Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Incan ruins, colonial towns and white-sand beaches: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures. Lonely Planet is your passport to South America, with amazing travel experiences and the best planning advice.
Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet South America
Wander through the stone temples of Machu Picchu, trek through the Amazon, or party in Rio de Janeiro; all with your trusted travel companion.
Lonely Planet writer Regis St Louis describes why he loves South America. "Be mindful of what you're getting into: South America can be a lifetime addiction. I didn't realize this when I first hiked Andean trails and visited pre-Columbian sites more than 15 years ago. Like other travelers who shared the journey, I was hooked. I fell hard for the incredible wonders of this continent: its mist-covered peaks, thundering falls and vast rainforests. Add to this the human-made treasures: buzzing indigenous markets, picturesque colonial towns and vibrant cityscapes. This is just the beginning, and in South America there really is no end. It's the reason I've returned so many times, but know there is still much more to discover."
South America's Top 10
1. Machu Picchu
2. The Amazon
3. Rio de Janeiro
4. Buenos Aires
5. Lake Titicaca
6. Iguazu Falls
7. Atacama Desert
8. Salar de Uyuni
9. Central Suriname Nature Reserve
10. Otavalo Market
Inside Lonely Planet’s South America Travel Guide:
- Colour maps and images throughout
- Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
- Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
- Budget-oriented recommendations with honest reviews - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
- Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - History, People & Culture
Coverage includes: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela and more
Writers: Regis St Louis, Isabel Albiston, Robert Balkovich, Celeste Brash, Jade Bremner, Cathy Brown, Gregor Clark, Alex Egerton, Michael Grosberg, Anthony Ham, Mark Johanson, Anna Kaminski, Brian Kluepfel, Tom Masters, Carolyn McCarthy, MaSovaida Morgan, Anja Mutic, Kevin Raub, Brendan Sainsbury, Adam Skolnick, Paul Smith, Andy Symington, Phillip Tang, Luke Waterson, Wendy Yanagihara
Get to the heart of South America and begin your journey now!
by The Raven Brothers
Out of shape and unprepared, The Raven Brothers return to the road in a collection of ten quests to travel to their dream destinations against all odds! After two decades pioneering new routes across the globe, you would expect the authors of 'Driving the Trans-Siberian' to be hotshot explorers, with a sixth sense and an ability to survive in almost any situation. Think again! With virtually zero knowledge of the workings of the internal combustion engine and very limited skills of wilderness survival, Simon and Chris struggle into their hiking boots and power across three continents by river, tarmac and trail.
Venture to the top of Norway, cruise the road to Damascus, hike the Camino trail into Spain’s Wild West, row the Ganges, explore Frida Kahlo’s world in Mexico City, hangout with the dead in Sicily’s eerie catacombs, crawl deep inside Bolivia’s notorious silver mine, seek lions in Gujarat, wellness in Berlin and journey into the Naga Hills where tribal kings still rule.
Noted by Lonely Planet for their talent to portray an “accurate view of what to expect”, 'Hike, Drive, Stayin’ Alive!' signals a return to the duo writing “buttock clenching” travel comedy with the first in a series of candid stories of adventure by The Raven Brothers.