Why should South America be on your Bucket List?

The Latin American side of the world should be on everybody’s bucket list. From the Angel Falls in Venezuela to the world’s southern most city of Ushuaia in Argentina, it has something for everyone and is worth exploring. If you do plan on packing your bags and setting off to experience South America, here are the top places you should be travelling to.

Bolivia

Arriving into Santa Cruz is the best way to start an adventure in Bolivia. Explore the witches’ market and the Coca museum in La Paz, have your breath taken away from the other side of Lake Titicaca and hike the glorious Andean landscape across the Sajama National Park. But, while you are at Uyuni, you just cannot miss out on checking out your reflection and everything else around you at the worlds largest salt flat lake.

Or are you looking for something at the verge of life? Hop on your bike or cycle and embark on a road trip at the North Yungas Road a.k.a the ‘Road of Death’. The 61km-long road starts high in the Altiplano near La Paz and descends into the Amazon rainforest below, dropping more than 3000m along its length.

Ecuador

Thanks to its compact geography, a lot of things can be done under a short period of time such as Straddling the Equator line at Quito, Mountain Biking on a Volcano, Hiking up the Quilotoa Loop and of course, exploring the eastern side of the Amazon.

Deep in the Ecuadorian wilderness near Baños lies Casa del Arbol, overlooking Mt. Tungurahua. How does swinging at the edge of a cliff that is 8,530ft above seal level sound? Known popularly as the “Swing at the End of the World”, this spot should be on top of every adrenaline junkie’s bucket list.

Colombia

Be it from exploring the old town of Cartagena, rural life in Pueblos and Bogota or being enthralled amid Medellin’s nightlife, the coffee capital of the world never fails to offer the best experience for travellers.

While you are at Cartagena, do you fancy doing something wild – like floating atop a Mud Volcano that is more than 7000 feet deep. Climb down a ladder at the Totumo Volcano and engulf yourself in buoyant mud. While you are at it, get a relaxing mud massage and get washed off at the lake nearby for just $3. You will feel the smoothness in your skin that has taken in over 55 different minerals from the mud.

Brazil

A country where Football is considered a religion, the attractions stretch from Rio and Sao Paulo along the coastal areas to Iguacu and the Amazonian side near Manaus. A trip to Brazil is considered to be a life changing experience and is ideally advised to be done separately while visiting South America.

More than 75% of travelers plan their vacation to Brazil to sync up with the Annual grand Carnival at Rio de Janeiro. This 5-day event keeps the roads bustling with performers dressed up at their best and showcasing their unique Samba Skills.

Argentina

While we feast around the globe on some scrumptious Argentine Barbecue, there is nothing better than tasting the same from the origins at Buenos Aires. From the majestic Iguazu Falls to the Perito Moreno Glacier down south, many other exciting places can be checked out such as Quebrada de Humahuaca, Parque Tres de Febrero and the Argentine side of Patagonia.

Lets move further down to the southern most city in the world. Travelers end up at Ushuaia to explore the picturesque landscape and board their ship to start an exciting trip down to Antarctica.

Venezuela

Some may want to visit the Los Roques Islands for a chilled and lazy beach vacation. Nature and Adventure lovers may enjoy exploring the Serengeti of South America at the Los Llanos plains and try spotting Orinoco Crocodiles, Jaguars and Anacondas. But no one should return without visiting the majestic Angel Falls that drops down from more than 3000 feet.

While chilling out at the Los Roques Archipelago, exciting activities such as trekking the Gran Roque to the pristine lagoons and snorkeling/scuba diving into the clear Caribbean waters are preferably done.

Peru

Besides Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru has a lot to offer from the Amazon side at Iquitos to exploring the Colonial Spanish Architecture at Cuzco. On coming down further to Puno, visitors should never miss out on the artificial islands of Uros at the tremendously picturesque Lake Titicaca.

On making your stop at the sacred valley of Cusco, set off for a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to Machu Pichu. Listening to typical Andean music during the 3-hour ride to Aguas Calientes, enter the archaeological site and take in a breathtaking panorama that includes majestic mountain peaks, verdant forests and the stone foundations of ancient Inca structures.

Chile

Holding the world’s most isolated island (Easter Island), the strip of Chile gets many solo travelers and backpackers excited form hiking up the Llullaillaco at Northern Antofagasta to Cruising the Chilean Fjords down south. But no matter what kind of a traveler you are – you just cannot bail out on the eastern side of Patagonia as you hike into the Torres del Paine and kayak into the fjords with whales and dolphins splashing by.

We all have the perception of going on a Fjord Cruise in the Scandinavian part of the world. But how does cruising along the world’s southern fjords sound? Hop on a cruise and sail through the southern part of the Andes as you pass through some massive and breath taking glaciers and landscapes.

Falkland Islands

Although this archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean is a British Territory, the Falkland Islands is home to a Colony of Southern Rockhopper Penguins. Keeping the capital of Stanley as a base, places such as Port Howard, the small villages on the east and the old town can be explored.