Top 5 Cities to Visit in South America



From the panoramic vistas of Rio de Janeiro to the snowy peaks of the Andes Mountains in Santiago, South America is the ideal continent to gain deeper understanding of culture, history and the inspiring beauty of nature and manmade monuments.

Whether you are an adventure seeker, cultural enthusiast or wine connoisseur, there is a city or region that will cater to your travel needs. To find the top five cities to visit in South America is not an easy task because there is more than just five. So, here are Travelmath’s top 5 cities to visit in South America drawing from our own travel experiences:

1. Santiago, Chile


Santiago’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL) is served by over 20 airlines including American Airlines and Delta. It takes 10 hours 43 minutes to fly from New York to Santiago and 12 hours 33 minutes from Auckland, New Zealand. Both cities have direct flights to Santiago.

Santiago made it to our list because of its food culture and proximity to Chile’s top wineries, the Pacific Ocean and ski resorts in the Andes Mountains.

Chile’s top wineries like Veramonte in Casablanca Valley, Matetic in Colchagua Valley, and the famous Concha y Toro and Santa Rita are about one to two hours drive from the city. According to Food & Wine Magazine, Chile is the new frontier for glorious wine country travel.

If you like sampling Chilean wine and also Mendoza, Argentina, you can easily hire a driver or take the local bus from Santiago to Mendoza. Mendoza is 225 miles from Santiago and it takes about eight hours to cross the Andes Mountains. Just remember to have your passport and proper travel documents ready before you cross to the other side of the mountain.

For food, visit the historic Mercado Central and Barrio Bellavista. The best views of the city can be found at Cerro San Cristobal.

Read Visit Santiago in 48 Hours

2. La Paz Bolivia


Few cities in the world can boast of the views that La Paz offers. Nor is there a city of this size in the world that is over 11,000 feet above sea level with the highest cable car system in the world. La Paz is not for everyone. La Paz is for the adventurous and culturally curious traveler.

Read:
5 Things to Do in La Paz
5 Reasons to Travel to Bolivia

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


Rio is essentially a city that has made it to every traveler’s travel bucket list. Is it on your travel bucket list?

Here are top 7 reasons why Rio is so popular:

1. The Rio Carnival, a 5-day celebration that starts on Friday and finishes on Fat Tuesday.
2. The beaches – Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Prainha Beach, Praia Vermelha and Barra da Tijuca.
3. Christ the Redeemer on Mt. Corcovado.
4. Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar).
5. Santa Teresa historic neighborhood.
6. Soccer in Maracana Stadium.
7. Best churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) in the world.



Read:
5 Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
5 Safety Tips in Rio de Janeiro

4. Cusco, Peru


Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, is the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the most comprehensive and important archeological sites in the world. Within the city, you can take a walking tour to the many historical sites, buildings, markets, and monuments.


Most tourists take day tours to Sacred Valley, Sacsayhuaman and Pisac from Cusco.

Read:
5 Things to Do in Cusco
10 Best Places to Visit in Peru

5. Buenos Aires


Consistently voted as the top destinations in South America, Buenos Aires continues to enthrall every type of visitors. From the pink Casa Rosada (Presidential office) to the wild soccer stadium of Boca Juniors and the seductive tango salons, Buenos Aires has endless attractions throughout the city.

Dinner starts at about 9 pm in Buenos Aires and teatime (coffee time) is an important time of the day. The Argentinians like their media lunas (croissants) and empanadas and of course yerba mate (herbal tea).

Read:
5 Things to Do in Buenos Aires

Remember:
Since South America is in the southern hemisphere, our winter would be their summer, a perfect time for travelers who want to escape to somewhere warmer.

Is any of these cities on your travel bucket list? Let us know.




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