In case you are heading to South America for the primary time, you could have come to the precise place. After I first visited South America a number of years in the past, I had no thought the place to go or what to do. I didn’t need to miss something, however I had no thought the place to go! However concern not. We’ve put collectively a listing of the very best locations to see and go to in South America. For those who love this put up, comply with alongside on Instagram to remain up to date with my adventures!
Up to date October 2021
The Locations you could go to in South America
1. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Situated within the Southwest of Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is surely the most well-liked vacation spot in Bolivia to go to. It’s the world’s largest salt flat and spans almost 11,000 sq. kilometres. The salt flats look completely different year-round, arguably probably the most photographic within the moist season (January to April). The journey to Salar de Uyuni is in fact half the enjoyable. As they are saying on this a part of the world, “the one consistency is inconsistency”, so be ready for cancellations and delays! Probably the most genuine technique to attain the salt flats is by public transport. There are buses departing day by day to Salar de Uyuni, however these are sometimes delayed. So come ready to spend some downtime with an excellent ebook or podcast pre-loaded.
2. Santuario de las Lajas, Colombia
This well-known basilica church in southern Colombian is situated within the Division of Nariño. The Gothic Revival type church has turn into synonymous with the south of Colombia due to its distinctive location and was constructed between 1916 and 1949. Now it is without doubt one of the most photographed places in Colombia on account of its dramatic positioning and spectacular construction.
3. See the Milkyway over Lake Titicaca, Peru
Lake Titicaca straddles the border between Bolivia and Peru within the Andes Mountains. Mentioned to be the birthplace of the Incas, Lake Titicaca is without doubt one of the most magical locations in South America to expertise the Milky Method. It’s because you will see that your self beneath one of many darkest sky reserves right here on this distant a part of Peru. So you should definitely enterprise out from the city and {photograph} the Milky Method in pure darkness. It is a as soon as in a lifetime alternative!
4. Cartagena, Colombia
The historic colonial metropolis of Cartagena is without doubt one of the most stunning locations to discover in South America. The town is protected by UNESCO World Heritage standing which permits an excessive amount of perception into colonisation in South America. Situated on the Caribbean coast, the previous city was based again within the sixteenth century. To this present day you may wander across the cobblestone streets, vibrant home facades and colonial buildings. If you wish to really feel as when you stepped again in time, that is the place to take action.
5. Mount Fitz Roy, Argentina
Mount Fitz Roy is situated in Patagonia and is without doubt one of the favorite decisions for mountaineers and mountaineering fans when visiting South America. It’s situated on the border between Chile and Argentina, close to El Chalten. It was first summited in 1952 by French alpinists Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone. To this present day it’s a common hike on this Southern a part of Argentina. It’s stated to be the second hottest mountaineering path after Torres del Paine, which straddles the border of each Argentina and Chile.
6. The Amazon River
The Amazon river is without doubt one of the world’s longest rivers (by some definitions it’s) and definitely the longest river in South America. There are lots of methods to expertise the Amazon, however an effective way to actually get to know the Amazon is to hitch a small cruise that may take you to distant villages. This fashion you may meet native individuals and be taught extra in regards to the lifestyle within the Amazon.
7. The World’s Most Harmful Highway, Bolivia
There have been many instances using down dying street in Bolivia that I questioned my sanity. Though that is one loopy trip to the underside, it’s a actually enjoyable, exhilarating one.
Learn extra: Bike using Demise Highway in Bolivia
8. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands is an archipelago of volcanic islands in Ecuador. They’re well-known for being residence to an enormous number of marine wildlife and thus probably the most wanted locations for snorkelling and diving on this planet. That is a type of locations you have to to remain some time and definitely among the best locations you could go to in South America if in case you have the time.
9. Machu Picchu, Peru
It was a pinch-me second the day I stood atop Machu Picchu in Peru. This unimaginable citadel set excessive within the Andes mountains has rapidly turn into one of many world’s high bucket listing locations.
Learn extra: Visiting Peru for the primary time: Every part it’s good to know
10. La Paz, Bolivia
After I made a final minute resolution to journey to La Paz, Bolivia, I wasn’t totally certain what to anticipate. What got here subsequent was a world of color, vibrant road tradition and sometimes chaos. This unimaginable metropolis appears like a step again in time.
Learn extra: This one time I went to La Paz, Bolivia
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11. Swing on the Finish of the World in Banos, Ecuador
Chances are high you’ve seen the swing on the finish of the world earlier than, however have you ever ever visited!? The swing is situated in Banos, Ecuador. You possibly can attain the swing (which is now actually three swings) comparatively simply, particularly in case you are travelling all through Ecuador.
12. Torres del Paine, Chile
Torres del Paine grew to become my favorite mountaineering vacation spot once I first visited some 5 years in the past. Chile is without doubt one of the most numerous international locations to go to and you may actually see why once you go to the South of the nation.
13. Moai Statues on Easter Island, Chile
Talking of variety, Easter Island is Chile’s hidden gem. This mystical island is legendary for the Moai statues that dot the island in numerous formations. There are lots of myths and legends as to why they’re there however basically, it stays a thriller.
14. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro is well probably the most photogenic cities on this planet. You’ll want to enterprise to the highest of Sugar Loaf mountain for an epic view of Rio from above, together with the cities’ well-known Christ the Redeemer statue.
Learn extra: Touring a Favela in Rio de Janeiro
15. Cover Stroll, The Amazon, Peru
The Amazon is filled with epic experiences and the cover stroll is not any exception. You possibly can simply spend a whole month exploring the depths of the Amazon, which stretches via Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil.
16. Valparaiso, Chile
Chances are high you didn’t think about your self snowboarding in South America however the excellent news for ski fans is which you could! Valparaiso is situated a brief drive from Chile’s capital Santiago and provides some nice slopes for all expertise ranges.
Learn extra: The highest 10 cities to go to in South America
17. Angel Falls, Venezuela
The epic Angel Falls in Venezuela stands at a whopping 979 metres, making it the world’s largest uninterrupted waterfall. Your entire space is protected by UNESCO World Heritage standing.
18. Geysers el de Tatio, Chile
Situated in Northern Chile, the Geysers el de Tatio is the third-largest geysier area on this planet. This pure phenomenon is finest loved within the morning when the mist fills the air and the morning solar hits the encircling mountains. This is without doubt one of the lesser recognized locations you could go to in South America, so you should definitely embody it in your travels.
19. Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert is without doubt one of the driest locations on this planet, however this doesn’t imply it’s missing in liveliness. There are cactus valleys to discover, native cultures a lots and this is without doubt one of the finest locations to benefit from no gentle air pollution and see the Milky Method.
20. The Sacred Valley, Peru
The Sacred Valley is the guts and soul of Peru. It’s right here the place you may find out about historic traditions, customs and cultures. Start your journey in Cusco and after a number of days within the hustle and bustle, make your means in to the Sacred Valley on a journey in direction of Machu Picchu.
21. Iguassu Falls, bordering Argentina and Brazil
I’ll always remember the time I visited Iguassu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil. That is principally as a result of I didn’t have the suitable visa to take action and rapidly realized of the trials and tribulations to acquiring one at brief discover. Whatever the classes realized, Iguassu Falls was simply considered one of my favorite locations in South America.
22. Cusco, Peru
There isn’t any different metropolis on this planet fairly like Cusco. This was as soon as the capital of the Inca Empire and to this present day you may nonetheless really feel remnants of that.
Learn extra: 3 days in Cusco, Peru
23. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires feels extra like a European metropolis than anyplace else in South America. The capital of Argentina is prospering with nightlife, nice meals and vibrant tradition that may depart you feeling carefree very quickly.
Learn extra: 9 issues to not miss in Buenos Aires
24. Santiago, Chile
The capital of Chile is commonly neglected or given simply someday to discover as a stopover metropolis. There’s a lot to see and do in Chile that it isn’t exhausting to see why you may skip over Santiago. For those who do have time, this can be a nice metropolis to get a really feel for South America earlier than you enterprise off in to the extra adventurous elements of the continent.
25. Sail to Antarctica
Rounding out our listing of the locations you could go to in South America is a particular finale. For those who’re feeling very adventurous or seeking to test off the final continent in your journey listing, then a cruise via Antarctica is without doubt one of the world’s most wanted bucket listing experiences.
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