South America Coastal, Water sports + Winter pictures

• World

Celebrate Brazilian culture in the city where the samba was born and enjoy the stunning natural wonders right at its doorstep.  

Myriad shades of blue water surround the twin mossy hills that rise from the ocean surface and tower over the beach.

This energetic coastal city has a grandiose old town, superb art museums, pristine beaches and glitzy festivals, which celebrate its Afro-Brazilian roots.

Quench your thirst for adventure in this region of contrasts and natural beauty, which features golden beaches, high plateaus and arid desert landscapes.

Stroll along a scenic promenade dedicated to an iconic French diva, admire gorgeous colonial architecture and scuba dive in pristine bays.

Visit a quaint 17th-century island fort, take a banana boat out on the ocean and fill up on tasty snacks from the stalls.

Colonial landmarks, emerald waters, dozens of white-sand beaches and forest-clad tropical islands make this a quintessential beach town on the Costa Verde.

See clifftop forts and rock formations silhouetted by the sunset. Swim alongside colorful marine creatures in the ocean.

View the remarkable rock formations and watch fascinating nesting turtles in this surfer’s playground with some of the country’s best waves.

More than just a stretch of sand, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous beach is where locals and visitors from all over the world come to relax, strut, pose and play. 

Pay homage to a beached vessel that serves as a monument to shipwrecks, in a region where historical explorers, including Darwin, ventured.

Search for the meaning of ancient stone sculptures on this small island off Chile’s coast. When you’re not exploring history, enjoy splendid beaches.

Spanish colonial houses, exquisite food, musicians in traditional dress, oceanfront entertainment and fine museums make the Peruvian capital a feast for the senses. 

Marvel at the contrasting landscapes of two lagoons set in a salt flat and framed by snow-capped mountain peaks and volcanoes. 

See clifftop forts and rock formations silhouetted by the sunset. Swim alongside colorful marine creatures in the ocean.

Come to the wine capital of South America to sample fine malbecs, study Argentine culture and enjoy breathtaking scenery.

Explore deserts, mountain lakes, volcanoes, ski slopes and trekking routes in one of South America’s most varied and adventure-filled countries.

Myriad shades of blue water surround the twin mossy hills that rise from the ocean surface and tower over the beach.

Visit a quaint 17th-century island fort, take a banana boat out on the ocean and fill up on tasty snacks from the stalls.

Enjoy the ocean views and admire the fascinating statues of iconic figures and fishermen in this walkway tribute to a French diva.

More than just a stretch of sand, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous beach is where locals and visitors from all over the world come to relax, strut, pose and play. 

Over just a few decades, this charming fishing village has grown into a traveler’s oasis with restaurants, nightclubs and a picturesque beach.

Embark on a boat tour from the wooden pier and relax at the tables of upscale restaurant spilling onto this beach.

Learn about local history and traditions in the museums and churches of the old town and travel to Trindade for its stunning beaches.