While Machu Picchu deservedly takes the spotlight, South America harbors countless lesser-known wonders waiting to be explored. From Colombia's lost city of Ciudad Perdida to Bolivia's surreal salt flats, discover the continent's best-kept secrets and extraordinary landscapes that rival the famous Inca citadel.
Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City), Colombia
Hidden deep within Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains lies Ciudad Perdida, an ancient city built by the Tayrona civilization around 800 CE—predating Machu Picchu by some 650 years. Despite its historical significance, this archaeological wonder receives just a fraction of the visitors that flock to its Peruvian counterpart.
The journey to Ciudad Perdida is as remarkable as the destination itself. The only way to reach these ancient ruins is via a challenging 4-6 day trek through dense jungle and steep mountain terrain. Along the way, you'll cross rivers, encounter diverse wildlife, and pass through indigenous communities that maintain traditional ways of life.
The stone terraces of Ciudad Perdida emerge dramatically from the jungle after a challenging multi-day trek.
Upon arrival, you're rewarded with the sight of over 200 stone terraces carved into the mountainside, ancient pathways, and ceremonial plazas—all without the crowds that can sometimes diminish the experience at more famous sites. The panoramic views of the surrounding mountains draped in mist create an almost mystical atmosphere.
Unlike Machu Picchu, where restoration has been extensive, Ciudad Perdida maintains a raw, untamed quality. Much of the site remains reclaimed by jungle, creating the genuine feeling of discovering a lost civilization.
How to get there: Treks depart from Santa Marta, Colombia, and must be arranged with licensed operators. The journey requires moderate to good physical fitness.
Best time to visit: December to March during the dry season.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world's largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia stretches over 10,000 square kilometers of blindingly white salt crust. While increasingly featured on social media, this extraordinary landscape still receives fewer visitors than it deserves, partly due to its remote location.
During the rainy season (December to April), a thin layer of water transforms the salt flat into the world's largest mirror, creating surreal reflections of the sky that blur the line between heaven and earth. This natural phenomenon creates an otherworldly setting where depth perception disappears, allowing for playful perspective photographs that have become a signature of the region.
"In South America, the journey to the lesser-known often reveals the truly extraordinary."
Beyond the salt flat itself, the surrounding Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve showcases a collection of natural wonders: multicolored lagoons where flamingos feed, geothermal fields with active geysers, and bizarre rock formations sculpted by wind erosion over millennia.
Don't miss the opportunity to stay in a hotel built entirely of salt blocks, a unique accommodation experience that complements the surreal environment.
How to get there: Most tours depart from the town of Uyuni, reachable by flight or bus from La Paz. Multi-day tours are recommended to see the salt flats and surrounding attractions.
Best time to visit: For mirror effects, visit during the rainy season (December-April). For clearer conditions and star photography, the dry season (May-November) is preferable.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
When most travelers think of Brazil, they envision Rio's beaches or the Amazon rainforest, but the country harbors one of South America's most unusual landscapes in its northeast region. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park presents a paradox: a desert that isn't quite a desert, where massive sand dunes are punctuated by thousands of crystal-clear freshwater lagoons.
The name "Lençóis" means "bedsheets" in Portuguese, aptly describing the sweeping white dunes that stretch for 50 kilometers along the Atlantic coast. Despite receiving regular rainfall (unlike true deserts), the porous sand can't sustain vegetation, creating this unique ecosystem.
The surreal landscape of Lençóis Maranhenses transforms seasonally as rainwater collects in the valleys between sand dunes.
During the rainy season from January to June, the valleys between dunes fill with rainwater, creating thousands of temporary lagoons in striking blue and green hues. The contrast between the white sand and the vivid waters creates a landscape that seems more like an artist's imagination than a natural formation.
Swimming in these warm, freshwater pools surrounded by towering dunes is an experience unlike any other. The best time to visit is between June and September when the lagoons are full but the rains have subsided.
How to get there: Fly to São Luís, then take a bus to Barreirinhas, the main gateway to the park. Four-wheel-drive tours are necessary to reach the dunes.
Best time to visit: June to September when the lagoons are full but the weather is dry.
Chiloé Island, Chile
Off the coast of northern Patagonia lies Chiloé Island, a place where time seems to move more slowly. While Torres del Paine and the Atacama Desert attract most of Chile's tourists, this misty archipelago offers a glimpse into a unique culture shaped by isolation and the merging of indigenous Mapuche traditions with Spanish colonial influences.
The island is famous for its wooden churches—16 of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites—built entirely without nails using shipbuilding techniques by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th and 18th centuries. These colorful structures with distinctive tower designs represent a fascinating architectural tradition found nowhere else.
Equally remarkable are Chiloé's palafitos—colorful wooden houses built on stilts over the water—that create picturesque waterfronts in towns like Castro and Mechuque. These photogenic structures are emblematic of the islanders' connection to the sea.
Chiloé's cuisine is another highlight, featuring unique dishes like curanto (a mixture of seafood, meat, and potatoes cooked in an earth oven), milcaos (potato pancakes), and chapaleles (potato dumplings).
"Chiloé doesn't just preserve architecture and cuisine—it safeguards an entire worldview shaped by myths, legends, and a profound connection to the sea."
The island's mythology adds another layer of fascination, with stories of forest goblins, ghost ships, and witches that continue to influence local culture. These legends reflect the islanders' relationship with their environment and provide insight into pre-Columbian beliefs that have survived despite centuries of Christian influence.
How to get there: Fly to Puerto Montt, then take a ferry to the island (about 30 minutes). Alternatively, buses from Puerto Montt include the ferry crossing in their route.
Best time to visit: December to March offers the best weather, though it can be busy. Consider the shoulder seasons (November or April) for fewer crowds.
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
While Angel Falls in Venezuela and Iguazu Falls on the Argentina-Brazil border attract thousands of visitors, Kaieteur Falls in Guyana remains relatively unknown despite being one of the world's most powerful waterfalls. With a single drop of 226 meters (741 feet)—four times higher than Niagara Falls—and a width of about 100 meters, the sheer volume of water plunging into the gorge below creates a spectacle of raw natural power.
Part of what makes Kaieteur special is its pristine setting. Located in Kaieteur National Park, the falls are surrounded by virgin rainforest with no development beyond a small airstrip and basic visitor facilities. You won't find souvenir shops, restaurants, or crowds—just untamed wilderness and the thundering falls.
The massive single drop of Kaieteur Falls plunges into the rainforest below, often creating spectacular rainbows in the mist.
The area around the falls supports unique biodiversity, including tiny golden frogs that spend their entire lives in giant tank bromeliads, numerous orchid species, and harpy eagles—one of the world's largest and most powerful birds of prey.
Reaching Kaieteur requires effort—most visitors arrive on day trips by small aircraft from Georgetown—but the journey is part of the adventure, offering breathtaking aerial views of unbroken rainforest canopy before the dramatic falls come into view.
How to get there: Take a one-hour flight from Georgetown, Guyana's capital. Limited overnight accommodations exist at the falls for those wishing to spend more time.
Best time to visit: The falls are impressive year-round, but are most powerful during the rainy seasons (May-August and November-January).
Galápagos Islands: Beyond the Cruises
While the Galápagos Islands are certainly famous, most visitors experience them exclusively through cruise ships. However, the inhabited islands offer an alternative approach for exploring this living laboratory of evolution that Charles Darwin made famous.
Staying on islands like Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, or Isabela allows you to experience the archipelago at a slower pace, interact with local communities, and access areas that cruise itineraries might skip. Island-hopping via public speedboats lets you customize your wildlife encounters while supporting local businesses rather than international cruise lines.
The highland areas of the inhabited islands offer unique ecosystems rarely seen by cruise-only visitors. On Santa Cruz, you can explore lava tunnels and see giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. On Isabela, hike to Sierra Negra, one of the world's largest volcanic craters, for panoramic views of the island's volcanic landscape.
Land-based visits also allow for activities like kayaking through mangroves, mountain biking along coastal trails, and snorkeling at leisure rather than according to a fixed schedule. You'll have the opportunity to visit local organic coffee farms, community conservation projects, and authentic restaurants serving fresh seafood caught by island fishermen.
How to get there: Fly to Baltra or San Cristobal from Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador. Inter-island public boats connect the inhabited islands.
Best time to visit: The islands can be visited year-round. December to May offers warmer waters and clearer skies, while June to November brings cooler temperatures and more active marine life.
Preparing for South America's Hidden Treasures
- Allow sufficient time: Many of these destinations require additional travel days due to their remote locations. Build buffer days into your itinerary.
- Consider physical requirements: Some sites like Ciudad Perdida involve challenging treks, while others may require long drives or small aircraft flights.
- Pack appropriately: Research specific climatic conditions and pack accordingly, especially for destinations with extreme environments like salt flats or rainforests.
- Book ahead: While less visited than major attractions, some destinations (particularly the Galápagos) require advance permits or have limited accommodation options.
- Learn basic Spanish: English proficiency varies greatly across South America. Basic Spanish phrases will enhance your experience and help navigate less touristy regions.
The Value of Venturing Beyond
While iconic sites like Machu Picchu deservedly captivate our imagination, South America's less-celebrated wonders offer equally profound experiences—often with the added benefits of fewer crowds, more authentic cultural interactions, and the satisfaction of discovery.
These destinations represent just a sampling of the continent's hidden treasures. From the moonlike landscapes of Argentina's Quebrada de Humahuaca to the lost world of Venezuela's tepuis (table mountains), South America continues to reward travelers willing to venture beyond the established tourist circuit.
At Drift Fenland, we specialize in crafting journeys that balance iconic highlights with these remarkable alternatives. Our expertise and local connections ensure you experience the authentic soul of South America while enjoying the comfort, safety, and insider access that elevate a good trip to an unforgettable adventure.
