In September 2026, as South America was heading into spring, we set off on a 17-day tailor-made journey through Brazil and Argentina. Our route took in São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, Búzios and Rio de Janeiro: a fast-paced itinerary combining vibrant cities, extraordinary natural wonders and six nights relaxing on Brazil's beautiful beaches before finishing in iconic Rio.
We deliberately travelled independently, without private guides or pre-arranged transfers, to see first-hand how easy it is to get around this fascinating part of the world. Our accommodation ranged from simple, affordable hotels to the exceptional Belmond Hotel das Cataratas at Iguazú Falls, giving us a real feel for what different budgets and styles of travel can offer, and we booked many of our experiences along the way.
In this Follow in Our Footsteps journey, we share what we discovered: the places we loved, what we would do differently, practical advice and our recommendations for planning a South America holiday of your own.
Travelling independently through South America is a little different to many other destinations, so some preparation before you leave will make your journey considerably easier. These were our essentials:
Our biggest piece of advice is to prepare well without over-planning. Get the essentials right and you will have the confidence and freedom to explore at your own pace.
The people. Everywhere we went, we found people incredibly warm, welcoming and friendly. Despite some of the preconceptions we had before travelling, there wasn't a single moment during our 17 days when we felt unsafe.
We loved the South American way of life, particularly Brazil's beach culture, which feels completely different to anywhere else we have been. But what made this journey so special were the constant pinch-me moments: standing in front of the extraordinary Iguazú Falls, watching an intimate tango show in Buenos Aires, soaking up the energy of Rio de Janeiro and finally seeing Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer for ourselves.
Every time we thought we had experienced the highlight of the holiday, something else came along to rival it. Quite simply, it was the trip that just kept on giving.
The best time to visit South America depends on where you want to go and what you want to experience. This is a vast continent with hugely varied climates, from Brazil's beaches and cities to Patagonia, the Andes, the Amazon and the Galápagos Islands, so there is somewhere incredible to visit at any time of year.
For Brazil and Argentina, spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are particularly appealing, with generally pleasant temperatures and fewer peak-season crowds. The warmer summer months from December to February are perfect if you want to experience Brazil's famous beach culture at its liveliest. Iguazú Falls is spectacular year-round, although water levels, temperatures and rainfall vary considerably with the seasons.
Rather than simply picking a month on the calendar, choose when to travel based on the experiences that matter most to you. With so many regions and microclimates, careful planning makes an enormous difference, and that's where first-hand destination knowledge really comes into its own.
Getting to South America from the UK is easier than you might imagine, with a growing choice of direct and connecting flights. British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with non-stop flights to Buenos Aires returning from March 2027, making both countries excellent gateways to the continent.
We chose to fly with TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon, and it proved to be a really good alternative. The connection was straightforward and, at the time we booked, the Business Class fare represented exceptional value compared with the direct options we had considered. If you don't mind a short connection, and perhaps welcome the chance to stretch your legs, there can be some excellent indirect fares available.
With so many airlines, routings, cabins and fares to consider, we can research the options and find the combination that best suits your itinerary, budget and preferred way of travelling.
Internal flights in South America
One of the biggest surprises of our trip was how straightforward the internal flights were. We flew between São Paulo, Iguazú Falls, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, and every flight was seamless: efficient airports, minimal queuing and on-time departures. Many of the airports were also surprisingly close to the city centres, so even in these enormous cities, transfers could be quick depending on traffic.
We had heard mixed reports about flying domestically in South America, but our own experience was extremely positive, and it made our fast-paced, multi-centre itinerary work incredibly well. Don't be put off by the distances involved: combining several destinations by air is an efficient way to experience the diversity of South America in one trip.
If you're inspired to follow in our footsteps, our team can plan the routing, flights and timings of your tailor-made Brazil and Argentina holiday so the whole journey flows smoothly.
