The Best Places to go Glamping in South America 

The idea of luxury camping is hardly a new one—African safari camps immediately spring to mind—but a trending interest in whimsical tents and geodesic domes is creating something of a glamping Renaissance. Surely, Instagram deserves some credit, but there’s a unique esprit to sheltering outdoors that ascends social media esthetics. Glamping places you squarely into nature, delivering the great outdoors directly to your doorstep.

With its kaleidoscope of landscapes that spans Patagonian lakes and forests, salt-crusted deserts, and deep canyons, South America is an alluring invitation to go glamping. These are our top selections for luxury glamping in South America.

The best luxury glamping in Patagonia

EcoCamp Patagonia | Torres del Paine

Shrouded by trees and enjoying a peekaboo view of the Paine Towers, EcoCamp Patagonia is the glampsite of choice for hiking Torres del Paine in comfort.  

Located very near to the trailhead that leads to Mirador Base La Torres (the famously photographed viewpoint) means no time is wasted driving in and out of the national park. If hiking is your only agenda, you can tackle the W-Trek, which classically takes four days and requires camping in the backcountry. When making EcoCamp Patagonia your base, you can retreat to a cozy geodesic dome for three of the four nights. (The night you sleep out, guides will set up camp for you at Paine Grande.) 

EcoCamp Patagonia is also remarkable for its eco-friendly credentials, achieving carbon neutrality in 2007.  

Patagonia Camp | Torres del Paine, Chile 

Patagonia Camp sits upon the forested lakeshore of windswept Lake Toro. A more secluded wilderness experience, it’s the most elevated glamping option in Torres Del Paine. There are 20 Mongolian-style yurts connected by a maze of boardwalks, so as not to disturb the native flora. Each suite boasts an inviting rain shower and bathtub, and some feature a Jacuzzi.  

Spend days hiking, fishing, trail riding, or kayaking on-property, or take an expert-led, full-day excursion deeper into Torres Del Paine.  

We appreciate that Patagonia Camp takes food seriously, serving up regional Chilean specialties with flare. Close out an adventurous day in Patagonia with an artfully plated multi-course dinner, handcrafted cocktails, and a selection of organic wine.  

Chalten Camp | El Chalten, Argentina  

Located in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park, the village of El Chaltén is the de facto trekking headquarters of Argentine Patagonia. Two miles north of the village center is Chalten Camp, a collection of twelve geodesic domes. 

Situated near the braided Las Vueltas River and tucked away in a native forest, each dome enjoys gorgeous mountain views through a panoramic feature window. After dark, glampers can peer into the starry heavens. By the light of day, go hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, or fishing for salmon. Commit the day’s events to memory by swapping stories with other guests over a three-course candlelit dinner in the Main Dome. Return to your suite to relax in the aura of a crackling woodstove.  

Pristine El Calafate | El Calafate, Argentina 

Situated on the Rico Arm of Argentino Lake, Pristine El Calafate invites glampers to sleep out in one of six forest-hugged geodesic domes. Notably, it’s the only property that affords views of Perito Moreno Glacier. Each dome is generously distanced from its neighbors and boasts a private, crescent-shaped terrace with gorgeous lake views. Wood-burning stoves, timber accents, and cedar-barrel hot tubs add irresistible coziness to this boutique Patagonian getaway.  

A visit to Perito Moreno Glacier is the obvious highlight when traveling to El Calafate, but it’s not the only one. Get outdoors, E-biking or hiking through the enveloping countryside, saddle up to ride along the shores of Roca Lake, or learn how to barbeque Patagonian food over a flame. Each evening, head to the Restaurant Dome for dinner and mingling, then enjoy a guided session of stargazing before another restful slumber. 

Huemules Reserva de Montaña | Lake District, Argentina 

Whether you choose a geodesic dome or a hygge-inspiring tiny home, Huemules Reserva de Montaña offers a memorable sleepout in the Patagonian forest. Located in Argentina’s Lake District, it’s not the most upscale glamping on this list, but amenities like wood-burning stoves and robes keep it cozy.  

Guests can also feel good about contributing to the property’s comeback conservation story. Formerly the summer grazing area for cattle, 4,000-plus acres were converted into a private mountain reserve—a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. In the warmer months, trek, cycle, and horseback ride; once snow falls, go snowshoeing, trail riding, or ski-touring.  

In the early evening, gather in the Living Dome to savor gourmet Patagonian fare like beef, lamb, and trout, complimented by foraged and locally sourced ingredients like berries and mushrooms. At the bar, socialize with other travelers and toast to another well-lived day outdoors. 

The best coastal glamping in South America 

Galápagos Safari Camp | Galápagos Islands, Ecuador 

You probably didn’t expect to find a safari camp in South America, let alone the Galápagos Islands. From sundowners to canvas tents to wildlife spotting, the family-owned Galápagos Safari Camp is one of the best luxury resorts in the archipelago.  

There are just nine suites cocooned into the 123-acre property, situated in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz Island—so service is on a first-name basis. Each tent opens to a private balcony curtained by a canopy of trees where you can stargaze from a hammock. In the main lodge, dine al fresco on the curved veranda, dip into the plunge pool, or read in the library.  

GSC’s unwavering commitment to sustainability means your visit supports conservation projects in the Galápagos.  

Glamping Isla Leones | Chubut Province, Argentine Patagonia 

Where the sapphire, white cap crested Atlantic Ocean meets sandy beaches and russet rocks sits Glamping Isla Leones. Six white shelters stand like barnacles, clinging to Argentina’s wild Atlantic Patagonian coast.  

Falling squarely within Patagonia Azul Biosphere Reserve, the chilly waters teem with marine life. Fur seals, orcas, dolphins, whales, and sharks make rotating appearances. Overhead, some 16 species of seabirds—including cormorant and giant petrel—surf the wind. Inland, guanacos, flightless rhea, and armadillos bumble across the windswept turf.  

Glamping Isla Leones is ideal for intrepid marine safari-goers who want to take the (literal) path less chosen—without totally roughing it. An on-site host will help interpret Patagonia Azul’s unique habitats, spotting wildlife and deciphering the natural world’s cryptic symbols. Regional cuisine is served, and made with local fish, and produce is sourced from an agroecological garden.  

Guest stays support a wider goal to protect and restore the Biosphere’s flora and fauna in an effort to create a regenerative economy rooted in considerate tourism. 

The best luxury desert glamping in South America 

Extraordinary Atacama | Atacama Desert, Chile 

At Extraordinary Atacama, the canvas doors of a whimsical bell tent open to reveal a sunbaked desert. Far removed from San Pedro de Atacama, you can fully disconnect from the distractions of the wider world and tune into the wonder of this lunar landscape. By day, visit steaming geysers, milky-opaque lagoons, and call on mysterious places like the Moon Valley and Salt Mountains with a private guide. Return to the glampsite, savoring moveable meals while seated upon poufs and carpets—a hint of Morocco in the Atacama Desert. Once twilight descends, the veil of night is illuminated by the arc of the Milky Way, so clear you feel as if you could reach out and touch it.  

Extraordinary Atacama is an exclusive-use, “pop-up-style bespoke camp. Fully serviced and overseen by a head guide, it can accommodate up to twenty bell tents. All activities are privately guided and tailored to guest interests and abilities.  

Pristine Salinas Grandes | Salinas Grandes, Argentina 

Set atop a sea of sunbaked, hex-tile salt, Salinas Grandes’ six geodesic domes feel otherworldly. Each offers an unobstructed view of the stark, lunar-like environment through a generous picture window—but we prefer it from the hot tub, a feature of the premium suite.  

Imbue the serenity of this sublime landscape until idle feet persuade you to explore the area on guided excursions or village visits. Though truly, it’s only when the day draws to a gentle close that this glampsite reveals its magic. As the golden hour sun dips below the salt-crusted horizon, the sky is painted in bold brushstrokes of orange and yellow. Come nightfall, streams of stars blink into focus. An expert-guided “tour” of the constellations, illustrated with the help of a laser, is an experience that Pristine Salinas Grandes guests will commit to enduring memory. 

The best high-altitude glamping in South America 

Elqui Domos | Elqui Valley, Chile 

With more than 300 cloudless nights and little light pollution, the Elqui Valley is Chile’s premier stargazing destination—yes, eclipsing even the Atacama Desert. 

You could check into a five-star hotel, or you could go five-million-star luxury glamping at Elqui Domos. The property’s seven family-friendly geodesic domes, one honeymoon dome, and three observatory cabins have been designed and oriented for optimal stargazing. Many beds are positioned below large skylights, and there’s a reservable private cedar barrel hot tub for a stargazing soak. 

Guests can learn about astronomy during open-air lectures and then visit the on-site observatory for an expert-guided look through a powerful telescope.  

We count stargazing in the Elqui Valley among the best things to do in Chile.

Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge | Avenue of Volcanoes, Ecuador 

Backdropped by Cotopaxi standing sentinel atop a sweep of moorlands, Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge’s four geodesic domes are magnetized with big sky energy. The snow-capped, almost-perfectly-symmetrical conical volcano stretches a dizzying 19,347 feet skyward—an imposing sight to behold from the picture window of each dome. A bathtub, towel warmers, and Acapulco chairs put the glamor in “glamping” here. 

Using Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge as your base, hike, ride horseback, or cycle through the treeless Andean páramo. Ambitious hikers can attempt to summit Cotopaxi; laid-back travelers might prefer a wilderness picnic, restorative massage, or a chef-led cooking class to prepare some traditional dishes. 

Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge welcomes children of all ages and offers age-appropriate programming.  

NEW: Puqio | Colca Canyon, southern Peru 

The most safari-chic glampsite on the list, Relais & Châteaux-affiliated Puqio (in southern Peru) boasts four canvas tents. Each suite enjoys an ambient wood-fired stove and an ensuite with a freestanding tub and shower. Upgraded suites have outdoor tubs—swoon. It is luxury but understated, as not to impose upon the landscape: Colca Canyon is breathtaking beyond measure.  

Nearly twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, Colca’s scale is dizzying, but it is more than a scenic viewpoint. Observe the stepped terraces that adorn its steep slopes, Pre-Incan relics that harken to Andean ingenuity; meet local artisan weavers spinning textiles from alpaca wool; and savor traditional staples plucked from the terroir and cooked over flame. If the altitude agrees with you, hike, mountain bike, quad, or follow trails on horseback. Otherwise, slow into the rhythm of this ancient place; spy condors circling overhead, soak in a geothermal hot spring, or learn plant knowledge from an herbal naturalist.  

Our favorite South America glamping on a map

Outdoorsy South America luxury travel