Why is there no page about Venezuela on TalkTravel?

Because the security situation there is structurally tense: high crime, political tension and shortages of fuel, water and power. The current rating is with the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA; as long as they advise against travel, TalkTravel is not planning trips there.

Do you need a visa for South America?

Not for holidays: Swiss, German and Austrian nationals enter all eleven countries on this page without a visa, usually for up to 90 days. Suriname instead requires an entry fee of 50 euros plus 8 euros (as of September 2026).

Is a German national ID card enough for a trip to South America?

Generally not. The Federal Foreign Office requires a passport for, among others, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina and Ecuador; French Guiana accepts a national ID card.

When should you plan a round trip through Peru and Bolivia?

In the dry season from May to October, when roads in the highlands are most reliable; nights in La Paz and Potosí are then frosty. For the mirror effect at the Salar de Uyuni, on the other hand, you need the rainy season.

Where to go in South America in January and February?

To Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland Islands, Uruguay's beaches, or Colombia's Caribbean coast, where hardly any rain falls. In the Andes it's rainy season, the Inca Trail is closed in February, and Tayrona Park from 1 to 15 February.

Where to go in South America in July and August?

To the dry Andes of Peru and Bolivia, to the Pantanal, or to Colombia. On Galápagos, blue-footed boobies court, and southern right whales pass the Península Valdés and Uruguay's coast; in Torres del Paine, on the other hand, winter restrictions apply.

How long is the flight to South America?

That depends on the hub. Zurich–São Paulo usually takes 11 h 45 min nonstop, Madrid–Buenos Aires 12 h 45 min, Paris–Santiago de Chile around 14 h, Amsterdam–Paramaribo around 9 h 15 min. From North America, among others, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, New York and Toronto fly nonstop to Bogotá, Lima or São Paulo.

How much time do you need for South America?

You cannot cover the whole continent on a single trip. For Argentina, plan two to three weeks; for Paraguay, 10 to 14 days; for Chile from north to south, at least a month according to Chile Travel.

Which South American countries are considered fundamentally safe by the foreign ministries?

The FDFA calls Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Guyana and Suriname fundamentally safe, but points to crime in cities. The Federal Foreign Office counts Chile among the safer countries in South America.

Do you need a yellow fever vaccination for South America?

For the Amazon lowlands and large parts of Brazil and Colombia, healthytravel.ch recommends it; in French Guiana it is mandatory. The vaccination must be given at least ten days before arrival.

Is there malaria in South America?

Yes, mainly in the Amazon lowlands, for example in Loreto in Peru or in Pando in Bolivia. Malaria-free areas include Cusco, La Paz, Quito, Bogotá, Lima, Rio de Janeiro and Galápagos, and Paraguay and Suriname nationwide according to the WHO.

How do you avoid altitude sickness in the Andes?

Start low and climb slowly: in Peru, after landing in Cusco, go first to the Sacred Valley; in Bolivia, ascend to the highlands via Santa Cruz and Sucre. Preventive medication should be discussed with a doctor beforehand.

Can you bring coca tea back from Peru or Bolivia?

No. Switzerland bans the import of coca products of any kind, and in Germany even the attempt violates the Narcotics Act.

Where can you see penguins in South America?

Around a million penguins of five species breed on the Falkland Islands, and around 7,000 pairs of Magellanic penguins on Isla Magdalena near Punta Arenas. King penguins live at the Bahía Inútil, and Humboldt penguins on the Islas Ballestas in Peru.

When and where can you watch whales in South America?

Southern right whales visit the Península Valdés from June to December and Uruguay's coast from July to October. Humpback whales can be seen off Ecuador from June to September and off Colombia's Pacific coast from July to October.

What cash should you bring to South America?

US dollars are the most versatile: Ecuador uses them as its currency, and in Peru, Suriname and Uruguay many businesses accept them; in Argentina they can be exchanged everywhere. Euros are the national currency only in French Guiana.

Can you get by with English in South America?

Only partially. In Brazil, English is not widely spoken outside major hotels; in Paraguay, Spanish makes travel considerably easier. English is the official language in Guyana and on the Falkland Islands.

Can Machu Picchu and Galápagos be combined in one trip?

Yes, via the nonstop flight Lima–Quito, around 2 h 15 min. Because of the FDFA's advisories, it is better not to plan a night in the city of Guayaquil before the flight to the islands.

What must be booked well in advance in South America?

Machu Picchu tickets are valid only for the date and hour of booking, and for the W in Torres del Paine you reserve refugios and campsites months ahead. The Falkland Islands and Easter Island can only be reached with booked accommodation.

Is South America suitable for a trip with children?

Yes, with the right choice of destination: children under 12 pay half park entry on Galápagos, and nothing in Torres del Paine. Ciudad Perdida is only open to children from age 12.

South America: Best Time to Visit, Countries, Routes and Entry

What does South America cover as a destination?

In short

This page covers eleven countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay. It also covers eight islands and regions: French Guiana, the Falkland Islands, Galápagos, Easter Island, Fernando de Noronha, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and the Amazon region, whose rainforest alone covers around 5.5 million km² across nine countries.

In the west, the Andes run from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego, with cities at great altitude: Bogotá at around 2,600 m, Quito at 2,850 m, La Paz at around 3,600 m. To the east lies the lowland with the Amazon, the Pantanal and the Chaco; further south follow steppe, lakes and glaciers.

Distances are long: Chile measures over 4,300 km from north to south, Argentina around 3,800 km. Almost every round trip therefore needs domestic flights. South of the equator the seasons are also reversed; in Argentina summer runs from 21 December to 20 March.

Why Venezuela is missing here

Venezuela is deliberately not part of this page. The current rating can be found with the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, Germany and the BMEIA; the border regions with Colombia, Brazil and Guyana are considered particularly risky.

Cited reasons include high crime, political tension and shortages of fuel, water and power; according to the FDFA, the Swiss embassy in Caracas can barely assist with departure depending on the situation. As long as the foreign ministries advise against travel there, TalkTravel is not planning trips there.

The current information from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, the BMEIA and the representations of the destination countries is always binding.

Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Wikipedia · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Wikipedia · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística

How do the countries of South America differ?

In short

The eleven countries differ significantly in altitude, climate, effort involved and security situation. None requires a visa for holidays, but Suriname requires an entry fee, Argentina requires health insurance, and Colombia and Bolivia require online forms. The FDFA calls Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Guyana and Suriname fundamentally safe; in parts of Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, permanently elevated risks such as border and conflict areas apply.

The eleven countries compared; entry as of September 2026, security as a structural overview
Country	Character	Best months	Time needed per sources	Entry CH/DE/AT	Structural risks
Argentina	Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Andes, glaciers	Patagonia Dec.–Mar., north June–Sept.	2 to 3 weeks	visa-free, health insurance mandatory	high crime in major cities
Bolivia	Altiplano, Salar de Uyuni, colonial towns	May–Oct. (dry season)	one week is barely enough: altitude adjustment and transfers	visa-free, online registration SIGEMIG	protests and road blockades, altitude sickness, crime in major cities
Brazil	Coastal cities, Iguaçu, Pantanal, Amazon	Southeast May–Sept., northeast Sept.–Feb.	usually two to three large regions with domestic flights	visa-free up to 90 days, passport valid 6 months	crime in major cities very high
Chile	Atacama, Santiago, wine valleys, lakes, Torres del Paine	Centre and south Dec.–Mar.	4 to 12 days per zone, north to south at least 1 month	visa-free up to 90 days	fundamentally safe; earthquake and volcanic region
Ecuador	Volcanoes, Quito, Amazon, Galápagos	Highlands June–Sept., Galápagos year-round	Quito and surroundings at least 1 week	visa-free, passport valid 6 months	crime on the coast (Guayaquil, Durán), Colombia border; earthquake and volcanic region
Guyana	Rainforest, Kaieteur Falls, savanna, English	Coast mid-Jan.–May and mid-July–mid-Nov.	Kaieteur as a day flight, interior by small aircraft	visa-free, online form	fundamentally safe
Colombia	Andean cities, coffee region, Caribbean coast	Dec.–Mar. and July–Aug., Caribbean Dec.–Apr.	Ciudad Perdida trek alone 4 to 5 days	visa-free, Check-MIG before entry and departure	varies greatly by region; conflict regions including Arauca, Cauca, Nariño, Putumayo
Paraguay	Jesuit reductions, Chaco, Guaraní culture	May–Sept.	10 to 14 days	visa-free up to 90 days	border area with Brazil, Concepción, San Pedro and Amambay
Peru	Coastal desert, Inca sites, Lake Titicaca, rainforest	Andes May–Oct., coast Dec.–Mar.	first 1 to 2 nights lower down in the Sacred Valley	visa-free up to 90 days	VRAEM conflict zone, Colombia border
Suriname	Wooden old town, rainforest, river villages	Aug.–Nov. and Feb.–Mar. relatively dry	nonstop from Amsterdam only around five times a week	entry fee EUR 50 plus EUR 8, ICF form	fundamentally safe
Uruguay	Montevideo, Colonia, Atlantic coast, grazing land	Dec.–Mar. (beach), July–Oct. (whales)	short distances: Colonia 177 km from Montevideo	visa-free, 90 days	fundamentally safe

The column only summarizes the lasting risks described by the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA; the current rating is on their country pages.

When is the best time to visit South America?

In short

There is no single best time to visit the whole continent. In the Peruvian and Bolivian highlands, May to October is dry, Patagonia has its season from October to April, and Colombia's Caribbean coast is sunniest from December to April. Buenos Aires and Iguazú are pleasant in spring and autumn, Uruguay's beaches from December to March.

Andes: dry during the southern winter

In Peru and Bolivia, most rain falls between November and April; from May to October come sunny days and cold nights. Closer to the equator the year runs differently: Colombia's Andean region has two rainy seasons, and in Quito July and August are driest.

Andean cities: Cusco, Bogotá, Quito and La Paz

Cusco	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	20	19	20	20	20	20	21	21	21	21	22	20
Low °C	8	8	8	6	3	2	1	2	5	7	7	8
Rainfall mm	129	127	96	44	9	4	11	8	18	63	72	137

Bogotá	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	20	20	20	20	19	19	19	19	19	19	19	20
Low °C	7	8	9	10	10	9	9	8	8	8	9	8
Rainfall mm	44	71	132	209	207	162	134	108	103	186	165	103

Quito	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	21	20	20	20	21	21	21	22	22	21	21	21
Low °C	8	9	9	8	8	8	8	7	8	8	8	8
Rainfall mm	139	143	176	177	122	58	34	25	38	76	90	100

La Paz	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	18	18	18	19	19	18	18	19	20	20	21	19
Low °C	7	7	6	4	1	-1	-1	-1	2	4	5	7
Rainfall mm	136	114	79	35	13	9	16	22	24	48	44	107

Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station TENIENTE ALEJANDRO VELASCO ASTETE INTL (3 km, 3310 m), auf 3399 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL DORADO INTL (8 km, 2548 m), auf 2640 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station IZOBAMBA (21 km, 3058 m), auf 2850 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL ALTO INTL (5 km, 4062 m), auf 3640 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.

The dry months are also the busiest: in high season, an increased daily quota of 5,600 people applies at Machu Picchu. The mirror effect at the Salar de Uyuni, on the other hand, only occurs in the rainy season from December to April.

Southern cities: summer from December to March

Santiago has dry summers and rain almost only in winter; in Buenos Aires and Montevideo it rains in every month, with July the coolest. Rio de Janeiro stays warm but gets the most rain from November to March, with, according to the Federal Foreign Office, regular flooding.

Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Santiago de Chile

Rio de Janeiro	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	31	31	30	28	27	26	26	26	27	28	28	30
Low °C	24	24	24	23	21	20	19	19	21	21	22	23
Rainfall mm	208	152	173	101	71	49	45	42	69	108	220	232

Buenos Aires	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	30	29	26	23	19	17	16	17	20	22	26	29
Low °C	21	21	19	16	12	9	8	10	12	14	17	19
Rainfall mm	104	121	123	98	74	54	72	71	83	109	101	94

Montevideo	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	28	27	25	22	18	16	15	17	19	21	24	27
Low °C	20	20	17	15	11	8	7	9	11	13	15	18
Rainfall mm	102	106	118	114	84	98	92	89	96	103	96	86

Santiago de Chile	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	31	31	29	25	21	17	17	19	21	24	28	30
Low °C	14	13	12	9	6	4	3	5	7	8	10	12
Rainfall mm	8	8	10	12	44	63	47	40	15	12	9	7

Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station SANTOS DUMONT (1 km, 3 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station AEROPARQUE JORGE NEWBERY (6 km, 6 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station PRADO (7 km, 16 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station QUINTA NORMAL (2 km, 520 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.

Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands: October to April

In the south, the short summer counts: Torres del Paine has its season from October to April, busiest in January and February. It rarely gets warm — Ushuaia averages under 15 °C in January, and in Torres del Paine the wind brings gusts of up to 110 km/h.

In the southern winter, a guide requirement applies on the W; Volunteer Point on the Falkland Islands is only open from November to March.

The deep south: El Calafate, Puerto Natales, Ushuaia and Stanley

El Calafate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	20	20	18	14	10	7	6	8	12	15	17	19
Low °C	8	7	5	0	-2	-4	-4	-3	-1	2	5	7
Rainfall mm	71	62	75	71	71	68	61	63	51	54	57	68

Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine)	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	17	17	15	12	8	5	5	7	10	12	14	15
Low °C	11	10	8	5	2	-0	-0	1	3	6	8	10
Rainfall mm	119	98	110	110	97	101	85	86	77	82	95	108

Ushuaia	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	14	15	13	10	8	5	5	6	9	11	13	14
Low °C	6	6	5	3	2	0	-0	0	1	3	4	5
Rainfall mm	78	70	65	67	53	58	51	46	44	44	62	73

Stanley	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	13	13	12	9	7	5	4	5	7	9	11	12
Low °C	10	9	8	6	4	3	2	3	3	5	8	8
Rainfall mm	59	55	65	68	58	52	55	52	46	42	46	54

Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL CALAFATE AERO (17 km, 199 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station TENIENTE JULIO GALLARDO (7 km, 66 m), auf 10 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station USHUAIA MALVINAS ARGENTINAS (5 km, 22 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station STANLEY (5 km, 23 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.

Amazon, Caribbean and the Guianas: rain and water levels

In the lowlands, the water level decides: in Manaus the Rio Negro is highest in June and lowest in October and November. High water opens side channels for boats, low water makes forest paths walkable.

On Colombia's Caribbean coast, hardly any rain falls from January to March, while June to December is hurricane season. In Georgetown, May to July is wettest, and in French Guiana September and October are considered the sunniest months.

Lowlands and the Caribbean: Manaus, Iquitos, Cartagena and Georgetown

Manaus	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	31	31	31	31	31	31	32	33	34	34	33	31
Low °C	24	24	24	24	24	24	24	25	25	25	25	24
Rainfall mm	224	236	268	262	205	119	76	50	68	103	135	213

Iquitos	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	32	32	32	32	31	31	31	33	33	33	33	32
Low °C	23	23	23	23	23	22	22	22	22	23	23	23
Rainfall mm	301	251	367	305	278	218	167	157	189	286	291	298

Cartagena	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	32	32	32	32	33	33	33	33	33	32	32	32
Low °C	24	24	25	26	26	26	26	26	26	25	25	25
Rainfall mm	2	3	10	60	178	135	160	160	182	242	181	56

Georgetown	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	30	30	30	31	30	30	31	32	32	32	31	30
Low °C	24	24	25	25	25	24	24	25	25	25	25	25
Rainfall mm	181	117	94	144	315	314	302	193	102	103	181	257

Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CAMPO PONTA PELADA (5 km, 81 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CORONEL FRANCISCO SECADA VIGNETTA INTL (7 km, 93 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station RAFAEL NUNEZ (7 km, 1 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station GEORGETOWN (1 km, 2 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.

Where to go when: calendar by type of trip

Where to go when in South America, by type of trip
Type of trip	January to March	April to June	July to September	October to December
Andes Peru and Bolivia	rainy season, Inca Trail closed in February	dry from May	dry, high season	October dry, then rain
Colombia and Caribbean	drier, Caribbean sunny	April and May wet	July and August drier	October and November wet
Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego	high season	April quieter, then winter	winter, parks restricted	season from October
Northeast Brazil	dry through February	rainy season	dry from September	dry
Pantanal	rainy season, large areas flooded	drier from April	dry season, wildfires possible	rainy season from November
Galápagos	warm, calm seas	albatrosses from April	cooler, booby courtship, whales	higher swell
Whales	orcas at Valdés from February	southern right whales at Valdés from June	southern right whales, humpback whales	Valdés until December
Antarctica from Ushuaia	season	last voyages in April	no season	season from October

Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Ministry of Culture of Peru · Ministry of Culture of Peru · Wikipedia · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Turismo Buenos Aires, Gobierno de la Ciudad · Uruguay Natural – Ministry of Tourism · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Pases Parques (official ticket sales) · Las Torres Patagonia · Las Torres Patagonia · Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) · Falkland Islands Tourist Board · Serviço Geológico do Brasil (SGB) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Guyana Tourism Authority · Guyane Amazonie (Comité du tourisme de la Guyane) · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · Wikipedia · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Charles Darwin Foundation · Galapagos Conservation Trust · Galapagos Conservation Trust · Galapagos Conservation Trust · Chubut Patagonia, Ministerio de Turismo del Chubut · Administración Península Valdés · Ministry of Tourism, Uruguay · Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia

Which countries and regions belong to South America, and what do they offer?

In short

Destinations can be grouped into five clusters: the Andean countries Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia; the south with Chile, Argentina, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Uruguay and Paraguay; Brazil with the Amazon; the three Guianas; and the islands in the Pacific and Atlantic. Each destination has its own page.

Andes

Peru links Lima with Cusco at around 3,400 m, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, which admits only a daily quota (as of 2026: 4,500 people, 5,600 in high season). Also on offer are Arequipa, Lake Titicaca at 3,810 m and the rainforest.

In Bolivia, you often sleep above 3,500 m — in La Paz at around 3,600 m, in Potosí at around 4,070 m. Destinations include the Salar de Uyuni, at 10,582 km² the largest salt flat on Earth, Isla del Sol and Sucre; blockades and road closures can affect trip planning.

Ecuador packs the Andes, the Amazon and Galápagos into a small area: Quito sits at 2,850 m, and along the «Avenue of the Volcanoes» stand more than 70 volcanoes and mountains. Payment is in US dollars. The coastal provinces are considered particularly risky because of crime.

Colombia lies on two seas: Bogotá at around 2,600 m, the coffee cultural landscape around Salento, a World Heritage Site since 2011, and Cartagena on the Caribbean. Arauca, Cauca, Nariño and Putumayo are considered conflict regions and are not a travel destination.

The south

Chile is over 4,300 km long but on average only 177 km wide: the Atacama in the north, Santiago and the wine valleys in the centre, lakes, Chiloé and the Carretera Austral in the south. The Federal Foreign Office calls South American price levels relatively high there.

Argentina spans around 3,800 km from Iguazú to Ushuaia; Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Bariloche and the glaciers of Los Glaciares are typically linked by domestic flight. Since Decree 366/2025, visitors need health insurance.

Patagonia is shared by Argentina and Chile, with steppe and the Península Valdés in the east, fjords and ice fields in the west. Hours of driving often separate protected areas such as Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares.

Tierra del Fuego, the largest island in South America, lies beyond the Strait of Magellan. From the Argentine town of Ushuaia, ships set out onto the Beagle Channel and to Antarctica; in the Chilean part, king penguins live on the Bahía Inútil.

Uruguay offers short distances: Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento, founded by the Portuguese in 1680, Punta del Este and the dunes of Cabo Polonio. The ferry from Buenos Aires takes 1 h 15 min to Colonia.

In Paraguay, Guaraní is an official language alongside Spanish, spoken at home by around two-thirds of the population. Near Encarnación stand the Jesuit reductions of Trinidad and Jesús, and the Chaco holds the Mennonite colonies; the country has been malaria-free according to the WHO since 2018.

Brazil and the Amazon

In Brazil, most travellers choose two or three large regions: the coast from Rio de Janeiro to Salvador, the Iguaçu Falls, the Pantanal, or the Amazon around Manaus. São Paulo-Guarulhos airport (GRU) has nonstop flights to 118 destinations in 30 countries, from Toronto and Lisbon to Doha and Johannesburg.

The Amazon is reached through one gateway: Manaus, Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, Leticia, Coca, Lago Agrio or Rurrenabaque. Access, wildlife and malaria risk differ significantly by location.

The Guianas

Guyana is the only mainland country with English as its official language. Around 90% of people live on the coast; the Kaieteur Falls, with a 226 m free fall, Iwokrama and the Rupununi are usually reached by small aircraft.

Suriname, the smallest country in South America, has Dutch as its official language. The wooden old town of Paramaribo has been a World Heritage Site since 2002 and listed as endangered since 2026; over 90% of the land area is rainforest.

French Guiana belongs to France and the EU, but not to the Schengen area; direct flights exist only from Paris. Besides Cayenne, the coast is home to the Kourou space centre and the Îles du Salut, and proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory on entry.

Islands

The Galápagos Islands, around 1,000 km off Ecuador, have been a World Heritage Site since 1978; protected areas can only be entered with an accredited guide. In 2025, 79% of visitors stayed on land and 21% on ships.

Easter Island lies around 3,700 km off Chile and is only reachable from Santiago. Around 900 moai stand in the national park, managed by the Ma'u Henua community; visitors may stay at most 30 days.

Fernando de Noronha, 545 km off Recife, is around 70% marine national park. An environmental fee, park ticket and a monthly limit of around 11,000 visitors control access.

The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory, claimed by Argentina as the Islas Malvinas. Around a million penguins of five species breed there; scheduled flights run only on Saturdays from Santiago via Punta Arenas.

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Ministry of Culture of Peru · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Wikipedia · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · Argentina.gob.ar, Información Legislativa · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) · chile.travel (Sernatur) · Reserva Natural Pingüino Rey · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Colonia Express · Secretaría Nacional de Cultura, Paraguay · Última Hora · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Wikipedia · World Health Organization · Wikipedia · Guyana Tourism Authority · Protected Areas Commission Guyana · Guyana Tourism Authority · Wikipedia · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · European Commission · Direction générale des étrangers en France, Ministère de l'Intérieur · Cayenne-Félix Éboué Airport · Agence régionale de santé Guyane · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Galápagos National Park Directorate · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Comunidad Indígena Ma'u Henua · National Congress Library of Chile · Administration of the State District of Fernando de Noronha · Administration of the State District of Fernando de Noronha · PANROTAS · Wikipedia · Falkland Islands Tourist Board · International Tours & Travel (LATAM general agent, Stanley) · FlightConnections

Which types of trip suit which South American destinations?

In short

Classic round trips lead through Peru, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador; for wildlife watching there are Galápagos, the Pantanal, the Península Valdés and the Falkland Islands. Trekking draws people to Torres del Paine, El Chaltén and the Inca Trail, city trips to Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro or Quito, and most expedition ships to Antarctica depart from Ushuaia.

Round trip

A round trip usually links a capital with two or three landscapes — in Peru, for instance, Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. In Argentina, three weeks cover four to five regions; in Chile, Chile Travel reckons four to twelve days per zone.

Nature and wildlife

Galápagos: sea lions, marine iguanas, giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies; albatrosses breed from April to December on Española.
Pantanal: one of the world's largest wetlands, covering around 14 million ha, home to jaguar, giant otter and hyacinth macaw.
Amazon: macaws at the clay licks of Tambopata, river dolphins near Leticia, over 1,000 bird species in Manu National Park.
Península Valdés: southern right whales from June to December, Magellanic penguins and elephant seals from September to April.
Falkland Islands: five penguin species and over 70% of the world's black-browed albatrosses.

Trekking and altitude

Well-known multi-day treks include the Inca Trail, closed every February, the W in Torres del Paine, where every night must be reserved, and the trek to Ciudad Perdida, 46 km round trip, open only from age 12. Shorter but steeper is the route from El Chaltén to Laguna de los Tres, 10 km and 750 m of elevation gain each way.

In the Andes, altitude is part of the planning: above around 2,500 m, sleeping altitude should rise by at most 300 to 500 m per day, according to healthytravel.ch.

Cities

Many cities are destinations in their own right. Buenos Aires and Montevideo share the tango, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009; Rio de Janeiro's landscape between mountains and sea has been a World Heritage Site since 2012, as have the old towns of Quito (1978), Salvador (1985), Lima (1991), Paramaribo (2002) and the port district of Valparaíso (2003). PromPerú calls Lima the culinary capital of South America.

Beach and islands

For beach holidays, northeast Brazil from September to February, Uruguay's Atlantic coast from December to March, and Colombia's Caribbean coast are good options. Fernando de Noronha and Galápagos combine swimming with snorkelling, but are subject to fees and strict rules.

Less suitable are Ecuador's mainland coast because of the security situation, Guyana's muddy coastline, and French Guiana, where Amazon sediment turns the sea brown.

Expedition: Antarctica from Ushuaia

Ushuaia lies around 1,000 km from Antarctica; according to the city administration, 90% of Antarctica trips depart from here. Expeditions cross the Drake Passage and last 10 to 12 days; via the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, 20 to 22 days. According to the operators' association IAATO, many cruises include both of these destinations.

Aerovías DAP flies day programmes from Punta Arenas to King George Island, while Australis sails four nights from Ushuaia via Cape Horn to Punta Arenas.

Sources: PromPerú (peru.travel) · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Galapagos Conservation Trust · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Chubut Patagonia, Ministerio de Turismo del Chubut · Administración Península Valdés · Falkland Islands Tourist Board · Falkland Islands Tourist Board · Ministry of Culture of Peru · Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) · Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History ICANH · Administración de Parques Nacionales · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · PromPerú (peru.travel) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Administration of the State District of Fernando de Noronha · Galápagos National Park · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Guyane Amazonie (Comité du tourisme de la Guyane) · Guyana Tourism Authority · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) · Aerovías DAP · Australis

Which multi-country routes are classics in South America?

In short

Routes work well when borders and altitude form a logical sequence: Peru and Bolivia via Lake Titicaca, Patagonia on both sides of the Andes, the lakes route Bariloche–Puerto Varas, Buenos Aires with Uruguay and Iguazú, Colombia with Ecuador, and the three Guianas. Duration follows from documented leg times.

Cross-border routes with documented leg times
Route	Countries	Legs and times	Best time
Andes and Lake Titicaca	Peru, Bolivia	Flight Lima–Cusco around 1 h 15 min; train to Machu Picchu around 2 h; Cusco–Puno bus around 7 h; flight La Paz–Uyuni	May to October
Patagonia across the Andes	Argentina, Chile	Bus El Calafate–Puerto Natales around 6 h; W Trek 4 days and 3 nights; flight El Calafate–Ushuaia 1 h 20 min	October to April
Lakes route and Carretera Austral	Argentina, Chile	Cruce Andino Bariloche–Puerto Varas around 12 h; flight Santiago–Puerto Montt 1 h 45 min; Carretera Austral 1,247 km, according to Chile Travel 10 to 12 days	December to March
Río de la Plata and Iguazú	Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil	Ferry Buenos Aires–Colonia 1 h 15 min; flight Buenos Aires–Puerto Iguazú 1 h 55 min; Foz do Iguaçu around 15 km from Puerto Iguazú	March to May, September to November; Uruguay's beaches December to March
Equator route	Colombia, Ecuador	Flight Bogotá–Quito around 1 h 35 min; Quito and surroundings at least one week; flight to Galápagos 2 h 10 min to 3 h	Colombia December to March, Ecuador's highlands June to September
The three Guianas	Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana	Flight Georgetown–Paramaribo around 45 min; pirogue Albina–Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni around 10 min; Saint-Laurent–Cayenne 3 h 15 min	Guyana's coast mid-July to mid-November, French Guiana July to November

Peru and Bolivia: step by step upward

The order follows altitude: after the flight to Cusco, first go to the lower Sacred Valley, then Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lake Titicaca, followed by Copacabana, La Paz and Uyuni. Anyone landing in La Paz the other way round stands immediately at around 4,070 m in El Alto, which the CDC rates as particularly risky. Bolivia needs buffer days because blockades can also close off access to airports.

Patagonia: the border is part of the route

Between El Calafate and Puerto Natales, the bus crosses the border, in Chile including a food declaration for the agricultural service SAG. On to Tierra del Fuego, you go either by flight to Ushuaia or by ferry from Punta Arenas to Porvenir.

Río de la Plata: boat instead of plane

Between Buenos Aires, Colonia and Montevideo, the ferry is the natural mode of transport. Paraguay can be added via Posadas and Encarnación; the border area around Ciudad del Este is considered risky.

Colombia and Ecuador: better to fly

Between the two countries, much speaks for flying: the border area is considered risky, and Ecuador requires a criminal record extract with apostille for overland entry.

The Guianas: flights via Amsterdam, Paris, Panama City and the Caribbean

Paramaribo has nonstop connections to Amsterdam, Panama City, Curaçao, Aruba and Port of Spain, Cayenne to Paris, Fort-de-France and Belém; anyone linking the Guianas flies into one city and out of another. Returning to Suriname requires the multiple-entry fee of 75 euros plus 8 euros.

Sources: PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PeruRail · FlightConnections · Bus-Sur · Las Torres Patagonia · FlightConnections · Cruce Andino · Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · FlightConnections · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Colonia Express · FlightConnections · Wikipedia · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · FlightConnections · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · FlightConnections · Office de Tourisme de Saint-Laurent du Maroni · Guyane Amazonie (Comité du tourisme de la Guyane) · Guyana Tourism Authority · Guyane Amazonie (Comité du tourisme de la Guyane) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Transbordadora Austral Broom (TABSA) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · FlightConnections · Cayenne-Félix Éboué Airport · VFS Global on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Suriname

Which airports and hubs get you to South America?

In short

The major long-haul gateways are São Paulo (GRU), Bogotá (BOG), Lima (LIM), Buenos Aires-Ezeiza (EZE) and Santiago de Chile (SCL). Nonstop flights reach them from, among others, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Lisbon and Rome, from Miami, Houston, Atlanta, New York and Toronto, from Doha, Dubai and Addis Ababa to São Paulo, and from Sydney and Auckland to Santiago. Domestic flights connect the regions within the continent; overland, the foreign ministries advise against night driving in many places.

International arrival airports and nonstop hubs (selection), as of September 2026
Arrival airport	Nonstop from Europe	Nonstop from the Americas and other regions	Note
São Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU)	Madrid, Lisbon, Porto, Rome, Milan, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels, Barcelona, Istanbul; Zurich–São Paulo (SWISS, daily, usually 11 h 45 min)	Miami, Orlando, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Washington, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal; Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Casablanca	collect baggage at the first Brazilian airport and re-check it
Bogotá (BOG)	Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Istanbul	Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Washington, Toronto, Montreal, Mexico City, Panama City	107 nonstop destinations in 31 countries
Lima (LIM)	Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam	Miami, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, Mexico City, Cancún, Panama City, San José	onward flights to Cusco, Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado
Buenos Aires-Ezeiza (EZE)	Madrid (12 h 45 min), Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt (Lufthansa, 13 h 45 min, 4 times a week)	Miami, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Panama City, Cancún; Auckland	Madrid–Ezeiza around 23 flights per week
Santiago de Chile (SCL)	Madrid (around 12 h 40 min), Paris (around 14 h), London, Barcelona	Miami, New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles; Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland	onward flights to Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt and Easter Island
Quito (UIO), Guayaquil (GYE)	Madrid, Amsterdam (KLM)	from Quito: Miami, Houston, Atlanta, New York, Panama City	Galápagos flights to Baltra and San Cristóbal from Quito
Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI)	Madrid	Miami, Panama City, Bogotá, Lima, São Paulo	17 nonstop destinations in 9 countries
Montevideo (MVD)	Madrid (Iberia, Air Europa)	Miami (American Airlines), Panama City (Copa)	Uruguay's only nonstop connection to Europe
Paramaribo (PBM)	Amsterdam (KLM, Surinam Airways, around 9 h 15 min)	Panama City, Curaçao, Aruba, Santo Domingo, Port of Spain, Georgetown	around five times a week from Amsterdam
Cayenne (CAY)	Paris (Air France from CDG, Air Caraïbes from Orly in 9 h 10 min)	Fort-de-France, Belém, Fortaleza	Paris is the only destination in Europe
Georgetown (GEO)	none	according to the tourism authority, flights from New York, Miami and Toronto, some with a stop in Trinidad	from Europe usually via Barbados, Miami, New York, St. Lucia or Suriname

From Africa and the Middle East, nonstop flights run from Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg and Cape Town to São Paulo; from Oceania, from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland to Santiago de Chile, with Auckland also connected to Buenos Aires-Ezeiza. For travel from Asia, these hubs are useful transfer points, as is Istanbul, which has nonstop links to São Paulo and Bogotá.

From Miami there are nonstop flights to, among others, Lima, Bogotá, Quito, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Montevideo and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Panama City has nonstop connections to Bogotá, Lima, Quito, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santa Cruz and Paramaribo, making it a hub between North, Central and South America.

Between the countries, the capitals are well connected: Quito–Lima takes around 2 h 15 min nonstop, Quito–Bogotá around 1 h 35 min, and La Paz has nonstop flights to Lima, Bogotá and Santiago.

Overland, distances are large; for Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Paraguay, the FDFA or the Federal Foreign Office advise against overland travel at night. Railways play almost no role, except for the trains to Machu Picchu and to Lake Titicaca.

Clocks run differently by country: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and Asunción stay on UTC−3 year-round, Lima, Bogotá and Quito on UTC−5, Galápagos on UTC−6. Mainland Chile switches between UTC−4 in the southern winter and UTC−3 in the southern summer; the Magallanes region stays on UTC−3 year-round.

What applies for entry and health in South America?

In short

For holidays, Swiss, German and Austrian nationals need no visa in any of the eleven countries, but almost everywhere need a passport, often still valid for six months (as of September 2026); other nationalities have their own rules. Health-wise, yellow fever in the lowlands, mosquito protection and altitude in the Andes are the main concerns. The relevant authorities and pre-trip travel-medicine advice remain decisive.

Forms and special rules

Additional entry rules for Swiss, German and Austrian nationals (as of September 2026)
Country or territory	What is additionally needed
Argentina	health insurance for the entire stay (Decree 366/2025)
Bolivia	online registration SIGEMIG within 48 hours
Chile	tourist card on entry; food declaration with SAG
Easter Island	FUI form, return flight within 30 days, registered accommodation
Ecuador	criminal record extract with apostille for overland entry
Colombia	Check-MIG, free, 72 to 1 hour before the flight
Guyana	police entry and exit form, online
Suriname	entry fee EUR 50 plus EUR 8; ICF form before entry and exit
French Guiana	proof of yellow fever vaccination from age 1
Falkland Islands	visitor permit, booked accommodation, insurance with repatriation cover of at least USD 2 million

Yellow fever, malaria and mosquitoes

healthytravel.ch recommends the yellow fever vaccination for the Amazon regions of all five Amazon countries on this page, for most regions of Brazil, and for Colombia below 2,500 m. For Chile and Uruguay, the CDC does not recommend it, and neither does healthytravel.ch for trips solely to Galápagos. The vaccination must be given at least ten days before arrival.

Proof is also required by Paraguay on arrival from Brazil, Bolivia, Peru or Colombia, by Suriname after a stay in a risk country, and by Colombia on arrival from Brazil; the original vaccination booklet therefore belongs in the luggage.

Malaria occurs mainly in the Amazon lowlands, with low to high risk depending on the area. Dengue, chikungunya and Zika, by contrast, are widespread; chikungunya occurs regionally in several countries, so round-the-clock mosquito protection applies.

Altitude

In Cusco, La Paz, Quito and Bogotá you spend the night above around 2,500 m, the threshold above which healthytravel.ch expects altitude sickness. Typical symptoms are headache, nausea and sleep disturbance; breathlessness at rest or confusion call for immediate descent. Preventive medication should be discussed with a doctor.

Insurance and care

Outside the major cities, healthcare is often basic, and private hospitals frequently require a credit card, deposit or guarantee of payment. For most countries, the foreign ministries recommend insurance with repatriation cover.

Entry and vaccination rules change at short notice. Before every trip, the current information from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, the BMEIA and the representations of the destination countries applies, along with travel-medicine advice. Anyone with a different nationality should check the visa requirement with the embassy or immigration authority of the destination country, for example in the visa portal of Brazil, the visa list of Colombia or with the Chilean migration service.

Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Argentina.gob.ar, Información Legislativa · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · ChileAtiende, Government of Chile · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Migración Colombia · Guyana Police Force · VFS Global on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Suriname · Suriname Immigration and Customs, ICF Unit · Agence régionale de santé Guyane · Falkland Islands Government, Customs & Immigration · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · healthytravel.ch (Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine) · healthytravel.ch (Swiss Society of Tropical and Travel Medicine) · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine (EKRM) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · CDC Travelers' Health · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Brazil) · Cancillería de Colombia · Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile)

What does a trip through South America cost?

In short

There is no uniform price level, and this page deliberately gives no daily budgets. What is documented are fixed items: Galápagos costs USD 200 park entry plus USD 20 transit card, Torres del Paine CLP 32,400 per day, Iguazú National Park ARS 60,000, and Fernando de Noronha from R$ 105.79 environmental fee per day (as of September 2026).

Selected entry fees and charges for foreign adults, as of September 2026
Item	Price	Note
Galápagos, park entry	USD 200	plus transit control card USD 20
Easter Island, national park	CLP 95,000	valid 10 days, guide extra
Torres del Paine	CLP 32,400 (1 day), CLP 48,500 (up to 10 days)	multi-day pass needed for the W and O
Iguazú National Park (Argentina)	ARS 60,000	rate as of September 2026
Los Glaciares, including El Chaltén	ARS 50,000	per day
Fernando de Noronha	environmental fee from R$ 105.79 per day, park ticket R$ 384	one week together R$ 1,056.85
Tayrona Park	COP 81,000 (low season), COP 96,500 (high season)	plus mandatory insurance
Kaieteur day tour (Guyana)	USD 350	including flight, from 12 participants
Falkland Islands, departure tax	£40	as of September 2026

Price level according to authorities and tourism boards

The Federal Foreign Office calls Chile relatively expensive compared with other South American countries. Guyana is costly because of flights into the interior; a double cabin at the Iwokrama River Lodge costs USD 230 per night without meals. For French Guiana, the tourism office estimates €1,500 to €2,500 per person per week excluding flights.

In Argentina, peso prices are frequently adjusted. Uruguay waives VAT on accommodation for visitors with a foreign ID.

Currencies and cash

Almost every country has its own currency, from the sol in Peru through the real, the guaraní and four different pesos to the euro in French Guiana. Ecuador pays in US dollars; notes of USD 50 and 100 are often refused there because of counterfeiting.

In Chile you pay by card almost everywhere; in Brazil, banks often cap withdrawals at 500 to 2,500 real per day. In the interior of Guyana and Suriname, and on the islands in Lake Titicaca, you need cash; exchange only at banks and official bureaux de change.

Sources: Galápagos National Park · Rapa Nui National Park (ticket sales via Ticketplus) · Pases Parques (official ticket sales) · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Administration of the State District of Fernando de Noronha · ICMBio Fernando de Noronha · Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia · Evergreen Adventures Guyana · Falkland Islands Government · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Iwokrama River Lodge · Guyane Amazonie (Comité du tourisme de la Guyane) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Uruguay Natural – Ministry of Tourism · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Visit Paraguay, SENATUR · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Uruguay Natural – Ministry of Tourism · Guyane Amazonie (Comité du tourisme de la Guyane) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Foreign Office, Germany

Which cultures, languages and festivals shape South America?

In short

Spanish is the national language in most countries, Portuguese in Brazil, English in Guyana, Dutch in Suriname and French in French Guiana. Indigenous languages add to the mix: Peru's Ministry of Culture counts 48, and in Paraguay Guaraní is an official language. Tango, candombe, samba de roda and the Oruro Carnival are on UNESCO's lists of intangible cultural heritage.

History is visible in stone and wood: in the Inca walls beneath Cusco's churches, in the Jesuit missions of Bolivia and Paraguay, in the wooden churches of Chiloé, and in Salvador, the first slave market of the New World according to UNESCO from 1558. In Suriname and French Guiana, descendants of escaped enslaved people, the Maroons or Bushinengue, live in their own communities.

Festivals through the year

Major festivals in South America
Time	Festival	Place
from 24 January, two to three weeks	Alasita	La Paz
February	Virgen de la Candelaria	Puno
February	Tapati	Easter Island
Carnival (February or March, depending on the date of Easter)	Carnival	Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife; Oruro; Barranquilla
late January to March, over 40 days	Carnival with the murga choirs	Montevideo
first week of March	Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia	Mendoza
24 June	Inti Raymi	Cusco
last weekend of June	Festival Folclórico	Parintins on the Amazon
1 July	Keti Koti, end of slavery	Suriname
18 and 19 September	Fiestas Patrias	Chile

People should only be photographed with consent; the FDFA notes this for Ecuador, as does the ICANH for indigenous territory in Colombia. The Federal Foreign Office warns against ayahuasca rituals in Peru and Colombia.

In everyday life it helps to know: in Buenos Aires, dinner is eaten between 8 and 11 pm; on the Río de la Plata people say «vos» instead of «tú»; and in the Mennonite colonies of the Paraguayan Chaco you hear Plautdietsch and Standard German.

Sources: Ministry of Culture of Peru, Indigenous Peoples Database · Secretaría Nacional de Cultura, Paraguay · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Wikipedia · Guyane Amazonie (Comité du tourisme de la Guyane) · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · PromPerú (peru.travel) · chile.travel (Sernatur) · timeanddate.com · Intendencia de Montevideo · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History ICANH · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Turismo Buenos Aires, Gobierno de la Ciudad · Argentina.gob.ar · Wikipedia · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Guyana Tourism Authority · Guyane Amazonie (Comité du tourisme de la Guyane) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria

What does South America cover as a destination?

Why Venezuela is missing here

How do the countries of South America differ?

When is the best time to visit South America?

Andes: dry during the southern winter

Southern cities: summer from December to March

Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands: October to April

Amazon, Caribbean and the Guianas: rain and water levels

Where to go when: calendar by type of trip

Which countries and regions belong to South America, and what do they offer?

Andes

The south

Brazil and the Amazon

The Guianas

Islands

Which types of trip suit which South American destinations?

Round trip

Nature and wildlife

Trekking and altitude

Cities

Beach and islands

Expedition: Antarctica from Ushuaia

Which multi-country routes are classics in South America?

Peru and Bolivia: step by step upward

Patagonia: the border is part of the route

Río de la Plata: boat instead of plane

Colombia and Ecuador: better to fly

The Guianas: flights via Amsterdam, Paris, Panama City and the Caribbean

Which airports and hubs get you to South America?

What applies for entry and health in South America?

Forms and special rules

Yellow fever, malaria and mosquitoes

Altitude

Insurance and care

What does a trip through South America cost?

Price level according to authorities and tourism boards

Currencies and cash

Which cultures, languages and festivals shape South America?

Festivals through the year

Routes through South America

Destinations in this part of the world

Frequently asked questions

Where this information comes from

Plan South America with AVA