5 must-dos when visiting South America
Get ready for your South American adventure.
1. Amazon River Cruise
The Amazon is the exotic adventure capital of South America – but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it in style. Hop aboard a small, high-end expedition cruise ship and sail right through the middle of one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems. The Peruvian stretch of the river is the most popular, with cruises departing from the town of Iquitos in the northeast of the country. Look out for pink river dolphins, screeching monkeys, three-toed sloths and sleep manatees.
2. Lima, Peru
One of the world’s great gastronomic destinations, the Peruvian capital of Lima is a must-do for foodies. It’s home to three restaurants on the World’s 50 Best list, each serving a menu that exemplifies the diversity and artistry of Peruvian cuisine. The city itself is chaotic (and the traffic almost unbearable) but stay in the charming Miraflores district and you’ll be able to reach everything on foot.
3. Galapagos Islands
Charles Darwin called the Galapagos Islands “a little world within itself” and was endlessly fascinated with their beauty and biodiversity. One of the world’s great cruise destinations, you can happily island hop for a week (or more), discovering giant Galapagos tortoises, huge colonies of birds including the famous blue-footed booby, marine iguanas and an ocean full of whales and dolphins. There’s so much wildlife here, you may have to be careful you don’t step on any when you go ashore.
4. Salvador, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro gets all the press, but if you want to tap into the cultural and historical heart of Brazil, then Salvador is the city for you. It was the capital of Portugal’s New World colony from 1549 and is one of the oldest cities in the Americas. It is bursting with 17th and 18th century architecture, grand churches, pastel coloured terrace houses and leafy open plazas. It’s also the home of Afro-Brazilian culture and the streets thrum with music, dance and the traditional martial art of capoeira.
5. Patagonia
The very tip of the South American continent is a spectacular wilderness wonderland of mountains, glaciers, lakes and forest. Though it appears wild, there are lots of more moderate options for older travellers to discover the best it has to offer, like easy walks or treks, gentle horserides, cruises and bus tours. Don’t miss the Perito Moreno Glacier, arguably the world’s most famous glacier, the awe-inspiring Torres Del Paine national park and the bustling tourist town of Ushuaia, nicknamed ‘the end of the earth’.
Have you been to any of these places?