My road trip in Latin America lasted 1 year (3 months in Central America and 9 months in South America). Although a year of travel seems like quite a long time, I especially did not see it pass. I was previously in Canada and the United States.
📋 The essentials to remember: For a first trip to South America, I recommend targeting 2 to 3 countries maximum over 3 to 4 weeks. The classic combo remains Peru + Bolivia + northern Chile (Machu Picchu, Salar de Uyuni, San Pedro de Atacama). For lovers of spectacular landscapes, Patagonia (Argentina/Chile) is unbeatable. And for culture + partying, Colombia + Brazil in road trip mode.
In this article, I will give you some places not to miss.
Roadtrip in South America
My trip started in Colombia and ended in Brazil. I traveled through Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil in turn.
If I had more time, I would have changed my itinerary, I would have gone through Ecuador without taking a plane from Colombia to Peru.
I would take the plane from Santiago to Buenos Aires without going through Paraguay.
I wanted to take more flights without rushing and enjoy certain cities.
My itinerary:I arrived with a one-way flight from Mexico (Mexico City with the company Interjet) to northern Colombia in October and I left from Salvador de Bahia in Brazil with a return ticket to France with the company Condor at the end of July.
Most of the time I used the bus, it is very simple and the buses are generally comfortable. It is better to avoid renting a car except within a single country. For the climate, I arrived at the beginning of summer and left in the middle of winter but the days are always sunny.
My itinerary in South America in Photos (9 months of travel).
It is important when you travel to have travel insurance, you can consult my comparative travel insurance article here.
🌍 Did you know?
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the largest salt desert in the world (10,582 km²) and contains nearly 50% of the world’s lithium reserves. During the rainy season (December-March), a thin layer of water transforms it into a giant mirror, one of the most photogenic landscapes on the planet.
Must-see destinations for a road trip in South America:
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Colombia, what to do?
The Caribbean coast, you can easily spend two weeks. Personally, I spent two months.
There are many very striking places like Cartagena de Indias, which is a city full of history as it was the main port city in Colombia.
There is very colonial architecture, beautiful beaches (Playa Blanca for example).
It is a tourist spot where you can learn Spanish or even learn salsa.
If you want to party you will be delighted, it is among one of the most festive cities in Colombia.
On the Caribbean coast, there is also Santa Marta and its surroundings, you can go to Tayrona Park, snorkel or even do a multi-day trek to the lost city.
It is the destination where I stayed the longest, because it is a country where life is good.
Cartagena de Indias
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Ecuador, where to go?
Country Must-see Best season Budget /day Peru Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Sacred Valley May-September 40-60 € Bolivia Salar de Uyuni, La Paz, Lake Titicaca May-October 25-40 € Argentina Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Mendoza November-March 50-80 € Chile Atacama, Patagonia, Easter Island October-April 55-90 € Colombia Cartagena, Medellin, coffee December-March 35-55 € Brazil Rio, Iguaçu, Salvador, Amazon December-March 50-80 €
Quito, Baños and the Galapagos, Quito is the capital of Ecuador and also the center of the world. It is here that you can see and understand the zero-degree latitude line; there is a place dedicated to this spot.
The Galapagos Islands are a refuge on earth, they are very regulated and almost untouched places with few tourists because you have to pay to access each island. This helps reduce mass tourism, allowing animals to remain in their pure state without being disturbed by us humans. I did not visit this place during my world tour, but I will not miss Ecuador on my next trip to South America.
Baños in Ecuador is a place where people meet for a few days but stay for several weeks. It is a place for sports enthusiasts; you can do many activities such as mountain biking, climbing the volcano, rafting and tubing, camping, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and more.
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Peru, not to be missed?
Cuzco and Lake Titicaca, Cuzco is the typical Peruvian city you must visit to understand Peruvian culture. It is also the place where the famous Inca Trail trek begins to reach Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world. There are also other hikes in the mountains (the Rainbow Mountain, for example). This city is at 3400 meters altitude.
Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca is the place where you can meet Peruvian indigenous people in their traditional clothing. It is a pretty island with beautiful buildings, which is different from other things you can see in Peru, although the inhabitants are very commercial, which might cast doubt on their authenticity.
Me and the view of Machu Picchu
🗣️ My experience: During my first Peru-Bolivia crossing, I underestimated the altitude. At 4,000 m on Lake Titicaca, I had a severe headache the first night. On the second trip, I took my time: 2 days in Cuzco (3,400 m) to acclimate, then a gradual ascent to Machu Picchu. Comfort makes the difference. If you want to see the altiplano, plan for acclimatization.
Huaraz, the Andes mountain ranges: if you prefer sporty hiking, you absolutely must go to Huaraz, which is located north of Lima, an 8-hour bus ride away. It’s a place with far fewer tourists! You can take local buses to start your hike in the national park (Parque Nacional Huascarán). You can choose between hikes lasting several hours or multi-day excursions with or without a guide. Huaraz is an authentic Peruvian town where people live!
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Bolivia, a must-see:
Lake Titicaca, La Paz and the Uyuni salt flats, the other part of Lake Titicaca has the Island of the Sun (Isla del Sol). It is a small island where the only interest is to tour the island with pretty tourist spots. It is a bit less commercial than Taquile Island but just as charming.
La Paz, the famous capital of Bolivia, is the starting point for several activities such as mountain biking down the Death Road (Yungas Road). You can also go hiking in the mountains for several days at altitudes above 6000 meters.
The Uyuni Salt Flats and the south of Lipez, it is one of the most beautiful places I have seen on the American continent. The Uyuni Salt Flats is a playful place where you can play with perspectives. It is a salt desert as far as the eye can see. The south of Lipez is a place to see lagoons, lakes, mountains, there are also geysers and you can even go swimming in hot springs. You can see flamingos there. Be careful, it is very cold.
A lagoon in the south of Lipez in Bolivia
🍀 Good sides
- Spectacular and varied landscapes
- Affordable budget (except Argentina and Chile)
- Fascinating pre-Columbian cultures
- Warm population, lively atmosphere
🔻 Limits
- Long (12+ hours) and expensive flight from Europe
- Possible altitude sickness (Peru, Bolivia)
- Long internal journeys (10 to 20-hour buses)
- Security vigilance in certain neighborhoods
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Chile, to visit:
The Atacama Desert and Valparaiso, the Atacama Desert has similarities with the southern Lipez area with its lagoons, geysers, and lakes. You can see different colors due to a warmer and drier part than the Salar. There are beautiful sunsets with hills and plains.
It is one of the prettiest areas in Latin America that I have seen along with southern Lipez, but it is more expensive than Bolivia.
Valparaiso, a city located 1 hour from the capital Santiago, is on the Pacific coast. It has a very bohemian and hippie vibe. The city is known for being elevated with churches, houses with large graffiti; it is an area that favors street art and culture, and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A graffiti in Valparaiso, Chile
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Argentina, where to go?
The Iguazu Falls and Patagonia, the Iguazu Falls are in Brazil (20%) and Argentina (80%).
⚠️ Classic trap
Wanting to see everything in 3 weeks. South America is huge: Lima-Rio = 7 hours direct flight (rare and expensive). Focus on 2 or 3 neighboring countries maximum. Trying Peru + Bolivia + Argentina + Brazil in 21 days is a guarantee to be exhausted and not really see anything.
They seemed prettier to me than Victoria Falls. It is one of the most beautiful wonders of nature that I have had to see.
It consists of several parts, you can walk on the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part of the falls.
The budget in Argentina is higher than in other countries and the currency exchange rate is very unstable.Patagonia is the southern area of Argentina, it is in this part where you can go to Ushuaia, which is the southernmost area on the planet. You can see glaciers, snow-capped mountains, forests, there are islands and also archipelagos.
It is one of the least populated areas in the world. If you want to see wild nature and natural landscapes, you have to go here.
A view of the Iguaçu falls
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Brazil, what to do?
Rio de Janeiro and Ilha Grande, this was my 2012 trip and I happily returned there this year. Rio de Janeiro is an unforgettable place for its atmosphere and special ambiance, its remarkable monuments, the beautiful view of the city from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain or from the Christ the Redeemer hill. There are also beautiful beaches to enjoy the sun and relax. On the other hand, road traffic is a disaster.
To go further on the subject, the countries of Latin America gather other useful tips before choosing your destination. my opinion on Brazil remains an interesting feedback if Brazil is on your shortlist. And before booking, Chapka travel insurance covers altitudes and sports activities typically found on this continent.
Ilha Grande is a place very appreciated by Cariocas (inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro) or Paulistas (inhabitants of Sao Paulo) to spend a weekend. There are beautiful deserted and natural beaches, there is the island atmosphere but the water is a bit cold. It is a place on the coast to relax a few hours from the two big cities.
One of the beaches of Ilha Grande
Sometimes you have to get out of tourist destinations to get reasonable prices but generally, South America costs more than Asia. There are fewer low-cost airlines than in Asia for example.
Asia costs less, the food is better, there is a strong cultural side, South America has the best landscapes and communication is easier, people are warmer. Why go to Asia, it’s here!
