South America is made up of 12 countries and features some of the most stunning landscape and scenery in the world. From incredible mountain ranges to the largest salt flats on the planet, Latin America is a traveller’s paradise.
In this article we list 10 locations that every tourist should visit at least once if they are exploring South America. Whether it’s the stunning wildlife of the Galapagos Islands or the breath-taking sight of the Cerro Negro volcano, this continent is full of hidden treasures, the only problem is deciding which one to visit first!
Angel Falls, Venezuela
Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall and stands at an incredible 979 metres (3,212 ft), with the water dropping 807 metres (2,648 ft). If the sight of the waterfall alone wasn’t impressive enough, Angel Falls is also surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Canaima National Park.
The best time to visit the falls would be from June to December during the wet season. This is because the waterfalls are located deep in to the jungle and you would have to take a helicopter flight and a boat up the river to reach the falls.
Torres del Paine, Chile
Torres del Paine is a national park in the south of Chile that is famous for its glaciers, lakes and rivers. The real highlight of the park is the stunning Cordillera Paine mountain range though, which provides a breathtaking backdrop no matter where you end up walking to.
Every year more than 252,000 visit this breathtaking place, and no wonder. If you are planning to visit Torres del Paine it is better to start in Puerto Natales since it is the closest city and there should be loads of interesting tours.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands are a must visit location for a number of reasons. The volcanic islands are located right on the equator and are famous for their beauty and the large number of animals and wildlife that can only be found on their shores. The surrounding waters also provide a scuba paradise for divers and snorkelers, with the ocean providing a home for all sorts of different marine life.
Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia
The Uyuni Salt Flat in Bolivia is one of the most bizarre locations on earth. The area is actually the world’s largest salt flat and measures a mind-boggling 10,582 square kilometres (4,086 sq miles) in total! The area is so flat that it often looks like a giant ocean and makes it hard to tell where the sky ends and the earth begins.
Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of Argentina’s biggest tourist attractions and one glance at the photos above make it easy to understand why. The huge ice formation measures over 250 square kilometres (97 sq miles) and is 30 kilometres (19 miles) in length. Tourists now even have the opportunity of taking a guided tour across the glacier itself.
Cerro Negro, Nicaragua
It may not be the prettiest location on this list but Cerro Negro is certainly one of the most impressive. The active volcano is surrounded by basaltic cinder cone gravel, which gives it its name: Black Hill. The steep slopes and loose gravel have also made the location a popular area for volcano surfing/boarding!
Mount Roraima, Venezuela
The stunning Mount Roraima can be found on the border of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana and its sheer cliff faces and flat top have given it the nickname ‘The Tabletop Mountain.’ The incredible formation of the rock and the 400 metre high cliff faces have made Roraima one of the most famous and iconic mountains in the world. The shape of this mountain is truly fascinating.
Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
At 14,000 ft altitude the air has only 57% oxygen than at the sea level and there is practically no vegetation. At Laguna Colorada, Bolivia the temperature drops way below zero during the night. Despite these harsh conditions some life forms are prospering like the graceful flamingos. After every night they wake up and shake off the cold ice from their feet. Breathtaking beauty of the sunrise can slow anyone’s heartbeat.
Rainbow mountains, Peru
Once you climb Vinicunca you might as well as tell everyone you have been over the rainbow. The mountain’s colors are formed from layers of various minerals that have been exposed by erosion, creating a unique rainbow colour. Usually around the mountain range you can find local llamas ready to strike the pose.
Liked our list? Let us know if have missed something and we will be sure to add it!
