Discovering South America: A 19-Day Adventure through Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil

This itinerary takes you on a 19-day adventure through the fascinating countries of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. You’ll experience the vibrant culture, stunning natural wonders, and historic landmarks of South America, from the bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the lush forests of Ilha Grande. This trip is perfect for travelers who want to explore the best of what these countries have to offer in a limited time frame.

Day 1 – Thursday, May 11: Buenos Aires (Puerto Madero)

  • Arrive in Buenos Aires at EZE at 9:00 AM.
  • Check-in to your accommodation.
  • Visit Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, and La Catedral in Puerto Madero.
  • Take a tour of Casa Rosada if available.
  • Puerto Madero, the womans bridge and the reserva ecologica: Puerto madero is beautiful. I would highly suggest spending some time walking around and enjoying the beautiful scenery, just know it is expensive in this area for everything. Fun fact my school la UCA was in this area. They have amazing cafes in this area. The reserva is a green space in Buenos aires that is the largest green space there and is beautiful. Also have a lot of yummy food trucks that sell cheap traditional “Choripan” (Chorizo in a bun)
  • Enjoy dinner at one of the recommended restaurants in Buenos Aires.
  • Overnight in Buenos Aires.

Day 2 – Friday, May 12: Buenos Aires

  • Visit El Caminito in La Boca during the daytime.
  • Explore the colorful streets, enjoy tango dancing, and shop at the markets.
  • Visit the Boca Juniors Stadium.
  • Head to the Obelisco and BA letters on Avenida 9 de Julio.
  • Explore Avenida Florida for shopping and street vendors.
  • Overnight in Buenos Aires.

Day 3 – Saturday, May 13: Buenos Aires

  • Explore Palacio Barolo and Congreso.
  • Visit Plaza Dorrego to watch live tango dancing and try out some restaurants.
  • Bosque de Palermo: This area is a giant park in Palermo that is absolutely breathtaking and you can go paddle boating and enjoy the beautiful scenic park. However at night time this spot turns into a spot for prostitutes. So don’t go there after dark.
  • The Recoleta Cemetery: This is a beautiful Cemetery and a must see has a mall just beside it as well and a very good spot to get outdoor beers or Fernet and cokes.
  • El Ateneo Grand Splendid: This is a Oprah house that was turned into a book store. Really cool as well near Congresso.
  • Overnight in Buenos Aires.

Day 4 – Sunday, May 14: Buenos Aires and Salta

  • In the morning, check out of your accommodation in Buenos Aires.
  • Explore the La Feria de San Telmo market (Second largest market in South America).
  • Catch your flight from AEP to Salta (6:18 PM – 8:30 PM, flight V3I3MY).
  • Arrive in Salta and check-in to your accommodation.
  • Relax and explore the local area.
  • Overnight in Salta.

Day 5 – Monday, May 15: Salta

  • Explore more of Salta, visiting its historical sites, museums, and enjoying local cuisine.
  • Enjoy the scenic beauty and take memorable photographs.
  • Return to Salta and spend the evening exploring the town.
  • Overnight in Salta.

Day 6 – Tuesday, May 16: Salta

  • Take a day tour to the Salt Flats (Las Salinas) and the Mountain of Seven Colors (La Montana de las Siete Colores).
  • Take in the charming atmosphere of this small town.
  • Overnight in Salta.

Day 7 – Wednesday, May 17: Salta and Puerto Iguazu

  • Check out of your accommodation in Salta.
  • Take your flight from Salta to Puerto Iguazu (1:50 PM – 3:40 PM, flight BJWJXZ).
  • Arrive in Puerto Iguazu and check-in to your accommodation.
  • Spend the evening relaxing and exploring the local area.
  • Overnight in Puerto Iguazu.

Day 8 – Thursday, May 18: Puerto Iguazu

  • Visit the Iguazu Falls, starting with the Argentine side.
  • Explore the various viewpoints and walk along the trails.
  • Take the “La Gran Aventura” excursion for a thrilling experience near the falls.
  • Overnight in Puerto Iguazu.

Day 9 – Friday, May 19: Puerto Iguazu

  • Visit the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls for a different perspective.
  • Enjoy the panoramic views and take in the beauty of the falls.
  • Explore other attractions in Puerto Iguazu, if time permits.
  • Overnight in Puerto Iguazu.

Day 10 – Saturday, May 20: Puerto Iguazu

  • Spend the day at your leisure in Puerto Iguazu. You can relax at your accommodation, go shopping for souvenirs, or visit some of the other nearby attractions.
  • Take a day trip to the Jesuit Missions of Argentina and Brazil, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ruins and learn about the history of these former Jesuit missions.
  • Overnight in Puerto Iguazu.

Day 11 – Sunday, May 21: Day trip to Paraguay in Ciudad del Este

  • Early morning: Depart from your hotel in Puerto Iguazu and cross the border to Ciudad del Este. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Visit the Itaipu Dam: Once you arrive in Ciudad del Este, visit the Itaipu Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the world. You can take a guided tour to learn about the history and technology behind this impressive structure.
  • Explore the city center: After visiting the dam, explore the city center of Ciudad del Este. You can visit the vibrant shopping district, which is known for its affordable prices on a wide variety of goods, including electronics, clothing, and jewelry.
  • Lunch: For lunch, stop at one of the local restaurants and try traditional Paraguayan cuisine.
  • Visit the Saltos del Monday: In the afternoon, visit the Saltos del Monday, a beautiful waterfall located just outside of the city. You can take a guided tour to explore the surrounding jungle and take a refreshing swim in the falls.
  • Return to Puerto Iguazu: After visiting the Saltos del Monday, cross the border back to Puerto Iguazu in the early evening.

Day 12 – Monday, May 22: Puerto Iguazu and Colonia

  • Check out of your accommodation in Puerto Iguazu.
  • Take your flight from IGR to AEP (10:50 AM – 12:45 PM, flight YNGPCX).
  • Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, take a private transfer to the Buquebus Terminal.
  • Take the Buquebus ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia (6:45 PM – 8:00 PM).
  • Arrive in Colonia and check-in to your accommodation.
  • Overnight in Colonia.

Day 13 – Tuesday, May 23: Colonia and Montevideo

  • Explore the charming colonial town of Colonia, visiting its historic sites and enjoying the local cuisine.
  • In the afternoon, take your ferry from Colonia to Montevideo (1:00 PM – 3:50 PM).
  • Arrive in Montevideo and check-in to your accommodation.
  • Spend the evening exploring the city.
  • Overnight in Montevideo.

Day 14 – Wednesday, May 24: Montevideo

  • Take a city tour of Montevideo, visiting its main attractions such as the Plaza Independencia, the Palacio Legislativo, and the Mercado del Puerto.
  • Enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants and take in the city’s cultural offerings.
  • Overnight in Montevideo.

Day 15 – Thursday, May 25: Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro

  • Check out of your accommodation in Montevideo.
  • Take your flight from Montevideo to Rio de Janeiro (10:20 AM – 1:05 PM, flight I3FTYI).
  • Arrive in Rio de Janeiro and check-in to your accommodation.
  • Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring the local area.
  • Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 16 – Friday, May 26: Rio de Janeiro

  • Visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, enjoying the panoramic views of the city from the top of Corcovado Mountain.
  • In the afternoon, visit the Sugarloaf Mountain and take the cable car to the top for stunning views of the city and the bay.
  • Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 17 – Saturday, May 27: Rio de Janeiro

  • Take a guided tour of the Tijuca National Park, the largest urban forest in the world.
  • Explore the park’s hiking trails, waterfalls, and wildlife, and take in the breathtaking views of the city and the ocean.
  • In the evening, enjoy a traditional Brazilian barbecue dinner at one of the local restaurants.
  • Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 18 – Sunday, May 28: Departure

  • Check out of your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro.
  • Take your flight from Rio de Janeiro to Bogota (7:25 AM – 11:50 AM, flight TBA).
  • Upon arrival in Bogota, take your connecting flight to Toronto (2:40 PM – 10:15 PM, flight TBA).
  • Arrive in Toronto and end your trip.

From the majestic Iguazu Falls to the charming colonial towns of Colonia del Sacramento and Salta, this itinerary offers an unforgettable experience of South America’s diverse cultures and landscapes. You’ll immerse yourself in the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, shop for bargains in Ciudad del Este, and relax on the beautiful beaches of Ilha Grande. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this itinerary is sure to leave you with lasting memories of this amazing part of the world.

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