Soccer fans know Uruguay. For the rest of us, Uruguay often seems elusive and mysterious. A modern agricultural nation exporting both wool and beef, it welcomes visitors from the elite to backpackers. However, if you like to travel, it’s easy to visit Uruguay. It’s a progressive country with a sordid history resulting in a skewed …
Spanish or Portuguese-influenced, South America is a paradise with a flair all of its own. Using both geopolitical and geographic definitions, the category includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, French Guiana, and the Falkland Islands.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama are at times considered South American countries. On Albom Adventures, all Caribbean travel is classified in the Central America category.
To date, we have travelled to six of the countries in this region. These include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Enjoy our South America-based articles:
Things to Do in Punta del Este Uruguay Cruise Port
Punta del Este is sparkling white sand, varied surf, playful sea lions, exclusive shopping, and culinary delights. Uruguay’s fashionable resort town attracts holidaymakers, families, and the beautiful people. As cruise visitors, we focused our time on discovering the best things to do in Punta del Este rather than relaxing at the beach. A seasonal destination, …
Valle del Encanto: Petroglyphs in Chile’s Enchanted Valley
The Enchanted Valley (Valle del Encanto) is as mysterious and unusual as the name suggests. Filled with petroglyphs, fossils, and other signs of past inhabitants, the secluded desert ravine is just south of the Atacama desert. It was once a walking trail for Chilean natives travelling between the Andes mountains and the coast. Today, it’s …
Stargazing and other things to do in La Serena Chile
While stargazing in the nearby Elqui Valley seems to be the drawing card bringing international tourists into the region, it is the exquisite beaches that call to the Chileans. Regardless of the initial motivation, visitors find plenty of interesting things to do in La Serena. In fact, Chile’s second-oldest city offered us more fascinating options …
Iglesia Capuchinos: A Tour Beyond Locked Doors
Iglesia Capuchinos (Church of the Capuchins) captivated us on our first night in Cordoba Argentina. Bold and reaching up to the heavens, it is a masterpiece against a black sky. Staring at it in wonder, I didn’t realise that in less than 24 hours I would be on top of one of those towers. Our …
My Dengue Fever Experience in South America
Dengue fever is no fun. I know. It is high on my list of things I NEVER want to do again. A hard lesson learned, my dengue fever experience was a big price to pay for entering the Brazilian and Paraguayan rainforest using an all-natural insect repellent. The Aedes aegypti species mosquito transmits dengue, Zika, chikungunya and …
Hiking and Other Outdoor Things to Do in Bariloche
Deja vu was strong as we approached San Carlos de Bariloche, a Swiss-influenced, quaint mountain town in northern Patagonia. Situated in Argentina’s Lakes District, Bariloche overlooks the stunning glacial Lake Nahuel Huapi. Winter skiing and summer hiking are the top activities. Whenever you visit, you will discover a vast number of outdoor things to do …
Is South America Safe? Safety Tips for Travellers
Thousands of people visit South America every day without incident, yet some are not so lucky. The question we are often asked, ‘Is South America safe for travellers?’ We examine this from two sides: personal and health. For us, we followed the tips listed below and had almost no South America safety issues. Statistics don’t …
Our South America Itinerary: Highlights of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay
We spent nine weeks travelling around South America, visiting five of the southern countries. A whirlwind of new aromas, sites, landscapes, and culture, our South America itinerary provided an ever-changing environment. Below are the highlights of Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Our South America itinerary map Highlights of Argentina We visited five regions of …
Quebrada de las Conchas: Best of Salta to Cafayate
Deep red jagged rock formations with golden highlights compete for our attention as we drive from Salta to Cafayate in Argentina. Over a million years in the making, the highlight of this road trip is the 80 km section called Quebrada de las Conchas (Shell Ravine). Here, we find northwestern Argentina’s most stunning drive, a …
How to Visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro
It’s easy to understand the attraction luring nearly 2 million visitors to the top of Corcovado mountain each year. Here, Christ the Redeemer monument, an icon of Rio de Janeiro, overlooks the city from an urban rainforest. For many, the visit is a spiritual attraction. For us, it was the panoramic landscape with a glittering …
How to Tour Chiloe Island: See Penguins or Palafitos
Chiloe is a rugged windswept Chilean Island defined by ancient myths and traditions. South America’s second-largest island boasts old fishing villages intermixed with incredible nature. Sixteen of its over 100 island churches have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites that draw visitors from around the world. However, it was the penguins and palafitos (stilt houses) …
16 Unique Things to Do in Cordoba Argentina
Cordoba caught me by surprise. Frequently off the tourist track, Cordoba is one of Argentina’s oldest cities. It’s a university city with an eclectic mix of mostly Jesuit historic sites and modern enthusiasm. We discovered more than enough things to do in Cordoba Argentina and had to make some tough choices for our limited time. …
Colonia del Sacramento Uruguay: A Day Trip from Buenos Aires
Colonia del Sacramento, or Colonia as the locals call it, is Uruguay’s oldest city. A beachfront town founded by the Portuguese in 1680, it sits across the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Colonia’s distinctive character is defined by winding cobblestone roads and the colourful architecture of its historic old town. However, there …
Valparaiso Street Art: Vibrant Expression in Chile
Valparaiso street art is a bold and dramatic example of personal expression. It is different from other cities. Not so much in its style, but in its artists’ passion, respect, and backstory. Unlike the rest of Chile, where street art is illegal or restricted, the Valparaiso government almost encourages this freedom. As a result, Valparaiso …
