South America travel tips
Chilean cornucopia
Chilean cornucopia
David Orrock from our supplier Pura Adventure highlights the dazzling variety of distinctive experiences in Chile in his South America travel tips:
“There are so many… wrapped up warmly, star gazing in the Atacama Desert; staying in a family home on the Pacific Coast of Chiloé tucking into the freshest seafood and sipping delicious Chilean wine; traveling by boat upriver into Torres del Paine National Park rather than bouncing around on a gravel road. We spend as much time out and about in the open air to make sure people get a sense of Chile every day of their trip.”
Our South America Vacations
South America tour, coast to coast
Epic discovery journey across South America
From
£4226
19 days
ex flights
Ecuador ecolodge, Napo Wildlife Centre
A luxurious eco-lodge in wildlife rich Ecuadorean Amazon
From
US $1681 to US $2002
4 days
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Ecuador adventure vacation, tailor made
From volcano-top to Amazon basin and everything in between!
From
US $2420
9 days
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Highlights of Brazil and Peru vacation
14 Days: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Iguazu, Rio
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£2695
14 days
ex flights
Going wild in Brazil
Going wild in Brazil
Anna Scrivens from our supplier Audley Travel offers wise words contrasting the Amazon and Pantanal for wildlife fans in her South America travel tips:
“We’re very careful with how we describe the Amazon because some people go there expecting to see a lot of wildlife. But really you don’t because the rainforest is so dense. So people can be disappointed if they have the wrong expectations. The Amazon is not really about the wildlife; it’s more of a jungle experience. If it’s wildlife you’re interested in then you need to go to the Pantanal. It’s not as famous as the Amazon, but the wildlife is much better. It feels much less like a jungle because the vegetation is so dense – but that’s why you see more wildlife.”
Is an overland tour for you?
Is an overland tour for you?
Jess Millett, from our supplier, Tucan Travel, shares her advice on what sort of traveler is suited to a South America overland trip: “To make the most of an overland tour you need to be very flexible, quite patient, and up for a really good adventure. Due to the very nature of these tours, there’s always a chance that something can go wrong – like a tyre blowing, or a break down – so you need to be able to shrug that off and make the most of it. An overland trip is ideal for solo travelers as it’s a very sociable style of travel – you’re mucking in together; you’re cooking together; you’re cleaning together, so there’s a definite community spirit. You’re almost guaranteed to make some really good friends and share some incredible memories.”
City tips
City tips
Elena Larkin from our supplier Natural World Safaris is originally from Lima, and highlights its growing appeal in her South America travel tips:
"Lima is changing - and it's all due to the gastronomy boom of the last few years. The city itself has a lot to offer: the center is still very colonial, there are lots of museums and we have ruins about an hour away. It's been understated for so many years - people just stayed there for a night before heading to Cuzco - but nowadays people are starting to stay for two or three nights.”
Argentine Patagonia
Argentine Patagonia
Kathy Jarvis from our supplier Andean Trails goes misty-eyed about vast skies and cowboy culture in her Argentina travel advice:
“Immense skyscapes are one of Patagonia’s key features. Though traveling distances can be long these amazing skies and vast empty scenery are so different you switch into a different time mode – hours float by. Glacier lakes and granite spires are oases in the landscapes. Spit roasted lamb and huge chunks of beef accompanied with a fabulous Malbec epitomises the Argentine attitude to food: plenty of it, tasty, nourishing and uncomplicated.”
Our top South America Vacation
Galapagos cruises
Sail in a charming red schooner
From
US $3300
8 days
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Tailor made:
Daily departures throughout the year.
Daily departures throughout the year.
Travel Team
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Tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful South America travel travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful South America travel travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.

Talking to local people about their lives was one of the most fascinating aspects of this vacation
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Joanna Rothon
"Make sure you're in good shape for long and sometimes challenging hikes in Patagonia." - Karen Cutler
"In the Atacama, be ready for no internet. But the experience is worth it." - Victoria Edwards
"The ability to speak a little South American Spanish would make it a lot easier. Also make sure you take some warm clothing for early starts and high areas visited. But don't forget the sun hat and sun screen as well." - Dave Thalrose
"Peru and Bolivia are developing countries and hygiene and timekeeping are rather different there. Remember to respect locals and their way of life too!" - Kristiina Puusaari-Sheahan
"In the Atacama, be ready for no internet. But the experience is worth it." - Victoria Edwards
"The ability to speak a little South American Spanish would make it a lot easier. Also make sure you take some warm clothing for early starts and high areas visited. But don't forget the sun hat and sun screen as well." - Dave Thalrose
"Peru and Bolivia are developing countries and hygiene and timekeeping are rather different there. Remember to respect locals and their way of life too!" - Kristiina Puusaari-Sheahan

In the Atacama, be ready for no internet. But the experience is worth it.![]()

Victoria Edwards
"In Iquazu, all payments for tours are required in cash - no cards accepted. And the US dollar is in favour - but in the shops/restaurants cards are OK." - Vera Alladitta
"Make sure your camera has a huge memory card... and take a good lip balm because the altitude makes your lips dry!!" - Jo Curry
"If you are not on a direct flight back to the UK - we changed planes at Madrid - you may have to change terminal and the authorities will take any liquid duty free off you. I'm still cross about my vintage wine!" - Patricia Stott
"Talking to local people about their lives was one of the most fascinating aspects of this vacation." - Joanna Rothon
"Make sure your camera has a huge memory card... and take a good lip balm because the altitude makes your lips dry!!" - Jo Curry
"If you are not on a direct flight back to the UK - we changed planes at Madrid - you may have to change terminal and the authorities will take any liquid duty free off you. I'm still cross about my vintage wine!" - Patricia Stott
"Talking to local people about their lives was one of the most fascinating aspects of this vacation." - Joanna Rothon