If you haven’t been to South America yet, you are missing out! This diverse continent offers a dizzying array of sites and experiences. South American is an adventure waiting to happen.
You can explore the rainforests of the Amazon or party at the carnavals in Brazil. You can tour popular landmarks, like Machu Picchu and the Christ the Redeemer statue, or get close and personal with the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.
If you’ve got a South American destination on your bucket list and you’re looking for an excuse to book those flights, here are a couple of good ones.
The Wildlife of South America
South America is famously home to one of the most diverse and spectacular ecosystems in the world: the Amazon basin. You literally can’t move for the wildlife in this lush landscape. With over a thousand types of mammals and nearly two thousand bird species, it will be a long time before you can say you’ve seen it all.
Some of the most famous residents of the Amazon basin are ocelots and jaguars.
A sighting of either species is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But even if you’re an experienced nature lover, don’t go wandering into the Amazon jungle without a qualified guide to show you around. You’ll spot more wildlife with a local guide to help you, and you’ll avoid scary encounters.
If getting bitten by mosquitoes in the Amazon basin isn’t your bag, a visit to the Galapagos Islands offers incredible sights for nature nerds. The species on this landmass evolved separately from the rest of the world, resulting in one of the most interesting and unique places in terms of biodiversity.
If you go scuba-diving in the Galapagos waters, you’re bound to see spectacular marine life that you won’t see anywhere else, like the enormous Galapagos Tortoise, the diving Marine Iguana, and—not to be forgotten—the blue-footed booby {pictured above in the left photo}.
If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, you can spot a variety of marine life from the shore when you explore the coast on foot. You may even see the sea lions sunbathing on the beach {pictured above in the right photo}.
Experience the Party of a Lifetime
If you’re a party animal, a trip to South America is an absolute must. The carnaval in Rio de Janeiro should be your first stop. Millions of people pour into Rio for this annual celebration.
You’ll dance the samba and soak in the atmosphere as elaborate floats make their way along the city streets. Skilled dance troupes keep the crowd’s spirits high late into the night.
If you’re considering vacations in Ecuador and Colombia, you must visit Barranquilla in Colombia for the carnival. Salvador should be on any reggae fan’s bucket list, with the reggae-influenced celebrations taking centre stage.
The list of celebrations to take part in when you’re visiting South America is endless. The Inti Raymi festival takes place at a historic Inca site close to the city of Cusco, in southeastern Peru. This colorful festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the region’s indigenous people.
And if color is your thing, you must not miss the Feria de las Flores in Colombia, a local flower festival and tightly contested flower growing competition. Aymara New Year is celebrated close to La Paz in Bolivia, which is another great South American festival to which tourists are welcome.
Whether you’re considering your first trip to South America, or you’re tempted to embark on your tenth journey to the continent, these reasons are all the justification you need!
Have you traveled to South America? If so, where did you go and what was your favorite part of your trip? Leave a travel tip or a must-see South American destination in the comments below.
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
