Written by the Machu Picchu Peru Tours editorial team.
South America Quick Answers
- What is South America?
- The world’s fourth-largest continent, located mostly in the Southern Hemisphere and entirely within the Western Hemisphere, made up of 12 sovereign countries plus the overseas territory of French Guiana.
- Where is South America?
- Bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Southern Ocean toward Antarctica.
- What hemisphere is South America in?
- Entirely in the Western Hemisphere; mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, though northern countries like Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador extend into the Northern Hemisphere.
- How many countries are in South America?
- 12 independent countries, plus French Guiana, an overseas department of France.
- Which country should I visit first?
- Peru is widely considered the best introduction to the continent, combining ancient history, the Andes, the Amazon, and a Pacific coastline in a single country.
South America at a Glance
| Feature | Information |
| Continent | South America |
| Sovereign countries | 12 |
| Largest country | Brazil |
| Smallest independent country | Suriname |
| Highest mountain | Aconcagua, Argentina (6,961 m / 22,838 ft) |
| Longest mountain range | The Andes |
| Largest rainforest | Amazon Rainforest |
| Longest river | Amazon River |
| Main languages | Spanish, Portuguese, English, Dutch, French, plus Indigenous languages including Quechua, Aymara, and Guaraní |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | More than 70 across the continent |
| Population | Over 430 million |
| Total area | Approximately 17.8 million km² (6.89 million sq mi) the 4th-largest continent |
Among all South American destinations, Peru stands out as one of the continent’s greatest highlights. Its combination of archaeological treasures, biodiversity, gastronomy, and adventure makes it one of the best countries to begin a South America itinerary from Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley to Tambopata National Reserve, Manu National Park, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Paracas, and the Nazca Lines.
Where Is South America?
South America lies almost entirely in the Western Hemisphere, while most of its territory sits in the Southern Hemisphere. A portion of northern countries Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Ecuador, and northern Brazil extends above the Equator into the Northern Hemisphere.
The continent is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Southern Ocean toward Antarctica. This location creates extraordinary climate diversity, letting travelers experience tropical jungles, snow-capped mountains, deserts, beaches, and glaciers within the same continent.
Map and Countries of South America
South America is made up of 12 sovereign countries:
| Country | Capital | Currency | Signature Highlight |
| Argentina | Buenos Aires | Argentine Peso (ARS) | Patagonia and Perito Moreno Glacier |
| Bolivia | La Paz / Sucre | Boliviano (BOB) | Salar de Uyuni |
| Brazil | Brasília | Brazilian Real (BRL) | Rio de Janeiro and the Amazon |
| Chile | Santiago | Chilean Peso (CLP) | Atacama Desert and Torres del Paine |
| Colombia | Bogotá | Colombian Peso (COP) | Cartagena and the Coffee Region |
| Ecuador | Quito | US Dollar (USD) | Galápagos Islands |
| Guyana | Georgetown | Guyanese Dollar (GYD) | Rainforests and waterfalls |
| Paraguay | Asunción | Guaraní (PYG) | Jesuit Missions |
| Peru | Lima | Peruvian Sol (PEN) | Machu Picchu and the Inca Empire |
| Suriname | Paramaribo | Surinamese Dollar (SRD) | Tropical nature reserves |
| Uruguay | Montevideo | Uruguayan Peso (UYU) | Punta del Este |
| Venezuela | Caracas | Bolívar (VES) | Angel Falls |
French Guiana is an overseas department of France located on the continent and is not an independent country.
South America’s Major Regions
- Andean Region (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile) ancient civilizations, high mountains, archaeological sites, and Indigenous cultures. Peru anchors this region with Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley.
- Amazon Region (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana) the world’s largest tropical rainforest, ideal for wildlife, birdwatching, and river expeditions.
- Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay) Patagonia, glaciers, vineyards, and world-class national parks.
- Tropical Atlantic Region (Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana) beaches, rainforests, colonial cities, and marine biodiversity.
South America’s Physical Geography
America South covers approximately 17.8 million square kilometers (6.89 million square miles), making it the fourth-largest continent on Earth. Its landscape is dominated by the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Rainforest and Amazon River, the Atacama Desert, the Pantanal wetlands, Patagonia, the Pampas grasslands, the Guiana Highlands, the Brazilian Highlands, and the Salar de Uyuni.
The Andes Mountains
Stretching more than 7,000 km (4,350 mi), the Andes are the world’s longest continental mountain range, crossing seven countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. In Peru, the Andes hold Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Colca Canyon, and Lake Titicaca and once supported the rise of the Inca civilization, whose engineering still impresses archaeologists today.
The Amazon Rainforest
The world’s largest tropical rainforest extends across Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Peru protects a significant portion of it through reserves including:
- Tambopata National Reserve: known for macaw clay licks, giant river otters, jaguars, and hundreds of bird species, accessible through luxury eco-lodges.
- Manu National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse protected areas on Earth, home to spectacled bears, giant otters, tapirs, and more than 1,000 bird species.
Climate in South America: There Is No Single Season
South America contains nearly every major climate zone, so there’s no single “best time” for the whole continent:
| Climate type | Where it’s found | Characteristics |
| Tropical | Amazon Basin, northern Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela | High temperatures, high humidity, frequent rainfall |
| Mountain | Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador | Sunny days, cold nights, thin air, seasonal rainfall |
| Desert | Southern Peru, northern Chile | Extremely dry the Atacama Desert is among the driest places on Earth |
| Temperate | Central Chile, Uruguay, northern Argentina | Distinct four seasons, ideal for wine tourism |
| Polar/Alpine | Southern Patagonia, high Andes | Ideal for hiking and glacier exploration |
Best Time to Visit South America
| Months | Best destinations |
| January – March | Patagonia, southern Chile and Argentina, Brazilian beaches (rainy season in the Andes) |
| April – June | Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador fewer tourists, green landscapes, great photography |
| July – September | Peak Andean season ideal for the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, Rainbow Mountain, and Machu Picchu |
| October – December | Great for combining multiple countries before peak season |
Why Peru Is a Year-Round Destination
- Coastal Peru (Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca), best December to April.
- The Andes (Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca), best May to September.
- The Peruvian Amazon, visitable year-round; the dry season favors hiking and wildlife viewing, while the rainy season improves river navigation and canoe excursions.
The Best Places to Visit in South America
Peru: The Heart of South America
Peru welcomes millions of international visitors every year thanks to its extraordinary diversity, ancient Inca cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, snow-capped mountains, Amazon rainforest, a Pacific coastline, desert landscapes, and internationally recognized cuisine.
- Machu Picchu: a 15th-century Inca citadel, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, reachable by train or the famous Inca Trail.
- Cusco: The historic Inca capital, with Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, San Blas, and San Pedro Market.
- Sacred Valley of the Incas: Pisac, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines.
- Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): Colorful mineral layers and high-altitude Andean trekking.
- Humantay Lake: brilliant turquoise glacial waters beneath the Salkantay Mountain.
- Tambopata National Reserve and Manu National Park two of the richest wildlife destinations in South America.
- Lake Titicaca: the world’s highest navigable lake, shared between Peru and Bolivia, home to the Uros floating islands, Taquile, and Amantani.
- Paracas National Reserve, Ballestas Islands, and Huacachina Oasis coastal desert, marine wildlife, and sandboarding on Peru’s Pacific coast.
- Nazca Lines: mysterious geoglyphs only fully visible from the air.
- Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in parts, and one of the best places in the world to see Andean condors in flight.
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia
- Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Iguazu Falls, the Pantanal (the world’s largest tropical wetland), and Fernando de Noronha, a volcanic archipelago considered one of the best diving destinations on Earth.
- Argentina: Buenos Aires, the Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén with its iconic Fitz Roy peak, Ushuaia, Bariloche, and the Mendoza wine region.
- Chile: the Atacama Desert (one of the best stargazing destinations in the world), Torres del Paine, Valparaíso’s colorful hillsides, and Easter Island (Rapa Nui).
- Bolivia: the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, alongside La Paz and Lake Titicaca.
Colombia and Ecuador
- Colombia: Cartagena’s walled colonial old town, Medellín, Bogotá, the Coffee Region (a UNESCO Cultural Landscape), and Tayrona National Park.
- Ecuador: the Galápagos Islands, Quito’s historic center (one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, inscribed in 1978), and the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
South America’s Ultimate Bucket List
Machu Picchu · Sacred Valley · Rainbow Mountain · Humantay Lake · Tambopata National Reserve · Manu National Park · Lake Titicaca · Nazca Lines · Ballestas Islands · Huacachina Oasis · Colca Canyon · Amazon Rainforest · Iguazu Falls · Patagonia · Atacama Desert · Salar de Uyuni · Galápagos Islands
Best Countries for History and Archaeology
| Country | Best Attraction |
| Peru | Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley |
| Bolivia | Tiwanaku archaeological complex |
| Ecuador | Quito’s colonial historic center |
| Colombia | Cartagena’s walled city |
| Chile | Rapa Nui (Easter Island) moai statues |
Best Countries for Nature and Wildlife
| Country | Main Attraction |
| Brazil | Amazon Rainforest and the Pantanal |
| Peru | Manu National Park and Tambopata |
| Chile | Patagonia and the Atacama Desert |
| Ecuador | Galápagos Islands |
| Argentina | Los Glaciares National Park |
Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela are all recognized as part of the world’s 17 “megadiverse countries,” a designation for nations holding the majority of Earth’s species, meaning South America’s Andean and Amazonian countries concentrate an outsized share of the planet’s biodiversity.
Planning Your South America Itinerary
How Many Days Do You Need?
| Length | Recommendation |
| 10 days | One country ideal for Peru: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake |
| 14–15 days | Two countries for example, Peru + Bolivia (Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Salar de Uyuni, La Paz) |
| 21 days | Three or four countries, Peru + Bolivia + Chile + Argentina |
| 30+ days | A grand tour, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil |
Sample 10-Day Peru Itinerary
- Days 1–2: Lima (historic center, Miraflores, Barranco, Peruvian gastronomy).
- Days 3–5: Cusco (Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, San Pedro Market), allowing time to acclimatize.
- Day 6: Sacred Valley (Pisac, Chinchero, Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo).
- Day 7: Machu Picchu.
- Day 8: Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake.
- Days 9–10: Lake Titicaca (Uros floating islands, Taquile) or Paracas and Huacachina (Ballestas Islands, sandboarding, dune buggy rides).
How Much Does It Cost to Travel in South America?
| Travel style | Daily budget (USD) | What’s included |
| Backpacker | $35–75 | Hostels, public transportation, local restaurants, free attractions, shared tours |
| Mid-range | $100–200 | 3-star hotels, domestic flights, restaurants, guided tours |
| Comfort | $220–400 | 4-star hotels, private transfers, premium excursions, fine dining |
| Luxury | From $450+ | Luxury hotels, private guides, boutique lodges, exclusive experiences |
These estimates include accommodation, meals, local transportation, and basic sightseeing. Costs vary by country, season, and exchange rate. Chile, Uruguay, and Patagonia tend to run more expensive; Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador generally offer the best value.
Sample Entrance Fees in Peru
| Attraction | Approximate price |
| Machu Picchu | $40–60 |
| Rainbow Mountain | $8–15 |
| Humantay Lake | $8–15 |
| Colca Canyon tourist ticket | $20–25 |
| Ballestas Islands tour | $20–35 |
| Nazca flight | $90–140 |
Prices vary by tour operator and package, confirm current rates before booking.
Transportation Across South America
- Flights: The fastest option for long distances, with major hubs in Lima, Bogotá, Santiago, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro.
- Long-distance buses: An economical option for neighboring countries (Peru–Bolivia, Peru–Ecuador, Chile–Argentina, Argentina–Brazil), often with reclining seats and overnight service.
- Trains: A limited network overall, but Peru offers one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys: Ollantaytambo–Machu Picchu, including the luxury Belmond Hiram Bingham and Belmond Andean Explorer.
Is South America Safe? Visas and Practical Tips
Is South America safe for tourists?
Generally yes, especially in well-established tourist destinations. Use licensed transportation, avoid displaying valuables, book tours through reputable operators, carry travel insurance, and keep digital copies of your documents.
Do you need a visa?
Requirements depend on nationality. Travelers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union can typically enter most South American countries as tourists without a visa arranged in advance — but always verify current immigration requirements before departure, since these can change.
Essential Packing List
Lightweight clothing, warm jacket, hiking boots, rain jacket, sun protection, insect repellent, reusable water bottle, universal power adapter, camera, and travel insurance.
South America by the Numbers
| Feature | Statistic |
| Countries | 12 |
| Population | Over 430 million |
| Area | 17.8 million km² |
| Highest mountain | Aconcagua (6,961 m / 22,838 ft) |
| Longest mountain range | The Andes |
| Largest rainforest | Amazon Rainforest |
| Largest salt flat | Salar de Uyuni |
| Highest navigable lake | Lake Titicaca |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | More than 70 |
| A New Seven Wonder of the World | Machu Picchu |
South America Tourism Statistics
According to UN Tourism (UNWTO), South America has posted some of the strongest tourism growth in the Americas recently:
- South America recorded the best performance of any subregion in the Americas between January and September 2025, with international arrivals up 9% year-over-year.
- Brazil received a record 5.9 million foreign tourists between January and July 2025, a 47.5% increase over the previous year, currently the continent’s leading destination by visitor volume.
- Paraguay (+53%) and Chile (+48%) posted some of the fastest year-over-year growth rates worldwide in early 2025.
Note: tourism figures change with each new quarterly report from UN Tourism, treat these as the most recent available data at the time of publication and verify periodically for the latest numbers.
Busiest Airports in South America
| Airport | City, Country | Approximate Annual Passengers |
| El Dorado International | Bogotá, Colombia | ~36 million |
| São Paulo–Guarulhos International | São Paulo, Brazil | ~34 million |
| Jorge Chávez International | Lima, Peru | ~20 million |
| Arturo Merino Benítez International | Santiago, Chile | ~19 million |
Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima is Peru’s main international gateway and the primary entry point for most travelers heading to Machu Picchu and Cusco.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites by Country (Selected)
| Country | Approximate Number of Sites |
| Peru | Around a dozen, including Machu Picchu, the Historic Centre of Cusco, and Chavín |
| Brazil | Among the highest counts on the continent, including Brasília and Iguaçu National Park |
| Argentina | Includes Los Glaciares National Park and Quebrada de Humahuaca |
| Colombia | Includes the Port of Cartagena and the Coffee Cultural Landscape |
Exact counts shift as new sites are inscribed each year, always check UNESCO’s official World Heritage List for the current total per country.
How Has South America’s Physical Geography Influenced Its Population Patterns?
South America’s dramatic landscapes have shaped where people settled for centuries: fertile valleys supported agriculture, coastal plains encouraged trade, mountain regions sheltered ancient civilizations like the Incas, dense rainforest limited large-scale settlement in the Amazon, and rivers became transportation corridors.
Today, many of the continent’s largest cities Lima, Bogotá, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro sit along coastlines, valleys, or elevated plateaus rather than deep inside the rainforest or high mountains.
Fascinating Facts About South America
- The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth.
- The Amazon River carries more water than any other river in the world.
- The Andes form the world’s longest continental mountain range.
- Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside Asia.
- The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat on Earth.
- The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on the planet.
- Angel Falls, in Venezuela, is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall.
- Iguazu Falls is made up of more than 270 individual waterfalls.
- Patagonia holds some of the largest glaciers outside Antarctica.
- Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, chosen in a global vote in 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South America?
The world’s fourth-largest continent, covering about 17.8 million km², made up of 12 sovereign countries plus the overseas territory of French Guiana.
Where is South America?
Bordered by the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Southern Ocean toward Antarctica entirely within the Western Hemisphere, mostly within the Southern Hemisphere.
What hemisphere is South America in?
Entirely in the Western Hemisphere. Most of the continent lies in the Southern Hemisphere, though Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Ecuador, and northern Brazil extend into the Northern Hemisphere.
How many countries are in South America?
12 independent countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Which country should I visit first in South America?
Peru, thanks to its international flight connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and the chance to combine ancient history, the Andes, the Amazon, and the Pacific coast in one trip.
Is South America safe for tourists?
Yes, generally, millions of travelers visit safely every year by using licensed transportation, booking reputable tours, and carrying travel insurance.
What is the best time to visit South America?
It depends on the destination: Peru and the Andean region, May to September; Patagonia, November to March; Brazil and the Amazon, year-round with seasonal trade-offs.
How much does it cost to travel in South America?
From $35–75 per day as a backpacker up to $450+ per day for a luxury trip, depending on countries visited and travel style.
How many days should I spend in South America?
7–10 days for one country, 14–15 for two, 21 for three or four, and 30+ days for a grand tour across the continent.
Is Peru worth visiting?
Absolutely, Peru combines UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient Inca cities, the Amazon Rainforest, a Pacific coastline, snow-capped Andes, and award-winning cuisine in a single, relatively compact country.
Final Thoughts
South America is one of the most rewarding travel destinations on Earth, tropical rainforests, ancient civilizations, dramatic mountain ranges, vibrant cities, and pristine coastlines, all on a single continent. Whether you’re building a South America travel planner for a couples’ getaway, a family vacation, or a full South America road trip across several countries, working through a simple South America travel checklist passport validity, travel insurance, vaccinations if required, and advance bookings for high-demand sites like Machu Picchu will make your South America itinerary for couples, South America itinerary for families, or solo backpacking route far easier to execute.
For travelers looking for the ideal place to begin, Peru offers a combination of history, nature, adventure, and gastronomy that few countries anywhere can match, with Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, and the Amazon among the essential stops for any first South America journey, whether you’re researching South America travel costs 2026, comparing best South America vacation packages, or simply gathering South America vacation ideas for your next trip.
Plan Your South America Adventure with Machu Picchu Peru Tours
At Machu Picchu Peru Tours, our local specialists help travelers experience the best of Peru and South America through carefully designed itineraries and personalized service, from South America luxury travel with private guides and boutique lodges, to independent budget-friendly routes. Explore our Machu Picchu tours, Cusco tours, and extend your trip with our tours in Ica and tours in Paracas. Before you go, check out our guides to Machu Picchu tourism essentials and recommended tours and travel packages, among the most popular South America travel destinations for travelers exploring the continent for the first time, to start planning your journey with confidence.
