OUR SOUTH AMERICA TRAVEL GUIDE
South America is made for travelers looking to delve deep into incredibly diverse cultures and explore the outdoors. The biggest draws to the continent are the Galápagos Islands, Iguazu Falls, Machu Picchu and, of course, Patagonia.
But, the city life all over the continent is also one of a kind! In Argentina, you can find foodie culture throughout Buenos Aires, and the Mendoza wine region. Explore the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia, and trek the Inca Trail in Peru.
Be sure to hit the beaches of Rio before you leave. In recent years, Colombia has been an up-and-coming travel destination. There’s always something exciting and new to try in South America.
The Brazilian Coastline features bright blue waters, white-sand beaches, and beautiful coral reefs, which make it an excellent area for swimming and snorkeling.
Brazil is a great place to begin your adventure, especially since it has the longest stretch of coastline in South America. Beach bums can relax on nearly 7,500 km of coastline. It’s the perfect place to sip on a coconut and work on your tan.
The Amazon encompasses rainforests, mountains, lakes and grasslands. It is home to the largest ecosystem on the planet and over a dozen major rivers.
Nature lovers can also head to Chile for the trails in Torres del Paine or visit Bolivia’s famous Salar de Uyuni.
For wildlife enthusiasts, the Pantanal is a must-see. This vast swampland alternates between dry and wet seasons and supports an extraordinary array of wildlife.
It is the largest inland swamp in the world, stretching across western Brazil and the borders of Bolivia and Paraguay.
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago off Ecuador, famous as one of the most remarkable places in the world to encounter wildlife.
Many creatures are endemic to the islands. Visitors can swim with sea lions, meet marine iguanas and explore the different islands by boat.
The Andes offer pristine lakes and rivers, glacier parks, Inca ruins, snow-capped peaks and lush rainforests. The world’s longest mountain range passes through seven South American countries.
For city life, Buenos Aires is famous for nightlife, while Peru is an excellent choice for a gastronomic adventure and the Inca Trail.
Patagonia is home to some of South America’s most picturesque landscapes, including the Perito Moreno Glacier, Andean national parks, lakes and alpine forests.
The lake region offers outdoor adventures around Bariloche, while Glacier National Park has a dramatic landscape dotted with glaciers.
OUR SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR SOUTH AMERICA
If you would like to see more than one country in South America on your next family holiday, we suggest combining Ecuador with the Galapagos Islands.
- DAY 1 to 3 – Quito (3 nights)
- DAY 4 to 6 – Valley of the Volcanoes (3 nights)
- DAY 7 to 8 – Latacunga (2 nights)
- DAY 8 to 10 – Riobamba–Guayaquil (3 nights)
- DAY 11 to 14 – Galapagos Islands (4 nights)
We have written a detailed guide to planning an itinerary to help you create your own route.
WHERE TO GO IN SOUTH AMERICA
Are you travelling to South America for the first time or returning for more? We hope to simplify your trip and help you choose where to go, how long to stay and what to do when you arrive.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT SOUTH AMERICA
There’s no bad time to visit South America—it all depends on what you want to see and do. The continent’s size means you can experience a variety of climates and landscapes throughout the year.
September to November is an excellent time to travel to the Amazon. It is the off-peak season, with fewer mosquitoes and more trails to explore.
This is also a good period for the Galapagos Islands, when rainfall is minimal and much of the wildlife is active.
FAMILY TRAVEL IN SOUTH AMERICA
Travelling in South America with kids will make lifelong memories.
Animal lovers will adore penguins, pumas, whales, condors, alpacas, jaguars and marine iguanas. Active families can hike, kayak fjords, raft rivers or surf on golden beaches.
Children can discover cultures older than Egypt, from the Andes to the Amazon, beneath volcanoes and remote starry skies.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR TRIP TO SOUTH AMERICA
For shorter trips, a 45–60 litre backpack should be sufficient. For longer journeys, consider a larger pack and a secure daypack for important items, hikes and overnight buses.
South America has enormous climate variation. Alongside everyday shorts and T-shirts, bring a warm mid-layer and a genuinely waterproof outdoor jacket for high-altitude cities, hikes and rainy conditions.
OUR LATEST ARTICLES ABOUT SOUTH AMERICA
Experience Brazil’s Wild Side: The Pantanal and the Amazon
Discover two of Brazil’s richest wildlife regions.
Read moreTHE BEST GUIDEBOOKS FOR SOUTH AMERICA
Planning a trip to South America can feel overwhelming because of the continent’s scale and variety. Our blog shares first-hand travel experiences, while a reliable guidebook is useful for maps, history, transport and practical detail when you are offline.
Choose a regional guide for a multi-country journey or a country-specific guide for a more detailed itinerary.