Best Places to Visit on Your First Trip to South America

South America is an incredible destination for backpackers and travellers alike. There are so many incredible places that it can certainly be difficult to choose where to go on your first trip to South America. The continent is one of the top destinations that I recommend for people to visit. It is very affordable, the scenery is incredible, food is great, and the locals are so friendly!

I haven’t visited one city in South America that I didn’t like. Each and every place had so much to offer, many of which have me wanting to go back again! Some of my favourite travel memories were sipping wine in Chile, scuba diving in Colombia, and hiking through the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador.

Continue reading to learn about my list of top places to visit for your first trip to South America!

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Santiago, Chile

Chile is definitely top of my list of places I’d recommend for your first trip to South America. The scenery is absolutely incredible and wildly differs depending on where you are in the country. Santiago is a great spot to base yourself out of, as you are within an hours reach of the beach, mountains, and incredible wine regions.

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!

When exploring the beaches, you should definitely visit Valparaíso. It is quite the 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. The beaches surrounding the city are stunning, and nothing beats the relaxing sound of the waves!

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The colourful city of Buenos Aires is so lively and exciting, it is definitely a top place to visit on your first trip to South America. The city boasts incredible food, wine, nightlife, sports, and so much more. One of my favourite areas is La Boca. The area is very colourful and there’s a fun vibe to this place with the street vendors and music around. There’s also a great market to buy souvenirs or local goods at!

Cartagena, Colombia

The city of Cartagena is quite a diverse city. 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. It certainly is an amazing destination in Colombia and a great place to visit on your first trip to South America!

Cusco, Peru

You’ll find many people recommending Peru for your first trip to South America. 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 history and architecture in this city is so beautiful and you’ll find amazing views no matter where you are in Cusco. 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 arrival as the city is located about 3400 meters above sea level.

Cusco is a great city to base yourself in due to the number of incredible areas around the city. There’s the Sacred Valley and of course, Machu Picchu, where over half a million visitors come every year! Due to it’s 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 there, or you can opt to stay in Aguas Calientes and walk a much shorter distance.

Baños, Ecuador

To me, Ecuador had similar vibes and nature as Costa Rica did, but is much more budget-friendly! My favourite town in Ecuador to base out of was the town of Baños. It is 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.

If you’re not as into adventure activities as I am, another notable place to base yourself out of is the capital, Quito. From here, there are numerous day trips to see incredible mountains and scenery around Ecuador. Not to mention, there are many markets to adventure through and incredible food to enjoy! If you’re into unique food, opt to try the Ecuador delicacy of Guinea pig.

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

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You might also like:

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