13 Best Destinations in South America to Inspire You!
South America is one of those places that leave a lasting impact.
It’s wild, diverse, and packed with the most incredible destinations I’ve ever explored, and yet many of its top sights are still flying under the radar!
While most people picture South America as a playground for adventure travelers (and it totally is!), many of its best destinations are surprisingly family-friendly, easy to reach, and incredibly affordable.
Growing up in Brazil sparked my love for exploring South America, and over the years, that curiosity has taken me everywhere: historic sites, modern cities, and remote hidden gems! After countless adventures, here’s my selection of the 13 best destinations in South America that everyone should add to their bucket list.
TL;DR: Here are the absolute best destinations in South America!
⭐️ Best Overall: Galapagos Islands
👶 Best for Families: Atacama Desert
🌅 Best Landscape: Lençóis Maranhenses
🐆 Best wildlife: Pantanal
💸 Best Budget: Salar de Uyuni
1. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
I consider Galapagos to not only be the top destination in South America, it is also the best travel destination in the world!
The wildlife there is unique and often very interactive, the volcanic landscape is pristine, the beaches are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, and the whole archipelago is incredibly safe!
It comes as a surprise that traveling the Galapagos can be very affordable, in fact, I found it to be one of the most affordable destinations in my South America backpacking journey.
If you can only pick one South American destination to visit, have it be the Galapagos Islands!
2. Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert is so much more than you’d expect!
I expected to go there only to see the amazing starry night sky, which by itself made the trip worth it, but I was surprised to see the wide range of activities available in the Atacama!
Lots of crystal clear lagoons, rivers (and you can swim in some), salt flats, volcanoes, and wildlife!
In fact, wildlife is incredibly abundant and easy to spot: flamingos, vicuñas, foxes, and so much more!
The main base cities in the Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama and La Serena, have great infrastructure for tourism and make the Atacama the perfect South American destination for family road trips!
3. Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil
Lençóis Maranhenses, AKA Brazil’s flooded desert, is one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world, and it is still a hidden gem that many foreign tourists don’t know about!
This is a very interactive destination with lots of fun activities, from swimming in the crystal-clear freshwater pools, to birding, to stargazing, to kite surfing!
Getting to Lençóis Maranhenses is easy, and infrastructure is good in the three base cities that lead to the dunes.
The stunning freshwater pools come and go each year, so make sure to thoroughly research the best months to visit Lençóis Maranhenses.
Any questions?
Ask all your questions in our Brazil travel Facebook group — we’ll be happy to help!
4. Cusco and Machu Picchu, Peru
The ruins of Machu Picchu are incredible, and very much deserve their spot in one of the list of the 7 Wonders of the World.
In fact, I found it to be way cooler in real life than in the pictures!
But what actually blew me away was the surrounding region, which is stunning but not nearly as popular.
Aguas Calientes, the tiny city leading to Machu Picchu, is incredibly cozy and the local hotels often have stunning views.
There are also lots of challenging and stunning hikes nearby, such as Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain.
Cusco, the nearest airport to Machu Picchu, is an incredible historic town. In my opinion, it even rivals Rome in the amount of history and fantastic architecture!
The cherry on top to visiting the Cusco region is the incredible food! Peru is known as the best food destination in South America, and I found Cusco to be where Peru’s gastronomy peaks.
5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro has something for everyone!
Stunning beaches, one of the 7 wonders of the world, hikes, architecture, lots of nature, luxury experiences, and a culture that is unmatched in its love for partying!
Rio has a bad reputation for safety, but I follow all the safety best practices and travel through the safest neighborhoods in Rio with peace of mind!
Though Rio is amazing year round, visiting the city during festivities, like New Years Eve, Carnaval, and big free concerts on Copacabana beach makes for a truly unforgettable experience.
6. Patagonia, Argentina and Chile
Patagonia is a bucket list South American destination for avid hikers, but there is so much more to it!
There are many easy and family friendly trails in beautiful places, like the Perito Moreno Glacier.
The cherry on top of traveling Patagonia are the wildlife tours where you can to see everything, from penguins (in places like Magdalena Island) to pumas (in Torres del Paine).
The only drawback to visiting patagonia are the prices, which have been steadily increasing over the past few years. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly destination in South America, it is probably best to skip visiting Patagonia!
7. Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil
Iguazu Falls, which is the world’s biggest waterfall complex, is a must-see destination in South America and one of the 7 wonders of nature, and rightfully so!
Located between Brazil and Argentina, the falls are an accessible and family friendly destination very much worth the trip!
Apart from the stunning trails around the falls, you can also get soaked during a fun boat tour, join jungle tours, visit a world-class bird park, swim in nearby waterfalls, and even take an helicopter flight.
Iguazu is one of those major bucket list destinations in South America, and visiting it is very much worth the hype.
8. Pantanal, Bolivia and Brazil
The Pantanal is home to the world’s best places to spot Jaguars!
Going on a Pantanal Safari, such as the ones in Porto Jofre, is a magical experience that most international tourists don’t even dream of!
Everyone hypes up the Amazon for wildlife watching, but I find the Pantanal to be a richer experience that yields a lot more sights.
Apart from watching wildlife, which includes jaguars, capybara, caimans, giant river otters, and lots more, the Pantanal is also an incredible destination for fishing.
9. Amazon Rainforest, multiple countries
The world’s biggest rain forest is one of those must-see destinations in South America, and visiting it is easier than one would think!
The Amazon is giant and can be accessed from 9 countries, though about 60% of it is inside Brazil.
There is a lot of discussion on where is best to access the Amazon, and though there is no right answer, Alter do Chão in Brazil would be my top choice.
If you’re looking for the cheapest place to visit the Amazon, focus on Bolivia. If you’re looking for an easily accessible luxury experience, Brazil will be your best bet!
Though the Amazon is a wildeness-style destination, it still has luxury lodges and even a luxury cruise (like the famous Grand Amazon Expedition).
For anyone who wants a more rustic vibe, there are also affordable lodges (like the Amazon Dolphin Lodge in Ecuador) that frequently receive international tourists
10. Bonito, Brazil
Bonito is home to the world’s clearest rivers, and the snorkeling in the crystal clear river springs is an other-worldly experience!
Though the rivers are the stars of the show, Bonito is also home to lots of mini waterparks for families, amazing jungle hikes, and LOTS of wildlife!
Tourism development in Bonito is first class, and something that other ecotourism destinations in South America should model!
Lots of great accommodations, well organized tours (with prices fixed by the local government), a lively little downtown, and a huge focus on sustainable tourism!
11. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flats make for an incredible trip filled with fun photo opportunities!
Apart from just enjoying the view of the never-ending salt flats, you can also explore other cool activities in the region such as swimming in thermal waters, see geysers, flamingos, and much more.
Bolivia is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in South America, which makes it a perfect stop for backpackers!
12. Medellin, Colombia
Medellin has risen from its dark past and is now one of the best cities in South America to visit.
The city is filled with stunning sculptures by the world-famous artist Fernando Botero, free museums, and an amazing botanical garden (where I saw lots of wildlife!)
Exploring what remains from the city’s challenging past makes for a very touching experience, which is very comparable with what I experienced visiting Holocaust museums in Europe.
Though Medellin by itself makes for a very fun stop, the nearby city of Guatapé has an incredible vibe with its colorful houses, nice little restaurants, and cultural performances.
13. Chapada dos Veadeiros, Brazil
Chapada dos Veadeiros has a lot to offer, and is the most incredible waterfall and hiking destination I’ve ever been to!
The region is home to over 100 waterfalls, quartz crystal hiking trails (yes, you’ll be stepping on pink quartz), and incredible wildlife (including lots of macaws and toucans!)
The best part is that swimming is allowed in many of these waterfalls, so as you hike, you can stop for a swim! These refreshing little stops throughout the trail make the journey a lot less challenging, and even unexperienced hikers can enjoy the trails.
The infrastructure there is also amazing, with widely available and well-trained tour guides and great hotels in lively towns.
The Wrapup: Best Destinations in South America
I recently went on a six-month soul-searching trip across South America, and it changed everything for me. I came back recharged, inspired, and endlessly grateful.
I hope you’ll feel the same, whether you’re heading on a big South America backpacking trip or just a quick getaway to reconnect with nature.
Whether you’re watching wildlife in the Galápagos, hiking to waterfalls in Brazil, or watching jaguars in the Pantanal, every stop offers something unforgettable.
If you’re still deciding where to go next, check out our other posts for South America holiday ideas that combine adventure, nature, and culture without breaking the bank.
