Have you ever been to South America?

Question

I would love to visit there, but it seems so dangerous. Where are good places to visit. What areas should be avoided and why? What other precautions should be taken?

Answer 1

Yes i have been to Peru! it amazing, you should definately go to Macchu Picchu, definately to the capital Lima. It a great place. And if your interested in Central America, you should go to costa rica, that place is great there you can Zip line and also White water raft!

Answer 2

I had not been there. But I heard that its quite dangerous. I heard that people dont stop at traffic signals for the fear of getting robbed in car. Its quite unsafety to travel at night time. You can visit the big falls in Argentina which is on the border of Brazil. Dont remember the name. In brazil, try visiting Rio De Janerio and its beach. They are world famous.

Answer 3

I would go to Colombia, if you want to see one of the original main ports for the spanish then go to Cartagena ,Colombia, Cali and Medellin are also good atrractions...I won't even get started with the beautiful women..I  have gone two times in the last three years. When I first went I felt very scared beacause of all the negative news about the country, But once you are there you see how nice the people are..I love Colombia and I can't wait to go back.

Answer 4

I would choose Colombia..Yeah, it's my beautiful country, but Colombia has great places to go. probably you have heard the "bad security of Colombia". but that's not how it really is...Cartagena, Santa Marta and San Andres y providencias are the cities with really beautiful beaches. Santa Marta has the second most beautiful beach in the world and it's located in Tayrona Park. Cartagena is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and San Andres has the ocean of the seven colors. Medellin y Cali are cities of rumba(dancing and clubs) Cali is the world capital of salsa. and Bogota is more cultural, but bogota has millions of places to go. Armenia has the "parque del cafe" park of coffee. it's cultural, and it has a theme park. Barranquilla, especially in Carnivals is a wonderful place to go. If you decide to go to South America.(any country) just dont be too luxurious. and dont try to show you have a lot of money to spend. Just dress fine, all casual. it applies for all latin america country. Good luck in yor travel i hope you choose Colombia...if you go to Cali...eat "cholado". You'll like it...but if you go to Colombia..visit Cartagena especially..

Answer 5

In 6+ years of living and travelling, I haven't seen anyone "not stop at a red light" except my friend in Rio de Janeiro, and it was because we were in a rush to get to the airport not to avoid any violent crime.  Supposedly after midnight in Rio (for a time) it was allowed to prevent carjackings, certainly not everywhere, though.

I think Caracas is the most dangerous, and you can avoid most danger by taking some precautions.  I have never had anything happen, but stuff does happen.  You have to remember stories about the 10,000 guys "nothing happened to" don't exactly make for interesting re-telling.  But the 1 guy who gets kidnapped, everybody has to tell their friends about that.

If you are worried I would stick to the touristy areas - Cuzco, Buenos Aires, Chile, Southern Brazil, Uruguay - these places are pretty safe or heavily touristed with proper security,  You'd have to be really unlucky to have anything violent happen to you.

Answer 6

I'm from Peru, and besides my country, I've been in Chile, Argentina, and Ecuador. Fortunately I never had any problem, what I know is that it all depends in the areas, and of course, you have to be alert at all times.if you go to, Peru, try to stay always in touristic areas,in Lima, stay in Miraflores, San Isidro or Surco, if you want to go to other city, go to Cuzco, Huaraz, Arequipa, remember that cities other than the capital in Peru are very safe, low population with less violence index. People in Peru  are very friendly with the tourists, it is nice for us, when someone spend her/his time to visit our country, you'll love it and would like to come back.You'll see

Answer 7

I've been traveling to Colombia at least every 3 - 4 months for the last 5 years... It's an awesome country..... Don't let anyone scare you about the drugs and rebels (people who tell you that are people who have never been to Colombia)... Colombia is like any country you travel to... you need to take the same measures to ensure your safety as you do in Mexico or even Ecuador (I've traveled extensively to both of them as well and I can provide info on them if you want).

Anyhow, to answer your question on places to go if you were to choose Colombia. Since I'm not sure where you will be I'll list my favorite places/cities in order:

A)

- Medellin: This is my favorite city because it's beautiful as well as fun. They have a metro, pueblito paisa, outside the city you can go to the piedra del penol (worlds largest rock. it has an amazing view), and there is plenty to do with the night life and good eateries.

- Bogota: The capital city is beautiful. The museum de oro, the historic colonial district and you should venture out on a tour to the Cathedral of Salt it is definately not to miss (on your way back stop and eat at Andres Carne De Res. It is some of the best steaks you will find). Also you can see the capital from Mt Serrat.

- Cartagena: This place is awesome if you like colonial architecture. The beaches are ok for hanging out becareful in the water as the undertow is rough. Your best bet is to take a tour to the islands of rosario (Islas de Rosario)... the tours usually include a visit to the acuarium and a private island or the island of Baru.... the waters at the islands are carribean blue and awesome for snorkeling.

- Cali: Cali is always fun but it's gotten a bit rough over the last few years.

B) What to do to prepare for your vacation.

- Since you don't say where you're planning to go you should pack for all weather. Couple pairs of jeans, shorts, sandals, walking shoes, light jacket and shirts. Bogota can be cold at night, but the climate is similiar to Los Angeles. Medellin is warmer than Bogota and Cartagena and Cali are hot and humid.

C) Food is great wherever you go. Colombian food is mainly meat and potatos so you probably won't have any issue's.... but be adventurous and try everything.

Music is awesome and it's tropical - Merengue, Salsa, Vallenato, Cumbia, etc. Have fun.

Festivals - remember that 7/20 is independence day.

I love Colombia... the people are great and friendly, the food is fantastic, the culture is marvelous..... I love it so much I married a Colombian woman. ;)

Don't let anyone scare you... Colombia is safe as long as you use your common sense and are aware of your surroundings. That's the same advice I give to anyone traveling to any country that is not the USA.

PS. Feel free to email me if you want to chat further.

John.

Answer 8

I lived in South America for ten years. As with just about anywhere, it's all about being aware of your surroundings, finding out ahead of time what's safe and what isn't.

Depending on what you're looking for, I'd say you can safely travel to just about anywhere in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. If you're looking for beaches and sun, there are lots of great spots in Brazil, but the key is to avoid the big cities, like Rio and Sao Paulo. If you make plans in the smaller towns, they're great.

As you head north, to Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, it's best to get information from locals on where you'll be staying and what to look out for. For the most part, you should be fine, as long as you gather as much information ahead of time as you can, and avoid sticking out of the crowd (i.e. don't wave your digital camera around or wear expensive jewelry that calls attention to you).

Buena suerte and/or Boa sorte!