From the towering Andes mountains and the vast Amazon rainforest, to the alluring lakes of Patagonia, South America has rightfully earned a reputation as an enthralling place to visit. Such is the continent’s wealth of natural sites that almost every country is blessed with landmarks that are not only remarkable, but totally unique. It is a land of superlatives, where each country contains something in the “world’s most.
..” category, from the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia to Chile’s Atacama desert.
Add to this a slew of enchanting cities, from the European charm of Buenos Aires to the infectious atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro and the buzz of Medellín, and you can begin to see why this continent appeals to a broad range of holidaymakers. With so much to see and do, it’s hard to know which region to explore first. To help you with your decision, we’ve rounded up a list of the continent’s best countries for travellers to visit in 2024.
Argentina may initially appear difficult to explore due to its size, but it offers a spellbinding array of towns, cities and natural regions to explore. Buenos Aires is a sensible starting point. Known as the “Paris of South America”, it is a lively mix of beautiful 19th-century buildings in tango-fuelled barrios and football.
It is also the jumping-off point for journeys to places like the incredible Iguazu Falls and cities including Cordoba and Rosario. Almost directly west of the capital, not too far from the border with Chile.