7 Best Beaches in South America

By VI Staff on October 12, 2019 - Updated

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Is there any better place to spend a sunny day than down on the beach? It doesn’t matter how old you are, what you do for a living, or what’s going on in your life, the beach is always a wonderful place to get away from it all and enjoy a state of total relaxation. As soon as you step foot on the soft sands and listen to the sounds of children playing and gentle waves swimming up onto the shore, you can instantly forget about all your worries and just enjoy the moment. Beaches are ideal places for all kinds of activities, from simple strolls and sunbathing sessions to snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, and more, so it’s unsurprising that many people search for the best beaches when booking vacations. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Lopes Mendes Beach

This Brazilian beach is situated on the astonishingly beautiful island of Ilha Grande (Big Island). Lopes Mendes Beach is the sort of beach that almost looks too good to be true, and as soon as you step foot on these sands, you'll need to come back again and again in the future. There's no beach in the world quite like this one. With beautiful clear waters and extraordinarily soft white sands, Lopes Mendes Beach is a little slice of paradise and never gets noisy or crowded either due to its large size and lack of hotels.

2.Punta Del Diablo

One of the most relaxed, laid-back beaches you could ever imagine visiting, Punta Del Diablo is located on the Uruguayan coast and is popular with people from both Uruguay and neighboring Argentina, as well as tourists from across the globe. The waves can get very impressive here, making Punta Del Diablo an unmissable stop on a South American surfing vacation, and the local town is a charming place to explore with its colorful homes and friendly people.

3.Anakena Beach

If you really want to get away from it all and visit a South American destination far from the crowds and noise of places like Rio de Janeiro, why not consider a trip to Easter Island? Technically part of Chile, this remote Pacific Ocean island is home to Anakena Beach, a simply awe-inspiring stretch of soft white sand, lined with the island's iconic moai stone heads.

4.Shell Beach

If you're a nature enthusiast or love to spend time spotting wildlife, Shell Beach in Guyana is one of the best places to be in South America. Lots of sea turtles can be found nesting in this area, with several unique species favoring this beach in particular to lay their eggs. Getting too close to the turtles isn't allowed, of course, but admiring from a distance and taking photographs is a wonderful way for people of all ages to spend some time.

5.Miraflores

Miraflores is one of the best beach towns in the South American country of Peru, but ranks highly in terms of South American beaches on the whole. Providing breathtaking views of the local city and gorgeous sunsets in the evenings, Miraflores is an unmissable part of the Peruvian coastline. The beach also has just the right conditions for many popular activities like swimming and snorkeling, while also offering big waves further out for surfers to enjoy. You’ll also find a nice selection of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops only a short walk away.

6.Tonsupa

Tonsupa is a beach in Ecuador and stands out as one of the country’s prettiest places. Located in the picturesque Esmeraldas Province, Tonsupa is immensely popular with the locals, and people will actually drive for hours to get to this beach because it’s just so beautiful. Lined with beach umbrellas that provide welcome shady spaces for you and your friends to enjoy, this beach is also well-served by local restaurants and clean amenities. It’s a gorgeous stretch of sand with a lot of space for sunbathing and beachcombing, and the views will simply take your breath away.

7.Jericoacoara

Jericoacoara is a Brazilian beach and it's almost impossible to find words to describe how beautiful this location truly is. Jericoacoara is, quite simply, a beach that needs to be seen to be believed. With towering dunes, comfortable sands, and gentle shallow waters, the conditions here are perfect for everything from family fun to romantic getaways. The dunes are a lot of fun to climb all over and provide some magical views when you reach the top, perfect for snapping a few memorable holiday photos.

8.More Info

For years, travel companies, vacation experts, and regular holiday-makers from all over the globe have attempted to rank the world’s best beaches. This will always be a subjective matter and the Top 10 lists can vary greatly from one person to the next, but one thing that every expert will agree on is that some of the finest beaches on Earth are found down in South America. Whether you’re talking about Brazil, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Uruguay, or another South American nation, you’re guaranteed to find a long list of breathtaking beaches to enjoy.

South America Beach Guide

There are thousands of miles of coastline to explore all around South America, with hundreds of different beaches to be discovered. Listing all of the continent’s best beaches could take a lifetime, but if you’re planning a South American vacation and looking to spend some time on the sand, the information below should be a big help. Our South America beach guide will give you full overviews and important info on all of the best beaches around the continent.