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10 Best Offbeat South America Highlights

Already have the well known highlights of South America locked into your itinerary and now you are looking for some more offbeat South America highlights? Then read on to find out the best of off the beaten path South America.

Most people’s South American bucket list would read something like this: Rio for Carnival, Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, visit Cartagena, cruise the Galapagos Islands, trek in the Amazon rainforest, watch the sunrise over the Salt Flats in Bolivia, learn to tango in Buenos Aires and do some hiking in Patagonia.

And I’m sure that all of those places they awesome.

I loved Rio although I didn’t visit over Carnival, Machu Picchu was even better than I imagined despite the altitude sickness I suffered on the Inca Trail, the Amazon Basin was teeming with wildlife and it was a fantastic experience despite my broken toe, and the salt flats were even more other-worldly than I could have hoped for, even though I put my foot through the thin layer of salt and into the briny water beneath.

Exploring Cafayate in Argentina - one of my South America highlights

Most of the times the visions you have of yourself in these famous places around the world don’t turn out exactly how you imagined them to.

Because in our imaginations, more often than not, everything runs smoothly, the sun is shining, we are brimming with happiness and appreciate every moment.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t work like that. Well, not for me anyway.

When you have such high expectations of perfection for a place, it makes it very hard for reality to live up to them.

Even though Machu Picchu and Rio de Janeiro more than lived up to the high expectations that I set for them, other famous sites over the years such as the Pyramids of Giza, Buenos Aires, and Venice unfortunately didn’t quite hit the mark.

I have found that the less expectation I have for a place, the more chance I will like it.

As it turned out, most of my South America highlights of my four months traveling there were in places that I hadn’t heard much about before – the more offbeat destinations. They had a chance to really blow me away, and they did.

These are the places that I instantly think of when I remember my travels in that incredible continent, along with Rio and Machu Picchu.

Here are my ten favorite off the beaten path South America destinations that really wowed me.

Exploring Colca Canyon, Peru

Best Offbeat Highlights of South America

Minca, Colombia

Set in the jungle-covered Santa Marta mountains above the sweltering city of the same name, Minca couldn’t be more different than most other towns along the Caribbean Coast of Colombia.

A cool and quiet mountain village, Minca only constitutes a small main street and a couple of side streets but it was here that we found the best Menu del Dia (menu of the day) that we had during our seven months in Latin America.

We ate some of the best empanadas I have ever had and we drunk delicious hot chocolate at a small café that was humming with hummingbirds, one of my favourite birds.

Hanging out at the river in Minca, Colombia was one of my South America HighlightsDuring the three days we spent here we swam and tubed down a crystal clear river and under waterfalls. We hiked past thickets of bamboo and jungled greenery along a quiet road to a small coffee plantation, where we were taken through the production and tasted the final product.

We spent long afternoons at our hilltop hostel, perched at a perfect vantage point to look out over the rugged hills and down to the sparkling lights of the chaotic Santa Marta far below. We experienced some of the most incredible sunsets from there.

Sunset in Minca, Colombia Casa Loma, our excellent hostel in Minca, ColombiaThere was also the cutest kitty that lived there and followed us around a lot of the time. Trav and my brother had to drag me away. I possibly could have stayed forever.

Hiking to coffee farms in Minca, Colombia - one of the best off the beaten path South America things to do

Where to Stay in Minca: Stay at the hostel we stayed in –  beautiful Casa Lomawhich has incredible views and a very chilled vibe. Another popular hostel is Casa Viejas by Masaya which is located 20 minutes out of town on the La Victoria Coffee Farm and has a gorgeous pool.

For a more luxurious stay, you can’t go past Sweet Harmony by Xarm Hotels right in town and with a bar on site.

 

Swimming under waterfalls in Minca, Colombia

Villa de Leyva, Colombia

This whitewashed colonial mountain town in the Andes mountains of central Colombia wowed me with its beauty from the first moment we arrived.

With its cobbled streets, grand plaza lined with outdoor restaurants, and the brilliant white of the Spanish style buildings; it is no wonder that it is a popular destination for Colombian travelers.

Exploring Villa de Leyva, Colombia was one of my South America Highlights Exploring Villa de Leyva, Colombia Relaxing in the main square of Villa de Leyva, ColombiaI was sick with a cold for the three nights we were in Villa de Leyva and it turned out to be the perfect place to relax and recoup.

Our days consisted of walking the picturesque streets, visiting the local markets where they have one of my favorite fruits in the world – feijoas, sampling the various desserts around town (and there were a lot!) and reading and relaxing at our incredible hostel, located in the hills above town.

Lazy days in this beautiful place did the trick and I soon recovered.

Enjoying the view over Villa de Leyva, Colombia - an off the beaten path South America HighlightOur awesome hostel in Villa de Leyva, Colombia

Where to Stay in Villa de Leyva: We loved our stay at Hostal Renacer, a peaceful country hostel located in the hills behind town but still within easy walking distance. If you are looking for a hostel closer to the action, then the art-filled Nibiru Hostel is a great choice.

For a more luxurious stay, the Hotel Casa de los Fundadores is highly rated and has a pool and sauna on-site. 

Salento, Colombia

Salento is the heart and soul of Colombia’s coffee growing region. A sleepy town in a lush landscape of palms and vines, Salento wasn’t on my radar until I started reading up in more detail on places to go in Colombia.

The relaxed atmosphere and spectacular scenery made our days here stand out as one of my highlights of South America.

We did another coffee tour with our quirky English hostel owner and even got involved with grinding the coffee ourselves.

I saw pineapples growing for the first time (if you haven’t seen pineapples growing, google it now!), wandered the dusty town and ate the best pizza in months at a German-run restaurant.

Views over Salento, Colombia - one of my highlights of South America The main square of Salento, Colombia The main square of Salento, Colombia My favorite memory from Salento? Hiking through the too-beautiful-for-words Valle de Cocora. A lush valley surrounded by mountains of verdant green, it is home to multiple species of hummingbird and giant wax palms.

The wax palms can grow to 60 metres tall and they make you feel very, very small when you are hiking through a valley of them. It was one of the most inspiring landscapes of anywhere I have ever been and I will always remember it.

The main square of Salento, Colombia Hummingbird in Valle de Cocora near Salento, Colombia Hiking in Valle de Cocora near Salento, Colombia

Where to Stay in Salento: Stay at the largest and friendliest hostel in town, Viajero Salento Hostel, which is offers numerous activities and tours, or at the slightly more luxurious Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel, another highly rated boutique hostel located in the countryside on the edge of town.

Baños, Ecuador

The weather didn’t cooperate in this small tourist town that translates in English to ‘toilets’. Despite its unfortunate name and the drizzly, cold weather during our time there, I really enjoyed my time in Baños.

Set in a bowl-shaped valley with sheer cliffs on one side, reaching down to the raging river below, Baños is a beautiful town. Our hostel’s roof terrace had gorgeous views out to the surrounding mountains with waterfalls cascaded from above.

Banos, Ecuador is one of my South America Highlights Banos, Ecuador is one of my off the beaten path in South America highlightsBaños is known for its myriad adventure activities such as cycling, canyoning and bungy jumping but to be honest we didn’t do a lot during our stay.

We were meant to spend one day downhill cycling to a waterfall then getting a bus back, but we were hungover so it didn’t happen.

What we did manage to do was eat VERY well at the various ex-pat run restaurants around town, soak our weary bones in the steaming hot thermal pools, hang out with new friends at our excellent hostel, and hike along a ridge above town for the obligatory bird’s eye view.

We were hoping to catch sight of the active volcano that sits above town but the cloud cover wouldn’t allow it. So we didn’t really do anything we had planned to do, but we loved the place anyway.

Hiking above Banos, Ecuador Hiking above Banos, Ecuador

Where to Stay in Baños: I highly recommend the excellent and very social Plantas y Blanco Hostel which has a rooftop bar with panoramic views or stay at the highly rated, family-run Princesa Maria if you are looking for a quieter stay.

Cuenca, Ecuador

We were only in Cuenca for one night to break up our journey between Baños and Mancora in Peru. Short on time after being stranded in a small town in Colombia for ten days due to roadblocks, we were rushing to get to Cusco to do the Inca Trail.

If we had longer, I would have definitely spent a few days in this graceful colonial city. Like most of our time in Ecuador, the weather wasn’t cooperating but it didn’t affect my impressions of lovely Cuenca.

Exploring Cuenca, Ecuador - one of highlights of South America Exploring Cuenca, EcuadorWe spent our short time there admiring the numerous churches, visiting a local market, walking the grassy banks of the raging rain-fed torrent of the Rio Tomebamba, and sipping hot chocolate in the mood-lit courtyard of a colorful restaurant near our guesthouse, listening to the musical talents of the young woman singing.

Our short time in Cuenca was only a taste, but it was sweet.

Exploring Cuenca, Ecuador Cuenca, Ecuador is one of my South America HighlightsExploring Cuenca, Ecuador

Where to Stay in Cuenca: Stay at the best rated hostel in town, AlterNative Hostel, which has a central location and an onsite coffee shop.

For some five-star luxury, stay at the Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia. This beautiful boutique hotel is housed in a 19th century historic home in the Old Town of Cuenca.

Colca Canyon, Peru

Two different people told me that I shouldn’t bother going to the Colca Canyon as it isn’t that impressive, luckily this didn’t put me off. I liked the sound of a canyon that is reputably the deepest in the world and is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.

Those people must have been crazy because Colca Canyon is one of the most spectacular places I have ever been.

Exploring Colca Canyon, Peru was one of my South America highlightsWe spent three days hiking independently in the canyon, between small settlements along the canyon floor. The landscape was dry and the heat intensified as we descended lower into the canyon’s depth.

Flashes of color from wildflowers and patches of green foliage and trees contrasted with the rich browns of the canyon. Snow-capped mountains rose even higher than the canyon rim.

The juxtaposition of the red-tinted desert and the milky white snow was striking. We saw the gigantic Andean condor, which has a wingspan of up to 3.2 metres, soaring high above the canyon bottom.

Seeing Andean condors in Colca Canyon, Peru was one of my South America highlightsExploring the villages of Colca Canyon, PeruExploring Colca Canyon, Peru Evenings were spent at small guesthouses where we were the only guests and it cost the equivalent of around $4 per night. We ate dinner by candlelight, marveling at the impossible number of stars in the inky black of the night sky.

It was breathtakingly beautiful and a welcome relief from the crowds of the Inca trail.

Hiking in Colca Canyon, Peru was one of my South America HighlightsHiking in Colca Canyon in Peru

Where to Stay for Colca Canyon: Stay at the popular Oasis Paraiso Eco Lodge in the canyon, which has a beautiful pool and can only be reached on foot or by horse or mule.

Before venturing into the canyon, stay at La Granja del Colca in Cabanaconde which has great views and even the chance of seeing a condor soaring past the window.

Isla del Sol, Bolivia

The island of the sun, this large atoll in the middle of the high altitude Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, was believed by the Incas to be where the first of their people were born, along with the sun.

Reached by boat from Copacabana, Isla del Sol is a palette of bright high altitude color.

Exploring Isla de Sol in Bolivia one of my favorite off the beaten path South America experiences Hiking on Isla de Sol in Bolivia

From the small lakeside village where the boat dropped us, we hiked up to the ridgeline that is the backbone of the island.

The blindingly white sand of the beaches and the clear turquoise of the waters reminded me more of the Mediterranean than what I imagined Bolivia to look like, and I walked around with my mouth open in awe most of the day.

The hike was slow going for me with a broken toe and Trav was suffering from the altitude but we lost ourselves in the scenery and forgot about our pains, at least momentarily.

Exploring Isla de Sol in Bolivia - one of my South America HighlightsAfter arriving in the south of the island, we celebrated with a beer at a restaurant with tables overlooking the dramatic coastline below.

We spent the night in a basic homestay and ate incredible pizza by candlelight under the starry night sky. When I think of Isla del Sol what I remember most is the colors, somehow brighter in the thin mountain air.

Exploring Isla de Sol in BoliviaDay hiking on Isla de Sol in Bolivia

Where to Stay for Isla del Sol: Stay at Hostal del Sol on the south side of the island after trekking from the north. It has a garden terrace and even hot water showers.

Stay in a seashell with excellent lake views at Ecolodge Las Olas in Copacabana before venturing to the island.

Tupiza, Bolivia

Did you know that the real Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were shot and killed in Bolivia rather than in the American South West? I didn’t either. After robbing a bank in the southern Bolivian town of Tupiza, they were killed in a shootout.

I also didn’t know that the scenery in South West Bolivia looked like it could be straight out of a Western movie. Red rock canyons, prickly cacti and dusty sienna coloured earth are what make Tupiza such an interesting and beautiful place to visit.

Exploring Tupiza in Bolivia - one of my highlights of South America Exploring Tupiza in Bolivia Days were spent horse riding and hiking through the extraordinary landscape, watching the sun set on a hilltop over town under a glowing statue of Christ, relaxing by our hotel pool and eating amazing Bolivian fried chicken. 

The people were very friendly in Tupiza and one shop woman jumped for joy when I told her I was from New Zealand as I was her first ‘Kiwi’ customer. I signed her visitor book and felt like a celebrity.

This was our last stop in Bolivia and I was reluctant to leave. Tupiza may not be on everyone’s South America itinerary, but it should be.

Exploring Tupiza in BoliviaHorseriding in Tupiza in Bolivia

Where to Stay in Tupiza: Stay at Hostal Butch Cassidy which offers comfortable private rooms and free breakfast, or treat yourself at the Hotel Mitru which has an outdoor pool to enjoy after hiking in the area.

Cafayate, Argentina

Stuck in Salta for a few days because of bus strikes, we decided to see more of the province by taking a couple of organized day trips out of the city. One of the trips was to the quiet town of Cafayate.

Surrounded by red desert and unusual rock formations as well as world-class wineries, Cafayate is a dusty town where life ticks by at a leisurely pace.

Exploring Cafayate in Argentina Exploring around Cafayate in Argentina on a day tripWandering the streets we hardly saw any cars on the road, just a few push bikes. It is a beautiful town with buildings painted in earthy tones of ochre, tree-lined cobbled streets and shops selling arts and crafts.

White-washed wineries with their well-tended gardens invited you to linger awhile. A local lady feeding stray cats along a tall stone wall; a sea of cats clamoring for food. Most of all I liked the way Cafayate feels.

My worries melted away from me during the short time I spent in and around that peaceful town, so it was definitely one of my big highlights of South America.

Crazy cat lady of Cafayate in Argentina Exploring Cafayate in Argentina on a day tripExploring the shops of Cafayate in Argentina

Where to Stay in Cafayate: For a budget option, stay at social Hostel Ruta 40 which has dorms and private rooms and has a great location. To really treat yourself, book into the Altalaluna Hotel Boutique & Spa, a colonial-style mansion with a spa, outdoor pool, and restaurant onsite.

Villa General Belgrano, Argentina

Possibly my biggest offbeat South America highlights, visiting Villa General Belgrano felt like being back in Europe, which is probably why I loved it so much.

Quiet streets lined with half-timbered buildings. German restaurants serving steins of beer and rich and creamy dishes on small wooden decks lined with colourful flower boxes. Wooded trails meandered past gurgling streams and still ponds. Fresh alpine air and lots of pine trees.

A town in harmony with nature; built to blend into the natural environment.

Exploring Villa General Belgrano in Argentina - one of my favorite off the beaten path South America highlights Exploring Villa General Belgrano in Argentina Visiting Villa General Belgrano in Argentina We were meant to spend one night there but I didn’t want to leave. We ended up spending three which was all we could spare on our increasingly tight schedule near the end of our time in South America.

One day we hired bikes and biked up into the hills where there were giant trees full of dome-shaped birds nests and a crystal clear river filled with rich green river weed. So many trees.

I still dream about this perfect village in the mountains. I want to breathe its sweet air again.

Exploring Villa General Belgrano in Northern ArgentinaThe view over Villa General Belgrano in Argentina Walking around Villa General Belgrano in Argentina

Where to Stay in Villa General Belgrano: Stay at charming Hotel Edelweiss right in town which has a swimming pool and tennis court.

Have you been to South America? What were your South America Highlights that you hadn’t heard of before visiting?

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41 Comments on 10 Best Off the Beaten Path South America Highlights

  1. What a truly fantastic post! I really know what you mean, I often find that I am most blown away by the places that are less famous and I have not been dreaming about the for yeeears. I still want to visit Manchu pichu and hike in Patagonia…but I’ll have to try to fit places like this into our trip too. I wanted to go this Christmas…but I don’t think covid-19 will allow it for this year…

    p.s. I LOVE look of Colca Canyon! Those views!!

    • Machu Picchu is definitely still worth it and I really want to hike in Patagonia too – so there definitely are still very famous spots in South America too, along with the hidden gems like these.

  2. I LOVE travelling through South America. One of my favourite cities was Cuenca – glad you mentioned it! Pinning in hopes I can visit more of these cities in the near future.

  3. All of these places look so beautiful and a nice break from the touristy spots! I think I’d enjoy them all especially areas that have excellent hiking and killer views. I agree, the Colca Canyon looks stunning and hard to see why others wouldn’t think so.

  4. This is a great list of off the beaten track places in South America. It really opens up options to people. I saw Cuenca on a travel show recently and it looks lovely. Thanks for sharing.

  5. As someone who has not yet been to South America this is an awesome list, because I typically only hear of the same places. Colombia is somewhere I’d really like to explore. I have to wonder which people didn’t find Colca Canyon worthy of visiting though. I mean, it looks spectacular

  6. The photos are incredibly beautiful and, along with your vivid descriptions, make me want to visit South America more than I already did (and I wanted it a lot!).
    The one of you sitting atop a cliff in Isla del Sol was my favourite. In fact, the whole island seems
    to be the perfect place to go for a meditative walk.

  7. These are some amazing places! I agree it’s better to travel without expectations and you will have some nice surprises. It has happened to me too, that when I expect a lot I am disappointed and when I am chilled out things look far better. I guess that’s the fun of travel!

  8. My knowledge of South America is embarrassingly small, so it was really interesting to read through your favorite places from your visit as many of them were ones I had never heard of before! In my mind, South America is all kind of painted with one beige brush, but seeing your photos laid out this way, I was finally able to appreciate how much diversity and variation in culture and even geography/terrain there is in that part of the world. Thanks for making me a little less ignorant! 😀

    • Thanks for your message Steph, I was ignorant to how diverse the continent was until I went there myself. I will definitely be back to explore more as there is still so much of the continent that I haven’t had the chance to experience yet 🙂

  9. Visiting South America is definitely one of my ultimate bucketlist destinations! Hoping to do it after we travel New Zealand and Australia all of next year. Moving there for a year, hoping South America is next! Loved reading this post on unexpected travels 🙂

  10. wow, very cool! I’ve always wanted to visit South America. I like how you were such an optimist when it came to coming down with a cold by spinning the situation into something positive 🙂

  11. Wow, very cool! South America seems like such a great place to visit. I love how you were such an optimist when you were sick by spinning the situation into something positive.

  12. Great article! Villa de Leyva looks a lot like Paraty here in Brazil. I loved Colca Canyon and Isla del Sol too…places I’d never heard of before arriving in South America! Look forward to your next post 🙂

  13. Stunning photos! I’ve been wanting to see more of South America, especially Colombia. Have always loved the warmth of the people.

    • Colombia is an incredible country and is the South American country we stayed the longest in. I feel like I barely scratched the surface in 4 months travelling in South America – still so much to see!

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