South America holds natural wonders on a genuinely extraordinary scale, from waterfall systems among the most dramatic on earth to vast desert landscapes known for extraordinarily clear night skies. Both rank among the most visited natural sites on the continent.
The destinations on this list range from thunderous waterfall systems best viewed from multiple vantage points, even across neighbouring countries, to otherworldly desert landscapes that reward an overnight stay for proper stargazing. Both reward more than a single day.
Viewing major waterfall systems from more than one side, where borders allow, reveals genuinely different perspectives that neither side alone can match. Local guides on either side can point out viewpoints that are easy to miss independently. Visiting outside the busiest months of the year also tends to mean noticeably smaller crowds at the most popular sites.
