South America Map In Spanish

If you’re planning a trip to South America and speak Spanish, you’re in luck! This comprehensive travel guide will cover everything you need to know about the top attractions, hidden gems, food scene, budget-friendly tips, outdoor adventures, historical landmarks, family-friendly activities, off-the-beaten-path experiences, natural wonders, vibrant nightlife, local markets, beaches and mountains, cultural immersion, art and music scene, walking tours, architectural marvels, historical sites, biking routes, wellness retreats, and adventure sports in South America.

Top Attractions

South America is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders and vibrant cities. Some of the must-see attractions include:

Machu Picchu in Peru
Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador
The Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina
The Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia
The Atacama Desert in Chile

Hidden Gems

While the top attractions are undoubtedly worth a visit, South America is also full of hidden gems that are often overlooked by tourists. Some of our favorites include:

The colorful town of Guatapé in Colombia
The remote beaches of Ilha Grande in Brazil
The colonial city of Sucre in Bolivia
The vineyards of Mendoza in Argentina
The ancient ruins of Tiwanaku in Bolivia

Food Scene

The food scene in South America is incredibly diverse, with each country offering its own unique cuisine. Some of the must-try dishes include:

Ceviche in Peru
Churrasco in Argentina
Feijoada in Brazil
Cuy (guinea pig) in Ecuador
Arepas in Colombia

Budget-Friendly Tips

South America can be a budget-friendly destination if you know where to look. Some tips for saving money include:

Stay in hostels instead of hotels
Eat at local markets instead of restaurants
Travel by bus instead of plane
Visit during the low season
Take advantage of free walking tours

Outdoor Adventures

South America is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the top adventures include:

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Surfing in Florianopolis, Brazil
Rafting in the Futaleufu River in Chile
Zip-lining in Monteverde, Costa Rica
Biking down Death Road in Bolivia

Historical Landmarks

South America is rich in history, with countless landmarks to discover. Some of the most significant include:

The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru
The colonial city of Cartagena in Colombia
The Jesuit Missions of Paraguay
The historic center of Salvador de Bahia in Brazil
The Incan ruins of Ollantaytambo in Peru

Family-Friendly Activities

South America has plenty of activities that are fun for the whole family. Some of our favorites include:

Visiting the wildlife in the Galapagos Islands
Exploring the Amazon Rainforest in Peru or Brazil
Learning to surf in Montanita, Ecuador
Taking a boat tour of the Beagle Channel in Argentina
Visiting the theme parks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences

If you’re looking for something a little more unique, South America has plenty of off-the-beaten-path experiences to offer. Some examples include:

Visiting the indigenous communities of the Amazon in Ecuador
Exploring the ghost town of Humberstone in Chile
Learning to tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Visiting the salt flats of Salinas Grandes in Argentina
Exploring the ancient city of Chan Chan in Peru

Natural Wonders

South America is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Some of the must-see sights include:

The Andes Mountains
The Amazon Rainforest
The Patagonian Ice Fields
The Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina
The Cotopaxi Volcano in Ecuador

Vibrant Nightlife

South America is known for its vibrant nightlife, with cities like Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Lima offering plenty of options for night owls. Some of our favorite nightlife spots include:

The clubs of Rio de Janeiro’s Lapa neighborhood
The live music scene in Buenos Aires’ San Telmo neighborhood
The bars and clubs of Lima’s Miraflores neighborhood
The salsa clubs of Cali, Colombia
The reggaeton clubs of Medellin, Colombia

Local Markets

South America is home to some of the world’s most colorful and vibrant markets, offering everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. Some of our favorites include:

The San Telmo Market in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Otavalo Market in Ecuador
The Mercado Central in Santiago, Chile
The Witches’ Market in La Paz, Bolivia
The Mercado de las Brujas in Cusco, Peru

Beaches and Mountains

South America offers a unique combination of stunning beaches and towering mountains. Some of the top destinations include:

The beaches of Florianopolis in Brazil
The mountains of Patagonia in Argentina and Chile
The beaches of Tulum in Mexico
The mountains of Banff in Canada
The beaches of Punta del Este in Uruguay

Cultural Immersion

South America is a melting pot of cultures, with each country offering its own unique traditions and customs. Some ways to immerse yourself in the local culture include:

Learning to dance the tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Attending a samba school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Visiting the indigenous communities in the Amazon Rainforest
Participating in a traditional Peruvian cooking class in Lima, Peru
Exploring the ancient ruins of the Incas in Cusco, Peru

Art and Music Scene

South America has a thriving art and music scene, with cities like Buenos Aires and Bogota offering plenty of galleries and concert venues. Some of our favorite art and music events include:

The Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival in Argentina
The Bogota International Film Festival in Colombia
The Sao Paulo Art Biennial in Brazil
The Valparaiso International Music Festival in Chile
The Lima International Book Fair in Peru

Walking Tours

South America is best explored on foot, with plenty of walking tours available in major cities. Some of our favorite walking tours include:

The historical walking tour of Cartagena, Colombia
The street art walking tour of Valparaiso, Chile
The culinary walking tour of Lima, Peru
The architecture walking tour of Buenos Aires, Argentina
The coffee walking tour of Medellin, Colombia

Architectural Marvels

South America is home to some of the world’s most impressive architectural marvels, from ancient ruins to modern skyscrapers. Some of our favorites include: