Unearth The Voyage
South America has become one of the most exciting destinations for Americans looking to travel, work remotely, or start a new chapter in life. From the cloud-kissed peaks of the Andes to sun-soaked beaches and vibrant city streets, the continent offers something for just about everyone.
Whether you are drawn by the food, the culture, the affordability, or the adventure, these ten destinations are winning over American hearts in a big way.
1. Medellín, Colombia: The City of Eternal Spring
Medellín has pulled off one of the most remarkable turnarounds of any city in the world. Once known for the wrong reasons, it has transformed into a thriving hub for expats, digital nomads, and adventure seekers from across the United States.
The weather here is hard to argue with. Sitting at a comfortable elevation, the city enjoys mild temperatures year-round, earning its nickname the City of Eternal Spring.
Americans working remotely love the fast internet, coworking spaces, and affordable apartments in neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles.
Salsa clubs, mountain cable cars, and a buzzing café culture fill the evenings and weekends. The metro system is clean, modern, and easy to navigate.
Many Americans who planned a two-week visit end up signing year-long leases. Medellín has a magnetic pull that is genuinely hard to explain until you experience it firsthand.
2. Buenos Aires, Argentina: The Paris of the South
Steak for dinner, tango until midnight, and a café table waiting for you in the morning. That is the rhythm of life in Buenos Aires, and Americans are falling hard for it.
The Argentine capital blends old-world European elegance with a lively Latin energy that feels unlike anywhere else on the continent.
A favorable exchange rate means that high-end restaurants, stylish apartments, and cultural experiences cost a fraction of what they would back home. Neighborhoods like Palermo and San Telmo are packed with bookstores, art galleries, and street markets that reward slow exploration.
Remote workers have carved out a comfortable life here, settling into corner cafés with laptops and strong espresso. The social scene runs late, conversations run deep, and the sense of community among expats is strong.
Buenos Aires rewards those who take the time to truly know it.
3. Lima, Peru: A Culinary Capital Worth Staying For
Lima does not just feed you well. It changes the way you think about food entirely.
Home to several of the world’s top-ranked restaurants, Peru’s capital has earned a global reputation for cuisine that blends indigenous ingredients with Japanese, Spanish, and African influences in ways that feel completely original.
Americans arrive for the ceviche and pisco sours, but they stay for the lifestyle. The Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods offer Pacific Ocean views, thriving surf culture, and a growing community of young professionals and entrepreneurs.
Business opportunities in tech and education are expanding steadily.
Beyond the city, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley are just a short flight away, making weekend adventures easy to plan. Lima is a city where ancient ruins and glass skyscrapers share the same skyline, and where every meal feels like a reason to celebrate something special.
4. Santiago, Chile: Where Stability Meets Outdoor Adventure
Not every American moving abroad is chasing chaos and spontaneity. Some want reliable internet, safe streets, and a grocery store that stays stocked.
Santiago delivers all of that and then surprises you with the Andes Mountains sitting right outside the city window.
Chile’s capital runs efficiently, with strong infrastructure and a stable economy that makes settling in feel less stressful than other South American cities. Professionals and families are drawn to the quality of schools, healthcare, and public services that meet familiar standards.
The outdoor access is extraordinary. World-class ski resorts are a two-hour drive away, and Pacific beaches are just as close in the other direction.
Hiking trails weave through the Andes on weekends, and Chilean wine country sits within easy reach. Santiago is a city that respects your need for both comfort and adventure, and it delivers both without asking you to choose.
5. Cuenca, Ecuador: The Retirement Destination That Earns Its Reputation
Ask any American retiree living in South America where to go, and Cuenca’s name comes up quickly. This UNESCO-listed colonial city in the Ecuadorian highlands has quietly become one of the top retirement destinations in the world, and it is easy to understand why once you walk its streets.
The cost of living here is genuinely low. A comfortable apartment, fresh market produce, and quality healthcare all cost a fraction of what retirees pay back in the United States.
The climate stays mild and consistent throughout the year, with cool mornings and warm afternoons that feel more like spring than anything extreme.
An established English-speaking expat community means newcomers are never starting from scratch socially. Cobblestone plazas, flower markets, and artisan workshops fill the days with quiet charm.
Cuenca is the kind of place where retirement actually feels like the reward it was always supposed to be.
6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Sun, Samba, and a Lifestyle Like No Other
There is a reason Rio de Janeiro appears on so many bucket lists. The city is visually stunning in a way that almost feels unfair, with golden beaches, lush mountains, and a skyline that somehow looks like a postcard from every angle.
Americans who visit often leave with a plan to come back permanently.
Copacabana and Ipanema beaches set the tone for mornings, while samba rhythms and neighborhood street parties fill the evenings. The culture is warm, expressive, and welcoming to outsiders who show genuine curiosity and respect.
Portuguese is a real learning curve for most Americans, but expats consistently say the city’s energy makes the effort worthwhile. Living costs vary by neighborhood, with some areas offering surprisingly affordable options compared to major U.S. cities.
Rio rewards the bold, the curious, and anyone willing to trade a predictable routine for something genuinely extraordinary and alive.
7. Bogotá, Colombia: High Altitude, High Ambition
At over 8,600 feet above sea level, Bogotá takes a few days to adjust to physically. But once your body catches up, the city reveals itself as one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich capitals in all of South America.
Americans with entrepreneurial energy tend to feel right at home here.
The tech sector is growing fast, coworking spaces are everywhere, and the food scene has expanded dramatically in recent years. Neighborhoods like Chapinero and Usaquén offer a mix of hip coffee shops, international restaurants, and creative communities that attract young professionals from around the world.
Cool mountain air keeps the temperature comfortable year-round, which is a welcome surprise for those expecting tropical heat. The city also has a rich arts culture, with museums, street murals, and live music filling the calendar.
Bogotá is ambitious, energetic, and moving forward at a pace that matches its elevation.
8. Montevideo, Uruguay: Calm, Coastal, and Completely Underrated
Uruguay rarely tops the headline lists of South American destinations, but the Americans who discover Montevideo tend to stay quiet about it. They have found something rare: a genuinely livable city that does not feel like it is trying too hard to impress anyone.
The capital sits along a sweeping waterfront promenade called the Rambla, stretching for miles and inviting long walks, bike rides, and afternoon mate-drinking sessions. The neighborhoods are walkable, the streets feel safe, and the pace of life is refreshingly unhurried compared to larger South American capitals.
Uruguay ranks consistently high for political stability and quality of life, which matters to families and professionals considering a longer stay. The country also has progressive policies that make it relatively straightforward for foreigners to establish residency.
Montevideo is the kind of place where you exhale deeply on day one and slowly realize you might never want to leave.
9. Quito, Ecuador: Colonial Beauty Perched Among Volcanoes
Quito sits at nearly 9,350 feet in elevation, making it one of the highest capital cities in the world. That altitude gives it crisp air, dramatic skies, and views of surrounding volcanoes that make even a short walk feel like something out of a nature documentary.
It is a city that constantly reminds you where you are.
The historic center is one of the best-preserved colonial districts in all of Latin America, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Churches, monasteries, and handcrafted tile streets create a living museum that locals and expats alike explore on weekends.
For Americans who value biodiversity, Quito is an exceptional base. The Galápagos Islands, cloud forests, and active volcanoes are all within reasonable reach.
Living costs remain low compared to U.S. cities, and the expat community is welcoming. Quito offers history, nature, and affordability wrapped into one breathtaking package.
10. Florianópolis, Brazil: The Island Life That Remote Workers Dream About
Florianópolis, affectionately called Floripa by those who love it, is the kind of place that sounds too good to be real until you actually get there. An island city in southern Brazil with more than 40 beaches, a growing startup ecosystem, and a surf culture that sets the mood for daily life, it has become a genuine magnet for American digital nomads.
Mornings here often start with a laptop and strong Brazilian coffee, followed by an afternoon in the ocean. The balance between productivity and pleasure is something Floripa seems to have figured out better than most cities on the continent.
The startup scene is young and energetic, with coworking spaces and tech meetups becoming more common each year. Portuguese is the language of daily life, but the expat community is growing fast.
Florianópolis blends tropical escape with modern connectivity in a way that is genuinely hard to walk away from.
