South America is easily accessible by cruise ships, since most major cities and attractions are on or near the coast.  Given the continent's underdeveloped roads and public transportation system, cruising is perhaps the best way to comfortably experience a large cross-section in a relatively short amount of time (around 12-18+ days).

 

Among the numerous South American itineraries available, Cape Horn cruises and Amazon cruises are two popular routes which cover many of the unique and contrasting regions of South America.

 

A Cape Horn cruise, otherwise know as an Around-the-Horn cruise, typically sails between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Valparaíso, Chile.   From Buenos Aires, sailings often include a stop Puerto Madryn, Argentina, and/or Stanley, Falkland Islands, en route to Cape Horn – the southernmost point of the continent. Rounding the Cape and heading north, the Chilean Fjords rival – or some say – surpass the stunning beauty of Alaska’s Inside Passage. This area is comprised of islands, channels, snow-capped volcanoes and fjords. Dipping into the Straits of Magellan, Punta Arenas, Chile, is the gateway to Patagonia's vast deserts and mountains and the location from which many cruise lines offer fly-over excursions to Antarctica. Cruises conclude at the picturesque sea-cliff-hanging town of Valparaíso, the hub for travel to Chile's wine region and capital city of Santiago. Cape Horn cruises are also available from Valparaíso.

 

Amazon itineraries typically include stops along the coast of Brazil en route to either Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires; however, exact routes will vary based on cruise line, some of which offer departures from North America.  

 

From Manaus, Brazil, the capital of Amazonas State, a range of excursions is available from cultural to river and jungle explorations. One of the highlights is the “Meeting of the Waters”– the confluence of the Rio Negro River and Amazon River. The water properties of the two rivers are so vastly different that they don't immediately mix, but run parallel for miles providing a magnificent spectacle.