Best travel destinations for seniors in South America
Best travel destinations for seniors in South America
South America has real appeal for older travelers, though a bit more planning goes into some parts of the continent than others.
Buenos Aires and Santiago offer walkable, well developed cities with reliable healthcare and plenty of cultural sights within easy reach. High altitude destinations like Cusco (Machu Picchu) are worth discussing with a doctor beforehand, since altitude can affect older travelers more than younger ones. Amazon river cruises offer a comfortable, low effort way to experience the rainforest without long hikes or overnight camping. Coastal cities further south stay milder and easier to explore at a relaxed pace, with plenty of good food and shorter distances between sights. Guided tours remain a popular option for travelers who would rather not navigate language differences or unfamiliar logistics alone.
The destinations on our list for South America combine easy, accessible cities with a few destinations worth a bit of extra preparation.
Lists by region
City in Chile
Santiago
A vibrant city between mountains
Chileans pause in the early evening for once, a light meal of tea, bread and cheese. Cafés across the city serve it. A funicular from 1925 climbs Cerro San Cristóbal to views of the Andes. The metro is clean and has lifts at many stations. Wineries in the Maipo Valley are an easy day trip.
City in Argentina
Buenos Aires
Where Tango and Culture Thrive
Teatro Colón is an opera house that opened in 1908. Guided tours run most days and end in the gold and red main hall. Wide avenues and flat streets make long walks easy. Café Tortoni has served coffee and pastries since 1858. Evening tango shows include dinner and seats close to the stage.
Island in Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
Sea lions bark and doze on the benches at the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno harbour. Small cruise ships carry a licensed naturalist guide on every outing. Short trails are mostly flat and lead past nesting boobies and iguanas. Giant tortoises graze in the highland fields of Santa Cruz. Rubber boats called pangas handle most landings.
City in Uruguay
Colonia del Sacramento
Timeless Streets on the Río de la Plata
Portuguese settlers founded this town in 1680, decades before Montevideo existed. The ferry from Buenos Aires takes just over an hour. Cobbled lanes like the Calle de los Suspiros are short and quiet. Golf carts are for rent to explore the shore road without long walks. The lighthouse has river views at sunset.
City in Uruguay
Montevideo
Chill vibes on the Río de la Plata
Sunday mornings bring the Tristán Narvaja street market with antiques, books and fruit. The Rambla is a seaside promenade of about 22 kilometres with benches all along it. Lunch at Mercado del Puerto means grilled beef cooked over wood fires. The city is small and calm. Taxis and buses are cheap and easy to use.
City in Colombia
Cartagena
Walled city of Caribbean color
Spanish builders spent two centuries finishing the stone walls around the old town. The walls run for about 11 kilometres and have wide, flat tops. Couples stroll them at sunset when the sea breeze cools the air. Horse carriages tour the colourful plazas below. Many old mansions are now small hotels with shady courtyards.
Glacier in Argentina
Perito Moreno
Thundering Ice in Patagonia’s Wilds
Steel walkways on the Magallanes Peninsula face the glacier wall from a short distance. Some sections are paved and have ramps and benches. Ice towers about 70 metres above the lake and breaks off with loud cracks. An hour-long boat trip sails close to the face. El Calafate has hotels about 80 kilometres away.
Archaeological Site in Peru
Machu Picchu
Lost Inca city among clouds
The ruins are at about 2,430 metres, almost a kilometre lower than Cusco. That makes the altitude easier on the body. A scenic train follows the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes. Buses then climb the switchbacks to the gate in about 25 minutes. A night in the Sacred Valley first helps with adjusting.
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