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Best up-and-coming destinations in South America

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Medellín
The City of Eternal Spring
7.4
Medellin transformed from a dangerous city into an award winning example of urban renewal. Comuna 13, once a cartel stronghold, now draws visitors on guided street art tours. Visitors can ride the same public escalators once built to connect the hillside neighbourhood. A growing remote worker community has moved into the city's coworking spaces.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Stroll through the Botanical Garden and its orchid collection
  • 🎨 Explore Comuna 13’s colorful murals and vibrant street art
  • 🚡 Ride the Metrocable to Parque Arví for panoramic views
Cartagena
Walled city of Caribbean color
7.2
Cartagena's walled old town has seen a steady wave of restoration turning colonial mansions into boutique hotels. Cruise ships increasingly add the Caribbean port as a regular stop on their routes. Visitors can wander streets lined with colourful balconies and bougainvillea. New rooftop bars have opened along the historic city walls in recent years.
Highlights:
  • 🍉 Photograph the vibrant Palenqueras fruit vendors
  • 🛡️ Explore Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress
  • 🏰 Walk the historic Walled City and soak in colors
Bogotá
Vibrant Culture in the Andean Highlands
7.1
Bogota's La Candelaria neighbourhood has become a canvas for some of Latin America's boldest street art. Guided graffiti tours now walk visitors past murals covering entire building facades. Visitors can browse the historic district's cafes and bookshops between mural stops. A fast growing food scene has followed the same wave of interest in the capital.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Stroll through historic La Candelaria neighborhood
  • 🏛️ Explore the Museo del Oro with pre-Hispanic gold
  • ⛰️ Take in panoramic city views from Mount Monserrate
Florianopolis
Beaches, lagoons and island adventure
6.8
Florianopolis has earned the nickname Brazil's Silicon Valley for its fast growing tech startup scene. Dozens of beaches ring the island, drawing both surfers and remote workers. Visitors can split time between coworking cafes and sandy coves within a short drive. A growing expat community has reshaped several neighbourhoods in recent years.
Highlights:
  • 🦐 Eat fresh seafood at sunset in Santo Antônio de Lisboa
  • 🌅 Walk the wooden trails above the Lagoa da Conceição dunes
  • 🏄‍♀️ Swim and surf at Praia Mole’s scenic coastline
Guyana
South America's pristine rainforest gem
6.9
Offshore oil discoveries since 2015 made Guyana one of the fastest growing economies on Earth. Kaieteur Falls, a single drop waterfall in the rainforest, remains largely free of crowds. Visitors can fly in by small plane since no roads reach the falls directly. New hotels have slowly opened in the capital to meet rising demand.
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
Suriname
Pristine rainforests meet colonial charm
6.2
Paramaribo's wooden colonial buildings earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage listing for their Dutch design. Suriname's mix of Dutch, Hindu and Javanese heritage shows up in its food, temples and festivals. Visitors can explore rainforest lodges deep in the country's untouched interior. Tourist numbers remain low, keeping much of the country feeling undiscovered.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Visit Brownsberg Nature Park for rainforest hiking
  • 🐬 Cruise the Suriname River and spot river dolphins
  • 🏙️ Explore the UNESCO-listed colonial streets of Paramaribo
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