Best rainforest destinations in South America
Best rainforest destinations in South America
Immense Amazon basin territories and pristine cloud forest zones in South America
South America has the largest rainforest on the planet, and even a few days in the Amazon feel very different from any other trip.
Most trips start in a river town like Manaus in Brazil or Iquitos in Peru, followed by a boat ride to a jungle lodge where the days are spent spotting monkeys, pink river dolphins and giant water lilies. Tambopata and Manu in southern Peru are known for macaw clay licks, where hundreds of colorful parrots gather in the early morning. If you prefer cooler air, the cloud forests around Mindo in Ecuador are full of hummingbirds and orchids, and they are only a couple of hours from Quito.
The rainy and dry seasons change a lot about a visit, since high water lets boats reach deeper into the forest, while low water opens up more hiking trails. It is also worth checking vaccine advice before you go.
Lists by region
City in Brazil
Manaus
Amazon's gateway to lush rainforest adventures
A city of over two million people sits deep in the Brazilian Amazon beside the Rio Negro. Boats travel to the Meeting of Waters, where dark and sandy coloured rivers run side by side. Jungle lodges and river cruises start here. The Teatro Amazonas opera house dates from the rubber boom.
National Park in Peru
Manú National Park
Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland
Rain is lighter from May to October in this biosphere reserve in southeast Peru, so travel is easier. The park covers lowland rainforest and cloud forest that rises towards the Andes. Clay licks on riverbanks attract flocks of macaws and parrots. Visits are arranged through licensed tour operators.
National Park in Argentina
Iguazú National Park and Reserve
Epic Waterfalls and Wild Rainforest
Visitors usually follow three set routes, called the Upper Circuit, Lower Circuit and Devil's Throat trail, on raised walkways. Subtropical forest on the Argentine side has coatis, toucans and butterflies. A small train carries people from the entrance to the trails. Many visitors arrive early to see more animals.
Town in Argentina
Villa la Angostura
Patagonia's Hidden Gem
A small lake town in Patagonia serves as the gateway to Los Arrayanes National Park on the Quetrihué peninsula. The park has a grove of cinnamon coloured arrayán trees with soft, twisting trunks. Visitors walk or cycle in along a forest path or take a boat. Nearby lakes and waterfalls make easy short trips.
Town in Chile
Pucon
Volcano Views and Adventure Bliss
Compared with the hot Amazon, this lake town in southern Chile has cool forests of southern beech and araucaria trees. Trails in Huerquehue National Park pass lakes and very old trees. The snow capped Villarrica volcano rises above the town. Hot springs nearby offer a rest after hiking.
National Park in Guyana
Kaieteur National Park
World's Most Powerful Single-Drop Waterfall
The falls carry the most water after heavy rain, but the park can be visited in drier months too. The Potaro River drops about 226 metres in one plunge, far higher than Niagara Falls. Most visitors fly in from Georgetown on a small plane. Tiny golden frogs live in giant bromeliads nearby.
City in Brazil
Foz do Iguaçu
Where three nations meet waterfalls
Guarani people lived in the forest around the falls long before European explorers arrived. The Brazilian side of Iguaçu National Park has walkways with wide views of the water. Nearby, the Parque das Aves bird park has large walk through aviaries set in the rainforest.
Town in Ecuador
Mindo
Lush cloud forests and vibrant hummingbird haven
Small family farms in this cloud forest town offer chocolate and coffee tours as a regular part of village life. Mindo lies about two hours northwest of Quito, so many visitors come for a weekend. Hummingbird feeders, butterfly farms and bird walks at first light are popular.
National Park in Ecuador
Yasuni National Park
Untamed rainforest, ancient wildlife sanctuary
Compared with lodges near towns, this Amazon national park in Ecuador feels far more remote. Travel is by canoe and motorboat along rivers, often with local Indigenous guides. The park is a UNESCO biosphere reserve with jaguars, giant otters and many monkeys. Visits are usually arranged through lodges.
City in Peru
Iquitos
Amazon’s gateway to jungle adventures
A busy river port in northern Peru has an easygoing feel and no road to the rest of the country. Boats and planes bring in visitors and supplies. Iquitos is the starting point for jungle lodges and riverboat cruises on the Amazon and its tributaries. Belén market sells fruit, fish and herbal remedies.
City in Argentina
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
Settlers from Germany and other European countries built this lakeside town in Patagonia in the early twentieth century. Nahuel Huapi National Park surrounds it. Boat trips on the lake reach Puerto Blest, where wet Valdivian forest grows with ferns and tall trees. Chocolate shops and mountain views add to the visit.
Nature Reserve in Ecuador
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Amazon wilderness teeming with life
A reserve in the northeastern Amazon of Ecuador has black water lagoons and forest that floods at high water. Visitors travel by motorised canoe to jungle lodges and then paddle quietly through the flooded channels. Wildlife includes pink river dolphins, monkeys, caimans and many birds. Night walks are a common activity.
City in Argentina
Puerto Iguazú
Gateway to Iguazú’s Thundering Falls
A small town in the far northeast of Argentina lies near the point where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet. Puerto Iguazú is the main base for visiting the falls and the surrounding subtropical forest. Hotels and restaurants are close together. Buses to the park run often. The Hito Tres Fronteras viewpoint shows the three borders.
National Park in Colombia
Tayrona National Park
Where Jungle Meets Turquoise Caribbean
Rainforest grows right down to golden beaches and large boulders on this wild stretch of Colombia's Caribbean coast. Walking trails link the beaches through shady forest. Howler monkeys and many birds live among the trees. Basic campsites and hammocks sit close to the shore for overnight stays.
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