South America Tours
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South America Tours, experience waterfalls like this and more.
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South America Tours

Thinking about a trip to South America? Consider a tour of the Amazon Rainforest‘s tropical nature, spanning regions of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. Don’t miss the natural wonders of Chile, including the glaciers and panoramic mountains of Patagonia. Experience serenity amongst the ruins of Machu Picchu, or follow the rhythms of tango & wine in Argentina. Plan your South America tour by activity: whether you love spas & lodges, trains, food & wine, golf, light adventure, UNESCO sites or want to plan your honeymoon, SouthAmerica.travel will design your perfect South America trip. 98% of our travelers rave about our South America vacations and cruises. All South America tours are hand-crafted by our travel experts and feature must-see destinations and hidden gems, customized to fit your travel style, dates, and preferences. Browse our top South America trips or create your own custom tour in just 3 easy steps.

COVID-19 Update: South America Tours – Open for Travel!Β 

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Top 15 South America Tours


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5 Best South America Tours for 2024


Tour Name Price Duration Description
South America Deluxe Tour from $5247 26 Days This deluxe tour is perfect for honeymooners or those who want to see the highlights of South America in style. On this deluxe tour, you will visit...
The Essence of Peru from $3179 15 Days Historic Lima, the Ballestas Isles (the 'Galapagos of Peru'), Nazca Lines, the white city of Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, mystic Cuzco, the Sacred Valley...
World Wonders of South America from $2189 11 Days The Iguazu Falls, located on the border of southern Brazil and northern Argentina, and the ruins of Machu Picchu, nestled in the cloud forest of...
Rio de Janeiro & the Amazon Rainforest Tour from $1595 8 Days Rio de Janeiro, the former capital nestled between tropical mountains and sea, welcomes you. Let nature dominate at the Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge...
Very Best of Argentina from $3162 13 Days Discover the Highlights of Argentina on this one-of-a-kind best of Argentina tour through the most scenic landscapes in Argentina. From the...

South American Tours FAQs

Thinking about a South America trip? Here’s a list of frequently asked questions we often hear from our guests. Visit our South America Travel Info page for in-depth South America travel tips.

What is the best season to travel to South America?

As 90% of South America is located south of the equator, the seasons of the year are reversed for travelers coming from the northern hemisphere. This aspect is particularly relevant when traveling to the southern cone of the continent which features Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.

The tropical and subtropical portions throughout South America allow for travel throughout the year. However parts of Patagonia, a region within lower Chile and Argentina, is partially inaccessible during the deepest winter. Our experts consider traveling during the “shoulder season” of late spring (October – early December) and early fall (April and May) generally to be the best time to visit South America. This is due to the perfect balance of climatic conditions, amount of travelers, and accessibility to sites. Additionally, it provides more moderate temperatures in the tropics and the possibility of spring flowers or fall colors in the far south.

What is the busiest time to travel to South America?

Semana Santa, the holy week preceding Easter, is a very busy time being that much of South America is Catholic. Major holidays are also a very busy time, such as Christmas, New Year’s and Carnival. Therefore if you wish to escape the crowds, you should consider avoiding these holiday seasons, as many South Americans are traveling at this time as well.

Does South America experience monsoons?

No! You will not experience an Asia-like monsoon, where torrential rains occur for months. However, you should take note of the rainy and dry seasons. Expect intermittent, heavy downpours during the rainy season in all tropical areas. However, those rains are usually not 24-hour, multi-day events. It normally rains a lot during a short period of the day.

Generally, the rainy season is “summer” and the drier season is “winter”. For example, Carnival in Brazil happens during the rainy season in February, which is the summer in Rio. However, the event is rarely affected by the rains. Though south of Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile, you can expect a pattern as you know it from home with warm summers, cold & rainy winters. Just remember the Southern Hemispheres seasons happen at opposite times. December is summer with July being winter and June having the shortest days.

Is South America an inexpensive destination?

If you stick to one region of this vast continent – which for many other reasons is recommendable – yes, it can be a quite affordable vacation. A prime example of a region to visit is Peru. The distances between the myriad of Peru’s interesting sites are short. And you would only need to fly domestically if going to the Peruvian Amazon, or traveling directly from Lima to Cuzco. The cost of living is also very low. Prices naturally rise as the level of comfort increases.

Bolivia and Paraguay are other countries that tend to be less expensive. Traveling through Brazil can also be quite affordable as the cost for domestic flights is low, including the 4-hour flight from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon. Major cities of South America, such as Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Chile, can be as expensive as most major world cities – depending of course on the current exchange rate.

How does the food taste in South America?

Fantastic! It is especially encouraged to try what you don’t know, that is the best way to try South American cuisine. South America boasts some of the finest dining experiences worldwide where only local ingredients that are unique to the area are used. The world is discovering South American flavors, a trend which started with Peru’s appearance on the world’s culinary stage. The availability of recognizable “Western” food depends on the amount of former immigrants from a specific country. However, you’ll always find “meat and potato” dishes you are familiar with. Below are a few examples of different cuisine styles that are also prevalent in South America:

β€’ Local style Chinese restaurants (known as Chifa) are highly recommended in Peru.
β€’ Italian influences are heavily integrated within Argentina.
β€’ European and African influences are strongly represented within Brazil.
β€’ The biggest “Japantown,”” outside of Japan, can be sound in SΓ£o Paulo.
β€’ Indian food is very difficult to find, as was no immigration from India in South America, apart from in Guyana. Indian spices are also difficult to find. Vegetarian food nowadays is ubiquitous! Vegan options are becoming more and more common due to South Americans as a whole, are health-conscious eaters.

How about that stomach bug? Will I get sick from the food?

Just like any traveler from any region of the world risks when traveling to a new destination, your body may encounter a microbe that is unfamiliar and thus reacts to once. Therefore, there is always a chance. To counter this, it is recommended to get Loperamide / Imodium before you travel.

Food in South America is actually as safe as it is at home. And like at home, even after you clean and rinse the ingredients before cooking, there are still some bacteria remaining. Therefore the main difference is that your stomach is familiar with the bacteria at home, and therefore does not react.

In any case, be careful! In the tropics, it is highly recommended to avoid fresh salad, as well as “anything which cannot be peeled or cooked.” In places such as the Amazon, locals do not eat salad. Larger restaurants often provide them because of the demands of tourists. Though, stay away! Choose instead, for example, sautΓ©ed Brazilian kale, known as “couve.”It is made with a hint of garlic – another deterrent to the stomach bug!

Which currency do I use in South America?

Every country has its own currency within South America. However, the big exception is in Ecuador, where the U.S. dollar is the official currency. Some souvenir shops and the occasional restaurant, located in heavily touristed areas may accept the dollar.

Your guide will gladly take tips in US$ or Euros as well. However do not give your guide the currency of another South American country. Use only the country’s money, US$ or Euros. In general, credit cards are widely accepted, even for your drink on Copacabana beach! It is always best to use the local currency, which is available from most banks’ ATM’s or paying by credit card.

Will I get along with the locals speaking only English?

Yes! South Americans are very friendly. Always helpful. If they do not speak English, they always find someone who does. It is recommended to try to learn a few basic words in Spanish and, for Brazil, Portuguese. That always gets you big smiles. A few examples include Por favor translates from both languages to please. In Spanish, Gracias, or in Portuguese Obrigado (when said by a male) or Obrigada (when said by a female) translates into Thank you. And when you say it, always remember to look people in the eyes!

What kind of vaccinations do I need for South America?

All those vaccinations that are recommended for home, such as Measles, Tetanus, Hepatitis A + B and so forth are considered essential by the world’s medical community. Additionally, in some tropical areas, the Yellow Fever vaccination plus a Malaria prophylaxis is recommended. The latter two, of course, are dependent on where you are traveling. Your travel consultant can give you an initial recommendation, but always consult your doctor. In all cases, it is the recommendations of the World Health Agency (WHO) who are the leaders in this matter.

What is the best time of year to cruise South America?

As South America is big, the best time to cruise South America of course depends on when you plan going. Remember the seasons in the Southern hemisphere are the opposite from the Northern hemisphere. That said, for a cruise around Cape Horn or through Patagonia, the best time would be from December to March. For a river cruise on the Amazon choose the time when the water is still high – to have easy access to shore – but it doesn’t rain too much. The best time then would be the end of the rainy season in May.

Is it safe to travel to South America?

Yes, traveling to South America is safe! However, as it is in any region there are pockets where crime concentrates. But like at home, where you have no reason to go to those places, you have no reason to see those places in South America as a tourists. In addition to that, you are mostly with our guides and they know where to go and where not to go!.
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Create Your Own Custom Tour

Click your preferences: Destinations & Activities. Be as specific or general as you like - or click Help Me Decide! We'll spice it with hidden gems & personal tips to create your perfect trip.

Choose Amazon destinations (optional)
Choose destinations (optional)
Choose Bolivia destinations (optional)
Choose Brazil destinations (opt)
Choose Chile destinations (opt)
Choose Colombia & Panama destinations (optional)
Choose Ecuador & Galapagos destinations (optional)
Choose Paraguay & Uruguay destinations (optional)
Choose Patagonia & Antarctica destinations (optional)
Choose Peru destinations (optional)
Choose Guianas destinations (optional)
Choose Interests
Choose activities
What category of accommodation?

You can choose more than one!

When would you like to go?
for
How many travelers?
age groups
age groups
Review my trip summary
destinations

activities

accommodations

when

who

Highly recommended - Phone: We ❀️ to talk! A brief chat with your personal Travel Consultant helps us create your perfect trip!

Hooray! Thanks for Sharing!

If you have an additional 30 seconds we’d love to learn more about you…

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