Is South America on your travel wishlist? If not, allow us to tempt you…
Standing in line to go through security at PDX Airport #southamerica bound
When I was 21 I decided to pack my life up into a 70-liter backpack and my 30-liter daypack to venture through South America for six months by myself. During my trip, I traveled to Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Belize, and Mexico. During this journey, my love for South America grew and I want to inspire more people to see this beautiful continent.
Here are five reasons I fell in love with South America and why you might too!
#1: First and foremost, Patagonia
Although it can be expensive, Patagonia is worth every cent of it. Whether you venture to the Chile side for Torres del Paine or the Argentina side to go El Chaltén, it’s a place you will never forget. I went to El Chalten and hiked Mt. Fitz Roy. The landscape is unbelievable, from the Perito Moreno glacier to the incredible mountains surrounding you, it’s a must-see if you’re a nature lover. Plus there are hikes for everyone at any level of difficulty you need or want.
#2: Next stop, Machu Picchu
It’s been photographed from every angle and one of the biggest draws to visiting Peru and for good reason. I knew going to Machu Picchu would be a must for me, I was still figuring out the details when I arrived in Peru and had a tight budget. In the end, it was absolutely worth it and I’m beyond grateful I did this trek.
#3: The Galapagos Islands
When the plane arrived in the Galapagos, I cried tears of joy. I could not believe I was about to adventure on the land that Charles Darwin studied on. The islands have changed ownership many times over history but now fall under the property of Ecuador. In order to get there, you have to fly from mainland Ecuador or take a cruise. Everywhere you go there are iguanas, sea lions, tortoises, penguins, and many more creatures. It’s incredible to see so many different species interact with each other in one ecosystem.
#4: Dancing!
If there is anything that brings all the countries in South America together, it’s dancing. Some countries specialize in specific dances more than others and are willing to teach foreigners. To discover tango you can venture to Argentina and visit the salsa capital of Cali in Colombia. Some of the other popular dances throughout South America are bachata, rumba, bomba, mamba and many more.
#5: the markets!
From the smell of fresh juices being made to the local street food you can eat, it’s one of my favorite things to do when traveling to a new country. It’s a chance to see the local cuisine up close and offers some of the freshest produce. Each country has different specialty dishes and can be found in the markets.
I hope this post has inspired you to consider somewhere in South America for your next vacation, it won’t disappoint you! If our team can help bring a trip to South America to life please drop us a note and the team will be happy to help plan your next adventure!
Happy Traveling!
Sammy
LBT Blog Contributor