The most popular countries in South America for travel are Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. From salt flats to the Amazon, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands, they all offer something special, and I’ve been lucky enough to visit them all now!

Probably my favourite country in South America due to the friendly people, fantastic coffee region and the diversity of destinations encompassing snowy mountains, tropical beaches, dense rainforest, sprawling megacities and idyllic small towns. I spent 2 months and would still go back!

After two trips to Ecuador, 15 years apart, this is somewhere close to my heart. Regardless, I think anyone will love Ecuador due to its wonderful wildlife and nature, adrenaline activities and, of course, the incredible Galapagos Islands!

Although world-famous for Inca ruins and delectable cuisine, it was the hiking that totally blew me away in Peru. The Salkantay hike to Machu Picchu was memorable but the Huaraz region in the north was the highlight. 

If there’s a more underrated country than Bolivia, I don’t know about it! I had a blast visiting bustling La Paz, idyllic Isla del Sol and, of course, touring the iconic Salt Flats.

Between trekking in Patagonia and stargazing in the Atacama Desert, it was the nature that blew me away in Chile (especially as I suffered a theft in Santiago, I wasn’t wild about the cities). 

I expected to love Argentina and it didn’t disappoint. I suggest spending at least a month because there are so many destinations: hip Buenos Aires, wild Patagonia, thundering Iguazu Falls, the winelands of Mendoza, and the idyllic mountain towns and rainbow mountains of Jujuy and Salta.

Around the same size as Europe, the task of travelling Brazil is overwhelming but, once you’re here, the friendly and infectious vibe will put you at ease. To explore the urban jungle and the actual jungle, you need time and money for flights… But it’s worth it!