What is the best Central or South American country and/or city to visit?

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Posted by *~LiSa-LoO~* on Jan-30-2009 20:58:

What is the best Central or South American country and/or city to visit?

Do to the specific program I'm in, I have to go to school in the summer (boo-urns). Thus, I am only given a couple of weeks off after exams in April before I go back to school. My dad has been asking to take me on a trip forever, and I thought this is a perfect opportunity to do so.

We only want to go for about a week, b/c I already have plans for the other week. And we want to go somewhere in Central of South America. We don't really want to go to one of those all inclusive resorts to just sit on the beach and drink all day b/c we really want to get out and go on some tours and see the place (think Maya Ruins type stuff). My dad just got back from Mexico to see all the ruins, so I don't want to make him do that again, but I don't know where else to pick.

What do you guys recommend? Where have you been, what have you seen (Pictures are greatly appreciated)? How long did you go for? Is anywhere better and/or safer than elsewhere?

Edit - I'm NOT looking for party spots, as I'm going with my retired dad and unfortunately likely will not be partying!

Thanks for your help!

Posted by yankeeBaby on Jan-30-2009 21:01:

Brazil!!!! party central!! Rio!

Posted by CAKE on Jan-30-2009 21:02:

Alabama.

Posted by Sentinal on Jan-30-2009 21:05:

quote:
Originally posted by yankeeBaby
Brazil!!!! party central!! Rio!

Agreed. Carnival should be happening soon.

Here is a webpage to give you more info Lisa.

http://www.brazilcarnival.com/

Posted by chinamon on Jan-30-2009 21:11:

colombia.

Posted by *~LiSa-LoO~* on Jan-30-2009 21:13:

quote:
Originally posted by yankeeBaby
Brazil!!!! party central!! Rio!

Keep in mind...my dad is retired and does not party! Haha

Posted by rabbitjoker on Jan-30-2009 21:17:

Buenos Aries.

Go for steak & wine.

Posted by mute79 on Jan-30-2009 21:17:

colombia, yes!! i had a blast there, and would go back any day

Posted by chinamon on Jan-30-2009 21:20:

quote:
Originally posted by mute79
colombia, yes!! i had a blast there, and would go back any day

hahah definitely

Posted by yankeeBaby on Jan-30-2009 21:20:

quote:
Originally posted by rabbitjoker
Buenos Aries.

Go for steak & wine.

yes definitely!!!

Posted by preppie chick on Jan-30-2009 21:22:

Florianopolis or Trancoso

both are in Brazil

Posted by feelgood on Jan-30-2009 21:27:

Re: What is the best Central or South American country and/or city to visit?

quote:
Originally posted by *~LiSa-LoO~*
I don't know where else to pick.

What do you guys recommend? Where have you been, what have you seen (Pictures are greatly appreciated)? How long did you go for? Is anywhere better and/or safer than elsewhere?

Edit - I'm NOT looking for party spots, as I'm going with my retired dad and unfortunately likely will not be partying!

Thanks for your help!

Ive long since wanted to take a trip down to South America to do some backpacking/cycling. I have friends who have gone to Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador. It seems the most common place for travellers is Peru. Machu Picchu is supposed to be phenomenal in both a cultural and physical sense.

Here's a blog from one of my buddies who is actually travelling down there right now. He's backpacking and sleeping at modest hostels, so it might not be what you're looking for. However, he's an excellent writer and really captures the essence of his experience.

http://garethinperu.blogspot.com/

I plan on doing the backpacking thing at the end of summer '09 most likely.

cheers
Aaron

Posted by smuncky on Jan-30-2009 21:28:

brasilia. a modernist haven.

Posted by love_child on Jan-30-2009 21:51:

quote:
Originally posted by smuncky
brasilia. a modernist haven.

just watch out for the trannies

Posted by dEsidEL on Jan-30-2009 22:07:

i'd recommend:

Rio de Janeiro, along with Ihla Grande, Buzios, and Foz do Iguacu. Throw in Recife too. Don't forget to check out Skol Beats in March and Carnival in February. (Brazil)

Atacama Dessert and Santiago (Chile)

Tikal (Guatemala)

All of Costa Rica

Buenos Aires - Creamfields if you can make it, Mendoza, Mar de la Plata, Puerto Iguazu - absolutely amazing (Argentina)

San Pedro (Belize)

Machu Picchu (Peru) <- getting really played out though so hurry

Montevideo, Punta del Este (Uruguay)

Baranquilla (Columbia)

Angel Falls (Venezuela)

If you have the money... Galapagos Islands (Edcuador) and Easter Island (Chile)

also crazy shopping in Ciudad del Este (Paraguay)

I'm assuming you're looking for more temperate-tropical climate so I left out Patagonia and anything further subtropical. Whatever you do and whatever you decide, do NOT miss Iguazu Falls. TRUST me.

Latin America is amazing.. enjoy!

Posted by dEsidEL on Jan-30-2009 22:10:

edit: I just realized you said you only have a week .. so I'd say do Costa Rica. Amazing country and can be traversed in about a week's time. Also has one of the highest literacy rates and safest country in Latin America. The eco-tourism and biodiversity is also superb, not to mention hot springs, ziplining in cloudforests, surfing, and volcanos!

Posted by Stilez on Jan-31-2009 00:24:

For 1 week, there are only 2 real options.

Costa Rica
or
Guatemala

Guatemala has the most history, indigenous arts/crafts and people, plus it aslo has actual ruins. Costa Rica doesn't have any of that , but it has alot of beautiful beaches and scenery. Plus it's probably the most tourist friendly of all the central american countries.

These 2 places will also allow you to enjoy alot for little within that 1 week timeframe that you have.

edit: I didn't mention any S.American countries because 1. they're too far and cost alot more and basically not worth the $$ for only 1week. 2. There aren't really many ruins in S. America besides the Andes/Peru - Machu Pichu which costs tons...and is definitely not worth it for only 1 week. Based on what you said, your father was in Mexico, and saw the ruins. He would probably enjoy keeping with that theme by viewing some more in Guatemala.

Posted by Kellyboop on Jan-31-2009 07:38:

quote:
Originally posted by rabbitjoker
Buenos Aries.

Go for steak & wine.

Holy crap best beef ever! I love churresqas (spelling). Buenos Aires is also a vibrant city full of beautiful art and culture.

Belize is also a choice if you want to see ruins? You guys could even try scuba diving!

Edit: Costa Rica is a better choice for eco-friendly, safe tourism. My dad spent a few days in the rainforests there and loved it

Posted by rabbitjoker on Jan-31-2009 08:26:

Coming from many friends who have been there: Brazil is a great place to visit, so long you have someone to guide you. Otherwise it is expensive and possibly dangerous (both Rio and San Paulo).

When I go, my South American trip will consist of Argentina (wine & beef country) plus Machu Picchu in Peru (and maybe Ecuador).

Feedback on previous replies: Brazil will be lower on my list as it tends to be more difficult to navigate (volume of traffic, dangerous, etc). From people who have given me advice on travelling the South-American continent, they suggest Brazil as the last place to visit as it tends to be the most common/unsophisticated travel destination (sophisticated based on party lifestyle) - other countries have more historical and more authentic South American experiences.

One friend of mine did Peru and Ecuador one trip and said it was the most amazing historical and cultural experience of his live (and this is from someone who had been to Columbia and Brazil).

(mind you, everybody who has been to Brazil says it is amazing and that they had good time [they all had locals to show them the ropes however]).

Posted by Skipper on Jan-31-2009 13:52:

quote:
Originally posted by rabbitjoker
Coming from many friends who have been there: Brazil is a great place to visit, so long you have someone to guide you. Otherwise it is expensive and possibly dangerous (both Rio and San Paulo).

Yes. My thoughts exactly.

Posted by *~LiSa-LoO~* on Jan-31-2009 14:33:

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone! I'll pass them on to my dad and let you know what we decide.

Thanks again

Posted by VDub on Jan-31-2009 14:46:

Me being Chilean, I'm kinda biased...

I know it's beautiful and you can go skiing in the Andes in the morning and swim in the ocean in the afternoon...

That being said...

I am dying to go to the Galapago's...

That's in Equador...

That would probably be good for you and dad to get some exploration in...

Posted by Jayx1 on Jan-31-2009 14:52:

Argentina for sure. Ive been there 6 times. It;s pretty cheap to travel there and the food is delicious. I recommend Buenos Aires and visiting Evitas grave, touring the casa rosada, la boca and taking in a tango show. Then get on a plane and travel to las cataratas de iguasu. They are the most beautful waterfalls you will ever see. You can usually get a package from a travel agent in buenos aires but if you want to be secure before you go, you can get one from the internet. Iguasu is on the brazil and argentina border and usually with these packages you stay in brazil. So you would need a visa for brazil. Argentina does not require a visa from canadians. Also another trip is a ferry ride across the river to montevideo and punta del este uruguay. Punta del este is like the ibiza of south america and the beach is great too. Uruguay also does not require a visa.

Flights are decent. Last i checked they were 700 out of toronto tax inclusive but are usually 1200. You can get a flight for around 900 from buffalo.

Oh and the nightlife in buenos aires is amazing. Can i say pacha anyone?

Posted by Intangible on Jan-31-2009 14:56:

My mom visits zihuatanejo mexico frequently and loves it. Its a small village, not too many tourists, nice beaches, nice little bed and breakfasts or other nice family owned hotels.

If you want to do a resort, Punta Cana Dominican Republic is the place to be <3

Posted by Jayx1 on Jan-31-2009 14:57:

punta cana is like being on the truman show. Its a walled compund of fiction and very hard to get out of. Just to get outside a taxi will charge you $20 in a country where people make $2 a day. Needless to say as an adventurer i didnt like it very much.

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