20 days in South America Itinerary

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

Your day by day itinerary now includes Parque Lage as well as Copacabana Beach. Kick off your visit on the 16th (Sun): contemplate the long history of Parque Lage, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Copacabana Beach, and then admire the landmark architecture of Ilha Fiscal.

To find other places to visit, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, read our Rio de Janeiro journey planning site.

Auckland, New Zealand to Rio de Janeiro is an approximately 23-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Auckland to Rio de Janeiro is minus 15 hours. While traveling from Auckland, expect warmer days and a bit warmer nights in Rio de Janeiro, ranging from highs of 36°C to lows of 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sun) early enough to travel to Ilha Grande.

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

Find out how to plan Ilha Grande trip without stress by asking Inspirock to help create an itinerary.

You can travel from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and ferry; or do a combination of train, bus, and ferry. In December, daytime highs in Ilha Grande are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. On the 16th (Sun), you're off to Sao Paulo.

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

Start off your visit on the 17th (Mon): admire the masterpieces at Pinacoteca do Estado de Sao Paulo, take in the spiritual surroundings of Mosteiro De Sao Bento, then walk around Parque Ibirapuera, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Paroquia Nossa Senhora da Aparecida. On the next day, take in the architecture and atmosphere at São Paulo Cathedral, then admire the masterpieces at Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo Assis Chateaubriand - MASP, and then indulge your taste buds at Mercado Municipal de São Paulo.

To find reviews, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read our Sao Paulo online day trip planner.

Traveling by combination of ferry, bus, and flight from Ilha Grande to Sao Paulo takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus; or do a combination of ferry, car, and bus. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Ilha Grande in December; daily highs in Sao Paulo reach 32°C and lows reach 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 19th (Wed) to allow enough time 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 20th (Thu): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral Primada, appreciate the extensive heritage of Calle Defensa, then admire the architecture and history at Plaza de Mayo, and finally admire the natural beauty at Parque 3 de Febrero. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: stroll the grounds of Cemiterio de Recoleta and then appreciate the extensive heritage of La Boca.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Buenos Aires trip builder site.

Getting from Sao Paulo to Buenos Aires by flight takes about 6.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and ferry. In December, daytime highs in Buenos Aires are 33°C, while nighttime lows are 23°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Fri) early enough to 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.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Brava, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia Candelaria, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Mansa.

For ratings, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Punta del Este trip itinerary maker site.

You can fly from Buenos Aires to Punta del Este in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of ferry and taxi; or do a combination of ferry and bus. While traveling from Buenos Aires, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Punta del Este, ranging from highs of 28°C to lows of 21°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can go by car 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 23rd (Sun): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Pocitos, then go for a walk through Rambla de Montevideo, then make a trip to Plaza Independencia, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Catedral de Montevideo.

For reviews, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Montevideo tour site.

Traveling by car from Punta del Este to Montevideo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. When traveling from Punta del Este in December, plan for somewhat warmer days in Montevideo, with highs around 32°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) so you can travel to Puerto Madryn.

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

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Mon): look for all kinds of wild species at Aquatours Buceo and then identify plant and animal life at Punta Tombo. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: kick back and relax at Playa El Doradillo, steep yourself in history at The Town of Gaiman, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Ecocentro.

To see reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Puerto Madryn journey planning site.

Traveling by combination of ferry, bus, and flight from Montevideo to Puerto Madryn takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) so you can travel 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.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tierra del Fuego National Park. On the 27th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stop by Tienda Celeste and then stroll through Glacier Martial.

To find reviews, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Ushuaia trip planner.

You can fly from Puerto Madryn to Ushuaia in 5.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 13°C in December, and nighttime lows around 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) to allow time to take a bus 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.

On the 28th (Fri), see the interesting displays at Palacio Sara Braun, don't miss a visit to Plaza Munoz Gamero, and then explore the different monuments and memorials at Cementerio Municipal.

To see ratings, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Punta Arenas online attractions planner.

Getting from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas by bus takes about 11.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and ferry. The time zone difference when traveling from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas is minus 1 hour. Expect a daytime high around 15°C in December, and nighttime lows around 6°C. On the 28th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon 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.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Sat): head outdoors with Plaza de Armas de Puerto Aysen, then take in the dramatic scenery at Cascada del Leon, and then snap pictures at Presidente Ibanez Bridge.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Puerto Chacabuco trip planning app.

Getting from Punta Arenas to Puerto Chacabuco by car takes about 18 hours. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Puerto Chacabuco when traveling from Punta Arenas in December, with lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to 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 30th (Sun): kick back and relax at Angelmo and then contemplate the geological forces at Volcan Osorno.

To find ratings, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Puerto Montt tour planner.

You can drive from Puerto Chacabuco to Puerto Montt in 15 hours. Traveling from Puerto Chacabuco in December, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Puerto Montt, with lows of 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Santiago.

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

Visiting San Cristóbal Hill and Valle Nevado - Ski Resort Chile will get you outdoors. And it doesn't end there: walk around Cerro Santa Lucia, examine the collection at La Chascona, stop by Patio Bellavista, and admire the masterpieces at Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino.

For other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, read Santiago attractions planner.

Traveling by flight from Puerto Montt to Santiago takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Thu) to allow time for travel back home.