SOUTH AMERICA TRAVEL GUIDE

South America is an amazing continent to visit. It has a total of 13 countries with a total population of 385 million. The most spoken languages in South America are Portuguese, Spanish, English, Dutch and French. On this page you have a list of South America Best Destinations.

TOP SOUTH AMERICA

★ 4th century BC Chankillo astronomical observatory, Peru
★ Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
★ Up stream Amazon River boat trip, Brazil
★ 30 km / 19 mi length Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
★ 10000 years old Paituna Rock Paintings in Monte Alegre, Brazil
★ Salar de Atacama and Valle de la Luna in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
★ 979 m / 3212 ft Angel falls in Canaima National Park, Venezuela
★ Nazca Lines, Peru
★ 13000 years old rock painting of Cueva de las Manos, Argentina
★ Leatherback turtles laying eggs in Awala Yalimapo, French Guiana
★ Machu Picchu, Peru
★ 1 m / 3 ft tall King penguin colony in Tierra de Fuego, Chile
★ La Paz, Bolivia
★ Charismatic and beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

INSPIRING PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AMERICA

1- VISIT PARAMARIBO, REPUBLIC OF SURINAME

Visit Paramaribo in Suriname - South America Travel Guide

Loved this city , which in fact was already on my travel list for a long time. The buildings from the Dutch colonial era, built in wood and painted white are beautiful. The historic city center is on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. Best sightseeing sites and monuments to visit Paramaribo are the Colonial-era historical center, Waterkant Street, Fort Zeelandia, Neve Shalom Synagogue and Central Mosque of Paramaribo, the Presidential Palace, river boat ride to Second World War 6,000 tonne North German Lloyd cargo ship, Independence Square, Bicycle ride to Peperpot Jungle Park, Palmentuim Garden, Paramaribo Central Market, Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral.

2- VISIT ALTER DO CHÃO, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL

Visit Alter do Chão in Brazil - South America Travel Guide

Alter do Chão is a beautiful natural site of Pará State in northern Brazil. The Guardian mention Alter do Chão to be the most beautiful sweet water beach in the World. Located few km from the city of Santarém in the Amazon River, Alter do Chão surprises its visitors to have white sand on the Tapajós River. Best sightseeing sites and monuments to visit are Ilha do Amor Island, Main Square, Central Church, Sairé Festival, Escola da Floresta, Pindobal Beach, Town of Belterra, Green Lake and Enchanted Forest, National Forest of Tapajós.

3- VISIT SERRA DA LUA, FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL

Visit Monte Alegre in Brazil - South America Travel Guide

During the time I was in Monte Alegre I visited the State Park of Monte Alegre to see the rock paintings in Serra da Lua (​​Paituna). Also once can visit the indigenous communities surrounding the Serra do Ererê and great Lake Monte Alegre. The fantastic rock paintings near the Amazon River are more than 10,000 years old.

4- VISIT RIO DE JANEIRO, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL

Visit Rio de Janeiro in Brazil - South America Travel Guide

The famous city of Rio de Janeiro almost doesn't need to be described. It's beautiful dramatic shaped rocky mountains along white sandy beaches and forest makes this city a great travel destination. Best sightseeing sites and monuments to visit Rio de Janeiro are Christ the Redeemer, Museu De Arte Moderna, Arcos Da Lapa, Bonde de Santa Teresa, Praia Arpoador, Palácio do Catete, Parque Quinta da Boa Vista, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Aterro do Flamengo, Praia Vermelha, Maracana Stadium, Tijuca National Park, Lapa Neighborhood, Jardim Botanico, Sugarloaf Mountain, Ipanema, Copacabana.

5- VISIT GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR

Visit Galapagos in Ecuador - South America Travel Guide

Galapagos is famous, beautiful and a world apart. If you're a Nature lover, and you want to have direct close contact with unique wildlife, so Galapagos Islands is the perfect destination for you. Best sightseeing sites and things to do in Galapagos are cruise trip on a yacht, snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles and thousands of fish, spot wild sea iguanas, Charles Darwin Center in Puerto Ayora, Sierra Negra volcano, Amazing Tortuga Bay, Love Beach in Isabela Island, feed Giant Tortoises, bird watching, swim with sea lions, turtles and penguins in Puerto Villamil, amazing sea lion colony at Loberia Beach in Puerto Barquerizo Moreno, Explore Santa Cruz Island lava tubes, spot Galapagos penguins in Bartolomé Island, swim with sharks... and the list goes on and on.

6- VISIT QUITO, REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR

Visit Quito in Ecuador - South America Travel Guide

Quito is a nice colonial era city, the capital of Ecuador. For sure Quito will surprise you with the most beautiful Spanish type of churches you'll ever see in your live (even compared to Spain). Quito has its own charm and its welcoming friendly people make this city a pleasant destination to stay a couple of days. Best sightseeing sites and monuments to visit Quito are the UNESCO Old Town, changing of the guard in the Presidential Palace, free tour inside Palacio de Gobierno, the oldest cathedral in South America, Panecillo Mirador, Monastery of San Francisco, Colonial Houses, Mitad del Mundo Equator line, Virgin of the Americas, cable-car to Cruz Loma, la Compañía de Jesús Church, La Ronda Street, largest Gothic basilica in Latin America, Capilla del Hombre.

7- VISIT QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE, REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR

Visit Quilotoa in Ecuador - South America Travel Guide

The Quilotoa Crater Lake is a 3 km / 2 mi wide water-filled volcano caldera located in the Ecuadorian Andes. The amazing views from the top are breathtaking and a descend to the lake down in the bottom is a great experience. There are some budget hotels in the village. Trekking possibilities without guide on the Quilotoa Loop trail.

8- VISIT COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK, REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR

Visit Cotopaxi in Ecuador - South America Travel Guide

Cotopaxi National Park is an amazing nature site located south of Quito. Cotopaxi volcano is among the highest active volcanoes in the world. Climbing up the of 5897 m / 19347 ft is possible on a 3 day trek up the volcano.

9- VISIT BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

Visit Buenos Aires in Argentina - South America Travel Guide

Famous Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina. If you're into party and fun, dancing Tango and drinking wine so BA is the place for you. Best sightseeing sites and monuments to visit Buenos Aires are colorful La Boca neighborhood, Plaza de Mayo, Puerto Madero, Boca football match at Bombonera stadium, Museo Casa Carlos Gardel, Palermo neighborhood, the National Museum of Fine Arts, Fair of the Mataderos, Centro Cultural Torquato Tasso for tango dancing, Paseo del Rosedal, Recoleta Cemetery, Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires, El Zanjón de Granados, San Telmo and Botanical Garden.

10- VISIT CHANKILLO, REPUBLIC OF PERU

Visit Chankillo in Peru - South America Travel Guide

One of the most incredible sites I've been in South America. The 4th century BC astronomical observatory is located inside the Peruvian desert and can be reached by rent-a-car having in mind you shouldn't get stuck in sand. The surrounding desert and mountain landscapes are breathtaking. You can visit the Fortress and the fascinating Thirteen Towers solar observatory.

Video of Chankillo desert road:

11- VISIT NAZCA, REPUBLIC OF PERU

Visit Nazca in Peru - South America Travel Guide

Nazca is a small town in the Peruvian Desert. This place will make you want to stay and explore its numerous great travel destinations. For history lovers, flying over Nazca lines is worth every single money of the $85 dollars trip. Don't listen to other people telling you its not worth it. Go and enjoy this unique mystical artistic / religious lines. Best sightseeing sites and monuments to visit Nazca are the famous Nazca Lines, view the Nazca Lines From the ground in Torre Mirador de las Líneas de Nasca in the Pan-american Highway, Ciudad Perdida de Huayuri lost city, Palpa lines, 2100 m / 6870 ft Cerro Blanco tallest dune in the World, Nazca Sunday Market, Mummies in Chauchilla Desert Cemetery, Cantalloc Aqueduct, Pardeones Ruins, Sandboarding Tour, Cahuachi Ruins, Casa-museo Marí Reiche.

12- VISIT TORO MUERTO PETROGLYPHS, REPUBLIC OF PERU

Visit Toro Muerto in Peru - South America Travel Guide

Toro Muerto Petroglyphs is an open air rock painting and rock engraving museum in southern Peru. This amazing site is located on a sandy desert rocky mountain hill and contains more than 3000 volcanic rocks with petroglyphs dating back to the Wari culture from the 6th until the 10th centuries.

13- VISIT REVASH, REPUBLIC OF PERU

Visit Revash in Peru - South America Travel Guide

14th century Revash mausoleums are located found in Luya Province, Amazonas region of Peru, just 60 km to the south of Chachapoyas. Revash is an impressive funeral village built on a steep cliff at an altitude of 2800 m / 9186 ft. To get there you have to walk 2 hours up the mountain and climb the rocky cliff.

14- VISIT ANGEL FALLS, BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

Visit Angel Falls in Venezuela - South America Travel Guide

Angel Falls are the highest waterfalls in the world, with nearly 1000 meters / 3280 feet high. To get there you need to make an 80 KM / 49 miles boat trip along a river with very strong currents. It's possible to visit Angel Falls on a 3 day tour departing from Ciudad Bolivar's airport. The Canaima National Park is an amazing place on Earth.

15- VISIT AWALA YALIMAPO, FRENCH GUIANA

Visit Awala in French Guiana - South America Travel Guide

Awala Yalimapo is a small village with a few houses in the western part of French Guiana, an Overseas region of France. Awala Yalimapo is mostly known for being one of the best places for spotting turtles laying eggs. The views from the beach are fantastic, and at night is when we have to go on the beach to try to spot the giant turtles coming to lay their eggs.

16- VISIT COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO, ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY

Visit Colonia in Uruguay - South America Travel Guide

Colonia del Sacramento is a small UNESCO World Heritage town in Uruguay. Build back in 1680 by the Portuguese, you can walk around its picturesque old quarters. There are daily ferry-boats to and from Buenos Aires in Argentina. Best sightseeing sites and monuments to visit Colonia del Sacramento are the Portuguese Museum, the historical city center Barrio Historico, Rio de la Plata views, Puerta de la Ciudadela castle gate, Faro de Colonia del Sacramento lighthouse top views, Calle de los Suspiros romantic street, Iglesia Matriz main church, Parque Anchorena, Playa Ferrando Beach, Basilica De Santisimo Sacramento church, Plaza de Armas Manuel Lobo, Museo Casa de Nacarello, Museo de los Naufragios y Tesoros, Plaza de Toros, Spanish Museum.

17- VISIT HUMBERSTONE SALTPETER WORKS, REPUBLIC OF CHILE

Visit Humberstone in Chile - South America Travel Guide

Humberstone is a Saltpeter Works village located in northern Chile. This is the most well preserved saltpeter industrial complex in south America and for this reason it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Humberstone is a ghost town, with hundreds of empty houses. You can also visit Santa Laura complex just few km away.

18- VISIT SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA, REPUBLIC OF CHILE

Visit San Pedro de Atacama in Chile - South America Travel Guide

San Pedro de Atacama is famous because it has so many beautiful things to see and a great amount of outstanding things to do. Best sightseeing sites and places to visit San Pedro de Atacama are the town center with the Iglesia San Pedro church, Moon Valley, Death Valley, Salar de Atacama salt desert flat, P. le Paige Museum, Quebrada de Kari, Fort of Quitor, Puritama Hotsprings, Ojos de Salar lagoons, Laguna Tebenquiche, Laguna Cejar, Licancabur volcano, Lascar volcano, Lagunas Miniques and Miscanti, Toconao village, Socaire village, Laguna Chaxa, Machuca village.

19- VISIT EL TATIO, REPUBLIC OF CHILE

Visit El Tatio Geysers in Chile - South America Travel Guide

El Tatio are a 4320 m / 14173 ft geyser fields in Atacama Desert, right on the border with Bolivia, and north of San Pedro de Atacama. The 80 active geysers of El Tatio are the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere and the third largest in the world. The best is to get there the previous night so that you can visit the geyser early at dawn to profit from the amazing sunrise among smoke and volcanic calderas. You can get there by rent-a-car or by a organized tour out from San Pedro.

20- VISIT VALPARAISO, REPUBLIC OF CHILE

Visit Valparaisoin Chile - South America Travel Guide

Valparaiso is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site in Chile's coast. Valparaiso's colorful wooden built old city is great for walking and exploring. The city has 42 hills from which you have nice views of the picturesque hillside neighborhoods. Best sightseeing sites and monuments to visit Valparaiso are going on a funicular ride, Paseo Gervasoni, Cochrane street, Plaza Echaurren, San Francisco Church, Muelle Prat port, Baron Hill, Paseo 21 de Mayo, Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda's museum house.

21- VISIT PARQUE PINGUINO REY, REPUBLIC OF CHILE

Visit King Penguin Park in Tierra del Fuego Chile - South America Travel Guide

King Penguins are the second biggest penguin in the world. In 2009, a colony of 150 king penguins settle in a small protected beach of Bahía Unútil in the Chilean Tierra del Fuego. This King Penguin Colony stay there and lay eggs year round. You can visit the Parque Pinguino Rey by your own with rent-a-car from Ushuaia or Punta Arenas, or take a €80 euros / $115 dollars 10 hour tour departing from Punta Arenas.

22- VISIT VALDES PENINSULA, ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

Visit Valdes Peninsula in Argentina - South America Travel Guide

23- VISIT PERITO MORENO GLACIER, ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

Visit Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina - South America Travel Guide

For sure one of the most incredible places to visit in South America. The 30 km / 19 mi long Perito Moreno Glacier is breathtaking. You can walk along a marked wooden trail and enjoy this spectacle of Nature. One of visitors favorite activity is testing your patience and wait until a huge chunk of ice falls into the water.

24- VISIT PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL MONUMENT, ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

Visit Petrified Forest in Argentina - South America Travel Guide

The Petrified Forest National Monument is an amazing site in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. This park with petrified fossilized wood in Patagonia has petrified trees that measure more than 3 m / 10 ft in diameter and 30 m / 100 ft long. Incredible. Free entrance and you can walk without a guide. Getting there has to be done by rent-a-car.

25- VISIT CABO VIRGENES PENGUIN NATIONAL PARK, ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

Visit Cabo Virgenes Penguin Park in Argentina - South America Travel Guide

Do you want to see thousands of penguins? Go to Cabo Virgenes penguin National Park in Río Gallegos, southern Argentina. There is a nice trail among the nesting site of Magellanic Penguin. The great thing is that these animals are extremely curious, and although they're afraid of humans, their deep curiosity make a very close contact possible. Some even come to bite your pants or shoes.

26- VISIT CUEVA DE LAS MANOS, ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

Visit Cueva de las Manos in Argentina - South America Travel Guide

Cueva de las Manos is a 13000 year old art site included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Apart from the obviously outstanding rock paintings with hands, the surrounding volcanic rocky mountains are incredible. Cueva de las Manos is made with a very nice and comprehensive guided tour.

27- VISIT LETICIA, REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

Visit Leticia in Colombia - South America Travel Guide

The southernmost city in Colombia, deep down in the Amazon. The city itself doesn't offer much of activity apart from jungle tours, but you can enjoy the hundreds of noisy parrots in the central park, go to the market and cross to Peru and Brazil by motor pirogue just for fun. Leticia is one of the three cities on the triple Amazon Rain forest borders of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. The other two cities are Tabatinga and Santa Rosa de Yavari.

28- VISIT CUSCO, REPUBLIC OF PERU

Visit Cusco, Peru

29- VISIT MACHU PICCHU, REPUBLIC OF PERU

Visit Machu Picchu, Peru

30- VISIT OLLANTAYTAMBO, REPUBLIC OF PERU

Visit Ollantaytambo, Peru

31- VISIT SILLUSTANI, REPUBLIC OF PERU

Visit Sillustani, Peru

32- VISIT UROS FLOATING ISLANDS, REPUBLIC OF PERU

Visit Uros Floating Islands, Peru

33- VISIT LAKE TITICACA ISLANDS, PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA

Visit Isla de la Luna and Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca, Plurinational State of Bolivia

34- VISIT LA PAZ, PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA

Visit La Paz, Plurinational State of Bolivia

35- VISIT POTOSI, PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA

Visit Potosi, Plurinational State of Bolivia

This is it! El Dorado! Well, sort of. Potosi is not the legendary city of gold that the Conquistadores were looking for but it is its silver equivalent. The city sits at the foot of Cerro de Potosi, also called Cerro Rico, meaning “rich mountain”. It was founded in 1545 and shortly after became the largest industrial complex, making Spain an even richer country in the period of the New World Spanish Empire.

Potosi is located at 4,090m / 13,420ft and is one of the highest cities on earth. So, it was not easy to take the silver ore to Spain. It had to be carried by llama and mule until the Pacific coast, then shipped north to Panama City, again on mule to Nombre de Dios or Portobelo. Only then could it be taken into the Spanish treasure fleets that would navigate half across the world to Europe. Besides its interesting history, it’s worth visiting Potosi for the views, its churches, the colonial architecture and its nice people.

36- VISIT POTOSI SILVER MINES, PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA

Visit Silver Mines Potosi, Bolivia

The Potosi Silver Mines have been there for centuries. They’ve made the region a rich one, but the diminishing amounts of ore have brought decay. These days, there is still some mining going on, even though there’s not that much more to dig out. And people are most certainly not getting rich now.

The conditions in which the miners work are… awful. But since there’s not much to be done about it, I decided to visit the mines and help the economy a little bit while also bringing some supplies to the men inside the earth. The splintered wooden-framed entrance is not so impressive for the historic silver mine. Going down is quite an experience.

37- VISIT SUCRE, PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA

Visit Sucre, Plurinational State of Bolivia

Sucre (historically Charcas, La Plata and Chuquisaca) holds its grounds at 2,810m / 9,200ft in the south-central part of Bolivia. Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, this was the first capital of the country and remains its symbolic heart. In fact, La Paz is the seat of government and treasury but Sucre is recognized in the constitutions as the nation’s capital.

I think this is the most beautiful city in Bolivia. There are many well-preserved 16th century religious buildings that are a testimony of the mixture between local architectural traditions and those brought from Europe like the churches of San Lázaro, San Francisco and Santo Domingo. Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, Sucre was a good surprise for me.

38- VISIT SUCRE CRETACEOUS PARK, PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA

Visit Sucre Cretaceous Park, Bolivia

In reality, Sucre Cretaceous Park is a theme park. But one different from what we’re used to. It is set where more than 5,000 footprints and, so far, over 150 species of dinosaurs have been found. 65 million years ago these animals strolled around the area, once a forest with a lake.

You can’t wonder among the footprints, only examine the tracks with binoculars, listen to the tour guides explain what happened in the past, learn more about it in the audiovisual display and enjoy the life-size models of dinosaurs. But, still, it is great to identify the patterns of movement and imagine the big animals.

39- VISIT SAMAIPATA, PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA

Visit Samaipata, Plurinational State of Bolivia

Samaipata is a small village in the Florida Province of Bolivia situated in the foothills of the Andes, at an altitude of 1,600-1,800m / 5,250-5,900ft. The village itself has narrow cobbled streets and a lot of colonial buildings to see but its strategical location makes it the perfect place to stay while exploring the region. The highlights here are the Amboro National Park, El Codo de los Andes, a few waterfalls, lagoons and rapids. There are also well-preserved colonial towns nearby like Postrervalle, Vallegrande, Santiago del Valle, Pampagrande, Pucara,… And, of course, Sucre, Potosi and the Che Guevara route.

El Fuerte de Samaipata is a must-see in the village. It is an archaeological site with carvings on the rocky hill thought to have been the ceremonial center of the old town during the 14th to 16th centuries. Its World Heritage distinction by UNESCO is due to being a unique evidence of pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs in the Americas. South of that same hill there was the administrative and residential district.

40- VISIT ASUNCION, REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY

Visit Asuncion, Republic of Paraguay

Asunción, or better, Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay, founded in 1537. At a certain point, the city became the colonial capital of southern South America, which you can still see in the belle epoque buildings with decorated facades and balconies.

The center of Asunción is simple but beautiful, especially in Calle Palma. The people are really friendly, especially those who take it slow in the shady plazas. If you want to get in deeper in the city’s piece of history and culture, visit the Godoi Museum, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Church of La Encarnación, the National Pantheon of the Heroes, the Palacio de los López, the Casa de la Independencia and the old Senate building.

41- VISIT TRINIDAD, REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY

Visit Trinidad, Republic of Paraguay

The small town of Trinidad, in the south of Paraguay, is home to the Jesuit Mission La Misión de la Santísima Trinidad de Paraná, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. This is an excellent representation of the Christianization led by the Jesuits in more than 30 missions in the Río de la Plata basin throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Mission La Misión de la Santísima Trinidad de Paraná is well preserved for its age. We can see the walls and its columns, as well as a few decorative motifs and images. The buildings still partially standing are the main church, a small church, college or school, cloister, cemeteries, kitchen gardens, belfry, native houses and workshops.

42- VISIT IGUAZU FALLS, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL

Visit Iguazu Falls, Federal Republic of Brazil

The thrilling Iguazu Falls are part of Argentina and Brazil. Actually, they constitute a bit of the border between these two countries in South America. The massive crack on the ground through which the waters from the Iguazu River dive were created by a volcanic eruption. Actually, we’re talking about not just one but 275 cascading falls across 3.2km / 2mi in a horseshoe shape.

I was truly impressed by the Iguazu Falls and the marvellous rainbows that the falling water create. What a view! The spray goes all around us and into the subtropical rainforest of Iguazu National Park, on the Brazilian side. Considered World Heritage by UNESCO since 1984, the falls well deserve the title. I loved them.