20 Of The Most Beautiful Places In South America

South America is home to some of the most incredible landmarks and natural attractions in the world!

From towering rock formations to colorful desert landscapes and turquoise blue glacier lakes, there are so many incredible bucket list spots to visit in South America.  

I traveled down the entire South American continent for almost a year in search of unique attractions and adventures. But South America is HUGE so it can be quite difficult to choose which places to see on a trip.

In this post, I have compiled a list of the most beautiful places in South America (from north to south)!

Here are 20 of the most beautiful places to visit in South America:

20 Most Beautiful Places In South America:

1. La Piedra del Peñol

Piedra Del Peñol is a giant rock formation in Colombia just a 2-hour drive outside of Medellin. Going on a guided Guatapé and Piedra del Peñol Tour is one of the most popular excursions from Medellin that you can do within a day.

This location is very unique and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before! During my South American journey, I made a special trip to visit this incredible rock formation and the nearby Guatapé town.

Located next to a lake, Piedra Del Peñol offers spectacular panoramic views, especially for those who choose to hike the 600+ stairs that lead to the top of this rock.

Although the steps look a bit intimidating, in reality, they’re not as challenging as they seem. Plus there are plenty of areas along the way for visitors to stop and rest.

If you choose to hike the Piedra Del Peñol rock, make sure to bring along plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen – especially on a sunny day.

If you have extra time, be sure to stop by the nearby Guatapé city, one of the most charming and colorful colonial towns that we visited in South America.

• Location: La Piedra del Peñol
• Hours: 8 am to 5 pm
• Cost: 18,000 Colombian Pesos ($5 USD)

2. Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal

Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal is one of those hidden gems that we unexpectedly stumbled upon while traveling through Colombia. Although this hot spring resort is quite popular with locals, it’s still very much under the radar for international visitors.

Located in the midst of a lush tropical jungle surrounded by waterfalls and beautiful meandering rivers, this spa is such a treat! This is an especially great stop for those who enjoy soaking in mineral hot springs.

But unlike some natural hot springs, Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal is quite developed. Here visitors can enjoy a few different hot pools, scenic bridges and trails, waterfalls, showers, restaurants, and hotels.

As one of the nicest hot springs in South America, Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal gets very busy.

We came here right after opening in the morning to avoid the peak visitor times, but within an hour this spa was packed. Even with the big crowds, the resort grounds were kept clean and well-maintained.

• Location: Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal
• Hours: 9:00 am to 11:30 pm
• Cost: 25,000 Colombian Pesos ($7 USD)

3. Cocora Valley

Valle De Cocora, or Cocora Valley, is a beautiful outdoor area in Colombia home to some of the tallest palm trees in the world.

These skinny towering wax palms are located on top of rolling green hills and can even grow up to 150 feet tall. If you are planning a trip to South America, Valle De Cocora is one of those bucket list spots that you simply can’t miss!

At Valle De Cocora visitors can pay a small fee and go up to multiple viewpoints to see these palm trees up close. You can also plan longer hiking adventures that loop through the valley.

Due to the tropical weather, this Palm Tree Valley is often partially covered in white clouds giving this area quite the picturesque moody look.

The trails at Valle De Cocora are pretty steep and slippery so if you plan to visit this region, make sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring a rain jacket in case it starts raining mid-hike.

Valle De Cocora is located about a 30-minute drive from Salento town where most visitors stay at. Often the most expensive part of visiting this palm tree valley is just arranging transportation there from Salento.

To make planning easier, book this Cocora Valley and Salento Hike Tour that includes transportation, a guide, and entrance fees!

• Location: Cocora Valley
• Hours: 8 am to 6 pm
• Cost: 3000 Colombian Pesos ($1 USD) to enter the Cocora Valley

4. Tatacoa Desert

The Tatacoa Desert might be one of the most underrated places in South America.

With colorful red rock canyons set next to grey desert landscapes, the Tatacoa Desert is a must for those who are seeking something a bit different. But the Tatacoa Desert is extremely hot so most people either really love it or can’t wait to leave it.

Tatacoa Desert is quite unique because here travelers can see two types of desert landscapes right next to each other – and both are equally stunning in their own way.

The orange terrain of the Tatacoa Desert is very popular for its viewpoints and hiking trails that lead through deeply carved canyons. Before you head out on any of the trails at the Tatacoa Desert make sure to bring lots of water and download an offline map so you don’t get lost in the desert.

In the grey part of the Tatacoa Desert, my favorite spot was Piscina Mineral, a set of turquoise blue outdoor pools hidden in the grey desert canyons.

This is an especially refreshing place to cool off from the desert heat and sun. It costs around 8000 Colombian Pesos ($2 USD) to dip in for a swim in these beautiful desert pools.

The closest big city to the Tatacoa Desert is Neiva where we stayed during our time in this region. If you don’t have a personal car, you can also arrange day tours to the Tatacoa Desert from Nieva at one of the local hostels.

• Location: Tatacoa Desert
• Cost: Tatacoa Desert is free to visit

5. Quito Swing

I’m not a person who usually likes big metropolitan cities, but the cities in South America really exceeded my expectations, especially Quito.

In Quito, tourists can roam around cobblestone streets in Old Town, admire the colonial-style architecture, and visit outstanding restaurants and bars.

But the highlight of Quito is the thrilling TelefériQo Cable Car. This cable car takes visitors up to the top of a mountain overlooking Quito city with jaw-dropping views along the way. Quito is one of the highest cities in the world and from the summit, you can even see a few different volcanoes in the distance.

From here you can also head on some day hikes into the mountains or hop on the Columpio Del Teleferico swing overlooking Quito city below.

• Location: Swing in the clouds – Teleférico
• Hours: 9 am to 8 pm
• Cost: TelefériQo Cable Car ride costs $8.50 USD

6. Quilotoa Lake

If you’re planning a trip to Ecuador, Quilotoa Lake should be at the top of your bucket list! Although Quilotoa Lake is quite far from major cities, most people traveling to South America make a special trip to visit this magnificent lake.

Shaped like a round crater, Quilotoa Lake is famous for its turquoise-blue color and the breathtaking mountains that surround it.

Most people who visit Quilotoa Lake end up spending one or two days in this region. There is a wonderful hike that loops around the lake but depending on the weather conditions it can be quite difficult to complete. We started this hike in the afternoon and an hour in it was so windy and rainy that we had to turn around and head back.

There is also a trail that leads down to the waterfront but coming back up can be a challenge, especially for those that are not used to the altitude.

If you’re not up for hiking, there are a few designated viewing platforms overlooking Quilotoa Lake along with some restaurants and souvenir shops.

• Location: Quilotoa Lake
• Cost: Free to visit and hike the lake

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7. Cascada El Pailón

Pailon Del Diablo waterfall is hands down one of the best waterfalls that I have ever visited. And that’s a lot coming from someone who spent a year living in Oregon, a place that’s known to have some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world!

Pailon Del Diablo is a lush waterfall located near Baños town in Ecuador. At this location, you can hike to designated viewing platforms to get a closer look at the towering waterfall soaring down a clifftop.

There are two entrances at the Pailon Del Diablo waterfall and each of these entrances leads to separate viewpoints. My favorite was the Isla Del Pailon entrance as it provides a viewpoint of the narrow stairs that connect two different platforms.

It took me about 30 minutes to hike down to the Pailon Del Diablo waterfall along a trail that passes through a lush jungle with suspension bridges. Although the hike isn’t too long, it does get very slippery from the powerful waterfall mist that covers this entire area.

Don’t have a car to get there? To visit the waterfall I recommend booking this Pailon of Diablo and Tree House Tour that provides transportation and an experienced guide!

• Location: CASCADA EL PAILÓN
• Hours: 8 am to 7 pm
• Cost: $2 USD

8. Swing At The End Of The World

La Casa Del Arbol, also known as The Swing At The End Of The World is one of the most picturesque places in South America. Located on top of a mountain with lush mountains and volcanos in its background, this swing is a MUST for anyone traveling to Ecuador.

Ecuador is home to quite a few scenic swings but The Swing At The End Of The World is by far the most iconic of them all!

La Casa del Arbol swing was originally set up by a local for himself to enjoy. Over the years this swing has become very popular for its beautiful location. Now The Swing At The End Of The World is one of the biggest attractions in Ecuador drawing tourists from all over the world.

With an entrance fee of just $1, this swing is also one of the cheapest attractions around. You can expect big tourist crowds here unless you arrive very early in the morning.

• Location: La Casa del Arbol
• Hours: 6:30 am to 7:00 pm
• Cost: $1 USD

9. Gocta Waterfall

Gocta waterfall is a beautiful hidden gem in Peru’s Chachapoyas region. Gocta is one of the most incredible attractions in Peru but its remote location deters most visitors from traveling here.

With an estimated height of around 2500 feet, the Gocta waterfall ranks as one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. The nearby Yumbilla waterfall is even higher measuring around 3000 feet in height. In comparison, that’s even higher than the towering Yosemite Falls in California!

If you like waterfalls, it’s well worth a trip to visit these two beauties in the Amazon rainforest jungle.

The Chachapoyas region in Peru lacks good infrastructure and the roads can be pretty rough to get there. If you plan a trip here, expect some rugged car rides, off-the-beaten-path jungle hikes, and stunning multi-tiered waterfalls.

• Location: Catarata Gocta
• Cost: 10 Peruvian Soles ($3 USD)

10. Paron Lake

Peru is home to some of the most stunning alpine hikes in South America. With pristine blue glacier lakes and rugged mountain scenery, Peru attracts hikers from all over the world!

During my time in Peru, I visited a few glacier lakes and Laguna Paron was one of my favorites. With a flat trail that loops next to it, Laguna Paron is one of the easiest lakes to visit in Peru, especially for those who are still getting used to the altitude.

If you’re up for a challenge, you can also go on a hike to a viewpoint overlooking the turquoise-blue Laguna Paron from up top. But this hike is steep and requires a bit of scrambling across giant boulders to get to the best views.

While most people spend a few hours enjoying the scenery at Laguna Paron, I loved it so much that I ended up camping here overnight for a few days. At the shoreline, you can also rent charming little canoes to paddle around the lake.

• Location: Paron Lake
• Cost: 5 Peruvian Soles ($1.50 USD)

11. Lake 69

Laguna 69 is another stunning lake in Peru in the same mountain region as Laguna Paron. If you’re looking for a beautiful day hike in South America, this is one of the best ones with rewarding views at the end!

Laguna 69 is located high up in the Peruvian mountains and visiting this lake can be challenging. Laguna 69 is located almost 15,000 feet high in elevation so give yourself plenty of time to adjust to the altitude before attempting this hike.

It took me half a day to hike to Laguna 69 in a rainstorm. I almost quit and turned around several times, but I kept pushing and it was so worth it!

While I visited Laguna 69 on my own, most people opt to sign up for a guided hike to 69 Lake From Huaraz. Due to the lack of public transportation and its remote location, it’s much easier to go on a tour than to plan a trip here on your own.

• Location: Lake 69
• Cost: 30 Peruvian Soles ($10 USD) entrance fee

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12. Huacachina Oasis

Huacachina Oasis is a beautiful town in South America that is surrounded by giant sand dunes all around it.

Huacachina is a popular stop for people traveling in-between Cusco and Lima cities. Huacachina itself is pretty small so most people end up spending only 1-2 days here before moving on to their next destination.

This little oasis city is a favorite for those who enjoy fun desert adventures. At Huacachina Oasis visitors can hop on a thrilling dune buggy ride across giant sand dunes or go sandboarding in the desert.

For sunset, I recommend climbing one of the tall dunes to enjoy panoramic views overlooking Huacachina Oasis and its picturesque laguna from the top.

As one of the most beautiful destinations in South America, Huacachina Oasis is quite touristy and the whole city caters to travelers. Within Huacachina Oasis visitors can find a ton of different hotels, hostels, restaurants, and bars.

• Location: Huacachina Oasis
• Cost: It’s free to visit

13. Aguas de Huancaraylla

Aguas de Huancaraylla is one of the most beautiful off-the-beaten-path places in South America. Due to its remote location Aguas de Huancaraylla is rarely visited by international travelers although lately, this location is gaining more popularity.

We visited Aguas de Huancaraylla while traveling between Lima and Cusco but getting there was no easy feat. We drove through the mountains for two days in search of this hidden location before we arrived there.

We had our campervan with us which made things a bit easier. Visitors can also arrange a day tour to Aguas de Huancaraylla from Ayacucho City in Peru.

What makes Aguas de Huancaraylla so special is the turquoise blue water that flows through the steep canyon.

Depending on the season and weather conditions the water in this river can change color. We came to Aguas de Huancaraylla in the rainy winter season when the water looked more greenish than blue (but it still looked very beautiful).

At this location, you can either hike around the clifftop or climb down into the river itself. When we came the water was extremely cold so we hiked around the top to different viewpoints and waterfalls.

• Location: Aguas de Huancaraylla
• Hours: 7 am to 8 pm
• Cost: 2 Peruvian Soles (60 cents)

14. Machu Picchu Ruins

Machu Picchu Ruins are hands down THE most iconic place to visit in South America. As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is on top of everyone’s bucket list.

But because Machu Picchu Ruins are so popular, if you plan to visit them, you will need to research and book everything well in advance.

Now daily Machu Picchu entrance tickets are sold in limited numbers to help with crowd control. Plus you’ll need to arrange a train to get there, a bus, and possibly a tour guide to take you around. Make sure not to wait until the last minute in case things start getting booked up.

Located on top of a mountain with deeply carved valleys below it, the entire Machu Picchu ancient city is surrounded by jaw-dropping landscapes that feel quite surreal.

Although Machu Picchu was abandoned soon after it was built, this location was never discovered by Spanish invaders. Overall it’s very well preserved compared to other Inca archeological sites.

Visiting Machu Picchu Ruins is one of the most amazing experiences that you can have in South America, but it is quite expensive. Our visit cost around $250 USD per person and that was on the cheaper end since we arranged everything on our own.

• Location: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
• Hours: Entrance is open from 6 am to 2 pm
• Cost: We paid around $250 USD for entrance tickets, train and bus rides

15. Hand Of The Desert

Hand Of The Desert is an impressive outdoor sculpture located in Chile’s Atacama Desert.

This sculpture is very unique and recognizable because it’s shaped to look like a giant hand coming out of the desert landscape.

Hand Of The Desert is located in the middle of nowhere – literally. We visited this attraction while traveling down the Pan American Highway across South America and ended up camping here overnight.

Caping here was quite peaceful as there are no cities nearby and we were able to do some stargazing at night. But besides taking photos of the sculpture, there isn’t anything else to do around for miles in either direction.

Most people just come here to take a few pictures of this iconic sculpture before heading on to their next destination.

• Location: Hand of the Desert
• Hours: Visitors can come at any time
• Cost: It’s free to visit

16. Queulat National Park

Queulat National Park is a hidden gem that we found while driving down the Carretera Austral Highway in southern Chile.

Carretera Austral region is little known to international visitors but it’s highly popular with local travelers. Backpacking down the Carretera Austral Highway is a rite of passage for recent college graduates in Chile so this area can get quite crowded, especially in the summertime.

The main attraction of Queulat National Park is the Ventisquero Colgante ‘Hanging Glacier’. This glacier is unique because it hangs down a steep mountain, unlike most glaciers that are low and flat. When the Ventisquero Colgante glacier melts, it creates a powerful waterfall rushing down the cliff.

To see the Ventisquero Colgante glacier visitors have to hike a couple of hours through a forest trail that leads to a viewing platform. This platform is still pretty far from the glacier but offers the closest view.

As an option, Queulat National Park also offers boat tours and kayaking rentals to get you closer to it.

• Location: Mirador Ventisquero Colgante
• Cost: 5000 Chilean Pesos ($6 USD)

17. Laguna Cerro Castillo

Cerro Castillo is one of the most beautiful destinations in Chile. At the Cerro Castillo National Reserve, you have the option to do a longer multi-day trek or a shorter day hike to the Cerro Castillo Laguna.

Due to the bad weather, we opted to do the shorter Laguna Cerro Castillo hike. This trek takes half a day to complete and takes hikers up to a gorgeous glacier lake.  

Whether you choose to do the multi-day trek or just the day hike, these hikes travel through private lands. You will need to pay money to the local landowners to pass through their properties.

Due to strong winds and hail-like rain, it’s also best to do these hikes when the weather is nice and sunny. We spent half a day hiking up to the Cerro Castillo Laguna but we only stayed 15 minutes at the top before we got too cold and hiked back.

• Location: Mirador Laguna Cerro Castillo
• Cost: 10,000 Chilean Pesos ($13 USD)

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18. Marble Caves

Marble Caves, is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in South America.

When people ask me about my favorite South American destinations, I find it pretty hard to answer – because there are just SO many. But the stunning Marble Caves definitely tops that list!

Located on the turquoise General Carrera Lake, the Marble Caves are natural rock formations that are popular for their unique shape and color.

To visit these unique caves you can take a boat or kayaking tour from Puerto Río Tranquilo town in southern Chile. During our boat tour, our captain took us to see these unique rock formations up close, inside a few of the caves, and told us a bit more about how they were formed.

You can also go on a Marble Chapels Kayak Tour that takes about 3 hours and includes kayaks, waterproof clothing, and experienced tour guides.

Although these Marble Caves are quite remote and difficult to access, this is a one-of-a-kind bucket list place that is well worth a trip!

• Location: Marble Caves
• Hours: Boat tours start from 8 am to 8 pm
• Cost: 10,000 Chilean Pesos ($13 USD)

19. Torres Del Paine National Park

Torres Del Paine is an impressive National Park in Patagonia, Chile. It is located at the southern tip of South America and is very expensive to visit, yet it attracts hikers from all over the world.

Torres Del Paine National Park was one of the last places that we visited during our Pan-American journey. Our entire trip was building up to this park but when we arrived, we found out that all of the hiking and camping permits were booked up months in advance so our hiking options were pretty limited.

We ended up spending a few days driving through Torres Del Paine National Park and doing a few of the shorter day hikes available. If you plan to do one of the famous multi-day treks like the O or the W circuit, make sure to book them well in advance especially if you want to do them on your own instead of going through an expensive tour agency.

• Location: Torres del Paine National Park
• Cost: 21,000 Chilean Pesos ($27 USD) for a 3-day park visitor pass

20. Perito Moreno Glacier

The last but definitely not the ‘least’ spot on my South America bucket list is the Perito Moreno Glacier.

The impressive Perito Moreno Glacier is famous because it’s one of the few glaciers in the world that’s not receding.

The Perito Moreno glacier is located within Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. There are a few designated walkways and platforms that visitors can use to view the glacier from the shoreline. You might even witness giant parts of the glacier crack and crash into the water while making a thunder-like noise.

Besides the viewing platforms, visitors can also arrange a boat tour to go closer up to the glacier or take a hiking tour on top of the glacier.

During our visit, we did the Mini Trekking tour on the Perito Moreno Glacier – something that we had never done before! This tour was really fun, very safe, and provided us with all of the required gear. Our experienced guides led us on a few hour-long trek across the glacier and even gave us a glass of whiskey with glacier ice at the end.

• Location: Glaciar Perito Moreno
• Hours: 8 am to 6 pm
• Cost: 700 Argentinian Pesos to enter the park ($12 USD)

Read More: All You Need To Know For Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier In Argentina

Looking for other fun things to do in South America for travel? Here are a few other popular South American posts that you may like:

• 10 Incredible Things To Do In Peru That You Shouldn’t Miss
• The Ultimate Guide To Patagonia National Park In Chile
• 15 Incredible Things To See And Do In Colombia
• 12 Incredible Hikes To Do In South America
• 12 Best Things To Do In Baños, Ecuador

This post is written by Laura Sausina. Hi, I’m the founder of the Fun Life Crisis travel blog and I’ve been traveling the world for the past 7 years. Here I share my experiences and tips to help 100,000 people a month turn their travel dreams into reality! Read more about me here.

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