South America rewards the accessible traveller with some of the most vivid cities and dramatic landscapes on earth — and asks, in places, for real determination. The big coastal cities are increasingly navigable, adapted tours are opening up the headline sights, and even Machu Picchu can be reached with the right planning, though the high, stepped Inca ruins and the altitude are a genuine challenge we won't pretend away. This is a guide to the continent's great destinations with an honest note on each, most carrying films from wheelchair travellers who have been.
These are general destination notes, not venue-by-venue guarantees — confirm with the specific hotels, attractions and transport before you book. Where we haven't confirmed something we say "not yet checked". This guide grows as we add destinations.
South America
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazil's beach city of Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana sand.
Rio's icons are surprisingly reachable: the Sugarloaf cable car and the Christ the Redeemer complex have accessible routes, and Copacabana offers accessible beach facilities.
Our tip Both Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer have accessible access — book ahead.
Access
Accessible cable car to Sugarloaf and accessible routes at Christ the Redeemer; Copacabana has adapted beach facilities. Some steep, uneven streets.
For blind & low-vision visitors A dramatic but hilly city; Copacabana's promenade is flat and defined, but Sugarloaf and Christ are reached by cable car/train, and many areas are steep and uneven.
Sensory A vibrant, lively city of beach bustle, music and crowds — energetic and warm; the beaches and viewpoints are open and breezy.
Access last checked 5 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
- Rio de Janeiro wheelchair accessibility overview Wheelchair Jimmy
- Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio — wheelchair accessibility review Wheelchair Jimmy
- Wheelchair accessible adventure: the Sugarloaf trail, Rio Traveling To Get Lost
More Official site · Wikipedia
Also featured in Accessible travel around the world
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Argentina's grand capital — wide boulevards, tango, steak and European elegance.
Buenos Aires is largely flat with grand, wide avenues; the newer Subte lines and buses are increasingly accessible and flat barrios like Puerto Madero and Recoleta are easy.
Our tip Flat Puerto Madero and Recoleta are the easiest; use accessible Subte lines and taxis.
Access
Largely flat with wide avenues; newer Subte lines and buses increasingly accessible and flat modern barrios easy, though older pavements are patchy.
For blind & low-vision visitors A large, largely flat, European-style city with wide boulevards but uneven pavements and busy traffic; navigable on the flat, with grand, defined avenues.
Sensory A passionate, lively city of cafe life, tango and traffic — energetic and warm; the parks and grand boulevards give calmer, open space.
Access last checked 5 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
- Accessible adventures — Buenos Aires Wheelchair Adventures
- Galerías Pacífico, Buenos Aires — accessible travel Alice in Italy
More Official site · Wikipedia
Also featured in Accessible travel around the world
Machu Picchu, Peru
The lost Inca city high in the Andes, wreathed in cloud above the Urubamba valley.
Machu Picchu's terraces are steep and stepped, but pioneering accessible operators now bring wheelchair users to the citadel and its classic viewpoint using trained teams and adapted chairs.
Our tip Go with a specialist accessible-Peru operator; they use adapted trekking chairs and trained teams for the citadel view.
Access
Steep, stepped Inca terraces, but specialist operators reach the citadel and its viewpoint with adapted chairs and trained porter teams; step-free areas on-site are limited.
For blind & low-vision visitors Not accessible and hazardous for VI visitors: steep, uneven ancient stone terraces, steps and sheer unfenced drops at altitude — a guide is essential throughout.
Sensory A breathtaking, often misty mountain ruin — atmospheric and can be crowded at peak times; the setting is elemental, high and cool.
Access last checked 5 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
- Machu Picchu in a wheelchair (in 60 seconds) Wheel the World
- Our journey to Machu Picchu as a quadriplegic Rollin' with The Oggies
More Official site · Wikipedia
Also featured in Accessible travel around the world
Cusco & the Sacred Valley, Peru
The Inca capital high in the Andes — gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Cusco's colonial streets are steep and cobbled at 3,400m, but the main plaza and cathedral are reachable and specialist operators run adapted Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu trips.
Our tip Go with a specialist accessible-Peru operator; allow days to acclimatise to the 3,400m altitude.
Access
Steep, cobbled colonial streets at high altitude (3,400m), but the main plaza and cathedral are reachable and adapted Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu tours exist. Altitude is a real factor.
For blind & low-vision visitors A high-altitude Andean city of steep, narrow cobbled lanes, steps and uneven ground — strenuous and hard underfoot, with thin air; a guide and altitude care are needed.
Sensory A characterful, atmospheric high city of markets, music and colonial squares — lively but not overwhelming; the altitude makes everything feel calmer and slower.
Access last checked 5 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
- Tours & trips for disabled travellers in Peru SAM Travel Peru
- An accessible adventure in Peru — Linda & Terry's trip Accessible Travel Peru
More Wikipedia
Cartagena, Colombia
Colombia's jewel of the Caribbean — a walled colonial old town of colour and music.
Cartagena's walled old town is flat but heavily cobbled; parts of the ramparts are accessible, and pioneering local operators run adapted city tours.
Our tip The old town is flat — it's the cobbles to plan for; local specialists run adapted tours.
Access
Flat but heavily cobbled walled old town; some accessible rampart stretches and adapted local tours; Caribbean heat and uneven surfaces.
For blind & low-vision visitors A walled colonial old town of uneven cobbles, crowds and heat, flat but bustling; the walls have ramps and steps — a guide helps in the crowds.
Sensory A hot, colourful, lively Caribbean city of music, street vendors and colour — sensory-rich and warm; the ramparts and quieter plazas are calmer, with sea breeze.
Access last checked 5 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
More Official site · Wikipedia
Before you go
Altitude is a real consideration in the Andes — Cusco sits above 3,300 metres — so build in time to acclimatise and take medical advice. Specialist operators can arrange adapted transport and porter support for the harder sites. And if somewhere here appeals, open the planner to shape a trip around it. For the wider world, see the full accessible-world guide.