Popping the question is a big deal, so our guide to the best places to propose in South America is sure to inspire you to get down on one knee. From helicopter rides over Venezuelan waterfalls to vineyard getaways in the Andes, the hardest question is, where do you start?!
At the Top of Sugarloaf Mountain
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sugarloaf Mountain in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is more than just a party city, and there are countless romantic spots to pop the question, such as in the beautiful botanical gardens or on sunny Copacabana beach, but our favourite has to be Sugarloaf Mountain. You will feel like you’re on top of the world, surrounded by the breath-taking landscape of Brazil’s favourite city and Guanabara Bay.
Sunset view from Sugarloaf Mountain
We think that sunset is the perfect time to propose, as the fading light will create gorgeous colours, and the cloudier sky will make you feel like you’re on top of the world… And our favourite place to spend the first night of your engagement is the famous Copacabana Palace, with the best views of Sugarloaf Mountain. So forget about cracking open a bottle of bubbly to celebrate, a strong and refreshing Caipirinha will do the trick!
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Beneath the World’s Highest Waterfall
Angel Falls, Venezuela
In the clouds at Angel Falls
Angel Falls is one of the most underrated natural wonders in the whole of South America, and the long journey there through Canaima National Park only makes it more spectacular. As the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world (around 20 times higher than Niagara Falls!), it’s quite a neck-breaker to behold, which is lucky for you as your partner will be too busy craning their neck to notice you getting down on one knee!
The tabletop mountain tepuis of Canaima National Park has to be one of the best places to propose in South America
To make your proposal even more special, we recommend taking a helicopter flight over the tepuis and the falls to really appreciate their height and the vastness of the surrounding national park (which is the same size as Belgium!). After seeing it from above you could set off on foot to explore Canaima, or take a dip in Jaspers Creek, where the water appears to run red due to an abundance of semi-precious gem stone on the riverbed.
Click here for more information about tailor-made trips to Angel Falls and Venezuela
In the Country of Tango, Wine & Passion
Argentina
Tango in the charming streets of San Telmo
There are a few romantic destinations in Argentina for a passionate proposal. If your better half loves city breaks then Buenos Aires is an obvious choice. Home to the sensual ballroom dance, the tango, Argentina’s capital is bursting with character and charm. The neighbourhood of San Telmo is a good option for boutique accommodation and colonial cobbled streets, with buskers round every corner showing off their best dance moves.
Does it get more romantic than this?
The wine region of Mendoza offers stunning views of the Andes, and vineyards as far as the eye can see, making it one of the best places to propose in South America. Book yourself into one of the luxurious vineyard fincas, and you can spend the night enjoying a famous Argentinean steak, washed down with a glass of the world’s finest Malbec.
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On the Shores of the World’s Highest Lake
Lake Titicaca, Peru & Bolivia
The Bolivian town of Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,800 meters above sea level, as well as the largest lake in the whole of South America, located on the border between Peru and Bolivia. The thinner air, colder temperatures and mirror-like stillness of the lake create a very surreal and peaceful atmosphere. The area is thought to be very sacred, and is in fact the cradle of ancient civilizations such as the Incas of Peru.
Traditional reed houses on the floating Uru Islands
A trip to Titicaca will give you a few great chances to get down on one knee. A boat trip to some of the mysterious floating reed islands, a sunset walk along the lakes edge, or snuggling up in a traditional Andean dwelling during a homestay, are all romantic options to consider for the nail-biting moment!
Click here for more information about tailor-made trips to Lake Titicaca
At the Centre of the Earth on the Equator
Quito, Ecuador
Quito’s ‘Mitad del Mundo’ equator museum
If your other half is the centre of your world, then how about proposing at the centre of the world? Just outside Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, is the ‘Mitad del Mundo’ attraction, where you can have your photo taken at longitude and latitude 0°. Admittedly, the site is not the most romantic location in South America, but popping the question whilst straddling the Northern and Southern hemispheres is definitely a story to tell the grandchildren!
A hut in the Cloud Forest Reserve could be just the ticket for a romantic proposal
And after he/she has said yes there are some great accommodation options available which gives you the chance to show your more romantic side. In the centre of Quito there are a number of beautiful, historical hotels. Or a couple of hours out of the city into the Cloud Forest Reserve, you can spend the night in the Andean rainforest, surrounded by wildlife…
Click here for more information about tailor-made trips to Ecuador
More of the Best Places to Propose in South America…
Of course there are countless more great places to propose in South America, depending on your travelling style – Trekking the Inca Trail is great for those outdoorsy types, or a road trip in Chile is a good option if you’re more adventurous, or head into the Amazon to get closer to nature…
And if you’ve tackled the hard part already, South America is also a great honeymoon destination!
