20 days in South America 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.

On the 15th (Sat), walk around Cerro Santa Lucia, examine the collection at Centro Cultural Palacio de la Moneda y Plaza de la Ciudadania, and then take in the awesome beauty at San Cristóbal Hill. On your second day here, see the interesting displays at La Chascona, admire the landmark architecture of Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana), then get a sense of history and politics at Former National Congress Building, and finally admire the masterpieces at Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino.

To see other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Santiago visit planning app.

Auckland, New Zealand to Santiago is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. You'll gain 16 hours traveling from Auckland to Santiago due to the time zone difference. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) so you can travel to Puerto Chacabuco.

Perched on a fjord on Chile's Patagonian coast, the village of Puerto Chacabuco has become the most important port in the area.

On the 17th (Mon), contemplate the waterfront views at Laguna San Rafael.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Puerto Chacabuco trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Santiago to Puerto Chacabuco in 25 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 19°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Mon) so you can travel to Puerto Montt.

Though the city serves as a regional transport and commercial hub, vacations in Puerto Montt rarely focus on the city itself; instead, Southern Chile's volcanoes, glacial lakes, and national parks get most of the attention here.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Tue): have fun at In Puerto Varas and then contemplate the geological forces at Volcan Osorno.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, read Puerto Montt trip itinerary planner.

Drive from Puerto Chacabuco to Puerto Montt in 15 hours. Traveling from Puerto Chacabuco in December, plan for a bit cooler nights in Puerto Montt, with lows around 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) to allow time to travel to Punta Arenas.

An erstwhile hub of the sheep wool industry, Punta Arenas has evolved into a gateway of sorts for hikers, cruise ship passengers, and adventure travelers heading out on the windswept lands of Chile's extreme southern reaches.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Wed): see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

For ratings, photos, and more tourist information, read our Punta Arenas travel route planner.

Getting from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Puerto Montt in December; daily highs in Punta Arenas reach 15°C and lows reach 6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) so you can take a bus to Ushuaia.

Often called the "End of the World" because of its position on the southernmost tip of South America, the expanding city of Ushuaia serves as both a busy commercial port and attractive tourist hub.

On the 20th (Thu), explore the striking landscape of Tierra del Fuego National Park.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Ushuaia online vacation builder.

You can take a bus from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia in 11.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of ferry and car. The time zone difference when traveling from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia is 1 hour. In December, daytime highs in Ushuaia are 13°C, while nighttime lows are 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to travel to Puerto Madryn.

Whales and penguins frolic in the waters of Puerto Madryn, one of Argentine Patagonia's most important port cities.

On the 21st (Fri), look for all kinds of wild species at Punta Tombo.

For traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, read Puerto Madryn trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Ushuaia to Puerto Madryn takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Sao Paulo.

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

On the 22nd (Sat), admire the masterpieces at Pinacoteca do Estado de Sao Paulo, explore the world behind art at Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo Assis Chateaubriand - MASP, then wander the streets of Paulista Avenue, and finally take in the views from Viaduto Do Cha. Keep things going the next day: pick up some local products at Mercado Municipal de São Paulo, stop by Liberdade, and then stroll around Parque Ibirapuera.

To see where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Sao Paulo trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Puerto Madryn to Sao Paulo takes 15.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in December, and nighttime lows around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to travel to Tatui.

Tatuí is a city located in São Paulo state, Brazil. On the 24th (Mon), have fun at Sitio do Carrocao.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Tatui vacation maker site.

Getting from Sao Paulo to Tatui by car takes about 2 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Mon) to allow time for travel to Sao Sebastiao.

In the 1990s, the area's rustic appeal, pleasant tropical climate, and wealth of unspoiled beaches made Sao Sebastiao holidays hugely popular with wealthy Brazilians seeking calmer, less congested coastal spots.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Tue): kick back and relax at Praia do Guaeca and then enjoy the sand and surf at Juquehy Beach.

To find ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Sao Sebastiao trip planner.

You can drive from Tatui to Sao Sebastiao in 5 hours. In December in Sao Sebastiao, expect temperatures between 33°C during the day and 25°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) so you can travel to Ilha Grande.

A tumultuous and unsavory history has kept Ilha Grande relatively undeveloped and free of the trappings of the modern world.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Wed): delve into the distant past at Aqueduto, then enjoy the sand and surf at Grumixama Beach, and then kick back and relax at Lagoa Azul.

To see traveler tips, photos, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Ilha Grande day trip app.

Traveling by combination of taxi, car, and ferry from Sao Sebastiao to Ilha Grande takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, car, and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in December, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) 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.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Thu): kick back and relax at Copacabana Beach, kick back and relax at Pedra do Arpoador, then kick back and relax at Praia de Ipanema, and finally make a trip to Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer. Here are some ideas for day two: make a trip to Escadaria Selaron, catch a live event at Maracanã, then kick back and relax at Barra da Tijuca Beach, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro.

For more things to do, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Rio de Janeiro visit planner.

Getting from Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro by combination of ferry and bus takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry, bus, and train. In December in Rio de Janeiro, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 27°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can travel to Punta del Este.

With plenty of modern casinos, well-developed beaches, chic restaurants, and upscale hotels, Punta del Este vacations draw visitors from Argentina, Brazil, and beyond.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Sat): don't miss a visit to Puerto de Punta del Este, explore the world behind art at Museo – Taller de Casapueblo, then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Mansa, and finally kick back and relax at Playa Mansa.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Punta del Este tour itinerary planner.

You can fly from Rio de Janeiro to Punta del Este in 8.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Rio de Janeiro in December, expect Punta del Este to be slightly colder, temps between 28°C and 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Montevideo.

With a rich cultural scene and plenty of developed beaches, Montevideo vacations appeal to a growing number of visitors from around the world.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Sun): wander the streets of Pocitos, go for a walk through Rambla de Montevideo, then make a trip to Artigas Mausoleum, then don't miss a visit to Plaza Independencia, and finally admire the striking features of Palacio Salvo.

To see more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Montevideo road trip planning tool.

Drive from Punta del Este to Montevideo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Punta del Este in December, expect nights in Montevideo to be about the same, around 19°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 32°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sun) so you can 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.

Buenos Aires is known for historic sites, nightlife, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: explore the different monuments and memorials at Cemiterio de Recoleta, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral Primada, admire the masterpieces at Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, and get a taste of the local shopping with Puerto Madero.

To see reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Buenos Aires travel planner.

Getting from Montevideo to Buenos Aires by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: ride a ferry; or do a combination of car and bus. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Buenos Aires when traveling from Montevideo in December, with lows around 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to travel back home.