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. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, you can always take a kitesurfing lesson!
The Amazon encompasses many different types of landscapes, including rainforests, mountains, lakes, and grasslands. It is also home to the largest ecosystem on the planet and over a dozen major rivers. It is situated in Brazil next to the Andean border in the west and covers over 1.4 million square miles that stretches across the continent.
If you are a nature lover you can also head to Chile to explore the hiking trails in Torres del Paine or travel to Bolivia which is home to one of the most famous natural wonders, Salar de Uyuni.
For wildlife enthusiasts, the Pantanal is a must-see. With a vast expanse of swampland that alternates between dry and wet seasons, this is home to a vast array of wildlife.
This region is the largest inland swamp in the world, covering 200,000 square km of area. It is situated in West Brazil and stretches along the borders of Bolivia and Paraguay, extending into both countries.
The Galapagos Islands is an archipelago a thousand miles off Ecuador in the middle of the Pacific. It is famous for being one of the most stunning places to see wildlife in the world.
A lot of the creatures that live here are endemic to the islands. The extreme isolation of the Galapagos Island has not only shaped the beaks, shells and wings of these species in unique ways, it also means that the animals on the islands are incredibly friendly with humans.
You can have some wonderful experiences on the Galapagos islands swim with sealions and encounter salt-snorting marine iguanas. There are plenty of cruises you can join to explore the different islands.
The Andes features some of the most spectacular scenery in South America with its dynamic variation of terrain. There are pristine lakes and rivers, glacier parks, Inca ruins, snow-capped peaks, and lush rain forests, making it a great place for outdoor adventures, including some of the best skiing in the world on the eastern slopes. The Andes is the longest mountain range in the world, running 4,500 miles along the west coast of South America. It passes through seven countries, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina, making it accessible for most travelers bound for South America.
Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, is famous for its nightlife. If you’re looking to dance the night away into the wee hours of the morning, book your next vacation here!
If you like to let your stomach dictate your travels, you can’t go wrong with a gastronomic adventure in Peru. The country is famous for its delicious local Peruvian cuisine. Plus, you can always work off those extra calories by hiking the Inca Trail.
Patagonia is home to the most picturesque landscapes in South America. Situated in Southern Argentina and Chile, this region features the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the world, as well as pristine Andean national parks, lakes, and alpine forests.
The lake region also features a wide variety of outdoor activities, particularly in Bariloche, a popular ski resort set in the scenic mountain of the Andes.
Further south in Glacier National Park you’ll find a mountainous landscape dotted with glaciers and a variety of rare and unusual wildlife.
OUR SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR SOUTH AMERICA
If you would like to see more than one country in South America on your next family holiday, then we would suggest you combine Ecuador with a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Here is how you could spend 2 weeks in South America.
- 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 very detailed post about how to plan 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 South American trip and help you chose where to go, how long to stay there and what to do once you have arrived. We research every destination we visit in-depth and have created the following travel guides to help you plan your next vacation.
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 sheer size of the continent means that 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’s the off-peak season for the jungle, there are fewer mosquitos and more trails to explore.
If you’ve always wanted to see the Galapagos Islands, book a trip around this period as well. There’s minimal rainfall, and much of the islands’ wildlife is active.
FAMILY TRAVEL IN SOUTH AMERICA
Travelling in South America with kids will make lifelong memories.
Animal lovers will adore a startling menagerie: penguins, pumas and pygmy deer; whales and condors; soft-furred alpaca and giant flightless rhea; jaguars and marine iguanas.
Fit kids will jump at wilderness hikes, kayaking fjords, rafting wild rivers, or surfing on golden beaches.
Horse-mad types have trail rides with the cowboys of Chile and Argentina or splashing canters through Brazil’s Pantanal.
Let them discover wondrous cultures older than Egypt, from the Andes to the Amazon, and learn about the earth and sky amid smoking volcanoes beneath remote starry skies lit by the Milky Way.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR TRIP TO SOUTH AMERICA
If you are planning a trip to South America it is very likely that you will be backpacking for at least a part of the trip. In terms of backpack size (which is measured in litres), for shorter trips of a few weeks to a couple of months a 45-60 litre pack would definitely be sufficient. If you are travelling for longer and not a minimalist backpacker or someone who likes to smell, then we’d recommend going for a larger backpack in the 65-85 litre range.
You should also consider bringing a daypack to hold all your most important items. Your daypack should never leave your side in South America unless it’s safely locked up in a hotel. It’s going to be out in the city with you, packed for day hikes and multi-day trips to the jungle, on your lap on overnight buses, carried in your front when you’re moving between places with your big backpack.
There are a few special bits of clothing that you’ll need to bring to South America, but by and large, you’ll be wearing and rotating the same shorts, t-shirts, and vests for much of your trip and across most of your experiences.
It is not always warm and sunny in South America. Despite how the movies and TV series may regularly depict it, there are microclimates within microclimates and such climate diversity across the continent. An absolute essential for South America, whether you’re travelling in dry or rainy season is a lightweight mid-zip fleece to keep you warm on hikes and any chillier evenings in high-altitude cities. For bus days, hostel days, adding an extra layer is a good idea so bring a hoody or cozy jumper. You should also bring a waterproof outdoors jacket, that is actually waterproof not just a cool-looking water resistant one
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