South America is not just a destination; it is a profound, sensory-overloading experience that changes the way you view the world. It is the rhythmic, hypnotic pulse of a salsa club in Colombia, the bone-chilling roar of an ancient glacier calving in Argentina, and the intoxicating aroma of sizzling street food in a high-altitude Peruvian market.
For decades, backpackers, luxury travelers, and digital nomads have flocked to this diverse continent seeking adventure. But with so many countries, varied climates, and endless attractions, planning a trip can feel overwhelmingly complex. If you are currently sitting in front of your screen, furiously searching for cool places to travel in south america, you have officially landed on the only mega-guide you will ever need.
We are moving past the generic tourist brochures to bring you an epic, in-depth exploration of the continent. From world-renowned bucket-list destinations to the whispered, off-the-beaten-path local secrets, this guide is designed to help you build the ultimate itinerary.
Grab your backpack, dust off your hiking boots, and let’s dive into the most amazing places to visit in Latin America.
Why Backpacking South America is a Rite of Passage
Before we jump into the specific locations, it is crucial to understand the magnetic pull of this continent. South America offers a staggering contrast of ecosystems. Within a single short flight, you can transition from the driest non-polar desert on Earth to the most biodiverse rainforest on the planet.
- The Culture: The warmth of the people here is legendary. Whether you are sharing a cup of mate with a stranger in Uruguay or being pulled onto a dance floor in Brazil, the hospitality is unmatched.
- The Affordability: For those traveling with strong currencies (USD, EUR, GBP), many South American countries offer an incredible cost-to-value ratio. You can eat gourmet meals for a fraction of what they cost back home.
- The Adventure: This is the undisputed capital of outdoor adventure. Volcano trekking, jungle expeditions, scuba diving, and high-altitude mountaineering are everyday activities here.
The Ultimate Destinations — Country by Country
Let’s break down the ultimate South America bucket list destinations. We have categorized them by country, detailing exactly why they deserve a spot on your itinerary, what to eat, where to stay, and how much it might cost you.
🇨🇴 COLOMBIA: The Capital of Rhythm and Resilience
Colombia has completely shed its dark historical reputation, transforming into the undisputed trendy hotspot of the continent. It is vibrant, exceptionally welcoming, and endlessly diverse.
1. Medellín: The City of Eternal Spring
Nestled deep in a lush Andean valley, Medellín boasts near-perfect weather year-round. Once notorious, it is now a shining global example of urban innovation, famous for its cable cars that connect hillside comunas to the bustling city center.
- The Vibe Check: Trendy, forward-thinking, and pulsating with reggaeton beats. It is a massive hub for digital nomads.
- The Local Secret: Skip the heavily crowded tourist traps in El Poblado for a night out. Instead, head to La 70 (La Setenta) in the Laureles neighborhood. It is where the local Paisas go to drink aguardiente and dance salsa until the early hours of the morning.
- Must-Do Adventure: Take a respectful, educational walking tour of Comuna 13. The vibrant street art and outdoor escalators tell the powerful story of the neighborhood’s incredible transformation.
- What to Eat: Bandeja Paisa—a massive, calorie-dense platter of beans, rice, chicharrón (pork belly), ground meat, fried egg, plantain, and avocado.
- Wallet Damage: $$ (Very affordable, especially for long-term stays).
2. Salento and The Cocora Valley
Deep in the heart of Colombia’s Coffee Axis (Eje Cafetero) lies Salento, a traditional town painted in every vibrant color imaginable.
- The Vibe Check: Chill, aromatic, and distinctly rural. Time slows down here.
- The Local Secret: Play a game of Tejo at Los Amigos. It is Colombia’s national sport, which involves throwing heavy metal pucks at clay targets rigged with gunpowder. Yes, things explode.
- Must-Do Adventure: The Cocora Valley hike. You will walk among the Quindío wax palms, the tallest palm trees in the world, shooting up to 200 feet into the misty cloud forest sky. It looks like a real-life Dr. Seuss book.
- Wallet Damage: $ (Extremely budget-friendly).
3. Cartagena: The Caribbean Jewel
A perfectly preserved colonial city situated right on the Caribbean coast. Cartagena’s walled Old Town is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, brightly painted houses, and bougainvillea draped over wooden balconies.
- The Vibe Check: Romantic, sweltering hot, and historically rich.
- Must-Do Adventure: Take a speedboat out to the Rosario Islands for a day of snorkeling in crystal-clear Caribbean waters.
- Wallet Damage: $$$ (More expensive than the rest of Colombia due to heavy tourism).
4. Tayrona National Park
Where the dense, monkey-filled jungle crashes directly into the roaring Caribbean Sea.
- The Vibe Check: Off-grid, tropical, and wonderfully exhausting.
- Must-Do Adventure: The two-hour jungle hike to Cabo San Juan. Rent a hammock on the viewpoint hut for the night. Listening to the ocean crash against the massive boulders directly beneath you is pure magic.
🇵🇪 PERU: The Ancient Heartbeat of the Andes
When compiling a list of cool places to travel in south america, Peru is usually the first country that comes to mind. It is the heavyweight champion of South American history, but beyond the famous Inca ruins, it offers a global culinary revolution and mind-bending geographical diversity.
5. Cusco & The Sacred Valley
Cusco translates to the “belly button of the world” in the ancient Quechua language. Sitting at a breathtaking altitude of 11,150 feet (3,400 meters), this former Inca capital is a labyrinth of massive stone walls seamlessly blended with Spanish colonial architecture.
- The Vibe Check: Mystical, historic, and slightly breathless (thanks to the thin air).
- The Local Secret: While everyone rushes to the San Pedro market, wander up the steep, narrow streets of the San Blas neighborhood. It is the bohemian artisan quarter, filled with third-wave coffee shops and incredible vegan eateries.
- Must-Do Adventure: Machu Picchu is non-negotiable. But to make it a true adventure, skip the train and hike the Salkantay Trek—a grueling 5-day journey past frozen peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and into the high jungle before finally reaching the magnificent Lost City.
- What to Eat: Try Cuy (roasted guinea pig) if you are brave, or stick to Lomo Saltado (a fantastic beef stir-fry that showcases the Chinese-Peruvian culinary fusion known as Chifa).
- Wallet Damage: $$$ (While street food is cheap, treks, trains, and entry tickets to ruins will eat into your budget).
6. Huacachina: The Desert Oasis
A tiny, idyllic village built around a shimmering green lagoon, entirely surrounded by towering, golden sand dunes. It looks exactly like a cinematic mirage, but it is 100% real.
- The Vibe Check: Adrenaline-fueled, sandy, and party-centric.
- Must-Do Adventure: Take a roaring dune buggy ride right before sunset. The drivers treat the massive dunes like a rollercoaster. Afterward, strap on a sandboard and slide face-first down 500-foot drops as the sky turns violent shades of purple and orange.
- Wallet Damage: $$
7. Lima: The Culinary Capital
Many travelers skip Lima, dismissing it as a foggy, chaotic transit hub. That is a massive mistake. Lima is arguably the gastronomic epicenter of the Americas.
- The Vibe Check: Sophisticated, oceanic, and incredibly delicious.
- The Local Secret: Head to the Barranco district. It is the city’s hipster haven, filled with street art, historic mansions converted into chic cocktail bars, and ocean views.
- Must-Do Adventure: Eat everything. From world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants like Central or Maido to the humble street-side Ceviche stands, the food here will ruin you for life.
8. Arequipa & The Colca Canyon
Guarded by three looming, dramatic volcanoes, Arequipa’s historical center is built entirely out of sillar, a blindingly white volcanic stone.
- The Vibe Check: Elegant, intellectual, and architecturally stunning.
- Must-Do Adventure: A two-day trek down into the Colca Canyon. It is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the USA. Here, you can sit on the canyon edge in the early morning and watch giant Andean Condors—birds with a massive 10-foot wingspan—glide effortlessly on the thermal currents.
🇦🇷 ARGENTINA: Wine, Ice, and Tango
Argentina is vast, dramatic, and unapologetically passionate. It is a country that demands your full attention and rewards you with some of the best landscapes on Earth.
9. Ushuaia: The End of the World
Welcome to Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), the southernmost city on the globe. Ushuaia is the final, rugged frontier before Antarctica, framed by the jagged Martial mountain range and the icy waters of the Beagle Channel.
- The Vibe Check: Rugged, isolated, and profoundly adventurous.
- Must-Do Adventure: Take a boat tour through the Beagle Channel to see the iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Afterward, walk among the colonies of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins on Martillo Island.
- What to Eat: Centolla (Patagonian King Crab). It is fresh, sweet, and absolutely massive.
- Wallet Damage: $$$$ (Due to extreme isolation and importation costs, everything here carries a premium price tag).
10. El Calafate & The Perito Moreno Glacier
Patagonia represents nature on steroids, and the Perito Moreno Glacier is its undisputed crown jewel. Unlike almost every other glacier on Earth which are receding due to climate change, this massive block of ice is actually stable and periodically advancing.
- The Vibe Check: Awe-inspiring and freezing.
- The Local Secret: Bring a small bottle of whiskey on your boat tour. The local guides will often fish a chunk of ancient, highly-compressed glacier ice straight out of the water to chill your drink.
- Must-Do Adventure: Strap on heavy-duty crampons and book the “Big Ice” trek right on top of the glacier. Staring down into bottomless, glowing neon-blue crevasses while hearing the ice crack beneath your feet is a uniquely terrifying and beautiful experience.
11. Mendoza: The Wine Capital
Nestled perfectly at the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range, Mendoza is synonymous with world-class Malbec.
- The Vibe Check: Indulgent, relaxed, and sun-drenched.
- Must-Do Adventure: Rent a bicycle in the Maipú or Uco Valley regions and cycle leisurely from vineyard to vineyard (bodegas). Drink heavy red wine, eat an absurd amount of high-quality Argentine steak, and enjoy the shadow of the Andes.
- Wallet Damage: $$$
12. Buenos Aires: The Paris of the South
Buenos Aires is a city that never seems to sleep, running on espresso, empanadas, and pure European-Latin fusion energy. The architecture feels like Paris, but the soul is entirely Latin.
- The Vibe Check: Romantic, nocturnal, and fiercely cultural.
- The Local Secret: Skip the highly commercialized, expensive tourist tango shows in La Boca. Instead, go to a local Milonga (underground tango hall) around 1:00 AM in the San Telmo neighborhood. You will witness the real, improvised, soul-stirring dance of the locals.
- What to Eat: A traditional Argentine Asado (barbecue). The quality of the beef here is unparalleled.
🇧🇴 BOLIVIA: The Surreal High-Altitude Frontier
Bolivia is raw, wonderfully chaotic, incredibly cheap, and home to landscapes that simply do not look like they belong on planet Earth. For budget backpackers looking for cool places to travel in south america, Bolivia is an absolute goldmine.
13. Salar de Uyuni (The Great Salt Flats)
Spanning over 10,000 square kilometers, this is the largest salt flat in the world, left behind by prehistoric lakes that evaporated long ago.
- The Vibe Check: Extraterrestrial, blindingly bright, and mind-bending.
- The Local Secret: If you visit between January and March (the rainy season), a thin layer of water covers the endless flats. This turns the entire ground into a gigantic, perfect mirror that reflects the sky seamlessly. You lose all depth perception; it genuinely feels like walking among the clouds.
- Must-Do Adventure: Do not just visit the flats for a day. Take the 3-day or 4-day Jeep expedition from Uyuni all the way to the Chilean border. You will pass blood-red lakes filled with thousands of pink flamingos, smoking high-altitude geysers, and Salvador Dalí-esque rock formations in the desert.
- Wallet Damage: $ (This multi-day tour is widely considered the best value-for-money adventure in all of South America).
14. La Paz: The City in the Clouds
The highest administrative capital city in the world sits inside a massive canyon, looking like a sprawling concrete crater surrounded by the Altiplano mountains.
- The Vibe Check: Frantic, breathless, and uniquely indigenous.
- Must-Do Adventure: Ride the Mi Teleférico. Instead of a subway system, La Paz uses a massive network of cable cars as public transit. Riding these cars at sunset offers unparalleled views of the sprawling city and the snow-capped Mount Illimani. Then, visit the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) to see dried llama fetuses and ancient Aymara herbal potions used for Pachamama (Mother Earth) offerings.
🇨🇱 CHILE: The Land of Extremes
Chile is a bizarre, beautiful ribbon of land stretching from the driest desert in the world in the north down to the ancient glacial fjords of the south.
15. San Pedro de Atacama
This is the driest non-polar desert on Earth. The terrain is so similar to the surface of Mars that NASA regularly uses it to test its rovers.
- The Vibe Check: Bohemian, dusty, and mystical.
- The Local Secret: The stargazing here is objectively some of the best on the entire planet due to zero light pollution, high altitude, and lack of clouds. Book an astronomical tour with a local expert. Looking at the rings of Saturn through a massive telescope in the pitch-black desert will permanently alter your perspective on life.
- Must-Do Adventure: Float effortlessly in the hyper-saline waters of Lagunas Baltinache, where the salt concentration is so incredibly high you literally cannot sink.
16. Torres del Paine National Park
Located in southern Chilean Patagonia, this is the absolute pinnacle of global trekking.
- The Vibe Check: Wild, incredibly windy, and physically challenging.
- Must-Do Adventure: The legendary “W” Trek. This 4-to-5-day hike takes you past the iconic, jagged granite towers (Las Torres), thundering waterfalls, and the massive expanse of the Grey Glacier. The Patagonian wind here can literally knock you off your feet, so pack heavy-duty gear.
- Wallet Damage: $$$$ (Park fees, refugio bookings, and gear rentals are very expensive).
17. Valparaíso
A chaotic, colorful port city built on steep funicular-laced hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
- The Vibe Check: Gritty, artistic, and poetic. (Famed poet Pablo Neruda had a house here).
- Must-Do Adventure: Get lost in the maze of staircases and alleyways. Valparaíso is basically a massive open-air art gallery, featuring some of the best street art and murals in the world.
🇧🇷 BRAZIL: The Giant of the Tropics
Brazil takes up almost half the continent. It is an explosion of color, rhythm, unimaginable biodiversity, and sheer scale.
18. Rio de Janeiro: The Marvelous City
Nowhere else on Earth does a massive, bustling metropolis collide so dramatically with sheer granite mountains and pristine tropical beaches.
- The Vibe Check: Sexy, energetic, and visually stunning.
- The Local Secret: Skip the crowded sunset view at Sugarloaf Mountain. Instead, take an Uber to Arpoador Rock (between Copacabana and Ipanema beaches). Join thousands of locals who gather here every evening to applaud the sun as it dips below the horizon.
- Must-Do Adventure: Hike up to the base of Christ the Redeemer early in the morning before the tour buses arrive, or take a vibrant Samba class in the Lapa district.
19. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Imagine endless, blindingly white sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see. Now imagine the deep valleys between those dunes filled with crystal-clear, warm, turquoise freshwater lagoons.
- The Vibe Check: Untamed, bizarre, and purely joyful.
- The Local Secret: The lagoons are only full during a very specific time of year (usually right after the rainy season, from June to September). Time your visit perfectly, or you will just be staring at dry, endless sand.
- Must-Do Adventure: Take a multi-day trek entirely barefoot across the dunes, sleeping in hammocks in tiny, isolated oasis villages along the way.
20. The Amazon Rainforest (Manaus)
The absolute lungs of the Earth. A place where nature completely overpowers humanity.
- The Vibe Check: Humid, intensely loud (the jungle insect noise never sleeps), and primal.
- Must-Do Adventure: Sleep in a rustic eco-lodge deep in the jungle. Go out on a tiny motorized canoe at night with an indigenous guide to spot the glowing red eyes of Caimans, listen to the terrifying, dinosaur-like roar of Howler monkeys at dawn, and try to spot the elusive, legendary pink river dolphins.
🇪🇨 ECUADOR: The Micro-Universe
Ecuador may be geographically small compared to its neighbors, but it packs the high Andes, the deep Amazon, the Pacific Coast, and the legendary Galapagos Islands into one easily navigable country.
21. The Galapagos Islands
The living, breathing laboratory of evolution that inspired Charles Darwin’s theories. It is a volcanic archipelago located 1,000 kilometers off the coast.
- The Vibe Check: Pristine, heavily protected, and mind-blowing.
- The Local Secret: The animals here have absolutely no evolutionary fear of humans. You do not need massive, expensive telephoto lenses to take photos; sea lions will literally swim up and blow bubbles in your face, and giant tortoises will slowly walk right past your feet.
- Must-Do Adventure: Scuba diving at Gordon Rocks to swim with schools of hundreds of Hammerhead sharks.
- Wallet Damage: $$$$$ (Strict conservation laws, mandatory national park fees, and limited access make this one of the most expensive destinations in all of South America).
At a Glance – Destination Comparison Table
| Destination | Vibe & Best For | Budget Level | Ideal Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cusco, Peru | History & Trekking | $$ | 5-7 Days |
| Medellín, Colombia | Nightlife & Nomads | $$ | 1-2 Weeks |
| Patagonia, Arg/Chile | Extreme Nature | $$$$ | 10-14 Days |
| Uyuni, Bolivia | Budget Adventures | $ | 3-4 Days |
| Galapagos, Ecuador | Marine Wildlife | $$$$$ | 7-10 Days |
| Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Beaches & Culture | $$$ | 5-6 Days |
How to Craft the Perfect Itinerary
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make when researching cool places to travel in south america is underestimating the sheer size of the continent. You cannot “do” South America in two weeks. Distances are vast. Here are three realistic, tested itineraries:
1. The 2-Week “Highlight Reel” (Peru & Bolivia)
If you only have two weeks, focus on the high-altitude Andean classics.
- Days 1-2: Arrive in Lima, eat incredible ceviche.
- Days 3-7: Fly to Cusco. Acclimatize, explore the Sacred Valley, and take the train (or short trek) to Machu Picchu.
- Days 8-10: Take a bus to Puno and explore the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca. Cross the border into Bolivia.
- Days 11-14: Fly or bus down to Uyuni and complete the 3-day Salt Flats expedition before flying home from La Paz.
2. The 1-Month “Gringo Trail” Backpacker Route
This is the classic, heavily-trodden path that guarantees you will meet dozens of other solo travelers.
- Week 1: Start in Lima -> Paracas -> Huacachina (Dune Buggies) -> Arequipa (Colca Canyon).
- Week 2: Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
- Week 3: Cross into Bolivia. Copacabana -> La Paz (Death Road cycling) -> Sucre.
- Week 4: The Uyuni Salt Flats tour, crossing the border into Chile to finish your trip in the otherworldly San Pedro de Atacama.
3. The 3-Week “End of the World” Nature Route (Patagonia)
For extreme nature lovers who want to avoid the tropical heat.
- Days 1-4: Explore the cultural highlights of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Days 5-9: Fly down to El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier) and take a bus to El Chalten (Hiking the Fitz Roy massif).
- Days 10-15: Cross the border into Chile for the challenging Torres del Paine W-Trek.
- Days 16-21: Fly to Santiago, Chile, take a day trip to Valparaíso, and fly home.
Budgeting and Money Matters
How much does backpacking South America actually cost? It depends entirely on your travel style, but here is a realistic breakdown:
- The Shoestring Backpacker: $30 – $45 USD per day. You are sleeping in 10-bed hostel dorms, eating the local Menu del Dia (a cheap, fixed-price lunch), taking 20-hour overnight public buses to save on accommodation, and avoiding expensive flights. (Best in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador).
- The Flashpacker (Mid-Range): $60 – $90 USD per day. You prefer private rooms in hostels or budget Airbnbs, eat out at nice restaurants a few times a week, take domestic flights to skip massive bus rides, and book comfortable guided tours. (Standard for Peru, Brazil, Chile).
- The Luxury Traveler: $150 – $300+ USD per day. Boutique eco-lodges, private transport, fine dining in Lima or Buenos Aires, and premium excursions like Amazon cruises or Galapagos liveaboards.
Pro Money Tips: Always carry multiple debit/credit cards (Visa is universally accepted, Mastercard is good, American Express is virtually useless outside luxury hotels). In countries like Argentina, the economy fluctuates rapidly, so always research the current exchange rate situation (like the “Blue Dollar” parallel rate) before you arrive.
Navigating the Continent (Transportation)
When looking for cool places to travel in south america, figuring out how to get between them is half the battle.
- Buses: The bus system in South America is spectacular, especially in Argentina, Peru, and Chile. Forget what you know about cramped Greyhound buses. Here, long-distance buses offer Cama (fully flat beds), hot meals, personal entertainment screens, and sometimes even a glass of wine. Prepare for 15 to 24-hour bus rides as a standard way of life.
- Flights: Domestic flights within countries (like LATAM or Avianca) can be reasonably priced if booked in advance. However, international flights between South American countries are notoriously expensive due to high taxes. It is often cheaper to fly from Colombia to Miami than it is to fly from Colombia to neighboring Peru.
- City Transit: Uber is widely used and very cheap in major cities like Medellín, Lima, and Buenos Aires. Always use ride-sharing apps rather than hailing taxis off the street for safety and price transparency.
The Safety Guide (Street Smarts 101)
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Is South America safe? Yes, absolutely. Millions of travelers visit every year without a single issue. However, you cannot be naive. You must employ basic street smarts.
- No Dar Papaya: This is a famous Colombian saying that literally translates to “Don’t give papaya.” In practice, it means: Don’t put yourself in a vulnerable position where people can easily take advantage of you.
- The Cell Phone Rule: Never walk down the street with your expensive smartphone in your outstretched hand. If you need to check Google Maps, step inside a café or a store, check the route, put the phone in your front pocket, and walk with purpose.
- Bus Safety: Keep your daypack (with your passport, laptop, and valuables) on your lap or between your feet on public buses. Never put it in the overhead bin or under your seat where someone behind you can quietly slice it open.
- Nighttime Navigation: Never walk alone at night in major cities, even if it is just a few blocks. Spend the $3 on an Uber.
The Ultimate Packing Philosophy
Because you will be traversing different altitudes and climates, packing requires strategy. You might be sweating in the Amazon jungle on Tuesday and freezing at 14,000 feet in the Andes on Friday.
The Essentials:
- Layers are everything: Pack a high-quality thermal base layer, a lightweight fleece, and a packable waterproof/windproof outer shell.
- Footwear: Leave the heavy, rigid hiking boots at home unless you are doing serious mountaineering. A pair of high-quality, waterproof trail running shoes is perfect for 90% of the hikes, ruins, and city walking you will do.
- Health: Pack a robust medical kit. Include altitude sickness pills (Acetazolamide), strong anti-diarrhea medication, water purification tablets, and high-DEET bug spray.
- Language: Pack your patience and download Spanish offline packages on Google Translate. English will not get you very far outside of major tourist hubs. Learning basic Spanish is non-negotiable for a fulfilling trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the absolute best time to visit South America?
Because the continent crosses the equator, the weather varies. Patagonia is best from November to March. The Andes (Peru/Bolivia) are best during the dry season from May to September. Colombia and Ecuador are great year-round but avoid heavy rainy seasons.
Can I drink the tap water anywhere in South America?
In 90% of South America, absolutely not. Stick strictly to bottled water. The only major exceptions are major cities in Chile (like Santiago) and parts of southern Argentina, but using a filtered water bottle is still recommended.
Do I need visas to travel around South America?
For US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, most countries offer visa-free entry for 90 days. However, rules change (e.g., Brazil requires visas for some nations). Always check official embassy websites before departure.
Is it safe for solo female travelers?
Yes. South America has a highly supportive backpacking community. By staying in reputable hostels, finding travel buddies, and applying standard safety rules (like avoiding isolated areas at night), solo female travelers can have an incredibly safe and fulfilling experience.
The Final Verdict
South America is not a place you just visit; it is a place you survive, experience deeply, and ultimately fall hopelessly in love with. It demands patience, an open mind, and a good sense of humor when the bus breaks down in the middle of nowhere or the hot water stops working in your hostel.
But in return for your patience, it gives you the most spectacular sunrises over ancient ruins, the warmest smiles from strangers, the most flavorful food you will ever taste, and stories that will outlast a lifetime.
There is a reason why travelers who come here for a month end up staying for a year. It grabs hold of your soul. So, out of all these cool places to travel in south america, which one are you adding to your itinerary first? Pack your bags, brush up on your Hola and Gracias, and get ready for the absolute adventure of a lifetime.