The Traveling Wellburys

We have spent nearly 2 years traveling South America and have had the opportunity to visit some pretty incredible places along the way!

From our adventures, we wanted to put together 15 of our favorite and most beautiful cities that we have visited. We are only including larger cities because if we started including small towns, the list would just grow utterly too big!

So, here it is! In no particular order, these are the 15 most beautiful cities in South America that we think should be added to your Bucket List!

• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Córdoba, Argentina
• Paraty, Brazil
• Ouro Preto, Brazil
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Cusco, Peru
• Arequipa, Peru
• Lima, Peru
• Quito, Ecuador
• Medellín, Colombia
• Santiago, Chile
• Montevideo, Uruguay
• Punta del Este, Uruguay
• Cartagena, Colombia
• Cuenca, Ecuador

Buenos Aires, Argentina

While we were a little intimidated by the size of Buenos Aires, the sheer beauty of the city cannot be denied. With its unique blend of culture, history, and vibrant energy, it is often referred to as the Paris of South America. World-renowned for its tango dance and music scene, you must find yourself at a tango show, but not before you indulge in the Argentine cuisine including mouthwatering steaks and empanadas… and don’t forget to get an alfajor for dessert! We loved exploring the neoclassical facades of the historic neighborhoods, and the vibrant and lively streets of the La Boca neighborhood!

Córdoba, Argentina

Córdoba is a beautiful city in Argentina that was an early Spanish colony in South America founded in 1573. The city is surrounded by the stunning Sierras de Córdoba, offering a captivating blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Córdoba’s Jesuit Block is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it showcases beautiful colonial architecture. It is fun to get lost in the streets! The city’s lively atmosphere is fueled by its thriving student population. With a mix of history, an incredible food scene, and the natural beauty of the surrounding area, Córdoba makes for one of the most beautiful cities in South America!

Paraty, Brazil

Paraty is a beautiful colonial city in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The early colonial Portuguese architecture is absolutely stunning and in wonderful condition. You can get lost walking from street to street, stopping in the shops, and eating at amazing restaurants. Paraty is also known for its amazing diving and snorkeling off its shores. With so much to see and do, Paraty should not be missed when you visit South America!

Ouro Preto, Brazil

Ouro Preto is in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil and is yet another colonial city with amazing architecture. The city began as a mining town during the 18th century gold rush, with its name, Ouro Preto, meaning ‘Black Gold’. Walking down Ouro Preto’s cobblestone streets is like taking a step back in time and exploring its rich colonial heritage. The town is like a living museum, showcasing intricate churches that are adorned with gold, museums, art, and cultural festivals. The surrounding natural beauty of Ouro Preto offers incredible hiking opportunities too!

Read more about Ouro Preto in our blog post: The Fascinating Cities of Minas Gerais

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Of course, we cannot make a beautiful cities in South America list without including Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! Rio is a unique and vibrant city that is known around the world for its Carnival, a spectacle of Brazil’s samba, rich color, and exuberance. Rio’s iconic image is defined by the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, and of course the Sugarloaf Mountain! One of our personal favorite things to do in Rio was hiking ‘Pedra da Gávea’ for its stunning and immense view of the city below!

Cusco, Peru

One of our absolute favorite places from our travels in South America would have to be Cusco, Peru. It is such a unique city and full of so much history. Not only is it the gateway to the incredible Machu Picchu, but it was the capital of the Incan Empire until the 16th century when it was taken over by the Spanish. While Cusco has an onerous history, it creates a unique culture with a evident mix of Incan and Spanish influences. Sitting at a whopping 11,200 feet above sea level, you are bound to experience some altitude sickness if you are not accustomed to the high altitudes.

Read more about Cusco in our blog post: Plan Your Trip to Cusco, Peru

Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa is a historical city in Peru and another one of our favorite cities we have visited in South America. We didn’t know much about Arequipa before visiting, but the city boasts beautiful colonial architecture made from white volcanic stone from the 3 grand volcanoes that surround the outskirts of the city! The city’s has beautiful cobblestone streets, amazing restaurants, and incredible hiking and day trips around the city!

Read more about Arequipa in our blog post: This is Why You Should Experience Arequipa, Peru

Lima, Peru

While Lima’s city architecture does not compare to that of Cusco or Arequipa, it is still a beautiful city that sits atop a cliffside along the Pacific Ocean. Most notably, Lima offered some of the best restaurants that we ate at during our 2 year tour of South America! The food scene is delectable. When you are not eating, you can catch a wave at one of Lima’s beaches, walk around the city, or even swim with sea lions off of Lima’s shore!

Read more about Lima in our blog post: 15 Best Thing to Do in Lima, Peru (Travel & Food Guide)

Quito, Ecuador

Quito is the capital city of Ecuador and has one of the largest and best preserved historic districts in Latin America! Quito is nestled high in the Andes at 9,350 ft above sea level, which makes it one of the world’s highest capitals! If you are a nature lover like us, you have to take the TelefériQo Cable Car, which goes halfway up the Pichincha Volcano, where you can get incredible views of the city, and even hike to the summit of the volcano if you are feeling up to it! Ecuador is full of diverse and enchanting landscapes, and Quito can act as the gateway to many of the natural wonders from the Amazon Rainforest to the Galapagos Islands.

Medellín, Colombia

Sitting in a valley of the Andes Mountains, Medellín is a beautiful city full of so much heart. Known as the Eternal City of Spring due to its moderate year round temperatures, makes it the perfect destination for any time of year. Medellín is a testament to the power of transformation and resilience. Once defined by its association with the drug trade and earning the title of one of the most dangerous cities in the world, Medellín has emerged as a vibrant, innovative, and safe destination for people around the world. While the city is far from perfect, it is a place where innovation and community spirit have turned a troubled past into a hopeful future.

Seeing the resilience of the city and its People inspired us to slow down on our travels and find a place to volunteer. We wanted to get to know the city a little better, while also giving back to the communities that we visit. This led us to finding Sueños y Huellas, an incredible foundation that provides support to children and young women who live in conditions of poverty and vulnerability. We encourage you to check out their website and consider volunteering with them if you are planning to visit Medellín.

Santiago, Chile

We ended up flying into Santiago, Chile last minute after another trip plan did not work out. We were mesmerized by the city surrounded in the towering Andes Mountains. Within the city you will find historical neighborhoods amongst sleek sky scrapers. Santiago is home to the tallest building in South America, Gran Torre, which you can head to the top of for an epic view of the city. Santiago has some amazing opportunities in nature, not far out of the city limits. We spent a day skiing at Valle Nevado and it was incredible.

Montevideo, Uruguay

We were pleasantly surprised upon arriving in Montevideo after not knowing very much about the country of Uruguay. The city is beautiful, calm, organized and feels very safe. We absolutely loved the colonial style architecture that is very prevalent throughout the city. You can get lost walking down the streets, visiting the vibrant markets, or walking along the ocean front!

Read more about Montevideo in our blog post: An Amazing Uruguay Road Trip

Punta del Este, Uruguay

Punta del Este is a little different from the many historic cities that we have included in this list, but we feel that it deserves a spot. Situated on a peninsula, you are in for some beautiful views. It is known for its beautiful beaches and exciting nightlife, which attracts visitors from across the globe. Punta del Este is a perfect mix of relaxation and fun! The surrounding countryside is incredible too, and you can find yourself at one of the many wineries!

Read more about Punta del Este in our blog post: An Amazing Uruguay Road Trip

Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is like the little Miami of Colombia, but with a beautifully preserved historic section of the city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the walls of the Old Town, pastel-colored colonial style buildings line the cobblestoned streets. As you wander through the beautiful streets, you will find charming plazas, historical churches, and tons of shops and restaurants. Cartagena’s soul is infused with music and dance, and you will hear the rhythms of cumbia and salsa drifting through the air. The nearby beaches offer some incredible day trips. Head to the Rosario Islands or to Playa Blanca for a relaxing and beautiful day in the sun!

Cuenca, Ecuador

After traveling Ecuador for a month, we instantly felt at home and super safe in Cuenca. The city is home to a ton of North American and European Nomads and retirees. It is a beautiful historic city nestled in a valley of the Andes Mountains. Walking the historical streets offers a full day of sightseeing. For nature enthusiasts, you must head to the nearby Cajas National Park for some otherworldly hiking!

In Conclusion…

We hope you have found some inspiration to add one or all of these cities to your South American bucket list! Each one is beautiful in its own right and deserves to be seen, explored, and appreciated! If you visit one of these cities, we would love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

-M & J

---