South America Most Beautiful Countries: A Traveler’s Dream List
Brasil
Colombia
Discover South America
From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the lush rainforests of the Amazon, South America boasts a staggering variety of ecosystems and cultures. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of the Incas, savour the explosion of flavours in Peruvian cuisine, or dance the night away in bustling cities. South America promises an experience unlike any other.
Being a proud South American has given me the opportunity to experience different cultures around the world, but also to share mine as well. As I mentioned in another post, I’ve always traveled with my mate ready, everywhere I go. This isn’t just to feel the taste of home, but also to offer mate to anyone willing to try it.
Physical contact is also very important to us. We’re a touchy people, and I love it! People from Europe or Asia who share experiences with us often end up loving our ‘intrusive’ ways.
If something truly stands out about South Americans, it’s our hospitality, happiness, and the quality of our food!
But of course, not everything is perfect. We do have problems with corruption, bad governance, insecurity, and life can sometimes be harder than in other parts of the world.
However, one thing doesn’t have to overshadow the other. I truly believe everyone should travel through South America – you have it all, literally all!
All the climates, tiny towns in the middle of nowhere, massive metropolises, diverse animals, amazing food, and the best – the people.
It’s crazy how almost everyone speaks Spanish (except Brasil), but with such fascinating variations across the continent!
You can check out my Instagram where I upload lots of videos and photos of my travels as well.
Travelling Through Argentina
Lucky me, my family has always traveled a lot around Argentina since I was very little. And the way we did it has marked me for life: jumping in the car, throwing the tents in the back, and setting off to explore this incredible and diverse country of ours.
My ideal vacation is camping by a lake, with a bonfire and in solitude. Nothing beats that.
I spent hundreds of hours inside the car, but I don’t remember those hours as anything negative. They were part of the journey, part of the adventure.
We traveled through most of Argentina’s provinces, and I think it’s important for everyone to explore their own country. See its people, the cultural differences, the various accents, the unique food – it’s all part of the experience.
Exploring Uruguay
Before embarking on my long adventure, I decided to test the waters of solo travel with a trip to Uruguay. Armed with my tent and backpack, I set out to see how I’d fare on my own.
The two weeks I spent there were fantastic! First and foremost, I realized you’re never truly alone when traveling. No matter where you go, you’ll always make friends. This is a powerful idea that brings a sense of strength and connection.
My exploration took me to Montevideo, Barra de Valizas, Cabo Polonio, Punta del Diablo, and Punta del Este.
Going to Chile
Thanks to my amazing girlfriend from Chile, it was inevitable that I’d eventually visit her home country. And sure enough, we spent six fantastic months exploring Chile.
We primarily based ourselves in Santiago, but Linares, where my girlfriend’s family lives, became a frequent destination. We also ventured out to Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Concón, and Concepción.
The highlight of our trip was Cajón del Maipo, a stunning natural area just an hour from Santiago. And let me tell you, the sunsets in Chile – they’re truly unreal!
Colombia And Peru
While in Chile, we seized the opportunity to plan an incredible three-week trip to Peru and Colombia!
Colombia was our first stop. We spent a week in San Andrés, a true paradise – there’s no other word for it! After that, we explored Cartagena de Indias for another week. One night was spent at Casa Del Agua, which was honestly one of the best places I’ve ever slept in (stay tuned for a future post!).
From Colombia, we flew to Cusco in Peru, a city that stole my heart! It’s stunningly beautiful, and the food… oh my goodness! Peruvian cuisine is on another level. Even though we were now vegetarians, my girlfriend needn’t have worried – the quality and flavor of the vegetarian dishes were just as amazing.
Leaving Cusco, we embarked on adventures to Machu Picchu and Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain).
Here is the link of my post about the Rainbow Mountain.
Heading To Brasil
Before coming to Europe this last time, we decided to escape the Southern Hemisphere winter with a two-week Brasilian getaway to soak up some sun and warmth. Having spent the entire Chilean winter and facing another European one, some beach time felt essential!
Our first stop was Ilha Grande for a week. A friend lives there, and we absolutely love the island vibes: no concrete jungle, just monkeys, beautiful beaches, and a true island atmosphere. While the weather wasn’t ideal – it rained quite a bit – we still managed to enjoy some lovely sunny days on the sand.
After Ilha Grande, we headed to Rio de Janeiro for another week of exploration.
Brasil charmed us so much that we’ve already decided to return next year. We’re planning to volunteer somewhere for three months to learn Portuguese and embrace the beach life – always a winning plan!