Like many Americans, I'm guilty of overlooking South America as having some of the best travel destinations on the globe. It's time to change that.
From Machu Picchu and Patagonia to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, there's something in South America that has earned a spot on travelers' bucket lists. Getting deep into South America has typically been fairly expensive … but that's not the case anymore.
We've sent Thrifty Traveler Premium members a slew of alerts about cheap flights to South America lately, including sub-$500 economy flights, some premium economy and business class flights, and even some ways to use your points and miles, too.
Here's a look at the best flights we've found to South America and why these ultra-low fares are so noteworthy right now.
Cheap Flights to Chile and Patagonia
Patagonia is almost mythical in its beauty. Take a walk in Torres del Paine National Park and you'll see crystal clear, blue-green waters, a sprawling glacier, and jagged peaks all in one frame.
It seems like most people are resigned that they'll never see Patagonia beyond their computer screensaver, but flights to Chile can be really affordable. In fact, flights down to Chile might be cheaper than ever.
This flight deal we sent out just a few days ago included more than 100 North American cities with fares in the $500s and $600s down to Santiago, Chile (SCL).
Thrifty Traveler Premium members got a chance to book these for early summer in South America, too (wintertime for us in the U.S.). Usually, these fares are closer to $1,000 than $600s and if you're based in smaller cities like Birmingham (BHM), Knoxville (TYS), or Memphis (MEM), that could be a four-figure fare. This deal was special!
After you book one of these Santiago flights, take a look at the connecting flights to Patagonia from there. You can easily fly to any of the Patagonia gateways – Puerto Montt (PMC), Punta Arenas (PUQ), or Puerto Natales (PNT) – from just $95 roundtrip!
But a few months ago, we found even better fares flying to Chile thanks to Delta.
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Delta targeted a handful of American Airlines strongholds with some enticing fares to fly those customers down to Chile this year. These fares are at least 70% off the standard rate.
Finally, thanks to COPA Airlines, there was a sweet lie-flat option flying down to Chile this year, too.
With one quick connection in Panama, you can fly lie-flat all the way down to Santiago (SCL) from just $1,419 roundtrip.
Plus, you can also book these lie-flat seats to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GIG), including Carnival in Rio from Feb. 28 to Mar. 8!
Speaking of our friends in Brazil…
Cheap Flights to Brazil
Never overlooked or forgotten is Brazil, the largest country and one of the most popular destinations to travel to in South America.
Frankly, cheap flights to Brazil aren't always easy to find. Thrifty Traveler Premium members wouldn't know that by looking at the deals we've sent them lately, though…
This latest deal we sent flying to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) included dozens of North America cities, meaning your Brazil trip is just a quick connection away from your home airport in many cases.
These rates were about $400 off from most of these cities. But a few months ago, Delta offered fares from a select few cities for more than half off!
Clearly targeting American Airlines hubs here, Delta swooped in to grab customers from all of these cities with some fares in the $400s! It's extremely rare for U.S. airlines to drop their fares this low, but for airlines like COPA, it's not unusual to find flight deals like these.
Those fares in the $300s to Sao Paulo (GRU) from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Boston (BOS) were stunners.
But let's start thinking comfortably. Brazil isn't just a hop, skip, and a jump from the U.S. In most cases, it's many hours in the air. So if you have the chance to book a nicer seat at a great rate, you should do it.
That's exactly what you'll get from Delta Premium Select: Just a little bit more comfort for your journey. This nonstop route from New York (JFK) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) was on sale for under $1,000 roundtrip! That's closer to the Main Cabin rate most of the time, so this fare for Premium Select was something to behold.
Premium economy is a sort of cross between economy and business class, but let's just go all the way, shall we?
Get more business class award deals like this with Thrifty Traveler Premium!
This deal flying Delta One Business Class offered tons of chances to use your SkyMiles for lie-flat trip to Rio this winter.
If these rates seem high, just know that this is half-off what Delta typically charges for its business class seats – and they're roundtrip! This was just the tip of the iceberg for Delta One deals we've been finding lately.
So go catch a futebol match, celebrate in the streets during February's Carnival, or hike in the sprawling Amazon rainforest this year or next!
Cheap Flights to Colombia
Colombia might fly under the radar compared to other South American destinations, but we think it deserves your attention.
The beautiful South American country borders two oceans, has a picture-perfect climate year-round, and boasts several vibrant, distinct cities where you'll never be searching for something to do.
Maybe the best part about visiting Colombia this year or next? The flight prices. It stands out as one of the absolute best destinations for cheap flights right now. Take a look at this.
These fares to Bogotá (BOG) popped up overnight a few weeks back, and we hustled to send them to our Thrifty Traveler Premium subscribers first thing. With so many fares dropping below $400 and even $300 roundtrip, we knew subscribers would make a trip work this year or next.
These low prices are long gone now, but you can get the next deal sent to your inbox with Thrifty Traveler Premium!
But there's a new, exciting way to get to Bogotá from the U.S., and that's thanks to an airline that you wouldn't expect to be flying between the U.S. and Colombia.
Emirates! The Middle Eastern carrier is running a unique route between Colombia and Miami (MIA), including its lie-flat business and first class seats. That means there's a new best way to fly to Colombia.
If you have Emirates miles (or American Express, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, or Citi points you can transfer to Emirates), you can book these seats for 64,000 roundtrip!
Business Class to Peru & Machu Picchu
High in the Peruvian Andes Mountains is a place we know you know: Machu Picchu. At least that's what it's been called for centuries, although recently, historians have determined that we have been calling it the wrong name!
The Incan citadel was built in the 15th century and abandoned soon after. Now, it draws hikers and travelers from all over the world eager to scratch this incomparable destination off of their bucket lists.
Just getting to the gates of Machu Picchu is no walk in the park, though. First, you need to get to Peru, and preferably for cheap. Luckily, that part has gotten easier, even if you want to do it in style!
Thrifty Traveler Premium members received this deal to Lima, Peru (LIM) with business class fares starting at just $1,501 roundtrip.
These phenomenal values will get you into Peru, but another quick, cheap flight is required to get you into the Andes so you can start your journey up the mountain. Connecting flights into Cusco (CUZ) aren't expensive, and normally run around $100 roundtrip.
Let's look at one more way to get down to Lima, and that's using your points and miles.
If you have Qatar Avios (which you can transfer from Citi) or credit card points from Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase or Wells Fargo you can transfer to British Airways then combine with Qatar, you only need 39,000 of them to fly from Miami (MIA) to Lima (LIM). You could also book these same flights through Virgin Atlantic for a few more points, too.
Bottom Line
While many travelers are waiting for flight prices to drop to the busiest destinations across the world, savvy travelers are looking to visit these once-in-a-lifetime South American spots.
With a cheap flight, you can hike the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, or see Patagonia with your own eyes this year. Cheap flights to South America are here, so it's time to get booking.
