South America is the fourth largest and the fifth most populous continent in the world. It spans an area of over 17,840,000 square km (6,890,000 square miles). A total of 12 countries are included in this continent, and each has a unique civilization, historical significance, & diverse culture. You can choose this place as a holiday destination while planning your first trip to South America. In this article, we will have a virtual tour of South America’s 14 best places you can visit. For more such articles, could you keep visiting our website?
Best Places To Visit In South America in Map
We have compiled a list of South America’s best places to visit in the section below. Read about them one by one.
Medellin, Colombia
The first destination we will discuss is Medellin, which portrays Colombia’s fun culture. An exciting feature of this city is that it was once recognized as Pablo Escobar’s stage. He was a drug lord, a narcoterrorist, and a politician. His reign of terror was spotlighted in a popular Netflix series, Narcos. You will find the remains of his era across the city. You must have a Pablo Escobar tour to view these places to see them with your own eyes. The visitors can visit salsa dancing workshops and clubs, beautiful hiking trails, and many coffee shops here. You will fall in love with Medellin so you must see it while coming to South America.
Salento
Salento is an adventurous destination in Colombia. There are a lot of hiking trails that offer you a lifetime experience. You may not see its breathtaking landscapes and unique biodiversity anywhere else. There is a stunning valley called Valle del Cocora (Cocora Valley), where hikers can go on foot in the palm trees of this region. Visitors can start their day hiking the loop trail at Valle del Cocora up to the Finca Acaime. After reaching there, they can take a break to observe the beautiful hummingbirds closely. The track will continue down towards Cocora Valley. Once you get to this city, stay here for at least two or more days to explore the entire site. Take advantage of this beautiful sight in Colombia while visiting South America.
Amazon Forest
Amazon Forest is the next must-visit place you can see in South America. It is the largest rainforest in the world. You will have a great experience viewing real anacondas, eating the birds, and understanding the local culture. It is one of the best things to do in South America. The Amazon Rainforest spans an area of 5,500,000 square km (2,100,000 square miles) over nine countries. You can access places like Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador due to their excellent tourist infrastructure to assist visitors of the Amazon Forest. The Amazon Forest tours will give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience of exploring its treehouse club and local villages, traveling the Amazon’s rivers, night safaris, and much more.
Cartagena
Cartagena is a beautiful port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It is recognized for its beautiful beaches, charming colonial old town, and vibrant culture. Whenever you plan to come to this city, you must visit the Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada), climb Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, relax around the beaches, or walk around Getsemani. Ideally, you must stay in the city for at least 2-3 days to enjoy it fully.
Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca is a historical city in central Spain founded in the 16th Century during the colonial period of South America. The city is known for its rich culture and stunning European-style architecture. Its visit may give you flashbacks of visiting the vibrant capital, Seville, Spain if you have ever been to this once. A visit to Cuenca will provide you with a rich cultural tour, unlike other municipalities in Ecuador. During your stay, you can explore the iconic architecture of Catedral de la Tnmaculada Concepcion, the beautiful nature at Cajas National Park, and much more for nearly 2 to 3 days.
Huaraz, Peru
Huaraz is one of the prominent options for visitors and is among the best hiking places in South America. You will not get better hiking trails than at South America’s most beautiful parts of the Andes Mountains. Visitors can hike to Laguna 69 for a day trip in Peru. The adventurous activities in Huaraz include:
- The ice climbing tour.
- Hiking the 4-day Santa Cruz trail.
- 10-day trekking to the Huayhuash Trail.
Non-hiking lovers can explore the other beautiful nature spots, including the Pastoruri Glacier. In other words, you can relax for a day in the mountain town of Huaraz. Indulge yourself in exploring various cafes and restaurants.
The Galapagos Island, Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands are volcanic islands of Ecuador that span an area of 1,000 km (600 miles). They are located on the west of the mainland in the Pacific Ocean. Its unique wildlife, which inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, is the main reason for its popularity. You will get plenty of things to explore here. You can walk around the giant town, Puerto Ayora, closely observe El Chato Tortoise Reserve, or hike through Lava Tunnels. Besides that, this place has everything you need from a vacation destination.
Huacachina, Peru
Huacachina is a glamorous desert oasis in southwestern Peru. Visitors can spend their vacations here to explore the small oasis lake, hike around the dunes, and observe the sunset over the deserts of Ica. Ica is located between Lima & Cusco and near a small town called Nazca. Visiting here will take you to the sky and fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines.
Cusco, Peru
Cusco is another beautiful city in the Andes Mountains at nearly 3,600 m above sea level. You can reach Cusco from Nazca after 15 hours of road travel. During your visit to high altitudes, keep some suggestions in your mind. It includes drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol to prevent worsening altitude sickness signs. You can take short walks to adjust your body and gradually increase your physical activity as you feel comfortable. You can also chew coca leaves and drink coca tea, as they help to relieve altitude sickness. The must-visit places in Cusco include the main square (Plaza De Armas), crisscrossing streets of Cusco and up the San Cristobal Church, Rainbow Mountain, and many more.
The Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert is one of the best places to visit in Chile. It is a vast desert landscape in northern Chile, neighboring Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. Two beautiful alien-like landscapes surround it, including Valle de la Luna and Lagunas Altiplanicas. The most promising tourist destination in the Atacama Desert is San Pedro de Atacama. You can plan your day trip here and explore it in 3 days. In addition, you can explore the Hand of the Desert and the Very Large Telescope in the Antofagasta. The tourists can explore the whole site in nearly two days. In terms of weather, you will experience a desert climate and a clear sky.
Valparaiso, Chile
Valparaiso is a small, vibrant port city and a popular place for tourists and locals. The capital city of Chile is located just 100 km away from Santiago. You can explore its beautiful and colorful street art on foot. Whenever you visit Chile, you must remember to visit Valparaiso for 2-3 days. You will have a nice, sunny vacation exploring the crisscrossing streets of Valparaiso and discovering all the beautiful graffiti and murals across the city.
Easter Island, Chile
Easter Island is among the most famous remote islands worldwide. It must be on your visiting list during your trip to South America. The famous Moai head statues of the Rapa Nui surround it. The place has rich culture, vibrant landscapes, and friendly locals to explore in 5 days. If you are visiting here at the start of February, you must visit the annual Tapati Festival, which continues for 14 days. The festival offers traditional sports competitions, fun music, and dance performances. There are several natural and artificial attractions on the island. The natural wonders include Orongo Crater, and artificial wonders include Ahu Tongariki’s statues and Rano Raraku. The trip to this island can be expensive but worthwhile.
El Chalten, Argentina
El Chalten is a hippie mountain town with beautiful trails. It offers a beautiful view of the prominent peak in Patagonia, Fitz Roy’s Peak. Every year, hundreds of hikers explore its various trails that take you directly into the heart of the mountain that you can partake in. You will not have an internet connection or ATM facilities here, so be prepared. Tourists can hike to a lookout point 30 minutes from El Chalten right out of the gate. In addition, you can view the sunset in the evening. You can spend your day hiking at the base of the Laguna de Los Tres trail to see Fitz Roy Peak. Another recommended hiking trail is Laguna Torre, which takes 6-7 hours. You have to spend at least at least 3-4 days hiking all around El Chalten.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is a colorful, exciting city and the capital of Argentina. This city in South America makes you fall in love with Argentina’s enjoyable and vibrant culture. Let us tell you what you can experience in this city. You must explore the street performances by the San Telmo’s locals and try their signature Argentinian beef. In addition, you must visit the photogenic houses in the La Boca district, fancy restaurants in San Telmo, pop-up galleries, and flea markets. Enjoy this city’s beauty for at least 3 to 4 days so you won’t miss anything.
Final Words
We have covered all the details about the best places to visit in South America in 2024. We have caught everything, and you will find this article helpful for your international trip. Do consider those options while planning your visit to South America. Contact us if you have any reservations.