Situated on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Santa Marta is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in South America. The modern city lacks some of the charm of nearby Cartagena, but tourism has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, with a number of ambitious regeneration projects and a host of new restaurants and bars.

The Bocas del Toro archipelago is one of Panama’s most appealing tourist destinations, a collection of idyllic Caribbean islands blessed with beautiful beaches, lush mangroves and wildlife including sloths, iguanas and turtles.

The Ecuadorian port of Manta is known as the “tuna capital of the world”, and you’ll see plenty of fishing boats as you arrive. The beach is a popular destination for local tourists, but you may find that the nearby town of Montecristi, home of the Panama hat, makes for a more interesting excursion.

Machala is often described as the ‘banana capital of the world’, and hosts the World Banana Fair every September, when buyers from across the globe come in search of the perfect banana. As well as banana plantations, the area is also home to nature reserves rich in birdlife and the Puyango petrified forest.

Salaverry is the nearest port to Trujillo, northern Peru’s most important city. Located amongst the verdant Andean foothills, Trujillo is home to a host of beautiful colonial buildings, and is also known for the spectacular nearby ruins of Chan Chan, the largest pre-Columbian city in South America.

Peru’s underrated capital enjoys a fine setting on the Pacific coast, and the handsome colonial-era buildings surrounding the Plaza de Armas give clues to Lima’s distinguished history; for three centuries this was the capital of the Spanish Americas, when the city grew rich on the back of plundered Inca gold.

Pisco is best known for its eponymous grape brandy, the key ingredient in a pisco sour cocktail. From here you can explore the desert landscapes of the Paracas Reserve, discover the rich marine life of the Ballestas Islands or fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines.

The Ballestas Islands are known as ‘Peru’s Galapagos’ thanks to the rich variety of wildlife you will find here, including Peruvian boobies, sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, Humboldt penguins and dolphins. Access is by local boat only, and the crossing from the mainland can be a little bumpy.

The port of Matarani is the gateway to Peru’s second city, Arequipa. Boasting a spectacular setting against a backdrop of three snow-capped volcanoes, this independently-minded city dazzles visitors with its gleaming white colonial buildings, sizzling culinary scene and a host of active pursuits in the surrounding canyons.

Arica sits at the northern tip of Chile, known as ‘the land of the eternal spring’ thanks to its temperate year-round climate. Sightseeing options include the War of the Pacific battlefield at El Morro and the breathtaking altiplano scenery of Lauca National Park, a stunning high-altitude landscape of snow-dusted volcanoes and shimmering lakes.

Situated in the far north of Chile, the golden sands of Iquique attract both sunseekers and thrillseekers; surfing and paragliding are particularly popular here thanks to the clear skies and the wind coming in off the Pacific. The city is also home to some charming old mansions, remnants of a 19th century nitrate mining boom.

Rugged Isla Pan de Azúcar (Sugarloaf Island) is best known for its resident population of some 2,000 Humboldt penguins. Other species to look out for include sea lions, marine otters, Peruvian boobies, pelicans, kelp gulls, turkey vultures and blackish oystercatchers.

The busy port of Coquimbo is the gateway to the charming colonial city of La Serena, one of the oldest in Chile, where you’ll find attractive architecture and a fine stretch of beach. Other nearby sights include the fertile Elqui and Limarí Valleys, home to excellent wineries and ancient petroglyphs.