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Best traditional destinations in South America

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Sacred Valley
Ancient terraces echoing timeless Andean rhythms
8.3
Terraced hillsides, rushing water and woodsmoke fill the valley along the Urubamba River. The Pisac market sells textiles and ceramics. Ollantaytambo, still a living Inca town, keeps its original stone street grid. Families still work the Maras salt ponds near the circular terraces of Moray.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Stroll through Pisac market, shop woven textiles
  • 🗿 Explore Ollantaytambo ruins, climb fortress walls
  • 🏔️ Hike to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail
Barichara
Colombia's most beautiful colonial gem
7.4
Spanish settlers founded the town in 1705 and its colonial look has barely changed. Streets are paved in stone and the houses are whitewashed with clay tile roofs. A stone footpath called the Camino Real leads to the village of Guane in about two hours.
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
Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
8.4
High in the Andes at 3,400 metres, this city was the capital of the Inca Empire. Spanish builders raised churches on Inca stone walls such as those at Coricancha. Visitors can find the famous twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc street. The city won World Heritage status in 1983.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Plaza de Armas and admire colonial architecture
  • 🏔️ Take the train or trek to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
  • 🧱 Visit the ancient Inca site of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city
Easter Island
Mysterious Moai and Volcanic Landscapes
8.1
Each February the Tapati festival fills Rapa Nui with canoe races, dance and body painting. Islanders carved about 900 moai statues from volcanic rock centuries ago. The island belongs to Chile and lies more than 3,500 kilometres off its coast. The national park gained World Heritage status 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
Salta
Colonial Charm and Andean Landscapes
7.1
The Cabildo on Plaza 9 de Julio is a whitewashed colonial arcade from the late 1700s. Founded in 1582 the city is nicknamed Salta la Linda. Folk music fills the peñas at night and spicy empanadas are the local snack. Day trips lead to Cafayate wineries.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Climb San Bernardo Hill via cable car for stunning views
  • 🚂 Ride the Train to the Clouds, one of the world’s highest railroads
  • 🦴 Visit the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña for mummies
Arequipa
White city with volcanic views
6.3
Santa Catalina Monastery, founded in 1579, is a walled citadel of blue and orange lanes. Most old buildings in the city are carved from white volcanic stone called sillar. The historic centre joined the UNESCO list in 2000. Three volcanoes rise behind the main plaza and the cathedral.
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
Villa de Leyva
Timeless Cobblestones and Andean Skies
7.5
Captain Hernán Suárez de Villalobos founded the town in 1572. Its cobbled Plaza Mayor covers about 14,000 square metres and is among the biggest in Colombia. Whitewashed houses with tile roofs line the streets at 2,149 metres. Few modern buildings interrupt the colonial look of the centre.
Highlights:
  • 🏇 Ride horseback or ATV to the vibrant Pozos Azules
  • 🦕 Explore the Fossil Museum and see the giant Kronosaurus
  • 🌆 People-watch and relax in the huge Plaza Mayor
Cuenca
Colonial charm meets Andean beauty
7.2
Church bells ring over red tile roofs and cobbled lanes in the historic centre. The area joined the UNESCO list in 1999. The blue domes of the New Cathedral rise above Calderón Park. Shops sell toquilla straw hats known worldwide as Panama hats. At 2,560 metres the air feels cool.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ See hanging houses over the Huécar River gorge
  • ⛪ Visit the impressive New Cathedral with blue domes
  • 🏛️ Explore Cuenca’s UNESCO-listed historic center
Lima
Historic Charm Meets Coastal Vibes
7.3
Locals eat ceviche at lunch and rarely at night since the fish should be fresh. Pizarro founded the city in 1535 and the historic centre earned UNESCO status in 1988. The Plaza Mayor, San Francisco Monastery and its catacombs sit close together. Huaca Pucllana is a pre-Inca adobe pyramid in Miraflores.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Stroll the scenic Malecón along the Pacific coast
  • 🎨 Visit the Museo Larco for ancient Peruvian art
  • 🏛️ Explore the historic Plaza de Armas and Cathedral
Quito
Andean Charm Meets Colonial Splendor
6.9
The historic centre earned UNESCO status in 1978, five years before Cusco. Baroque churches such as La Compañía are covered in gold leaf. The Basilica del Voto Nacional has gargoyles shaped like Ecuadorian animals. The city lies at 2,850 metres in the Andes with volcano views from many streets.
Highlights:
  • 🌍 Visit the Middle of the World monument and stand on the equator line
  • 🚠 Ride the TelefériQo for stunning Andean mountain views
  • 🏛️ Explore the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site
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