Cruising in South America

Like Australia, many of the great sights of South America are close to the coast. And, like Australians, South Americans have a myriad natural wonders within their borders, though theirs include the soaring Andes and majestic glaciers. Perhaps these similarities are why an ever-growing number of Australians are heading across the Pacific and there are now more flights each year to get us there. South America is a surprisingly diverse continent that extends from the equatorial jungles of Ecuador to sub-Antarctic Patagonia. The cultures, too, range from the urbane city dwellers of Buenos Aires to the gauchos of the pampas.

The language is different, though. Except in Portuguese-speaking Brazil, Spanish is the spoken language, though dialects vary greatly. The atmosphere is shamelessly Latin, from passionate tango dancers on the streets of Buenos Aires to the party people of Rio, and soccer is everywhere. The cuisine is diverse, but typically includes tortillas, salsas and spices. Visitors to Argentina in particular leave with fond memories of the best beef in the world, served in very large portions.

There’s now quite a set path for cruises in the lower part of South America, which begins in Valparaiso, the port for Santiago de Chile, and ends in either Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro. The voyage also operates in the opposite direction. The ports are justifiable highlights of their country and that’s particularly true of Rio de Janeiro, one of the world’s most spectacular cities, where mountain peaks dot the suburbs. Santiago goes one better with the Andes towering above the city and reaching their greatest height at nearby Cerro Aconcagua (6,960 metres) in Argentina. Buenos Aires, on Rio de la Plata, is a vibrant city with a great architectural heritage, excellent shopping and astonishing nightlife.

As each country is so vast, cruising is a great way to cover the main sights. The seasons match our own, with summer being the southern cruising season. Because South America extends so far to the south, the season doesn’t stretch much into spring or autumn. Towards Cape Horn, the most notable nautical landmark in the world, is a glacial landscape home to albatross and penguins and fascinating outposts such as Chile’s Punta Arenas and Argentina’s Ushuaia. South America is a pleasant surprise. From tango to coffee culture, condors to vineyards, it’s a welcoming world of rich experiences.

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The best cruise ports in South America

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Argentina boasts fine beaches, glacial lakes and vast grasslands. Some of the country’s most famous natural wonders include Iguazu Falls and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Ushuaia is at its southernmost tip and is where many cruise lines, including Ponant, sail from to reach Antarctica. Most Australians end up with a day or two in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, on their way to Antarctica. Join an organised tour that takes in the Plaza de Mayo, the opulent 1908 Teatro Colón, colourful La Boca and the quiet Palermo district.

Best for: Culture and history lovers, soccer fans and romantics.

Who goes there? Celebrity, HAL, MSC, NCL, Princess, Regent and Seabourn.

Lima, Peru

Peru is home to the Amazon rainforest as well as the stunning ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, high in the Andes mountains. From Lima, visitors often head to the colonial city of Cusco to embark on hikes of the Inca Trail. Other sights include the huge sapphire-coloured Lake Titicaca and the city of Arequipa, where you can climb a volcano. The coastal capital of Lima has a colonial centre and museums displaying important collections of pre-Columbian art. Spend your evenings in the fancy restaurants and plush hotels of the Miraflores district.

Best for: History, art and culture buffs.

Who goes there? Princess, HAL, NCL, Oceania, Regent and Silversea.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The large South American country of Brazil stretches from the Amazon Basin to Iguacu Falls, but most cruises are destined for the city of Rio de Janeiro, home to the Christ the Redeemer statue, as well as Copacabana and Ipanema Beach. There’s so much to see and do in a city the size of Rio, so try to arrange a spare day or two. From Sugar Loaf Mountain, cross the Tijuca Rainforest by train, then climb to the Christ the Redeemer statue on top of Corcovado. On the way, stop by the Sambodromo, where the Samba schools of Rio perform. If you have time pre- or post-cruise, visit Sao Paulo which has lots of cultural institutions.

Best for: Shoppers and beach bums.

Who goes there? Celebrity, Cunard, HAL, MSC, NCL, Regent, Seabourn.

Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile

Chile is a cruise destination for those on their way to Antarctica. Santiago’s UNESCO-listed ocean port is the gateway to the Andes, while the city itself is 90 minutes by road, and has a wealth of museums and historic sites. Its palm-lined Plaza de Armas has a neoclassical cathedral as well as the National History Museum. Nearby, Valparaiso has lovely beaches and resorts.

Best for: Culture lovers and history buffs.

Who goes there? Costa, Cunard, HAL, NCL, Princess, Ponant, Seabourn, Silversea.

Carnaval, Brazil

While Carnaval (Carnival in Portuguese) is celebrated throughout Brazil, Rio’s is by far the most impressive. It takes place over four days, before the start of the 40 days of Lent that lead up to Easter. Some half a million foreign visitors come to experience it each year. The centre of the action is the giant Sambadrome, but there are endless parties in every neighbourhood and on every beach.

Best for: Cultural lovers, history buffs

Who goes there? The majority of cruise vessels are in Brazil over the summer months (October to April) and Rio is a popular port on round-the-world and other long voyages. Companies that operate in the area include Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard, Fred Olsen, Holland America Line, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Oceania, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Swan Hellenic.