The Good Trip Index
The Holiday Extras guide to travelling ethically, sustainably and well. This is the Good Trip Index, updated for 2026.
Faster and smarter in the app... Open app
Top South American Destinations to Visit this Year
Four South American countries rank highest on our 2026 Good Trip Index, so we have picked out the best places for a good trip in South America.
Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.
The Holiday Extras Good Trip Index combines eight global indices, from sustainability and women's rights to press freedom, animal welfare and democracy, to highlight destinations where travelling responsibly is easier. In South America, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Brazil are the four highest ranked countries on the 2026 index. Uruguay leads the continent at 32nd in the world, Chile has climbed from 49th in 2022 to 35th, and Brazil has risen for three editions in a row, with President Lula winning a fourth term in the 25 October 2026 runoff. From Iguazu Falls and Patagonia to the Atacama Desert and Uruguay's inclusive coastal resorts, this guide shows you where to go for a trip that feels good for you and the places you visit.
What you will find in this guide:
How the Holiday Extras Good Trip Index works
To help make travelling responsibly less of a hassle, we pulled together eight of the definitive country-level indices that cover the main ethical issues UK holidaymakers told us were important to them when deciding where to go on holiday.
Sustainable travel, women's rights, LGBTQI+ rights, press freedom, animal welfare, democracy, human freedom and quality of life in the country all feed into the Holiday Extras Good Trip Index, which ranks 183 countries in its 2026 edition. The result is a simple way to shortlist destinations where it is easier to leave only footprints and take only photos.
Why South America stands out
South America is one of the most diverse regions on earth, with dense jungles, ancient ruins, glacial lakes and some of the most exciting cities on the planet. On our 2026 Good Trip Index, Chile has climbed from 49th in 2022 to 35th, and Brazil has risen for three editions in a row, from 75th in 2023 to 49th, meaning it is becoming easier to match big bucket list adventures with more responsible choices.
From Brazil's falling deforestation rate to Uruguay's focus on renewable energy and LGBTQI+ rights, you will find plenty of ways to travel better. Here are the four South American destinations that score best on our Good Trip Index this year.
Brazil
|
49th in the world
Brazil was always too big to ignore. The Amazon, the Pantanal, Rio's extraordinary geography, the beaches of the northeast and the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls make it one of the most varied countries on earth.
What has changed is the context. After a change of government in 2023, Brazil has seen measurable improvements across democracy, LGBTQI+ rights and environmental policy, and the Amazon's deforestation rate has dropped. The index reflects it. Brazil has climbed for three editions in a row, from 75th in 2023 to 49th this year, and it is up 16 places since the index launched in 2022.
Brazil has also just made headlines at the ballot box. On 25 October 2026, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the presidential runoff. It is Lula's fourth term in office, and a comeback after he trailed in the first round on 4 October. For travellers, the result means the government behind the improvements above stays in office. Our Good Trip Index scores were published in May 2026, so they reflect the picture before the vote, and we will look at how Brazil fares in the next edition.
It is a vast country, so pick a region rather than trying to see everything. Rio and its beaches are the classic trip, while the northeast around Bahia, Fortaleza and Natal is increasingly well connected from the UK.
Argentina
|
46th in the world
Among Argentina’s most famous exports are tango, wine and footballers like Maradona and Messi. Buenos Aires, sometimes called the Paris of South America, is an intoxicating mix of European and Latin American influences, with grand architecture, leafy barrios and a vibrant culture. It is the perfect place to start your Argentinian adventure.
You will also find stunning natural wonders like Iguazu Falls, where the Iguazu River forms a natural border between Argentina and Brazil. Around 80 metres high and stretching 2,700 metres wide, it is a spectacular sight as millions of litres of water thunder over the edge every second.
Then there is Patagonia, the southern portion of the Andes where rugged peaks give way to vast plains, glaciers and fjords. Whether you are hiking in national parks or cruising among icebergs, it feels like the edge of the world in the best possible way.
Chile
|
35th in the world
Chile has some incredibly varied geography all wedged between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, from the desolate peaks of the Andes to the fertile vineyards of the Central Valley. It has also been one of the steadier climbers on our index, rising from 49th in 2022 to 35th this year.
If you like dry places, Chile is home to the Atacama Desert, often described as the driest place on earth. Some parts are so arid that almost nothing can survive, which has led to comparisons with Mars. It is an eerie, beautiful landscape, with desolate ruins from long-gone indigenous communities and more recent ghost towns left behind after the twentieth-century nitrate boom.
Heading south, you reach the Chilean Lake District, where snow-crested mountains slope into vibrant green foothills and pristine glacial lakes. It is a popular spot for hiking, fishing and white-water rafting, and a good base if you want big nature with comfortable lodges and small towns close by.
Uruguay
|
32nd in the world
Our top place for a good trip in South America is Uruguay. It ranks highest of all South American countries on the Good Trip Index, ahead of Italy, Spain and the United States, and has consistently improved on LGBTQI+ rights, democracy and women's freedoms over five years.
Visitors can expect a blend of European, African and indigenous influences in charming colonial towns, along with beautiful beaches, dramatic plains and plenty of national parks. Uruguay also has a strong focus on environmental sustainability, with a large share of its energy coming from wind and solar power.
The capital, Montevideo, is rich in colonial history, with an atmospheric old town full of characterful streets and buildings that are a delight to get lost in.
Punta del Este on the south eastern coast is an ideal destination for first-time visitors, with smart resorts, an energetic nightlife and long sandy beaches where it is very easy to slow down.
Most-popular articles
Smarter travel, made simple
The Holiday Extras app gives you instant access to your bookings, updates, and support—anytime, anywhere.
Let's take the hassle out of your holiday.
Sign up to our mailing list for more travel advice plus exclusive money-saving offers on your holiday extras!
No need to worry about your data, we take your privacy seriously.
