16 Incredible Natural Destinations in South America You Might Have Never Heard Of
South America has its fair share of unforgettable man-made wonders, like Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Ciudad Perdida in Colombia. However, the region’s natural gems are arguably even more spectacular. Read on for the 16 most impressive natural wonders in South America you’ll need to see to believe.
The Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert (Desierto de Atacama) is located in northern Chile and Bolivia. Stretching between the Andes Mountains and the Chilean Coastal Range, this arid desert stretches approximately 1000km from north to south and is considered the oldest and driest nonpolar desert on Earth, seeing less than 1mm of rainfall per year. Its incredible remoteness and ultra-clear skies make it one of the best places on Earth for star watching; the desert is home to some of the world’s most powerful telescopes for this reason.
Perito Moreno Glacier
Nestled within Argentina‘s Los Glaciares National Park, the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing. Its massive ice field extends for over 250 square kilometers, creating towering ice walls. Visitors can witness the spectacle of ice calving, as massive chunks of ice break off and crash into the waters below, and even hike across the surface of the glacier, navigating amidst massive crevices.
The Amazon Rainforest
Covering over 7 million square kilometers, the Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, stretching across multiple countries in South America. It boasts unparalleled biodiversity, with millions of species of plants, animals, and insects calling it home. Take an Amazon river cruise from Peru or visit some of the most important Amazon Rainforest ecolodges in Ecuador to more fully explore this immense region.
Angel Falls
Angel Falls plunges an astonishing 979 meters down from incredible heights in Venezuela, making it the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world. Surrounded by lush jungle and an unending cloud of mist, the falls create a mesmerizing spectacle that draws nature enthusiasts and intrepid travelers from around the globe to witness its beauty. It’s the most popular tourist attraction in Venezuela, by far.
The Galápagos Islands
It’s the destination that inspired the Theory of Evolution. The remote Galápagos Islands, part of Ecuador, are volcanic islands known for their unique biodiversity and are home to an array of endemic species, including the iconic Galápagos tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies. Most visitors explore the islands as part of a cruise, though a few impressive eco-lodges on the pristine, protected islands welcome travelers looking to explore independently.
Iguazú Falls
Straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil – and just a stone’s throw from the border of Paraguay, Iguazú Falls is a collection of 275 individual waterfalls cascading over cliffs and through lush rainforests. The deafening roar of the water and the perpetual mist that surround the falls are incomparable, making it one of the most recognizable waterfalls in the world, welcoming an incredible number of visitors every year.
Salar de Uyuni
Located in southwest Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, covering over 4,086 square miles. During the rainy season, a thin layer of water transforms the flat into a giant mirror, reflecting the sky in a breathtaking display of symmetry. The surreal landscape of endless white stretches to the horizon, creating a truly unique and mesmerizing experience; even better are the midnight tours, when the stars are reflected on the water.
Pantanal
Spanning parts of Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, the Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland area. Its sprawling floodplains, marshes, and rivers are home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including jaguars, caimans, and giant otters. Visitors can explore the vast wilderness by boat, horseback, or on foot, immersing themselves in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.
Quilotoa
One of the most impressive natural wonders in Ecuador, Quilotoa was once a massive volcanic cone, until a volcanic explosion caused its cone to collapse, leaving behind a massive crater in its place. The Quilotoa caldera spans approximately 2.5 miles in diameter and reaches a depth of around 820 feet. Visitors to Quilotoa are drawn not only by its stunning beauty but also by the multi-day loop trek through the surrounding mountains and indigenous villages that concludes (or begins!) at the crater’s rim.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Located in northeastern Brazil, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a surreal landscape of white sand dunes dotted with freshwater lagoons. During the rainy season, the depressions between the dunes fill with rainwater, creating a mosaic of turquoise-colored pools against the backdrop of golden sands. It’s a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Paine Massif
Situated in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, the Paine Massif is a breathtaking cluster of granite peaks, towering glaciers, and turquoise lakes. It’s one of the most iconic parts of Patagonia. The iconic spires of Cuernos del Paine and the towering peak of Torres del Paine draw trekkers and climbers from around the world, though plenty of easier hikes through the region are available to even beginners looking to explore this breathtakingly beautiful area.
Cotopaxi Volcano
Dominating the skyline outside of the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, Cotopaxi is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. Its nearly perfectly symmetrical cone is crowned with a glacial cap of snow and ice, creating a striking contrast against the landscape. Despite its volcanic activity – it’s been more active in the past decade than it has been in a few hundred years – Cotopaxi is a popular destination for mountaineers seeking to summit its formidable peak.
Colca Canyon
Carved by the Colca River in southern Peru, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world, plunging over 13,650 feet at its deepest point – that’s over two and a half miles into the Earth. It’s about double the depth of the famous Grand Canyon in the United States.
The Pampas
Stretching across Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Brazil, the Pampas are vast grasslands that have shaped the culture and identity of the region. This fertile plain is home to iconic South American wildlife such as the pampas deer, rheas, and giant anteaters. Visitors can experience the gaucho lifestyle, explore estancias, and witness traditional rodeo competitions.
Tierra del Fuego
Located at the southern tip of South America, Tierra del Fuego – the Land of Fire – is a remote archipelago shared by Chile and Argentina. Its rugged landscapes are characterized by jagged peaks, pristine fjords, and windswept plains. Despite its harsh climate, Tierra del Fuego is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including penguins, seals, and seabirds, making it a bucket list destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Mount Roraima
Standing at the tripoint border of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana, Mount Roraima is a towering tabletop mountain with sheer cliffs rising over 400 meters; though often shrouded in mist, this adds to its mystical allure. The unique ecosystems on its summit are home to carnivorous plants and countless endemic species and inspire tales of lost worlds and fantastical adventures.
Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual New York-based travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Explorers Away and Home to Havana. Carley is an expert on all things Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, having lived and worked in four different countries in the region. Her writing has appeared on the Associated Press wires and in Travel + Leisure, Yahoo, MSN, Euronews, The Weather Channel, and more. When she's not writing about her travels, find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.