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Best cave destinations in South America

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Brazil
Vibrant diversity meets natural wonder
7.8
Fossil bones of giant sloths and armadillos have been found in Gruta do Lago Azul. The cave near Bonito was named a natural monument in 1978. A round opening about 40 metres wide lets sunlight onto a lake more than 50 metres long. The light turns the water an intense blue.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Marvel at Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado
  • 🎭 Dance samba with locals during Rio Carnival
  • 🌊 Experience the thunderous roar of Iguaçu Falls
Argentina
Land of diverse natural wonders
8.3
Caverna de las Brujas is a limestone cave in the Andes of Mendoza Province. Visitors get helmets and lamps because the cave has no electric lighting. Guided tours last 30 or 90 minutes and groups have at most 10 people. The cave is 6 kilometres long and was shaped partly by oil pools.
Highlights:
  • 🥩 Taste authentic Argentine steak paired with Malbec wine
  • 💃 Dance tango in a traditional Buenos Aires milonga
  • 🌊 Marvel at the thundering Iguazu Falls from the Devil’s Throat lookout
Chile
Land of dramatic climate contrasts
8.3
Smooth marble walls swirl with blue light above the water. Waves have shaped the caves for more than 6,000 years. They are on General Carrera Lake, a glacial lake that crosses the Chile and Argentina border. The caves can only be reached by boat. Tours last about 30 minutes.
Highlights:
  • 🗿 Visit the iconic Easter Island moai statues
  • 🌋 Hike to the summit of the active Villarrica Volcano
  • 🏜️ Explore the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert
Ecuador
Compact country, immense biodiversity
6.5
On the eastern slopes of the Andes, Cueva de los Tayos lies in high rainforest. Its name means Cave of the Oilbirds, after the night birds inside. The cave is 4.6 kilometres long, the longest in this country. A 1976 expedition included Neil Armstrong. Visits need permission arranged through the Shuar federation.
Highlights:
  • 🌍 Stand at the Equator at Mitad del Mundo
  • 🛍️ Visit the iconic Otavalo Market for local crafts
  • 🥾 Hike the stunning trails of Cajas National Park
Patagonia
Untamed Beauty at the End of the World
8.3
Over about 8,000 years, people left hand stencils on the walls of Cueva de las Manos. More than 2,000 handprints are in and around the cave. Guanacos are the most prominent animals in the paintings, often in hunting scenes. The cave is in the Pinturas River Canyon and became a World Heritage Site in 1999.
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
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