South America

Not always simple. Always memorable…

🇦🇷 Argentina – Offers grand European style cities, legendary food culture, and some of the most spectacular landscapes in the southern hemisphere.
Buenos Aires is a unique fascinating city. Many areas to visit such as La Boca (including a tour of Boca Juniors for the Maradona experience) and Recoleta, where the famous cemetery is located. Tango can be seen on the street but also in proper theatres such as Teatro Colon. The meat is incredible, and try the waterfront area of Puerto Madero. Expensive but worth it. Outside BA, amazing wineries to visit and the deep south is known for the starting point of trips to Antarctica. In the far north, Iguazu Falls is well worth the long bus journey or short plane ride from BA. You can then cross over to Brazil and carry on your SA adventure from there.

🇧🇴 Bolivia – Feels raw, high altitude, and deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions.
Altitude sickness can be a real problem. Try coca tea which the locals use. Lake Titicaca is an immense natural reserve and well worth the visit and long journey. World famous for its salt flats, the most well known is Salar de Uyuni, where there are hotels made entirely of salt. Flight is easiest access and is around 10 hours by bus from La Paz but the views of the Andes can be spectacular. See more on Bolivia here

🇧🇷 Brazil – Is defined by its scale, diversity, and infectious energy. Tropical beaches, vast rainforests, and iconic cities like Rio and Sao Paulo dominate tourism.
Immense country with no trains so either plane or bus. Portuguese speaking throughout with still little English. Sao Paulo is the mega city and great for amazing food and business. Rio is the ‘marvelous city’ and beautiful sites such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf mountain. Make sure you also catch Tijuca Forest which is a rainforest within the city. Take reputable cabs always. The north of Brazil is where the African culture is greatest and the carnival in Salvador is far more authentic and where all people join in. Beaches in the north such as Recife and in Bahia are less touristy and good weather all year round. Pantanal is a huge wetland and with unique flor and fauna but a long way inland. Foz de Iguazu is the gateway to the waterfalls but is still 45 minutes from the falls themselves. Food is very varied including the rodizio barbecues but the same method (all you can eat and served at your tables) is also the same for sushi and other foods. Very large Japanese community in SP. National dish is rice and beans. A chop is a pint of beer and the soft drink is guarana, unique to Brazil. Many options to enjoy samba and the music scene. Football is everywhere but pick a match carefully as can get rough. See more on Brazil here
Bonito – a short flight from Sao Paulo, great for activities, incredible wildlife and famous for it’s crystal clear water. Snorkelling, kayaking, hiking – loads of fun activities to do! (Louise.)

🇨🇱 Chile – Stretches from deserts in the north to glaciers in the south, offering one of the longest and most varied landscapes on the planet.
Santiago is a beautiful and often more relaxed city. Incredib;e desert landscapes in the north including Valle de Luna and Valle de Muerte. Be very prepared if going solo there. Long distances predominate so plan for additional time. Easter Island is also worth catching for sure but is still about 5 hours away.

🇨🇴 Colombia – Lively cities, coffee regions, Caribbean beaches, and a welcoming atmosphere make it both diverse and accessible.
Cartagena is fast becoming one of the top spots in the country by the beach and with its charming town. The coffee areas inland are great to stay in too but distances are vast so plan some time. Bogota is the gateway with direct flights to the USA, Madrid and London. Many places to dance to salsa and other music. Santa Marta is beautiful seaside town in the north east and San Andres has gained popularity recently as Colombia’s very own Carribbean island! See more on Colombia here

🇪🇨 Ecuador – Packs remarkable variety into a small area, from the Amazon rainforest to Andean cities and Pacific beaches.
Uses the US dollar and cash is useful. Altitude sickness is real thing in cities such as Quito and Cuenca. Very backpacking friendly. Beaches are excellent such as Montañita, with a very busy nightlife. The Galapagos Islands are unique and incredible to catch if you can. Boat trips only from places such as Santa Cruz. You need a special visa from the mainland and the park fee is around USD200.

🇬🇾 Guyana – Feels remote, green, and largely untouched by mass tourism. Vast rainforests, powerful waterfalls, and a strong sense of frontier travel.
English speaking. Great mix of African and Indian cultures. Beaches are plentiful, including Shell beach famous for its Turtles. Going inland is possible to visit rural areas but roads aren’t great. Cricket is popular in Georgetown.

🇵🇾 Paraguay – River towns, colonial history, and relaxed local life offer a quieter way to experience the continent. Landlocked country with a lot of authentic experiences.
Asuncion is small and has an authentic feel. Boating down the Paraguay river which runs north to south. Ciudad del Este is right on the border with Argentina and Brazil so is a great entry point to visit Iguazu Falls.

🇵🇪 Peru – Combines world famous archaeological sites with rich food culture and dramatic geography. From Machu Picchu to the Sacred Valley and the Amazon basin.
Macchu Picchu and the Inca trail are world famous but can be very busy. New trains and soon to be cable cars make it easier for those with less time. Cuisine is vibrant and colourful from Ceviche to lomo saltado. The latter had Chinese influences reflecting Peru as a whole. Great variety of beaches such as Macora and Punta Sal in the north and the Huacachina Oasis in the south which has sand dunes and is great for desert adventures. See more on Peru here

🇸🇷 Suriname – Blends South American landscapes with Caribbean and Dutch influences.
Dutch speaking. Catch Fort Zeelandia in Paramaribo. Rainforests in the interior but not easy to access. Good beaches and eco tourism is important.

🇺🇾 Uruguay – Elegant Montevideo, relaxed beach towns, and a strong café and food culture make it feel both welcoming and easy to explore.
Small country with a big heart. Colonia in the south is a quaint town and can be caught on a day trip from Buenos Aires. Montevideo is relaxed with a nice waterfront and an interesting old town to visit. Many great beaches, including Punta del Este with excellent surfing spots. Entry from Brazil in the north as well.

🇻🇪 Venezuela – Is home to extraordinary natural beauty, including Angel Falls, Caribbean islands, and wild interior landscapes.
Very difficult times at the moment so check carefully before travelling. Angel Falls is one of the world’s great natural wonders and can be reached via a river experience in the far south. Go on a tour and plan plenty of time. Caracas is a vibrant city and Coron is a beautiful town with sandy beaches on its doorstep.