17 days in South America Itinerary

Nestled between rising hills in a narrow valley, Medellin serves as an energetic melting pot of people from all socio-economic classes.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Mon): get the lay of the land with Walking tours. Keep things going the next day: take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, get outside with Outdoor Activities, and then let little ones run wild at Parque Lleras.

To see reviews, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read Medellin online trip maker.

San Francisco, USA to Medellin is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You'll lose 3 hours traveling from San Francisco to Medellin due to the time zone difference. Traveling from San Francisco in November, things will get somewhat warmer in Medellin: highs are around 80°F and lows about 63°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Bogota.

Colombia's heart and soul, Bogota has earned the nickname "Athens of South America" thanks to its abundance of universities, libraries, and lower-level schools.

Explore Bogota's surroundings by going to Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira (in Zipaquira) and Centro de Memoria El Cuartico (in Valledupar). There's much more to do: take in the awesome beauty at Monserrate, make a trip to Bolivar Square, look for gifts at Garrapata Textil, and explore the world behind art at Museo Botero del Banco de la Republica.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Bogota day trip website.

Fly from Medellin to Bogota in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Medellin in November; daily highs in Bogota reach 67°F and lows reach 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Fri) early enough to fly to Quito.

High in the Andean foothills, Quito remains one of the world's most photogenic capital cities, featuring two dramatic mountain ranges as its backdrop.

On the 9th (Sat), look for gifts at Yumbos Chocolate, admire the landmark architecture of Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania, then take an in-depth tour of Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila, and finally don't miss a visit to Mitad Del Mundo. Keep things going the next day: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilica del Voto Nacional, appreciate the extensive heritage of Quito Old Town, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Merced.

For where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read Quito online trip maker.

Fly from Bogota to Quito in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Bogota in November, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Quito, with lows of 57°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) early enough to fly to Lima.

Founded in 1535 by Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro, Lima represents an interesting blend of modern attractions and preserved colonial architecture, much of it clustered in the World Heritage-listed city center.

On the 11th (Mon), contemplate the long history of Huaca Pucllana, then get engrossed in the history at Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas, and then make a trip to Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor). On the 12th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get engrossed in the history at Museo Larco, then shop like a local with Shopping Center Larcomar (Centro Comercial Larcomar), then walk around Circuito Magico Del Agua, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Palacio de la Union.

For photos, maps, and other tourist information, read Lima attractions planner.

Fly from Quito to Lima in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Quito in November, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Lima, with lows of 63°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Tue) early enough to fly to La Paz.

Take a moment to catch your breath as you commence your holiday in La Paz.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Wed): push the limits with an extreme tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 14th (Thu): make a trip to Mi Teleferico and then let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour.

To find where to stay, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, you can read our La Paz online sightseeing planner.

Getting from Lima to La Paz by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Peru Standard Time (PET) to Bolivia Time (BOT), which is usually a 1 hour difference. When traveling from Lima in November, plan for a bit cooler days and cooler nights in La Paz: temperatures range from 63°F by day to 36°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Thu) to allow time to fly 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.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Fri): take in the pleasant sights at Plaza de Armas, then stroll around Cerro Santa Lucia, and then admire the landmark architecture of Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana). On the 16th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get great views at Sky Costanera, then stop by Patio Bellavista, then see the interesting displays at La Chascona, and finally explore the world behind art at Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, read our Santiago online trip planner.

Getting from La Paz to Santiago by flight takes about 6 hours. Other options: take a bus; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly 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.

On the 17th (Sun), get a taste of the local shopping with Puerto Madero, then admire the masterpieces at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Cementerio de la Recoleta, and finally look for gifts at El Ateneo Grand Splendid. On the next day, make a trip to Obelisco de Buenos Aires, admire the natural beauty at Jardin Japones, then admire the natural beauty at Parque 3 de Febrero, then explore the world behind art at Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, and finally pause for some photo ops at Monumento a Carlos Pellegrini.

To see maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Buenos Aires trip planning app.

Getting from Santiago to Buenos Aires by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Santiago to Buenos Aires. In November, plan for daily highs up to 75°F, and evening lows to 62°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Mon) so you can catch the flight back home.