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Best island getaway destinations in South America

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Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
8.5
The archipelago has 127 islands, islets and rocks about 1,000 kilometres west of mainland Ecuador. In 1959 Ecuador declared 97.5 percent of the land area a national park. Thirteen species of Darwin's finches live on the islands. The islands take their name from the native giant tortoises.
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
Easter Island
Mysterious Moai and Volcanic Landscapes
8.1
Almost all of the moai were carved from volcanic tuff at the Rano Raraku quarry. Nearly half of the statues still remain there. In total 887 have been inventoried. This island covers 163.6 square kilometres and is about 3,500 kilometres from mainland Chile. UNESCO listed it in 1995.
Highlights:
  • ⛏️ Explore the Rano Raraku volcanic quarry of moai
  • 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Anakena Beach
  • 🗿 Visit the massive moai statues at Ahu Tongariki
Fernando de Noronha
World's Best Beaches and Dolphins
8.5
A marine national park created in 1988 covers about 70 percent of this archipelago. UNESCO listed it in 2001 and resident spinner dolphins were one of the reasons. The 21 volcanic islands are 354 kilometres off the Brazilian coast. Baía do Sancho and Sueste Bay are among the popular beaches.
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
Florianopolis
Beaches, lagoons and island adventure
6.8
Residents of Ribeirão da Ilha speak with an accent close to the Azorean dialect of the first settlers. About 6,000 settlers arrived from the Azores and Madeira between 1747 and 1756. Lagoa da Conceição is the largest lagoon on the island. The Hercílio Luz Bridge was built in 1926.
Highlights:
  • 🦐 Eat fresh seafood at sunset in Santo Antônio de Lisboa
  • 🌅 Walk the wooden trails above the Lagoa da Conceição dunes
  • 🏄‍♀️ Swim and surf at Praia Mole’s scenic coastline
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