Festivals in South America are known for their sheer extravagance. Just being in the vicinity of any of these carnivals can fill you with a sense of euphoria so strong that you are bound to keep coming back for more. Explore the vibrant cultures and traditions on your South America tours.
By: Saon
4 min
If you are planning a trip to South America and want to make the most of the spectacular time filled with dancing, music and good food, we believe you should plan your private, tailor-made itinerary around the festivals of South America.
Nothing adds more color to a vacation than good, old-fashioned festivities! Witness for yourself our recommended top festivals in South America.
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Top Festivals in South America: Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
A riot of colors!
It's the most famous of all South American festivals.
The Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, most commonly referred to as ‘The Carnival’, is one of the most popular South American festivals in the world. The experience is so magical that you can expect more than two million people each day out on the streets and rejoicing in its high-energy vibe!
Do not miss the chance of being part of this mega street parade and getting swept up by the irresistible beats of the Brazilian samba swelling all around you. It is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of becoming part of a larger crowd—an electrifying movement, and an unforgettable moment all rolled into one travel experience in Brazil! Various elements of the carnival take place at different locations – and you must check out the Samba School processions while you are in Rio de Janeiro.
Not just the Carnival, there are whole host of natural and cultural wonders in the country. As you plan your vacation, check out our list of the top ten things to do in Brazil, curated by our destination experts.
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Top Festivals in South America: Inti Raymi in Peru
The Inti Raymi festival
Join the colorful procession to the main plaza
A visual treat
The Inti Raymi is celebrated with much fanfare is Cusco
Celebrate the sun in all its glory with the ancient Inti Raymi festival of Peru that dates back to Peru’s magnificent Inca Empire. Celebrated at the beginning of the Inca New Year, this Peruvian festival goes on for nine whole days that are filled with colorful marches and processions, dances and music.
Inti Raymi takes place on the Winter Solstice to celebrate the year’s harvesting season. It usually falls on June 24, so if you are looking for a fantastic summer vacation experience in Peru that will be hard to forget, then this one will definitely tick all the right boxes.
This private Peru tour offers a vast array of unique experiences. Start at the elegant neighborhoods and historical districts of Lima and make your way to the spectacular Amazon rainforest near Puerto Maldonado. A charming boat ride later, unearth the colonial heritage and urban haunts of Cusco and travel on to the Sacred Valley of…
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Top Festivals in South America: American Renaissance and Baroque Music in Bolivia
The festival is a treat for music lovers
Listen to classical and baroque music
Choir performing in the church
A traditional welcome
Journey down to San Javier, Bolivia, to enjoy the International Festival of American Renaissance and Baroque Music (yes, it is a mouthful). If you are a music lover and have been hankering for an experience that will allow you to travel through time and get carried away by orchestral heights, this is one of the best music festivals in South America for you.
The festival speaks volumes to the history of Bolivia and is quite interesting. During the restoration of Jesuit temples, over 9,000 sheets of music were discovered. This recovered musical tradition, dating back to the ancient Chiquitos and Maxos culture of the land, bring travelers the rare opportunity of enjoying melodies that were nearly lost in time. It is certainly an experience that will touch your soul.
This South American music festival only takes place on even years in May, so you may have to plan ahead! Find more information about the best time to visit Bolivia from our experts.
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Top Festivals in South America: Tapati Festival in Easter Island
Image Courtesy of CC (Photographer: Gregory Boissy)
Have you ever dreamed of standing naked at the tip of a volcano, and then skidding down the slope on two banana tree trunks, only to be greeted by a roaring crowd? If so, the Tapati Festival in Chile’s Easter Island (also known as Rapa Nui) is exactly where you need to be!
Grab yourself a patch of grass (it is a picnic after all!) and watch local people participate in spear throwing competitions, cooking empanadas, and generally showing off their skills in death defying sports – all in one day! All you need to do is grab a chilled bottle of bubbly to celebrate this Polynesian island festival with the locals. Discover when to visit Chile from our experts.
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Top Festivals in South America: San Antonio de Areco in Argentina
Gaucho riding a horse
At the gaucho festival in Argentina
Picture stallions galloping through cobbled streets, rushing past houses and taking over a seemingly quiet city.
When you think of cowboys, do you imagine open fields of countryside? The Traditional Festival of San Antonio de Areco in Argentina will certainly take that imagery and turn it on its head! One of the most thrilling things to do in Argentina, the festival is all about gauchos riding along the edges of Parque Criollo in the crisp November air, offering you a glimpse of what life could be like if there weren’t any cars around!
If you are looking for a travel experience that will stay alive with you for a lifetime, these South American festivals are probably what you have been seeking. Filled with raucous dancing, music, festivities, and a ton of whimsy, these festivals must feature on the list of any traveler wishing to visit South America.
Plan your tailor-made tour of South America around these top five festivals in South America.
Hop across the hemisphere to explore some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Delve into the region’s history and culture at Buenos Aires before heading for El Calafate to marvel at the incredible beauty of the Perito Moreno Glacier. At Torres del Paine National Park, go hiking and horse riding past ancient forests…
Marvel at surreal glacial mountains and glittering lakes at the edge of the world on this customizable adventure to Argentina’s Patagonia region. Your exploration begins in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Delve into the region’s Fuegian and maritime heritage, and enjoy a personalized tour around the wonderful wilderness of the Tierra del Fuego…
If you want to truly experience the best of what the fabulous Amazon region has to offer, this is the tour for you. Enjoy canoe rides and guided hikes around the Mamiraua Reserve to spot wildlife such as howler monkeys and uakaris. Go on an excursion to look for river dolphins and caimans at Mamiraua…
Discover the highlights, diversity and natural beauty of Brazil on this private tour. Beginning Sao Paolo – the largest city of Brazil, travel to magnificent Iguazu Falls set on the border with Argentina. In Rio, discover the vibrant heart and best-known sights of Brazil, and unwind by the beach in pristine Buzios.
Go off the beaten path on this Northern Peru trip. Explore enchanting cloud forests and mysterious archaeological ruins in the Chachapoyas. Step back in time at the haunting pyramids of Trujillo, marvel at mummies in Chiclayo, and discover authentic Andean cultures in the rivers and valleys of the Amazonas.
Start your Brazil tour on the fashionable beaches of Rio, soaking in the beauty and vibrant culture of this unofficial capital city. Travel on to see the roaring Iguazu Falls, gaining a unique perspective of the waterfalls from both the Brazilian and the Argentinean sides. Afterwards, discover the cultural treasures of Salvador do Bahia with…
