South America is a land of contrasts, with equatorial rainforests and snow-capped mountains, thriving modern cities and ruins of ancient civilization. Spend days or weeks in multiple countries to experience the culture, beauty and excitement across the continent.
Enjoy modern art and architecture and historic indigenous and European roots in one of the world’s great cities, Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. Practice your Spanish and watch a tango, with a timeless expression of emotion via dance. For outdoor excitement, hike and ski in the jagged mountains of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia, the region that includes parts of Argentina and Chile.
Brazil occupies nearly half the continent. Its Atlantic beaches include Rio de Janeiro’s famous Ipanema as well as less celebrated gems, such asBaia do Sancho and Lopes Mendes. Inland, the mighty Amazon River offers rainforest trekking, whitewater adventures and ecotourism. Surprisingly deep in the rainforest, the Renaissance opera house built in Manaus in the late 1800s now hosts a philharmonic orchestra. Watch soccer in the country where Pelé, Ronaldo and other great football players were born.
Explore history at the Jesuit ruins of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná in Paraguay, pre-Columbian ruins in El Fuerte de Samaipata in Bolivia, the walled early colonial city of Cartagena in Colombia and the high-altitude fortress of the Incas in Machu Picchu, Peru.
Exceptional natural experiences abound. Brazil’s Chapada Diamantina National Park features mountains and waterfalls. Lake Titicaca lies high in the Andes Mountains between Peru and Bolivia. Venezuela’s Angel Falls drops an incredible distance. Stand with your feet on either side of the equator in Ecuador and see if you feel dizzy.
Appreciate the mix of culture, tradition, music, costumes and food from Quechua, Guaraní and hundreds of other indigenous peoples throughout the region. South American food specialties include Argentine beef with a delicious dessert of flan with a sweet dulce de leche syrup. In Brazil, eat all you want at a churrascaria with a dozen varieties of meat. Accompany your meal with a caipirinha made from a spirit distilled from sugar cane. Have feijoada, the Brazilian black bean stew served every Sunday.
History, nature and culture come alive in South America. Enjoy interacting with the warm people of the continent throughout the year. Visit for the special celebration of Carnaval in the spring.