Travel 101: The Ultimate Itinerary for 2 Weeks in South America

August 20, 2026 - Vacations - by Megan Morrow

Two weeks in South America is a bucket list travel dream come true! Your trip can span adventure hikes and hidden nature gems to dancing in the streets, and feasts to remember. It's important to know the continent is 80% larger than the U.S., so you should ideally plan ahead for the best South America vacation deals. However, you can always find last-minute vacation deals to many of South America's spectacular 12 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Here are some options for the ultimate two weeks in South America, with shoulder season (March to May or September to November) being the ideal time to visit.

Peru Plus One (or Two)

The historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world and a must-see for your South American visit. A 15th-century Incan citadel, it was built in the midst of a tropical mountain forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes. While you can spend a full four days hiking and traversing Machu Picchu, you can also enjoy shorter hikes. Ideally, arrive when the gates open to avoid the rush.

From there, you can enjoy a relatively short flight to Chile to check out some hidden gems within Patagonia, the vast region at the continent's southernmost tip. Shared by Argentina and Chile, Patagonia features rugged fjords and dense rainforests on the Chilean side. Check out the "Yosemite of South America," Cochamó Valley, a remote area with pristine swimming holes and untouched forests. Or you can travel down the Carretera Austral highway to Caleta Tortel, a town built on wooden boardwalks over a fjord (no cars allowed). Still yearning for more? The Argentinian side of Patagonia is famed for striking glaciers and hiking.

The Galapagos and Beach Life

One of the best places in the world to see wildlife in their natural habitat, the Galapagos Islands off of Ecuador is home to blue-footed boobies, the only penguins north of the equator, the world's only oceangoing lizards, and gigantic tortoises that live to 150. You can reach the islands from mainland Ecuador, and should plan for a minimum of six days of island-to-island cruising, wildlife viewing, and maybe even some scuba diving.

Your next stop: the beautiful beaches of South America. You can hop a flight from Quito to the secluded marvel of Anakena Beach, Chile, on Easter Island, for a few days of quiet paradise, or check out Los Roques, Venezuela, an island chain known for its stunning coral reefs, water sports, and sailing. The smaller countries of Guyana and Uruguay are also home to top-notch beach life if you want to venture further. This itinerary is equally thrilling and relaxing. 

Give Me City Life

If you prefer the rush of urban life, you can't go wrong with a trip that combines Buenos Aires, Argentina (the "Paris of South America" with hot nightlife and the best steakhouses), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (famous for its sophisticated culture and Carnival), and the burgeoning Bogota, Columbia (with a lively food scene and beautiful city of artisan markets and rich history to explore on foot).

Ultimately, you can't go wrong with two weeks across an amazing continent of culture, nature, and wonder.