Questions about South America

GoHeelsweeeehoooo

GoHeelsweeeehoooo

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My daughter has talked about doing study abroad and she's expressed an interest in going to South America - just wondering if anyone here has visited any countries in South America and would be able to give their opinion on best places to visit
 
Peru is fun travel-wise. Incredibly diverse geographically - Andes, Pacific beaches, Amazon. And some cool historical stuff given the Incan empire. Good food IMO. It's a developing country, so cheap, but also maybe a few more safety concerns - but these apply almost anywhere in developing countries or in big cities. Lima wasn't a very attractive city though... just my opinion. Never been to any others.
 
I spent some time in Santiago Chile while visiting Patagonia and thought it was a fun, culturally vibrant city. And pretty safe (by South American city standards) if I recall.
 
Been to Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay. All great (well, maybe not Paraguay), but Argentina is the best IMO. BA is an incredible city, Bariloche (skiing) and Mendoza (wine) are also fantastic. Not even been to Patagonia and that's supposed to be the prettiest/coolest part. Brazil is edgier with more impressive things to see - Iguassu, the Pantanal, the Amazon, Rio - but a little rougher and harder to get around.

My daughter studied in Peru and absolutely loved it. I'll go there soon, but can't speak to it at this point. It seems to have a hugely diverse number of things to do/see.
 
gregh1 said:
Peru is fun travel-wise. Incredibly diverse geographically - Andes, Pacific beaches, Amazon. And some cool historical stuff given the Incan empire. Good food IMO. It's a developing country, so cheap, but also maybe a few more safety concerns - but these apply almost anywhere in developing countries or in big cities. Lima wasn't a very attractive city though... just my opinion. Never been to any others.
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Yep…Peru was great and agree with all of the above! With that said, I spent very little time in Lima…was mostly up around Cusco…but that was awesome.
 
I know Chile has come up in our conversations - she is majoring in Anthropology with a minor in International studies but she also has an interest in Astronomy and I know Chile has a lot of astronomical Observatories
 
GoHeelsweeeehoooo said:
I know Chile has come up in our conversations - she is majoring in Anthropology with a minor in International studies but she also has an interest in Astronomy and I know Chile has a lot of astronomical Observatories
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Chile is very nice if not quite as exciting. Santiago is pretty attractive and manageable for a SA capitol/metropolis. Vina del Mar is a nice coastal resort not far from Santiago. The southern lake district is beautiful with lots of lakeside towns nestled within reach of the Andes. Puerto Veras and Frutillar are stunning. You literally feel like you are in the Alps, as the area has a ton of European influence.
 
TigerBTM said:
Yep…Peru was great and agree with all of the above! With that said, I spent very little time in Lima…was mostly up around Cusco…but that was awesome.
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I've also spent a couple of weeks in Peru, most of it in the Andes at around 10,000 ft above sea level in the Ancash region in and around Huaraz. Beautiful country and lovely people. I had two great trips and would love to go back someday.
 
fourheels said:
I've also spent a couple of weeks in Peru, most of it in the Andes at around 10,000 ft above sea level in the Ancash region in and around Huaraz. Beautiful country and lovely people. I had two great trips and would love to go back someday.
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I loved Huaraz, took a long bus from Lima to get there and back, I remember some gorgeous views of the Cordillera Blanca. Did Pisco Nevado while in Huaraz. Didn't sleep due to the basecamp altitude, then insane headache from the the altitude and not being in marching shape, got up to the top and clouds covered the views 100%. A few days of the 10k in Huaraz, wasn't enough prep for the high stuff, even after some time before Lima in Cuzco (11k). I'd definitely do it again, with a tweak to my prep to deal with the altitude.
 
I loved Colombia (2X)-- Bogota and Cartagena. Both places were full of thinking folk from what I saw.

Years back I backpacked around the Rio de la Plata for a couple of months -- I actually enjoyed Paraguay.

I've really missed out not getting to Peru and the real Andean areas though.

Off to Guatemala for a couple of weeks tomorrow. Research in the capital the first week (with some teaching thrown in for good measure) and then some holiday vacationing the next.
 
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