We shine a spotlight on the best luxury experiences in Brazil, Peru and Argentina

Football is almost like a religion to Argentinians. Some of the world’s greatest players have come from this country so it comes as no surprise that they’re the 2022 FIFA World Cup Champions. 

Why not witness the magic of the game for yourself in Buenos Aires? La Bombonera Stadium in the La Boca district is legendary. Here you can watch Boca Juniors play in a stadium that can accommodate up to 49,000 people. 

The one catch is tickets are hard to come by unless you know where to look. You can either borrow a season pass off a Boca Junior fan who has one or buy tickets off a broker, travel company or hotel. 

If you do want to see a game, we recommend talking to our personal travel managers as scams are rife. Alternatively, you can catch a glimpse of the electrifying atmosphere by doing a private tour of the stadium instead. 

One of our favourite things to do in Argentina is exploring Patagonia. Extending across the border between Argentina and Chile, Patagonia is a jaw-dropping region renowned for its mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers. 

Venture into the region’s heart by staying in the newly opened ultra-luxury Explora El Chaltén Lodge. Deep within the Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, this five-star lodge sits at the base of El Chaltén and offers guests an extensive range of hiking experiences led by certified guides. 

After a day in the mountains, a beautiful spa, complete with massage rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis soothe well-exercised muscles at the lodge. 

Accommodation comes in the form of cosy rooms and suites with expansive windows. As for the food? Fine dining is a standard with dishes made from fresh local ingredients by talented chefs.

See the ‘uttermost ends of the earth’ on a cruising adventure you’ll never forget. Right down the bottom of the South American continent you’ll find Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. 

Situated on the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago, it’s the perfect jumping off point to explore some of the most remote and breath-taking scenery on the planet – all from the comfort of a luxury cruise. 

Spend four nights aboard Australis sailing from Argentinian Ushuaia to Punta Arenas in Chile with highlights including Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay. That’s two countries in one trip!

Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin as you cruise down the Beagle Channel through a labyrinth of islands and vistas of glacier-laden mountains. 

Sail the Strait of Magellan and make a final stop at Isla Magdalena where you’ll meet its Patagonian penguin colony before disembarking at Punta Arenas. 

Voted one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Iguazú Falls is a mighty group of waterfalls bordering Brazil and Argentina on the Iguazú River. In fact, it’s the largest waterfall system in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Some would argue that Brazil has the better viewpoint of the falls but on the Argentinian side you can get much closer to them and there’s more to explore. 

If you’re keen to see Iguazú Falls, we think staying at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas is an absolute no-brainer. At this five-star hotel, you don’t just stay within a stone’s throwaway of the falls, you also get access to the walkways and viewpoints before the attraction is open to tourists. 

Enjoy views from your room, feel the energy of the water in a bioenergetic exercise and explore the Lower Falls by speedboat here. 

No trip to Brazil is complete without visiting one of the most popular cities in the Southern Hemisphere, Rio de Janeiro. 

This sprawling city sits between mountains on one side and the South Atlantic Ocean on the other. It’s renowned for its vibrant Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain with cable cars up to the summit and the 38m Christ the Redeemer statue on top of Mount Corcovado. 

Time your visit to coincide with Carnival, an epic nationwide celebration. The version in Rio is the biggest and the best, complete with parade floats, costumes, samba dancers and an electrifying party atmosphere.

Carnival is typically held on the Friday before Ash Wednesday and continues for five days. 

Get more travel inspiration in our guide to the best bucket list adventures and experiences all over the world!

For a real South American adventure, the Amazon Rainforest is a must. And while it’s wild and remote, exploring this mighty jungle doesn’t have to be lacking in luxury. 

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is a modern all-inclusive experience on the banks of the Rio Negro. No WIFI here, but the digital detox is certainly made worth your while by the beautiful infinity pool, delicious dining and the wealth of thrilling activities. 

We love the Rio Negro riverboat cruise which meanders through the largest left tributary of the Amazon River. 

Or you can go wildlife spotting with an expert guide. See the likes of pink dolphins and piranha in the water plus sloths, snakes and alligators in the jungle – from a safe distance, of course!

Machu Picchu is, without a doubt, a jewel in Peru’s crown if not the world. The remains of a 15th-century Inca citadel high in the Andes Mountains takes centre stage with a panorama of peaks surrounding it. 

The original use for this UNESCO World Heritage Site remains a mystery but today it’s one of the most popular historical attractions on the planet. 

Most people make Cusco their base to see Machu Picchu, but we think you can do better and stay in the only hotel close to this magnificent attraction. Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel is a five-star hotel within easy walking distance of this Inca wonder. 

This stylish retreat gives you access to Machu Picchu before the crowds descend so you have the whole place to yourself. It offers a selection of tailored experiences that allow you to see the authentic side to the Lost City and the people of the Andes. 

Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is said to be the birthplace of the Inca civilization. This enormous freshwater lake high in the Andes is one of the largest in South America. 

While the Incas have long since disappeared, Andean civilization is still well and truly alive here. On the lake itself you can find the floating islands of the Uros Titino communities. 

These floating structures are man-made and woven from braided roots of totora – a type of reed. The same reed material is used to make woven huts for the skilled raftsmen and weaver women who make them their home. 

You can visit these floating villages and learn about the ancestral heritage of these communities. They’re also fantastic places to buy authentic and original crafts. 

Stay at Titilaka, a luxury lodge on a private peninsula on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Here you can explore the beauties of the lake, experience local festivals and sample incredible Peruvian cuisine. 

What do you do when you want to see some of Peru’s best sights in style? Take South America’s first luxury sleeper train, of course! 

Andean Explorer is a Belmond service that travels along one of the highest train routes in the world. It offers a selection of one- or two-night journeys travelling between Cusco, Puno and Arequipa. 

See the ancient capital of the Inca Empire flash by your window, chug through the highest plains of the Andes, admire the glass-like beauty of Lake Titicaca and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Arequipa all from the sumptuous comfort of a luxury train.  It doesn’t get much better than that. 

So, what can you expect from the Andean Explorer? In true Belmond fashion, the train is a work of art. Suites with double beds and cosy furnishings promise to lull you to sleep as you listen to the steady rhythm of the wheels. 

The dining and lounge cars invite you to relax in pure style while the observation car allows views with fresh air. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also find a spa car (yes, on a train!) where facials and massages await.