A 15-Day South American City Experience

  • Day 1: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    15-minute drive from the airport

    Start your trip off in beautiful Rio de Janeiro with a visit to the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Take the cog train up Corcovado Mountain and enjoy stunning views of the city from the top. Afterward, head to the famous Copacabana Beach to relax and catch some sun.

  • Day 2: Buenos Aires, Argentina
    3-hour flight from Rio de Janeiro

    Explore the vibrant capital of Argentina starting with a visit to Plaza de Mayo, the city's main square full of history and impressive architecture. Catch a tango show at night and enjoy a delicious Argentinian steak at one of the city's many restaurants.

  • Day 3-4: Santiago, Chile
    2.5-hour flight from Buenos Aires

    Spend 2 days exploring Chile's capital. Visit the historic hilltop neighborhood of Cerro San Cristobal for stunning city views, and the colorful La Vega Market to taste Chilean specialties. Take a day trip to nearby Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colorful houses and street art.

  • Day 5-6: Lima, Peru
    3.5-hour flight from Santiago

    Start with a visit to the Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological site in the middle of the city. Next, head to the Miraflores district for stunning ocean views and a visit to Parque del Amor. Don't forget to try the famous Peruvian dish, ceviche. Take a day trip to nearby Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

  • Day 7-8: Medellin, Colombia
    4.5-hour flight from Lima

    Experience the warmth of the Colombian people in its second-largest city. Ride the famous Medellin Metrocable over the city and visit the Botero Plaza to see the distinctive art of Fernando Botero. Take a day trip to nearby Guatape to enjoy a relaxing day at the lake and climb the famous rock for panoramic views.

  • Day 9-10: Quito, Ecuador
    2-hour flight from Medellin

    Start with a visit to the Plaza Grande in historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a guided tour of the Mitad del Mundo monument, marking the equator line. Enjoy stunning views of the Andes mountains, and don't forget to try unique Ecuadorian dishes like cevichocho.

  • Day 11-12: Montevideo, Uruguay
    4-hour flight from Quito

    Explore the charming capital city of Uruguay. Start with a stroll along the Rambla, a long promenade along the coastline. Visit the impressive Palacio Salvo, and the colorful Mercado del Puerto for traditional Uruguayan food. Take a day trip to nearby Colonia del Sacramento, a charming colonial town.

  • Day 13-14: Cartagena, Colombia
    3-hour flight from Montevideo

    End your trip in this colorful coastal city filled with history. Visit the Walled City and explore its narrow streets and quaint shops. Take a day trip to the nearby Rosario Islands for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. Don't forget to try arepas, a traditional Colombian dish made with corn flour and cheese.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Christ the Redeemer (2-3 hours, $20)
  • Copacabana Beach (2-3 hours, free)
  • Plaza de Mayo (1-2 hours, free)
  • Tango show (2-3 hours, $30-100)
  • Cerro San Cristobal (2-3 hours, free)
  • Valparaiso day trip (8-10 hours, $50-100)
  • Huaca Pucllana (1-2 hours, $10)
  • Miraflores district (2-3 hours, free)
  • Machu Picchu day trip (10-12 hours, $200-300)
  • Medellin Metrocable (1-2 hours, $5)
  • Botero Plaza (1-2 hours, free)
  • Guatape day trip (8-10 hours, $50-100)
  • Plaza Grande (1-2 hours, free)
  • Mitad del Mundo (2-3 hours, $10-20)
  • Rambla (2-3 hours, free)
  • Mercado del Puerto (1-2 hours, $20-30)
  • Colonia del Sacramento day trip (8-10 hours, $50-100)
  • Walled City (2-3 hours, free)
  • Rosario Islands day trip (8-10 hours, $50-100)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $500-1000

Transportation

During this trip, travelers will be taking several domestic flights to get from one city to another. Flight times can range from 1-4 hours, with costs typically ranging from $100-300. Taxis and ride-sharing apps like Uber and Cabify are available in all cities and are a convenient way to get around, with costs varying by location and distance. Public transportation options like buses and metro systems are also available in some cities such as Santiago and Medellin and offer a budget-friendly option for getting around.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the incredible Iguazu Falls in Brazil or Argentina, or the stunning Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. If you have less time, consider skipping some of the day trips or spending fewer days in each city. Keep in mind that weather patterns vary by location and time of year, so be sure to pack accordingly.

Airports

The main airports for this trip are Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport (GIG), Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), Santiago International Airport (SCL), Lima International Airport (LIM), Medellin Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE), Quito International Airport (UIO), Montevideo International Airport (MVD), and Cartagena Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). All of these airports offer international and domestic flights and are located within a reasonable distance of each city's center.

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