Travel to South America

Travel to South America

Andes, Amazon rainforest, beaches and iconic cities

South America is a continent of extraordinary contrasts. Travellers can move from the high peaks of the Andes to the Amazon rainforest, from the beaches of Brazil to the deserts of northern Chile, and from modern cities to archaeological sites linked to some of the most important pre-Columbian civilisations.

In Peru, Machu Picchu remains one of the continent's best-known landmarks, but the country has far more to offer. Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca and the Peruvian Amazon can all form part of very different itineraries.

Brazil offers another kind of scale. Rio de Janeiro combines city life, beaches and dramatic landscapes, while Salvador has a strong cultural identity shaped by Afro-Brazilian history. Further inland, the Amazon, the Pantanal and the Iguazu Falls reveal a completely different side of the country.

In the south, Argentina brings together Buenos Aires, the wine regions around Mendoza, the northwest and the vast landscapes of Patagonia. Neighbouring Chile stretches across an enormous variety of scenery, from the Atacama Desert to the Andes, Pacific coastline, vineyards and southern regions.

Further north, Colombia has become one of the most varied destinations on the continent, with Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, the Caribbean coast, mountain regions and the coffee-growing areas. Ecuador combines colonial cities, the Andes, the Amazon and the Galápagos Islands, while Bolivia offers high-altitude landscapes, indigenous heritage and some of the most striking scenery in the Andes.

A trip through South America can therefore be built around culture, hiking, wildlife, beaches, gastronomy, road trips or long multi-country journeys.

Available countries

Pick a country to explore its destinations

More South American countries will progressively join this list.

Where to go in South America?

Choose a destination that matches your travel style

There is no single "best" South American destination. The right choice depends on the kind of trip you want.

For dramatic landscapes

Nature lovers have an enormous range of options. Patagonia, shared by Argentina and Chile, offers mountains, glaciers, lakes and vast open spaces. The Atacama Desert provides a completely different experience, with arid landscapes, salt flats, volcanic scenery and high-altitude lagoons.

The Amazon rainforest stretches across several countries and offers jungle experiences in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and beyond. The Galápagos Islands are especially appealing to travellers interested in wildlife and unique ecosystems.

For history and ancient civilisations

Peru is one of the most obvious choices for travellers interested in pre-Columbian history. Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu form part of a much wider cultural landscape connected to the Inca civilisation. Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia also offer archaeological sites, indigenous traditions and historic cities that reveal different parts of the continent's past.

For major cities

South America has several cities that can become destinations in their own right. Buenos Aires is known for culture, architecture, cafés and tango. Rio de Janeiro combines urban life with beaches and mountain scenery. São Paulo offers museums, food, nightlife and a huge metropolitan atmosphere.

Bogotá, Medellín, Lima, Santiago and Montevideo can also be excellent starting points for larger trips.

For beaches and sunshine

Brazil has some of the continent's best-known beaches, but it is not the only option. The Caribbean coast of Colombia, coastal Ecuador, Uruguay and parts of northern Brazil all offer different seaside experiences. Cartagena, for example, allows travellers to combine a historic city with access to the Caribbean coast.

For food and local culture

Food is another major reason to travel through South America. Peruvian cuisine has gained international recognition, while Argentina is associated with grilled meats and empanadas, Brazil with regional dishes and tropical ingredients, and the Andean countries with their own local traditions. Markets, traditional restaurants and regional specialities can easily become one of the highlights of the journey.

Cheap flights to South America

Find cheap flights to South America with SniperAir

For travellers coming from Europe, the flight can represent a significant part of the total travel budget. But airfare to South America can vary a lot depending on the route, departure airport, dates, season and demand.

This is where SniperAir can help.

Instead of checking the same route every day, SniperAir monitors price movements and helps identify cheap flight opportunities to South America when they appear.

Flexibility can make a real difference. A traveller interested in Brazil might monitor Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador. Someone planning an Andean trip might compare Lima, Bogotá, Quito, Santiago or Buenos Aires, depending on the wider route. And a traveller who simply wants to discover South America within a set budget can keep several countries and cities open at the same time.

To increase the chances of finding a good fare, it can help to:

• monitor several departure airports;
• follow different South American cities;
• compare several travel periods;
• keep more than one country open;
• compare direct flights and connecting routes;
• define a maximum airfare budget.

This changes the usual way of searching. Instead of asking only "How much is a flight to Lima today?", you can also ask "Which South American destination becomes interesting when the right fare appears?" That is exactly where SniperAir becomes useful.

Whether you are dreaming of Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador or Bolivia, choose your preferred destinations and budget and let SniperAir monitor cheap flights and worthwhile travel opportunities.