Best of South-America: Travel Ideas, Destinations and Tips

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is known as the "Paris of the South". It has beautiful allees, great shopping and of course the Tango in the colorfull city part "La Boca"! Note that Buenos Aires is different from the rest of Argentina.

Tours:
• Argentina
• Buenos Aires

Cartagena

Cartagena is a beautiful coastal city with intact fortress. The city was founded in 1533, making it one of South America’s oldest colonial cities. During the Spanish colonial period Cartagena had a key role in expansion of the Spanish empire.

Tours:
• Colombia
• Cartagena

Cusco

Cusco is one of the main tourist cities of Peru and Latin America and for good reason. It is a very pleasant city with long history (capital of the Inca empire) and great activities: Spanish Courses, rafting, trekking, Pisac Market, Machu Pichu!

Tours:
• Peru
• Cusco

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands have no equivalent in the world. The volcanic islands are located 1000 kms west of Ecuador - with nothing in between. This distance made it possible and necessary for all animal life to adjust to the harsh conditions on the islands. Charles Darwin used this for his evolution theory (that conflicted with Adam and Eve...).

Because of the distance people did not know about the islands and regular visits only exists for a few hundred years... a very short time in nature´s history. Animals are not afraid of humans and just sit there... a strange experience!

Tours:
• Ecuador
• Galapagos Islands

Iguazu Falls

The mighty Iguazu falls in the jungle are one of the natural world wonders. They are definitely worth visiting if you are in the area (less than 1000kms away!). You need to spend at least 1 day on the Brasilean and 1 day on the Argentinean side.

Tours:
• Argentina
• Iguazu Falls

La Paz

La Paz ("The Peace") at an altitude of 4071m is the highest capital city in the world. If you fly in here from a low country, you will need to adjust first. La Paz is home of many indigenous people of which the men have long hair and the women wear large, round skirts and a hat. Interesting also are the markets that offer lama fetuses for religious ceremonies.

Tours:
• Bolivia
• La Paz

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the cultural wonders of the world. Long after the Inca empire ended the city was re-discovered. The magnificent ruins are located at 2400 m altitude in a beautiful Andean landscape.

Tours:
• Peru
• Machu Picchu

Pantanal

The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland in the world. A huge number of different animals species can be seen easily, for example capibara, giant ant eater, tapir, river otter and caiman.

Tours:
• Brazil
• Pantanal

Perito Moreno

The Perito Moreno near Calafate is a gigantic glacier in the far south of Argentina. Unlike most glaciers this one is still growing. When big chunks of ice break of the head of the glacier into the lake, it is a great sound, something you won´t forget.

Tours:
• Argentina
• Perito Moreno

Quito

Quito is the old capital of Ecuador and a very pleasant place for tourists. There is lots to see and do, including people watching and local markets. Quito was one of the very first cities to be on the UNESCO heritage list!

Tours:
• Ecuador
• Quito

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful major cities in the world and famous for its natural harbor, beaches, samba, carnival, girls, football madness, statue of Christ as well as poverty and criminality. Rio is one of the largest cities in South-America and a highlight in any itinerary. Note that Rio will be extremely crowded when the annual carnival is on (February).

Tours:
• Brazil
• Rio de Janeiro

Salar de Uyuni

Uyuni is the gateway for tourists visiting the world's largest salt flats, the nearby Uyuni salt flat (10,000 km2). This is one of the main attractions of Bolivia.

Tours:
• Bolivia
• Salar de Uyuni

Salvador de Bahia (Salvador)

Salvador de Bahia, founded in 1549 by the Portuguese, is the oldest colonial city in the Americas. The city´s cathedral is a must-see and its Carnival celebration has been reckoned as the largest party in the world.

Tours:
• Brazil
• Salvador de Bahia

San Pedro De Atacama

San Pedro De Atacama is a small village close to the Salar de Atacame, a large salt lake, plus other natural wonders in a dry, volcanic landscape.

Tours:
• Chile
• San Pedro De Atacama

Torres del Paine N.P.

The Torres del Paine National Park is a beautiful national park featuring mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers in southern Chilean Patagonia.

Tours:
• Chile
• Torres del Paine N.P.