South america

DonTheKing

DonTheKing

Well-known member
Only continent other than Antarctica I haven't been too.
Just wanted some ideas of places to go, obviously wanna do rio but don't know where else to travel.
I'm looking to spend around 3/4 weeks maybe more if needed next year.
Any ideas are appreciated.
 
dontheking said:
Only continent other than Antarctica I haven't been too.
Just wanted some ideas of places to go, obviously wanna do rio but don't know where else to travel.
I'm looking to spend around 3/4 weeks maybe more if needed next year.
Any ideas are appreciated.
Click to expand...
I’ve been to Sao Paolo and BA, as well as Rio. Amazing places, wish they were closer so it was easier to go back. You do have to be a bit streetwise, but I think that’s obvious.

BA and Rio it’s quite obvious what to do. Sao Paolo you sort of need to research it before you go, it’s vast and everything isn’t in one place.
 
Not really addressing the op, but worth noting the transport is much more limited in South America than almost anywhere else in the populated world. Be prepared for buses!

I’d recommend watching series two of race around the world on bbc iPlayer for some inspiration
 
dontheking said:
Only continent other than Antarctica I haven't been too.
Just wanted some ideas of places to go, obviously wanna do rio but don't know where else to travel.
I'm looking to spend around 3/4 weeks maybe more if needed next year.
Any ideas are appreciated.
Click to expand...
We recently came back from Argentina and Uruguay and it was incredible highly recommended
 
Was lucky enough to spend some time there, but always with work. That did mean that I had locals to show me around, which is always a good thing. I loved BA, found the Argentinians very open and friendly and obsessed with the Premier League. Rio is fine, as long as you stay near the beaches, saw some unpleasant sights (and sites) when there. Santiago was also welcoming, with amazing hiking within easy reach, if that’s if interest.
Bogotá was fascinating, just stay to the northern half!
Edit: try and get tickets to watch Boca!!
 
Iguazu/Iguassu Falls on border of Brazil and Argentina is easily the most stunning place I have ever been to.
Rio is unique and worth a short stay, but I enjoyed BA and would much sooner go back there.
Chile is another country I'd like to return to. Santiago is nice enough in parts, but I'd love to drive through the Andes.

As usual it depends on budget. It's a continent and though much smaller than Africa or Asia, it is still massive.
If you have limited time then flying between highlights would be probably the way to sample most.

Buenos Aires Argentina
Iguazu Falls (from both sides)
Rio but not for too long
Lake Titicaca Bolivia via La Paz.
Maccu Piccu in Peru by train, not the trail (long and arduous)
Galapagos Islands
Colombia Cartagena and Caribbean coast.
Venezuelan Tepuis - although not easy to get to.

Valparaiso in Chile, Punta Del Este in Uruguay for sophisticated beach,

I'm personally not drawn to the cold so Patagonia doesn't really appeal.
 
I am in Brasil a few times a year. Mainly São Paulo - city and state - and Santa Catharina.

Part of the problem with Brasil is that is too big. 9 hrs flying from Porto Alegre in the south to Manaus in the Amazon. You don't want to spend 2 or 3 weeks flying.

I am not Rio's biggest fan (prefer São Paulo), but I guess most people want to see it. For São Paulo city, if you base yourself in Vila Madalena (around Rua Aspecuelta) you can get a pretty full bar/music/club experience - from samba to rock to Brasilian rap. A lot of it free in lively bars. Nearby there is an area (Alto Pinheiros) which is more sedate and older crowd. Baixo Pinheiros (around Faria Lima metro) livens up again with a younger clientele.

I think you have to see the Amazon ( before it disappears). You can base it out of Manaus. I have only ever been with Brasilians, who have arranged it all for me.

Further south, the Pantanal in Mato Groso (I think the largest inland wetland in the world) is incredible for wildlife. It isn't a competition but I probably saw more there than the Amazon (effin' trees). Then further south again are the Iguazu Falls. (as Elanor Roosevelt said when she saw it, "Poor Niagra"). The problem is that there isn't an awful lot else there.

I also like Florianopolis in Santa Catharina. An island just off the mainland. So you have the South Atlantic on one side, with very large surf scene; the inlet side facing the mainland, and Lagoa da Conceição in the middle with some great little places only accessible by boat for a night or two.

If you are spending time in São Paulo you can access pretty good beaches easily - 90mins and £50 by Uber to the Littoral Norte. This a series of 10 to 15 beaches. Mainly small pousadas (hotels with 10 to 15 rooms). Maresias is bit more clubby/lively. Nearly every other place is a beach with a handful of restaurants. It fills up Friday to Sunday as 10M Paulistanos try to get there. Avoid travel on those days. A 3Km beach can have 100 people on it during the week, and crowded Sat and Sun. I have visited 10 or more times (back in April), I have only met a handful of foreigners there. This is really a local destination. Littoral Norte is a surf region.
 
Been to both Colombia and Argentina - both great, but heavy on the travel. Ideally you'd have a lot of money and fly between places. Colombia is/was one of my favourite places to visit. Excellent country totally surprised by it. Medellin my favourite city.
 
Would love to visit Argentina. Not too bothered about Brazil, but I do know a couple of people who have places there. They’d worked offshore Brazil and loved the country. They tend to spend a big chunk of the European winter there.
 
Daft but unforgettable - spend an hour in the afternoon having a coffee at an outside cafe in the BA city centre and people watch. The females were simply the most stunning on the planet. Any lingering issues with Argentina over the Falklands or the hand of god disappeared for good after that.
 
Peru
(y)
Spent over a month at Los Martincitos in Villa Elsalvador
Visited the Estadio Nacional` [The old stadia] several times.
All terracing. Eight foot pit between the terraces and the wire fencing. Patrolled by dogs.
Wicked atmosphere.
Favourite team => Universitario
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This time of year, you can sit outside any bar in Miraflores at 35-40 degrees, watching live British football with snow round the pitch edges and managers in woolly hats.
 
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