Planning a trip to beautiful South America? This 3-week South America travel itinerary has everything from travel tips to the best travel destinations, must-visit spots, and so much more.
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South America is one of the best destinations in the world for adventure, fun, and exploration. This lovely continent is also full of unique landmarks, stunning landscapes, amazing beaches, a diverse culture, modern cities, vibrant streets, and so much more.
This 3-week South America travel itinerary will take you from the historic streets of Cartagena in Colombia to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. To the exciting streets of Buenos Aires in Argentina, to the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia in Chile and Argentina, and more.
This South America travel itinerary will help you plan the best trip that is filled with adventure and relaxation. This guide also includes important travel and safety tips, the top destinations, the best travel routes, the best time to visit, and all the essential tips you will need for your South American adventure.
This post is all about the ultimate 3-week South America travel itinerary.
South America is located close to the Equator therefore it has consistently warm temperatures. But there is still a rainy and dry season that you need to be prepared for. South America also has lots of altitude changes so bringing layers is a must.
December to March is a dry season and is probably the best time to visit Patagonia and the beaches in Brazil. The rainy and wet season is April to June and October to November. Fewer crowds and is still very enjoyable as long as you pack accordingly. July and August are the dry seasons as well and would be great to visit the Amazon rainforest and Peru.
Always check the visa and entry requirements when traveling to South America. There are certain countries that do not require a visa and others that will require a visa. Also, you will need to make sure you have an outgoing ticket from South America in most cases to be allowed entry. A good rule of thumb is to always keep your passport up to date and make sure you have more than 6 months before expiry as this is a requirement for some countries as well.
For this itinerary Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile have a visa-free entry for citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, and European travelers. This means you don’t need to apply for a visa but must have an outgoing ticket. But, for Bolivia travelers from the United States will require a visa.
The easiest and quickest way to travel between countries in South America is by plane. This will give you the most time to enjoy each destination without losing a lot of time in travel. Buses are popular and affordable as well in South America although you will lose some time in the travel process. Trains are another option although not quite popular. Taking a bus or a train can be a great experience as well, this way you can enjoy the beautiful and scenic landscapes throughout South America.
South America is a great continent to visit but you need to make sure you are traveling smart and safe. South America is wildly known for pickpockets and you need to be prepared with these safety tips:
Some other great articles to check out for your trip include:
For the first day of your South America travel itinerary land in Bogota and start exploring the beautiful country of Colombia. Bogota is the capital of Colombia, and it is usually where most flights from international countries land. Bogota is one of Latin America’s largest cities and capitals as well. There are many things to do in Bogota. You could start with a free walking tour with Beyond Colombia. This tour is about 3 hours long. Additionally, you could check out the Museum Del Oro (Gold Museum) or do a hike up Mount Monserrate which takes you to the top of Bogota about 10,000 feet up. Takes about 4 hours or there is a cable car that you can take as well. Here, you get to see stunning views of the city, explore lush gardens, and explore the buildings.
Next head to the vibrant city of Medellin. Medellin lies in a bowl in the Andes Mountains and is the capital of the Antioquia Province. This stunning city is famous for its world-class architecture, amazing sightseeing tours, and beautiful landscapes. There is a great tour that you should do while in Medellin called the Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour and Street Food. This tour is a bus tour and takes you through the most popular neighborhood in Medellin Comuna 13. The city has a great nightlife and bar scene as well and has many great restaurants to check out.
After exploring Medellin make your way to the historic city of Cartagena. Cartagena also has The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is surrounded by a wall, and inside are squares, and colorful colonial buildings. The city of Cartagena is also known for its beautiful beaches, warm tropical climate, and amazing sunsets. Cartagena also has a free walking tour by Beyond Colombia that is very popular. This beautiful city is one of the most picturesque in Colombia with its vibrant colored buildings, the walled city, and beach backdrop. There are also many beautiful beaches that you need to check out as well like El Laguito Beach, Marbella Beach, Bocagrande Beach, and many more.
For a detailed Colombia itinerary, check out the blog post “THE ULTIMATE 10-DAY COLOMBIA ITINERARY“.
After exploring Colombia head to the beautiful country of Peru. Begin your Peru adventure in Cusco also known as the gateway to the Inca Empire. The best things to do in Cusco are to visit the historic center of Plaza de Armas and see the Inca ruins where you can get a panoramic glimpse of Cusco. Explore the San Pedro Market and get some fresh fruit, street food, and unique souvenirs. Visit the most important Inca Temple Qorikancha and Santo Domingo Covenant. And lastly, enjoy the San Blas Neighborhood where you can visit some great cafes, do some local shopping, and enjoy the local culture.
From Cusco, you need to make your way to the Sacred Valley to explore the Inca Heartland. Sacred Valley is super unique and a must-visit. Explore the Pisac Inca ruins. Visit the fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo. Relax at the Maras Salt Mines which are unique terraces salt pools used during the Inca times. Explore the many markets in the area as well.
Next, head to the most popular place in Peru, Machu Picchu. Known as the Iconic Lost City of the Incas and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Machu Picchu, Peru is one of the most incredible destinations in the world. Machi Picchu is perched very high up in the Andes Mountains in Peru. The views of this city are the most unique views you will ever see and it is truly breathtaking.
Explore the Citadel which is the ruins of Machu Picchu and the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone, the Rooms of the Three Windows, the Sacred Plaza, and more. Hike up the Huayna Picchu which is the towering peak behind the Citadel that offers the beautiful panoramic views of Machu Picchu. Check out the Sun Gate in the morning light to see the illuminated ruins. If you are into history then this is an absolute must place for you to visit.
Once, you’ve explored the spectacular country of Peru, continue your South America travel itinerary by visiting Bolivia. First head to the highest capital city in the world in terms of altitude, La Paz. La Paz has very wet summers and very dry winters due to its altitude. Some must-do things in La Paz include riding the Ride Mi Teleferico which is the world’s highest cable car system that offers the best panoramic views of the city. Next, explore the Valle de la Luna known as the Moon Valley. Here you can see a super unique landscape with interesting rock formations, a super cool experience. Do some shopping at the Witches’ Market, visit the historic square Plaza Murillo, and take a tour of the Death Road which is the world’s most dangerous road. Only do this if you’re looking for extreme adventures.
Next, you have to see the Uyuni Salt Flats. Bolivia’s most famous and beautiful natural wonders. The Salar de Uyuni are the world’s largest salt flats and a famous for it’s mirror effect when it rains. There is the Incahuasi Island which is an island covered in cacti’ in the middle of the salt flats. For train lovers there is a train cemetery that is filled with unique abandoned trains. Another must-see is the Laguna Colorada and Launga Verde which are green and red lakes that are surrounded by flamingos. Such a cool and beautiful site to see. The Uyuni Slat Flats are also great for relaxation as they have the Sol de Manana Geysers which are mud pools that have steam vents and the hot springs in the mountains.
Once you’ve relaxed and enjoyed Bolivia, head to the beautiful Chile. Santiago is the capital of Chile and is surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range. First, visit the Plaza de Armas which is home to the Metropolitan Cathedral in the center of Santiago. Explore the Presidential Palace La Moneda Palace. Visit Santiago’s Boho neighborhood Barrio Bellavista which has lots of cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, and more. Another fun and adventurous hike to do is to Cerro San Cristobal where you can see panoramic views of Chile’s city center.
Visit Chile’s Atacama Desert which is a stunning natural wonder as well. Visit the El Tatio Geysers, these are the world’s third-largest geyser fields. Relax at the Laguna Cejar which is a high-altitude salt lagoon where you will float. Explore the Mars-like landscape of the Piedras Rojas (Red Rocks). And lastly, you have to enjoy star gazing here, this is one of the best places in the world for astronomy lovers.
Next on this epic South America travel itinerary, you need to visit Argentina. First, explore the Patagonia region which spans between Chile and Argentina. Patagonia is famous for its endless wild landscapes that are truly breathtaking! For adventure seekers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts this region is an absolute dream. The Patagonia region’s unique landscapes include glaciers, forests, rivers, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, lakes, lush vegetation, and so much more.
After exploring the amazing Patagonia region make your way to Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is a culture-rich city that has lots of art, shopping, dining, and more. Explore the La Boca neighborhood and Caminito Street which is a vibrant neighborhood with tango dancing and lots of amazing street art. Visit and explore the Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada which has so much history and the famous pink government building. Enjoy the Palermo area with lots of trendy cafes, boutique shopping, and many dining areas.
Next visit Iguazu Falls in Argentina. Here you can walk the upper and lower circuits by the waterfalls for amazing views. You can also take a train to Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Thorat) which is the most powerful waterfall. For the super adventurous you can also take a boat ride under the falls for a unique and fun experience. You can also visit the Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side. From the Brazilian side, you get different angles of the falls and you can also enjoy a helicopter ride over the falls.
The last stop on this amazing 3-week South America travel itinerary is Brazil. First, explore Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro is a city famous for its spectacular landscapes, iconic landscapes, and unique culture. There are also many amazing beaches and famous carnivals to enjoy in Brazil. Some must-see attractions in Rio de Janeiro are the famous Christ The Redeemer Statue, one of the New Seven Wonders Of The World, the statue is perched on top of Corcovado Mountain which has the best panoramic views of the city. Visit Sugarloaf Mountain by taking a cable car to the top to enjoy views of the city below. Before you head home you need to visit the world-famous Copacabana beach. Enjoy swimming, and relaxing. Enjoy the carnivals when here and experience Brazil’s culture.
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