There is no shortage of amazing things to do in South America during your visit and the biggest problem you’ll face is fitting them all into your itinerary. Trust us, we’ve been there!
Each country has its own offering and unique things to check out during a visit, so be sure to look at our country guides once you decide where you’re itinerary will take you.
FLY TO EASTER ISLAND: While it’s not widely known, Easter Island is actually part of Chile. At least politically anyways. This means that the remote island is accessible from Santiago by air. Once you arrive, you’ll spend your days in the Rapa Nui National Park learning about the famous Moai statues and Rapa Nui culture of the island. It’s well worth the time and expense to add this to your South America travel itinerary. Hot tip, plan at least a week (we stayed for 9 days!) as the weather can be unpredictable.
EXPLORE THE ATACAMA DESERT: One of the most famous places to visit in Chile is the Atacama Desert. Here you can discover towering volcanoes, desolate salt pans, active geysers, vast cactus fields, massive flocks of pink flamingos, to name a few. Not to mention that it’s one of the best places in the world to view the sky. You’ll want to base yourself in San Pedro de Atacama, a cute tourist town that gives you comfortable access to the entire area.
VISIT THE END OF THE EARTH IN USHUAIA: The official jumping-off point for trips to Antarctica, Ushuaia is literally at the end of the world. The town technically sits in a part of Patagonia, but you have to travel north before you get into the mountains. The town is rich in explorer history and you also have direct access to the Tierra del Fuego National Park too.
SEE MACHU PICCHU: Visiting Machu Picchu is easily the most visited site in South America and with good reason. It’s not only set in a stunning natural setting but offers you an intimate look into the Inca life and architecture. As a bonus, Cusco offers plenty of things to do including the Sacred Valley. This site alone makes Peru one of the top destinations to visit on the continent.
DISCOVER BOGOTA: Despite the bad rap that Colombia often gets in the media, it has some intriguing destinations to discover within its borders including the capital city of Bogota. The first trip I ever took to South America was to Bogota (I know, that’s weird and unconventional) and I’ll admit I was shocked by the rich culture and beauty of the city and surrounding area.
UNVEIL THE WONDERS OF RIO DE JANEIRO: The first day we spent in Rio de Janeiro solidified the city on our list of favorite places in the world. Rio is diverse, cultural, historical and naturally stunning. No other city combines these elements in perfect harmony like this one and there are loads of things to do in Rio de Janeiro to boot.
SEE IGUAZU FALLS: The largest waterfall in the world, Iguazu Falls, can be accessed from both Brazil and Argentina. Set within a lush rainforest setting, these falls are stunning to visit. Both sides offer infrastructure to explore and view the falls safely. You’ll need at least 2 days, one for each side, but could easily spend 3 if you wanted to do everything available in the area.
VISIT THE WORLDS LARGEST WETLANDS: Boasting a land area the size of France, the Pantanal in Brazil is a sight to behold. It’s also the best place in the world to view jaguars and with it a whole host of tropical birds. This area is remote and it is best visited by booking an all-inclusive safari package with a lodge that will include all your meals, lodging and wildlife viewing.
STAND IN AWE AT THE PERITO MORENO GLACIER: The Perito Moreno Glacier, situated within the Los Glaciares National Park, is Patagonia’s most famous glacier and is regarded as one of the top tourist attractions in Argentina. You can base yourself in El Calafate and then take the bus to explore this massive natural wonder. Be sure to go early and stay all day. There are miles of hiking trails that give you varying vantage points of the glacier, as well as boat tours to get close too.
OVERLAND THE HIGH CHILEAN ALTIPLANO: If you seek an off-the-beaten path adventure, then overlanding from Salta to the Atacama Desert will give you just that. Starting in Salta, Argentina, you’ll make your way west, spending hours each day hiking in the desert and uncovering the history of the area before making your way to luxury infused base camps. You’ll cross over the Andes Mountains, experiencing altitude that will shock you, before descending to San Pedro de Atacama for a luxurious stay at the Explora Atacama property.