Best Places in South America
March 28, 2011 in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
“Best places in South America” is a pushy title, but now that we’re half way between our last visit and our next, we’re reminiscing and beginning to dream about what’s to come.
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South America really is a varied continent: not just in terms of its geography, but in terms of its cultural and political make-up as well. Although colonial European influences are heavily felt, there’s still a fascinating indigenous culture surviving, and in some cases thriving, in modern South America.
Chile
Lake Pucon in Chile's Lake District.
We loved: Santiago, Valparaiso, Chiloe, the Lake district, beer tasting in Valdivia, and the San Pedro de Atacama astronomy tour.
We didn’t like: With a few exceptions, Craig didn’t like the food too much. Linda’s a total Chile fan!
We would return and: go wild in Patagonia, explore more of the northern desert, taste wine near Santiago.
Read more about travel in Chile.
Peru
Looking down the Sacred Valley, Peru.
We loved: Craig’s “northern three” of Trujillo, Chiclayo and Chachapoyas; eating guinea pig; time in Arequipa — we wish we had spent more time there than in Cusco.
We didn’t like: Being pick-pocketed several times, the rich/slums division of some towns – especially Cusco, the city-space of Lima, having to bribe our way out across the border.
We would return and: hike the Cordillera Blanca, spend more time in Chachapoyas and more time at the beach around Huacachina.
Read more about travel in Peru
Argentina
Argentina ... rocks?!
We loved: the food and wine, Salta, new friends met in Cafayate and visited in La Plata, Bicentennary celebrations in Buenos Aires, the Iguacu Falls.
We didn’t like: Not much: Argentina was Craig’s favourite country visited in South America.
We would return and: head further south, visiting Patagonia and maybe trying our hands at some snow-sports.
Uruguay
A fruit stand in Montevideo
We loved: the food and wine, relaxing at a friends lake house (where much food and wine was consumed), wandering Montevideo, chilling in beautiful Colonia.
We didn’t like: The prices — which were fair but higher than the rest of the continent — so no complaints there.
We would return and: Visit wineries, learn to surf on the east coast, visit some of the many places we missed.
Bolivia
We loved: Touring the Saltar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats), hiking around Copacabana, the people we couchsurfed with in La Paz.
We didn’t like: La Paz where we were constantly singled out by gangs of thieves, the roughest roads and least secure public transport we experienced.
We would return and: Get off the altiplano and into the forest, do some kind of river adventure, visit the wine region of the south east.
Read more about travel in Bolivia.
Brazil
Rainbow over the Iguacu Falls, from the Brazilian side
We loved: the Iguacu falls (the only piece of Brazil we’ve visited). We visited the fall from both the Argentinian and Brazilian side and, although we weren’t expecting much, were overwhelmed. One of the natural wonders of the continent, approximately 1,746 cubic meters per second flows over the 270-odd falls. Expect to get wet — no matter which side you visit. Food and amenities are better on the Argentinian side, but both provide good value for money.
The bird park a few minutes walk from the Brazilian entrance is also fantastic, but beware open-toed shoes and the curious toucans!
We’re looking forward to: exploring much more of the huge country! But it won’t be this year. We’re hoping to return and see much more of Brazil, hopefully over a year, one day.
We haven’t yet visited the following countries, but we’re looking forward to seeing them this year:
Ecuador
Chilling in the Galapagos. Sounds good.
We’re looking forward to: travelling through Ecuador from south to north. We hope to go see our friend Tom in the galapagos and generally take the advice in this community thread on travelling to Colombia through Ecuador from Peru.
Colombia
Medellin - where we plan to spend a month or two
We’re looking forward to: visiting friends all over the country, then setting up somewhere for a month or two. Our sights are set on Medillin — where do you think we should stop for a while?
We’re not recommending
For various reasons, from the cost of visas to the difficulty of access to the apparently higher risk of violent crime, we’re not heading to these countries this year. We know little about them, and because of that can’t really recommend them. If you’ve visited, please leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Read more about travel in South America.
This article was written by Craig and Linda
Craig and Linda Martin have been living on the road since February 2006. Both born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand they are ... somewhere in the world! Craig and Linda host the Indie Travel Podcast - you can get in touch with them here.
Since November 2006 the Indie Travel Podcast has evolved into an independent travel hub with regular audio and video podcasts along with articles by travellers from all over the world. 
Hosts Craig and Linda Martin started travelling in February 2006 and have been to over 50 countries. They were 
Stephanie said on March 29, 2011
I really enjoyed the format of this post. Simple, quick, and good information. I just got back to South America and have a lot to explore. I will definitely use some of your advice to plan my itinerary.
Thanks!
Craig and Linda said on March 29, 2011
Great to hear Stephanie. If you want to hear about any of the stories attached with these places, hit play on the audio at the top of the page.
Enjoy your travels, and feel free to ask any questions or give any advice over at the South America travel forum.
[redacted] said on March 29, 2011
Liked the format of your post and the dominant photos that say it all. Pictures speak louder than words, they certainly make your point. Patagonia is an amazing destination, especially from a wildlife observation standpoint: whale watching, penguins and glaciers. Look forward to your comments about it when you go there. Medellin, Colombia, is also very nice and has been transformed in recent years. The Medellin Annual Flower Festival around July is very enjoyable. Loved your photo of Iguassu Falls!
Craig and Linda said on March 29, 2011
Thanks … we’re looking forward to getting there too!
We won’t be hitting Medellin in time for the festival, but it sounds interesting. Is it a public event, or a private one you have to buy entrance to?
P.S. Please use a human name, not a business name when commenting on Indie Travel Podcast.
Fran Cormack said on March 31, 2011
I was recently in Medellin and highly recommend it. It is definitely somewhere I could spend a couple of months.
Craig and Linda said on March 31, 2011
Great to know, Fran. Thanks.
Sofia said on November 4, 2011
Hello guys,
geat post..simple and with a lot of tips!
I’m thinking of going to South America somewhere in Jully- August next year, for 1 month. Can you please suggest me something that I MUST SEE there? How expensive are those countries? I’m expecting from Chile, Brazil and Peru to be quite expensive compared to the rest of the countries….what will be the one day budget? Thank you.
Craig and Linda said on November 6, 2011
Hi Sofia, there are must-sees everywhere! Depends on what your budget is (whether you can afford to fly to jump all over the place) and your style of travel. I’d take a look at our Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro itinerary; if you wanted you could start in Santiago de Chile and make your way over to BsAs from there – but there really is a month’s worth of travel there anyway.
Chile, Argentina and Brazil are the three most-expensive places; Peru is not too bad at all. Not sure on a daily budget, because it really depends on how much you move, and your lifestyle … you can easily get by on US$50/day pretty much everywhere except Brazil, but you’ll need extra money for travel days.
Alayna said on April 8, 2012
Venezuela is an AMAZING place to visit, I went with my husband who’s from there, so admittedly better if you can travel with a local, but found that a lot of Europeans travel there as well, just not many Americans. Los Roques National Park is absolutely wonderful, you stay on a main island every night and take a speed boat to one of the many islands each day. Totally undeveloped true nature, one day we ended up with an island of our own because no one else was there for the day – alone with our cooler of food and beer from our posada, beach chairs, umbrella, and snorkel gear. Perfect blue waters and serenity.
Also Salto Angel is a bit of a strenuous hike, but an amazing trip, rivaling Machu Picchu. The largest waterfall in the world. Haven’t gone but my husband has, and it was one one of the best trips of his life.
That’s not to mention many other natural wonders (the Avila in Caracas) and lovely beaches (Margarita Island) in Venezuela as well. Highly recommend it! Just keep your wits about you as you would anywhere else, and wouldn’t recommend public transport in Caracas due to safety concerns…also don’t trust the police there.