It should come as no surprise that a continent as vast as South America contains a near infinite number of opportunities for adventure. Having limitless possibilities can prove overwhelming, though, especially during the trip planning process.
I thought I’d make things a little easier for you by compiling a list of out-of-this-world experiences, all thoroughly tested for awesomeness and approved by yours truly.
I hope it’ll inspire you to make South America your next destination for adventure. You won’t regret it!
1. Climb Venezuela’s largest table mountain
I’ll be honest with you–the 6-day trek to the summit of Mount Roraima, Venezuela’s largest table mountain, is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it was probably the most physically challenging excursion I’ve ever undertaken. Was the reward worth the effort? Abso-freakin’-lutely. This part of the world is still largely underexplored and overlooked by the average traveler, so to say you’ve stood atop one of the oldest geological formations on Earth will be an achievement few others can claim. Am I saying you should hike nearly 100 kilometers in 6 days risking all manner of personal injury just for some silly bragging rights? Well, I’m not NOT saying that…
Read more: Climbing Venezuela’s Mount Roraima Part 1 & Part 2
2. Tan on a nude beach in Tayrona National Park
If and when you should find yourself on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, make a beeline for Tayrona National Park. Here, you’ll find some of the most stunning, unadulterated white sand beaches for your lounging pleasure, some of which cater to the free-spirited types that prefer to go au naturale. I can’t say I’ll continue frequenting nude beaches in my future, but the experience was sure one to remember.
3. Get high in La Cordillera Blanca
While you’re young and able (or just able) you should probably get your bum to Peru. La Cordillera Blanca, the country’s highest mountain range, is home to several peaks topping out well over 5,000 meters as well as many turquoise-hued lagoons that you’ll swear can’t possibly be real. Hiking enthusiasts will fall in love with this high-altitude playground, and even if you’re not a die-hard outdoorsman, shorter day hikes allow you to experience the mind-blowing scenery without totally wrecking your body.
Read more: Peru’s Forgotten High-Altitude Playground
4. Complete the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
I’m sure you’ve heard many a traveler sing the high praises of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and I’m here to reinforce those praises–it really is as amazing as they say. The ancient Inca city can be reached by various other means (car, train, etc). Even by foot, the Inca Trail is not the quickest or most direct route to Machu Picchu, but that wasn’t the point. The Quechua people worshiped the earth (the pacha mama), and particularly glaciers. The Inca Trail represents a pilgrimage that allowed them to get as close as possible to the heavens and to their revered glacial mountain peaks. The trek allows plenty of time for introspective contemplation as well as ample time to bond with your fellow hikers. And you’ll not only get extraordinary views of the Andes, but you’ll also visit several other impressive archeological sites utilized by the Incan empire. This is truly an experience that should not be missed.
Read more: Machu Picchu: A Twice-in-a-Lifetime Experience
5. Go sandboarding in the Huacachina Dunes
Once you get tired of freezing your tail off in the Andes, make your way toward Peru’s coast. The Huacachina desert oasis, aside from being a gorgeous setting all by itself, is the jumping off point for one of my favorite activities of all time, sandboarding. You’ll speed across the dunes in neon-colored buggies between attempts to ride a clumsy slab of wood down near-vertical hills. If flying face first down a sand dune at what feels like a billion miles per hour doesn’t put a smile on your face, watching your friends wipe out–hard–certainly will.
Heading to Huacachina? Good choice! I recommend Banana’s Adventure Hostel.
6. Hike the Colca Canyon
In Peru’s Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, you can get up-close and personal with Andean condors, perform death-defying stunts like climbing over precarious rock slides, and interact with people whose only notion of traffic is the donkeys that deliver their supplies. It should be noted that this hike is best completed in three days at the very least. It can be done in just two if you’re in a hurry, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Take an extra day or two to enjoy the Sangalle Oasis at the bottom of the valley; bungalows are abundant (and inexpensive) and typically needn’t be booked in advance of your arrival.
Read more: A Comedy of Hangovers: The Colca Canyon Part 1 & Part 2
7. Volunteer in a hostel bar
Hostels in South America seem to be in constant need of helping hands, especially in their bars! Many places will offer free accommodation and discounts on food and drinks in exchange for a few weeks of work. Two weeks is a common minimum requirement, but you can always stay longer if you like. It’s a fantastic way to save a little money while traveling long-term, learn some new skills (can I offer anyone a Pisco Sour?) and make some new friends in the process. I found my volunteer placement through Workaway.info, but many times you can just show up and ask. My few weeks at Kokopelli Hostel in Paracas, Peru, were a blast. I had plenty of time to really get to know the area, and I even got the added benefit of a discount if I ever stayed in another Kokopelli (they also have locations in Cusco, Lima, and Máncora).
8. Visit the floating islands of the Uros
Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake (at an altitude of 3,812 meters) is shared between Peru and Bolivia. On the Peruvian shore, tours of the lake and its many islands can be arranged from the town of Puno. The civilizations inhabiting Lake Titicaca are all fascinating, but the one that stood out most in my mind was that of the Uros people. They live on islands made entirely out of layered reeds that float and move around freely on the lake, and they rely primarily on fishing and a barter system to fulfill all their basic needs. In more recent years, with the decline of fish populations in the lake, they’ve begun to rely more heavily on tourism as well, but it seems to me their culture remains mostly intact.
9. Spend New Year’s Eve in Cusco, Peru
Few things on this list are actually as thrilling as spending New Year’s Eve in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. You’ll be dodging errant fireworks and llamas and dancing to local beats all while doing your best not to be trampled, but it’s an experience you’ll never forget. The energy is contagious, so grab some fireworks of your own and really dive into the fun. Don’t forget to wear yellow panties to guarantee good luck in the new year!
10. Frolic in the world’s largest salt flat
No trip to Bolivia is complete without experiencing el Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. In the rainy months (November to March) the ground is covered with a constant shallow layer of water, creating a striking mirror effect. In the dry months, you can have all kinds of fun with forced perspective photography. There’s never a bad time to visit, in my opinion. The landscape is like nothing you’ll see anywhere else on Earth.
Read more: Searching for Magic in Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni
11. Throw yourself out of a moving airplane
I’m not a big fan of heights, but for some reason I always knew that one day I’d be freefalling toward the ground from 10,000 feet. Skydiving is the ultimate adrenaline rush; I’d highly recommend it to anyone with a taste for adventure. I decided to give it a try in Alta Gracia, Argentina, a small town just outside of Córdoba in the northwestern region of the country. I got a DVD and plenty of photos of my experience, all for a very reasonable price.
Read more: Skydiving in Argentina
12. Ride a speed boat into a raging waterfall
A trip to Iguazu Falls on the Argentina-Brazil border is a thrill in and of itself; few things in this world are more impressive than the power of a waterfall that’s nearly 3 kilometers wide and up to 82 meters tall. If you want to get the full experience, though, I suggest paying a little extra for a speed boat ride straight into the base of the falls. From the Argentinian side of the falls, you can book a Nautical Adventure tour which lasts a mere 12 minutes, but allows you to get intimate with the falls in a whole new way. In the summer months (I went in February) it’s also the perfect way to cool off from the sticky jungle heat.
Read more: A Solo Trip to Iguazu Falls
13. Tour the countryside by bicycle
Whether you’re speeding through the mountains of Colombia, bombing down a volcano in Ecuador, or pedaling from vineyard to vineyard in Argentina, be sure to set aside a day or two for touring South America by bicycle. Tours are abundant and cater to all tastes and skill levels. Colombian Bike Junkies operates out of Medellin and San Gil and offers a wide variety of tours.
Read more: Adventures in Wine Country
14. Explore the Paracas National Reserve on ATVs
Far and away, the best way to tour the vast desert of the Paracas National Reserve in Peru is by ATV. The wide open spaces allow for a wild, high-speed ride while you take in the beauty of the sweeping Pacific coastline. If you prefer lush greenery to dusty, never-ending desert, you can always tour the Colombian countryside instead.
Read more: ATV Riding with Medellin Adventure Trails
15. Get your groove on at Carnival
Finally, samba your way through the crowded streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or salsa your way into the hearts of Colombians in Barranquilla–either way, be sure not to miss South America’s most impressive Carnival celebrations. This one will require a bit of advanced planning as both locations tend to book up well ahead of time, but I promise you the extra effort will be worth it. In February, Rio or Barranquilla are where you want to be! (Photo credit: travelFREAK)
Read more: The Ten Commandments of Carnaval de Barranquilla
Have you traveled in South America? What other adventures would you add to this list?
