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Best rural retreat destinations in South America

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Iquitos
Amazon’s gateway to jungle adventures
8.4
No road reaches Iquitos, so travellers arrive by plane or by river boat. Jungle lodges sit along the Amazon and its tributaries outside the city. Guides lead canoe trips through flooded forest in the Pacaya Samiria reserve. The Belen market sells river fish and fruit. Pink dolphins surface near boats.
Highlights:
  • 🍴 Stroll through San Pedro Market, taste quinoa empanadas
  • 🗿 Explore Sacsayhuamán ruins, trace Inca stonework
  • 🏔️ Climb Machu Picchu sunrise, capture the misty peaks
Canaima National Park
Tepui Peaks and Angel Falls Wonder
7.7
Angel Falls drops 979 metres from a flat topped mountain called a tepui. Pemon guides paddle long boats up the Carrao River to the base. Lodges on Canaima Lagoon face Sapo Falls. A path leads behind the water. Boat trips run in the rainy season from June to November.
Highlights:
  • 🗻 Explore the unique tabletop mountains called tepuis
  • ⛰️ Hike the summit of Auyantepuy tepui for breathtaking views
  • 🌊 See Angel Falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Amazon wilderness teeming with life
8.1
Wooden cabins on stilts face the black water of Laguna Grande in Cuyabeno. Guides paddle canoes along flooded forest at dawn. Pink river dolphins surface in the lagoon. Black caimans watch from the banks. Night walks reveal tree frogs and tarantulas. Trips start from Lago Agrio.
Highlights:
  • 🐬 Spot pink dolphins swimming in the lagoons
  • 🛶 Take a canoe ride on serene waterways
  • 🌳 Explore dense jungle trails with expert guides
Kaieteur National Park
World's Most Powerful Single-Drop Waterfall
7.7
Kaieteur Falls drops 226 metres in a single plunge, several times the height of Niagara. Small planes fly from Georgetown over the rainforest to a gravel strip near the rim. A guided path leads to the viewpoints. Tiny golden frogs live in the tank bromeliad plants near the falls.
Highlights:
  • 🐦 Spot rare Guianan cock-of-the-rock bird nearby
  • 🥾 Hike rainforest trails to panoramic waterfall viewpoints
  • 🌊 Witness the majestic Kaieteur Falls, tallest single-drop
Falkland Islands
Untouched wilderness with abundant wildlife
8.6
Sheep farms called Camp settlements spread across the Falkland Islands. Guests stay in lodges on remote islands such as Carcass Island and Sea Lion Island. At Volunteer Point, king penguins nest on a grass slope near the beach. Stanley, the capital, has pubs serving fish and chips.
Highlights:
  • ⚓ Stroll along Stanley Harbour and visit the museum
  • 🎖️ Take a battlefield tour of the 1982 conflict sites
  • 🐧 Watch king penguins at Volunteer Point
Manú National Park
Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland
7.3
A road from Cusco drops through cloud forest into the Manu region. Andean cock of the rock birds gather at dawn at a lek with bright orange feathers. Lodges along the Madre de Dios River stand on stilts in rainforest. Giant otters swim in oxbow lakes. Macaws feed at clay licks.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Cruise down the Madre de Dios River at sunrise
  • 🦜 Spot macaws and toucans at a clay lick hide
  • 🌿 Take a guided jungle trek through the Amazon rainforest
Guyana
South America's pristine rainforest gem
6.9
Savannah ranches in the Rupununi region host guests in lodges and farmhouses. At Karanambu Lodge, staff once rescued orphaned giant otters. Surama village runs a community lodge with Makushi guides. The Iwokrama rainforest has a canopy walkway above the trees. Roads here are dirt, so trips are slow.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Explore the lush Iwokrama Rainforest, home to diverse wildlife
  • ⛰️ Hike Mount Roraima, the ancient tabletop mountain
  • 🌊 Visit Kaieteur Falls, one of the world's most powerful waterfalls
Torres del Paine National Park
Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness
8.1
Three granite towers give Torres del Paine its name. Hikers walk the W Trek or the full circuit, sleeping in refugios or camps. Lago Grey has icebergs floating near the shore. Guanacos graze on the steppe. Pumas leave tracks in the mud. Estancia lodges offer horseback rides.
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
Chapada Diamantina National Park
Waterfalls, Caves and Diamond History
7.7
Vale do Capao is a village in the hills of Chapada Diamantina. Pousadas there serve rice, beans and fish from the river. Hikers walk to Pai Inacio hill at sunset. Waterfalls and natural pools line the trails nearby. Old diamond mining towns sit a short drive away.
Highlights:
  • 🕳️ Explore the vast Lapa Doce Cave with guided tours
  • 💧 Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Poço Azul
  • ⛰️ Hike to the top of Morro do Pai Inácio for panoramic views
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Otherworldly dunes with turquoise lagoons
6.9
Atins is a small village on the Preguicas River at the edge of the dunes. Boats cross to Cabure, a sandbar with beach huts and kitesurfing. Pousadas serve shrimp and fish. Dune walks start from town in the morning when the sand is cool. Santo Amaro is another village with lagoon hikes.
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
Los Glaciares National Park
Where glaciers meet towering peaks
8.4
The Perito Moreno Glacier has a face five kilometres wide. Walkways give close views. Ice falls into the lake with a loud crack. The park also has Monte Fitz Roy and Lago Viedma. Estancia lodges offer horseback rides across the steppe. UNESCO listed the park in 1981.
Highlights:
  • 🛥️ Take a boat tour on Lago Argentino to glaciers
  • 🥾 Trek Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre trails
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk along the Perito Moreno Glacier boardwalks
Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
World's largest tropical wetland paradise
7.6
Fazendas, cattle ranches, host guests in the Pantanal. Horseback rides follow pantaneiros, local cowboys, across flooded plains. Guests fish for piranha from small boats and eat it fried. Lodges serve rice, beans and beef. Hyacinth macaws screech at dawn. Caimans line the creeks. Dinner is served on a long table.
Highlights:
  • 🐎 Experience horseback riding across flooded plains and trails
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour through the Pantanal’s winding waterways
  • 🐆 Join a guided wildlife safari to spot elusive jaguars
Tayrona National Park
Where Jungle Meets Turquoise Caribbean
7.5
Hammocks hang in thatched huts at Cabo San Juan in Tayrona National Park. A trail from the El Zaino entrance runs through forest to the sea. Beaches face a Caribbean that is wild and rocky. Howler monkeys call at dawn. No cars enter the park.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot howler monkeys and exotic birds along forest paths
  • 🌴 Swim in crystal-clear Caribbean waters surrounded by palm trees
  • 🏝️ Hike through jungle trails to the stunning Cabo San Juan beach
Fernando de Noronha
World's Best Beaches and Dolphins
8.5
Guesthouses called pousadas are spread through the village of Remedios on Fernando de Noronha. Morro do Pico rises above the island. Beaches such as Baia do Sancho have clear water and turtles. Daily visitor numbers are controlled, which keeps the island calm. Dive boats leave the harbour each morning.
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
San Pedro de Atacama
Mars-like Landscapes and Starry Nights
7.5
Adobe houses line the dusty streets of San Pedro de Atacama. Iglesia San Pedro, a white church, dates to the 1700s. Tours go to Altiplanic lagoons such as Miscanti and to the El Tatio geysers before dawn. Nights bring some of the darkest skies in Chile. Hostels have courtyards and fire pits.
Highlights:
  • 🌕 Explore the otherworldly landscapes of Valle de la Luna
  • 🧂 Float effortlessly in the salt-rich Laguna Cejar
  • 🌅 Witness sunrise at the geysers of El Tatio
El Calafate
Gateway to Patagonia’s Glaciers
6.6
Boats cross Lago Argentino from Calafate to Estancia Cristina, a sheep farm near the Upsala Glacier. Guests ride in 4x4 vehicles to viewpoints. Lunch includes roast lamb cooked on an open fire. The Perito Moreno Glacier lies to the west. Calafate itself has restaurants and a small bird reserve.
Highlights:
  • 🧊 Tour Glaciarium Museum to learn about Patagonian ice
  • 🐦 Explore Laguna Nimez birdwatching nature reserve
  • ❄️ Visit Perito Moreno Glacier and watch ice calving
Patagonia
Untamed Beauty at the End of the World
8.3
Estancias, working sheep and cattle ranches, host guests across Patagonia. Gauchos ride out at dawn to move the flocks. Guests eat lamb roasted over a fire in the open. Ruta 40 crosses the steppe with few towns. Guanacos and rheas run beside the road. Nights are cold and quiet.
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
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
7.4
The Llao Llao Hotel stands on a green peninsula above Lake Nahuel Huapi. The Circuito Chico loop passes small beaches, a chapel and viewpoints. A hiking trail climbs to Refugio Frey, a mountain hut beside a granite lake. Lodges outside town serve trout and venison.
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
Ushuaia
End of the World Adventures
7.0
Estancia Harberton, a sheep farm founded in 1886, lies on the Beagle Channel east of Ushuaia. It has a marine museum and a penguin colony nearby. Boats run from town to the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. Tierra del Fuego National Park has forest trails and a train station at the end of the world.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike to Laguna Esmeralda surrounded by snow-capped peaks
  • 🚂 Take the End of the World Train to Tierra del Fuego National Park
  • 🚢 Cruise through the Beagle Channel and spot sea lions
El Chalten
Hiking Capital of Argentina
7.7
Monte Fitz Roy fills the skyline above El Chalten, a small village founded in 1985. Trails leave straight from town to Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre. Each is about 20 kilometres round trip. Guesthouses serve stew and craft beer after the hike. Condors circle overhead.
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
San Martin de los Andes
Patagonian Paradise by Lake Lácar
7.1
Lake Lacar lies beside this village in the Andes, with wooden houses along the shore. The Ruta de los Siete Lagos, the Seven Lakes Road, leads north to Villa La Angostura. Lanin volcano rises to 3,776 metres in the national park. Mapuche communities sell crafts. Trout streams run clear.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax and swim at Playa Quila Quina beach
  • ⛷️ Ski or snowboard at Cerro Chapelco Resort
  • 🛣️ Drive the scenic Route of the Seven Lakes
Villa la Angostura
Patagonia's Hidden Gem
7.5
The Quetrihue peninsula has a forest of arrayanes, trees with cinnamon coloured bark. A path leads from town to the tip, where a small boat dock sits on Lake Nahuel Huapi. Chalets and cabins stand among pines. Chocolate shops and bakeries fill the main street.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Relax along the tranquil shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi
  • ⛷️ Admire panoramic views from the Cerro Bayo ski resort
  • 🌲 Hike the enchanting trails of Los Arrayanes National Park
Trevelin
A Welsh haven in Patagonia
6.6
Welsh settlers founded Trevelin in the 1880s. The town keeps Welsh tea houses. Casa de Te Nain Maggie serves tea with cakes and cream. Molino Andes, an old flour mill, now holds a museum. Farm fields and Andes peaks surround the valley. Los Alerces National Park is a short drive.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike in nearby Los Alerces National Park trails
  • 🌷 Explore colorful tulip fields in springtime bloom
  • 🏛️ Visit the historic Nant Fach flour mill museum
Pucon
Volcano Views and Adventure Bliss
7.6
Villarrica volcano smokes above Pucon. Guided climbs reach the crater rim in a day. Huerquehue National Park has trails to three lakes. Hot springs such as Termas Geometricas lie in a forested canyon about an hour away. Cabins around Lake Villarrica come with wood stoves.
Highlights:
  • 🚣‍♂️ Kayak on Lake Villarrica to private, serene beaches
  • ♨️ Soak in the soothing waters of Termas Geometricas hot springs
  • 🌋 Climb the active Villarrica Volcano and enjoy crater views
Guatape
Colorful Streets and Lakeside Views
7.6
Guatape sits on a reservoir two hours from Medellin. Houses in town have painted panels called zocalos on their lower walls, with scenes of local life. The Piedra del Penol, a granite monolith, has 740 steps to a view over the lake. Boats and kayaks cruise between small islands.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Take a boat tour on Guatapé Reservoir
  • 🎨 Explore colorful streets with vibrant zócalos
  • 🧗‍♂️ Climb the iconic La Piedra del Peñol rock
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