The South American Destinations Travelers Are Searching for Right Now
By Trips SouthAmerica. Updated July 2026.
As travelers begin planning farther in advance and prioritizing meaningful experiences over traditional sightseeing, South America continues to stand out as one of the world’s most diverse and inspiring regions.
Recent travel trends, destination rankings, and search behavior point toward a clear shift: travelers are increasingly seeking nature, wildlife, adventure, gastronomy, and immersive cultural encounters.
Based on current travel trends and growing interest across international markets, these are the destinations we believe will shape demand throughout 2027.
1. Patagonia Continues to Lead the Way
Patagonia remains South America’s most sought-after adventure destination. Travelers are increasingly prioritizing hiking, wildlife, photography, and nature-based experiences, with iconic destinations such as Torres del Paine, El Chaltén, El Calafate, and the Carretera Austral continuing to gain international recognition.
Demand is particularly strong among:
- Active travelers
- Luxury adventure seekers
- Couples
- Multi-generational families
- Wildlife enthusiasts
Patagonia’s ability to combine comfort, sustainability, and world-class landscapes makes it one of the strongest products for 2027.
DISCOVER
Explore our Patagonia experiences — tailor-made journeys through Torres del Paine, El Calafate,
and beyond, designed by local experts.
Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Wildlife tourism is becoming increasingly important, and Puerto Madryn is perfectly positioned to benefit from this trend. Whale watching, penguin colonies, marine wildlife, and nature-focused experiences continue attracting growing interest from international travelers.
This makes Puerto Madryn a natural extension for travelers combining Patagonia’s landscapes with marine wildlife on the same itinerary.
DISCOVER
Whales & Tulips – A 7-day journey through Valdés Peninsula’s marine wildlife and
Patagonia’s blooming tulip fields.
2. Antarctica: The Ultimate Bucket-List Journey
Expedition travel continues to grow globally, and Antarctica remains one of the most aspirational destinations in the world.
Modern travelers are increasingly drawn to remote destinations that offer exclusivity, conservation, and transformative experiences.
Fly & Cruise programs, luxury expeditions, and combinations with Patagonia are expected to remain among the most requested high-end itineraries for the coming years.
DISCOVER
Highlights of the Pristine Antarctica – Cruise through the Drake Passage to the South Shetlands and the white continent itself.
3. Galápagos Remains a Global Favorite
Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands continue to rank among the world’s most desired island destinations thanks to their unique biodiversity, conservation-focused tourism model, and extraordinary wildlife experiences.
Travelers are increasingly interested in:
- Expedition cruises
- Wildlife encounters
- Sustainable travel
- Nature photography
- Active island exploration
Galápagos remains one of South America’s strongest luxury and experiential travel products.
DISCOVER
Charming Galapagos – Explore the archipelago’s living museum of evolution up close.
4. Rio de Janeiro and Carnival Experiences
Brazil continues to attract travelers seeking music, culture, beaches, and vibrant local experiences.
Among all Brazilian destinations, Rio de Janeiro remains a standout, particularly around Carnival season.
Travelers are increasingly looking beyond traditional sightseeing and seeking:
- Sambadrome experiences
- Behind-the-scenes Carnival access
- Local food experiences
- Beach culture
- Art and design districts
This trend is especially notable among solo travelers and experience-driven visitors.
DISCOVER
Rio de Janeiro, Carnival – Sambadrome access plus Corcovado and Sugar Loaf excursions.
Rio isn’t the only carnival worth chasing in South America. Oruro’s Carnival in Bolivia — a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event — dazzles with the Diablada and Morenada dances through the Bolivian Altiplano. Montevideo’s Carnival in Uruguay, the longest carnival celebration in the world, centers on Candombe drumming and murga performances. And Barranquilla’s Carnival in Colombia, the country’s largest, brings four days of cumbia, costumes, and street parades to the Caribbean coast.
5. Atacama: Nature, Wellness and Stargazing
The Atacama Desert continues to gain attention thanks to the rise of slow travel, wellness tourism, and outdoor experiences. Travelers are increasingly drawn to:
- Astronomy and stargazing
- Luxury lodges
- Sustainable travel
- Photography expeditions
- Indigenous cultural encounters
Atacama is particularly well-positioned to attract travelers looking for meaningful nature experiences.
DISCOVER
Cultural Experience in the Atacama Desert – Moon Valley, Altiplanic Lagoons, and the Atacama salt flat.
6. Wine & Gastronomy Travel Is Growing
Food and wine tourism continues to expand across South America, with two regions leading the way.
Chilean Wine Valleys
Maipo, Colchagua, and Casablanca keep attracting travelers seeking premium tastings, boutique lodges, and unforgettable culinary experiences.
DISCOVER
South American Wines Trail – Combining Mendoza’s Malbec country with Chile’s Casablanca Valley.
Mendoza, Argentina
Known for world-class Malbec, luxury wine lodges, and gourmet experiences set against stunning Andean scenery.
DISCOVER
Mendoza, Land of Sun & Good Wine – A wine-lover’s escape through Mendoza’s Central Valleys.
7. Colombia’s Rise Continues
Colombia is seeing strong international recognition, with Cartagena, Medellín, Tayrona National Park, and the Coffee Region appearing frequently in global travel recommendations.
Travelers are seeking:
- Colonial heritage
- Caribbean experiences
- Coffee culture
- Nature escapes
- Authentic local connections
Cartagena, in particular, continues to perform strongly among luxury and cultural travelers.
DISCOVER
Sun, Sea and Culture in Colombia – Bogotá, Medellín, Guatapé, and colonial Cartagena.
8. Peru Beyond Machu Picchu
While Machu Picchu remains iconic, travelers are increasingly interested in deeper cultural and adventure experiences across Peru.
Growing interest includes:
- Sacred Valley immersion
- Community tourism
- Ausangate Trek
- Salkantay Trek
- Wellness and spiritual journeys
The shift toward authentic, experiential travel is helping Peru diversify beyond its most famous attraction.
DISCOVER
Peruvian Wonders – Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and an Amazon extension.
9. Emerging Destination: Lençóis Maranhenses
One of the most surprising success stories in South American tourism is the rise of Lençóis Maranhenses in northeastern Brazil.
This unique landscape of white sand dunes and crystal-clear lagoons has received increasing international attention and is emerging as one of Brazil’s most exciting destinations for adventurous travelers.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Across all markets, one trend is clear: travelers are increasingly prioritizing authenticity, nature, wildlife, adventure, sustainability, and meaningful experiences. Destinations that combine these elements are seeing the strongest growth in interest and demand.
For South America, that means Patagonia, Antarctica, Galápagos, Atacama, Rio de Janeiro, Mendoza, Peru, and Colombia are exceptionally well-positioned to lead travel demand throughout 2027.
At Trips SouthAmerica, we believe the future belongs to journeys that create lasting memories, connect travelers with local cultures, and showcase the extraordinary natural wonders that make this continent unlike any other.
Contact us! Let’s design your perfect experience together, with itineraries combining Inca history, Sacred Valley exploration, Andean culture, and the timeless wonder of Machu Picchu.
