The 10 Top Travel Destinations in South America

Curious what the top travel destinations in South America are? Summer is the period of holidays and people are making plans where to go. If money is not a problem, consider visiting the South American continent. South America has hundreds of places to visit, and many interesting things that will astonish you and fill you with great memories for the whole year.

Traveling tips always come in handy, since due to the variety of places and a relatively small amount of time, it is hard to decide where to go. We already covered the best travel cities in Europe; check that out if you have time.

Situated in the southern hemisphere, South America has many beautiful places designed by nature like mountains, waterfalls or some of the deepest lakes on the planet. The continent is also rich in many species of exotic animals and birds, so there’s that.

If you are not a fan of nature, you should also know that South America is a continent with a very rich history. Before being colonized, it was the land of several native civilizations, the remains of which are exhibited there and can be admired. At the same time, the colonization era brought to South America many beautiful architectural elements from Spain and Portugal.

South America will also impress you with its developed infrastructure and many interesting events and ceremonies that one can see and attend, the most notable being the famous carnivals in Brazil, which gather thousands of people each year.

With this in mind, we have compiled a list of ten awesome places you must see in South America. Taking into account that our readers have different interests and preferences, we have included places for sightseeing of beautiful natural landscapes, admiring fauna in its wilderness, and also historical monuments, and just great places to have some fun. Read on to see that South America is not just about beaches, carnivals and emerging markets.

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In our list we included the Lake Titicaca. Aside from the fact that it is the highest navigable lake (situated at above 12,500 feet or  about 3,800 meters above sea level), it provides an astonishing landscape.Titicaca lake is home to many species of birds and animals, many of which are endangered species. Also you should know that there are several small islands on the lake, many of which are populated by small communities, each with its own traditions and customs. So, you definitely should see it if you decide to visit South America.

We still have some aces up our sleeve; continue reading to learn what the top travel destinations in South America are:

No. 9 Patagonia

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Split between Chile and Argentina, Patagonia was initially the destination for backpackers, but later the tourism industry in the region grew and currently attracts many tourists who come to see the Perito Moreno glacier, the Valdes Peninsula, or Torres Del Paine national park.

No. 8 Galapagos Islands

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The Galapagos Islands are not just about beaches and ocean. The islands offer a big variety of fauna representatives and since the Galapagos are volcanic islands, they can provide a great view and many walking trails.

No. 7 Buenos Aires

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Buenos Aires is the largest city in Argentina and the second-largest on the continent. It has a great infrastructure, but what makes is special is its architecture which represents a mix of French and Italian influences. So if you go there, make sure to see the National Congress, the Palace of Justice and Iglesia Santa Felicitas among many other landmarks.

No. 6 Angel Falls

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Angel Falls is located in Venezuela and is the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world (over 3,000 feet). Since the Falls are located in an isolated jungle forest reaching there might be difficult, but it is worth the effort. Also, if you enjoyed the Disney animation “Up” you will have a chance to see the place which inspired the creators of the film.

No. 5 Ecuador

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Aside from the aforementioned Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is also famous for many settlements of the Inca civilization. Also, the colonization influenced the architecture of the country’s cities. The country has a beautiful culture, which can be admired by tourists in all its beauty.

No. 4 Machu Picchu

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Now it’s time to visit Peru and especially the Machu Picchu site. Known as “The Lost City of the Incas,” Macchu Picchu represents the ruins of the settlement of the Incan civilization, so a visitor gets the chance to go back in history and see how the Incas lived over 500 years ago.

No. 3 Easter Island

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You must have heard about Moai, which represent giant stone-carved statues, and on the Easter Island you’ll get the chance to see all 887 of them standing. Also, a visitor can admire petroglyphs, pictures carved into rocks and many ancient stone houses.

No. 2 Amazon Rainforest

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The Amazon Rainforest offers an unique ecosystem filled with species of plants and animals, many of which can be only observed here. Covering nine countries, and a surface of over one billion acres, the region is the homeplace of many tribes, which managed to survive remotely from civilization, being totally isolated from the impacts of the modern world like technology.

No.1 Rio de Janeiro

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And the cherry on the top of the cake is Rio de Janeiro, famous mostly for its carnival celebrations. However, a tourist also gets the chance to see the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer as well as hundreds of many other interesting spots. And if you get tired, you always can lie on the beach or swim in the ocean. If you visit Rio de Janeiro, you will see why the city is nicknamed “Marvelous City.”