r/SouthAmericaTravel

I appreciate any input! I am traveling to South America in a few weeks, with a short stop (3 days) in Argentina. I am wondering if I should get Pesos beforehand, hit the ATM when I get there, or just use my card.

I also see that some people just use US dollars for things like tips and street vendors. Is that true? Is that a better option?

Also, I know the currency is a little crazy there. What bill denominations are most useful?

Hi everyone

My husband and I both have our 50th birthdays and 20th anniversary together next year and are planning a landmark trip. I’d love some feedback on it from those who’ve done similar before. We have three weeks. It’s from 20th March to 10th April.

We will fly from London to Ushuaia on a 28hr flight with a break in Madrid and another in Buenos Aires. Planning five nights in Ushuaia to recuperate from the journey, take a boat trip on the Beagle Channel, visit the Martial Glacier and a little hiking in Tierra del Fuego national park.

Then a flight with quite a long layover to Mendoza, first night in a hotel in town then two nights on a finca/estancia and a final two nights in town. Plan is to visit a few wineries, see the city and to relax a little, drink some wine and eat some steak.

From there, a quick flight to Buenos Aires. We have six nights (though we might spend one across the river in Colonia de Sacramento), so plan is to stay in Recoleta, spend some time exploring the city and hopefully a Huracan match at El Palacio.

After this, we’ll fly BA to Iguazu (Argentine side) then immediately take a taxi to the Brazilian side to stay near the airport. Three nights here to have a full day each for the Brazilian side and another for the Argentinian side. Flying home via São Paulo is loads easier and quicker and cheaper than staying on the Argentinian side of the border.

We are mid budget travellers and will pretty much be doing this one bag to avoid lengthy baggage pick up; will rent big coats in Ushuaia so we don’t have to cart them around the country. The additional cost of check in bags which I’ve learned to live without would add £500 to the cost of the tickets…. And looks like we can hire or buy and then thrift what we might need locally.

We love - in no particular order - wine and steak, football, big mountains, glacier views, wildlife and birdwatching, keen to get to see some tango, mostly quieter wilderness places but some city fine too. Does this sound like a reasonable plan? It takes account of travel time between places and the odd recovery day plus a day and a half of recovery from travel before getting back to work (only task will be to pick up dog from kennels 15 miles away).

I’m retired and have traveled extensively thru Mexico, Central America, and South
America, I am fluent in Spanish.

Was thinking of taking 2 to 2 1/2 week trip ( I would take longer but don’t want to be away from family for too long. Idea was to visit La Paz, Mexico and La Paz Bolivia same trip. Would cover desert, jungle, and mountainous regions.

suggested itinerary

1. San Salvador ES. I have only been to airport but understand it has a lot to offer tourists. Had

3). Bolivia - probably 5 - 7 days . majority of time in highlands La Paz but also want to see Santa Cruz if only one day. Would like to see Uyuni probably flying. Concern is altitude and blockade.

4. Finally Asunción Paraguay. 2 days. I know it’s not touristy but this is just to complete bucket list of seeing all S A countries with exception of Venezuela.

Any suggestions? I know I have to pack for hot and cold climates. Also too old for hostels -) I could travel for much longer but I think 2 to 2 1/2
Weeks is just enough for solo travel , Moderate budget $75 - $100 per night hotel .

Gracias-)

We’re backpacking South America from October and looking to add in a trip to the Amazon in either Peru or Bolivia in likely November.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Ideally we’d go for 3-4 nights. Main priorities are ability to see wildlife and the company being ethical and not touching/feeding the animals.

We’re on a moderate budget and would rather be immersed than have luxury!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a South America trip and I’m trying to decide what to do after Cusco in early August. The first part is already fixed:

Lima - Cusco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco

After that, I have two possible routes.

Option 1: Stay in Peru and add the Amazon + South Peru

Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado
Spend 3 nights in the Tambopata Amazon region
Fly back to Cusco
Take bus to Puno
Visit Lake Titicaca
Continue to Colca Canyon
End in Arequipa
Fly to Santiago
Spend the last days in Santiago and Valparaíso

Option 2: Go to Bolivia and Chile

Fly from Cusco to La Paz
Spend a day in La Paz
Fly to Uyuni
Do a 3-day Salar de Uyuni tour ending in San Pedro de Atacama
Spend a few days in San Pedro
Fly from Calama to Santiago
Spend the last days in Santiago and Valparaíso

I originally wanted to do Option 2, but I’m unsure because of the current situation in Bolivia.

Which option would you choose and why?

Hi everyone,
I’m planning a trip to Buenos Aires and I’m trying to decide between January and February.
My main interest is nightlife, especially techno events, clubs, parties, and electronic music. I’d like to be there during the month with more events and a better party atmosphere.
I also heard that January can be very hot and that many locals leave the city for holidays. Is February better for nightlife, or is January still good?
Also, is the weather in February more tolerable than in January, or is it basically the same?
Any advice from locals or people who have been there during those months would be appreciated. Thanks!

My fiancée & I are making our way round the Carribbean coast in Colombia currently. We are in Islas de Rosario, and will return to Cartagena & on to Palomino.

After that we probably have around 5 days to explore more of the region before heading south to Bucaramanga.

My question - I've read a few blogs and posts from Reddit that say Tayrona has become a bit of a shakedown - expensive entry fees, purely maintained trails and accommodations, and overall not worth the day/overnight visit.

I'd had it pegged as a must do, but wondering whether those days and money are better spent elsewhere (we will probably visit Minca as well regardless). Keen to hear from anyone who has been recently, and what their experience was hiking in and staying overnight in one of the basic accoms (hammock/tent)

Thanks!

Hi all!

I'm going on a group trip to South America and traveling solo afterwards. The group trip ends in Buenos Aires and from there I plan to continue solo by ferry to Colonia del Sacramento, then to Montevideo by bus.

I'm thinking of doing 3 nights in Buenos Aires (one with the group trip, 2 solo), leave early by ferry and then do 1 night in Colonia del Sacramento. Then I'll take a bus and have 3 more nights in Montevideo ( the last day I have a flight at noon, so I won't have time to visit anything anymore).

But I'm hesitating if that will be enough time in Colonia del Sacramento.

What would you advice?

Also, if you have any recommendations of things to do or places to stay, feel free to share! I'm a woman traveling alone. Of course I want to see the highlights, but other than that I just like to explore the local culture and cuisine a bit. I also love architecture!

My main question is, will 1 night in Colonia del Sacramento be enough? And if not, should I drop 1 night in Buenos Aires or Montevideo?

Let us know if you have any feedback!! Thank you!!!

September 25 – November 1, 2026 (38 Days)

⸻

✈️ Flights

September 25

•	Depart New York (JFK) for Peru via Lima

November 1

•	Return home from the Galápagos Islands via Quito to New York (JFK)

⸻

🇵🇪 Peru

Sacred Valley (September 26 – October 1)

5 Nights | Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa

Highlights

•	Luxury resort stay in the Andes

•	Pisac ruins and market

•	Moray agricultural terraces

•	Maras Salt Mines

•	Ollantaytambo fortress

•	Scenic train journey through the Sacred Valley

•	Full-day visit to Machu Picchu

⸻

Cusco (October 1 – October 3)

2 Nights | Palacio del Inka

Highlights

•	Historic Inca capital

•	Sacsayhuamán fortress

•	Qorikancha Temple

•	San Blas artisan district

•	Anniversary spa experience

•	Historic center and Plaza de Armas

⸻

Lima (October 3 – October 10)

7 Nights | JW Marriott Lima

Highlights

•	Oceanfront stay in Miraflores

•	Surf lesson on the Pacific Ocean

•	Huaca Pucllana archaeological site

•	Larcomar and Malecón coastal walks

•	World-renowned Peruvian food

•	Relaxation and remote work week with ocean views

⸻

🇧🇷 Brazil

Rio de Janeiro (October 10 – October 17)

7 Nights | Ipanema/Leblon

Highlights

•	Ipanema and Leblon beaches

•	Christ the Redeemer

•	Sugarloaf Mountain

•	Santa Teresa neighborhood

•	Full-day boat excursion to Angra dos Reis & Ilha Grande

•	Botanical Garden and Parque Lage

•	Beach clubs, sunsets, and samba nightlife

⸻

🇦🇷 Argentina

Buenos Aires (October 17 – October 23)

6 Nights

Highlights

•	Argentine steakhouses and wine bars

•	Plaza de Mayo and San Telmo

•	Recoleta Cemetery

•	Palermo Soho

•	MALBA Museum

•	Tango dinner show

•	Day trip to Tigre Delta or Colonia, Uruguay

⸻

🇪🇨 Galápagos Islands

Puerto Ayora & Santa Cruz Island (October 23–24 and October 29–November 1)

4 Nights Total

Highlights

•	Waterfront town of Puerto Ayora

•	Tortuga Bay

•	Las Grietas

•	Giant tortoise encounters

•	Relaxed island exploration

⸻

Galápagos Cruise (October 24 – October 29)

6 Days / 5 Nights | Galaxy Sirius Expedition Yacht

Highlights

•	Western Galápagos expedition

•	Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, and Santa Cruz Islands

•	Snorkeling with sea lions, turtles, penguins, and marine iguanas

•	Giant tortoises

•	Kayaking and panga excursions

•	Some of the most wildlife-rich islands in the archipelago

My husband and I want to live in Argentina for a year or so. We will be working online as therapists so we need stable and reliable WiFi, with privacy. We want to be out of the city and in the mountains, close to lots of hiking and creeks. Where in Argentina should we go?! I’m attracted to Patagonia but I don’t know what town would be best.

Id like to spend 2 weeks traveling in november 11/14-11/29. Ive only ever been to guatemala in june for a church trip. Im all for casual/intermediate hiking and love exploring nature and cities. Im not as big into the nightclub/drinking scene, but still appreciate it every now and then, especially if its related to culturally traditions/festivals. Ive heard great things about costa rica and would love to experience a rainforest tour, but im not sure if 2 weeks is too long there, or if the rainy season would be a bit too much rain. I like to stay moving, I wouldn’t want to have many days of just hanging out at a beach by my hotel/hostel doing nothing. Definitely not looking for something like a resort where you basically just stay there the whole time. Any suggestions? Id be up for bouncing around a country or two as long as I can keep things on the cheaper end. Any suggestions?

To give an idea of what I enjoy, the last place I travelled was vietnam, and I loved exploring the cities(Hanoi and HCM city were awesome), doing group day trips with fun experiences(biking, kayak rides) out in nature and at different beaches, and going on a big multi day motorcycle tour through the mountains.

Hi
Me and my boyfriend are going to visit the iguazu falls in the autumm. We want to visit both the argentinian side and brazilian side. We were wondering wheter 2 days is sufficient in that regard to Experience the iguazu falls and experience both sides or do you Think we need more days
Thank you!
Kind regards

Hi all

I am planning a trip to South America for my honeymoon and as you can imagine, I would love it to be the best trip possible as it is a once in a lifetime trip for us

I have a rough itinerary at the moment, and would love some feedback on it as I am overwhelmed with all the options in South America!

We are slow travelers, who love to spend time in places soaking them up and not feeling rushed at all. We love culture and food, but like to mix it up with some nature as well (although we are not big hikers!)

The trip would be from mid-December to late February

1st Stop - Cartagena, Colombia - 6 Days - Relaxing start to the trip, chill at the beaches, Rosario Islands, Old City

2nd Stop - Medellin, Colombia - 5 Days - A bit more of a party stop

3rd Stop - Guatape, Colombia - 2 Days - Relaxing nature getaway

4th Stop - Bogota, Colombia - 6 Days - Food, Museums, as well as a trip out to the coffee farms nearby

5th Stop - Quito, Ecuador - 5 Days - Food, Museums, Day Trip?

6th Stop - Galapagos Islands - 7 Days - Specially requested from the wife to be, a cruise through the islands

7th Stop - Lima, Peru - 5 Days - Food, Museums, Day Trip?

8th Stop - Cusco, Peru - 8 Days - Machu Pichu, Sacred Valley

9th Stop - Buenos Aires, Argentina - 6 Days - Food, Museums, Day Trip?

10th Stop - Mendoza, Argentina - 6 Days - Also specifically requested from the wife to be, spend time on wine farms and relax at the end of a long trip

Any and all help to make this the best itinerary possible would be greatly appreciated!

I’m planning a South America trip and looking for cities that feel lively and don’t get boring after a few days.

I’ve already been to Medellín, Cartagena, São Paulo, and Rio. I loved São Paulo because there was always something going on, great restaurants, nightlife, and a big-city feel. Rio was beautiful, but the nightlife wasn’t really my thing. Medellín was fun, but Cartagena wasn’t for me.

Cities I’m currently considering are:

Lima, Córdoba, Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Santiago

I’m also open to another city in Brazil if there’s one that fits what I’m looking for.

Main things I care about:

• lively city with lots going on
• good restaurants
• good nightlife, preferably more upscale/lounge/bar scene
• doesn’t feel dead after a few nights
• good for a 3 to 5 night stay

Which cities would you recommend, and are there any I should skip or replace?

I’ve never really traveled like this before so please let me know if this isn’t possible, but I’d like to be able to keep my same US number. What’s the easiest way for me to keep my number and have data in whatever country I can in. Some countries will be short stints. Others I may stay longer. Is there a plan that gives me data anywhere while keeping my US number?

Hi! Has anyone travelled to Bolivia (Uyuni Salt Flats in particular) recently? I know that there are protests going on in La Paz right now but I'm wondering if Uyuni is open for visitors? I am planning a trip for later this year but wanting to see if people can visit right now or if it could affect my plans. Thanks in advance.

Hello,

I am planning a backpack trip to south america fron january to may/june. We would do colombia peru argentina for sure. Should I reconsider bc of el nino because this should be the peak moment.