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Quito, Ecuador
Start your journey in Ecuador's stunning high-altitude capital. Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, visit the Mitad del Mundo monument, and acclimatize before heading to the Galápagos. Try ceviche and locro de papa in the historic La Ronda neighbourhood.
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Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos archipelago is unlike anywhere on Earth. Base yourself in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz to snorkel with sea lions, observe giant tortoises, and take day trips to Española and Fernandina islands. Book a multi-day liveaboard cruise to reach the more remote outer islands.
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Isabela Island, Galápagos Islands
The largest island in the Galápagos is home to the Sierra Negra volcano, flamingo lagoons, and penguins. Hike the volcanic landscape, kayak along the coastline, and spot marine iguanas basking on the black lava rocks. The small town of Puerto Villamil is charming and far less touristy than Santa Cruz.
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Medellín, Colombia
Colombia's City of Eternal Spring has reinvented itself as a vibrant cultural hub. Ride the famous Metrocable for panoramic views, explore the street art of Comuna 13, and visit the Botero Plaza sculptures. The nightlife in El Poblado and Parque Lleras is legendary.
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Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena's walled old city is one of Latin America's most beautiful colonial gems. Wander the colourful streets of Getsemaní, take a boat to the Rosario Islands for snorkelling, and watch the sunset from the Café del Mar on the old city walls. Don't miss fresh arepas de huevo from street vendors.
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Bogotá, Colombia
Colombia's sprawling capital sits at 2,600m and packs in world-class museums and food. Visit the Gold Museum and the colourful La Candelaria neighbourhood, take a cable car up Monserrate for sweeping city views, and explore the thriving restaurant scene in Zona Rosa. Day-trip to the salt cathedral at Zipaquirá.
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San Gil, Colombia
Known as Colombia's adventure capital, San Gil offers white-water rafting on the Fonce River, paragliding, and canyoning. The nearby colonial town of Barichara is one of Colombia's most beautiful pueblos and worth a leisurely afternoon visit. Try the local hormigas culonas (big-bottomed ants) — a regional delicacy.
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Panama City, Panama
Watch massive ships transit the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks visitor centre. The restored Casco Viejo historic district is full of boutique hotels, rooftop bars, and excellent seafood. Take a boat to the tropical islands of the San Blas archipelago for pristine white-sand beaches.
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Bocas del Toro, Panama
This Caribbean archipelago is Panama's most laid-back destination, with stilted wooden houses over turquoise water. Take boat tours to Red Frog Beach, snorkel the coral gardens of Cayo Coral, and spot dolphins in Dolphin Bay. The town of Bocas has a fantastic selection of seafood restaurants and beach bars.
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Lima, Peru
Lima is the undisputed gastronomic capital of South America, home to world-ranked restaurants like Central and Maido. Explore the clifftop Miraflores district, visit the Larco Museum's stunning pre-Columbian gold collection, and wander the bohemian streets of Barranco. Don't leave without trying a classic pisco sour.
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Cusco, Peru
The ancient Inca capital is your gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Spend a day or two acclimatizing by exploring the Plaza de Armas, the Sacsayhuamán fortress, and the San Blas neighbourhood. Book the Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek well in advance, or take the scenic Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes.
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Machu Picchu, Peru
One of the world's most iconic archaeological sites should not be rushed. Arrive early to beat the crowds, hike up Huayna Picchu or Montana for breathtaking elevated views, and spend a second day exploring the Sun Gate via the Inca Trail. The town of Aguas Calientes below has natural hot spring pools to soak tired legs.
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Puno, Peru
The world's highest navigable lake straddles Peru and Bolivia at 3,812m. From Puno, take boat trips to the floating Uros reed islands and stay overnight with a local family on Amantaní Island. The altiplano landscape is dramatic and the local Quechua culture is deeply preserved.
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La Paz, Bolivia
The world's highest capital city is a chaotic, fascinating metropolis clinging to a canyon at 3,600m. Ride the colourful Mi Teleférico cable car system across the city, browse the witches' market of Mercado de las Brujas, and take a day trip to the surreal white salt expanse of Valle de la Luna. Nearby Lake Titicaca's Bolivian shores are equally stunning.
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Uyuni, Bolivia
The world's largest salt flat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially during the rainy season when a thin layer of water creates a perfect mirror reflection of the sky. Take a 3-day jeep tour covering the red lagoons, geysers, flamingo colonies, and the stunning Atacama border region. Stay overnight in a salt hotel for a unique experience.
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San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
This adobe village in the driest desert on Earth is surrounded by extraordinary landscapes. Explore the Valle de la Luna at sunset, stargaze under some of the clearest skies on the planet, and visit the El Tatio geysers at sunrise. The Atacama Salt Flat and its flamingo-filled lagoons are easily accessible by day tour.
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Santiago, Chile
Chile's sophisticated capital is backed by the snow-capped Andes and has a thriving food and wine scene. Explore the colourful hilltop neighbourhoods of Barrio Bellavista and Cerro Santa Lucía, visit the Central Market for fresh seafood, and take a day trip to the Maipo Valley wineries. The ski resort of Valle Nevado is just 60km away.
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Valparaíso, Chile
Chile's bohemian port city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its steep hillside funiculars, vivid street art, and creative energy. Wander Cerros Alegre and Concepción for colourful houses and great cafes, explore the naval heritage of the port, and catch the sunset from one of the many hilltop viewpoints. Try chorrillana, a local dish of fries with caramelized onions and beef strips.
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Puerto Montt, Chile
The gateway to Chilean Patagonia sits on the edge of the Lake District surrounded by volcanoes and fjords. Visit the picturesque wooden-churched island of Chiloé, famous for its palafito stilt houses and unique mythology. The Angelmó fish market is one of the best in Chile for fresh centolla (king crab) and curanto stew.
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Coyhaique, Chile
The legendary Carretera Austral stretches 1,240km through some of the world's most pristine wilderness. Base yourself in Coyhaique to explore the Marble Caves of Puerto Río Tranquilo, hike in Cerro Castillo National Park, and visit the Queulat Hanging Glacier. Renting a 4WD and driving sections of this gravel road is one of Chile's great adventures.
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Torres del Paine, Chile
The crown jewel of Chilean Patagonia is one of the world's greatest hiking destinations. The famous W Trek takes 4-5 days and passes through the Valle del Francés, Grey Glacier, and the iconic Towers viewpoint. Book refugio and camping spots months in advance, and pack layers as the weather changes within minutes. Pumas and guanacos roam freely throughout the park.
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Puerto Natales, Chile
The charming base town for Torres del Paine is a great place to gear up and rest after the trails. Visit the Cueva del Milodón, a huge cave where a prehistoric ground sloth was discovered, and take a ferry through the stunning Patagonian fjords to Puerto Montt. The town has excellent lamb asado restaurants and cozy craft beer bars.
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El Calafate, Argentina
El Calafate is the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world's few advancing glaciers and a truly unmissable spectacle. Walk the boardwalks as massive ice towers calve thunderously into Lago Argentino, or take an ice-trekking tour to walk directly on the glacier. The nearby Los Glaciares National Park also contains the dramatic Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers.
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El Chaltén, Argentina
Argentina's trekking capital sits at the foot of the jagged Fitz Roy massif, offering some of the continent's most dramatic hikes. The trail to Laguna de los Tres for sunrise views of Mount Fitz Roy is iconic, while the Cerro Torre viewpoint is equally stunning. El Chaltén is free to enter and all trails start directly from town — no permits required.
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San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
Argentine Patagonia's most beloved resort town combines Swiss Alpine architecture with stunning Andean lake scenery. Hike or cycle the Circuito Chico around Lago Nahuel Huapi, take the famous Llao Llao Peninsula walk, and indulge in Bariloche's world-famous artisan chocolate. In winter it's a top ski destination; in summer, the hiking and kayaking are superb.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Paris of South America is a city you can lose yourself in for weeks. Explore the colourful Caminito street in La Boca, watch a live tango show in San Telmo, and browse the Sunday antiques market. Eat your way through the city's legendary steakhouses — La Cabrera and Don Julio are among the best — and party until dawn in Palermo.
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Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
The Iguazú Falls are simply the most spectacular waterfall system on Earth, wider than Niagara and taller than Victoria Falls. Visit both the Argentine side (with up-close trails and the thundering Devil's Throat walkway) and the Brazilian side (for the sweeping panoramic view). The surrounding Atlantic Forest is a UNESCO site teeming with toucans, coatis, and butterflies.
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Florianópolis, Brazil
Brazil's island city in Santa Catarina state is famous for its 42 beaches, excellent seafood, and surf culture. Praia da Joaquina hosts major surfing competitions, while the calmer Lagoa da Conceição lagoon is perfect for windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding. The local specialty is fresh oysters from the island's aquaculture farms — try them at Ribeirão da Ilha village.
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São Paulo, Brazil
South America's largest city is a relentless, thrilling megalopolis with the best restaurant scene on the continent. Explore the world-class street art of Vila Madalena's Beco do Batman alley, visit the Pinacoteca art museum, and feast on Japanese food in Liberdade — home to the largest Japanese diaspora outside Japan. The Sunday organic food fair in Pinheiros is a local highlight.
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City) needs little introduction. Ride the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain at sunset, hike through Tijuca Forest to the Christ the Redeemer statue, and spend lazy afternoons on Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. The neighbourhood of Santa Teresa has charming cobbled streets, samba bars, and the colourful stairs of Escadaria Selarón.
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Paraty, Brazil
This perfectly preserved colonial town between Rio and São Paulo is one of Brazil's hidden gems. The cobblestoned historic centre floods at high tide, creating a surreal scene as water laps through the streets. Take a schooner tour to the dozens of deserted islands and emerald bays in the surrounding Costa Verde, and try the local cachaça — Paraty is the artisanal spirit capital of Brazil.
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Salvador, Brazil
The heart of Afro-Brazilian culture, Salvador's Pelourinho historic centre is a UNESCO-listed maze of baroque churches and colourful colonial buildings. Experience live axé and samba de roda music in the street, take a capoeira class, and eat acarajé (black-eyed pea fritters) from street sellers. The Bonfim church and its famous ribbons is a spiritual icon of the city.
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Lençóis, Brazil
Bahia's spectacular national park is a hiker's paradise of table-top mountains, waterfalls, and crystal-clear river swimming holes. The Poço Azul and Poço Encantado caverns have surreal electric-blue underwater light shows, while the trek to Cachoeira da Fumaça (Smoke Waterfall) offers panoramic highland views. Base yourself in the charming diamond-mining town of Lençóis.
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Jericoacoara, Brazil
One of Brazil's most beautiful beach villages is buried in the dunes of Ceará state and remains blissfully car-free. Watch the sunset from the famous Pedra Furada rock arch, kiteboard on the world-class lagoons, and sandboard down towering dunes. The main square transforms into an outdoor party each evening, and the fresh grilled lobster is unmissable.
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Barreirinhas, Brazil
This national park contains one of Earth's most surreal landscapes — endless white sand dunes interspersed with thousands of crystal-clear freshwater lagoons filled by seasonal rain. 4WD jeep tours from Barreirinhas take you deep into the park, and you can swim in the lagoons of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita. Visit between June and September when the lagoons are at their fullest.
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São Luís, Brazil
São Luís has one of the largest collections of Portuguese colonial architecture in Brazil, with a historic centre covered in ornate azulejo tile facades. The city is the birthplace of bumba-meu-boi, a vibrant folkloric festival held in June. Try the local Maranhense cuisine, especially caruru and torta de camarão (shrimp pie), distinct from the rest of Brazil.
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Belém, Brazil
The gateway to the Amazon sits at the mouth of the river and has a distinct culinary identity built on açaí, tucupi, and freshwater fish. Visit the extraordinary Ver-o-Peso market at dawn, explore the Estação das Docas waterfront, and take a day trip to Ilha de Marajó, a massive river island populated by water buffaloes. Belém is considered Brazil's most culturally unique city.
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Manaus, Brazil
Manaus is the jumping-off point for deep Amazon jungle experiences. Take a multi-day riverboat or lodge expedition to spot pink river dolphins, caimans, piranha fish, and an extraordinary diversity of birds and primates. Witness the spectacular Meeting of the Waters where the dark Rio Negro meets the sandy-coloured Amazon without mixing for several kilometres. The ornate Teatro Amazonas opera house is a remarkable relic of the rubber boom era.
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Machu Picchu, Peru
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Cuiabá, Brazil
The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland and offers the best wildlife watching in the Americas — far superior to the Amazon for actually spotting animals. The Transpantaneira road from Cuiabá runs through 140km of wetland habitat where jaguars, giant anteaters, capybaras, and hundreds of bird species are regularly seen. Stay at a fazenda (ranch lodge) for guided boat and walking safaris.
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Bonito, Brazil
This small ecotourism town in Mato Grosso do Sul is famous for its crystal-clear rivers teeming with fish, allowing surreal snorkelling experiences with hundreds of dourado and piraputanga. The Abismo Anhumas cave involves rappelling 72m into a massive cavern with an underground lake. The Rio da Prata river snorkel is one of Brazil's most magical natural experiences.
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Montevideo, Uruguay
Uruguay's laid-back capital has a vibrant Old City with Art Deco architecture, a famous Sunday Tristán Narvaja flea market, and excellent local beef and wine culture. The Mercado del Puerto is the place to eat a traditional parrilla asado surrounded by live tango music. Take a day trip to the colonial gem of Colonia del Sacramento, just 50km west.
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Punta del Este, Uruguay
South America's most glamorous beach resort attracts the continent's jet-set with its white-sand beaches, international restaurants, and buzzing summer nightlife. Visit the iconic La Mano sculpture emerging from Playa Brava, explore the bohemian artist colony of Casapueblo at sunset, and day-trip to the wildlife reserve of Isla de Lobos to see thousands of sea lions.