Top 50 Places to See in South America

Machu Picchu, Peru

The iconic hilltop city in Peru is the destination of the Inca Trail, and has amazing architecture in such a remote place, with the spectacular Andean peaks around the area making this a very special place. 

More: How to Visit Machu Picchu on a Budget

Iguazu Falls, Brazil and Argentina

One of the largest waterfalls in the world, this amazing sight can be viewed from both Brazil and Argentina, and the Devil's Throat is a viewpoint with a 270-degree panorama of waterfalls. 

More: 10 Best Things to Do at Iguazu Falls in Argentina

Cartagena, Colombia

This historic colonial city is one of the most impressive on the continent, and the historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site that provides a wonderful insight into colonial history.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The party capital of Brazil is the home of the annual Carnival celebrations drawing nearly two million people, while the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are truly glamorous beaches. 

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

A natural highlight that lies off the Ecuadorean coast, this is a great destination for scuba diving and for spotting unusual species such as the giant Galapagos turtles.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The cosmopolitan Argentine capital is a lovely place to visit, with some wonderful districts for food and entertainment, and is a great place to learn the tango.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

A beautiful island archipelago that is noted for some wonderful beaches and the excellent quality of the water around the islands.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

The home of the salt flats is an amazing place to visit, and after a rain shower, the flat surface reflects the sky for an amazing view.
More: Questions You Need to Ask Before Choosing a Salt Flats Tour

Easter Island, Chile

Famous for the giant stone heads of the indigenous culture, this island is a fascinating and haunting place to visit.

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to several mountains and numerous glacial lakes. More than half of the 600,000 hectare park is covered in glaciers but the most striking, and famous, is the Perito Moreno Glacier.

The Amazon Basin

This area is amazing for its biodiversity and the great range of river cruises and hikes you can take in the area.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

This remote waterfall in the Canaima National Park is a stunning sight, and once there the view of the 979-meter waterfall is spectacular.

Lake Titicaca, Bolivia and Peru

In the Andean highlands between the two countries, Lake Titicaca has a fascinating indigenous population that live on small floating islands on the lake.

Salvation Islands, French Guiana

A short distance off the coast of French Guiana, these islands were a penal colony, but today they are a laid back haven with some lovely beaches and great wildlife.

Tequendama Falls, Colombia

This waterfall sees a huge amount of water crash on to the rocks over 150 meters below, while the nearby museum in an eerie mansion is certainly worth exploring too. 

More: Best Waterfalls in South America

Banos, Ecuador

Widely known as the adventure sports capital of the country, Banos lies in the shadow of a volcano, and has facilities for white water rafting, canyoning, kayaking, mountain biking and hiking. 

Fort Zeelandia, Suriname

Dating from the 17th century, this Dutch fortress shows off some of the ways that colonial forces could make it a pleasant as well as a secure place to be.

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

This town on the Atacama desert is a great base from which to explore the wonders of the desert, with great views of nearby volcanoes.

Sucre, Bolivia - The City with Four Names

The constitutional capital of the country, Sucre is a beautiful city with a wonderful colonial architecture at its heart, with the House of Freedom and the Cathedral among the highlights.

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

This charming city overlooking the ocean has a wonderful historic quarter, which is one of the best preserved in South America.

Rosario Islands, Colombia

Famous for stunning beaches and clear water, this small archipelago is a great place to explore, with activities such as scuba diving and swimming very popular.

Los Roques, Venezuela

This archipelago, do north of Caracus, is a national park that draws many visitors, particularly those who enjoy yachting and those who come to enjoy the superb scuba diving around the coral reefs.

Kaieteur National Park, Guyana

Most famous for the spectacular Kaieteur Falls, this national park is home to remarkable natural species and some pristine jungle. 

Death Road, Bolivia

This road skirts the dangerous cliffs for over sixty miles, and has now had a great lease of life as a mountain biking destination.

Cuzco, Peru

One of the most important settlements in the country even before the arrival of the colonial forces, Cuzco is a beautiful city and is a gateway to places such as Machu Picchu.

Valparaiso, Chile

A city set on a lovely curved bay, Valparaiso is best known for the series of funicular railways used to carry workers up to the hilltop suburbs.

Galibi, Suriname

Near the border with French Guiana, the lovely Galibi Nature Reserve is where people can see the amazing sea turtles on the beaches between February and April.

Mount Roraima, Guyana, Brazil and Venezuela

A tabletop mountain in a remote location, hiking this mountain is challenging, and provides sensational views of the surrounding forest.

Torres del Paine, Chile

This mountain range is famous for the very steep peaks that rise up almost vertically into the air, with the W Trek the best way to get an up close look at the site.

Guiana Space Center, French Guiana

This space center is a fascinating place to visit with all the infrastructure of space launches along with a lovely location.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This coastal Brazilian city is a great place to visit, and is within easy reach of several excellent beaches, while also having some wonderful nightlife to enjoy.

Santiago, Chile

The Chilean capital is a cosmopolitan and vibrant city, and offers some wonderful historical areas to explore, and some great local wines.

The Ancient Chimu City of Chan Chan, Peru

A historic city in the north of the country, this dates from the period between the 10th and 15th centuries, and is particularly noted for a superbly innovative irrigation and canal system.

Quito, Ecuador

Officially it is the highest altitude capital in the world, and is particularly noted for great colonial architecture.

Lima, Peru

Located on the coast, this lovely city is a great place to explore with a vibrant culture, and the amazing Miraflores cliffs where paragliding is popular. 

Ouro Prêto, Brazil

Once the silver mining capital of Brazil, today Ouro Prêto is a sleepier city that has a wealth of historic buildings, and beautifully preserved surroundings.

Huascarán National Park, Peru

Home to the highest mountain in Peru, this Andean national park is great for those who love mountain scenery.

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

 A great place from which to explore the natural species of Patagonia, including penguins and dolphins, with the city being the gateway to the wonderful Peninsula Valdes. 

Mancora, Peru

This beautiful beach town is a haven for those who have a passion for surfing, and it has developed a laid back party culture.

More: Best Places to Surf in South America

Tiwanaku, Bolivia

An important site in the Aymara culture, this ancient religious site has some stunning monuments, and is also home to the annual New Year festival.

Huacachina, Peru

This small town is located in an area that is largely desert, with the buildings located around the oasis lake which sustains this remarkable town. A popular activity for tourists is sand boarding on one of the many sand dunes.

Asuncion, Paraguay

The Paraguayan capital is an interesting place to visit with some nice colonial buildings and a good nightlife. 

Santuario de las Lajas, Colombia

A remarkable basilica built in a steep sided gorge, this building is a beautiful Gothic Revival church in an apparently impossible location. 

Salta, Argentina

The capital of the gaucho culture in Argentina, this town is a great base to explore, as well as being the station to take the 'Train to the Clouds'.

More: Where to Find Cowboys in South America

Jericoacoara, Brazil

Hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, this remote area has large sand dunes, calm waters that are great for swimming and some nice spots for relaxing.

Huayhuash, Peru

This mountain range has some fantastic wildlife including condors and llamas, while the Huayhuash Circuit is a very popular trekking route.

Montevideo, Uruguay

A popular coastal city with a lovely seafront area, Montevideo has great botanical gardens, along with some nice colonial architecture.

Isla de Margarita

A lovely Caribbean island, Margarita is famous for great beaches and for being a top windsurfing and kitesurfing destination.

Bariloche, Argentina

A mountain town with a Swiss influence, in the summer it is known for hiking and mountain biking, and in winter it becomes a skiing destination.

Capurgana, Colombia

A coastal town with a tropical climate, Capurgana is best known for its fabulous scuba diving available between April and November.