South America has so many rich and magical places. Cultural zones, a lot of archaeology, beautiful beaches, magnificent bio-diversity; a great jungle; beautiful capitals and a life full of charm and beautiful people, that you will never be able to finish writing about it. Let’s see…
Colombia
Colombia is a diverse country with a rich culture, natural resources, and a growing economy
Bogotá is the capital of and largest city in Colombia. It is a place of convergence for people from all around the country and is therefore diverse and multicultural. Within this city, the past and present come together.
The city is also very green thanks to its parks and the hills that extend along its eastern boundary, dwarfed by their two highest points, Monserrate and Guadalupe. The landscape that the people of Bogotá enjoy daily—the sea of green that makes up the Andes Mountain range, rising up in the east—would be nearly impossible to find in any other large city.
What to do in Colombia
Cartagena. With its essential location along the Caribbean Sea, boasting natural serene beauty, and an impenetrable fortress, the old city was a strategic center for the Empire.
Coffee; sip Espresso in Colombia’s Coffee Region. Besides its abundance of natural beauty and hiking opportunities, the Triangulo del Café (Coffee Triangle) is every coffee lover’s dream.
Climb to the Top of El Peñón de Guatape. It is an impressively tall peak outside of Medellin. Standing at approximately 500 feet tall and weighing over 10 million tons, the peak towers over the surrounding landscape of Guatape
Trek to the Lost City. Tucked away in the lush Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains is one of Colombia’s most prominent sites, the Lost City. Created approximately 700 years ago by the ancient Tairona civilization, the Lost City features circular plazas, ancient homes, foundations, and roads that were once busy with the Tairona inhabitants.
Ecuador
Ecuador is a country in northwestern South America with a rich culture, natural beauty, and diverse geography.
It is also, a biodiversity hotspot with a variety of plant and bird species, including the Galápagos Islands. It also has waterfalls, tropical forests, and monkeys.
Ecuador is considered one of the most diverse areas of the world. There are some 25,000 plant species, and over 1,600 known bird species. Has nine national parks, including the Galápagos Islands. These 18 islands are home to some of the most amazing creatures, including the Galápagos tortoise, Galápagos penguin, blue-footed booby, and iguanas. This is where Charles Darwin noticed the diversity of species and began to study evolution.
What to do in Ecuador
Much of the city’s architecture dates back to the 18th century, and the cathedral in Cuenca ranks among the most impressive buildings in Ecuador.
Explore the Galapagos Islands. This are unlike any other place in the world. The myriad wildlife species are a highlight of any nature-lover’s Galapagos Islands cruise, and many of the animals living on the islands are endemic.
Marine Iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, Giant Tortoises and Galapagos Penguins are just a few of the many species you’ll find in the Galapagos Islands that don’t exist anywhere else in the world.
Shop at Otavalo Market. Perhaps the friendliest and most accessible local market in all of South America, Otavalo Market is a brilliant place to wander and explore. Located about an hour’s drive from Quito, this Andean town is built upon trade. On Sundays, locals come to town from nearly every village in the area to trade goods such as fruits and vegetables, and farm animals like goats and llamas.
Peru
Peru with magic, culture, history, archaeology and mysticism as well as just plain fun. People, gastronomy, its culture, history, archaeology and so much more to experience has made this country a preferred destination for travelers these last decades.
A wonderful country with an Irresistible enchantment and so many marvelous places to visit. A country lacking nothing, from the most spectacular amazonian rainforest to the oldest of cultures
With Lima, its charming and vibrant capital, full of charm, fun, art and history and where you can enjoy a variety of experiences including, of course, the wonderful food that this country has several times awarded.
Do you know the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
To take another example, there is nothing more amazing than knowing about the beauties of the world, and among them, is the Sacred Valley of the Incas
To start, this incredible valley, has one of the wonders of the world; Machu Picchu were recognized in 2007 as a world wonder. This is located in the Andes Mountains and nestled above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu is said to have originally acted as a palace complex for ruler.
Kuelap, a walled settlement, stood among the clouds since the 7th century. Built by the Chachapoyas culture (referred to as “Cloud Warriors”), the fortress is often called the Machu Picchu of the North, despite its higher elevation of 3000m (9842ft) above sea level and the fact that it predates the Inca citadel by at least 500 years. Hundreds of circular structures are spread across the site, making it one of the largest sites of stone ruins in the Americas. Arequipa, known as Peru’s White City for its unique colonial-era architecture crafted from volcanic rock (sillar), Arequipa is one of the most visually stunning cities in the country. Just beyond the chalky structures of the main plaza are deep-hued testaments to the city’s past, such as the blue and red Monasterio de Santa Catalina, built in 1579 and vibrant picanterías (traditional lunchtime restaurants). Lake Titicaca; separating Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca, was a sacred body of water to the Incas. In fact, Andean mythology often points to the high-altitude lake as the place of origin of the first Inca, Manco Capac, and his wife, Mama Ocllo. It is lies at 3812m (12,506ft) above sea level, making it the highest navigable body of water in the world. Glide out to the floating reed islands that dot the lake to meet the Uros people, who live a fascinating life committed to the preservation of Indigenous handicrafts and fishing.
Please, let’s not forget the very huge Amazon rainforest and many other breathtaking places.
Brazil
Brazil is a country with a rich history and culture, a diverse population, and a complex economy. There is so much to say about this beautiful country.
This is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest nation in the world. The Brazilian landscape is very varied. It is most well-known for its dense forests, including the Amazon, the world’s largest jungle, in the north. But there are also dry grasslands (called pampas), rugged hills, pine forests, sprawling wetlands, immense plateaus, and a long coastal plain.
Things to do in Brazil
Famous for its rainforests, beaches, and lively city life in Rio De Janeiro and Brasilia, Brazilian society includes people of indigenous, Portuguese, European, and African ancestries. Brazil is home to Carnaval, a world-famous celebration, as well as neighborhood festivals, street parades, and a music scene unlike anywhere else in the world. Brazilian culture delights the senses, from the sounds of the Samba, Brazil’s most popular dance, or other kinds of dance music like Pagode (similar to Samba), Axé (soul music), and Bossa Nova (a mix of Brazilian pop music and jazz), the scent of delicious street foods like grilled meat and fried pastries.
Impossible not to mention the beautiful and vibrant cities of Sao Paulo, Salvador, Florianopolis, Natal, Jijoca de Jericoacoara, Gramado and many others.
There is so much to do in Brazil
Chile
Chile is a country full of charm, beautiful people, dreamlike places and great wine.
Chile’s relief is for the most part mountainous, with the Andes range dominating the landscape. Because of the country’s extreme length it has a wide variety of climates, from the coastal desert beginning in the tropical north to the cold subantarctic southern tip.
To visit Chile, you only need to show your identification document (identification card or passport), and depending on your country of origin, your stamped visa.
If you are a citizen of South America, the European Union, the United States and Canada, you do not need a tourist visa. However, some countries must pay a cash fee (reciprocity tax) upon arrival at the airport of Chile.
Things to Do in Chile
Thanks to its hugely varied landscape there are many things to do in Chile, the biggest challenge can be deciding what to do in Chile with the time you have available! Chile highlights range from food and wine tasting in Santiago and the Central Valley, to fly fishing in the Chilean Lake District, to hiking or kayaking in Chilean Patagonia.
Argentina
Argentina is a vast country located in the southern part of South America. The eighth largest country in the world, it is the second largest country in South America after Brazil, and it’s about one-third the size of the United States. Argentina is bordered by the Andes Mountains and Chile to the west.
To the east of the Andes, the interior of the country is flat, fertile grassland called the Pampas. The eastern border of the country is the Atlantic Ocean. Bolivia is to the northwest and Paraguay is to the north. The high mountain spine of the Andes, called the Andes Cordillera, creates a natural 3,195-mile (5,141.9-kilometer) border with Chile.
The country is divided into four regions: The Andes, the North, the Pampas, and Patagonia. The Pampas is the agricultural heartland.
What to do in Argentina
Enjoy the arts in Buenos Aires. It is one of the great cultural capitals of Latin America. The city is full of milongas (dance schools or halls), where you can learn to dance to this music. Good places to try include La Viruta, Villa Malcolm and La Catedral. Buenos Aires also has more than 300 theaters spread throughout the city.Visit Iguazu Falls, explore the relics of the Indigenous communities in the Quebrada de Humahuaca and enjoy a great wine in Mendoza, overlooking the Andes Mountains.
Witness the power of Iguazú Falls
The Iguazú Falls are a natural wonder shared by Argentina and Brazil. The series of waterfalls is split between two national parks: Puerto Iguazú in Argentina and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil.
The main attraction is Devil’s Throat, measuring an astonishing 82m (269ft) high and 150m (492ft) wide. The falls can be reached in several ways, including by trails, from viewpoints and on boat rides.
You’ll end the hike wet even if you’re wearing rain gear, but you’ll be charged with positive energy.
