Over the last two decades, South America, encompassing 12 diverse countries, French Guiana, and the Falkland Islands, has become a leading destination for ecotourism and adventure travel.
Spanning nearly 7 million miles of incredible landscapes, from the Amazon rainforest to the Pantanal wetlands, the Andes Mountains, and the majestic Iguazu Falls, South America offers endless exploration. You could spend years traversing its sparsely populated interior and still uncover new and breathtaking sights.
It’s a challenge to capture the sheer diversity of this continent’s attractions in a single blog post, so consider this your curated guide to 20 of the best South America Travel Destinations, perfect for planning your unforgettable journey.
ARGENTINA
1. Iguazu Falls
Located on the border between Argentina and Brazil in northern Argentina, Iguazu Falls stands as one of the world’s most magnificent waterfalls. Towering between 197 and 269 feet, stretching 1.7 miles wide, and featuring 275 individual drops with an average flow rate of 62,010 cubic feet per second, Iguazu Falls is a truly awe-inspiring spectacle and a must-see on any South America travel itinerary. The falls are nestled within the lush rainforest of Iguazu National Park, a subtropical haven boasting over 2,000 species of vascular plants and a rich array of wildlife, including tapirs, howler monkeys, and jaguars.
2. Peninsula Valdes
Peninsula Valdes, situated on Argentina’s Atlantic coast, holds UNESCO World Heritage status as one of South America’s premier locations for marine mammal observation. Whale watching here is exceptional: Southern right whales arrive to calve from June to November, while orcas are frequently spotted hunting seals and sea lions along the shoreline. Visitors also have excellent opportunities to see elephant seals, Magellanic penguins, and land animals like guanacos (Patagonian llamas) and rheas (emu relatives), making it a diverse wildlife destination in South America.
3. Perito Moreno Glacier
Arguably Patagonia’s top attraction, the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier stretches 121 square miles, rises an average of 240 feet above the water, and remarkably, is still advancing. Part of Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina’s Santa Cruz Province, this glacier, named after a 19th-century explorer, offers an unforgettable experience. Observation boardwalks and boat tours on Lake Argentino provide surprisingly close encounters, allowing you to witness the glacier calving with dramatic cracks and icefalls into the water. For the adventurous, ice hiking tours on the glacier itself are also available.
4. Tierra del Fuego
At the southernmost tip of South America, Tierra del Fuego presents some of the continent’s most breathtaking landscapes. Its capital, Ushuaia, known as “el fin del mundo” (the end of the world), marks the last city before Antarctica. This region offers a wealth of activities, from kayaking in Lapataia Bay and hiking or skiing on Mount Castor to exploring the legendary Cape Horn. A Beagle Channel cruise, lasting half a day, is a popular excursion, offering remarkable sightings of penguins and diverse marine wildlife in this unique South America destination.
BOLIVIA
5. Lake Titicaca
Spanning the border between Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca holds the title of the world’s highest navigable lake, sitting at an elevation of 12,338 feet. This area has been a center of indigenous cultures for centuries, making it a prime location for those interested in cultural South America travel experiences. Start your exploration in Copacabana, Bolivia, a town from where you can arrange lake tours or take a boat to Isla del Sol or Isla de la Luna. Both islands offer opportunities for immersive homestays with local families, providing a deeper cultural connection.
6. Salar de Uyuni
The Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, presents an otherworldly landscape covering approximately 4,000 square miles with a salt layer several meters thick. While holding over 50% of the world’s lithium reserves, the area features sparse flora, mainly giant cacti, and limited fauna, primarily flamingos. A visit should include Laguna Blanca, known for its white color from mineral content, Laguna Verde, a green and poisonous lake due to magnesium and arsenic, and Laguna Colorado, distinguished by its red hue from algae, showcasing the diverse and surreal beauty of this South America travel spot.
BRAZIL
7. Brazilian Amazon
Despite losing 20% of its area in the last 40 years, the Brazilian Amazon remains a colossal rainforest, roughly the size of the lower 48 US states and accounting for half of the planet’s tropical forest. Brazil holds about two-thirds of the 3 million square mile Amazon Basin, making it a crucial part of this globally significant ecosystem. It’s one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, home to around 16,000 tree species, 2,000 fish species, 1,300 bird species, over 400 mammal species, nearly 400 reptile species, and 2.5 million insect species. Exploring the Brazilian Amazon is an essential South America travel experience, but remember, bug repellent is indispensable!
8. Pantanal
Known as the Pantanal, the 75,000 square-mile wetlands spanning southwestern Brazil and eastern Bolivia are the largest in the world. Approximately 80% of this region is submerged during the wet season, transforming into a wildlife paradise in the dry season, particularly for birdwatchers. The Pantanal supports around 3,500 plant species, 300 mammal species, and over 1,000 bird species. Keep an eye out for hyacinth macaws, harpy eagles, white-banded tanagers, and the elusive jaguars, which are surprisingly numerous here, making it a prime wildlife South America travel destination.
CHILE
9. Chilean Wine Country
Chile’s wine reputation is globally recognized, with exports to Europe dating back to the 1880s. Its rise as a sought-after destination for wine enthusiasts is more recent, driven by the region’s ideal climate and stunning Andean backdrops. Chile’s most celebrated wine regions include the Colchagua Valley, renowned for Malbec, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, and the Maipo Valley, famous for Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Merlot. Exploring Chilean wine country is a delightful experience for those seeking gastronomic South America travel.
10. Torres del Paine National Park
Nestled in the heart of Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park offers an unparalleled remote wilderness experience. Avid hikers will relish the legendary W Trek, navigating through imposing rock formations, including the iconic Paine Massif, stunning blue glacier-fed lakes, and expansive plains of windswept grasses and vibrant wildflowers. The park’s diverse wildlife, from foxes and guanacos to majestic Andean condors and pumas, adds to its allure, making it a top adventure South America travel destination.
COLOMBIA
11. Cartagena
Cartagena, a personal favorite and a UNESCO-protected port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, is truly captivating. The city is famed for its walled Old Town, established in the 16th century, showcasing fortresses, vibrant colonial buildings, public squares, and numerous historic monuments. Beyond history, Cartagena offers beautiful beaches, and the serene tropical atmosphere of the Islas de Rosario (Rosario Islands) is just a 40-minute boat trip away, making it a versatile South America travel destination.
12. Tayrona National Park
Located on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast, about 110 kilometers east of Barranquilla, the secluded Tayrona National Park boasts pristine beaches, biodiverse rainforests, and a peaceful car-free environment. Access is part of the adventure; reaching park accommodations requires an hour’s hike. However, this remoteness is part of its charm, making it one of the most incredible places in South America to escape and connect with nature. Wildlife, from diverse birdlife and monkeys to crocodiles, is abundant, promising an animal-filled South America travel adventure.
ECUADOR
13. Galapagos Islands
Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are a nature enthusiast’s paradise, teeming with unique endemic plants and wildlife. Designated as the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, this archipelago profoundly influenced Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Exploring the islands today feels much like stepping back into Darwin’s era, with minimal human presence and incredible wildlife encounters at every turn, including Galapagos tortoises, penguins, sea lions, and many more, solidifying its status as a premier wildlife South America travel destination.
14. Quito
Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, situated nearly 9,842 feet above sea level, is breathtaking in both scenery and altitude. Historically rich, having been conquered by the Inca and then the Spanish, Quito boasts stunning colonial architecture. A cable car ride takes you up to 13,779 feet for panoramic views of Quito and, on clear days, the Cotopaxi volcano. Nearby attractions include the Mitad del Mundo (“Center of the Earth”), a monument and museum marking the equator, making Quito a culturally rich South America travel destination.
PERU
15. Ballestas Islands
Often called “the poor man’s Galapagos,” the Ballestas Islands, off the coast of Pisco, are home to hundreds of thousands of seabirds, including boobies, large colonies of sea lions, penguins, and dolphins. Daily boat tours from the mainland take visitors past the “Candelabra,” a mysterious hillside geoglyph of ancient origin. Between June and August, Chilean flamingos are often seen in the bay’s southern part, offering a glimpse of diverse wildlife on a South America travel excursion.
16. Machu Picchu
Widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest archaeological wonders, Machu Picchu was constructed at the peak of the Inca Empire in the mid-15th century. Perched atop a mountain at 8,000 feet in the Andes, Peru’s most famous tourist attraction welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually. The magnificent architecture of this ancient city remains remarkably preserved, with giant stone walls, ancient temples, and lush green terraces overlooking a canyon of the Urubamba River and the surrounding Andes, making it an iconic cultural South America travel destination.
17. Peruvian Amazon
The Peruvian Amazon, the world’s fourth-largest rainforest, covers approximately 60% of Peru. It is a remarkably pristine biodiversity hotspot, supporting about 180 reptile species, 262 amphibian species, 293 mammal species, 806 bird species, and 2,500 butterfly species. Plant enthusiasts can find 700 fern types and over 7,300 flowering plant species. The primary way to explore this region is by boat, offering an exceptional experience on small-ship cruises, and an essential part of any nature-focused South America travel plan.
18. Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu might be famous, but the Sacred Valley holds even more Inca treasures. Explore the lesser-known ruins of the Sacred Valley to discover the breadth of Inca history in Peru. Begin at Pisac, a former Inca agricultural center with mountain-carved terraces. Discover impressive stonework at Vitcos and Ollantaytambo, the starting point of the Inca Trail. Explore the circular Moray ruins and Winay Wayna, resembling a miniature Machu Picchu. The Sacred Valley offers a deeper dive into Inca history for your South America travel adventure.
URUGUAY
19. Pampas
While less known than other ecotourism hotspots, the Uruguayan Pampas deserves recognition as one of South America’s best places to visit. These fertile lowlands stretch across nearly 290,000 square miles, encompassing Uruguay and parts of Argentina and Brazil. The temperate climate fosters regenerative agriculture and supports diverse wildlife, including pampas deer, plains viscacha, puma, maned wolf, pampas fox, and a stunning variety of birds. The Pampas offer a unique and less-trodden South America travel experience.
