The 24 incredible new highlights of South America

There is no such thing as a boring day in South America, or even a boring moment.

THE LOWDOWN

There is surely no other continent on earth that offers the diversity of South America.

One day, you could be connecting with indigenous culture, immersed in a mountain village far from everything you know; the next, dining on Michelin-starred cuisine in a major city. You could go surfing one day and skiing the next; you could view crashing waterfalls or bone-dry deserts; dance the night away or browse titles in a historic bookstore.

South America is a complicated, inspiring continent of folk heroes and villains (sometimes they’re the same people), artists and poets, football players and movie stars. It’s the homeland of liberating military leader Simon Bolivar and Argentinian first lady Eva Peron; of footballers Diego Maradona and Pele; of writers Pablo Neruda and Isabelle Allende; of “Latin music queen” Shakira and actor Pedro Pascal.

There is no such thing as a boring day in South America, or even a boring moment. There’s always action, always a celebration, very often a protest. Life here is drawn vividly, it’s stark and raw and ever-present, it sweeps you up and never lets you go.

For travellers, this is it. This is the place. It may look a little dangerous sometimes and it’s certainly unpredictable. But South America has so much to offer, so many reasons to visit, that it is always worth taking the plunge.

WHAT’S HOT

South America has often been a place where indigenous culture is viewed through the eyes of others; now, it’s becoming a place where Indigenous culture is presented by those who actually live it, with a rise in Indigenous-led experiences and organisations across the continent.

These tourism businesses are ethical and sustainable, while also offering insights into the cultures and traditions of indigenous peoples. Visitors can find of these experiences in Chile – walking the Atacama with Lickan Antay people, staying overnight with the Mapuche in the south; Peru – homestays in the Andes; and in Brazil – Amazon trekking with the Yanomami people.

Across South America, food also continues to be a major drawcard, particularly the fine-dining scenes in the likes of Buenos Aires, Lima, Bogota and Sao Paulo. The culinary standards here are sky-high and plenty of travellers are making their way to this continent purely for dining experiences.

WHAT’S NOT

You will notice something as you research your dream trip to South America: getting there isn’t cheap. There are only two airlines that fly from Australia to South America (LATAM and Qantas), and both will take you through Santiago. This duopoly means there’s very little incentive to keep airfares to a minimum, and unless you happen to be taking your dream holiday in Santiago (which, interesting city as it is, you probably won’t be), there will likely be an extra flight you will have to pay for.

There’s also the issue of security in South America, which is more pressing in the continent’s north – US armed forces have recently ousted a sitting president (Venezuela) and threatened another (Colombia) – than it is in the relatively more stable south. South America is a dynamic, colourful and exciting destination, but it’s also the sort of place where it pays to be security-conscious wherever you go. Be sure to take precautions against petty theft and more dangerous encounters.

MUST-VISIT COUNTRIES

Ecuador

This is the gateway to the Galapagos, and for that reason alone Ecuador should not be missed. It’s difficult to overstate the thrill of a visit to this unique island group, where frequently you will have up-close encounters with incredible wildlife. Spare some time, however, to explore Ecuador proper, from Amazonian eco-lodges to kayaking on volcanic Quilotoa Lake, to hiking up Cotopaxi volcano. Or, hang out in historic, high-altitude Quito. See ecuador.travel

Argentina

The South American nation will have one thing on its collective mind this June and July as the FIFA World Cup takes place in North America, and while you may not be planning to attend the tournament, you can still visit the home of its reigning champions, Argentina, to watch matches on TV and soak up the passion for football that is so alive there. Outside that, this is a diverse, beautiful and thrilling place to visit, from winery visits in Mendoza, to horse-riding on the pampas near Cordoba, to glacier-gazing in Patagonia, to thundering waterfalls in Iguazu, to the joy of a Buenos Aires steakhouse. See argentina.travel

Bolivia

Despite having a host of big-ticket attractions and a strong connection to its Indigenous heritage, Bolivia remains a somewhat under-the-radar tourist destination. Walk the streets of La Paz and you couldn’t be anywhere else – it’s one of South America’s most exciting cities. There is the vast Uyuni salt lake, the wonder of Lake Titicaca (which straddles the border of Bolivia and Peru), the UNESCO-listed city of Sucre, and even sections of the Amazon. You could argue this is the best destination in South America, and currently there are so few others to share it with. See tourismbolivia.com

Paraguay

Here’s a country that really hovers below the radar of mainstream tourists. Paraguay has historic attractions, natural wonders, rugged charm and a no-one-else-knows-this-place-exists vibe. Although, that won’t be the case for long, as arrivals continue to surge here. Travellers are drawn to the likes of the Jesuit ruins at Jesus de Tavarangue, the rich biodiversity of the Chaco region, the spectacular Saltos de Monday waterfalls and the traditional crafts of colonial Aregua. See visitparaguay.travel

MUST-SEE CITIES

Coyhaique, Chile

It’s not so much what’s in Coyhaique that might attract you; it’s what you can do from here. This small city in northern Patagonia, founded just 100 years ago, is nestled into the Andes in the Aysen region. It’s also at the centre of the Carretera Austral, a spectacular 1200-kilometre road that links Puerto Montt in the north with Villa O’Higgins in the south. In the area around Coyhaique you will find huge icefields, trout-filled rivers, Andean foothills and high mountains. An incredible place to explore. See chile.travel

Montevideo, Uruguay

The Uruguayan capital is one of South America’s most underrated cities. Here you will find many of the joys of the likes of Buenos Aires and even Rio de Janeiro, only without the hassles that bedevil such touristic hotspots. Historic towns with colonial architecture? Check. Steakhouses that cater to the local beef fixation? Check. Football stadiums, upscale neighbourhoods, tango clubs, wine bars, high-end restaurants, obsessions with drinking yerba mate? Check, check, check. What’s not to love? See uruguay.uy

Chiclayo, Peru

Most people know Peru for its high Andes, for the legacy of the Incas and perhaps the burgeoning food scene in Lima. But don’t forget the country’s coastal north, the Lambayeque region, which features the highly impressive Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, the ancient Tucume Pyramids, the Chaparri and Bosque de Pomac wildlife reserves, and the city of Chiclayo. The latter is a relaxed, friendly place with well-kept colonial architecture, Indigenous history and a vibrant food scene. See peru.travel

Cali, Colombia

Do you like to dance? Because Cali likes to dance. This is the self-proclaimed salsa capital of the world, a sultry Colombian city filled with nightclubs and salsa venues, where there’s no such thing as a quiet night in. There are, however, a few things to do in daylight hours: visit a modern art museum, wander trendy Barrio San Antonio, see the large statue of Christ overlooking the city and sample local cuisine. And then get ready to dance again. See colombia.travel

Manaus, Brazil

It’s wild up in Manaus. The capital of the state of Amazonas, in the far north of Brazil, is a surprisingly opulent and beautiful city that, all the same, marches to the beat of its own drum. The Teatro Amazonas is a stunning 19th-century Belle Epoque opera house built during Manaus’s rubber boom. The Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market is a similarly beautiful, historic building, this one providing a fascinating insight into local culture. Tourists also come here to see the meeting of the dark Rio Negro and the sandy Solimoes rivers, and explore the Amazon proper. See visitbrasil.com

MUST-SEE SIGHTS

Cartagena old town, Colombia

It almost feels too perfect in Cartagena, as if this is all a show, a recreation where they’ve gone a bit too hard on the colour and the nostalgia. But that’s what makes Cartagena amazing: it’s real. The walled old town in this Colombian city is UNESCO heritage listed, a warren of cobbled streets hemmed in by brightly coloured homes, balconies overflowing with flowers. It’s a step back to the era of pirates and explorers and those seeking fortune. You can’t help but be swept up by it all. See colombia.travel

El Chalten, Argentina

There are few places in the world as spectacularly beautiful as El Chalten, a village in southern Argentina within Los Glaciares National Park. This is Argentina’s hub for mountain trekking, with access to Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy, both rugged, stunning peaks, as well as glacial lakes such as Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre. Though hiking is the most popular activity, there’s also kayaking, rock-climbing, horse-riding and the chance to hang out with fellow adventurers. See argentina.travel

Rapa Nui, Chile

This volcanic outcrop in the Pacific Ocean is also known as Easter Island, and it is filled with sights that make it well worth the effort to travel 3000 kilometres from Chile to get there. Rapa Nui is the home of the famous moai, almost 1000 ancient stone statues created more than 500 years ago. People also come here to soak up the Polynesian culture, go bird-watching, hiking or hanging out on deserted beaches. See chile.travel

Museo Larco, Peru

There are some excellent museums in South America (Museo del Oro in Bogota, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires, and the Sao Paulo Museum of Art), but Peru’s Museo Larco is quite possibly the best. This Lima institution holds a huge collection of pre-Columbian artefacts, particularly those created by the likes of the Incas, the Chimu, the Nazca and the Mochica. Though there’s plenty of gold on display, the “erotic pottery” section is always popular and eye-opening. See museolarco.org

Torotoro National Park, Bolivia

South America, again, has many national parks, some of them rightly world famous. Bolivia’s Torotoro National Park doesn’t get much love but is still a fantastic place to visit if you’re in the country. Torotoro, in Bolivia’s north, is known for its multi-hued rock formations, limestone karsts riven with folds of colour. There are also extensive fossil deposits, making it a must-visit for amateur palaeontologists. See tourismbolivia.com

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES

Dine at Mil Centro, Peru

It’s not easy to get to Mil Centro, Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez’s Andean fine diner. You have to fly to Cusco, and then find transport to get you the extra 1.5 hours to the ruins of Moray. There, above a huge pit of concentric circles dug by the Incas you will experience one of South America’s – if not the world’s – most memorable dining experiences, as Martinez guides guests through a meal created entirely from ingredients native to the Andes, divided into the ecosystems found at various altitudes. It’s stunningly successful. See milcentro.pe

Carnival in Salvador, Brazil

There’s a perception that to “do” Carnival in Brazil you have to be in Rio de Janeiro, but that’s not true. Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, does it even better with a swinging party that takes over the city’s streets for six full days and nights. There are parades from organised groups known as “blocos” and plenty of street parties filled with music and dance that tap into Afro-Brazilian culture. Be ready. See visitbrasil.com

Off the beaten track, Guyana

Here’s an entire country we haven’t mentioned yet, Guyana. This is something of an up-and-comer on the tourist scene and there’s plenty to do. There’s the spectacular, 250-metre-high Kaieteur Falls, exploring the Amazon, wildlife viewing on the Rupununi savannahs, and wandering historic Georgetown. Much of the infrastructure here is underdeveloped, but if you’re up for roughing it a little, you will be rewarded many times over. See guyanatourism.com

Wine tasting in Chile

When the most recent World’s 50 Best Vineyards list was announced, it was no surprise to see a Chilean winery (Vina VIK) at the top. Chile has a highly sophisticated, impressive wine scene, spread across multiple regions from the Atacama to Patagonia. Wineries throughout the country offer excellent tasting experiences in some truly beautiful cellar doors, and you will be hooked on local carmenere in no time. See chile.travel

Beat the crowds in Iguazu, Argentina

Iguazu Falls is many things, but quiet isn’t one of them. This is a famously popular destination, where you spend as much time shouldering your way through crowds as you do appreciating the waterfalls. So it really is a luxury to stay with Awasi Iguazu, a luxury lodge nearby, and secure early entry to the national park – so early, in fact, that you will stand at the edge of Devil’s Throat, the most spectacular point in an already spectacular place, and have it all to yourself. See awasi.com

MUST-DO JOURNEYS

Peru’s Amazon

What an adventure it is to fly to Iquitos, far in Peru’s Amazonian north, and board a vessel to explore the waterways of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Over the next few days you will see incredible birdlife in the skies, hear monkeys howl from the treetops, fish for piranha in the rivers. If you travel with Delfin Amazon Cruises you will also enjoy incredible luxury in the wild, with all the mod-cons, to balance out a truly adventurous experience. See delfinamazoncruises.com

The Atacama to Salta via bicycle

There’s nowhere else like the high desert, the salt flats, the deep ravines and even the jungle on the road from the Atacama in Chile to Salta in Argentina. This is a cycling trip for the adventurous, with plenty of high-altitude pedalling and backroads exploration. Your reward is one amazing part of the world, and few other people to share it with. See exodustravels.com

Tren a las Nubes, Argentina

Once you get to Salta, you can enjoy another of South America’s great journeys: the Tren a las Nubes, or the Train to the Clouds, at 4220 metres the fifth-highest railway in the world. This line is almost 80 years old, and travels over 29 bridges, 13 viaducts and two spirals as it makes its way from San Antonio de los Cobres, near Salta, to La Polvorilla Viaduct about 270 kilometres away. It also makes frequent stops for photos and souvenir shopping. See argentina.travel

Chile’s fjords

Look at a map of southern Chile and you will immediately understand why a cruise here makes complete sense: it’s so jagged, riven with fjords and calving glaciers, a place mostly inaccessible by land but oh so spectacular from the sea. There are plenty of companies that offer cruises from as far north as Valparaiso, near Santiago, or as far south as Ushuaia in Argentina. The itineraries vary from short to long, but all are spectacular and make the most of one of the world’s most amazing coastlines. See chile.travel

Serra Do Rio Do Rastro, Brazil

You better hope you like corners because Serra do Rio do Rastro has a whopping 284 of them over just 25 kilometres. This famous roadway, about three hours’ drive from Florianopolis, climbs its way to a mountain pass in Parque Nacional de Sao Joaquim, and offers panoramic views (as long as there’s no fog). Most of the hairpin bends are packed into a very tight, windy 12 kilometre section near the top, a road experience you won’t forget. See visitbrasil.com