Disclaimer: Keep in mind that this guide is based entirely on my own opinions, personal experiences, and the specific vibe I felt while travelling through each country.1.PERU
If you love hiking, mountains, and deep cultural history, Peru is an absolute must-visit. The ancient Inca culture is completely fascinating, and the mountain treks are nothing short of incredible. To this day, Cusco remains the prettiest city I’ve ever been to—it is just bursting with adventure around every corner.
Peru is generally a very safe country to travel to.
Just keep in mind that the Cusco region isn't exactly a budget destination; prices can run pretty high when it comes to quality restaurants and nice accommodations!
I’m already planning my return trip to Peru to explore Lima and tackle the Cordillera Huayhuash circuit.
Recommendations: Machu Picchu, Cusco, Valle Sagrado, VinicuncaBest Treks: Ausangate trek, Huayhuash Trek, Salkantay Trek👉 Explore Peru's Travel Guide Here2.COLOMBIA
Colombia is easily one of the most underrated destinations in the world! The tropical landscapes are absolutely breathtaking, boasting everything from dense, lush jungles to the tallest palm trees on the planet. The locals are incredibly warm, welcoming, and always eager to lend a helping hand. There is such a fun, infectious energy to the Latino culture, especially when you experience the vibrant pace of its major cities.
On top of that, it is an incredibly budget-friendly country where you can book a luxury hotel for a fraction of what it would cost in Europe.
It is also much safer than the media portrays it to be. However, there are still a few areas where it is necessary to be cautious. That said, there are police everywhere, so it feels quite protected.
Not many people travel to Colombia, so if you want an off-the-beaten-path experience, this is the country for you!
When I was in Medellín, I even had the unique experience of meeting Pablo Escobar’s brother and touring the family’s estate.
Recommendations: Medellín, Tayrona National Park, Salento & Valle del CocoraFavourite Hotels: Casa Bambu Tayrona; Villa Playa Tayrona; Click Clack Hotel Medellín👉 Explore Colombia's Travel Guide Here3.COSTA RICA
Costa Rica is hands down the lushest place I have ever set foot in! The wildlife is absolutely incredible—every direction you turn, you are surrounded by dense jungle, dramatic waterfalls, vibrant parrots, and toucans. However, the humidity is next level.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that navigating the roads can be a bit of a challenge, and it is a surprisingly expensive destination; prices easily rival what you would pay in Europe or in the States, and in some areas, they are even higher. With tourism heavily catered to luxury and high-end travellers, it isn't an ideal destination for budget backpackers.
Costa Rica is generally a very safe country to travel to, and the local people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. To top it all off, practically everyone we met spoke perfect English.
Recommendations: La Fortuna, Volcano Arenal, Uvita Favourite Hotel: Noah's Forest by Tifakara👉 Explore Costa Rica's Travel Guide Here4.BOLIVIA
Bolivia is probably the most authentic country in South America; it feels like stepping back in time. People still dress in their traditional clothes, and the infrastructure is not very developed. The landscape, with its high-altitude deserts and peaks, makes you feel like you are on Mars, just with flamingos.
Be sure to give yourself plenty of days in La Paz to acclimatise! It is the highest capital city in the world, sitting at a breathtaking 3,640 meters above sea level, so taking a few days to rest and take it easy is essential.
Overall, Bolivia is a remarkably safe country to travel through, and it easily holds the title of the cheapest destination in the Americas.
Recommendations: La Paz, Huyna PotosiFavourite Hotel: Mitru Hotel La Paz👉 Explore Bolivia's Travel Guide Here5. ECUADOR
Ecuador was the first country I ever visited in South America.
It was probably the place where I felt the most unsafe, especially in Quito, though the rest of the country felt okay. Based on some recent research, I just found out that Ecuador is considered the most dangerous country in South America by homicide rate. It makes complete sense, as the atmosphere in the capital felt quite tense.
Despite the safety issues, Quito is a beautiful city, and the surrounding nature—with its towering volcanoes—is an absolute must-visit when travelling to Ecuador.
The south of Ecuador is incredibly lush, packed with beautiful waterfalls, relaxing hot springs, and plenty of adventures like ziplining!
I was expecting Ecuador to be a lot cheaper than it actually is. Because the country uses the US dollar, prices are driven up, which creates a harsh contrast with local salaries. This economic imbalance and low minimum wage are a big part of why the country has seen such a rise in crime lately.
Recommendations: Quito, Baños 👉 Explore Ecuador's Travel Guide Here6. BRAZIL
In Brazil, I’ve only been to Rio de Janeiro. Contrary to what many people say, it actually felt quite safe to me; the vibe was super fun and upscale, and Rio is absolutely beautiful with such great nature vibes overall. If you visit the botanical garden, you can even spot wild toucans hanging out in the trees!
Rio de Janeiro is quite expensive compared to other South American cities.
Recommendations: Leblon Rio, Sugarloaf Mountain7.ARGENTINA
In Argentina, I visited Buenos Aires and Patagonia. I didn’t particularly like the capital, but Patagonia is an absolute must-visit destination, with its vast desert landscapes, wild guanacos, and dramatic mountain peaks rising out of nowhere. My only regret was not making it all the way down to Ushuaia.
Argentina didn’t make it to the top of my list mostly because it feels very European. There is no real culture shock, which is exactly what I look for the most when travelling to new places.
Overall, Argentina is a safe country to travel to; however, it is quite expensive compared to other South American countries.
Recommendations: El Calafate glacier, El Chaltén, Fitz Roy hike to Laguna de los tres, Cerro Torre hikeFavourite Hotel: Kaulem Boutique Hotel👉 Explore Patagonia's Travel Guide Here8.DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
In the Dominican Republic, I visited Bayahíbe and Saona Island. I went as a teenager, so I was stuck with my parents at an all-inclusive resort, which really isn’t my vibe. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour we took to Saona Island. We were a bit unlucky, though; Hurricane Sandy had passed through just two weeks prior, so the beaches were quite damaged, and the sea was a bit too wavy to actually go in for a swim.
Recommendations: Saona Island9. URUGUAY
In Uruguay’s defence, I was only there for two days, taking the ferry from Buenos Aires over to Colonia del Sacramento. Colonia is a very quiet town with beautiful European colonial architecture.
Overall, the country is an incredibly safe and welcoming destination for travellers; however, it is also one of the most expensive in South America.
That being said, Uruguay definitely requires more than two days to be properly explored, so I feel a bit bad judging it based on such a short trip.
To this day, Central and South America remain my absolute favourite places to explore. There is just so much to experience, from the incredible cultural depth to the sheer variety of the landscapes. While they are far safer than their reputations suggest, they are definitely more expensive than people realise—but every single moment is worth it!