South America offers some of the greatest adventures in the world, with its majestic mountain ranges, luxuriant rainforests, vibrant cities, and breathtaking beaches. If you're looking for pristine environment, breathtaking scenery, unmatched ruins, sun, surf, or top-notch food and drink, South America is a must visit!

1. PERU

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The land of the Inca is one of superlatives, from the topography to the kitchen. This country could be explored for a lifetime.

Peruvian cuisine is praised by all visitors. The sheer variety of dishes never ceases to astound, even though ceviche receives the majority of the attention. Its influences range from Inca to Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. Few countries have created a cuisine with such a rich variety of flavors and ingredients.

A great choice for ceviche in Lima is La Mar Cevicheria, serving up the daily catch to discerning locals. For a truly special meal in Lima, head to the Michelin star-rated Maido, which specializes in nikkei, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian foods.

The best archaeological sites to explore are in Peru. While Machu Picchu, a mountaintop citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is widely praised, this marvel is merely the tip of the iceberg. In the Sacred Valley region near Cusco, tourists shouldn’t miss Saqsaywamán, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo.

If you like ancient mysteries, check out the expansive Nazca Lines in the desert in the south of the country. In the north just outside Trujillo is the ancient city of Chan Chan, which predates the Incas. Last, one of Peru’s best-kept secrets is Kuélap, built a thousand years before the arrival of the Spanish.

2. ARGENTINA

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Argentina, is a land of passion. The music, the dancing, the sport, and the food are all a reflection of this large, confident, and diverse country.

The cities of Buenos Aires, Rosario, Santa Fe, and Cordoba are home to the most storied of the nation’s football clubs, and at the first chance, visitors are warmly enlisted into their fan bases.

Argentines are nearly as passionate about their asado as they are about their football. As the world’s largest producer of beef, asado restaurants can be found everywhere, and almost without exception serve expertly-grilled prime cuts.

There is so much to discover in Argentina when looking for an adventure. The magnificent Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in southwest Patagonia protects a sizable portion of the Campo de Hielo Patagónico Sur, the largest ice field in the continent, which is located not far from the Chilean border. This is one of the best locations in the world to get up close to a glacier, as you might anticipate.

The enormous Glacier Perito Moreno, a 30km (18.6 miles) wall of ice that juts out into the iceberg-dotted Lago Argentino, is the park's centerpiece and a haven for hikers and climbers.

Up Northeast of the country, you can experience the unforgettable Iguazu Falls, which shares a border with Brazil, and while you can watch this 80-meter (262-foot) high cascade of thundering water from either side, Argentina can lay claim to some of the more dazzling viewpoints. Despite the crowds, it is impossible to avoid being in awe of the Rio Iguazu as it divides into numerous cascades and rushes across a plateau surrounded by vibrantly alive patches of emerald-green rainforest. A series of trails, boardwalks, viewpoints and boat trips allow you to get remarkably close to the action.

You cant miss out on whale watching in Peninsula Valdes. Reserva Faunística Península Valdés in northeast Patagonia teems with life. Thousands of southern right whales migrate here annually, and the offshore waters serve as a vital breeding habitat for them. These beautiful cetaceans, which have a lifespan of more than a century, can be seen up close on whale-watching excursions, while scuba diving or snorkeling, and even from the shore.

From high-altitude deserts in the north to sub-polar tundra in the south, the Argentinian section of the Andes mountain range offers some of the best hiking on Earth. The national parks in the Argentinian Lake District, Patagonia and the far south – Nahuel Huapi, Los Glaciares and Tierra del Fuego – are particularly enjoyable places to explore on foot. These stunning wild areas have trails suitable for day hikes, overnight treks and multi-day adventures.

3. CHILE

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Venturing south, Chile is a land of extremes. It is a country with temperate rainforests and Earth’s driest desert, the towering Andes mountains, and bucolic wine country. It seems a world apart from even the neighboring countries, and this isolation has given it its distinct character.

The Patagonia region in the south, which is characterized by glaciers, and the Atacama Desert in the north are two of Chile's most popular tourist destinations. Both are fantastic places to go camping, hiking, and just unwind.

Nature lovers will find themselves in heaven further south. With its wind-swept high grasslands, glacial lakes, and snow-covered Andean peaks, Torres del Paine National Park gives off an eerie, end-of-the-world vibe.

This massive region, which includes the isolated landscapes of Tierra del Fuego, is ready for exploration, and all four seasons offer a different adventure for visitors, including camping, hiking, wildlife spotting, kayaking, and much more.

The stark beauty of the Atacama Desert draws visitors for its wildlife, salt flats, geysers, and stargazing. San Pedro de Atacama serves as the starting point for excursions farther afield. Visitors have the option of taking a guided trip or venturing out on their own in a leased 4X4 vehicle.

Chile's most mysterious island emerges from the water 3,686 kilometers (2,290 miles) away across the Pacific Ocean. Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is a living relic of the Rapanui culture who’ve inhabited this remote island for over 800 years.

Closer to civilization, the fertile lands of central Chile are home to some of the world’s best vineyards. The rich volcanic soil is ideal for many grape varietals, including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and chardonnay, as well as rarer finds such as carignan, cabernet franc, and carmenere.

Between Santiago and Valparaiso is the Casablanca Valley, home to a number of award-winning wine producers, including the all-organic Viña Emiliana. Further south, Viña Montes in the Colchagua Valley specializes in bold cabernet sauvignon and complex carmenere.

4. BRAZIL

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Brazil has long been associated with enjoyment. And how could it not, given how much Brazilians enjoy dancing, listening to music, and going to the beach? Brazil, the largest nation in South America, has a distinct culture and atmosphere.

In Southern Brazil near the city of Florianópolis is the island of Santa Catarina, perhaps Brazil’s top destination for beach-goers. Visitors from all over come for the white sand beaches, swimming, surfing, and all-night parties.

The island has several beaches, from crowded and energetic to secluded and relaxed. These are really fun places to visit.

In addition to the coastline on the sea, there are the calmer waters of the lagoon, Lagoa da Conceição, for several types of water sports, including wakeboarding, water skiing, kayaking, and sailing.

Praia Mole is the most popular beach for surfing and socializing with locals. There are seafood restaurants, beachside bars, and DJ parties year-round. Go to Barraco da Mole for a chilled caipirinha overlooking the beach, and Tropical da Mole next door for a seafood feast.

Try Praia da Lagoinha do Leste in the southern part of the island for beautiful beaches away from the tourists. It will take some hiking to get there, but it is well worth it.

And of course, visitors to Brazil won’t want to miss out on the annual Carnaval, celebrated across the country but best experienced in Rio de Janeiro or Salvador.

Locals and foreigners alike enthusiastically participate in the hugely popular Rio festival's street parties, music, and dancing. The Sambadrome hosts the most well-known parade. With its wild floats, costumes, and decorations, it is an amazing show.

Every neighborhood in the city has its own celebration, though. Each bloco (street party) reflects the neighborhood and people who live there. Just put on something yellow and blue and join in

While Carnaval in Rio gets international plaudits, Salvador’s celebration, in the northern state of Bahia, is no less fun. Carnaval in Salvador reflects the large Afro-Brazilian population and their unique culture. This one sees less foreign tourism and may be a more local experience for travelers.

Brazil is incomprehensible without a trip to the Amazon, and Manaus is the ideal location to accomplish it. The capital of the state of Amazonas is this tiny town, which serves as the ideal launching point for jungle exploration.

The Rio Negro River, which the town is located on, has a 10-minute downstream connection to the Amazon River. Manaus is the ideal destination because of its location! From Manaus, you can join a huge range of tours that will take you down the Rio Negro and Amazon River.

5. COLOMBIA

Best Places to Stay

You might become addicted after just one trip to Colombia. Repeat trips are encouraged because there is so much to see and do, and locals are among the friendliest you will encounter anyplace in the globe.

Colombia's well-preserved colonial architecture and unique national parks entice tourists.

Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast in the north, is one of the most atmospheric colonial cities from the Spanish era. Its brightly-colored buildings crowd the streets, providing shade from the intense heat of the sun. The narrow streets open into beautiful plazas with outstanding museums, cathedrals, and monuments.

Travelers should make sure to visit the massive San Felipe de Barajas fortress, Palace of the Inquisition in the Cartagena Museum, and the Santa Catalina de Alejandría Cathedral.

Taking a tour with an indigenous Zenú guide offers the opportunity to peer under the superlatively beautiful skin of the city and learn about the struggles of Colombia’s indigenous people – and how tourism can help them revive their culture.

The cuisine is equally impressive as the sights. Cartagena's restaurant scene has blossomed as it has become more and more popular with tourists. Restaurante Celele and Doa Lola in the Getseman area are particularly noteworthy..

After dinner, head to Donde Fidel for salsa music and dancing, or Alquímico for DJs and cocktails.

Colombia's diverse natural landscapes never cease to astonish visitors. Few countries can compare to Colombia's incredible variety of national parks, which include the Amazon rainforest, sunny beaches, massive mountain ranges, and cloud forests.

Tayrona National Park is an idyllic Caribbean beach retreat with jungle leading right down to the sand. Go to Amacayacu if you want a taste of the dense Amazonian jungle. The high Andes El Cocuy offers prime trekking and camping opportunities, and Los Nevados is famous for its ethereal cloud forest under towering wax palm trees.

However, if you want to combine jungle landscapes with hidden archeological sites, don’t miss Colombia’s Ciudad Perdida, a “lost” city tucked away in the forests of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and only reachable as part of a five-day trek.