Reachable by ferry from Buenos Aires, small-but-mighty Uruguay is beloved for its sprawling beaches and calm waters. Just a short drive from the cult-classic beach town of Punta del Este lies the more bijou José Ignacio, a former fishing village that attracts those with an eye for design and a mind for creativity.

Strolling around the peninsula will take you from the rougher waves of Playa Brava to the calmer Mansa beach, by way of the town’s pretty lighthouse. Admire the modern art at galleries such as Otro Lugar, then browse the bookshelves at Rizoma, a light-dappled bookshop with an adjoining cafe and gallery. Parador La Huella, an elegant restaurant in the style of an elaborate beach shack, attracts the world’s most stylish diners. Tuck into some freshly grilled fish paired with a Uruguayan Sauvignon Blanc before strolling along the shore to the lighthouse.

Where to stay: Playa Vik and Posada Ayana are two luxurious, design-forward hotels just a short trip from the beach. Sleek wooden decks overlooking the ocean and surrounding sun-kissed vegetation await at both – although the danger is you might never leave.

As the only country in South America with the coveted accolade of having both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, Colombia is no stranger to palm tree-lined tropical beaches. Palomino is a laid-back town in the Guajira region on the Caribbean coast that sits in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, offering freshwater rivers that flow from the mountains and merge with the sea.

Hardly any roads are paved in Palomino, so the ideal modes of transport are by bike or on foot, making the pace of life slow and soothing. Relaxing at the beach with a mojito in hand is highly recommended, as is floating downriver in a rubber ring (aka tubing) until the beach provides a soft landing.

Come lunchtime, make your way to Bitacora Club, a charming restaurant with an outdoor courtyard lit by fairy lights hanging from trees. It’s particularly pleasant for enjoying a cazuela de mariscos, a flavoursome seafood stew that consists of octopus, prawns, fish, mussels and squid marinated in wine and spices, and is typical of Colombia’s Caribbean region.

Where to stay: Casa del Pavo Real is a white-washed, hammock-laden boutique hotel-cum-hostel just a couple of minutes’ walk from the beach. Book into the Suite, which comes with its own private pool and a view of the lush gardens.

Brazil is synonymous with beaches – postcard-perfect, chalk-sanded beaches at that. Far from the frenetic crowds of Copacabana lies the unsuspecting and beguiling Trancoso, which is teeming with palm trees, glistening waves and artistic pursuits. Located in the Bahia region, the beach town is like catnip for the world’s wealthy and style-conscious. Despite this, it still manages to preserve a sense of humility where nature remains the protagonist.

The Quadrado is Trancoso’s lawn-covered central square that’s topped with a charming 16th-century church at the end nearest the sea and lined with multicoloured traditional dwellings that house boutiques selling crochet clothing and chic homeware. The Quadrado also features eateries such as Flô, which specialises in sharing plates, and Uxua hotel’s Quadrado restaurant, ideal for trying moqueca, a traditional seafood stew. After lunch, pop down to Uxua’s blissful beach bar, which serves exquisite cocktails out of an old, restored wooden boat. It’s the ideal spot to take in the ocean views while you await your freshly prepared caipirinha.

Where to stay: Casa de Perainda is a peaceful sanctuary that serves an impressive tasting menu for breakfast, while Uxua Casa Hotel is a foliage-filled haven founded by the former creative director of Diesel.

While the Pacific might not always have the warmest waters, it certainly has powerful waves that fulfil surfers’ dreams and rugged seafronts to delight nature lovers. Chile’s Punta de Lobos, just a few miles from Pichilemu in Chile’s O’Higgins region, is a haven for ambitious surfers looking to hone their craft.

Sea lions often perch on the rocks so if your legs tremble at the thought of stepping on a surfboard, you can enjoy the beauty of Punta de Lobos by walking along its shores without having to brave the waves. Hotel Alaia’s restaurant serves fresh, seasonal and organic produce with a long window that frames an incredible beach view. All ingredients in the restaurant, including fine Chilean wines, are sourced within 100km of the hotel. While surfing is absolutely the main attraction at Punta de Lobos, those looking for a more relaxed stay can enjoy yoga classes and wood-fired hot tub soaks.

Where to stay: Hotel Alaia is a rustic and minimalist retreat offering oceanfront luxury and exceptional views of the rolling waves. By far the best-looking hotel in Punta de Lobos, it’s home to 12 rooms that are identical in splendour and have their own terrace for gazing at the sand dunes and ocean sprays.

Peru is home to a magnificent coastline that attracts sun worshippers and whale watchers alike. And since its shores are on the Pacific Ocean, the waves here tend to be more powerful, making it a hotspot for adventurous surfers. Head to Máncora, a town in the northwest of the country featuring sweeping sandy beaches and perfectly catchable waves. You’ll also find calmer beaches such as Las Pocitas and Vichayito, which are ideal for those who prefer a relaxing dip and sunbathe.

Be sure to pay a visit to the lively main street, Avenida Piura, which is animated by tuk-tuks and mopeds whizzing up and down. It’s also dotted with restaurants and cafes – at Tao Máncora, famous for its Asian-Peruvian fusion cuisine, it’s obligatory that you try some Peruvian culinary staples such as fresh ceviche and tiradito. Then, between the months of July and October, it’s officially whale-watching season. Hop on board a cruise boat to witness these seafaring mammals migrating north from chilly Antarctica to give birth in warmer waters.

Where to stay: KiChic is a dreamy beachfront boutique hotel with a lengthy swimming pool just steps from the ocean. Built from stone, wood and mud inspired by local nature-first design, it’s a haven for switching off and tuning into the lapping of the waves.

It’s quite possible that the Galápagos islands are home to the most unspoiled and expertly protected beaches in the world. The town of Puerto Ayora lies on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island and provides a perfect base for exploring the archipelago by boat.

Teeming with wildlife, Santa Cruz is a living, breathing example of successful conservation in action. Snorkelling will reveal glistening barracuda and laid-back turtles while walking on land gives you mischievous sea lions looking for their next nap spot and blue-footed boobies performing curious dance routines to attract mates. You’ll also have to actively avoid stepping on the thousands of iguanas, entirely unphased by humans, that lie almost comatose while soaking up the sun. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora to get a better idea of the extensive conservation work being carried out on the islands and how diverse their flora and fauna really are.

Where to stay: Finch Bay is a luxurious beachfront hotel honouring the wildlife that it’s surrounded by. Sip on the unique creations of its in-house expert mixologist, like the Paradise or Garden cocktails, while soaking up the sights and sounds of ocean waves.

While many Argentines are fond of escaping to Uruguayan and Brazilian shores, since the waters are typically a little warmer, nowadays there are plenty who stick around to enjoy their own country’s coastal spots. Cariló is one such destination – an upscale beach town sitting in a man-made forest on the Atlantic coast. It’s still in the province of Buenos Aires, but is about a four and a half-hour drive from the capital – which, for Argentina, is not a particularly eyebrow-raising distance.

Immaculate sands meet fragrant pine trees, creating the ultimate sense of a calming beach break. Ambling across the sand is an enjoyable way to pass the time, as is visiting the 1,100-hectare ecological reserve or taking a swing at the Cariló Golf Club. The town itself features fairy-tale Germanic chalets, one of which is home to Hönecker, a much-loved chocolate shop inviting you to indulge your sweet tooth. Horse riding along the shore or in the forest will also allow you to take in Cariló’s spectacular landscapes from a new perspective.

Where to stay: Cariló Village is an elegant hotel and spa in the forest, just a short walk from the beach. Whether you want to stroll through their gardens to spot peacocks or soak weary muscles in the spa’s Jacuzzi, it offers the most welcoming lodge-style stay in town.