Last updated: September 2026
South America holidays span an entire continent of extraordinary contrasts, from the snow-capped Andes and Amazon rainforest to colonial cities, Patagonian glaciers and the white-sand beaches of the Caribbean coast. Few destinations on earth offer such a varied range of landscapes, wildlife and cultures within a single continent.
Whether you’re drawn to Machu Picchu, the Galápagos Islands, Iguazu Falls or the streets of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, a South America holiday rewards travellers willing to cover some distance between highlights.
Argentina holidays combine the cosmopolitan energy of Buenos Aires with the thundering Iguazu Falls, the wine country around Mendoza and the dramatic landscapes of Argentine Patagonia. Tango, football and steak define the culture, while Peninsula Valdés offers exceptional whale and penguin watching.
Argentina suits travellers wanting a single country that genuinely covers everything, from cosmopolitan city breaks to wilderness adventure.
Brazil holidays centre on Rio de Janeiro’s beaches and Christ the Redeemer, the vast Amazon rainforest, the wildlife-rich Pantanal wetlands and the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. Carnival, football and a rich Afro-Brazilian culture run through every region.
São Paulo and the colonial city of Salvador add further depth for visitors wanting to go beyond the obvious highlights.
Peru holidays are built around Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, but Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca and the mysterious Nazca Lines all reward exploration. The Amazon basin and the Colca Canyon add wildlife and adventure to a culturally rich itinerary.
Lima’s celebrated food scene makes a fitting start or end point for any Peru holiday.
Chile holidays stretch from the otherworldly Atacama Desert in the north to Chilean Patagonia and Torres del Paine in the south, taking in Santiago, the bohemian port of Valparaíso and acclaimed wine regions along the way. Remote Easter Island adds a further extraordinary dimension for visitors with extra time.
Chile’s sheer length means most holidays focus on one or two regions rather than attempting the whole country.
Patagonia holidays explore the dramatic, glacier-carved wilderness shared between southern Argentina and Chile, including Torres del Paine, Mount Fitz Roy, the Perito Moreno Glacier and the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia. Wildlife, hiking and boat journeys through fjords define this remote region.
Patagonia rewards travellers prepared to cross between both countries for the full experience.
Colombia holidays combine the walled city of Cartagena, the high-altitude capital Bogotá, vibrant Medellín and the lush Coffee Region around Salento. Guatapé’s colourful streets and the Caribbean island of San Andrés add further variety.
Colombia’s transformation into a welcoming, accessible destination has made it one of South America’s fastest-growing holiday choices.
Ecuador holidays are famous above all for the Galápagos Islands, but the country also offers the colonial capital Quito, the volcanoes of the Avenue of Volcanoes, Otavalo Market and the adventure hub of Baños. Its compact size means several regions can be combined in a single trip.
Ecuador is one of the easiest countries in South America to combine wildlife, culture and adventure without long internal travel times.
Bolivia holidays centre on the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats, the high-altitude city of La Paz and Lake Titicaca, shared with neighbouring Peru. The colonial city of Sucre and the historic mining town of Potosí add further cultural depth.
Bolivia’s high altitude and limited tourism infrastructure make it best suited to more experienced South America travellers.
Uruguay holidays offer a relaxed alternative to its larger neighbours, with the UNESCO old town of Colonia del Sacramento, the beach resort of Punta del Este and the charming capital Montevideo. Wine country and traditional estancias add a slower-paced rural dimension.
Uruguay works well combined with Argentina, given the easy ferry connection across the River Plate.
Paraguay holidays remain one of the continent’s least-visited options, built around the Jesuit mission ruins, the riverside capital Asunción and the vast wilderness of the Gran Chaco. Paraguay suits travellers seeking a genuinely off-the-beaten-path addition to a wider regional itinerary.
Most visitors combine Paraguay with neighbouring Argentina or Brazil rather than visiting it alone.
Guyana holidays showcase one of the continent’s most untouched rainforest destinations, home to the spectacular Kaieteur Falls and exceptional birdwatching. As the only English-speaking country in South America, Guyana is unusually accessible for British wildlife and adventure travellers.
The Rupununi savannah and Iwokrama rainforest reward visitors with extra time and a genuine appetite for wilderness.
Suriname holidays reveal a former Dutch colony unlike anywhere else in South America, with the UNESCO old town of Paramaribo, Maroon river villages and dense Amazonian interior. A remarkably diverse population gives Suriname a genuinely unique cultural character.
Suriname is often combined with neighbouring Guyana for a wider Guianas itinerary.
South America spans both tropical and temperate climate zones, so the best time to visit depends heavily on which region you’re planning to explore. The southern hemisphere summer, from December to February, suits Patagonia, Argentina and Chile, while the Amazon basin and Andean countries are generally best visited during their drier months.
Most of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador have a drier season from May to September, making this the most popular window for Andean and Amazon travel, while Brazil’s Carnival season in February draws visitors specifically for that celebration.
Direct flights from the UK serve Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Bogotá, while most other South American destinations require a connection through one of these gateway cities or via Madrid or the United States. Flight times range from around 11 hours to Argentina and Brazil up to 17 hours or more for destinations such as Paraguay or the Guianas.
Given the size of the continent, internal flights are often essential for covering more than one country or region within a single South America holiday.
| Countries covered | Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Guyana, Suriname, plus the Patagonia region |
|---|---|
| Main highlights | Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, the Galápagos Islands, Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon, Patagonia |
| Best for | Wildlife, adventure, culture, history, dramatic landscapes |
| Climate | Varies by region; tropical north, temperate south |
| Flight time from London | Approximately 11-19 hours depending on destination |
| Currency | Varies by country (Peso, Real, Sol, Boliviano and others) |
| Language | Mainly Spanish and Portuguese; English in Guyana |
Search4Sun compares South America holiday packages and tailor-made itineraries from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from local airports across the UK. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
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Peru and Argentina are the most popular first-time choices, combining accessible major highlights such as Machu Picchu, Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls with reasonably well-developed tourism infrastructure. Brazil is also an excellent first choice for visitors prioritising beaches and Rio de Janeiro.
Travellers wanting wildlife above all else often choose Ecuador for the Galápagos Islands or Brazil for the Amazon and Pantanal.
Yes, many popular itineraries combine neighbouring countries such as Peru and Bolivia, Argentina and Chile around Patagonia, or Brazil and Argentina around Iguazu Falls. Internal flights and overland border crossings make multi-country trips straightforward across much of the continent.
Allowing at least two to three weeks is recommended for a multi-country South America holiday given the distances involved.
A single-country highlights trip typically needs 10 to 14 days, while a multi-country itinerary covering two or three destinations is best suited to three weeks or more. Patagonia and the Amazon in particular reward additional time given the remote locations involved.
Shorter trips of a week or so work well for a focused visit to one city or region, such as Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires alone.
Most South American countries do not require a visa for British passport holders on short tourist visits, though requirements vary by country and should always be checked before booking. Some countries, including Suriname, have different requirements from their neighbours.
A passport valid for the duration of your stay is required everywhere, and many countries also expect at least six months of remaining validity.
The best timing depends on the regions you’re visiting, since the continent spans both tropical and temperate climate zones. December to February suits Patagonia, Argentina and Chile, while May to September is generally the driest and most popular window for Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.
Visitors planning a single-country trip should always check that destination’s specific climate page for more detailed seasonal guidance.
Most popular tourist areas across South America are safe for visitors who take standard city precautions, and millions of tourists visit the continent safely every year. Levels of tourism infrastructure and safety advice vary considerably between countries and even between regions within the same country.
Checking current travel advice for your specific destinations and travelling with reputable tour operators for more remote excursions is recommended throughout South America.
Search4Sun has been comparing UK holiday packages since 2005. We work with some of the best ABTA-registered operators.
