Best up-and-coming destinations in South America

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South America's emerging destinations are frequently overlooked countries and regions that sit outside the continent's most established traveller circuits, where improving air access and growing overland route networks have begun making previously difficult destinations viable for independent travel. Several countries are in an early growth phase with enough foundational infrastructure to support a visit while retaining the qualities that come before mainstream tourism reorganises places around visitor expectations.

Smaller Andean and Caribbean coast countries have developed food, culture and outdoor activity scenes of genuine quality that attract a fraction of the visitors their offer warrants. Secondary cities in otherwise well-visited countries frequently deliver the same colonial heritage and cultural depth as national capitals with considerably more space and a more grounded experience of daily local life.

Research requirements are higher than on established circuits and published guidebook information dates quickly in markets developing as fast as several South American countries currently are. Your money goes a long way across most emerging destinations on the continent making the additional planning effort worthwhile even on modest budgets. Security conditions vary by country and region and destination-specific advice gives a more accurate picture for planning than broad assessments.