February 13, 2026

10 Dream Destinations in South America for a Romantic Getaway

South America does romance differently.

It’s bolder, wilder, more passionate.

Landscapes are cinematic and ever-changing, the culture is rich and steeped in history, and experiences are designed to be shared slowly and deeply.

Read on and discover our favourite romantic destinations in South America, plus where to stay, and how to play, in each. These are places where connection comes naturally, whether under desert stars, among vineyard rows, or at the edge of the world, every detail invites you to linger together just a little longer.

1. Atacama Desert, Chile

The vastness of the Atacama creates a powerful sense of privacy and disconnection from the outside world, allowing couples to be present and share experiences set against one of the planet’s most striking natural backdrops.

By day, the desert is your playground to explore otherworldly landscapes of salt flats, lunar valleys carved by time, volcanoes and geothermal hot springs. Nights are something else entirely: a candlelit table for two set in the open desert, under a canopy of stars, a glass of champagne and an astronomer who will show you the constellations that make the Atacama one of the world’s great stargazing destinations.

Where to stay?

Tierra Atacama takes couples retreats to the next level. Expect standout dining centred on fire and regional flavours, a spa for pampering with couples’ treatments, immersive desert experiences, and quiet evenings spent stargazing from the sunken outdoor lounge. Our favourite room is the suite with a private pool and sweeping views of the Licancabur volcano.

Pair it with a stay at our Extraordinary Atacama, for a private glamping experience tucked away deep in the desert. With all the modern comforts you'd expect from a luxury retreat, private guided exploration, and extraordinary night skies, it feels like the desert is yours alone.

1. Atacama Desert, Chile 1. Atacama Desert, Chile

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Passionate and nostalgic, Buenos Aires seduces with its intoxicating mix of European and Latin American cultures, where tree-lined boulevards, grand architecture, historic cafes, and music spilling into the streets set the mood.

To truly understand the city, learn the art of the world’s most passionate dance and let the city pull you into its rhythm. Tango is the heartbeat of Buenos Aires; it's intimate, emotional, and unapologetically intense. Born in the city’s streets and port neighbourhoods, it tells stories of longing, connection, and desire.

Gastronomy is another highlight, with everything from classic parrillas serving perfectly grilled Argentine beef, and charming cafes, to avant-garde Michelin-starred restaurants and hidden wine bars made for date nights that linger late into the night.

Heading inland, the Pampas offer a gentler rhythm. Charming estancias introduce the romance of rural Argentina: wide horizons, gaucho culture and evenings gathered around the fire.

Where to stay?

Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires is a restored 1930s neoclassical palace steeped in old-world romance. Think marble floors, crystal chandeliers, curated art, and terraced gardens made for slow mornings and sunset drinks. Rooms are spacious and refined, while the Duhau and Alvear Suites elevate things with fireplaces, soaring windows, and discreet butler service. Add standout dining, a chic in-house patisserie, and a private art gallery, and you have Buenos Aires at its most polished and undeniably romantic.

Escape to the countryside at La Bamba de Areco, a traditional and beautifully preserved colonial estancia. We love details like king-size four-poster beds, crackling fireplaces on cool nights, and wooden doors that open straight out onto the pampas. Days are leisurely, spent riding with gauchos, gathering for traditional asados, quiet walks, moments by the pool, or try your hand at learning polo together with a lesson from a pro.

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina 2. Buenos Aires, Argentina

3. Rapa Nui, Chile

This island replaces the predictable island getaway with something far richer. Remote, mysterious, and deeply romantic, Rapa Nui feels profoundly removed from the everyday where space and story create a rare sense of intimacy.

Days unfold through shared discovery: explore monumental moai that rise from volcanic plains, uncover ancient ceremonial sites, snorkel crystal-clear waters, ascend volcanoes for breathtaking views, and ride horses across open plains.

Dining is rooted in local flavours. Enjoy fresh seafood and island produce at sunset with the sound of the sea nearby. Spend quiet evenings under the stars, uninterrupted by light or noise, while the rest of the world feels very far away.

Where to stay?

Secluded with sweeping views of the Pacific and rolling countryside, Explora Rapa Nui is designed for rest and reconnection between days of meaningful exploration. Rooms are minimalist and serene with oversized windows, designed to take full advantage of the silence and spaciousness of the surrounding landscape. An extensive menu of immersive experiences caters to every pace, with expert local guides offering a genuine focus on Rapa Nui culture, revealing the island’s unique history and charm.

3. Rapa Nui, Chile 3. Rapa Nui, Chile

4. Mendoza, Argentina

Effortlessly romantic, Mendoza is made for indulgence.

Vineyards stretch beneath the Andes, creating a setting made for unhurried afternoons of private tastings and cellar tours, sampling estate-grown Malbecs straight from the source.

A serious gourmet destination, the region also offers standout dining experiences. Think fire-grilled asados, refined Michelin-star menus, long lunches among the vines, and candlelit dinners where the pace slows and the wine flows.

Beyond the vines, the Andes rise, an invitation to hike, ride, and explore while romantic al fresco picnics, pampering spa rituals, lazy afternoons, and swims framed by mountain views offer the perfect pause between adventures.

Where to stay?

Set within a sprawling private vineyard in Lujan de Cuyo, Awasi Mendoza is a recipe for romance. Wonderfully private villas scattered among vineyards feature an outdoor shower, private plunge pool, and a rooftop terrace, a perfect spot to admire the sprawling vineyards during the golden glow of sunset.

Enjoy private wine tastings at the property’s extensive cellar, followed by mouthwatering dishes at the on-site restaurant, crafted with organic ingredients from the lodge’s garden and expertly paired. Explore the vineyards by bike or on horseback, or slow things down at the spa. For something truly special, ride into the hills for a secluded picnic with exceptional wines and sweeping mountain views.

4. Mendoza, Argentina 4. Mendoza, Argentina

5. Garzón, Uruguay

Garzón feels like a secret waiting to be discovered. Nestled in Uruguay’s rolling countryside, it charms with unpaved streets, colonial-era architecture, and a sense of timelessness that evokes the romance of a bygone era.

At the turn of the 20th century, Garzón thrived as a bustling railroad stop. But when the highway was rerouted and the station closed, the village slowly emptied, and by the 1960s, fewer than 200 residents remained. Today, it has been revived by artists, restaurateurs and winemakers. There are high-end restaurants, wine bars, art galleries and wineries that are changing perceptions of Uruguayan wine, yet it remains wonderfully unhurried, preserving the gentle rhythm and intimacy that make it so special.

Beyond the town, rolling hills and open skies set the scene for connection through simple pleasures. Think horseback rides across the countryside, cycling between vineyards, wine tastings, gentle hikes and al fresco picnics.

Where to stay?

Hotel Garzón is a lesson in the art of slowing down, for couples who understand that doing very little, done well, is a luxury in itself.

Formerly Garzón’s 150-year-old general store, Argentine chef Francis Mallmann transformed it into an iconic restaurant and an intimate five-room hotel, preserving the soul of the original building while elevating it with effortless style. The aesthetic is rustic chic with beautifully appointed rooms and spaces layered with thoughtful details that quietly nod to the property’s past. Outside, a sun-dappled patio wraps around a small pool, ideal for lazy summer afternoons.

At the heart of it all is the restaurant where the aromas of a wood-fired earth oven fill the air. From the dining room, watch chefs in action in the open kitchen, transforming the region’s freshest ingredients into unhurried, unforgettable meals perfectly paired with local wines from nearby estates.

5. Garzón, Uruguay 5. Garzón, Uruguay

6. Argentina’s Lake District

The perfect natural playground for adventurous romantics, Argentina’s Lake District is like something from a fairy tale: a landscape of pristine lakes and rivers, charming alpine villages, volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, and verdant forests framed by the dramatic snow-capped Andes.

From December to March, the region comes alive with long, sunny days and warm temperatures perfect for outdoor exploration like hiking and horse riding through forest trails, kayaking and private boat journeys across turquoise waters, swimming in sheltered coves, and unhurried picnics set deep in nature. In winter, there’s skiing and snowboarding on world-class slopes followed by cozy comforts in luxe lodges, warmed by the fire and a good bottle of wine.

Where to stay?

Just beyond Villa La Angostura, on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Las Balsas is a romantic Relais & Châteaux hideaway wrapped in native forest. Couples have space, privacy, and direct access to the landscape, made for outdoor adventure, followed by pampering at the spa.

There is an intimate selection of rooms in the main house and contemporary glass-and-wood villas raised on stilts in the forest, each with floor-to-wall windows and private balconies. As expected from a member of Relais & Chateaux, the dining is an absolute highlight with impeccable attention to detail, and sensational locally sourced cuisine complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine cellar and an expert sommelier.

6. Argentina’s Lake District 6. Argentina’s Lake District

7. Torres del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia

Epic in every way imaginable, Patagonia with its towering granite peaks, turquoise lakes, vast open plains and glaciers, create a sense of space that feels genuinely untamed. During March and April, as the leaves change their colours, the landscapes transform into beyond-beautiful scenes awash with sensational tones of red, orange, and yellow. While winter is pure magic with dreamy landscapes blanketed in snow.

Days are spent exploring together. Hike to jaw-dropping viewpoints, gallop across the windswept steppe, while kayak and boat journeys bring you close to glaciers and drifting icebergs. For something truly extraordinary, expert-led puma tracking offers rare insight into Patagonia’s most elusive predator in their natural environment.

Evenings unwind in refined luxe lodges designed to frame the landscape with warm interiors, great wine, and front-row views to some of the most dramatic scenery on the planet.

Where to stay?

Patagonia Camp is a unique luxury tented camp on the forested shores of Lake Toro.

Its beautifully designed yurts offer the rare chance to feel truly connected to Patagonia’s elements without sacrificing creature comforts. Elevated boardwalks wind through native forest to spacious, light-filled tents fitted with ensuite bathrooms, central heating, handcrafted furnishings, and skylights for falling asleep under the stars.

Adventure begins at your doorstep, with kayaking straight from the lakeshore. Evenings are for gourmet dining, a Calafate sour in hand, and sinking into a hot tub on your private terrace.

7. Torres del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia 7. Torres del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia

8. Iberá Wetlands, Argentina

An untouched wilderness, the Iberá Wetlands is an off-the-beaten-path paradise where pristine lagoons and endless marshes form one of South America’s richest wildlife sanctuaries home to hundreds of bird species, playful capybaras, pampas deer, howler monkeys, and the elusive jaguar, to name a few.

Exploration feels like a true safari led by expert guides on foot, horseback, by boat, or kayak, offering private wildlife encounters and insider knowledge of the wetlands’ hidden corners. After days spent in the wild, retreat to luxury lodges that combine seclusion with comfort, panoramic views, fine regional cuisine, and intimate spaces that let you relax together under starlit skies.

Where to stay?

Rincón del Socorro is a beautifully restored estancia set on a 12,000-hectare protected estate. Once a working cattle ranch, it has been reimagined as a conservation-led eco-lodge founded by the late Doug Tompkins, with wildlife and abundant birdlife often seen just beyond your room. The main house dates back to 1896 and retains its original character, with sepia-toned rooms, whitewashed walls, and antique wooden furnishings.

Expert local gaucho guides lead excursions by 4WD, boat, on horseback, and on foot, offering close encounters with the region’s remarkable landscapes and wildlife. Guests can also visit a nearby estancia to watch working gauchos in action, rounding up cattle, a timeless glimpse into the rural rhythms in this part of Argentina.

8. Iberá Wetlands, Argentina 8. Iberá Wetlands, Argentina

9. Colchagua Valley, Chile

An icon of Chilean wine production, the Colchagua Valley, framed by dramatic Andean foothills, makes an ideal romantic escape for couples seeking great wine, open landscapes, and a slower pace.

A perfect getaway from Santiago, Colchagua is widely regarded as one of Chile’s premier wine regions, home to some of the country’s most celebrated vineyards and acclaimed for bold, expressive reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère. Here, private tastings, cellar experiences, and vineyard lunches allow couples to explore the region at an unhurried rhythm.

Beyond the wine, the valley invites shared adventure. Cycle or ride horseback through the vineyards, following routes as the huasos (Chilean cowboys) do, or take to the skies in a hot air balloon at sunrise for breathtaking views over the valley’s rolling hills and endless vineyards.

Where to Stay

A Relais & Chateaux property, Clos Apalta Residence offers four exclusive casitas set within one of Chile’s most prestigious wineries. Each is accessible by golf car from the main house, where there is an infinity pool, a dining room where chefs work their magic using produce from the hotel’s own organic garden, and a sundeck perfect for enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the day as the light fades over the valley.

Guests can descend into the winery’s subterranean tasting room to learn about the role gravity plays in creating Clos Apalta’s renowned wines, enjoy pampering at the on-site spa or explore the expansive vineyards by bike or horseback.

9. Colchagua Valley, Chile 9. Colchagua Valley, Chile

10. Salta & Northwest Argentina

Northwest Argentina delivers romance on a grand, unforgettable scale. One of the country’s most untouched corners, it is home to surreal and spectacular desert landscapes and cultural treasures.

Explore vast stretches of rugged mountain ranges, salt flats, brilliant and bright turquoise salt lagoons, and ancient volcanic formations. Discover some of the highest-altitude vineyards in the world where you can sample the area’s signature Torrontés. Wander through historic cities with gorgeous colonial-era architecture, visit pre-Columbian ruins, charming villages and indigenous communities that have preserved their traditions and lifestyles for generations. Experience the warmth of local hospitality, savour traditional cuisine, and partake in festivities that celebrate the rich culture of the region.

Where to stay?

Tucked into the countryside just outside Salta, the House of Jasmines is a romantic estancia rooted in quiet, space, and tradition, surrounded by wide-open skies and stunning natural landscapes where centuries-old trees cast long shadows over the idyllic garden, and jasmine perfumes the air.

Between wandering the grounds, swimming, riding, or simply sitting with a glass of wine, the estancia offers a sense of calm that feels genuine and unforced. It's an elegant, deeply atmospheric base for exploring the region's hidden treasures, or for doing very little at all.

10. Salta & Northwest Argentina 10. Salta & Northwest Argentina

Turn inspiration into reality

Whether you're planning a honeymoon, an anniversary or a getaway just because, we understand that when it comes to romantic getaways, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

We go beyond to design fully bespoke romantic journeys shaped around how you want to travel. Drawing on deep local knowledge and first-hand experience, we craft seamless, bespoke itineraries with exclusive access and details that elevate the experience.

Get in touch and let us create design a journey that’s entirely yours.

Turn inspiration into reality Turn inspiration into reality