Our favourite cultural experiences in South America

South America’s unique cultural heritage is an amalgamation of the influences from the ancient Mayan, Aztec and Inca civilisations; the colonisation by the Spanish and Portuguese; and the indigenous peoples across the Amazon and the Andes. Get a better understanding of this through the regions’ markets, architecture, cuisine and arts on a customised holiday by Lightfoot Travel.

Explore Peru’s capital Lima through its splendid colonial architecture. Take in Cusco’s Andean culture by way of its ancient buildings and market places, then follow the Incan footsteps on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Find cosmopolitan style in Brazil’s São Paolo with its high-end fashion stores and glamorous dining; a beach feel and Samba dancing in Rio de Janeiro; and colourful colonial buildings and beautiful churches in Salvador.

Bolivia is home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the whitewashed city of Sucre for its grand ecclesiastical architecture, Santa Cruz’s old-world churches, and Uyuni Salt Flats.