Regional guides
South America Travel Guide for Kiwis
Updated 8 October 2026
This South America travel guide is for Kiwis staring at a very big map and wondering where to start. The continent is enormous - Peru's Andes, Chile and Argentina's Patagonia, Brazil's coast and Colombia's coffee country are separated by thousands of kilometres and, from New Zealand, a long flight with at least one connection. The trick is not to try to see everything: pick two or three countries that suit your season and interests, and give each one proper time.
Below you'll find what each of the five headline destinations is best for, how to link them without wasting days in transit, the safety and altitude points worth knowing before you book, and how to keep your phone working across borders. The overall shape of a good trip is simple: fly into one hub, travel overland or on short domestic flights, and leave out anything that needs a second long haul.
Quick recommendation
Three weeks across a few South American countries, mostly maps, messaging and photos? Start with the 20 GB plan (30 days, $106.99) on the Peru eSIM plans page. Hopping between several countries? A regional plan may save you swapping eSIMs at every border - check the bundle comparison below, and size up if you'll be hotspotting a laptop or uploading video.
Where to go in South America
Peru
Peru is the continent's classic first stop for good reason: Inca history in the Sacred Valley and Cusco, Machu Picchu above the Urubamba river, Lima's food scene on the Pacific coast, and the Amazon basin a short flight east. It rewards at least a week, and it's the country where altitude planning matters most.
Things to do
- Visit Machu Picchu - tickets are tied to a circuit and route, and are sold only on the official Ministry of Culture site (tuboleto.cultura.pe).
- Base yourself in the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo, Urubamba) before or after Cusco to ease into the altitude.
- Eat your way through Lima, widely regarded as one of Latin America's food capitals.
- Add the Amazon from Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos for a few nights at a jungle lodge.
Good to know
- Take altitude seriously: Cusco sits at roughly 3,400 metres. Most guidance is to spend your first day or two taking it easy, drinking water and skipping alcohol - and to speak to your doctor beforehand about options.
- Bring the same passport you used to book your Machu Picchu ticket - entry is checked against ID and a fixed time slot.
- Signal is good in Lima, Cusco and Sacred Valley towns, but thin on multi-day treks and in the Amazon. See the Peru eSIM plans for current options, from $18.99.
Chile
Chile is a ribbon of a country: the Atacama Desert in the north, Santiago and the wine valleys in the middle, and the lakes, volcanoes and glaciers of Patagonia in the south. It's often seen as one of the more straightforward countries for a first South American trip, with good domestic flights linking its length.
Things to do
- Walk the W Trek or day-hike to the granite towers in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia.
- Stargaze and explore salt flats and geysers around San Pedro de Atacama.
- Spend a few days in Santiago and day-trip to the Casablanca or Maipo wine valleys.
- Visit coastal ValparaÃso, a hillside port city known for its street art.
Good to know
- Patagonia's refugios and campsites book out - lock in your overnight sequence first, then buy the rest of the trip around it. Check the park authority for current trail and entry rules.
- Chile is seismically active and wildfires affect parts of the centre and south in summer - check SafeTravel and follow local authorities' advice.
- Signal is strong in cities and along the main highway, but drops away in national parks. Compare Chile eSIM plans, from $12.99.
Argentina
Argentina pairs big-city culture with big-sky scenery: Buenos Aires for tango, steak and café life, Mendoza for Malbec, Iguazu Falls in the subtropical north-east, and Patagonia's glaciers around El Calafate and the peaks of El Chaltén in the south.
Things to do
- Wander Buenos Aires neighbourhoods like Palermo, San Telmo and Recoleta, and catch a tango show.
- See the Perito Moreno Glacier from the boardwalks near El Calafate.
- Hike around El Chaltén, Argentina's trekking capital, in the Fitz Roy range.
- Visit Iguazu Falls from the Argentine side, then cross to Brazil for the panoramic view.
Good to know
- Argentina's economy and exchange rates shift quickly, so check how you plan to pay before you land rather than relying on an old blog post.
- SafeTravel flags express kidnappings and crimes targeting drivers - use licensed taxis and ride apps, and be careful at ATMs.
- Coverage is reliable in cities and along main routes; remote Patagonian stretches are patchy. See Argentina eSIM plans, from $12.99.
Brazil
Brazil is a continent in itself. Rio de Janeiro has the beaches and the mountains in one view, Salvador has Afro-Brazilian culture and music, São Paulo has the food and art, and the Amazon and Pantanal offer some of the best wildlife-watching on Earth. Distances are huge, so domestic flights are the norm.
Things to do
- Ride up to Christ the Redeemer and take in the view from Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro.
- See the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls from Foz do Iguaçu for the wide panorama.
- Explore the colonial streets and music scene of Salvador.
- Try a wildlife trip to the Pantanal or the Amazon.
Good to know
- SafeTravel rates Brazil as exercise increased caution - violent crime, petty theft and drink spiking (including methanol poisoning) are all flagged. Plan transport, keep phones low-profile and get comprehensive insurance.
- Brazil's entry rules for New Zealanders are best checked directly with the Brazilian government and SafeTravel before you book.
- Signal is strong in big cities and weaker in the interior. Compare Brazil eSIM plans, from $9.99.
Colombia
Colombia has become one of the most popular stops on the continent: Cartagena's walled Caribbean city, MedellÃn's mild climate and cable cars, the coffee region around Salento, and Bogotá's museums and mountain-backed streets. It's also compact enough to cover with short domestic flights.
Things to do
- Wander the walled old town of Cartagena and take a boat to the Rosario Islands.
- Ride the metro cable cars and visit the neighbourhood art in MedellÃn.
- Walk the Cocora Valley and its towering wax palms near Salento in the coffee region.
- Visit the Gold Museum and the colourful streets of La Candelaria in Bogotá.
Good to know
- SafeTravel advises exercise increased caution and travelling on main routes in daylight; check it for current conditions, including any earthquake or flight disruption, before you go.
- Colombia runs an online arrival registration process (Check-Mig) that airlines may ask to see - use only the official government site and confirm current rules before you fly.
- Cities are well covered; rural and jungle areas less so. See Colombia eSIM plans, from $18.99.
How many countries should you see in South America?
Fewer than you think. A sensible rule is one country per week, and two or three for a trip of three weeks. Flights from New Zealand typically connect through Santiago, Buenos Aires, São Paulo or Lima, so building the trip around the hub you land in saves a lot of backtracking. Check our notes on surviving the long-haul flight from New Zealand before you commit to a punishing itinerary on arrival.
Popular combinations that work well: Peru plus Chile (Andes then Patagonia), Argentina plus Brazil (Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Rio), and Colombia plus Peru for a northern Andes route. Patagonia is an expedition in its own right - Argentina and Chile share it, so if that's your priority, base the whole trip there.
When is the best time to visit South America?
It depends on the region, because the continent spans the equator and the seasons flip. The dry season in the Peruvian Andes runs roughly May to September, while Patagonia's hiking season is the southern summer, roughly December to February. Brazil's beaches are at their best in the southern summer, which suits Kiwis escaping winter, and shoulder seasons in either direction often mean quieter trails and softer prices.
The upshot is that one trip rarely suits every destination. If you want Machu Picchu and Torres del Paine in the same journey, aim for the shoulders either side - the weather is a compromise but both are open.
Is South America safe for New Zealand travellers?
Millions of travellers visit each year without incident, but SafeTravel's advice for Peru, Brazil and Colombia is to exercise increased caution, and Chile and Argentina carry their own warnings about petty crime and protests. The common threads: petty theft in cities and tourist areas, express kidnappings around ATMs and taxis, and protests that can close roads at short notice.
Practical habits go a long way. Use licensed taxis or ride apps, keep your phone out of sight on the street, split cards and cash, and get comprehensive travel insurance that covers adventure activities and medical evacuation. Register your trip on SafeTravel and read the advice for each country close to departure, because it changes.
Do you need a different SIM in every country?
Not necessarily. You can buy one plan per country, which is simple if you're only visiting two, or use a regional plan if you're hopping through several. Prices move, so compare current options using the bundle comparison on this page rather than a fixed rule.
Whichever way you go, install before you fly so you land with data for maps, ride apps and translation. See eSIM vs physical SIM if you're not sure which suits your phone, and how much data you actually need to size your plan - navigation, photo backups and video calls home add up fast across a long trip.
Will your phone work in remote parts of South America?
In cities and along main roads, yes. In Patagonia's national parks, on multi-day Andean treks and out in the Amazon, signal can drop to nothing for hours or days. Download offline maps, translation packs and your boarding passes in advance, and tell someone your route when you're heading into the backcountry.
It's also worth working out your roaming alternative before you leave. Carrier roaming rates from New Zealand can be steep once you're outside Australia and the Pacific, and our comparison of eSIM vs roaming costs shows how quickly they add up.
One eSIM or one per country?
If you're visiting more than one of these places, a regional bundle means one eSIM for the whole trip - no new QR code at each border. If you're mostly in one country, its own plan is usually cheaper. Current options:
- South America · 20 countries - covers all 5 of the places in this guide, from $50.99
- South America · 6 countries - covers 4 of 5 of the places in this guide, from $24.99
- Caribbean · 25 countries - covers 4 of 5 of the places in this guide, from $47.99
Single-country plans
Things to know before you go to South America
- Entry rules and paperwork - Entry requirements change, and each country has its own. Check the official government site for every country on your route and SafeTravel before you book, and carry printouts of confirmations - airlines may ask for onward travel or registration details at check-in.
- Altitude - Cusco, La Paz and parts of the Andean route sit well above 3,000 metres. Build in a day or two to adjust before doing anything strenuous, avoid alcohol early on and ask your doctor about altitude medication well ahead of departure.
- Money and cards - Carry a mix of cards and some local cash, keep a backup card separate, and be careful at ATMs - use ones inside banks or shopping centres where possible. Rates and local payment habits vary a lot between countries.
- Health - See a travel-health clinic six to eight weeks before you go. Yellow fever and other vaccinations can be relevant depending on the regions you visit, and some countries ask for proof at the border.
- Insurance - Make sure your policy covers adventure activities such as trekking and medical evacuation by air, as SafeTravel recommends for the region.
South America FAQs
How long do you need for a South America trip from New Zealand?
Allow at least three weeks to see two or three countries properly. The flights from New Zealand are long and usually involve a connection, so a trip shorter than two weeks spends too much of its time in the air. If you want Patagonia and the Andes together, a month is more realistic.
Which South American country is best for a first trip?
Peru and Chile are the classic first picks. Peru offers Machu Picchu and Inca history with a well-worn tourist route, while Chile is often seen as one of the more straightforward countries for visitors, with good domestic flights and landscapes from desert to glaciers. Argentina and Colombia are strong alternatives.
Do New Zealanders need a visa for South America?
Entry rules differ for every country and change over time, so check each country's official government site and SafeTravel before you book. Some require online registration or onward-travel proof even where no visa is needed, and airlines may check at check-in.
Is it safe to travel to South America?
Most trips are trouble-free, but SafeTravel advises exercising increased caution in several countries on the continent. Petty theft, express kidnappings around ATMs and taxis, and protests that disrupt transport are the main concerns. Use licensed transport, stay alert in cities and carry comprehensive travel insurance.
Can I use one eSIM across South America?
Sometimes. Regional plans can cover several South American countries at once, which saves swapping at borders, while country plans can work out cheaper if you're spending most of your time in one place. Compare current prices for your route using the bundle comparison on this page.
Ready to sort the connectivity side? Browse Peru eSIM plans, Chile eSIM plans, Argentina eSIM plans, Brazil eSIM plans and Colombia eSIM plans, or use the bundle comparison above to see whether one plan covers the whole route.
Sources
Information checked 8 October 2026. Entry rules, fees and local details change - confirm anything important with the official source before you travel.
- Peru - SafeTravel, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (safetravel.govt.nz)
- Chile - SafeTravel, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (safetravel.govt.nz)
- Colombia - SafeTravel, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (safetravel.govt.nz)
- Argentina - SafeTravel, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (safetravel.govt.nz)
- Brazil - SafeTravel, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (safetravel.govt.nz)
- Planning to visit Machu Picchu in 2026? Check out new ticket rates and visitor limits - Andina (Peru's state news agency) (andina.pe)
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