South America Travel Guide

From the thundering waters of Iguazu Falls to the untouched shores of the Galapagos Islands, the marvels of Machu Picchu to the glistening glaciers of Torres del Paine National Park, South America overflows with options. Our South America Travel Guide has inspiration and helpful information on how you can enjoy your next trip, no matter where on the continent you wish to visit. For more information, fill out a Trip Request to speak with a local South America travel specialist to create the perfect itinerary personalized to you.

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Arequipa Cathedral at sunset, historic landmark in Peru with volcanic mountains in the background

6 Best Countries to Visit in South America

The best countries to visit in South America reflect the continent's diversity and capture the passion of local culture, the spirit of nature, and the...
Woman in traditional costume in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

How to Plan a Trip to South America: Frequently Asked Questions

Your interest in a trip to South America can elicit questions and this list of those frequently asked can help you get started on creating your unforgettable...
Mother and son on family vacation at Las Cascadas Waterfall in Chilean Patagonia

6 Tips for a South America Family Trip

Our six tips for planning a family trip to South America will help you design a smooth travel experience that will introduce you and your kids to the...
Cabo San Juan in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

15 Best Beaches in South America

The 15 best beaches in South America reflect the continent's diversity and embody the unique wonders of coastal majesty, freshwater beauty, wilderness...
Buenos Aires, Argentina

6 Safe South American Countries and Tips for Your Trip

For travelers eager to explore the diversity of nature and culture, South America is safe to visit, and we highlight the countries to travel to on vacation...
Autumn at Fitz Roy Mountain, Patagonia

Our 7 Best Patagonia Itineraries

Barren, shimmering, and wild, Patagonia embodies the frontier of South America, where untamed nature reigns supreme, and our seven best Patagonia itineraries...
Snorkelers at Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

7 Best Places to Visit in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

The seven best places to visit in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands capture your imagination and inspire you to see the world differently. Wildlife is...
Mother and son at Torres del Paine National Park in South America

Our 7 Best South America Itineraries for Families

Our seven South America itineraries for families offer inspiration for finding the best activities, experiences, and destinations that fit with how you...
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Experience the Real Encanto in Colombia

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Balloons over Cappadocia in Turkey.

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4.9

Reviews of Zicasso's South America Tours & Vacations

Based on 4975 verified traveler reviews.

Argentina, Brazil Travel Review: Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Tango Shows, Vineyard Tours, Boat Ride, Wine, Local Cuisine, 11-Night Trip

My wife and I recently embarked on a breathtaking journey through South America, visiting Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Iguazú Falls in Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. We entrusted Zicasso's tour agency with planning our trip and it turned out to be one of the best travel decisions we've ever made.

From the very beginning, the team at the tour company was attentive and responsive, taking the time to understand our preferences and interests. They crafted a personalized itinerary that perfectly balanced adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration.

Buenos Aires: Our adventure began in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. The agency arranged for a knowledgeable local guide who took us through the historic neighborhoods, tango shows, and culinary delights. The accommodations were centrally located, allowing us to explore the city with ease.

Mendoza: Next, we traveled to Mendoza, where we were immersed in the world of wine. The tour agency organized exclusive vineyard tours and tastings, providing us with a unique insight into the region's winemaking traditions. The picturesque landscapes and charming boutique hotel made our stay unforgettable.

Iguazú Falls: The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls. The agency ensured we had the best vantage points and arranged for a thrilling boat ride that brought us up close to the cascading waters. Their attention to detail and seamless logistics made this experience truly magical.

Rio de Janeiro: Our journey concluded in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. The travel company curated a perfect blend of iconic sights like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, along with hidden gems that showcased the city's unique culture. The beachfront hotel provided stunning views and a relaxing end to our adventure.

Throughout the trip, the tour company was always available to assist with any questions or adjustments, ensuring a stress-free experience. Their expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident in every aspect of our journey.

We wholeheartedly recommend this company to anyone seeking a well-organized and memorable travel experience. We look forward to planning our next adventure with them!

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Argentina, Uruguay Tour Review: Buenos Aires, Salta Province, Iguazu Falls, Wineries, Scenery, 1-Week Trip

Our Argentina trip was really fantastic! It's such a large country that it was hard to narrow down a few places to visit for our short time there. We decided on Buenos Aires, Salta Province, and Iguazú Falls (with a day trip to Uruguay).

Zicasso’s travel company was very easy to work with, being very open and accommodating to our ideas for the itinerary. They managed everything—booking hotels, car service, daily guides and tours, wineries, some restaurants, and our in-country flights. They were great in finding perfect guides to help us navigate where we went and offer lots of good historical information. The travel company was super-communicative, checking in with us almost daily and keeping track of our driver pick-ups and in-country flights.

I think the highlight for me was the Salta Province—it's such a remote area, but with the most beautiful and diverse scenery. The travel company found for us a fantastic driver/guide who did all the driving on some treacherous terrain, translated all our communication, and found some charming places to eat while on the road. He also was very thoughtful in downloading a playlist with music we had talked about liking and put together a short video of our travels as a keepsake. There were some fabulous wineries in the Salta region, so we felt like we experienced a large part of the province.

We also visited Iguazú Falls, which were spectacular from Argentina and Brazil. The travel company made it easy in booking us accommodations inside the national park so we could get an early start on our tour. Our guide there was also wonderful—she shared a lot of interesting information of the area and even told us about a restaurant back in Buenos Aires which we visited, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.

I would highly recommend the travel company, which can plan a great trip from soup to nuts. The women we worked with were delightful to deal with and so welcoming and helpful.

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Argentina, Brazil, Chile Travel Review: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Mendoza, Valparaiso, Rio
"Our trip was spectacular! Our agent built an itinerary that was perfect for our group of two couples. The service we received was outstanding."

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Peru Travel Review: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lima, Culture, Ruins, Local Cuisine, 10 Nights

We had excellent guides and hotels throughout our trip. Zicasso’s trip planner helped develop an itinerary that fit our interests perfectly. We enjoyed our time in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lima.

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Peru Tour Review: Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Lares Trail, Sacsayhuaman, Huayna Picchu, Sacred Valley, Salt Mines, Hiking, Biking, Local Cuisine, 12 Nights

Zicasso's travel specialist was spectacular in every way. From the inception of communication and planning, through arranging for all of our tickets, hotels, transport, and amazing dining experiences, to the incredible support and guides we enjoyed along the way... they were outstanding and we received five-star service.

We were a demanding group of 13, ranging in ages from 17 to over 60, and we all had an absolute blast! We had an absolutely amazing trip. The Lares Trail and Machu Picchu (and our climb up Huayna Picchu) are by far some of the most memorable experiences we've ever had.

Our guide and driver were awesome... kind, professional, and accommodating, and our guide especially was very knowledgeable, with so much respect and love for the surrounding nature and culture.

Our travel specialist was timely, attentive, and responsive to all of our requests, and helped us collectively achieve one of the greatest vacations we have ever experienced.

They were 100% accurate in terms of how to prepare us for the altitude and allow us enough time to acclimatize in Cusco (and with a great, long, mountain bike ride at high elevation). Our specialist provided excellent recommendations for how to fill some additional time in Cusco while we acclimated. We loved touring Cusco itself, and seeing Sacsayhuaman, several spots in the Sacred Valley, and the Maras Salt Mines were all unforgettable experiences. We also loved the hotel she had us at in Cusco. It was a great spot to be able to explore the city on our own time.

After seeing all of the coordination, especially for the Lares Trail and Machu Picchu, we're so relieved we chose to go through Zicasso for this trip and were connected with our travel specialist and her company. Everything was well planned and thought out, and if anything was not right, they sought to immediately correct it. Our guide was on top of every detail and it was great knowing our agent was just a text or phone call away.

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Argentina Vacation Review: Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Salta, Iguazu Falls, Tango Lesson, Cooking Classes, Boat Trip, Hiking, 2 Weeks

Argentina was all we hoped for and more! Thank you to Zicasso’s travel specialist and the travel company for a beautiful and unforgettable trip!

Although we entered this journey with little knowledge of South America or Argentina, we were expertly guided by the travel specialist from the first conversation and over many others.

Our trip was tailored to many specifications—private tours, drivers, boutique hotels, restaurant reservations, and unique experiences. We felt very cared for and the lines of communication were open for any questions or guidance. We had a fabulous mix of nature and city—from the incredible Buenos Aires to Bariloche, Salta, and the Iguazú Falls.

Argentina is a large country that required good planning and navigation to optimize our experience over the two weeks we had. The travel specialist helped us organize an itinerary that kept us on schedule, with knowledgeable and fun English-speaking guides who met us at our hotels, local drivers, boats, and many planes. Her recommendations gave us experiences we might never have found or tried. We were leery of our private tango lesson and day in Tigre. With the travel specialist’s encouragement we agreed and these activities became some of our most memorable travel experiences. We were also able to incorporate some much-appreciated free time into our days for wandering or relaxation.

We would highly recommend the travel specialist and the travel company to personalize a trip to Argentina. Thank you again!!!!

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