Exotic. Extraordinary. Exciting. Expressive: These are words you’ll use over and over again when describing the South America shore excursions you experienced. On a cruise to South American ports, you’ll be always amazed and constantly captivated, whether you’re traveling through ice-white, southernmost Antarctica; beach-beautiful Brazil, lushly green Uruguay, and the Patagonian coast of Argentina on South America’s east coast; the craggy cliffs of Cape Horn, Chile, or the desert to mountain terrain of Peru and Ecuador on the continent’s west coast.
When docked at Puerto Madryn, Argentina, book an exclusive tour to see South America’s largest nesting colony of Magellanic penguins at Punta Tombo. During the season from September to March as many as 1 million penguins are in residence, making this a truly unforgettable experience. Ushuaia, is nicknamed “the end of the world”, as it is the last, southernmost city in South America, and while there, you can cruise through the Beagle Channel on a catamaran eco-adventure, charting a similar course to that of Charles Darwin on the 1880 H.M.S. Beagle expedition. View some of the last remaining glaciers in South America and observe the incredible native wildlife of the area. Not-to-be-missed South America cruise excursions in Buenos Aires include multiple ways to tour the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, a collection over 275 massive cascades that straddle the borders of Argentina and Brazil; and a sumptuous wine-and-dine experience that includes a live tango performance backed by a full orchestra.
Think “beach” when cruising to Brazil, and book South America shore excursions that offer the thrill of learning to surf in the clear blue water and perfect-for-beginner-sized-waves at Buzios; schooner sail through the Channel of Sao Sebastiano to a treasured stretch of sand at Jabaquara when visiting Ihabela; and sunbathe on the iconic beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro. Among other enticing Brazil excursions are a cable car climb of 1200 feet to reach Rio’s Sugar Loaf Mountain, and a visit to the Pele soccer museum in Sao Paulo, one of the largest cities in the world.
On the west coast of South America, shore excursions in Peru can be all about multiple-day mountain treks to one of the New Wonders of the World, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu, or a boat trip to Ballestas Islands to see the mysterious “candelabra” formation carved into the coastal cliffs.
In Manta, Ecuador, enjoy a UNESCO Cultural Heritage journey to Montecristi, birthplace of the toquilla, the brimmed straw hat known the world over as the Panama hat, and discover why the tagua nut is called “vegetable ivory". South America cruises truly offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those wanting to see the best places to visit in South America.
