I’m pretty well-travelled, but without doubt my favourite part of the world is South America. I first visited this amazing continent 30 years ago with a trip to Peru, and since then I’ve returned multiple times because South America keeps drawing me back. I’m often asked which is my favourite South American country, and for me Argentina is top of my list – I’ve visited 8 times now and every time I leave, I’m thinking about when I can return. But every country has its particular appeal. If you’re looking for your next adventure, here are a few reasons why South America should be on your Bucket List.
1. Amazingly diverse landscapes.
From the Atacama Desert in Chile to the glacial scenery in Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia; from the magnificent Andes in Peru and Ecuador to the Salt Flats in Bolivia; from the dense jungle around Iguazu Falls to the beautiful coffee zone in Colombia. Whichever country you choose to visit, I guarantee that the scenery will take your breath away!
2. Rich cultural heritage with fabulous historic sites.
In my opinion, everyone should visit Machu Picchu at least once. This fabulous Inca citadel with its amazing setting in the Andes is a magical place. But there are other Incan sites in Peru that are well worth visiting. And all around the continent are lovely Spanish colonial towns and cities that are testimony to the continent’s history and remnants of the conquistadors. And let's not forget Easter Island off the coast of Chile with its mysterious Moai statues.
3. National Parks with abundant wildlife.
A cruise around the Galapagos Islands is at the top of many people’s Bucket List. But there are numerous alternatives if you want to incorporate wildlife viewing into your trip. You can head to the Brazilian or Peruvian Amazon or to the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil or the Esteros de Ibera in Argentina, where numerous animals (including jaguars) make their home in vast swathes of marshland.
4. Indigenous Culture.
The Andean nations of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia are where you’ll come across the Quechua and the Aymara people, with their colourful clothes and fascinating traditions. These Inca descendants have successfully preserved and developed their proud cultures despite the creeping in of globalization.
5. Food and Wine.
For me, you can’t beat the food in Argentina – the steaks are amazing and, because of the different nationalities that have settled in the country over the years, there’s a wide range of choice if you’re not a carnivore. Argentinian wine is justly world-famous and a glass of Malbec after a day’s sightseeing is always welcome! Peru has long been acknowledged as the gastronomic capital of South America, and Lima is where this fantastic cuisine comes together, with some fabulous restaurants.
6. Wide range of excellent accommodation. Anywhere you travel in South America you’ll find a great choice of hotels - from simple posadas to bells & whistles 5* properties. If you’re looking for characterful accommodation, you can stay on a coffee finca in Colombia, on a working estancia in Argentina and Brazil – and many wineries in Chile and Argentina have created luxury boutique accommodation in the heart of the scenic winelands. There are simple lodges in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon or you can stay in a hotel constructed from salt in Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni.
7. Vibrant cities. Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital is one of my favourite world cities. There’s a unique buzz and atmosphere that I’ve not encountered anywhere else. And Rio, with its spectacular setting, beach culture and fabulous views from Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain is definitely worth visiting. Cuenca in Ecuador and Sucre in Bolivia are charming Spanish colonial cities that are great to explore on foot. And I loved Valparaiso in Chile when I visited recently. With its colourful hillside neighbourhoods and abundance of street art, this city should feature on a Chile itinerary. Finally, Cartagena in Colombia, with its colourfully painted houses and cobbled streets is a delightful place to spend a few days.
8. Friendly and welcoming people. Wherever I’ve travelled in South America, I’ve found the people warm and hospitable, with an irrepressible love of life that you don’t really find anywhere else., There’s an exuberance and energy about the people, in many cases, despite their challenging circumstances. And it’s quite infectious and life-affirming.
9. A continent for all seasons. The best time to visit South America depends on where you go. It’s an enormous continent, ranging from the world’s driest desert to towering Andean peaks and the lush forests of the Amazon. Because of that, weather variations are often regional, rather than seasonal. Some places can be visited year-round, such as Brazil, which has temperatures between the mid-20s and mid-30s. Others have defined wet and dry seasons. Whether you want to track wildlife, see glaciers, visit ancient ruins or party all night long, there will be ideal conditions somewhere on the continent whenever you want to go!
10. Activities to suit everyone.
Whether you’re looking for an active adventure or for a holiday that’s a bit more sedate, there’s a huge range of things you can do in South America. You can hike the Inca Trail in Peru, explore Patagonia by bike or on horseback or go skiing in the Andes. Spend time in the winelands in Argentina or Chile, go on a culinary tour of Peru or relax on a beautiful beach in Brazil. Everything’s up for grabs, and I can design an itinerary that ticks all the boxes for you.
So where would I recommend for a first-time trip to this amazing continent? Peru would be my suggestion if you want to experience every aspect of what South America has to offer - it’s a microcosm of the continent in one country – plus it has the incomparable Machu Picchu. For a “South America light”, head for more sophisticated Argentina with its amazing range of landscapes and home to my favourite place on earth – Iguazu Falls.
Get in touch if you’re considering a trip to South America, and we can have an initial chat about where would be best for you.
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