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...
Traveler photographing an iguana on the beach at Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, Ecuador

4 Steps to Planning Your Trip to the Galapagos

Our steps for planning your perfect Galapagos trip can unveil Ecuador’s vibrant wonders, where diverse ecosystems and captivating cultures converge. With...
Cobblestone street with colorful buildings in Guatape, Colombia

Experience the Real Encanto in Colombia

With soaring mountains, unspoiled nature, and a charming combination of modern-day heritage and long-held traditions, now is the time to visit Colombia....
Hiker in red jacket walking with Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia's stunning landscape as the backdrop

Argentina vs Peru: Where Should I Travel?

Argentina and Peru offer landscapes and experiences that cater to a variety of interests. From the stunning Andes to the vibrant cultures of their bustling...
Balloons over Cappadocia in Turkey.

How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip in 4 Easy Steps

Explore the world with Zicasso by working with top travel specialists who will bring your dream vacation to life. Our primary goal is to make planning,...
Aerial view of luxury overwater bungalows on Bora Bora island in French Polynesia.

How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip Budget in 3 Easy Steps

Knowing your budget is an essential component of any trip-planning process. Whether the sky's the limit or you have specific parameters, a customized...

4.9

Reviews of Zicasso's South America Tours & Vacations

Based on 31167 verified traveler reviews.

Switzerland Family Travel Review: Lucerne, Zurich, Matterhorn, Jungfraujoch, Giessbach Waterfalls, Aare Gorge, Chocolate Making, 13 Days

Wonderful trip. Excellent travel company that went above and beyond in every way to make it special for us. I have traveled all over the world with my wife and three boys, two of whom are adults now, and what separated Zicasso's travel specialist was how he handled unforeseen circumstances and how he helped us stay flexible. He and his partner were able to change the timing of certain attractions on a couple of days and were always available when we needed them.

On the final leg of our journey, we were supposed to stay at our hotel in Lucerne, but on arrival, were told we had no rooms due to the U.S.-Iran peace talks that were scheduled there. Our travel specialist was able to advocate for us and get us a full refund for the rooms, and have us moved to a similar-quality resort in Zurich, where we stayed in an expansive suite and had an excellent time. He was driving us himself that day, which was really helpful, as I am certain without his assistance it would have been a disaster for us because there were no comparable rooms left in Lucerne at other top resorts. He also gave us an impromptu tour of Lucerne prior to us getting to the hotel, at our request, even though it was not on the schedule. He was also a pleasure to be around and we all enjoyed his company. We will be recommending this travel company to friends for sure.

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Italy Trip Review: Cinque Terre, Bologna, Prosciutto Tour, 9 Days

Everything went as planned. All the details were handled well. The hotel choices were excellent. All the guides were very good. All the drivers were on time. Overall, a great experience.

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Croatia Tour Review: Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Plitvice Lakes, Krka National Park, Elaphiti Islands, 10 Days

We are a couple in our upper seventies who recently returned from a fabulous 10-day private tour of Croatia. Of the many places we have visited around the globe, Croatia is among our favorites. The country offers extraordinary national parks, a gorgeous, dramatic coastline, warm, friendly people, great food, and a cosmopolitan culture with a rich history. The weather was splendid in late May.

Zicasso's travel specialist worked closely with us to put together an itinerary that was truly perfect in terms of the pace and the types of activities we like to do. She is a great listener and truly understood our concerns as senior travelers. We were very pleased to meet her for breakfast at the end of our trip. Although we had not been directly in touch earlier during the tour, we had the sense that she was checking in with our guides along the way, just to make sure every detail was attended to. When the Meštrović Museum in Split was closed while we were there, she arranged for us to have a private tour, just one example of her thoughtfulness.

At every phase of the tour, we had wonderful drivers and guides. All were extraordinarily interesting individuals, willing to share their personal experiences and opinions about the complicated and painful history of recent decades. We feel we learned a great deal and came to admire the resilience of these remarkable people. Despite great hardship, they remain positive and optimistic, and are very proud to introduce their culture to visitors.

We visited Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, and Mostar, and had walking tours of each. Truly every place we visited offered highlights. Among our favorites: Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Parks (the two are quite different and both are worth seeing); the Meštrović Museum in Split; walking the walls of Dubrovnik; an incredible Middle Eastern lunch following a trek to the historic bridge in Mostar; the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun in Zadar; lunch featuring prawns buzara at a harborside restaurant on a glistening day in the Elaphiti Islands. Indeed, too many fine restaurants to mention!

In sum, Zicasso's travel company created a superlative tour for us, for which we thank our travel specialist and her marvelous team.

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Italy Anniversary Trip Review: Lake Como, Tuscany, 10 Nights

Zicasso's travel company did a great job putting together our itinerary and listened carefully to all of our suggestions. They booked us into amazing hotels and restaurants. We especially loved the private tours we had and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly. All of the connections, including drivers, transfers, and train travel, were flawless. We felt they took care of us every step of the way. We highly recommend them because they made our 50th-anniversary trip so special and memorable.

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Australia Tour Review: Sydney, Blue Mountains, Phillip Island, Tasmania, Freycinet National Park, Hiking, Penguin Parade, 3 Weeks

Zicasso's travel company was prompt to respond to all inquiries and provided an itinerary that met our interests, with added suggestions to make our trip memorable. They gave us peace of mind, knowing all the logistics were well managed. Overall, it was a fabulous trip.

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Italy Trip Review: 17 Nights

Fantastic! Incredible trip. Both the pre-trip planning and the on-the-ground support made this trip one of the best yet. Thank you!

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