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
Hotel Casa Lucia, where luxury meets the essence of Argentina. Hotel Casa Lucia embodies the tradition and unique charm of the city. Situated on the legendary ¨Calle Arroyo¨, surrounded by art galleries, palaces an the very best cafés to be found in the city, our hotel offers a truly exceptional experience, catering to every last detail of your stay.
Casa Pestagua is a renovated 17th-century mansion in the walled city of Cartagena de Indias, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical and cultural significance.
Enjoy an unforgettable experience at the Fairmont RJ Copacabana, located in one of the most spectacular places in Rio de Janeiro, the Copacabana Beach, under the majestic gaze of Sugar Loaf Mountain.
The Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena complements an exceptional stay with additional services, exclusive facilities, luxury facilities and a staff specialized in first class care
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, amidst the elegant French architecture of Recoleta, one of the city's most exclusive areas, is Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta...
Though you may find yourself far from home, rest assured that a stay at a Ritz-Carlton ensures complete luxury, comfort, and indelible memories of your ideal vacation. Welcome to The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, a premier hotel in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods of Chile's capital city...
Historic mansion dating back nearly five centuries, Palacio del Inka stands in the very center of Cusco. Directly across from the Koricancha, it is a five-minute walk from the main square and less than a mile from an array of museums, markets, and restaurants. Uniting the past and present, Palacio del Inka Spa presents indigenous treatments and an indoor therapy pool.
Stay well in Lima, Peru at The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center where a Heavenly experience awaits your arrival. Located in San Isidro, Lima's most exclusive and modern district, surrounded by a selection of upscale restaurants, shopping galleries, and beautiful parks, our hotel promises a replenishing stay for work or play
With a panoramic view of the snow covered Andes as its backdrop, W SANTIAGO reinvents style and sophistication in the most elegant area of the City, El Golf neighborhood; Enter a Fascinating universe of urban innovation. From sizzling cuisine in destination restaurants, red hot nightlife in Whiskey Blue and cozy conversations in lounges, zen down or work out at O2 Balance & Wellness Club, then get WET® on the roof.
The Singular Patagonia has been recognized as one of finest hotels in South America (in addition to being a piece of living history). It is also an ideal launching point for explorations of Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park.
Founded in 1533, Cartagena de Indias, is today Colombia's main travel destination. Its walls that once served as the city's defense, now harmonize with colonial balconies and republican structures reminiscent of the splendors of its past. In recognition of its vast cultural wealth and architecture UNESCO declared Cartagena's walled city and fortresses World Heritage Site in 1984.
Mandarin Oriental, Santiago is one of the most iconic buildings in the city, embarked on an all-encompassing renovation to become the first Mandarin Oriental in South America. Mandarin Oriental, Santiago promises to be a city landmark, offering state-of-the-art renovated rooms and facilities.
Located in the French heritage district of Recoleta, Palacio Duhau-Park Hyatt Buenos Aires is a luxury five-star hotel with a strong identity, nurtured from the past and reflecting the traditional belle époque of Buenos Aires. Neoclassical architecture enhances the Palace enduring elegance that is blended to perfection with the contemporary design of the Posadas Building. This uni
Located on an ocean bluff seamlessly separated from the sea, Belmond Miraflores Park is an incredibly lavish hotel set in an exclusive enclave of Lima, Peru...
Explore a mesmerizing landscape of salt flats, bubbling geysers, hot springs, vast lagoons, wind-sculpted dunes and epic canyons. Here, time stands still, revealing the artistry of nature carved over millions of years.
Providing a variety of comfortable and sophisticated rooms, The Delfines Hotel & Convention Center is the perfect place for a relaxing retreat or for closing a business deal.
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...
At the Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia, the "art of French living" merges with the local Colombian culture to reflect luxury in every detail. Come experience an environment that magically combines the splendor and charm of history.
Located in a secluded area of Sibaúma, Brazil, part of the country's Rio Grande do Norte region, Kilombo Villas & Spa beachfront resort is shrouded in privacy...
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.