South America
South America is an adventurer's paradise where the scale of nature is dazzling. The Amazon rainforest covers over 5.5 million square kilometers and produces about 20% of the Earth's oxygen — it's called 'the lungs of the planet.' The Andes is the world's longest mountain range (over 7,000 km) and passes through seven countries. The Patagonian glaciers in Torres del Paine National Park are one of the last pristine wildernesses, and the Iguazu Falls (275 separate waterfalls) are wider than Niagara. Rio's Carnival is the world's largest festival, with over 2 million people participating per day. The continent's rich cultures and wild natural sites are united by warm hospitality and an affordable price level — in Bolivia and Peru, a daily budget can be under 30 euros.
Attractions
Machu Picchu, Peru
The ancient Inca city above the clouds — one of the wonders of the world. Built in the 15th century at an altitude of 2,430 meters and forgotten for centuries before its discovery in 1911. The daily visitor count is limited to 4,044 people.
Iguazu Falls
275 waterfalls on the border of Argentina and Brazil — a magnificent spectacle of nature. The falls are 2.7 km wide, and the largest drop (Garganta del Diablo) is 82 meters.
Patagonia
Glaciers, mountain lakes, and the world's most beautiful hiking trails. The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few advancing glaciers and covers 250 km² — almost the size of Helsinki.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Copacabana beach, the Christ the Redeemer statue, and the world's largest carnival. The Cristo Redentor statue stands at a height of 710 meters on Corcovado mountain and is 30 meters tall.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Unique fauna and the birthplace of Darwin's theory of evolution. The islands are home to species not found anywhere else in the world, such as marine iguanas and Galápagos tortoises, which can live for over 175 years.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world's largest salt flat — mirror-like reflections during the rainy season. The 10,582 km² salt flat contains an estimated 10 billion tons of salt and the world's largest lithium reserves.
Weather & climate
Dry season (May–Oct)
15–25°C
Best time to travel to the Andes and mountain destinations.
Rainy season (Nov–Apr)
20–32°C
Tropical rains, greener landscapes, and more affordable prices.
Budget
| Category | 💰 Budget | 💎 Mid-range | 👑 Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation / night | 8–20 € | 25–60 € | 80+ € |
| Food / day | 5–12 € | 15–30 € | 45+ € |
| Transport / day | 3–10 € | 12–25 € | 35+ € |
| Activities | 2–10 € | 15–40 € | 60+ € |
Travel tips
Learn some Spanish
Knowledge of English is limited in many countries — basic Spanish will help immensely.
Prepare for altitude
Andean destinations are at 2,000–4,000 m altitude. Give your body time to acclimatize.
Use reputable bus companies
Cruz del Sur, LATAM, and similar companies offer safe overnight buses between countries.
Keep valuables hidden
Avoid wearing flashy jewelry and expensive tech on the street — use a money belt.
Compare destinations
Pick 2–3 destinations to compare safety, sociability, ease and budget side by side.
Solo traveller's guide
Safety
Social
Ease
South America is an adventure destination for the solo traveler. The hostel culture is strong and the backpacker community is tight-knit. Safety varies by region, but healthy caution and listening to local advice will keep you safe.
Hostels are social hubs — shared dinners and tours bring people together.
Use the 99 app (Brazil) or Cabify for safe taxi rides.
Don't walk alone at night in unfamiliar areas of large cities.
The Inca Trail requires a permit — book at least 6 months in advance.
Guides are affordable and increase safety on excursions.