South America Travel Guide
Andes peaks, Amazon rainforest and colonial old towns, what to see and how to plan a trip across South America.
Don’t miss
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro’s beaches and Christ the Redeemer
- The Amazon Rainforest
- Salar de Uyuni salt flats, Bolivia
- Cartagena’s old town, Colombia
Recommended hotels
- Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Cusco
- Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro
- Casa San Agustin, Cartagena
- Awasi Patagonia, Chile
Getting around
Domestic flights cover the continent’s vast distances best; buses are affordable for shorter regional hops.
Safety tips
Use registered tour operators for remote treks, stay alert in city centers at night, and keep copies of key documents.
Best time to visit
MayโSeptember (dry season) for the Andes and Amazon; DecemberโMarch for Rio and the southern coast.
Budget advice
Bolivia, Peru and Colombia offer strong value; Argentina, Chile and Brazil’s major cities run higher.
Visa requirements
Requirements vary by nationality and by country โ many travelers can enter countries like Peru, Argentina and Colombia visa-free for tourism, while others need a visa or reciprocity fee. Check requirements for each country on your itinerary before booking.
Currency & payments
Each country has its own currency (Peruvian sol, Argentine peso, Brazilian real, Bolivian boliviano, and so on). US dollars are accepted in some tourist areas but aren’t reliable everywhere, so plan to carry local currency.