South America Ecotourism
South America ecotourism invites you to explore breathtaking biodiversity and unforgettable landscapes. The continent is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure travelers. The Amazon Rainforest stretches across vast tropical regions. The Andes Mountains rise dramatically across the continent. In Chile, hikers explore pristine Patagonian wilderness and remote national parks. Ecuador offers cloud forests, volcanic highlands, and the remarkable Galápagos Islands. Brazil is home to The Amazon Rainforest, the world’s largest Rainforest. The capybara in the banner is the most prevalent mammal in South America.
Eco Lodges and Eco Tours in South America
South America Ecotourism and Sustainable tourism
What makes South America ecotourism so special? Ecotourism often focuses on nature and biodiversity. Many travelers think first about the Amazon Rainforest. Others immediately picture the famous Galápagos Islands. Both destinations are iconic ecotourism locations. However, South America offers far more than these two regions. The continent is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Travelers can explore many sustainable tourism experiences.
• Stay at sustainable accommodations deep in the Amazon rainforest.
• Join responsible wildlife safaris in protected reserves.
• Visit indigenous communities and learn traditional ways of life.
• Limited mass tourism – many pristine places with regulations to protect nature.
These experiences support conservation and local economies.
South America Ecotourism – Which Country is Best for Ecotourism?
Here’s a look at the best ecotourism destinations by country and the best time to visit each country! Each one has unique sustainable travel experiences, but Ecuador, Chile, and Brazil score the highest on ecotourism!
South America Ecotourism – Chile
Patagonia, national parks and sustainable eco lodges
Environmental conservation efforts are building momentum in Chile. The national government supports many conservation programs. Non-governmental organizations also play an important role. Local communities and grassroots organizations actively support conservation projects. Chile has wild rivers, as well as thousands of miles of Pacific coastline and desert ecosystems.
The government has put aside around twenty percent of this country’s area as protected. This includes Parks, Reserves, and Monuments. One of these parks is Torres del Paine National Park in the Patagonia region. Also, one of the national reserves is Los Flamencos National Reserve. Another area is Islotes de Puñihuil National Monument, which is home to two species of penguins found in Chile.
Highlights in Chile
• Torres del Paine National Park – epic hikes in Patagonia.
• Atacama Desert – one of the driest deserts in the world, other than the polar deserts, it has surreal landscapes.
• Chiloé Islands – magical nature and cultural heritage.
The World Wildlife fund has been working with indigenous peoples to form The Mapu Lahual Indigenous Parks. The Indigenous Park is run by the native people. Involving the community is a great way to preserve local areas. The WWF is working on forming a marine protected area as well in the Gulf of Corcovado.
Other international organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy are also working in Chile. They help preserve, protect and work towards sustainability.
Atacama desert
Best time to travel:
• Patagonia: November – March (summer).
• Atacama: All year round (dry climate).
South America Ecotourism – Brazil
Ecotourism in Brazil
Brazil Eco Lodges offer access to vast ecosystems:
• The Amazon Rainforest dominates the north with dense jungle and rivers.
• The Pantanal features open wetlands and wildlife.
• The Atlantic Forest covers coastal mountains.
• You will also find savannas, waterfalls, and long tropical beaches.
The government promotes ecotourism through protected areas and national parks. Agencies like the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) manages reserves and biodiversity programs. Policies focus on conservation, local employment, and responsible visitor management.
Highlights
• Explore the Amazon Rainforest for river journeys and wildlife.
• Visit the Pantanal for top animal spotting.
• Discover Chapada Diamantina National Park for hiking and waterfalls.
You will find Brazil Eco Lodges that operate inside protected areas. They follow strict sustainability standards and support conservation projects.
Expect exceptional biodiversity, expert-led wildlife tours, and strong community-based tourism. You can experience multiple ecosystems within one trip!
Waterfalls of iguaçu
Best time to visit
Visit May to October for dry conditions and wildlife viewing. Wet season offers lush landscapes and fewer crowds.
South America Ecotourism – Ecuador
Amazon, Andes, Galapagos (sustainable tourism and protected areas)
In the Galapagos Islands you can see animals like the Galapagos giant Tortoises, the marine iguana, Galapagos penguins and Blue Footed boobies. They are only found on the Galapagos Islands.
The Andes Mountains are home to the Quichua people, who are descendants of the Inca people. The mountains are home to volcanoes, deep lakes, and waterfalls. There are numerous National Parks in this area.
The Amazon Basin is on the eastern edge of the Amazon rainforest. It houses only about five percent of the population, mostly indigenous tribes. The area is isolated and needs preservation, so Eco-tourism is popular.
Highlights
• Galapagos Islands – home to unique animals such as the Galapagos giant tortoise.
• Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve – Amazon region, which is full of animals.
• Cotopaxi National Park – active volcanoes and highland pampas.
Ecuador consists of three distinct terrains that include the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Rainforest and the Pacific Coastline. The Galapagos Islands are probably the best-known area. Darwin was inspired to write his Origin of Species after travelling through the Islands.
Hacienda Zuleta, one of our listings, is involved with the Andean Condor Huasi rehabilitation project.
Galapagos Islands
Best time to visit:
• Galapagos: December – May (warmer and clearer water).
• Amazon: July – November (dry).
South America Ecotourism – Colombia
Colombia is one of the world’s most biodiverse destinations, offering an exceptional range of ecosystems from Amazon rainforest and Andean cloud forests to Caribbean coastlines.
Ecotourism in Colombia focuses on low-impact travel, conservation and community involvement. This alloww visitors to explore pristine nature while supporting local livelihoods.
With thousands of species and protected areas, the country provides immersive experiences such as wildlife watching, jungle trekking and cultural encounters with indigenous communities. Its diversity and accessibility make Colombia a rising leader in sustainable tourism
Highlights
• Explore the Amazon rainforest.
• Watch humpback whales on the Pacific coast.
• Hike in Los Nevados or El Cocuy National Park.
• Discover the unique ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta—home to rare wildlife and endemic bird species.
Colombia stands out for combining biodiversity with community-based tourism. Many ecotourism initiatives are led by local and indigenous communities, creating economic opportunities while protecting ecosystems. Colombia hosts nearly 10% of the world’s biodiversity and more than 1,900 bird species. That is why it is a global hotspot for nature travel and conservation-driven tourism.
Bogota Colombia
Best time to visit
December to March and July to August offer the best weather, though Colombia’s diverse regions allow year-round ecotourism with varying climates depending on altitude and location.
What is the best way to get around South America?
Traveling across South America can be done in ways that minimize environmental impact while maximizing cultural and natural experiences. Because the continent is vast and infrastructure varies by country, the most ecological strategy is to combine long-distance buses, regional trains, ferries, and occasional shared transport. Flights should only be used when geography makes land travel unrealistic (for example, crossing the Amazon Basin or reaching remote regions).
Travel by Bike
For ecotourists, bikepacking is one of the most sustainable ways to explore. Many eco lodges in Patagonia and the Andes welcome cyclists and provide storage. Some famous cycling routes
• Colombia coffee region
• Carretera Austral (Chile) – one of the world’s greatest bike routes
• Peruvian Andes highland roads
Long distance buses
For most travelers, buses are the backbone of sustainable travel in South America. To travel eco-friendly, use modern bus companies with efficient fleets. Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Brazil have excellent bus systems.
Typical long-distance eco routes through mountains, deserts, rainforests, and national parks.
- Santiago to Puerto Montt (Chile)
- Lima to Cusco (Peru)
- Buenos Aires to Bariloche (Argentina)
- Quito to Cuenca (Ecuador)
Bus in Colombia
Road in Patagonia
Train in the Andes
Ferry Tierra del Fuego
Regional Trains (Limited but Very Scenic)
Notable train journeys
Peru – Sacred Valley and Andean trains connecting Cusco and nearby regions.
Argentina – Tren a las Nubes (“Train to the Clouds”) in the Andes. La Trochita in Patagonia (historic narrow-gauge train).
Ecuador – Nariz del Diablo railway through dramatic Andean cliffs.
Choose slow scenic trains rather than luxury tourist trains when possible.
They usually consume less energy per passenger.
Key ferry regions
Large parts of South America are river or fjord landscapes, making boat travel both practical and ecological.
Chilean Patagonia – Ferry routes through fjords between Puerto Montt and southern Patagonia.
Amazon Basin – River boats between cities such as: Manaus, Iquitos, and Leticia.
Tierra del Fuego – Short ferry crossings between mainland Patagonia and the island.
Landscape, flora and fauna in South America
Rainforests and Biodiversity (Amazon Rainforest)
• Unique ecosystem: the Amazon Rainforest covers 40% of South America and produces 20% of the world’s oxygen.
• Animals: jaguars, pink river dolphins, sloths, anacondas, and 1,300 bird species.
• Flora: medicinal plants, rubber trees, and giant forest trees like the the Gran Abuelo in Chile. This tree may be as old as 5,000 years.
Sustainable travel: choose South America eco lodges and guided jungle treks with indigenous guides.
Andes Mountains
• Unique ecosystem: high mountains with snow-capped peaks, active volcanoes and glaciers. Extends through seven South American countries.
• Animals: Condors, vicuñas, pumas and spectacled bears.
• Flora: Polylepis trees (high mountain forests/tropical Andes), exotic orchids and quinoa fields.
Sustainable travel: treks to Machu Picchu (check out the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek and the Lares Trek) or Patagonia via eco-friendly routes and lodges.
Deserts and Drylands
• Unique ecosystem: Atacama (driest desert), Patagonian steppe and salt flats in Bolivia.
• Animals: Patagonian fox (also known as the S. American Gray Fox), guanacos and vicuñas (camelids), Andean condor, and more.
• Flora: cacti, succulents and salt-loving plants.
Sustainable travel: visit the Atacama with solar-powered eco lodges and book tours with local guides.
Puma
Andes, Chile
Anaconda Snake
Salt Flats Bolivia
Iguana
Acacia Flowers
Anteater
Mangrove
Rubber Tree
Coral Reefs and Tropical Beaches
• Unique ecosystem: mangroves, tropical islands and coral reefs along the coast of Brazil and Colombia.
• Animals: sea turtles, whales, piranhas, and exotic fish.
• Flora: mangrove forests and tropical palms.
Sustainable travel: choose reef-safe sunscreen and avoid plastic waste.
Pampas and Savannah
• Unique ecosystem: vast grasslands where you can spot wildlife.
• Animals: Anteaters, capybaras, and jaguars, to list some.
• Flora: grasslands, acacias, and palm trees.
Sustainable travel: the Pantanal is ideal for low-impact wildlife tourism. Support operators that fund jaguar conservation and wetland protection.
South America Ecotourism | Travel Safety
As usual, when travelling, check places out for security reasons. A good resource for US citizens is The State Department’s website. They list Travel advisories.
IMAGE CREDITS > South America Ecotourism Banner. Andes Mountains. Image by Pepe Honguito from Pixabay. > Atacama Desert. Image by Sebastian Baszczyj from Pixabay. > Brazil. Waterfalls of iguaçu. Image by willian_hludke from Pixabay. > Galapagos Islands. Image by hugh_s20 from Pixabay. > Bus in Colombia. Image by Makalu from Pixabay. > Road in Patagonia. Image by Monigocan from Pixabay> Train in the Andes. Image by Monica Volpin from Pixabay. > Perurail. Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay. > Colombia carousel. Image by grebmot from Pixabay > Colombia Bogota. Image by Gabriel Guillén from Pixabay
> Anaconda Snake. Image by u_0idt9hc1sv from Pixabay. > Salt lake, Salar de uyuni, Bolivia. Image by Maik from Pixabay. > Iguana galapagos. Image by Graham Hobster from Pixabay. > Acacia Flowers. Image by Hans from Pixabay. > Anteater. Image by Simon Marlow from Pixabay. > Mangrove. Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay. > Rubber Tree. Image by Oliver Schmid from Pixabay. > Puma. Image by Sabolaslo from Pixabay. > Chile, Andes, Landscape image. Image by Raffaello Torrazzina from Pixabay.
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