Home to the largest river in the world, the Amazon, the tallest waterfall, the Angel Falls in Venezuela, the highest capital, La Paz in Bolivia, and some of the most remote islands such as the Galapagos Islands and Easter Island, the superlative region of South America never ceases to amaze. Add to these the mystique of the gorgeous Inca ruins and Nazca Geoglyphs in Peru, the wildlife of the Amazon and the Pantanal, the breathtaking Iguazu Falls in Brazil, the stunning landscape of Torres del Paine in Chile, the idyllic beaches of Rio de Janeiro and Colombia, and the architectural wonders of Brasilia and Buenos Aires, and you’ve got yourself one of the best travel destinations on the planet.
Apart from these wondrous attractions, another factor which makes South America exceptional is its people with their age-old customs and traditions. The jungles of the Amazon are home to some of the most backward indigenous tribes in the world who have remained uncontacted despite the changing political scenario through the years. Tribes which have embraced the new world order still hold firm to age-old customs and rituals, showcased in their many festivals like the Inti Raymi in Cusco and Festival de la Candelaria in Bolivia. One of the biggest outdoor parties in the world is also celebrated in South America, the Rio Carnival which draws millions of visitors to this side of the planet each year.
Argentina‘s second most populous city after Buenos Aires is Córdoba, a cliched mix of the old and new. This university city, bustling with a young population is a cauldron of style and culture, reflected in the number of reputed museums, galleries, and ‘hip’ cafes. The diverse architectural styles around Córdoba, from the Gothic to the…
The largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere and only one of two landlocked countries in the Americas is the intriguing nation of Bolivia. Bolivia has aptly been described as a land of ‘superlatives’ with the highest capital city, largest salt flat and the driest desert in the world all within its boundaries. From the…
One of the most enigmatic countries of South America is Peru with its megadiverse landscapes combined with a rich ‘golden’ history. Its 5000-year history is showcased in the numerous archaeological sites that are scattered throughout the different parts of the country. From pre-Incan Geoglyphs of Nazca and remnants of Chan Chan, to the Incan sites…
The city of Valparaiso in Chile is one of the South Pacific’s most important seaports. In the second half of the 19th century, it was a major port of call for ships that crossed the Straits of Magellan, traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific. The opening of the Panama Canal brought an end to its…
Sitting high up in the Andes at an elevation of 3,400 meters is the Inca capital, Cusco, designated as the ‘Historical capital of Peru.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas. Although the Spaniards demolished most of the important buildings of the city, they used the foundations for…
The dictionary defines a capital city as ‘a city or town that functions as the seat of government and administrative center of a country.’ However, not all countries have their seat of government in the capital city, like Sucre in Bolivia, which is the official capital but not the seat of the government. Capital cities…
The City of Mendoza as it is officially known as is located in the northern central part of the province of Mendoza in Argentina. The bustling tree-lined city is a stopover point for climbers to Mount Aconcagua and also for skiers in the winter looking for easy access to the Andes. Mendoza is synonymous with…
The capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, is the southernmost capital in the Americas and has been consistently rated first on the quality of life in Latin America. The city was founded in 1724 by a Spanish soldier as a strategic move against Portugal during the dispute over the platine region. The first inhabitants of the city…
Arequipa, the second-largest city in Peru after Lima, has earned the sobriquet of the ‘legal capital of Peru’ since it is the seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru. It is also part of the Southern Peru Tourist Corridor along with Cusco, Puno, and Nazca. The city which was founded in 1540, has maintained a…
Quito, the capital city of Ecuador sits at an elevation of 2,580 meters above sea level, making it the second-highest official capital city in the world, after La Paz. It also has the distinction of being the closest capital city to the equator with its central square being about 25 kilometers south of the equator.…
The capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. Founded by Bartholomew Columbus, the brother of the famous explorer, the city was named in honor of Saint Dominic in 1495 and became the ‘Gateway to the Caribbean‘. The city…
Brazil, the largest country in South America and Latin America is also the fifth largest country in the world. The country which spans such a vast area has plenty of geographical diversity and variations in the landscape. It is no wonder then that the country is filled with some breathtaking sights. From the natural beauty…
Sao Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos or simply Salvador is the capital of Bahia in Brazil. It was the first capital of Brazil, founded in 1549 by the Portuguese and continued to be the capital until 1763. The colonial influences are evident in this city which is one of the oldest colonial cities…
Cartagena is a thriving port city on the Caribbean coastal region of Colombia and was established as a major trading port in 1533. Blue skies, cool clear Caribbean waters and steeped in history, fun-filled adventure and some of the finest Colombian cuisine. This beautiful city with its dark past is a city that is the…
Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is a tiny volcanic island halfway between Oceania and South America, at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian triangle. Easter Island is mostly famous for the Moai, massive human figures carved from stone by the Rapa Nui people between 1250 and 1500 AD. The 887 giant Moai statues…
One of the most remote and beautiful places on earth and a world heritage site, comprising of 13 major volcanic islands (and more than 40 smaller islands). The Galápagos Islands are a series of volcanic islands that straddle either side of the Equator about 926 km (575 miles) west of Mainland Ecuador. Having literally risen from…
Holding the title of the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia is flanked by the most southern point of the Andes Mountain range. If you are interested in hopping on a boat to Antarctica, it is from Ushuaia that you would do so! The end of the world is an incredible place with many activities like taking…
People from all over the world are flocking to a cliff in Rio de Janeiro, to take death-defying adventure photos overlooking the ocean below. It all started in November 2015 when Luis Fernando Candela was photographed by his girlfriend and appeared to be hanging off a cliff above a 300 meter (1,000 ft) drop. [instagram url=https://www.instagram.com/p/-Y6_oWpbtJ/?taken-by=pedradotelegrafo hidecaption=true width=1024]…
Tucked in between Brazil and Argentina, tiny Uruguay is often missed out or forgotten about. The common misconception is that there aren’t many places to visit in Uruguay. However, all those who travel to Uruguay will fall in love with the country. With Spanish and African influences, this is one of South America’s most intoxicating countries. Check…
Located off the southern tip of South America, some 480 km (300 miles) from the coast of Argentina, the Falkland Islands (also known as Malvinas) are a British Overseas Territory. A natural paradisiac archipelago of more than 740 islands. The islands boast white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and an abundance of native and migratory…
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