Top 20 Bucket List Experiences in South America
South America is filled with plenty of beautiful vacation experiences. The continent has numerous bucket list experiences for any traveler. From a vast amount of natural beauty to historic and colorful villages, there is something for everyone in South America. You can experience the colorful and somewhat chaotic festivals, the towering waterfalls and mountains, and even the ancient ruins of Inca cities. To help you choose where to go, these are the top 20 bucket list ideas for any traveler’s bucket list.
1. Hike Through the Amazon Rainforest
Various Countries in South America
Spanning over nine countries, the Amazon Rainforest holds half of the world’s remaining rainforest. The Amazon Rainforest offers many ways to explore its vast 2.7 million square miles (7 million square kilometers). You can take a river cruise through the Amazon River, then explore the large rainforest through the numerous hiking trails, before spending the night in a luxury hut in the center of the jungle. Some of the many animals you may see include colorful macaws, slow sloths, sneaking jaguars, and large anacondas. With one in ten species living in the Amazon, the rainforest is perfect for animal and nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts alike.
2. See Your Reflection in the World’s Largest Mirror
Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia
The largest salt flats in the world, stretching over 4,600 square miles (12,000 square kilometers), the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) offer a pure white flatland that has helped satellites calibrate their altitude. Trekking through these salt flats, which stretch as far as the eye can see, during the wet season, you will find a uniquely mirrored land and some flamingos. At night, the land flats mirror the starry night sky, making the flats a unique camping experience as well. For some of the best stargazing and unique mirroring water, the Uyuni Salt Flats should be on your bucket list.
3. Party at the Biggest Carnival in the World
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
One of the largest celebrations in the world, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is a colorful yet chaotic festival that takes place every year in February or March. This timing is because it is a celebration before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Although other places in Brazil and other South American countries celebrate Carnival, Rio de Janeiro is the craziest and most known party. With gigantic floats, elaborate costumes, beautiful music, and lots of parties, the fun never stops from Friday to Ash Wednesday. Carnival is the best and maybe even the craziest celebration that is a must for any bucket list.
4. Bathe in Bubbling Mud
Cartagena, Columbia
Known as the Coastal Jewel of Colombia, Cartagena is on the coast of the Caribbean and offers a variety of sights from lavish beaches to colonial-style buildings. Cartagena offers many exciting experiences for any traveler. One unique experience you might want to add to your bucket list is bathing in hot mud from a small volcano. El Totumo is a small volcano containing thick bubbling mud that you can bathe in and it’s located just outside of Cartagena. You climb inside the hill-like vat where you’ll float in the mud and even have the option of getting a quick massage.
5. Stand next to a Giant Glacier
Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Chile
A vast landscape of mountains, desert plains, and glaciers, Patagonia in Chile offers plenty of nature to be explored. For a better look at glaciers, visit the Perito Moreno Glacier that is slowly growing and offers miles (kilometers) of the area to hike around. Patagonia offers plenty of nature to explore and many trails to hike, offering a beautiful landscape for everyone’s bucket list. It is impossible to fully appreciate Perito Moreno Glacier until you will physically stand in front of its face overlooking it across Lago Argentino as in this case all the photos don't do justice. Perito Moreno covers an area of 250 square meters, is 5 kilometers wide, 30 kilometers long and when the highest point of the glacier reaches more than 70 meters, two-thirds are still below the water level and cannot be seen!
6. Walk with Giant Tortoises
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos have some of the best beaches in the world. Located off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands offer a diverse array of animals and plants, with no volcanic island like the next. Whether you spot giant land tortoises, the blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, or sea lions, the Galapagos Islands offer unique wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Due to the lack of predators (including humans) on the islands, you will find more animals than you could ever imagine. A trip to the Galapagos Islands is a perfect bucket list addition.
7. Sleep Near Ancient Inca Ruins
Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru
High up in the mountains of Peru, Manchu Picchu sits among the clouds. A majestic landmark of South America, the over 500-year-old ruins of the ancient Inca city is a bucket list experience that cannot be missed. In the Sacred Valley, you explore more ancient Inca ruins scattered throughout the valley. Great for exploration, you can take a multi-day hike in the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You will even sleep in the mountains, among ancient Inca ruins. Once you reach Machu Picchu, do not miss the beautiful sunrise. The addition of trekking to and exploring Machu Picchu to any bucket list promises great views and amazing ancient ruins.
8. See one of the driest places on Earth
Atacama Desert, Chile
The driest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert stretches for 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) along the coastline of Chile. Home to the Los Flamencos (Flamingos) National Reserve, you will find many flocks of pink flamingos. Hiking around the diverse desert, you will find hot springs, mountains, and geysers. The Atacama Desert even hosts its observatory, offering visitors a glimpse at the stars. Whether you hike through the mountains, explore the hot springs, or view the wildlife, the Atacama Desert should be on your bucket list.
9. Stand in the middle of the World
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, Ecuador
Located in Pichincha, Ecuador, this 98-foot (30-meter) monument stands on the equator and celebrates the middle of the world. Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (The Middle of the World, The Equator) highlights the equator, which separates the northern and southern hemispheres of the world and is how Ecuador gets its name. A unique yellow line divides the two hemispheres, letting you prove to others that you were in two hemispheres at once. Unfortunately, the monument is placed about 820 feet (250 meters) off the actual equator, but it is still an interesting monument to visit, creating a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list experience of “standing” in two hemispheres at once!
10. Unravel Ancient Mysteries
Easter Island, Chile
Known for its 1,000 looming face statues called moai, Easter Island is located off the coast of Chile. Additionally, the island holds many archaeological sites to explore as well as many scenic beaches. Easter Island is perfect for both history and mystery enthusiasts as the island offers plenty of each. Easter Island is a beautiful bucket list experience for anyone.
11. Go Surfing in Punta del Este, Uruguay
A luxury resort city, Punta del Este is a very popular vacation experience for good reason. With beaches for both swimming and surfing, five-star hotels, buzzing nightlife, and many sea animals, Punta del Este has it all. This resort city is a perfect once-in-a-lifetime experience to experience a luxurious vacation in South America. Playa Brava is renowned for surfing and popular among young people.With amazing food, whale watching, and fashion boutiques, there is something for everyone at Punta del Este, making an amazing, family-friendly bucket list experience.
12. Drink Malbec Wine in Argentina
Mendoza, Argentina
Known for its wine, Mendoza in Argentina is the perfect bucket list experience for wine and food enthusiasts. The famous Malbec wine is made in the region and two-thirds of Argentina’s wine production takes place in Mendoza. In addition to wine tasting, the city offers numerous parks and green spaces, making the city very walkable. Additionally, Mendoza offers many world-class restaurants, creating a foodie’s paradise. For a more unique experience, you can experience the Mendoza Wine Festival, which takes place in March every year to celebrate the harvest season. Mendoza offers its visitors plenty of food and wine, making it an unforgettable bucket list experience.
13. Hang out with Penguins
Falkland Islands
Located in the South Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Argentina, the Falkland Islands offer some of the last wilderness virtually untouched by people. The stunning landscape is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of birds, the silence is only broken with their call. The Falkland Islands, in addition to its lack of people, is filled with penguins. Additionally, you will find a scattering of homes, elephant seals, and sea lions. The remote Falkland Islands are a perfect bucket list addition.
14. Go boating in Lake Titicaca
Bolivia and Peru
Located in the Andes mountains and sitting on the border between Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America and the tallest lake in the world at 12,507 feet (3,812 meters) above sea level. Filled with many islands, the lake has been called home for centuries, even before the Incas appeared in the region. From the lake, you will also be surrounded by the beautiful, snow-capped Andes mountains. Lake Titicaca offers a wealth of natural beauty and cultural appreciation in one breathtaking location. Lake Titicaca is a stunning bucket list vacation experience.
15. Pray with Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Towering over the city of Rio de Janeiro, the Christ the Redeemer Statue stands at 125 feet (38 meters) including its pedestal. The statue, built in 1931 out of soapstone, is located on Corcovado Mountain. The hike to see the looming statue offers breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro down below. As you look up at the statue, you will be able to truly appreciate its magnitude. The towering soapstone Christ the Redeemer statue is a must for anyone’s bucket list.
16. Swim with Sea Lions in Peru
Ballestas Islands, Peru
Several rocky islands off the coast of Peru, the Ballestas Islands offer many encounters with wildlife that cannot be found elsewhere. With various bird species, Humboldt penguins, seals, and sea lions, exploring the Ballestas Islands offers an exciting wildlife experience. Filled with rocky cliffs and sandy mountains, the Ballestas Islands offer a unique landscape that compliments the wonderful wildlife that calls the islands home. This once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience is not to be missed.
17. Explore a Canyon That’s Twice the depth of the Grand Canyon
Colca Canyon, Peru
One of the deepest canyons in the world at over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) deep, exploring Colca Canyon is an amazing bucket list experience. Filled with both pre-Inca and Spanish colonial influences in both architecture and ruins that sit in the canyon, Colca Canyon is also home to amazing wildlife. From giant Andean condors flying above the canyon walls to the clumsy-looking alpacas and llamas that graceful climb the canyon, to Chilean flamingos flocking to water within the canyon, the Colca Canyon offers many exciting adventures both within and around its walls to explore. The Colca Canyon is a great experience to add to your bucket list.
18. Climb a Rainbow Mountain
Cusco, Peru
You will have seen countless pictures of Rainbow Mountain on Instagram and, if you’re already in Cusco, its unmistakable seams of red, yellow, and orange will now be a common sight all over the city’s hostels and tour agencies. This site - which is also known as Vinicunca, Winikunka, Montaña de Siete Colores, and Montaña de Colores - has blown up in popularity in the last few years and is arguably now well on its way to becoming the second most visited attraction in the Peru after Machu Picchu.
19. Go Birding in a Private Ecological Reserve
Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, Ecuador
A 2,000-acre (8.1 square kilometers) conservation area in Ecuador, the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve can be found in the Andes Mountains. Covered in clouds, the reserve is much less known than its similar cloud forest counterpart in Costa Rica. Exploring this virtually untouched forest, you will find yourself engulfed by clouds, creating an enchanting experience. Additionally, the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve is home to a huge variety of bird species, making it a bird watcher’s paradise. This bucket list experience of the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve is unlike any other nature experience.
20. Hike to Iguazu Falls
Argentina and Brazil
The largest waterfall system in the world, Iguazu Falls acts as a natural border between Argentina and Brazil. With 275 different falls tumbling over the Paraná Plateau into the Iguazu River down below, these stunning waterfalls are a massive sight to behold. Ranging from 197 to 269 feet (60 to 82 meters) tall, visitors will be astounded by the sheer amount of water that moves from the upper part of the river to the lower part. Whether you hike to the main falls or take a helicopter to view it from above, Iguazu Falls are the perfect bucket list experience.
South America offers many amazing bucket list experiences. From towering statues to large salt flats, the continent has numerous offers. This list gives the top 20 bucket list experiences in South America that you should add to your bucket list. With both natural and man-made experiences, there are so many experiences worthy to be on your bucket list. Do you have recommendations for experiences that should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments below.