ARGENTINA

To my people born in the USA, I have good news and bad news. You won’t need a visa to travel to Argentina. However, as of 2009, US citizens are required to pay a “reciprocity ee” to enter the country. You must pay the fee online in advance here, and keep the proof of payment with you throughout your travels. The fee is $160 for multiple entries and good for 10 years. Just think of it as an expensive steak or bottle of Malbec. It will pay for itself once your tastebuds lure you back again and again and again. Worth it.

BOLIVIA

US citizens looking to visit heaven on earth, AKA Uyuni salt flats, must obtain a tourist visa into Bolivia for $135. This will permit up to 3 entries per year, valid for 5 years, and the cumulative stay can’t exceed 90 days at a time. If applying in person at the Bolivian Consulate, you must provide proof of hotel reservation, the round trip ticket or itinerary, deposit slip or money order for $135, credit card or bank statement and yellow fever vaccination. Check here for more info.

BRAZIL

U.S. citizens must absolutely obtain a visa to enter into Brazil. I had the lovely pleasure of visiting the Brazilian Consulate in Argentina 4 separate times and the US Embassy twice in order to achieve this. Things you’ll need if applying: valid passport for at least 6 months with a minimum of 2 blank visa pages available, one recent passport-sized 2″x2″ photograph, visa application form, plane ticket in and out of Brazil, proof of hotel reservation, and in some cases proof of jurisdiction including driver’s license, utility bills, copy of lease, and/or bank statements. Tourist visas may be submitted by mail or in person. The visa costs $160 and is good for 10 years. Check out Brazilian Consulates in the US for more info. Once you make it inside Brazil’s borders, you will have unlocked a paradisal land of enchantment.

CHILE

Good news for the red, white and blue! You can see the beauty of Torres del Paine, feast you eyes on the driest place in the world, or ski the slopes near Santiago without the hassle of a visa. Tourists can stay for up to 90 days basking in all of Chile’s gems. As of February 26th 2014, American citizens are no longer required to pay the $160 reciprocity fee. SCORE. Good thing my first time visiting the awesomeness that is Chile was February 27th, 2014. Some call that luck. I just have impeccable timing.

COLOMBIA

Once synonymous with cocaine and crime, Colombia is now making a comeback. Gone are the days of Pablo Escobar and thus drug and political violence. Crime is down, business is booming and this Caribbean hot spot is one hell of a time with no visa necessary for US citizens planning to spend less than 90 days in the country. I think I just talked myself into a beach vacay…

ECUADOR

Come one come all. As of 2008, citizens of any nationality can enter Ecuador without a visa and can stay for a period of 90 days. This initiative was designed to strengthen relations between Ecuador and other countries and to promote tourism. Hellooo Galapagos!

FALKLAND ISLANDS

As Argentina and the UK duke it out as to who exactly holds ownership over these hundreds of islands in the southern Atlantic ocean, many visitors head south to bask in the summer sun and see the incredible wildlife between October and March. A pre-arranged Visitor’s visa to enter the Falkland Islands is not required for US citizens.

FRENCH GUIANA

This tropical hot and humid country is a French department in the Amazonia region of South America, located between Brazil and Suriname. No visa is required for US citizens for a stay of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your intended stay. Get excited: All visitors to or passing through French Guiana must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

GUYANA

South America and the Caribbean had a baby. They named it Guyana. It’s densely forested with political unrest, but the breathtaking rivers and rain forests make this place something out of a story book. A story book that requires no visa for stay up to 90 days.

PARAGUAY

As it turns out, one of the poorest countries in South America requires United States citizens to obtain visas upon arrival at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion. The current fee is $160, payable in U.S. dollars (credit cards not accepted) and valid for 90 days. If not arriving at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, prior to traveling to Paraguay, you must apply for a visa in person or by mail to the nearest Paraguayan consulate. Click here for more info.

PERU

If you’ve been itching to hike the best known archeological site on the continent of South America, also known as Machu Picchu, then I’ll be the bearer of great news. Peru visa requirements for US citizens are pretty relaxed. American citizen visitors to Peru do not need a tourist visa. You’ll be issued a tourist card upon entry, which is valid from 90 to 183 days, depending on your business in Peru. Visit the Embassy of Peru website for more info on the most current visa information. Yellow fever vaccination is not mandatory but recommended.

SURINAME

On November 25, 2011, the smallest independent nation on the continent introduced a “Tourist Card” in addition to the existing visa types. The “Tourist Card” allows U.S. passport holders one entry to the Republic of Suriname for tourist purposes for up to 90 days. It costs $25.00 and must be purchased  the embassy before intended travel to Suriname. A passport valid for at least six months and a return ticket is required as well. See more Suriname tourist card info here.

URUGUAY

With its south Atlantic coastline, this country is a popular beach party destination for Argentines and Brazilians alike. Party in the U.S.A. because American citizens aren’t required to obtain a visa to enter into Uruguay either.

VENEZUELA

American citizens don’t need a visa to enter Venezuela as a free Tourist Card is all that is required. The card is normally valid for 90 days (unless immigration officers note on the card a shorter period) and can be extended. Airlines flying into Venezuela provide these cards to passengers while on the plane. A valid passport for 6 months, round trip airline ticket and proof of hotel is needed. Read more info regarding Venezuela visas for US citizens here.