By Priyanka Roshan | Sept 19, 2025
South America is where nature reigns supreme. From the soaring Andes to the vast Amazon Rainforest, its UNESCO World Heritage National Parks showcase breathtaking biodiversity, cultural treasures, and landscapes larger than life.
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For travelers, these parks aren’t just destinations—they’re living museums of Earth’s wonders. Here are 9 UNESCO World Heritage National Parks in South America every explorer should add to their bucket list.
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Darwin’s living laboratory, home to giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and sea lions, offering unforgettable wildlife encounters and surreal snorkeling adventures.
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Patagonia’s jewel, with granite towers, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and golden pampas, attracting trekkers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts from across the globe.
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Thundering Iguazú Falls, spanning nearly 3 kilometers, plunge into rainforest canyons, creating misty rainbows and unforgettable views on elevated walkways.
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Perito Moreno Glacier and Fitz Roy’s jagged peaks define this icy Patagonian wonderland of glaciers, mountains, and pristine turquoise lakes.
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A prehistoric open-air museum, with ancient rock paintings over 25,000 years old, set against stunning sandstone cliffs and rugged terrain.
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The world’s biodiversity hotspot, spanning Andes to Amazon, sheltering jaguars, macaws, orchids, and over 1,000 bird species in pristine ecosystems.
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Otherworldly landscapes of towering tepuis and cascading waterfalls, including Angel Falls—the tallest on Earth—create a mystical, legendary natural wonder.
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Cordillera Blanca’s snowcapped peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, condors, and spectacled bears make this Peru’s high-altitude paradise for trekkers and mountaineers.
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Earth’s largest rainforest park, with tepui plateaus, rich biodiversity, and ancient cave paintings, sacred to indigenous cultures and still mysterious.
(Image: Instagram/@southamerica)