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Atlantic Coast
Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego). Carnival, tango, steaks and Patagonian drama. The classic South America route, 14–18 nights, season November–March (southern summer).
Destination South America
South America – contrasts between the Andes and the Atlantic
From Rio de Janeiro to Ushuaia, Lima to Manaus: South America is the region for grand landscapes, strong cultures and unique nature. We'll find the route that fits you.
8countries
25+ports
Nov–Marbest season
12–14hflight
All South America itineraries
Book South America cruises now
Itineraries from MSC, Costa, Holland America, Princess, Norwegian, Oceania and Seabourn. Filter by duration, season and departure port – or get personal advice from our team.
Regions of South America
Three regions, three continents in one
Atlantic coast, Pacific coast and the Amazon – South America can be cruised in very different ways. We explain the differences.
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Pacific Coast
Lima/Callao, Arica, Valparaíso, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas. Atacama desert, Chilean fjords, Easter Island connection. More demanding and less classic, but quieter. Also November–March.
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Amazon
Manaus, Santarém, Parintins, Boca da Valeria. River cruises into the heart of the rainforest – usually on specialised expedition or small luxury ships. Season May–October (dry season). A completely different pace from the coastal routes.
Best time to go
When is South America at its best?
Southern hemisphere: our winter is their summer. Pick a month and see which region is ideal – the seasons run opposite to Europe.
Mayis in 1 sub-region at its best
Ideal
Good
Off-season
Atlantic Coast
Off-season
Southern winter: Patagonia hard to access, Ushuaia around 0 °C. Rio stays warm, but full loops don't work.
Pacific Coast
Off-season
Southern winter: strong swell, many ports hard to reach. Hardly any cruises.
Amazon
Best time
Dry season: less rain, lower river levels, better wildlife sightings. Mosquitoes less active. Ideal for expedition cruises.
Why South America
Why South America is the most unusual cruise
No region offers so many climate zones, cultures and landscapes in one trip. From tropics to Antarctica in two weeks.
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Climate zones in one trip
Rio tropical (30 °C), Buenos Aires Mediterranean (22 °C), Ushuaia subpolar (8 °C) – in 14 nights you experience four seasons. No other cruise brings so much landscape contrast in such a short time.
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Culture and history
Samba in Rio, tango in Buenos Aires, colonial architecture in Salvador, Spanish heritage in Lima. South America is one of the most culturally dense destinations in the world – and the ship saves you the long flights between hotspots.
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Nature at its extremes
Iguazú, Perito Moreno Glacier, Atacama desert, Amazon rainforest, Chilean fjords, Cape Horn. Nature in South America plays in its own league – a cruise is often the most logical way to combine several highlights.
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Carnival & Antarctica link
Many ships sail for Carnival in Rio (February) or offer connecting programmes into Antarctica from Ushuaia. This is not a standard holiday – these are trips you'll talk about for a lifetime.
South America consultation
Your South America voyage starts with a conversation
Atlantic or Pacific? Carnival in Rio or Patagonia tour? Amazon expedition or classic Grand Voyage? Tell us what you're looking for – we'll suggest the right route and the right ship. No obligation, in your language, from Switzerland.
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Frequently asked
South America cruises – your questions
November to March is southern summer and the main season for Atlantic and Pacific routes: warm in Rio, pleasant in Buenos Aires, Patagonia accessible. Carnival in Rio usually falls in February. The Amazon has a different logic – the dry season May–October is the best time for river cruises.
Classic loops from Rio or Buenos Aires last 14–18 nights – distances mean shorter routes rarely make sense. Transatlantic combinations (Europe–Brazil) last 16–22 nights. Amazon expeditions are usually 10–14 nights. Given the long flight we recommend at least two weeks.
The main departure ports are Rio de Janeiro and Santos (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Valparaíso (Chile), Lima/Callao (Peru) and Manaus (Amazon). From Zurich there are direct flights to São Paulo (12h), connecting flights to Rio and Buenos Aires. We organise flights and transfers to the ship on request.
MSC and Costa are the biggest brands with regular routes from Rio and Santos, Holland America, Princess and Norwegian round out the offering. Luxury segment: Oceania, Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas. German-speaking service is rare – English is the main language on board.
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Peru are visa-free for Swiss citizens on tourist trips. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended (sometimes mandatory) for travel to the Amazon region, northern Argentina and northeastern Brazil. For details we refer you to the tropical institute in Zurich, Basel or Bern.
Rio has a reputation for crime – but the tourist areas (Copacabana, Sugarloaf, Corcovado) are well secured, especially during the day and with organised excursions. Buenos Aires is considered safe. We recommend leaving valuables in the on-board safe and booking excursions through the ship – this minimises risk considerably.
Yes, there are specialised river cruises on smaller ships (often under 50 cabins) with expedition character: skiff outings, jungle walks, fishing, encounters with indigenous communities. Some larger lines call at Manaus with bigger ships – more of a brief visit than a true expedition.