South America is one of those places that feels larger than life. Towering Andean peaks, dense Amazonian jungles, colonial cities bursting with color, and landscapes so surreal they look like something out of a dream.
It’s a continent made for adventure – the kind that pushes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to embrace the unknown. For my husband and I, it’s also the perfect setting for a brand-new chapter.
After years of life in Thailand, a summer of travel through the UK, Mexico, and France, and a temporary base in Brisbane while our daughter works before university, we’re finally stepping into full-time nomadic life.
Come January 2026, we’ll be landing in South America with no fixed return date, just backpacks, an open itinerary, and a commitment to experiencing as much of the continent as we can, mostly by land.
It’ll be the first time in 18 years that we’re truly free to go wherever we want, whenever we want. No school schedules, no logistical juggling – just the road ahead and the thrill of figuring it out as we go.
And while part of me is quite nervous (I became very comfortable living in Thailand and I wouldn’t call South America ‘comfortable’ when it comes to predictability and safety!) I also can’t wait to throw myself into the adventure, to rediscover that edge of travel where things don’t always go to plan, and to remind myself that I’m capable of handling whatever comes my way.
And what better way to kick it all off than Carnivale in Rio with my sister? From there, we’ll dive headfirst into the landscapes, cities, and wild spaces that make South America so legendary.
Here are the 10 places I can’t wait to explore.
1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (and Carnival!)
We’ll likely spend January easing into South America, exploring parts of Chile and Argentina, getting our bearings, and figuring out how to live out of backpacks again.
But come mid-February, it’s all about Carnival in Rio.
From February 13-18, I’ll be swapping hiking boots for something far less sensible and meeting my sister in Brazil for what can only be described as five days of pure, unfiltered chaos.
We’ve talked about doing this for years, and every time I scroll through the photos and videos online, it looks even more ah-maz-ing! The parades, the costumes, the street parties that go on all night. It’s definitely an experience you have to experience firsthand.
After Carnival, we’ll slow things down a notch and explore some more of Brazil – probably Iguazu Falls, maybe some time on the beaches of Bahia, or hopping over to Uruguay for a wine-filled detour.
Buenos Aires sounds pretty tempting. Steak, tango, and Malbec sound like a solid post-Carnival recovery plan.
The beauty of this trip is that nothing’s set in stone. We’ll figure it out as we go. But one thing’s for sure;
Carnivale is happening, and it’s going to be wild.
2. Patagonia (Chile & Argentina)
After the madness of Carnival, we’ll be craving big, open landscapes, and Patagonia looks like the ultimate reset button.
If you’ve ever looked at a map of South America and wondered, Where exactly is Patagonia?, you’re not alone. Turns out, it’s not one specific place but an entire region spanning the southernmost parts of Chile and Argentina.
It’s a land of towering granite peaks, electric-blue glaciers, and winds so strong they’ve been known to knock people off their feet (literally).
There are two major areas that keep popping up in my research:
- Torres del Paine National Park (Chile) – Probably the most famous hiking destination in Patagonia, packed with dramatic rock formations, turquoise lakes, and scenery that makes you feel like a tiny speck in the universe. The W Trek (5 days) or the O Circuit (8-10 days) seem like the ultimate challenge, but let’s see how my knees feel when we get there.
- Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) – Home to the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few glaciers in the world still growing rather than retreating. If standing on a platform watching enormous chunks of ice crack and collapse into the water isn’t dramatic enough, you can actually strap on crampons and walk on the glacier. (I’m pretty sure I won’t be doing that, but let’s see!)
Beyond the big-ticket spots, Patagonia is massive, and there are endless side adventures such as hopping on a boat through the Beagle Channel, visiting Punta Arenas, or making our way down to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world (aka The End of the World).
The weather is likely to be unpredictable and the distances we have to cover are huge. But the landscapes will be mind-blowing and after weeks of chaotic cities and sweaty street parties, Patagonia feels like exactly the kind of wild I’ll be ready for.
3. Machu Picchu & The Sacred Valley (Peru)
I’ve wanted to visit Peru for as long as I can remember, and Machu Picchu has always been at the top of my list. But I don’t just want to see it – I want to challenge my aging body to hike the Inca Trail to get there.
The 4-day trek winds through the Andes, past ancient ruins, misty cloud forests, and some fairly brutal mountain passes. Dead Woman’s Pass sits at a casual 4,215 meters, so let’s just say I’m working on getting my legs fit enough for the challenge.
But the idea of reaching the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) on that final morning, and watching the first light hit Machu Picchu, after putting in the effort to get there, makes the whole experience feel even more special to me.
That said, there’s plenty more to Peru than Machu Picchu. The Sacred Valley is packed with Incan ruins, traditional villages, and vibrant markets, and I’m keen to spend time in places like Ollantaytambo and Pisac before or after the trek.
Plus, having heard Peruvian cuisine is incredible, I fully plan to eat my way through ceviche, lomo saltado, and way too many pisco sours.
My husband will probably want to hike Huayna Picchu, the steep peak overlooking the ruins. But I’m happy to relax at the ruins and watch! 🙂
4. The Amazon Rainforest (Brazil, Peru, Ecuador)
I’ll be honest, the jungle is not my natural habitat.
I’m much more of a beach girl and don’t do well with humidity, insects or anything that wants to bite me or crawl into my ear while sleeping (shudder).
And yet, FOMO calls and I feel the Amazon Rainforest is one of those places that feels too iconic to skip.
It covers nine countries, produces 20% of the world’s oxygen, and is home to one in ten known species on Earth, most of which, let’s face it, probably want to sting, bite, or crawl on me.
But if there’s anywhere to push my comfort zone, it’s here.
I haven’t decided where to base an Amazon adventure yet—Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador all offer amazing entry points—but the goal is the same: slow-moving rivers, dense jungle, and the kind of nature encounters that make you appreciate just how small you are in the grand scheme of things.
Some experiences I feel I should do (but may regret immediately):
- Staying in a jungle lodge, falling asleep to the sound of howler monkeys (which, for the record, sound like demons trapped in trees).
- Piranha fishing (not sure if I want to catch one or just confirm they exist and move on).
- Spotting pink river dolphins—because freshwater dolphins with a slight alien-like quality are undeniably cool.
- Night walks in the jungle, which I already know will involve me questioning every life choice that led to this moment.
- Trying not to panic when I inevitably see a tarantula the size of my hand.
I won’t pretend I’m excited about the insects, the humidity, or the very real possibility of something landing on me in the middle of the night. But the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
If I come away having seen a sloth, heard a distant jaguar (but not too close), and made peace with the bugs, I’ll consider it a success.
5. Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)
Few places in the world look as surreal as Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia’s otherworldly salt flats. Spanning over 10,000 square kilometers, it’s the largest salt flat on Earth, and depending on the season, it either looks like an endless white desert or a giant mirror reflecting the sky.
Either way, it’s going to be a total sensory overload.
I’d love to visit after the rains, when a thin layer of water turns the flats into a seamless reflection of the clouds. Though that does mean getting wet feet and possibly sacrificing some footwear to the cause.
On the flip side, the dry season means that bizarre, perspective-warping photos are on the cards (where you make it look like you’re balancing on a friend’s fingertip or being chased by a tiny toy dinosaur).
But it’s not just the salt flats themselves that make this part of Bolivia worth the trip. The multi-day 4×4 tours also take you through landscapes straight out of a sci-fi movie – red lagoons filled with flamingos, geysers bubbling away in the middle of nowhere, and eerie rock formations shaped by the wind over thousands of years.
It’s going to be cold, remote, and probably involve long stretches of driving through absolute nothingness. But if there’s anywhere on this trip that’s going to make me feel like I’ve landed on another planet, this is it.
6. Cartagena (Colombia)
Cartagena looks like one of those cities that’s impossible not to fall in love with.
With cobbled streets, brightly painted colonial buildings, and just the right balance of history and Caribbean charm, it sounds like the perfect place to slow down and soak it all in for a while.
I can already picture myself wandering through the walled city, stopping every five minutes to take photos of bougainvillea-covered balconies, and finding an excuse to sit at a plaza café with a cold drink while watching the world go by.
There’s something about cities with that old-world-meets-tropical-vibe that just feels good.
Beyond just strolling aimlessly (which is probably what I’ll spend most of my time doing), there’s plenty to explore:
- San Felipe de Barajas Castle – A 16th-century fortress built to defend against pirates. Because apparently, real-life pirates of the Caribbean were a genuine concern here.(I look forward to learning more about the history)
- Playa Blanca & the Rosario Islands – Cartagena is right on the coast, so spending a day or two on white-sand beaches with turquoise waters seems like a no-brainer.
- Getsemaní – The hipster, artsy neighborhood just outside the walled city, filled with street art, live music, and way too many cool bars.
And then, of course, there’s the food. Colombian cuisine doesn’t get as much hype as Peruvian food, but I’m ready to change that for myself.
Fresh seafood, arepas, empanadas, coconut rice—I’ll be making it my mission to sample it all!
Cartagena seems like the kind of place where you don’t need an itinerary—just time. Time to wander, time to sit in plazas, time to enjoy the energy of the city.
And after the trekking, jungle sweat, and high-altitude hikes of the previous stops, that sounds like exactly what I’ll need.
7. The Galápagos Islands (Ecuador)
If there’s one place that feels like a real-life nature documentary, it’s the Galápagos Islands.
It’s got giant tortoises that look like they’ve seen some things, blue-footed boobies (google it) doing their weird little mating dance, and sea lions that have absolutely no concept of personal space.
It’s also one of the few places on Earth where wildlife isn’t remotely bothered by humans, so instead of running away, animals just go about their day while you stand there in awe.
For me, diving in the Galápagos is high on the list. It’s meant to be some of the best diving in the world, with hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and even whale sharks cruising through the currents.
And while younger me would’ve jumped in without a second thought, slightly older me has developed a mild fear of sharks (a combination of living in Australia where there’s an attack a week and too many shark movies!).
But I’m hoping the sheer uniqueness of the experience outweighs the irrational shark-related anxiety.
Beyond diving, there’s plenty to do above the water, too:
- Snorkeling with sea lions – Because apparently, they love to zoom around divers and snorkelers like hyperactive underwater puppies.
- Seeing the giant tortoises – It’s pretty much mandatory to pay a visit to the OG Galápagos residents, some of whom are over 100 years old.
- Hiking on volcanic landscapes – The islands are literally built on lava, and places like Sierra Negra Volcano let you hike along massive craters and surreal landscapes.
- Exploring by boat – Whether it’s a multi-day cruise or just a day trip between islands, being on the water is my happy place and is half the experience here.
The Galápagos isn’t a budget-friendly stop, and getting around requires a bit of planning, but from everything I’ve read, it’s 100% worth it.
If anywhere on this trip is going to feel completely untouched and otherworldly, it’s here. And if I do end up diving with hammerheads, at least I’ll go out doing something epic. 😳
8. Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Buenos Aires is one of those places I’ve never known much about, but the more I read, the more intriguing it becomes.
Some people say it’s one of the most exciting cities in South America, others warn about the crime and chaos. I’m guessing the truth is somewhere in the middle, but I’m looking forward to seeing it for myself.
Often called the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires is famous for its grand architecture, café culture, and passionate energy—a mix of old-world elegance and full-on Latin American vibrance.
I’m expecting plenty of atmosphere, late-night dinners, and the kind of place where you just have to go with the flow.
A few things I absolutely plan on doing:
- Watching tango in San Telmo – Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango, and while I won’t be attempting it myself (for everyone’s sake), I’ll happily soak up the atmosphere with a glass of wine in hand.
- Exploring La Boca – Yes, it’s touristy, but I still want to see the colorful streets of Caminito, where tango dancers perform in the open air, and the whole place looks like it belongs in a painting.
- Eating at a traditional parrilla (steakhouse) – Argentina is the place for steak, and I fully plan to embrace that fact. I’ll let the experts choose my cut and just nod approvingly at whatever lands on my plate.
- Visiting Recoleta Cemetery – A cemetery might not sound like a top attraction, but this one is stunning—grand mausoleums, intricate sculptures, and the final resting place of Eva Perón (Evita).
- Drinking my body weight in Malbec – No explanation needed.
I’ve also heard mixed things about safety, so I’ll be taking the usual precautions—sticking to safe areas, avoiding walking alone at night, and generally trying not to look like an easy target.
But beyond that, I’m going in with an open mind.
Buenos Aires isn’t a place I’ve dreamed about for years, but it’s one I’m really curious about. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.
9. Atacama Desert (Chile)
I love a good desert, and the Atacama is the driest in the world and looks like Mars with better sunsets.
Some parts haven’t seen rain for hundreds of years, and NASA even uses it as a testing ground for Mars missions. So, if there’s anywhere on Earth that’s going to make me feel like I’ve landed on another planet, it’s here.
But despite being a place where basically nothing should survive, Atacama is packed with bizarre and beautiful landscapes:
- Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) – All wind-sculpted rock formations and sand dunes, this place looks like something straight out of a sci-fi film.
- Laguna Cejar – A high-altitude salt lagoon where you can float like you’re in the Dead Sea—but in a way more surreal setting.
- El Tatio Geysers – The highest geyser field in the world, best seen at sunrise when the steam rises dramatically against the cold desert air.
- Flamingo-filled salt flats – Because apparently, even in the driest desert on Earth, flamingos have found a way to make it work.
And then there’s the stargazing. Thanks to the lack of light pollution and insanely clear skies, Atacama is one of the best places in the world for astronomy.
There are observatories where you can use professional telescopes, but even just lying on the ground and looking up should be an experience in itself.
I’m expecting otherworldly landscapes, freezing nights, scorching days, and a lot of dust. But also, some of the most unique and jaw-dropping scenery on the trip.
10. Lençóis Maranhenses (Brazil)
I’ll be honest—I had never even heard of Lençóis Maranhenses until ChatGPT recommended it to me. But as soon as I looked it up, I knew it had to be on the list.
Picture rolling white sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, but instead of just endless desert, they’re dotted with stunning blue lagoons.
It looks completely surreal!
The magic happens because of the rainy season. Unlike most deserts, this one actually gets a decent amount of rain, and instead of disappearing into the sand, the water collects in the valleys between the dunes, forming hundreds of temporary freshwater lagoons.
The result is a landscape that exists nowhere else on Earth.
A few things I’d love to do here:
- Swimming in the lagoons – Because how often do you get to swim in the middle of a desert?
- Exploring the dunes by 4×4 or on foot – Apparently, the landscape changes every year as the wind shifts the dunes, so no two visits are ever the same.
- Sunset from the dunes – I’ve seen the photos, and they look incredible. The kind of view that makes you sit there in stunned silence, trying to process how beautiful nature can be.
It’s not the easiest place to get to—you have to fly into São Luís, Brazil, and then travel a few hours to the park itself. But from everything I’ve read, it’s completely worth the effort.
This place was not on my radar. But that’s the beauty of travel. Sometimes, the best destinations are the ones you never saw coming.
Staying Safe: My South America Survival Plan
As excited as I am for this adventure, I’m not delusional. South America isn’t Thailand, where I could leave my phone on a café table and come back an hour later to find it neatly wrapped in a napkin by a kind waiter.
It’s a place where you need to be a bit more switched on, especially in big cities.
I’m not overly paranoid, but I do believe in stacking the odds in my favor. Here’s the plan:
- Ditch the flashy jewelry & designer gear – Not that I own much of either, but if I suddenly develop a taste for Louis Vuitton, I’ll keep it internal. No need to advertise myself as a walking target.
- Learn some basic Spanish – Nothing screams “tourist” like looking lost and confused. I’ll be making sure I can ask for directions, order food, and politely tell someone I’m not interested in whatever they’re selling.
- Use Uber instead of hailing taxis – Because I’ve heard too many stories of dodgy taxi scams, and I’d rather not add my own to the collection.
- Keep my bag close & wear a money belt – Pickpockets love an easy target. My bag will be staying zipped, and if anyone wants my cash, they’re going to have to work for it.
- Stay aware – No staring at Google Maps in the middle of a busy street, no wandering around alone late at night, and definitely no stumbling home after too many pisco sours.
On top of that, I’ll be trusting my instincts. If a place doesn’t feel right, I’ll move on. If a situation seems sketchy, I won’t stick around to see how it plays out.
Am I a little nervous? Yes. But being cautious doesn’t mean being scared—it just means being prepared. And I’d much rather spend my time enjoying the adventure than dealing with unnecessary drama.
Final Thoughts: The Adventure Begins
South America is going to be a whole new challenge—huge distances, unpredictable weather, and the kind of travel that doesn’t always go to plan. But that’s exactly why I’m doing it.
For the first time in forever, my husband and I will have total freedom to go wherever we want, whenever we want. No schedules, no commitments—just an open-ended journey through one of the most diverse, breathtaking continents on Earth.
I know it won’t always be easy. There will be moments of exhaustion, logistical headaches, and probably a few “what were we thinking?” moments. But that’s part of the adventure. I want to be challenged, I want to be surprised, and I want to step out of my comfort zone in ways I haven’t for years.
From the wild chaos of Rio Carnival to the otherworldly silence of the Atacama Desert, from hiking the Inca Trail to diving with sharks in the Galápagos (while trying not to panic)—this trip is about pushing boundaries, embracing the unknown, and seeing what happens when you just let the journey unfold.
South America, I have no idea what to expect, but I’m ready for whatever you throw at me. Let’s do this.
