Where should I go and what should I do in South America?
Machu Picchu via Sacred Valley Private Guide Tours – Explore Ollantaytambo stone architecture and Moray's circular terraces with private archaeologist guides before arriving at the iconic citadel at sunrise via the Salkantay Trek alternative route.
Patagonia Glacier Trekking – Fixed itineraries combine ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine hiking, and gourmet dining with expert naturalist guides.
Atacama Desert Stargazing + Salt Flat Mirror Effect – Experience the world's driest desert with geysers, salt lagoons, and Salar de Uyuni's surreal mirror salt flats reflecting the sky during rainy season (Jan–April).
Lima & Bogotá as Global Gastronomic Hubs – Michelin-starred restaurants like Central (Lima) and Leonor Espinosa showcase innovative Peruvian and Colombian cuisine using native Amazonian ingredients.
Amazon Riverboat Luxury Cruises + Galápagos Wildlife – Live-aboard vessels like the Aria navigate the Amazon basin for jaguar spotting and pink dolphin encounters, or cruise the Galápagos for endemic bird and marine life diving.
When should I go to South America?
May–October (Dry Season Peak) – Ideal for Peru, Bolivia, and Andes highlands: clear skies, comfortable temps (50–75°F), and excellent trekking conditions
November–March (Southern Hemisphere Summer) – Perfect for Patagonia, Argentina, and southern regions: longer daylight, glaciers/lakes most vibrant, and accessibility optimal
November–April (Amazon Wet Season) – Best for river travel and wildlife cruises; higher water levels enable deeper river navigation
What do I need to know for a trip to South America?
Visa Requirements Vary by Country – US citizens receive 90-day visa-free entry to Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil with valid passport; check each destination before departure
Altitude Sickness is Real in Andes – Cusco (11,000 ft) and Andean regions require acclimatization; arrive early, drink coca tea, stay hydrated, and take it easy first 24 hours
Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek – Inca Trail is iconic but crowded (requires 4-day fixed dates); Salkantay Trek offers more dramatic scenery with fewer permits and flexible scheduling
Patagonia Requires Flexible Weather Expectations – Torres del Paine weather is notoriously unpredictable; wind, rain, and sudden storms are common; flexible itineraries and hired guides navigate conditions
Lima is a Global Food Capital – Michelin restaurant Central requires 2–3 month advance reservations or book via travel advisor; other acclaimed options include Maido (Japanese-Peruvian) and Astrid & Gastón
Currency Varies by Country – Peru (Soles), Colombia (Pesos), Argentina (Pesos), Chile (Pesos), Brazil (Real); ATMs offer best rates; credit cards accepted at upscale restaurants
Located in the tiny hamlet of Trancoso on Brazil's Bahian coast, UXUA Casa Hotel is a a brand new, undiscovered hideaway and an unforgettable retreat...
Built from indigenous materials such as jacaranda and chocolate slate, you'll find our Brazil resort at the confluence of three river valleys in the heart of the Mantiqueira Mountains.
The natural wonder of Iguazu Falls is among the world's most intrepid places, and Iguazu Grand Resort Spa & Casino is an award-winning oasis just ten minutes from the falls, bringing you an unrivaled South America experience...
Steeped in history and located high in the Peruvian Andes, there is only one hotel located within walking distance of the ancient Inca citadel - Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge by Orient-Express...
The Best of South America: Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls
Buenos Aires runs on a schedule that would exhaust most cities. Dinner starts at ten, tango clubs fill after midnight, and everyone is somehow up by nine enjoying coffee and pastries. Teatro Colón has been drawing the world's finest opera companies to the southern hemisphere since 1908, in a building whose acoustics rival La Scala and the Vienna State Opera. The best luxury resorts in South America have settled into a city that earns this kind of attention without trying.
The season at Teatro Colón runs March through December, and the talent that comes here treats this stage as seriously as any in Europe. San Telmo's cobblestone streets, a short walk south, have a tango culture that predates the tourist version by several decades.
Two hours north by air, Iguazu Falls makes the city feel quiet in retrospect. The falls go on for almost two miles along the Argentina–Brazil border, with 275 separate cascades pouring into the same jungle gorge. At the center, the Devil's Throat throws up a column of mist you can see long before you reach it.