In case you’ve by no means traveled to South America, it may be slightly daunting to determine which locations are arrange properly for luxurious vacationers and which aren’t. The most effective luxurious South America journey hotspots usually are not all the time apparent because the area doesn’t get almost as a lot press protection as Europe and North America—thus the explanation for the founding of this publication.
We traveled far and large on this area earlier than even launching in 2007, then our editorial crew and correspondents have criss-crossed the continent ever since searching for the “better of one of the best” in every nation. Right here’s the place to begin in South America if you wish to plan a trip the place you’ll discover high luxurious lodging, nice tour corporations, and wonderful eating places.
Luxurious South America Journey in Cartagena, Colombia
Beginning on the high of the continent, stunning Cartagena is replete with luxurious lodging and more and more wonderful eating places. The UNESCO-designated coronary heart of the town is a maze of colourful Colonial buildings, a number of historic fortresses, and non secular convents. Regardless of the worldwide press’s lingering portrayal of Colombia as a violent place, there was a number of nationwide and native funding in Cartagena to make it a protected place for vacationers to go to. It’s a favourite for worldwide conferences and the worldwide airport is simply quarter-hour from downtown.
Cartagena is Colombia’s fifth-largest metropolis, with a sq. mileage that resembles Chicago. Common year-round temperatures hover round 85 levels and this port metropolis is a significant heart of transport commerce and cruise tourism. Town’s centro historico is the place you’ll find one of the best boutique lodges like Resort Sofitel Santa Clara, Casa San Agustin, and Resort Boutique Ananda, whereas the InterContinental Cartagena is a good alternative for anybody who desires a beachside expertise.
Cusco, Peru – the South America Tourism Magnet
The jumping-off level for a lot of vacationers on their approach to Machu Picchu, Cusco (typically spelled Cuzco) is among the most enchanting and engaging cities in Latin America. Situated at a top of 11,000 ft/3,500 meters within the Andes, the town is a mixture of historic Inca partitions and colonial structure, with surprises on the finish of each cobblestone alley.
To reap the benefits of a few of that Colonial decadence, keep at Aranwa’s Cusco Boutique resort, a restored Colonial constructing with all the trendy facilities. Or, chill out on the Belmond Resort Monasterio, one of many metropolis’s most luxurious stays in an historic monastery on the town’s Nazarenas Plaza (with straightforward transport to their sister resort in Machu Picchu on the luxurious Hiram Bingham practice service). Extra tech-inclined vacationers would possibly wish to keep on the Inkaterra La Casona or the additionally intimate Casa Cartagena.
Wherever you keep you should definitely reap the benefits of the beautiful structure of the town in addition to scrumptious native fare and searching for Peruvian handicrafts and textiles.
Sacred Valley of Peru – Spoiled for Decisions
Whereas many vacationers to Peru head straight from Cusco to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley that lies between the 2 has began to persuade luxurious vacationers of all stripes so as to add this idyllic valley to their itineraries for just a few days. There are dozens of websites price visiting right here, reminiscent of Pisac, identified for its archeological ruins and energetic crafts market, and Ollantaytambo, house of an historic Incan fortress. All of the when you’ll end up gawking on the spectacular mountain surroundings and the spectacular historical past on this a part of the world.
There may be an ever-growing alternative of upscale lodges and resorts in order that when the journey is over on the finish of the day, you head again not solely to a spot to sleep however an actual oasis for the soul and physique. Some properties concentrate on wellness and rest, reminiscent of The Aranwa Resort and Spa and Belmond Resort Rio Sagrado. Others are extra about journey and attending to know the native tradition, reminiscent of Explora Valle Sagrado. For one thing a little bit homier, keep in a casita on the Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa and get pampered at their Yacu Wasi spa.
One-of-a-kind Galapagos Islands
Machu Picchu could also be South America’s most iconic surprise of the world, however loads of upscale vacationers have the Galapagos Islands on the high of their bucket listing. There’s no place fairly prefer it on the planet, with animals which have so few predators that they’re not afraid of us odd creatures which are far bigger. Guides frequently need to chide guests for getting too shut as a result of the fur seals, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas aren’t phased by two-legged giants with a digicam.
One of the best ways to go to the islands is on a luxurious cruise the place every thing is taken care of, with high-quality meals, wonderful guides, and snorkeling stops. See our luxurious Ecuador excursions part for Galapagos tales with Ecoventura, Quasar, and different corporations. If you wish to spend a little bit extra time within the space and be shut to large tortoises, test into the highest Galapagos luxurious lodges right here.
Sultry Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Lengthy a vacation spot for upscale vacationers from different components of Latin America, Brazil generally and Rio extra particularly is again on the itineraries of luxurious vacationers from the remainder of the world. This large urbanscape affords unimaginable meals, soul-feeding music, world-class procuring, and a handful of well-known seashores besides. Regardless of the worldwide press’s angle that Rio is wild and harmful, the town (and nation) have made optimistic steps to ease journey for guests right here and of their rising portfolio of luxurious lodging.
The most effective luxurious digs in Rio are within the upscale neighborhoods close to their two well-known seashores – Copacabana and Ipanema. The Resort Fasano is correct on the Ipanema beachfront is a homage to minimalist modernism, with understated and complex interiors designed by architect Philippe Starck. Emiliano Rio is its greatest competitors for the delicate city set, however beachside on Copacabana. The JW Marriott is nice for the enterprise traveler that also desires luxurious and an important location for exploring Copacabana seaside and Rio generally.
Final however certainly not least is the Belmond Copacabana Palace, the town’s first luxurious resort that continues to be a step above its rivals in service and amenities.
Atacama Desert, Chile
One of many world’s most arid locations, the Atacama Desert is replete with salt flats, volcanoes, geysers, and a panorama typically in comparison with the lunar floor. The truth is, simulations for area journey are sometimes carried out there–plus this is among the greatest spots worldwide for star-gazing.
A number of high-end excursions will mean you can discover the world’s stark and beautiful panorama with among the greatest luxe glamping and different lodging within the nation. There are such a lot of alternatives for trekking, mountaineering, horseback driving, scorching springs, astronomy, bicycling, and different outside actions that each nascent adventurers and adrenaline junkies can discover their place within the excursions of Atacama.
Within the space’s foremost metropolis, San Pedro de Atacama, you’ll find the Nayara Alto Atacama resort, Explora Atacama, Awasi resort, and Tierra Atacama Boutique Resort & Spa, every with quite a lot of facilities and excursions on supply, with Explora topping the listing when it comes to actions and amenities.
Additional south in Copiapo is Resort Wara which feels extra like a personal home than a resort, whose seven bedrooms every have their very own non-public gardens, fireplaces, and big en-suite bogs. Casa Molle is one other tempting different to staying exterior of San Pedro, an all-inclusive hideaway additional north with bocce ball courts and horseback driving.
Mendoza, Argentina – the Wine Capital of South America
Mendoza is all about pleasure and is a dream for foodies and wine-obsessed vacationers, notably people who love Malbec, the king of wines on this space. Consuming, consuming, and lazing about can take up days of journey should you do it proper, and Argentina’s educated upscale journey corporations know simply the right way to present you one of the best of one of the best of this beautiful wine-producing area. Wineries with on-site lodging, expansive estancias, and boutique lodges abound on this a part of Argentina; you possibly can have your choose relying on the sort of expertise you need.
Algodon Wine Estates has nice meals and wine in addition to a championship golf course and world-class tennis facility. Cavas Wine Lodge has a vinotherapy spa and stand-alone villas that present the last word in privateness amidst the grape vines.
Vines of Mendoza options meals by the uber-famous chef Francis Mallman and Entre Cielos Luxurious Wine Resort and Spa has the primary conventional Turkish hammam in Latin America. Most luxurious lodging on this area will put you proper in the course of the vineyards with unimaginable views of the Andes within the distance, and solely minutes from exploring different vineyards within the space.
Santiago, Chile
Simply one in every of South America’s superior city facilities, Santiago affords all of the issues that make for an important journey – high notch eating places, wonderful native wine, quirky neighborhoods, a vibrant nightlife, and a whole lot of alleyways to meander trying out artwork galleries and bookshops. Santiago can be an important base for exploring the encompassing wine nation and different outside points of interest like small rural cities and horseback driving.
With a few of South America’s most developed tourism infrastructure, in Chile there’s a plethora of nice locations to remain that may mean you can discover the town and are available house to luxurious on the finish of the day. Town’s greatest lodges are clustered collectively, with one group residing within the Bellavista and Lastarria neighborhoods – The Aubrey resort, Resort Magnolia, Resort Luciano and The Singular Santiago.
The opposite cluster contains the Ritz-Carlton, the Mandarin Oriental, and the W Santiago simply barely farther from the middle of the town, nearer to the Los Condes space. Wherever you keep in Santiago you should definitely reap the benefits of the town’s inexperienced areas and a few top-notch museums and cultural landmarks.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Typically referred to as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires oozes old-world model and timeless decadence. Town’s French-inspired structure, energetic cafe tradition, and assortment of high-end lodges and eating places have been perennial attracts for the world’s most prosperous vacationers. The 4 Seasons Buenos Aires, Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt and Alvear Palace Resort are within the coronary heart of Recoleta, one of many metropolis’s upscale neighborhoods the place girls lunch and porteños sip beautiful Argentine wine in posh sidewalk cafes. This simply would be the oldest luxurious South America journey vacation spot on the continent, regardless of its many ups and downs.
The over-the-top Faena Resort is discovered within the new-money Puerto Madero neighborhood and the Park Tower, a Luxurious Assortment Resort is positioned amongst the high-end procuring and large boulevards of Retiro, the town’s wealthiest space. Journey to Argentina’s capital is all about pleasure – a steak at Don Julio’s or a leisurely Sunday brunch at Casa Cavia are a very good begin – so make sure that to return with loads of time to linger over a tango present and cash to buy the unimaginable leather-based items you’ll find throughout the town.
Punta del Este, Uruguay
The playground of the wealthy and well-known jet-setters, Punta del Este has lengthy had a few of South America’s most unique and costly actual property and logically some nice luxurious lodging for these not fairly prepared to purchase. The realm may not have the nightlife of Rio nor the remoted magnificence of Patagonia, however it’s a place the place you probably have the appropriate financial institution steadiness you possibly can take pleasure in stunning seashores, nice meals, and a few wonderful craft beer. Luxurious lodges listed below are often in Punta del Este or the extra northern and super-elite coastal space of Jose Ignacio.
In Bahía Vik every room is uniquely embellished by a neighborhood artist and the low-profile Fasano Las Piedras has been voted the Greatest Resort in Latin America. There are additionally loads of high-end leases available alongside this strip of coast, so if you’d like a extra non-public expertise, or are bringing the entire household it might behoove you to look into these as properly.
Patagonia – South America’s Journey Playground
The southernmost tip of the Americas, Patagonia is an outside adventurers’ dream. Shared by each Chile and Argentina, the world is split by the Andes mountains and icefields. The Argentine aspect has huge grasslands north of the mountains, the place the nation’s ranchers have historically dominated, whereas the Chilean aspect is dissected by fjords and has a number of ski resorts. However the outside focus of this area doesn’t imply tough residing – you’ll discover a deluge of hospitality choices that may pamper you much more than a giant refined metropolis in each Argentina and Chile.
Argentina’s Lake District within the northwestern a part of this nation’s chunk of Patagonia is a group of lush forests, glacial lakes, and limitless alternatives for outside adventures. The nation’s rustic-chic estancias are a favourite amongst luxurious vacationers for his or her impeccable service in a down-to-earth ambiance. Extremely social affairs, at this kind of upscale lodging, company combine and mingle with one another and their hosts. Most supply a bevy of actions like horseback driving, trekking, and fishing in addition to unimaginable meat-forward menus and lengthy lists of the nation’s beautiful wine.
Chile’s slice of Patagonia contains the Torres del Paine Nationwide Park and Pumalin Park, an unlimited non-public park created and owned by the late American conservationist Douglas Tompkins. You possibly can even set out from right here for a luxe journey aboard a non-public cruise ship to Antarctica or the Chilean fjords. Luxurious lodging abounds in each international locations and few vacationers return from this space with out feeling exhilarated.
Have you ever been to any of those luxurious South America journey hotspots? What was it like for you?
