18 Unforgettable South American Destinations You Need to Experience

Picking the best places to visit in South America feels like trying to choose between your favorite songs – each one hits differently, but they’re all worth playing on repeat. This continent is packed with incredible spots, from the misty peaks of the Andes to the endless stretches of Amazon rainforest, and from buzzing cities to quiet colonial towns where time seems to stand still. You could spend months exploring just one country and still find new hidden gems around every corner.

After countless miles logged across the continent, I’ve pulled together a list that covers the spectrum of what makes South America special. I looked beyond just the famous postcard views (though those made the cut too!) and considered what makes each place truly unique – the local culture, the food scene, the history, and yes, those unforgettable landscapes.

Whether you’re dreaming of your first South American adventure or planning a return trip to explore more deeply, these 18 destinations showcase the incredible diversity this continent has to offer. Fair warning: reading this list might make you want to book a flight immediately.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Ever wondered what it feels like to walk through an ancient city in the clouds? That’s exactly what you’ll experience at Machu Picchu, the famous Incan citadel perched high in Peru’s Andes Mountains. Built in the 15th century and hidden from the world for hundreds of years, this UNESCO World Heritage site sits 7,970 feet above sea level, where misty mountains create an almost magical backdrop. The well-preserved stone architecture tells stories of Incan life, with terraced fields that once grew crops and intricate temples that tracked the movement of the stars. You can reach it via train and bus from Cusco, or challenge yourself with the classic four-day Inca Trail trek through the mountains.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for its famous Copacabana Beach, but this Brazilian metropolis offers much more than just sandy shores. The city seamlessly blends urban life with natural wonders, from the towering Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain to the lush Tijuca National Park. During February, the Rio Carnival fills the streets with samba dancing and colorful parades, but you’ll find the city’s infectious energy and warm culture on display year-round, whether you’re exploring the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood or catching the cable car to Sugar Loaf Mountain for sweeping views of the bay.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

If you want to get up close with rare wildlife, the Galapagos Islands are calling your name. Located 600 miles off Ecuador’s coast, this volcanic archipelago is home to species you won’t find anywhere else on Earth – from giant tortoises and marine iguanas to blue-footed boobies and Darwin’s famous finches.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Of all the surreal landscapes I’ve encountered in South America, nothing compares to the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. This massive salt flat stretches over 4,000 square miles, creating what looks like an endless white desert that merges with the horizon. During the rainy season, a thin layer of water transforms the salt flat into the world’s largest mirror, reflecting the sky so perfectly that you can’t tell where the earth ends and heaven begins. It’s not the easiest place to reach – you’ll need to join a 4×4 tour from the nearby town of Uyuni – but those who make the journey find themselves in a place that feels more like another planet than our own Earth.

Torres del Paine, Chile

Deep in Chilean Patagonia lies Torres del Paine, a national park that’s become the crown jewel of South America’s outdoor destinations. Like other mountain regions, it has its peaks, glaciers, and hiking trails, but what sets it apart are the three granite towers that pierce the sky like ancient guardians. The park’s landscape feels almost surreal – imagine turquoise lakes reflecting snowy mountains, while guanacos (relatives of llamas) graze peacefully in golden grasslands. Because of its remote location and pristine wilderness, Torres del Paine attracts both casual visitors and serious trekkers, who come to tackle the famous W Trek or catch glimpses of elusive pumas. The changing Patagonian weather means you might experience four seasons in a single day, making every visit unique.

Cartagena, Colombia

Locals always recommend starting your Cartagena adventure in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site wrapped in 16th-century stone walls. Walking through the narrow streets lined with colonial buildings splashed in yellow, pink, and blue, you’ll discover charming plazas, historic churches, and countless balconies draped with bougainvillea flowers.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil

Straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu Falls is where nature really shows off what it can do. Made up of 275 separate waterfalls spanning nearly 2 miles, it’s the kind of place that makes you feel tiny in comparison. Unlike other famous waterfalls that you view from just one spot, here you can walk along platforms that weave through the jungle, getting close enough to feel the mist on your face. The Brazilian side gives you those perfect panoramic views, while the Argentine side lets you get right up to the falls themselves. The surrounding rainforest is home to toucans, monkeys, and jaguars, though spotting that last one is pretty rare. What makes Iguazu special isn’t just the water – it’s how the falls seem to be perfectly nestled into the wild, untamed jungle around them.

Amazon Rainforest, Brazil

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Earth’s largest rainforest, the Amazon in Brazil is calling your name. Covering over 2 million square miles, this vast wilderness is home to one-third of all known species, from colorful toucans to curious monkeys swinging through the canopy. Visitors can base themselves in Manaus, taking guided boat trips along winding rivers, hiking through dense jungle paths, and spending nights in eco-lodges where the symphony of forest sounds creates an unforgettable natural soundtrack.

Easter Island, Chile

Step into a world of mystery on Easter Island, home to nearly 900 ancient stone statues called moai. These massive stone figures, some reaching up to 33 feet tall, stand guard along the coastline and inland areas of this remote Chilean island. You can spend days exploring the various archaeological sites, with Rano Raraku and Ahu Tongariki offering the most impressive collections of these stone sentinels. For a deeper dive into the island’s history, visit the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum, where you’ll learn about the fascinating Rapa Nui culture and the theories behind how these massive statues were moved and erected.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

From its colorful La Boca neighborhood to the passionate tango dancers in San Telmo, Buenos Aires has a way of pulling you into its unique rhythm. This Argentine capital blends European elegance with Latin American soul, where century-old cafes sit alongside modern art galleries, and locals gather for late-night asados (barbecues) in their homes. The city moves to its own schedule – dinner starts at 10 PM, tango clubs come alive after midnight, and morning mate rituals bring friends together in the city’s many parks. It’s not a place that reveals itself quickly – you’ll need to slow down, join the locals for long conversations over coffee, and embrace the art of doing nothing in particular, just like a true porteño (Buenos Aires local).

Cusco, Peru

Many travelers journey to Cusco for Machu Picchu, the famous Incan citadel high in the Andes, but this destination offers much more than just ancient ruins. The former capital of the Inca Empire sits at 11,152 feet above sea level and serves as a gateway to several archaeological wonders including the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain. In the bustling Plaza de Armas, you’ll find a mix of Spanish colonial architecture and Incan stone walls, while the nearby San Pedro Market gives you a taste of daily local life. Though most visitors use Cusco as a jumping-off point for Machu Picchu treks, the city’s rich history, traditional festivals, and excellent food scene make it worth extending your stay.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

I always tell nature lovers to put Fernando de Noronha at the top of their Brazil bucket list. Located about 220 miles off Brazil’s northeastern coast, this volcanic archipelago is home to some of South America’s best beaches and clearest waters. The main island features pristine bays where you can swim with sea turtles and dolphins, while the surrounding waters attract experienced divers hoping to spot rays and reef sharks.

Lake Titicaca, Peru/Bolivia

Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca sits proudly at 12,500 feet above sea level as South America’s largest lake. Like a window into the past, the lake’s waters lap against the shores of islands where indigenous communities maintain centuries-old traditions. The Uros people still live on floating islands made entirely of reeds, while on Taquile Island, men in colorful ponchos walk the hills knitting as they go – a tradition passed down through generations. What makes this place truly special isn’t just its size or height, but how the local communities have preserved their way of life. From the traditional reed boats bobbing in the blue waters to the ancient agricultural terraces climbing the hillsides, Lake Titicaca feels like a living museum where modern life and ancient customs exist side by side.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

I first encountered Angel Falls deep in Venezuela’s Canaima National Park in 2018. The world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall plunges 3,212 feet down the face of Auyantepui Mountain, creating a spectacle that seems almost impossible to believe. The indigenous Pemon people call it Kerepakupai Merú, meaning “fall from the highest point,” and watching the water cascade down the dark cliff face, it’s easy to see why. Getting here requires a river journey by dugout canoe, passing through dense jungle and misty gorges. The falls often disappear into clouds, but when the weather clears, you can see the water transform into a fine mist before it even reaches the bottom. The base pool and surrounding Devil’s Canyon have become popular spots for adventurous travelers, though most are content to view this natural wonder from the air in small planes that circle the falls.

Atacama Desert, Chile

Of all the places I’ve visited in Chile, none feel quite as otherworldly as the Atacama Desert. This lunar-like landscape stretches across northern Chile, where salt flats sparkle under the sun and geysers shoot steam into the clearest skies in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s a place where you can float in salt lagoons during the day and stargaze through powerful telescopes at night, thanks to some of the world’s best astronomical viewing conditions. While it might be the driest non-polar desert on Earth, it’s far from lifeless – pink flamingos wade through shallow lakes, and hardy plants dot the red rock valleys. A visit here isn’t your typical desert experience, but that’s exactly what makes it so special.

Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil

Have you ever watched a jaguar stalk its prey through wetlands teeming with life? That’s a regular scene in Brazil’s Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland area stretching across an area larger than France. This natural wonderland offers the highest concentration of wildlife in South America, making it easier to spot jaguars here than anywhere else on Earth. You can glide down rivers in small boats to see giant river otters playing in the water, or trek through grasslands where hundreds of bird species, including the striking hyacinth macaw, fill the skies. The Pantanal’s open landscapes, unlike the dense Amazon rainforest, give visitors front-row seats to nature’s daily show.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

Feel the raw power of nature when you visit Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers left on Earth. This massive wall of ice stretches over 3 miles wide and towers nearly 200 feet above the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino. Watch from viewing platforms as chunks of ice dramatically crack and crash into the water below, or get up close on a boat tour that circles the glacier’s face. For a real adventure, strap on some crampons and join a guided ice trek across the glacier’s surface, where you can peer into deep blue crevasses and even sip glacier-chilled mate, Argentina’s favorite drink.

Sacred Valley, Peru

Many travelers come to the Sacred Valley for its well-preserved Incan ruins, but this region offers much more than just ancient archaeological sites. Located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the valley features traditional villages like Pisac and Ollantaytambo where local markets and authentic Peruvian culture thrive. The fertile valley floor supports farms growing everything from corn to quinoa, while the surrounding mountains create perfect conditions for hiking and mountain biking. Though most visitors pass through on their way to Machu Picchu, those who spend a few days here discover quiet trails, lesser-known ruins, and small communities where ancient traditions continue unchanged.