16 Amazing Places to Visit in South America

There are so many amazing places to visit in South America that it can be difficult to decide where to go! After my first trip to South America, the beautiful countries of Peru and Chile instantly stole my heart. This trip inspired me to book two more backpacking trips to the continent, using up all of my vacation days over the next two years.

My trips to South America have featured some of the top destinations that I’ve been to, and it’s no secret why! From wine tasting to hiking through the mountains, to relaxing on beaches and exploring the Amazon Rainforest, there are certainly destinations for every type of traveller.

Continue reading to learn about my list of amazing places to visit in South America!

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Amazing Places to Visit in South America

1. Maipo Valley, Chile

I don’t know about you, but I sure love wine! The wine regions in Chile are incredibly beautiful. One of my favourite regions is the Maipo Valley, which is just a short distance from the capital of Santiago. Here, wineries are situated in valleys between mountains. It is certainly a picturesque region! After visiting wineries such as Santa Rita and tasting numerous wines, I now almost solely purchase wines from this region in Chile. A fun tip: I also found that olive oil tastes absolutely incredible from this area.

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina

The colourful city of Buenos Aires is a must-have on your South America bucket list. The lively city boasts incredible food, wine, nightlife, sports, and so much more. You can eat like a king, admire the beautiful and colourful architecture, taste wines, experience amazing sports passion, and learn how to tango!

3. Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

Only a day trip’s distance from Quito is the stunning Cotopaxi National Park is filled with scenic trails and volcanic mountains. Here, you can trek up to the summit of the Cotopaxi Volcano, which lies at almost 15,000 feet. The hike up looks easy, but do not be fooled! The air is quite thin, and even fit trekkers have to stop every couple of minutes to catch their breath. But, the views are totally worth it!

A lot of tour companies offer biking down the mountain after your hike, which is certainly easier than walking all the way back down.

4. Cartagena, Colombia

The city of Cartagena is quite a diverse city, filled with many incredible things to do. There is a strip of beaches that I describe as the Miami of Colombia. More inland, you can find the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is surrounded by centuries-old stone walls and is filled with cobblestone streets. In Cartagena, you can relax on the beaches, partake in water sports, eat extraordinary food, go diving, and admire art and history.

5. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Now, I haven’t yet been to the Salt Flats in Bolivia, but they are so high on my bucket list! The world’s largest salt flats offer endless horizons, allowing you to take really creative photos as you play with perspective and depth. The landscape is truly remarkable, and notable addition to my list of amazing places to visit in South America.

6. Machu Picchu, Peru

An obvious addition to my list of amazing places to visit in South America is Machu Picchu, Peru. This 15th-century Inca citadel resides in the Andes Mountains, where over half a million visitors come every year. Due to its popularity, it’s highly advised that you book your tickets ahead of time. There are many multi-day treks through the Inca Jungle to get here, or you can opt to stay in Aguas Calientes and walk a much shorter distance. Either way, I would highly recommend reaching the entrance right at opening time, so you can experience the site with very few people around!

7. Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Tayrona National Park is described as a “mini Jurassic Park”. Visitors trek through the jungle that is lively with monkeys, birds, and beautiful greenery, to white-sand beaches along the Caribbean.

The scenery in this park is incredible all throughout, and you’ll notice the terrain changing as you hike. It is truly a paradise in the North of Colombia.

8. Cajón del Maipo, Chile

The landscape in Chile is quite fascinating. Just over an hour from the beaches in Chile lies the snow-covered mountains! There certainly are a lot of options for day trips, especially from Santiago. Near Santiago is the large natural area of Cajón del Maipo, where fans of adventure and sports come to enjoy incredible activities and nature. You can go trekking, relax in natural hot springs, go white water rafting, and so much more!

9. Montevideo, Uruguay

The capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, is a vibrant city situated along Montevideo Bay. The city is filled with beautiful art, busy markets, relaxing beaches, and beautiful architecture.

10. Angel Falls, Venezuela

Angel Falls is the world’s tallest waterfall at almost 1000m tall! It is located within Canaima National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is only accessible by air! Check out the incredible beauty of this waterfall:

11. Baños, Ecuador

Baños is such a beautiful town, filled with numerous waterfalls and hot springs. It is referred to as the “Gateway to the Amazon”, and is quite the hub for adventure tourism in Ecuador. Here, you can go white water rafting, canyoning, trekking, and visit the Amazon Rainforest. I can honestly say that Baños was my favourite place I visited in Ecuador!

12. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is another place that is top on my South America bucket list. I have always found the city so fascinating, but it hasn’t yet made it into my South America trips. The city boasts beautiful mountains, beaches, and has an incredible party scene.

13. Valparaíso, Chile

Valparaíso is quite a colourful and hilly city on the coast of Chile. Wandering around the city, you’ll find bright coloured buildings and incredible street art every way you turn.

If you wander up the hills through the winding streets, you’ll find stunning views of the city and the water. You can opt to feast at one of the many incredible restaurants, or relax on the beach!

14. Bogotá, Colombia

The city of Bogotá was on my list for quite some time. The city was once associated with heavy crime and drugs but has since turned into a thriving city full of art, fashion, culture, and incredible experiences. It has definitely become one of the best places to visit in Colombia.

15. Cusco, Peru

I found the city of Cusco so incredible, and it wasn’t just because there were people walking their llamas and alpacas around the city! The scenery and architecture in this city are so beautiful and you’ll find amazing views no matter where you are in Cusco. The restaurants in Cusco are great for trying out delicious traditional Peruvian food as well!

Two things to be cautious of though – the hilly, cobblestone streets are bound to leave you sore after walking for a while, and you may get altitude sickness when you arrive as the city is located about 3400 meters above sea level.

16. Quilotoa Lake, Ecuador

I think this photo is enough to make you add Quilotoa Lake to your list of places to visit in South America! This lake is one of my favourite places to visit in Ecuador and was formed after a volcano collapsed, forming a caldera. Over time, it filled with water, creating a lake at the top of the volcano! You can opt to hike down to the water or pay a small fee to ride a donkey down. Either way, I recommend taking a donkey back up as the air is thin and even if you’re fit, it can be a challenging walk!

What are your top places to visit in South America? Let me know in the comments!

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You might also like:

• 11 Best Places to Visit in Ecuador
• Best Cities to Visit in Colombia on your First Trip
• Top Things to See and Do in Bogotá
• Best Day Trips from Santiago, Chile
• Travel Guide to Santiago, Chile

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