Cool/safe-ish cities in Central or South America???

Question

I'd like to spend a few months in a city in Central or South America, but I'm not quite sure where to go. I want a city that is relatively safe with lots of good restaurants (preferably cheap, not fancy food), that is generally a nice place to be. I'd like to improve my Spanish, but I have a lot of trouble understanding people from Argentina, so I don't think that's the right place for me. Any ideas?

Answer 1

The best place i can recommend in Central America is the city of Granada in Nicaragua. It is the oldest colonial city in mainland America and Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America. There are many schools there that teach Spanish. Aside from that, the city has a large international ex-pat community with people from Many European countries, the U.S., Canada, Asia and other Latin American countries. Granada is an absolutely beautiful city, the architecture is amazing. Despite being burned down many times in the past by pirates, it survived and is a very colorful and vibrant city.

Granada has amazing restaurants serving any cuisine imaginable, some are cheap, few are extremely pricey.  My favorite "restaurant" is a woman with a small space in the Central Park of Granada that serves the most delicious Chancho con Yucca I've ever had in my life. El Tercer Ojo is my second favorite restaurant. They serve all kinds of dishes, my favorites are the Thai and French dishes.

There are many blogs online about expats living in Granada, Nicaragua, and also many news articles about the city. Its very cheap to rent a place (and even entire house) there, the cost of living is not expensive whatsoever. The city does not have over 1 million people so its quite calm, you get to know your neighbors and all. There are no type of skyscrapers anywhere in the city (or entire country for that fact) so you don't feel like you're in a hectic place. I find many expats telling me thats what made them fall in love with the city.

The greatest thing about learning Spanish in Granada is that there are so many things to do nearby. The Islets of Granada (just 20min from Granada), Managua (the capital city), Leon (second oldest city), San Juan del Sur (amazing beach town, large ex-pat community like Granada), Masaya (beautiful handicrafts for cheap) and attractions like the Cerro N. volcano (among others), Ometepe island, Zapatera Island, Corn Islands, Juan Venado Island, Somoto Canyon, Lake Nicaragua (largest lake in Central America), all the great beaches, ect. ect.

Answer 2

Go to Granada, Nicaragua. It is relatively safe there. The atmosphere is good.  From Granada you can also visit island with twin volcanoes,  Ometepe and Altagracia.  Lots of good restaurants in Granada and a very clean city with horse drawn carriages that would gladly give you a tour of the city.  Contact Nicatour for more information and prices.  Granada hosts Poets convention every year. This year I believe 47 different countries were represented.  Very cultural place.  Also Lake Nicaragua boast the only country in the world to have fresh water sharks.  Masaya is another town to visit but not stay in where they have small little places called "pueblitos" where you can buy hand made stuff and also beautiful jewelry made sometimes with volcano rocks.  Masaya also boast a volcano park where you can appreciate flor and fauna with our without a tour guide.  

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Answer 3

For Central America, I would definately say either Costa Rica or Panamá. San José in Costa Rica has a huge nightlife and it is a very fun city to be in. It is very safe just be smart like you would in any other place. Panamá City is awesome also, it is a party city, the people are the nicest in the world, and it's overall fun. I have been to both of these cities and I had more fun in Panamá.

For South America I would say Perú or Argentina. Lima in Perú I hear is beautiful with awesome beaches. Buenos Aires in Argentina I have been to and the women are $&^% beautiful. It also has a thriving nightlife and nice people. The Spanish there sounds like Italian, it sounds nice.

The most expensive would be

1. Argentina

2. Perú

3. Costa Rica

4. Panamá

Have a good trip!

Answer 4

cuzco is my favourite city in latin america. there are lots of gringo's and the atmosphere is incredible. it is very easy to make friends! its definetly more out of the way than buenos aires, lima, quito or santiago, but it is truly incredible. if you really want to immerse yourself in peruvian culture, this is the place to go.

Answer 5

Personally I would go to South America and not central America. I have nothing against Central America, I just read the word "safe" and Central America is not the region I picture!

Anyway, I would say Santiago is the safest city although right now it's quite expensive. Lima is a great place too, it has beaches, the highland is breathtaking and the jungle os quite near too. Ah and the food is simply superb!

According to the Royal Spanish Academy, the purest and best spanish accent is in Colombia, then Peru.

Argentina is a nice place but you're right about the accent.

So, I would either go to Chile or Peru. By the way, Chile's southern Patagonia is the best place I've visited in all my life!

Answer 6

I think you should come to South America. If you speak a little spanish you can live in Uruguay, Chile and Argentina, they are the best spanish countries in South America. Search for some cities, they have a good structure and it's easier to find safer cities in these countries. Good luck.

Answer 7

BUENOS AIRES

BOGOTA

SANTIAGO

and central america

PANAMA CITY