8 must-visit cities in South America

Tamara Hinson

Tamara Hinson

Bored with Bali? Disappointed with Dubai? Consider a visit to South America, a region filled with the world's most exciting cities.

The historic Basilica of San Francisco in Quito
The historic Basilica of San Francisco in Quito © Thomas - Adobe Stock Image

Whether you opt for the gastronomic paradise of Lima, Peru, or the high-altitude, breathtaking beauty of Quito, Ecuador, these enchanting cities dotted across South America are guaranteed to delight.

Getting to South America: there are many ways to get to South America but surely the best is to go with the experts? Browse the current deals on trips from Wendy Wu Tours*, which offers numerous itineraries of various durations and budgets.

Lima, Peru

In recent years, Peru*'s capital, Lima, has blossomed into a culinary hotspot. Head to this coastal capital for every type of cuisine.

There's something for all budgets from the award-winning fare at restaurants like Central, where Michelin-starred chef Virgilio Martinez serves up contemporary twists on Peruvian classics, to fantastic street food (like anticuchos, a skewered meat snack eaten since pre-Columbian times).

Shopping in the centre of Lima, Peru
Shopping in the centre of Lima, Peru © Antonangelo De Martini - Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Other reasons to love the city include its beautifully rugged, wave-based beaches and Huaca Pucllana, an adobe pyramid which dates back to 200CE, right in the heart of Lima.

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La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz is the world's highest administrative capital, hence the oxygen bottles you'll see tucked behind hotel reception desks. It's chaotic and colourful, but there's no better way to experience the real Bolivia*, and it's one of South America's most affordable destinations.

Start with a wander through the El Mercado de las Brujas, or Witches' Market, to watch locals stocking up on ingredients believed to have magical powers. Examples include the llama foetuses, purchased by locals who bury them under the foundations of new homes.

Cycling the Death Road near La Paz, Bolivia
Cycling the Death Road near La Paz, Bolivia © Mezzotint Fotolia - Adobe Stock Image

Next, take some time out in one of the beautiful churches or tackle the famous Death Road, an 80-kilometre, hairpin turn-dotted bike ride along what was once the only road into La Paz.

When hunger strikes, head to Gustu, opened in 2013 by Claus Meyer, co-founder of Copenhagen's legendary Noma restaurant.

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Cusco, Peru

Many travellers make a beeline for Cusco, which has the added advantage of Peru's most beautiful hotels, including many inside former monasteries, such as Belmond's antique-filled Hotel Monasterio.

Cusco, once capital of the Inca Empire
Cusco, once capital of the Inca Empire © Sorin Colac - Alamy Stock Photo

While Cusco is known as the starting point for those heading to Machu Picchu, there are plenty of other ruins worth checking out, such as the 15th-century Sacsayhuaman temple complex, a short walk from the city centre.

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São Paulo, Brazil

One of the region's largest cities (over 12 million people live here), it's another South American centre with a fantastic food scene, and is known as Brazil*'s capital of pizza - there are over 6,000 pizzerias here.

Although its never-ending landscape of skyscrapers can seem overwhelming at first, there are plenty of green spaces amongst the concrete. A favourite is Ibirapuera Park, created in 1954 to mark the city's 400th anniversary.

It's home to São Paulo's top museums, including the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, Museu de Arte Moderna and the Museu Afro Brasil (Afro Brazil Museum).

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Montevideo, Uruguay

A seriously underrated beach resort, Uruguay*'s Montevideo is a schizophrenic city, with a downtown core where skyscrapers sit next to art deco and neo-classical creations, and where vibrant beachfront neighbourhoods like Punta Carretas and Pocitos have a laidback, Floridian feel.

Pocitos Beach, Montevideo
Pocitos Beach, Montevideo © GVictoria - Dreamstime.com

In fact, it's one of the most easy-going destinations in South America: both marijuana and gay marriage are legal, and it's one of the region's safest cities.

Highlights include the plaza-filled La Ciudad Vieja (old town), Plaza Matríz for the daily flea market (you'll find everything from gemstones to silver antiques) and the city's delicious coffee.

Grab a cup at Café Brasilero, which has been a hangout for intellectuals and writers since it opened in the late 1800s.

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Please note: travellers with respiratory problems may wish to take medical advice before embarking on a trip to destinations at high elevations in South America.

La Paz in Bolivia is over 3,500 metres above sea level, that's nearly 12,000 ft, while Cusco in Peru is over 3,000 metres and Quito in Ecuador just under that.

Salvador, Brazil

Salvador's popularity has rocketed in recent years. Darker aspects of the city's history - it was one of Portugal's biggest slave trade centres - have infused it with African culture.

This is most evident in the colourful Pelourinho, or old town, where slave auctions once took place. A massive restoration effort in the 1990s returned its oldest buildings to their former glory and today, the entire neighbourhood is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is a huge city which still manages to be easily navigable, thanks to a fast, reliable underground metro (the first in South America), 130 km of bike lanes and a growing number of pedestrianised streets in barrios such as Soho, Recoleta and Balvanera.

Nineteenth-century architecture in the centre of Buenos Aires
Nineteenth-century architecture in the centre of Buenos Aires © Jeffrey Eisen - Unsplash

It's easy to see why the city is a popular final stop for backpackers exploring South America; it's got Argentina*'s best hotels, bars and restaurants.

Head to Recoleta for a culture fix (highlights include the historic Recoleta Cemetery and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes), to up-and-coming Villa Crespo for cocktails (ideally at the brilliant, speakeasy-style 878 bar).

Meanwhile, Caballito is the place to people-watch in leafy plazas, or to ride on one of the neighbourhood's Tranvía Histórico streetcars, maintained by Amigos del Tranvía (friends of the tramway) Association.

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Quito, Ecuador

It's official: Quito in Ecuador* is no longer simply a transit stop for travellers heading to the Galapagos. A high-altitude capital (2,850 metres above sea level, to be precise), it's a city filled with gorgeous churches like the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito is one of the oldest in South America.

It's also surrounded by volcanoes, although one of its biggest attractions is the equator line, more specifically the La Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World), a theme park-like attraction where you can pose with one foot either side of the equator - despite the fact it recently emerged the real thing is actually a five-minute walk away.

Quito's a great base for day trips too. Consider the Rosadex Farm, where you can sign up for guided tours of one of the world's biggest rose farms, or the wildlife-filled Mindo Cloud Forest.

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Ready to discover South America? Check out the latest offers on expertly-guided breaks with Wendy Wu Tours.

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Tamara Hinson

Tamara Hinson

Tamara Hinson is a freelance travel writer who loves getting off the beaten path. Specialising in adventure travel, she often covers outdoor activities such as snowboarding, mountain biking and scuba diving. Tamara's work features regularly in newspapers such as The Telegraph and The Independent along with numerous travel websites.

Posted on Monday 16th May 2022 in: City Excursions South America

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