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Best Places To Vacation In South America

Hike In The Superlative Scenery Of Tierra Del Fuego National Park

21 Best Places to Visit in South America – Travel Video

West of Ushuaia lies another of Patagonias finest national parks. Packed with day hikes that take in stupendous views across dense forests of southern beech and onto the watery depths of the Beagle Channel, Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is one of the must-visit destinations in Argentine Patagonia.

Views across the Beagle Channel from the top of the Cerro Guanaco trail in Tierra del Fuego National Park, near Ushuaia.

Youll find plenty of birdlife, including condors and albatrosses, as well as the Southern Fuegian Railway. Better known as the Train to the End of the World, this 500 mm gauge steam railway was originally used to transport prisoners working to chop timber and now takes you deep into the national park on the final seven kilometres of track. Its a bit of a tourist trap, but if you love your railways, then its a must-do activity.

Embark On An Epic South American Road Trip Along Route 40

Argentinas Route 40 is a journey for the intrepid at heart. A drive along this road that spans the entire country as it wiggles its way from north to south requires some planning and a wild sense of adventure.

Stretching over 3,100 miles , the trip can be done in various legs depending on where you choose to start. At the northern end, youll find the stark, high-altitude volcanic landscapes that border Bolivia at the south, youll encounter the glacier-strewn Andes mountains as they reach their conclusion at the tip of South America in Patagonia.

Renting a car gives you the independence to explore the route at your pace, although youll find buying your own vehicle a much more economical choice.

Visit The Magical Angel Falls

Buried deep in the Venezuelan jungle lies one of South Americas most dramatic natural landmarks. Thundering down from a tabletop mountain from a height of 980 metres, Angel Falls are sixteen times the height of Niagara Falls, making them the worlds tallest waterfall, and easily one of South Americas most spectacular sights.

Sixteen times the height of Niagara Falls, Angel Falls is one of the continents most spectacular sights.

But its not just the falls themselves that make this part of Venezuela so beguiling. Surrounded by lush rainforest within Parque Nacional Canaima , these falls are challenging to reach, requiring a boat journey followed by a hike to stand at their feet. But, with this degree of magic awaiting, its a more than worthwhile adventure.

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Colonia Del Sacramento Uruguay

Not exactly a city, yet this beautiful colonial town sitting just across the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires, couldnt be missed off this list. The old colonial town of Colonia is an absolute gem.

You could easily spend 2 whole days here taking in the old cobblestone alleyways, strolling around the historical centre drinking coffee, taking in the marina and relaxing on the beaches.

One of the best things to do in Colonia is walking up to the top of the lighthouse, which gives fantastic views over the historical centre and the Rio de la Plata. The pace of life is very slow in Colonia and this is the perfect place to relax for a day or two before heading back to bustling Buenos Aires.

For the perfect Uruguay travel guide check out our 2-week itinerary here.

Back In Time At The Ciudad Perdida

The 13 Best Places to Visit in South America

Theres a reason that the Ciudad Perdida in Colombias Sierra Nevada de Marta range was dubbed the Lost City. Built by the Tairona people in 660 AD and abandoned when it was pillaged by the Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century, the city lay forgotten and buried by the encroaching jungle until the 1970s.

Less dramatic in architecture than Machu Picchu, the Lost City does, however, present a far bigger challenge to reach. A five-day, 40-kilometre hike takes you through dense jungle, in sight of an impressive diversity of flora and fauna, and sticky humidity to reach these remote and barely-visited jungle ruins.

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Torres Del Paine National Park Patagonia

Ancient forests, towering granite peaks, glaciers, lakes, rivers, and pampas, Torres del Paine National Park is the gem of Patagonia.

Named after the three iconic granite spires that rise out of the heart of the Paine Massif, Torres del Paine is located in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica region of southern Chile.

The hiking trails in Torres del Paine, like the W Trek draw in more than 250,000 visitors a year from Chile and abroad.

The park was founded in 1959 and became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978 to protect the fragile landscapes, plants, and wildlife that call this place home.

Torres del Paine National Park is popular for itshiking trails, but there are plenty of other activities to be enjoyed like wildlife viewing, kayaking, boating, and cycling, making it one of the best places to visit South America.

Atacama Desert And The Lake District Chile

Our Atacama Desert and Lake District Chile vacation is suited to adventurous families that love to explore the outdoors. Known as the driest place on Earth, the Atacama Deserts otherwordly landscapes will bring your children as close to being outer space as they may ever get! After all, the vast barren chalk-white and mars-red plateaus and surreal rock formations in the Valley of the Moon and Valley of the Dead are unlike anything else on Earth. Coupled with the mystical Tatio geysers, the mirror-like salt lake, and the ice-blue Puritama Hot Springs, Atacama is like a giant natural playground for you and your kids. Hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and 4×4 drives are just some of the adventurous ways your family can explore the desert on these Atacama Desert tours. These can be arranged as part of an all-inclusive package with one of our luxurious family desert retreats.

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Rise And Fall Of Military Dictatorships

Wars became less frequent in the 20th century, with Bolivia-Paraguay and Peru-Ecuador fighting the last inter-state wars. Early in the 20th century, the three wealthiest South American countries engaged in a vastly expensive naval arms race which began after the introduction of a new warship type, the “dreadnought“. At one point, the Argentine government was spending a fifth of its entire yearly budget for just two dreadnoughts, a price that did not include later in-service costs, which for the Brazilian dreadnoughts was sixty percent of the initial purchase.

The continent became a battlefield of the Cold War in the late 20th century. Some democratically elected governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay were overthrown or displaced by military dictatorships in the 1960s and 1970s. To curtail opposition, their governments detained tens of thousands of political prisoners, many of whom were tortured and/or killed on inter-state collaboration. Economically, they began a transition to neoliberal economic policies. They placed their own actions within the US Cold War doctrine of “National Security” against internal subversion. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Peru suffered from an internal conflict.

In 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British dependent territory. The Falklands War began and 74 days later Argentine forces surrendered.

The 25 Places You Must Visit In South America

Top 25 Places To Visit In The USA

If you are heading to South America for the first time, you have come to the right place. When I first visited South America a few years ago, I had no idea where to go or what to do. I didnt want to miss anything, but I had no idea where to go! But fear not. Weve put together a list of the best places to see and visit in South America. If you love this post, follow along on to stay updated with my adventures!

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Marvel At The Ruins Of Machu Picchu

Nestled in the Andes Mountains are the ruins of Machu Picchu. Built as a mountain getaway for the civilisations rulers, this archaeological site gives visitors a glimpse into the Inca Empire, the largest of its kind in pre-Columbian America. Part of the thrill of this site is how this once lavish mountainside citadel sits high up in the mountains and becomes absolutely enrapturing at dawn as the sun cascades over the stone buildings an absolute must-see when youre in Peru.

Youll encounter a diverse range of flora and fauna including the sites resident llama population, with the best way to get here is by hiking the Inca trail or one of the other paths that wind their way through the mountains to arrive as the Inca themselves would have. To enter Machu Picchu, you need to buy tickets in advance and you can do the visit without a guide and you can read our article to find out the best time to visit Machu Picchu, too.

Machu Picchu, UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Visit Tierra Del Fuegos First Estancia

Founded in 1886 by Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges, Estancia Harberton takes the title of the islands first ranch. Now operated by Bridges descendants, and with the excellent Museo Acatushún that showcases the areas marine mammals and bird species at its heart, its a worthwhile place for a day trip.

Boat tours from Ushuaia take you via the Beagle Channel, the 240-km strait separating Tierra del Fuego from Chile and where colonies of fur seals, Magellanic penguins and cormorants can be spotted. Keep your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins in the water.

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The Galapagos Islands Ecuador

Roughly 60 miles west of the mainland of Ecuador are the Galapagos Islands. While getting to The Galapagos Islands isnt as easy as flying into one of South Americas major cities, its still well worth looking into for a vacation with your kids.

Your best option for getting to the islands is to fly into Balta Island before making your way to Santa Cruz island, the most prominent tourist hub for the area. There are other options, but regardless of where you fly into, most tours of the islands leave from Santa Cruz.

Isabela Island is the largest in the archipelago, but 13 other sizable islands exist. Many tour groups will take you and your kids around the islands where you can see some of the most beautiful plants and areas of the world.

Youll stop at various beaches where you can swim, snorkel, or simply relax in the sand. If youre interested in taking your kids to the Galapagos Islands, be sure to check with the tour groups for age requirements. Many require kids to be at least a certain age to attend.

Big Bend National Park Texas

The 13 Best Places to Visit in South America

Big Bend National Park is another place to stop in Texas. Since it is found on the border with Mexico, make sure to pack your passport if you want to make a stop in another country and visit some cute, small towns. The park itself is a prime desert and mountain location. This is a great place to camp, hike, and photograph nature.

One of the best hiking trails is found at Santa Elena Canyon. This two mile round trip hike will provide amazing views. This park also has historic ruins to discover, including a mine, a house, and a post office. When your muscles start to ache from hiking and adventuring, head to the Hot Springs Historic Trail by the Rio Grande to soak in natural hot springs while taking in great views of the river.

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Get Under The Skin Of Rural Life In Parque Nacional Da Chapada Diamantina

Looking for an eco-adventure in Brazil? Look no further than Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina . As one of the countrys and the continents most glorious national parks, expect to be blown away by the drama of the scenery here.

Spend a few days here to discover Brazils highest waterfall and ancient table mountains where gaping canyons and jagged peaks draw together, as well as the welcoming hospitality of the local people.

To see this region at its finest, take a multi-day trekking tour staying in local peoples home, or take a hiking or caving day trip.

Go Hiking And Biking From Swiss

Sitting at the heart of the Argentine Lakes Region and within the mountain and lake-scattered landscapes of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi , Bariloche attracts visitors in their droves. Summer is peak season for visitors, who head to this town on the banks of Lago Nahuel Huapi to enjoy everything this capital of adventure has to offer.

Autumn colors in Lake Gutierrez, near Bariloche, one of the best places to visit in Argentina for hikers.

Whether youre keen to mountain bike on lakeside gravel paths or head up into the snow-dappled peaks of Cerro Catedral , Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi has it all. Best of all, Bariloche, with its Swiss-inspired architecture, surprisingly good craft beer and even more surprisingly fantastic chocolate, make this a town where you wont regret whiling away a good few days. Be aware that Bariloche can be packed in the summer months between December and February.

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Machu Picchu And Sacred Valley Peru

Family vacations are all about sharing once-in-a-lifetime experiences and Perus Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley are the best places to find them. As one of 7 Wonders of the Modern World, the iconic Inca citadel in the sky is a bucket-list destination for intrepid explorers young and old. However, the journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu itself can be just as rewarding. We recommend breaking the journey up with a night suspended from the floor of the Sacred Valley in the Skylodge glass pods. Perched on the valleys cliffside 365 meters from the ground, the pods are only reachable by climbing via ferrata up the cliff face.

After ziplining down, visit local farms and markets to give your kids insight into life in the Andean foothills. Then, join the last leg of the Inka Trail for a one-day hike that follows the Royal Inca footsteps to Machu Picchus breathtaking Sun Gate entrance. Of course, more experienced hiking families can multi-day Inka Trail hikes while those with less desire to walk can simply take a private shuttle for the next leg of the trip. Finish the sojourn with a few fun days in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco where you and your kids can explore the city streets, take a Peruvian cooking class, and browse the handicraft stores.

When Is The Best Time To Visit South America

Santiago Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia

South America is a great travel destination all year round. The best time to visit South America depends on the seasonal climate of the country youre visiting, the activities youre interested in, and the larger crowds and higher costs during peak tourist seasons.

In contrast to North America, the seasons of the southern hemisphere of South America are reversed with the summer months falling between November and February with winters between June and August. The northern hemisphere of South America follows seasonal changes more consistently with North America.

For example, the best time to visit Patagonia in the south is between November and February where harsh winters during June through September will close down most local operations. The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season between May and October with blue skies and warmer temperatures. Visitors will want to avoid the colder rainy season between January and March.

Clearly, South America weather plays an important role in planning a trip to South America. The type of activities and excursions youre planning are also a primary factor in deciding when and where to visit. Check out our top 15 South America tours for custom vacation ideas from our travel experts. Each tour includes recommendations of the best activities and excursions with each destination.

My Recommendation

Rebecca Deering

South America Travel Expert

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Hot Springs National Park Arkansas

In Arkansas, you will find Hot Springs National Park, which has some of the best hot springs in the U.S. Take a dip in the natural, thermal hot springs from inside one of the historic bathhouses.

While you cant soak outside, you can still touch the fresh water in a couple of outdoor pools. The 4,000-year-old, protected spring water is drinkable so make sure to stock up on water by filling bottles at some of the many fountains.

While you are here, make sure to check out the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum and Visitor Center to learn about the history of the baths. The Hot Springs Mountain Tower is another thing to check out is you love great views. The open-air observation deck will provide views of the mountains and forest. There are also a few hiking and biking trails that will weave you through the nature of the park.

The Lake District Argentina

At just the right time for the regions best climate, make the most of the plethora of outdoor pursuits on offer mountain biking, hiking, fishing and boat trips are all ideal ways to explore the picturesque mountains, forest, lakes and rivers. This is the ideal escape for both active travellers and animal lovers alike.

Estancia Peuma Hue enhances each visitors experience of the region, with unforgettable days spent horseback riding while exploring the idyllic surroundings.

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