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    Lonely Planet Best of South America
    Lonely Planet Best of South America
    Lonely Planet Best of South America
    Ebook763 pages5 hours

    Lonely Planet Best of South America

    By Regis St Louis, Isabel Albiston, Robert Balkovich and

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    About this ebook

    Lonely Planet: The world's number one travel guide publisher*

    Lonely Planet's Best of South America is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Gaze down on sparkling Rio de Janeiro from Pao de Acucar, spot wildlife in the Galapagos Islands, and hike the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - all with your trusted travel companion. Discover the best of South America and begin your journey now!

    Inside Lonely Planet's Best of South America:

    • Full-colour images throughout
    • Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
    • Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
    • Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
    • Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
    • Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, art, food, wine, sports, landscapes, wildlife
    • Free, convenient pull-out map (included in print version), plus easy-to-use colour maps to help you navigate
    • Covers Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and more

    The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Best of South America is filled with inspiring and colorful photos, and focuses on South America's most popular attractions for those wanting to experience the best of the best.

    Looking for just a few of the destinations included in this book? Check out the relevant Lonely Planet destination guides.

    About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

    TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 winner in Favorite Travel Guide category

    'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times

    'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)

    *Source: Nielsen BookScan: Australia, UK, USA, 5/2016-4/2017

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLonely Planet
    Release dateNov 1, 2019
    ISBN9781788686716
    Lonely Planet Best of South America
    Author

    Regis St Louis

    Regis St. Louis creció en una pequeña ciudad del Medio Oeste de EEUU, el tipo de lugar que alimenta grandes sueños de viaje, y desarrolló una temprana fascinación por los dialectos extranjeros y las culturas del mundo. Pasó sus años de formación estudiando ruso y un puñado de lenguas romances, que le fueron de mucha utilidad en sus viajes por gran parte del planeta. Regis ha participado en más de 50 títulos de Lonely Planet cubriendo destinos en seis continentes. Sus viajes le han llevado desde las montañas de Kamchatka, pasando por remotas aldeas isleñas en Melanesia, hasta grandes paisajes urbanos. Cuando no está viajando vive en Nueva Orleans.

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      Book preview

      Lonely Planet Best of South America - Regis St Louis

      Best of South America

      Top Sights, Authentic Experiences

      Contents

      Plan Your Trip

      Welcome to South America

      South America’s Top 20

      Need to Know

      Hot Spots for…

      Essential South America

      Month by Month

      Get Inspired

      Itineraries

      Family Travel

      Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

      Copacabana & Ipanema Beaches

      Pão de Açúcar

      Cristo Redentor

      Walking Tour: Historic Centro

      Sights

      Activities

      Tours

      Shopping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Entertainment

      Salvador, Brazil

      Afro-Brazilian Rhythms

      Pelourinho

      Sights

      Courses

      Tours

      Shopping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Brazilian Amazon

      Riverboat Travel

      Jungle Expeditions & Wildlife-Watching

      Belém

      Santarém

      Alter do Chão

      Manaus

      The Pantanal, Brazil

      Exploring the Pantanal

      Cuiabá

      Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães

      Campo Grande

      Iguazú Falls, Brazil & Argentina

      Visiting the Falls

      Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

      Puerto Iguazú, Argentina

      Buenos Aires, Argentina

      Tango in Buenos Aires

      Plaza de Mayo

      Cementerio de la Recoleta

      Parrillas

      Walking Tour: Historical Saunter

      Sights

      Shopping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Entertainment

      Southern Patagonia, Argentina

      Glaciar Perito Moreno

      Hiking the Fitz Roy Range

      El Calafate

      El Chaltén

      Santiago, Chile

      Cerro San Cristóbal

      Maipo Valley Wineries

      Cajón del Maipo Outdoor Activities

      Sights

      Shopping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      The Lakes District, Chile

      Adrenalin Activities

      Visiting Huilliche Communities

      Osorno

      Puerto Varas

      Cochamó

      Frutillar

      Puerto Octay

      Torres Del Paine, Chile

      Hiking the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

      Puerto Natales

      Sights

      Activities

      Shopping

      Eating

      Drinking

      Entertainment

      The Atacama Desert, Chile

      Visiting the Desert

      San Pedro de Atacama

      Sights

      Activities

      Shopping

      Eating

      La Paz, Bolivia

      Markets

      Tiwanaku

      Sights

      Tours

      Shopping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia

      Visiting the Salt Flats

      Uyuni

      Sights

      Tours

      Shopping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Lake Titicaca, Peru

      Islas Uros

      Chullpas

      Sillustani

      Cutimbo

      Isla Taquile

      Puno

      Cuzco & The Sacred Valley, Peru

      Festivals & Events

      Pisac Ruins

      Ollantaytambo Ruins

      Walking Tour: Central Cuzco

      Cuzco

      Pisac

      Ollantaytambo

      Machu Picchu, Peru

      Visiting Machu Picchu

      The Inca Trail

      Aguas Calientes

      Sights

      Activities

      Eating

      The Cordilleras, Peru

      Cordillera Blanca

      Chavín de Huántar

      Huaraz

      Sights

      Activities & Tours

      Shopping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Quito & the Central Highlands, Ecuador

      Quito’s Old Town

      Adventures in Baños

      Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

      Quito

      Baños

      Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

      Visiting the Galápagos

      Puerto Ayora

      Sights

      Eating

      Drinking

      Cartagena, Colombia

      Cartagena’s Old Town

      Islas del Rosario

      Sights

      Activities & Tours

      Shopping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Entertainment

      In Focus

      South America Today

      History

      People & Culture

      Outdoor Activities

      Survival Guide

      Directory A–Z

      Accessible Travel

      Accommodations

      Customs Regulations

      Electricity

      Discount Cards

      Emergency & Important Numbers

      Food

      Health

      Insurance

      Internet Access

      Legal Matters

      LGBT Travelers

      Maps

      Money

      Opening Hours

      Photography

      Post

      Safe Travel

      Telephone

      Toilets

      Tourist Information

      Visas

      Women Travelers

      Transport

      Getting There & Away

      Getting Around

      Language

      Behind the Scenes

      Our Writers

      Welcome to South America

      Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Inca ruins, colonial towns, white-sand beaches and vertiginous nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures

      Tourists at Iguazú Falls, Brazil | R.M. NUNES / GETTY IMAGES ©

      From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the undulating waterways of the Amazon, South America spreads a dazzling array of natural wonders. This is a continent of lush rainforests, towering volcanoes, misty cloud forests, bone-dry deserts, redrock canyons and ice-blue glaciers. Take in some of the incredible natural wonders found in every country in South America, then head to the coast for an idyllic retreat among palm-fringed, whitesand beaches and photogenic tropical islands.

      Such settings offer tantalizing adventures. You can hike past ancient temples first laid down by the Incas, contemplate the awe-inspiring power of Iguazú Falls, or spend the day watching wildlife from a dugout canoe on one of the Amazon’s countless igarapés (narrow waterways).

      South America’s diversity doesn’t end with landscapes. You’ll find colonial towns whose cobblestone streets lead past gilded churches and stately plazas little changed since the 18th century. You can haggle over colorful textiles at indigenous markets, share meals with traditional dwellers of the rainforest and follow the pounding rhythms of Afro-Brazilian drum corps. South America is home to an astounding variety of modern and ancient cultures, and experiencing it first hand is as easy as showing up.

      Plan Your Trip

      South America’s Top 20

      1 Machu Picchu, Peru

      South America’s fabled Inca ruins

      This fantastic Inca citadel, lost to the world until its discovery in the early 20th century, stands as a ruin among ruins. With its emerald terraces backed by steep peaks and Andean ridges echoing on the horizon, the sight simply surpasses the imagination. This marvel of engineering has withstood six centuries of earthquakes, foreign invasion and howling weather. Discover it for yourself: wander through its stone temples and scale its dizzying heights.

      GO GA / 500PX ©

      Girls dressed in traditional Peruvian clothing, Machu Picchu | JOEL SHAWN / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      2 Brazilian Amazon

      The world’s greatest rainforest

      Home to the greatest collection of plant and animal life on earth, the awe-inspiring Amazon has outdoor excursions of all sorts: from easy nature hikes to scaling 50m trees, from luxury lodges to makeshift camps in the forest. Spend your day plying the winding waterways in a canoe, slow-boating between towns or scanning the canopy for monkeys. Whatever your interest, there’s a jungle trip in the Amazon waiting to blow your mind.

      Toucan | AGUSTAVOP / GETTY IMAGES ©

      STREETFLASH / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      3 Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

      Enchanting islands packed with wildlife

      The famous Galápagos Islands, with their volcanic, other-worldly landscapes, are a magnet for wildlife lovers. Here, you can get up close and personal with massive lumbering tortoises, scurrying marine iguanas (the world’s only seagoing lizard), prancing blue-footed boobies and a host of other unusual species. On snorkeling trips, you’ll see playful doe-eyed sea lions, lightning-fast penguins and graceful sea turtles winging through the equatorial waters. Sea lions

      MAKINGSAUCE / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      4 Iguazú Falls, Brazil & Argentina

      A jaw-dropping array of 275 waterfalls

      The thunderous roar, the dramatic cascades, the refreshing sprays, the absolute miraculous work of Mother Nature – nothing prepares you for that first moment you set eyes upon Iguazú Falls. On the Brazilian side, enjoy the wide-eyed view of the whole astounding scene stretching out before you in all its panoramic wonder. In Argentina, get up close and personal with the deafening Devil’s Throat for a mind-blowing experience.

      JPSANCHEZ / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      5 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

      Samba-charged city of beaches and mountains

      On privileged real estate flanked by striking Atlantic-blue waters, sugary-white sands and a mountainous backdrop of Crayola-green rainforest, Rio’s cinematic cityscape has few rivals. And once its soundtrack kicks in – a high-on-life siren song of bossa nova and samba – Rio’s raw energy seizes you with the come-hither allure of a tropical fantasy. You’ll have no choice but to follow.

      View of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) and Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) | R.M. NUNES / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      6 Buenos Aires, Argentina

      A grand dame with a romantic soul

      Whip together a beautiful Argentine metropolis with gourmet cuisine, awesome shopping, frenzied nightlife and gorgeous locals, and you’ll get Buenos Aires. It’s a European-like, cosmopolitan city encompassing both slick and unsafe neighborhoods, but that’s the appeal. You can experience classic cafes, amazing steaks, surprising architecture, energizing fútbol games and, of course, that sultry tango. Buenos Aires is elegant, seductive, emotional, confounding, frustrating and chock-full of attitude.

      A colorful facade in La Boca | STUART DEE / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      7 Torres del Paine, Chile

      Hike amid dramatic Patagonian landscapes

      The wind whips dark clouds overhead as the trail suddenly opens to reveal a stunning vista of granite spires soaring high above the Patagonian steppe. These are the Torres del Paine, the proud centerpiece of Chile’s famous national park. Trekking through this Unesco Biosphere Reserve isn’t for the faint of heart – guides say the park sees all four seasons in a single day – but hiking the ‘W’ remains a rite of passage for adventurous travelers.

      Hiker enjoying the view of Cuernos del Paine and Lake Pehoé | MICHELE FALZONE / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      8 Cuzco & the Sacred Valley, Peru

      Former capital of the Inca empire

      With ancient cobblestone streets, grandiose baroque churches and the remnants of Inca temples with centuries-old carvings, no place looms larger in Andean history than Cuzco, a city that has been inhabited continuously since pre-Hispanic times. Mystic, commercial and chaotic, this unique city is still a stunner. It’s also the gateway to the picturesque Sacred Valley, with its famed temples and colorful markets, as well as Machu Picchu just beyond.

      Quechua woman in Cuzco | KEREN SU / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      9 Southern Patagonia, Argentina

      Walk beside glaciers and shark-tooth summits

      The rugged, mountainous wilderness of Southern Patagonia is a world-class trekking destination. In the Fitz Roy Range, you can plan challenging multiday treks, or plan shorter outings to take in stunning views just a day’s hike from town. South of Fitz Roy, Perito Moreno is one of the most accessible glaciers on the planet. Watch from steel catwalks as building-sized icebergs calve from the face and crash into Lago Argentino.

      PAOLOMARCHETTI / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Magellanic penguin | BUENAVENTURAMARIANO / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      10 Quito & the Central Highlands, Ecuador

      Architectural jewel and gateway to Andean adventure

      History lurks around every corner of Quito’s vibrant Centro Histórico. Delve into the past by stepping off the cobblestones into beautifully maintained museums, historic mansions and jaw-dropping sanctuaries. Afterwards, join the festivities on lively La Ronda. Head further afield to outdoor adventures (and thermal springs) in Baños or the snowcapped scenery of Cotopaxi.

      Plaza Grande | JESS KRAFT / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      PXHIDALGO / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Quito’s colonial-style facades | ALESSANDRO_PINTO / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      11 Lakes District, Chile

      Adventure playground of lakes and mountains

      While turquoise glacial lakes dominate the landscape, they’re hardly the only attraction in this photogenic southern Chile region. Play on towering, perfectly conal, snowcapped volcanoes. Visit charming lakeside hamlets such as Frutillar. Admire the green umbrella of national parks like Parque Nacional Huerquehue. A long list of outdoor adventures and a unique, German-influenced Latin culture make for a cinematic region that appeals to all.

      Pier at Frutillar | PAULO COSTA / 500PX ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      12 Salvador, Brazil

      World capital of Afro-Brazilian culture

      Salvador is famous for capoeira (martial-art dance), Candomblé, Olodum, colonial Portuguese architecture, African street food and one of the oldest lighthouses in the Americas. The city’s past, marked by gritty stories of Portuguese seafaring and the heartbreaking history of the African slave trade, is one of hardship, but today’s lively Bahian capital offers a unique fusion of two vibrant cultures. The music and nightlife scene culminates when Salvador hosts one of Brazil’s best Carnavals.

      LAZYLLAMA / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      13 The Atacama Desert, Chile

      Otherworldly landscapes in northern Chile

      See the desert don its surrealist cloak as you stand atop a giant sand dune, with the sun slipping below the horizon and multicolored hues bathing the sands, all with a backdrop of distant volcanoes and the rippling Cordillera de la Sal. This is just one small part of the Atacama Desert, a mesmerizing landscape that encompasses red rock formations, jagged mountains, glittering salt lakes and sputtering geysers, plus dazzling star-filled skies.

      Salar de Atacama | HELDER GERALDO RIBEIRO / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Mountain biking in the desert | JOHN WARBURTON-LEE / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Tourists at El Tatio Geysers | PAKAWAT THONGCHAROEN / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      14 The Cordilleras, Peru

      Ground zero for outdoor adventure in Peru

      The Cordilleras are one of the preeminent hiking, trekking and backpacking spots in South America. Every which way you throw your gaze, perennially glaciated white peaks razor their way through expansive mantles of lime-green valleys. The Cordillera Blanca is one of the highest mountain ranges in the world and boasts the enigmatic 3000-year-old ruins of Chavín de Huántar.

      GALYNA ANDRUSHKO / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      15 The Pantanal, Brazil

      Wildlife-watching in the wetlands

      Few places on earth can match the wildlife-watching of the Pantanal, a wondrously remote wetland in the heart of Brazil. From cute capybaras to stately storks, the animal life simply abounds and is remarkably easy to see in the open marshy surroundings, whether you are traveling on foot, on horseback or by boat. Among the big draws is the elusive jaguar – this is one of the best places in South America to spot one.

      WALTER MARIO STEIN / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      16 Santiago, Chile

      Chile’s art- and food-loving capital

      Santiago is the center of the nation’s cultural and intellectual universe. See the places that inspired the great poet Pablo Neruda, followed by visits to the grand collections in the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. By evening delve into Santiago’s avant-garde restaurant scene, followed by a late night exploring raucous beer halls, candlelit poetry houses and just about anything else your inner Bacchus desires.

      Plaza de Armas and the Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago | F11PHOTO / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      TIFONIMAGES / GETTY IMAGES ©

      ‘Yellow Spiral’ sculpture by Osvaldo Pena | KRZYSZTOF DYDYNSKI / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      17 Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

      The surreal salt flats of Bolivia

      While a three-day jeep tour through the world’s largest salt flat will leave your bones chattering, it could quite possibly be the defining experience of your Bolivian adventure. The vastness, austerity and crystalline perfection of the salt flat will inspire you. An early-morning exploration of rock gardens, geyser fields and piping-hot springs along with the camaraderie of three days on the road with your fellow ‘Salterians’ will create a lasting memory.

      ANTONIO SALINAS L / GETTY IMAGES ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      18 Lake Titicaca, Peru

      Floating reed islands and traditional living

      Less a lake than a highland ocean, Titicaca is home to fantastical sights – none more surreal than the floating islands crafted entirely of tightly woven totora reeds. Requiring near constant renovation, the reeds are also used to build thatched homes and elegant boats. There are plenty of other islands to choose from, such as Isla Taquile, where rural Andean life from centuries long gone lives on, and where the quinoa soup recipe has been perfected. Puno

      OLGA GAVRILOVA / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      19 Cartagena, Colombia

      Colonial grandeur on the Caribbean

      The hands of the clock on the Puerta del Reloj wind back 400 years in an instant as visitors enter the walled old town of Cartagena. Strolling the cobblestone streets is like stepping into the pages of a Gabriel García Márquez novel. The pastel-toned balconies overflow with bougainvillea and the streets are abuzz with food stalls around magnificent Spanish-built churches, squares and historic mansions.

      Colonial building facade | RAFAL CICHAWA / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      South America’s Top 20 PLAN YOUR TRIP

      20 La Paz, Bolivia

      High-energy city famed for its markets

      The world’s highest capital city, La Paz is a dynamic whirl of tootling taxis, bustling indigenous markets and fast-moving pedestrians all mixing it up beneath the blinding altiplano sun. Welcome to one of South America’s most fascinating cities: a strangely intoxicating metropolis of rich ethnographic museums and stunning hilltop lookouts with a packed festival calendar. La Paz is also the gateway to intriguing pre-Columbian ruins outside of town.

      Women in traditional Bolivian clothing | PEEK CREATIVE COLLECTIVE / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Plan Your Trip

      Need to Know

      Currency

      Argentine peso (AR$)

      Bolivian boliviano (B$)

      Brazilian real (R$)

      Chilean peso (CH$), Colombian peso (COP$) Ecuador: US dollar (US$)

      Peru: nuevo sol (S)

      Languages

      Portuguese, Spanish, and over 500 indigenous languages

      Visas

      Visas are sometimes required, or in some cases other charges must be paid, for example for reciprocity fees or tourist cards.

      Money

      ATMs are available in major towns and cities; stock up on funds before visiting remote areas. Credit cards are widely accepted.

      Cell Phones

      Local SIM cards can be used in unlocked European and Australian (GSM) phones. Or you can purchase a phone when you arrive.

      Time

      Ranges from GMT minus three hours (Brazil’s east coast) to GMT minus six hours (the Galapagos Islands).

      When to Go

      High Season (Dec–Mar)

      o It’s high season in Brazil and the Atlantic coast; beaches and festivals (such as Carnaval) are big draws.

      o The best time to visit Patagonia, though expect higher prices.

      Shoulder (Oct–Nov)

      o It’s dry season in the Amazon, making for fine wildlife-watching.

      o Fewer crowds and lower prices make this a good time to visit Buenos Aires, Rio and other coastal destinations.

      Low Season (Jul–Aug)

      o In Chile and Argentina, many services close at beach resorts, and mountain passes can be blocked by snow.

      Daily Costs

      Budget: Less than US$50

      o Dorm beds: from US$12

      o Double rooms: from US$30

      o Shopping at markets, eating inexpensive set meals: from US$5

      Midrange: US$50–120

      o Budget jungle lodge in the Amazon per day: US$50–80

      o Hiking and cycling tours per day: from US$50

      o 3½-day Manaus–Belem boat trip (hammock fare): from US$100

      Top End: More than US$120

      o Hiking the Inca Trail (four-day trek) per person: US$600

      o Multiday Galápagos cruise per day: around US$200

      Useful Websites

      Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/south-america) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveler forum and more.

      Latin American Network Information Center (www.lanic.utexas.edu) Links to all things Latin American.

      UK Foreign Travel Advice (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) Travel advisories.

      US State Department (www.state.gov) Travel advice and warnings.

      Thorn Tree (lonelyplanet.com/thorntree) Get trip recommendations and destination tips from other travelers.

      Opening Hours

      On Sunday, nearly everything is closed. In the Andean countries, businesses tend to close earlier.

      Banks Monday to Friday (for money changing).

      Businesses 8am or 9am–noon and 2pm–8pm or 9pm Monday to Friday. Shorter hours on Saturday.

      Arriving in South America

      Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini, Buenos Aires

      Frequent shuttle buses head downtown (AR$240); taxis cost around AR$1200.

      Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez, Santiago

      Frequent shuttle connections go to downtown Santiago hotels (40 minutes, CH$7000), plus local buses (one hour to downtown, then transfer to the metro or Transantiago bus; CH$1700) and taxis (CH$18,000).

      Galeão International Airport, Rio de Janeiro

      Bus 2018 (R$16, one to two hours, every 30 minutes) goes to Copacabana and Ipanema. Radio taxis cost R$130 (45 to 90 minutes). Metered yellow-and-blue comum (common) taxis cost between R$82 and R$100. Shuttle service costs R$25.

      Getting Around

      Bus Extensive services throughout the continent, except for the Amazon. You’ll find reclinable seats (and super-powered air-conditioning on long hauls).

      Plane Useful for crossing immense distances; can save days of travel; prices are generally high, but airfare promotions are frequent.

      Car Useful for traveling at your own pace, though cities can be difficult to navigate and secure parking is a must.

      Boat Slow, uncomfortable, but brag-worthy transport between towns in the Amazon, with trips measured in days rather than hours. You’ll need a hammock, snacks, drinking water and a high tolerance for boredom.

      Train Limited networks, generally geared toward tourists.

      For more on,

      Plan Your Trip

      Hot Spots for…

      Dramatic Scenery

      Thundering waterfalls, volcanoes and otherworldly desert landscapes. When gazing upon these natural wonders, you might feel like you’ve stepped back a few million years.

      MATT MUNRO / LONELY PLANET ©

      Urban Allure

      Life spills into the streets with pop-up graffiti murals, sprawling food markets, and buzzing music-filled cafes in South America’s colorful city neighborhoods.

      TETIANA TUCHYK / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Wildlife

      South America is home to more plant and animal species than any other place on earth; it has countless settings to watch wildlife.

      GUENTERGUNI / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Outdoor Adventures

      Get your adrenaline fix clambering past snow-capped peaks, paddling along rushing rivers or mountain biking down slopes. There are many ways to get your heart racing.

      CHRISTIAN KOBER / ROBERTHARDING / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Plan Your Trip

      Essential South America

      Activities

      There’s a whole range of adventures awaiting in South America. You can go hiking amid the soaring peaks of the Andes, go rafting along rushing jungle-lined rivers and overnight in a rainforest lodge with the sounds of the Amazon all around you. And you’ll find many more astounding options in every country on the continent. There’s memorable diving off of the Galápagos, trekking and mountaineering in the Andes, wildlife-watching in the Pantanal and legendary mountain biking outside of La Paz.

      Shopping

      South America has a treasure trove of arts and crafts. All across the continent, you’ll find lively markets packed with crafts and clothing. In the Andes, you’ll find alpaca wool sweaters and scarves, woven textiles, ceramics, masks and gold and silver jewelry. Brazil has its own enormous crafts scene, with some of the finest works emerging from the Northeast. Neighboring Argentina has myriad temptations for shoppers, from street fairs and antique shops to indie clothing boutiques. Wherever you roam, when you need essentials, large North American–style malls and sizable supermarkets can be found in the big cities.

      Traditional Peruvian handmade textiles | SL-PHOTOGRAPHY / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Eating

      South America has staggering variety when it comes to cuisine. You’ll find sizzling steaks in Buenos Aires, creative twists on age-old dishes in the Andes, and tender freshwater fish in the Amazon. Every country has its own specialties, and within countries you’ll find a great range (with coastal recipes quite different from cooking traditions in the interior). The capitals and big cities of South America are all fertile grounds for foodies, though increasingly, you can also find fantastic meals in smaller towns. Memorable meals can sometimes be had at markets, as well.

      Peruvian ceviche | Larisa Blinova / Shutterstock ©

      Drinking & Nightlife

      You’ll find dynamic nightlife in all of South America’s big cities, particularly in Rio, Buenos Aires and Santiago. You’ll find easygoing beach bars, DJ-fueled clubs, stylishly decked speakeasies and cocktail bars, as well as craft-beer bars tapping into the recent craze for local microbrews. Wine bars are all the rage in Argentina and Chile, and nearly every region has its specialty drinks – from canelazo (a hot rum, cinnamon and orange juice concoction) in the Andean highlands to mate (hot yerba mate drunk from a special gourd) in Argentina, Chile and southern Brazil.

      Live Music Venues

      Rio Scenarium

      Tango Porteño

      Espaço D’Venetta

      Jallalla

      Café Havana

      Entertainment

      Live music is the lifeblood of South America. Brazil’s music scene is unrivaled, with buzzing samba clubs in Rio and heart-pounding drum corps filling the streets of Salvador. Buenos Aires has its magnificent tango scene, which can mean watching or dancing depending on the place (plenty of places offer lessons), while Peru and Bolivia have their peñas, venues for traditional folkloric music. Aside from live rhythms, there are countless other draws in South America, including theater, dance and indie cinema, as well as live football matches, which bring die-hard fans to local (sometimes massive!) sporting arenas in every corner of the continent.

      Plan Your Trip

      Month by Month

      January

      It’s peak season in Brazil and Argentina. Expect higher prices, bigger crowds and sweltering temperatures as city dwellers head to the coast. This is also the most popular time to travel to Patagonia.

      Santiago a Mil

      This 17-day theater and dance fest (www.fundacionteatroamil.cl/en/santiagoamil)features dozens of shows and events around the Chilean capital, staged by international and local companies.

      February

      The sizzling summer is still in full swing in the southern half of the continent, with exorbitant prices and sparse accommodations during Brazilian Carnaval. Elsewhere, it’s fairly wet in the northern Andes and the Amazon region.

      Carnaval

      The famous bacchanalian event happens across South America, though the pre-Lenten revelry is most famous in Brazil. Rio and Salvador throw the liveliest bashes, with street parades, costume parties and round-the-clock merriment.

      Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro | EFE NEWS AGENCY / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO ©

      Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria

      Celebrated across the highlands in Bolivia and Peru, this festival features music, drinking, eating, dancing, processions and fireworks. Some of the liveliest celebrations take place in Puno (Peru). The big day is February 2.

      March

      While the weather is still warm in the south, the crowds thin and prices fall a bit at beach destinations. It’s still rainy in the northern Andes.

      Lollapalooza Chile

      Chile’s rock fest (www.lollapaloozacl.com) kicks off in Santiago in late March or early April, and features an impressive line-up of homegrown and international groups on par with the North American version of Lollapalooza.

      Lenny Kravitz performing at Lollapalooza Chile | LUOMAN / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Concurso Nacional de Belleza

      Also known as the Carnaval de Cartagena, this beauty pageant and festival (www.srtacolombia.org), Cartagena’s most important annual bash, celebrates the city’s independence day and the crowning of Miss Colombia. Festivities include street dancing, music and fancy-dress parades.

      April

      In the Andes, crowds and high-season prices mark Holy Week, a boon of national tourism in March or April. Elsewhere on the continent, you’ll find generally fewer crowds and good post-summer prices.

      Semana Santa

      Throughout Latin America, Holy Week is celebrated with fervor. One of the most colorful processions happens in Quito (Ecuador) when purple-robed penitents parade through the streets on Good Friday.

      Best Festivals

      Carnaval, February

      Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria, February

      Inti Raymi, June

      Tango BA Festival y Mundial, August

      Reveillon, December

      May

      Buenos Aires and Rio head into low season, with cooler weather and lower prices; the rain begins to taper off in the Andes, making it a fine time to go trekking.

      La Festividad de Nuestro Señor Jesús del Gran Poder

      Held in late May or early June, La Festividad de Nuestro Señor Jesús del Gran Poder in La Paz involves candle processions, elaborate costumes and dancing.

      June

      High season in the Andean nations corresponds with the North American summer (June to August), when the weather is also sunniest and driest. Book major tours (such as hiking the Inca Trail) well in advance.

      Inti Raymi

      This millennia-old indigenous celebration of the solstice and harvest is celebrated in many Andean towns. In Cuzco it’s the event of the year, attracting thousands of visitors for street fairs, open-air concerts and historical reenactments.

      August

      It’s dry in many parts of the continent, making August a fine time to visit the Amazon, the Pantanal or the Andes. It’s chilly to freezing south of the Tropic of Capricorn.

      Tango BA Festival y Mundial

      World-class tango dancers perform throughout Buenos Aires during this two-week festival (http://festivales.buenosaires.gob.ar). Competition is fierce for the title of ‘world’s best tango dancer.’ You can also hone your own moves at classes and workshops.

      September

      The weather remains dry and sunny (but chilly) in the Andes, though you’ll find fewer crowds. September is also a good (less rainy) time to visit the Amazon.

      Fiestas Patrias

      Chilean Independence is feted during

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