Planning to see South America next summer - any tips on the best locale?

Question

I like local culture of an area, not too busy or over populated with tourist.

My plan is to see some historical sites, meet some local folk, have some great food, lots of relaxation, and maybe some nature sites too.

Do you have a favorite location that can offer these things?

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Answer 1

Well I recommed Venezuela. Here we have everything that you need. Great beaches where you can do all kind of water sports, Mountains ( one of them with snow in merida) The jungle in the Amazonas and Bolivar state (with the biggest waterfall in the world). We even have a little desert in the Falcon State. We aren't a croudew contry so big populations won't be a problem and people is ver friendly with the tourists

Answer 2

Funny thing, the security US department recomend "not to go to Colombia", and everybody here "who's been in south america" by the way, says:"go to Colombia", haha.

Did u know that Bill Clinton goes "every year" to Cartagena - Colombia for the "ferias"?.

Well, It depends on what u are looking for. All south america is so exciting, so diverse, so colourful, so contrasting, so similar and so different at the same time.

Colombia of my heart is Fantastic - simply the best - , also dangerous (cannot deny), but definitely fantastic. If decide go to Cartagena (of course), enjoy the food, the nice people, the beaches, the murallas, the hystory (very interesting), hot weather, and they have the old city (colonial) and the new city. Barranquilla, the music, the dancing, carnivals. Bogota, very cosmopolita and modern city.. I would recommend not to go to the Amazons in colombia, even though is heavenly ...  you never know when the guerrilleros may show up, and they are never invited.

Venezuela of my life is Blessed, also dangerous (less than Colombia definitely) but incredibly blessed. If decide go to Los Roques (archipielago of my dreams, calm sea), La Gran Sabana (u cannot lose the chance to see the Churum Meru - the salt of angel- there is nothing to compare in the whole world), Merida in los andes .. and Caracas maybe 3 or 4 days. In oriente u can enjoy the "great beaches".

U also have good choices in Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Argentina is "unique". They have tours to the glaciares ... imagine how great they can be. Buenos Aires is like an european city. You may like that. And ... Uruguay, is also a good choice, they have Punta del Este, that is become very famous.

So .. u can check in tourist web pages the options and depending on ur needs and .. ur expectations u choose.

Good Luck, and welcome to my South America if decide to come.

Answer 3

You should go to Colombia!! I love it there! You should go to the Catedral de sal, Church made out of Salt, in Zipaquira , that's the name of the place. It's this Church made out of salt underground. Everything is salt, the floor, the chairs, the walls, and the sculptures. you have to take a tour. You can buy souvenirs, that are made out of salt. There in the same place there are 2 museums, that talk about the history of the church, and how it was made. It is wonderful! you will love it.

plus you can also go to church there but only on Sundays.

  You can also can go to Monserrate, it's this big church on top on this mountain you can climb the stairs or go on a train. If you are going to climb, it will take about a hour or 2 to get to the top. That's how long it took me to get to the top of it. When you get to the top it is so cold so bring a jacket. Villavicencio that's were it is. When you also get on top you can go to church but Only on Sundays. I always go on a Sunday, and climb with other people. When you are climbing to the top you can buy a drink or something to eat, or even a souvenir! It is so Beautiful when you get to the top.

I am from Colombia! the food is great, music, and everything!!:)

Answer 4

Well i live in south Australia, is a great place mainly everywhere u go is peaceful.

the city is great when u go to the city u have to go to the famous rundle mall is where people shop and have fun!

the best beach is glenelg beach most people go there because theres so much 4 tourist and for anybody really! its really beutiful and is great really!

anyway u'll find urself lots to do when u get here.

hope u enjoy my city!

Answer 5

Iguazu falls Argentina, Macchu Picchu Peru, Galapagos Ecuador, Easter Island, Chile, Bariloche Argentina, Las Roques, Venezuela, The statues at San Agustin, Colombia, the architecture in any city.. Villa de Leiva. Colombia - see a mini stonehenge, ostrich farm a lot of fossils., You could spend 10 lifetimes and not scratch the surface.

Answer 6

If you want to go to a place that is not too populated with tourists but is beautiful, with great food and people, plenty of places to explore and quite an adventure, I recommend Colombia.  Colombia is exactly what you are looking for in a South American adventure -- from the coffee plantations to the mountains, the rivers to the coast.  And I promise you won't regret eating the arepas, the ajiaco, the tamales, the simply delicious food and drink.  

Everytime I've gone to visit family there, I meet new friends.  And my new friends as well as my family always, always without fail, implore me to bring more of my friends from the US and abroad to come visit.  People have this idea that Colombia is a terrible, dangerous place.  It isn't.  You do need to be a smart traveler to go there, but you should be a smart traveler to go anywhere outside your home country.  The plus side of Colombia's poor safety reputation is that you will be visiting a country that has far fewer tourists, and you will be received with wide welcome arms.  

Cartagena, Cali, Bogota, the Zona Cafeteria... I promise you'l bring back stories and impress all your friends with your daring and adventure!