The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Organized Tours in South America

Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries

South America

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure to South America, but are not sure how to start planning? Don't worry, because we have analyzed an extensive selection of multi-day art history and museum tours based on key criteria such as price, destinations, guest ratings, service, travel style, quality, and activities. So, get ready to immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of culture, history, activities, excitement, food, and breathtaking landscapes. Below are the best holiday packages and organized tour options in South America, so let's get to it!


The Top 3 Tours:

  • 14 Days, $2995.00

  • 15 Days, $3690.00

  • 7 Days, $1980.00
South America
The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours through South America

Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.

All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.

Organized by Intrepid Travel 14 Days Buenos Aires to Tijuca National Park 11 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for art history and museum tours in South America.

Great for:
  • Adventure Travelers
  • Nature Lovers
  • Animal Lovers
  • History Enthusiasts
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 18 to 35
Maximum Group Size: 16
Price per Day: $182

This tour visits Buenos Aires, Colonia del sacramento, Montevideo, Iguazu Falls, Paraty, Puerto Iguazu, Ilha Grande, Foz Do Iguacu, Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis, Vila do Abraao, Mangaratiba, and Tijuca National Park.

  • Coach / Bus
  • Horse Riding
  • Wildlife
  • Sightseeing
  • Historical
  • Museum
  • Walking Tour
  • Fully Guided

By Intrepid Travel
Intrepid specializes in small-group adventure travel with a strong focus on sustainable tourism and authentic experiences. They cater to different travel styles, from budget-friendly backpacking-style tours to premium small-group adventures.



$2,546
on TourRadar

Organized by Terres des Incas 15 Days Lima to Callao 25 Destinations
  • Great for Adventure Travelers

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 8 to 70
Maximum Group Size: 35
Price per Day: $246

This tour visits Lima, Ballestas Islands, Paracas, Huacachina, Ica, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, Amantani Island, Cusco, Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, Uros Reed Islands, Chinchero, Maras, Taquile Island, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Pucara, Ruinas Rajchi, Machu Picchu, Andahuaylillas, Rainbow Mountain, Huayna Picchu, Nevado Auzangate, and Callao.

  • Art Galleries
  • Family
  • Fully Guided

By Terres des Incas
Terres des Incas is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on Peru. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.



$3,690
on TourRadar

Organized by BM Tours 7 Days Start/End in La Paz 4 Destinations
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.

Great for:
  • History Enthusiasts
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 1 to 70
Maximum Group Size: 15
Price per Day: $283

This tour visits La Paz, Island of the Sun, Uyuni, and Colchani.

  • Museum
  • Family
  • Partially Guided

By BM Tours
BM Tours is a smaller international tour company with trips to 6 countries, including Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Traveling with BM Tours provides for a very personal experience, because most of their tours have less than 14 people. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers.



$1,980
on TourRadar

Why does South America appeal to history and art lovers?

South America is a treasure trove for art history enthusiasts, with its iconic museums, historic art movements, and architectural marvels. Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Salvador offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. The romance, charm, and excitement of Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguacu, and Salvador makes them very popular with couples looking for a romantic trip. Across a variety of destinations and historical periods, South America's rich artistic heritage captivates travelers.

South America


How much do art history and museum tours in South America cost?

The average daily price of Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours in South America is $237 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours in South America here.


We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.




$237
Average Price Per Day
3
Tours Analyzed
4
Average Rating
3
Tour Companies
22
Average Group Size

Which Tour Companies Offer Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer art history and museum tours in South America. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel logo Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.

See All Tours from Intrepid Travel

Terres des Incas

Terres des Incas is a smaller tour company that focuses on Peru. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.

See All Tours from Terres des Incas

BM Tours

BM Tours is a smaller international tour company with tours to 6 countries, including Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Traveling with BM Tours provides for a very personal experience, because most of their tours have less than 14 people. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers.

See All Tours from BM Tours


Art History, Museums, and Cultural Destinations in South America

Wondering where art history, museums, and cultural tours visit in South America? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a world famous megacity that is filled with colorful neighborhoods and a population that knows how to have fun. The city has iconic beaches such as Copacabana and countless urban hikes that take you to dramatic mountain peaks. At night, people come out to party, and you're sure to have a good time, particularly during the Carnival season.

Looking out over the city is the world famous landmark of Christ the Redeemer. It sits on top of Corcovado Mountain and it is a must-see destination for visitors to the city. Other sights around town include the church and monastery of São Bento, the stunning church of São Francisco da Penitência, the imperial palaces of São Cristóvão, and the baroque church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

Foz Do Iguacu

Foz do Iguaçu is the main hub for visitors going to the waterfall on the Brazilian side. Iguaçu Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and it sits on the border between Brazil and Argentina. The are many separate cascades as well as walkways and trails around the falls. Devil's Throat is the tallest of the cascades.

More

Other popular destinations for art history, museums, and cultural tours through South America include Buenos Aires, Puerto Iguazu, La Paz, Uyuni, and Paraty.


Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons

If you're debating whether to plan your trip solo or join a guided tour, take some time to reflect on the pros and cons of both options.

Pros
  • Guides offer expert insights into art and history.
  • Access to lesser-known stories and details.
  • Skip-the-line access to popular sites or museums.
  • Organized itineraries save time and effort.
  • Opportunities to ask questions and interact.
  • Group tours often include transportation.
  • Visits to curated highlights ensure you see the best.
  • Learn cultural context for deeper appreciation.
Cons
  • Group settings may feel impersonal or distracting.
  • Fixed itineraries limit flexibility.


Pros
  • Freedom to choose your favorite museums and landmarks.
  • Explore at your own pace without feeling rushed.
  • Tailor your itinerary to your specific interests.
  • Spend more time at off-the-beaten-path locations.
  • Flexibility to adjust plans as you go.
  • Enjoy a more personal, intimate experience.
Cons
  • Researching locations takes time.
  • Risk of missing important context or details.
  • Navigating transportation to multiple places can be tricky.
  • Long lines or limited access without advanced booking.
  • Harder to discover hidden stories or significance.
  • No expert to answer your questions on-site.
  • Overwhelming number of options to choose from.
  • Requires managing tickets, hours, and reservations yourself.


Which is cheaper?

Are guided art history and museum tours worth the money compared to independent travel? It depends on the specifics. Tours combine accommodations, meals, transport, tickets, and activities into a single cost, while independent travelers manage and pay for these individually. To determine which is more affordable, compare the tour's total price with what you'd spend booking everything separately. Preferences like staying in low-cost lodging or indulging in fine dining can influence whether a tour costs more or less. Make sure to check out the tour package to see what is included, or not, very carefully before deciding.

Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.

More Tour Options

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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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