What an impressive list! Globe Aware volunteers, we have plenty of program destinations included—check them out for your next volunteer vacation!
25 Best Places to Visit in South America
By Amanda Ogle
March 13, 2025
Travel + Leisure
As a full-time travel writer, work has taken me across South America, from mysterious Machu Picchu and strikingly beautiful Patagonia to sprawling vineyards beneath the Andes Mountains and bustling capital cities such as Lima, Santiago, and Buenos Aires. Whether you want to see wildlife in the lush Amazon, idle away on a remote beach, or explore metropolitan cities, South America has it all.
Choosing only 25 must-see spots in an entire continent is a challenge, but after consulting with Harry Hastings, the founder and director of Plan South America, and Emmanuel Burgio, president of luxury travel company Blue Parallel, we’ve compiled a list of the best 25 places to visit in South America.
At the top of every adventurer’s list is Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
1 Machu Picchu, Peru
At the top of every adventurer’s list is Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to impressively preserved 15th-century Incan ruins. Set where the Peruvian Andes meet the Amazon Basin, its location is spectacular. Walk through the ruins and discover stone terraces and temples amid mountains, peaks, and valleys. Some speculate the site was built as a royal estate, but the true purpose remains unknown.
Sitting at over 11,000 feet above sea level, Cusco was the capital of the Incan Empire from the 12th century through the 16th century
2 Cusco, Peru
Sitting at over 11,000 feet above sea level, Cusco was the capital of the Incan Empire from the 12th century through the 16th century when it was conquered by Spain. Stroll the city and see ancient Incan architecture mixed with baroque Spanish temples and monasteries. Shop for souvenirs and fresh produce in the vibrant San Pedro Market, and visit Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun, which was one of the most sacred buildings in the Incan empire. Emmanuel Burgio, who has been coordinating South America travel for more than 20 years, recommends having cocktails near the tower of the historic San Cristobal Church: “You can enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over the historic center and Plaza de Armas.”
Between Cusco and Machu Picchu is the Sacred Valley, where Andean culture comes to life in the form of textiles, gastronomy, and ample nature.
3 Sacred Valley, Peru
Between Cusco and Machu Picchu is the Sacred Valley, where Andean culture comes to life in the form of textiles, gastronomy, and ample nature. Find a chicha stand and sip on the ancient Incan beverage or buy hand-woven fabrics and textiles to support local artisans. Bike tours take you through traditional villages to experience rural life, and Incan ruins give additional context to Machu Picchu. Burgio recommends taking a horseback ride along the trails on Peruvian Paso horses, a unique breed known for their smooth gait.
The colors of Rainbow Mountain were only discovered about 10 years ago, as melting snow revealed its 14 different striped hues of turquoise, gold, purple, green, red, and more.
4 Rainbow Mountain, Peru
The colors of Rainbow Mountain were only discovered about 10 years ago, as melting snow revealed its 14 different striped hues of turquoise, gold, purple, green, red, and more. Since then, tourism here has exploded, with adventurers making the trek up 16,000 feet to see this natural wonder created by mineral sediment. Access to Rainbow Mountain is granted only with an official tour company with permission to access it, so book with a respected company.
5 Lima, Peru
“The City That Never Sleeps” title should really go to Lima, as Peru’s capital city buzzes day and night. Sip a pisco sour and search for your favorite ceviche shop or see the vast ancient pottery collection at Museo Larco. Life unfolds along the waterfront promenades, and street art is found everywhere, especially in the Barranco neighborhood. In the Miraflores neighborhood, visit Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial center from the ancient Lima people dating to the year 400.
At 12,500 feet above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, located in the Andes between Peru and Bolivia.
6 Lake Titicaca
At 12,500 feet above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, located in the Andes between Peru and Bolivia. Dozens of man-made islands offer a glimpse into Indigenous life here, and stunning views of the Andes are found everywhere.
7 Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
In Chile’s Patagonia region, Torres del Paine is a must-visit spot for adventure and luxury travelers alike. The park’s rugged mountains, glaciers, and valleys create a postcard experience, paired with hiking, camping, glacier treks, and horseback riding experiences. Wildlife spotting is superb here, with guanacos, pumas, Andean condors, and Chilean flamingoes. Harry Hastings, the founder and director of Plan South America, recommends a late November or April visit, as it ensures plenty of color in the landscape, good weather, and fewer people on trails.
8 Santiago, Chile
Chile’s capital is nestled in a valley surrounded by the Andes Mountains, and the bustling city is a must-see for anyone going to Chile. For nightlife, the Bellavista neighborhood is a must, and those who love to try local cuisine should tour the Central Market. Take a walk through the Metropolitan Park, the city’s biggest natural area, and stop at San Cristóbal Hill for sprawling views of the city below.
9 Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert might sound like something to skip over in Chile, but it is worthy of a trip for its vast, otherworldly landscapes. Visit San Pedro de Atacama for hot springs, Chilean restaurants, and local shopping, or head to the Altiplano for llama spotting, salt flats, and blue lagoons.
10 Easter Island, Chile
Technically part of Chile, Easter Island is a remote volcanic island in Polynesia famous for its 1,043 giant stone statues, called moai, that are scattered throughout the island. These statues were created by Polynesians from the 13th through 16th centuries and are believed to have been made to represent the spirits of ancestral chiefs, who inhabitants believed descended from the gods.
11 Maipo Valley, Chile
As one of Chile’s most celebrated wine regions, the Maipo Valley is a stunning escape from Santiago city life, with the snow-capped Andes Mountains surrounding lush vineyards and wide-open spaces. The area has more than 7,300 acres of vineyards, with more than half dedicated to producing cabernet sauvignon or cabernet blends. Vines were first planted here in the 1500s, and today, the valley is full of wine tasting opportunities.
12 Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The Salar de Uyuni is the world’s biggest salt flat, made from prehistoric lakes that evaporated over time, leaving behind a crusty, salty landscape pocked with polygon shapes of crystallized salt. Travelers make the trip here each year for one-of-a-kind photos, visits to the Train Cemetery, geyser viewing, and camping opportunities.
13 Amazon Rain Forest
Extending through Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, the Amazon rain forest is the world’s largest tropical rain forest, known for its biodiversity. New species are discovered here regularly, and the rain forest is home to about 10 percent of all wildlife species. River cruises and jungle lodges are the best ways to experience this natural treasure.
14 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Known for its famous beaches, Rio de Janeiro is a favorite Brazilian city for its laid-back attitude and festive atmosphere. “Rio is thoroughly intoxicating—cool, sexy, frivolous, and wildly atmospheric. It was the most dramatic setting of any city I know,” says Hastings. See the 98-foot-tall Christ the Redeemer statue that lords over the city or take a cable car up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. A visit during Carnival season ensures plenty of showy costumes, samba dancers, and dazzling parades.
15 Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park, Brazil
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park is an archipelago with pristine beaches, teal waters, and abundant wildlife. It has some of the best diving in Brazil, and you can spot sea turtles and dolphins in the unspoiled waters. Limited accommodations and a required park pass help keep this haven uncrowded. Burgio suggests taking a speedboat tour along the coastline while you fish for your lunch.
16 Iguazu Falls
A huge tourist attraction in both Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu Falls is the world’s largest waterfall, made up of almost 300 smaller waterfalls. At nearly two miles wide, Iguazu Falls is three times wider than Niagara Falls, with waterfalls up to 270 feet tall. A subtropical rain forest surrounds the falls and is home to jaguars, caimans, tapirs, ocelots, and howler monkeys.
17 Pantanal
Spread through Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay, the Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland in the world at 42 million acres. It’s home to the largest concentration of crocodiles in the world, plus one of the highest densities of jaguars (which hunt the crocodiles) anywhere. Travelers flock to the Pantanal to see these creatures, plus hyacinth macaws, anteaters, toucans, capybaras, and maned wolves.
18 Cartagena, Colombia
Colorful colonial architecture and the walled 16th-century Old Town are favorites in Cartagena, a port city along Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. Meander down the cobblestone streets and find breezy rooftop bars, late-night salsa dancing, and ceviche spots you’ll return to again and again. Tour the 17th-century Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress or trek up to La Popa Convent for views of the city.
19 Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Off the Ecuadorean coast, the Galapagos Islands are an archipelago full of interesting wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Here, visitors can observe the islands’ various finches, which have beaks that differ depending on food sources and island conditions, plus swimming marine iguanas, giant tortoises, and the three species of boobies that inhabit the islands.
20 Baños, Ecuador
As the gateway to the Amazon, Baños is full of waterfalls, forests, and hot springs. The Swing at the End of the World attracts thrill seekers and influencers alike, as it sits on the side of a mountain and gives you views of the active Tungurahua volcano. There’s mountain biking, bungee jumping, waterfall hikes, and river rafting here, too.
21 Quito, Ecuador
Founded by the Spanish on the ruins of an Incan city, Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world, sitting at 9,350 feet. It has the best-preserved historic center in Latin America, with buzzing squares, narrow streets, and architecture dating to the 1500s. You’ll discover more than 40 churches in the historic center, and numerous vantage points of the city from cable cars and hikes.
22 Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
In Los Glaciares National Park, the Perito Moreno Glacier is a stunning ice wall descending into Lake Argentino. It spans about 100 square miles, reaching heights of 255 feet. “Guests can embark on a short boat ride across the bay before experiencing an ice-trekking excursion on the majestic glacier itself, crossing towering ice peaks, huge crevasses, turquoise creeks, and icy lagoons with a specialized guide,” says Burgio.
23 Mendoza, Argentina
Oenophiles love Mendoza, Argentina’s wine country known for its malbecs and other bold red wines. Take a winery tour—on foot, horseback, or bike—or go shopping on Avenida Las Heras for fine leather goods. Calle Aristides Villanueva is full of nightlife and restaurants, and cooking classes are abundant, giving you the opportunity to make your own Argentinian steak and empanadas. Brugio recommends visiting vineyards and wineries in the Luján Valley and Uco Valley. “Private tours and tastings with enologists and vineyard owners are the best way to understand the wine and the creation process.”
24 Buenos Aires, Argentina
The capital of Argentina is full of life, from late-night tango dancing to lazy café conversations and soccer games found everywhere. Corrientes Avenue is where you’ll find theater and music, and the Plaza de Mayo, in the heart of the city, is flanked by 19th-century buildings like Casa Rosada, the storied presidential palace. Visit the leafy Palermo neighborhood for cafés and local life, or head to the San Telmo neighborhood for the sprawling Sunday market.
25 Punta del Este, Uruguay
On the Atlantic Coast, Punta del Este includes a string of beaches that are not only beautiful, but fit for everyone, depending on what you’re looking for. Calm waters and a family atmosphere are found at Playa Mansa, while Playa Brava has rougher waters great for surfing. Delicious eats and beach clubs are found on shore.
