A honeymoon in South America can take you from Machu Picchu at sunrise to a glacier in Patagonia, from the wildlife of the Galápagos to the beaches of Brazil and the vineyards of Argentina, often in a single trip. The secret is choosing two or three places that fit your style and your dates, and travelling at a pace that leaves time for each other.
Time needed12 to 16 days for two countries
Most popularPeru and the Galápagos; Peru and Patagonia
Best seasonDepends on the region; October, November, March and April suit most combinations
StylePrivate, tailor-made, with two or three nights in each place
The best honeymoon destinations in South America
| Destination | Best for | Best months | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, spa hotels and food | April–May and September–October | Peru honeymoon |
| Patagonia (Argentina and Chile) | Glaciers, granite towers and remote lodges | October–April | Patagonia honeymoon |
| The Galápagos (Ecuador) | Wildlife, beaches and small expedition cruises | All year | Galápagos guide |
| Brazil | Rio de Janeiro, the beaches of Búzios and Iguazú Falls | September–March for the beaches | Brazil tours |
| Argentina | Buenos Aires, tango and the vineyards of Mendoza | March–May and September–November | Argentina tours |
| Chile | The Atacama Desert, the Lake District and Easter Island | September–April | Chile tours |
| Easter Island (Chile) | The moai and a remote Pacific island | March–April and October–December | Easter Island guide |
| Bolivia | The mirror of the Uyuni Salt Flats | January–March for the mirror; May–October for the lagoons | Bolivia itinerary |
How to choose your honeymoon style
- Culture and history: Peru, with Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, perhaps with the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia.
- Nature and adventure: Patagonia, with glaciers, lodges and day hikes; read our guide to Patagonia hiking tours.
- Wildlife and the sea: the Galápagos, with sea lions, giant tortoises and snorkelling.
- Beaches and cities: Rio de Janeiro, Búzios and Iguazú Falls, ending in Buenos Aires.
- Food and wine: Lima, Buenos Aires, Mendoza and the vineyards of central Chile.
- Somewhere truly remote: Easter Island, or a voyage to Antarctica from Ushuaia.
Best South America honeymoon itineraries
Peru and the Galápagos (14 days)
Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco, then a flight to Quito and on to the Galápagos for four or five days of wildlife, beaches and boat trips. The Andes and the islands are a perfect contrast, and the Galápagos can be visited all year.
Overland, train or boatFlight
Our Ecuador and Peru Highlights (15 days) follows this route and can be adapted for a honeymoon.
Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Patagonia (14 days)
Tango and great restaurants in Buenos Aires, wine and the Andes in Mendoza, then the Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate and the towers of Torres del Paine across the border in Chile.
Overland, train or boatFlight
Rio de Janeiro, Búzios, Iguazú and Buenos Aires (12 days)
Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, a few days on the beaches of Búzios, the thundering Iguazú Falls from both the Brazilian and the Argentine side, and a tango show in Buenos Aires to finish.
Overland, train or boatFlight
It is the route of our Brazil and Argentina Experience (14 days).
Peru and Patagonia (16 days)
The Inca heartland and the glaciers of the south in one trip: Cusco and Machu Picchu, then Buenos Aires and El Calafate, or Santiago and Torres del Paine. Plan it for October, November, March or April, when both regions have good weather. For three weeks, our Peru, Chile and Argentina Journey (21 days) combines Peru with the Lake District of Chile and Argentina.
When to go: matching the seasons
South America spans the tropics and the far south, so the best months change from region to region:
- The Andes of Peru and Bolivia: dry from May to September; April and October are excellent shoulder months.
- Patagonia: from October to April, the southern summer.
- Brazil’s beaches: warm from September to March.
- The Galápagos: good all year, with warmer seas from January to May.
For combinations, October, November, March and April usually work best. Read our guide to the best South America itineraries for more routes.
Planning tips for a South America honeymoon
- Two or three countries at most in two weeks: distances are long, and every flight takes half a day.
- Slow down: two or three nights in each place and one free day a week.
- Altitude: start Peru in the Sacred Valley, lower than Cusco, and plan the Andes before or after the beach, not in a rush.
- Tell everyone it is your honeymoon: hotels often prepare a special welcome, and upgrades are sometimes possible, subject to availability.
- Book early for the high seasons: the best lodges in Patagonia and the Galápagos, the luxury trains in Peru and the Machu Picchu tickets.
- Private guides and transfers keep the trip just for the two of you, at your own pace.
Every honeymoon we plan is tailor-made: start planning your South America honeymoon, or explore all our South America tours.
Frequently asked questions
Where should we go for a honeymoon in South America?
Peru for Machu Picchu and beautiful hotels, Patagonia for glaciers and lodges, the Galápagos for wildlife and beaches, Brazil for beaches and cities, and Argentina for food, wine and tango. Many couples combine two of them.
How many days do we need for a South America honeymoon?
Plan 10 days for one country and 12 to 16 days for two. Three countries need at least three weeks to enjoy them without rushing.
What is the best month for a honeymoon in South America?
It depends on where you go. October, November, March and April suit most combinations, such as Peru with Patagonia or the Galápagos.
Can we combine Machu Picchu and the Galápagos?
Yes, it is one of the most popular honeymoon routes. Flights connect Lima or Cusco with Quito and Guayaquil, from where you fly to the islands.
Is South America safe for a honeymoon?
Yes, with good planning. Private transfers, trusted guides and well-located hotels make the trip easy, and we are on call 24 hours a day while you travel.
Can we have a beach at the end of the trip?
Yes. Búzios or the beaches of northeast Brazil, the Galápagos, or Paracas on the coast of Peru are good places to finish.
Ready to Experience This Firsthand?
Our travel consultants in Cusco design your itinerary around your dates, pace and hotel style.
Wilfredo Zúñiga Huamanguillas
Anthropologist & Hospitality Professional | South America Travel ExpertAnthropologist, hospitality professional and South America travel expert with 11 years of experience in tourism, trained at the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco. Wilfredo writes about the people, traditions and landscapes of the continent, from the Andes and Machu Picchu to Patagonia, Brazil and the Amazon.
More about Wilfredo →
