Enterprise

Top 10 Sights in South America

South America is a destination like no other.

It's a vast continent of wonders — from the unspoiled colonial architecture and spectacular pre-Colombian ruins to rainforests, deserts and the longest mountain range in the world. It’s a land of incredible diversity — with the tiniest hummingbirds and the largest condors — and the natural beauty is matched by the friendliness of the people.

Here are ten highlights to set those itchy feet aflame.

  • 1. Iguazu Falls

    Brazil
    Tourists at Iguazu Falls, one of the world's great natural wonders, near the border of Argentina and Brazil.
    These spectacular falls sit on the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Easily reached by highways from nearby cities in each country, they provide an incredible scene that dwarfs Niagara Falls.

  • 2. Kuelap

    Peru
    Round huts with thatched roofs at Kuelap in Peru
    Long overshadowed by its southern cousin of Machu Picchu, Kuelap is an equally impressive pre-Incan ruin nestled atop a mountain in the northern Andean cloud forest region of Chachapoyas. Reachable by road, the fortress is surrounded by impressive high walls and narrow entrances. Still relatively unvisited compared to the ruins around Cusco, it’s possible to explore Kuelap with few other tourists around.

  • 3. Cordillera Blanca

    Peru
    A view of the river near Cordillera Blanca, the highest mountain range in the tropics
    As the highest mountain range in the tropics, the Cordillera Blanca is an impressive sight. During the daytime, warm air begins to melt the white glaciers that decorate the peaks while overnight they freeze again, creating unique ice flumes. It’s without question one of the most beautiful places on Earth. And the high mountain roads that skirt the range from the nearby city of Huaraz tackle jaw-dropping passes reaching up to 5,000 metres.

  • 4. Buenos Aires

    Argentina
    The colourful house of Buenos Aires
    The bustling cosmopolitan capital of Argentina is home to iconic colonial architecture and a nightlife as passionate as its population. From late night tango to succulent steaks, it’s got all the trappings of a Latin American city with a European flavour.

  • 5. Boca Juniors Stadium

    Argentina
    La Bombonera is a must-see for any football fans visiting Buenos Aires.
    Seats in La Bombonera – wagnertc
    The Estadio Alberto J. Armand aka La Bombonera (the chocolate box) is a must-see attraction for any football fans visiting Buenos Aires. Home to the legendary Boca Juniors football club the raucous support creates a spectacular atmosphere. The stadium also houses a museum for one of South America’s greatest football clubs.

  • 6. Patagonia

    Argentina / Chile
    A stunning view of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and an orange sky in Patagonia
    Stretching across the vast southern tip of South America, Patagonia is a paradise of wilderness. From its rugged Atlantic coastline to the staggering peaks of the Andes, it’s home to a weird and wonderful collection of wildlife and far-flung communities. The land of gauchos and old Welsh settlements straddles Argentina and Chile and is flanked by two great highways.

  • 7. Huacachina

    Peru
    The Huacachina Oasis in Peru
    The sight of the natural lake and village around it, surrounded by the dry desert is so iconic it has found its way onto the back of Peruvian banknotes. The high sand dunes attract tourists for dune buggy rides and dune surfing. The oasis can be found off the main highway 1S four hours south of Lima.

  • 8. Itacare Surfing Beaches

    Brazil
    A view of the Itacare sufring beaches off the coast of Brazil
    A 5- to 6-hour drive south of Salvador, Itacare in the state of Bahia is home to a collection of some of the best surfing beaches in Brazil. With each beach offering different breaks, there’s a wide range of truly stunning locations to choose from.

  • 9. Salar De Uyuni

    Bolivia
    The alien landscape of the Salar De Uyuni salt flats
    The alien landscape of the Salar De Uyuni salt flats was created by a prehistoric lake that’s long since dried up, leaving a brilliant white scene that creates an incredible reflected vista. High in Bolivia’s Atacama Desert, it’s a spectacular 300-mile drive south of La Paz.

  • 10. Parque Tayrona

    Colombia
    Parque Tayrona is home to secluded tropical beaches, jungle-clad mountains and an unspoilt coastline
    Sitting on Colombia’s Caribbean coastline this 58-square-mile national park is home to secluded tropical beaches, jungle-clad mountains and an unspoilt coastline. Just off highway 90, it’s only 2 1/2-hour's drive from the city of Barranquilla.