South America Shore Excursions Review: Which tours were worth the price

I recently sailed on Celebrity Equinox for a 14-night South America cruise with my family, and it turned into an incredible Patagonian adventure. Since it was our first time visiting this part of the world, we wanted to make the most of every destination. With each port being completely new to us, we chose to book shore excursions in every port rather than try to navigate things on our own.

We weren’t sure which places would be easy to explore independently, so booking through the cruise line felt like the safest and most practical option. This will always be the most expensive option because of the convenience, but we felt it was worthwhile.

The prices were high though, and we were a little surprised by this. In total, we spent $2,500 for two people on Celebrity’s South America shore excursions.

To book the best options, my sister and I did a lot of research ahead of time. We combed through reviews and compared all of our options to make sure we were choosing the best tours. Of course, not everything was perfect, as it rarely is when you travel.

Overall, I do think we did a good job picking shore excursions that helped us see the highlights of each destination.

A couple of important notes before diving into each shore excursion review:

• We didn’t make it to Punta Arenas, so that excursion was refunded. This itinerary is known for weather disruptions, so flexibility is key!
• Book excursions early. Many tours were already full by the time we boarded the ship. You will get the best price by booking early, too.
• If seeing penguins is a priority, book two excursions that include them. We did this (Falkland Islands and Puerto Madryn) after reading that ports are often skipped. Luckily, we ended up making it to both.
• Pay attention to mobility levels. I’ll never forget seeing a man with a walker struggling through strong wind and rain in the Falkland Islands just to see penguins. If an excursion is labeled strenuous, take that seriously.

I sailed to South America with Celebrity Cruises. Here’s an in-depth review of my Patagonia cruise

Montevideo, Uruguay

This excursion gave us an overview tour of Montevideo, including Independence Plaza, Palacio Salvo, and the Palacio Legislativo. However, it ended up being more time on the bus than we would have liked. It was a beautiful day, so I would have preferred more time outside exploring on foot.

Luckily, we did get to see all of the major highlights of the city.

Our favorite part of the tour was the tango performance at Baar Fun Fun, which was a very cute, intimate bar in Montevideo. We had a small, authentic tango performance that was definitely the highlight of the tour.

Since the shore excursion was only about five hours, we had time afterward to explore on our own. The ship docks near a nice shopping area, called Mercado del Puerto, and we really enjoyed walking around and browsing the cute shops.

Would I recommend it? Maybe. This is a good option if you want an easy, low-effort overview of the city or have mobility concerns. However, I would consider a smaller group or third-party tour next time to cut down on bus time. The tango experience made it worthwhile!

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

Weather in the Falkland Islands can be unpredictable, and cancellations are common. We had heard that as many as 50% of visits get canceled, although locals told us larger ships are more likely to make it in. Thankfully, our ship was able to dock and this was one of our favorite spots on the itinerary!

Before our excursion, we took the first tender ashore and spent some time exploring Port Stanley. We visited local shops, stopped by the history museum, and even sent postcards from the post office.

After walking around the town, we met for our Bluff Cove excursion to see the penguins. It was easily the highlight of the entire cruise, I felt like I was in a movie!

Even though it was windy and rainy, seeing the penguins in their natural habitat was incredible and left me speechless. The landscape itself felt remote and untouched, which made the experience even more memorable.

It’s worth noting that Bluff Cove is expected to stop operating after this season, so future cruisers may not have this exact option. However, the Falkland Islands are one of the best places in the world to see wild penguins, and other tours like Volunteer Point are also popular.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If seeing penguins is high on your list, this is a must-do.

South America Cruise Tips and Advice: What I wish I knew before sailing to Patagonia

Ushuaia, Argentina

Known as the “end of the world,” Ushuaia was one of the ports I was most excited about, and Tierra del Fuego National Park did not disappoint.

We booked this excursion based on a friend’s recommendation, and I’m so glad we did. The park was absolutely beautiful, with stunning views of mountains, lakes, and forests.

The tour itself was bus-based, with multiple scenic stops along the way. Each stop was worth it, but the pace did feel a little rushed at times. I definitely would have loved more time to explore each area.

There were also quite a few tour buses in the park, which made it feel a little crowded. Some of the stops were pretty busy, especially when we stopped at the gift shop for a bathroom break.

Because of this, I think this is a place you could easily visit on your own or with a smaller group, especially since it’s not far from the port.

One nice perk of this tour was that the guide allowed us to stay in town after the excursion instead of returning directly to the ship. Most people took advantage of this, and so did we. We walked around Ushuaia, grabbed a snack, picked up some souvenirs, and enjoyed the atmosphere.

It’s very walkable with a lot of shops and restaurants in the town. As a bonus, we even spotted whales after getting back onboard!

Would I recommend it? Yes. The scenery is stunning! However, I might look into a smaller group or private option next time to spend more time in the park.

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

This was our backup penguin excursion in case Bluff Cove didn’t work out in the Falkland Islands. Although we briefly considered changing it, we ultimately decided to stick with our original plan. Since the port itself doesn’t offer much beyond some shopping and beaches, booking an excursion is really the best way to spend your time in Puerto Madryn.

The biggest downside here was the drive. It took about 2.5 hours each way to reach Punta Tombo from the cruise port, which made for a very long day.

The bus ride out was comfortable and even had WiFi, but on the way back, the air conditioning stopped working. With the temperatures rising outside, the bus got pretty hot and stuffy. This made the return trip feel even longer.

Once we arrived, we only had about 1.5 hours to explore and see the penguins. There’s a long boardwalk leading to the penguin colony, so we walked quickly to the end and then made our way back.

We did see a lot of penguins, including some up close, which was really fun. We also spotted guanacos (basically llamas), which was an unexpected bonus!

However, this excursion is not ideal for anyone with mobility concerns. It’s a long walk before you even reach the penguins, and the heat made it even more challenging. At one point, an older woman actually had to be carried back because it was too much for her.

Lunch was provided on the bus ride back in a small box with a sandwich and some snacks. It was actually pretty good, but overall, the long drive and limited time at the site made this feel a bit rushed.

It’s also important to note that the number of penguins varies by season, so your experience may differ.

Would I recommend it? Maybe.

If you really want to see penguins and don’t mind a long day or extensive walking, it’s a good option. Otherwise, I might consider a closer alternative like a sea lion colony.

Punta del Este, Uruguay

This was a nice, easy excursion that covered the highlights of Punta del Este, which is a cute seaside town.

Our tour included key landmarks, including the famous hand sculpture on the beach, and got a good overview of the area. The city itself is a beautiful seaside destination with a relaxed, beachy vibe.

However, this is one port where you really don’t need an excursion. It’s easy to walk from the port (or tender pier) to the beaches and main sights on your own.

The winery and cheese tasting at Narbona was a really nice addition and one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. The setting was beautiful, and it added something unique other than just sightseeing.

After the tour, we had time to walk around town and do some last-minute shopping before heading back to the tender area, where we ended up waiting in the hot sun for a bit.

Would I recommend it? Sure. It’s a pleasant excursion and a good way to see the highlights. But if you’re trying to save money, you can easily explore Punta del Este on your own.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

We had already explored Buenos Aires before our cruise, so instead of a city tour, we switched to a Tigre Delta excursion with airport drop-off at EZE.

Since our flight wasn’t until midnight, this ended up being a good option. The bus stored our luggage, which made it easy to enjoy the day without worrying about our bags.

The Tigre Delta itself was nice, but not necessarily a must-do. It was interesting to see a more local, residential side of the area and experience something different from the city. It does offer a glimpse into life outside of the city and did feel a little more authentic.

We were able to get off and walk around a small island, called El Descanso Island. But, it was pretty buggy, so we relaxed near the pool area instead. A small snack was included before the drive to the airport, which we liked.

Our tour bus dropped us off at the EZE airport around 2:00 P.M, so we had more than enough time for our midnight flight. We couldn’t check our bags until 4 hours before the flight, so keep this in mind.

Our afternoon was mostly spent waiting at the airport in the embarkation terminal, as the lounges are after security.

Would I recommend it? Only if you’ve already seen Buenos Aires. Otherwise, I would prioritize exploring the city.

However, I highly recommend doing some kind of disembarkation tour with airport drop-off if you’re flying out the same day. It’s a great way to maximize your time and keep your luggage secure.