After mapping out the new air links between Europe and Canada, we turn our attention south. Central and South America are enjoying a tourism boom, according to the latest UN Tourism Barometer. In 2025, South America saw a 7% rise in arrivals, while Central America grew by 5%. Brazil led the pack with a remarkable 37% increase, and Guyana followed with 24%.
For European travellers, the gateway to these regions is overwhelmingly Madrid. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport offers the widest choice of direct flights, operated by Iberia, Air Europa, LATAM, and others. But several other European cities also provide non-stop connections, making it easier than ever to reach the Americas without a US layover.
Brazil: the heavyweight champion
Brazil welcomed a record 9.3 million international visitors in 2025. Whether you're drawn to the Amazon's wildlife or the Rio Carnival, the country has something for everyone. São Paulo, the largest city, is the best-connected entry point. LATAM flies from Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam, and London Heathrow. TAP Portugal connects Porto and Lisbon, while Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Air France, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines all serve the city from their respective hubs. Air Europa and Iberia also operate from Madrid.
For Rio de Janeiro, TAP flies from Lisbon and Porto, Iberia from Madrid, Air France from Paris, Lufthansa from Frankfurt, KLM from Amsterdam, ITA Airways from Rome, and British Airways from London. Gol also offers a direct link from Lisbon.
Colombia: coffee, culture, and coastlines
Colombia attracted 6.2 million visitors in 2025, drawn by its biodiversity, colonial towns, and coffee regions. Bogotá is the main gateway, with Avianca flying from Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, and London Heathrow. Air France, Lufthansa, Edelweiss Air, KLM, and Turkish Airlines also connect their hubs to the capital. For the walled city of Cartagena, Plus Ultra and World2Fly fly from Madrid, Neos from Rome and Milan, KLM from Amsterdam, and Edelweiss Air from Zurich.
Chile and Argentina: the southern cone
Chile's dramatic Patagonian landscapes and Atacama Desert stargazing drew six million tourists last year. Santiago is served by Iberia from Madrid and Barcelona, Air France from Paris, British Airways from London, and LATAM from Madrid. Argentina, a launchpad for Antarctica, welcomed 5.7 million visitors. Buenos Aires is reachable with Aerolíneas Argentinas from Madrid and Rome, Lufthansa from Frankfurt, Air France from Paris, KLM from Amsterdam, and ITA Airways from Rome. Air Europa, Iberia, and Plus Ultra also fly from Madrid.
Peru and Central America
Peru's Machu Picchu remains a bucket-list draw, with 3.4 million tourists in 2025. Lima is served by Iberia from Madrid and Barcelona, Air France from Paris, and KLM from Amsterdam, plus Air Europa, LATAM, and Plus Ultra from Madrid. El Salvador saw 3.4 million visitors, with Iberojet and Iberia flying from Madrid and Iberojet from Barcelona. Costa Rica, home to 5% of the world's biodiversity, welcomed 2.9 million tourists. San José is connected to Madrid, Zurich, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and London. Guatemala, with its Mayan sites, is served by Iberia from Madrid. Uruguay, with its laid-back beaches, saw 2.5 million visitors, and Montevideo is reachable from Madrid and other European hubs.
For more on how Europe's own tourism is rebounding, see our analysis of Moldova, Greece, and Ireland leading the recovery. And if you're planning a trip, note that Spain's new tourism strategy aims to balance growth with local needs, as outlined in Spain's 2030 plan.
With more direct routes than ever, getting to Central and South America from Europe is simpler and faster. Whether you're chasing adventure, culture, or relaxation, these connections open up a continent of possibilities.
