South America may not be the oldest inhabited continent (that’s Africa), but it is arguably the most rewarding for history lovers. It was home to advanced civilizations like the Inca, Tiwanaku, and Nazca, who left behind a spectacular array of ruins, artifacts, and even entire cities. Many are hidden in jungles or remote mountains, preserved in excellent condition. Since several indigenous cultures survived the Spanish conquest and still practice ancient traditions today, an archaeological tour here is like a journey through living history.
Here’s where to start.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is, without a doubt, the crown jewel of South American archaeology. Perched high in the Andes, framed by high peaks, and the distinctive farming terraces now so well-known, this once-lost city of the Incas attracts visitors from all over the globe—and single-handedly makes Peru the most touristed country on the continent.
The high-altitude mountainous landscapes surrounding Machu Picchu are enough to leave you speechless, but it is the citadel’s intricate stonework, temples, and residences that make this place truly remarkable.
Machu Picchu was likely a royal estate built by the Inca emperor Pachacuti in the 15th century. It also served as a center for religious ceremonies and astronomical observations. Spanish conquistadors never discovered the city so, once abandoned, it remained hidden in the wilderness for centuries. They did turn out to be the catastrophic undoing of the Incas nonetheless.
Whether you hike the iconic Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu or take a scenic train ride, you are guaranteed a most memorable experience. Mind you, throngs of tourists can sometimes dampen the ethereal vibe of the place. To this end, plan your visit for the very early morning hours (gates open at six a.m.), as most tour groups, trains, and coachfuls of tourists do not arrive until mid-morning.
2. Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Often overshadowed by Machu Picchu, Bolivia’s Tiwanaku is one of South America’s most important archaeological sites and the best springboard for historical tours of Bolivia.
Found near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca, merely 35 miles from La Paz, Tiwanaku was once the capital of a powerful eponymous empire that predated the Incas by several centuries. The Tiwanaku flourished between 500 and 1000 CE, spreading their rule west into Peru and south into Chile. The citadel on Lake Titicaca played a central role in its governance and contains a legacy of stone-carved temples and statues that continue to baffle archaeologists.
Tiwanaku might not seem as impressive as Machu Picchu at first glance. But it is about 900-1,000 years older and, at its height, was considerably larger and more densely populated. According to archaeological accounts, the city housed some 20,000 people—while Machu Picchu had perhaps only 750. So, although it showcases the most “rugged” and even minimalist aesthetics nowadays (undoubtedly the reason it is not often featured in glossy travel magazines), it is of even greater historical importance. For enthusiasts, the site’s former status as a pivotal trading outpost for the Incas is reason enough for a visit.
Among the site’s highlights is a massive monolithic structure carved from one stone, the Gateway to the Sun.
While the site is rightfully impressive, visiting without a local guide means you might risk missing much of the context. There is much to discover about the details here—including the carved inscriptions on the spectacular gateway—so take a guide with you on your visit.
3. Nazca Lines, Peru
If archaeological mysteries tickle your interest, pop the Nazca Lines at the top of your must-visit list. These mammoth geoglyphs were etched into the desert floor of southern Peru over 2,000 years ago. They depict many different shapes—from animals like hummingbirds and monkeys to geometric patterns and humanoid figures, many stretching for miles. The purpose of the Nazca Lines remains unknown, although some researchers believe they had astronomical or religious significance. Others think they were part of water rituals to invoke rain.
Whatever their purpose, one thing is sure: the Nazca Lines are best appreciated from the sky. A short flight over the desert will give you a panoramic view of these ancient artworks, which are mind-boggling in size and precision.
FYI — the Pan-American Highway traverses a few geoglyphs since the road was built in the 1930s before the lines were widely recognized as exceptional. Yes, you will find a few observation decks along the side of the road but trust that nothing compares to being even higher up. If you manage to get this far into Peru, don’t miss a light plane flight!
4. Chan Chan, Peru
Once the largest city in pre-Columbian America, Chan Chan was a sprawling metropolis and the capital of the Chimú Empire. The city was made of adobe and covered nearly eight square miles (20 square kilometers) during its glory days in the early 15th century. At the time it was home to an estimated 50,000 people.
The Chimú and Inca cultures coexisted for several centuries—the latter ruling the Andean highlands of modern-day Peru, while the former thriving in the northern, much drier region.
The Chimú are highly regarded for their engineering advances and, in particular, their progressive irrigation systems. The empire flourished in what is essentially a dry and very inhospitable desert environment. When you visit the citadel, you’ll see walls adorned with intricate carvings of animals, mainly fish, and an abundance of ornamental designs. While time may have worn away much of Chan Chan, you can still explore its maze-like walls and imagine what life must have been like in this desert city before the Incas conquered it. Archaeologists are still very busy exploring the site. As recently as 2019, a mass burial ground of sacrificed children was discovered here—so odds are there is much more to be found here.
Northern Peru is incredibly underrated and is home to a flurry of fantastic historical sites that see only a fraction of the tourists that visit the south. Aside from Chan Chan, it is home to the ruins of Caral, Kuelap (the former headquarters of the Cloud Warriors), the Revash burial cliffs, and the extraordinary Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum.
5. Cueva de las Manos, Argentina
In a remote corner of Argentine Patagonia is one of South America’s oldest and most enchanting archaeological sites: Cueva de las Manos, or the Cave of Hands. The name is a misnomer because the site is, in reality, a series of caves. The walls of these caves are covered in thousands of handprints believed to have been made by ancient hunter-gatherers over 9,000 years ago.
The prints were skillfully made by blowing pigment around hands pressed against the rock, thus creating a striking negative image with soft and feathered edges.
Aside from handprints, there are also depictions of daily life at the time, with hunting scenes, guanacos (wild llamas), and humans drawn in intricate detail. These prehistoric cave paintings are amongst the most important archaeological finds.
Patagonia is a humongous region that is challenging to explore independently because it isn’t thoroughly developed. If you are planning a self-drive journey, note that the closest “big name” attraction to the cave is the Perito Moreno Glacier. From there, you can plan a long but feasible day trip to Cueva de las Manos. It is one of many historical highlights along the legendary Ruta 40.
6. San Agustín Archaeological Park, Colombia
Tucked away in the Andean highlands of Colombia, San Agustín is a UNESCO World Heritage site home to over 500 statues and megaliths, most depicting gods, animals, and mythical beings. The park is the world’s largest necropolis, where leading members of ancient cultures were buried alongside imposing statues meant to be standing guard.
Exploring San Agustín feels a bit like stepping into an outdoor museum. The statues are scattered across a lush landscape that stretches across almost 200 square miles. Some are small and detailed, while others are towering and ominous, hinting at the spiritual beliefs of the long-lost civilization that created them.
Colombia has no shortage of unique historical treasures, but this site is unquestionably unrivaled.
7. Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile
Far out in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, over 2,000 miles off mainland Chile, Easter Island is shrouded in mystery and legend. The island, known as Rapa Nui to locals, is renowned for its enormous Moai statues that dot its landscapes, carved by the Rapa Nui people between the 13th and 16th centuries. These statues, with their oversized heads and haunting expressions, are thought to represent the island’s ancestors, and they were initially placed along the coastline to watch over the land.
How the Rapa Nui people transported these colossal statues—some weighing more than 80 tons—without machinery still puzzles the experts. Local legends, however, say the statues were walked across the plains—much like one would move a fridge across a room by jiggling it from side to side, making minuscule progress but eventually getting there.
What makes Easter Island even more fascinating is its stark isolation. It is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth, and the journey there feels like a true adventure. Most visitors head here on direct flights from Santiago, although a more epic way to visit is on an expedition cruise to Antarctica.
8. Ingapirca, Ecuador
Machu Picchu may be the crown jewel of Incan archaeology, but that doesn’t make Ecuador’s Ingapirca any less enticing. The ancient fortress, located outside the beautiful colonial town of Cuenca, was built by the Incas in the 15th century during their era of expansion and it served as both a religious and, perhaps more crucially, a military outpost. The Sun Temple, the site’s focal point, was constructed with the same mortarless stonework that makes Machu Picchu so famous.
Ingapirca is the most significant Inca citadel outside of Peru and the largest in Ecuador. It features a blend of architecture, as the Incas incorporated the existing structures of the Cañari people, whom they conquered. This blend is a form of architectural and cultural syncretism, a tactic the Incas utilized far and wide.
A tip for visiting Ingapirca — this stellar site is Ecuador’s answer to Machu Picchu in more ways than one. Aside from being a high-altitude Inca citadel of great importance, like Machu Picchu, it also offers a bona fide three-day Inca Trail that leads to it. The trail is part of the once colossal Inca road system that spread the breadth and width of the empire, connecting all its major cities. The Ecuadorian Inca Trail is more affordable and far less crowded than its Peruvian counterpart. It is an excellent alternative for history buffs who love exploring off the well-trodden Gringo Trail.
9. Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis, Brazil
The Jesuit Missions of the Guarani are an interesting mix of European and indigenous cultures set deep in the southeastern Brazilian countryside. Jesuit priests set up missions in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay in the 1600s. These missions primarily aimed to “civilize” and convert the indigenous populace to Christianity. Yet, they also protected them from slave traders.
In Brazil, the Guarani ruins feature outstanding Baroque architecture and testify to the collaboration between the Jesuits and the local indigenous tribe. Much like the Incas, the Jesuits likewise aimed to fuse at least some aspects of their culture and architecture in the building of their missions, which turned out to be quite beneficial to the locals’ acceptance of the invaders.
The two seemingly opposing sides became so intertwined that they even fought wars, side by side, against Spanish and Portuguese colonizers when new country borders were drawn up in 1750.
Incidentally, the indigenous Guarani are still fighting for their land and survival in Brazil today.
10. Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara, Brazil
Remaining in Brazil but traveling to the northeastern region is the Serra da Capivara National Park, an absolute treasure trove of prehistoric art. The park’s rock shelters and caves contain some of the oldest cave paintings in the Americas, with some dating back over 25,000 years. Much as they do in Argentina, the images in Brazil’s caves depict animals, humans, and geometric patterns. These prints, however, are almost 15,000 years older, showcasing art from one of South America’s oldest civilizations.
Beyond its archaeological importance, Serra da Capivara is a breathtaking natural park, featuring dramatic rock formations, lush vegetation, and a rich variety of wildlife. If you’re exploring Brazil’s northern provinces, a visit to the park is an absolute must.
