South America's pilgrimage traditions draw millions of Catholic pilgrims annually to some of the world's largest basilicas, while sacred sites tied to mountains and water hold traditions predating Catholicism by centuries and continuing alongside it.
The destinations on this list range from major Catholic pilgrimage basilicas built within the past two centuries to ancient sacred routes still walked according to traditions considerably older than colonial-era Christianity.
Visiting during specific feast days at the continent's largest pilgrimage sites reveals a scale of devotion that's considerably different from an ordinary weekday visit. Local guides familiar with both traditions can add genuine context. Checking transport schedules carefully in advance also matters, since some of these sites can be considerably harder to reach outside peak pilgrimage periods.
