12 of the Most Picturesque Locations in South America

by Lana.B, CrowdSourcedExplorer | 19 November 2022 | South America Travel Guide

South America contains some of the most stunning natural locations in the world, from the towering, dramatic mountains of the Andes, to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, to the arid deserts and badlands in the north of Colombia and Brazil.

The continent is also home to impressive man-made wonders including ancient indigenous structures, impressive colonial architecture, and more modern architecture from the 19th and 20th Centuries and beyond.

All in all, a paradise for photographers.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect “Instagram moment,” taking some snaps as a memento of a perfect holiday, or you are a professional photographer looking to expand your portfolio, you’ll find a dizzying array of options in the world’s fourth-largest continent.

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, an itinerary planner on iOS and Android

Here, we’ve gathered 12 must-visit locations, with a choice from every one of the South America’s nations.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Maybe it goes without saying that Machu Picchu belongs on anybody’s itinerary for a visit to Peru—and in fact, we’ve avoided some more “obvious” choices for this list, such as the Cristo Redentor statue in Rio de Janeiro.

However, we simply couldn’t omit South America’s most spectacular location. The combination of a hugely important and impressive archaeological site with stunning natural surroundings is simply otherworldly.

Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil

If you’re into nature photography, then this group of islands off the northeast of Brazil is a must-visit for its combination of marine and land life.

Beautiful sea views, historic forts, surprisingly jagged (albeit not very high) rocky peaks, and lush, dense forests complete a wonderful location to explore and photograph.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

This Chilean national park, found in Patagonia in the south of the country, is heaven for mountain lovers.

The jagged peaks of the Cordillera del Paine are a challenging climb by anybody’s standards, but fortunately one does not have to be an expert mountaineer to photograph them. The “classic” view is across the waters of Lago del Toro, but they’re impressive from any angle.

Lake Titicaca, Bolivia/Peru

South America’s largest lake sits amidst the Andes mountains on the border between Bolivia and Peru, being easily accessible from La Paz on the Bolivian side and Juliaca on the Peruvian side.

There are many great photo opportunities in the area, with panoramas including beautiful islands, mountains, cities—and of course the lake itself, whose waters are a stunning sapphire blue if you catch them on the right day.

Asunción, Paraguay

Don’t think we’ve forgotten urban photography!

Paraguay’s capital, sometimes known as “the Mother of Cities,” offers plenty of opportunities.

In particular, be sure to visit the “seven treasures” of Asunción’s cultural heritage:

• Palacio de los López

• Panteón Nacional de los Héroes

• The Cabildo

• Catedral de Asunción

• Hotel Guaraní

• Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane

• Catedral de la Santísima Trinidad

Kaieteur Falls, Guyana

This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, with stunning views of the Potaro River valley from the top.

Pro tip: take a charter flight to get there. Not only does this give you a stunning aerial view of the falls, it also saves you a five day expedition from Georgetown by bus, boat, and finally by foot (in sweltering heat, climbing through rainforest).

Mendoza, Argentina

We’re referring to the Argentine province as a whole here, not just its capital city (although that is very pleasant, with several historic buildings).

The region is famed for its Malbec wines, grown in beautiful vineyards from which you can gaze up at the most imposing section of the Andes: the Principal Cordillera, which contains Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the world outside of Asia.

Montevideo, Uruguay

If you visit just one city in South America, make it Uruguay's capital.

It’s aesthetically stunning, safe, and full of activities and tourist sites. The city’s architecture is a mix of colonial, post-colonial and modern styles, all of it incredibly well-preserved, making for fantastic photographic opportunities.

Salto Ángel, Venezuela

Venezuela is not the easiest country to visit these days, but we couldn’t just miss the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall off our list.

Requiring a complex trek through rainforest to reach, the Salto Ángel (Angel Falls) is a genuinely breathtaking sight and well worth the journey.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

One of the world’s highest active volcanoes, Cotopaxi is Ecuador’s equivalent of Mt. Fiji or Mt. Kilimanjaro—a free-standing, snow-capped volcanic peak that dominates the surrounding area.

It is an active volcano, with the most eruption taking place in late 2015, but it is not considered to be an imminent risk.

Central Suriname Nature Reserve, Suriname

This area of completely pristine rainforest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason.

Teeming with wildlife from jaguars to white-faced sakis, the reserve also contains several of Suriname’s highest mountains and granite domes that tower over the forest, offering impressive views of the lush vegetation.

Tatacoa Desert, Colombia

Walking through Colombia’s Tatacoa Desert can feel like being on an alien planet.

Whether it’s the surreal landscapes and cacti of the Red Desert or the fascinating rock structures and valleys of the Gray Desert, you’ll find amazing views and photo opportunities around every corner.

Looking to discover more great locations in South America and around the world?

Be sure to check out CrowdsourcedExplorer.com, where inhabitants of over 5,000 cities in more than 180 countries provide advice and information about the places they live in.

Did you enjoy this article?

Feel free to save or pin this image so that you can always look back on this blog post!

Other articles you will enjoy: