South America isn’t the biggest continent in the world, it doesn’t have the most people, the biggest cities but it does have a big personality. It has an immensely diverse cultural and ecological make up with its people originating from Europe, Africa and Asia.
This infusion of cultures has created so many fantastic destinations for the willing traveller. Here is my selection of countries in South America that are just waiting to be explored.
Columbia
Capital City: Bogota
Population: 46million
Language: Spanish
Currency: Peso
Columbia is a rising power in South America; with a solid period of economic growth under its belt and an increasingly stable government things are looking up. That also means this fascinating country will start to become even more accessible to tourists and travellers looking to sample its delights. In fact according to official figures, Columbia received 1.4million visitors from abroad in 2012 alone and it has also been featured by Lonely Planet as a top world destination.
Settled by Spanish explorers in 1499, Columbia maintains a distinctly Spanish element in its culture and traditions. So it’s no surprise that one of the main tourist draws in Columbia is the numerous carnivals that occur throughout the year. The Carnival of Cali and the Carnival of Blacks and Whites are two of the most popular; the latter was recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
If you’re not quite up to the frantic atmosphere that the carnivals bring then why not try relaxing at one of the many stunning beaches found all over the coast. Some of the best can be found on the small island of San Andres about an hour’s trip off the mainland. Not only does San Andres boast great beaches but it is also locally famous for its bargain prices; so it’s a great place to pick up traditional Columbian souvenirs as well as discounted gold and emerald jewellery.
Brazil
Capital City: Brasilia
Population: 194million
Language: Portuguese
Currency: Brazilian Real
Brazil has a rapidly increasing influence in world politics and economics that only looks like continuing to grow in the future. It’s not only a big hitter in political stakes; Brazil receives over 5million tourists every year! Over the next couple of years that figure will almost certainly increase, helped by Brazil being awarded the 2014 FIFA World Cup and Rio de Janeiro being awarded the 2016 Olympic Games.
But if sport isn’t your thing or if you just want to visit before 2014, there is still plenty of things for you to get stuck into. To kick us off I’ll go with a personal favourite, the Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world and the world’s second longest river runs through it. It is estimated to be home to one fifth of the world’s birds and the Amazon River is estimated to be home to one fifth of the world’s fish species. If you get a chance to explore you may seem some of the world’s most interesting wildlife such as vampire bats, sloths, giant anaconda, piranha and toucans. And guess what? 60% of the rainforest is in Brazil!
If trekking through dense jungle isn’t your idea of a holiday, then what about spending time in Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro or Brasilia? These three major South American cities offer a huge array of activities ranging from gorgeous beaches to exploring Brazil’s historical side at world class museums. You can’t go to Brail without diving head first into its cuisine; the national dish of feijoada and empadas straight off a street vendor are superb.
Peru
Capital City: Lima
Population: 30million
Language: Spanish
Currency: Nuevo Sol
I’ve always wanted to go to Peru; it is a country that has an element of mystery surrounding it. The main attraction for me is undoubtedly the ruins at Machu Picchu; this ancient city of the Incas is nearly 8,000ft above sea level. It is estimated to have been built in around 1400ad as an estate for the Incan emperor. The site is a designated World Heritage site and is visited by thousands of tourists every year.
However, there is more to Peru than Machu Picchu and that’s what I’ll cover now. Although 60% of the Amazon rainforest is found in Brazil, 20% of it is in Peru; so you can experience all the wonders of this tropical paradise without hopping borders. If you venture to the south of Peru you’ll hit the Nazca Desert, at first glance this is an arid and uninspiring landscape but if you take to the air you’ll get a birds-eye view of the mysterious Nazca Lines. Archaeologists aren’t sure why these huge pictures in the sand were drawn and what happened to the artists.
Somewhere that is often overlooked by tourists to Peru is its largest, and capital, city Lima. The city has a wealth of things to see and do; there are huge cathedrals, ancient ruins, fascinating museums and some of the best food you’ll ever eat.
Josh writes for No.1 Traveller an innovative travel company that run airport lounges at several UK airports. Check out their Gatwick Airport lounge.
I agree – South America is the place to be!
I have been to all three of these countries – although only to Rio in Brazil. Colombia has to be my all time favourite country worldwide so far – probably helped by it being less touristy and all that singing and dancing.
Also managed to get to Chile last year which was great. It’s such a long stick of a thing, its hard to see it all but going to Easter Island was very special, Santiago was warm and sunny in winter and the Atacama desert striking too. Passed from there into Bolivia and across to the Solar de Uyuni (a massive solid salt lake) – which I can only describe as otherworldly. We saw bubbling mud, strange peaks of snow, multi-coloured deserts and lakes, flamingos and a tree-shaped rock along the way.
It’s not always easy travelling in South America – we encountered extreme heights, temperature highs and lows, sickness in the Amazon – but its always mind-blowingly interesting and I enjoy the need to speak another language!