In the age of mass tourism, we long to discover beautiful places that are not yet trampled by the feet of tourists. South America still offers a lot of them. We present a few worth a visit.
Glacier in South America, which is rather associated with equatorial forest? Definitely yes. Located in southern Patagonia, Los Glaciares National Park is one-third covered with ice. The magnificent views that can be experienced here are often hidden from tourists’ eyes in this sparsely populated area. The Perito Moreno Glacier located on Lake Argentino is probably the most popular tourist attraction in southern Argentina. While in Los Glaciares National Park, experienced climbers can also tackle Mount Fitz Roy, one of the most technically difficult peaks in the world.
Located near the Colombian border with Ecuador, the Basilica of Las Lajas is known not only as a place of prayerful pilgrimage, but also a very beautiful and picturesque spot. The church was built between 1916 and 1949, taking advantage of the natural mountain slopes in the Guaitara River canyon. The neo-Gothic building, located at an altitude of 2900 meters above sea level, has been beautifully integrated into the slope, taking advantage of the beauty of the local nature. The building itself is famous for its meticulous detailing and ornamentation. It is one of the most beautiful places in Colombia.
Among the little-known places to visit in South America, we could not miss the Sacred Valley of the Incas located along the Urubamba River in the Peruvian Andes. During the heyday of the Inca Empire, this was the core of the empire, where culture flourished and precious metals were mined. Not far from Urubamba is the city of Cuzco, famous for its monuments, while in the valley itself there are numerous archaeological sites confirming the former greatness of the Incas.
Florianopolis, the capital of Santa Catarina, is a city of more than half a million inhabitants. It owes its uniqueness to its geographical location: it is partially located on the beautiful St. Catherine Island and on the mainland. It has been described as a paradise for beachcombers and surfers, but lovers of tropical nature and fairy-tale views will also find something for themselves here. Florianopolis has 42 beaches, lagoons, waterfalls and tropical jungle. In the city you will also find the remains of colonial architecture.
Perhaps the most famous waterfall in the world is Niagara, but the Venezuelan Salto Angel is at least 15 times higher than it. The water of the Churum River falls here from a height of 979 m. This makes the Angel Falls unparalleled in the world. It is surrounded by the almost magical landscape of the Canaima National Park with the Tepui Mountains, jungle, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and an extraordinary abundance of animals.
Located in Bolivia, the largest salt desert, Salar de Uyuni is a remnant of a huge salt lake. It is estimated that its area hides 10 billion tons of salt, which may be even half of the world’s resources of this raw material. In addition to the mines, there are also hot springs, cacti and flamingos.
The world’s largest salt desert covers an area of over 10,500 km2 and is located on a plateau rising to 3656 m above sea level.
The natural wonder that is Iguazu Falls was made famous by the movie “The Mission” and Ennio Morricone’s music. However, the waterfalls are not well known in Europe as a tourist attraction. Located on the Argentine-Brazilian border, they are recognized by UNESCO as one of the seven wonders of nature. The highest cascade, “Devil’s Throat”, is 80 m high. Along with it, there are another 250 waterfalls and rockfalls that stretch for more than two kilometers. On both sides of Iguazu, a large selection of attractions await tourists.
