location: Andes Mountains, Peru, about 50 miles northwest of Cusco
- 🏆 Best For: History enthusiasts 🏛️, hikers 🥾, photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the ancient Inca Trail, exploring the citadel at sunrise, climbing Huayna Picchu
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to September during the dry season ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge – The only hotel adjacent to the ancient citadel
Machu Picchu gives you bragging rights your Instagram followers can’t ignore. This 15th-century Inca citadel sits perfectly between misty Andean peaks at 7,970 feet. I still get chills remembering my first glimpse of those stone walls emerging from the clouds.
The site features the mysterious Temple of the Sun and the astronomically aligned Intihuatana Stone. From the Room of the Three Windows, mountain views change with shifting light. Most visitors arrive by train to Aguas Calientes, but the four-day Inca Trail delivers a more rewarding experience.
For the best photos, arrive for sunrise or secure one of the limited permits to climb Huayna Picchu. The steep trail offers unique angles of the ruins below. Plan at least one full day here – this Wonder of the World deserves your time.
2. Patagonia, Argentina and Chile
- 📍 Location: Southern tip of South America, spanning Argentina and Chile
- 🏆 Best For: Adventure seekers 🧗♀️, wildlife watchers 🦊, photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking in Torres del Paine, glacier trekking on Perito Moreno, wildlife spotting
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to February for summer hiking 🌞, March-April for fewer crowds 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Explora Patagonia – Luxury lodge with prime views of the mountains
Patagonia makes your friends’ weekend camping trips look pathetically tame. This wild frontier spans 402,000 square miles of jagged peaks, massive glaciers, and windswept plains. The first time I rounded a bend on the W Trek, I actually gasped out loud.
The Chilean side centers around Torres del Paine National Park, with its iconic granite towers and turquoise lakes. Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park lets you watch house-sized ice chunks crash from Perito Moreno Glacier into the lake below.
Wildlife spotting includes guanacos, Andean condors, and even elusive pumas. The Valdes Peninsula hosts southern right whales, while Tierra del Fuego offers penguin colonies. Bring layers – Patagonia’s weather changes dramatically without warning, but that wild unpredictability is part of its charm.
3. Cartagena, Colombia
- 📍 Location: Northern coast of Colombia on the Caribbean Sea
- 🏆 Best For: History lovers 🏰, foodies 🍽️, cultural explorers 💃
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the walled Old Town, sunset drinks at Café del Mar, day trips to Rosario Islands
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to April for dry season ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Casa San Agustin – Luxurious boutique hotel in a restored 17th-century building
Cartagena serves up the perfect escape from your pending midlife crisis. This vibrant Caribbean gem blends 16th-century Spanish architecture with pulsing Latin rhythms. When I strolled those cobblestone streets at sunset, I felt like I’d walked into a Gabriel García Márquez novel.
The walled Old Town divides into distinct districts. Centro houses the magnificent San Pedro Claver Church and elegant mansions. Getsemaní buzzes with street art, salsa clubs, and local life.
Don’t miss sunset cocktails atop the ancient walls at Café del Mar. Food lovers will delight in fresh ceviche at Mercado Bazurto or upscale dining in colonial courtyards. Beyond the city, Rosario Islands offer crystal waters just an hour away by boat. Allow three days to experience both city rhythms and beach excursions.
4. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
- 📍 Location: Southwestern Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes
- 🏆 Best For: Photographers 📸, otherworldly landscape seekers 🌋, stargazers 🌠
- 📸 Top Experiences: Taking perspective-bending photos, watching sunrise, visiting the train cemetery
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Dec-Mar for mirror effect 💧, Apr-Nov for stable dry conditions ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Luna Salada – Built from blocks cut from the salt flats themselves
Salar de Uyuni will make your office cubicle feel even more soul-crushing when you return. This 4,086-square-mile salt flat creates the world’s largest natural mirror when covered with a thin layer of water. I’ve never seen so many grown adults giggling while taking silly perspective photos.
During the wet season (Dec-Mar), the thin water sheet perfectly reflects the sky, erasing the horizon completely. In dry months, hexagonal salt patterns stretch to infinity like a cracked white desert.
Multi-day tours from Uyuni town take you beyond the flats to red lakes filled with flamingos and bubbling geothermal fields. Don’t miss Incahuasi Island, a cactus-covered outcrop seemingly floating in a sea of salt. Bring serious sun protection – the high altitude and reflective surface create intense conditions.
5. Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil
- 📍 Location: Border of Argentina and Brazil, where three countries meet
- 🏆 Best For: Nature lovers 🌿, waterfall chasers 💦, bird watchers 🦜
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the Devil’s Throat pathway, taking a boat ride under the falls, viewing both countries’ sides
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May and August to October for moderate water levels 🌊
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas – Colonial-style hotel with exclusive falls access
Iguazu Falls will ruin every other waterfall experience for the rest of your life. This thundering system spans 275 separate cascades across nearly 2 miles of the Argentina-Brazil border. The endless mist rainbows made me feel like I’d discovered magic in real life.
The Brazilian side offers sweeping panoramas, while the Argentine side gets you thrillingly close via walkways and trails. The most spectacular section is Devil’s Throat, a U-shaped cataract where half the river plunges 269 feet into a permanent cloud of mist.
Both sides protect Atlantic rainforest teeming with colorful toucans and mischievous coatis. For maximum thrills, take the Macuco Safari boat ride that approaches the falls’ base. You’ll get completely soaked. Plan two days to experience both countries’ perspectives.
6. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- 📍 Location: Pacific Ocean, 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador
- 🏆 Best For: Wildlife enthusiasts 🐢, snorkelers 🤿, evolutionary buffs 🧬
- 📸 Top Experiences: Snorkeling with sea lions, visiting the Darwin Research Station, hiking volcanic landscapes
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Dec-May for warmer waters 🌊, Jun-Nov for active wildlife 🐦
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel – Eco-friendly beachfront hotel on Santa Cruz Island
The Galapagos Islands will make you rethink your relationship with wildlife and possibly your place in evolution. This isolated volcanic archipelago hosts species found nowhere else on Earth. I nearly cried watching giant tortoises roam freely, completely undisturbed by human presence.
The magic lies in the wildlife’s fearlessness. Marine iguanas, the world’s only ocean-swimming lizards, bask on black lava rocks. In turquoise waters, playful sea lions treat snorkelers like curious playmates.
Each island offers distinct experiences. Bartolomé features iconic Pinnacle Rock, Española hosts albatross breeding grounds, and Santa Cruz houses the Charles Darwin Research Station. Most visitors explore via small ship cruises, though island-hopping tours are popular too. Strict visitor limits mean advance planning is essential.
7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 📍 Location: Southeastern Brazil, on the Atlantic coast
- 🏆 Best For: Beach lovers 🏖️, party-goers 🎉, culture enthusiasts 🎭
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Stunning coastal setting with dramatic mountains meeting the sea
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Christ the Redeemer, relaxing on Copacabana Beach, taking the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to March for summer and Carnival 🎭
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Copacabana Palace – Glamorous beachfront hotel with old-world luxury
Rio de Janeiro isn’t just a city – it’s a sensory feast where mountains plunge into azure waters. The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue stands with arms outstretched, offering views that left me speechless the first time I visited. From here, you can grasp Rio’s magnificent setting before diving into its neighborhoods.
Rio’s beaches are outdoor living rooms. Copacabana and Ipanema each have distinct vibes. Vendors sell everything from empanadas to jewelry along the famous tiled promenades. For seclusion, try Prainha or Joatinga beaches, where nature remains largely untouched.
The rhythm of samba fills the air as locals gather to play volleyball and sip coconut water. This infectious energy makes Rio truly the “Marvelous City.”
8. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
- 📍 Location: Southern Chilean Patagonia, near Argentina’s border
- 🏆 Best For: Hikers 🥾, wildlife photographers 📸, adventure seekers 🏔️
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Dramatic granite peaks, turquoise lakes, massive glaciers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking the W Trek, photographing the Cuernos del Paine, spotting Andean condors
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to February for milder weather 🍃
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Explora Patagonia – Luxury lodge with panoramic views of Lake Pehoé
Torres del Paine showcases nature at its most dramatic – a place where wind-swept grasslands meet impossible granite spires. I’ve never seen skies change so rapidly or colors so vivid as when watching sunset paint the mountains here.
The park’s centerpiece is the Paine Massif, granite peaks carved by ancient glaciers. The most famous formation is the “Torres” themselves – three vertical needles rising above a glacial lake.
The classic W Trek takes 4-5 days through the park’s greatest hits. You’ll encounter hanging glaciers, blue icebergs, and guanacos grazing on the steppe. Despite its remote location, the park offers lodging from basic refugios to luxury lodges.
9. Mendoza, Argentina
- 📍 Location: Western Argentina, at the foot of the Andes Mountains
- 🏆 Best For: Wine enthusiasts 🍷, foodies 🍽️, outdoor adventurers 🚵♀️
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Rolling vineyards against snow-capped Andes Mountains
- 📸 Top Experiences: Touring boutique wineries, enjoying asado, biking through vineyard-lined roads
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May during harvest season 🍇
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Park Hyatt Mendoza – A luxurious hotel in the heart of Mendoza, offering top-tier amenities, an excellent casino, and easy access to city attractions
Mendoza is Argentina’s premier wine region, where a high-altitude desert climate produces world-class Malbecs. I could spend weeks here just tasting my way through the different valleys and never get bored.
The city features tree-lined boulevards and charming plazas. The real magic happens in the surrounding valleys. Valle de Uco, Luján de Cuyo, and Maipú each offer distinct wine experiences. Many wineries let you blend your own wine or enjoy lunch among the vines.
Beyond wine, Mendoza offers thrilling outdoor activities. Go white-water rafting down the Mendoza River or hike near Aconcagua, the Americas’ highest peak. The local cuisine perfectly complements these adventures – flame-grilled steaks and empanadas stuffed with local ingredients.
10. Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia
- 📍 Location: Southwestern Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes
- 🏆 Best For: Photographers 📸, adventure travelers 🧭, stargazers 🌠
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Vast white salt desert creating surreal landscapes and mirror effects
- 📸 Top Experiences: Taking perspective-bending photos, watching sunrise, visiting colorful mineral lakes
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to March for mirror effects (rainy season) 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel de Sal Luna Salada – Hotel built entirely of salt blocks
Salar de Uyuni is nature at its most surreal – a 4,000-square-mile salt flat where earth and sky become indistinguishable. Standing in this endless white expanse, I felt like I’d stepped onto another planet entirely.
During rainy season, a thin water layer transforms the flats into the world’s largest mirror. In dry season, hexagonal salt patterns stretch to the horizon. This creates the perfect canvas for perspective-defying photographs that play with scale.
Most travelers explore via multi-day 4×4 tours extending to Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Here, flamingo-filled red lakes, bubbling geysers, and wind-sculpted rock formations create an otherworldly circuit. Despite growing popularity, Uyuni still feels like a remote frontier where reality seems temporarily suspended.
11. Easter Island, Chile
- 📍 Location: Remote Polynesian island in the southeastern Pacific, 2,300 miles west of Chile
- 🏆 Best For: History buffs 🗿, archaeology enthusiasts 🔍, isolation seekers 🏝️
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Mysterious ancient moai statues against dramatic coastal landscapes
- 📸 Top Experiences: Watching sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, exploring Rano Raraku quarry, snorkeling
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: January to March or during Tapati Festival (February) 🎭
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Explora Rapa Nui – Eco-friendly lodge with guided excursions
Easter Island may be the most remote inhabited island on Earth, yet its 900+ stone moai statues make the long journey worthwhile. When dawn broke over the massive figures at Ahu Tongariki, I understood why I’d traveled so far to witness this mysterious place.
The most spectacular site is where 15 massive moai stand in a row against the Pacific backdrop. At Rano Raraku, the volcanic quarry where most moai were carved, see statues in various stages of completion.
Beyond the moai, the island offers volcanic craters, cave systems, and white sand beaches. Waters surrounding the island are remarkably clear for snorkeling. Despite increasing tourism, Easter Island retains a powerful sense of isolation and mystery.
12. The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana
- 📍 Location: Spanning nine South American countries, including Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador
- 🏆 Best For: Wildlife enthusiasts 🐒, bird watchers 🦜, eco-adventurers 🌴
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Unparalleled biodiversity, pristine ecosystems, magnificent rivers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Spotting pink river dolphins, canoeing through flooded forests, night excursions
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June to November for better hiking conditions 🦋
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Juma Amazon Lodge (Brazil) or Sacha Lodge (Ecuador) – Eco-friendly jungle lodges
The Amazon isn’t just a forest – it’s the planet’s most diverse ecosystem, with one in ten known species. I’ll never forget the first time I heard the rainforest wake up at dawn, a symphony of calls unlike anything else on Earth.
Different countries offer distinct experiences. Brazil provides access to the mighty Amazon River with pink river dolphins. Peru’s northern region features excellent wildlife lodges and indigenous communities. Ecuador’s portion offers accessible eco-lodges just a short flight from Quito.
A typical stay includes guided jungle walks spotting monkeys, sloths, and colorful birds. Boat excursions take you along waterways where giant lily pads float. At night, the forest transforms – head out with flashlights to spot tree frogs, tarantulas, and nocturnal creatures.
- Read next: A Guide to Transformative Travel
