Stargazing in South America

South America serves up some seriously surreal stargazing, thanks to its astonishing array of remote landscapes untouched by humankind.

As dusk settles in South America, prepare to be greeted by a breathtaking blanket of stars peeking through the inky night sky. Thanks to minimal light pollution in many areas and the all-round natural beauty of this immense continent, stargazing in South America is the perfect way to spend an evening. Retreat to the Uyuni Salt Flats for the night or maybe settle down with an exotic cocktail on one of the Galapagos Islands; wherever you are, sit back, relax and prepare for the show.

South America is one of the best places in the world to stargaze, so whether you are parents to budding astronomers or looking for a romantic night away, there is nothing quite like spending an evening trying to pick out the constellations that adorn the sky here. Leading the way, the Atacama Desert is almost unbeatable when it comes to stargazing, attracting experts in astronomy from all over the world. Being one of the driest places on earth means the sky is almost always cloud-free, so you can be sure of a mind-blowing display above. Elsewhere, with twinkling light bouncing off the snow-capped mountains while simultaneously being reflected in the glistening lakes, when the weather is fine and the sky is clear, Patagonia is another amazing place to enjoy the night sky.

The stars that can be seen above South America are more than simply something pretty to look at. The study of stars was of utmost importance to the Incan civilisation and with Peru being one of the optimum places to view the Milky Way, whether you are at Lake Titicaca or travelling through the Sacred Valley, you will be treated to dazzling panoramic vistas like no other. Alternatively, if you are looking to get off the beaten track why not consider Cabo Polonio in Uruguay? With limited electricity, once the sun has set, there is nothing else for it than to admire the stars above you, as you sip on a cold drink with the gentle crash of the waves as your soundtrack.

While in South America you may decide to centre your trip around some of the larger cities, but this does not mean you will miss out on the chance to do a spot of stargazing. With world-class planetariums and observatories across the continent, from Medellin in Colombia to the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, city slickers can still marvel at the stunning South American sky.

Stargazing in South America Highlights:
  • Experience some of the best stargazing in the world in the Atacama Desert, Chile
  • Combine wildlife-watching with astronomy in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
  • Surrender to the silence of the Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia
  • Make like the ancient Inca and observe the stars from Lake Titicaca, Peru
  • Watch as starlight illuminates the majestic landscapes of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
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