In this burgeoning cruise destination, travelers can see the continent’s most special landscapes by sea, river, and even fjord. Read on for three new ships to plan a trip around.
Ecuador
Colombia
The languid Río Magdalena, a once-vital transport route, gets its first multiday cruise next year with an all-suite boat from AmaWaterways, with excursions and experiences curated by South American operator Metropolitan Touring. Start in Barranquilla and end in the town of Mompox, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its historic architecture and its role in Simón Bolívar’s Latin American liberation movement. The seven-night itineraries will also include kayaking, hiking, and bird-watching.
Chile
The region of Patagonia is usually explored overland — but passengers aboard Esperanza, the new custom-built ferry from Navimag, will see a slow moving backdrop of spouting whales, sparkling glaciers, and snowy peaks as they sail along the coast of southern Chile between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales. The four-day, thousand-mile voyage navigates past Chiloé Island and some of the country’s most popular national parks. Expect simple but comfortable cabins with private bathrooms, hearty food, onboard yoga and tai chi, and an all-English-speaking crew during high season.
A version of this story first appeared in the August 2022 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “More South America Sailings.”
