Back to grid

Best adventure destinations in South America

Back to grid
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
8.5
Sea lions dart around snorkellers at Kicker Rock, a split volcanic tower off San Cristobal. Giant tortoises roam the highlands of Santa Cruz island. Marine iguanas dive for algae along the black lava shore. Divers meet hammerhead sharks at Wolf and Darwin, far to the north.
Highlights:
  • 🦩 Walk among blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island
  • 🐢 Spot giant tortoises roaming freely in the highlands
  • 🐢 Snorkel with sea lions and turtles at Isla Lobos
El Chalten
Hiking Capital of Argentina
7.7
The granite spire of Mount Fitz Roy dominates the skyline above town. A 20 kilometre round trip trail leads to Laguna de los Tres. Trekkers stand at the foot of the peak with a glacier lake below. Every trailhead starts right from the village, so no transport is needed.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Climb steep trail sections for breathtaking mountain panoramas
  • 🌊 Explore Laguna Capri’s peaceful turquoise waters
  • 🏞️ Hike to Laguna de Los Tres for Mount Fitz Roy views
Torres del Paine National Park
Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness
8.1
Three granite towers rise more than 2,000 metres above the Patagonian steppe. The W Trek covers about 80 kilometres past glaciers and turquoise lakes. Hikers can stay in mountain refuges along the route. Guanacos graze on the open plains near the trailheads in the early morning.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Trek the scenic French Valley with mountain views
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour to see stunning Grey Glacier
  • 🥾 Hike to the iconic Mirador Las Torres viewpoint
Pucon
Volcano Views and Adventure Bliss
7.6
Villarrica Volcano rises 2,847 metres above the town. Guides lead climbers over snow and ice to the smoking crater rim at the summit. Many climbers slide down the snowy slopes on the way back to save time. The Trancura River offers whitewater rafting through forested canyons nearby.
Highlights:
  • 🚣‍♂️ Kayak on Lake Villarrica to private, serene beaches
  • ♨️ Soak in the soothing waters of Termas Geometricas hot springs
  • 🌋 Climb the active Villarrica Volcano and enjoy crater views
Patagonia
Untamed Beauty at the End of the World
8.3
Southern right whales gather in the sheltered bays of Peninsula Valdes each winter. Orcas patrol the shore in spring and sometimes hunt sea lion pups on the beach. Boat trips take visitors close to the whales. Magellanic penguins nest along the same coast by the thousands.
Highlights:
  • 🐧 Explore the diverse wildlife on Peninsula Valdés
  • ❄️ Witness the massive Perito Moreno Glacier up close
  • 🥾 Hike the legendary trails of Torres del Paine National Park
Canaima National Park
Tepui Peaks and Angel Falls Wonder
7.7
Angel Falls plunges 979 metres from the flat top of Auyan Tepui. Visitors reach the park by small plane and then by river canoe. Boats push upstream through rapids to a viewpoint at the base. Trekkers can also climb the tabletop mountain of Roraima over several days.
Highlights:
  • 🗻 Explore the unique tabletop mountains called tepuis
  • ⛰️ Hike the summit of Auyantepuy tepui for breathtaking views
  • 🌊 See Angel Falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Amazon wilderness teeming with life
8.1
Black water lagoons mirror the flooded Amazon forest here. Guides paddle canoes between the treetops during the wet season. Pink river dolphins often surface near the boats at dusk. Night walks reveal tarantulas and tree frogs, while monkeys crash through the branches overhead by day.
Highlights:
  • 🐬 Spot pink dolphins swimming in the lagoons
  • 🛶 Take a canoe ride on serene waterways
  • 🌳 Explore dense jungle trails with expert guides
Los Glaciares National Park
Where glaciers meet towering peaks
8.4
The Perito Moreno Glacier stretches about five kilometres along its front and rises 74 metres above the lake. Huge ice blocks crash into the water with a thunderous roar. Guides lead ice trekking tours across the surface with crampons. Boat trips glide beneath the blue ice wall.
Highlights:
  • 🛥️ Take a boat tour on Lago Argentino to glaciers
  • 🥾 Trek Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre trails
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk along the Perito Moreno Glacier boardwalks
Manú National Park
Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland
7.3
Hundreds of macaws gather at the Colorado clay lick each morning. Boats carry visitors down the Manu River deep into the Amazon. Jaguars, giant otters and more than 1,000 bird species live in the park. Guides lead night walks past glowing fungi and sleeping caimans.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Cruise down the Madre de Dios River at sunrise
  • 🦜 Spot macaws and toucans at a clay lick hide
  • 🌿 Take a guided jungle trek through the Amazon rainforest
Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
World's largest tropical wetland paradise
7.6
Boats carry visitors along the Cuiaba River near Porto Jofre to look for jaguars. Sightings are frequent on the muddy riverbanks. Capybaras and giant anteaters graze on the open floodplain. Caimans crowd the water holes in the dry season, when the birds are easiest to see.
Highlights:
  • 🐎 Experience horseback riding across flooded plains and trails
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour through the Pantanal’s winding waterways
  • 🐆 Join a guided wildlife safari to spot elusive jaguars
Guyana
South America's pristine rainforest gem
6.9
Kaieteur Falls drops 226 metres in a single plunge in the Guyanese rainforest. Small planes fly visitors over the jungle to a remote landing strip. A short trail leads to the cliff edge. Giant otters and jaguars live along the rivers deeper in the interior.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Explore the lush Iwokrama Rainforest, home to diverse wildlife
  • ⛰️ Hike Mount Roraima, the ancient tabletop mountain
  • 🌊 Visit Kaieteur Falls, one of the world's most powerful waterfalls
Venezuela
Land of diverse tropical landscapes
5.6
The Los Roques archipelago sits in the Caribbean off the Venezuelan coast. Its shallow reefs and white sand cays draw snorkellers and kitesurfers. Boat captains drop visitors on empty sandbars for the day. Flights from Caracas take about 40 minutes to reach the islands by small plane.
Highlights:
  • 🏝️ Relax on the white sands of Los Roques archipelago
  • 🦜 Explore the wildlife and plains of Los Llanos
  • 🌊 Marvel at Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall
Feedback