Religion in South America is often a mix of Catholic traditions brought by the Spanish and Portuguese and much older Indigenous beliefs, and in many places you can see both side by side, sometimes in one church.
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro is the image most people know, but it is only one part of the story. In the Andes, towns around Cusco hold festivals that combine Catholic saints with Inca customs, and Lake Titicaca has islands that are sacred in Andean belief. Some travelers plan their trip around big events like Holy Week in Popayán or Inti Raymi in June, while others prefer small pilgrimage towns where the churches are simple and the atmosphere is calm.
The Andes are high, so it helps to plan a slow first day or two if you want to enjoy the churches and festivals there without feeling out of breath.
