When? Find out the best time to go by checking our cruise seasons calendar.

South America is a vast continent - two and a half times the size of Australia - that is home to both primitive tribes and cosmopolitan cities. It is a myriad of natural wonders, ancient ruins and assorted cultures. The extensive Amazon River and the rugged Andes Mountains are South America’s two most prominent landmarks, but active volcanoes, verdant jungles and sapphire seas also serve as eye candy for naturalists.

A terrain as diverse as South America’s is bound to serve as a habitat for unique creatures, and indeed, South America doesn’t disappoint. Andean llamas, marine dolphins and exotic iguanas are almost commonplace, and endangered species like spectacled bears and mountain tapir also call South America home.

Whether you are discovering the mystique of Machu Picchu, watching a traditional tango show or canoeing past pink dolphins, South America’s enticing landscape and sundry culture will impress.

South America cruises itineraries are typically from Valparaiso (Chile) to Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) or Buenos Aires (Argentina) or reverse. Travelling along the Chilean coastline is a scenic adventure and one that often ends or begins in the city of Santiago, from Valparaiso. A fascinating blend of old colonial buildings and new expansion, you will find its friendly people, green parks and numerous cafés give it a welcoming atmosphere.

Getting Around

Because of South America’s size, unearthing the history of even a single one of its countries can be a daunting task. Much like Alaska, South America is renowned for its natural attractions, and the right shoes and tour guide come in handy when you’re wondering what lies on the other side of that mountain or in the heart of that rain forest.

If you aren’t concerned with following the crowd, hit the streets alone or with a few other cruisers and a good map. Museums, shops and preserved buildings dot virtually every South American city, and a little navigational wizardry can enable you to see it all.

Examples of shore excursion opportunities in South America include:

Adventure Expeditions

• Raft down the thunderous rapids of the Petrohue River, one of Chile’s most exciting glacial rivers.
• Hike across ancient peat bogs en route to the Alvear Mountain Range in Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina.
• Take an off-road excursion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and ride through the Tijuca Forest, part of a forest reserve known for its colorful vegetation and exotic wildlife.

Shopping Districts

• Shop for rugs, sweaters, coats and leather, wool, wood and stone goods at the Indian and Artisan markets in Lima, Peru.
• Visit San Telmo, Buenos Aires and hunt for antiques in Plaza Dorrego.
• Browse the La Recova in Coquimbo, a Chilean market that sells distinctive handicrafts, such as items made of pottery, ceramic, wool and stone.

Cultural Attractions

• Stroll through the San Miguel Museum in Azapa, Chile and view the oldest mummies in the world - dating back to 5,000 B.C.
• Taste test carmenere, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay wine at the Veramonte Winery in Valparaiso, Chile.
• Tour the world-famous Gold Museum in Lima, Peru, a privately-owned museum hosting exquisite gold objects, precious stones and ancient swords and guns.

Historical Tours

• Tour Colonia Del Sacramento, oldest city in Uruguay, and see the Matriz church, the Bastion del Carmen, the famous Street of Sighs and the Real de San Carlos Bullring.
• Trek through Cuzco, Peru, and visit the Cathedral, famous for its gold and silver styling; the Sacsayhuaman, an archaeological park; the shrines of Kenko; and the ancient Tambo of Puca Pucara.
• Admire the mausoleums, pantheons and vaults of La Recoleta, an 1800’s Christian cemetery in Buenos Aires that holds celebrated politicians, explorers, priests, leaders, writers and poets.

Wildlife Interaction

• Spot pink dolphins, toucans, parrots and eagles while motor canoeing down the Cuyabeno River in the Amazon.
• Observe a Magellan penguin colony on Hammer Island off the coast of Argentina.
• Walk through the Park of the Land Iguanas in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where large, mysterious lizards roam freely.

Flightseeing Charters

• Fly over the little town of Nasca in Peru and observe geoglyphs, strange desert drawings created between 300 B.C. and 800 A.D.
• Soar past the Chilean lakes and mountain regions in one of the most scenic natural regions in the world, and view the Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo volcanoes and the Llanquihue, Todos los Santos and Chapo lakes.
• Flightsee Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a Unesco World Heritage Site, and view its Spanish, Flemish, Moorish and pre-Columbian architecture.