The Best Places to Travel in 2026: A Curated South America Guide for Luxury Explorers

Every year brings new reasons to explore South America, but something about 2026 feels different. Travelers are looking for places that feel alive, places that offer a sense of perspective and connection. They want landscapes that quiet the mind, cuisines that speak to history, and cultural experiences that feel real rather than staged. South America does this effortlessly. 

When Kuoda plans a journey, it becomes more than an itinerary. It becomes a way of seeing. And in 2026, the continent promises rare beauty, quiet corners, and meaningful encounters shaped by local knowledge. 

Below is a warm, discerning guide to the best places to travel in 2026, crafted for travelers who want comfort, culture, and authentic depth woven into every day. 

Why South America Belongs at the Top of Every 2026 Travel List

Luxury travelers want space, clarity, and immersion. They want expert guides, sustainability they can trust, and logistics that run quietly in the background. South America rewards this mindset. You move between ecosystems with ease, step into stories held by local communities, and experience hospitality rooted in pride and warmth.

Kuoda’s on-the-ground presence in Cusco, long-standing relationships with artisans and naturalists, and climate-positive travel approach add substance to every journey. This region shines brightest when explored with intention, which is exactly how we design our private itineraries.

The Best Places to Travel in 2026 in South America

Each destination below offers something distinctive: emotional resonance, ecological wonder, cultural heritage, or simple joy. Together, they create a travel landscape perfect for 2026.

Peru: A Journey Through Living History and Extraordinary Landscapes

Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley

Machu Picchu remains one of the world’s most powerful places, but the surrounding Sacred Valley is where travelers feel the soul of Andean life. Families weave in the old ways. Farmers plant by the moon. Terraces stretch across mountains that glow gold in late afternoon light.

Luxury here means space and connection. Boutique lodges offer firelit evenings, private cooking classes, and immersive experiences with local experts.

Kuoda arranges private access hours, specialist guides, and moments shaped around light, altitude, and season. It is a place that rewards slow travel, making it one of the best places to travel in 2026 for those seeking meaning.

Peruvian Amazon

The rainforest offers quiet magic. Staying in an eco-luxury lodge surrounded by orchids, birds, and still water creates a deep sense of presence. Days unfold softly: canoe rides at dawn, wildlife encounters with naturalists, star-filled nights by the river.

Argentina: Wine, Wilderness, and City Culture With Personality

Mendoza’s Wine Country

Mendoza offers long lunches under vineyard pergolas, expert-led tastings, and intimate estate stays where each bottle carries a story. Private tastings with vintners, blending sessions, and sunset walks through the vines make this region ideal for culinary-focused travelers.

Patagonia

Patagonia feels untouched. Mountains rise like stone cathedrals, glaciers shift with ancient patience, and wind moves through wide plains that feel endless. Luxury lodges here focus on comfort and quiet, offering guided hikes, wildlife outings, and evenings of reflection.

For travelers seeking serenity in nature, Patagonia is an obvious addition to the best places to travel in 2026 list.

Buenos Aires

Argentina’s capital blends European elegance with South American warmth. Tango halls, contemporary tasting menus, antique markets, and tree-lined neighborhoods make the city feel layered and sophisticated. Kuoda’s guides help travelers navigate this blend with ease.

Chile: A Land of Extremes and Refined Simplicity

Atacama Desert

The Atacama is one of the world’s most surreal landscapes. Salt flats, volcanic formations, geysers, and night skies filled with stars create a sense of wonder. Eco-luxury lodges make this region comfortable, while private astronomers bring clarity to the sky’s stories.

Patagonia’s Chilean Side

Often quieter than the Argentine side, Chilean Patagonia offers fjords, deep blue glaciers, and some of the most polished lodges in South America. Guided treks, boat excursions, and fireside evenings make it a grounding place to unwind.

Ecuador: Compact, Biodiverse, and Full of Heart

Galápagos Islands

Few places compare to the Galápagos. Wildlife behaves without fear, giving travelers rare proximity to creatures seen nowhere else. Boutique yachts create a luxurious, intimate base for exploring each island’s ecological personality. Snorkeling with turtles, strolling among iguanas, and learning from naturalists create a journey that feels alive in every sense.

Quito and the Cloud Forest

Quito’s historic center provides architectural beauty and cultural richness, while nearby cloud forests offer misty mornings, waterfalls, and lush biodiversity. Luxury lodges here blend sustainability with comfort, making them perfect for quiet retreats.

Colombia: Color, Music, and Coastal Warmth

Cartagena

Cartagena feels joyful. Its walled city glows with soft Caribbean light. Music spills into plazas, and meals center on fresh seafood and coconut flavors. Luxury stays in restored mansions create a sense of romance and ease.

The Coffee Region

Rolling hills, slow mornings, and intimate haciendas define Colombia’s Coffee Region. Travelers learn about coffee-making from field to cup, explore villages known for craftsmanship, and savor landscapes that calm the mind.

Bolivia: Quiet Grandeur and Deep Cultural Roots

Uyuni Salt Flats

Uyuni feels almost dreamlike. Its shimmering white expanse offers sunrise colors and reflective scenes that feel more like art than nature. Private Airstream stays, stargazing sessions, and visits to small surrounding communities create an experience unlike any other.

La Paz and Lake Titicaca

La Paz’s altitude gives everything a sense of clarity, while Lake Titicaca offers spiritual stillness. Local communities preserve traditions through agriculture, weaving, and dance, and Kuoda arranges respectful encounters that honor this heritage.

Boutique Accommodations That Shape the Journey

South America offers stays with personality and intention:

• eco-luxury lodges in the Amazon and cloud forest
• vineyard estates in Mendoza
• restored mansions in Cartagena and Quito
• Patagonia lodges designed around landscape and silence
• private yachts in the Galápagos
• Airstreams on the Uyuni Salt Flats

These properties elevate each destination and create a sense of place that travelers remember long after they return home.

Travel Made Seamless With Kuoda

In 2026, travelers want ease. They want trust. They want expertise that anticipates needs before they arise.

Kuoda handles every detail with precision: private transfers, internal flights, restaurant reservations, expert guides, altitude management, and regional logistics. Our deep local networks and on-the-ground team in Cusco ensure smooth travel across borders and landscapes.

As a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2025 winner, Kuoda remains among the top 10 percent of global travel experiences for a reason.

Sustainability and Community Connection

Luxury travel in 2026 means conscious travel. Kuoda is a climate-positive company, offsetting more carbon than we emit. Through the Kaypi Kunan Foundation, we support education and cultural preservation in Andean communities, ensuring travel leaves a positive footprint.

Travelers seeking meaningful journeys will appreciate how sustainability and comfort coexist in every Kuoda itinerary.

FAQs About the Best Places to Travel in 2026

1. What are the best places to travel in 2026 in South America?

Peru, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia all offer exceptional experiences for luxury travelers in 2026.

2. Is 2026 a good year to explore South America?

Yes. Improved connectivity, growing interest in sustainable travel, and boutique hospitality make 2026 an excellent time to explore the region.

3. Can Kuoda tailor a private trip across multiple countries?

Absolutely. We design custom itineraries across borders, balancing culture, nature, cuisine, and luxury hospitality.

4. What’s the best way to experience these destinations?

Through private guides, boutique lodges, curated experiences, and pacing shaped around your interests.

Plan Your 2026 Journey With Kuoda

South America offers rare beauty and honest hospitality, and 2026 feels like the right moment to experience it with intention. The best places to travel in 2026 are the ones that invite reflection, wonder, and connection.

Kuoda designs tailor-made journeys that move at your pace, shaped by your curiosity and comfort. When you’re ready to explore the continent with depth and elegance, our team will craft an itinerary you’ll carry with you for years to come.