Most Exciting Tourist Attractions In South America

March 20, 2023

Many destinations around the world offer the opportunity to explore and witness the different and wonderful phenomena occurring every day, but none perhaps more than South America. From unbelievable waterfalls to unique flora and fauna as well as jaw-dropping and thrilling adventures, there is something new and interesting for everyone who choose to travel here. Visitors will feel as though they have stepped into a new world with some of the breathtaking locations South America has to offer. Dive into the thick of South America with these stunning destinations and get inspired now:

The Overwhelming Amazon River

South America is a vast continent that incorporates a variety of unique natural phenomena and structures, many of which drive tourist traffic to a specific country or location. However, the Amazon River does not reside in one particular spot as it is one of the longest rivers in the world and touches approximately eight different regions. The river spans 4,345 miles, which makes it an incredibly difficult attraction for tourists to explore in its entirety. However, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru host the main body of the Amazon and thus make these three countries ideal destinations for tourists looking to see the power and prominence of such a giant body of water. Travelers simply need to remember to be wary of the plentiful pirahnas!

It may seem hard to follow up the incredible Amazon River. However, the next South American site has left scholars and tourists curious for generations.

Mysterious Easter Island

Located in Polynesia, approximately 2174.8 miles west of Chile, the infamous Easter Island is a remote volcanic satellite with quite unusual inhabitants. Sure, the view here is beautiful, and the weather is comfortable, but the true wonder surrounds approximately nine hundred human-like structures with giant heads, making for a distant but valuable tourism economy. Called Moai, the purpose of these large carvings is widely speculated, however, what is agreed upon unanimously is the remarkable craftsmanship and engineering that must have gone into each structure, as natives labored for quite some time on their collected treasures.

Although it may be hard to find a more strange spectacle in South America than Easter Island, the next South American destination offers a different type of shock-and-awe.

Incredible Torres Del Paine National Park

Another extraordinary destination located in Chile is the Patagonia region Torres del Paine National Park. It is known for tall mountains towering up to 6561.7 feet, dwarfing visitors. Torres del Paine is an often traveled sight for hiking, as the terrain is challenging but also quite rewarding. This park, established in 1959, has been deemed a biosphere reserve by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and rightfully so. The landscape here is ever-changing for trekkers who will experience change from sturdy forest terrain to frail and loose volcanic fragments as they walk. Wildlife is another drawing feature as commonly sought after species in this park include flamingos and pumas, common to these parts.

As a UNESCO heritage site, Torres del Paine is a top place to see. However, the next destination tests the willpower of all visitors.

Bold And Brilliant Swing At The End Of The World

Traveling can often become about discovering new cultures and traditions or hearing stories of heritage and religion. However, sometimes traveling can be about more, such as pushing limits and experiencing the bold and courageous. On the edge of Baños in Ecuador, that is what the ‘Swing at the End of the World’ has become. Almost a three-hour hike leads hundreds of tourists to a tree house with a swing that reaches out over a drop 8530 feet above sea level. Not only is the potential fall reason for tourists to test their limits, but the active volcano across the gap also plays a role. Called Tungurahua, this earthly giant has been active for years and is a huge attraction for those who want to see the incredibly capacity South America has to offer. Cared for by an elder resident, Carlos Sanchez, the swing has become a world-renowned symbol for bravery and exploration in a playful way.

A swing of fate seems to be an excellent way to entice the adrenaline seekers, but the following destination is the perfect draw for the more artistic types of sightseers.

Dream-Worthy Salar De Uyuni

Located in Bolivia, Salar De Uyuni, otherwise known as the Salt Flats, is one of the largest worldly deposits of lithium, a key component of most batteries. However, it is the naturally occurring reflection, which is a consequence of evaporated prehistoric waters that caused a combination of stretching salt land deposits, a thin layer of water (December to April), and sunlight, bringing spectators from worldwide. Combined elements make for a reflection akin to a mirror, making it nearly impossible to distinguish the horizon. This creates a truly magnificent sky-to ground reflection. Famous for unique photographic opportunities, Salar De Uyuni is a must-see location for all visitors looking for a jaw-dropping, perfect snapshot.

If reflective grounds are not enough excitement regarding travel to South America, the following destination just might take potential visitors over the edge.

Infamous Rio de Janeiro

A popular destination in South America for tourists is Rio de Janeiro, a prominent city in Brazil. It is not only stunning as a natural environment, but has also hosted significant sporting events such as the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympics. As far as architecture goes, residential buildings vary in quality. However, there is an iconic statue watching over the city, known as ‘Christ the Redeemer.’ Copacabana and Ipanema provide top beach experiences for visitors looking take advantage of warm weather and populous sites. Another magnetic drawing point for visitors in Rio is the annual Carnival. Widely considered one of the largest festivals in the world, Carnival hosts over two million guests daily and celebrates through costumes, dance, and gatherings.

With plenty to do and a dense population, Rio can be a little much for quieter visitors. Luckily, the next destination is a more natural place that is impossible to resist.

The Peaceful Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago and quite the vibrant treasure, are located in Ecuador. Travel here is contagious as the natural allure and illustrious vegetation these islands have to offer is limitless. Guests will find themselves engaged in deep history with tours offering stories of pirates, whalers, and an even a World War II strategic airfield. Those looking to find a more hands-on experience will be excited by the unusual flora and fauna, making a lush and vibrant scenery inhabited by unique animals in this exceptional hideaway. Often sought after are the island's famous inhabitants, the Galápagos tortoises, which are the largest living species of tortoise in the world with males reaching weights of up to 919 pounds.

As a very environmentally stable site, the Galápagos Islands makes for a great destination. Thought the next place to visit is often overlooked, it is by no means less exciting.

The All-Encompassing Pantanal

South America receives a lot of attention from across the globe for well-known natural phenomena, including the Amazon River. However, amidst this infamy is an often overlooked site: the Pantanal. Branching across three different countries, but primarily in Mato Grosso, do Sul State, Brazil, biodiversity here is unparalleled. Officially the largest tropical wetland on Earth, the Pantanal stretches over seventy thousand square miles and plays host to a plethora of life. Visitors love witnessing the incredible raw natural power of South America’s most dense concentration of wildlife. Flora and fauna cover every inch of land, including unique animals such as giant anteaters, jaguars, hyacinth macaw, and the world’s largest snakes. Although there is thriving life here, some branches are threatened and require careful protection.

With such a vibrant and diverse biosphere, the Pantanal makes for a tempting spot to stay, but the next place in Venezuela might just prove to be as individual as the rest.

Power Of Angel Falls

Angel Falls is a remarkable sight for the eyes and marks the immense power of nature and its remarkable ability to sustaining life. Located in Venezuela, Angel Falls is the tallest waterfalls in the world, with a height of approximately 3,211 feet and a plunge of 2,368 feet before reaching the ground below. Due to the height of Angel Falls, water disperses widely and fosters a fertile and thriving environment for wildlife and nature. Such an excellent example of natural, untouched Mother Earth should be acknowledged as a destination for all travelers who may want to see a break-taking site.

Angel Falls may be breathtaking, but the last destination still presents a striking way to finish off any South America trip.

The Often Forgotten Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls, located on the Border of Brazil and Argentina, is comprised of about 275 individual drops and the view is one of a kind for those with an appreciation for Earth’s power and magnitude. Meaning ‘Big Water’ in the native tongue, Iguazu Falls was officially discovered in 1541 and has served as a promising site for tourism ever since. Most notable for sightseers would be the famously termed ‘Devil’s Throat,’ a cliff at Iguazu Falls spanning 492 feet wide and 269 feet tall. Conventional means of visiting the falls are by bus and special walkways or by helicopter.

South America certainly has a lot to offer all kinds of visitors from thrill seekers to artists and nature lovers. Dive into your next adventure now.

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