51 days in South America & Mexico Itinerary

Santiago tourism thrives largely thanks to the city's big selection of cultural and entertainment options, including museums, theaters, restaurants, bars, and giant malls.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Santiago: River Rafting & Tubing (in San Jose de Maipo) and Concha y Toro (in Pirque). And it doesn't end there: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at San Cristóbal Hill, go for a walk through Plaza de Armas, explore the world behind art at Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, and see the interesting displays at La Chascona.

For where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Santiago online vacation planner.

Melbourne, Australia to Santiago is an approximately 18-hour flight. Traveling from Melbourne to Santiago, you'll gain 14 hours due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to San Pedro de Atacama.

Major archeological sites and a renowned museum remain the big draws in San Pedro de Atacama tourism, appealing to visitors interested in learning more about South America's pre-Columbian cultures.

San Pedro de Atacama is known for nature, wildlife, and historic sites. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: witness a stunning natural landmark at Geyser del Tatio, contemplate the waterfront views at Laguna Cejar, make a trip to Mirador de Kari, Piedra del Coyote, and take in the dramatic natural features at Valle De La Luna.

Plan a San Pedro de Atacama trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

You can fly from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In January in San Pedro de Atacama, expect temperatures between °C during the day and °C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Foz do Iguacu.

A gateway to the world-renowned Iguacu Falls, which spectacularly divide Brazil and Argentina, the modern, high-rise city of Foz do Iguacu can't help but play second fiddle to the natural wonder in its vicinity.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Mon): take in the spiritual surroundings of Mosque of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab and then take in the dramatic scenery at Iguazu Falls. Here are some ideas for day two: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Buddhist Temple, thenadmire the engineering at Itaipu Dam, and then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Parque das Aves Bird Park.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Foz do Iguacu trip itinerary maker site.

Fly from San Pedro de Atacama to Foz do Iguacu in 15 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from San Pedro de Atacama to Foz do Iguacu due to the time zone difference. When traveling from San Pedro de Atacama in February, plan for somewhat warmer days in Foz do Iguacu, with highs around °C, while nights are warmer with lows around °C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Tue) early enough to travel to Rio de Janeiro.

Bustling with samba music and all-night street parties, no city encapsulates the spirit of Brazil better than Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro is known for beaches, nightlife, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: catch a ride on Sugarloaf Mountain, enjoy the sand and surf at Pedra do Arpoador, stroll through Barra da Tijuca Beach, and pause for some photo ops at Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer.

Plan my day in Rio de Janeiro using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Inspirock.

Fly from Foz do Iguacu to Rio de Janeiro in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In February in Rio de Janeiro, expect temperatures between °C during the day and °C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) early enough to travel to Sao Paulo.

Don't let the city's nickname--"Land of Drizzle"--dampen your spirits during a trip to Sao Paulo.

Change things up with these side-trips from Sao Paulo: Orla e Jardins da Praia de Santos (in Santos), Guaruja (Acqua Mundo & Enseada Beach) and Juquehy Beach (in Sao Sebastiao). There's much more to do: discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, get to know the resident critters at Zoológico de São Paulo, stop by Morumbi Shopping, and get curious at Instituto de Biociências da Universidade de São Paulo.

To see photos, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Sao Paulo trip itinerary planning site.

You can fly from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Rio de Janeiro in February, things will get a bit cooler in Sao Paulo: highs are around °C and lows about °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) early enough to travel to Fernando de Noronha.

With 21 lush islands scattered among pristine waters in the Atlantic Ocean, a Fernando de Noronha holiday is well worth the effort it takes to get there.

Fernando de Noronha is known for beaches, museums, and wildlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get outside with Baia dos Porcos, stroll through Praia do Cacimba do Padre, enjoy the sand and surf at Praia do Leão, and don't miss a visit to Fortaleza N S dos Remedios.

To find photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Fernando de Noronha tour builder tool.

Fly from Sao Paulo to Fernando de Noronha in 7 hours. The time zone changes from Brasilia Standard Time to Fernando de Noronha Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. Traveling from Sao Paulo in February, expect somewhat warmer with lows of °C in Fernando de Noronha. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Bogota.

Colombia's heart and soul, Bogota has earned the nickname "Athens of South America" thanks to its abundance of universities, libraries, and lower-level schools.

Step out of Bogota with an excursion to Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira in Zipaquira--about 54 minutes away. The adventure continues: examine the collection at Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), admire the natural beauty at Jardin Botanico de Bogota Jose Celestino Mutis, take an in-depth tour of Casa Museo Quinta de Bolivar, and steep yourself in history at Bolivar Square.

For reviews, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, use the Bogota journey planner.

You can fly from Fernando de Noronha to Bogota in 20 hours. The time zone changes from Fernando de Noronha Standard Time (FNT) to Colombia Standard Time (COT), which is usually a -3 hour difference. When traveling from Fernando de Noronha in February, plan for slightly colder days in Bogota, with highs around °C, while nights are colder with lows around °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat) early enough to travel to Cancun.

Few destinations in Mexico dazzle visitors quite like Cancun, a modern resort town filled with glitzy hotels sitting on picturesque and well-developed Caribbean beaches.

Change things up with these side-trips from Cancun: Playa del Carmen (Quinta Avenida, Zipline, &more) and Punta Laguna Nature Reserve (in Tulum). Next up on the itinerary: buy something for everyone on your list at La Isla Shopping Village, explore the ancient world of Zona Arqueologica El Rey, enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Delfines, and get outside with Outdoor Activities.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read Cancun sightseeing planning website.

Fly from Bogota to Cancun in 8 hours. When traveling from Bogota in February, plan for somewhat warmer days and warmer nights in Cancun: temperatures range from °C by day to °C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) early enough to travel to Machu Picchu.

A symbol of the Incan civilization, the abandoned city of Machu Picchu represents a must-see on a Peru vacation.

On the 28th (Fri), make a trip to Plaza Manco Capac and then take in the natural beauty of Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes). On the 29th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take some stellar pictures from Intipuncu and then contemplate the long history of Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu.

For reviews, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Machu Picchu trip planner.

You can fly from Cancun to Machu Picchu in 15 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sat) so you can travel to Cusco.

Capital of the Inca Empire for three centuries, World Heritage-listed Cusco is now a major tourist destination, drawing nearly 2 million annual tourists with its well-preserved colonial architecture and proximity to Machu Picchu.

Get out of town with these interesting Cusco side-trips: Maras (Salinas de Maras & Moray). On the 3rd (Tue), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. The adventure continues: contemplate the long history of Sacsayhuaman, delve into the distant past at Sacred Valley of the Incas, admire the striking features of Centro Historico De Cusco, and take a stroll through San Blas.

To find more things to do, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Cusco journey planner.

Traveling by combination of train and bus from Machu Picchu to Cusco takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In February in Cusco, expect temperatures between °C during the day and °C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Iguazu National Park.

Iguazu National Park contains 672 sq km (259 sq mi) of fertile subtropical forests, but its main attraction is the majestic Iguazu Falls.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Sat): take in the dramatic scenery at Iguazu Falls. On the next day, admire the sheer force of Salto Bernabe Mendez, thenadmire the sheer force of Salto San Martin, and then step off the mainland to explore Isla San Martin.

For photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Iguazu National Park journey planner.

Getting from Cusco to Iguazu National Park by combination of flight and bus takes about 11 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. The time zone changes from Peru Standard Time to Argentina Standard Time, which is usually a 2 hour difference. Traveling from Cusco in March, things will get a bit warmer in Iguazu National Park: highs are around °C and lows about °C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Sun) early enough to travel to Buenos Aires.

Cultural capital of South America, Buenos Aires remains one of the largest cities on the continent, serving as a point of departure for exploring the rest of the country.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Mon): see where the action happens at Estadio Alberto J. Armando (La Bombonera) and then appreciate the extensive heritage of La Boca. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: examine the collection at Museo de la Pasion Boquense, pause for some photo ops at Monumento Al Bombero, thenget engrossed in the history at Fundacion Proa, thenget to know the fascinating history of Caminito, and finally get into the urban bustle at Usina del Arte.

To find photos, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Buenos Aires trip itinerary maker app.

Traveling by flight from Iguazu National Park to Buenos Aires takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Iguazu National Park in March, expect nights in Buenos Aires to be about the same, around °C, while days are little chillier, around °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Tue) to allow time to travel to Los Glaciares National Park.

A World Heritage Site, Los Glaciares National Park contains a giant ice cap that feeds 47 vast glaciers.

On the 11th (Wed), explore the striking landscape at Glaciar Seco and then explore the striking landscape of Perito Moreno National Park. On your second day here, take in the dramatic natural features at Glaciar Spegazzini.

For traveler tips, ratings, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Los Glaciares National Park online route planner.

You can fly from Buenos Aires to Los Glaciares National Park in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Expect much colder weather when traveling from Buenos Aires in March: highs in Los Glaciares National Park hover around °C, while lows dip to °C. On the 13th (Fri), you'll travel back home.