Top South American Cities to Visit
Take a fast track to the heart of South American culture in the famously fun cities on our list of carefully curated small-group tours.
Buenos Aires. Bogotá. Lima. Quito. There’s a reason why the best cities in South America are a mainstay on travel bucket lists. You’d be surprised, too, by how many of the safest places to travel in South America are within a few hours of those famous destinations. Get to know the most beautiful natural landscapes in this compelling continent, while venturing into some of the safest South American cities on one of these small-group adventures, bookable with Culture Trip.
Rio de Janeiro, for seaside sunsets and samba spirit
No city sets a spring in your step – and a jiggle in your hips – quite like Rio. Our Brazil trip finishes with four days in Brazil’s spiritual capital. We’ll hit the big bucket-list classics like Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Copacabana, but we’ll also dig deeper into local culture with a samba-filled Carnaval experience and a night in residents’ favourite sunset spot, as well as discovering lesser-known gems like Tijuca Forest and the city’s magical botanical gardens. The trip also features a couple of days in Brazil’s largest city Sao Paulo, full of incredible feats of modern architecture and vast green urban spaces.
From US$2099
Next available from 8th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Sao Paulo, Brazil
ENDS AT
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
Quito, to discover the essence of Ecuador
Ecuador is in an envious position, having both the Andes and the Amazon in their backyard. It’s not just Quito’s altitude that will make your head feel lighter; the second-highest capital city will send a flow of endorphins to your brain with its culinary delights. Come hungry for this tour, which includes a culinary masterclass at Altamira restaurant and a chocolate-tasting session. Don’t worry, you’ll walk off the extra calories around Quilotoa Lake later in the week.
From US$1459
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Quito, Ecuador
ENDS AT
Quito, Ecuador
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
Cartagena, for history and amazing street food
Carve into Colombia’s Caribbean coast and you’ll uncover deserted beaches, snow-capped mountains and a varied climate in between that produces more than 400 fruits and vegetables. This tour will take you from sand to snow, but not before taking you behind Cartagena’s historic walled city. Tastings of rum and arepas (fried corn patties) are just two of the guided activities you’ll enjoy.
From US$1711
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cartagena, Colombia
ENDS AT
Santa Marta, Colombia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
Cusco and Arequipa, for Peru's underrated city breaks
Peru’s most famous city is an Incan ruin uninhabited for centuries, but don’t discount Cusco and Arequipa either side of your Machu Picchu adventure. Our tour of Cusco is a feast for the senses, visiting San Pedro market, taking a Peruvian cooking class and tasting coffee at Three Monkeys Coffee. After exploring Piuray Lagoon, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley we’ll end up in Arequipa for a tour of the city’s delicious picanterias (traditional lunchtime restaurants) and a visit to the beautiful Santa Catalina Convent, dating back to 1579.
From US$1824
Next available from 1st Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cusco, Peru
ENDS AT
Arequipa, Peru
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
This is a rewrite of an article by Georganne Hassell. Additional reporting by Gethin Morgan.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.