From the Andean highlands to the far reaches of Patagonia, South America has long been a rite of passage for backpackers. Shaped as much by word of mouth as by guidebooks, the continent’s most memorable destinations are often those discovered on overnight buses, in shared hostels, or along well-worn trekking routes. This article brings together the places that consistently rise to the top of backpacking recommendations—destinations defined not only by iconic landscapes, but by the experiences, encounters, and unexpected moments that make South America unforgettable for travelers on the road.
Top backpacking destinations in South America, according to backpackers
Colombia: Totumo Mud Volcano
Its great variety, joy, diversity, rhythm, and charm make it a fantastic place to visit. You cannot leave this country without first visiting the Totumo Mud Volcano. This mud volcano, about 20 meters high, has therapeutic properties and many minerals. The mud is denser than the human body, which prevents sinking; no matter how hard you try to submerge, you float the entire time. It is one of the charms of this incomparable country. Located in Santa Catalina, Bolivar, one hour from Barranquilla. With a pink salt beach just a few kilometers away, it is the perfect combo to break out of the routine.
Venezuela: Catatumbo
Catatumbo is the ideal destination to amaze, impress, and fall in love with Venezuelan nature, not only because of its power, natural beauty, strength, and size. Unique in its kind, it is located in northeastern Venezuela, in the state of Zulia, on the river of the same name that flows into Lake Maracaibo. This electrical storm astonishes everyone: 280 lightning strikes per hour, lasting approximately 10 hours per night, occurring about 250 nights a year. And believe it or not, it is a place suitable for living, visiting, and organizing tourist tours.
Ecuador: El Pailon del Diablo
An imposing 80-meter-high waterfall with three drops that form strong whirlpools inside a canyon, El Pailon del Diablo gets its name from rocks shaped like a devil’s face. The stairs were carved by Ecuadorian indigenous people, making it the ideal place to experience something truly special. The steps lead you into the powerful flow of water, and what makes this site unique is that each step was carved directly into the surrounding rock. Without a doubt, it is impressive. Located in Agua Santa, in the province of Tungurahua, it is the perfect place to fall in love with Ecuador.
Peru: Nazca Lines
This destination is unmissable and one of the most popular on the continent: the Nazca Lines. There are many theories about the creation of this site, giving you yet another reason to visit and explore its mystery. Located in the Nazca Desert, in the department of Ica, in southern Peru, these giant geoglyphs cover more than 500 km² and can only be fully seen from the air. With figures up to 90 meters wide, were they made by extraterrestrials or humans? We do not know. What is certain is that this site is incredible, one of the most astonishing archaeological mysteries in the world.
Uruguay: Cabo Polonio
A small stretch of the Atlantic coast, modest in size but with dazzling skies, open sea, and the largest sea lion refuge in the world. This is Cabo Polonio. Trails connect small villages, with no conventional streets, no buses, giant dunes framing sunsets, a lighthouse, and a small neighborhood without electric lighting that reveals an incredible night sky. Waiting for nightfall to gaze at the stars is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. Enjoying its virgin beaches during the day, whale watching, disconnecting from the world, and reconnecting with nature is what this peaceful place has to offer.
Argentina: Perito Moreno Glacier
A massive block of pure ice is the Argentine destination that delights the eyes. The Perito Moreno Glacier is imposing, dazzling, magnificent, and unique. This site is ideal for breaking out of the routine and witnessing the power of nature. It is located in the province of Santa Cruz, in Los Glaciares National Park. Covering 250 km², it is one of the few glaciers that continues to advance despite global warming. Visiting this place will help you understand how vast the planet is and what inhabits it.
Chile: Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert brings together multiple landscapes, from active and massive geysers to enormous salt flats, a relentless desert, crystal-clear high-altitude lagoons straight out of a movie, oases, dry yet unique scenery, clear skies, and valleys with a Mars-like appearance. Magnificent and powerful, that is Atacama. Located in the regions of Antofagasta, part of Tarapaca and Atacama, in northern Chile, it spans 105,000 km². Without a doubt, a place to visit and return to.
Bolivia: The Death Road
The Death Road is the ideal spot to make your hair stand on end. This stretch runs from La Paz to Coroico, offering incredible scenery along an old road that was decommissioned due to its cliffs but became the most popular, famous, and dangerous road in South America and the world. Eighty kilometers of pure adrenaline, whether by bike, motorcycle, or on foot. The important thing is to experience it. Between 200 and 300 people died there each year, which is why it earned its reputation. In 1995, the Inter-American Development Bank declared it “the most dangerous road in the world.” Not suitable for the fearful, and 100 percent suited for tourism.
Brazil: Lençóis Maranhenses
An oasis with hundreds of 100 percent natural freshwater pools facing the Atlantic Ocean, warm climate, extra-white sand, and ideal conditions for swimming. Lencois Maranhenses are spectacular. Covering 1,500 km², with dunes up to 40 meters high, it ranks among the best of South America and is truly unique. Located in the state of Maranhao, in northeastern Brazil, this oasis that looks like a desert is one of the most breathtaking landscapes ever captured by humans, and best of all, it has not been overrun by mass tourism.