In honor of Valentine’s Day, our team shines the spotlight on seven romantic destinations in South America. Get planning inspiration for a getaway with your beloved and carry the romance further into 2021.
1. Buenos Aires
2. Galapagos Islands
3. Lake Titicaca
4. Salkantay
5. Sacred Valley
6. Mendoza
7. Paraty
1. Buenos Aires
Journey to the capital of Argentina. Called the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires merges old-world Europe and the Latin culture. The diverse neighborhoods in Buenos Aires offer endless opportunities to amp up the romance with elegant architecture, fine dining, and historical attractions abound.
Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo by Sadie Teper on Unsplash. / Cropped and compressed from the original.
Tango originated in the working-class parts of Buenos Aires in the early 20th century. Today, the sultry dance is a city-wide passion with worldwide fame. Customize your stay with an evening at one of the city’s most exclusive tango houses. During the show, professional dancers and musicians perform while you wine and dine.
2. Galapagos Islands
Discover Galapagos wonders with your special someone. Charles Darwin first examined the ecological oddities of this remote archipelago off the coast of Ecuador in 1835. Since then, the Galapagos Islands have become a hotspot for travelers in search of unique wildlife. Swimming iguanas, giant tortoises, and flightless cormorants are among the creatures you may observe, as well as stunning island scenery.
A marine iguana in the Galapagos. Photo by Magdalena Kula Manatee on Unsplash. / Cropped and compressed from the original.
Go on a cruise to designated sites and beaches in remote parts of the national park. Or, choose to stay at a comfortable hotel on one of the human-inhabited islands. Customize your trip with exciting excursions like scuba diving in the Galapagos as well as to free time to unwind.
Galapagos Tours:
11 Days / from $4099
6 Days / from $2579
3. Lake Titicaca
On the border with Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake and a mesmerizing natural wonder. In Andean mythology, Lake Titicaca is the center of the cosmos which gave birth to the sun, the moon, the stars, and the first humans. Travelers today come for an island-hopping experience without equal and cultural exchange.
Uros Floating Islands, Lake Titicaca. Photo by Alicia Gonzalez.
The rocky islands of Taquile, Amantani, and Isla del Sol sprout from the waters and protect traditional ways of life and the remains of Inca and pre-Inca. In the case of Uros, the islands are woven by hand from torta reeds and float. In addition, lovebirds can escape to a small private island and stay at Isla Suasi Hotel on the Peruvian side of Titicaca. Enjoy absolute luxury at this exclusive property, as well as sailing, nature hikes, kayaking, and stargazing.
4. Salkantay Lodge to Lodge Trek
Couples who play together, stay together. If you and your lover live by this phrase, then consider the Salkantay Lodge to Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu in Peru. It’s a superb option to enhance your outdoor adventure with a touch of romance. After each day, instead of camping, you spend the night in a private room at one of the beautifully-appointed Andean lodges along the trail.
Outside space at a remote mountain lodge on the Salkantay Trail. Photo by Mountain Lodges of Peru.
Savor daily gourmet meal service, champagne toasts, hot showers, and evenings underneath a starry sky. The luxurious mountain lodge and trekking package concludes with a memorable tour of Machu Picchu.
5. Sacred Valley
Tucked between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the picturesque landscapes and lodging in the Sacred Valley orchestrate an idyllic Andean getaway in Peru. Stare in amazement at the dreamy mountain vistas lounging by the pool of your hotel and let the sound of the Urubamba River coax you into the slower pace of local life. For added relaxation, make reservations for a spiritual wellness treatment or couples massage.
Our selection of Sacred Valley luxury hotels beholds something for every couple.
Treat yourself to a night (or two or three) in the Sacred Valley after completing the Inca Trail or taking the train to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Tours:
6 Days / from $1219
9 Days / from $1979
6. Mendoza
In Argentina, a couple with a passion for wine must visit the vineyards in Mendoza. Located at the base of the Andes Mountains, the elevation of the region helps to moderate the hot, dry climate and creates ideal conditions for growing grapes. Ask your Travel Advisor to customize your vacation with a private tour to local wineries. Sample the renowned Malbec wine of Argentina and make reservations for a romantic gourmet dinner.
Mendoza, Argentina. Photo by Diego Gennaro on Unsplash. / Cropped and compressed from the original.
Stay in the heart of the wine-making action. Lares de Chacras is a classic country style boutique hotel with natural, modern decor. Snuggle up with your better half in front of the fireplace, visit the underground wine cellar, and enjoy the outdoor swimming pool.
7. Paraty
Escape to the tropical coast of Brazil and surround yourself with the natural beauty of Paraty. Stroll the cobbled streets around the port and take strike a pose in front of your favorite colonial architecture. Then, slip away to one of the white sand beaches that dot the hilly mainland of Paraty or take a forest trail to a refreshing waterfall.
Paraty, Brazil. Photo by Guilherme Gabrielli on Unsplash. / Cropped and compressed from the original.
Spend your romantic Brazilian getaway at Pousada Porto Imperial, a hotel with beautiful suites in an early 19th-century house in the historic center of Paraty.
The diversity of South America has something to offer every couple. Contact our team and start customizing a romantic vacation package.
Britt is a California native who left her home to explore South America and now lives in Peru. She’s just a little obsessed about planning getaways with her family, scuba diving, and trekking.
