20 Underrated Destinations In South America For A Unique Adventure
South America is home to countless hidden gems that most travelers never discover. Beyond the famous landmarks like Machu Picchu and Rio’s beaches lie extraordinary places waiting to be explored.
These lesser-known destinations offer authentic cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and adventures you won’t find in typical guidebooks. Ready to discover the road less traveled across this diverse continent?
1. Huacachina, Peru
Ever dreamed of sandboarding down massive dunes? This tiny desert oasis feels like something from a fairytale, surrounded by towering sand mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Local guides offer exhilarating dune buggy rides that zoom up and down the sandy peaks, giving you a rollercoaster-like thrill. When you’re ready for a break, restaurants around the central lagoon serve fresh ceviche while you watch the sunset paint the desert gold.
Just a few hours from Lima, this magical spot makes a perfect weekend getaway from Peru’s busy capital.
2. Minca, Colombia
Hidden in the Sierra Nevada mountains lies a refreshing escape from Colombia’s coastal heat. This sleepy mountain village has transformed into a haven for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.
Hiking trails lead to secret waterfalls where you can swim in crystal-clear pools. The area is famous for its organic coffee farms where farmers proudly demonstrate traditional growing methods before serving you the freshest cup you’ll ever taste.
Accommodation ranges from budget hammocks to luxurious eco-lodges with infinity pools overlooking the mountains and Caribbean Sea in the distance.
3. Jericó, Colombia
Unlike its better-known cousin Guatapé, this colorful town in Colombia’s coffee region remains delightfully authentic. Bright houses with flower-filled balconies line streets where locals still travel by horse and traditional coffee culture thrives.
The town sits perched on a mountain ridge, offering spectacular views of the surrounding valleys. Mornings start with farm-fresh eggs and arepas in small family-run cafés, where owners will happily share stories about local life.
Don’t miss the botanical gardens or the paragliding opportunities that let you soar above this picturesque landscape while coffee plantations unfold beneath you like a patchwork quilt.
4. Samaipata, Bolivia
Nestled in a valley where the Andes meet the Amazon, this charming village offers a perfect climate year-round. The mysterious El Fuerte ruins nearby feature ancient stone carvings that archaeologists still debate today.
Many travelers use Samaipata as a gateway to Amboró National Park, where three distinct ecosystems collide, creating one of the most biodiverse places on earth. You might spot spectacled bears, toucans, or even rare orchids during guided treks.
After exploring, family-run restaurants serve delicious local specialties like locro (corn and potato stew) paired with Bolivia’s surprisingly good wines from nearby valleys.
5. Purmamarca, Argentina
Standing before the Hill of Seven Colors feels like witnessing a natural painting. This tiny village in Argentina’s northwest showcases stunning geological formations created over millions of years, with layers of minerals creating a rainbow effect on the mountainsides.
The local market buzzes with indigenous artisans selling handwoven textiles in patterns passed down through generations. These colorful alpaca blankets and ponchos make meaningful souvenirs with authentic cultural significance.
If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a 4×4 to explore the nearby Salinas Grandes salt flats—a less crowded alternative to Bolivia’s famous Salar de Uyuni, offering equally spectacular photo opportunities.
6. Lençóis, Brazil
Far from Brazil’s famous beaches, this colonial gem serves as the gateway to Chapada Diamantina National Park. The town itself charms visitors with cobblestone streets and colorful 19th-century buildings from its diamond mining heyday.
Just beyond town limits, natural wonders await discovery. Crystal-clear rivers flow through underground caves, creating swimming spots where sunlight filters through rock openings to illuminate turquoise waters. Hiking trails lead to countless waterfalls, some dropping hundreds of feet into natural pools.
Friendly locals run small pousadas (guesthouses) where home-cooked Brazilian breakfasts featuring tropical fruits, pão de queijo (cheese bread), and strong coffee fuel your adventures.
7. Mompiche, Ecuador
Along Ecuador’s northern coast sits a sleepy fishing village that surfers whisper about but few tourists visit. Pristine black sand beaches stretch for miles with barely another soul in sight.
The waves here range from gentle rollers perfect for beginners to challenging breaks that attract experienced surfers. When you’re not riding waves, explore nearby mangrove forests by canoe, where local guides point out exotic birds and occasionally playful monkeys watching from the trees.
Beachfront restaurants serve the day’s catch prepared with traditional Ecuadorian flavors—try encocado, seafood cooked in coconut sauce, as you watch fishermen return with tomorrow’s menu.
8. Chiloé Island, Chile
Mythology and tradition thrive on this misty island where colorful houses stand on stilts above the water. Local legends speak of witches who transform into birds and sea monsters lurking in the channels between islands.
The UNESCO-listed wooden churches showcase a unique architectural style blending European and indigenous influences. Built entirely without nails using shipbuilding techniques, these structures have survived centuries of rain and earthquakes.
Food lovers shouldn’t miss the curanto, a traditional feast of seafood, meat, and potatoes cooked in an earth oven. Friendly islanders welcome visitors into their homes for homestays, offering a genuine glimpse into their distinctive way of life.
9. Mérida, Venezuela
Though Venezuela faces challenges, this Andean university town remains a hidden treasure worth considering when conditions improve. Nestled between snow-capped peaks, Mérida offers adventures at every turn.
The world’s highest and longest cable car takes you up to breathtaking viewpoints where condors soar above glaciers. Below, mountain villages produce artisanal cheeses and honey while maintaining centuries-old traditions.
Students give the city a youthful energy, with cafés and bookshops lining colonial streets. The nearby páramo ecosystem harbors unique plants found nowhere else on earth, including the frailejón, strange fuzzy plants that look like something from another planet.
10. Punta del Diablo, Uruguay
Before this fishing village became Uruguay’s hippest beach destination, it was just a cluster of colorful shacks where fishermen mended nets. Today it maintains that laid-back charm while offering simple pleasures for travelers seeking authenticity.
During summer months (December-February), the population swells as Uruguayans and Argentinians arrive for vacation. Yet even then, the beaches remain uncrowded compared to Brazil’s famous shores.
Rent a rustic cabin and spend days exploring rocky coves, horseback riding along empty beaches, or simply watching fishermen return with their daily catch. The lack of high-rise hotels and chain restaurants keeps this spot refreshingly genuine.
11. Baños, Ecuador
If you crave adventure but also relaxation, this town nestled at the foot of an active volcano delivers both. The name means “baths,” referring to the natural hot springs heated by volcanic activity underground.
During the day, adrenaline junkies can choose from ziplining across river gorges, canyoning down waterfalls, or mountain biking along scenic routes. The famous “Swing at the End of the World” offers Instagram-worthy photos as you soar above the valley with volcano views.
After your adventures, soak in thermal baths to ease tired muscles while sipping fresh sugar cane juice from one of many street vendors who press it before your eyes.
12. San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
While not completely unknown, this desert outpost deserves mention for landscapes so otherworldly that NASA tests Mars rovers here. The surrounding desert contains geysers, salt flats, and lagoons in impossible shades of blue.
Wake before dawn to witness the El Tatio geysers erupting as steam rises against the sunrise. Later, float in salt lagoons where the high mineral content makes sinking impossible. After dark, the desert transforms into one of the world’s premier stargazing locations thanks to high altitude and minimal light pollution.
The town itself charms with adobe buildings, excellent restaurants serving Chilean cuisine, and cozy accommodations ranging from backpacker hostels to luxury desert lodges.
13. Salento, Colombia
Among Colombia’s coffee region towns, Salento maintains the most authentic character. Brilliantly painted facades line streets where jeeps wait to transport visitors to nearby coffee farms and hiking trails.
The main attraction lies outside town in the Cocora Valley, where the world’s tallest palm trees stretch impossibly high against mountain backdrops. A half-day hike takes you through cloud forests and across rickety bridges to reach viewpoints overlooking these surreal landscapes.
Back in town, try your hand at tejo, Colombia’s explosive national sport involving metal pucks and gunpowder targets. Evenings end perfectly with a cup of locally grown coffee or aguardiente (anise liquor) shared with friendly locals.
14. Vilcabamba, Ecuador
Known as the “Valley of Longevity,” local legends claim residents regularly live past 100 years. Whether true or exaggerated, the perfect climate, clean mountain water, and relaxed lifestyle certainly promote wellbeing.
Health-conscious travelers flock here for yoga retreats, plant medicine ceremonies, and hiking in the surrounding mountains. The town attracts an eclectic mix of spiritual seekers, retirees, and adventurers creating a unique international community.
Markets overflow with organic produce grown in the fertile valley, while restaurants serve farm-to-table meals featuring superfoods and healing herbs. Even if you don’t extend your lifespan, you’ll leave feeling refreshed after days spent in this tranquil mountain paradise.
15. Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Just a short ferry ride from Buenos Aires lies a perfectly preserved Portuguese colonial town that feels worlds away from Argentina’s bustling capital. Cobblestone streets wind past buildings dating to the 1680s, many now housing boutique hotels and artisan shops.
Rent a vintage scooter to explore the historic quarter where time seems to stand still. The town’s lighthouse offers panoramic views across the Río de la Plata estuary, especially magical at sunset when the water turns golden.
Unlike many historic towns, Colonia remains a living community where locals chat in town squares and tend bougainvillea climbing up centuries-old walls. This authenticity makes it worth more than the day trip most visitors give it.
16. Huaraz, Peru
Mountain lovers should head straight to this adventure hub in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca range. While tourists flock to Cusco, those seeking Peru’s most spectacular mountain scenery come here to trek among peaks topping 20,000 feet.
The town itself isn’t particularly pretty, but serves as an excellent base for acclimatizing before heading into Huascarán National Park. Day trips reveal turquoise glacial lakes like Laguna 69, where brave swimmers plunge into icy waters beneath towering snow-capped mountains.
Multi-day treks like the Santa Cruz circuit offer world-class hiking without the crowds of more famous routes. Local markets provide opportunities to buy handmade alpaca garments directly from the artisans who create them.
17. Ilha Grande, Brazil
Though increasingly discovered, this car-free island paradise still offers peaceful beaches and pristine rainforest just a few hours from Rio. Once a pirate hideout and later a prison island, today it welcomes travelers seeking natural beauty without development.
Hiking trails crisscross the island, leading to over 100 beaches ranging from busy stretches with restaurants to secluded coves accessible only by boat or trail. The most famous, Lopes Mendes, regularly ranks among Brazil’s most beautiful beaches for its powder-fine sand and crystal waters.
Accommodation remains refreshingly simple, with no large resorts spoiling the laid-back vibe. Evenings revolve around fresh seafood dinners and caipirinhas under the stars.
18. Chachapoyas, Peru
In Peru’s northern highlands lies the land of the “Cloud Warriors,” where pre-Incan ruins remain largely unexplored. The journey here requires effort, keeping visitor numbers low despite incredible attractions.
Kuelap fortress, built by the Chachapoyas civilization, rivals Machu Picchu in scale but sees a fraction of the visitors. Perched atop a mountain ridge, its massive stone walls contain hundreds of circular dwellings where archaeologists continue making discoveries.
Nearby, Gocta Waterfall drops 2,530 feet through multiple tiers. Local legend held that a mermaid guarded this cascade, keeping it secret from the outside world until it was “officially discovered” in 2005, though locals had always known of its existence.
19. Puerto Williams, Chile
Want bragging rights for visiting the southernmost town in the world? This tiny settlement on Navarino Island beats the more famous Ushuaia for that title. Located on the Beagle Channel, it serves as a base for exploring pristine subantarctic landscapes.
The challenging Dientes de Navarino trek takes hardy hikers through Patagonian wilderness few ever experience. Along the shore, you might spot penguins, sea lions, and dolphins playing in the frigid waters.
Chilean navy families make up most residents, creating a tight-knit community where the Yaghan indigenous culture maintains a presence. The Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum provides fascinating insight into the original inhabitants who survived these harsh conditions for thousands of years.
20. Mindo, Ecuador
Birdwatchers and butterfly enthusiasts consider this cloud forest town a paradise. Located in a valley just two hours from Quito, the surrounding forests harbor over 500 bird species, including toucans, hummingbirds, and the elusive cock-of-the-rock.
Beyond wildlife watching, adventure activities abound. Zip lines cross forest canopies, chocolate tours demonstrate bean-to-bar processing at small farms, and hiking trails lead to secluded waterfalls perfect for cooling off.
The town embraces ecotourism with sustainable lodges built to minimize environmental impact while maximizing your immersion in nature. Fall asleep to a symphony of frogs and insects, then wake to misty mornings with birdsong as your alarm clock.