South America’s best tourist attractions

With so much to discover, it can be hard to know where to start, whether you want to immerse yourself in the colourful culture of Rio de Janeiro, marvel at the impressive beauty of Iguazu Falls or delve into the mysteries of enigmatic Machu Picchu. So we’ve picked the 10 best tourist attractions in South America for this list of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Visiting the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating things to do in South America, if not the world. Hidden away high in the Andes, this lost city of the Incas remained a secret from the world until the 20th century, although its popularity since has more than made up for lost time.

Machu Picchu, Peru

One of the most important archaeological sites in the world, as well as one of the main tourist attractions in South America, Machu Picchu is a firm fixture on countless travel wish lists. Stand alongside llamas to soak up the iconic view down onto the site before heading inside to learn more about the impressively precise building methods, the stories behind the stones, and the secrets which scholars are still trying to uncover.

Although Machu Picchu is a highlight of any tour of Peru, it’s easy to learn more about this long-lost civilisation by combining it with a visit to nearby Cusco, the heartland of the Incan Empire and home to the ruined fortress of Sacsayhuaman, as well as the Sacred Valley.

One of the most instantly recognisable landmarks in South America, Christ the Redeemer is among the iconic images which spring to mind when you think of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, a magnificent statue of Jesus standing atop Mount Corcovado, its arms outstretched.

Keeping a watchful eye over the city below, Christ the Redeemer (or Cristo Redentor in Portuguese) stands 98ft tall, while its arms reach 92ft wide. Finished in 1931, the statue is the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world, clad in a mosaic of tiny triangular soapstone tiles.

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro

Standing on its platform at the top of the mountain, the statue is visible from almost anywhere in the city itself, with equally impressive views back down over Rio de Janeiro, including Copacabana Beach and the rainforest of the Tijuca National Park.

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it’s easy to combine a visit with a trip up Sugarloaf Mountain – and perhaps a caipirinha with a sunset view to end the day.

The richness and diversity of the wildlife in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands is famous world-wide; after all, it did play a part in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. And if you love animals or the natural world, a visit to this archipelago easily ranks as one of the biggest South America attractions around.

As you visit, you could come eye to eye with giant tortoises, marine iguana, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs and famous Galapagos birds such as blue-footed boobies and Darwin’s finches.

Giant tortoise, Galapagos

Unique wildlife aside, the unspoiled landscapes of the island chain are a sight to behold all on their own, and each island carries its own special charm. Take to the crystal-clear waters on a diving trip to explore the underwater world, or enjoy a visit to one of the islands’ volcanoes.

You can choose to cruise the Galapagos, or hop between a few of the main islands, but don’t forget to make a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, where you can see how scientists are still learning about the Galapagos Islands to this day.

This astonishing natural wonder is also one of the best tourist attractions in South America, the largest waterfall system in the world which curves around the cliffs on the border between Argentina and Brazil.

Formed as the result of a volcanic eruption, a total of 275 separate cascades make up the complete falls, stretching over an area of almost 1.7 miles. Set at the heart of the Iguazu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they’re surrounded by subtropical rainforest teeming with flora and fauna.

Iguazu Falls

No trip to South America is complete without exploring both sides of the falls for the full experience of seeing these torrents of water and making the most of the views from every angle. On the Brazilian side, birds and insects sparkle in the rainbow droplets of spray over tranquil pools, while the cliffside viewing platforms let you look along the full length of the crashing white water tumbling 80 metres down the cliff face.

On the Argentinian side, trails lead through the national park before bringing you closer to the base of the cascades, where you can get a sense of the awesome power of the thundering falls.

The largest rainforest on earth, a chance to visit the Amazon is one of the main tourist attractions in South America, discovering the rich biodiversity and fabulous wildlife to be found within its borders, stretching across Brazil and Peru and extending into Bolivia and Ecuador as well.

While many tours focus on the Brazilian Amazon including a cruise along the river around Manaus, you’ll discover a less explored side to this sprawling rainforest on a tour to Peru, where you can walk through protected private reserves as well as taking boat trips along the river after dark, to see how the forest transforms at night.

Amazon

Or paddle along the waterways in the daytime, spotting red howler monkeys, anacondas, side-necked turtles and red-bellied macaws, along with endangered giant river otters. You might even spot a piranha or two. Walkways through the forest canopy give you another view of the Amazon, high up among the toucans, monkeys and sloths. There’s quite simply nowhere on earth quite like this astonishing rainforest, so a visit is unquestionably one of the unmissable things to do in South America.

Covering the southern tip of South America, crossing both Argentina and Chile, Patagonia is one of the world’s great landscapes. Home to mountains, lakes, rainforests, deserts and glaciers, this dramatic mix of scenery is genuinely breath-taking.

Ushuaia, Patagonia

A heaven for hikers, it’s also possible to visit Patagonia on a cruise, often stopping at Punta Arenas, as well as passing through Glacier Alley on the way to Ushuaia, and sailing around Cape Horn. Glacier Alley itself is home to landscapes seen in few other places on earth, where you can hear the blue ice cracking before it crashes into the waters below, and spot penguins, humpback whales and seals in the waters – no wonder this spot has been called the end of the world.

Torres del Paine National Park, on the Chilean side of Patagonia, is another of the most popular areas to visit, known for its own sparkling blue icebergs, soaring mountains and the golden grasslands, which are home to rare wildlife.

The birthplace of the sun, according to Incan myth and legend, Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America, high in the Andes mountains on the border of Bolivia and Peru. It’s the perfect place to meet some of the Quechua, the area’s indigenous people, and to learn more about their culture and customs.

Uros people, Lake Titicaca

Save time for a visit to the Uros villages, whose inhabitants live on floating totora-reed islands, as well as to browse local handicrafts, such as traditional weaving. Home to hundreds of different species, including birds and rare Titicaca water frogs, it’s another wonderful stop for animal-lovers too.

But the sight of the deep blue waters of the lake itself are what tempt most people to add Lake Titicaca to their list of things to do in South America – gaze out at this shimmering scene, and it’s no surprise this a mesmerising and magical place is where stories are born.

Part of the northern section of Patagonia, and crossing both Chile and Argentina, the picturesque Lake District has its own dramatic and enticing scenery, but dotted with picturesque towns rather than the wilder expanses further south.

Lake Perito Moreno, Lake District, Argentina

Head to San Carlos de Bariloche and you could almost believe you’ve been transported back to Europe with its Alpine-style buildings, courtesy of the Swiss, Austrian and German immigrants who settled here. Set in the shadow of the Andes alongside one of the area’s glacial lakes, it’s perfect whether you’re looking for a base to explore further, a chance to stroll past the chocolate shops lining the town’s streets or something more active, with hiking during summer and skiing in the mountains in winter.

Or in Chile’s Lake District, you’ll find more eye-catching scenery with volcanoes reflected in dazzling blue-green lakes. Lake Llanquihue is one of the largest in Latin America, home to the ‘City of Roses’, Puerto Varas, as well as pretty Petrohue with its sparkling waterfalls, while Las Todos los Santos is surrounded by temperate rainforest, part of the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.

So many of the best tourist attractions in South America are natural rather than man-made, and the sight of Andean condors gliding majestically through the air is easily one of the most memorable, with the Colca Canyon in Peru among the best places to see them.

The rare bids use the thermals from the canyon to stay aloft, soaring gracefully high above the ground, some with a wingspan of more than 3 metres.

Colca canyon, Peru

The Colca Canyon itself is as impressive as its inhabitants; as much as 2 kilometres deep and stretching for around 70 kilometres, it’s one of the world’s deepest canyons. The towns in the Andean valleys nearby have existed since before the Spanish conquest, with traditions enduring since Inca times.

Less well-known than some of the main tourist attractions in South America, such as Machu Picchu, this corner of the country is an unforgettable addition to a holiday in Peru.

While the natural wonders of the South American continent are undoubtedly one of its major draws, the cities are just as spectacular - especially Buenos Aires, the capital of and largest city in Argentina. Nicknamed the Paris of South America, you’ll discover a vibrant Latin soul behind the elegant façade of its colonial architecture, complete with splashes of street art and a tango pulse providing the city’s soundtrack.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

You could watch the professionals or head to a milonga, an informal tango party, to dust off your own dancing shoes. Once you’ve grabbed your partner and attempted the steps of this passionate dance, discover the mix of neighbourhoods right from its grandest buildings to the colourful tin houses of La Boca and the elaborate graves of the Recoleta cemetery.

Mix visits to the city’s museums with a stroll through its sprawling green spaces, before indulging with a flame-grilled steak and glass of local Malbec. A world away from the continent’s unspoiled wild corners, but no holiday to South America would be complete without a slice of this city’s unmatchable style.

Discover unmissable sights on one of our escorted tours of South America