Top 8 Most Beautiful Tourist Destinations in South America

Stretching about 19 miles long and 240 ft high, Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the largest and most beautiful glaciers in South America. This stunning glacier spans an area of 97 square miles, located in the famous Los Glaciares National Park of Argentina. With its massive ice mass, Perito Moreno Glacier is also the third-largest freshwater reserve in the world. Here, you can take a boat trip around Lake Argentino to get a closer look at the icy beauty of this glacier.

Perito Moreno Glacier is renowned not only for being the third-largest freshwater supply in the world but also for being unaffected by the Earth's warming phenomenon, as the glacier continues to expand across its surface. The tenfold expansion of this glacier's area is quite remarkable compared to other Andean countries and major glaciers worldwide. It remains unaffected by climate change.

Continuous formation of massive ice blocks constantly transforms the Perito Moreno Glacier, creating an ever-changing and dazzling landscape. Its ongoing expansion is particularly extraordinary, as it surpasses the growth of other glaciers in the Andean region and around the globe. According to scientists, the rate of glacier melting in the Southern South American region is ten times higher than in other parts of the world.

Rio de Janeiro is the capital of Brazil in general and the state of Rio de Janeiro in particular, often referred to by tourists as Rio. This city is renowned for its fascinating natural scenery along with extensive stretches of white sandy beaches and rainforests within the urban area.

Rio de Janeiro is a city located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in the southern part of Brazil, covering a total area of 1,260 km2. It is especially famous for its breathtaking natural landscapes, carnival festivals, samba music, unique musical genres, beautiful beaches, and more. In Rio de Janeiro, there is an iconic tourist attraction that cannot be overlooked—the large statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain, standing atop the mountain and overlooking the sea.

This is a destination that every tourist visiting here must explore. Rio de Janeiro has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, listed among the protected heritage sites. The organization emphasizes the 'marvelous total harmony' of artificial beauty and fascinating natural beauty. This blend has formed a distinctive cultural background and an irresistible charm for visitors from all over the world, serving as an endless source of inspiration for visiting artists.

Dubbed the 'driest desert in the world' due to almost no rainfall in centuries, Atacama

has long been considered the 'Mars on Earth' and has become a famous destination in Chile. Located in northern Chile and a small part of southern Peru, the Atacama Desert lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, 960 km south of the equator. The terrains here are entirely contrasting: massive hills of rock, volcanic rocks, and vast stretches of sand; this region covers a large area and rarely sees any rain.

In Atacama, there are countless salt crystals and limestone springs with an age of thousands of millennia. The elevation of the Atacama Mountains was formed millions of years ago in this desert. The Atacama Desert also features 8 hot springs with an average temperature of 33°C. These eight hot springs have uniquely green water and a soothing aroma, beneficial for relaxation, managed by the Explora Atacama resort, welcoming visitors throughout the year.

Amidst this desert appears a hand rising, resembling the ruins of a forgotten civilization. This is the work of the 'Hand of the Desert,' an 11-meter-high sculpture shaped like a giant hand emerging from the sand layer. It was constructed from the early 1980s and completed in 1992. This area has the clearest sky on Earth, and the world's largest astronomical observatory, the Very Large Telescope, is located in the Atacama Desert. It is also where scientists operate devices to study Mars.

Although it is the driest place on our planet, it is also an attractive destination with some of the most majestic high mountains in the world and vast red sand dunes stretching to the horizon. Moreover, this place is excellent for stargazing due to the lack of light pollution and the incredibly clear sky.

The Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site, located south of the Pacific Ocean, 1,000 km west of the center of Ecuador, and renowned as the 'most beautiful archipelago on the planet.'

The islands were uninhabited until 1535 when the Spanish arrived and discovered rare and large sea turtles, hence naming the archipelago 'Turtle Island,' meaning Galapagos. Today, the population of the islands is around 10 thousand people.

The Galapagos Islands consist of 13 main islands, 6 smaller islands, and 107 rocks situated west of Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean. When you visit, you will have the opportunity to explore fantastic beaches, ideal surfing spots, biosphere reserves, natural conservation areas with incredibly rich and diverse ecosystems, and a variety of wildlife. In 1978, the Galapagos Reserve was honored as a world cultural and natural heritage site in need of preservation and conservation.

Venezuela, officially known as the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is located in South America. The country shares borders with Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, Colombia to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the north. Venezuela has an area of about 916 thousand km2 and a population of over 32.5 million, according to Worldometers.

Angel Falls cascades down the towering Auyantepui mountain in Canaima National Park, situated in the Guiana Highlands of the Bolívar state (Venezuela), making it the world's tallest waterfall. According to the Guinness World Records, the falls have a total height from summit to base of 979 meters, with water plummeting from a height of 807 meters, and the remainder comprising cascading rapids. Fact Monster emphasizes that this is the highest continuous waterfall in the world.

Angel Falls was discovered by explorer Ernesto Sanchez La Cruz in 1912 but gained international recognition when American aviator James Crawford Angel flew over and serendipitously discovered it on November 18, 1933. The falls are named after this pilot.

Angel Falls is listed by Time Now as one of the most dangerous waterfalls globally. To reach this destination, travelers must embark on a challenging and lengthy journey, yet it remains an enticing and captivating tourist attraction.

Located in southwestern Bolivia, in the Daniel Campos Province, near the Andes mountain range at an elevation of 3,650m, Salar de Uyuni is the most magnificent gift that Mother Nature has bestowed upon the beautiful country of Bolivia. With an area of 10,582 km2, Salar de Uyuni is renowned as the “Land of the Giants” - the world's largest salt flat, housing the most significant lithium reserves globally and serving as the ideal place on Earth for satellite measurements.

During the rainy season, coinciding with the arrival of summer, the salt flat transforms into a giant mirror, reflecting the vibrant blue sky, white clouds, and the natural scenery in a surreal yet authentic and vivid manner. Those who have visited this place are mesmerized by the enchanting beauty of Salar de Uyuni.

Here, you can not only admire the breathtaking landscapes and observe the locals harvesting salt but also participate in various exciting activities such as golfing, skateboarding, hot air balloon races, or simply enjoy posing for memorable photographs.

This is the waterfall of the Iguazu River, located on the border between Brazil and Argentina. Iguazu Falls is taller and wider than Niagara Falls, consisting of multiple cascades of various sizes with a horseshoe-shaped formation. Iguazu Falls is the result of a volcanic eruption that left a crack in the Earth. During the rainy season from November to March, the flow rate of water over the falls can reach up to 450,000 cubic meters per second.

The name Iguazu, from the Guarani indigenous people, means “big water.” Legend has it that a deity planned to marry a beautiful mortal woman named Naipi, but she fled with her mortal lover and ultimately died on a boat. In anger, the deity sliced the river into waterfalls to forever punish lovers. That is the legend behind the formation of Iguazu Falls. It was first discovered by the Spanish in 1541.

The waterfall system consists of 275 larger and smaller falls cascading down. Some individual falls have a height of up to 82 meters, while most are around 64 meters. More than two-thirds of the falls are within the territory of Argentina, with about 900 meters in length where water does not flow through.

This natural paradise provides you with countless intense and thrilling sensations. To get a panoramic view of Iguazu Falls spanning two countries, the best way is to take a helicopter, plane, or even go rafting in the middle of the falls.

Part of the falls is an ecosystem protected by national parks in Brazil and Argentina on both sides of the falls. You can explore the national park on the Argentine side, with hiking trails into the forest. A day in the park allows you to fully experience and enjoy the diverse and wild ecosystem. Both national parks in these two countries were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1986.

Stepping foot in Peru, you'll be captivated by the story of the world-famous lost city - Machu Picchu. Over centuries, Machu Picchu has become a prominent tourist attraction in South America.

Located approximately 70 km from the city of Cusco, Machu Picchu was once forgotten and only widely known when discovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. In 1983, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007, it marked a new milestone in history when it was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Perched at an altitude of 2450m on the narrow ridge of the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is a mystical wonder on your South American journey.

During your South American travel, visiting here will leave you in awe of the seamlessly arranged and sturdy stone blocks. Most structures within the city are constructed without the use of mortar. The stone blocks are interconnected so solidly that not even a knife blade can slide between them. The stone walls in public areas weigh tons.

Famously known as the lost city of the Inca, Machu Picchu attracts South American tourists every year. With its breathtaking scenery nestled against the mountains and a history intertwined with the mighty Inca empire, it is undoubtedly a fascinating destination you shouldn't miss on your South American journey.