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Best couple vacation destinations in South America

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Torres del Paine National Park
Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness
8.1
This national park of about 2,400 square kilometres in Chilean Patagonia has granite towers, glaciers, lakes and wide steppe. Couples can hike to the base of the Torres. The multi day W Trek includes stays in refugios and lodges. Guanacos and condors are often seen.
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
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
7.4
This cosy lake town in Argentine Patagonia has alpine style wooden buildings and shops selling handmade chocolate. Couples can drive the Circuito Chico, a scenic loop of lakes and viewpoints. Cabin stays by the water suit a quiet getaway. Skiing at Cerro Catedral is popular in winter.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore the Bavarian-style Centro Cívico and museums
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Nahuel Huapi National Park
  • 🚡 Take a cable car to Cerro Otto for panoramic views
Colonia del Sacramento
Timeless Streets on the Río de la Plata
7.4
Many Uruguayans carry a thermos and a mate gourd everywhere. The habit is easy to spot along the river in this old Portuguese founded town. Couples can walk cobbled lanes in the historic quarter and climb the lighthouse. The sun sets over the Río de la Plata.
Highlights:
  • 🚶‍♂️ Walk along Calle de Los Suspiros, the famous street
  • 🌅 Climb El Faro Lighthouse for panoramic river views
  • 🏘️ Explore the UNESCO-listed Barrio Histórico old town
Barichara
Colombia's most beautiful colonial gem
7.4
Spanish settlers founded this town in Santander, Colombia, in the early 1700s. Stone streets, whitewashed houses and red tile roofs are carefully kept. Couples can walk the old royal road to the small village of Guane. Quiet viewpoints in town are pleasant places to watch the sunset.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit the sandstone cathedral at the village center
  • 🥾 Hike the historic Camino Real trail to Guane
  • 🏘️ Walk the cobblestone streets and admire colonial architecture
Fernando de Noronha
World's Best Beaches and Dolphins
8.5
Visitors to this volcanic island group off Brazil's northeast coast pay a preservation fee and follow limits on numbers. Most of the area is protected as a marine national park. Couples can snorkel near turtles at Baía do Sancho and watch spinner dolphins from the Dolphin Bay lookout.
Highlights:
  • 🛥️ Take a boat tour to spot dolphins and sea turtles
  • ⛰️ Hike to the Morro Dois Irmãos viewpoint for stunning vistas
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant reefs at Baía do Sancho, world’s top beach
Sacred Valley
Ancient terraces echoing timeless Andean rhythms
8.3
This fertile valley in the Peruvian Andes lies along the Urubamba River between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Inca terraces at Moray and Pisac can be visited with a guide. Couples can stay in quiet haciendas and shop at village markets. Ollantaytambo is the main station for trains to Machu Picchu.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Stroll through Pisac market, shop woven textiles
  • 🗿 Explore Ollantaytambo ruins, climb fortress walls
  • 🏔️ Hike to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail
Buenos Aires
Where Tango and Culture Thrive
8.1
This large and elegant capital has European style buildings and a strong love of tango, steak and wine. Couples can watch a tango show or take a lesson in a historic hall. Cafes and bookshops are found in neighbourhoods such as Recoleta and San Telmo. Dinner often starts late, so evenings feel unhurried.
Highlights:
  • 🎭 Tour the grand Teatro Colón and admire its opulence
  • 🎨 Stroll through colorful Caminito Street in La Boca
  • 💃 Watch a passionate tango performance in San Telmo
Cartagena
Walled city of Caribbean color
7.2
This compact walled old town sits inside a much larger Caribbean port city in northern Colombia. Colourful balconies, plazas and stone walls are easy to explore on foot. Couples can walk the walls at sunset and then have dinner in a candlelit courtyard. Boats go to the Rosario Islands for beach days.
Highlights:
  • 🍉 Photograph the vibrant Palenqueras fruit vendors
  • 🛡️ Explore Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress
  • 🏰 Walk the historic Walled City and soak in colors
El Chalten
Hiking Capital of Argentina
7.7
Days are long and most trails are open from November to March in this small mountain village in Patagonia. Conditions are unpredictable, so layers and waterproof jackets are needed. Couples can hike to Laguna de los Tres for views of Fitz Roy. A shorter walk leads to Mirador de los Cóndores.
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
Medellín
The City of Eternal Spring
7.4
Set in a green valley of the Colombian Andes, this city has mild temperatures through the year. Cable cars link hillside neighbourhoods with the centre and give wide views. Couples can visit Comuna 13, share a food tour or take a day trip to the colourful town of Guatapé.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Stroll through the Botanical Garden and its orchid collection
  • 🎨 Explore Comuna 13’s colorful murals and vibrant street art
  • 🚡 Ride the Metrocable to Parque Arví for panoramic views
Mendoza
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
7.2
This city was founded by Spanish settlers in 1561. After an earthquake in 1861 it was rebuilt with wide, tree lined streets and open plazas. Couples can cycle between wine estates in Luján de Cuyo and taste Malbec with the Andes in view. Long lunches with local beef are a regional tradition.
Highlights:
  • 🍇 Join a tasting at a traditional Mendoza bodega
  • 🏔️ Drive along the scenic Route of the Andes to Aconcagua
  • 🍷 Tour vineyards and sample Malbec in the heart of wine country
Arequipa
White city with volcanic views
6.3
This city in southern Peru lies at about 2,300 metres with the snow capped Misti volcano rising behind it. The historic centre is built from white volcanic stone, which gives the city its nickname. Couples can wander quiet courtyards at Santa Catalina Monastery and try spicy local dishes in a traditional picantería.
Highlights:
  • 🌋 Climb Yanahuara viewpoint for panoramic city and volcano views
  • 🌆 Admire colonial architecture at Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas
  • 🏰 Explore the historic Monasterio de Santa Catalina complex
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Otherworldly dunes with turquoise lagoons
6.9
Unlike most beach destinations in Brazil, this national park has white sand dunes with clear freshwater lagoons between them. The lagoons are fullest from about June to September. Couples can swim, join a jeep tour or fly over the dunes in a small plane. Barreirinhas is the usual base town.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Watch the sunrise reflect on the mesmerizing lagoons
  • 🚙 Take a thrilling 4x4 ride across the vast dunes
  • 💧 Swim in the turquoise lagoons after a hot dune trek
Atacama Desert
Endless dunes under starlit desert skies
Compared with most deserts, this high plateau in northern Chile has unusually clear night skies, which suit stargazing tours. The Valle de la Luna has rock formations that are lit orange at sunset. Couples can soak in hot springs, visit salt lagoons with flamingos or join an astronomy tour.
Highlights:
  • 🗻 Hike to El Tatio geysers before sunrise
  • ✨ Stargaze from San Pedro observatory, record constellations
  • 🌄 Explore Valle de la Luna during golden hour
Salar de Uyuni
World's largest surreal salt mirror
A thin layer of water often covers the salt flat from January to March. It gives a mirror effect on the sky. In the drier months from May to October, the white surface is easy to cross by jeep. Couples can stay in a hotel built partly of salt blocks.
Highlights:
  • 🚂 Explore the eerie Train Cemetery near Uyuni town
  • 🌵 Visit Incahuasi Island and climb among giant cacti
  • 📸 Take surreal photos with salt flat perspective illusions
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