South America Beach + Coastal Pictures

• World

Embark on a boat tour from the wooden pier and relax at the tables of upscale restaurant spilling onto this beach.

More than just a stretch of sand, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous beach is where locals and visitors from all over the world come to relax, strut, pose and play. 

Colonial landmarks, emerald waters, dozens of white-sand beaches and forest-clad tropical islands make this a quintessential beach town on the Costa Verde.

More than just a stretch of sand, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous beach is where locals and visitors from all over the world come to relax, strut, pose and play. 

Over just a few decades, this charming fishing village has grown into a traveler’s oasis with restaurants, nightclubs and a picturesque beach.

Colonial landmarks, emerald waters, dozens of white-sand beaches and forest-clad tropical islands make this a quintessential beach town on the Costa Verde.

See clifftop forts and rock formations silhouetted by the sunset. Swim alongside colorful marine creatures in the ocean.

Pay homage to a beached vessel that serves as a monument to shipwrecks, in a region where historical explorers, including Darwin, ventured.

Visit a quaint 17th-century island fort, take a banana boat out on the ocean and fill up on tasty snacks from the stalls.

Enjoy the ocean views and admire the fascinating statues of iconic figures and fishermen in this walkway tribute to a French diva.

See clifftop forts and rock formations silhouetted by the sunset. Swim alongside colorful marine creatures in the ocean.

View the remarkable rock formations and watch fascinating nesting turtles in this surfer’s playground with some of the country’s best waves.

More than just a stretch of sand, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous beach is where locals and visitors from all over the world come to relax, strut, pose and play. 

Search for the meaning of ancient stone sculptures on this small island off Chile’s coast. When you’re not exploring history, enjoy splendid beaches.

Visit a quaint 17th-century island fort, take a banana boat out on the ocean and fill up on tasty snacks from the stalls.

Take boat trips, go diving in crystalline water and snap memorable photos of jagged coastline, remote beaches and peaceful islands.

Learn about local history and traditions in the museums and churches of the old town and travel to Trindade for its stunning beaches.

Myriad shades of blue water surround the twin mossy hills that rise from the ocean surface and tower over the beach.

Colonial landmarks, emerald waters, dozens of white-sand beaches and forest-clad tropical islands make this a quintessential beach town on the Costa Verde.

Take boat trips, go diving in crystalline water and snap memorable photos of jagged coastline, remote beaches and peaceful islands.

Stroll along a scenic promenade dedicated to an iconic French diva, admire gorgeous colonial architecture and scuba dive in pristine bays.

This energetic coastal city has a grandiose old town, superb art museums, pristine beaches and glitzy festivals, which celebrate its Afro-Brazilian roots.

Myriad shades of blue water surround the twin mossy hills that rise from the ocean surface and tower over the beach.