In the summer of 2022, I quit my full-time job to spend 10 weeks backpacking through South America with my then-boyfriend (now-husband).
Consumed by the travel bug, we packed up all our belongings and moved them from our Miami apartment to a storage unit before hitting the road, visiting 16 cities across eight countries.
The whole trip was incredible, but four places hold a special place in my memory. From ancient wonders and bustling cities to breathtaking mountains, each of these destinations has a unique draw that would bring me back in a heartbeat.
I knew I’d love Buenos Aires as soon as we arrived
Isabel Vasquez Larson
I couldn’t quite place my finger on why, but as soon as we arrived in Buenos Aires, I had a feeling I’d love the city — and I was right.
On the cab ride from the airport to the hotel, we passed long stretches of waterside parks with miles of bike lanes. In fact, I found the city to be incredibly bike-friendly — there’s even a system in place where riders can rent them for free.
Beyond being a cyclists’ paradise, Buenos Aires was full of energy, with no shortage of fun things to do and neighborhoods to explore.
During our time there, my partner and I enjoyed visiting a free botanical garden (Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays), shopping at street fairs, touring the underground tunnels (El Zanjón), and savoring delicious Argentine steak.
By the end of our 10-week trip, most of the cities started to blur together, but Buenos Aires still stands out from the rest.
Ushuaia, Argentina, cemented my love for this geographically diverse country
Isabel Vasquez Larson
From Buenos Aires, we flew south to Ushuaia, Argentina. We were immediately greeted by a blizzard, and the snow-capped mountain views were unlike anything I’d seen before.
We tried to be as budget-conscious as possible on our trip, but in Ushuaia, we spontaneously splurged on a private plane ride over Tierra del Fuego National Park. I never imagined I’d be on a tiny plane with a bird’s-eye view of both Chile and Argentina, but sometimes the most unexpected experiences turn out to be the best.
Another highlight of Ushuaia was the boat tour we took through the Beagle Channel. We spent a few hours on the water, taking in breathtaking mountain views, as well as a picturesque lighthouse, sea lions, and even elephant seals.
Sadly, we missed penguin season by less than a month, so I’d love to return sometime between October and March to do a penguin boat tour.
In Puerto Natales, Chile, the hiking and views were unreal
Isabel Vasquez Larson
Puerto Natales, Chile, is located in the Patagonia region of South America.
We spent about two hours traveling from our hostel in the city to Torres del Paine National Park. During the journey, I squealed with excitement as we passed herds of guanacos (close relatives of llamas), gasped in awe at the mountains, and held my breath as our little rental sedan drove over unpaved, rocky roads.
And when we arrived, I thoroughly enjoyed hiking up mountains, around lakes, and past icebergs. It was the first (and as of now, only) time I’ve seen a glacier — a paradise for true outdoor adventure lovers like myself.
Machu Picchu was everything it’s cracked up to be and more
Isabel Vasquez Larson
It may not come as a surprise to see Machu Picchu on this list — it’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World for a reason.
What caught me by surprise, though, wasn’t the ancient city itself (which, to be clear, was absolutely amazing), but the winding bus ride to the citadel through lush, cloud-covered mountains. It seriously felt like being in another world.
The icing on the cake was seeing the llamas that roam freely throughout the ancient wonder. I’m a sucker for cute animals, and they stole my heart.
This story was originally published on January 22, 2026, and most recently updated on April 20, 2026.
