There are destinations that come into their prime, and this year, that’s going to be South America. It’s the place that defines adventure by topography alone. There are mountains to climb, jungles to explore, salt flats to conquer, and a whole lot in between. But adventure doesn’t mean you have to rough it, as these hotels are your luxury home base.
These nine properties pair real comfort with wild places, whether you want full luxury or a stylish base camp.
Awasi Patagonia
Location: Torres del Paine, Chilean Patagonia, Chile
The Awasi Patagonia luxury lodge sits in a private Chilean reserve beside Torres del Paine. Sixteen stilted villas by Chilean architect Felipe Assadi are built from native timber and scattered across the hillside. Inspired by Patagonian ranching shelters, they look modest outside but feel gloriously rustic-chic once you step inside. Each villa has a wood-fired hot tub, which staff heat while you are out on excursions. Back at the main lodge, open fireplaces and a Relais & Châteaux restaurant wait with personalized three-course menus. Everything is included and the lodge is a pioneer in sustainable luxury, though it only opens November through May.
Explora Atacama
Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Don’t miss out on Explora Atacama, an upscale, all-inclusive basecamp in the world’s driest desert, built for total immersion. It spreads across 42 acres of the historic Ayllu de Larache plain, modeled on a traditional Atacameño family plot. The 50 minimalist, hacienda-style rooms have no TVs or Wi-Fi, so the desert silence takes over. Four connected pools, framed by wild desert grasses, run along a long patio beside soothing hot tubs. After dark, look up, because Atacama has some of Earth’s clearest skies and Explora has a private observatory.
Mashpi Lodge
Location: Pacto, Chocó Andino, Pichincha Province, Ecuador
Farther north in Ecuador, Mashpi Lodge rises from a mega-biodiverse cloud forest like something from the future. This award-winning, all-inclusive eco-lodge occupies a 3,000-acre private reserve in the Chocó Bioregion and keeps conservation at its core. Only about 47 guests stay at once, keeping the experience intimate and gentle on the land. Its 24 Scandi-inspired rooms span three floors, and each has floor-to-ceiling glass, opening onto the jungle canopy. A two-story dining room serves Ecuadorian haute cuisine made with native forest herbs and wild fruits. Up top, a panoramic rooftop terrace is perfect for morning birdwatching and stargazing after sunset. For a thrill, the Sky Bike lets two guests pedal along a cable across a 650-foot gorge.
Pikaia Lodge
Location: Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Once you cross to the Galápagos, Pikaia Lodge offers a land-based alternative to traditional island cruises. It perches in the volcanic highlands of Santa Cruz Island, on a ridge between two extinct craters. With only 14 contemporary rooms and suites, privacy and truly attentive service come standard for every guest. The Japanese-inspired Sumaq Spa offers a sauna, a whirlpool hot tub, and specialized therapeutic treatments. Guests can borrow mountain bikes, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards at no charge, ready for island adventures. It is also the first and only Ecuadorian hotel selected for the 50 Best Discovery list.
Explora El Chaltén
Location: El Chaltén, Santa Cruz Province, Argentine Patagonia, Argentina
Explora El Chaltén sits in Argentine Patagonia, inside the private Los Huemules Conservation Reserve. Set beside the Eléctrico River, it borders Los Glaciares National Park, so the scenery feels remote and dramatic. Its 20 modular rooms stand on stilts, which keeps the footprint light and the mountain views wide open. The forest-view spa has two saunas, two massage rooms, five open-air hot tubs, and valley-view showers. Chef Pablo Jesús Rivero serves seasonal, open-fire Patagonian meats sourced from small agroecological farms at the lodge restaurant. Afterward, the adjacent bar pours regional wines and spirits freely under the Patagonian night sky.
Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica
Location: Tambopata National Reserve, Madre de Dios Region, Peruvian Amazon, Peru
If you want to trade mountains for jungle, then Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica is the place to go. This property, according to National Geographic Traveler, ranks among the world’s top 25 eco-lodges. It sits deep in the southern Peruvian Amazon, yet it feels refreshingly easy to reach. Its 35 stilted wooden cabanas draw on Ese’Eja culture and operate entirely off the grid. Each evening, guests gather at the bar for happy hour, with a complimentary Pisco Sour in hand. A genuine history of scientific conservation and superb wildlife watching sets it apart from any standard resort.
Cristalino Lodge
Location: Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Southern Amazon, Brazil
Deeper into the Amazon, Cristalino Lodge sits in Alta Floresta, in northern Mato Grosso, Brazil. It rests inside a 28,167-acre private reserve, and National Geographic Traveler praises its strict conservation ethics. Just 18 sustainably built rooms and bungalows hide along the riverbank, linked by elevated wooden walkways. Wood, ceramic tile, and natural ventilation keep the spacious layouts cool, ideal for families or small groups. Special Bungalows add an outdoor bathtub tucked inside a private garden, perfect for a quiet soak. Chef Fábio Vieira, a leading voice in Brazilian gastronomy, builds the menu around authentic local ingredients. More than 600 bird species call the reserve home, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Expert naturalists guide every hike, boat trip, night safari, and canoe outing across the reserve.
Awasi Iguazú
Location: Puerto Libertad, Misiones Province, Argentine Mesopotamia, Argentina
Closer to the falls, Awasi Iguazú waits in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, on a private 25-acre Atlantic Rainforest reserve. This carbon-neutral, ultra-luxury lodge hugs the Iguazú River, just 15 to 20 minutes from the legendary falls. Its 14 stilted villas minimize environmental impact while framing immersive jungle views from private wooden decks. Each deck comes with sun loungers and a personal plunge pool for cooling off after exploring. As a Relais & Châteaux member, the restaurant serves Michelin-standard Argentinian plates built on foraged jungle ingredients and native citrus. Local yerba mate and premium South American wines round out every meal, all of it included. Every villa also gets a dedicated private guide and 4×4, so excursions move entirely at your own pace.
Hotel das Cataratas
Location: Iguaçu National Park, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná State, Brazil
Stay at Hotel das Cataratas, a Belmond Hotel, the only hotel inside Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park. This legendary pastel-pink, Portuguese-colonial landmark sits right on the edge of Iguassu Falls, surrounded by a lush national park. Rooms evoke old-world elegance with dark Brazilian hardwood, hand-painted Portuguese tiles, marble bathrooms, and artwork of regional flora and fauna. The best perk is exclusive access to waterfall boardwalks and trails before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Those quiet hours let you see one of the world’s great sights without the crowds. Back at the hotel, enjoy a large heated outdoor pool, a kids’ pool, a tennis court, and a boutique gym. As evening settles in, Bar Tarobá pours aged cachaça cocktails and sunset Prosecco alongside live jazz. The whole property runs on 100% renewable energy, which makes the indulgence easier to justify.
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FAQs
Q: Which hotels are best for wildlife and birdwatching?
A: Cristalino Lodge is a standout, with more than 600 bird species and expert naturalists guiding every excursion. Mashpi Lodge offers a rooftop terrace for morning birdwatching, while Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica excels at wildlife watching.
Q: Which properties are all-inclusive?
A: Awasi Patagonia, Awasi Iguazú, Explora Atacama, and Mashpi Lodge are all-inclusive, which keeps planning and spending simple from arrival. At Explora El Chaltén, all excursions are handled on-site, and the bar serves regional wines and spirits.
Q: Which hotels work best for families?
A: Hotel das Cataratas offers a dedicated kids’ pool, a tennis court, and a heated outdoor pool for everyone. Cristalino Lodge has spacious layouts that suit families or small groups, with naturalist-led canoe outings and hikes.
