Beaches, deserts, historical cities, islands, archaeological sites, natural parks, incredible people and sea lions … The list of amazing things to discover in South America is endless.
But, beyond the big cities, where else can you go on this blissful tropical continent for a genuinely awe-inspiring holiday like no other? Plot out your itinerary with our list of the 12 best places to visit in South America.
1. Las Lajas Sanctuary, Colombia
Prepare to be amazed by the construction details and breathtaking surroundings of Las Lajas Sanctuary © diego_delso
In southern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador, a place of worship and pilgrimage has also become one of the main tourist attractions of the entire region. And you can easily understand why: Las Lajas Sanctuary is a place of extreme beauty, both for its amazingly detailed construction and its astonishing natural surroundings.
The sanctuary is located inside the canyon of the Guáitara River, in the village of Las Lajas, municipality of Ipiales. Surrounded by waterfalls, the beautiful Gothic-styled basilica is 50 metres high, and features a wealth of striking details, including arches, mosaics, towers and stone walls – the image of the Our Lady of the Rosary, all made of stone, is carved in one of the walls.
And here’s a tip: every September 16th, tens of thousands of devotees to the Virgin head to the shrine for their prayers. So, if that’s not your sole purpose, try to avoid visiting the site on this day.
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2. Urubamba, Peru
Urubamba is the perfect base to explore Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas © paslotte
It seems madness to prepare an itinerary through South America without including a visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the Peruvian Andes. So close to Cuzco and Machu Picchu, together, they can all form a long, beautiful trip across mystic Peru.
The valley was instrumental to the Incas, for its geographical and climatic qualities, having been one of the main points of extraction of wealth from their lands. It consists of important archaeological monuments and indigenous villages intersected by numerous rivers that descend by small valleys and form into phenomenal landscapes.
The region’s main river is the Urubamba, which gives its name to the largest of the valley cities. Featuring a decent variety of hotels and restaurants, this friendly town is a common stopping point for adventurers who come or follow towards other valley destinations, such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
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3. Pucón, Chile
Hiking around the Villarrica volcano in Pucón, Chile, one of the best places to visit in South America
It might be a bit far from the capital Santiago (780km to the south), but take a train to the friendly town of Pucón to explore one of Chile’s very best regions: Araucanía. The city is surrounded by the Villarrica volcano, which is a fantastic local attraction itself, and makes the spot a must-visit for extreme sports lovers.
Although not extinct, sightseeing around the volcano is quite common. During summer, tourism agencies offer guide services and rental of equipment for mountain climbing (or “andinismo”, as this practise is known in the Andean countries), although we strongly urge you join an official Villaricca tour group and trek with a qualified local.
Sports enthusiasts will be delighted finding an array of sports facilities and outdoor activities in Pucón, from water skiing to hiking and rafting. Not to mention the fabulous ski resort on the slopes of the Villarrica volcano, which operates from July to September. Its excellent infrastructure is complete with six cableways, 20 slopes for skiing and snowboarding, a restaurant and a children’s play centre.
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Read more: The 10 best ski resorts in the Nordics
4. Tayrona National Park, Colombia
Tayrona National Park, one of the most beautiful places in Colombia
Imagine the landscape: 30,000 acres of pristine greenery, hundreds of animal species (many at risk of extinction), some of the bluest beaches in the Colombian Caribbean, plus the daunting Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop.
Such is the view of the Tayrona National Natural Park, easily one of the most beautiful places in Colombia. Turned into a protected park in 1969, the site was home to the Tairona indigenous people until the mid-15th century. Even today, you can see their fascinating archaeological sites, such as Pueblito Chairama, considered a sacred site by the region’s indigenous people, and where many still live in huts.
Several options of trails inside the park, all surrounded by stunning landscapes, whether, can be explored on foot or on horseback (rent your own stallion at the park entrance). And then, prepare yourself to be amazed by the stunning beaches, such as Cabo San Juan, La Piscina and Playa Brava (the last of which is reserved for nudists).
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5. Isla del Sol, Bolivia
Take a scenic stroll along Isla del Sol
Chances are that most travellers who dream of exploring the deeps of South America, will want to do the Bolivia-Peru-Chile route. Lake Titicaca is one of its biggest stars – the longest navigable lake in the world, with no less than 41 islands. But because of the variety of places to visit along the way, the question remains: which one(s) to choose?
Well, Isla del Sol is an absolute must. Easily accessible from the city of Copacabana, and with an area of 14.3 square kilometres, it is the largest and one of the most beautiful islands of Titicaca. It’s considered to be sacred by the Incas, because the site was home to shrines of “sun virgins”, dedicated to the Sun God. Today, the island is still populated by indigenous tribes as Quechua and Aymara, who dedicate to handcraft and herding activities.
Many archaeological sites can also be found around the island, such as the Challapampa museum, which holds rescued historical pieces from the island. The whole landscape is breathtaking, with trails that cross the island from north to south, deep blue waters, green mountains and, of course, the inimitable Andes and its snowy peaks.
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6. Los Roques, Venezuela
Welcome to tropical paradise at the Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela © reborg
Welcome to the largest marine park in Latin America: Los Roques Archipelago has some of the most scenic landscapes of the continent. The set of 42 islands and some 250 coral reefs have a total area of 54,000 acres and you could spend days and days exploring every corner of it. Spend your time relaxing and enjoying the incomparable scenery by kayaking or sailing; or injecting some adrenaline with a few hours of windsurfing and scubadiving.
Few landscapes in the world combine coral reefs protecting the archipelago of strong currents, deserted beaches of white warm sand, crystal clear waters and an incredible variety of marine species (it is said that 98% of all existing coral species in the world are here!).
The islands here are called “cayos”. The main one, Gran Roque, is where the hostels are, along with a small airport, a port and shopping options. Two annual parties heat things up for locals: one in September (the “Virgin of the Valley”) and another in November (the Lobster Festival).
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7. Route of the 7 Lakes, Argentina
Every stop at the Route of the 7 Lakes in Argentina holds an even more beautiful landscape © magical-world
A mere shift between cities has never been so beautiful: the 67 miles that connect San Martin de Los Andes and Villa La Angostura, in Argentina, has been baptised as “Route of the 7 Lakes” and offers some of the most beautiful landscapes of Patagonia.
Despite having number 7 in its name, the route in fact features 9 or 10 ponds, although the best known are indeed Correntoso, Escondido, Espejo, Falkner, Machónico, Villarino, and Lácar – all of incredible beauty, with waters ranging from bright green to deep blue colours.
A good tip for travellers is to avoid making the route by bus, as there are not many stopping points along the way and the journey can become a bit expensive. The best option is to rent a car and split with friends or fellow travellers – cheaper and way more fun!
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8. Cabo Polonio, Uruguay
In Cabo Polonio, visitors are introduced to its famous “residents”: the region’s sea lions
What if your next travel destination was a small village with no electricity, internet or even paved streets? Hard to imagine? Well, in a place as charming as Cabo Polonio, Uruguay, hardly any modern amenities will be greatly missed.
This peninsula is located 260km from capital Montevideo, and is considered by its visitors as a magical place. You can expect almost deserted beaches, huge white sand dunes surrounding the city, sea lions almost always lazing around the coastal islands, and a starry sky that follows one the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever witness.
Access to this hamlet is fairly restricted – the nearest road is 7km away, and you’ll arrive either on a horse or using a 4×4 vehicle. The small population is essentially composed of fishermen, artisans and employees of the local lighthouse. And for the less brave, a relief: many of the region’s establishments have their own power generator, so no one will be in the dark all the time.
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Read more: The best budget holiday destinations of 2016
9. Encarnación, Paraguay
See some incredible Jesuit Mission ruins nearby Encarnación, Paraguay, one of the best places to visit in South America
Earning an increasing fame for its beach and carnival celebrations, Encarnación, Paraguay’s third most important city, is nicknamed by its residents as the “new Rio de Janeiro”. Whether that is accurate praise or not, the city bursts with natural and cultural attractions that make it worth visiting.
An important commercial and industrial centre, Encarnación is directly connected to the city of Posadas, in Argentina, by the San Roque González de Santa Cruz bridge, which crosses the Paraná river. The city has a great tourist infrastructure, with many cosy hotels and a good variety of restaurants. Its reputation as “Capital of Carnival” is explained every month of February, with all the lively festivities of “Carnaval Encarnaceno”.
Also, don’t miss the chance of visiting the nearby ruins of the Jesuit Missions of Holy Trinity of Paraná, Jesus of Tavarangue (the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Paraguay) and the oratory of Our Lady of Itacuá.
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Read more: Beyond Rio: 8 amazing destinations to enjoy Carnival in Brazil
10. Paramaribo, Suriname
The beautiful Keizerstraat Mosque, in Paramaribo, capital of Suriname © davidstanleytravel
Here is a country and capital that are almost never featured in the list of places to visit in South America, but that really deserve more attention. On the very Northeastern tip of the continent, and somewhat isolated but with a unique cosmopolitan vibe, Paramaribo, capital of Suriname, has a rich colonial architecture and a fascinating ethnic diversity.
The city’s population of just over 250,000 people is a mix of indigenous, Indian, Javanese, African and Dutch descendants (who left the official language after colonisation). And traces of all these cultures are scattered throughout the capital.
Main local attractions include the historic Inner City, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, featuring the beautiful Basilica of St. Peter and Paul – the largest wooden building in the Western Hemisphere – the Central Market, Fort Zeelandia, the Neve Shalom Synagogue and the Keizerstraat Mosque.
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11. Salta, Argentina
“Salta, the beautiful” and its unique landscape in Argentina
“Salta, la linda” (in Spanish, “Salta, the beautiful”) is the nickname given by the Argentines to this small town on the east of the Andes, in the Lerma Valley. And there’s not much to question about that name after a visit. Located over a thousand metres of altitude, its geographical position boasts fascinating nature elements like red deserts, snowy mountains, rivers and valleys.
Salta is famous for its strong colonial heritage, very present in the traditional houses, narrow streets and monuments. It is also deeply marked by the folklore of northern Argentina, with its typical dances and songs (zamba, chacarera) and ethnic food. Clear highlights from the colonial era are the Church and Convent of San Bernard, and the Cabildo, the oldest building in town – from the 1780s – and currently serving as headquarters for the Northern History Museum and the Colonial Museum and Fine Arts (closed on Mondays).
The city is usually the starting point of the “Train to the Clouds” itinerary, which makes a fascinating tour to the La Puna region, going through the slopes of the Andes up to San Antonio de los Cobres.
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12. Baños, Ecuador
The famous “swing at the end of the world”, in Baños, Ecuador, one of the best places to visit in South America © wurglitsch
Surrounded by three volcanoes, the small town of Baños de Agua Santa (or simply Baños), it is an unmissable destination for anyone looking for adventure and nature in Ecuador. It is located in the province of Tungurahua, in the heart of the country, and is known as the “Gateway to the Amazon”, as it is on the border of the Pastaza river in the Amazon basin.
Famous for its hot springs of mineral water, Baños is also a Catholic religious pilgrimage centre, as it is believed that the Virgin Mary had once appeared near a waterfall there – the image of the Virgen de Agua Santa is now placed in the local cathedral.
And no visit to Baños is complete without a quick stop at the “La Casa del Arbol”, the tree house that is home to the world famous “swing at the end of the world”. Many trails lead to the location (a private farm), all reachable by bus or taxi.
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