About South America
The world's fourth-largest continent offers a wealth of diverse experiences. The northern tip of South America embraces the warm and calm Caribbean, while its southern-most point is separated from frigid Antarctica by the Drake Passage. In between lies the world's largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon jungle; one of the planet's longest rivers, the Amazon River; one of earth's longest mountain ranges, the Andes; the driest non-polar desert in the world, the Atacama; and a treasure trove of pre-Columbian ruins, including world-renowned Machu Picchu.
Explore South America
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Overview
Argentina – South America’s second-largest country is blessed with unparalleled natural beauty, including part of Patagonia, and a cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires, which is a world-class city famed for its food, nightlife, and architecture.
Peru – Part Atacama Desert, part Amazon rainforest, part Pacific, Peru is home to bucket-list Machu Picchu, the Incan city high in the Andes; and Cusco, where ancient Inca ruins blend with Spanish colonial architecture.
Colombia – With both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, Colombia is a tropical paradise that also boasts some of South America’s most historic colonial cities, including Cartagena, a port city on the Caribbean that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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When to Go
The best time to visit South America depends on which country you are visiting. If going to Colombia, the high season for visitors is December through March, when conditions are driest. If traveling to Peru, keep in mind that it is in the Southern Hemisphere, so summer begins in December and winter begins in June, while May through October is the dry season. For those visiting Argentina, plan your trip for spring.
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Travel Tips & Tools
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