What deserts are there in south america

It is one of the driest areas of the country, so the fauna is scarce. However, in its panorama, you can see a lot of plant species. Tatacoa desert is characterized by red rock formations. One of the most important pieces of information to know about this desert is that it is a spectacular place to observe the stars.

An astronomical observatory that has become one of the most important places for this activity in the country. The largest desert on the Caribbean coast in Venezuela.

So, it becomes one of the largest deserts in South America. Being a very arid place, life is scarce. La Guajira is the largest desert in Colombia. Located in the northernmost point of South America. This is the end or beginning of the continent on the Colombian Caribbean coast. This area has large reserves of coal, so here is the largest open-pit coal mine in the world.

Cabo de la Vela is one of the most visited places in the country. On your trip through Colombia , arrive at Punta Gallinas. The South American Coastal Deserts bioregion, located in the Southern America Neotropical realm, occupies a narrow band west of the Andes Mountains, running along the Peruvian and northern Chilean coast. It contains two arid ecoregions — Atacama Desert , Sechura Desert — and adjacent marine areas in the Pacific Ocean.

The desert lines are not percent defined with the Patagonian and Atacama Deserts. Together, they create a seemingly endless, massive desert in South America. However, the Monte Desert is different as it has more habitable and supports more varied wildlife than their neighbors.

Some creatures that call this desert home are armadillos, cougars, and various rodents. This is an interesting destination with dunes, mountains, and waterfalls all in the same area. While in the area, be sure to check out the incredible cascading waterfalls nearby! From Palmas, the main city in the area, the state park is about four hours away. Due to harsh living conditions, only or so people call Cabo Polonio home.

However, a large colony of sea lions also live in this area. Depending on the time of year, whales and dolphins might also be nearby. Dunes of Cabo Polonio, Uruguay. Photo by Pixies on Pixabay. In addition to the wildlife, this town is home to a dune system that spreads across 24 square miles 40 square kilometers. Among the smallest deserts in South America, this is the largest desert in Uruguay.

The dunes reach up to feet 30 meters in height and offer unique panoramic views of the sea and islands from the top.

As the name suggests, the view from the top is impressive. Beaches of Cabo Polonio, Uruguay. Photo by LolaSeillet on Pixabay. Rolling dunes stretch for miles and are constantly changing with the strong winds. Similar in appearance to the Sahara Desert, these dunes are perfect for sand boarding, and other activities. Vegetation is scarce, and what does grow is often buried as the sand blows.

However, 21 bird species live in the park. One of the best known is the yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot. Because of this variety, the area has been designated as an Important Bird Area. The Guajira Desert along the Colombian coast offers impressive dunes, salt flats, and beaches.

Home to the Wayuu indigenous group, the desert has two large rivers that are their main source of water. Above all, this group is known for its intricate weaving styles, so textiles from this area make incredible souvenirs. The Guajira Desert in Colombia and Venezuela. Accommodation and transportation around this desert are not for the faint of heart.

Be prepared for a very rustic stay with limited running water and electricity. However, if you can overcome this, the Guajira Desert is sure to impress with the endless picturesque views. The Guajira Desert along the Caribbean Sea.

We recommend checking out at least one of these remarkable deserts in South America during your next trip. After calling Havana and Paris her temporary homes, she moved to Lima in Since then, she has traveled extensively in Peru and across the continent to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

She loves trying new foods, learning about history, and chasing waterfalls. Read this guide to learn about the fascinating desert oasis of Huacachina, including what to do, best time to visit, where to eat, how to get there and more.

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