{"id":27164,"date":"2026-01-28T14:30:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T12:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.joinmytrip.com\/blog\/?p=27164"},"modified":"2026-04-16T13:50:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T11:50:57","slug":"hidden-gems-in-south-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joinmytrip.com\/blog\/en\/hidden-gems-in-south-america\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Gems in South America: 11 Underrated Places to Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

South America houses destinations that belong to travelers\u2019 ultimate bucket list, such as Machu Picchu, Patagonia, and Salar de Uyuni. Rio de Janeiro\u2019s iconic football culture and beaches, Cartagena\u2019s bright-colored streets, and Peru\u2019s long line of spectacular landscapes are also inviting travelers to keep coming. But beyond these famous highlights lies a collection of hidden gems in South America that offer the same awe-inspiring scene, yet with no tourist lines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our travelers and local hosts have compiled a list of colonial towns, remote beaches, and more that lead you to a more authentic side of South America. These underrated places are perfect for travelers who want to go off the beaten path and experience the continent from another perspective.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 11 hidden places in South America (and nearby Latin America) every curious traveler should know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TL;DR – Underrated Places in South America<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Villa de Leyva, Colombia<\/a>: A colonial town nestled in the Andes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Puerto Escondido, Mexico<\/a>: A laidback surf town by the Pacific Ocean<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Rio Lagartos, Mexico<\/a>: A wildlife sanctuary with bright pink salt flats<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Papallacta Hot Springs<\/a>: Ecuador: hidden thermal pools in the Ecuadorian Andes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Momp\u00f3x, Colombia<\/a>: A colonial town by the Magdalena River<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. El Bols\u00f3n, Argentina<\/a>: A laidback, hippie-styled mountain town in the Patagonia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Huacachina<\/a>, Peru: A desert oasis where you can do sandboarding and other adrenaline-rushing adventures<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Barichara<\/a>, Colombia: Often called Colombia’s most beautiful village<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Isla del Sol<\/a>, Bolivia: A sacred island based on Incan mythology, located in the center of Lake Titicaca<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Itacar\u00e9<\/a>, Brazil: An small coastal town with golden beaches and a friendly community<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Cabo Polonia<\/a>, Uruguay: A remote village that can be only reached by a 4×4 vehicle<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n
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