Decide the country or countries that you want to visit. The countries that make up South America include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Check the United States Department of State's travel advisory listings for any and all countries in South America that you plan on visiting. Make alternate travel plans if there are warnings about travel to and throughout a country. Heed all warnings and do not visit areas where travel restrictions, bans or warnings have been put in to place.
Check for flights between major cities. Choose the closest international airport to where you are flying in and out of. Determine the best route to a major city in South America. Plan to fly in to one of the larger airports such as Rio de Janeiro in Brazil or Lima, Peru.
Locate hotel choices by contacting a travel agent or travel specialist that handles international travel. Book hotels directly if you are comfortable enough dealing with a potential language and currency barrier once you have arrived in South America.
Make reservations for tours, restaurants and other events in advance of your trip. Secure seats and spaces for all tours while you are in South America. Make these plans early as the holiday season in South America is a busy season for tourism.
Book flights, hotels and other reservations as required. Get or update your passport for travel as it is necessary to travel to South America. Begin compiling items for your trip and start a packing list to avoid forgetting essential items.
