South America covers an area of over 17,840,000 square kilometers (6,890,000 sq miles). It consists of 12 countries and is home to many diverse civilizations and indigenous communities with histories that stretch for centuries, all the way back before the arrival of Europeans.
With such a large area, diverse populations, and amazing cultures, it can be quite overwhelming to pick the best places to visit when you are planning your first trip to South America.
Well, don't worry. I've got your back. After spending over 6 months traveling around South America by land, I have decided to compile a list of the best places to visit in South America based on my personal experiences.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the 20 best places to visit in South America on a map:
- Best Places to Visit in South America Map
- 1. Medellin, Colombia
- 2. Cartagena, Colombia
- 3. Salento, Colombia
- 4. The Amazon Forest
- 5. The Galapagos Island, Ecuador
- 6. Cuenca, Ecuador
- 7. Huaraz, Peru
- 8. Huacachina, Peru
- 9. Cusco, Peru
- 10. Machu Picchu, Peru
- 11. Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
- 12. The Atacama Desert, Chile
- 13. Valparaiso, Chile
- 14. Easter Island, Chile
- 15. Torres del Paine, Chile
- 16. El Chalten, Argentina
- 17. El Calafate, Argentina
- 18. Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 19. Iguazu Falls, Argentina
- 20. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- South America Travel Videos
- Further Reading for South America
Best Places to Visit in South America Map
1. Medellin, Colombia
First on the list is Medellin, a city that displays the fun culture of Colombia front and center with all the salsa dancing workshops and clubs you can attend, plenty of beautiful trails to hike, and tons and tons of coffee shops to visit.
It is also known as the place that was the stage of the drug lord, Pablo Escobar, and his reign of terror, which was featured in a popular Netflix series, Narcos. You will find many remnants of Pablo Escobar left from that era all over Medellin. In fact, you can even go on one of the many Pablo Escobar tours and visit these places to see them with your own eyes.
From the free Salsa Workshop to all the nature to be had in Medellin, it's hard not to fall in love with this city. If you're looking for a great place to visit in South America, be sure to drop by Medellin.
2. Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena is a colonial city on the northern coast of Colombia. It is possibly one of the most photogenic colonial towns in Colombia, full of stunning architecture, colorful streets, and an abundance of delicious fresh food in which you can indulge yourself.
Around the old town area, you will find many beautiful colonial architectures from the Walls of Cartagena to the colorful Cartagena Cathedral. You can also sit and relax at many outdoor restaurants around Plaza Santo Domingo or shop for some souvenirs at Las Bóvedas Market.
For a more tropical and laid-back experience in Colombia, Cartagena is definitely worth a visit. You can also do several side trips from Cartagena, such as visiting Santa Marta, Tayrona National Park, or tackling the 5-day-long Lost City Trek. All in all, you can spend anywhere from 2-3 days in Cartagena if you wish to do everything the city has to offer.
3. Salento, Colombia
Salento is where the adventure is in Colombia. Salento is home to the wonderful Valle del Cocora (Cocora Valley) where you will be able to hike among all these high palm trees that are unique to this region. Honestly, I have never seen anything quite like it.
To do justice to Salento, you will have to spend at least 2 nights in Salento and spend your entire day hiking the loop trail at Valle del Cocora up to the Finca Acaime where you can rest, have a nice warm coffee break, and observe the beautiful hummingbirds up close.
The trail should continue down towards Cocora Valley, where you will find all the high palm trees spread across an open valley. It really is one of the most beautiful sights in Colombia, and Salento definitely deserves a spot on the list of places you want to visit in South America.
4. The Amazon Forest
Being able to go bushwhacking around the Amazon Rainforest, seeing an actual anaconda eating birds, and learning about the Amazon culture of the Indigenous people living off this untamed rainforest is one of the best things you can do in South America, and it would be a shame to not include this on this list.
The Amazon Rainforest covers an area of 5,500,000 square km (2,100,000 square miles) across 9 countries. Some of the easiest places to visit the Amazon Forest are Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador, which have excellent tourist infrastructure to support us visitors.
The tours of the Amazon Forest often include staying in a treehouse lodge, traversing the rivers of the Amazon, visiting Indigenous villages, going on night safaris, and bushwhacking through the Amazon Forest in search of Anaconda.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should not miss when you are in South America. I personally went to the Amazon Forest in Ecuador, but you can also do it from Peru or Brazil as well.
5. The Galapagos Island, Ecuador
Visiting the Galapagos will be one of the best trips you will ever make in your life. You will probably see more wildlife on the Galapagos Islands than in a year of traveling elsewhere. Sure, it is expensive, but trust me, you will not regret it. There's no place in the world that is quite like the Galapagos.
You will be swimming with sea turtles, seals, and sharks while walking around an island full of birds and iguanas. Get up close to nature without these wonderful animals running away.
They are so accustomed to the perfect conditions of the Galapagos that the sight of humans strolling around them no longer scares them, which is something you don't see every day.
You can book one of the many Galapagos Island Cruises that fit your schedule best. I recommend you take the 6-day cruise or longer so that you will have time to explore the more remote islands of the Galapagos, where the majority of wildlife is.
6. Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca is an old Spanish settlement that was founded in the 16th Century during the colonial period of South America. With such a rich history and strong European influence, you will be able to see some of the most photogenic European-style architecture in the country here.
Walking around Cuenca reminded me of the time I was in Seville, Spain. Unlike other cities in Ecuador, Cuenca has a vibrant and laid-back vibe, making it one of the best places to take a break from the bustling cities of Quito and Guayaquil.
From the iconic architecture of Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción to the beautiful nature at Cajas National Park, expect to spend at least 2-3 nights in Cuenca before you continue your journey in Ecuador.
7. Huaraz, Peru
Huaraz is my favorite hiking place in South America, hands down. The most beautiful parts of the Andes Mountains are located right here in Huaraz, and if you are into hiking, there is no better place to be in South America than here.
Due to its proximity to the Andes Mountains, you will have plenty of options when it comes to hiking trails. For a day trip, you can spend a day and hike to Laguna 69, one of the best day hikes you can do in Peru.
If you are looking for a more adventurous activity to do in Huaraz, you can go on an ice climbing tour, hike the 4-day Santa Cruz trail, or spend 10 days trekking the Huayhuash Trail, which is considered to be one of the best hikes in the world.
Even if you are not into hiking, there are several day trips you can make to visit many beautiful nature spots such as the Pastoruri Glacier. You can also spend a day relaxing in the mountain town of Huaraz where there is no shortage of beautiful mountain view cafes and restaurants for you to indulge yourself in.
8. Huacachina, Peru
Huacachina is a photogenic oasis town in Ica where you can spend a day relaxing by the small oasis lake, hiking around the sand dunes, and watching the sunset over the desert landscape of Ica.
Ica is also close to Nazca, a small town where you will be able to take to the sky and fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines. Since Ica is located between Lima and Cusco, the place makes for a great natural stop before you make your way to Cusco and beyond.
9. Cusco, Peru
Cusco is one stunning city, but it's a hell of a ride to get to and from. The city is located up in the Andes Mountains at around 3,600 m above sea level, and it took me 15 hours to travel by land from Nazca to Cusco.
to help acclimate to the high altitude. First, make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Additionally, try to avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these can worsen altitude sickness symptoms. Rest and take it easy for the first few days to give your body time to adjust. Take short walks and gradually increase your physical activity as you feel more comfortable. Finally, consider chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea, as they are believed to help alleviate altitude sickness. With these precautions, you can fully enjoy your time in Cusco without being affected by the altitude.
From visiting the main square (Plaza De Armas) and walking around the crisscrossing streets of Cusco and up the San Cristobal church, to going on a day trip and hiking the Rainbow Mountain, Cusco is a must-visit city when you are in South America.
10. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu needs no introduction from me. It is one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and it is the main reason why many travelers wouldn't mind tolerating the 15-hour bus ride to Cusco so that they could see this place with their own eyes.
There are several ways you can travel to Machu Picchu. Many opt for a 4-day hike to Machu Picchu, which is one of the best ways to get there. If you are not into hiking, you can also take a train there as well.
Machu Picchu is massive, and you can spend from 4 to 7 hours just hiking along one of the many trails and checking out all the viewpoints inside. Most people will do it as a day trip in Cusco, so expect to spend at least 3-4 nights there if you wish to spend some time in Machu Picchu.
11. Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
And now we arrive at one of the best places to visit in South America, Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world and one of the places in South America that leaves you speechless the moment you see it with your own eyes.
To travel to Salar de Uyuni, you will have to get to Uyuni, the frontier town right on the edge of the salt flat where you can take one of the many Uyuni tours and traverse the vast space of this magnificent natural wonder.
Most Uyuni Tours will include a visit to the Locomotive Graveyard, spending a night at a hotel made from salt, visiting all the colorful lakes and psychedelic landscapes around the salt flat, and many more. I highly recommend you get a 3-day Uyuni tour which should give you ample time to see all the highlights of Salar de Uyuni in one go.
12. The Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert is a vast desert area located in the northern part of Chile, adjacent to Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, and it is one of the best places to visit in Chile.
The Atacama Desert is surrounded by beautiful alien-like landscapes such as Valle de la Luna and Lagunas Altiplanicas. With its extremely dry desert climate and clear sky, the Atacama Desert is home to the Very Large Telescope that you can visit. And yes, that is its official name.
The main tourist city in the Atacama Desert is San Pedro de Atacama, from where most day trips and tours often depart. Another big city that you can spend some time in is Antofagasta, where you can visit the art installation Hand of the Desert and the Very Large Telescope.
As you can see, there is plenty to see in the Atacama Desert. Expect to spend around 3 nights in San Pedro and 2 nights in Antofagasta if you wish to see all the tourist attractions here.
13. Valparaiso, Chile
Valparaiso is a small city located just 100 km away from Santiago, the capital city of Chile. Due to its proximity to the coast, Valparaiso is a popular destination for both tourists and locals looking to escape the bustling capital city and enjoy the laid-back vibe of the city.
Valparaiso is also known for its colorful street art, and it is best explored on foot. You can spend hours walking around the crisscrossing streets of Valparaiso, discovering all the beautiful graffiti and murals that spread across the city.
Valparaiso is a great place to visit for 2-3 nights before you continue on and explore the rest of Chile. It is often a place travelers would visit for a nice, sunny vacation before they embark on the journey to Chilean Patagonia and beyond.
14. Easter Island, Chile
Easter Island will be one of the highlights of your trip to South America. It is one of the most remote islands in the world and is home to the famous Moai head statues of the Rapa Nui that are spread across Easter Island.
Its interesting culture, vibrant landscapes, and friendly people are unlike any other place in South America. If you are able to align your visit to the annual Tapati Festival around the beginning of February, you will be rewarded with one of the rawest and heart-pounding experiences you will ever have in your life.
The festival often consists of traditional sports competitions during the day and intense and fun music and dance performances by the locals at night for 14 days straight. It is one of the most memorable experiences I had in Chile, and it is not to be missed.
There are also many natural wonders on the island, such as the Orongo Crater, or man-made attractions like the statues of Ahu Tongariki, which is the best sunrise spot on the island, and Rano Raraku, where all the moai heads were made.
To truly experience what Easter Island has to offer, you will need to spend at least 5 days on the island, rent a bike or an ATV, and venture out to explore all the beautiful natural spots and wonderful wildlife scattered throughout. It may be expensive to get there, but trust me, it is worth every penny.
15. Torres del Paine, Chile
Torres del Paine is probably one of the most popular hikes you can do in Chile. The national park is located in Chilean Patagonia, and you can spend anywhere from 1 to 5 days hiking around the mountains within the park.
The popular multi-day hike you can do is the W-Trek, which will take you around the national park through some of the most beautiful nature spots in the world for 4-5 days. It is very popular among travelers, and in order to do the W-Trek, you would need to reserve the camping spots in advance.
That said, you can also do a day hike to the 3 Towers Viewpoint inside Torres del Paine National Park, which will take you to see the iconic peaks of Torres del Paine and back in about 5 hours.
Torres del Paine is likely one of the first places you will visit as you traverse down into Patagonia, and it sure is a place that leaves one hell of a great first impression and rightfully earns the spot as one of the best places to visit in South America.
16. El Chalten, Argentina
El Chalten is a hippie mountain town with a view of Fitz Roy's peak, one of the most well-known peaks in Patagonia. It is a hiker's paradise with several hiking trails that begin straight from the town and take you directly into the heart of the mountain that you can partake in.
Right out of the gate, you can do a small hike to a lookout point 30 minutes away from El Chalten and watch the sunset on your first evening in El Chalten. Then, you can spend the next day hiking the Laguna de Los Tres trail to see Fitz Roy peak up-close.
You can also camp at the base of the trail for a night and hike to the lake to see Fitz Roy at your own time. Another recommended trail to hike is Laguna Torre, which takes around 6-7 hours. As impressive as the Laguna de Los Tres trail.
El Chalten is a great place to spend around 3-4 nights and hike around all the beautiful trails the town has to offer. Just keep in mind that there is no internet connection or ATM here, so be sure you come prepared.
17. El Calafate, Argentina
El Calafate is home to one of the largest glaciers in South America. Perito Moreno Glacier, the sole reason why El Calafate has become such a popular place to visit, is a glacier that stretches across 5 km and extends as far as the eye can see, and it is called Perito Moreno.
It is one of the greatest sights you will see in South America, and it is easily accessible via an organized tour that will take you to the glacier and back, allowing you to spend the entire day observing all the beautiful features of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Tip: If you see a giant ice block hanging off from the glacier, wait a little longer and witness the thundering sound and crashes as the ice block eventually breaks off and falls into the water. I did just that, and boy, was it worth the wait.
El Calafate, as a town, is nothing to brag about, but its proximity to Perito Moreno Glacier makes it worthwhile to visit this place while you are traveling in South America. I would recommend spending around 2 nights here and moving on to other places in Patagonia.
18. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina, and like most capital cities in South America, you can expect many interesting things to do and colorful places to see here.
Some of those colorful places in Buenos Aires that you should drop by are the photogenic La Boca district, home to some of the most colorful houses in the country, and San Telmo, a nice neighborhood full of restaurants, pop-up galleries, flea markets, and colorful street murals that you can explore.
In order to fully experience what the city truly has to offer, I recommend spending at least 3-4 nights there and immersing yourself in Argentina's incredibly fun and vibrant culture. Learn the tango, enjoy the street performances by the locals in San Telmo, and try their signature Argentinian beef!
19. Iguazu Falls, Argentina
If you think you have seen enough waterfalls in your lifetime, wait until you see Iguazu Falls in Argentina. That is exactly what I thought at first since I have already seen Victoria Falls in Zambia and boy, was I wrong.
At Iguazu Falls, there are over 275 waterfalls spread across 23 km (14 miles) along the Iguazu River. It is so vast that the entirety of Iguazu Falls is shared between three countries: Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
The Iguazu Falls in Argentina are hands down the better one of the 2 countries with more waterfalls, many hiking trails you can take, and many more activities to do. You can spend around 5 - 8 hours walking all the trails within the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls.
You can also cross the border to Brazil and visit their side of Iguazu Falls from Argentina. They are smaller, but they have a walkway that goes out and over one of the waterfalls itself, which offers a pretty unique perspective of Iguazu Falls that you won't get from the Argentinian side.
To see what Iguazu has to offer, expect to spend around 3 days there. The first day involves exploring the Argentinian side of the Falls, the second day exploring the Brazilian side, and the third day relaxing and enjoying the tropical vibe in Puerto Iguazu town.
20. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Last but not least, Rio de Janeiro is a great place to visit if you are planning to spend some time in Brazil during your trip to South America. The city is home to many natural wonders and beautiful beaches. The culture is vibrant and fun, and the food is delicious and cheap. What more can you ask for?
If you are able to align your trip with the Carnival celebration that happens every February, you are in for quite an experience. Expect to spend around 3 to 4 nights in Rio de Janeiro if you plan to visit all the tourist attractions the city has to offer.
South America Travel Videos
You can find more South America travel videos here: Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for South America
- Looking for a complete backpacking guide to the entire South American continent? Here is the ultimate 6-Month Backpacking Itinerary for South America.
- Packing for a trip to visit South America can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for South America
- Only have one month? Why not spend that month in Colombia? Here is a complete One Month Backpacking Itinerary for Colombia.
- If you love wildlife, Ecuador is one of the best places in the world for you to visit. Here is a complete One Month Backpacking Itinerary for Ecuador.
- Peru is, hands down, my favorite country in South America. It has everything from great food to stunning mountains to climb. Here is a complete guide on how to spend One Month Backpacking in Peru.
- Bolivia is home to Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world, and it would be a shame if you missed it. Here is a One Week Backpacking Bolivia Itinerary.
- Chile and Argentina are best traveled together so you can see everything in Patagonia in one go. Here is a complete guide on how to backpack through Argentina and Chile in 2 months.
- If you want to visit Patagonia only, here's a 2-week Patagonia itinerary for hikers and backpackers.
- You can watch all my travel videos in South America here: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
- To see all articles about South America, check out my South America Travel Guide Section.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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