Stunning national parks and wilderness areas in South America
Stunning national parks and wilderness areas in South America
Lists by region
National Park in Argentina
Iguazú National Park and Reserve
Epic Waterfalls and Wild Rainforest
As the Argentine side of a huge waterfall system, this park shares about 275 falls with Brazil. They spread along nearly three kilometres. Walkways cross the river to the Devil's Throat, a U shaped drop of about 80 metres. Coatis and toucans live in the subtropical forest. Boat rides go close to the falls.
National Park in Colombia
Tayrona National Park
Where Jungle Meets Turquoise Caribbean
Located on the Caribbean coast near Santa Marta, this park joins forested hills to the sea. Trails lead through jungle to beaches such as Cabo San Juan. Strong currents make swimming unsafe at many beaches. The park closes on some days each year, so check dates before travel.
National Park in Chile
Torres del Paine National Park
Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness
Created as a park in 1959, this area of Chilean Patagonia has granite towers, blue lakes and open steppe. The W trek takes four or five days. The longer O circuit takes about a week and a half. Guanacos graze near the trails. Wind can be strong.
Island in Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
Animals on these islands show little fear of people. Sea lions rest on beaches, giant tortoises roam the highlands and marine iguanas dive in the surf. Charles Darwin visited in 1835. Guides are required at most visitor sites. Groups follow marked paths to protect the wildlife.
National Park in Argentina
Los Glaciares National Park
Where glaciers meet towering peaks
Summer from December to March is the warmest time in this Patagonian park, with highs near 18 degrees Celsius. The Perito Moreno Glacier rises about 74 metres above Lake Argentino. Walkways give close views of ice falling into the water. Fitz Roy has famous hiking trails.
National Park in Brazil
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Otherworldly dunes with turquoise lagoons
Covering about 1,500 square kilometres, this park is a field of white sand dunes. Rainwater fills clear blue lagoons between the dunes. Lagoons are fullest from June to September. Visitors reach the dunes by 4x4 truck from Barreirinhas and can swim in the warm pools.
National Park in Brazil
Chapada Diamantina National Park
Waterfalls, Caves and Diamond History
Located in the highlands of interior Bahia, this park has flat topped hills, canyons and caves. Fumaça Falls drops about 340 metres and is reached by a steady hike. The Vale do Pati trail crosses valleys over several days. Poço Azul is a cave with deep blue water.
Nature Reserve in Ecuador
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Amazon wilderness teeming with life
Created in 1979 in the Ecuadorian Amazon, this reserve protects black water lagoons and flooded forest. Visitors travel by canoe at slow speed to watch birds, monkeys and pink river dolphins. Indigenous families such as the Siona and Secoya live nearby. Lodges sit on the lagoon shores.
National Park in Peru
Manú National Park
Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland
Matsigenka families live by hunting, fishing and farming in parts of this park in southeast Peru. The park drops from Andean cloud forest to lowland rainforest. Macaws gather at clay licks. Males of the Andean cock of the rock display in the cloud forest. Giant otters live in oxbow lakes.
National Park in Brazil
Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
World's largest tropical wetland paradise
Compared with the Amazon, this wetland has open land and water, so wildlife is easier to see. Caimans, capybaras and hundreds of bird species live along the rivers. The Pantanal is also known for jaguars. The dry season from May to October is popular with visitors.
National Park in Guyana
Kaieteur National Park
World's Most Powerful Single-Drop Waterfall
Remote and wild, this park in Guyana protects rainforest on the Potaro River. Kaieteur Falls plunges about 226 metres in a single drop. Small planes from Georgetown land beside the falls. Tiny golden frogs live in giant bromeliads. The Guiana cock of the rock nests on nearby cliffs.
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