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Are you planning to visit Colombia, Chile, Argentina? Check out our Ultimate South America Travel Guide to know more about South American destinations, including essential information and helpful travel tips.

Do you love culture and natural wonders? South America is the ultimate travel destination for you.

This continent is filled with well-loved tourist spots such as the Galapagos Islands, Rio de Janeiro, and Patagonia. There are also hidden gems waiting to be discovered by globetrotters, one of which is Peru’s Ayacucho.

South America is also teeming with good local food – think Tucomanas of Buenos Aires and fine chocolates from Ecuador!

Whichever part you end up visiting, make sure to check out all the best things to do in the area right here in our Ultimate South America Travel Guide.

If you need a shortlist of all the best accommodations in South America, check out our hotel features in every destination category.

From luxurious villas to glamping tents, you are sure to find the one that fits your idea of a South American getaway.

Destinations in South America

RIO DE JANEIRO

PATAGONIA

BOLIVIA

PERU

LIMA PERU

CUSCO PERU

ECUADOR

QUITO ECUADOR

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

MEDELLIN COLOMBIA

BOGOTA COLOMBIA

BUENOS AIRES

SANTIAGO DE CHILE

Best Adventure Tours in South America

VISITING THE SALT FLATS OF BOLIVIA

CYCLING THE DEATH ROAD

TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Machu Picchu

HIKE THE MORRO DIOS IRMAOS

HELICOPTER TOUR IN RIO DE JANEIRO

COLCA CANYON PERU TREK

CRUISING DOWN THE AMAZON RIVER

Book your vacation now!

All the companies and products below are helpful to plan your trip. The travel experts of Universal Traveller use all of them because they make their lives easier.

  • AgodaAgoda is an amazing website to book hotel rooms. When we are traveling in Asia we do not use any other website.

  • Booking.comBooking is another great platform to look for hotels. Low prices, great selection, and an easy-to-use interface!

  • HostelworldHostelworld is in our opinion the best website to search for hostels. You can find rooms and beds of more than 35.000 accommodations in 180 countries.

  • Get Your Guide helps you to find the best tours wherever you are heading to. It’s normally the first website that we check when we plan a trip to a new place.

  • RentalCarsRentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations to guarantee you the best price.

  • Momondo – Momondo is the first website we use when we are looking for a cheap flight.

How to get from Bogota to San Gil, Colombia

How to get from Bogota to San Gil, Colombia

San Gil is well connected with Bogota. You can get from Bogota to San Gil ...
How to get from Bogota to Cali, Colombia

How to get from Bogota to Cali, Colombia

Cali is well connected with Bogota. You can get from Bogota to Cali by bus, ...
How to get from Bogota to Bogota Airport, Colombia

How to get from Bogota to Bogota Airport, Colombia

Bogota Airport is well connected with Bogota. You can get from Bogota to Bogota Airport ...
How to get from Bogota to Salento, Colombia

How to get from Bogota to Salento, Colombia

Salento is well connected with Bogota. You can get from Bogota to Salento by bus ...
How to get from Bogota to Pereira, Colombia

How to get from Bogota to Pereira, Colombia

Pereira is well connected with Bogota. You can get from Bogota to Pereira by bus, ...
How to get from Bogotá to Cartagena, Colombia

How to get from Bogotá to Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is well connected with Bogotá. You can get from Bogotá to Cartagena by bus, ...
How to get from Medellín to Pereira, Colombia

How to get from Medellín to Pereira, Colombia

Pereira is well connected with Medellín. You can get from Medellín to Pereira by bus, ...
How to get from Medellin to Peñol, Colombia

How to get from Medellin to Peñol, Colombia

Peñol is well connected with Medellin. You can get from Medellin to Peñol by bus, ...
How to get from Medellín to Medellín Airport, Colombia

How to get from Medellín to Medellín Airport, Colombia

Medellín Airport is well connected with Medellín. You can get from Medellín to Medellín Airport ...
How to get from Medellín to Salento, Colombia

How to get from Medellín to Salento, Colombia

Salento is well connected with Medellín. You can get from Medellín to Salento by bus, ...
How to get from Medellin to Manizales, Colombia

How to get from Medellin to Manizales, Colombia

Manizales is well connected with Medellin. You can get from Medellin to Manizales by bus, ...
How to get from Santa Marta to Medellín, Colombia

How to get from Santa Marta to Medellín, Colombia

Medellín is well connected with Santa Marta. You can get from Santa Marta to Medellín ...
How to get from Cartagena to Medellín, Colombia

How to get from Cartagena to Medellín, Colombia

Medellín is well connected with Cartagena. Check out our guide for the best options to ...
How to get from Medellín to Guatapé, Colombia

How to get from Medellín to Guatapé, Colombia

Guatapé is well connected with Medellín. You can get from Medellín to Guatapé by bus, ...
How to get from Medellín to Jardín, Colombia

How to get from Medellín to Jardín, Colombia

Jardín is well connected with Medellín. You can get from Medellín to Jardín by bus, ...
How to get from Medellín to Cartagena, Colombia

How to get from Medellín to Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is well connected with Medellín. You can get from Medellín to Cartagena by bus, ...
How to get from Medellín to Santa Marta, Colombia

How to get from Medellín to Santa Marta, Colombia

Santa Marta is well connected with Medellín. You can get from Medellín to Santa Marta ...
How to get from Medellin to Bogota, Colombia

How to get from Medellin to Bogota, Colombia

Bogota is well connected with Medellin. You can get from Medellin to Bogota by bus, ...
How to get from Puno to Cusco, Peru

How to get from Puno to Cusco, Peru

Cusco is well connected with Puno. You can get from Puno to Cusco by bus, ...
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How to get from Machu Picchu to Cusco, Peru

Cusco is well connected with Machu Picchu. You can get from Machu Picchu to Cusco ...
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How to get from Cusco to Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa is well connected with Cusco. You can get from Cusco to Arequipa by bus, ...
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How to get from Ica to Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa is well connected with Ica. You can get from Ica to Arequipa by bus, ...
How to get from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara, Brazil

How to get from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara, Brazil

Jericoacoara is well connected with Fortaleza. You can get from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara by bus, ...
How to get from Florianopolis to Foz Do Iguacu, Brazil

How to get from Florianopolis to Foz Do Iguacu, Brazil

Foz Do Iguacu is well connected with Florianopolis. You can get from Florianopolis to Foz ...
How to get from Rio De Janeiro to Sao Paulo, Brazil

How to get from Rio De Janeiro to Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo is well connected with Rio de Janeiro. You can get from Rio de ...
How to get from Paraty to Sao Paulo, Brazil

How to get from Paraty to Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo is well connected with Paraty. You can get from Paraty to Sao Paulo ...
How to get from Paraty to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

How to get from Paraty to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is well connected with Paraty. You can get from Paraty to Rio ...
How to get from Fortaleza to Sao Luis, Brazil

How to get from Fortaleza to Sao Luis, Brazil

Sao Luis is well connected with Fortaleza. You can get from Fortaleza to Sao Luis ...
How to get from Lencois to Salvador, Brazil

How to get from Lencois to Salvador, Brazil

Salvador is well connected with Lencois. You can get from Lencois to Salvador by bus, ...
How to get from Foz Do Iguacu to Sao Paulo, Brazil

How to get from Foz Do Iguacu to Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo is well connected with Foz Do Iguacu. You can get from Foz Do ...
Brasilia to Rio De Janeiro

How to get from Brasilia to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is well connected with Brasilia. You can get from Brasilia to Rio ...
How to get from Buzios to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

How to get from Buzios to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is well connected with Buzios. You can get from Buzios to Rio ...
How to get from Ouro Preto to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

How to get from Ouro Preto to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is well connected with Ouro Preto. You can get from Ouro Preto ...
How to get from Lima to Paracas, Peru

How to get from Lima to Paracas, Peru

Lima is well connected with Paracas. You can get from Lima to Paracas by bus, ...
How to get from Cusco to Ica, Peru

How to get from Cusco to Ica, Peru

Ica is well connected with Cusco. You can get from Cusco to Ica by bus, ...
How to get from Cusco to Lima, Peru

How to get from Cusco to Lima, Peru

Lima is well connected with Cusco. You can get from Cusco to Lima by bus, ...
How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu, Peru

How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is well connected with Cusco. You can get from Cusco to Machu Picchu ...
How to get from Chiclayo to Lima, Peru

How to get from Chiclayo to Lima, Peru

Lima is well connected with Chiclayo. You can get from Chiclayo to Lima by bus, ...
How to get from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo, Peru

How to get from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo, Peru

Ollantaytambo is well connected with Machu Picchu. You can get from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo ...
How to get from Huaraz to Lima, Peru

How to get from Huaraz to Lima, Peru

Lima is well connected with Huaraz. You can get from Huaraz to Lima by bus, ...
How to get from Ica to Lima, Peru

How to get from Ica to Lima, Peru

Lima is well connected with Ica. You can get from Ica to Lima by bus, ...
How to get from Ica to Nazca, Peru

How to get from Ica to Nazca, Peru

Nazca is well connected with Ica. You can get from Ica to Nazca by bus, ...
How to get from Ica to Paracas, Peru

How to get from Ica to Paracas, Peru

Paracas is well connected with Ica. You can get from Ica to Paracas by bus, ...
How to get from La Paz to Puno, Peru

How to get from La Paz to Puno, Peru

Puno is well connected with La Paz. You can get from La Paz to Puno ...
How to get from Lima to Mancora, Peru

How to get from Lima to Mancora, Peru

Mancora is well connected with Lima. You can get from Lima to Mancora by bus, ...
How to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, Peru

How to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, Peru

Ollantaytambo is well connected with Cusco. You can get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by minivan, ...
How to get from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, Peru

How to get from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, Peru

Puerto Maldonado is well connected with Cusco. You can get from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado ...
How to get from Cusco to Puno, Peru

How to get from Cusco to Puno, Peru

Puno is well connected with Cusco. You can get from Cusco to Puno by bus, ...
How to get from Arequipa to Puno, Peru

How to get from Arequipa to Puno, Peru

Puno is well connected with Arequipa. You can get from Arequipa to Puno by bus, ...
How to get from Arequipa to Ica, Peru

How to get from Arequipa to Ica, Peru

Ica is well connected with Arequipa. You can get from Arequipa to Ica by bus, ...
How to get from Arequipa to Cusco, Peru

How to get from Arequipa to Cusco, Peru

Cusco is well connected with Arequipa. You can get from Arequipa to Cusco by bus, ...
How to get from Arequipa to Nazca, Peru

How to get from Arequipa to Nazca, Peru

Nazca is well connected with Arequipa. You can get from Arequipa to Nazca by bus, ...
How to get from Bogota to Medellin, Colombia14

How to get from Bogota to Medellin, Colombia

Medellin is well connected with Bogota. You can get from Bogota to Medellin by bus, ...
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Top things to do on Isla Isabela, Galapagos Islands

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Top Things to do on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

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Best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro may well be the most famous city in Brazil—and maybe even in ...
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Colca Canyon Peru Trek

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Cruising Down the Amazon River on a Slowboat

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Helicopter Tour Rio de Janeiro

When you imagine Rio de Janeiro, your mind might not jump to spinning blades and ...
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Lined with golden sand along the eastern and southern extremities, Rio de Janeiro beaches, among ...
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Sangay Spa Hotel Baños, Ecuador

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Death Road Bolivia – What’s It Like Cycling the World’s Most Dangerous Road?

Join one of the greatest adventures and cycle the Death Road Bolivia (North Yungas Road), ...
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Ultimate List of Best things to do in Bolivia

Bolivia lies landlocked between Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Paraguay. But even without an attractive coastline ...
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If you’re in Ecuador and looking for an adventure (or at the very least, a ...
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Ultimate List of Best things to do in Patagonia

Show someone a picture from Patagonia—perhaps a snapshot of the imposing Monte San Valentin or ...
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Ultimate List of Best things to do in Buenos Aires, Argentina

The city's first European settlers and sailors named Buenos Aires, or “good airs,” chose the ...
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Ultimate List of Best things to do in Ecuador

I asked a bunch of travel bloggers for their ultimate best things to in Ecuador ...
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Ultimate List of Best things to do in Quito, Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador, is a sprawling city that lines the rolling hills and slopes of the ...
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Ultimate List of Best things to do in Santiago Chile

There are many fun things to do in Santiago, Chile. Like most large cities, Santiago ...
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How to get to Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is easily accessible, and there a several ways visitors get there. Check out ...
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Ultimate List of Best Things to Do in Lima, Peru

Unlock the Magic of Peru's vibrant capital! Discover the ultimate list of the best things ...
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Ultimate List of Best Things to do in Peru

Peru is a stunning country rich in both cultural history and natural wonders. Those looking ...
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Ultimate List of Best things to do in Cusco, Peru

Cusco is an ancient and intriguing city. One of the only major cities in the ...
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Explore Peru with Peru Hop

Imagine a bus trip without the hassle, a bus trip where missing a ride or ...
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Ultimate List of Best things to do in Medellín, Colombia

Medellín, Colombia, a city nestled high within the Colombian mountains, has a rich cultural history ...
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Ultimate List of Best things to do in Bogotá, Colombia

Bogotá is the heart of modern Colombia and, with 8 million inhabitants, the largest and ...
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Why Colombia Should be Your Next Travel Destination

I just finished traveling around South America for ten months. Besides the fact that the ...
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Diving at Rosario Island Nationalpark

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Over the years, Cartagena de Indias became a favorite destination for romantic weekends with its ...
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